Meriden Park by Julie Daines – Review & Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Meriden Park by Julie Daines, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Meriden Park
Author: Julie Daines
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: December 5, 2022
Genre: Clean & Wholesome Romance/Historical/Regency/Suspense

Following her childhood rescue from the gutters of Calcutta, Mary Grace’s life has been an astonishing rags-to-riches tale. The Wellings raised the half-Indian orphan with all the love and care the childless couple possessed, allowing her to grow into a beautiful and refined woman. But upon Mr. Welling’s death, it is time for Mrs. Welling to take Mary home to England―home to Meriden Park.

Despite her genial nature, Mary is received with suspicion by the villagers. For his part, however, Mr. Robert Markham is intrigued by the curious new beauty in town. Determined to make her acquaintance, he offers Mary a bargain she can’t refuse: a hot cross bun for a kiss. That seemingly innocent exchange is the first of many encounters between Robert and Mary, whose friendship blossoms into love during long walks in the privacy of Sherwood Forest. But the shadows of the forest hide a sinister secret, one Mary fears Robert might be a part of. As the mystery of the recent string of murders creeps closer and closer, Robert and Mary are drawn into a dangerous game, and unless she can unearth the truth, the couple risks losing one another forever.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

IN MY OPINION

A regency story with a nod to Robin Hood, Meriden Park by Julie Daines combines intrigue with a slow-burn romance.

Mary Grace was a unique character in this book because of her background. With both British and Asian Indian blood, she isn’t fully accepted into either society and lives on the fringes of society, attempting to remain unseen. Then there’s Robert, an admirable gentleman who cannot stand injustice.

The characters are what made this book for me. From the moment Mary Grace and Robert meet (their meet cute is memorable), they become friends. And not just surface friends, but the kind who let each other in to the secret places of their lives. They learn to trust each other and through that friendship, love grows.

Detailed settings, well-developed side characters (including a quirky one who recites Shakespeare), and the mystery of the murders in Sherwood Forest kept me invested in this story. And the ending was exactly what I hoped for.

Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Daines is an award-winning and best-selling author. She was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her vervain.

Connect with Julie by visiting juliedaines.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of book, $25 Amazon gift card, bookmark, stickers, and button.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 5, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 12, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!