Love and Lavender

The Proper Romance Mayfield Family Regency Series, Book 4

By: Josi S. Kilpack

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child, and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.

Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls’ school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: Marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

©2021 Josi S. Kilpack (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!

A love story so different and heart wrenching as no other I’ve read so far.
The impossible made possible, because of love and long suffering.
Ms. Kilpack’s warm and honest and knowing take on an “irritating” man who in no imaginable way seems suited for love and family life … well except with the perfect woman for him, he becomes the right man for her. What an exciting journey of reading this was for me. Impossible not to choke up a bit a time or two. Thank you!

Character development

I’m a new fan of this author. Her settings are very interesting and her character development is very engaging. I love to be mad, feel sorry for, and cheat for the main characters all in the course of a chapter or two. So good

Neurospicy couple in 19th century England

I’ve read the other books in this series but this one felt so modern even though the setting is centuries ago. The story’s underlying theme of pressing forward despite prejudice and limitations doesn’t feel cliche because the characters have depth and relatable vulnerability. The story was touching and there were many times I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. (Including the Forest Gump-esque moment in the last chapter). I enjoyed it.

I genuinely loved this book

This is the forth of this series and I would recommend this above all the rest

autism in the 1800s

great representation of autism and disabilities. As I work with DD adults, this story touched my heart