Pride of the Peacock    by Victoria Holt Order:  USA  Can Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2014 (1976) Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Wanda Plourde Jessica Clavering has never felt that she belonged in her family, always felt like an outsider looking in. Her mother seemed indifferent towards her and the Dower House never really felt like home. Jessica was always told what life was like at the mansion before her father's gambling problem led to financial ruin. But life has a way of changing. Jessica meets her neighbour, Ben, the new owner of the mansion that once belonged to her family. She begins sneaking over to enjoy visits with him, listening to all the beautiful stories he tells. But one day she receives a letter from her real mother and her entire life is flipped upside down. Ben shares details of her mother's life after Jessica starts to prod. Jessica and Ben become close friends. Even when Ben gets sick, she visits just about every day. Ben's dying wish is for Jessica and his son to marry. His will states that if they don't they lose everything. So Jessica marries the son. They live in Australia where their adventure begins. I enjoyed this book yet I didn't. I appreciated the friendship that Ben and Jessica shared because it felt real, yet the marriage left me unfulfilled. The writing is very good, the descriptions wonderful, the characters well defined, but the storyline left me wanting. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews