The Vicar's Daughter - (Proper Romance) by Josi S Kilpack (Paperback)

About the Book

Cassie, pretending to be her older sister Leonora, begins exchanging letters with a gentleman she hopes will be a match for Leonora, but instead falls in love with him herself.

Book Synopsis

Cassie, the youngest of six daughters in the Wilton family, is bold, bright, and ready to enter society. There's only one problem: her older sister Lenora, whose extreme shyness prevents her from attending many social events. Lenora is now entering her third season, and since their father has decreed that only one Wilton girl can be out at a time, Cassie has no choice except to wait her turn.

Evan Glenside, a soft-spoken, East London clerk, has just been named his great-uncle's heir and, though he is eager to learn all that will be required of him, he struggles to feel accepted in a new town and in his new position.

A chance meeting between Evan and Lenora promises to change everything, but when Lenora proves too shy to pursue the relationship, Cassie begins to write Mr. Glenside letters in the name of her sister. Her good intentions lead to disaster when Cassie realizes she is falling in love with Evan. But then Evan begins to court Lenora, thinking she is the author of the letters.

As secrets are revealed, the hearts of Cassie, Evan, and Lenora are tested. Will the final letter sent by the vicar's daughter be able to reunite the sisters as well as unite Evan with his true love?

Review Quotes

"Remarkable tale of love, forgiveness and family.The novel's characters are strikingly realistic...A sweet Regency...the chemistry between characters is palpable and makes the novel impossible to put down. An excellent addition to Josi S. Kilpack's repertoire and should not be missed."-- "Compass Book Ratings"

"Cassie's ambitions are hampered by her shy, emotionally fragile older sister, Lenora, who must marry before Cassie's parents will allow Cassie to come out in society. Cassie hatches a plan to kindle a love affair between Lenora and handsome Mr. Glenside, a newcomer to their small village. Circumventing decorum and her stringent mother's watchful eyes, Cassie begins a secret correspondence with Mr. Glenside, pretending to be Lenora, explaining her sister's terrible social shyness. Before long, Cassie falls for Mr. Glenside herself, only to be dismayed by her plan's unexpected success. Once her sham is revealed, chaos erupts, afflicting people throughout the village and leaving Cassie with a complicated mess to untangle and a determination to alter her methods. Kilpack (A Heart Revealed) creates convincing chemistry between the two protagonists and captures subtle nuances of familial conflict and affection. Themes of betrayal and reconciliation, forgiveness and redemption, and the high value of integrity and kindness in all relationships make for a sweet and satisfying tale." -- "Publishers Weekly" (11/18/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"If it were left up to her older sister Lenora, Cassie Wilton would wind up being a spinster for the rest of her life. Family tradition dictates that only one Wilton daughter at a time can make her debut in society. So far, the four oldest Wilton daughters have successfully made matches, but for the last three years, the painfully shy Lenora has failed to make a connection with even one eligible suitor. So Cassie decides to give Lenora a little help by writing some letters to Evan Glenside, the hottest matrimonial prospect in Leagrave, under the guise of her sister. Upon receiving Evan's thoughtful and considerate replies to her letters, Cassie is even more certain her plan will work until she begins to wonder what it might be like to be married to Evan herself. With its perfectly imperfect heroine and charmingly realized English village setting, Kilpack's sweetly romantic love story is a superb choice for fans of traditional Regencies and readers of inspirational historical romances."-- "Booklist"

"Kilpack turns Cyrano on its head. Her characters solidly acknowledge the power of faith and redemption yet are able to follow their own moral compass. Another gentle winner from the author of A Heart Revealed."-- "Library Journal" (4/10/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"Kilpack's romance novels rarely play out the way one might first suspect. Instead, the reader is treated to a story deeper and richer than expected, with exquisite emotional dilemmas and unpredictable plots. This latest novel is a prime example. All three protagonists, the sisters and their mutual love, are people of highest character, and the decisions that come to bear are neither easy nor obvious. Breath-stealing kisses do manage to find their way in, so readers may want to stick a fan in their [handbags] before setting out."
-- "Romantic Times" (2/20/2017 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Josi is the author of twenty-five novels, including A Culinary Mystery series and several titles in A Proper Romance series and A Historical Proper Romance series. Her novel A Heart Revealed was a 2015 Publishers Weekly Best Romance Book of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents to four children.