"Holding the Fort" by Regina Jennings

[reviewsbyerin]

 


Louisa Bell survived her haphazard upbringing and has managed to stand on her own feet as a dance hall singer. She knows polite society would shun her for being a performer, and even though she has been able to hold on to a measure of respectability in her dark surroundings, it's enough to be associated with that rabble. Louisa finds herself being edged out by younger, prettier, more willing singers, and when she hears that her brother has gotten himself into trouble with his cavalry unit, she decides to head to Fort Reno to give Bradley a straight talking to and also to see if the soldiers could use some entertainment while she decides what to do next.

Major Daniel Adams believes that raising his girls by his side is the right thing to do, even though Indian Territory is a rough location and they are without the care of their late mother. His daughters seem to be turning out okay, if a little wild - but then his former mother-in-law forces his hand by insisting that he either hire a governess or let her take the girls and teach them to be refined young ladies. Daniel grudgingly agrees to send for a stern and staid governess from the nearby Mennonite missionary society.

When Louisa arrives at Fort Reno and is mistaken for the expected governess, she decides to take on this role with all the gusto she's put behind every performance in her past. She doesn't have to stay long, only long enough to talk to Bradley and to figure out where to go next. Surely she can pretend and get out of there before anyone realizes she has no qualifications and is in fact the last person Major Adams would ever choose to instruct his daughters.

Daniel can tell immediately that something is off about Louisa, but he also feels beholden to her after she stumbles across an embarrassing secret about him. He agrees to a trial period of one week, and while he is wary of her unconventional ways, he begins to fall for all the good qualities he can see in her life. She may not be exactly who she says she is, but there's a heart of gold under all the things that don't add up.

I loved this story! There's plenty of humor but also lots of reflection as both characters deal with insecurities about different parts of their lives. The romance is very clean but comes with plenty of swirly feelings that will have you falling in love with the characters yourself. The book packs a good punch with adventure and Louisa's faith journey as well. She is so drawn to Daniel's steadfast belief. I loved this quote from page 265: "Could she afford her new Christian virtues when she was on her own? Could she afford them here, if it meant unburdening herself of her lies?" Louisa and Daniel's story is one historical fans will not want to miss!

I received my copy of the book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.