jjares reviewed on 4/8/2016 + 3413 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Whomever wrote the blurb on the cover and titled this book must not have read it. I've ordered all of Carla Kelly's back books and the description (on the back cover) didn't sound all that interesting. It has taken months to open this book. OMGoodness!! They did a serious disservice to this novel and potential readers.

Grace (what an apt name choice) is a destitute because of the wanton spending and gambling of her landed gentry father. When he dies, he leaves nothing but debt. Grace takes herself in hand and asks to work at the local bakery. She has been working there 10 years when fate takes a hand in her life.

Grace has been kind to an old, wealthy codger who is short on temper and long on complaints. When he can no longer walk to the bakery, Grace delivers the treats. When he dies, he leaves a strange bequest. She is to go to Dartmoor Prison (an awful place for American prisoners in the War of 1812), and rescue his American illegitimate son. The old gentleman gives her the dower house to live in. She's to care for his son until the end of the war.

The clash of the American's culture vs. the English is fascinating to watch. However, Robert is such a powerful presence (even though he is skin-and-bones) that he soon charms the enemy nation's citizens where he resides.

Robert has nearly been destroyed by his experiences in Dartmoor. However, he slowly changes through the kindness of Grace and the workers at the bakery. Grace changes too through her care taking of Robert. This is a slow and easy love story with a little history thrown in to give this book a realism that is sometimes hard to endure. 4.5 stars

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