Young love is all too
fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah
Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After
an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality
intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous
parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but
Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his
lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role
proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and
uninspired—until the most important person in his past returns,
challenging him as no one ever has.
When Sarah’s ailing uncle
summons her back to the family estate in England, there is only one
person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the
only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face
with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man
before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he
once felt toward his chosen profession. Soon, despite their exasperation
with each other, they cannot deny the stirring of feelings long
buried—but is it too late for second chances?
Opening line:
"According to his brothers, Harold Jonquil was born a vicar."
That sentence sets up a lot of expectations, and possible foreshadowing, of what is to come for "Holy Harry."
Harry is doing the work that he feels he was destined to do. "Act well your part" is the mantra Harry's father often repeated, and Harry feels he needs to live up to that. So he is acting well the part of a vicar, or what Harry believes is the part. The reality is, he is not living up to acting will A part of who Harry really is.
Sarah and her brother have been in America and were summoned back when their uncle sent them word that he is dying and the heir needs to take over the estate. Sarah looks forward to being back in the neighborhood where she has so many good memories. A certain Jonquil brother is prominent in most of those memories. But all is not well in the uncle's household, and soon, Sarah is the brunt of anger and hate from the uncle, which in turn shatters some of her expectations of a warm welcome back. The reality is, people change.
I loved the interchanges with Sarah and Harry. From the time they meet to the ending, is a sweet journey, though full of heartache, insights and a few misunderstandings. They came to love each other slowly and with care, helping build each other up.
I also loved seeing more of Phillip and Mater. I really love this fictional family and how they take care of each other and love each other. "No one is abandoned. No one is forgotten." I love the boys motto. There was a lot of side stories that really added to Sarah and Harry's story.
I really want to go back and reread all of the Jonquil and Lancaster books. But I think I'll wait until I hear a release date for Charlie's story.
Sarah Eden has a knack for witty dialogue, deep characterizations and pacing that moves the story along and engages the reader.
Thanks to netgalley for the early read!
