Monday, February 25, 2013

Natalie Gibson's Satin Sheets Romance Review of Love's Debt by Rachel Brimble


Love's Debt
by Rachel Brimble

Historical Romance, Novella
92 pages

Buy Links:
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Wild Rose Press

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To keep herself from the depths of poverty, Milly Shepherd needs to be appointed manager of the Red Lion Tavern. The elderly owner is in failing health and has promised her the job permanently if no one more suitable applies. Milly will fight with her entire being to make the job her own.

Joseph Jacobs needs to supplement his income to pay off his father's creditors and save him from debtor's prison. Though the job as manager of the local tavern looks promising, Milly is favored by both the owner and customers. Instead, Joseph swallows his pride and agrees to tend bar.

As they work together, their attraction grows, their goals cross, and both Millie and Joseph find they must face their fears --the question is whether they face them alone or together?


Natalie's review:

To me, Milly read as a modern woman.  She did not get married even though she is well in her twenties; instead she got a job and has been rising in the ranks and in the eyes of her employer.  She provides for her family.  She even gives away her virginity before he 'puts a ring on it'.  Joseph comes from a middle class family who is down on its luck, mostly because of his father's fall from grace.  His mother has abandoned them rather than face the reality of their fallen status and the father has turned to gambling.  Now Joseph works two jobs to care for his family.  These two are more alike than they care to admit.  They start out vying for the same job and so bristle at each other externally even as inside they know there is something attracting them to each other.
The book was alright if you are looking for a quick romantic read.  Because the heroine is such a modern seeming woman, it did not read like a victorian romance.  She was too free to be truly victorian.  It was short and sweet with one non-explicit love scene.  Everything worked out just a little too well and easy.  There wasn't much struggle.  The grit and hardships of life were missing to feel historically accurate being about a poor girl and down on his luck man.  The main characters were well rounded but the plot was a little thin.  Nothing much happens aside from their budding romance and the story is over as soon as it starts.
The writing was good with no major complaints.  I will keep an eye on this author and try for some of her longer works.





The author has graciously offered to give away one copy of Love's Debt to a commenter.  Leave a message below if this story seems like something you would like to read and Rachel Brimble will select a winner.

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