Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones

Love Unseen
by Rachel Kelley Stones

ISBN-13: 9781524422998
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: July 5, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Hannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Blind after an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim.

To members of the ton, Jonathan Carter is undeniably unsuitable. Though he is in possession of a massive fortune and is handsome as well, there remains an insurmountable black mark against him: his is new money. Even so, he’s caught off guard when his enchanting neighbor, Miss Hadley, flatly rejects his offer to dance. Despite their rocky introduction, however, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But when circumstances force Hannah from her home, the couple’s warm association comes to an abrupt end. Now, Jonathan must find a way to rescue the woman he just might love or risk losing her forever.


My Review:
Love Unseen is a romance set in 1815 in England. Jonathan's pride got him into trouble from beginning to end, but at least he knew how to apologize sincerely and gave thoughtful, meaningful gifts. Hannah was kind and determined, despite how her family treated her and the challenges of being blind. She didn't let her disability stop her from living fully and being useful. Jonathan came to see her as a person (not a disability or burden) and admired her character.

However, some foundational parts of the story didn't make sense. For example, Hannah's mother stated several times that Julia would make a good match and that Jonathan was too 'new money' to be socially acceptable. Yet when Jonathan started a friendship with Hannah, the mother kept claiming that Hannah was getting in Julia's way of making a match with Jonathan. Huh? The mother's reason for hating Hannah also was warped. But I really don't understand why did this gentlewoman, as a miss, gave herself to a man she didn't want to marry while apparently expecting she could make a better match even if she was spoiled goods.

The end really pushed things beyond belief for me. Hannah's mother treated her like a slave to be sold and her social equals didn't censor or stop her. Then Jonathan's horse tripped, and he fell off. I've done this many times with no injury, but he's severely injured. All so our blind lady can devotedly clean his wounds. Seriously? There's no way for her to know if the wound is clean. This is absurd.

The historical details were often wrong, from points of etiquette to acting like broken bones were a simple, safe fix at that time. There was no sex. There was one use of British bad language.


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.