Beyond the Book: Review

Blurb:

An impoverished young woman. A lonely father of five. Will they be able to resist when a cadre of optimistic children start matchmaking?

Colorado, 1910. Quinn Cooper can’t help feeling uneasy. But securing a job as a schoolmarm in a tiny frontier town was the only way to save her family from starvation back in Boston. And her nerves aren’t eased by a stray gunshot that spooks the sleigh horses, casting her into the snow… until she’s rescued by a handsome stranger.

Lord Alexander Barnes knows better than to believe any pretty young woman would willingly become a mother to five children. But the lonely widower finds himself charmed by the lovely newcomer and her easy rapport with his offspring. And after his disgruntled nanny quits, his heart melts at the sight of her joyfully taking over the role.

Determined to prove herself in the schoolhouse and as a governess, Quinn fears her near-poverty will prevent any possible courtship with the affluent Englishman. And between their age difference and prejudicial violence in the town, Lord Barnes is certain this second chance at happiness just cannot be.

Will their love go unspoken, or will their persistence reward them with a lasting passion?

My Review:

I finished the book with no problem, but there are a couple of things that didn’t ring true for me. 

First, I find it hard to believe that an English noble who was the heir to much land and fortune would ever give it up just to run off to America to be his own man. Children in his social class were brought up to do their duty and guide the family fortunes into the future, not to abandon his responsibilities without a backward look. I guess there could be exceptions to the rule, but I’m not sure it happened to older sons very often. 

Second, I didn’t really like his attitude toward the town. It was far too paternalistic to suit me. In the wild west I’m not sure people would have stood for it.

Third, the two start falling in love almost the first moment they saw each other. I’m a believer in love at first sight, but somehow this bothered me. Maybe because it seemed too perfect. The same can be said of the children. They sure accepted her with no reservations. She was really good to them, though, so I can see why they’d grow to love her.

Fourth, there were really no surprises or even much conflict in the story. It was too super sweet. There were a couple of things that didn’t fit into the sweetness, though they were things not related to the romance.

Still, I know that this book will appeal to many different readers. Lots of people want to escape reality for a while and live in a sweeter, more uncomplicated world. If that’s your cup of tea, you’ll adore the book.

What do you say? Do you think you’d like it?