Edenbrooke

Loved, loved, loved this book. And after reading the Q&A section in the back, I think the author could be a long-lost sister or daughter. She sounds like me and my girls all rolled into one. How many other people out there started reading Georgette Heyer at age 14 and have read and re-read continuously since then, have Eva Ibbotson, Mary Stewart and Kate Morton on their favorite author shelves, and are "corset-geek" movie lovers?! And wants James McEvoy to play the lead male character if it was made into a movie? Have you met my daughter who stood outside the stage door in London and almost melted when James McEvoy said, "Cheers, thanks love"?

Anyway, about the book. I loved the characters and I'm not sure if it was because I was really show more tired and hungry when I read the book (Fast Sunday), or if the writing was just that good, but I was so involved with Marianne's feelings that I would actually get teary when she was sad and miserable. Phillip now gets to sit up front with Mr. Darcy, Mr. Thornton and Mr. Beaumaris. The settings were gorgeous. I had to laugh about Marianne hating Bath, because I love Bath, but Jane Austen herself found Bath incredibly dreary. I read this book all in one sitting, but I now have to buy a copy for myself so I can enjoy it again and again. Thanks to my long-lost sister/daughter for such enjoyment! show less

I read the prequel, "Heir to Edenbrooke" first, so I knew that Philip had already met Marianne's sister and did not care for her forwardness. This story was delightful in that we have an unconventional young girl that while she needs to be more ladylike, doesn't really care for the restrictions of the requirements. I hope to read more of this author in the future.

First of all, you should be warned that if you're averse to a completely gushing review, you'd better pass on by. This is going to be ALL THE GUSHING.

I have a not-very-secret love of all things English, especially the Regency period. It's also not much of a secret that I've often felt that I was born in the wrong time period. There are days when I want nothing more than to be transported back to Regency England (in the upper class, of course, let's be honest) to find my very own Prince Charming among the ton.

Edenbrooke transported me there with very little effort and left me feeling breathless, hopeful, and very much satisfied. It's billed as a 'proper romance' and oh, let me tell you...it IS! The romance was absolutely perfect. I loved show more the interactions between Marianne and her unexpected paramour. I loved the flirting, the teasing, the serious moments, and OH, THAT LOVE LETTER! I died a little bit of happiness, I tell you.

Here, let me illustrate with a brief excerpt:

"When I look into your eyes, I lose all sense of time and place. Reason robbed, clear though erased, I am lost in the paradise I find within your gaze...Where is your compassion when I need it the most? Open your eyes, love, and see what is right before you: that I am not merely a friend, but a man deeply, desperately, in love with you." (Donaldson, 2012, pp. 143-144)

Oh, for the love of all that is good and holy...if a man said that to me, I'd be putty in his hands. I would swoon senseless. It would be over at that moment...resistance would be entirely futile.

See, this is the kind of writing that you're going to be treated to when you pick up Edenbrooke. The whole book is full of the most delicious prose. It's...I can't even find the right words. It just IS. It is ALL THE THINGS.

I could picture Edenbrooke itself as clearly as if I was there, which is maybe a little strange, since there isn't a huge amount of description. Donaldson left quite a lot to the imagination, and I love that she did that. I have my own picture in my head of what it should look like, along with the surrounding countryside. The descriptions that we did get were fantastic and added so much to the sense of reality.

As for characters (you know I couldn't do a review without touching on them), I loved them. Every single one played their role to perfection. Although I was quite certain that I knew what the eventual outcome would be, there were times when I wanted to shake a certain young lady and shout at her to open her eyes. She was so much a product of her upbringing: abandoned by her father, sent to live with an overbearing and impossible to please grandmother, and overshadowed by her twin sister (older by seven minutes, which Marianne is never allowed to forget). I could completely understand WHY she felt the things she did. She was practically forced into it by circumstances. Of course she'd question the affection of a man when her sister was in the picture. She'd been raised to feel completely inferior to her. Of course she'd think she had little to offer in the way of feminine wiles...she'd been told that her entire life, and was, in fact, sent away to learn how to be a lady. I LOVE that ultimately, she's true to herself.

Oh, and Philip! He's just catapulted to the top of my book boyfriend list. Talk about your perfect Regency gentleman. He's the type of man that I long for - the kind who can laugh and joke, and then turn around and write a letter like the one I referenced above. The kind who can turn your knees to jelly with a look and completely steal your heart with a simple touch. His looks aren't really discussed that much, but I definitely have a picture in my head. For me, he's definitely tall, definitely dark, and definitely handsome. I can't decide if he has blue eyes (I'm SUCH a sucker for dark hair and blue eyes) or dark eyes. Either way, my dream-Philip completely slays me. He's so much more than just looks though. Oh, so much more. He's loyal, strong, brave, true, honest, dependable, and SO VERY romantic. He's everything a man should be. (which leads me to ask, IS there such a man out there, or am I doomed to imaginings for the rest of my life?!) THIS is the man who makes me swoon.

I LOVED this book. I wish I could give it ALL THE STARS because 5 seems so paltry compared to how much I loved it. It really made me want to sing my joy out from the rooftops. I felt so good after reading this.

So hopeful and so completely full of all the good things. It's absolutely a very, very favorite, and a 5 Eiffel Tower book. show less

Marianne's visit to a country estate is complicated by an attack from a highwayman, not to mention her own unexpected feelings toward a charming (and occasionally infuriating) stranger.

This Regency was a delightful change of pace for me. Fans of the genre should be sure to look for this one!

Edenbrooke is the perfect summer romance. This jewel has been setting on my shelf for almost a year and I finally picked it up thanks to my cousin, Charlie, and my friend, Michelle. As soon as I finished it, I had to ask myself “What the hell took me so long?” It was utterly fabulous. I enjoyed every single second of it and it was a more entertaining version of an Austen novel. The plot was great, the characters were fantastic, and the love story was simply swoon worthy.

From their very first encounter, it is clear that Philip and Marianne have something special–even if they haven’t quite realized it. While their chemistry is instantaneous, their feelings develop more slowly at a natural pace (no insta-love here!). I adored show more reading their scenes together and I am still a little crushed that I’ve finished the story—I need more of these two and I may even re-read the novel since I enjoyed it so much.

The supporting characters were also very well done. I loved Marianne’s complex relationship with her sister (you guys know I’m a sucker for a good sister story), as well as her grandmother and father. The emotional complexity that Donaldson was able to convey in this story was outstanding. There were many scenes that my heart just broke for Marianne and her family.

There are so many times when a book revolves around a love story so much that it becomes the plot. Nothing really happens and you’re just reading about characters that you’ve likely come to know and love. Edenbrooke did not have this problem and that is one of the reasons I loved it so much. Even though a large chunk of the book is devoted to Philip and Marianne, there is still a mystery to figure out and a healthy dose of danger on top of the typical intrigue involving inheritances that are typical for novels taking place during this time period.

Edenbrooke is a fantastic novel. It has it all: love, mystery, and danger. Those looking for an epic romance with a great plot need look no further. I absolutely adored this novel and cannot wait to read more from Julianne Donaldson in the future. show less

3.5 stars - This was a quick and cute Regency romance with enough tension to keep me interested. I just wasn’t that invested though. Philip felt kinda flat for me

It's not often that I find myself squealing and hugging a book upon finishing it. Edenbrooke brought this reaction out in me. I'm not an Austen fan and I'm not super into the regency era, but even I LOVED this! If you love a good love and like feeling happy then you might as well read it.