Status Updates From The Christmas Bride (Chance...

He felt so ashamed of himself that he boarded the first ship leaving England and worked his way to the far east, trying to drink himself to death. Max saved him by cleaning him up and giving him a job. He sent money, but no letters, placing himself in a self-imposed isolation from his family. It took shooting Charley and then tending to her to realize that money was no substitute for family.

The story is straightforward, more of a novella. It is set between Winter Bride and Spring Bride. This is Anne Gracie's first excursion into self-publishing. Ash had a talent for numbers and supported himself in school by gambling. As an 18 yo, he got drawn in by mature men in a club who enticed him to drink then fleeced him for his home and all. His sister lost her fiance and his mother evicted.

I'm loving this, but the FIVE references to a special needs person as a "drooling simpleton" (or example), is REALLY hampering my enjoyment. I'm trying to see this as people of their time, but it's offensive.