An April Girl HPB

Rainwood Family #3

by Iris Bromige

Rupert first met his 'April girl' at a family wedding in Northumberland. As a secretary to a wealthy beauty-salon owner, Philippa led a busy and exciting life. Her cool poise stood her in good stead when she accompanied her employer on business trips and stayed in luxury hotels.

But a chance meeting in London two months later drew Rupert and Philippa together. Behind her cool exterior he glimpsed a vulnerable and sensitive girl. For her part, Philippa responded to his growing feeling for her. But always the hidden shadow from the past darkened her mind and threatened their happiness.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Pseudonym: Anne Tracey

Iris Bromige was born in 1912, and as adult lived in Surrey, England. Her hobbies were gardening, collecting gramaphone records of opera and the classics, colour photography and bird-watching. She also enjoyed country walking with her husband and their dog, listening to music, going to the opera and trying to play the piano.

She was popular for her many novels, particularly those about the Courtland and Rainwood families.

http://www.thirzajane.com/ib/welcome....

Reviews

[JR]

I'm not sure who coined the 'cosy' term in relation to romantic fiction and unclear whether the genre also necessitates a 'mystery' element, but the expression aptly describes the fireside feel of 'An April Girl' by Iris Bromige.

Perhaps it's the story's matriarchal overtones - Grandma Rainwood hovering above proceedings - or the author's 'mug of hot chocolate' style, but at no point during the novel even when the heroine's narcissistic employer, beauty salon doyenne Lucille Pallys, is doing her darnedest to throw a spanner into the romantic works do you ever get the sense there is any real threat to the protagonist's 'happy ever after' (and this is not a M&B title btw so the author could have opted for a slightly more free-wheeling ending).

Admittedly, even for the late 1960's, 'An April Girl' is an improbably sweet story, but it's a decent enough book to while away an hour or two on a winter/ autumn day - I'm rating it a three-star vintage romance read. And, while I wouldn't necessarily go for another title in the author's 'Rainwood Series' - these books devote considerable time to the sagas of various other family members - I'd definitely try another novel penned by her.

[azadeh yaghubpur]

love, innocence, how a shy, quiet and timid personality can change when liked, cared for or loved