Author: Cara Lynn James
Goodreads Blurb:
While Charlotte is focusing on uncovering sordid information on columnist Daniel Wilmot, her heart leads her into uncharted territory.During the summer of 1900 Charlotte Hale, a native Newporter and secretary for the Rhode Island Reporter, accepts an undercover assignment as temporary governess to Daniel Wilmont's children in order to secretly gather evidence against him. As he helps her rediscover God, Charlotte learns that Daniel is an honorable man.They unexpectedly fall in love despite their different backgrounds and social positions. Charlotte soon realizes she must defend Daniel against the forces set against him-a willful student with a romantic crush and the newspaper editor determined to destroy his reputation.
My Take:
This is the second book in the series and only the second book I've read by this author, but I know it won't be my last. I think I liked the first one a little bit more but they are both great stories and I can't wait to read the third in this series.
Charlotte is working as a secretary but wants to be a journalist. She supports her family and they can't earn enough for medical expenses or the damage to the roof. She feels enormous pressure to provide for them. So when her boss gives her the opportunity to go undercover as a chance to prove her worth as a journalist, more than just her ambition is on the line. I loved that she was a career woman with intelligence but also cared so much for family and had a strong sense of right and wrong.
The deeper she gets involved, the less comfortable she feels. Her boss seems willing to destroy Daniel by any means - even dishonest - and Daniel seems innocent of all the things she's supposed to find evidence of. If she doesn't comply she's afraid of losing her job. If she does...
Daniel asked Charlotte if she was a Christian and she told him she was but lots of little things are adding up to say she might not be. He promised himself not to get involved with anyone after what happened with his first wife but there is just something about Charlotte that draws him... He's the kind of strong, righteous, hero who is willing to stand up for what he believes in no matter what. He's also truly willing to believe the best in people. If anything, he's almost too perfect.
I thought perhaps a bit more time could have been spent in Daniel's perspective to answer some questions and give some more depth. There were some loose ends that never seemed explained - like what was so special about the things in the attic. There was a touching secondary romance for his mother as well.
I'm looking forward to book three, and if you like Christian Historical Fiction, I hope you'll consider this series. :o)
Lee, I totally agree that there should have been more time spent on daniel!! And really, what was in the attic?? I know it was supposed to be a symbol of how he holds onto his grief and guilt like he holds onto the stuff in the attic, but I thought there would be SOMETHING up there!! lol. I wanted to know more of why he ever loved his first life in the first place and more about that relationship too. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - I'm glad you liked the review. I think it was a good book but there was some untapped potential there for sure.
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