Book Review: The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Excerpt: Her university escapades could not be a secret forever. One of these days she was going to have to tell Daniel the truth. The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, pg 15.

Back Cover: She has a secret to keep. But will she give her heart away?

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work and squeeze herself into the mold of the well-dressed wife who spends most of her time and money redecorating.

When she meets Will, an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

Get swept away into the lavish world of Chicago's high society as Olivia Newport brings to life an age of glitz and grandeur, stark social contrasts, and one woman who dares to cross class lines for what she believes.

My Review: Lucy Banning defies social norms, and her parents' expectations all through this book. The character has a strong desire to help the less fortunate, and better herself intellectually. Of course, she is a woman ahead of her time. If she wasn't, there wouldn't be a story. Newport's characters are interesting and the plot moves well. The ending fell a little short of my expectations. However, in light of the rest of the story, it was a small thing.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who like historical romance.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.