Cupid’s pen produces a few inkblots.

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Miss Lattimore's Letter by Suzanne Allain             

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Whilst I enjoyed Sophronia Lattimore and Sir Edmund Winslow, at many times I felt I was watching a Wayang Kulit play (Javanese  Shadow puppets) or a mashup of other novels I read, particularly Austenian.
Interfering in the romantic life of two couples, from her chaperone / wallflower position Sophie decides to take action to change their fate. Imagine her surprise when society decides she’s a talented matchmaker. Letter writing is such an art!
Since her father died, Sophie has lived in her aunt’s household, at her pleasure. Sophie had once looked for an engagement wth an ardent suitor, only to have the bounder up and marry a wealthier woman. Of course her society concluded that it was Sophie’s fault the gentleman had looked elsewhere. So the rotter gets off scot free. Grr!
Sophie is Austen’s Emma-like in her interference in others life, although Heyer-like in her willingness to look at her efforts and consider the truth about her so called wisdom.
The opening scene is rather funny. Alain does convey a lively sense of humor and wit at times, although I still don’t feel fully satisfied with the story as a whole. It’s in this scene that Sophie meets the socially reclusive Sir Edmund. Rather endearing.
Where Alain loses me completely is where Sophie’s ex-suitor (ex-swine IMO), Mr. Maitland, re-emerges as a widower and she contemplates him as future husband material. Really!
The road to happiness is strewn with pebbles, not quite boulders, and misinterpretations.
An enjoyable read nonetheless.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley 

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