Courting Emma Howe

This was such an enjoyable book! The year is 1905 and Emma, who lives in Vermont, receives a written marriage proposal from Arthur Smollett, who lives in the state of Washington. Emma is considered "plain" and Arthur has a certain image of Emma as his perfect wife. How she breaks with her family, the description of the long train ride to Washington, and meeting up with Arthur are nothing what Emma (or Arthur) visioned. What made this a 5 star book, you ask? I finished this in two days instead of one because I wanted to reread passages, I was afraid I would miss something! Mary Robinson's book is that good. The flaws of her parents and family, smells of people on the train, understanding secondary characters, and meeting up with Arthur isn't what she thought it would be like. I felt I was right there...what it is like not to be able to wash your hair for several days, swallowing raw oysters (yech!), the taste of champagne, saving a child from a burn, and on and on. This book could be made into a Hallmark movie. If you can find it, get it! I just wish Mary wrote more books like this.

I enjoyed this book so much I never intend to remove it from my reading collection. It has a great deal in common with Sarah, Plain and Tall, and is just as wonderful to read. I hope Ms Robinson writes another book soon.

Courting Emma Howe is a jem--I am very disappointed to see that it is out of print. By all means make an effort to try and obtain a copy--some libraries have it. A sweet, thooughtful, funny romance about two "real" people in the 1800s. I am wondering why Ms. Robinson hasn't written more books--she is a truly gifted writer.