Romancing Daphne by Sarah Eden

Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden
Series: The Lancaster Family Series Book #3
on February 19, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Romance / Historical, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 317
Goodreads

As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster's timid heart with dread. She hasn't her sisters' beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family's enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster. But Daphne's misery turns to surprised delight when the first event of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door—James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne's disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach.Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love. "Sarah M. Eden has a knack for just the right pacing in her books while endearing the characters to us and showcasing a more universal human dilemma."—Meridian Magazine"Eden is truly a master of creating personalities for her books that draw readers into the story and make them feel at home."—Deseret News.

Romancing Daphne is book three in the Lancaster Family series by Sarah Eden. In this book, the middle daughter Daphne is the heroine. She’s tormented by a fear of being abandoned.  As a small child, her mother died, her father avoided her and the only person in her family who seemed concerned about her goes off to the navy and never returns. In her childish mind, all these circumstances are personal rejections. She tends to withdraw into herself in isolation to protect herself. But when it is time for her season, she is pleasantly surprised by a young man named James Tilburn who comes to call. She recognizes him as a person who once treated her with kindness. Unfortunately there are darker forces at work, and all is not as it appears to be.

Of the three books, this one was my least favorite. I thought it started off strong. I liked Daphne’s character, though her self pity began to feel grating. I did appreciate her gentle and kind heart. I’ve always liked heroines with a softer side. I enjoyed that Eden wove the real life assasination of the British Prime Minister into her story. She made those situations come alive. But I felt the HEA was anticlimactic. James must prove his love by sticking around? This author, Sarah Eden understands the human psyche and she weaves her stories with a psychological and emotional depth that is rarely experienced in romance. I’m pressing on to the next book in the series. This is a sweet romance with only a few kisses.