Book 50: My Dearest Enemy

I read this book upon the endorsement of Mrs. Giggles, whose reviews and recaps are extremely amusing. She loved this book, and while I didn’t love it quite so much, it was still a great read.

The story is a historical romance set in the 1890’s. Horatio Thorne has died, and, in an effort to shame one of his relatives, the weak, asthmatic Avery, he gives Mill House, the home Avery has always coveted since he was a child, to suffragist Lillian Bede. Lily must make the house profitable for the next five years, and she’s also responsible for seeing to it that Avery has a monthly allowance. Avery, upon finding out what the terms of his relative’s will are, sets out on what becomes five years of world travel. Lily must, therefore, communicate with him, and they engage in a five year correspondence in which their mutual antagonism turns into grudging respect. Then Avery returns to Mill House and meets Lily for the first time, and they have to deal with each other in the flesh.

For once, the big misunderstandings in this romance novel made actual sense, and the characters weren’t stupid. Avery’s a wonderful hero, and his completely geeky moments totally charmed me. Lily is witty, intelligent and charming, so naturally I like her. The secondary characters are well-drawn, and most of them aren’t caricatures the way they sometimes are in romance novels.

Overall, a very satisfying read! Definitely recommended.