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A Year in Cherrybrook #1
Creatures of Habit: Spring in Cherrybrook
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781737597230
The Boy-Next-Door Returns
Can unconventional Eugenia Merritt and Lieutenant Lawrence Trellaway stand against their well-meaning parents’ matchmaking attempts?
All Lawrence wants when he arrives home after wartime service is to return to his gardening and peaceful country life; a life without taking orders. Instead, he finds his parents are as determined as ever to push him at their neighbour’s daughter, Eugenia, whom he recalls as a bossy girl with a penchant for rescuing injured animals.
Eugenia is a creature of habit, determined to keep her life the way it is. She likes her independence, her farm and her flowers. Besides, Lawrie had been such an ordinary boy…
Will the attentions of a dashing visitor thwart their parents’ schemes or will Lawrie and Eugenia discover love can bloom where it was planted?
"A Year in Cherrybrook" is a series of sweet, late Regency/early Victorian era romances. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, each follow four light-hearted, character-driven love stories all fixed in or around the fictitious English country village of Cherrybrook in 1839-1840.
The Boy-Next-Door Returns
Can unconventional Eugenia Merritt and Lieutenant Lawrence Trellaway stand against their well-meaning parents’ matchmaking attempts?
All Lawrence wants when he arrives home after wartime service is to return to his gardening and peaceful country life; a life without taking orders. Instead, he finds his parents are as determined as ever to push him at their neighbour’s daughter, Eugenia, whom he recalls as a bossy girl with a penchant for rescuing injured animals.
Eugenia is a creature of habit, determined to keep her life the way it is. She likes her independence, her farm and her flowers. Besides, Lawrie had been such an ordinary boy…
Will the attentions of a dashing visitor thwart their parents’ schemes or will Lawrie and Eugenia discover love can bloom where it was planted?
"A Year in Cherrybrook" is a series of sweet, late Regency/early Victorian era romances. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, each follow four light-hearted, character-driven love stories all fixed in or around the fictitious English country village of Cherrybrook in 1839-1840.
- GenresRegencyVictorian Romance
170 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2020
About the author
Charlotte Brothers
9 books12 followersCharlotte comfortably resides in Michigan, USA, with her family, cats, and a busy bird feeder. She does her utmost to write heartfelt stories about memorable characters with a dash of humor and playful prose.
She has won an award in every writing contest, she's entered, has served as secretary for a local writing chapter (MMRWA), and is a proud member of The Georgette Heyer Society.
"I am delighted to add story-crafting to my many romantic life experiences. Life has its ups and downs, and the "ups" for me have included rather ordinary, wonderful things like mothering, wife-ing (should be a verb), reading, traveling, cottage gardening and an art career.
I grew up with a book in my hand, often a classic or high fantasy adventure with a strong romantic subplot. As a young adult I took a hiatus from most fiction in favor of lots and lots of art books. But one particularly dreary January day, my husband bought me a first official romance novel and I've been reading and writing romance ever since! "
She has won an award in every writing contest, she's entered, has served as secretary for a local writing chapter (MMRWA), and is a proud member of The Georgette Heyer Society.
"I am delighted to add story-crafting to my many romantic life experiences. Life has its ups and downs, and the "ups" for me have included rather ordinary, wonderful things like mothering, wife-ing (should be a verb), reading, traveling, cottage gardening and an art career.
I grew up with a book in my hand, often a classic or high fantasy adventure with a strong romantic subplot. As a young adult I took a hiatus from most fiction in favor of lots and lots of art books. But one particularly dreary January day, my husband bought me a first official romance novel and I've been reading and writing romance ever since! "
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 28, 2020
Fans of Regency have a new author to love!
I actually came to this series backwards, having read "A Fair-weather Friend" first. I enjoyed that story so much that I came back for this one as soon as my reading list was open again.
This is a novella at just 6 chapters, but it does the story no disservice in its brevity. The premise seems rather simple & understated, but the author writes her characters & dialogue with a richness that is an absolute pleasure.
Eugenia & Lawrie have been expected to marry since childhood, and now that Lawrie has returned from his army service, they are both resistant to fulfilling their parents' expectations as they barely know each other anymore.
It's a delight to read as they become reacquainted virtually without meaning to & are amazed to discover that their preconceived ideas require considerable adjustment.
Avid readers of Regency & relationship development stories are guaranteed to love it!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
I actually came to this series backwards, having read "A Fair-weather Friend" first. I enjoyed that story so much that I came back for this one as soon as my reading list was open again.
This is a novella at just 6 chapters, but it does the story no disservice in its brevity. The premise seems rather simple & understated, but the author writes her characters & dialogue with a richness that is an absolute pleasure.
Eugenia & Lawrie have been expected to marry since childhood, and now that Lawrie has returned from his army service, they are both resistant to fulfilling their parents' expectations as they barely know each other anymore.
It's a delight to read as they become reacquainted virtually without meaning to & are amazed to discover that their preconceived ideas require considerable adjustment.
Avid readers of Regency & relationship development stories are guaranteed to love it!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
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November 10, 2022As of the summer of 2022, "Creatures of Habit" (and all the others) has/have been professionally edited and the current edition/s MUCH improved!
This was my first book, and I humbly thank those of you who gave it a try in its first, beginner's form:-). I cringe to think of the errors I was blind to. My excuse is that everyone starts somewhere...
The Cherrybrook series takes place in a fictitious English village in 1839. It's sometimes regarded as part of the Victorian Era (as Victoria WAS queen by this time), but some sources consider these years to be part of (albeit the end of), the Regency Era.
I'm truly proud of this little book (now, LOL), it's such a sparkling, gentle story with many cosy touches. There are tiny echoes of Beatrix Potter in the character of Eugenia, and I won't deny Rupert Penry-Jones, as Captain Wentworth, influenced Lawrie. If you're a fan of traditional light romance, or classics by Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, please give this little novella a try!
This was my first book, and I humbly thank those of you who gave it a try in its first, beginner's form:-). I cringe to think of the errors I was blind to. My excuse is that everyone starts somewhere...
The Cherrybrook series takes place in a fictitious English village in 1839. It's sometimes regarded as part of the Victorian Era (as Victoria WAS queen by this time), but some sources consider these years to be part of (albeit the end of), the Regency Era.
I'm truly proud of this little book (now, LOL), it's such a sparkling, gentle story with many cosy touches. There are tiny echoes of Beatrix Potter in the character of Eugenia, and I won't deny Rupert Penry-Jones, as Captain Wentworth, influenced Lawrie. If you're a fan of traditional light romance, or classics by Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, please give this little novella a try!
May 24, 2020
The Trellaways and their neighbors the Merritts have long planned for their children to marry once Lawrence returned from fighting on the continent. But though they were childhood friends, neither Lawrence nor Eugenia is particularly eager for the wedding to take place. Lawrence is relieved when his friend John arrives, and the handsome captain seems to be prepared to sweep Eugenia off her feet. But the more Lawrence learns about the adult Eugenia, the more he realizes that he himself would be a much better match for the independent young lady she has become, but is unsure how to go about convincing her. I enjoyed this gentle story, and look forward to the next installment.
April 24, 2023
This is a short and sweet novella by a new-to-me author and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read it. Although a quick read, the short length by no means took away from the quality of the story. Eugenia and Lawrence have been set to marry each other since childhood. But Lawrence has been away so long with the army, they hardly know each other and are reluctant to follow through with their parents' expectations. I enjoyed seeing them both get reacquainted and learning that they truly are the perfect match for each other.
A well-written, sweet romance that was a pleasure to read! Thank you to StoryOrigin for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
A well-written, sweet romance that was a pleasure to read! Thank you to StoryOrigin for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.
September 4, 2023
A quick, sweet, and entertaining novelette!
Eugenia, with her love of learning how to manage a farm and all the moving parts, doesn't think any man would want to marry her. But her and Laurie's parent's think otherwise; they would like their two children to marry each other. Both, at first, try to ignore the new attraction to each other, after Laurie returned from war. With meddling from the parents and Laurie's lieutenant friend adding some comparison, Eugenia realizes Laurie is exactly who would love her for being her.
I'm looking forward to reading Summer next!
Eugenia, with her love of learning how to manage a farm and all the moving parts, doesn't think any man would want to marry her. But her and Laurie's parent's think otherwise; they would like their two children to marry each other. Both, at first, try to ignore the new attraction to each other, after Laurie returned from war. With meddling from the parents and Laurie's lieutenant friend adding some comparison, Eugenia realizes Laurie is exactly who would love her for being her.
I'm looking forward to reading Summer next!
August 17, 2021
It was difficult to figure out the time period in this tale. Mr. Trellaway's involvement in the Carlist War is mentioned, as well as the fact that British involvement was at an end. That probably refers to the First Carlist War in Spain, which ended in 1840, making this a Victorian Era novel.
It's a cute little story, with little action or angst, but with numerous errors, grammatical and otherwise.
It's a cute little story, with little action or angst, but with numerous errors, grammatical and otherwise.
January 23, 2023
The main characters are aware that their parent wish them to marry. Each thinks they are unsuitable for marriage and say so to the other. Then they get to know each other again...
The story was really well done. If there were any editing issues, I didn't notice them. The story is short so it moved quickly, but it didn't seem rushed.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance.
The story was really well done. If there were any editing issues, I didn't notice them. The story is short so it moved quickly, but it didn't seem rushed.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance.
May 13, 2023
A clean story. This is a short novella. It is a pleasant, light read. The storyline is very straightforward. Did seem surprising that her parents seemed to be restricting her social life waiting for Laurence to return. I would have thought as she seemed to be out and about otherwise she would still have gone to events.
May 19, 2024
A Delightful Story
Charlotte Brothers invited me into this charming story and I didn’t want leave until I finished it. Her writing wrapped me in the era of manners and protocol that only make the romance sweeter. I so enjoyed Eugenia and Lawrence’s love story. I highly recommend this sweet romance that will capture your heart.
Charlotte Brothers invited me into this charming story and I didn’t want leave until I finished it. Her writing wrapped me in the era of manners and protocol that only make the romance sweeter. I so enjoyed Eugenia and Lawrence’s love story. I highly recommend this sweet romance that will capture your heart.
June 6, 2020
DNF -- Every time I pick it back up, I realize that I can't remember what is going on. That is very unlike me. Maybe I will try again sometime.
February 27, 2023
The book was a sweet, quick and pleasant read.
May 5, 2023
This novella is pleasant and simple, with enjoyable characters and a satisfying romance. The heroine is headstrong and unique while the hero is quieter and gentle and they make an excellent pair.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews