The Jewels of Halstead Manor
Kasey Stockton
3/5
Giulia has recently lost her father and the life that she knew. When presented the opportunity to meet the uncle that she had never met before, she jumps on it as a chance to gain a measure of family back. Her arrival isn't what she anticipated when she saves a man from bleeding out on the road and receives her uncle's scorn when she finds out he never wanted to meet her. She negotiates a way to remain in the house until she can find alternative employment.
I liked the book, I though it was an interesting mystery and that the characters were genuine. I didn't like how often I was told about how amazing or terrible the characters were rather than witnessing the actions for myself. Giulia traveled the world her entire life but she seems to have retained none of the intrigue that she could have gained from such an interesting life. She also insinuates that she worked a lot as a child and as her father's assistant yet she doesn't really display this work ethic throughout the book. Same with Nick's philandering, they keep saying he was worse three years ago but we don't really see evidence of this and we don't get a great explanation on it.
The romance was decent but I'm kind of sketched out by them being cousins. Like, they explained that they were ten times removed or something and what else can you expect from the nobility in the 1800s. I don't really understand how genealogy works and I understand that everyone is related to some extent but having the same last name and presenting themselves initially as cousins freaked me out.
It was pretty good overall, just a little forgettable. If you have Kindle Unlimited and want a decent Historical Romance then this one fits the bill. It's not anything extraordinary though.
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