Review: Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker

 

About:

Constantly stifled by the rules of Society, spirited Rebecca Rowley enjoys finding ways to quietly or not so quietly rebel. But riding bareback and avoiding nosy neighbors are nothing compared to the thrilling secret she is keeping from her family.

When Rebecca's quick thinking saves the life of a young girl, she unwittingly attracts the attention of the child's dashing brother, Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. As that attention turns flirtatious, Rebecca is forced to tell him the truth: she is secretly engaged to the one man her family would never approve of. Fortunately, Lieutenant Avery is a navy man with no wish to marry, or so they both assume as they enter into a friendship. Rebecca hopes to change her family's mind about her betrothed, but the more she comes to know the handsome lieutenant, the more she wonders if she promised her hand too hastily.

After all her carefully laid plans are shattered during a family crisis, Rebecca must force her heart to decide. Should she stay true to the promise she made or fight for the future she's only just begun to imagine?

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful romantic story this one was, as my heart is still going pitter pat. What happens when true love sneaks up on you and as the title says you are otherwise engaged?

Rebecca Rowley is not necessarily a rebellious soul. She is just a woman who wants to forge her own way in life. She is looking forward to having her own home and can hardly wait to marry her fiancé. Unfortunately their is some family history that may prevent an easy transition for her and Edward.

While living at her brother's newly inherited home, Rebecca comes across their new neighbors in quite an unconventional way. After this mishap Rebecca and Lieutenant Nicholas Avery make a sort of peace agreement that turns into a friendship. Rebecca also wants to be a friend of sorts to Nicholas's much younger sister as well, who has lost so much in her young life.

I was able to envision all this story illustrated in words. I liked that the author showed how human all of these characters were. We get just enough of their back stories that we get to know them well and the story is not weighed down with too many details either. 

However, something begins to grow between Rebecca and Nicholas, misconceptions are made and well...the heart wants what the heart wants. Nicholas is not a man who shows his feelings, but when he begins to pursue Rebecca in earnest, watch out. He is quite the romantic. I adored this story.

I received a copy of this novel courtesy of Covenant Communications through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.