I read Eva Ibbotson's children's books back in my youth many years ago, and still remember how much I loved them. So although I don't usually read books badged as romances, I decided to take a chance on this adult novel of hers. And I was very glad that I did, as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Another reviewer had described it as having a fairy tale like quality, and I agree with that. Mostly I like novels to be realistic, but sometimes you want exactly the opposite, and Ibbotson is an author who knows when to flick that switch.

The main character is Anna, a young Russian countess of saintly niceness, who is forced to flee to England after the Russian revolution. She finds work as a housemaid, where she tries to disguise her aristocratic background. The new young earl, a recently returned war hero, is immediately attracted to her - but he's already engaged to a wealthy heiress whose money he desperately needs to avoid selling off the family home. As the household prepares for the wedding, will love conquer all?

Ibbotson has a lovely turn of phrase and does brilliant descriptions, and she can make you love a character within a few pages. She is also often very funny. Most of her characters are implausibly nice, but in a way that makes you feel good rather than sceptical. Her writing lifts what might otherwise have been a humdrum or cliched tale into something that is a great pleasure to read throughout. There's no surprises, but I still was compelled to keep reading even though I had little doubt about the outcome.

If you fancy a slice of romantic escapism, with high quality writing and loveable characters, this is a great choice. Even a hard hearted cynic like me was charmed by it.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I chose this title as I have read this author but not for some time

I really enjoyed this
Very much my genre

Highly recommend