Historical romance fans: get ready for Gloved Heart by Charlotte Brentwood.

The plot:

Amy Miller is struggling to come to terms with her new life as a mother, while being a reluctant guest in a rigid gentry household. A victim of abuse, she is determined to never trust a man again.

Henry Russell has loved Amy for as long as he can remember, but his family want nothing to do with her. A chance encounter with Amy rekindles a friendship which might save both of them.

The discovery of a secret which holds the key to Amy’s past will change them forever, and jeopardise any chance they have for happiness. Can Henry show Amy that true love will give her everything she could ever need?

It’s a lovely, all-round charming book

You know when something’s so romantic and pure that you can’t help but smile? Get ready for aching cheeks for the day you finish Gloved Heart.

Within 6 pages, I loved the protagonist. I was so glad she isn’t your standard woman in this era, but offered a rich personality and even richer back story.

It’s beautifully wound together in a considerably short length for this genre, warranting big props to Brentwood for creating something so fine.

For me, I often find some historical romances to be slightly tacky, but Gloved Heart isn’t at all. The romance level just makes your heart grow like the Grinch, but also snatches it away leaving you empty for a while. With the historical side, you can tell Brentwood has done her research, using the stereotypes and issues of the era.

There’s quite a lot of focus on the secret, and this didn’t offer a huge shocker for me. I think there could’ve been a lot more done around this, but I think it’s more around the journey than the secret itself.

I’m interested to see what Book 2, Hearts of Amberley is like, but if it’s of a similar length and class, sign me up.

It’s a lovely, all-round charming book which promises and delivers a good afternoon read.

Gloved Heart, Charlotte Brentwood, RRP £9.99 (paperback); Book Depository 

Pages: 220

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Historical Romance