A Heart Revealed #REVIEW
A Heart Revealed Summary
A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack is a new turn for the author. Known primarily for her award-winning culinary mystery series (though she has written books in other genres), Ms. Kilpack is now branching out into historical romance and I expect she will be as successful in this new genre as she was with her mysteries.
mber Marie Sterlington, the Rage of the Season in Regency-era London, has her pick of men, and she knows what she wants most in a husband: a title and a fortune. Why would she ever marry for something as fickle as love? And why would she ever look twice at Thomas Richards, a third son of a country lord?
But when Amber’s social standing is threatened, the character of her future husband becomes far more important than his position. After a public humiliation, she find herself exiled to Yorkshire. alone except for her maid, Amber is faced with a future she never expected in a circumstance far below what she has known all her life. Humbled and lonely, Amber begins to wonder if isolation is for the best. Who could ever love her now?
A Heart Revealed Review
Amber Sterlington is a Regency-era London debutante. Though she is beautiful, she is extremely self-centered and snobbish. Enjoying the London “season”, Amber is in search of a husband—but not just any husband. She has her sights set on finding a high-ranking, titled gentleman of great means. She won’t be content with one or the other; her ideal suitor must have both.
Thomas Richards, a would-be suitor, is neither. The third son of a country Lord, he is without the great means, high title and London social standing that Amber seeks. Though he knows his situation is hopeless, he is still drawn to her. Being beneath her notice, she does not remember him when they meet again after their initial introduction. Thomas is ill at ease in London society, but is there for a similar purpose to Amber’s—the hunt for a suitable spouse.
Very quickly in the story Amber establishes herself as a very unlikeable character. Although she appears to be a perfect lady in London society, she is vain, manipulative, jealous, cold and uncaring. But then a strange and “shameful” medical condition alters the course of Amber’s life.
Following a socially humiliating incident (where Thomas Richards becomes her rescuer and still goes virtually unnoticed by Amber), Amber’s family banishes her to a small run-down cottage in the country with only her lady’s maid Suzanne for companionship. Since, like many women of her station in that time, Amber is completely helpless and untrained in even the most menial of tasks, it is a challenging transition for both of them. Eventually she begins to believe that neither her medical condition nor her banishment are going to be temporary and wonders if it wouldn’t be better to spend her life in a self-imposed exile.
I admit in the beginning, I greatly disliked her character almost to the point of annoyance, but I am guessing that was the author’s intent. Ms. Kilpack is very skilled at creating characters who feel real enough to walk out of the pages of her books, and the main characters in A Heart Revealed are no exception.
The story was enjoyable and flowed well. While it took me a bit to get into it because of the initial introduction to Amber Sterlington, once I got into the story, I found myself not wanting to put it down. All-in-all, A Heart Revealed is a thoughtful and enjoyable light romance.
About the Author
Josi S. Kilpack is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the twelve-volume Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series.
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You can purchase A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack at Amazon.com.
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