I really adore this series & was lucky enough to have been given Athena’s story! After finishing the last one I couldn’t wait to read this one! I LOVED it so much! Athena & Robert are a perfect match! So these two actually have a past, Robert was best friends with Athena’s eldest brother before she stopped a wedding were Robert was the groom.....so there’s a scandal and society isn’t always kind. Robert has been away for 6yrs dealing with his fathers death & estates. When away for holiday, Athena finds out Darlington*Robert* is near by, she comes up with a plan to visit alone in hopes to apologize! Thus starts our love story! These two get stuck in Roberts home for a few days due to a snowstorm. While stuck together, Athena starts having these feelings she’s unsure of...while Robert has lustful feelings. He realizes that Athena is the one for him & is going to woo and court her. Once home, Athena starts to understand her feelings & it’s Robert she wants! Well these two seriously have some serious chemistry & the build up was amazing! I enjoyed watching these two fall in love and get a well deserved HEA! Robert is the most swoon-worthy hero!*fans self* I’m sad to see this as an end to the series but so happy to have enjoyed the Townsbridge family! Just so wonderful!

This is George and Margaret’s story. There parents want a match between them. Margaret has misjudged George. She thinks he is a rake. She agrees to a three month courtship. I loved the story. I can’t wait for Sophie’s next book.

This final book in the Townbridge series brings us full circle. Athena, the young trouble-maker from the first book in the series is grown up and ready to find happiness. Robert, the rejected fiance, is surprised to find he wants to be her happiness.

This was my favorite story in the series. I loved the characters who are richly developed within a short novella. I appreciated that this isn't a cliche romance about a childhood crush. Athena has no understanding of the feelings she is developing and, despite the brevity of the story, both the author and Robert, give her time to figure it all out. Robert, for his part, has spent the past six years, since Athena stopped his wedding, dealing with his anger and embarrassment as well as restoring his family finances. He is now surprised to find himself at a place where he is ready to forgive everyone much less take a wife and start moving forward with life. It is nice to see him restored to the Townbridge family fold given his previous close relationship to Athena's brother.

All in all, for a novella, it is everything you could expect and want.

Another well written and highly engrossing Regency Romance.
The history between Athena and Robert should keep them far apart. Too bad chemistry keeps getting in the way. What a wonderful book. Sophie's a marvel and never let's me down.
Thank you Sophie Barnes and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

This is a short but entertaining read. It is the conclusion of the Townsbridge children's stories. I read this series out of order and with this book there is heavy reference to previous events in the first book which I have not read but this wasn't an issue.

I would have happily have read a full length novel with these characters. I was loathe to leave them. There was such chemistry between Athena and Robert the sparks were exploding off the page.

I love a good enemies to lovers story and this one did not disappoint. A must for all those looking for a quick read and a fondness for spunky heroines and reclusive heroes.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Another charming novel from Ms. Barnes with the romance, humour, and warmhearted telling you've come to expect. Familiar characters, familiar tropes, and yet it all comes together in a quick and easy to read romantic romp that escapes the everyday mundane.

A beautiful story . A very good way to end the series of the Townsbridges .
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

This is the final book of The Townsbridges historical romance novella series. I read the last two books first and was able to follow the storyline without an issue.
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Athena has always been strong-willed and marches to the beat of her own drum. She broke up her friend Robert’s wedding years ago because she knew his wife-to-be was in love with someone else. They haven’t spoken since. Athena really wants to apologize but she may end up dealing with more than she bargained for.
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The pacing and spunky characters really sold this book for me. I would happily read full-length books based on these characters. This also played a little on the friends to enemies to lovers premise which I like in romantic storylines. Overall, a quick, enjoyable historical romance read which is great when you aren’t in the mood for something too heavy!
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this boon. The review expresses my own personal opinions.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Despite a wrong done, there is always the chance for forgiveness. What a well told story with characters that will warm your heart. Nothing terribly risque nor sultry so suitable for most any reader.

This book is the fifth and final book in the Townsbridge book. Although I have not read the other four in this series I had really high hopes for this one, as I really enjoy regency romance, and even more I love enemies to lovers romance.

What I liked about this book:
- a non-conformist, too-reckless-for-her-own-good heroine who is holding out hope for true love rather than a Ton marriage
- a reclusive man who is brought back to society because of love and lust
- man accepts the women just as she is rather than cage her and transform into someone she is not

What I did not like:
- the quick way Robert forgot all his misgivings about Athena just because she has grown up into a pretty women. It did not seem realistic at all.

I would like to thank the author, and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest review.

This was really fun to read, and I didn't feel like I had 'lost out' by not having read the previous books - though I may check them out now, because I found this one to be light and well-written. The characters felt quite real, and I enjoyed the building tension between the two of them. I was not expecting some of the things that happened in the course of the story, though I did feel a little disappointed when the ending was a 'fade to black' type situation - it felt frustrating, honestly, after so much build-up.

Overall, though, a fun read with some good writing, which I don't always get when reading historical romance shorts!

This is a quick suck you in novella that I straight up consumed in one go. Athena is not like the rest of society. She’s stubborn, free spirited, and although she does care what everyone thinks she still just does her own thing.

Robert’s been through the ringer. However he’s finally getting his life together when Athena makes an appearance and won’t take no for an answer. She’s determined to make things right between him and her family after her part on his ruined attempt at marriage years ago.

His anger, her determination, and snow leaves them stuck together where they realize the other isn’t the same person they once knew. Feelings grow, and bonds are mended, but will they make it to the alter?

Enjoyed it a lot and wished for more!

Athena, a rambunctious young woman is looking for her love, but because of her behavior and an unfortunate incident when she was 14, she knows it will be difficult to find someone who will ignore her eccentricities. While staying with family, she learned that the man she jilted six years ago, lives close. Desperate to attempt to make amends, she shows up at her doorstep. Robert Carlisle, the Duke of Darlington, has had years of unfortunate incidents happen to him. His first fiancee leaves him for his cousin, his second fiancee leaves him at the alter after 14 year old Athena Townsbridge stands up in church and says his fiancee is in love with her brother (who happens to be his good friend), and more recently his father has died, leaving behind a mountain of debt. After working hard this past year to overcome the debts, the unexpected happens, Athen shows up at his doorstep trying to apologize, and worse, it starts snowing and she is forced to stay a few days with him. Surprisingly, he soon discovers he has fallen in love with her and she with him. I enjoyed this story and really enjoyed seeing the relationship between Athena and Robert grow.

The Unexpected Temptation By Sophie Barnes

Six Years had passed since Athena Townsbridge disrupted her brother’s ex friend’s wedding Robert Marquess of Darlington and they all haven’t spoken since. Athena has now become an adult and as the spirited young woman she decides it’s time to apologise for the hurt she caused to right the wrong from in the past so everyone can be happy again.

Humour and a little sad at times . Another well written book by Sophie Barnes

A sweet book about the power of love and forgiveness. If you managed to essentially ruin someones life when you were fourteen years old could you expect forgiveness as an adult?

Liked the start and the cover is cool. interested seeing more of Barnes work and the dress on the cover is stunning. intrigued to know more about this series.

Another great novella from Sophie Barnes! I hadn't read Charles and Bethany's story, so I didn't know the entire backstory but I don't think that interfered with my ability to enjoy this story. Athena is such a refreshing character - I loved that she didn't regret having stopped Robert's wedding to Bethany, only that what she did had hurt Robert so badly. The part where Robert came to realize he would not have been happy with Bethany and that everything had worked out for the best was one of my favorite moments between him and Athena. I also appreciated that Athena never lost faith in Robert when he did not show for the wedding - other authors would have made that a scene in which Athena cut Robert out and he had to make a grand gesture right at the end to win her back. Her determination to find out what happened showed her strength of character since she had so many family members convinced he had abandoned her as revenge for what she had done to him years before. The only thing I would have liked to have had more of was the reconciliation between Robert and Charles - it is clear by the end that they have put the past behind them, but I would have liked to have had just one more scene between the two.

First time to read this author and it will be the last. I did not care for it and would not recommend it.

Wow--I loved this quick an light read as the conclusion of the Townbridge Series! Just when I was ready to tie this one off in the HEA, I see there will be a prequel. I can't wait. In the meantime, I may re-read the whole series. We finally have the story of Athena and Robert. She wrecked his wedding and his life some 6 years earlier--wrecking included not holding her peace at that crucial moment. She knows she did the right thing, but feels guilty about how she did it, and the resulting consequences to Robert. So, she begins with showing up unannounced and unwanted at his house. You know, in the world of romance, it's both uphill and downhill from here. Lovely story and I highly recommend it! It's cold outside, so cozy up to this to lift your spirits and warm your heart.

Six years ago, she destroyed his happiness. When she bursts back into his life, he's determined to shut her out. But when they're stuck together in a blizzard, can she win his forgiveness…and his heart?

Athena is a delightful heroine, too reckless for her own good, but with a big heart. I love how Robert accepts her just as she is—recognizing that the way to handle her high spirits is not to cage her but to let her fly.

The plot seemed pretty predictable for a Regency novella until about the 3/4 point, when it took a turn I didn't expect. Seeing Athena grow and prove her devotion was lovely.

Heat level: sweet
Tropes: holiday, brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, forced proximity

I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.