Mr. Eastwood's Match

Description: 

He is always second best. She has no idea how to play her part. And now they have to learn to grow together.

When Lyness Eastwood's elder brother, Lord Hartwell, begins a sensible courtship with the charming Lady Emily Sterling, Lyness’s quiet contentment shatters. Ever since their brief meeting in London, Lady Emily’s smile has haunted him. How can a man with a stutter and no title compete with a lord? He must settle for watching her from the shadows.

Lady Emily is determined to solidify her family’s place in Society. Lord Hartwell is a perfect match: respectable, stable, and acceptable. Yet every time she speaks with the quiet, insightful Lyness, she feels a spark and a genuine connection that Lord Hartwell cannot ignite.

As the season progresses, the pressure mounts on Emily to accept the sensible match. But Lyness can no longer stand idly by. A devastating public scandal will throw their lives into chaos, forcing them to choose between stability and the courage to claim a true, imperfect love.

A sweet historical novel brimming with romance, Mr. Eastwood's Match is a tender tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the courage to speak from the heart.

Review: 

Lyness and Emily had met a year previously in London, so it was a lovely reunion of the two of them with the season in Bath. Both of them are younger siblings and have spent their lives trying to be what their families have needed at the expense of their wishes.
I loved this story and connected with the role in their family. Much of what they felt was expected of them was self-inflicted, and it was gratifying to see when Lyness spoke to his brother and Emily spoke to her parents about their feelings instead of continuing to try and live up to their own ideals of the role they each had in their family.

I loved the way that Lyness took charge of a potentially damaging situation for Emily and protected her. He was clever in having it work towards himself instead of deferring to others. I was particularly pleased that he gave Emily the idea of creating a room for drying her flowers and herbs and advancing her love of medicinal tinctures and salves.

Things to love in the story:
the dedication
canary symbolism
gardening
mystery
courage
clean romance
friends to more

Favorite Quotes:

“A woman like her deserves to know when she is loved.”

“He didn’t want to be useful. He wanted to be chosen.”

“The only thing that I am certain offs that I wish to stand with you. No matter what comes.”

I highly recommend this book to readers both young and mature. This is the first book in the Gentlemen of York series, and I am looking forward to reading more!

I received a copy of the book, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.