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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Historical Romance, Fake Relationship, Clean Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
What a beautiful story about loss, grief and finding love again. Charlie was an amazing character with his small town mannerisms and upbringing. He lends a light feeling to everything around him, while Lucy is much more outspoken and flamboyant. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with! Their pact to pretend to be courting is a hope for both of them to get their parents to leave them alone, for their own reasons. But over the course of a few months together, they quickly realize they cannot live without one another.
My favorite elements of this one were all the lighthearted antics and jokes. Lucy and Charlie both enjoy having a good time and Lucy’s uncanny ability to always say what’s on her mind usually has her family slightly taken back by the things that tumble out of her mouth. But Charlie never minds and usually enjoys how outspoken she is. But Charlie is also harboring a dark and broken heart, having lost the love of his life a few years ago. There’s a sadness that follows him and even pours out in his mannerisms.
I found myself very sad for the pain that Charlie carried around with him, and even more so when he and Lucy clearly are falling in love with one another, that he continues to refuse to acknowledge his feelings for Lucy. Struggling to let go of his first love. It’s a tragic story of his past, but such a huge part of who is as a character that it is the foundation of his and Lucy’s love. A new love born out of the ashes, much like a Phoenix is reborn. So was Charlie.
GET IT HERE:
Two years after losing his “great love,” Charles “Charlie” Gillespie reluctantly agrees to his parents’ insistence on spending the winter’s upcoming Little Season in London, determined to prove that he will never love again.
Lucille Moore has been thwarted more than once, so by the time her third Season comes around, she resolves not to let her hopes get dashed one more time.
When Charlie and Lucy meet by chance at the Holloway Ball, they agree to a ruse of sorts; if they are seen to be courting, they will be looked upon as being unavailable. Charlie more than Lucy.
As the two most determined individuals in London join forces, a grand ruse unfolds—one that just might lead them to discover a great deal more than they wish to admit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chloe K. James
CHLOE is a student at Utah Valley University and she is the author of “Deceiving Mister Thornton” and “Beneath the Sycamore.”
She lives on her own in Provo, Utah with her King Charles Spaniel, Rosie where she loves to snuggle up and watch Jane Austen adaptations, identify with Audrey Hepburn, and kick her feet over silly little romance books.
Looking for book recs…
Adventures in Literature 
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