I really enjoyed this book. I liked both of the main characters Eleanor and Marcus. I enjoyed the storyline of Eleanor cooking and then trying to help the less fortunate around her. It was fun having Marcus's character be royalty in disguise and just wanting to be a normal person. I also enjoyed the gardening aspect of it and the grafting of new plants. I actually enjoyed this one more than the first one of the series. One storyline that was quite sad though was Eleanor's father being in an insane asylum due to dementia. It was heartbreaking to read her interactions with him and this may be a difficult storyline for someone who has been through this. Other than that this was a clean book with just some kissing. ( )

This book was long, but it was worth it. I can't think of anything I'd cut out. Although I knew Eleanor and Marcus would get together, it seemed like a lot of things got in the way, especially since they were both engaged to other people for a time. ( )

Like the first Belmont Mansion novel, this one has found a permanent place on my "favorite shelf". Ms. Alexander introduces bold, new characters, as well as a few old ones in this second book taking place in post Civil War Nashville.
If you're looking for a wonderful heart warming story, with characters you love and characters you love to hate; you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this book! ( )

After losing her brother during the American Civil War, Eleanor helps out with those who have just come from the battlefield. Later she finds a new calling when she starts feeding war widows and their children then makes plans to house them. Thrown into this mix is Austrian archduke in hiding Marcus, who is working with Eleanor's aunt, Adelicia Acklen of Belmont Mansion, to breed a new rose while experiencing life as a 'common' man. On the side he is working on a new breed of potato that isn't struck down by the dreaded blight, also running his own construction company and submitting radical new building plans to the local council. Eleanor is impoverished and nearly thirty year of age. Her father is suffering from dementia and has had to be placed into an institution near to Belmont Mansion. Eleanor's options are limited, and when her aunt arranges a marriage for her she is tempted to say yes. Okay read. ( )

This book was second in The Belmont Mansion series.although a series, this book is a standalone.

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Elenore Braddock is plain and tall. She has never considered herself a pretty woman and on the brink of turning 30, she has written herself off as being a spinster.

What Elenore has also never considered was that everything she has ever known is about to change.

Two years after the Civil War has ended Elenore and her father, who is in the early stages of dimentia, sell their home and belongings and move to Nashville. Elenore is to stay with her aunt Adelcia Acklin, in her home at Belmont Mansion, while her father is being sent to an assylum. Elenore is hopeful his time there will help him to heal or find peace.

Elenore has a plan. Her dream is to become a cook in her own restaurant. To create, and inspire those around her with her cuisine. To be able to make enough money to support her and her father, in their new lives in Nashville. So she rents a building she has never seen, and plans to ask her very wealthy aunt for financial backing. However, Adelcia Ackeln has other plans in mind for her niece. Being a very wealthy woman, and a highly esteemed member of society, Adelcia deems Elenore's business venture to be inadequately thought out and below their social standings. She has made it her mission to find Elenore a husband of high social standings, something Elenore opposes. Determined to make her own way and not let go of her dreams, Elenore sets out to strike a deal with the owner of the building she has rented. However, fate intervenes and a simple act of kindness shown to a widowed mother, sends Elenore in an unexpected direction. A shelter for less fortunate widows from the Civil War. She feels her calling is to serve, but also knows her aunts disapproval will override her dreams.

Archduke Marcus Gottfried of Austria, came to Nashville in search of his destiny. He wishes to better himself, and make his own decisions for his life. Although he is next in line to rule Austria, he chooses to hide his identity so as to not draw unnecessary attention to himself. Marcus is a gifted architect, but also has a deep passion for horticulture. He is working on several projects in both professions for Adelcia. Thus, resulting in several meetings between him and Elenore.

Eleonore and Marcus do not hit it off in the beginning, each finding the other arrogant and full of themselves. However, as time passes they find that they are inexplicably drawn to each other. Resulting in a tender romance, though their feelings for one another are true and undeniable, it seems that there is no way for them to ever truly be together. On top of all this Marcus has secrets. Things from his past that could really detour his entire life. How could two people, with so different a present ever truly have a future?

I have many many thoughts on this book. Aside from being an obvious romance, this book has many other themes. Family expectations, hardships faced after the Civil War, personal loss, and learning to cope with the unexpected.

This story is absolutely beautiful. An enchanting tale of learning ones self worth and allowing yourself to be open to the lifes ever changing cycles. Elenore is a very likable character. She is well versed and is by no means afraid to speak her mind. Her opinionated spirit along with her tallness makes her seem unapproachable, however she does not let that deter her in any way. She holds her head high with dignity and knows what she wants out of life and never abandoned her dreams no natter the obstacles she faced. Her romance with Marcus was splendidly done. Sweet and breathtaking. I loved seeing them get to know one another over a period of time and I also loved the fact that neither one was immediately attracted to the other upon first meeting. Over time they fell in love and got to really know each other. Seeing the true beauty that lies only within ones soul.

The time period in which this story takes place is one of my favorite eras to read about. This book was full of rich history and detailed in such a way, that makes the reader feel as if they are actually walking the streets of Nashville after the Civil War. Tamera Alexander's impeccable writing skills mixed with the lush background of the old south, is nothing short of phenomenal. This book surprised me in so many ways. I knew it was going to be good, however it far surpassed my expectations. If you love historical fiction, if a beautiful love story appeals to you, then this book will not disappoint. ( )