Winning Miss Winthrop (2018) by Carolyn Miller is the first book in her brand new series, Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope. This novel comes in all forms including eBook, and is 356 pages in length. With a full-time job, a very busy five-year old at home, and some news that took me away from my reading time this week, Winning Miss Winthrop took me four days to read. I received a copy of this novel in paperback form from Kregel Publications. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Winning Miss Winthrop 5+++++++++++++++ STARS. This story is a Christian Historical Romance set in England in 1816.
About the Book
Catherine Winthrop has cried out to God too many times to count. Years ago, the man who stole her heart rejected her–and she’s never recovered. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn’t her heart he’s taking, it’s her home and her family’s good name–and she has no one to share her grief.
Jonathan Carlew’s life may look enviable from the outside–wealthy, handsome, landed–but the mystery surrounding his birth has shadowed his entire life. Now as he ascends to the barony, fresh challenges await, including a scheming mama who wants him to embrace power, even at the cost of losing love. How can he remain the kind, honorable man he strives to be and still meet the demands of his new society responsibilities?
These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.
Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England’s royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in Carolyn Miller’s new series. Fans of the wholesome and richly drawn first series won’t want to miss this new set of characters.
Amazon ♥ B+N ♥ CBD ♥ Goodreads
My Thoughts
Carolyn Miller has done it again! Winning Miss Winthrop is an excellent story. The characters are beautifully written, the depth of emotion is exquisite, the moments of wit are pure perfection, and the romantic tension is pretty palpable. I loved every minute of this story and hated when I had to put the book down.
The main characters, Catherine and Jonathan, struggle with one another on many levels because of a misunderstanding three years prior to the start of this story. This leads to some serious romantic tension. My heart broke for Catherine time and time again. What I really loved about Catherine is her willingness to go to her Bible daily, but especially in times of distress. Catherine has a pretty tough go of it in this story. Her father dies, she’s removed from her home, her mother is insufferable most of the time, her reputation gets put through the ringer, she is lonely, she is sad, and she has to be responsible for so much. At times, I was stressed for Catherine. Catherine is a very realistic character in that she would get frustrated, she would cry herself to sleep, she would get angry, BUT she constantly turns to God. And, she is always reminding herself of Bible verses and trying to put them into practice. I loved that so much!!! It has been a source of comfort and a great reminder to me this week. My family and I received notice from our landlord that we have to move in 60 days. It’s a little scary, and it has come at a rather inconvenient time — it’s the end of my school year when I’m deep into AP test prep and study with my Seniors, finishing up Romeo and Juliet with my Freshmen, and working with Bella to end her Kindergarten year successfully. No 5 year old understands being removed from her house. So there has been a bit of fear and tension in my house this week. BUT, Catherine has been a great example to me. Instead of living in my fear, I have turned to my Bible. And, I am also trying to live the verses that God has put in front of me this week. God’s got us and I have to trust that just as Catherine does in Winning Miss Winthrop.
Jonathan is an excellent hero. He is handsome. He is kind-hearted. He is thoughtful of others and wants to do what is right at all times. But, he is stubborn and prideful. These two qualities are his one downfall. Three years prior to the story, Jonathan’s pride was hurt and he ran away. What frustrated me about Jonathan is that he doesn’t talk. As soon as someone says something he doesn’t want to discuss he walks out of the room. He makes assumptions based on what he thinks he sees, but he never confirms with the person if what he saw is the truth. He is such a MAN! This all sounds frustrating and bad, but it’s what makes this novel so good. It’s what causes the delicious tension in the story line. It truly felt like reading Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Jane Eyre all at the same time. I love when a novel has me talking to the characters, wishing I could slap some of them upside their heads for their stupid stubbornness, or wanting to hug them because they need some friendly comfort.
There is so much more to discuss with this book! I love the settings. The reader is in Gloucestershire at the formidable Winthrop residence, then London at Jonathan’s fancy club, then in Bath with the elderly upper class. The secondary characters are excellent — Lady Milton and her double chins and nose she sticks into everyone’s supposed business, General Whitby and his sweet, grandfatherly heart, Aunt Drusilla and her unwillingness to sugar coat anything, and Lavinia from The Elusive Miss Ellison is back with her gumption and spunk!!! And, the set-ups for the next two books in this series are wonderfully done. I cannot wait to read Serena’s story next. Serena, Catherine’s younger sister, reminds me of Catherine Hepburn and I cannot wait to see how she interacts with Lord Carmichael. And, I’m eager to see how things go with Julia, Jonathan’s younger half-sister.
Winning Miss Winthrop is an EXCELLENT story. I cannot recommend it enough. It is a beautifully written, engaging page-turner. I loved every minute of this story and I am sad that my time with it is over. If you are looking for a superior Regency-era novel that will steal your breath, break your heart, and leave you wanting more, then I say run to your nearest bookstore and purchase a copy of this book. You will be so happy that you did!
Giveaway
I am giving away ONE (1) paperback copy of Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller. The giveaway begins today, 3-31-18 at 9:00 am (PST) and ends on Wednesday, 4-4-18 at 12:00 pm (PST). To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link below. Good luck!
Congrats to Heidi M.!
You have won this giveaway. Thank you for your participation. It is greatly appreciated.
***Please Note: Open to Continental U.S. mailing addresses only.*** One winner will be notified via email at the end of the giveaway, and will be announced here on this page.
Oh boy, a ” 5+++++++++++++++ STARS” rating = MUST HAVE! 😀 Thank you for the review, I can’t wait to try this author! 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s so good! I highly recommend all of her books. 😊
LikeLike
oh, sounds delightful! I love Regency romance and yay to a new series!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you love Regency, then you will enjoy all of Carolyn’s novels. They’re wonderful!
LikeLike
You won’t get any argument from me! Great story. I wonder how many people would like to give this one more than ***** ! Every one of Carolyn Miller’s books is a winner in my book. I, too want to see what happens with the sisters! Thanks so much for an enthusiastic review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Paula!!!! 😊
LikeLike
Thanks so much for sharing such high praise! So glad you enjoyed Catherine and Jon’s story! Yay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are totally welcome!!! 😊
LikeLike
Sounds wonderful! I do love this era. ; )
~Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great story! I hope everything goes smoothly for your family as you try to juggle daily life and a move!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! God’s got us. Now, I just have to remain calm. Lol!!
LikeLike
Carolyn Miller is a new author to me. From reading the excerpt & your review, I need to start reading her books! Thanks for sharing! rw620 AT aol DOT com
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I hope you read all of Carolyn’s books. They are awesome. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am new to author Carolyn Miller and have heard great things about her books! Hopefully one day, I can tell you which one is my favorite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you can get to her books soon because she is a great storyteller! Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Carolyn Miller! I love all of her books, but I think Elusive Miss Ellison has been my favorite! ❤️ I’m really looking forward to the new series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you love her previous books, you will love this book!!!
LikeLike
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I do love Lavinia and Nicholas’s story. The Forgiveness theme is beautifully done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. That first book is my favorite of that series.
LikeLike
All of her books are great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they are!
LikeLike
Great review! You made me really want to read the book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the compliment! It’s a great book, so I hope you do get to read it. 😊
LikeLike
She is a new to me author,so I look forward to reading one of her stories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far i really enjoyed reading The Elusive Miss Ellison .
Would love to read more by her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That one is my favorite from Carolyn’s first series. 😊
LikeLike
Oy! I LOVED the whole Regency Brides: Legacy of Grace series!! Each book left you wanting more of the characters!! ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I totally agree. 😊
LikeLike
I haven’t read any yet but would love too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I’ve heard such wonderful things about this story, I can’t wait to read it! Thank you for the chance to win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!!! Good luck. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Carolyn Miller books!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is shameful to admit, but I haven’t had a chance to read any of the Regency Brides series yet! They’re sitting there on my Kindle, just waiting to be devoured
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not shameful at all. I have a few books in my kindle I want to get to, but it’s been like a year since I’ve thought of them. It’s the nature of the TBR pile. 😀
LikeLike
This is my first time hearing of this series, or of the author!
Dianna
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are in for a treat then. Carolyn is an amazing writer. 😊
LikeLike
I am just getting introduced to Carolyn Miller, so I do not have a favorite…yet!!! Looking forward to reading Winning Miss Winthrop. Thanx for the giveaway!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
Ok, have you ever read a review, thought you commented then days later revised the same review only to realize that the wonderful thoughts you had about the review, you didn’t actually write down? Goodness, I must need more sleep! LOL!!!
This is a wonderful review, Nicole! I have had this collection of books on my #TBR since the first book came out. I really need to carve out some time to read them, because I’m sure that they are fabulous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trisha! I have done that several times. A couple times, I wrote the comment and left. I forgot to hit send. LOL! Thanks for your compliment. I really do recommend these books for you. I know you will love them!
LikeLiked by 1 person