Series: Pennyroyal Green, #7
Traits & Tropes: slow burn; vicar; fallen woman; class difference; widow; forbidden love
Publication Date: 10.30.12
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Sussex, England
Heat Level: 3.5
Rating: 5 stars!
Narration Rating: 5/5
Evie Duggan has done what she needed to survive and take care of her younger siblings, including acting on the London stage, a stint as a courtesan, and finally the marriage that made her a countess. But when the earl dies, the ton has no intention of allowing her to escape the scandal of her very short marriage, sending Evie fleeing to a small manor house her late husband left her in Pennyroyal Green.
Adam Sylvaine, resident vicar of Pennyroyal Green, has the face of an angel and must struggle against the temptation of the entire population of the village, who all want a piece of him, and his moral compass up against his wilder Eversea tendencies. Adam’s incredibly strong will is sorely tested by the arrival of the beautiful countess, but he can’t resist working his way under her guard, even if it means they both risk becoming permanent outcasts.
I absolutely adored this book. Evie had a terrible reputation and had made very difficult and sometimes immoral decisions to help her family. She ultimately was very lonely and had a heart of gold, which Adam recognized almost immediately. He was equally lonely since most of the attention he received was mostly superficially based on his looks and charm but not anyone wanting to forge a true connection with him. These two were obviously made for each other and the almost immediate tension between them was delicious, especially because of the forbidden nature of their acquaintance given his position as vicar and hers as a former courtesan. This was quite the slow burn, but I didn’t mind at all because these two were so explosive when they finally did come together, and yet also very sweet as well. The banter and romance here were equally delicious, and I loved that the banter between the MCs and the supporting characters was also fabulous. At times hilarious, poignant, and romantic, this book really showed Julie Anne Long’s talent as a writer. I also must say that the examinations on God and eschewing hypocrisy in favor of love and acceptance gave me a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling, as though I had just left Adam’s church service myself and served as another lovely highlight of this delightful book. This has one of my new favorite declarations of love of all time and is definitely my new favorite vicar romance, as well as one of my new favorite romances, full stop.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3427647648
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/894741683
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