Series:
Regency Belles of Bath (Book 4)
From forbidden love
To forever?
Belles Biscuit Shop is more like a home than a place of
work for Nancy MacQueen. The shared attraction between her and James Redbourne,
the handsome owner of a nearby store, has been simmering for years, but she's
refused to trust his feelings for her. After all, they're not remotely in the
same social class. Until one day Nancy can no longer deny her love -- only to
find he's become engaged to someone else!
This was a wonderful conclusion to the series. I loved
finally getting the story of Nancy's unexplained antagonism toward James
"Jem" Redbourne. The first chapter takes us back to when
fourteen-year-old Nancy first encountered fifteen-year-old Jem. That meeting
set the tone for their acquaintance, mainly because Nancy was ashamed about the
embarrassing circumstances of that meeting. What Jem saw as kindness, Nancy saw
as pity, causing her to lash out at him. She hopes never to see him again, but
Fate has other plans.
Nancy is red-haired, freckled, and short-tempered with
those who cross her. She is also sweet, loving, and loyal to those she cares
about. Thanks to watching her mother change into a cowed and brow-beaten woman at
the hands of her stepfather, Nancy believes that all men are like that and will
never let one convince her otherwise.
Over the next eight years, Jem and Nancy encounter each
other once or twice a year. Jem has never forgotten her and is completely
smitten, even though she is always angry about something. Underneath her antagonism
is an attraction she refuses to acknowledge. Jem is an all-around nice man,
honorable and hard-working. Sometimes he'll get past her walls for a short
time, but she always pushes him away. There was that one time they shared an
amazing kiss, but again, she ran. When he asked to court her, and she flat-out
refused, saying there would never be anything between them, he finally gave up.
Instead, he gave into his mother's matchmaking and proposed to her choice for
him, even though there was no love between them. Imagine his horror when Nancy
showed up the next day, saying she'd changed her mind. Jem is too honorable to
back out of the engagement, so he's stuck.
I ached for Jem. The pretty woman he settled on turns out
to be only pretty on the surface. It doesn't take long for Jem to realize he's
in trouble. Emily is deceitful, manipulative, and out to change Jem into what
she wants, whether he likes it or not. When an invitation to visit Beatrix and
her duke arrives, Jem has no intention of going until Emily tricks him into taking
along her and her mother. Nice guy that he is, he talks Nancy into going too
(with the help of her mother). I felt so sorry for him during the three-day
carriage journey. The arrival at Beatrix's home was both hilarious and
heartbreaking.
I loved the visit and seeing the couples from the previous
books together again. It's obvious that this group of friends has a great deal
of love and respect for each other. I loved their interactions, and the cricket
game had me laughing out loud. However, it isn't all fun and games. The tension
between Nancy and Jem continues to grow. Jem's misery over his predicament is evident
to his friends, but there is nothing they can do. An unexpected twist pits
Emily's manipulations against Nancy's love for Jem and her determination to
save him. I loved the involvement of the other couples and the genius of their
plan. The confrontation between Nancy and Emily was terrific, and the following
scene with Jem was great.
There are still a few little hurdles to overcome, such as
Nancy's insecurity about their different stations, but they were handled believably.
I loved the epilogue and the look into the future. I'd love to see a
"Belles: The Next Generation."
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