Summary
Two unexpected gentlemen callers are widow Diana Boyle’s first clue to the registry. Someone has compiled a booklet listing the wealthy widows and spinsters around London. These are women of means. Second sons and other society men with no fortunes of their own could wed well to one of these ladies.
Maxwell Dean is one such younger son – and the author of the list. He produced it as a service to men like himself to spare them the tragedy of falling in love with a poor girl and having to break off the relationship. Frankly, he’s not really sure why Mrs. Boyle is so angry about the list.
Diana isn’t the only woman angered to find her personal information publicized in such a way. But the women do see a potential silver lining – this gives THEM the power in courting rituals and relationships. And they are going to use that power to re-write the rules their gender has been subjected to for years.
Review
This was a fun, low stakes story, perfect for reading on a frigid snowy day (like I did) but also on a sunny beach. I think I enjoyed the female friendships that evolved out of the discovery of the registry even more than the romantic relationship. I loved the main three women and enjoyed watching all of them find love.
There’s only one real “conflict” after the initial one around the registry is sorted out. And that is resolved in a low key, low stakes sort of way. If you are looking to lose yourself in a romantic story for awhile, and you don’t want much angst in your escape, this could be a perfect fit for you.
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ – Good +