By Josi Kilpack
Timothy Mayfield knows that he must marry a woman of wealth, as he has none of his own, but he hopes that he can also find a woman whom he can love.--and Maryann Morrington may be that woman. She isn't a great beauty, but she is the sister-in-law of his friend, has a fortune that will pass to her husband, and he enjoys her company and her wit. Then Timothy's uncle Elliott, who is trying to bring respectability and stability his nieces and nephews, reveals that, upon Timothy making a match of which Elliott approves, Elliott is prepared to give him a generous amount of land as well as a home in London, suddenly he is free to forget about financial matters and find the perfect woman for him--and he promptly puts together a list of everything he desires in a woman, from blonde hair to artistic talent to a tinkling laugh.
Maryann knows that just about any man who shows any interest in her is likely attracted more by her fortune than herself, she appreciates Timothy's honest assertion that he while he needs a woman of means, he also is spending time with her in order to find out if they could connect on a deeper level. When Timothy returns from his uncle's and doesn't pay her any attention at all, she finds her heart wounded--and when another forthright conversation with him has him revealing his newfound circumstances as well as the list of qualities the perfect woman must have--few of which Maryann possesses--any dreams she had of a future with Timothy are shattered. Still, she enjoys his friendship and truly wants his happiness--and she even gives him pointers on how to dress and introduces him to ladies recently come to town in order to help him find the woman for him, while hoping, without any real hope, that someone will come along who can drive Timothy from her thoughts and heart.
This book had me hooked from the opening chapter and I couldn't wait to see how things worked outI loved how Maryann was both very direct and smart; the banter between Timothy and her was terrific from the beginning and continued throughout the book. I really liked Maryann's character--she was good and kind and strong but also somewhat wounded, and she just felt very real. Her pain at Timothy's rejection, as well as his inadvertent insults, was portrayed very realistically and I just hurt for her! I really liked Timothy's upbeat attitude and how he was funny and kind (with a few slip-ups), but at the same time, I got exasperated with him for Maryann's sake. I liked seeing the growth in his character and particularly enjoyed an enlightening conversation he had with his older brother. I also liked how the book ended; I was a little worried it was going to wrap up too easily and without adequate resolution, but I think things played out realistically and satisfactorily. This is a delightful book and one of my picks for best of 2019. 5 stars.
This is the second book in a series; while you could read it without reading the first, the first book is equally enjoyable, so check out Promises and Primroses, too!
I read an ARC from the publisher #ShadowMountain via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #DaisiesAndDevotion
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