Story 4 of 5 stars
Heat 4 of 5 stars
Series – Siren’s Retreat
Main characters – John Sharp, Allegra Brown
Set in 1818 Brighton, England
John Sharp has spent the last decade as a highly respected solicitor, who never lost a case, striking fear in his opponents. He has a plan for everything, leaving nothing to chance. At thirty-three he’s taken a year’s sabbatical (or quit depending where you are in the story) to pursue his passion to become a chef, only to have it burn down around him his first day taking over a pȃtisserie. John escapes to Siren’s Retreat to regroup, and plan to open his own tea room, unwilling to face the vagaries of working in someone else’s kitchen.
Allegra Brown was an orphaned pianist, who became the governess of her younger cousins. She lost her mother at twelve and even though her lifestyle drastically changed, she has plans for the trust funds she’s to receive once she turns thirty in two months. She’s spontaneous and creative, even while believing herself shabby and plain.
Allegra created a fictional suitor to entertain her young charges, a Captain Hamish L’Amour. When they run into a man that fits his description while at Siren’s Retreat, the girls instantly call him out. John unwittingly claims to be the captain setting the stage for two folks to be thrown together on a lark, as they pretend to be a reunited couple.
While John has always been meticulous, planning everything to the smallest detail, Allegra brings out a side he never knew existed and charms him with her humor, talent and approach to life. While John helps Allegra see her true worth.
There were scenes that didn’t seem to fit the time period, but Ridley still delivers a sweet, romance with many charming moments.
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