Love books that are interconnected. Enjoyed not only the main charactes story but the friends from the previous book having such a good part of the story.

Could not stop reading and cheering for Adriana.What a strong young lady she was to stand firm for her son.

Delightful characters and very engaging story! Couldn’t put the book down, as I was drawn through a range of emotions which ended with tears in my eyes and smile both on my face and in my heart!

"And yet...her heart filled with something she'd never had before. It was the fullness of friendship and love. That alone made almost any prospect bearable." Arabella has long been a slave to the whims and control of others. Her main source of joy is her son. When her husband dies, leaving guardianship rights to his brother-in-law, Arabella finds herself in her most precarious situation yet. He uses his power to manipulate her and puts her in positions to try to force her to obey his will. When she meets Theo, she hopes for more for the first time in her life. As her circumstances grow more and more difficult, she reaches out and find some of the greatest gifts of all. This was such a wonderful story of friendship and love. Theo is the best! I loved the way he worked so hard to create a safe place for Arabella and her son so unselfishly. I also loved his family and the way they opened their hearts and homes to help someone in need. I was not prepared for the wickedness of the brother in law- he was atrocious- and it added such a unique sense of intrigue to this love story! I was amazed at Arabella's love for her son and the way that she put him above all else. I felt like it was a powerful picture of a mom's love. This is such a tender and unique love story I was so thankful to get to read! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In the Regency period, men had unreasonable power over women legally. Arabella suffered under a father, husband, and brother-in-law. As a widow she meets Theo at her best friend’s wedding. Kind, compassionate, considerate Theo changes her life. His family gives her a circle of friends who provide support, safety and encouragement. Honoria, Christine, and Trudy showed her life could be better. Along with Gus and Philip, Theo takes action to give her protection and hope. When she finally has the courage to express her desire to assert herself, her brother-in-law takes threatening steps to isolate her. In the meantime Trudy’s husband Vincent reacts to the evidence Theo’s brother Anthony takes to him from Arabella. At the dangerous climax, Theo, Philip, and Gus bravely confront her brother-in-law among smugglers. Suppressed passion unconditional love, hope, and optimism create a very engaging, exciting story !

Another solid sweet regency romance by Jennie Goutet. This one had all the melodrama you could ask for - women in perilous situations, rescues and self-rescues, and all driven by a mother’s dedicated love for her child. The set up for the romance begins in book 1, and while technically this can be read as a stand alone the romance is a bit more believable if you are introduced to the couple earlier on.

I really liked that the heroine was a young mother. It added a different depth to the story. Theo made me trust him as a good future step dad. And I'm so glad Arabella finally found people who loved her and supported her. It's so sad that in those days a mother could not have custody of her own child. My heart ached for her throughout the book for this reason. She deserved every bit of happiness she got in the end. Read for a sweet Regency romance about a single mom fighting for her independence in a world where she had no rights and no means for it. A touch of warning though. The heroine is almost always in fear for her son's life and well-being, and whether he might be taken from her. This triggered my anxiety a bit and kept me from enjoying the book as much. It's a shame for it is wonderfully written. This is not a criticism towards the book or the writer, simply my personal experience reading the book, and I can't say how others will experience the story. But I thought I might mention it in case it is relevant to other readers who might be sensitive to this.

Gourmet captures human emotions in a most effective manner. Even within the realms of fear and anxiety, the reader is strangely comforted and hopeful.

Regency romantic suspense?! I am here for it! Jennie Goutet is a must read author for me and this book may be one of my absolute favorites. If you love protective heroes and despicable villains you love to hate, you’ll enjoy this book! Arabella Northwick has constantly lived under the thumb of others. From her uncaring father & husband to now a tyrannical brother-in-law, widowed Arabella is forced to capitulate to his demands if she wants to remain with her little son. When circumstances become unbearable & fearing for her son’s life, she flees with David & runs to the one man she can trust. Theo Dawson has been enamored with Arabella since he first met her. Wanting to court her, his hopes are dashed when he realizes the controlling George Northwick would never allow anything between them. He returns to his mill in Newark & the unfulfilling work he never wanted. When Arabella shows up on his doorstep needing his help, he does everything in his power to protect her & find a way to free her from her brother-in-law’s clutches. I loved Arabella & Theo. They and little David make such an adorable family. Arabella is such a sympathetic character. She was put in such an untenable situation. Her willingness to do anything to protect her son was so admirable & my heart ached for her. I loved watching her grow more assertive especially with Theo’s love & support. I also loved how Theo’s sister & her friends in Lincolnshire rallied around her. Theo’s love & protectiveness of Arabella & David made him such a swoony hero. I loved his quiet gentleness, but also his fierce defense of Arabella. Their first kiss was amazing. There are some intense, suspenseful situations that had me on the edge of my seat. The last 3rd of the book was one twist after another. George is definitely abusive & manipulative & you just keep hoping he’ll get his due. Highly recommend this clean, romantic, suspenseful Regency! Though part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, however, readers familiar with the 1st book will enjoy seeing friendships rekindled & strengthened. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but also purchased through Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & voluntarily given.

A gripping story of a young woman who has never known love for herself until she meets the hero in the story. The heroine has been threatened and mistreated her whole life and now the guardian of her son continues the pattern. The heroine finds strength through her love of her son and the friendship of her neighbors. The hero wants to rescue the heroine but his rescue allows her todo so herself with his love and support. A great story of “family” not always being born into but created by choice and friendship. Well developed plot line and characters. The villain is truly an evil character. The other characters are introduced in the first book in the series but each can be read as a standalone… but why “cheat” yourself of a good book?! Can’t wait for the next one…

I loved this book so much! Getting to see all the friends from the first book together again. Honoria, Phillip. Christine, Gus. They are happiness on a page. Jennie Goutet is such a wonderful writer, I love that she doesn’t use the standard “ feisty” heroine like everyone else uses in Regency Romance. Arabella was so kind and gentle with a quiet strength, one of my favorite heroines. In fact all these ladies have the same sweet characteristics but with each their own personality. Theo , swoon! Kind , strong, reliable and his declaration of love. Be Still My Heart! I can’t wait for Christine’s story next and I hope Gus gets his own book too.