Of Jasmine and Roses
By: Jill E Warner
Publication: November 14, 2023
256 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)
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Goodreads description--Orphaned as a child, Anna Beasley was raised alongside her titled cousin in the high Society of the ton. But part-Indian Anna knows better than anyone that appearances trump social grace, even to those who raised her. After the loss of both her inheritance and her adoptive family’s support, work as a governess seems to be Anna’s only path forward . . . until she meets a man who is completely unattainable, and she feels seen and accepted for the first time. Aspiring politician William Thaxton had no intention of falling in love with a governess. But from his first embarrassing encounter with Anna, he knew she was exceptional. As William gets to know Anna better, he can’t help falling in love with her, despite the infuriating stumbling block that her social status presents. As they navigate intolerance, cruelty, and William’s own ambitions, William and Anna must prove that love knows no boundaries and that the heart doesn’t play by Society’s rules.
Anna's mother married an Indian man and moved to India. When her mother died, her father was grief-ridden, and with prodding from her mother's sister, he sent Anna to live with her and be raised with her mother's family. Anna's aunt always doted on her as her only tie to her deceased sister. And Anna was raised right alongside her cousins. Anna's uncle gets into a tight financial situation due to a scammer, so Anna refuses to burden their family anymore with her expenses and seeks employment as a governess. Her first position didn't go well, but Anna has finally found a position that she thinks she can last at.
The lady of the house is new to nobility. Her deceased husband made his money as a merchant, and she remarried after he passed to a lord who needed her finances. Although, they seem to have a good relationship. Anna offers much advice to the lady of the house over the proper way the gentry and nobility houses and such work just as much as the role she plays in teaching the lady's two daughters. The older daughter refuses to take much advice from Anna as she's in those lovely teenage years where they think they know everything there is to know. Yet she's also been sheltered from the world of ruined reputations. The youngest daughter has taken to Anna, and they share a special relationship. Because the lady relies upon Anna, she calls her to be a guest and chaperone to the elder daughter at a house party they are hosting. Anna protests, but her pleas go unheard.
The description states that William is an aspiring politician. But the truth is that William's family has aspirations of him being a politician. William isn't sure what he wants to do with his life beyond that, so he follows along. William and Anna meet when she and the youngest daughter are taking a walk and find him lost on his way to the house party. I did find it odd that he later said he grew up visiting the neighboring estate but didn't seem to know his way to their house.
As it turns out, William's twin brother is now engaged to Anna's cousin and are attending the house party, along with Anna's aunt and another cousin. I was surprised, along with Anna, to find what seemed like hostility on the part of Anna's cousins toward her when she only has fond memories of growing up with the two of them. Anna's aunt, however, treats her like a daughter. I found this area to be one of the most interesting conflicts. William's twin brother irritated me so much, and even Anna's cousin (I can't remember anyone's name, hardly).
Hopefully, without giving too much away, Anna's biggest obstacle was her own view of herself and her heritage. She has let society's worst tell her her value, and she's believed them. How can she believe that William can love her when she can't even believe in her aunt and uncle's feelings toward her?
I did enjoy Of Jasmine and Roses. I wish I hadn't let nearly a month go by before writing my review. I liked Anna and her journey to finding her own worth along with her journey with William. Of Jasmine and Roses gets 4 Stars from me. Have you read Of Jasmine and Roses? What did you think? Let me know!
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