The Larkswood Legacy

If you like traditional Regencies (read = no pre-marital sex, no heavy bedroom scenes), you might like this latest book from Nicola Cornick. This is the first book of hers I have read, so I have nothing to compare it against. The story is that of a young widow, badly treated by her in-laws and their friends, who finds happiness through reconciliation with her older sister and by finding new friends and a husband. As I said, there are some interesting sub-plots. The main story is that of the young woman Annabella St Auby (that is her married name) and how she falls for Sir William Weston, a naval captain who has retired to take charge of the family estates. But the two most powerful subplots is the story of Annabella's past life including her troubled relationship with her sister Alicia, Lady Mullineux, her father the late Bertram Broseley, and her husband the late Francis St Auby. What is nice is that while Annabella is by no means a scheming vixen, she is not perfect. She marries her first husband for the wrong reasons, and realizes her mistake too late. She confronts her suitor with some unwelcome gossip and nearly alienates him for good. The flashbacks are presented through Annabella's memories and through conversations with her sister's friend Lady Kilgaren. Beside this story of a troubled family history, there is also an exciting story of naval intrigue and society pettiness, whereby William Weston is made the scapegoat for another man's crimes by a jealous society miss and her supporters. Some people might find this subplot excessive, others might find it not exciting enough - especially since the villains are clearly identifiable as such. However, I found this subplot perfectly in keeping with the rest of the story.Why then did I award it only four stars, instead of five? For one, this book was compelling, but not enough to make me want to read it all in one sitting (my criteria for a five-star read). It was slow in intervals here and there. Sometimes I found Annabella and her exclamations a little too much. I did like William Weston and his friends, and would love to read a book which narrates the stories of James and Alicia Mullineux, and Marcus and Caroline Kilgaren (she, a lady who is knowledgeable about medieval architecture and was taught by her historian father who actually recognized her great potential).The book rates about a 4.4. I would have rated it higher except for the minor flaws, and the fact that I found both Alicia and Caroline more interesting than the heroine.

Definitely a pragmatic interesting heroine, who was parted from her sister and now trying to pick up the pieces of her life after being widowed. Set mainly in the country with references to life in the navy.From the back of the Mills & Boon hardback...Meeting Sir William Weston was wonderful! He made his interest very clear, and widowed Mrs Annabella St Auby was hugely drawn to him. But she found her sole inheritance, Larkswood, was of prime importance to Sir William, for he said the purchase from his father had not been above board. Was Sir William's pursuit for herself.. .or her legacy?