Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Hohenstein by Didi Lawson


Welcome to my tour stop for Hohenstein by Didi Lawson.
You can check out all the info below as well as my review and the giveaway...

Hohenstein
Didi Lawson
Adult Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 380 Pages
May 23rd 2015 by Xchyler Publishing              

Summary

Anything but a typical aristocrat, young Baroness Marie-Louise is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work, especially when it comes to saving her ancestral estate. Determined to shake loose the shackles of propriety and gain the warm family life her upbringing denied her, she has vowed to marry a man of lower rank. Blue-bloods need not apply.

But when she is forced to turn to a childhood friend for assistance, the handsome, debonair count may prove a temptation impossible to resist. Marie-Louise soon finds herself caught between the comfort of a middle-class doctor and the passion of a nobleman, with the future of her childhood home at stake.
  

My Review

It's been a little while since I've picked up an historical romance that was swoon-worthy. Hohenstein began a little slow for me, but once it got going and the main character, Marie-Louise receives her first kiss, swooning was definitely hard to avoid. There's a dashing man that infuriates her while also drawing her in and a gentleman that feels much safer and is the type of man she would want to marry. Between these two love interests (although I wouldn't consider this a true love triangle, thank goodness), familial issues, and trying to keep her family home, Hohenstein, Marie-Louise has quite a bit to handle.

I loved the setting of the story from the beginning. The time period was approaching a new era when aristocracy would begin to be lowered somewhat from their pedestals, where war was coming, and women were beginning to be more forward. There were many who still held to the old ways and it was interesting to see a character struggle to find where her ideals, actions, desires, and reality could meet. There were parts of the story that I did struggle slightly with, such as the estate and Marie-Louise not having an active lawyer or solicitor that was more involved and things becoming dire so easily (and Marie-Louise being rather naive while also not seeking proper confirmation). There were also a few editing mistakes, but those were also easily forgotten being caught up in the story. I also wanted Marie-Louise to be less easily swayed in some ways, but at the same time it fit her character.

I foremost loved how Marie-Louise worked hard and dug in to restore her home and to figure things out. She was resilient and heartfelt. She was sweet and caring of others. She could definitely be a little spitfire. She also was a perfect counter to her intended love interest. I also loved her aunt and the secondary love story there. That was really fun! Then the swoon-worthy moments... *sigh*

Hohenstein was a beautifully romantic and picturesque story about a young woman trying to find her place in the world and finding that love doesn't always come as expected. I'd definitely recommend it to romance readers.


Content: Some heavy kissing - would consider this clean.

Source: I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.

Book Trailer


About the Author


Didi Lawson exchanged her town car for a pick-up truck and learned to operate a tractor when she and her husband moved from Arizona to a farm in Missouri where she now weaves her tales. Her love for writing started early in life when she entertained her friends with her stories, won prizes for her essays in high school, and wrote road shows and poems for the youth group in her church.

She enjoys the outdoors, her children and ten grandchildren, and keeps an active social calendar.


Follow the Tour & Other Events


XP Blog Tour Schedule:
Penny Freeman - May 23
Scott Tarbet - May 24
Veena Kashyap - May 25
Anita Stewart - May 26
Danielle Shipley - May 27
Susan Slack - May 28

Tour-Wide Giveaway

4 comments

  1. I really like the sound of the main character in this one - she seems like my kind of person. As well as that I love when a historical fiction has such a great romance or the setting is done exceptionally well. This one seems like one for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. She's definitely naive, but also very determined. I hope you get a chance to read it and really like it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the description and your review was even better. I have added it to my ever growing list!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm curious about what she'll write next. I hope you like this one when you get to read it! :)

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.