41. A Matter of Honor. Laura Frantz. (Audio narration by Amy Scanlon). 2024/2025. 206 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical fiction, adult historical romance, Christian romance, novella, 4 stars]
First sentence: In the glittering, beeswax-scented drawing room of Kensington Palace, Orin Hume stood beside a Paladian window.
A Matter of Honor is a novella, a companion novella, to The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. It has been a few years since I read The Rose and the Thistle. But Orin Hume, the romantic lead, is the young brother of one of the characters in that book [The Rose and the Thistle]. There are a few characters that overlap, I believe, but they are decades older. I do believe this one could be read as a standalone.
Orin Hume loves, loves, loves Lady Maryn Lockhart. Maryn loves, loves, loves Orin Hume. A terribly tragic accident happening years before--I believe five???--has proven an almost impossible obstacle. It was an accident that injured Maryn and killed her [twin] brother. Orin wrote letters to Maryn. Maryn wrote letters to Orin. Did Orin read Maryn's letters? No. Did Maryn read Orin's letters? No. Maryn's sister prevented her letters from being mailed. Maryn's grandfather hid the letters Orin actually did send. It isn't until recently that these two have reconnected--from a distance. He still loves her. She still loves him. She is a recluse, mostly. He is reluctant to go where he's not welcome. After all, why didn't she respond to his many letters?
Will these two ever come face to face and actually talk with one another openly and honestly about what they have felt, what they are currently feeling, and how they will feel forever? Maybe. Maybe not.
I listened to this one on audio book. Amy Scanlon was MARVELOUS. It was an absolute delight to hear all the dialogue of this novel. Her narration of the narration was also lovely. But it is the dialect where she shines brightest. I ADORED her accents.
The romance was lovely but slow. I do wish that Maryn especially had been less stubborn. Sometimes the obstacles are more internal--mental blocks--many romance books use more melodramatic obstacles that are less believable--kidnappings, fire, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment