Secrets & Suitors by Joanna Barker

Secrets & Suitors by Joanna Barker ISBN-13: 9781524411725 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. Released: October 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Reluctantly returning to London for yet another Season, shy Nora Hamilton has nearly given up hope that she will ever find the love match she longs for. After all, the one man she does harbor feelings for—her closest friend, James—has made it perfectly clear he views her as just that: a friend. With James traveling half a world away and Nora's father pressuring her to marry for wealth and status, Nora is forced to set aside her desire for love and accept the future she has always dreaded.

Until James returns unexpectedly and Nora's feelings once again rush unbearably close to the surface. Determined to save what is left of their friendship, Nora ignores her own heart and allows herself to be swept up in the London Season, soon finding herself the object of two very different gentlemen's affections. Though she should be thrilled, both men come with a glaring fault: neither is the one man who holds her heart. When long-kept secrets are laid bare, Nora must face the fears that have plagued her all her life and decide what true love is worth.


My Review:
Secrets & Suitors is a Regency romance, or at least a historical romance as the exact time was vague. Nora is painfully shy and doesn't view herself as much of a catch, so she's not surprised that her male best friend doesn't love her romantically and is surprised that two titled men start pursuing her. She longs to marry for love because her own parents seem nearly strangers, so she's shocked to learn their marriage was a love match. Healing comes to her family as she learns about what went wrong in their marriage, but it's also obvious to her that loving can be too heartbreaking. Maybe a comfortable home with a man who respects her is a better choice after all.

I cared about what happened to the main characters. They acted realistically and were complex. Nora grew as a person and learned from her mistakes. James helped bring out the best in her and genuinely wanted her to be happy and what was best for her. There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.