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The Cousins #1
Miss Truelove Beckons
From the author of The Rogue’s Folly comes a Regency romance celebrating the witty and romantic world that fans of Georgette Heyer have fallen in love with.
When Truelove Becket’s betrothed went missing in a naval battle, she vowed never to marry unless she found someone she loved as much. In the seven years since then, the quiet vicar’s daughter has lived a simple and contented life helping the poor people of her village. But now another man has asked for her hand in marriage and, unsure if she is ready to commit to him, she agrees to accompany her beautiful cousin Arabella on a trip to visit friends so she can take time to think it over.
Viscount Drake cut a dashing figure when he returned from war to a hero’s welcome, but the Battle of Waterloo left him a shattered and haunted man. As his dreams are invaded by the terrors of war he becomes a sleepless shell of a man, and as his torment grows he begins to wonder if marriage to the lovely Arabella will help restore him again. But as Arabella coquettishly flirts to secure Drake’s hand and his riches, it is the pretty and practical True he turns to for solace.
With the weight of her marriage proposal bearing down on her, True finds herself irresistibly attracted to Drake’s quiet dignity and genuine distress, just as he finds himself drawn to her honest nature and soothing compassion. When a spark of passion ignites between these two who have both lost so much to war, they will have to confront their biggest fears—and everyone else’s plans for their futures—to discover if love can truly cure all ills.
“[Miss Truelove Beckons] is well written and flows brilliantly. A wonderful heart-wrenching and romantic tale.” —Goodreads
About the Author:
Donna Lea Simpson is a nationally bestselling romance and mystery novelist with over twenty titles published in the last eleven years. Besides writing romance and mystery novels and reading the same, Donna has a long list of passions: cats and tea, cooking and vintage cookware, cross-stitching and watercolor painting among them. She lives in Canada.
When Truelove Becket’s betrothed went missing in a naval battle, she vowed never to marry unless she found someone she loved as much. In the seven years since then, the quiet vicar’s daughter has lived a simple and contented life helping the poor people of her village. But now another man has asked for her hand in marriage and, unsure if she is ready to commit to him, she agrees to accompany her beautiful cousin Arabella on a trip to visit friends so she can take time to think it over.
Viscount Drake cut a dashing figure when he returned from war to a hero’s welcome, but the Battle of Waterloo left him a shattered and haunted man. As his dreams are invaded by the terrors of war he becomes a sleepless shell of a man, and as his torment grows he begins to wonder if marriage to the lovely Arabella will help restore him again. But as Arabella coquettishly flirts to secure Drake’s hand and his riches, it is the pretty and practical True he turns to for solace.
With the weight of her marriage proposal bearing down on her, True finds herself irresistibly attracted to Drake’s quiet dignity and genuine distress, just as he finds himself drawn to her honest nature and soothing compassion. When a spark of passion ignites between these two who have both lost so much to war, they will have to confront their biggest fears—and everyone else’s plans for their futures—to discover if love can truly cure all ills.
“[Miss Truelove Beckons] is well written and flows brilliantly. A wonderful heart-wrenching and romantic tale.” —Goodreads
About the Author:
Donna Lea Simpson is a nationally bestselling romance and mystery novelist with over twenty titles published in the last eleven years. Besides writing romance and mystery novels and reading the same, Donna has a long list of passions: cats and tea, cooking and vintage cookware, cross-stitching and watercolor painting among them. She lives in Canada.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Donna Lea Simpson
45 books114 followersDonna Lea Simpson is a nationally bestselling romance and mystery novelist with over twenty titles published in the last ten years. An early love for the novels of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie was a portent of things to come; Donna believes that a dash of mystery adds piquancy to a romantic tale, and a hint of romance adds humanity to a mystery story. Besides writing romance and mystery novels and reading the same, Donna has a long list of passions: cats and tea, cooking and vintage cookware, cross-stitching and watercolor painting among them. Karaoke offers her the chance to warble Dionne Warwick tunes, and nature is a constant source of comfort and inspiration. A long walk is her favorite exercise, and a fruity merlot is her drink of choice when the tea is all gone. Donna lives in Canada.
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
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October 29, 2017
B- which is 3.5 stars rounded up.
The story of the poor relation who falls in love with the well-to-do handsome hero destined to marry another (who is completely wrong for him) is a familiar one, but while Donna Lea Simpson’s Miss Truelove Beckons ostensibly follows that pattern, the author actually subverts the trope of the “evil other woman” and crafts a story of more weight and substance than is found in many other Regency romances.
Major General Lord Wycliffe Prescott, Viscount Drake, son and heir of the Earl of Leathorne, joined the army when he was just eighteen, and served for a number of years before almost meeting his end at the Battle of Waterloo. He was lauded as a hero on his return to England, but he couldn’t feel less like one; he saw too much death, bloodshed and wanton destruction, killed too many men and came too close to death himself to feel anything but disgusted by the war and his part in it. Fortunately for Drake, the only outward evidence of his long service is a bad leg injury which has left him with a slight limp, but on the inside he’s a mess, haunted by memories and worn down by dreams and nightmares he experiences on a nightly basis. His parents love him dearly but don’t know what to do to help him; naturally, it’s something Drake doesn’t discuss with them, but his mother can hear him screaming at night and is desperately worried for him.
In an attempt to divert Drake’s attention, Lady Leathorne decides it’s time to further a match between her son and Miss Arabella Swinley, the daughter of one of her oldest friends. Although nothing has been settled officially, the ladies have long cherished the idea of such a thing coming to pass, so the countess invites Lady and Miss Swinley to Lea Park for a few weeks, sure that an engagement will shortly ensue.
The Swinley ladies duly arrive, accompanied by their cousin, Miss Truelove Beckett, the daughter of the country vicar and in whose house Arabella had spent much of her childhood. She and Truelove – True – used to be very close, but in the years since Arabella’s come-out (and since she has been wholly subject to her mother’s influence) True has sadly noticed her younger cousin becoming more and more spoiled and more and more like her mother, who is sharp, haughty and not always kind.
True has come to Lea Park at Arabella’s request, and also because she needs time to consider the proposal made her by the local curate, Mr. Bottleby. Seven years earlier, the man True loved was killed and she vowed never to marry unless it was to someone she loved as much as she’d loved Henry. But she doesn’t want to be alone forever or be a burden on her father; Mr. Bottleby is a good man and True yearns to be useful… but she isn’t sure he will provide the sort of companionship she longs for.
Drake and True are almost immediately drawn to each other and Drake is surprised to find himself telling True things he’s never told anyone about the memories that haunt him and the guilt he carries. She is a good listener and never judges him, knowing the right things to say and when to ask questions and when to remain silent. Her calm, rational demeanour has a strong effect on Drake, who finds her presence to be the one thing that can truly soothe him; their friendship definitely has a positive effect on Drake and she helps him to realise that he needs something useful to occupy him. This takes the form of a school which will employ veterans skilled in various trades to train other veterans so that they can find work - and for the first time since he returned from war, Drake is finally starting to feel like a whole person once more.
The growing friendship between Drake and True is not looked upon with favour by either his mother or Lady Swinley, although as Lady Leathorne begins to see the improvement in her son’s manner and health, she realises that the most important thing is that he is well and happy – and if Miss Becket is the woman to make him happy, then her social status is of no matter. Lady Swinley, however, is a different matter; Drake is to marry Arabella, and she is not about to let her mousy cousin cut out her daughter, an acknowledged diamond of the first water. Arabella at first comes across as a spoilt brat. She simpers, swoons and pretends to be a dim-wit in the attempt to display all those qualities that so enamour gentlemen of the ton, but none of this has any effect on Drake, who thinks she must be a ninny. But recognising that his mother’s heart is set on his marrying Arabella, he makes an effort to talk to her and actually finds that she’s not at all as empty-headed as she seems. Unlike many other books in which the heroine’s rival is a nasty piece of work, Arabella really isn’t; as True has seen, she’s too much influenced by her mother’s mercenary nature, and by Lady Swinley’s constant harping at her about what she should be doing to attract Drake’s interest.
True is terribly torn. She has fallen in love with Drake, but can see that Arabella is bewildered and disgusted by any mention he makes of the war while recognising that Arabella will make him a much better viscountess than she ever could. Yet she also knows that Drake needs someone who will understand and love him in a way Arabella is unlikely ever to be able to. And then there’s Mr. Bottleby, who is awaiting her answer to his proposal…
Miss Truelove Beckons is a charming and well-written romance that tackles the difficult subject of PTSD in a sensitive way. So many historical romances set during this period feature heroes returned from war with physical and/or mental injuries which are often glossed over, but that’s not the case here. Drake is clearly a very troubled man; he suffers sleep deprivation because of his horrific dreams and frequently withdraws into himself during the day… and the reader really feels his pain and desperation. True is good and kind, but she’s not a doormat; perhaps she’s a bit too good to be true (!) but she’s never overly sweet or cloying.
Although Lady Swinley is a bit of a caricature, the other secondary characters are well-drawn and contribute much towards this book being a cut above average. Drake’s parents are especially well-done, and the brief insights we are given into their marriage are very poignant, while Arabella becomes a more sympathetic character as the story progresses. The writing is excellent and the central relationship is nicely developed, although if you like a bit of steam in your romances, this might not be the book for you, as things are fairly low-key with only a few kisses exchanged. There’s no question that True and Drake are attracted to each other and that their romance is one born of friendship – but while I don’t need to read sex scenes in a romance novel, I do like there to be a decent amount of sexual tension and there isn’t a great deal of that here, which is why I knocked half-a-star off my final rating.
Nonetheless, Miss Truelove Beckons is definitely worth checking out if you are after a well-written, character-driven romance with a bit more heft than is normally found in the genre.
The story of the poor relation who falls in love with the well-to-do handsome hero destined to marry another (who is completely wrong for him) is a familiar one, but while Donna Lea Simpson’s Miss Truelove Beckons ostensibly follows that pattern, the author actually subverts the trope of the “evil other woman” and crafts a story of more weight and substance than is found in many other Regency romances.
Major General Lord Wycliffe Prescott, Viscount Drake, son and heir of the Earl of Leathorne, joined the army when he was just eighteen, and served for a number of years before almost meeting his end at the Battle of Waterloo. He was lauded as a hero on his return to England, but he couldn’t feel less like one; he saw too much death, bloodshed and wanton destruction, killed too many men and came too close to death himself to feel anything but disgusted by the war and his part in it. Fortunately for Drake, the only outward evidence of his long service is a bad leg injury which has left him with a slight limp, but on the inside he’s a mess, haunted by memories and worn down by dreams and nightmares he experiences on a nightly basis. His parents love him dearly but don’t know what to do to help him; naturally, it’s something Drake doesn’t discuss with them, but his mother can hear him screaming at night and is desperately worried for him.
In an attempt to divert Drake’s attention, Lady Leathorne decides it’s time to further a match between her son and Miss Arabella Swinley, the daughter of one of her oldest friends. Although nothing has been settled officially, the ladies have long cherished the idea of such a thing coming to pass, so the countess invites Lady and Miss Swinley to Lea Park for a few weeks, sure that an engagement will shortly ensue.
The Swinley ladies duly arrive, accompanied by their cousin, Miss Truelove Beckett, the daughter of the country vicar and in whose house Arabella had spent much of her childhood. She and Truelove – True – used to be very close, but in the years since Arabella’s come-out (and since she has been wholly subject to her mother’s influence) True has sadly noticed her younger cousin becoming more and more spoiled and more and more like her mother, who is sharp, haughty and not always kind.
True has come to Lea Park at Arabella’s request, and also because she needs time to consider the proposal made her by the local curate, Mr. Bottleby. Seven years earlier, the man True loved was killed and she vowed never to marry unless it was to someone she loved as much as she’d loved Henry. But she doesn’t want to be alone forever or be a burden on her father; Mr. Bottleby is a good man and True yearns to be useful… but she isn’t sure he will provide the sort of companionship she longs for.
Drake and True are almost immediately drawn to each other and Drake is surprised to find himself telling True things he’s never told anyone about the memories that haunt him and the guilt he carries. She is a good listener and never judges him, knowing the right things to say and when to ask questions and when to remain silent. Her calm, rational demeanour has a strong effect on Drake, who finds her presence to be the one thing that can truly soothe him; their friendship definitely has a positive effect on Drake and she helps him to realise that he needs something useful to occupy him. This takes the form of a school which will employ veterans skilled in various trades to train other veterans so that they can find work - and for the first time since he returned from war, Drake is finally starting to feel like a whole person once more.
The growing friendship between Drake and True is not looked upon with favour by either his mother or Lady Swinley, although as Lady Leathorne begins to see the improvement in her son’s manner and health, she realises that the most important thing is that he is well and happy – and if Miss Becket is the woman to make him happy, then her social status is of no matter. Lady Swinley, however, is a different matter; Drake is to marry Arabella, and she is not about to let her mousy cousin cut out her daughter, an acknowledged diamond of the first water. Arabella at first comes across as a spoilt brat. She simpers, swoons and pretends to be a dim-wit in the attempt to display all those qualities that so enamour gentlemen of the ton, but none of this has any effect on Drake, who thinks she must be a ninny. But recognising that his mother’s heart is set on his marrying Arabella, he makes an effort to talk to her and actually finds that she’s not at all as empty-headed as she seems. Unlike many other books in which the heroine’s rival is a nasty piece of work, Arabella really isn’t; as True has seen, she’s too much influenced by her mother’s mercenary nature, and by Lady Swinley’s constant harping at her about what she should be doing to attract Drake’s interest.
True is terribly torn. She has fallen in love with Drake, but can see that Arabella is bewildered and disgusted by any mention he makes of the war while recognising that Arabella will make him a much better viscountess than she ever could. Yet she also knows that Drake needs someone who will understand and love him in a way Arabella is unlikely ever to be able to. And then there’s Mr. Bottleby, who is awaiting her answer to his proposal…
Miss Truelove Beckons is a charming and well-written romance that tackles the difficult subject of PTSD in a sensitive way. So many historical romances set during this period feature heroes returned from war with physical and/or mental injuries which are often glossed over, but that’s not the case here. Drake is clearly a very troubled man; he suffers sleep deprivation because of his horrific dreams and frequently withdraws into himself during the day… and the reader really feels his pain and desperation. True is good and kind, but she’s not a doormat; perhaps she’s a bit too good to be true (!) but she’s never overly sweet or cloying.
Although Lady Swinley is a bit of a caricature, the other secondary characters are well-drawn and contribute much towards this book being a cut above average. Drake’s parents are especially well-done, and the brief insights we are given into their marriage are very poignant, while Arabella becomes a more sympathetic character as the story progresses. The writing is excellent and the central relationship is nicely developed, although if you like a bit of steam in your romances, this might not be the book for you, as things are fairly low-key with only a few kisses exchanged. There’s no question that True and Drake are attracted to each other and that their romance is one born of friendship – but while I don’t need to read sex scenes in a romance novel, I do like there to be a decent amount of sexual tension and there isn’t a great deal of that here, which is why I knocked half-a-star off my final rating.
Nonetheless, Miss Truelove Beckons is definitely worth checking out if you are after a well-written, character-driven romance with a bit more heft than is normally found in the genre.
March 28, 2021
I used to read Regency romances like they were going out of style when I was in high school. I would go to the store I now work at with my "reading buddy" and we would buy a bag of books, go back to her parents' house and sit and read quietly together for hours. We would make sure we each got a copy of the same book so we could read it together and discuss when we came to a good bit. Yeah, I lived a wild life in my youth!
This book takes me back to those days of careless innocence, when the world was a less scary place. It's nostalgia, but the book is also good in its own right.
Slight warning, the H has PTSD and the h is the one who helps him get over it, but just by being there and because he loves her. I don't know much about PTSD, but I don't think that the "love of a good woman being present with you" will make the nightmares go away. So that may be hurtful or trigger-y to some readers.
Other than that one issue, it was a sweet and gentle read, though there was a rival for his attention, it wasn't done too badly. The h is a vicar's daughter, so God is mentioned. Not in your face and perhaps not as much as I would I liked to see, but it wasn't shoehorned in.
Due to the less than realistic take on how PTSD nightmares are "healed", 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 because nostalgia. To be honest, I need nostalgia and HEAs right now. For the last few months as the Pandemic has been dragging on, I've needed HEAs in my reading now more than ever, so I've been leaning hard on romance books. Thankfully, they have always been there and always will, so thank you to those who write romance and to those who publish them. This is one I will be recommending at my store.
My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This book takes me back to those days of careless innocence, when the world was a less scary place. It's nostalgia, but the book is also good in its own right.
Slight warning, the H has PTSD and the h is the one who helps him get over it, but just by being there and because he loves her. I don't know much about PTSD, but I don't think that the "love of a good woman being present with you" will make the nightmares go away. So that may be hurtful or trigger-y to some readers.
Other than that one issue, it was a sweet and gentle read, though there was a rival for his attention, it wasn't done too badly. The h is a vicar's daughter, so God is mentioned. Not in your face and perhaps not as much as I would I liked to see, but it wasn't shoehorned in.
Due to the less than realistic take on how PTSD nightmares are "healed", 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 because nostalgia. To be honest, I need nostalgia and HEAs right now. For the last few months as the Pandemic has been dragging on, I've needed HEAs in my reading now more than ever, so I've been leaning hard on romance books. Thankfully, they have always been there and always will, so thank you to those who write romance and to those who publish them. This is one I will be recommending at my store.
My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 18, 2024There's some interesting stuff in here about Waterloo and disability that I'm still thinking about! Namely that Viscount Drake, who was injured in battle, has several moments where he reckons with the idea that his station in life is the only thing shielding him from the dismal fate of other veterans, where the society that recently lauded them as heroes now discards them as trash.
The viscount falls in love with Truelove Beckett, the friend and poor relation to the beautiful woman he's supposed to marry, and he and True have a lot of conversations about war and guilt. I don't think Simpson was very interested in True though, because she doesn't make the cause that the viscount actually loves True. Instead it seems like he's more in love with the comfort she provides him. (This comfort borders on mystical - her presence keeps Drake's nightmares away.)
If you really love hurt/comfort or thinking about Waterloo then this could be for you!
The viscount falls in love with Truelove Beckett, the friend and poor relation to the beautiful woman he's supposed to marry, and he and True have a lot of conversations about war and guilt. I don't think Simpson was very interested in True though, because she doesn't make the cause that the viscount actually loves True. Instead it seems like he's more in love with the comfort she provides him. (This comfort borders on mystical - her presence keeps Drake's nightmares away.)
If you really love hurt/comfort or thinking about Waterloo then this could be for you!
December 4, 2013
Lord Wycliffe Prescott, Viscount Drake, has returned home from Waterloo to a hero's welcome. He doesn't feel much like a hero though. He's seen too much death and came too close to dying himself to feel jubilant about being one of Wellington's youngest Majors. Drake is haunted by his experiences in the war and he dreams about it every night. His mother is worried sick and thinks that a lovely bride will take his mind off things. She has just the girl in mind - the beautiful Arabella Swinley, the daughter of her old school friend. She has invited Arabella and her mother to come for a long visit so the young people can get to know one another. Arabella brings along her cousin, Miss Truelove Becket, a poor Vicar's daughter. True is happy to go along with her younger cousin, whom she practically raised. She needs some time to contemplate her future and decide whether or not to marry her father's former curate who has accepted a position up North. True longs to do good works and care for the people of the parish as she does for her father but she has her doubts whether Mr. Bottleby will provide her with true companionship. When Drake meets True, he hears her name as Miss Truelove Beckons and is instantly attracted to her plain yet beautiful looks. True proves to be true of heart as well. As she gets to know Drake, she is able to draw him out and listens to his stories of war without judging him. She is peaceful and calm and knows all the right things to say. She would make a lovely wife for some man but not for Drake, for he feels he is too damaged to make anyone happy. True falls in love with Drake, attracted to his handsome looks, his sensitivity and his wounded soul. Only she can make him happy, but she knows that Arabella will make a better Viscountess and future Countess. Arabella is repulsed by Drake's forthright manner and his horrific night terrors but her mother has her sights set on Drake and won't back down.
This is not a typical Regency romance. It doesn't really follow any of the conventional plots. It is different and more serious than the usual lighthearted fare but also different from the traditional villain plot.Though I felt that Drake's PTSD nightmares were gruesome and repeated too often, I liked the wounded hero concept. Drake and True have a special relationship that is pure and sweet. I liked both the main characters though I think some people might find True a bit too selfless. The secondary characters were mostly stock characters but they mostly exhibited some depth as the story went on. The moral of the story is a tiny bit heavy-handed but only just a little bit. The writing is excellent and the descriptions are beautiful.Some might be put off by the relationship between the hero and heroine but I thought it was sweet and romantic. I loved this book because of it's uniqueness and highly recommend it to those who like their Regencies to have substance.
This is not a typical Regency romance. It doesn't really follow any of the conventional plots. It is different and more serious than the usual lighthearted fare but also different from the traditional villain plot.Though I felt that Drake's PTSD nightmares were gruesome and repeated too often, I liked the wounded hero concept. Drake and True have a special relationship that is pure and sweet. I liked both the main characters though I think some people might find True a bit too selfless. The secondary characters were mostly stock characters but they mostly exhibited some depth as the story went on. The moral of the story is a tiny bit heavy-handed but only just a little bit. The writing is excellent and the descriptions are beautiful.Some might be put off by the relationship between the hero and heroine but I thought it was sweet and romantic. I loved this book because of it's uniqueness and highly recommend it to those who like their Regencies to have substance.
April 13, 2013
This has become one of my favourite books. The story had its fun but there was a much more serious theme running through it. I found this book really hard to put down as I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen!
The hero of the story, Lord Drake, a wounded (in more ways than just physically) ex-solider, was a character I really felt and fell for. As you went through the story you could see how deeply he had been affected by his experiences during the war (with a recurring nightmare to remind him every night of such horrid memories).
Then along comes the heroine, Miss Becket, who is a calm and caring woman who seems to radiate peace. She is a willing listener to the horrid stories Drake has to tell of the war, too horrid that most other people will not hear them. As he talks more and more to Miss Becket about his experiences you can't help but feel sorry for him, but as he does talk more and more to Miss Becket she begins to help the internal wound from the war to heal, as well as fall in love with him (I don't know how she wouldn't, anyone with a heart would surely! I certainly did!)
There are some extremely annoying love-to-hate secondary characters in the story and a few other side plots, but they all link into the main story meaning it doesn't feel confused. There are quite a few point of view changes but never any in quick succession and never any out of place. (The main points of view we read from are the hero and heroine though.)
Overall, it is well written and flows brilliantly. A wonderful heart-wrenching and romantic tale, not without its humour, showing just how deeply affecting the experiences and memories of a war really go, beyond the physically injuries to the body, deep down to the wounds to the very soul.
The hero of the story, Lord Drake, a wounded (in more ways than just physically) ex-solider, was a character I really felt and fell for. As you went through the story you could see how deeply he had been affected by his experiences during the war (with a recurring nightmare to remind him every night of such horrid memories).
Then along comes the heroine, Miss Becket, who is a calm and caring woman who seems to radiate peace. She is a willing listener to the horrid stories Drake has to tell of the war, too horrid that most other people will not hear them. As he talks more and more to Miss Becket about his experiences you can't help but feel sorry for him, but as he does talk more and more to Miss Becket she begins to help the internal wound from the war to heal, as well as fall in love with him (I don't know how she wouldn't, anyone with a heart would surely! I certainly did!)
There are some extremely annoying love-to-hate secondary characters in the story and a few other side plots, but they all link into the main story meaning it doesn't feel confused. There are quite a few point of view changes but never any in quick succession and never any out of place. (The main points of view we read from are the hero and heroine though.)
Overall, it is well written and flows brilliantly. A wonderful heart-wrenching and romantic tale, not without its humour, showing just how deeply affecting the experiences and memories of a war really go, beyond the physically injuries to the body, deep down to the wounds to the very soul.
February 23, 2015
A truly sweet and charming romance, Miss Truelove Beckons was a delightful historical romance. I really liked this book. It was a wonderfully romantic and enjoyable read.
True was a really lovely heroine. Kind, selfless, and entirely at peace with herself, she was a character with a calming influence. But, that didn't mean she was a pushover. She had a quiet dignity that ensure that nobody could bring her down. I really liked her.
Drake was wonderful as well. He had come back from the war disillusioned and unwilling to deal with flighty misses. But, beneath that cynicism, he was a sweet and kind man of action. I really liked him as well.
The romance was perfect. True and Drake were perfect together. True and her steadiness were exactly what Drake needed while Drake's willingness to give himself over to love was what True needed. I thought they were lovely together.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked right from the start. The story was just lovely and the ending was perfect.
Miss Truelove Beckons was an absolutely delightful read that I really enjoyed. It was sweet, emotional, and enjoyable. Romance lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
True was a really lovely heroine. Kind, selfless, and entirely at peace with herself, she was a character with a calming influence. But, that didn't mean she was a pushover. She had a quiet dignity that ensure that nobody could bring her down. I really liked her.
Drake was wonderful as well. He had come back from the war disillusioned and unwilling to deal with flighty misses. But, beneath that cynicism, he was a sweet and kind man of action. I really liked him as well.
The romance was perfect. True and Drake were perfect together. True and her steadiness were exactly what Drake needed while Drake's willingness to give himself over to love was what True needed. I thought they were lovely together.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked right from the start. The story was just lovely and the ending was perfect.
Miss Truelove Beckons was an absolutely delightful read that I really enjoyed. It was sweet, emotional, and enjoyable. Romance lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 27, 2013
MISS TRUELOVE BECKONS has a more realistic understanding about the aftermath of war. Less glorified than other Regency romances, it is about a young man returning from the Napoleonic Wars with PTSD. Of course, no one is familiar with this condition because it is not talked about.
Wycliffe Prescott, Viscount Drake, is expected to marry and "start a nursery". Except he can't even sleep for more than a few hours before waking screaming from his nightmares. When he is introduced to Truelove Beckett, a vicar's daughter, he initially misunderstands and thinks her name is Truelove Beckons for that is the way he sees her. Unfortunately he is expected to make a match with her cousin, Arabella. Someone with a much different temperament.
The premise of this romance is not that unusual. What makes it interesting is what 'Wy' does with his estate and something that Truelove encourages. Wy and Truelove have a few TSTL moments when it comes to love but this unusual couple earn their HEA. If you enjoy traditional clean Regency romances you should search for this book.
Wycliffe Prescott, Viscount Drake, is expected to marry and "start a nursery". Except he can't even sleep for more than a few hours before waking screaming from his nightmares. When he is introduced to Truelove Beckett, a vicar's daughter, he initially misunderstands and thinks her name is Truelove Beckons for that is the way he sees her. Unfortunately he is expected to make a match with her cousin, Arabella. Someone with a much different temperament.
The premise of this romance is not that unusual. What makes it interesting is what 'Wy' does with his estate and something that Truelove encourages. Wy and Truelove have a few TSTL moments when it comes to love but this unusual couple earn their HEA. If you enjoy traditional clean Regency romances you should search for this book.
December 13, 2019
*3.75 stars for true love*
First of all I have to mention the beautiful use of figurative language throughout the story; from the first page I knew it was going to be well-written.
In typical regency romance fashion, lack of communication plays a key role in keeping our two main protagonists apart. At the same time, internal conflict adds a different dimension; Truelove thinks she would not make a suitable marriage mate due to her low(er) social status and Drake is still haunted by the harrows of war. By the end of the story, one can tell that Drake still has a long road to recovery when it comes to handling his guilt. However, one can be optimistic that he will endure it more easily with Truelove by his side.
In their relationship, True takes on an almost motherly role. It makes the romance feel unbalanced, though True, in line with her selfless and caring nature, seems to relish in it. Her sympathy and understanding give her a depth of character that surpasses that of many her senior. Drake, while likable, left a somewhat foul taste in my mouth when he asked Arabella to kiss him. At that point he had already admitted to himself his feelings for True, yet he was still considering Arabella as a feasible contender! Due to such inconsistencies in character, I at times failed to see the gallant quality True so much admires in him.
I quite appreciate how the book addresses the concept of heroism. It’s ironic how war veterans are commended for their service, yet are often not given the physical and mental help they may need after leaving said service. Like many, Drake was expected to be the same person he was going into the war, but he had been irrevocably changed. True showed him that he didn’t have to live up to this stoic myth of a hero and that it was okay to be vulnerable. The portrayal of his struggle is raw and unapologetically honest, which is refreshing when compared to the fluff that encompasses many romance novels today.
The cast of secondary characters presents a mixed bag. Lady Swinley is without a doubt the villain of the story, if the story can be said to have a villain. She is a cunning, scheming “ferret” as Lady Leathorne once compared her to, who hides her manipulation under the guise of wanting what’s best for her daughter. Arabella seems to be following in her mother’s footsteps, though rare glimpses of her genuine self lend hope that she will grow as a person. I fully intend to investigate this in the next book in the series, Belle of the Ball. Lord Conroy is artificial and a poor excuse of a “friend.” Lord Leathorne is flat and one-dimensional, filling the position of Count if nothing else. While I initially disliked Lady Leathorne, I grew to like her as it became evident that she truly cared for her son’s happiness above the confines of societal appearances.
All in all, I liked Miss Truelove Beckons and it beckoned me (no pun intended) to read more works by the author in the future.
First of all I have to mention the beautiful use of figurative language throughout the story; from the first page I knew it was going to be well-written.
In typical regency romance fashion, lack of communication plays a key role in keeping our two main protagonists apart. At the same time, internal conflict adds a different dimension; Truelove thinks she would not make a suitable marriage mate due to her low(er) social status and Drake is still haunted by the harrows of war. By the end of the story, one can tell that Drake still has a long road to recovery when it comes to handling his guilt. However, one can be optimistic that he will endure it more easily with Truelove by his side.
In their relationship, True takes on an almost motherly role. It makes the romance feel unbalanced, though True, in line with her selfless and caring nature, seems to relish in it. Her sympathy and understanding give her a depth of character that surpasses that of many her senior. Drake, while likable, left a somewhat foul taste in my mouth when he asked Arabella to kiss him. At that point he had already admitted to himself his feelings for True, yet he was still considering Arabella as a feasible contender! Due to such inconsistencies in character, I at times failed to see the gallant quality True so much admires in him.
I quite appreciate how the book addresses the concept of heroism. It’s ironic how war veterans are commended for their service, yet are often not given the physical and mental help they may need after leaving said service. Like many, Drake was expected to be the same person he was going into the war, but he had been irrevocably changed. True showed him that he didn’t have to live up to this stoic myth of a hero and that it was okay to be vulnerable. The portrayal of his struggle is raw and unapologetically honest, which is refreshing when compared to the fluff that encompasses many romance novels today.
The cast of secondary characters presents a mixed bag. Lady Swinley is without a doubt the villain of the story, if the story can be said to have a villain. She is a cunning, scheming “ferret” as Lady Leathorne once compared her to, who hides her manipulation under the guise of wanting what’s best for her daughter. Arabella seems to be following in her mother’s footsteps, though rare glimpses of her genuine self lend hope that she will grow as a person. I fully intend to investigate this in the next book in the series, Belle of the Ball. Lord Conroy is artificial and a poor excuse of a “friend.” Lord Leathorne is flat and one-dimensional, filling the position of Count if nothing else. While I initially disliked Lady Leathorne, I grew to like her as it became evident that she truly cared for her son’s happiness above the confines of societal appearances.
All in all, I liked Miss Truelove Beckons and it beckoned me (no pun intended) to read more works by the author in the future.
December 20, 2025
Truly insipid.
February 8, 2026
3.75, this was a sweet romance, but the ending felt about 10 pages to long.
February 28, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
If one is very lucky love will find them again – even when it seems to take forever to arrive.
True had found an amazing love. One man she could love forever and know with absolute certainty that her love was returned just as strongly. Life is not always kind. When True’s love was lost during the war, she made a vow to never marry without love, no matter how long it might take to find it again. It would take a very long time.
More than seven years have passed and True is faced with a difficult decision. She has been asked to marry – but does she really feel that she can accept this proposal when the man does not have her heart in the way her first love did? Her completely spoiled, beautiful cousin is heading out on a trip, True decides to go with her in order to clear her mind and make her final decision.
Miss Truelove Beckons is a lovely Regency romance. It is touching, charming and I found realistic. We often hear of Heroes going off to ‘the war’ and coming back changed. But that change is never really explored within the novel. Viscount Drake was at the Battle of Waterloo and while history looks back on the Regency period with fuzzy glasses now – in reality many of the men who returned from that war were suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder. And why should we be surprised when a modern day real disorder for many men and women veterans also shows up in the heroes of past wars. I feel certain that war was just as horrible hundreds of years ago as it is today.
The reason I mention this in a review of a romantic novel is simple. I enjoy the touches of reality in the novels I read. And I feel that PTSD was touched on very honestly, and in context of the time in this novel. For that, I can only applaud Ms. Simpson for bringing the reality of war into a novel in such a way that does have an effect on the Hero and Heroine’s love for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would gladly recommend it to those who love Historical or Regency Romance. I’d give it a 4 outta 5 on my rating scale.
*I received an e-ARC of Miss Truelove Beckons from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
If one is very lucky love will find them again – even when it seems to take forever to arrive.
True had found an amazing love. One man she could love forever and know with absolute certainty that her love was returned just as strongly. Life is not always kind. When True’s love was lost during the war, she made a vow to never marry without love, no matter how long it might take to find it again. It would take a very long time.
More than seven years have passed and True is faced with a difficult decision. She has been asked to marry – but does she really feel that she can accept this proposal when the man does not have her heart in the way her first love did? Her completely spoiled, beautiful cousin is heading out on a trip, True decides to go with her in order to clear her mind and make her final decision.
Miss Truelove Beckons is a lovely Regency romance. It is touching, charming and I found realistic. We often hear of Heroes going off to ‘the war’ and coming back changed. But that change is never really explored within the novel. Viscount Drake was at the Battle of Waterloo and while history looks back on the Regency period with fuzzy glasses now – in reality many of the men who returned from that war were suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder. And why should we be surprised when a modern day real disorder for many men and women veterans also shows up in the heroes of past wars. I feel certain that war was just as horrible hundreds of years ago as it is today.
The reason I mention this in a review of a romantic novel is simple. I enjoy the touches of reality in the novels I read. And I feel that PTSD was touched on very honestly, and in context of the time in this novel. For that, I can only applaud Ms. Simpson for bringing the reality of war into a novel in such a way that does have an effect on the Hero and Heroine’s love for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would gladly recommend it to those who love Historical or Regency Romance. I’d give it a 4 outta 5 on my rating scale.
*I received an e-ARC of Miss Truelove Beckons from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
May 1, 2016
This is a surprisingly good story of PTSD stemming from the H's time in the Peninsular Wars & Waterloo.
It was a little more melodramatic then Carla Kelly and a tad too clean for me (I've got nothing against a clean Regency). I'm also not sure as the only son & heir, why his parents allowed him to sign up at 17. I suppose at the time, he thought it'd be a bit of an adventure before settling down and then Napoleon came along. I think a bit of explanation there would have been welcome. Because 18 years in (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) is a LONG time.
I'll admit I wasn't quite sure how they were going to get to their HEA, but they did.
This is my second book by Simpson and I imagine I'll read more when I'm in the right mood.
It was a little more melodramatic then Carla Kelly and a tad too clean for me (I've got nothing against a clean Regency). I'm also not sure as the only son & heir, why his parents allowed him to sign up at 17. I suppose at the time, he thought it'd be a bit of an adventure before settling down and then Napoleon came along. I think a bit of explanation there would have been welcome. Because 18 years in (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) is a LONG time.
I'll admit I wasn't quite sure how they were going to get to their HEA, but they did.
This is my second book by Simpson and I imagine I'll read more when I'm in the right mood.
February 28, 2015
Got it from Netgalley.
I didn't think I would love it as much as I did. The romance between True and Drake was very well done. They're both broken people - in vastly different ways - and are both confined to society's expectations for them and yet they find each others and the strength to be together. Their scenes together were often adorable, sometimes heartbreaking, but they never left me indifferent.
A very sweet old school romance novel : no sex (and none needed to make the story interesting which is not always the case), strong christian values I usually don't care much for but that were well integrated to the story.
I didn't think I would love it as much as I did. The romance between True and Drake was very well done. They're both broken people - in vastly different ways - and are both confined to society's expectations for them and yet they find each others and the strength to be together. Their scenes together were often adorable, sometimes heartbreaking, but they never left me indifferent.
A very sweet old school romance novel : no sex (and none needed to make the story interesting which is not always the case), strong christian values I usually don't care much for but that were well integrated to the story.
April 15, 2015
Donna Lee Simpson is a good author and she has achieved another success with Miss Truelove Beckons. Miss Truelove is to be a companion to her cousin as they go to visit the handsome Viscount Drake. Her cousin is looking forward to capturing Drake as her groom but does not expect Truelove to capture his attention. Truelove is practically betrothed and was not looking for romance, but when romance comes her way, she must make a decision.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
August 17, 2020
I read this book last time five years ago and gave it five stars. I read it again and gave it three stars. Too bad but I found it preachy and over sentimentalized. The heroine was just too good to be true and he roll was lacking depth. Just didn’t jive this time around.
February 20, 2015
I enjoyed reading this Historical Romance. There is a good amount of content to draw me in emotionally. Some parts made me smile while other parts broke my heart. I liked feeling connected to the characters. The writing was very good and made reading faster easier.
Want to Read
March 11, 2015Review Pending.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher thru NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher thru NetGalley for an honest review.
Want to Read
February 16, 2015Review Pending.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher thru NetGalley for an honest review.
November 14, 2024
This kind of book is the reason I still love regencies.
February 13, 2015
Had read this eons ago, and it's still sweet.
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