I downloaded this Regency novella on my Kindle after Linda Banche spoke about it as one of our featured authors during our RHFL online book club. I began reading it yesterday as a much needed diversion from my own current WIP and found it a sweet, funny and charming story. Gifts Gone Astray is an entertaining comedy of errors that I highly recommend for those who, like me, need the indulgent pleasure of a good Regency romp every now and then. ( )

Reviewed by Robin
Review copy provided by Wild Rose Press
I found this short story pleasant. It kept you reading to find out what would happen but, it seemed to be missing something for me.

It was an easy read that you can easily sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and read in a very short time.

The story takes place in Cheshire, England in July of 1817. The Gage family is having their summer celebration and widower, Mrs. Anne Copely has arranged the presents for all invited. Two of the younger boys have taken and switched name tags on the gifts and Anne had to redo them. She finds that a couple is missing and hopes that they are going to go to the right people.

Mr. Stephen Fairfax is the current tutor for Lord Langley’s unruly son. Stephen having seen Anne a few months prior when she first arrived with her brother took a fancy to her right from the start.

Anne has also had a connection to Stephen. These two want so much to be together as they have things in common. Anne decides to send a gift of a book from her late husband’s extensive library. The book Anne sends ends up being the wrong one and Stephen thinks that this demure widow that he likes allot is maybe not what she seems at all.

Good intention’s go awry when two mischievous boys mess with the gifts. Will things work out for Anne and Stephen?

Ms. Banche, has a good story here and one that is enjoyable. I found that it seemed kind of hurried and left some questions unanswered. There are some characters that where in the story but seemed to be just that characters. I had a hard time feeling the depth of the characters in the story. But, overall a good light read. ( )