First published 1996
Rachel Ray lives a quiet life in rural Devonshire when an unexpected marriage proposal upends her peaceful existence. Her suitor, Luke Rowan, arrives with ambitions that clash with local social expectations, triggering a cascade of gossip and moral judgment. As her family and community scrutinize her romantic choices, Rachel must decide whether to follow her heart or submit to provincial pressures. Each decision carries profound consequences for her reputation, future, and sense of personal agency. At stake is not just a potential marriage, but her entire social standing in a world where women's choices are ruthlessly evaluated.
Genres: fiction, romance, historical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Period: Victorian Era
326 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics