Review: The Artful Match by Jennifer Delamere

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About:

Cara Bernay has never fit in. At loose ends in 1881 London after a near tragedy costs her a job, she befriends a carefree artist. With his help, she begins planning a new life and developing her own artistic talent. But soon Cara finds herself at odds with the artist's brother--a handsome but arrogant earl forcing his brother back to a "respectable" life.

Henry Burke, the Earl of Morestowe, feels the weight of growing financial burdens. His younger brother is the one person who can save their family, and Henry needs him back home. Despite misgivings about Cara's mysterious background, Henry sees she's a positive influence on his brother and on Henry's young ward, and he strikes a deal with her to return with them to their estate. 

But the family has their own secrets, and when Cara, drawn ever closer to Henry, stumbles onto the truth, she must choose between following her heart and pursuing a bold plan that could bring disaster.

My Thoughts:

In this, the third book of the London Beginnings series, we are given youngest sister Cara Bernay’s story. To recap, the three sisters due to unfortunate circumstances were raised in George Mueller’s orphanage. As with the other two sisters, Clara is also interested in a career path that is unusual for a woman of her time. She is an artist but she has been supporting herself as a governess. After an unfortunate situation, Clara is let go from her position and so she travels to London to meet up with her sister Julia, only to discover that unbeknownst to her or (her older sister later), Julia her middle sister has eloped

So here dear Cara finds herself in a predicament. She does not have much money to feed herself or for a place to stay. What I really liked about her character was that she really didn’t seem to worry. When faced with a problem especially with her circumstances, she was very practical. She was somewhat a dreamer, but due to her upbringing she was a well-grounded individual.  

In regards to her upbringing, she was even practical about that. She did not give up hope that her father was still alive and she was certainly a realist when it came to her memories of the orphanage. They had just enough. Nothing fancy, only what they needed, and even though Cara may have liked more, she was thankful for the kindness of George Mueller’s orphanage.

Cara comes to London and meets a young talented artist that has problems of his own, one of them his older brother Henry Burke, the Earl of Morestowe. Henry is a rule follower and carries the weight of his family name and responsibilities on his shoulders. He is a great hero and I really enjoyed these two opposites, Cara and Henry, grow in fondness for each other.  Also there are many secrets on both sides that need to be brought into the light. Theirs was a story that kept me turning those pages.

This was a delightful read and I am so glad that loose ends since the beginning have been tied up and I highly recommend this whole series and even reading more about George Mueller if not familiar with him. Every time I read his story I am amazed at the providence of God.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to publish a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.