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M.A. Nichols
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A Passing Fancy Kindle Edition

by M.A. Nichols (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,005 ratings
Friendship may blossom. Feelings may stir. But is it two lonely souls seeking companionship? Or perhaps something more?

When Silas Byrnes married, he wasn’t expecting a happy ending for him and his wife. Theirs was a union of duty and not love, but fourteen years of marriage had been a misery for them both. Luckily the navy rarely allowed him time ashore. Now widowed, Silas has no choice but to return to a house that doesn’t feel like home and reclaim his children, who are determined to hate him as their mother did.

With a new business to start and his household in an uproar, Silas needs an ally to help him navigate the mess his life has become, and his children’s governess might just fit the bill. If only the lady wasn’t so determined to keep him at arm’s length.

Judith Delmonte knows her place. A governess must remain aloof and guarded around her employers, for though she works with the family, she is not one of them. Nor does she belong among the servants’ ranks. Neither fish nor fowl, as they say. A solitary life, but one for which Judith is grateful. Better to earn her keep than live off her aunt and uncle’s charity.

When a lady is unfortunate to be poor and plain, there is no other choice for her. Spinsterhood is not such a terrible thing if one can provide for oneself.

Yet she cannot keep her heart in check when faced with the struggling widower determined to win his children’s affection. They say love conquers all, but Judith knows a man’s affection cannot see past surface attractions or social divide.

Or can it?
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  1. Print length
    318 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 30, 2021
  4. File size
    2.5 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Family tree

All of M.A. Nichols’ romances take place within the Generations of Love universe; each book is a standalone story and can be read in any order, with the titles grouped into family sagas.

Timeline

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09C2TKLMH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nichols Publishing, LLC
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 30, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,005 ratings

About the author

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M.A. Nichols

M.A. Nichols

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Born and raised in Anchorage, M.A. Nichols is a lifelong Alaskan, though she briefly ventured south to get a fancy bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University—neither of which had anything to do with why she became an author, but they kept her alive while launching her publishing career.

As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,005 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be one of the best they've read lately, with a lovely story that's heartwarming and shows love is possible for all. The writing is well-executed, and one customer particularly notes how the hero and heroine are delightfully painted. They appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the older hero and heroine, while another mentions the depth of the narrative.

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13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a sweet read and one of the best they've read recently.

"...I want to be one of her heroines! Beautiful, well crafted story with a lesson for every girl who feels undesirable or unworthy. Never give up." Read more

"Very nice story. I think the h had a wonderful strength of character. The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy...." Read more

"...This is a beautiful love story of a man that sees beauty where none have before...." Read more

"Silas and Judith are a wonderful couple, the best I have read lately...." Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one customer noting its layered narrative and another highlighting the wonderful relationship between Judith and Silas.

"...The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy. The story is layered as well as the characters...." Read more

"...This is a beautiful love story of a man that sees beauty where none have before...." Read more

"Silas and Judith are a wonderful couple, the best I have read lately...." Read more

"Judith & Silas are marvelous together. You’d wish to spend some time visiting them in their parlor...." Read more

5 customers mention "Beauty"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning that the hero and heroine were delightfully painted.

"...I want to be one of her heroines! Beautiful, well crafted story with a lesson for every girl who feels undesirable or unworthy. Never give up." Read more

"...yet so very near. Both the hero and heroine were delightfully painted, showing the past pains and endearing qualities of each...." Read more

"I would love to give this book way more than 5 stars!!! Words like beautiful, sweet, heartwarming, poignant, ardent don’t even begin to describe it!..." Read more

"...Beauty is in the loving." Read more

5 customers mention "Heartwarming"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, showing love is possible for all, with one customer noting how it gently captures the most intimate feelings of man and woman.

"...This stirred my heart so deeply touching on inadequacies so many feel and showing love is possible for all...." Read more

"...The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy. The story is layered as well as the characters...." Read more

"This author gently captures the most intimate feelings of man and woman, in a way that brings joy to the heart...." Read more

"...Words like beautiful, sweet, heartwarming, poignant, ardent don’t even begin to describe it!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one review highlighting the wonderful strength of character and another noting the older hero and heroine.

"Very nice story. I think the h had a wonderful strength of character. The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy...." Read more

"...The one person he comes to trust is the stable, cool and calm Judith...." Read more

"Wonderful novel with an older hero and heroine. Great read...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...I think the h had a wonderful strength of character. The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy...." Read more

"I did not really enjoy the story although the book is well written, the subject is just not my preference although I am sure others will thoroughly..." Read more

"It was very well written with believable characters and a family story that couldn't fail to touch my heart...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Austen Fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    One of my favorite books so far from the pen of M.A. Nichols. This stirred my heart so deeply touching on inadequacies so many feel and showing love is possible for all. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and love is possible for everyone. I love the authors ability to elicit every emotion in real life as she weaves her tales. I want to be one of her heroines! Beautiful, well crafted story with a lesson for every girl who feels undesirable or unworthy. Never give up.
    Helpful
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  • d call
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another enjoyable read by this author
    Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Very nice story. I think the h had a wonderful strength of character. The writing was solid and able to evoke emotion and empathy. The story is layered as well as the characters. I've never been disappointed by a book from this author & she is an auto read for me.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • mlsco
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a beautiful story. I adored this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Judith, a plain 40 year old governess in the home of a widower and absentee father, just coming hone from months at sea. Silas' wife has died while he was at sea, and he comes home to children in grief, a new company to run, and hostile in laws. The one person he comes to trust is the stable, cool and calm Judith. This is a beautiful love story of a man that sees beauty where none have before. The problem is that she doesn't believe it is real, just a way to get a wife to bring stability to his home. Can he convince her his feelings are real?
    5 people found this helpful
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  • dtluvs2read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Silas and Judith are a wonderful couple, the best I have read lately. They are not your regular young people finding love, but two wonderful mature people who deserve the love they found. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I did not really enjoy the story although the book is well written, the subject is just not my preference although I am sure others will thoroughly enjoy it.
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  • L. Bear
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This author gently captures the most intimate feelings of man and woman, in a way that brings joy to the heart. It's also a good peek into the limited choices and difficulties of women in prior centuries, so long ago . . . yet so very near. Both the hero and heroine were delightfully painted, showing the past pains and endearing qualities of each. I particularly enjoyed Silas.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • carol
    3.0 out of 5 stars sweet read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A sweet read of a story showing how a governess to a widower’s children finds her happy ending despite hoer doubts and misunderstandings before she realizes it
    Helpful
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  • Kath
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nichols captures our insecurities
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Judith & Silas are marvelous together. You’d wish to spend some time visiting them in their parlor. Silas is practical and it takes him awhile to figure out he’s fallen for the children’s governess, and that confusion complicates things. Time makes Silas realize his error and eventually he wins Judith’s heart.

    The author’s portrayal of the children is great!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • DaisyMarie
    1.0 out of 5 stars Hated it, left unfinished..
    Reviewed in Australia on February 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Not sure if I'm going to read any more of her books after this one, quite negative messaging and pop psychology regarding grief..
    Report
  • Long Life Fun Life
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love the themes
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I particularly liked the way in which each of the characters had flaws that they did not perceive and so were denied what they were seeking for so long. Each of the 4 main characters, Judith, Silas, Helen and Mr Hatcher suffer from different versions. Would love to read Mr Hatcher’s story.
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  • S.B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gerne gelesen!
    Reviewed in Germany on December 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Gut zu lesen. Man fühlt sich in die Zeit versetzt und begleitet mitfiebernd die Hauptakteure.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent reading experience ! A most enjoyable. A very unusual storyline and happy to read more from this author. 😊😊
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  • TA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Patience and Charm
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Love or convenience? A governess, grieving children, and the return of an absent father. A charming story of two people learning how to trust and understand each other after many years of hurts and disappointments in love.
    Report

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