Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne

Now, chic lit is often used with great disdain to dismiss a book. Well, I proudly enjoy most stories that would probably be considered chic lit except I just call them fiction. Although, I do wish we could get away from some of the covers (Hello Publishers!) that are typically Barbie pink or feature women in uncomfortable, but beautiful, shoes.  These covers effectively pigeonhole a variety of books related to modern womanhood into one neat subcategory. Girlfriend here on this cover looks like she is using the potty or selling Poo Pourri.

But, crack it open.  This book is a delight.  And, I argue that if this story featured a male protagonist with Encyclopedic knowledge of antiques who travels into the country as a favor to his brother and finds romance and history it would be just regular fiction. But, since this features a woman and there is some kissing, it is automatically chic lit.  Which means they have to use a “girly” cover.

I bought this book because I have loved the author Hester Browne since first reading her Little Lady Agency (pink cover and all).  She has written a couple of other books and I have enjoyed each and every one of them.  Recently, I found there was one I had missed.  Oh, the joy!  To find a book by a personally vetted author is a gift.

Side note: I extra love fiction written by British women set anywhere in England.  Perhaps it is because all the trivialities of life are just so much more iteresting when you incorporate British slang. I mean, ‘loo’ instead of ‘restroom’ or ‘mini-break’ rather than ‘vacation’ is just fancier for me.  I love all of it.  The added benefit is that I (who rarely get to travel) get a free cultural lesson while reading what is, at its heart, a romance book. In the end, I feel smart and charmed which is always a winning combination.

So, I dove into Swept Off Her Feet. I found it extra enjoyable because in addition to being set in London there are prolonged jaunts into Scotland. Yum. Scottish reeling, English antiques and several love interests made for a sweet and fun book that just hits the spot.

Now, the synopsis of this book will tell you that it is about two very different sisters, Evie and Alice, and their intertwining romances and opportunity for true love at a Scottish ball. Really, this story is all from Evie’s perspective. While you get to hear about Alice’s love life, it is Evie and her love of antiques and the history that they tell that guides this story. If you enjoy books with smart, kind women who are brave in the face of social trials and tribulations then go ahead and give this fiction book a go (give it a go being British slang for try it.)