by Mary Balogh
Part of Westcott, book 8
First published 2021
Harry Westcott once held the title Earl of Riverdale until his father's bigamy stripped him of everything. He fled to the Napoleonic Wars, where enemy fire nearly killed him. The cheerful boy who left England returned as a wounded, withdrawn man who claims to prefer isolation. Lydia Tavernor has tasted freedom since her husband's death. Reverend Isaiah Tavernor demanded service and obedience throughout their marriage. Now she dreams of taking a lover but refuses to bind herself to another husband. Both insist they enjoy their solitary lives, yet doubt creeps in. When circumstances leave them alone together one evening, Lydia asks a simple question that changes everything: "Are you ever lonely?" Harry's honest response opens a door neither expected, forcing them to confront what they truly want versus what they think they need.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adult, adult-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, second-chance
Setting: England, Napoleonic Wars
Period: 19th-century
400 pages · Kindle Edition · Berkley
Content warnings: war