A PROVINCIALPEER by SIAN ANN BESSEY is a delightful novel that takes place in Gloucestershire in 1796 at Farwell Estate nesr the village of Leyfield. Benedict, Lord Benning, is a hands on farmer and has no time for the social niceties of the ton. He comes from a family where his parents show love towards each other and their two sons. Benedict takes seriously the fact that the people he is responsible for are suffering from lack of food, particularly flour, due to the recent drought.
Caroline Granger and her four year old daughter, Meg, come to live with Caroline’s father, the vicar, next door to Farwell Estate. As a child Caroline was a frequent visitor at Farwell where she played with Benedict’s younger brother, Henry. Caroline bears scars of the smallpox that she caught after the dreaded disease killed her husband….
I like to see the honesty and integrity of most of the characters and their trust in God which comes through the story, underlined by Caroline’s father’s godly wisdom, and I find young Meg quite irresistable…..
A Provincial Peer is a most enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Title : "A Provincial Peer"
Author : Sian Ann Bessey
April 30, 2024

Sian Ann Bessey's "A Provincial Peer" transports readers to the captivating world of 18th-century England with elegance and finesse. In this meticulously crafted historical fiction gem, Bessey expertly captures the essence of the era, delivering a narrative brimming with poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings.
What sets this novel apart is Bessey's masterful incorporation of historical events and figures, such as the pioneering work of Edward Jenner in combatting smallpox. These elements seamlessly blend into the fabric of the story, enriching the reader's experience and adding layers of depth to the narrative.
But it's the characters that truly steal the show in "A Provincial Peer." Each one is intricately developed, their struggles and triumphs painting a vivid tapestry of human resilience. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in their journeys, rooting for them every step of the way.
At its core, this novel explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the pursuit of what truly matters in life. Through the trials and tribulations faced by its characters, "A Provincial Peer" delivers a powerful message that resonates long after the final page is turned.
For fans of historical fiction craving a read that is both uplifting and inspiring, look no further than "A Provincial Peer." With its rich historical detail, compelling characters, and timeless themes, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

***Many Thanks to the Author #SianAnnBessey, Publisher #CovenantCommunications and #NetGallery for the advanced copy of the book.
#AProvincialPeer #HistoricalFiction #Romance

"A Provincial Peer" is a romance set in 1796 in England. Caroline married hastily and discovered that her naval husband chose the sea over her. He gave her a daughter but brought home smallpox, leading to his death and her scarring after her recovery. Now she hides behind a veil, but she slowly discovers that not everyone judges by appearance and many have scars. Her childhood playmate, Lord Benning, welcomes her charming daughter (and therefore Caroline) to spend time at his farm. The three spend time together, getting to know each other and coming to admire and love each other. Benedict supported Caroline's concerns and found joy in her company.

However, Benedict has some problems with the estates' steward. He must uncover what's going on while Caroline must confront her fear of possibly losing another loved one through disease. The characters were well-developed and likable. Historical details were woven into the story about how the weather created a food shortage and about a surge in smallpox at that time. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

This was a lovely romance between a gentleman more at home on the farm than in London and a childhood friend, a vicar’s daughter. She is a widow with a young daughter who is delightful and captures the scene more than once. The kindness of both of the main characters is extraordinary. This is the one characteristic that is a must in my book for my heroes and heroines, no matter how dashing or beautiful. In fact, even all of the secondary characters display a wonderful measure of acceptance and kindness except for the dishonest steward. But even he started out his dishonesty trying to help his sister’s family overcome tragedy. I did think that debacle wrapped up a little too nicely, but added to the "Happily Ever After," so I overlooked the unrealistic likelihood of everything working out so well. The insight into the horrors of smallpox and its cure was very interesting. This is why I love historical fiction; you get to learn about the past while enjoying a good story at the same time! I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Covenant Communications. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such a lovely, tender story! I've read the whole series and this is a great addition.

Caroline and Benedict are wonderful characters who grow from a rekindled childhood friendship into a slow-burn romance that's worth the wait. They have their own problems and shortcomings and they step up for each other.

I liked the gentle rural setting and little Meg stole the show numerous times.

I highly recommend this series!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

"It is remarkable how God works within the confines of the most trying circumstances to help us improve ourselves."

This entire series has been filled with the most wholesome characters that make you want to be better and look out for those around you. Every book and every characters has been inspiring and left me feeling so much hope and goodness.

This is a single parent and friends to more mash-up that is done wonderfully by the author. I immediately fell in love with these characters! The writing is smooth, beautiful and flows so well. I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters were engaging, the plot was interesting and I felt completely transported throughout.

I have read and studied about Smallpox, but still managed to learn new things and was able to feel even more connected to these characters through the situations they went through.

The romance in this one is incredibly sweet. I loved that our main characters saw each others souls. It was beautiful to experience and I can't wait for more books from this author!!! I'll read anything she writes!

I have enjoyed this series thoroughly and think it's a wonderful book (and series) for anyone who enjoys historical romance with a Christian thread.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content: Smallpox (illness, death, mild descriptions), friends to more, light Christian threads, single parent trope, romance-kisses only.

A wonderful story of differences and overcoming challenges
This book is not only a great story but shows insights into what that time period was like. It is set in England in 1796, where Lord Benning, Benedict, is a peer more interested in his estate farm than in the ton. He knows he needs to marry but the women he has been meeting would not be happy with his choice of priorities. One day while leaving the barn, he meets a darling four-year-old girl, Meg, who wanders into his yard followed by her mother, Caroline Granger, who is wearing a veil that hides her face. Not recognizing the name Benedict soon discovers that Caroline is a childhood friend who is now widowed and wears a veil to hide her smallpox scarred face. Soon he and Caroline are faced with hard decisions about what really matters and what they truly want. A great read you’ll enjoy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

I loved this book as well as the others in this series. It is a sweet romance with a little side of intrigue that all comes out in a happily ever after. I liked the characters a lot. I particularly liked the accepting nature of so many of them, both primary and secondary characters. They don't really think twice about literal or figurative life scars. I loved the caring nature of all the family members.
This story was an enjoyable read with not too much angst and plenty of sweet romance.

No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily choose to review it.

#NetGalley# AProvincialPeer

A provincial peer captured my interest from the first page. Caroline Granger and her young daughter Meg return to live with her father, who is a vicar. Caroline is widowed and bears the scars of smallpox. As a young girl, Caroline played on the Farwell Estate and was friends with Henry Farwell.
. Lord Benedict Benning is known to get involved with the happenings on his estate he will help with the cows and out in the fields and his tenants. When he meets young Meg and her mother, he remembers Caroline and his brother Henry's friendship. He wonders why he never tried to get involved in the fun times of youth.
Caroline is weary of the scars that the smallpox left on her body but decides to not let what she looks like stop her from making friends and finding her place.
I loved this book so much. A wonderful and well written story.

I loved this newest book on the Georgian Gentleman series written by Sian Ann Bessy. The Provincial Peer is the story of Benedict and Caroline. Lord Benedict is a kind caring man who believes in the hands on approach to running his estate. He loves working alongside his staff and watching out for his tenants. Caroline is the daughter of the local Victor and a former playmate of Benedict. She has recently moved home after losing her husband and nearly her life to smallpox. Caroline is reunited with Benedict when her 4 year old daughter wanders onto his estate.

This is a sweet story of friendship turning to love and learning that what is on the inside is what is most important.

This is a fun, sweet story. Caroline and Benedict grew up as neighbors. She spent most of her time with his younger brother, but the memories are still there. She married and became a young widow after her husband died from smallpox. She also contracted the disease and was left badly scarred.

As she moves back with her daughter to live with her father to regain her health, she begins interacting with Benedict. He is a great man, who loves his estate, the animals, orchards, and the tenants who live there. As they combine efforts to aid those in need of help, and with the help of adorable 4 year old Meg, things start to change.

I loved Caroline's growth and acceptance of her scars. I loved her understanding of what was important, and that is not on the outside..

This was a great, relaxing read!

A Provincial Peer is a worthy addition to The Georgian Gentleman series by Sian Ann Bessey. As in the previous books in the series, the protagonist, Benedict, Lord Benning does not act as a member of the nobility is expected to. He joins his tenants and employees in physical labor, enjoys their company, and is concerned for their well being. He encounters a former playmate, Caroline, the local vicar’s daughter, when her daughter wanders onto his estate. Because she is heavily veiled to hide smallpox scars, he does not recognize her at first. He eventually becomes involved with her and her daughter and helps Caroline come to terms with her disfigurement. Bessey does an excellent job of involving the reader in the horrors of the smallpox outbreaks that plagued England. As well, she includes Edward Jenner, the doctor who created the smallpox vaccine, into the story. She also uses various characters to demonstrate the hardships felt by the working class after the Napoleonic wars. This was well researched and is a compelling story. Strongly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.

I really enjoyed the romance in the book, seeing how it slowly bloomed over time and their childhood connection. I personally am not a fan of medical things so it made me a little uncomfy but it was handled in a way that wasn’t excessive. But I loved seeing how they grew together and saw each other for who they were.