Refining the Debutante
By Anneka R. Walker
Adult Historical Romance, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 226 Pages
March 8, 2021 by Covenant Communications
Summary
Miss Miranda Bartley is in love with the Honorable Ethan Roderick, their engagement all but official. But as she basks in the success of her London Season, her joy is cut short when Ethan ends their courtship, claiming she is too insensitive. In the wake of her heartbreak, Miranda is dealt yet another blow, one that changes everything. In a harsh twist of fate, she quickly falls from Society darling to servant in her uncle’s home.
Believing he will never see Miranda again, Ethan is shocked when he encounters her by accident. Even more surprising is her dramatic change; she is no longer the self-centered young woman he left behind. Her eyes are now open to the plight of poverty surrounding her, and Miranda has become every bit the lady Ethan once imagined her to be. As he helps the woman he once loved, their tattered relationship returns to familiarity. But Ethan is determined to protect his heart and begins a courtship with his neighbor, who is predictable and safe—everything Miranda is not. Forced to perform a delicate dance, Miranda and Ethan must choose—follow the rules of Society or the longing of their hearts.
My Review
REFINING THE DUBUTANTE is a story that will pull on readers' emotions, especially their hearts. With relatable characters, sweet romance, and an engaging plot focused on character development it's a story that will delight sweet Regency romance readers. Just be prepared with some tissues nearby.
This author continues to surprise me in a most delightful way. The beginning of this story was done so well in drawing me in quickly and then pulling on my heart. I felt heartbroken for both Miranda and Ethan and with the choices they felt they must make or those they had no choice in. They are both wonderful characters and I felt they balanced each other out perfectly. However, at the beginning of this story they have quite a bit of a journey ahead of them, particularly Miranda. The author did a great job with the side characters as well. Lady Callister and Sarah were my favorites.
This is a romance, but this story was so much more. There definitely was a palpable chemistry between Miranda and Ethan that I thoroughly enjoyed. They're attracted to each other, but also love each other more than they show. When things are broken off it hurts them both deeply. What occurs next is a path of self-discovery and figuring out what their new future will look like. It was about the consequences of choices, about really seeing and appreciating others instead of seeing someone only by their station in life. It was about hardship and betrayal, and about forgiveness, redemption and love. It pulled on all my emotions and brought tears to my eyes multiple times.
My only qualm, and it's a very slight one, would maybe be parts of how things turned out in the end. It felt a bit too easy or maybe unrealistic. I thought a family and gentleman would have been able to do things themselves or maybe Miranda would have been able to do things herself with an inheritance separately from a gentleman being involved. However, it still worked and didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I read this in one sitting. Not that I meant to, but I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and the story! It was full of so much heart and was a romance that was equal parts delightful as it was inspiring. Highly recommended!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Anneka is an award-winning author who writes all things romance. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in English and History. She is a wife, mother of five, and believer in happy endings.
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