This delightfully compelling, adult early British railroad romance set in Millcastle starting in 1839 features 26-year-old orphaned Miss Alice Collins, Viscount Francis Grafton-Wesley, and Mr. Elijah Hepworth, chief contractor for the Millcastle Steam Locomotive Company, and kept me up well past midnight. I had an ARC via Bookfunnel and this voluntary review is my own opinion. ( )

Jack of All Trades by Kate Pearce
Millcastle #4

Interesting and realistic historical romance – Thoroughly enjoyed watching Elijah and Alice find their happily ever after

What I liked:
* Alice Collins: penniless, illegitimate, quiet, dreams of security, hopeful, caring, giving, honest, steadfast, strong, wise, resilient
* Elijah Hepworth: railway contractor, wealthy, widow, father, self-made man, brash, forthright, hard worker, successful, goes after what he wants and he wants Alice
* That the main characters were not from the elite wealthy upper class
* The real situation(s) that Alice found herself in and how she managed…throughout her life
* Francis: half-brother to Alice, takes her in, supportive, wise, caring – would like to read his and Caroline’s story
* The railroad building aspects of the story
* The slow growth of the relationship between Alice and Elijah
* Learning the backstories of the main characters
* That this was a standalone story
* Being intrigued enough to want to read the first three books in the series
* The subplots and issues/problems the couple faced throughout the book
* Thinking about the times and how difficult life must have been
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The people I was meant not to like: selfish, mean, unwise, gossiping people that created pain for others
* Knowing that life for many in that era was not all sunshine and roses…especially for the poor and also for women of all stations

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review

5 Stars ( )