@Gill-M
Gill M
Gill M's Books by Status
Gill M's Most Popular Reviews
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2023/06/in-sickness-in-health-by-frances.html
Jane Bennet becomes unwell whilst visiting Netherfield Park.
Surprisingly, Mrs Bennet is delighted! Why worry about a trifling cold? After all, more time in the house of the amiable and wealthy, Mr Bingley must lead to a proposal.
Elizabeth Bennet is worried for her sister, so she walks to Netherfield Park to check on her.
Unfortunately, the trifling cold, turns out to be smallpox. Elizabeth has been exposed, so enters quarantine with Jane.
Smallpox spreads through the area, so many households are quarantined.
Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy have both been inoculated against smallpox, so undertake to assist the apothecary in monitoring the outbreak.
As Jane grows worse, Elizabeth feels very alone. Support comes from an unexpected person.
Elizabeth had thought Mr Darcy unpleasant and haughty, but he shows himself to be kind and the best of men.
Whilst Elizabeth struggles at Netherfield, Longbourn has five people sick. Mary, though healthy is burdened with caring for several patients, while trying to keep the house running.
When the outbreak is over, sixty eight souls have been lost.
The families gradually emerge from their isolation, to mourn, to reconnect and to slowly move on. The survivors face devastating changes.
Such exceptional times, yield profound changes in character and some unexpected romances.
The strange experience of COVID and lockdowns, makes it all too easy to imagine such a frightening situation.
Frances Reynolds has captured the fear, grief and gritty reality of smallpox, together with the green shoots of hope and burgeoning love.
Definitely not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2023/05/after-misunderstandings-and.html
After misunderstandings and tribulations, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are betrothed.
Just when felicity is assured, Darcy is informed of madness running through the Darcy line.
Elizabeth must be informed before marriage but Darcy is terrified that she will break off the engagement.
Fortunately, Elizabeth is devoted to Darcy, so the wedding goes ahead.
After the honeymoon, a letter arrives which casts a shadow on Georgiana Darcy's character and even her sanity.
This is an excellent romantic, suspense novel.
Little snippets of Georgiana's odd behaviour fuel our suspicions. It feels like waves upon the shore. Suspicion rises, but then diminishes, only to rise again.
Excellently written and gripping.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-captains-wife-by-nina-jarrett.html
Lydia has long been in love with her childhood friend Jacob Lewis.
They grow up and take their places in the world.
Lydia runs the household for her widower father, a vicar and tutors local children.
Jacob accepts a commission in the army, embracing the perils and pleasures of the world.
At four and twenty, Lydia is a confirmed spinster, having turned down suitors as she waited for Jacob to finally notice her.
A week after her father's sudden death, Jacob returns and offers marriage. Saddened that Jacob seems to offer his protection but not love, Lydia accepts, as the alternative is a life in service.
They have only hours together before Jacob returns to his barracks. There he receives orders to the continent and ultimately, to Waterloo.
Settled at the Lewis family estate, Lydia faces a traumatic event, causing her to flee and hide under an assumed name until Jacob returns.
Jacob never receives her letter explaining how to find her.
When Jacob returns from Waterloo, it is three years before he can track her down.
When they meet angst, regret and passion ensue.
Excellent little novella.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
Merged review:
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-captains-wife-by-nina-jarrett.html
Lydia has long been in love with her childhood friend Jacob Lewis.
They grow up and take their places in the world.
Lydia runs the household for her widower father, a vicar and tutors local children.
Jacob accepts a commission in the army, embracing the perils and pleasures of the world.
At four and twenty, Lydia is a confirmed spinster, having turned down suitors as she waited for Jacob to finally notice her.
A week after her father's sudden death, Jacob returns and offers marriage. Saddened that Jacob seems to offer his protection but not love, Lydia accepts, as the alternative is a life in service.
They have only hours together before Jacob returns to his barracks. There he receives orders to the continent and ultimately, to Waterloo.
Settled at the Lewis family estate, Lydia faces a traumatic event, causing her to flee and hide under an assumed name until Jacob returns.
Jacob never receives her letter explaining how to find her.
When Jacob returns from Waterloo, it is three years before he can track her down.
When they meet angst, regret and passion ensue.
Excellent little novella.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.