Carving for Miss Coventry

Marianne Coventry was caught in a world of societal expectations that were put upon her. Her father would not let her attend any of the functions until her sister, Beatrice,  married and that didn’t look like it was going to be any time soon. Marianne had been waiting for five long years for her sister to marry. She should have been attending parties, enjoying herself, talking to neighbors and making friends, but she had to be content to be at home. I think this was especially hard on her because, “Marianne hardly cared whom she mingled with, just so long as she got to speak with someone.” 

Mr. Coventry wanted his daughters to marry a titled gentleman to prove that he was a part of this class.  He had money now from his profitable businesses and would marry his daughters to help his position. Marianne’s thoughts were more about the person. 

“What did it matter if a man was a gentleman or a member of the working class?” 

I loved that she looked beyond a man’s status to see who he was.  Marianne was a loving, forgiving person and was way beyond patient in her duty of staying home. She was forced to be a quiet recluse.  It’s no wonder she takes matters  into her own hands…

Edward Steele had to overcome the unfounded, nearly career-ending rumors concerning his father and his subsequent death. Edward is left a bitter and resentful man, trying to provide for his mother through his beautiful woodcarving skills for the very class of people who caused him such difficulty. Marianne was such a healing balm to his soul as she shared with him her thoughts on forgiveness. “But, each day, I must remind myself to forgive and move on. For if I do not, bitterness and anger will consume me until there is no longer light within.” 

I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Marianne and Edward. I thought they brought out the very best in each other. Marianne helped Edward see that he was a gifted artisan and shouldn't be bound by the past. Edward listened to Marianne, cared about what she thought, and let her be unique herself. Hurray for Marianne when she finally approached Beatrice and had the difficult conversation of what her selfishness had done to her.  This helped Beatrice to see that her unhappiness was affecting Marianne’s life. While I thought she had been terribly self-centered, Beatrice was able to help Marianne make her dreams come true. 

This is the first book in the Sons of Somerset series and was a terrific way to begin it. This can be read as a standalone, but I can’t wait to read the rest of the series if this is an indication of what the other books will be like.