Review ~ Underestimating Miss Cecilia (Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #2) by Carolyn Miller

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 23rd 2019 by Kregel Publications

Shy, sweet Cecilia Hatherleigh has always been in love with Edward Amherst, the boy next door. Yet he’s never seen her as anything but the quiet girl in the background as he flirts with the other vivacious women of the ton. 

When a near tragedy brings Edward’s attention to his family duties, this prodigal son decides he needs to settle down with a proper wife. Cecilia hopes to convince him to choose her—but God may want her to forget the wayward nobleman and put her future in His hands alone. 

These two try to find their way toward happiness, but prejudice, political riots, and the changing face of England’s societal structures begin to block them at every turn. Can their struggles turn to triumph—or will their paths permanently diverge? 

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Underestimating Miss Cecilia is classic Regency with engaging characters, clever conversation, and sweet romance.

While Cecilia Hatherleigh may seem complicit to her family and peers, she is a young woman who feels deeply and passionately toward social issues of her time. She’s also fancied herself in love with her childhood friend, Edward, but he doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Cecilia writes passionately in her journal all that is in her heart and when she has an ah-ha moment of realizing she has put her love for Edward before her love for God, it touched me deeply. 

Edward is clueless about Cecilia’s feelings but of course, through various events and challenges, he comes to realize he loves Cecilia. At a pivotal and tension-filled moment in the story, his declaration is one of the most heartfelt and moving I’ve read in a long time. 

There is much more to this story but I was absorbed with the unrequited love and how that was going to play out. The character growth in both Edward and Cecilia was satisfying to me. I'm looking forward to the next novel highlighting Verity Hatherleigh. She is a pistol. 

Miller has proven she is a student of the Regency period and writes it well. Genuine expression graces the pages and effortlessly brings to life the language and attire of the day. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

If you've read any of Carolyn Miller's books, please share in the comments which one is your favorite. If not, recommend a book!