Made My Heart Flutter, Pound, and Melt!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Traditional Regency Romance
SETTING: Bath and Kent, England 1816
MAIN CHARACTERS: Marianne Daventry (country-loving, artless, fond of twirling, and not an elegant lady) and Philip Wyndham (charming, flirtatious, devastatingly handsome and full of secrets)
SYNOPSIS: Marianne and her twin sister, Cecily, receive invitations to a beautiful estate called Edenbrooke. While Marianne, who finds Bath dull and suffocating, is simply excited to spend some time in the country amongst nature, Cecily is sure this trip will lead to a marriage proposal from Lord Wyndham, heir to Edenbrooke, whom she’s met in London. Marianne first couple of days at Edenbrooke are ones of blissful happiness and budding friendship. But when Cecily arrives and the truth unravels, Marianne desperately wishes to leave paradise known as Edenbrooke.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Emotionally Invested: This story had me spell-bound – I read it one day (and thought about it all day while at work!). And then I reread my favorite passages almost instantly after I finished it. But aside to being completely riveting, what I loved most was how I became wrapped up in these characters. This is one of the stories where I felt my eyes sting with tears, my breath hitch in my throat, and my heart ache with pain for these characters. Such wonderfully emotive writing!
- Marianne Daventry: Marianne instantly found her way into my heart and earned my unwavering admiration. She has so many praiseworthy qualities – I love that she thinks for herself, has a wry sense of humor, and is in possession of a pure and genuine heart. Her relationship with her sister is complicated – there’s some competitiveness and tension – but when it comes to family, Marianne is selfless and loyal to a fault. She is someone I want to both emulate and have as a best friend.
- Philip Wyndham: *swoon* I think Philip is up there with Darcy, Rochester, and Westley as my all-time favorite romantic heroes! Wow! I love Philip’s quiet intensity, protective nature, and rakishly flirtatious behavior…the combination is pretty sexy and utterly swoon-worthy! For me, the way he ardently falls in love and his consistently honorable actions made him completely irresistible.
- Bits of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer: In the back of the book we learn that Julianne Donaldson is a fan of both Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. Which didn’t surprise me one bit given the setting, tone, and the fact that the Philip and Marianne share some traits with some of Ms. Austen’s and Ms. Heyer’s beloved hero and heroines. Not to mention Philip’s less than stellar first impression with Marianne… 😉
- How It Unravels: At one point in the story, I smugly thought to myself “I can see the writing on the wall, I know where this is going.” Well, while I was right about some things, this story continued to surprise me all the way to the end. And that was delightful, I love that it wasn’t completely predictable and that the author threw readers a couple of curve balls.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
Oh! That I didn’t read this lovely book sooner – shame on me!!!
CONCLUSION:
Am I at the end of my review already? But I am nowhere near done singing this book’s praises! I haven’t mentioned the love letter, the painting, the rescue, or the persistent suitors…ah well, guess you will have to read Edenbrooke yourself to discover all its delightful pleasures! An arrestingly beautifully and exquisitely sincere romance – trust me, if you are a fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, you need to read this book!
I read this last year Meredith and I’m with you on this one. I loved it!!!! I’ve recommended it to lots of people.
So glad to hear you loved it as much as I did, Teresa! I’m so happy to join everyone in praising it!
I absolutely adore Edenbrooke and I am so glad you loved it as well! The author recently released a short prequel novella in Phillip’s POV, which goes up to Phillip’s meeting of Marianne at the inn.
I saw the prequel novella and will probably get it for myself (even though I don’t read ebooks!) Philip is so dreamy!
This is one of the few books I’ve read more than once. I’m tickled you FINALLY were able to read it, Meredith. It’s one of my favorites. Philip? 100% Swoon-worthy!!!
Yes, finally, indeed! 🙂 I LOOOOOVE Philip! Have you read Blackmoore? I’m wondering if it is just as good…
I knew you would love this one Meredith!! Honestly, it is one of my all-time favorites and stands in my mind as pretty much the “perfect” romance book. I let myself re-read once a year. Sigh…..
I agree with you, Sarah! Definitely filled with so many perfect and significant moments – my romantic heart was in heaven! 🙂 LOL!
It’s on my Kindle app, I just have to get around to reading it. Sounds like I should do it soon!
Yes! I’m sure you will love it, Stephanie!
This is my favorite book. Love it!
Woot! Definitely one of my faves too!
So happy you loved this book! I knew you would! 😉 It’s one of my favourite novels and it’s simply wonderful! One of my favourite scenes is when Philip teaches Marianne to write a love letter… *sighs* I haven’t read Donaldson’s second book but it’s on my list!
Yes, that letter is exquisite and the emotions in that scene are so turbulent and tangible! It definitely effected me! I see she has a 3rd book coming out in Feb! But instead of historical this one sounds contemporary!
Oh, right! I had forgotten about that one! Yes, it’s a contemporary book and it sounds lovely as well! I have read mixed reviews of Blackmoore but I’d love to try it all the same.
I read and loved this book also. Glad you enjoyed it – great review.
Thanks, Sheila! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it as well!
I haven’t read it, but now I will! Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
I so loved this one, too, Meredith!
Awesome, Candy! Did you read her other book as well?
No, I haven’t, but I want to read it. I’ve heard it is just as good.
I imagine that by this time it takes a lot to surprise and delight you so completely, Meredith–high praise indeed for this book!
I’m a sucker for a truly romantic and ardent hero. 🙂
Well it looks like another one to add to my ever growing wish list!!! I wish I could afford them all but there again I spend many many hours re-reading my favourites and unfortunately I occasionally have to go to work or do cleaning and cooking etc plus snatching the odd bit of sleep. Thanks for this lovely review Meredith.
Definitely! Put it on your wishlist and read it! I’m sure it will be one you want to reread again! It is too bad all that other stuff gets in the way of reading time!
I keep seeing this book pop up in different places on Goodreads. Glad to know that you and so many others loved it. I’ve hit a bit of a book slump and this sounds like just what I need.
This would be a great book to try to see if you could get out of the slump! 🙂
My taste usually runs right with your reviews. I will definitely check this one out!
I hope you like it as much as I did, Becky!
After that review, I think I have to move this one from my wishlist to my TBR list! I just have to decide if I want to get paperback or Kindle…hmmm…decisions…decisions!
Yes, that is a a good move to make! I hope you get the chance to read it soon!
Always looking for stories flavored with Austen and Heyer. Thanks for sharing about this one. Your enthusiasm has me eager for it.
Me too! I l can never get enough!
Gorgeous review, Meredith, thanks!!! I can’t wait to read this!
I hope you get to read it soon and love it as much as I did! 🙂
Yay! Wonderful review! This has moved to the top of my to-read list. Thanks for your reviews, Meredith–they help me sort through my too-full to-read list. 🙂
Thank you, Reina! I’m so glad you found the review helpful! I know with having so many books that catch your interest it is helpful to know which ones come highly recommend! 🙂
I love it when you fill in the part “what you were not too fond of” with comments which sound as more praise for the book:)
LOL! I can never leave it blank… 😉
gorgeous cover!
denise
It is! And I love how it makes me think of a scene in the book! Very apropos!
I picked this one up a while ago but I haven’t read it so far. Glad you enjoyed it so much 🙂
read the short prequel to this, wish she could expand upon it. (don’t want to give away spoilers for those who haven’t read it.)
I saw that there was a prequel novella! Definitely will need to check it out. 🙂 Thanks, Patricia!