Young love is all too fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired—until the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever has.
When Sarah’s ailing uncle summons her back to the family estate in England, there is only one person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Soon, despite their exasperation with each other, they cannot deny the stirring of feelings long buried—but is it too late for second chances?
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I don't think I've ever met a Sarah Eden book I didn't love. I was so happy to be back with the Jonquil family, this time with the focus on Harold. This family is large and full of personality. The Jonquil brothers are an interesting lot- each struggling in their own way, teasing and torturing each other but coming together in a strong way when the needs arise. I think that pretty much sums up familial dynamics for a lot of us. It makes it easy to love these people and root for their happiness. Each book may focus on one brother in this family but in each book, they are all present in some way. I love that they never go away but we see a continuation of their stories in each new book that comes our way.
Harold is described by his sister in law as adrift. I love that description, especially as we come to know Harold better. He has so many ideas of what he ought to be and what he ought to do that somewhere in the process of becoming a vicar he lost himself. Thank goodness Sarah comes back into the picture. She is the turning point for Harold and the catalyst for his change. I love her and I love her for Harold.
As with all of Sarah Eden's books, I was filled with emotion. She has a gentle way of telling a story that fills up all the crevices of my heart.
Content: some mild peril, verbal abuse.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
As with all of Sarah Eden's books, I was filled with emotion. She has a gentle way of telling a story that fills up all the crevices of my heart.
Content: some mild peril, verbal abuse.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
