'Perfect' Audiobook- Hearts on Display 1 - by Kimberly Keagan, Narrated by Robin McAlpine

 

About the book:

In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love.

William Walraven’s picture perfect life is turned upside down when his fiancée jilts him for an English aristocrat and his father refuses to name him as his successor. To prove he’s worthy of leading Denwall, Will must open their first New York store under budget and before the Christmas shopping season. Overwhelmed by disappointment and a nearly impossible deadline, Will has no time for distractions—especially not the captivating bookseller he saves from being crushed by a beer wagon.

Ivy King and her aging grandmother are barely keeping their struggling bookshop afloat. Though drawn to the charming, enigmatic man who saved her life, Ivy has no illusions about her place in the world. It certainly isn’t beside a department store heir whose dazzling emporium threatens to close her family’s business.

Brought together in the wake of an attack on Will’s brother, Will and Ivy find themselves at a crossroads—torn between the expectations that define them and a future neither expected.

Perfect is a clean, wholesome historical romance featuring opposites-attract tension, class differences, a touch of mystery and humor, and an inspirational journey of faith and love.

My review:

This was a sweet romance about two people attracted to each other but fighting it as they both started out believing a romance couldn't work between them.  William had been dumped by who he thought would be his perfect match, even if they weren't in love, so decided to focus on proving his worth to his father so he could take over the family business.  He was drawn to Ivy when he met her but felt he had too much work to do and his father would never approve anyway since she was of a lower station so wasn't planning to pursue anything.  Ivy, too, had a past rejection but because of her shorter leg that she had to wear a special shoe for.  She felt that no one would want her, especially not a man of high society, since she and her grandmother were struggling shopkeepers.  If it weren't for Will's pushy but loving brother, I don't know if they would have gotten together as Will seemed determined to stay away.  He had to work through some issues with his father as he had impossible standards that no one could live up to and work to fight for the woman he loved.  I liked the echoes of You've Got Mail with the little bookshop fighting to survive and the big store coming to threaten their way of life.  I liked the mystery where Ivy started to notice rare books missing at her second job as a librarian and was trying to figure out if they were being stolen when Will's brother was attacked.  They were drawn closer than before and he started to help her with the mystery.  There was also a faith element as they attended church together and there was mention of prayer.  I thought the narrator did a good job but I did have to listen at 2x the speed.  I usually do, though, as that's what I'm used to now so anything slower usually seems too slow, especially at the regular speed.  I liked the story and if you like romance, you'll probably like it.  I am curious to continue the series as I'm interested in who will catch the bookworm brother's eye.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.