What a deep feeling romance! It is so evocative of Sherry Thomas and her cerebral writing style. This book was such a good, solid read. I couldn't put it down without great effort. This wasn't a light piece of fluff, although I love them too; this was a deep-reaching, descriptive telling of how one person's soul touches another's. The heroine is a 20 year old woman who started out with a twin sister, an older brother and parents. By the time she is 18, she is the single daughter of her widowed father. The hero is the oldest son with a younger sister and two younger brothers. Only him and his parents survive. This was the 1800's, people. It was hard to survive into adulthood for many reasons: illness, accidents, disorders, malnutrition and many others. This was the beginning of scientific medicine over treating the humors of the blood. I truly enjoyed the fact that these characters were not written as perfect people. The heroine is an introvert because she has always been pushed aside. All the people she opened up to either died or left. The hero hides his depressions in his group of friends, his brothers by choice. I did feel that the hero was the biggest prick in the world, yet was lucky enough to get some redemption. I would have just left the selfish bastard. But, we all have to be taught to see ourselves from other peoples' viewpoints.
There were a few grammar errors, but not enough to effect the story. The book is well written, but a slow, thorough read is required. If you read this before bed, expect to be up all night, engrossed and unwilling to put down. 5 stars all day and night. I recommend this book.

This is the first book in a new series. I was surprised by the beginning. The main characters were even more surprised than I was by what their parent’s announcement. Lucas Jonquil and Julia Cummings were childhood friends. Lucas was eight years older than Julia and had traveling the world. He came back for the funerals of Julia’s sister and brother. But that was it. It had been years since they talked. How could their parent’s think putting them together was a good idea?

Julia thought, …”eight years of absence had done more than “strain” their relationship. But it was his broken promises that had delt the felling blow…. She couldn’t stop thinking, …”When was he leaving?...Why didn’t he tell her or invite her to join him?.”

I adored this authors’ “witty and charming historical romance. Her bio says, it “combines her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops.” She is gifted.

I also enjoyed Lucas’s friends he calls “The Gents” they made me feel like I was part of their group as they accepted Julia into the fold and played games Julia and Lucas enjoyed as a children. This is a feel-good story that brings a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. This is the first book I have read by this author It won’t be the last.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Wow!! This story deserves all the stars and heart eyes. I loved the story of how Lucas Jonquil and Julia Cummings got together but it was not the story I was expecting at all. Reading the Jonquil books we learn that Lucas and Julia had a wonderful life together raising their sons, and I mistakenly assumed their marriage had been great from the beginning. It took no time for me to discover how wrong I was. The Jonquils and Cummings grew up on neighboring estates and they and their siblings were friends, so I was unprepared for the difficulty their marriage would be for them. I guess that's what happens when your parents announce your bethrothal at a social event without informing you, let alone asking you your feelings on the matter. That was a shocker.

I'm not a crier, but Sarah Eden has the ability to make these characters come to life, and Julia's pain almost brought me to tears several times. On the other hand there were many times I wanted to slap some sense into Lucas, and once in particular I wanted to tighten his perfectly starched cravat until he realized what an idiot he was being. Thank goodness his friends The Gents were there to help him (and Julia). They helped Lucas see his actions as Julia saw them, and helped Julia realize Lucas loved her.

I loved how Sarah Eden showed us that although Julia and Lucas had both suffered great losses (their siblings and Julia has also lost her mother), they handled it in opposite ways. Lucas didn't want to let opportunities for adventure pass him by, he seemed to have fear of missing out. Meanwhile all the losses Julia suffered changed her into someone who chose to stay at home, and she closed herself off so she couldn't be hurt again.

Their story is not all sadness, there was a lot of humor and wit in the story. I loved the introduction of The Gents. I liked that we didn't meet them all at once, we get a little time to learn about each one as they're introduced to Julia, and I can't wait to read all of their stories. I loved that these men have been friends since their school days and were always there for each other.

This is definitely a favorite book of mine for this year and probably longer. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher, but also bought a copy for my personal library. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

I loved this new book from Sarah M. Eden. Being able to read about how the Jonquil family began was wonderful. As always, there was a lot of emotion. I felt so bad for Julia-there were many heartbreaking moments. I really enjoyed meeting the Gents and finding connections with future characters.

I don’t know how many books this series will have, but I’m very excited to read book two.

Forget Me Not is one of those books that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you grin like an idiot. I felt Julia’s heartache and happiness as if they were my own. My heart broke. My heart healed. My heart broke again. Julia and Lucas were so well written, the world Sarah M. Eden built in her earlier books detailed and expanded upon.

I loved Julia as a heroine. She’s incredibly and refreshingly blunt, with a pain hidden so deep that I wasn’t sure she could ever heal from past heartache. Lucas was adorable. A bit oblivious but absolutely adorable. I also loved the Gents, new characters that I hope the author will thoroughly explore in upcoming books.

If you haven’t read Forget Me Not, it’s one book you need to put at the top of your to-read pile because this is one you won’t be able to put down.

A sweet beautifully written story of childhood friends, Forget Me Not is a book about Julia and Lucas, who grew up as neighbors, and now that they are both adults they learn that their parents have agreed to an arranged marriage between them. They have one week to prepare for this. The only problem is that Julia has felt she has been ignored by Lucas for eight years. He never wrote to her, never visited, and she doesn't see him trying to change any of those habits after they marry. Lucas has never forgotten Julia, and has always thought of her through all the years he was gone. It takes his group of friends to help them along in this marriage. Great clean story I recommend!

Forget Me Not, by Sarah M. Eden, tells of the early days of the Jonquil family. Lucas Jonquil has been friends with Julia Cummings since she was a young girl. When he returns home, after his years of schooling and traveling the world with his friends, Lucas finds his friend Julia a beautiful young woman!

When shortly after Lucas's return, their parents announce that they are to be wed. Both Lucas and Julia are shocked. Before they know it, they are man and wife. As Lucas and Julia travel from Lampton Park to Brier Hill, the location Lucas has claimed as his home, Julia has a lot of questions to process: will she ever see her childhood home again, will she feel at home in Lucas's world and does Lucas truly want to spend the rest of his days at her side?

This is an interesting tale to follow, as you meet all of Lucas's friends (the Gents) and see how each one of them play a part in helping Lucas and Julia find a way to move forward together!

I look forward to following this new series of tales!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Sarah did a great job building the characters and making me feel invested in what will happen between Lucas and Julia. I also love how well researched her books are. I loved getting to know Mater more. She is such a relatable character and so we'll written. The Gents are so fun and I can't wait to hear more about them in future books.

This is a beautiful love story. Poor Julia. She feels abandoned by everyone she has loved. I love how she doesn’t play games instead she is so openly honest about herself. I love how the Gents come together to help Lucas.

I loved this book, but I'm not sure I would have loved it so much if it had been my first book by the author. I already loved the characters and had so much fun meeting people and knowing where other characters got their name's from. It was so interesting to get a background on Mater. At times she bugged me though. I realize she had had so much heartbreak and loss. But it felt like she wasn't even giving Lucas much of a chance. He was great, but yeah he was kind of an "idiot" on occasion. It was fun to watch their love for each other grow from a childhood friend to something more. I wish it would have let us see more into their lives after they figured things out too! 4.5 stars

This book tugged at my heart so much! Having read Sarah Eden's Jonquil Brothers series, which features Julia's and Lucas's future sons, I was eager to read how Julia and Lucas fell in love. So the fact that it didn't go smoothly--and that Julia spent so much of the book unhappy--actually hurt! I felt really sad sometimes, totally empathizing with Julia. However, Sarah Eden is a master at writing witty banter and providing comedic relief, so the book definitely had its lighthearted moments to make me chuckle. Since this is the first book in a new series, I'm assuming we'll get to see more of the happy moments between Julia and Lucas in future books, as they interact with the rest of the Gents.
I enjoyed slipping into a new era (and appreciate Sarah Eden's research skills that leave me confident she gets the details right) and meeting the rest of the Gents. Good start to a new series. I can't wait for more!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

LITERAL TEARS OF JOY at the conclusion of this romance story 😭😭😭

I'm not entirely sure I've recovered from the beauty of this romance to put my thoughts into coherent words on the page, so I'll give it my best shot.

1. Sarah Eden is awesome.
2. Her books can be read as standalone but are all the sweeter to enjoy when characters in the same world overlap with one another.
3. Finally getting to meet Lucas 😭❤️
4. Young Julia needs ALL THE HUGS 💕
5. The Gents are fabulous and I need more of their stories asap
6. This story, these two families, these characters and all they've been through 😭

Loved it! Do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy. Read it pronto.

Where do I even begin!! This book is all I ever wanted and SO much more! Several years ago, I fell in love with proper romance novels and Sarah Eden was one of the first author I experienced and I simply couldn’t put her books down. In a letter of months, I owned every book in her collection and I continue to buy every one of them today! My absolute favorite of hers is the stories about the Jonquil brothers. You can’t help but want to be an honorary family member. You laugh and you cry and this book is no exception to that! I have waited to read the parents story for so long now and as soon as I got the opportunity, I couldn’t put it down! I finished it in less than 24 hours. Sarah’s writing immerses you into their lives and time. She makes you feel as though you are right there with her characters, laughing, crying, getting angry, scared, etc. right there with them. I love the sweetness between Lucas and Julia. I love how they were meant to be, even if they had to be “forced” together. Additionally, I love how you can see each of their future sons in them. I cannot wait to read more about the loves of the other Gents. I know they will be spectacular! This is a must read!

Forget Me Not by Sarah Eden 5 stars
The Gents, #1

“Julia hadn’t felt so giddy in years. Her home was filled with laughter and voices and friendship.”

Oh Julia! You have endured so many deaths in the family. You had to close yourself up for further hurt and especially from your dear friend Lucas. Lucas is a kind and sweet person but he doesn’t know how to show it in his actions. He forgot about you.

They haven’t seen each other for years. To their immense surprise, they end up married! Living together created more problems. But The Gents came to the rescue. I admire their friendship. Through thick and thin, they are there for each other. I mostly hear of friendships formed by women, so it’s kind of sweet to hear how close they are. Oh the conversations are great and funny! I love how engaging and caring they are. Julia is blessed to be surrounded by all of them. You have to read this book to experience all of this and how Lucas woe Julia!

Thank you #netgalley and Covenant Communications for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance

Forget Me Not is the first book in the series known as ‘The Gents’, which surrounds the lives of several friends, the first of which is Lucas Jonquil. Lucas and Julia have known each other since childhood and have faced several family tragedies together. Yet when Lucas returns after travelling abroad, he reunites with Julia, only to find himself in an arranged marriage with her. However, what seems at first like the traditional storyline, is lifted to a new level with the clever writing of Sarah Eden.
Whilst both characters have their flaws with Lucas quite oblivious to Julia’s feelings of abandonment, their romance is told with sensitivity. I particularly enjoyed the integration of the ‘gents’ into the story and look forward to reading about these characters in books to come.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

“You are building a new life; don’t forget to live it.”

With plenty of wit and delightful charm, Sarah M. Eden’s long-awaited story of Julia Cummings and Lucas Jonquil begins a new Eden series, The Gents. After meeting The Gents, I can say that I’m eager for the rest of their stories. Forget Me Not started off a bit slow for me, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like the main characters, especially Lucas. There were several parts of the story where I wanted to cuff him on the side of the head. However, luckily, they both grew on me as they tried to navigate their family-arranged marriage. The addition of Lucas’s friends, The Gents, is pure Eden genius, as they added so much levity and fun to the tale. I loved their different personalities and getting to know a bit about their backgrounds. I can see why Lucas enjoyed traveling with them and being with them.

Although there are many twists and turns and misunderstandings, the tale wraps up nicely with some very sigh-worthy moments and a satisfying end. I was delighted to see a few of the characters from previous stories pop up in this book. I’ve read most of the Jonquil brothers’ stories, since I’m a huge Sarah M. Eden fan. You can’t go wrong with any of her books. Forget Me Not is bound for my keeper shelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Covenant Communications. All opinions are my own.

I have been waiting anxiously for this book. It was not what I expected, it was so much better. Lucas and Julia Jonquil are a couple I have loved for years and finally reading their story was wonderful. I don't know why I expected Lucas to be better at love than his boys, but I did. Instead he's just as clueless or more so than his boys. Julia is wonderful and has gone through so much. My heart broke a few times for her. I guess that is what makes her the wonderful Mater I love. I'm glad.she scared Lucas and helped him stop being an idiot. Also, The Gents are wonderful. I can't wait to read their stories. Everyone wishes to have a group of friends like them.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

I cannot express enough joy that Sarah Eden is starting a new series. I am 100% confident that The Gents will be a massive success! This first installment was delightful and I was so excited to finally meet the Jonquil brothers' dad! And to hear his love story with Mater. I must admit, I was a bit surprised about how timid Julia was at first, but considering her heartache, it makes sense. I loved hers and Lucas' story, although there were times when I wished for a bit more joy as compared to the sadness that seemed to engulf the story. Overall, a complete delight and I am already feeling impatient for the next installment.

Thank you NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC!

Sarah M Eden is one of my favorite authors. I have yet to be disappointed in one of her books. I have read many of her Jonquil brothers books and loved them. This book is about the parents of those boys. I loved Julia and felt her pain so severely. I enjoyed watching her learn to trust, and then failing in that trust, because that is what life is about, steps forward and back. I loved her growth and desire to grow and Lucas's growth and self realization.

I can't wait to read about the other 'Gents" as this series continues.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

So much to love about this book. The cover. The time period. The Gents themselves (and, yes, I am looking forward to reading each of their stories). This book is like a Sunday afternoon drive. It may take a while to get to the destination, but it’s all about the journey anyway.