TO LOVE THE BROODING BARON (Proper Romance Regency), by Jentry Flint, Shadow Mountain, June 4, 2024, Paperback, $16.99 (young adult/ new adult, adult fiction)
A young woman falls for a family friend whose scandalous family secret could ruin them both in To Love the Brooding Baron, by Jentry Flint.
1815, London
Arabella Latham is a free spirit who longs to feel the spark of true love, but few men can match her passion for Shakespeare or her zest for life. Though her prospects seem slim, Arabella knows she can always count on the handsome but stoic Lord Henry Northcott, dubbed “The Brooding Baron” by the ton, to be willing to engage in intelligent conversation and even share a congenial dance with her at almost every ball. His quiet demeanor is the opposite of her vivacious personality, and she finds herself drawn to him, despite their differences.
Lord Northcott has quietly admired Arabella for years, grateful that his friendship with her brother has allowed him to share in her company and even begin to secretly imagine a life together with her. But he knows he cannot pursue a romantic relationship with any woman—let alone someone as bright and beautiful as Arabella—because of the shadow that an old family scandal has cast over his life. He has vowed to preserve what is left of his family’s reputation by holding himself above reproach apart from society and focusing the majority of his efforts at Parliament.
But Arabella is determined to show Lord Northcott that life is meant to be enjoyed, and she sets out to see what is behind the walls the Brooding Baron has built around himself. Could the spark of true love be enough to drive away the shadows holding Henry back? —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
It wasn’t until I started reading To Love the Brooding Baron that I realized it took place in the same world as author Jentry Flint’s Games in a Ballroom. Though To Love the Brooding Baron references characters and events from Games in a Ballroom it does stand alone. However, there are some nice nods that readers of both books will appreciate. And if you decide to read both, you should read them in order of publication to avoid some spoilers.
The story unfolds from the alternating points of view of Arabella and Henry.
Arabella comes across as a smart, compassionate and somewhat headstrong woman, especially for the Regency period. And that’s what makes her infinitely more interesting. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to fight for it.
Henry is certainly, as the title suggests, a brooding baron. He’s afraid to let anyone in lest they find out about his shameful secret. Except, his secret isn’t as shameful as her thinks — at least not to Arabella.
The interplay between the two, especially with nods to Shakespeare’s works, is where this book shines.
Flint’s writing is warm and comfortable, and the story has an easy flow — I read To Love the Brooding Baron in less than 24 hours. It’s a nice book to curl up with when you need a little escape.
While To Love the Brooding Baron isn’t tailored for the YA market, the characters do skew younger. Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line, particularly its Regency romances, evoke the sort of Jane Austen sensibilities that do appeal to young adults, and this should do well with readers 14 and up.
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