Miss Millie’s Groom by Catherine E.
Chapman
Publisher & Release: Self-Published, September 10, 2016
Time
and setting: 1914-1919, England
Genre:
Historical Romance/Edwardian
Length: 148 pages
Heat
Level: 1 Sweetheart
Rating:
3.5 Gold Crowns
Book
Description:
It is the summer of 1914 and
Britain teeters on the brink of war. Society girl, Millicent Awbridge, is
oblivious to the impending conflict and preoccupied with the recent shooting of
her horse. When she confronts the culprit, Ryan O'Flynn, a groom in her father's
service, Millie finds romance rather than hostility. The encounter sparks a
series of events that brings Millie's burgeoning womanhood to fruition.
Millie and Ryan's affair is
conducted in secret but Millie's aunt has her suspicions and is determined to
bring an end to it. Inevitably, the war also impacts on the young people's
lives and others are implicated in the muddle. Will Millie and Ryan ever be
truly united?
A sweet romance, set in
England during the First World War.
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Vikki’s Musings
This is the first book I have read by Catherine E. Chapman. Miss Millie’s Groom is available
through the Kindle Unlimited program, but I discovered it when reviewing book
review requests to the Romantic Historical Book Lovers blog. I normally enjoy
books set during the Great War, so I decided to give it a read.
Millicent Awbridge is a bit of a hoyden, enjoying a rousing
ride on her horse more than the role of society girl her aunt Rose intends for
her. When her beloved animal has to be put down, she is filled with rage and
seeks out the culprit who did the deed.
Ryan O’Flynn is a groom in Millie’s father’s stable and the
young man who had to destroy the horse. Millie’s anger quickly turns from ire
and attraction. Ryan, realizing how unsuitable it would be for them to entertain
the attraction does all he can to discourage the strong-willed and determined
miss. Going so far, as joining the army and going to war.
When Ryan returns after injury, they see each other again at
the hospital where Millie works. The attraction between them is as stronger as
before he left, but Millie’s aunt has thrown an obstacle in their path.
Will Millie and Ryan find a way to move beyond the
difference in class and find the love they both crave, or will Millie’s aunt’s
machinations keep them apart?
Miss Millie’s Groom
was different than I expected, but a very interesting read. I found the pacing
steady for the most part, although, at times, it did slow a bit due to a bit
too much telling rather than showing.
Millicent’s character is vivacious, endearing and
determined. I truly enjoyed Millie’s character a great deal from the first page
to the last. Her character reminds me of Sybil from Downton Abby, the popular period drama by Julian Fellowes that ran
for six seasons on Masterpiece theater. In fact, this novel had other overtones
from that drama.
Ryan O’Flynn’s character is an interesting hero, but I did
not get to know him as well as I would have liked. Most of this book is in
Millie’s POV, so I didn’t glean very much of Ryan’s insights and feelings. He
is a likable character, though and reminded me a bit of Tom from Downton Abby, although not as fierce in
his beliefs as Tom’s character is.
While Miss Millie’s
Groom does have a romance, it is more of a glimpse of a young girl’s
turning of age during the Great War. I did enjoy the romance between the pair,
but I would have liked to see it a bit more fleshed out, which was the case
with the characters as well.
Any fans of Downton
Abby will enjoy Miss Millie’s Groom,
but please don’t expect the brilliance of that drama. This is a sweet story,
but it did lack depth. Nonetheless, I did enjoy it, and I am glad I had an
opportunity to read it. Happy reading!
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