Passion and Propriety

by Elise De Sallier

[Lindsey Gray]

When Viscount William Blackthorn returns home, he never imagines that he will live out the week. Wounded to the point doctors wanted to amputate his arm, William expects to die in the graveyard where his parents are buried. The voice of an angel calls to him and he follows it into the nearby church where he finds his childhood friend, Hannah Foster.

At seven and twenty, the vicar's eldest daughter, Hannah, is considered a spinster. When she finds her old friend in such a state, Hannah doesn't think twice about nursing him back to health. With the occasional help of her friend and local healer, Grace, and an elderly couple, Hannah takes on the arduous task of bringing William back from the brink of death. After a few weeks tending to William, Hannah's reputation falls into serious jeopardy.

Told in third person narrative, the novel gives the reader a balanced view of both William and Hannah as they struggle with their feelings for each other. Hannah believes she is destined to lead a single life. William assumes any wife that would bare his child will die by doing so due to the fact the last five generations of Blackthorn wives had suffered the fate.

I adored William from the very first page. The instant I got a peek into his mind, I knew he would be different from his ancestors. As I read on, I wondered how it could ever be possible for Hannah and William to be together. Once on the mend, William made it clear he was not in want for a wife. Hannah understood his reasoning, but couldn't stop herself from falling for him. I could really feel their struggle as well as their joy as fate pulled them closer together.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I couldn't help falling in love with deSallier's characters once again. I was completely taken into the story not just by Hannah and William, but by the secondary characters at the same time. Hannah's best friend doesn't do the typical "friend" thing. Grace stands up to Hannah and I love that kind of gumption. William's friend, Mr. Loring, gives him some provocative advice that had me in stitches. Hannah sisters, Naomi and Rachel, remind me of my relationships with my own sisters, willing to do anything for them but still annoyed at times.

I really wish I could delve into some of my favorite parts, but I don't want to spoil anything for you. I will tell you, deSallier always promises a happily ever after and she delivers in spades for Hannah and William. If you enjoy Regency Romance, you will love Passion & Propriety.

Thank you to Elise deSallier, The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House, and NetGalley for granting my with an advanced reader's copy of Passion & Propriety in exchange for an honest review. I'm overjoyed to know deSallier will continue with the Hearts of Honour series with Grace and Loring's story, Duty & Desire, in 2015.