#BanishedtoBerkshire #NetGalley

Good plot. Could have been written a little smoother, less choppy. I liked the idea behind the characters, but they were a little two dimensional and could use a little more depth.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

A promising idea and while I liked the character's I did find it a little stiff. There just wasn't much of a rhythm and the conversation didn't flow. Not sure if the author was trying to write in an older style but it just felt a bit false and awkward. I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sophie puts on an act to alienate potential suitors, and pretty much everyone else, so she can pursue her passion for making facial lotions. Edward gets to see the real her when he has a riding accident and Sophie rescues him. Can he forgive her deception? Can she believe he will support her business endeavors? Read and find out.

I was excited (and thankful) that Backlit PR and NetGalley let me read this book because I am a fan of historical fiction romances. The title Banished to Berkshire drew me in as did the whole story concept (I also like this book cover). I read the story in record time and thought this might be a book I could get for my mom; however, there were two spots that ruled that out. My mom doesn't really like to read if a man is getting hard, if you know what I mean. I'm not prudish when it comes to reading, but even I felt a bit awkward when the heroine's father refers to her hymen. I just don't know any father who would do that.

Three stars to me means I like the book. In my head, I did keep feeling the cadence (or prosody) was stiff. I thought the language of conversation was perhaps written this way to indicate the time frame and setting. I think it might be because there weren't a lot of contractions used. I checked some of my favorite authors (Georgette Heyer is one) for their conversations. If it is any consolation to Moore, I also gave three stars to the Heyer book that I picked up. Heyer's conversation flowed, but she definitely had some men/women and servant issues that made me groan. Thankfully, Moore's book did not have those.

Would I read another Cynthia Moore book? Yes. I have hopes that she will find a rhythm that flows a little easier in the conversations of her characters and she will avoid cringy dad situations. I think Moore has what it takes to become the next Georgette Heyer (without the baggage that Heyer brought with her due to life in her times).

This was an enjoyable read. Oh dear, Lady Sophia had got herself into a predicament by pretending to be someone she wasn’t, this was to present herself as unsuitable for marriage. She does have her reasons for this for decision. Having been banished to her aunt’s house, she came to the aid of Sir Edward. He is someone she has met before and not made a good impression on. As Edward and Sophia spend time together, Edward realises there is much more to Sophia. I did like the characters and although I found it to be an entertaining read, the end seemed to come quickly and I would have liked an epilogue. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.