Marie's Merry Gentleman
The Bookshop Belles #2
Catherine Bilson & Ebony Oaten
Reviewed by Helen
We start back in Baxter’s Fine Books in Hatfield with three sisters left running the shop now that Estelle is happily married to Felix and Marie as left in charge of the accounts when a series of letters arrives from The Earl of Renwick from Cumbria, demanding that they personally deliver the books he wishes to purchase they are now calling him the Earl of Demanding but they are left no choice because the money is needed and it is decided that Marie will make the long journey.
It is coming up to Christmas time and the weather is cold and raining and it is a very long trip for Marie, who prefers quiet but finally she arrives at what first looks like a crumbling castle, set high in the Pennines Mountains, she is soaked through from sleet and very tired and just wants to deliver the books and turn around and start the long trip home and then she meets the Earl of Renwick, Sebastian and he is nothing like she expected he is young and handsome and not old and cantankerous and he is not very overly friendly.
But when Marie sprains her ankle and is forced to stay at Alston Castle for Christmas she must make the best of the situation, she meets Renwick’s eleven year old twin boys George and Richard and is soon helping out with their French lessons and getting to know them and also getting to know The Earl himself and is not thinking of him as the Earl of Demanding anymore.
As the weeks go by Marie and Sebastian open up to each other and soon it appears that their hearts are as well but Sebastian has locked his heart up after everything that happened with his wife is there a chance that he could find love again and if so Marie would be the one who is that person and Marie she never dreamed that a trip she didn’t want to take would find her love, but of course love doesn’t always run smoothly and it is a long way between Cumbria and Hatfield will they find the love and happiness they both deserve?
I loved this one from start to finish, fabulous characters a beautiful romance, and there are lots of smiles and fun along the way, I would highly recommend this one and book three falls onto my kindle today yay, one not to be missed, make sure you read Estelle’s story first.
It is coming up to Christmas time and the weather is cold and raining and it is a very long trip for Marie, who prefers quiet but finally she arrives at what first looks like a crumbling castle, set high in the Pennines Mountains, she is soaked through from sleet and very tired and just wants to deliver the books and turn around and start the long trip home and then she meets the Earl of Renwick, Sebastian and he is nothing like she expected he is young and handsome and not old and cantankerous and he is not very overly friendly.
But when Marie sprains her ankle and is forced to stay at Alston Castle for Christmas she must make the best of the situation, she meets Renwick’s eleven year old twin boys George and Richard and is soon helping out with their French lessons and getting to know them and also getting to know The Earl himself and is not thinking of him as the Earl of Demanding anymore.
As the weeks go by Marie and Sebastian open up to each other and soon it appears that their hearts are as well but Sebastian has locked his heart up after everything that happened with his wife is there a chance that he could find love again and if so Marie would be the one who is that person and Marie she never dreamed that a trip she didn’t want to take would find her love, but of course love doesn’t always run smoothly and it is a long way between Cumbria and Hatfield will they find the love and happiness they both deserve?
I loved this one from start to finish, fabulous characters a beautiful romance, and there are lots of smiles and fun along the way, I would highly recommend this one and book three falls onto my kindle today yay, one not to be missed, make sure you read Estelle’s story first.
5 stars
April 1, 2025 by Shenanigans Press