Summer Holiday by Nancy Campbell AllenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Victorian Romance Anthology
Book Description: Three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden, and Annette Lyon.
BREAKFAST AT SOMMERPOOL’S by Nancy Campbell Allen:
As Tessa Baker competes for the supervisor promotion at Sommerpool Department and Mercantile, she’s faced with a ridiculous list of tasks to complete in order to “win” the job. Tessa would love to be the first female supervisor ever to work at the Sommerpool, but her competitor is cheating at every turn. Discouraged, Tessa agrees to let David Bellini, a family friend and Italian Conte who is new in town, help her. When she discovers that he’s the new owner of Sommerpool’s, but wants to evaluate the employees unobserved, Tessa has mixed feelings. She soon realizes that she’s falling for David, but what chance does a working-class woman like her have with an Italian Conte?
HOWEVER LONG THE WAIT by Sarah M. Eden:
Carina Herrick says goodbye to the man she hopes to marry, knowing their separation will be temporary. Grant Ambrose is off to follow his dream and become established in business so that he can provide for Carina and a life together. He promises to write; she promises to return his letters. Yet, only a few months pass and already their letters become shorter and fewer. Finally, Carina is forced to give up on Grant if only to protect her breaking heart. Her parents are dead set against her becoming a spinster and insist she accept the proposal of the odious Mr. Baskon. With no hope of another marriage proposal, Carina is forced to make a difficult decision, one that can lead her either to happiness or misery.
THE LAST SUMMER AT IVY HOUSE by Annette Lyon:
Every summer Sarah travels to Ivy House in London as one of the household servants to the Millington family. This summer, she’s particularly looking forward to seeing Jacob, a servant who lives at Ivy House year-round. They’ve been exchanging letters since the previous summer when their friendship deepened. But when Sarah arrives at Ivy House, Jacob seems more reserved around her and less forthcoming. Has she put greater meaning in their budding relationship than she should? When Sarah discovers that Jacob has a dark secret and wants her to give up her dreams in exchange for helping him, she’s not sure if she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
My thoughts: This is a great addition to the Timeless Romance Books. This collection takes place during the Victorian Era, you get the older English traditions with the addition of trains and some more modern conveniences.
I loved that the book didn't just deal with the gentry. There were servants falling in love and looking to the future of a life together! That makes me happy. The issue of illegitimacy and the stain of reputation were part of the story. I find it interesting to look into the ideology and traditions that our ancestors lived with.
I enjoyed reading about the progress of women being taken seriously in the workplace. Women are resourceful and should never be overlooked or taken for granted. Tessa proves that point aptly. It was wonderful to have characters from a previous story, From Cairo, With Love, in this one! You do not have to read the previous story to love and appreciate this one.
The final story is from one of my all time writers, Sarah M Eden. Once again, she uses humor and a great story to captivate her reader. The concerns of the working class and the strict society of the gentry are present in this story.
Basically, there is something for every romance lover in this collection. I take every opportunity that I can when a new book comes out to read it. They are worth it!
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