Carving for Miss Coventry Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Series: Sons of Somerset #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: eBook, Print
Pages: 288
Date: July 17, 2021
Publisher: Draft Horse Publishing
He’s determined to finish the job, even if she distracts him…
With his deceased father’s woodworking business now failing, Edward Steele will do anything to see its return to prosperity, even if that means accepting work from the Coventry family far outside of Bath. His two goals? Finishing this new task swiftly and making as few acquaintances as possible. But such things are easier said than done, especially when the Coventry’s daughter finds it necessary to spy on him at every turn.
Marianne Coventry doesn’t mean to stare, but such a task is difficult when a man as handsome as Mr. Steele works right before her eyes. Besides, at twenty years old and not yet out in Society—due to an unmarried elder sister and a strict, rule-abiding father—she will take any distraction she can get. Perhaps turning to a dashing woodworker for entertainment isn’t a wise decision, but does she really have any other choice?
As Edward becomes aware of Marianne’s sheltered life, an unexpected friendship sprouts between them—a friendship her family cannot discover, especially when Marianne begins to realize she’s been living half a life. Still, Edward’s heart remains cautious, for becoming distracted and losing his family’s business would mean forfeiting his livelihood and everything his father worked so hard to achieve. Despite the forces working against them, only the two of them can decide what they want most in life—and if they’re willing to risk everything for love.
Rating: Mild. Mild kissing; mild (nonsexual) violence or horror.
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About Deborah M. Hathaway
Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. As a young girl, she devoured Jane Austen’s novels while watching and re-watching every adaptation of Pride & Prejudice she could, entirely captured by all things Regency. She draws inspiration from her English husband and from her trips to England, Ireland, and her beloved Cornwall.
I was so intrigued by the title of this book. Carving? Haven’t seen that before. And I loved the cover. I was happy to get my hands on it. I loved Edward. His heart was so good. Marianne I had a harder time with. Especially at one point in the book. I thought her decision was terrible and it bothered me that she needled Edward into helping her. I would have liked it better if she’d insisted on going it alone and he insisted on helping instead. Then she wouldn’t have seemed quite as selfish. But they were both crazy to do it. I could totally see what Marianne saw in Edward. At first I was thinking that her attraction would obviously be so. First guy she has really been around? He’s handsome and charming. What is not to like? But then I realized he isn’t the first guy to show admiration for her. I can’t remember his name but the brother of their friend…. He showed interest even before she was out and she felt no pull towards him. So then it became more believable that she just plain liked Edward.
I think Edward liked Marianne despite her apparent immaturity because she was full of life and a little blunt and didn’t exactly follow society rules. Her personality is naturally positive. And he needed something positive in his life.
The father was awful in his pursuit of the higher life at the expense of his children and initially I hated the resolve because it showed how much more important status was than anything else but then I realized that the way things resolved fit him exactly. He didn’t change. It is just that his purposes happened to suit in the end.
As for the carving, I loved that Edward had that artistic soul. Plus I’m a little partial to the idea of carving because it was one of my dad’s hobbies. I inherited some of his carving tools even though I don’t carve. So that concept gives me warm fuzzies.
Overall, I liked the characters and the book was enjoyable to read.
No sex, language or violence