This is a sweet and romantic story of two strangers that meet on a journey out of necessity. I enjoyed both the characters of the hero and heroine. They are charming and sweet. This is the first book of a three novella series by this author. Although, this is a series, it can be read as a standalone book. I would recommend this book for a short and sweet afternoon read.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I liked this story very much. It kept me wanting to know how Louise and Alistair were going to admit to each other that they were in love. They each knew it in their own hearts but admitting it to each other was another thing. It was great taking the journey with them in the carriage ride and "feeling" the emotions along the way. Sophie has a great gift of written expression and I really enjoyed this book. I received a kindle copy of the book from netgalley.

It was an okay book. I kind of thought it was a bit drawn out.

Educated, but impoverished gentry, Louise Potter doesn't have a lot of choices when it comes to making money. When she is acquires a position as a governess to three boys, she knows she's going to have her work cut out for her. What she doesn't expect is to share a carriage with her new employer's dashing uncle. Alistair is everything Louise could want, unfortunately she knows that due to her position she could never have it.

The novella is an interesting format and one that is just starting to come into its own. However, there is an inherent danger that things and conflicts can be rushed and unfortunately that is somewhat in play here. Louise and Alistair are great characters. Like the hero, I loved Louise's honesty and candor. The two played well off of each other and I enjoyed their banter. Unfortunately the resolution to the conflict was a little too pat. Too neat. Which had me knock it down a star.

This is still a fun, light regency read and I recommend it on that alone.

Four Stars.

** I received an ARC through NetGalley

I like Sophie Barnes, I just didn't think this was her best effort. The premise is good, the characters are interesting-ish, but the story suffers from being a novella. The short length meant that the characters were not terribly fleshed out. I wasn't entirely sure what made either character unique or special and they could have been any two people on a long carriage ride. The story says (paraphrase) "We talked for hours in the carriage and shared most personal stories." Sooo apparently that is supposed to be good enough for the reader to feel like these characters are getting to know each other and fall in love. I would prefer being shown rather than told.

Publisher's Description:

Temptations or Priorities…?

Determined to help her oldest sister make ends meet, Louise Potter accepts a governess position in the northern part of England. If this means accompanying an older gentleman on his travels, then she will. There’s only one problem: Louise is about to discover that her travelling companion is not the elderly man she expected, but rather seduction itself…

Alistair Langley has no desire to share his carriage with his niece’s newly hired employee. But the matron he expected to find at his door is instead a beautiful young woman, one he knows he can’t travel alone with. After all, he’s going to visit his brother who is pressuring him to marry and produce a Langley heir—or be cut off from inheritance. When he confides in Louise, together they form a plan. But the closer they become, the more temptation beckons…

Until finally a choice must be made: Love or money? Or is it possible to have both?

My Thoughts:
I am reading all three of these novellas and I accidentally read book #2 first. It is OK to read them out of order though as the first two reveal nothing of the content of each other. They do fit nicely together though they are fine to be read as standalone titles.

Assumptions can most definitely lead to surprises.!

Louise Potter's family has a desperate need of funds so when she is offered the position of governess to three young boys she readily accepts. Her new employer also offers her a ride to her new position with the uncle of her new employer. Her employer's oldest son is eleven after all so the man must be nearly in his dotage..

On his way to meet the lady his brother has arranged for him to marry, Alistair Langley has no desire to share his carriage ride with the governess his niece has hired, but he loves his niece and relents. The woman must be in her forties and stuffy anyway, so he intends to spend the journey sleeping.
Imagine both their surprises to find young, attractive and desirable people rather than their mistaken assumptions.

Can this inopportune beginning lead to a love neither thought to ever find?

I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and an sensual rating of 2 of 5 flames. This is a sweet rather than steamy romance.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This was really somewhere between a novella and a novel. A young lady, newly hired as a governess , is to travel to her new position with the uncle of her employer. Assuming him to be an older gentleman, she agrees. He is expecting a boring, middle aged spinster. Both are shocked to find they are both young, attractive and desirable. He brings a maid along for safety, the maid becomes ill on the first stop, and they travel alone further. Both fight the attraction they feel. His brother wants him to settle down and marry at their destination. She plans to help support her family. It’s a sweet story, with two other novellas written by the author taking place simultaneously. The stories fit together nicely about the three sisters.

It is an amazing read. I would have loved there to be an epilogue to know more. But I hope that there will be a bit in the next books. It is very well written and true to its time period. The characters are well described and develops through the story. I was caught from first to last chapter. It has a lot to it; laughs, sighs, hot chemistry and one steaming scene. It is so touching and it feels like you are there with the characters on their trip. A sweet story that was full of love, laughs and chemistry.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

This is the first story in a series of 3 novellas about the Potter sisters. This story is about Louise. She is on her way to Whitehaven to begin her life as a governess.
Alistair is the heir to a dukedom. He has been summoned to Whitehaven to see his brother, the Duke. He is asked to escort Miss Potter to Whitehaven. They spend over a week traveling together in the carriage, where you see their relationship develop and grow.
Of course it is not smooth sailing. He is on his way to meet the Lady whom his brother has arranged for him to marry.
Louise feels she is not of the same class as he.
So will they work it out?
Of course they will.

This is Louise and Alastair’s story. Louise is on her way to be a governess for Alistair’s niece. He is to share a carriage with her to Whitehaven. His brother wants him to marry or be cut off. She has to work to help support her sisters. They fall in love but she thinks they can’’t marry. He proves her wrong. I can’t wait to read the next novella in the series.

I normally don't read novellas because they're usually too short for the romance and love to be credible. Unfortunately, that is how I felt after reading this novella. There was chemistry between Alistair and Louise, but what was supposed to be portrayed as love felt like lust. If you like novellas, I'd say try this one out. But, if you're like me and novellas move too quickly to the HEA to be believable, then skip this read.

Louise, her older sister Josephine, and her younger sister Eve, have been left as close to destitute, as one could be. Josephine, being the oldest, already has gone to work, as an Accountant, to save their home, however, in order to give Eve a Season, Louise must take a job as a Governess.
Lord Alastair, younger brother , and heir to a Duke, is charged with bringing the new Governess to his neice's home, close to Christmas. He is expecting a middle-aged lady, Louise is expecting the Uncle to be middle aged! Both are in shock, Louise is a stunning beauty, while Lord Alastair is young, fit, and Extremely handsome!
The trip becomes witty, encouraging a closeness between the two! I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
Carolintallahassee 👒

This is a really sweet short story about forbidden love. Louisa and Alistair had no idea that their journey of just a week would bring love to their lives. The courage to defy convention from the beginning makes this story stand out. I wish it was longer (especially the carriage scenes) to give their characters more depth. Very nice read.