I’m so delighted to see the Regency Brides saga continue with a new series! Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller is the first book of the A Promise for Hope series!
about the book
Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller (Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope book 1)
Catherine Winthrop has cried out to God too many times to count. Years ago, the man who stole her heart rejected her–and she’s never recovered. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn’t her heart he’s taking, it’s her home and her family’s good name–and she has no one to share her grief.
Jonathan Carlew’s life may look enviable from the outside–wealthy, handsome, landed–but the mystery surrounding his birth has shadowed his entire life. Now as he ascends to the barony, fresh challenges await, including a scheming mama who wants him to embrace power, even at the cost of losing love. How can he remain the kind, honorable man he strives to be and still meet the demands of his new society responsibilities?
These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.
my thoughts
In a delightful Downton Abbey meets Pride and Prejudice mashup, Miller weaves a story with everything we love about Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy in a Matthew and Mary Crawley-esque drama with rich layers and depth!
Catherine Winthrop is a simply enchanting heroine. She is compassionate and kind, loyal, devoted, and long-suffering (wait until you meet her mother). I loved getting to know her as she graced her way through the upstairs, downstairs, and dowager house social circles.
Jonathan Carlew is an upright man of faith and integrity. I can find no fault with him with the exception of his inability to adequately express his depth of affection to the woman he loves (in all fairness, said woman is also tight-lipped… Brits). His compassion for everyone in his care is admirable.
Although lovers’ spats based almost solely on miscommunication tend to rub me the wrong way, the strict etiquette of the Regency era and the unexpected demise of the responsible party in this instance earn this charming story a pass. Winning Miss Winthrop raises the bar for Regency romance with depth and intrigue to spare and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.
A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She loves reading, music, films, gardens, art, travel and international food, and really enjoy creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love.
Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena’s Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh
Carolyn is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
Visit her website or connect with Carolyn on facebook, twitter, or instagram!
Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series
Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley series
How do YOU feel about fictional characters who fail to communicate?
Do you take the story’s setting into consideration as well?
Faithfully Bookish 
Oh my! This kind of book is right up my alley. I’m going to have to read this one! I don’t mind a difficulty to communicate when it adds to the tension between characters. Looking forward to seeing how it gets resolved!
LikeLike
I tend to overlook the lack of communication when reading fiction from most historical eras. It was part of the constrictions of society that people weren’t able to have open conversations with each other. The etiquette only allowed for light surface talks. But I agree with you that it can seem trite sometimes.
I loved the first two books in the Regency Brides series, and I look forward to reading the rest of them.
LikeLike
I loved this book! Such a great story!
LikeLike
Beth, great review!
I am currently reading Winning Miss Winthrop and have a little over 100 pages to go. I am enjoying it very much…I have enjoyed all the books in the series.
As to your question, I don’t mind a little difficulty in communicating between the characters as it does add some strife and tension between them. But, sometimes I would like to give them a good talking to and set them down together to get things out in the open.
Blessings, Tina
LikeLike
Thanks so much for your kind thoughts Beth! I’m so glad you enjoyed Catherine and Jon’s story ❤️
LikeLike