The Great Estate

Estranged spouses struggle to rebuild their marriage in the third installment of Browning’s Thornbrook Park Edwardian romance series (after An Affair Downstairs). Despite a passionate beginning, the relationship between Gabriel, Earl of Averford, and his wife, Sophia, swiftly cooled and grew brittle. After a moment of weakness in which Sophia kissed another man, Gabriel left her to run their estate for a year while he traveled the world, intent on improving himself as a husband. Sophia soon came into her own as a businesswoman, revitalizing Thornbrook Park. But when Gabriel comes back, ready to woo his wife like she deserves, Sophia means to make him work for every intimate moment. Given the obvious affection and simmering desire between the leads, many of their obstacles to happiness feel artificial. Browning excels at developing the setting and conveying the genteel, charming nature of her characters and their interactions. Sophia and Gabriel’s reunion is a nice payoff for those who’ve read the earlier books, though some of the final revelations feel a little rushed. Agent: Stephany Evens, FinePrint Literary Management. (Aug.)