MY REVIEW:
I actually enjoyed My Dear Miss Dupré despite a number of reviewers who did not. Sure, Willow probably didn’t treat all her suitors well but then how could one gal manage to spend enough time with thirty different men to get to know them well enough to decide if any of them would make an acceptable husband. And there was the little fact that Willow was not at all comfortable with the competition set up by her parents to help choose a husband at the end of six months. Who ever heard of such a thing? Actually the idea did make for some interesting reading and quite a few humorous situations along the way.
Regardless of her avowed faith, Willow was an unconventional young woman who was eminently more interested in helping run her father’s sugar factory than in marriage and had very little experience with courting. Forced into the situation by her parents, Willow was obviously confused and made quite a few poor choices in dealing with the men. As the competition advanced, Willow did find that she favored three or four of the men but had difficulty deciding between them. The situation escalated when she found herself in danger and also realized that the man she truly cared for had ulterior motives.
My Dear Miss Dupré was fun to read with its sometimes quirky characters, humorous situations, and an unexpected touch of danger and suspense. I also appreciated the fact that one character’s walk of faith matured quite nicely during the story as he came face to face with his sins.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Thirty suitors, six months of courting . . .
would it be enough time for her to fall in love?
Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan–find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.
Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society’s elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn’t expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Grace Hitchcock (www.gracehitchcock.com) is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. Grace lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter.
