It’s been a wee while since I’ve delved into historical fiction, and before you think the use of “wee” is a reflection of my almost-five years in Scotland, it is but a clever way of alluding to the setting of this novel. While it starts on a Virginian plantation, much of the story is actually set in Scotland as Juliet begins a new life to try and salvage her families legacy – but I’m getting ahead of myself.
It’s 1774 and the Catesby’s have made their living in the indigo trade, a trade that keeps them heavily indebted to the Buchanan clan of Glasgow, who control a part of the market and their exports. Juliet is the eldest, incredibly independent and intent on running the family business, but she is unaware that her betrothal has been made to one Leith Buchanan in order to cancel the family’s outstanding (and crippling) debts. Though she initially refuses the arrangement, situations emerge and escalate in Virginia which have Juliet and her sister fleeing with Leith to Scotland, where she once again works to protect her family and her business.
I enjoyed this book far more than I initially thought I would. The time period is what drew my interest initially, but I grew quite fond of the characters and the story as it progressed. There were a few plot points I didn’t expect, and I found myself racing to find out what happened next. This is not a steamy historical fiction book, and I found the wholesomeness of the romance to be endearing and elevated, rather than detracted from, the story.
It’s a story that has stuck with me long after reading it as I found it different and fresh from what I’ve been reading recently. My only caveat, and frankly warning, is to not listen to it as an audiobook. While the narrator does an excellent job in some aspects, the Scottish accents are honestly appalling and I think you’d find that to be true even if you weren’t living in the country. So if you’re interested in this, please don’t listen to it.
2% Rating: 7.5/10
Recommend? Yeah, I think I would
Re-Read? Maybe!
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