A Return of Devotion

Haven Manor #2

by Kristi Ann Hunter

Daphne Blakemoor was happy living in seclusion, but when ownership of the estate where she works passes to William, Marquis of Chemsford, her quiet life is threatened. By a RITA Award-winning author. (religious fiction).

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Regency, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

647 pages, Library Binding

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

Reviews

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the Full Review {and watch the vlog} on my blog!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Title: A Return of Devotion

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Series: Haven Manor, #2

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Era: 1810s (Regency)

Setting: England, countryside

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Source: from NetGalley in exchange for honest review

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

5 Reasons You Should Read A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

1: If you love historical romances, the Regency era, amazing Christian themes, realistic characters, sweet children, and books that beautifully balance humor and seriousness.

Honestly, this is without a doubt one of the best Regency romances I’ve ever read. It has the best themes, the best characters, and the best plot! It’s emotional without being melodramatic and touches your heart without being preachy!

2: If you want to read about one of the most realistic, role-model female protagonists EVER.

Honestly, there are so many great things about Daphne! She is an angel from Heaven, but at the same time, she’s real. She’s not perfect … but she can teach us so many things about being a woman just through her actions, personality, and opinions.

-She isn’t ashamed to cry.
-Quiet and takes time to think things out.
-Actually loving.
-Not particularly selfish or prideful.
-She’s a good mom—to a whole bunch of kids!
-Can recognize her own strengths and weaknesses … most of the time.
-She’s just different from most historical heroines. Not cliche at all! And that makes me happy inside.
-I don’t want to venture into spoiler land, but she also learns some great lessons and learns to value herself more. Love it!

3: The premise for this whole series is fantastic.

This sweet and clean serious hosts some AMAZING themes in the two books (a novella) that I’ve read thus far.

Orphaned or might-as-well-be-orphaned children are one of my passions, and I would love to be involved in something like Haven Manor when I become an adult. I just really think kids need to be given more of a chance than they are.

This series so far has explored different angles of moving on from the past and embracing who you are in Christ, and I love it!

I can’t wait to see what book 3 brings us, especially since Jess is such an interesting character. (Not my favorite, but eh. I don’t know why she rubs me wrong … maybe it’ll be different from her POV.)

But, basically, love this series, love Haven Manor, and love the girls in it! (Definitely go back and read book 1 if you haven’t already; it’s fantastic!)

4: WILLIAM IS AMAZING!

He’s a strong, amazing, godly man! And I know he has his faults, but he is also sooo sweet and supportive and gentle and AWESOME.

“Awesome” and “Amazing” are two great words for William. He’s just … wow. I really love William! His POV kept rivaling Daphne’s for my favorite. I loved them both, honestly, and I love them for each other even more so. ❤

One of the best things about William was his determination to take responsibility—not just for his own actions but for those of his family members. He truly is a hero, and a fighter, and I love him for that!

Too many people are self-focused and deny responsibility for others, and even shirk their own duties. Not William! He does a great job.

AND … HE WOULD MAKE SUCH AN AMAZING DAD! Okay, but am I wrong when I say there is nothing more attractive in a man than just being an amazing dad-figure!? We need more good dads in this world.

5: It was impossible to put down!

I know not everyone has the same reading taste, but for me, it was one of those books where you just … you can’t stop reading it!

I read this book in almost six hours, staying up until … *drumroll* … 5 AM! Wow. That is literally when a lot of people get up.

Once I started the book, I had to finish it. There was no other option available but to read on and on and on.

And yes, the late hour was my fault—I shouldn’t have started it at 11:30. But you know what? Had to be done!

So yes, those are my five main reasons you should read A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter. And a lot of them, in different ways, apply to book 1, too.

Honestly, I loved book 2 more than book 1, but they were both 5-star reads which I would highly recommend!

More Reasons Why I Loved A Return of Devotion:

-The situations with the young servants and William’s reaction to the absurdity that is Haven Manor cracked me up.

-Benedict is one of the most amazing kiddos in the world. (p.s. for those of you who noticed, I have it straight from the author that his initials were not intentional. *coughs and dies* Though it gave me a good chuckle while reading!)

-The ending scenes were amazing! All the crazyness with eVeRyOnE who could possible show up showing up all at once was aMaZiNg.

-William is awesome. Did I mention that before?

-Daphne is also fantastic.

-Daphne’s father is similarly fantastic! I loved everything about this guy. Like, yeah, he wasn’t perfect, but as far as dad’s go, especially given the era, I give him an A+.

-The series features other relationships besides romance—mother to son, daughter to father, friendships between people of all shapes and sizes, etc.

-The contrast between book 1 and book 2—Kit focuses on the mothers, Daphne focuses on the children—is awesome. (I personally couldn’t care less about the mothers, haha—#TeamDaphne, I guess???)

-The author actually cares about putting God into the book. She doesn’t just have the characters give an occasional nod to Him, as is required in Christian fiction—“Oh, by the way, God, prayer, blahblahblah, now back to the story!” Mrs. Hunter actually takes the time to weave elements of her faith into the plot, the characters, and of course the theme!

So, basically, there were tons of amazing things about this book (and a lot of them apply to book 1 and the prequel novella, as well, if you want to start at the beginning of the series).

I can’t wait for book 3, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley for giving me the eARC and then to Bethany House for sending me a paperback copy with which to reread my favorite parts!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

***

Original Review January 1st, 2019:

So good I had to wait until 2019 to mark it as read so I could count it in my "Top 2019 Books." xP

Review to come - but how shall I write it? It shall just be incoherent squealing. I have no negatives. I loved this book half to death - I stayed up until 5 AM reading it, after all, finishing it in about 7 hours. (Which is pretty good; I'm not a fast reader, haha!)

Anyway, yes, I shall try to review this soon, but I really don't know what to say!

FAVORITE THINGS --

-WILLIAM, who is honestly super sweet idek
-DAPHNE, who is the best motherly creature every and she's also super brave and her imagination is amazing (I cannot not be aware of my surroundings so I found it super interesting) and she's just the sweetest girl ever -- but without a doubt the worst housekeeper.
-BENNEDICT. OMW. Sweet dear boy. <3 I feel bad for him, but still ... #STRENGTH
-But ... did the author realize ... his initials??? xD :P
-Daphne's dad, actually. He was a sweet gent.
-Seeing Kit and Graham again, even briefly. Argggg, these two! Also, Graham cracks me up. Like, "Oh, dear, everyone's fainting. *glances about* Better stop William from killing his cousin ..."
-THAT WHOLE LAST SCENE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY AWESOME. I mean, it wasn't the last scene, bUt LeGiT EvEryOne SHOweD uP anD wAs AwEsOmE!

Okay, I'm done.

I don't like ... Jess? Is her name Jess? Or something like that? Anyway, I don't like her - and I don't know why because you'd think that'd be JUST my kind of character, but she rubs me wrong??? I don't know why! She's even a lot like me! But maybe she's just like ... Idek! Anyone else with me on this? I JUST DISLIKE HER.

THANKS FOR READING!

***

~Kellyn Roth, Reveries

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I KNEW I shouldn't have started this book at 8 p.m on a work night!
Did I listen to myself?
No.
The consequence of this was staying up until 3 a.m, then having to be the perkiest zombie in the Subway industry! (Do not ask me how I made it through that shift)
Am I sorry?
No.

I know Kristi Ann Hunter will ALWAYS grab my eyeballs and my heart within the first few words, and this book did not disappoint! I was instantly swept back to Haven Manor and I disappeared into the story within minutes.

If you've read book 1 "Defense of Honor" then you know we technically got Daphne's story then, however we got it from Kit's perspective then. We finally got to see Daphne's pain, Daphne's scars in this book.

There were some very powerful scenes when she REALIZED she lost her self when Benedict was born. Though she was not my favorite character I really admire how she fought to find herself after she realized how lost she really was.

William. I liked him. Why?
Because he was arrogant. Weird I know, but hear me out!
In this time period aristocrats were supposed to have this mentality. He was a marquis and he KNEW it, and he knew how to use the power the title gave him. Yet he was a gentle and slightly unconventional aristocrat. He was very complex, and I liked him...

Both Daphne and William were very solitary individuals, but in different ways. And they had a chasm worth of differences between those reasons. They still balanced each other out super well.
Their love story was not what one normally sees, a normal happily ever after did not happen. They MADE their own, they made it work for their quirks because love overcomes all those little things.

The author did an amazing job crafting a hopeful story out of a hopeless situation.
This series is definitely deeper than her other one, but she still finds a way to bring humor, wit and unwavering love to her stories. Not only does she do a FABULOUS job writing romances, she always shows GOD'S love too!

I did enjoy this story, but I'm chomping at the bit to get Jess' story. She's a mystery and it should be a fun ride. 😏
I rated this 4/5 stars.

*I received this from the author**All opinions are my own

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of you who love Jane Austen Regency England, you must read Kristi Ann Hunter. You know how there are characters who crawl under you skin and won't let you walk away? Daphne is one of those for me. She was a sweet character in the prior book, but now she steps to the foreground. Daphne's story is poignant and one that needs to be told. William, the hero, grows personally as Daphne works her way beneath his defenses. His journey beneath hers is much more challenging, but her story is told so well. Loved every page. You will inhale it if you read the first, but will thoroughly enjoy this novel on its own. But be prepared to feel. Deeply.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot put into words my love for this book. This book was a beautiful masterpiece. This book had me feeling so many emotions throughout the entire thing. This book had me laughing, sighing, squealing, and hiding underneath my pillow because Maxwell came into the house. I literally freaked out. My sister was looking at me so weirdly. This book also had me nearly crying.

I loved Daphne's character. I related with her on a lot of things, well not all things, but a lot. She and I both have a wild imagination. I always am daydreaming and coming up with different situations in my brain. I loved her passion for the kids. Her love and compassion warmed my heart so much. I just love her character!!

William was also amazing. I loved getting to know him better. I loved how he treated Daphne and didn't force anything on her. He also was an amazing man of God and you could see that in the way that he cared for everyone. Sure, he definitely had his faults but he, just like Daphne, became a changed person through the blood of Jesus.

This story was truly an inspirational one. I loved the message that is being portrayed in these books. It's not everyday that you can pick up a book that is portraying a message like this. This is a message that I think a lot of people need to hear, especially those who have had sinned like these characters in the past.

The historical content in this book is impeccable and truly accurate to how times were back then. I was astonished at how well researched everything was. If there are any Jane Austen fans out there, this book series is for you!!

The ending of this book was really enjoyable to read except for the one part where a whole bunch of people came. Some people that I was very excited to see and others that I wanted to just punch! But page 354 was probably one of my favorite scene just because Everyone wanted to punch Maxwell and I was just cheering for them to do so. It made me laugh hard when Graham, who was holding everybody else back nearly punched him!! xD

Overall this book was so beautifully written from the character to the message to even how historical accurate it was. If you haven't already, I highly recommend picking up and reading this series. You will not regret it!! :D

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. It did not have to be positive.*

[Patry Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYfHjjldA4/

Me ha encantado, incluso mas que el primero. Romances bonitos que se van dando lentamente y con una trama llena de sentimientos. Amor, amitad, lealtad y sobre todo rompen con los estereotipos de la época y muestran ese lado que la sociedad intenta ocultar. Esas mujeres que se ven relegadas al olvido y a ser repudiadas por un ''error'' por el que solo ellas son culpadas. Me gusta que estos libros traten esos temas y nos muestre el miedo y la desesperanza de esas mujeres y niños no deseados.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first Haven Manor novel, we meet Daphne, and she is a lovely character. In A Return to Devotion, we get to see the Haven Manor story continue through her eyes, and she is absolutely charming and endearing. I loved getting to know her better in this story. I appreciate the Hunter continues to tackle a subject not done often in this historical setting, the consequences of having an illegitimate child in a time when it was considered to be a terrible scandal and not mentioned in "polite" society.

What is not really evident about Daphne in the first book is that she is fierce – she loves fiercely, and she protects fiercely. In essence she loses part of herself to protect the ones that she loves. Now, all these years later, she is not sure exactly who she is, nor what she wants. William is a man who thinks he knows what he wants, but his bewildering housekeeper has him questioning things. For an arrogant aristocrat, William is a complex character. Normally, I wouldn’t really care for his type, but his character development is superb. The interactions between the two of them are sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, and also tender and romantic. They are both loners in the sense that they really only rely on themselves, and perhaps one other person, and even with that small dependency, their inner worlds are very much hidden from others. Moreover, Daphne often hides her own true feelings from herself, so as to continue to put others before herself. A good quality, of course, but no one can pour from an empty cup.

This beautiful truth and more are woven quite seamlessly throughout the narrative. Growth comes at every stage of life, and the idea of “arriving” is a false, no matter how smooth of a ride it’s been. Though there is a lot of depth to this story, Hunter’s trademark wit is still present. One scene in particular made me chuckle several times. I wasn’t expecting, and it caught me happily off guard. The secondary characters are lovely – their inclusion and the interactions between them all really ground the story in reality, and I loved that.

Jess’s story comes next, and for those who have followed all of Hunter’s books, her story has been a long time coming for sure. Happily, we only have to wait until November for Jess’s book!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review; this review is my honest opinion.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out to me most about this book was the daydreaming and fantasizing of Daphne! It's something I've done, more at some times in my life than others. It was interesting to see how her fantasies faded as she became more present and invested in a real relationship and her own life beyond her son and the other children. I love the premise of this series, how the characters provide aid to women in desperate circumstances, even raising their children. Their haven came to an end, and it was fun to see them try to keep the secret from William, who kept discovering curiosities about his estate and the people who remained there. I also enjoyed Daphne and William's early perceptions of each other and the way they slowly became more comfortable... until the secrets rising to the surface could no longer be avoided. I was happy with the way the story ended, with a new future and direction for their humanitarian efforts. Looking forward to the next in the Haven Manor series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I do not know why I waited so long to read this follow-up to A Defense of Honor! I loved that book so much and this one is a worthy, gorgeous follow-up.
I adored that Hunter took the risk to cover such a touchy subject matter in a Christian historical fiction novel, and she handles it with such aplomb. I continued to love the character of Daphne as much as I did in the first novel, and liked getting to know more about her and what makes her tick.
This story is achingly real and meaningful, readers should absolutely pick up this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I wasn’t quite as emotionally glued to this book as I was to book 1, though in a number of ways I felt like this was the better crafted story. There wasn’t as compelling a spiritual growth thread, though, and to be honest that’s often what grips me most in a story. It’s still an excellent story and I especially loved getting to know super-shy Daphne as an MC.

There is some baby-mama/baby-daddy drama in this one, so I’d say 18+ on age range (there was a semi rape but that isn’t detailed at all).

I loved the scene with her and her father...so heartwrenching. And the ending was such a thoughtful little compromise.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1816 Marlborough, England

Lovely! The main characters in this series are so compelling. A Return to Devotion is Daphne's story. After enjoying the solitude of living at Haven Manor for 12 years, the new owner has come to stay and make updates upending Daphne's world.

[Serena Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Me ha costado engancharme a la lectura por culpa de Daphne. No he empatizado con ella, tampoco me he creído el enamoramiento de los protas. A partir de la mitad del libro la cosa va mejorando, pero seguí teniendo el mismo problema con la prota.

[Micaiah Keough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series, A Defense of Honor, and so I was looking forward to diving into the sequel. I was slightly hesitant about Daphne (I wasn't sure what to make of her in book one), but I figured the author could make her shine! However, I did have problems with the book, most of which are probably just personal preference. I want to explain some of my thoughts though, so there will be a few non-minor spoilers ahead!

DAPHNE. I couldn't connect with this sweet gal. She was definitely a different heroine, but not necessarily in a bad way? She was realistic, and I liked getting a glimpse into her head. But she was kind of...flighty. Not in character, but she daydreamed often, which just seemed a bit childish and inappropriate considering certain aspects? I didn't mind so much, until she thought a scene with the hero WAS a daydream, and then I got a little uncomfortable. And the almost-lying was somewhat exasperating at times. I felt like it was kinda taken to an extreme, so much so that I ended up wanting the two characters to meet that were being kept apart. I don't know if we were supposed to want them kept apart or not... :P

WILLIAM. I adored Graham in A Defense of Honor! William didn't quite live up to him for me... But he was still a good guy. There were times where he seemed somewhat stuck up and arrogant, and this was dealt with - but there was, I felt, a lot of back and forth between him lowering his guards and being truly kind and gentlemanly, and turning back into the 'master of the house.'

THE ROMANCE. I said there was some back and forth between William's decisions/actions... There was with the romance too. It bothered me that William would flip from being really enamored with Daphne one moment, to treating her like a servant and distancing himself the next. Same with Daphne. I TOTALLY GET why this happened, but it just felt like it happened so much that I was like, "Really, guys?!" Things are worked out, OF COURSE, but it seemed like some unnecessary pain to get there.

LASTLY, things were somewhat slow for a bit. It was about halfway through before the story felt like it got rolling to me. I do, however, want to applaud the author for dealing with tough situations with grace. There was more detailing in this book than I was completely comfortable with at times, but overall it was pretty well done.

OVERALL, I didn't enjoy this as much as the first novel, but I would still recommend it to people! I hate leaving negative feedback, but I just don't think the book was for me - I really enjoyed the first book and the tie-in about Nash and Margaretta. Things that I mentioned probably wouldn't bother others as much! Most of my thoughts were just personal preference. If you enjoyed A Defense of Honor or A Search for Refuge, I would definitely say it's worth a try to read this one!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts above are entirely my own, and I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

[Sarah Monzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love how Kristi Hunter is tackling the subject of physical relations (come one, its a historical. I can’t just say sex 😜)in this series. Yes, premarital sex is wrong, but it isn’t an unpardonable sin. God’s amazing grace is sufficient and His forgiveness boundless. As sinners, no matter what the sin, we need to come to the point of forgiving ourselves. And, let’s face it, sometimes that’s hard.
Daphne was an interesting character. I related to her social awkwardness and not wanting to be around people but her escapism from reality had its dangers...and consequences. I loved the characters arc Daphne went through—the growth she experienced. And whenever william said he saw her, the real her, and then helped her to see herself as well...swoon.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Daphne. She's whimsical and day-dreamy, rather shy, and a terrible liar. She isn't spunky, nor quite the proverbial Mama Bear, but she is a brave Mama Bird, dragging her wing to lure the predator away for her nest. She's delightful. And I have to give credit William--though his decision process is maybe not the soundest (choosing to do whatever he thinks is the opposite of what his father would have done), he has a good heart: he cares as he learns Daphne's story. He knows where he has gone wrong, and he isn't willing to throw stones.

I love the humor in Kristi Ann Hunter's books--this one made me laugh out loud (as I said, Daphne is delightful, and prone to predicaments). But even more it had me tearing up over and over again as we learn more of her story, the hard and hurtful things she has endured through her own mistakes, the difficult decisions she has to make now as her son is growing up and distancing himself. Choices have consequences--and she has made poor choices. But God also has grace. And she has learned from her mistakes to move forward, raising up children to be wiser than she was.

This has been a spectacular series, touching on the people who are too often unseen and forgotten. It's a brave subject, and not an easy one, but one that is important to remember. I'm really looking forward to Jess's story; something tells me behind her terrifyingly competent, knife-wielding exterior is a woman just as in need of a haven (emotional as well as physical) as Daphne and Kit and all the other women they've helped. Highly recommended!

[Beth | Faithfully Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com

A Return to Devotion is genuine, heartfelt and sprinkled with humor and grace. The personality of Haven Manor itself leaps from the pages, inviting readers to reminisce even as it conforms to its new purpose. William's inner dialogue as he attempts to sort out the unusual clues and occurrences surrounding him at Haven Manor (as well as Daphne’s often frantic or dramatic inner musings) cleverly fills the natural void between the two introverts.

Fans of Regency romance won’t want to miss a single moment of Kristi Ann Hunter’s original storytelling. She skillfully laces drama, humor, and faith throughout each book and I highly recommend the Haven Manor series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved this series. I was so sad to not like this one. The first 100 pages should have been condensed to one or two chapters. It drug and went no where for too long. I was detached because of it and just felt like things were repetitive too often and the characters didn't get me like they always do with her books. I did really like how this ended and felt so sad that the rest of the book didn't feel the same as the end.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is way too long. As much as I liked the two main characters there was way too much filler in the book. I had to really push to skim the last 100pages.

The characters are fun. I enjoyed the secret revealings. (Although in the end the biggest reveal felt anticlimactic). Although I want to see what happens with Jess & Derek I’m not too eager to read the next book because the previous 2 have been bogged down with unnecessary scenes & inner commentary. 😔

I’m giving it 4 stars because the writing & characters are well done; so far the series as a whole would be a 3 star rating if based off of pure enjoyment.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read another novel by Kristi Ann Hunter! I love love love her Hawthorne House series so I knew I would love this one as well.

I find the setting and plot set up fascinating in this novel. It's so interesting that everything is set in a situation that isn't talked about let alone written about much. Giving a voice and a story to women and their illegitimate children is fascinating and noble. I applaud Kristi Ann Hunter who takes on a controversial issue with grace and poise.

I was so excited to get into Daphne's story. I loved getting more about her background and her feelings about her life. She deserves love so much! Loved reading her love story. Loved her journey to find forgiveness with God, others, and especially herself. Her ways of living in her daydreams was fascinating as well.

William has a fascinating story himself. I was captivated by his change and motivation to be a good man and do good with his title. Love his passion and his sweet love for Daphne. They are so lovely together.

I loved understanding more about Benedict in this novel. He's a great character.

Can't wait to get inside Jess's head more and see her fall in love in future!

The love story is so beautiful. Wow does Kristi Ann Hunter write a fantastic first kiss. I felt like their love story was so unattainable in the end. But somehow it came together. It sure isn't a traditional "everything is going to be easy happily ever after" but I appreciated the nuance.

Can't wait for book 3!!!

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sqqqqueeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Swoonworthy Regency alert! Clear off your fainting couch (I know you've been piling books on it) and lay in a supply of chocolate...and perhaps a tissue box or two and be prepared to be dazzled by the sweet perfection that is A Return of Devotion.

I listened to the audible version and loved the narration. Something about a British accent stirring my imagination up into a vivid frenzy! I usually listen while I work around the house or exercise but I finally gave up any pretense of work and just sat entranced. There's something about being limited by the narrator's pacing that's both exhilarating and exasperating because I had no control over the timing. Mind you, it made me savor every sweet word all the more so even though my tummy was tied in knots a lot longer than if I'd read this book, I really did enjoy the prolonged shivery delight the audible version brought me. :-)

Hunter does justice to this classic Regency genre. Delightful details, exquisite banter, the machinations of a class conscious society and...most important of all --- a hero to swoon over! (cue that fainting couch!) And it will do double duty as a soft landing for when you laugh yourself silly over the riotous humours moments. And then you'll be reaching for a tissue when an unexpected heart-stirring scene sneaks up on you. Or the whole box as the faith thread builds. Forgiveness and self-worth and the courage to hope for the future God has designed for you. Hearty sigh! The Epic-iest of all epic Regencies. :-)

And yes, this is the second book in Kristi Ann Hunter's Haven Manor series and I somehow missed the first book! What??? I need to sharpen my Regency spotting skills! Don't know how A Defense of Honor slipped right past me. Even so, I had no trouble enjoying this second book. In fact, it was kinda fun because I was just as befuddled as William about all of Daphne's secrets and I had fun uncovering them right along with him.

If you love to be held enthralled by a good Regency romance, A Return of Devotion is definitely the book for you.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what took me so long to get around to reading this book. I loved A Defense of Honor. This book picks up where the first left off. The ladies of Haven Manor are amazing. They put aside their hopes and dreams to help women/children have a better life without the stigma of illegitimacy.

Daphne makes me laugh. She ran a home for children for years and struggles to be a respectable housekeeper when the rightful owner moves in. She is awkward and does not know what to do when he arrives at the front door. William had every right to be concerned, but a quirky housekeeper grew on him.

This book has many funny and lighthearted moments but carries a weighty message. Daphne lost her family and reputation (Kit too) because of a mistake. We aren't meant to eternally suffer for mistakes. Finding love, acceptance, and support made a huge difference. Forgiveness of oneself, family, and from God make life infinitely better.

I anxiously await the next installment in this series.

Source: I requested a copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great second installment in the Haven Manor series! I loved both Daphne and William, and I could totally relate to Daphne's fear of crowds and her propensity to daydream! One of the things I loved most about Daphne and William's relationship was their willingness to compromise and come up with a way to live their lives as a married couple that would best suit them both, this example of working together to make a marriage work is something that, in my opinion, we need more of in fiction! I had been very much anticipating this book, and while A Defense of Honor is still my favorite of the series by a slim margin, I really enjoyed A Return of Devotion! I'm on the edge of my seat in anticipation waiting for the release of Jess's book! I highly recommend A Return of Devotion!


I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Something wasn't right here, but he wasn't sure if it was the remoteness of the house or an indication of a bigger problem."

Living in virtual obscurity, Daphne Blakemoor has had plenty of time to conjure, until her imagination runs head on into reality; the new owner of Haven Manor decides to reside at his lovely, slightly dilapidated country estate. How is she going to hide the fact that the manor has been under the supervision of two women and a handful of children or more importantly, how is she going to hide the carpenter's apprentice? None of her daydreams had turned out like this.

William, Marquis of Chemsford, wonders if his housekeeper is inept or simply needs to be replaced. Her constant nervous chatter about meaningless topics leads him to believe that "Mrs. Brightmoor" is a little off kilter, except that the home is spotless and the cook is turning out delicious food. He thought coming to the country would afford him time to think about how he could become the kind of leader that his father never was, instead his head has been filled with curiosity about his housekeeper.

Beautifully written conversations fill this story; some quite comedic and others intensely heartbreaking, but the combination of the two expose the souls of two people who have desperately sought forgiveness for their past mistakes and determine to make a difference with their lives going forward; the question is, will it be apart or together?

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this book! Can’t sit to read the next one and see how Jess plans to tackle the world.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread January/Feb 2025: I think I may have enjoyed the first half more this time around. I didn’t feel like I needed to rush. My fav part was still the children!

3-3.5⭐️
NOTE: If you haven’t read the first book in the series go read that first ☺️ then come back 😉 trust me.

I did like how this story continued the last book so seemlessly. Both could be read alone, and I didn’t feel it left any loose ends which is nice as well! They are there own stories and still go together. Daphne’s character was wonderfully developed already for me, and I hurt so much for her in this book. The other characters were also well done. I loved getting to “visit” with some of the children I loved in the first book! Benedict’s side story was so sweet (introduced in the first book).

I spent so much of this story anticipating something or wanting something to happen—which took a bit of the joy out of the journey for me. But I guess it also kept me reading! There was one scene that was actually quite silly to me (it wasn’t meant to be either, but it seemed extremely unrealistic 😅) and the faith thread was much weaker in this story.

The ending was sweet. I do look forward to the third book.

[Kristine Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne has been content to live a quiet life hidden away from society for 12 years. She has her secrets and doesn't feel the need to share. Then suddenly her quiet world is disturbed when William, Lord Chemsford comes to claim his home. A Return of Devotion is a story of redemption. If God has forgiven us but we haven't forgiven ourselves are we truly alive?
Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my favorite authors. She creates intriguing characters who have real life problems. Her characters have depth and she is a master of witty dialogue. I buy her books automatically when they come out as I am assured of a delightful read. So grab your Breakfast tea and and settle in for a fantastic read!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Return of Devotion is book two in the Haven Manor series by Kristi Ann Hunter. It is best to read the first book in the series: A Defense of Honor.

Kristi Hunter delves deep into the emotions of Daphne Blakemoor. Daphne is currently the housekeeper at Haven Manor, a remote estate in England. Due to an incident long in her past, Daphne has spent her time out of society and secretly helping the less fortunate.
William Oswald, the new Marquis of Chemsford, has come to inspect one of his many estates. What he finds is a puzzle. Daphne is shocked to find that William is the new owner of Haven Manor. Will this new information throw obstacles in her path and dredge up things best forgotten? But William is not your typical aristocrat. He shuns most society but still takes his responsibilities seriously. Will William and Daphne work at cross purposes or eventually work together?
Ms.Hunter does a masterful job of showing how a bad situation can be turned to good. She imparts the atmosphere of the country manor. We see Haven Manor through new eyes as William comes to oversee one of the properties he has recently aquired.
The themes of repentance and forgiveness shine through. Daphne and William are truly seeking God’s wisdom. William is a hero to be envied. He is kind, thoughtful and slow to anger. It is nice to see how Daphne slowly blossoms in her spiritual growth. I was pleased by the depth of character of Daphne, William and Jess and Benedict. Those familiar with the first book will be glad to see Jess and the children return. Additional characters bring levity and confluct to the story.

If you enjoy Regency stories, give this series a try.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristi Ann Hunter is tops when it comes to Regency romance. I've read all of her books and have never been disappointed. This is a continuation of the story of two friends, bonded together through a rough time who found God's purpose in their lives. In this one, it's Daphne's turn for love. William (my favorite character in this book. Well, besides Jess.) Comes into the picture as an unexpected tie to her past. Can they get past her fears to find a future together? I suggest you read it to find out!
A Return to Devotion fits right in with the rest of this series. I loved it. Now to move on to the next story. The one I've been waiting to read since the very first book I ever read from this author. Can't wait!
This book was provided to me by the publisher, but as always my opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Return of Devotion" is a Christian romance set in 1816 in England. This is the second book in a series. It can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous story will help you to better understand the situation that Daphne is in. This book does not spoil much of the previous story.

When Daphne was young, she let her imagination carry her away into a romantic fantasy which misled her into becoming pregnant with no chance of marriage. She has raised her son at Haven Manor, a remote house that was essentially abandoned by the owner. However, William, the new owner, has sent word that he's coming to stay and look the manor over. He looks exactly like Daphne's nearly teenaged son even though he is not the father. She tries to prevent the two from meeting, leaving her in a mess when answers are demanded both by her son and William.

William was a kind and very patient hero who tried to make things better for Daphne, partly because a family member hurt her in the past and partly because he comes to love her. Daphne still felt guilt over getting pregnant out of wedlock. Seeing no better option, she tried to overcome her extreme shyness and learn how to be a housekeeper for William. But she's miserable without a special purpose--something she can do to help other people. William helps her to find that purpose.

Daphne learns to accept the forgiveness that she knows God has extended to her. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.

I received an e-book review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely my favorite by this author. Regency fiction is my favorite "relaxing" read, but this one goes well beyond brain candy. In the glut of Regency fiction out there, very few rise to the level of Georgette Heyer or Patricia Veryan, but this one gets a little closer than the rest with its unique and memorable characters who find themselves in hilarious situations of their own making. The other books in this series are good, but this one is great.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing head on the anxiety and fears that Daphne has dealt with far longer than the night she found herself running from London. There’s so much more to Hunter’s stories than a bit of historical fiction, romance and fluff. Every character she introduces are intricate, with a depth that makes them entirely unique from each other. Kit is now gone on her wedding trip, and Haven Manor has been left to Daphne & Jess to prepare for the unavoidable arrival of the new owner.

William the Earl of Chemsford, is desperate to get as far away from his impending responsibilities & the title seat and has come to see to the repair work to the estate. The dialogue between Daphne & William is as always carefully tailored to each of them. The reader quickly discovers who he is while learning far more about Daphne than we previously have been given. The two are so perfectly matched - it just takes them a lot longer to discover it. Likable & tender personalities to delve into the difficult subject of the series. Done in a way that is both informative & thoroughly enjoyable.

You won’t want to put this down.

Thank you to Bethany House for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.