This was a tender and romantic novel between two childhood friends. Lady Collette (Lettie) and Daniel, the Duke of Linwood, were originally to marry. However, Lettie begged Daniel to release her from their betrothal, having fallen in love with another man. Having followed her husband onto the battlefields for six years, she returns to London a widow. Lettie finds Daniel still unwed and her parents, pushing them to marry. Daniel, having lost his father and then Lettie, finds himself at another crossroad, with an event that changes his perspective on how to live his life.
I found both characters to be characters that were passionate in their feelings and beliefs. Whilst this was meant to be a novella, McKnight has done a wonderful job of drawing together a great storyline and bringing these wonderful characters to life. This is always a challenge for a novella but I felt I knew these characters from the beginning chapters. The struggles faced by these characters was expressed with great sensitivity. A truly enjoyable story.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

excellent read.

Two broken people, one broken betrothal and shattered dreams - will Lettie and Daniel be able to find their way back to each other?
When Lettie returns to London as a widow after having followed the drum for six long years, she doesn't expect to find Daniel, the Duke of Linwood still unwed. And she definitely didn't expect her parents to push her into another marriage so soon after having lost her husband and while still being in mourning.
Her family expects her to forget but how can she forget everything that she has seen? Everything she has lived through?
It took something even worse than losing his betrothed to make Daniel realize that his life has to change. He failed more than one person but this one....what happened there is nothing he will ever forget. Never ever. That was the day his life changed. Irrevocably and for the better. Will this be enough to win Lettie back?

I' ve read many books about these times where women followed the drum but I've never "met" any heroine who was as touched by this experience as Lettie. Her life hadn't prepared her for this and having returned, it is hard, no, it is impossible for her to slip back into her former life.
I really loved those amazing and complex characters with their struggles and their passion. I loved their flawed characters and how they slowly find their way to each other despite all her parents' machinations. Oh, her parents, well, let's just say - they didn't win many brownie points with me with the way they pushed Lettie, especially so soon after her loss.
And of course there's also Lord Gable. The less we talk about him the better. Shock and rage are all I feel when I think of him and it's even worse because he is fictional and I can't even do anything about it.

Well written, (mostly) wonderful characters, a gripping story - and much heartbreak, I really enjoyed reading this book and was happy to see our hero and our heroine get their long HEA.