Book Review: Missing Lily

“You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house.

He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night.

Lylin is not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.  Quoted from Goodreads

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If you've read Edenbrooke and Blackmoore and wish the author would put out something else or you have discovered Just Ella and are dying for another installment or if you're just in the mood for a fun, clean romance, may I suggest Missing Lily.

This is, simply, a quick, fun, delightful book.  It's one of those you read when you want to curl up on the couch with a blanket or maybe soak up some sun on the beach and fall in love.  Between the cute moments, the author actually explores some interesting issues, such as staying true to who you are vs. pretending to be someone you aren't in order to impress a boy, personal happiness vs. duty to your family and country, and falling in love/staying in a relationship with someone you know is bad/wrong for you.

Despite all that, if you're reading this book, you're here for the romance, and it is adorable.  Some of the twists are pretty predictable, but I loved the way the characters handled the obstacles thrown in their path. Both of them consciously tried to do the right thing from the beginning even though it wasn't always easy.  Lily/Lylin and Lord Rhys Fallon are both strong characters, and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and develop over the course of the book.

Probably my favorite aspect of the book, though (and yes, this is part of the romance) are the letters Lily and Rhys write to each other and never intend to send.  Even though there were ample reasons they shouldn't write each other, I love how it recognized that each found a person in the other that they trusted their whole selves with and were willing to share their deepest thoughts and feelings. It helped move the plot along even when they weren't together (and explains the picture on the cover).

This is a stand-alone book, but it is better if you've read Just Ella (which, in my opinion still might be the better of the two, but they're both very cute).  Not only do we get to see Ella and Gavin again and how their life is going, but you can tell Ella's had a big influence on Lily and the way she sees the world.  All in all, if you're looking for a light, sweet romance, you really should pick this up.  I'm giving it a strong 4 stars (which is kind of hard for me on pure romance books), and I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next.