One of the things I love about romance as a genre is that it’s consistently good about delivering sequels. Now, maybe this is because most romance series devote one book to each couple and plot overlap varies, but it’s still pretty impressive that if you like book one in a series, you can creditably expect to like the next one and the next one. (I think this is also why I enjoy mystery series so much? These are writers who can be depended upon!) Return to Satterthwaite Court is no exception — in fact, it’s a great example in support of the rule. Because if you liked The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim, you’ll love this latest in the Somerset Stories series, too.
Return to Satterthwaite Court picks up with the next generation, when Lady Katherine Beresford and Lieutenant Charles Heywood meet by chance. The encounter could have been nothing, easily forgotten, if not for Kate’s determination to make it something more. Her pursuit draws her into a mystery surrounding the Heywood family, and soon, she and a reluctant Charles are investigating partners. But will he be as reluctant with his heart?
First off, I so enjoyed that Kate took the initiative pursuing Charles. She courts him in a very traditional way, just as a gentleman would court a lady: paying attention to his family, finding opportunities to spend time with him, and being clear about her intentions. It’s unusual but not truly scandalous or overbearing, and it was fun to see how she went about it and how Charles reacted to it. Their interactions together are great, sometimes romantic, sometimes funny. And like the soulmates they debate, they’re well-matched to bring out the best in each other.
It was also good to see their parents again, too, and be back in this world, where there’s as much room for romance and thrilling heroics as there is for quiet reflections on personal honor. Charles’s concerns about British imperialism and his naval career, in particular, added a nice depth. I appreciated the conversation with his father, which showed just how much one’s experience with military service (and the ethical implications of it) does and does not change from generation to generation, conflict to conflict.
Overall, this is a truly lovely romance, with just enough mystery to add suspense, and it’s a worthy successor to The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim. A fourth book, Appointment in Bath, is set to release this summer, and based on the glimpses of the leads we got in Return to Satterthwaite Court (and knowing their families’ troubled history together), I’m excited to read it! Basically, I can’t get enough of Somerset Stories — and Mimi Matthews books in general!
My thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
—b
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