MY REVIEW:
Underestimating Miss Cecilia is yet another marvelous Regency romance penned by the prolific author Carolyn Miller. Shy Cecilia has loved Ned Amherst most of her life and hasn’t given up on him despite the disgrace he supposedly brought to his family and friends. Fortunately Ned has repented of his wild ways and has become a responsible person but he has yet to recognize that Cecilia is no longer the neighbor child he remembers.
Of course the nature of Regency romance is that the hero and heroine will eventually fall in love but Miller has a way with her plots that keep them quite interesting. Shy Cecy is no longer nearly as quiet and actually has a secret or two that would horrify her staid parents if they knew what she was up to. She has definitely become more outspoken as she has grown up.
I loved seeing the changes in both Ned and Cecilia over the course of the story and the intrigue and suspense kept me turning the pages. The historical facts were woven skillfully into the story and increased my education of that era in an entertaining manner. A wonderfully strong message of faith was a natural part of the story and did not seem intrusive. I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about this book except that it came to an end. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Kregel. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cecilia Hatherleigh has many secrets in her shy, sweet heart–but none bigger than her unrequited love for Edward Amherst, the earl’s son next door. Her love has persevered over many years, even when he grows to be a bit of a rake. Yet despite his fondness for females, he never seems to see her as anything more than the quiet younger sister, and nothing Cecy does has changed that. Rather than pining after his perhaps unworthy love, she decides to turn her focus toward living out her newly found faith. Now she’s determined to follow God’s leading to make a better world for the poor and dispossessed around her.
A London riot awakens Edward to the responsibilities due his family name. It’s time to turn his life around to please his noble father–and that means restoring his abandoned legal career and making a marriage of convenience. Neither will be easy, given his past and the prejudices of the upper echelons of society to which he belongs.
When misadventure strikes at a house party, these two are thrown together even as their lives are upended. If Cecy can’t trust God, overcome her shyness, and find her inner strength, the good work they’ve both done may be for naught–and neither will ever find true love . . .
Well known for her authentic Regency romances set against less-explored, true historical backgrounds, best-selling author Carolyn Miller continues her newest series with a clean, wholesome tale sure to please her many fans.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.
