LIES AND LETTERS
Ashtyn Newbold, Sweetwater Books, 2017, US$17.99/C$20.99, pb, 264pp, 9781462119844
Charlotte and Clara Lyons, sisters living in Regency England, understand that they can have no greater destiny than attracting a rich, titled husband. Charlotte, the older sister is attractive, ruthless and devastatingly flirtatious and looks set to succeed. Clara, lacking these attributes, is disregarded until the sudden loss of their father’s money and reputation forces their move out of the city to a cottage in a fishing village in the north of England.
Charlotte finds her flirtatiousness and lack of practical skills a disadvantage here and she fails to find success in her pursuit of Lord Trowbridge. Her sister, meanwhile, adjusts to the change in lifestyle more successfully. Charlotte struggles to change her behavior but is forced finally to choose between marriage for wealth and title and marriage for love.
As a ‘pure’ romance this book lacks the sensuality of most Regency romances. Instead I found frequent reminders of characteristics more appropriate in today’s world – generosity, kindness and empathy. I found the constant repetition of these virtues tedious. The writer clearly has never visited England but she manages to avoid obvious inaccuracies. The main characters were well developed and I was rooting for Charlotte by the end of the book.
Valerie Fletcher Adolph 