An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus

After reading the first book in The Great Exhibition series, I knew I had to continue to read this series.  I was hooked on that book and was so excited to see the next one had already come out.  The same things that I liked about the first book are the same things that I enjoyed in this book.

Set during the time of the Great Exhibition during the Industrial Revolution, Kaye Dacus writes a book that I think is great for anyone who likes Downton Abbey or any of those other British shows.  

Romance is budding in this book.  We meet up with Caddy Bainbridge who is a skilled seamstress and is quite generous in making sure that she sews for those who don't own appropriate dresses whether it's because of lack of money or just finding themselves in bad situations.  She  has two men that are chasing after her love.  The decision is made more complicated because both of the men aren't being completely honest with Caddy.

There's another side love story with Edith Buchanan, who is wealthy and searching for a man with a title.  No other men need apply for the job of her husband.  

This is a complicated love triangle in which many secrets will be revealed, many twists are made, and the conclusion of the book leaves you feeling in anticipation for the next book in the series.  

Kaye Dacus is an author that I never knew I'd like until this series.  Now I don't think I'll ever pass her books by on the shelves!  Now I want to go back and re-read the first one again.

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I received this book free from CFBA and B & H Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Follow the Heart by Kaye Dacus

From start to finish, I was reminded of the show Downton Abbey.  It wasn't because it was the same storyline, although there was the similarity of the whole division of the social class and marrying for wealth vs. marrying for love idea.  However, I love Downton Abbey, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it reminded me once again how much I like reading and watching about this time period, but I would have hated to live through it.

I felt bad for Nora and really hoped that Christopher would find a way to provide for her.  I just wanted to see her happy after all she had done over the years in helping Sir Anthony's family.  I also wanted Kate to fall in love with the gardener and him somehow become wealthy or a way would 

be provided for him to be accepted into her social class.  I truly wanted them to marry for love and not to worry about the social rules.

The title of this book fit it perfectly.  I can't think of a better title that clearly lays out the focus of

this book.  Despite the Dearings being sent to England to marry for wealth, will they choose money over love?  

I can't wait to read book 2 in this new series, The Great Exhibition.

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I received this book free from B & H Books and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.