While touring the English countryside, Miss Prudence Watson visits the mill in Otley, where she discovers deplorable working conditions and pits herself against the owner-William Sherbourne, a recently returned naval officer. VERDICT Rich in historical detail, this latest Regency romance in Palmer's Miss Pickworth series (The Affectionate Adversary, The Bachelor's Bargain) is a fun, lively read as hero and heroine meet, argue, and fall in love. It also stands well on its own for readers who haven't read the other series titles. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

After her true love jilts her, Prudence Watson abandons the idea of marriage in favor of dedicating her life to a worthy cause. While in Yorkshire with her sister, Prudence finds exactly the opportunity she is looking for. William Sherbourne, a recently retired British naval officer, has returned home to run his family's wool mill, where Prudence discovers terrible working conditions and vows to show him the error of his ways. While William is at first charmed by Prudence, he quickly finds her efforts to reform him and his business practices annoying. But Prudence isn't about to give up on her newfound purpose in life, or on William himself. In Christy Award winner Palmer's latest Regency-set historical romance, the importance of hope, faith, and the redeeming power of God's love plays a key part in the story as a quietly courageous heroine does her part to leave the world a better place, while also managing to find a bit of romance along the way.--Charles, John Copyright 2010 Booklist