Book Review: Midnight’s Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller (Plus Giveaway)

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What is this book about?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

My review:

This story definitely had a lot of deep emotions running through it along with a tangible inspirational thread. It was a tale of two lost souls who came together to overcome their loneliness, heartache, and low self-esteem.

Meeting James was quite jarring and I didn’t care for him at the beginning. Over the course of his time with Sarah, he redeemed himself as he attempts to be the man worthy of her and God.

Sarah had quite a tragic go of it and I rooted for her to truly find her worth. Her kindness never wavered no matter what life threw at her.

While I wanted to love their story, I found it difficult to connect to either one of them for the first quarter of the book. James grew on me and I did like when they finally found some footing in their relationship.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

When James becomes serious about living for God.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Too long for me to connect with the main characters.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, especially if the reader likes a slow burn romance and deep emotions. There is also a good inspirational message throughout. This is the second book in this series and it can be read as a standalone.

Note: I received this book complimentary from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.

-Loraine Nunley

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Carolyn Miller, author website

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