When informed of an inheritance from an uncle they didn’t know they had, the Campbell sisters are relieved to escape the life of poverty their orphaned status had left them in. On arriving at Bowes farm, however, Louisa discovers life may not be peaceful as their closest new neighbor is set against them.

Louisa’s determination from the start was admirable. She wanted nothing more than to provide a healthy home for her ailing sister. She refused to allow Nicholas Maxwell’s suspicions, accusations, and cold manner to sway her. Nicholas’ attitude is easy to understand as well, even if it became tiresome.

Some plot points were rather easy to guess at, but there is a deeper mystery that kept me guessing. The romance was a bit unbelievable given the antagonism on both sides through the majority of the novel. Why would either one fall in love with such angry words and behaviors?

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to readers looking for a historical novel with a strong heroine. I was given a copy for reviewing purposes. ( )