Dearest Loveliest Elizabeth

An unexpected Regency heroine I dare you not to love

Dear readers,

The end of the school year always has me struggling to keep my head above water, and it seems to be a tradition now, third year running, that I’ve ended the final days of it being sick as well. Having a cold is certainly no fun, but I’ve made the best of it by enjoying some extra reading time now that school is out as I recover.

Much has been made of our Obstinate, Headstrong Girl, Elizabeth Bennet, and there are literally thousands of stories devoted to her epic love story with Mr. Darcy. I never imagined that someone would be brave enough to write about Austen’s other Elizabeth character— one Elizabeth Elliot, but I am so thankful that she did!

Laura Hile has long been one of my favorite JAFF authors, thanks to her witty, original books that often feature unexpected plots, wonderful original characters, and elements of faith. I was fortunate this week to finally read her Mercy’s Embrace trilogy, a sequel to Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

I’ve long been a fan of redeemed mean-girl heroines myself, as my readers likely know, so I was pleased to see Elizabeth Elliot featured as the heroine for this series.

I know what you are thinking “That shrew, Elizabeth Elliot, as the heroine? No thanks, hanging up now, goodbye!” But I urge you to give her a chance. She may start out as the same spinster you remember from the book, but by the end of it, I dare you not to love her too.

Her transformations are largely due to her interactions with the trilogy’s magnificent hero, an original creation by the name of Admiral Patrick McGillvary. And oh, he is yummy! I know you Wentworth addicts are fond of a Navy man, but believe me when I say you will adore Patrick. He is sweet, sensitive, generous, chivalrous, has an excellent sense of humor, and loves to throw around Naval cant.

The story happens to contain one of my favorite premises— mistaken identity and disguises. It begins innocently enough, when Elizabeth comes to the counting house to discuss her father’s debts and mistakes Patrick for one of the clerks, owing to the borrowed coat he wore. She doesn’t recognize him as Admiral McGillvary, having previously met him only in a dark passageway and at night in a garden (and he had a mustache!). He befriends her under the guise of “Mr. Gill”, and they begin meeting regularly at a public tea shop. Meanwhile, Elizabeth becomes desperate to find financial security and freedom as her father’s debts continue to mount. Multiple offers arise, but who can she trust as an honorable man?

Other stories take place simultaneously within the narrative surrounding the supporting characters including Sir Walter Elliot and Lady Russell, Mary and Charles Musgrove, Anne and Fredrick Wentworth, and William Elliot and Mrs. Clay. Also appearing are Mr. Rushworth from Mansfield Park and the Bingleys and Hursts from Pride and Prejudice.

This wonderful love story is told across three whole books, a lovely rambling, clean Regency romp that you’ll absolutely want to dive into and not come out of until you’ve reached the end. Go ahead and give Mercy’s Embrace a try. You may just be surprised to find that the aloof Miss Elliot can also turn out to be a Dearest, Loveliest, Elizabeth!

Happy reading,

Amanda Kai

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