With no family of her own, Miranda Marshall has developed a healthy respect – some would say obsession – with other people’s histories. As property manager of a spectacular island castle in Cornwall, she’s made St Merryn’s Mount one of the UK’s most popular heritage attractions. While she may have the castle running like clockwork, Miranda hasn’t bargained on its sexy owner returning to claim his birthright. Dark, handsome and with a rakish reputation, Jago St Merryn not only looks like a pirate but is intent on flogging the Mount to a soulless leisure corporation. Miranda faces the battle of her life as she tries to persuade him to face up to his past and continue the St Merryn dynasty. But Jago has his own reasons for jumping ship and when he throws down the gauntlet to Miranda, she’s forced to delve into painful memories she’d much rather keep hidden…"
Review: There is always such a great escape factor in Phillipa Ashley's books, and Miranda's Mount is no different. Set on the property of a historical castle on a small island in Cornwall, we meet Miranda, who essentially runs the property for the owners in welcoming guests to the island. As with many of Ashley's novels, there is a lightness to the story that pulls you in and is a fun time. This novel was no different. Miranda's professionalism in challenged right away when the aging property owner's son, Jago, returns to run the show. He's not the bossy type. In fact, he's the sell-and-run type.
In this contemporary novel, Miranda is the career girl and Jago is the dashing yet impersonal hero. We quickly learn that people's interests cannot be turned on and off like a spigot, even if they have every reason to not be together. Miranda is single minded in her career and loves her job, but Jago is broken by his past and determined to sell the property. These factors make the story complicated and interesting to watch unfold.
As with most of Ashley's novels, the first third of the book has a delightful humor and playfulness to it that made me like Miranda and the other characters. However, the twist in the story is always right around the corner! I really did love the location, with the island castle and the tide around the island that either shut them off from the world or gave them a nice sandbar to walk back to the mainland. I could picture that island and wanted to visit or stay for awhile. The characters in this novel were also complicated and lovable, mainly because of their flaws. In fact, I often wondered about Miranda's liking for Jago. He was obviously easy to look at (and very rich to own that castle), but obviously had secrets underfoot. What's not to like about a bit of mystery though, especially when it's couched in good looks, right?
Phillipa Ashley, once again, has written an escape read both in its story and location. I always enjoy a great Ashley novel because they are books that you can sink yourself into for a nice visit.
*FTC Disclosure: This review was based on a personal copy of the novel.
Don't forget to stop by a great guest post by Phillipa, with a nice giveaway of her novel and Downton calendar! Check it out to hear how she came to be inspired to write the castle island in Miranda's Mount.
Thanks for the review, Becky. Yes, Jago is a bit of a mystery...
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