A Country Wooing

From back of the book: Anne Wickfield was never partial to Alex Penholme, and scoffed at her mama's suggestion of a match. It was the devastating charm of Alex's older brother that had won Anne's heart. But alas, Charles was dead and Alex had returned from the Peninsular War to take up the Penholme title--and the mountain of debts that Charles had left with it! Only when Anne discovered the depths of Charle's selfishness to his family did Alex begin to take his place in her eyes. Could it be that Alex had loved Anne herself all along? The pair had precious little time to find out before Charles' legacy--or lack of one--threatened to separate them forever... Wow, this is what I call a "Love Story". Both main characters, particularly the hero, rise through many gloomy and frustrating incidences and situation and came out with even stronger understanding and appreciation for one another. A well-told story. Ms. Smith proved she is not only good in language, appreciation of arts, this time she even proved that she is also apt in investments and accounting (although certain parts of calculation in the book went right over my head, but I grant her method was convincing enough). This truly was a tender, touching, old-fashioned love story. A minor flaw was that the book cover not quite true to the story, with both families were short of cash, diligently practice frugality, the picture was way too fancy for characters' dire financial situation; we could only hope that was Anne's wedding dress. All in all, a wonderfully-written story. Ms. Smith is one of my favorite Regency Romance writers.