A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Series Book #2

Book Description 

London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.

William is a gentleman’s son, a charming but penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his scheming cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.

William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man breaks both their hearts. When the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.

Can two hearts survive such deception? 

My Review 

     – 5 Smiles 

Alright. I know it’s more than three months past Christmas, which proves this delightful book is a good idea any time of year. I began listening to this book on Audible in December, got distracted with other projects, and began listening again in March—because I NEEDED to know what happened to these characters. Mina stole my heart immediately, and even William earned my sympathy. Griep’s writing is stellar, and her development of the characters around mid-nineteenth-century London is spot-on. Whether at Christmas or springtime, romance is in the air with A Tale of Two Hearts. It’s a story that was well worth finishing—even if it was interrupted by a few months.