This HaBO request is from Sharon, who is looking to help out a library patron:
This is a request from a library patron, who remembers a lot of detail but not the name.
It might be a Regency, but it’s definitely historical. It’s about three siblings–might be a series. Their mother left the family when they were young, but she is still alive.
The oldest brother was named Justin, and he’s the most damaged and angry by the mother leaving. He got married, but his wife left him, even though she loved him. She had been heavily chaperoned by her aunt, and once she was married, I think Justin’s anger drove her away.
Sebastian is the middle child; he also got married. He didn’t like his mother leaving, but was less damaged by it.
The youngest was a sister whose name started with a J–maybe Jocelyn?
It had a blue cover. The patron also says that we own it in large print, which means it probably wasn’t terribly obscure, but could be anywhere from one to 40 years old.
Who knows this one?
There are some elements in the trilogy from Sarah MacLean that starts with Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake. The brother’s names are wrong to the HABO description, but their mother left, ran off to Italy, and they are all damaged by this. The brothers have to change their ways to launch their half sister into Society. Book 1 is Gabriel, book 2 is Nicholas, book 3 is Juliana.
It is Samantha James’ Sterling series, except Sebastian is the oldest/first. A Perfect Bride, A Perfect Groom (Justin), A Perfect Hero (Juliana).
You guys are amazing! I will run this past the patron when she comes in this week and let you know. Thanks so much; I love you guys!
Just throwing this out there even though it doesn’t match everything- Loretta Chase’s LORD OF SCANDALS has a hero named Sebastian whose Italian mother ran off after he was born and it deeply damaged him. My copy of the book has a blue cover.
I’m sure michy is right, but if you are looking for another series with damaged siblings, there’s The De Montforte Brothers by Danielle Harmon, 4 brothers and 1 sister who is the youngest. I’ve only read the first book, “The Wild One” and I can recommend it as being quite different and interesting. The hero starts out as being immature and irresponsible, and the heroine is the strong one, but he redeems himself quite well.
Yes! That was the one–I finally got in touch with the patron, and it was definitely the Sterling series. Thank you so much; you guys are magical!