I drove with Debbie to town today so she could take her last final of the school year. When I picked her up the first thing I asked her was, “Now that you have time, what book are you going to read first?”

Our family loves to read, all types of genres, but mostly good old classics. We don’t like books with bad or crude language. We do like books with good morals, where characters are or learn to become good. We don’t like books that are sexual in any way. We do like humor.

So I was a little hesitant when I was asked if I would review a new “proper romance” book by Josi S. Kilpack titled, ‘Daisies and Devotion.’ Romance novels are not on our list of books we normally read. At all. The proper romance series, though, are clean. They have all the romance without all the filth. I figured I would give it a try.

From the back of the book:

Timothy Mayfield is ready to marry for love, but, since his personal finances are thinner than he’d like, he knows he’ll also need to find a wife with wealth. After receiving an unexpected inheritance, Timothy’s circumstances change, and he is free to pursue his “perfect woman”—one with blonde hair, blue eyes, a light laugh, arched eyebrows, elegant fingers, and a dazzling smile, among nearly twenty other characteristics.

Maryann Morrington doesn’t match anything on Timothy’s list—except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.

The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.

Until Miss Shaw comes to London.

Now, with Timothy’s heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It’s an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.

Daisies and Devotion is the second addition to author Josi S. Kilpack’s Mayfield Family Series. This is a regency era novel that centers around the Mayfield Family nephews and their uncle’s wager to get them all married. You don’t need to read the first book before reading the second book. They can each stand on their own.

This book is a classic case of slightly shy girl listens to her best friend’s current exploits in the dating world. She knows she’s in love with him but he can’t see what’s right in front of him until it’s almost too late.

The character development is pretty good. I felt really sorry for Maryann through most of the book. Timothy is engaging. You can’t help but like him but also feel frustrated at how utterly clueless he is.

Add this book to your summer reading list for a fun, light read!

Oh, the book Debbie is reading first? Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan. The latest release in the Ranger’s Apprentice series.

Find Daisies and Devotion at Deseret Book or Amazon.