Review: Smitten by the Brit

Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Smitten by the Brit" was super cute and I liked it even better than the first book in this series. Theo and Bonnie were great secondary characters in "Getting Hot with the Scot," but I found them to be even more likeable as the stars of this book. There were certainly obstacles for them to overcome on the way to their HEA, but I found it impossible not to root for them to find a way to be together.

Both Theo and Bonnie were sympathetic and well-developed characters. I really felt for Theo because there was so much pressure on him to take care of his family, their estates, and everyone who depended on the estates for their livelihoods. To my modern American sensibilities, it seemed like such an antiquated way of thinking; these were the sorts of expectations one might have had of an 18th or 19th century duke, but surely not today, right? However, tradition was clearly still very important to Theo's family and others of his social class in England. I had to admire Theo for trying so hard to do the right thing even if it meant giving up his chance at happiness with Bonnie. Thankfully, he was able to find an alternative solution in the end so that the two of them could be together.

As for Bonnie, it was a lot of fun watching her come out of her shell over the course of the story. I hated seeing her basically be Gabe's doormat in the first book. She made so many sacrifices for him and didn't deserve the way he took her for granted. I loved that Bonnie was able to rediscover her passion for writing and figure out a way to pursue it as a career. Bonnie's efforts to explore in other parts of her life also led to some wonderful laugh out loud scenes, particularly the one with the popsicles in the bridal shop. I will never be able to look at a popsicle (or a fruit roll up) the same way again!

At any rate, I am very much looking forward to book #3 in this series, which will feature Cassie and Bonnie's friend Sadie, the aspiring actress. I really hope there are plans for Ana and Delaney to get books of their own after that! I have enjoyed getting to know each of these girls with their distinct personalities, and really appreciate how much they love and support each other through thick and thin. (I wouldn't complain about a book featuring Theo's sister Tabitha either...)

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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