Promised (Proper Romance Regency)
Garriott’s sweet debut plays with the beloved elements of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, casting Lord Gregory Williams as the proud hero, Mr. Northam as the charming rake, and gently reared Margaret Brinton as the opinionated heroine. Scarred by a broken engagement, Margaret decides that marrying the careless Northam will shield her from future heartbreak, and rebels when her father instead betroths her to the stiff-necked Lord Williams. Williams is bent on foiling his cousin and Margaret on preserving her heart from affection, but attraction nonetheless develops from their verbal skirmishes; Margaret is drawn to Williams’ beautiful home and handsome, well-ordered person, while Williams appreciates Margaret’s wit, beauty, musical talent, and affinity for lakes and rivers. As they soften toward one another, gradually revealing emotional depth, Garriott keeps the plot moving briskly with obstacles and turnarounds that make this starchy pair work to achieve their happy ending. With an Austen-like focus on minute emotional detail and some amusing secondary characters, Garriott’s gentle novel promises a treat for Regency fans who like their characters well-bred, their interiors comfortable, and the romance no racier than the hero turning up in a wet shirt.
