Tags
4 stars, Book Review, Elizabeth Everett, engineering, England, historical, humor, London, Regency, romance, series
Review of A Love by Design
Two best friends, soul mates really, reconnect after years. One, George, is a young Earl trying to reform English education. The other, Margaret, is a talented engineer who wants to become successful on her own terms. It’s 1820 though, when the rich English class doesn’t think that everyone should be educated and women aren’t hired to design bridges. Both seem to be making headway though, but there are issues around every single corner.
My heart went out to these two, both individually fighting their own battles. All the while, reviving their friendship and becoming closer than ever. But it seems they can never really be together.
I really liked this story. George is funny. Margaret is serious, but she does have a sense of humor. They are so lovely together. The villain(s) were rather obvious and they threw some serious wrenches into George and Margaret’s plans. Ultimately, the pair will have to figure out that they accomplish more together than they do apart.
It was a bit murky as to how things got from the last chapter to the epilogue. And the story did not end like I wanted it to, but it ended as it needed to. The book includes hints about what happened in the first two books of this series and may impel you to read them. However, the story stands well alone.
I love the writing in this story. It is mostly straight-forward prose, but occasionally, Ms. Everett throws in an inciteful, almost poetic, phrase or paragraph. They accent the story with elegance and charm. And also make me want to read more from this author.
Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.
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About A Love by Design by Elizabeth Everett
You couldn’t design a better hero than the very eligible and extremely charming Earl Grantham. Unless, of course, you are Margaret Gault, who wants nothing to do with the man who broke her youthful heart.
Widowed and determined, Margaret Gault has returned to Athena’s Retreat and the welcoming arms of her fellow secret scientists with an ambitious plan in mind: to establish England’s first woman-owned engineering firm. But from the moment she sets foot in London her plans are threatened by greedy investors and—at literally every turn—the irritatingly attractive Earl Grantham, a man she can never forgive.
George Willis, the Earl Grantham, is thrilled that the woman he has loved since childhood has returned to London. Not as thrilling, however, is her decision to undertake an engineering commission from his political archnemesis. When Margaret’s future and Grantham’s parliamentary reforms come into conflict, Grantham must use every ounce of charm he possesses—along with his stunning good looks and flawless physique, of course—to win Margaret over to his cause.
Facing obstacles seemingly too large to dismantle, will Grantham and Margaret remain forever disconnected or can they find a way to bridge their differences, rekindle the passion of their youth, and construct a love built to last?
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