About the Book:

He never forgot her…

When General Collin Hunt is ordered to take a much-needed holiday, he resigns himself to rest and recreation at his brother’s country estate. But when the only woman he ever loved—and selflessly gave up—shows up as his sister-in-law’s governess, his carefully ordered life is turned inside out.

She’ll never forgive him…

When Erienne Stone defied her family and fled her life of privilege, she never expected to be reunited with the man who’d abandoned her more than a decade before. But Lucy, Duchess of Claringdon, is a hard woman to say no to, even when Erienne’s heart is in danger of breaking all over again.

A meddling matchmaker may be the key to their second chance…

After a decade of pain and heartache, can two star-crossed lovers trust the truth in their own hearts?

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                              Mr. Hunt, I Presume: A Playful Brides Story

My Review:

Collin Hunt is now a Home Office general, after a career as a soldier and a spy, that began when he was just sixteen.  His superior insists that he take a vacation, and won’t hear a refusal.  Though not happy, as his work is his life, Collin decides to visit his brother, Derek, and his family.  If only Collin could be sure that his sister-in-law, Lucy, won’t try her matchmaking skills again, he might actually enjoy the break.  Lucy actually considers herself a genuine matchmaker, and her sights are set on Collin.  She knows there was a disappointing love in his past which has soured him on marriage.  As she’s interviewing for a governess for her own children, she comes upon a candidate who apparently has some ties to Collin.  Could this be the mystery woman from Collin’s past?

Erienne Stone has worked for the Hilltop family for fourteen years, caring for their children.  It’s finally time to look for a new position.  She is hesitant about applying to Derek, as he might remember her from their teenage years, when she and Collin were sweethearts.  Lucy is overly eager to hire Erienne, offering a salary she can’t refuse.  Lucy is also insistent on Erienne joining the family for dinner, where she and Collin come face to face for the first time in over a decade.

Though Collin and Erienne were in love and planned to marry, some obstacles were thrown in their path, some of Collin’s making, and some from others.  They ended up parting, each believing that the other rejected them.  Over the years, neither found another love or married.  Their initial meeting at dinner is awkward, and Erienne ends up fleeing, though Collin follows.  After all the years and misunderstandings, their reunion results in a fiery passion.

I love that MR. HUNT, I PRESUME was about a hero and heroine in their thirties, though by the same token, it made me extremely sad that they were parted for so long.  Some outside forces unfortunately played a big part in their separation, and their youth and insecurities led them to accept lies as truth.  Their reconciliation was sweet, and Colin’s gesture near the end had a fairy-tale like quality that was a satisfying conclusion to this short, steamy, and enjoyable story.     ~Rose