Cute story, I love books with strong women and the men that don’t try to change them. This book is part of a series but you don’t have to read the rest to know what’s going on.I enjoyed this book and would recommend it . Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

4 stars

Not a bad romance. As it's the end of the series I think it was a good way of seeing old characters and tying up odd ends. I missed out as I haven't read any of the others! It was clean romance and the character of the heroine. Athena was well drawn. I felt Robert was a bit two dimensional. He tended to want to 'take care' of our heroine, who to me seemed fine on her own. I like a bit of passion so I probably won't search for the rest of the series but I think this book was worth reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

An Unexpected Temptation was a pleasant read. The characters were likable and relatable. Although the plot had to move along a bit quicker than usual because it is a novella, the problem and the character development was believable and enjoyable to read. If you are looking for a nice quick read this book is a good choice.

If I could, I'd actually give this 3.5 stars. It's a super quick little read, which is good. Partially because it's so short, it felt like the story was rushed. I wish the characters and their relationship would have had more time to develop, although it seems like they were both peripheral to previous novellas in the series and it might help to have read all of the others. There was also a fair bit about "taming" the female protagonist, something that always squicks me out in romance novels. Overall, it was fun and light reading for a gloomy evening.

I really enjoyed this book by Sophie Barnes. It is the last book in the series called the Townsbridges. When I read the book before this, I had to read this book. This is about Athena who 6 years ago stood up in church during Robert’s wedding to stop it from happening because Robert’s bride was in love with her brother. After this incident, Robert did not want anything to do with any of the Townsbridges. Athena always felt guilty how she told Robert the bad news but never had a chance to apologize. Athena and her family were staying for the holidays at a house party and she realized she was close to where Robert lives, so she decides to pay him a visit to apologize. When Robert sees her, he was angry, still hurt, then realized she grew up, then had feelings for her. Athena did not know or understand what she was feeling. I finished this book in one afternoon because the writing was so smooth, I could not wait to finish it. I have liked all Sophie Barnes books I have read, and this is no exception.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I know it is a novella, so it is going to be short. And I know we have already been introduced to these characters in previous stories. But it was just boring once you finish the first part. I had high hopes, but the hero falls in love with the heroine immediately. The heroine apparently has no idea what sexual attraction is, so she is confused. The hero immediately gets permission to court and of course she says yes. The only drama is will he or won't he show up at the wedding. Very little happens in this story, so I would suggest it only if you want to finish out the family tree.

My most anticipated book from the Townsbridge series. I’ve loved the character of Athena in the past four books, so I was very much looking forward to her story. In thiis novella we get to know Robert (who was in the first book) a little better, also. I was hoping for more spunk from Athena & maybe more humor, I know she’s older now but still. Robert was definitely better than the first time we met him and I’m glad that he finally got his HEA. The epilogue was very satisfying! Overall, I enjoyed this collection of novellas and I can’t wait to check out Sophie’s full length novels.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review .

Book five in a series of novellas.
Alethea Townsend stops the wedding of Robert Carlisle. It still bothers her so six years later she wants to apologize. She gets trapped at his estate in a blizzard.
Quick, fun read, likeable characters.
Get to revisit Townsend family.

I have loved this whole series! Athena are Robert's story was by far the best. She destroyed his wedding years ago, when they meet once again, Robert soon discovers Athena has turned into the woman he wants for the rest of his life. Readers will love this book.

I haven’t read the other books in this series, but it was ok as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this enemies to friends to “he wants more but she is unsure of her feelings” storyline. It was cute and short.

I’ll look into other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

The fifth and final Townsbridge book, An Unexpected Temptation sees the youngest Townsbridge sibling, Athena, find her own love, in a rather unexpected place. When she was 14, she spoke up at the wedding of a close family friend, Robert Carlisle, now the Marquess of Darlington, and was the catalyst for his bride jilting him, and running of with his best friend, Athena's older brother. Since then, Robert has cut all ties with the family, but Athena will not give up trying to apologise. When her and the family are spending Christmas at the neighbouring estate, Athena decides to sneak off to Robert's home, and apologise in person, once and for all. And when the weather draws in, and she is marooned, alone, with him, he starts to reconsider everything he thought. The young rascal he once knew has become a beautiful hellion, and Robert is now thinking it's time for him to settle down, and with Athena.

This book was only the third I've read by this author, and in this series, but it is definitely my favourite. The trope of friends to lovers, even if they've been estranged for some time, is a favourite of mine, and the sheer chemistry and affection between Athena and Robert was phenomenal. I simply devoured this book, and with the way both main characters grew and developed into a couple, and overcame so many difficulties, I was enthralled. A perfect ending, and everything I could've asked for!

I couldn't wait for Athena's story. We've watched her grow up thru out the different books of the Townsbridge series. She was the vibrant, no nonsense, most untraditional hoyden, who the ton looked down upon.
Ironically, of all her siblings, Althena's story is the most traditional of courtships. I loved the irony also in her choice of a husband, Robert. 6 years previous, at the age of 14, she stood up in church and stopped Robert's wedding,when she announced his fiancee was in love with her brother.
They reconnect after 6 years and the attraction between them is instantaneous.
I liked the irony in this story but I also felt Athenas story should have been more adventurous as she was.
I did love the way Robeet treated her with kidd gloves, allowing her to understand the feelings she was experiencing for the first time.
4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I couldn't wait to read Athena's story. It was a good book but could have been longer. Athena wants to make amends with Robert. She goes out of her way to try and do it. Robert is not receptive at all. Athena doesn't give up and so the tale begins. I would read it again.

Athena Townsbridge wants to apologize to Robert Carlisle, Earl of Langdon. Six years ago when she was fourteen, she stopped his wedding. His bride really loved her brother. Since then he has refused any offer of reconciliation. Athena's made up her mind to apologize. For two days she's stranded at his house in a snowstorm, Robert realizes he loves her and is determined to court her. Her love and trust will be put to the test. The last book of the Townsbridge siblings is just a entertaining as the rest.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Athena stopped Robert's wedding several years ago because her brother was in love with the woman. Athena came to apologize to Robert for destroying the wedding. They are both trapped together when a snow storm comes and Athena grows to love Robert. I enjoyed the cast of characters and the chemistry between Robert and Athena.

Both Athena and Robert are unexpectedly tempted when they meet up after six years. Athena had drastically changed Robert’s life by her past action. Robert has to forgive her and she has to follow her heart. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

This was an easy read involving a sweet romance with a happy ever after ending. My one complaint would be that it was short. But Loved it
Thank you NetGalley

I heartily enjoyed this wrap-up of the Townsbridge siblings from an unusual Regency family that believes in marrying for love. Athena Townsbridge, however, did not seem fated to have her HEA. As a young girl, she had been brave enough to halt the wedding of the woman her brother loved. Robert Carlisle was humiliated at the altar, a scorned groom. She became a scandal before she ever made her come-out. Athena was seen by the ton as an oddity, a bit of a hoyden, someone to avoid. But her spirit remained bright and even if she was impulsive at times, she was never cruel or unthinking. If you have read the series, Athena is a key player in many a love story, so seeing her happy matters. She decides that before that can happen, she needs to apologize to Robert, now Marquess of Darlington. So she rides over to apologize, only to receive a cold welcome.
Were it not for snow, her apology would fall short, but because of a storm, Athena has to remain at his neighboring estate for several days. This is a novella, short but sweet, with Robert's recognition that Athena is his fate just really delicious. I love that he recognizes that Athena is someone to be wooed, respected but not shaped into a traditional society girl. He gets her in a way that even her family doesn't. This love story ends the family saga beautifully. (I received an ARC from NetGalley; opinions mine.)

This was a surprisingly traditional read - in fact, I don't think I have read a regency in a long time that had such a (mostly) normal courtship. The Townsbridge family has been through a LOT over the years. Including the book that started it all, where Athena's older sister almost married Robert, the Marquess of Darlington (when he was an Earl). At the wedding, Athena (at age 14) objected to the marriage on the basis that Robert's fiance was in love with Athena's brother Charles. This was a total disaster for Athena and Robert from a social perspective. And really - things should have never gotten that far. In the ensuing six years, Athena has grown up - but is still a bit of a wild child (at least for the era). She is fairly non-conformist and impulsive. Robert on the other hand has been wallowing in grief and depression. He has not had an easy time of it - mostly from a sense of self-pity and legitimate loss.

When Athena is reminded that Robert is spending time on his estate nearby to the house party she is attending, she sets out to personally apologize to him. Athena refuses to leave without seeing him - and ends up staying due to a sudden snow storm. From that point forward, Robert is smitten and sets out to woo Athena is an almost shockingly traditional way.

This is an almost four star read. The only thing I didn't like - and at first thought it might be a plot device for Robert to learn from (but was sadly disappointed about) - was Robert's repeated statement that Athena needed a "firm hand" and "a husband to guide her." Athena was definitely young - but I don't think she needed anyone's guidance or firm hand. I think she needed someone to love her for who she was without wanting to change her. I think Robert did love her as she was - but I am really disappointed in him for wanting to curb her in any way.

Overall, I did enjoy the book a lot. Its definitely been an unconventional series - so this end to the series was surprisingly, conventional!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Robert may be a Marquess but he's had his share of bad luck. He's had debts to pay and he's been unlucky in love, as he's been jilted twice. Six years ago he was supposed to be getting married but young Athena Townsbridge told him his bride was in love with another man. Now Athena is all grown up and Robert finds himself wondering if third time could be the charm.

This is a quick little read that I enjoyed although it's so short that everything falls into place rather easily and a little more courtship might have been nice. At one point of the book a person goes inexplicably missing from an important event and I was expecting for some attempts to inquire or at least expressions of concern by that person's parent but that never happened.