View source for Emma by Linda Mitchelmore

{{infobox
|title=Emma
|author=Linda Mitchelmore
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=You might not realise it from the cover but this is the second part of a trilogy.  You ''could'' read it as a standalone but it's worth considering whether or not you want to read the first and second books in the right order for a richer experience.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=253
|publisher=Choc Lit
|date=January 2014
|isbn=978-1781890936
|website=
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890935</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1781890935</amazonus>
}}

Emma Le Goff was determined that she and her childhood sweetheart, Seth Jago, would get married but the vicar seemed strangely reluctant to oblige.  Their pasts were against them.  Seth’s brother had been hung and his father and brother were in prison.  No one could - or would - quite believe that Seth had kept himself above the criminality.  Then there were the deaths of Emma’s mother and brother, which might not have been an accident.  To top it all Emma had lived with Matthew Caunter - the vicar wasn’t prepared to accept that she was simply his housekeeper.  No - there was no question of his marrying them, but Emma came up with a novel solution to the problem.

Seth is determined that they’ll escape to Canada and start a new life where they’re not burdened by their histories, but Emma would like to make a go of it in Devon.  She has friends there and a growing business.  Can she give all that up?  And will Matthew Caunter’s return to Devon upset all their plans?

I might not have read this book had I known that it’s actually book two of a trilogy and I hadn’t read the first part.  It doesn’t say on the cover and I only found out accidentally when I realised that an awful lot seemed to have happened in the past which was being briefly recapped.  There - at the back of the book - is a note that this book is a sequel to ‘’To Turn Full Circle’’.  ‘’Emma’’ reads satisfactorily as a standalone if you don’t mind the feeling that you’ve just walked into a group conversation and that people are having to bring you up to date on the main events which you’ve missed.  It’s also a pity as you ‘’could’’ have had the pleasure of reading two good books - I doubt that the first part of the trilogy will be quite as good if you know what’s going to happen.

It’s an enjoyable story with a feisty heroine and Linda Mitchelmore has captured the atmosphere and attitudes of pre-World War I England perfectly and current events are tied neatly into the story.  It made a good read at the time of year when what your really want is a relaxing, easy read.

I’d like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of the book to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals then you might also enjoy [[The Reluctant Bride byBeverly Eikli]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1781890935}} 

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[[Category:Historical Fiction]]