Nocturne

by Elizabeth Ellen Carter

[stacey_is_sassy]

What a delightful surprise.

I really liked Nocturne…and, to be honest, I was a little surprised. Maybe it was because I didn’t do any research and started it without knowing the plot, length or genre. I kind of expected it to be historical, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I’ll start off by saying this is a sweet read, meaning that it’s clean. No sexy times in the boudoir for this couple. I didn’t really miss it though which is surprising. I’m the first person to say that it’s easier to see the connection between characters once they’ve opened up and exposed themselves to each other, literally and figuratively. In this case, the storyline and the connection were easy to believe just by seeing the couple interact with each other and the characters around them.

Ella feels so alone. Her father, a clergyman, has just passed and he was her only living relative. With help from Bishop Stanton, a friend and colleague of her father’s, she is able to obtain a position as a governess. Her first posting is at Blackheath Manor looking after twin five-year-old girls. When she first gets to the manor, she is a little intimidated. The housekeeper is not a friendly woman…but she’s an angel compared to the horrible Earl of Renthorpe, William Worsley. The earl makes it very clear to Ella that she will have to prove herself if she wants to keep her cushy job. On her first night, freezing to death, she wasn’t feeling very cushy. Just as she’s finally able to fall asleep she hears beautiful music playing…but she thinks it’s in her dreams.

Thomas Worsley is a ghost. That’s what the people of Blackheath Manor think anyway. He only comes out at night to play beautiful music. No one sees him, but they do hear him. At first, Ella does not connect that the beautiful music and the ghost are connected, but on further investigation she find the gentleman sitting at the piano in the dark. He knows she’s there instinctively and takes pleasure in her enjoyment of his music.

Ella and Thomas form a friendship, but there are a lot of secrets that prevent them from becoming more than friends. Their feelings grow stronger and they work together to find answers to the problems keeping them apart.

This is a short story that packed a punch. Nocturne was a very well written and researched tale. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and felt a connection to more than just the main ones. There were mysteries and intrigues, sweetness from the two little girls and vulnerability from Ella knowing that she had to put up with a mean employer to keep her position and security. The journey, while quick in page length, covered their love story from the beginning through to them finding a happy ever after. Just what I like to read in my romance stories.

I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of Nocturne via the author for an honest review.

To buy Nocturne from Amazon - http://amzn.to/21hUBXh

I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -