A Chance Encounter

St. John #10

by Lora Thomas

A holiday in Rome to visit an old friend and to partake in the revelries of Carnival was all Oliver St. John had planned until he collided with a beautiful woman selling baskets. After meeting the lady, Oliver finds he can’t get her out of his mind, but as he searches for the mystery woman, he wonders how he can locate her in a city filled with thousands?Selling her baskets and moving away from the family that despises her was Madelena Russo’s dream until the handsome man at the docks runs into her—literally. If anyone could make her forget her plans, he could. Unfortunately, her conniving mother has other ideas, and they involve marriage to a stranger. Madelena knows she must ruin the union before her vows and seeks out the one man who could make her forget who she was with just a smile…Oliver.Madelena soon discovers the truth behind her mother’s plot and flees Rome, entangling Oliver in her plight for escape. Aboard a ship bound for the Caribbean, she finds herself falling for her ginger-haired savior causing her to wonder if perhaps the love she so desperately craves could become a reality—all because of A Chance Encounter.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

390 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2019

Reviews

[Laurel Heidtman]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in the St. John historical romance series, but this is now my favorite—except for the fact that it caused me to lose sleep since I couldn’t stop reading it! Oliver St. John goes to Rome to visit an old friend and enjoy Carnival. On the docks, he bumps into a beautiful basket maker, Madelena Russo. She’s dressed like someone from the working class, but she’s actually one of five daughters of the Roman magistrate.

Her mother has always treated her horribly and doesn’t bother to hide that she despises Madelena. Madelena makes and sells baskets, and lately she’s been saving the money to buy a dress and mask for Carnival since her mother will not get her one. She is her father’s favorite, but he always bows to whatever her mother wants. Her mother has arranged a marriage for her to an older Greek man who is disgusting. The mother has picked him for just that reason—to make Madelena’s life even more miserable.

During Carnival, Oliver and Madelena have yet another chance encounter, and things get even more interesting from there. That’s as much as I’ll say because I don’t want to tell all the story. I will say that there are family secrets that are revealed and plenty of intrigue. I had trouble putting the book down. The story just flows and I found myself rooting for the characters and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I mean, you always know that there will be a happily-ever-after, but getting there—well, that’s when the fun and surprises happen!

[PAMpublish]

This full length historical romance (with a lovely cover) based in Italy depicts the strict, yet somewhat hypocritical culture of the time of control and manipulation at its worst. Front and center is Oliver, a representative of his shipping company from England who comes across Madeleine, a beautiful daughter of the corrupt head of police in Rome. Both bump into one another, swearing off marriage until Maddie's mean 'stepmother' arranges a marriage to a nasty rich and old Greek. Much repetitive dialogue, somewhat stilted, to the point I thought it was a translation, especially with the use of derogatory terms. However, had to fast forward over much to finally come to the conclusion of a happy ending.

[Arrowhead]

Great story

Could not put the book down it was captivating. Hope I find many more books by this superb author. Keep telling your stories.

[Coco.V]

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