Not so Hidden Affection for this novel!

This review is for the Historical Fiction novel, “Hidden Affections” by Delia Parr.

I’m not sure I could have loved this book any more than I did. It is truly an excellent novel! I had never read anything by Delia Parr before this book but I know I will for sure be looking for more titles by this offer in the very near future.

Annabelle Tyler is on the run from a very heartbreaking past. In her old hometown she is whispered about, openly shunned and humiliated at every turn. There was nothing left for her to do but move on and seek a new life in a new place. Her mother has passed away and she is all alone in the world.

Unforeseen circumstances land her in the same stagecoach as the infamous playboy and Philadelphia’s most eligible bachelor, Harrison Graymoor. His private coach had broken down thus he was forced into more common transportation. This turn of events is what lands him in trouble with one Ms. Annabelle Tyler.
Their stagecoach ends up being robbed and they are handcuffed together. Unfortunately that means that they end up spending the night in the robbed coach together and un-chaperoned.

A disgruntled man and others in the search party discover them curled up together and naturally assume the worst, since the worst is what Harrison is known for. They are forced to marry at gun point against both their wishes.

Annabelle carries a dark secret of her own; she has already been wed once and divorced by the cad that she sadly used to call her husband for a very short time. She ends up deciding not to tell Harrison about her previous marriage as their ultimate plan is to get a quickie annulment once they reach his home in Philadelphia.
Harrison promises Annabelle that this should prove no problem for his lawyer and that they will simply hide away from society until it happens so that they need not explain themselves when the annulment comes through.

That, of course, is not to be the case, as his cousin has a houseful of people in the house when they arrive and the newspaper had already caught wind of the marriage. Not that it was forced, but just that the notorious bachelor was wed.
Annabelle has deep issues and feelings of not being wanted as her previous husband dumped her. She is a Christian and holds onto the hope of a better life once she and Harrison are free of each other’s company.
When it becomes clear, however, that an annulment will be impossible given the man’s reputation, she realizes that as a twice divorced woman, in that day and age, that there is all likelihood that she will not be able to have the happy marriage and family that she so desires.

Harrison also holds deep hurts within his heart and mind and seems far removed from emotions and from having any thoughts of a loving God. He truly believes if he doesn’t allow himself to love someone then he cannot be hurt.

Come along on their journey of faith and finding themselves while they are tied to someone they might rather wish to be rid of at times.

Once again, I loved this book and I think you will too!

Happy Monday All!
Jenny 



*Note* I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.