I've waited a long time to finally read Harry's story!!! For those of you who haven't discovered the joys of Sarah Eden, please give her a try if you like historical romance
at all. This book continues the Jonquil series as the second-to-youngest brother rediscovers a romance from his past.
Harold Jonquil is the butt of the many jokes his brothers make, seemingly forced into his position as vicar in his brother, the Earl of Lampton's, parish. He knows he must be circumspect at all times and always do the right thing with no levity if he is to be seen as competent in his position. But his heart is not circumspect! He can sing every tavern song in existence and regularly climbs the walls of a ruined manor to keep up his skills. He may present a dull, disinterested exterior to his parishioners, but he longs for the confidence to be the religious leader his people need or to find another existence altogether. Enter former love Sarah Sarvol.
Sarah visited her uncle's estate a few times growing up, developing a friendship with the Jonquil boys and a real bond with Harold on her last stay in the country, but he broke her heart. She returns with her brother when their uncle demand his heir take up his duties. Hated by the uncle, she grows increasingly shut-in and cut off from her brother's deep friendship. At first she is horrified to find Harold Jonquil in residence, but increasingly seeks him out as she tries to make a place for herself in the neighborhood. She finds the current Harold dull, disconnected and disheartened. In order to again spark life within him, she challenges him to prove who can be the better vicar, she or Harold. But her triumphs seem only to spur on his determination to leave his post if he can't act the part. As the contest unfolds, what was a friendly competition becomes a partnership that means the world to them both.
To be honest, I spend the first third of the book simply thinking
poor Harry! Each of the Jonquil brothers has struggled to some extent to find his place the world, but only Harry sees himself as the outcast, continuously ridiculed for his faith and his place in the Jonquil hierarchy. He doesn't socialize with his family unless his mother is in residence. He lives in a leaky hovel because the former vicar Throckmorton neglected repairs to the house and to the church, feeling inadequate that his professors never taught him how to exist upon his meager salary. Throughout the previous books I have always enjoyed his mastery and quotation of scripture (and I've especially enjoyed his nod of benediction whenever his brothers apologizes for their language), but it was fascinating to read the struggles behind his serene mask. Sarah Eden deftly brings to life his feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and the struggle to fit within the mold others have set for him. Sarah, too, is struggling to find her footing and losing more of herself every day as she interacts with her uncle, who has never forgiven her for aiding the match between Harry's brother Layton and his first wife (Sarah's cousin). The romance seems almost a side note in the greater story of two souls finding better versions of themselves within each other. Some might argue that is love itself.
As always, it was great to check in with the rest of the Jonquil and Lancaster families that have started to overlap within the last few books. I was especially touched by the struggles of Phillip, the earl, and his wife Sorrel as she goes through another pregnancy guaranteed to end in defeat and possibly death. It was heartbreaking! If I spent the first third of the novel pitying Harry, I certainly spent the last third praying for a miracle for Harry's family. Eden is just amazing in her ability to create emotion and heart within a story. But even in all of the drama, it provided a means for Harry to again find his footing within his own family and again be seen as the compassionate individual he is at heart.
I'm not sure how much I will reread this novel (like I constantly reread so many of Eden's) simply because of it's heavy emotions, but Eden is a master of always bringing humor and light into everything and I know I will return again and again to revisit a few of my favorite scenes and witty exchanges. This is now on my list of favorite Eden novels along with
Drop of Gold, The Kiss of a Stranger, Seeking Persephone, and
Friends and Foes.
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I loved the stories of Joe Rantz, his family, his coaches, and his teammates. Joe and his wife are truly inspirational people! He was neglected and physically abandoned so much of his life that naturally he didn't trust easily, or almost at all, but thanks to this amazing group of whole-hearted individuals he was able to learn to become one with others, wholly trustful in them. His words to the author at the beginning of the book highlight this transcendent experience as he admonished him to make the book about more than him: "It has to be about the boat."
