Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book that gives a different perspective than the usual Regency or Victorian romance. Here we have Ranya, the daughter of a prominent Egyptian businessman and cotton grower. He has had a long and prosperous partnership with the Earl of Warrington, but the current political climate means he needs to buy out of his partnership. With her father in custody and her younger brother disappearing in his attempt to confront the Earl, it is up to Ranya to save her father.
The book opens as she plots a way to meet the earl, who is visiting Alexandria. On the way, disaster strikes, and her dress for the event is stolen. A disturbing confrontation with the thief ruins Ranya's plans but introduces her to Iksander, one of the dock workers. He gives her a way to acquire a new dress and attend the event. Ranya doesn't know that Iksander is Owen, the new Earl of Warrington, who is immediately intrigued by Ranya.
Owen appears to be the typical nobleman of the time. He has shown no genuine interest in the family business or the estate, preferring to spend his efforts on his interest in the theater. When he meets with Ranya that evening, she isn't pleased about his deception but willingly tells him about her need to get the partnership deed. She makes quite the impression on Owen with her head for numbers and her knowledge of the cotton industry, so he offers to take her to England in exchange for her teaching him what he needs to know.
They spend time together on the voyage to England, teaching each other what they need to know. Owen is a man with his feet in two worlds - one foot in the world of an English nobleman and the other in the world of his Egyptian mother. I ached for Owen and the story of his life, abandoned by his mother and raised by his cold stepmother. Those Egyptian roots helped him connect with Ranya, and I enjoyed watching them grow closer on the trip. Upon arrival in England, Owen wants his stepmother to take Ranya under her wing while he looks for the missing paperwork.
There was something off about the countess from the start. She is determined to get Owen to marry before the end of the season and doesn't hesitate to push her choices at him. She also wants him to sell the family business and devote himself to the estate and Parliament. She remains cold and disparaging to Ranya. I frequently got the feeling she was hiding something from Owen. That feeling intensified as the book went on.
I liked how impressed Owen was by Ranya's intelligence and knowledge about the industry. It was terrific to see him support her participation in various meetings with mill owners and unions. I found these sections fascinating reading with the clear explanations of the issues around mill workers, mill owners, and cotton growers.
The more time they spend together, the closer Owen and Ranya grow, and the stronger the sparks of attraction flare. Owen would love to convince Ranya to stay in England. But Ranya has made it clear that she must return to Egypt with the deed within three months. She also finally confides in Owen about her missing brother. He is determined to help her find the truth there, too. There is some mystery surrounding his disappearance, and I had suspicions about what they would find. I ached for Ranya when the truth came out because she felt betrayed. She realizes she has lost her heart to him, but their worlds are too far apart for anything to come of it.
I wondered how the author would resolve the problem and was not disappointed. Owen had a little maturing to do while he faced the mess that his life had become. I liked the ending and seeing how he resolved his inner conflicts, business issues, and his title. I liked the new Owen and seeing him come for Ranya. I also liked her joy at seeing him again and hearing of the changes in his life. I wish there had been an epilogue because I would love a glimpse into their future.
#netgalley
The book opens as she plots a way to meet the earl, who is visiting Alexandria. On the way, disaster strikes, and her dress for the event is stolen. A disturbing confrontation with the thief ruins Ranya's plans but introduces her to Iksander, one of the dock workers. He gives her a way to acquire a new dress and attend the event. Ranya doesn't know that Iksander is Owen, the new Earl of Warrington, who is immediately intrigued by Ranya.
Owen appears to be the typical nobleman of the time. He has shown no genuine interest in the family business or the estate, preferring to spend his efforts on his interest in the theater. When he meets with Ranya that evening, she isn't pleased about his deception but willingly tells him about her need to get the partnership deed. She makes quite the impression on Owen with her head for numbers and her knowledge of the cotton industry, so he offers to take her to England in exchange for her teaching him what he needs to know.
They spend time together on the voyage to England, teaching each other what they need to know. Owen is a man with his feet in two worlds - one foot in the world of an English nobleman and the other in the world of his Egyptian mother. I ached for Owen and the story of his life, abandoned by his mother and raised by his cold stepmother. Those Egyptian roots helped him connect with Ranya, and I enjoyed watching them grow closer on the trip. Upon arrival in England, Owen wants his stepmother to take Ranya under her wing while he looks for the missing paperwork.
There was something off about the countess from the start. She is determined to get Owen to marry before the end of the season and doesn't hesitate to push her choices at him. She also wants him to sell the family business and devote himself to the estate and Parliament. She remains cold and disparaging to Ranya. I frequently got the feeling she was hiding something from Owen. That feeling intensified as the book went on.
I liked how impressed Owen was by Ranya's intelligence and knowledge about the industry. It was terrific to see him support her participation in various meetings with mill owners and unions. I found these sections fascinating reading with the clear explanations of the issues around mill workers, mill owners, and cotton growers.
The more time they spend together, the closer Owen and Ranya grow, and the stronger the sparks of attraction flare. Owen would love to convince Ranya to stay in England. But Ranya has made it clear that she must return to Egypt with the deed within three months. She also finally confides in Owen about her missing brother. He is determined to help her find the truth there, too. There is some mystery surrounding his disappearance, and I had suspicions about what they would find. I ached for Ranya when the truth came out because she felt betrayed. She realizes she has lost her heart to him, but their worlds are too far apart for anything to come of it.
I wondered how the author would resolve the problem and was not disappointed. Owen had a little maturing to do while he faced the mess that his life had become. I liked the ending and seeing how he resolved his inner conflicts, business issues, and his title. I liked the new Owen and seeing him come for Ranya. I also liked her joy at seeing him again and hearing of the changes in his life. I wish there had been an epilogue because I would love a glimpse into their future.
#netgalley
