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.
"As a romance, it ticks all the right boxes, and it's a pleasure to see it come with a well-written story behind it"
Reviewer: Angel for Bookangel.
Millicent Awbridge is the only daughter of Sir Randolph Awbridge and spends her days in luxury at Glassnest Hall. As a young and eligible lady, it is decided that she should be married off to someone suitable, but she only has eyes for Ryan O'Flynn, the groom on the estate. However, he is well aware that such a marriage would not be acceptable. Soon after though, the outbreak of World War I brings changes for them all, as Ryan is sent to the front line and Millie finds herself wanting to be useful. Finding work in a hospital, to the horror of her father and aunt, she slowly grows from being a spoilt young woman to a lady who understands her life and responsibilities. But having grown up and the War ends, she has to decide what kind of life she wants to lead in the future and how that will include Ryan.
When I started reading this book, I began to wonder about a lead character who goes from hating someone to almost infatuation just by having arms wrapped around them. And this is in the first few pages. This thought didn't change for the first few chapters as you get to know the characters and you wonder where the story is going, but I'm glad to say this is one of the few where the lead character does grow and learn throughout the story. The characters come across well and are consistent in what they are doing with all their flaws intact. This makes for a more interesting read as to begin with Millicent's youth and inexperience are obvious, while those around her act in a more realistic manner. The setting around the war provides a solid backdrop to the events and helps to provide an interesting set of circumstances and situations to be overcome.
One part I was slightly disappointed on is there are a couple of plot points in it that I was expecting to be used later on, only for them to never appear again, seemingly to be there only to move the story on instead of being part of it. Also, I will admit to noticing just how many mistakes young Millicent makes through the start of the book.
As a romance, it ticks all the right boxes, and it's a pleasure to see it come with a well-written story behind it. Readers looking for a HEA will certainly enjoy it Rating:4
""Millicent’s character is vivacious, endearing and determined. She reminded me of Sybil from Downton Abbey; this has overtones of that."" (Rating: 3 stars) Read Full Review by Romantic Historical Reviews
Nice review. This book sounds like one that we romance lovers will greatly enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing this with us. I for one can't wait to get my hands on this one.
I'm not particularly into romance, but I can never resist a well written story. From reading the review however I'm starting to feel that the author could have given more depth to the characters emotion-wise.
Name: Catherine E. Chapman
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Website: *Romance Or Not Romance?*
Many thanks, Bookangel, for such a thorough and thoughtful review of \'Miss Millie\'s Groom\'!
Romance and it's very well written? Great. I love romance, but a lot of them aren't all that well written these days and I've had to close a few of them for that reason.
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