Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack

Elliot Mayfield is a viscount and the head of a family that has struggled.  He never married, instead dedicating himself to earning back his family's fortune and respect.  Most of his nieces and nephews have given themselves over to riotous living, except his oldest nephew and heir Peter Mayfield. To try to reclaim his wayward family members Elliot creates an incentive for each of them, even Peter, to find a suitable spouse and settle down. Peter has no interest in his uncle's plans. He had a successful marriage, and has two wonderful daughters. He has felt no need to remarry since his wife's death. Then Julia walks into his life.  As his daughter's new governess, she fits amazingly well into his household.  She even shares his love for dogs and dog breading. Julia's mother objects to having Julia work for a Mayfield.  She says its it because of the family's dissolute reputation, but is there something more? And can Peter and Julia's growing attachment survive Julia's mother's disapproval?

I started reading a gritty teen fantasy, The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black, but two hours into the e-audiobook I just couldn't face it anymore and caved.  I turned instead to Josi Kilpack because we have a huge section of her books in our "Rel Fic" (think Christian Romance) section of our library.  This was probably the most clean and polite romance I have ever read! Peter refuses to put one toe out of line when it comes to being a proper gentleman who will avoid scandal at all cost.  Julia is the epitome of restraint.  Yet still there is enough mutual attraction to keep it interesting. I was surpised that it didn't really mention religion except to say that the characters went to church and Peter said prayers with his daughters every night. I enjoyed the book, though it was a little slow paced and the writing wasn't as cleaver as Georgette Heyer's or Roseanne White's.  I will still add Josi Kilpack to my list of go-to authors when I need a good clean historical romance to help me through a difficult week (2018, 322 p.)