About the Book

Book: So This Is Love
Author: Laura Hile
Genre: Historical Christian Romance; Regency Romance
Release Date: May 29, 2020

“I am not romantic, you know. I never was.”

Newly escaped from a loathsome engagement of convenience, Charlotte Lucas has no interest in romance. More than ever, she is convinced that no man would—or could—love her. As companion to an aging aunt, Charlotte’s new life is as predictable as it is circumspect.

But then she is rescued from a robbery by her uncle’s heir, a masterful man who is disastrously handsome. Why has he remained as a guest in the house? Why is he so determined to draw Charlotte out and make her talk? And what of his invitation to visit his home by the sea?

Romance is not on the chart for Captain Jack Blunt. Never again will he be played for that kind of fool! He is ashore only to heal from an injury and see to business, nothing more. And yet the pointed disinterest of his cousin’s pert niece is intriguing. She is forthright, refreshingly honest—and altogether lovely. She will make a fine wife for one of his officers. But not, of course, for him.

So This Is Love is a joyride of a Regency, bringing whirlwind romance and happily-ever-after to Jane Austen’s staid and practical Charlotte Lucas.

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My Thoughts

If you are a Jane Austen fan, especially Pride and Prejudice you will absolutely love this story. I absolutely love when authors take your favorite classic and put a different twist into it and that is exactly what Laura Hile has done here. In this novel we continue the story of Elizabeth Bennett's friend Charlotte Lucas who in the original Pride and Prejudice, marries the odious Mr. Collins.

Laura Hile does an excellent job at keeping that same characteristics that Charlotte has in the original story. She is meek, shy and believes that there is not a romantic bone in her body. She sees Mr. Collins as her way to get out of her parents house and start life on her own. Mr. Collins is the usual odd, weird and character you love to despise and in this story he is even more so!

The love story between Charlotte and Captain Jack Blunt is dreamy! He sees her... truly sees her for the beautiful person that she is, inside and out. Even amidst all her complaints about being plain and too old he could care less. He falls in love with her immediately. I love how sweet and protective he is with her. He could definitely give Mr. Darcy a run for his money!

Overall I absolutely enjoyed this story but I may be biased since I adore Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I definitely recommend it and I cannot wait to read more from Laura Hile as this was my first from her and now I am completely hooked!

My Rating: 4 Stars/I really liked it!! Can't wait to read more!

Favorite Quotes/Musings:

"But where is loveliness found? It is in the eyes and the smile and laughter, I say. Not in the shape of one's face or the color of one's hair."

"Is anything in life safe? One must be daring and take risks."

(I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

About the Author

Encourager. Believer. Author. Teacher. Friend.

By day, Laura Hile teaches at a Christian school. By night—or rather, in the early morning when she can think! —she writes Jane Austen and Regency romance with laughs and happy endings.

The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There’s never a dull moment with middle school students!

She enjoys gardening (she is a weed warrior!), choral singing, and having coffee with friends.

Laura lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with her husband and a collection of antique clocks. One day she hopes to add a cat or three.

More from Laura

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte Lucas is stuck marrying the awful Mr. Collins. It is a prudent choice, given her age and circumstances, but still.

Generations of women readers have felt badly for her, including me. “No, no!” we want to shout. “The man’s a spineless braggart! Don’t marry him!”

Charlotte claims that she is not romantic. We don’t believe that for a minute. She simply hasn’t met the right man.

With an eye on the rugged seaside setting of the classic movie The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), I decided to change all that. With two little words, I sent Charlotte’s story spinning from its Pride and Prejudice rails: What If?

What if, when Collins returns to Meryton to negotiate the settlement, his lustful thoughts overpower good sense? What if, before they are married, Collins gets handsy—and something within Charlotte snaps? What if she abruptly ends the engagement?

That’s what we would do in real life, right? We’d kick Collins to the curb!

What if, to escape gossip, Charlotte is sent to live with her father’s sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Allen (borrowed from Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey). Mr. Allen’s heir is also a house guest, and thus we have a perfect opportunity for romance.

Although I intended to use The Ghost and Mrs. Muir’s Captain Gregg as a model, Captain Jack Blunt wasn’t having any. He strode onto the story’s quarterdeck as very much his own man. For one thing, he is Royal Navy (1812), not merchant marine. And for another, he is surprisingly devout. Although he has a gentleman’s beard like Gregg, he is blond.

If you’re thinking Chris Hemsworth in Thor, you’re getting the right idea.

Look, if our girl Charlotte is brave enough to give Collins the heave-ho, she deserves to meet a swoony hero, right?

Captain Blunt’s house by the sea in Dorset plays the role of Captain Gregg’s Gull Cottage. Cliff House, and the cove it’s built above, almost become characters themselves as Charlotte and Jack share daily walks beside the sea. This book is filled with delicious banter between the two. Isn’t that our favorite thing about a romance?

So This Is Love is a swashbuckling, sweep-away Regency that is just plain fun to read. I think you’ll enjoy it.