chelsea_jack's review against another edition
4.0
One of the things I liked most about Thornbrook Park is that the heroine is a widow, and she's got more freedom to pursue an affair because of that. This was such a novelty for me. She's not painted as being promiscuous - I've seen a variety of 'mistress/courtesan' type historical romances recently released - but she's also not forced to be the demure, virginal debutante as is so common in historical romance.
Thornbrook Park was sweet and emphasized responsibility to family and friends. I love that Eve and Marcus can understand and sympathize with the needs and desires of the people in their lives, even to the detriment of their own growing attraction. That conflict (as opposed to the business around Eve's finances, which for some reason didn't feel quite as threatening as I think it should have) felt genuine. Trying to be respectful and supportive of our family and friends is something that I think we can all understand.
I loved the use of railroads - that sense that travel is easier in this early twentieth century time period, and that it was common really appealed to my inner historian.
I'm not sure I'm on board for the rest of the series - I'm curious about Marcus' detective friend finding love, but less interested in learning more about his brother and sister-in-law.
I would happily recommend this - and to people who like their historical fiction pre-1900, because that's usually me too, and I found a lot to love in Thornbrook Park!!
See this and other reviews on my blog: ToEachTheirOwnReviews.com
Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thornbrook Park was sweet and emphasized responsibility to family and friends. I love that Eve and Marcus can understand and sympathize with the needs and desires of the people in their lives, even to the detriment of their own growing attraction. That conflict (as opposed to the business around Eve's finances, which for some reason didn't feel quite as threatening as I think it should have) felt genuine. Trying to be respectful and supportive of our family and friends is something that I think we can all understand.
I loved the use of railroads - that sense that travel is easier in this early twentieth century time period, and that it was common really appealed to my inner historian.
I'm not sure I'm on board for the rest of the series - I'm curious about Marcus' detective friend finding love, but less interested in learning more about his brother and sister-in-law.
I would happily recommend this - and to people who like their historical fiction pre-1900, because that's usually me too, and I found a lot to love in Thornbrook Park!!
See this and other reviews on my blog: ToEachTheirOwnReviews.com
Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
camilla_bella's review against another edition
4.0
A nice easy read with some lovely romance and drama. The only issue I had was a part where the eruption of Vesuvius in Pompeii is implied to have happened close to the time the book is set when it actually erupted in 79AD...
loverofromance's review against another edition
3.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Eve Kendal, is a recent widow and she has returned England so that she can reconnect with her best friend and find out where her late husbands investments are and how to gain access to their funds. Eve is still heartbrooken over her husbands loss, but she was loved and she plans on making a solid life for herself. Her plans bring her to the Countess of Averford and her beautiful Yorkshire estate. Eve then meets Captain Marcus Thorne, a veteran and war hero. Marcus still suffers from a darkness clouding his mind and focuses his attention on prizefighting which he is quite good at. Marcus is determined to make his own life especially when his brother tries to interfere. His brother and his wife desire Marcus to marry Alice, but Marcus feels a connection to Eve. They begin a passionate affair that turns into something more, but have to keep it a secret and they know its only for a short time. Because of the promises they made to Gabriel and Sophia. But Eve's life is in danger, and Eve and Marcus come together in finding the answers and finding the real culprit of a murder.
Marcus Thorne, wanted to make something for himself, so he got himself a commission in the military and served his country side by side with his best friend Connor. But then Connor was killed in a bomb explosion, who had a wife and three children. Marcus put it upon himself to see after them and take care of their needs. Marcus is determined to give them the life they deserve. When he is compelled to return home, at a glimpse of having the Connors run a local farm, he returns back to his childhood home and his overbearing and controlling brother. Marcus has come for one thing, but when his brother puts his inheritence (not sure he could actually touch it) in exchange for his marriage to Alice. Marcus is furious but willing to go along with it for now. Marcus is a very unpredictable character, I never really knew what he would do next. I liked that quite a bit, not being able to have much preditable about his character and it really kept me interested.
Eve Kendal fell in love with her late husband and eloped, because her family was against the match. They wanted her to marry a lord but she wanted to marry for love. Her family disowned her and she has never heard anything from them since. She lived in India with her husband and had a good life with him. Until he dies in a earthquake, and she has to pick up the pieces and try to move on. She heads back to England, hoping to find the funds she needs to live out the rest of her life in peace and to see her best friend. But Even unexpectedly falls for a handsome war hero even though its forbidden. Eve was a charming heroine, and what I enjoyed about her was her openness and honesty, especially when she connects with Marcus. She had a sense of learning the truth. I liked her drive and her warm nature.
Thornbrook Park is the first in the series and it is set in the early 1900's...which was a bit different. I will admit. It had its moments of strangeness because even though it seems like a Regency...it's not. They sometimes ride in carriages...but then ride in a car. Its a mixture of old and new mixed together. This was quite a enjoyable story I and really loved seeing the way these two connected with each other. At first they feel the desire and have a sexual relationship. But then it turns into something more. We have a murder mystery put into play which was different. Then we have the conflict of their relationship being forbidden. Which I didn't know why Sophia and Gabriel were so insistent on Marcus being with Sophia's sister. Especially when Alice had little interest in him as any kind of potential suitor. Toward the end however, I grew a dislike for Sophia. She just seemed so selfish and I really couldn't stand how she treated Eve...who is supposed to be her best friend. I mean, I would never treat my best friend as the enemy just because she fell in love. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. I could understand Gideon a bit more, because he is like that. He is stubborn and very alpha male like, and is insistent on having things go his own way. But Marcus and Eve really shine especially in the end and I loved how events play out. Quite a fun and enjoyable read.
I really love the elegance and simplicity to it. I love the warm colors and it has a feeling of home to it. Its cozy and romantic.
I found Thornbrook Park to be highly entertaining, even though a bit predictable at times, at many moments of twists and turns that kept me involved. Simply Delightful
Summary
Eve Kendal, is a recent widow and she has returned England so that she can reconnect with her best friend and find out where her late husbands investments are and how to gain access to their funds. Eve is still heartbrooken over her husbands loss, but she was loved and she plans on making a solid life for herself. Her plans bring her to the Countess of Averford and her beautiful Yorkshire estate. Eve then meets Captain Marcus Thorne, a veteran and war hero. Marcus still suffers from a darkness clouding his mind and focuses his attention on prizefighting which he is quite good at. Marcus is determined to make his own life especially when his brother tries to interfere. His brother and his wife desire Marcus to marry Alice, but Marcus feels a connection to Eve. They begin a passionate affair that turns into something more, but have to keep it a secret and they know its only for a short time. Because of the promises they made to Gabriel and Sophia. But Eve's life is in danger, and Eve and Marcus come together in finding the answers and finding the real culprit of a murder.
The Hero
Marcus Thorne, wanted to make something for himself, so he got himself a commission in the military and served his country side by side with his best friend Connor. But then Connor was killed in a bomb explosion, who had a wife and three children. Marcus put it upon himself to see after them and take care of their needs. Marcus is determined to give them the life they deserve. When he is compelled to return home, at a glimpse of having the Connors run a local farm, he returns back to his childhood home and his overbearing and controlling brother. Marcus has come for one thing, but when his brother puts his inheritence (not sure he could actually touch it) in exchange for his marriage to Alice. Marcus is furious but willing to go along with it for now. Marcus is a very unpredictable character, I never really knew what he would do next. I liked that quite a bit, not being able to have much preditable about his character and it really kept me interested.
The Heroine
Eve Kendal fell in love with her late husband and eloped, because her family was against the match. They wanted her to marry a lord but she wanted to marry for love. Her family disowned her and she has never heard anything from them since. She lived in India with her husband and had a good life with him. Until he dies in a earthquake, and she has to pick up the pieces and try to move on. She heads back to England, hoping to find the funds she needs to live out the rest of her life in peace and to see her best friend. But Even unexpectedly falls for a handsome war hero even though its forbidden. Eve was a charming heroine, and what I enjoyed about her was her openness and honesty, especially when she connects with Marcus. She had a sense of learning the truth. I liked her drive and her warm nature.
Plot and Story Line
Thornbrook Park is the first in the series and it is set in the early 1900's...which was a bit different. I will admit. It had its moments of strangeness because even though it seems like a Regency...it's not. They sometimes ride in carriages...but then ride in a car. Its a mixture of old and new mixed together. This was quite a enjoyable story I and really loved seeing the way these two connected with each other. At first they feel the desire and have a sexual relationship. But then it turns into something more. We have a murder mystery put into play which was different. Then we have the conflict of their relationship being forbidden. Which I didn't know why Sophia and Gabriel were so insistent on Marcus being with Sophia's sister. Especially when Alice had little interest in him as any kind of potential suitor. Toward the end however, I grew a dislike for Sophia. She just seemed so selfish and I really couldn't stand how she treated Eve...who is supposed to be her best friend. I mean, I would never treat my best friend as the enemy just because she fell in love. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. I could understand Gideon a bit more, because he is like that. He is stubborn and very alpha male like, and is insistent on having things go his own way. But Marcus and Eve really shine especially in the end and I loved how events play out. Quite a fun and enjoyable read.
The Cover
I really love the elegance and simplicity to it. I love the warm colors and it has a feeling of home to it. Its cozy and romantic.
Overall View
I found Thornbrook Park to be highly entertaining, even though a bit predictable at times, at many moments of twists and turns that kept me involved. Simply Delightful
rebleejen's review
3.0
Touted as "perfect for fans of 'Downton Abbey,'" and it is a lot like Downton Abbey. It starts out good, gets increasingly ridiculous, and you find yourself saying "Good Lord, not THIS again" a lot. On the other hand, I did read the whole thing and I'll probably end up reading the sequel too, so apparently they know Downton Abbey fans pretty well.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
This one felt different as it was a widow and a second son that fell in love.
Eve married someone not of her class and was disowned. She loved her husband and then he died. Now she is back in England. She was, well honestly normal ;) A good woman.
Marcus has PTSD and has left the life of a soldier. He uses his rage as a fighter. He was also normal, it feels like I am at a loss for words here but they were both normal, nice, he had small issues and they fell in love.
The setting is 1906 so yes Edwardian romance was another thing that was different, and interesting.
But life is never easy. There is suspense in this novel too as, oh I shall not say, but something from the past comes haunting them. And a bit of drama as Marcus's sister in law tries to play matchmaker and not between him and Eve.
A nice romance with a suspenseful twist.
Eve married someone not of her class and was disowned. She loved her husband and then he died. Now she is back in England. She was, well honestly normal ;) A good woman.
Marcus has PTSD and has left the life of a soldier. He uses his rage as a fighter. He was also normal, it feels like I am at a loss for words here but they were both normal, nice, he had small issues and they fell in love.
The setting is 1906 so yes Edwardian romance was another thing that was different, and interesting.
But life is never easy. There is suspense in this novel too as, oh I shall not say, but something from the past comes haunting them. And a bit of drama as Marcus's sister in law tries to play matchmaker and not between him and Eve.
A nice romance with a suspenseful twist.
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