A DASH OF ROMANCE

by Paullett Golden ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2020

A series-starting Regency romance about a vicar’s daughter faking an engagement, followed by a series of short stories.

Each book in Golden’s new series is an anthology containing a novel and a series of flash-fiction tales that originally appeared in the author’s monthly newsletter. All center on themes of love in the Regency or Georgian era, and the stories feature Trang’s occasional black-and-white illustrations, which often depict specific characters. The titular novel is a Regency romance with protagonist Abbie Walsley, the youngest of a vicar’s four daughters in the sleepy but charming town of Sidvale in England’s Devonshire County. She’s a writer, concocting adventures of her ideal knight in shining armor, “Sir Bartholomew,” while providing tips as the town’s advice columnist, “Mrs. Button,” in the local newspaper. As she’s financially stable, she has no urgent need to marry, and she resolves not to do so unless it’s for love. When Viscount Lord Dunley proposes to her, under orders from his mother, Abbie panics and lies, saying she’s already betrothed to Sir Bartholomew. In an unexpected turn of events, Dunley falsely believes that Percy Randall, the philandering second son of the Earl of Camforth, is Abbie’s betrothed. As Abbie and Percy attempt to preserve their reputations, they strike a mutually beneficial deal—but soon they must contend with their growing mutual attraction. Golden creates tangible chemistry between the apparent London rake and the outwardly drab vicar’s daughter. She also importantly acknowledges the era’s diversity with the inclusion of Leila Owen, a woman of East Indian origin who’s a member of the literary society that Abbie attends, and effectively shows how neither Abbie nor Percy match the stereotypical first impressions they have of each other. Overall, the novel’s greatest strength is its steady, careful character development. By comparison, the flash-fiction pieces, though entertaining, often feel rushed. However, the author shows great creativity with these vignettes, particularly “Midsummer,” about two lovers waiting to be reunited, and “Haunted,” a gothic-horror–inspired tale of a romantic encounter.

A charming, character-driven work that will appeal to 21st-century romantics.

Pub Date: July 18, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-73523-600-1

Page Count: 337

Publisher: Self

Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

ROMANCE | HISTORICAL ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE