This was an emotional romance novel that put new meaning into the phrase “pulls at the heartstrings”. Sue Johnson knows how to create a story that will draw you in and keep you glued to the pages, instinctively forcing yourself to read to the very end.

The plot is well written with realistic and complex character that are drawn in a vivid manner. Some you will hate with a passion and hope that they meet a bitter end by the conclusion. One of the main characters, Adam, is painted wrongly as the scoundrel by a jealous monster and he must work hard to overcome the mistaken implication. Others allow themselves to be horribly manipulated into making life harder than it should. Lucinda, despite how hard her life has been and what a bad hand she was dealt, was portrayed as a strong, fearless woman who is not going to allow herself to be forced into darkness.

There were so many emotional ups and down woven throughout the story I found it hard to put aside. Thankfully I had the electronic version so I was taking it with me everywhere and reading it in every spare minute I could find even while waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store!
I enjoyed reading this and hope others find their way to her book.

Seventeen-year-old Lucinda Beckford is going to her very first ball, the Midwinter Ball, hosted by local lawyer Ambrose Leitch. There she meets his clerk, Reuben Turner, and before the evening is out, it is obvious to everyone at the ball that the two will be married.
They wish to wed, but Lucinda’s father Josiah says she is too young & that they must wait at least six months. Reuben is packed off to London to work for six months, with the promise that if the young lovers still feel the same way when he returns, Josiah will give his blessing.
But it is not to be & Reuben is taken ill & tragically dies, heartbroken Lucinda vows she will never marry.
Adam Lennox has also had his heart broken. Ever since Adam’s parents died and he went to live with his Uncle William and his children, Giles and Georgiana. Giles has taken delight in ruining Adam’s life.
While training as a physician, Giles wed Adam’s sweetheart, Amelia. But the marriage was full of nothing but violence and abuse and when Giles has Amelia placed in an asylum, she dies in Adam’s arms. Amelia was simply one more cruel game to Giles, but Adam cannot forgive himself for not protecting the love of his life from his cousin. So Adam joins Wellington’s Army, desperate to atone for his sins by helping others, although some think he is simply hoping to die on the battlefield.
When Adam is shot in action, he returns to England, only to discover that his family is bankrupt, and Giles has set his sights on the lovely Lucinda Beckford. Adam is determined to save her from Giles.
Giles manages to worm his way into the Beckford household & even to have John Beckford conscripted into the army, he then announces his engagement to Lucinda.
Lucinda is no walk over & when she finds her bedroom door locked she climbs down the pear tree to escape. Whilst fleeing she finds her friend Hannah who has been thrown out of her cottage. Hannah is pregnant & her husband was conscripted with John. The pair are turned away from Lucinda’s Aunt’s home, they rescue a young girl stuck in a ditch & Lucinda is injured, the doctor who attends them is Adam.
I found the book a compulsive read. The story is very well written & the characters so well portrayed. Giles & Georgiana are horrible & I couldn’t wait to find out their fate. Poor Adam is wrongly labelled as being a villain. I wanted to shake Josiah Beckford, how could he let himself be manipulated like that. Lucinda was strong & resourceful but with no money her fate looked so uncertain. Giles was relentless in his pursuit of her. A book I found very hard to put down & I thoroughly enjoyed Lucinda & Adam’s story my only quibble was that the ending was a little rushed