HIGHCLIFFE HOUSE (Proper Romance Regency), by Megan Walker, Shadow Mountain, May 7, 2024, Paperback, $16.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)
The daughter of a wealthy investor is forced to work with a young businessman she despises in Highcliffe House, by Megan Walker.
1813, Brighton, England
When Anna Lane offered her heart to Alexander Lennox, she did not expect to learn he had secretly promised his suit to another. Hurt and embarrassed, Anna begs her father to take her to the seaside where she can escape the gossip of the ton and recover, but her father insists they remain in London so he can attend to some business. Feeling the sting of rejection again, Anna longs for the day when she can dictate her own future and find a companion who will love her for who she is.
Born into modest circumstances, Graham’s hard work and ability to spot a good investment has allowed him to provide for his mother and younger sisters. Now, with a new opportunity in his sights, Graham approaches Mr. Lane, his business partner and mentor, hoping to persuade him to travel to Brighton to close the deal. Graham must act fast or else he might lose his chance to turn his meager earnings into permanent financial stability.
To Graham’s relief, Mr. Lane is interested in his proposal, but he counters with one of his own. He has business elsewhere, so Anna — whom he trusts with his business affairs — will accompany Graham to Brighton, and if she gives a good report, he will invest. Both Anna and Graham hesitate. Though they have a passing acquaintance through Anna’s father, the two have never truly got along. Anna feels that Graham is only interested in money, while Graham feels that Anna is stubborn and self-absorbed.
The two reluctantly travel to Brighton together, and Anna is determined to find fault with every inch of the seaside town — including Graham. She is tired of feeling like a pawn being moved about by other people’s desires. But while staying at Highcliffe House and seeing the kind and gentle way Graham treats his family, Anna wonders if there is more to her rival than she thought.
But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that if they set aside their misconceptions about each other and be vulnerable enough to share their true selves, they might have a chance at real love. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
Highcliffe House is author Megan Walker’s third book in Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance Regency line — Lakeshire Park (2020) and Miss Newbury’s List (2023). And Walker has definitely hit her stride.
Highcliffe House is exactly what you’d expect from a sweet romance. There’s a heavy emphasis on building a relationship and that relationship is grounded in friendship.
The story unfolds from Anna and Graham’s alternating points of view. They’re both strong, likeable characters with good reasons for the choices they’ve made. And it’s particularly nice to see both of them grow throughout the novel.
Walker’s writing is warm and comfortable. Her pacing is smooth and her story plausible.
Highcliffe House is a fast-moving romance that will appeal to young adults, new adults and adults alike.
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