Her Darling Mr Day

 

First, this is the second book in the American Royalty series by Grace Hitchcock.  It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are some repeat characters, so the reader won't lose any context. 

Second, while the first book was an historic take on "The Bachelorette," this one is more of a season of "Survivor" without the immunity idols. 

Third, no one in their right mind seeks to summer in New Orleans, Louisiana. The heat and humidity are enough to send people running to the hills--far, far north of NOLA.  And let's not forget hurricane season. 

The book includes skullduggery, competition, mystery and intrigue, cattiness on a very high level, and very little faith expressed by the characters. Pirates, jealousy of siblings, fathers setting up their children to compete for their accolades, it was just a general mess of dysfunction, and not something I enjoyed reading.  I know there are people who will enjoy Grace's writing, but for me, it wasn't my taste. 

Flora Wingfield has found out that Teddy Day is back in New Orleans, so she convinces her father to take the family there for the summer. Florian Wingfield has five daughters, with four of them being of marriageable age--and Flora is nearly on the shelf. She has loved Teddy for a long time and sees this as her opportunity to seek his affections and attentions. Teddy has had his heart broken twice and Flora knows she has to step carefully.  Her sister, Tacy, wants the attention of one of the men who has his sights set on Flora.  Olive and Ermengarde are content to wait to find the loves of their lives, and Nora is not quite old enough to be on the marriage market.  

Teddy and his brother, Carlisle, are the sons of a luxury ship builder and he pits them against each other to bring in the most orders for the business by the end of the summer.  The winner gets controlling interest in the company, while the other gets a significant share, but not as much.  This is where Teddy finds that Flora has a talent for designing interiors that make his  boats much more desirable. 

There are a bevy of girls vying for Teddy's attentions and believe that they have the inside track to his heart. They are not above being underhanded and catty in trying to secure his attentions. 

At best, I can give this book three stars.  The nasty attitudes and actions of the characters are extremely off-putting.  Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.