Rags-to-Riches Wife

Rags-to-Riches Wife is author Catherine Tinley’s latest book for Harlequin/Mills & Boon Historical. Ms. Tinley is a writer who puts her heart and soul into her books and this one was no exception. Beautifully written with Ms. Tinley’s special touch makes this a must-read for Regency fans! Although this is a standalone book, our heroine Jane does appear in Ms. Tinley’s previous book, The Earl’s Runaway Governess. If you get a chance, I highly recommend reading both books! Jane Bailey is the personal maid to Lady Kingswood. Although raised as a gentleman’s daughter until the age of eight when her father passed away, Jane and her mother have been working as servants ever since. Jane’s grandfather did not approve of his only son’s choice of a wife, and so Jane has never met her father’s family. So Jane is shocked when she finds out her Grandfather has been looking for her… Robert Kendal is a gentleman who has been sent by his uncle by marriage, to fetch Jane Bailey to bring her back to Beechmount Hall in Yorkshire. He knows not why his Uncle is searching for the girl but makes up his own assumptions about her. Five days alone traveling together feeds the attraction between them, but neither acts upon it due to their differences in class. A friendship is formed between the two as they make their way to Yorkshire. What a fabulous story and couple! As I mentioned earlier, for those of us who follow and read Ms. Tinley’s books we’ve already met Jane Bailey. I liked Jane in the previous story and was excited to hear she was getting her own story. As Jane finds out her grandfather who disowned her father is seeking her, you can’t help but feel her excitement at the prospect of meeting her father’s family, and yet a reluctance of not knowing what awaits her in Yorkshire. Jane was such a fabulous heroine, kind, smart and thoughtful of those around her. She struggles, in the beginning, to fit in at Beechmount Hall, but yet deals with her feeling and all those around her with grace and class. Robert is a new character for us, and I couldn’t help but fall for him! He’s a handsome, charming gentleman. It’s obvious there is an attraction on both their parts and as time passes at Beechmount Hall, their friendship is growing into something more. Together they were a sweet couple, and as the reader, you want to see them admit their feelings to each other and gain their HEA. Ms. Tinley really did an outstanding job of pulling you into the story with her wonderful writing and fabulous characters. You immediately feel the connection between Jane and Robert when they meet and you can’t help but fall in love with them both. I found myself picking up this book frequently throughout the day to read just one more page… Besides Jane and Robert, there were also wonderful secondary characters who added to the fabulous storyline. Overall a fabulous story from an equally fabulous author, I highly recommend both!