"A vivid and highly engrossing tale of first love versus best love in this chaste romance that follows the tumultuous love life of Scottish poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott. From the moment in 1791 when Walter meets Mina Stuart, he is captivated. Though he is far beneath her station and has a limp, years of correspondence, occasional parties, and some stolen moments have convinced Walter, a hopeless romantic, that Mina will overlook their financial differences and they will eventually marry. Despite warnings from his family that he is headed for heartbreak, Walter remains steadfast until Mina admits that she has chosen another, shocking him to his core. Only after a year has passed and he meets 26-year-old Charlotte Charpentier, an independent, sensible Frenchwoman, does he begin to hope that he may still have room for love in his life. Kilpack weaves abundant research about Scott's life with her own ideas of likely scenarios to create a seamless, lively, and entertaining account of this literary hero."-- "Publishers Weekly" (8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM)
"This true story of the romantic triangle between Mina Belsches, Sir Walter Scott, and Charlotte Carpenter will intrigue lovers of Scott's work, as well as lovers of inspirational historical romance. Kilpack provides a bibliography, timeline, and detailed notes for readers who may wish to investigate the story more deeply. Firmly grounded in historical fact, the book poses a question many have struggled with. Is one's first love always the best love? A sweet love story, sweetly told."-- "Historical Novel Society" (2/1/2017 12:00:00 AM)
"A thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover and showcases author Josi S. Kilpack's genuine flair for deftly crafted storytelling. Very highly recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to library Historical Romance collections."-- "Midwest Book Review" (2/27/2017 12:00:00 AM)
"An enchanting read...Plenty of dreamy and romantic scenes, but its strength is in its authenticity. Kilpack doesn't shy from including the extreme heartbreak and rejection in Sir Walter's life, which provides a depth of emotion seldom found in romances...Highly recommended for historical fiction and/or romance fans!"-- "Compass Book Ratings" (1/3/2017 12:00:00 AM)
"An incredibly sweet story and encouragement for a love based on mutual interest and respect rather than instant passion."
-- "Seattle Book Review" (1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM)
"Excellent choice for both historical fiction fans and readers who crave sweetly romantic love stories. Kilpack's impeccably researched and vividly written novel, the latest in A HIstorical Proper Romance series about the loves of true-life figures will delight anyone who want to learn more about Scott before he was the celebrated historian, poet, and novelist, and was instead simply a young man in love."-- "Booklist"