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Miss Wilton's Waltz

(A Proper Romance #6)

Josi S. Kilpack (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · Rating details · 1,489 ratings · 239 reviews

A follow-up to Josi S. Kilpack's bestselling Proper Romance title The Vicar's Daughter.

Lenora Wilton has spent her life hiding behind the keys of her beloved pianoforte and the vibrancy of her younger sister, Cassie. But Lenora is ready for a change and travels to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen and teach music at an all-girls’ boarding school. She is different in Bath—mo ...more

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Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 1st 2018 by Shadow Mountain

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· 1,489 ratings · 239 reviews

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Jul 13, 2018 Jacob Proffitt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: chaste, romance, balked-by-price

Edited to add: I've read the others now and can confirm that you don't need to read them to understand this one. The previous, The Vicar's Daughter, is the worst of the series and I suggest skipping it even though it introduces Lenora.

This is fourth in a series but I haven't read the others and didn't feel the lack. I mean, it was clear that Lenora is suffering fallout from a previous novel but I had all the details I needed, including emotional impact.

I started this book relatively late thinkin ...more

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Mar 13, 2018 Julie Carpenter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austenesque, personal-library, foreign-country, 2018, part-of-a-series, review-books, second-chance

I know fellow book lovers will understand when I say that I fell in love with the characters of this book. There's something about watching a character who is good and loving, who sacrifices for the good of her family, who doesn't complain or argue, finally find her voice and do something that she loves and wants. Miss Lenora Wilton is finally reaching out for her happiness. She's happy for her family and loves them dearly but she's had sorrow and heartache and wants to set that aside for joy an ...more

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Apr 10, 2020 Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves rated it liked it

Shelves: _td, _bbd, act-3-needs-polishing, g-hx-rom, blackmail, hero-i-dint-like-or-connect-wid, 3-plus-stars, good-but-petpeeve-or-sthing-lacking, h-shy-or-reserved-or-dignified, angstopia

This book really hooks you in.
Till it does not - and just leaves you mad and antsy.

Some quality writing, and a slow-burn angst permeates the book as the shy and retiring h (the spurned fiancee of the previous book) is shown as having blossomed into a somewhat more confident and happy person after staying on in Bath with her aunt, and becoming a music teacher at a girls' academy. Her secret exercise for battling stress and calming herself is touching.
She remembered another exercise she hadn’t This book really hooks you in.
Till it does not - and just leaves you mad and antsy.

Some quality writing, and a slow-burn angst permeates the book as the shy and retiring h (the spurned fiancee of the previous book) is shown as having blossomed into a somewhat more confident and happy person after staying on in Bath with her aunt, and becoming a music teacher at a girls' academy. Her secret exercise for battling stress and calming herself is touching.
She remembered another exercise she hadn’t used recently—find three things you can see, two things you can touch, and one thing you can smell. She looked at the clock, the window, and the door, then touched the desk and the chair, then inhaled the scent of the lemon oil used on the pianofortes. Her thoughts settled.

She meets the H one night when she goes for her secret weekly night sojourn to the river (another stress buster), dressed as a man and the H almost catches her at it. Next day, they meet when he comes to drop his misfit niece at the school. Does he recognize her? (view spoiler)

The Niece!
The mc of the book, in most ways that count.
(view spoiler)[ She is one malicious and evil being, for a 12 year old. Yes, she was treated bad after her mother's and then her grandmother's death, by relatives. But her behavior sent chills down my spine. Like one of those evil kids in movies. If this was an author who wrote more non-vanilla books, I would have predicted an 'Orphan' like fate for the h! But, here she's coddled and excused and forgiven once too often. Maybe I have a mean heart myself but I disliked her intensely and could NOT see her as a child because her malevolent acts were way beyond her years or of one possessed!
I tried and tolerated her for more than half the book. Conversely, it was when she turned a bit tolerable that her presence annoyed me more. Maybe, because the H couldn't see beyond his duty to her.

It may say wonders for his character that he loved a contrary, thankless, even venomous girl like her but I did not like his giving up on the h and not trying more. His single minded focus was on the girl. And then, his till-now-unmentioned fiancee crops up! He dares to be hurt when the shocked h doesn't give him a chance and calls him out on his honor. A complete louse. Instead he, apathetically, lets his 'managing' fiancee to lead around by his nose till it's almost too late.
But it's his way of thinking, at the end, that enraged me.
“His honor and commitment was to Catherine (niece) first, and yet Lenora (the h) had never managed to see that. Perhaps he could not trust his heart’s choice of Lenora, any more than he could trust his mind’s choice of Miss Keighly (ow).”

This thanklessness after ALL that the h has done for the girl beyond any call of duty or charity, even after being malevolently treated by the girl who gets her shamed and ousted from the school. ( Lost her position and reputation.) The poor (doormat) h still gives her private and all-round tuition at her (the h's aunt's) home and the h's aunt lets the girl stay at their home on weekdays! Why??? When 'Catherine made a game of taunting her. Her battered heart could not take that kind of abuse. They turn their home into a private residential school for a spoiled, thankless girl and her equally thankless and EXTORTIONIST of an uncle!
And then, SHE goes to grovel to HIM! (hide spoiler)]

So, the book nosedived steadily, for me, from a 4 plus to a barely 3.
Contrary me as the book is heavily 5-starred. ...more

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May 02, 2018 Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, publisher-shadow-mountain, clean-romance-recommended, regency, kindle, reviewed

I love when I can empathize with the struggles of the main character. Lenora's shyness and social awkwardness is something I experienced outside my family and close friends all the way through high school. Lenora's move to embrace a new life allows her to become more confident and I felt that going to college and leaving behind the role I felt trapped in opened up a refreshing sense of freedom to be happy with myself and all the opportunities before me. I admired Lenora's fortitude with the daun ...more

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Mar 16, 2018 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2018

I really enjoyed Josi's book The Vicar's Daughter. Yet it did leave me feeling sad for Lenora. In Miss Wilton's Waltz, we get to see Lenora claim her happily ever after. While it is not necessary to read The Vicar's Daughter I felt having done so enhanced my appreciation for this book because I knew all the backstory and already had a love for these characters.

While we ultimately get a happily ever after it is not an easy road and there are roadblocks that make that HEA feel impossible. I love t ...more

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May 03, 2018 Mara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

I read The Vicar's Daughter earlier this year and was so excited when I found out that Josi Kilpack had written Lenora's story. NOTE: You don't have to read The Vicar's Daughter (her sister Cassie's story) before reading Miss Wilton's Waltz to understand what's going on, but it will give you a greater understanding of Lenora.

Lenora is extremely shy in large groups of people, even around people she knows, but moving to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen has made her deal with her shyness because Aun I read The Vicar's Daughter earlier this year and was so excited when I found out that Josi Kilpack had written Lenora's story. NOTE: You don't have to read The Vicar's Daughter (her sister Cassie's story) before reading Miss Wilton's Waltz to understand what's going on, but it will give you a greater understanding of Lenora.

Lenora is extremely shy in large groups of people, even around people she knows, but moving to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen has made her deal with her shyness because Aunt Gwen doesn't coddle to her fears, or allow her to hide behind her love of the pianoforte like her parents did. In Bath she's seen as her own person, not the Vicar's shy and awkward daughter. Lenora has come into her own, and is comfortable with the life she's made for herself as a respected music teacher at Mrs. Henry's all-girls' boarding school.

Her unexpected run in with a man late at night at the River Avon surprises her and it's an even bigger surprise when the man turns out to be Aiden Asher, the Uncle and guardian of her newest, and most troublesome students, Catherine Manch. Lenora works with Aiden to try and find non conventional ways of helping his niece, and Lenora is surprised by her attraction to Aiden. Of course, love is never a smooth course and when something unforeseen comes up to separate them, Lenora retreats within herself where she feels safe.

Aunt Gwen is there to give Lenora wonderful advice "If," Gwen repeated. "Will you base your entire future happiness on one word? Will you let fear rule your future?"

I loved these words of wisdom from Aunt Gwen.
"Life never comes with guarantees, Lenora, and there is security in never taking a chance. But if you do not take hold of the opportunities of happiness that come your way, you will only find empty tomorrows. Life is both too long and too short to allow fear to guide your ship."

I loved the main characters in this book--Aiden was such a good man to put his life on hold to step in and take care of his niece who had been mistreated by those who should've protected her when she most needed protection. I admit I had to get used to Catherine, but as the story of her background unfolded I understood why she acted as she did. Aunt Gwen is the best! She's no pushover, but she's there for those she loves and she saw through Catherine long before anyone else did.

As another reviewer said, this isn't your typical Regency romance, and I agree. Josi Kilpack somehow includes things like alopecia (in A Heart Revealed), social anxieties, and learning disabilities into her Regency romances and they make the stories more interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. ...more

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Apr 26, 2018 Katie W rated it it was amazing

Shelves: regency, favorites, romance-clean

I have a greater appreciation for Lenore, having seen what she went through in The Vicar's Daughter. You don't have to read that one first, necessarily, but it really helped me to know Lenore's background and I admire and love her so much!

Lenore hasn't had an easy road in life, yet she's making the best of her situation. Her temperament and personality really resonated with me, especially as she's deeper than she seems. Throw in Aiden and I was in heaven. There's something to be said about good, ...more

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May 12, 2018 NaDell rated it it was amazing

Loved this book so much! It made me feel like I was really there with them in their time and as though I was a fly-on-the-wall watching them waltz and I even felt like I could hear the music played sometimes. I appreciated the ways they learned how to deal with difficulties and misunderstandings throughout the book and the solutions they found to help Aiden's niece be able to learn the best way for her. ...more

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Mar 19, 2020 QNPoohBear rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-romance, kisses-only, regency-romance, christian-fiction

Lenora, a vicar's daughter, is the shy, musical one of a large family. After trying to seize a chance at love and romance and failing, Lenora has retreated to Bath to be a companion to her Aunt Gwen and a music teacher at a girls' school. In Bath, Aunt Gwen values Lenora's thoughts and opinions and Lenora feels more bold and free. She still suffers the same anxiety attacks she did in the country and the one time she can be free to be herself is on Sunday nights when she dresses in breeches and t Lenora, a vicar's daughter, is the shy, musical one of a large family. After trying to seize a chance at love and romance and failing, Lenora has retreated to Bath to be a companion to her Aunt Gwen and a music teacher at a girls' school. In Bath, Aunt Gwen values Lenora's thoughts and opinions and Lenora feels more bold and free. She still suffers the same anxiety attacks she did in the country and the one time she can be free to be herself is on Sunday nights when she dresses in breeches and takes a solitary late night walk by the river. One night Lenora is surprised by a strange man. She struggles to get away and runs from some ruffians in the streets. Her special time has been ruined and she can never, ever go back to the river. When the school term starts, Lenora tries to focus on her work but it is quite difficult when her newest pupil, Catherine Munch, is a demon who makes life difficult for all her teachers. Miss Henry, the proprietress of the school has her reasons for keeping Catherine on. When Catherine's uncle intervenes on her behalf, Lenora is horrified to discover that Mr. Asher is the man who discovered her by the river. If only he didn't recognize her! Alas, he did and Lenora is forced to put up with a horrible student she can't stand. As Lenora gets to know Mr. Asher, she discovers not a villain but a compassionate, loving man. As feelings of friendship turn warmer, Lenora risks her heart only to discover dishonesty and heartbreak. She retreats back to the girl she once was. Can she allow her true self to shine once again and risk the gossip, the hurt and the heartache of trusting someone?

This story is not for Regency romance aficionados but for those who like painfully slow sweet romances with a moral. I noted a few minor errors, especially in the Bath setting. It seems to be as if the author has cursory knowledge of the Regency period and of the history of Bath. I've been to Bath and was hoping for more local color but the local color seems more modern than the Regency era but at least the author didn't reference the canal which hadn't been built yet. The romantic plot didn't really appeal to me. I was a little more interested in what would happen with Catherine and think the story would have been more entertaining with a gothic plot. The music history details were exceptional but I'm not musical-I have the opposite problem as Catherine. I can memorize words easily but I can't understand music. Music is a huge part of who Lenora is and it sounded like Asher, too, felt music was a huge part of his life but that idea got dropped quickly until the last half of the novel when it popped up again. I noted a few inconsistencies in the plot as well, like the age Catherine comes of age. Nothing major but that shouldn't happen with a book that isn't self-published.

The Christian content is minor considering Lenora is a vicar's daughter but she does mention sinning a lot. Then there is a heavy moral to the story

While I found the story insipid, I can relate to Lenora. I am an introvert who sticks her nose in a book rather than socialize. I don't have extreme social anxiety disorder the way Lenora does but I can relate to not wanting to be the center of attention or socialize with petty people. Her crippling anxiety makes her a unique heroine and also unable to trust. Aiden is a wonderful guardian for Catherine but I feel icky that he has a sugar plantation in Jamaica yet there's not one single mention of the ENSLAVED people who work that plantation and make him wealthy. I would expect Lenora, as a vicar's daughter, to question that. It would have been nice to have some discussion. I like how Aiden isn't willing to give up on Catherine and how devoted he is to getting through to her. Yet, he spoils her and lets her get away with bad behavior. I actually do agree with Lenora about Aiden's behavior towards her. He's a human though and he made a mistake. She forgives him but I'm not sure I'd be that generous or trusting. I feel sort of bad for Miss Keighly. She's awful, especially in regards to Catherine, but as she points out, she had already received congratulations and had the expectation she would be wed. Legally, she could sue him for breach of promise but he finds a way around that. Lenora had listened to Aiden, the miscommunication wouldn't have happened.

Catherine is just awful. She has a sadistic side to her like her father. Her past is tragic but she sounds a lot older than 12 to have that kind of background knowledge of her family. Her mean girl behavior also sounds older than 12. Her previous guardians couldn't get through to her and neither can her teachers. I figured out what her problem was but didn't know what they could do about it at that time. I doubt anyone would understand the concept of learning disability let alone be willing to work with her to overcome it. How important was it for girls to be able to read and write? I think they would just dismiss her as lazy. Aunt Gwen is a lot of fun. She doesn't sound elderly and her gossip has a purpose. I like how she directs the action behind the scenes but sometimes her meddling goes too far.

This book was just not for me and I don't think I'll be reading any more Regency(ish) romances by this author. ...more

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May 02, 2018 Aimee (Getting Your Read On) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: regency, clean-romance, physical-book-for-review

Here is Lenora! She played a vital role in The Vicar's Daughter as her intended fell in love with her sister. Yeah, Lenora was jilted, embarrassed but not exactly heartbroken. All the same, she moved to Bath to live with her aunt and start as a teacher in an all-girl's school.

I loved getting to know Lenora. I loved watching Lenora get to know herself! Josi Kilpack has a way of writing characters that are so interesting. They unfold gently, layered and vulnerable. It's so easy to like them, to r ...more

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Feb 24, 2019 Tori (Book Chick) rated it really liked it

📚BOOK REVIEW📚: I read 'Miss Wilton's Waltz' by Josi Kilpack this weekend. It was so throughly enjoyable. It is the follow up to 'The Vicar's Daughter.' (*You don't have to necessarily read The Vicar's Daughter first, but it definitely gives you more insight to what Lenora is going through in Miss Wilton's Waltz.) 🧡
Josi Kilpack did such a great job with the character development in this book. Catherine, Aiden, Aunt Gwen, Lenora... I felt like I knew them all so well. It was wonderful to watch Len ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 Becca rated it it was amazing

It’s no surprise to those who read my blog how much I love the Proper Romance series. The books are so wonderful, and clean and always carry such a great story. This installment to the Proper Romance series is not different. It’s amazing! I love Kilpack’s writing.

This is a follow up book to the Vicar’s Daughter, and I was so excited to receive the book. We get to see the sister rejected in the Vicar’s Daughter get her chance at love. If she will just let it happen.

I just want to introduced my fa It’s no surprise to those who read my blog how much I love the Proper Romance series. The books are so wonderful, and clean and always carry such a great story. This installment to the Proper Romance series is not different. It’s amazing! I love Kilpack’s writing.

This is a follow up book to the Vicar’s Daughter, and I was so excited to receive the book. We get to see the sister rejected in the Vicar’s Daughter get her chance at love. If she will just let it happen.

I just want to introduced my favorite characters to you, and hopefully you will love them as much as I did!

Lenora – in The Vicar’s Daughter she drove me a little insane. She was so insecure and quiet, that it bugged me. Probably just because that is so opposite of my own personality. I never understood how she couldn’t speak her mind. NOW, we get to see a whole new Lenora. I love her. She is still terribly shy, but she has been living with her Aunt and has gained more confidence and is just a delightful character. Her ability to handle a difficult teenager made me happy. I wish I could handle my own difficult teenager the same…hehe. Lenora is just a picture-perfect person of grace, and beauty to me. I truly loved her character, and was so happy to go on her journey with here in this book.

Aunt Gwen – Now, this woman is a woman after my own heart. She loves to socialize and always has a kind presence around her. She is stern, yet loving, and just all around amazing. I love how she helps Lenora see the good in people, and helps her to come out of her shell a little. She is the kind of Aunt every one should have. One that is always there for you no matter what, and willing to help even when you’re stubborn and don’t want to listen to advice. I love her so much.

Catherine – well, let me think of how to describe her, without being too unkind 😉. She is a rotten teenager who makes everyone lives difficult especially if she doesn’t get her way. She did have a horrible life until her Uncle took her in, but her snarky and full on disrespectful attitude, makes her a great character to hate. Or love. It’s a fine line. I ended up really rooting for her and hoping she would see the light. She is surrounded by people who have vowed to never abandon her again, but she has trust issues. Which is very understandable.

Aiden – Mmmmm….Mmmmm….Mmmmm Aiden. He comes off a bit brash at first but even then, you can tell he has a good heart. He had to leave his estate to come and take care of his niece who is a petulant child, yet he loves her and cares for her the best he can. He is such a gentleman. I swooned over him the whole time. His character is so well written. The whole book is well written but these characters are stellar.

I don’t want to say too much about the book because I want you to go buy it for yourself. It’s such a wonderfully, sweet romance. The setting of this book is beautiful and I found myself completely emerged in the culture and time. Kilpack has an amazing way of doing that for her readers. There are other supporting characters that bring this book to life as well, but these four are what I want to focus on. They are beautiful. Dealing with real life situations, just in a different time.

This story captured me from the beginning and held me until the end. It’s very well written, and has some amazing and complex characters. If you like historical romances you should pick this one up, you won’t regret it! It’s so beautiful.

Source: I was given this book in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the story. ...more

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Feb 08, 2018 Amy rated it it was amazing

'The Vicar's Daughter' has been by far my favourite Kilpack Regency book yet. It was unique and heartfelt, and opens up the reader to the agony of anxiety. The paralyzingly fears, struggles and loneliness those that suffer with it endure. A deep desire to be loved and accepted like everyone else. Wanting to be noticed but no idea how to do it. In their efforts to try often making matters worse, or blowing up in their faces. Trying to be seen, but never quite succeeding. Always coming second to t 'The Vicar's Daughter' has been by far my favourite Kilpack Regency book yet. It was unique and heartfelt, and opens up the reader to the agony of anxiety. The paralyzingly fears, struggles and loneliness those that suffer with it endure. A deep desire to be loved and accepted like everyone else. Wanting to be noticed but no idea how to do it. In their efforts to try often making matters worse, or blowing up in their faces. Trying to be seen, but never quite succeeding. Always coming second to the outgoing and confident people around them. You don't truly understand this until you live it, or see someone you love suffer this way. It is not shyness nor is it something you can snap out of. I appreciated this issue being tackled as it was, and done in such a careful and sensitive manner. When I heard she had written a sequel & that Lenora would have her own story, I was excited. How would she handle the crippling struggle, in a world where there are so many rules. Social rights and wrongs. I was intrigued.

Everything about the cover is perfect, which not only is accurate (Lenora's blue dress) but also expresses the tender relationship, her circumstances need. I wondered what kind of man would have the patience but also the ability to look past the social confidences of all the other women, and treasure everything that is special about Lenora.

On the backs of what had happened to her in Leagrove, Lenora is now in Bath. Living with her Aunt and carving out a self proclaimed 'spinster' future for herself. A job at a girls school teaching music, and a comfortable regular schedule, she has grown in ways she never would have imagined. She is not the timid Wilton sister that was passed over for her younger sister all those years ago. She is happy and content with the life plan she has created. However, this is Bath, and not the countryside she dearly misses. She has no way to get out, alone and find the peace and tranquility that grounded her like she could at home. Or can she? With men's clothing and heavily disguised, she has found a way to sneak out at night and spend time down by the River Avon. All is well, until one night when a man encounters her in her river haven - and life will never be the same for Lenora again.

The first nine chapters were all from her point of view and I really don't enjoy that style of writing, it feels so one dimensional. I appreciate the thoughts and emotions from all the major players, and it gives depth. Just as I was starting to worry that this would not be the case here, low and behold the chapter begins, and, it's Aiden. Yes!

I read this blissfully all day long. There is much to rile up your frustrations in this story. People you will love to hate, and some just so irritating!! This was a fabulous return to the Wilton family, and I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ & Covenant for the eARC. This is my honest review. ...more

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May 07, 2018 Tressa (Wishful Endings) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction-england, romance, clean-reads, 2018

MISS WILTON'S WALTZ is a darling story about a woman who has found safety in music and hiding herself away, the man she falls in love with, and his troublesome niece who is also his ward. The characters are easy to fall in love with as the story progresses, especially as they change and develop, and as the reader becomes more familiar with them. The romance is perfectly sweet with plenty of chemistry. A delightful story from beginning to end!

I adored these characters! I loved how complex they we MISS WILTON'S WALTZ is a darling story about a woman who has found safety in music and hiding herself away, the man she falls in love with, and his troublesome niece who is also his ward. The characters are easy to fall in love with as the story progresses, especially as they change and develop, and as the reader becomes more familiar with them. The romance is perfectly sweet with plenty of chemistry. A delightful story from beginning to end!

I adored these characters! I loved how complex they were and the theme of right versus wrong... how life is so much more gray than black and white. It so easily fit with Lenora having a father as a clergyman and being raised with a black and white perspective and then that perspective being challenged. She is not your usual heroine. She is quiet, reserved, and does not dare hope to find love. I loved the contrast of proper English society and Lenora's secret nightly walks in men's trousers, especially as she is a clergyman's daughter and with her desire to hide. I also loved Aiden. He is an interesting character with his background in Jamaica and being wealthy, but not snobbish. His commitment to his niece is seen as unusual by society. Catherine took some time to grow on me, but grow on me she did. She is quite the conniving minx. I also loved Gwen, Lenora's aunt. I loved her wisdom and her love for Lenora. Miss Keighly I could care less for, but as that was her role, she played it marvelously well.

Here is a favorite quote, Aunt Gwen sharing her wisdom with Lenora:
"Life never comes with guarantees, Lenora, and there is security in never taking a chance. But if you do not take hold of the opportunities of happiness that come your way, you will only find empty tomorrow. Life is both too long and too short to allow fear to guide your ship."

The pace of the story was perfect as was the plot. I didn't know if I would love Lenora's story after reading The Vicar's Daughter. She takes some time to find her backbone, but she does find it. I enjoyed seeing her character change and grow. The author did a fantastic job of allowing the situation to develop in such a way that it was realistic, fit with the historical setting, and challenged Lenora to fight for her happiness. I also thought the romance was well done. It develops slowly and felt like it was teased little by little as the characters are intrigued by one another, which builds an attraction, and then more without them consciously allowing love to blossom. You can feel the chemistry and the characters' frustrations quite easily. Not every author can pull of this kind of character development and plot without changing who the character is or without certain plot points feeling forced. Kilpack definitely had no issues doing so.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a heartwarming story full of complex characters who were easy to relate to, an engaging plot, and a sweet romance. Perfect for historical romance fans who love cheering for the underdog and looking for a happily-ever-after story that will touch the heart and leave the reader joyfully content.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way. ...more

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May 02, 2018 Julie rated it really liked it

(4.5 stars)

I really enjoyed Josi Kilpack's novel, The Vicar's Daughter, and was hoping that Lenora would get her own story and she did! Miss Wilton's Waltz is a standalone book, but you do get more of Lenora's background if you've read The Vicar's Daughter.

After a failed engagement, Lenora decides to go to Bath and start fresh. She lives with her Aunt Gwen, who loves to socialize and draws Lenora into her circles. Lenora also teaches music at an all-girls boarding school and loves her job---unt (4.5 stars)

I really enjoyed Josi Kilpack's novel, The Vicar's Daughter, and was hoping that Lenora would get her own story and she did! Miss Wilton's Waltz is a standalone book, but you do get more of Lenora's background if you've read The Vicar's Daughter.

After a failed engagement, Lenora decides to go to Bath and start fresh. She lives with her Aunt Gwen, who loves to socialize and draws Lenora into her circles. Lenora also teaches music at an all-girls boarding school and loves her job---until Catherine arrives. Catherine is a student who loves to cause trouble and she upends Lenora's life in cruel and shocking ways. I felt awful for Lenora and wondered how she would deal with this obviously troubled girl. Catherine does have one thing going for her, and that's her Uncle Aiden. He loves her and would do anything to help her, but he is often at a loss himself. When Aiden meets Lenora, he's sure she can help his niece, if only she'll find the motivation to try. Lenora is willing and she starts to develop feelings for Aiden, only to find out he's been hiding something from her that will alter all of their lives. Can she ever trust Aiden again?

I loved the depth and richness to these characters. Lenora is trying so hard to overcome her shyness and put herself out there again, that when Catherine and Aiden end up hurting her, you can't help but feel all the hurt along with Lenora. Yet, at the same time, Aiden is sympathetic as a man just trying to do right by his niece who is struggling to overcome a terrible childhood. Everyone is multi-faceted and there are no easy answers to any of their problems. I thought the author did an amazing job with the setting, the plot was tight and believable, and though there are some twists and turns where I wondered if a happy ending was even possible, the author made sure we all closed the book with a satisfied smile.

This is a romance that is realistic and relatable and reminds us all why Josi Kilpack should be on everyone's auto-buy list.

Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com ...more

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May 09, 2018 Sydney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sydney-s-home-library, adult-library, print-books, audible, 2018-reads

Author Josi S. Kilpack has written a charming and delightful story in her novel, Miss Wilton’s Waltz. Kilpack’s novel comes to life from page one as she captures the attention and emotion of readers with her relatable and easy to understand characters. A natural story-teller, Kilpack has a way of writing that will draw readers in so they become emotionally invested in both the enjoyable characters and fascinating so much so that they don’t want to put the book down. Filled with struggles, heart- ...more

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May 21, 2018 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, received-to-review, romance, historical-fiction, clean-read, regency

Miss Wilton is a joy to read about. She is a strong woman who hides beneath her insecurities. She has a strong heart and mind, but is timid and doesn't express herself often enough. This is the second book that has her as a character, but you can read this without the first. This book references the other with a failed engagement and the social stigma that it caused. In "Miss Wilton's Waltz" she finds love and romance.

The relationship between Lenora and Aiden is rocky at best. It doesn't begin o ...more

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May 24, 2018 Robin Leslie Coxon rated it it was amazing

First let me share that I don’t usually choose a romance-based book but because this has a historical based background it drew my interest in. Josi Kilpack is an author who wrote books under one of my favorite genre of books, cozy mysteries prior to write the Proper Romance genre. Miss Wilton’s Waltz drew me in with the historical background that provided the setting. The plot will draw the reader in. Lenora Wilton is the main character. She is a Vicar’s daughter. Panic disorder is addressed in ...more

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May 08, 2018 Mindy rated it it was amazing

I loved The Vicar's Daughter, my review for that can be read here. As much as I loved Cassie and Evan, when I finished the book, I left feeling sad for Lenora. I was thrilled that she was getting her own book. You don't need to read The Vicar's Daughter to understand what is taking place in this book, but doing so would definitely help you understand Lenora for who she is. I think we all have felt similar to Lenora at one point in our lives, I know I have. Miss Wilton's Waltz is heartfelt and an ...more

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May 23, 2018 Donna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vintage-romance

Magnificent. A romance that conquers the complex emotions of a neglected heart.

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Mar 10, 2019 Lesr Kew rated it really liked it

good :) 3.5

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Sep 01, 2019 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, historical, series, womens-fiction

Lovely story!

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May 14, 2018 Chantele Sedgwick added it

Shelves: own, audiobook

I really enjoyed The Vicar's Daughter, but I loved this one. I'm so glad Lenora got her own book and had a chance to truly find a way to be happy. ...more

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Jul 24, 2018 Lady Delacour rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: listened-to-this-book, nice-story, nice-narration, clean-story

Sweet Romance Story.
Girls, lift your skirts,
climb into the carriage,
and enjoy your journey.
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell.
She is one of my favorites.
100% Clean.

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Feb 01, 2018 Karlene Browning rated it it was amazing

Miss Wilton's Waltz is very much a story of courage, finding your way in life, and the determination to follow your heart. And romance. Can't forget the romance.

We first meet Lenora in The Vicar's Daughter (which I have not reviewed, but which I give 4.5 stars). She is upstaged at every turn by her sister, Cassie. A failed attempt at matchmaking gives Cassie a happily ever after, but leaves Lenora heartbroken. While you don't have to read The Vicar's Daughter first, I strongly recommend it as it ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, arc, read-2018, emotional, romance, review-post, sweet-romance

What an heartbreaking and heart healing story. Once I sat down, I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know that Lenora ended up happy. When we first met her, in The Vicar's Daughter, I had hoped we'd see more from her. She deserved an HEA, just like her sister, Cassie.

After stepping aside, so her sister could marry her fiance, Lenora leaves town to make a new life for herself. She decides that teaching music, at an all-girls school, is perfect thing for her. She moves in with an aunt and decides ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Sheila rated it it was amazing

It was easy to fall into the pages of Miss Wilton's Waltz. I liked Lenora, even though she was very sad about her past and her current life situation. I could relate to her broken heart and moving forward in her life as best as she could. Things start shifting as soon as her new student, Catherine, makes her life unbearable at school. To make matters worse, the man that she encountered late at night as Lenora took her midnight stroll, is none other than Catherine's Uncle, Aiden Asher. As a fello ...more

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May 01, 2018 Cathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-to-z-challenge

I was so glad that Lenora got her own story! I loved The Vicar’s Daughter, but Lenora was kind of the last string hanging out that needed fixed for me. I was so glad to get to see into her head and understand how she is just a little bit better.

I loved Lenora. She’s moved on from not getting married and now she’s teaching in Bath. This really would have been a courageous thing to have done at this period of time. It would have kind of marked her as a spinster, even though she was still of a ma ...more

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May 01, 2018 Monica rated it really liked it

4.5
I would like to thank Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s always a risk to start reading a series starting on the 4th book in but I was able to read this as a standalone and not feel lost. Yet it does reference Lenora’s sister Cassie and this is the follow up book to her book, The Vicar’s Daughter.

This is a clean, sweet period romance. I love this style of writing and am a sucker for regency books. I was really drawn to Lenora in this b ...more

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May 15, 2018 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018

I received this book for free from Publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I read The Vicar's Daughter last year and always hoped that Lenora would get her happy ending. When I was offered this book to read I couldn't pass up finding out what happens. This was such a sweet and romance book. I loved Aiden Asher he was so patient and determined. He was also such a gentlemen when it came to Lenor ...more

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About Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack

1,582 followers

I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children. ...more