The Penniless Debutante by Janice Preston ~ Book Review.

Hello, Sunshines, I am delighted to be sharing my review of the enchanting; The Penniless Debutante by Janice Preston. This is the third and final book in the charming; Lady Tregowan’s Will series and I can’t wait to share it with you all, firstly, thank you to Janice Preston for the complimentary advanced reader copy.

About the Book

The Penniless Debutante by Janice Preston.

Series: Lady Tregowan’s Will, #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Almost destitute

When she inherits a fortune!

The will that sees Aurelia Croome become wealthy forbids her from marrying the new Lord Tregowan. That wouldn’t be a concern if the only man to catch Aurelia’s eye during her first Season wasn’t Maximilian Penrose—Lord Tregowan! Why is it that no one else has Max’s honour, wit or tantalizing good looks? The spectre of being poor again haunts her—but the thought of sacrificing passion for comfort is just as terrifying!

Lady Tregowan’s Will 

Three penniless half sisters. An unexpected inheritance. A year to wed.

Book 1: The Rags-to-Riches Governess
Book 2: The Cinderella Heiress
Book 3: The Penniless Debutante

Review

The Penniless Debutante is the third and **sobs loudly** final book in the tantalising Lady Tregowan’s Will series, this has been such a wonderful series we have met three amazing young women who aftershocks and drama and seen them grow in confidence and in love before our ours, it has been a real joy to have been able to follow their stories. Each book can be easily read as a stand-alone’s, but I would say read them in order for no other reason than this series is so gorgeous why wouldn’t you want to read all three?

The Lady Tregowan’s Will series tells the stories of three women, Beatrice, Thea and Aurelia, each one has found themselves down on their luck in one way or another, each trapped in their rut with no guiding light to show them the way out. That is until each receives a mysterious letter and invitation to a will hear. An appointment which will change their entires lives, as they find that the lives that they have lived haven’t been altogether true, lies have swirled around their lives since birth. They find that the three of them are sisters and that they have inherited a fortune – but with a few rules, one of the being they must marry within the first year and they can’t. I repeat CAN NOT marry the current Lord Tregowan. Grrrr

I have loved all three books, each one has woven a magical spell over me, but even after this, I do still love Beatrice and Jack, from the second book; The Cinderella Heiress. Jack had me from the start and after seeing him progress from that book at the end of this one I love him all the more. If you follow my reviews you will have an inkling of why I adore that man as much as I do.

In this last book, we follow the third sister Aurelia who after her mother dies and is tossed unceremoniously out onto the streets is literally starving and destitute. This inheritance couldn’t have come at a better time for her, she is literally contemplating prostitution as a way to make ends meet. I really felt for Aurelia she is by far the shabbiest and most in need of the three women, she has very little but her pride to keep her warm, I instantly liked her, she has strength hidden behind her vulnerability.

I thought it was very clever how Ms Preston wove scenes from the previous two books into this one, but with the scene playing out through Aurelia’s eyes, it’s a brilliant piece of writing and shows what a great writer Janice Preston is.

I loved the epilogue, it was a great ending, despite feeling saddened that it is the end of a wonderful series I felt it was a perfect way to leave the sisters. I do hope we meet them again sometime in the future, it would be wonderful to see how they are doing in ten years’ time (hint, hint).

I really love the choice Aurelia makes at the end – I won’t say too much as it would give far too much away, but in a few words she follows her heart and her love for her man instead of doing what is expected of her and that speaks far more about her character than anything else, she grows before your eyes from a fragile and starved little girl to a determined passionate woman.

Aurelia and Max are such an adorable couple, their romance isn’t a boom right let’s have a good old romp behind the bike shed sort of thing. No, theirs is far sweeter, it’s a little flirty and completely endearing.  I love how as they get to know each other their ‘true’ personalities come out for all to see. Max for example at first came across as one thing but the more Aurelia peeled back the layers the more we saw his gentleness behind the mask, I love how the author draws you in and makes you become fully invested in the characters with her flawless character development. I thoroughly loved getting to know both Aurelia and Max, they fit perfect;y together like a pair of well-made leather gloves.

Seeing as Aurelia has fallen for one Max Penrose – the current Lord Tregowan, you know this is going to spark some real frustration and emotional drama between our lovely couple. It is by absolute chance that she meets the man who will haunt her dreams and make her heart stomp a marching beat in her chest, Max Penrose is a gentleman with a rougher edge. A man who is out of her league and out of her reach for who is his, but that doesn’t stop the mutual attraction between the two, whether they like it or not the sparks fly around them.

This is historical romance and you know that they will eventually have their happily ever after, but at times with all the barriers between Max and Aurelia I did wonder if they would actually reach that elusive happiness, Ms Preston made not just the reader but also the characters work hard for that much desired happily ever after and it was well worth the wait.

The Penniless Debutante is enchanting! It’s charming and romantic, you will be swept up in the tide of emotion from the first page, it will leave you with a warm glow surrounding your heart.

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