Daniel Hayle, the new Duke of Carlisle, returned from Waterloo a hero, and he has the wounds to prove it plus he hadn’t expected to be a Duke & was devastated when his older brother Nathaniel died. He dreads the upcoming London season as he never did the battlefield, where his lack of social skills & scars are certain to make it difficult to find a wife. What he needs is someone to help him practice socializing with the ton. Margery Kitteridge is still mourning the loss of her husband Aaron who died at Waterloo. So when she receives a blackmail letter accusing him of desertion, she’s desperate to protect his reputation. The answer to her troubles appears in the form of a damaged, reclusive and much-too-desirable duke in need of a wife. She proposes an alliance: she’ll help him find a bride, in return for the money, which will pay off the blackmailer as she has no intention of asking her family for help. But working so closely together awakens passions they never imagined possible, and reveals secrets that might tear them apart.
This is the third book in the series & could easily be read on its own. Another well written book with well fleshed characters, I loved both Daniel & Margery whose attraction sizzled but she was still mourning & he thought himself unlovable & hideous to look at. I loved how their relationship developed & grew. The first bedroom scene had a unforeseen surprise too. They were supported by strong, likeable secondary characters, Lady Tesh is my favourite, I love her machinations. The story flows well & was a lovely romance of two people who didn't expect to nor wanted to fall in love & then letting go of the past. There were a few very touching moments, Daniel & his valet & Margery & her father in law were two. A lovely addition to the series, which I found to be an engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I enjoyed this story. When I read the last page, my heart was full and my mind at ease. I love how a book can take you away.
This author was very specific about her story. It was one of a series but it read like a stand alone. Apparently the heroine's grandmother is sucessful at match her relatives to their current spouses. So, it was time for our heroine. She is a war widow and her husband was killed in battle. He was a brave and honorable man who fought against Napoleon. She has been widowed for about 7 years and she is staying with her grandmother on an island. Her grandmother invited a friend and friend's son to 'partake of the waters'. The son is a wounded warrior with facial scars and a limp. The heroine is attracted to him immediately and the same with the hero. But, in the meantime, the heroine had received a blackmail note that she needs to pay 100 pounds or there is will be stories released to the newspapers about how her husband was a coward and died running away from battle. The heroine doesnt have much money, but she offers to find a wife for the hero. She calls it a "conjugality coordinator", which I think sounds very racy.
This story started out slow, but picked up after a while. I really liked the therapy sessions and what the hero had to go through to increase his motion and lessen his pain. This story was very dramatic, but not too much. There were some racy scenes, but I was able to power through them. The story had a definite beginning and end. Thw characters grew and developed during the story. The supporting characters were neccessary and made sense. I enjoyed this story and give it 4.5 stars out of 4. The slow start .cause the reduction.

This was a fun, easy to read regency romance. I loved the idea of widow Margery trying to help Daniel, a socially awkward Duke, find a wife without entering the drama of London society. While taking him on excursions around the town she finds herself attracted to him and unable to match him with any eligible ladies. Due to his war injuries, he is scarred and walks with a cane and Margery finds herself defending him and demanding he see himself as she sees him. Watching their relationship bloom was a delight. And the side mystery of who was blackmailing Margery was an interesting sub plot. If you are a regency romance fan I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

Oh, my heart! Christina Britton has really outdone herself with this one. Tender, poignant, and deeply emotional, while sprinkled with enough humor and wit to keep it from turning dark, A Duke Worth Fighting For tells the story of two wounded souls who, together, find support, respect, healing, and unexpected love. I adored it!

Usually, I gravitate to couples where the hero is the stronger of the two but Britton has flipped the script with this story and it really worked for me. That's not to say Margery doesn't have her struggles - she does - but she's such a pillar of strength for Daniel, especially in the first three quarters of the book. I loved how she defended him, nurtured him, and helped him begin to realize his own worth. But I also appreciated, and understood, the tenuous foundation of her strength, especially as pesky feelings of desire and affection began to creep in, causing confusion and guilt. Grief is a tricky path to navigate and sometimes, just when you think you've mastered it, the pain and anger come rushing back to overwhelm you. As a widow myself, I applaud Britton for facing Margery's emotions head on and allowing them all to come pouring out. It is only after she confronts those emotions surrounding not only her husband's death at Waterloo but also the betrayal from someone she should have been able to count on that she is able to fully heal, find forgiveness, and move forward, with the realization that she has room in her heart to love again without guilt or regret.

And then there's Daniel. I just wanted to wrap his wounded, socially awkward self up in my arms and tell him everything would be okay. My heart ached for all he had endured, for the pain to both his body and his soul from the events at Waterloo, the pain of the rejection he had suffered since his return, and especially the childhood events that had so severely undermined his confidence and self worth. The evolution of his character was incredibly satisfying. I cheered aloud when he finally confronted his adversary and wept tears of joy when the love and acceptance from Margery allowed him to finally be vulnerable enough to open his whole self - body and soul - to her keeping.

Britton surrounds Margery and Daniel with a vividly depicted secondary cast of characters (both two and four-legged) who bring humor, intrigue, and wisdom to our couple's journey. Fans of the series will especially enjoy seeing the earlier couples living out their happily ever after while readers new to the series should be able to jump in here without too much confusion, though I enthusiastically recommend all three stories, with their intertwining characters.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

A Duke Worth Fighting For is the third in the Isle of Synne series. It can be read as a stand-alone, although I did enjoy the prior book and see some good points in the first one. But overall, this one’s my favorite due to the rich emotional arc.

I loved Margery. She is dealing with the loss of her husband, and also questioning his honor due to rumors she’s received courtesy of a blackmailer. Her conflicting feelings about her love for her husband and her growing feelings for Daniel, given all she finds out over the course of the story, made me feel for her.

I love a socially awkward hero, and Daniel very much is that. He also deals with trauma from his experiences during the Napoleonic Wars, which were so compassionately conveyed. The guilt he feels for some of what he believes happened really hurt my heart to read about.

While there is a blackmail element to the plot, which usually suggests something more suspenseful, it’s very much not that. It resolves in a way that is more understated, yet still hits hard, especially given what both Daniel and Margery have been through. I appreciate that this was a moment for them to demonstrate compassion, as opposed to demanding justice or vengeance.

This is a satisfying end to a trilogy, allowing readers of all three to also catch up with the previous couples, especially at the end with the epilogue. If you love historical romance and don’t mind an exploration of trauma and grief as part of the character arcs, I think you’ll enjoy this.

A Duke Worth Fighting For by Christina Britton was a nice tropetastic read!

All the ingredients for a good historical romance, but with what I’ve come to think of as the author’s signature Sad Feels as we come to book 3 of her Isle of Synne series.

In this latest instalment, we have disowned widowed noblewoman who married beneath her, Margery, receiving a blackmail note about her beloved late husband. Scrambling for funds, she offers to help matchmake our socially awkward and battle scarred duke, Daniel. Beauty and the Beast vibes and hijinks ensue!

It was a nice change of pace to read a non-alpha duke as Daniel was such a poor innocent little dear. I’ve never read a historical romance hero with such overtly low self-esteem, cowed by nearly everyone, when he would be the highest ranked person in every room he walked into. Like the heroine, I wanted to wrap him up in wool and just feed him tea and biscuits lol. It was just really nice to see Daniel develop confidence as the story unfolded.

I was also pleased with how Margery moved on from her grief through her friendship with Daniel. I loved their interactions as they were both rather taken with each other but hiding it. Her strong-willed but soft-spoken persona really complemented Daniel and made their relationship ring true.

There was some little niggling issues where this story differs from regency romance conventions and bothered me, but ultimately did not detract from the story. For instance, I wondered how in the world did Margery, a wealthy viscount’s daughter, manage to spend so much time alone with her first husband, the town’s blacksmith’s son, that they fell in love? Did she not have a chaperone? They also seem to socialise really freely and consider various and sundry tradespeople as marital prospects for Daniel. Instances like these drew me out of the story a bit, but I chalked it up to the author’s choice in having a setting where there was more movement between the classes. And that’s not a bad thing.

Overall, a a nice romp that will get you a bit in your feels!


Release: 24 August

Thank you to the publisher for the arc.

This is my first Britton book and I must say it grabbed me from the first chapter. It had a good flow and I liked the characters as well. At first I got a few characters confused because I had not previously read the books in the series. As I read though it became easier to differentiate. I think the chemistry was good, and the island setting made a great backdrop. I love an injured war hero so that had my attention. We have a widow who is blackmailed about her deceased husband. I actually teared up when our heroine visited her dead husband's family, even though widow stories are not usually my thing. It had some steam which I love. I would definitely pick up another Britton book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this regency romance and could not put it down. This is about two broken main characters who both need to heal to move forward. It's so great to have a book where you really just like both characters and want them to be happy. Margery is a widow, whose husband died at Waterloo. Daniel is the Duke who was badly injured at Waterloo. Of course there are meddling older relatives, which shocking, the main characters do not realize they are playing matchmaker. Instead Margery offers her help to Daniel in finding a wife. You know how this is going to go. Her reasons for helping? She's being blackmailed about her late husband and needs the money she is charging for her "conjugal coordinator" position.

There is a large cast of potential wives, and some of the scenes are laugh out loud funny. Clearly none of these women are the right wife material for the Duke. And through it all, Margery and Daniel grow closer and learn something about each other and themselves. I also liked the glimpses of small village life that these side characters provide.

There is a third act black moment but it's not a manufactured misunderstanding. Instead it's one of those events that you can rightly see how it could be impossible to overcome. And because it's a romance, it will be overcome.

I really liked Margery. She has a backbone and several times stands up to others who are horrible. This is no wallflower or someone afraid to go after what she wants. I also liked that she .was allowed to process her grief over the death of her husband, in whatever way and time she needed. This runs the gamut from cherishing the love they shared, being angry her husband went to war, the pain of the circumstances of his death, dealing with the blackmailer, visiting her father and her husband's family and sharing grief with them, and more. It's a full range of emotion and experiences. She's not some caricature of a widow hiding away from the world, either. She's spending time with her family and going out in her small community, And she finally learns that she can love again.

Daniel is also broken, both in body and soul. His injuries were serious and he has the scars and mobility issues to prove it. He also had his heartbroken by a woman he thought loved him but couldn't see past his scars. He's also lost his elder brother, who he adored, and he has suffered at the hands of a brutal cousin who enjoys knocking him down at every opportunity. That last character, the cousin, is probably the only one I couldn't see the point for, other than he gives Daniel the opportunity to finally say NO. There is a lot for Daniel to overcome and learn, and yes, as a romance, he learns it through the love of a woman. He's a good man, and finally he learns he deserves love and to love. He was a little more reticent than I expected but it always felt like shyness, someone uncomfortable in the world, and I like seeing him come out of his shell.

This is not a closed door romance but the sexy times scenes are not extra explicit either. I liked that Margery is the one who instigates their relationship. Again, she's no shrinking violet.

This book is part of a series but works fine as a standalone. I had not read any of the rest of the series and never felt lost. I am now interested enough to read the others and learn more about this charming family.

Overall I really enjoyed it. Regency romance fans should definitely check this one out.

CW: loss of a spouse, negative & rude comments about physical injuries, memories of war time battle including related nightmares

3.5 stars, rounded up

The last thing Daniel Hayle ever wanted was to be the Duke of Carlisle, but with the death of his beloved brother, the title fell to him. Daniel knows that he needs to marry and beget an heir as soon as possible. Always a bit socially inept and now horribly scarred and suffering from PTSD (thanks to Waterloo), the thought of going to London fills him with dread. So when his mother suggests he visit her good friend on the Isle of Synne so he can ease back into society, he jumps at the chance, maybe he will find a wife who can overlook his scars long enough to produce an heir.

Widow Margery Kitteridge lives on Synne with her grandmother, Viscountess Tesh, and is still mourning the death of her husband Aaron. Unlike most HR widows, Margery actually loved her husband, loved him so much that she defied her father to marry him and was disowned and when he died, she vowed to never marry again. She is horrified when she receives a letter insinuating that Aaron didn’t die honorably and threatens to expose his “cowardness” to the papers if Margery doesn’t pay the sum of £100. Margery doesn’t have the money and doesn’t want to ask any of her friends, so when socially awkward Daniel shows up, looking for a bride, Margery sees an opportunity to make the money. She offers to help Daniel navigate society and find a bride, for the very reasonable sum of £100!

This was another well-written installment of the Isle of Synne Series featuring a grieving widow and a scarred hero. The story has a definite “Beauty and the Beast” vibe, but it is more than that, it has blackmail, a heroine who truly loved (and still loves) her late husband, a hero who had insecurities long before he was scarred, a lot of emotion, very mild love scenes, cameos from previous characters, matchmaking relatives, all leading up to their HEA. The book was good, but not my favorite in the series, I liked Margery and Daniel, but I found their story very easy to put down, as I felt that it was a bit bland and slow-paced. This is the third book in the series and could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Taking over the dukedom after the death of his brother means Daniel must find a wife. But his battle scars make him a source of stares and rejection. Widow Margery, in need of funds to pay off a blackmailer, offers to serve as matchmaker. Margery is attracted to Daniel but too devoted to her late husband to give up mourning and remarry. What happens when a man and his matchmaker fall in love?

I loved these characters and the way their sweet yet passionate affair unfolded. Honestly, I just wanted to give Daniel a big hug after all he had suffered. I much prefer the shy heroes to the alphas, and Daniel gave me all the feels. Even though it took a while for Margery to come around, she was his perfect match.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A Duke Worth Fighting For is the third book in the Isle of Synne series by Christina Britton. The story focuses on the main character Margery, who we meet in book one. She soon becomes friends with newcomer Daniel, the Duke of Carlisle. The chemistry is undeniable, and sparks soon fly between the two. While this is part of the Isle of Synne series, it can easily be read as a standalone. There is some time devoted to bringing back previous main couples and giving the reader glimpses into their continuing happily ever afters, but this was Margery and Daniel's story.

The story of Daniel and Margery was a wonderful well written story by an author I have never read before. It was an enjoyable read, which after a quarter of the way through the story I don’t know where the time went. Daniel was a Duke, who never expected to be a Duke. He was in the war and was wounded and had scars which he was felt very awkward about. Margery was a widow who was being blackmailed and needed some money. She decides to help Daniel find a wife for a price. This story is about a man afraid to trust anyone and the women who teaches him about trust and in the process learns she can love again. This might have been the first book I have read by Christina Britton, but it will not be the last.
I received a copy of this ARC from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

A Duke Worth Fighting For, by Christina Britton. For a few hours in time I found my love of reading lost in this wonderfully written love story. As I progressed in the book, I felt the anticipation of that exciting moments when Daniel and Margery face head on the bonds that held them back from happiness. As soon as those bonds are broken, freeing the two I made the decision that this book, A Duke Worth Fighting For, is my favorite book of this year. There were many gentle, caring, loving, heartfelt moments that had me, the reader to truly appreciate what the writer wanted convey to her readers.
I read those meanings. I understood what the writer was saying, and I gladly take those meanings from this story with much respect. As if it was a movie, that is how the story read for me. The high moments of the love and the vivaciousness from the characters merriment twined together brought me much delight while reading this book. I noticed that the writer used a statement a little to much in the story.
While reading Daniel and Margery’s story I found myself admiring Daniels character all the more. I believe his character is the strongest one in the book. To read how his character trudged through all that has happened to him on his journey to Margery, showed how this book was worth the read. Margery was a fearsome character herself. By reading this story, I concluded that Margery, the soldier that she is, is Daniels strongest supporter and defensive backup.
Their sparkling affair scattered sparkles of dust throughout this very touching, sweet story. From their eye contacts and shared conversations, I could feel that strong, electrifying passion that they secretly held for each other. Of course there are some moments of comedic humor and comedic accidents. My favorites are the ones with Daniels mother, Margery’s grandmother, Freya and mouse are involved.
These moments contributed to the story being a page turner. For me there was nothing bland or dull in this story. I understood the conversations and I appreciate that the writer didn’t use flamboyant wording that could possibly lose me in the book. I enjoyed the entertainment. I loved intense moments during the realization of certain things that have been committed. And I love the strong bond from family that will always stands the test of time.
So my lovely readers, I recommend this book book with two snaps and a, “Mouse stop sniffing out Daniel and his trousers”. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

I LOVED this book! It ended up being my favorite of the series, though I loved them each so much!

Mrs. Margery Kitteridge lost her husband Aaron 4 years earlier in the battle of Waterloo. She still grieves his loss, and has no interest in ever marrying again. She receives a blackmail letter from someone claiming that her husband was seen deserting the battle, and asking for money to keep it quiet. She doesn't believe it can be true, but she will do anything to protect his memory, so she needs money fast!

Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlisle, is a survivor of Waterloo, but he was gravely injured. He has many scars, visible and invisible, and he will forever walk with a cane, due to his limp. He was always a shy, introverted man, and his older brother was the shining star and heir. But, with his brother's death the year before, the title fell to Daniel, and he needs to marry and produce an heir. First though, he needs to find a woman that isn't horrified by his scars, or his often bumbling social skills.

Margery and Daniel are both attracted to each other right away, but he needs a wife, and she has sworn to never marry again. She gets the idea to have him hire her as his matchmaker. She knows everyone on the Isle of Synne, and she's the perfect person to introduce him to all the eligible ladies, in exchange for the money she needs to pay off her blackmailer, though she doesn't tell him what it's for. But right away, she is experiencing jealousy at the idea of him finding another woman to marry, and I loved how confused she was by it! And none of the women appeal to Daniel, because he can't stop thinking about Margery. They were so twisted up and it was delicious!

Most of the side characters here were from the prior 2 books and I adore them all, especially the prior 2 main couples. I love the close friendship between Margery and Lenora. They are ride or die for each other and it's SO GREAT! And of course Margery's grandmother Lady Tesh is so fantastic, as always. She reminds me of Lady Violet, the hilarious grandmother in Downton Abbey, and I'm here for it!

Both Margery and Daniel had been through SO MUCH TRAUMA in their lives, and they really had a ton of stuff to work through before they had a chance of being happy. Normally a dead ex story is not my favorite thing, but this author made it work for me. I cried a couple different times throughout the story, as the writing touched me so much, but I also laughed, and sighed, and truly fell in love with both these characters, so hard. I adored them together, and I was pulling for them, even when things felt impossible, which is all I ever want out of a romance!

I highly recommend this entire series, as it was so enjoyable and wonderful! This author will be an auto-read for me from now on!

I have been looking forward to Margery's story because she deserved an HEA. There were several twists to this story that I didn't expect. Margery continues to be as brave and self-sufficient as in the previous books. That is good because Daniel needs someone who can help him be brave in the new world in which he has found himself. There were a couple of plot points that I would have streamlined to keep the focus on Margery and Daniel, but this was a good Regency novel overall.

Yet another great, well-written addition to the Isle of Synne series. We met Mrs. Margery Kitteridge in the first book of the series, A Good Duke Is Hard to Find, and I have been looking forward to her story since then. The book is a tad slow-moving and could have used a bit more excitement, but, overall, it was a lovely read.

Daniel Hayle was a bit of a wounded soul long before he left for war. He was very socially awkward and restless and always felt ‘less’ than he really was. None of that was helped by his cousin Gregory who took every opportunity to belittle Daniel. Now, the socially awkward Daniel is horribly scarred after being severely injured in the battle of Waterloo – and he is the new Duke of Carlisle after the untimely death of his much-loved older brother, Nathaniel. Daniel knows he must marry and produce an heir to keep his heinous, greedy cousin from inheriting the title. However, from painful experience, Daniel also knows that no woman will ever look at him without cringing away from him. The idea of the social season in London fills him with terror, so his mother’s suggestion of visiting her good friend on the Isle of Synne so he can ‘practice’ his social skills seems perfect. If he can find a bride on the Isle, he won’t have to step foot in London at all. He absolutely won’t be choosy when it comes to a bride. He doesn’t care if she is a milkmaid or a duke’s daughter – as long as she can stand him long enough to produce an heir, he’s good. What he absolutely does not want is someone he might come to love.

Margery has been living with her grandmother, Viscountess Tesh, on the Isle of Synne since her beloved husband, Aaron, died at Waterloo. Since Aaron was the son of a blacksmith and Margery was cut off by her father because she married against his wishes, she has definitely been living in reduced circumstances. After four years, Margery is still in mourning for Aaron and she never plans to marry again. Aaron was her world and she could never dishonor his memory by allowing another man to come into her life. Aaron was her hero, her knight in shining armor, her beloved, her soulmate, and she’ll always honor him.

Fortuitous circumstances bring the Duke of Carlisle and his mother to the Isle just as Margery receives a blackmail letter and needs to come up with a substantial amount of money. She quickly offers her services as a Conjugality Coordinator to Daniel. For the sum of one hundred pounds, she’ll see that he finds a bride within a month. Sounds like a great plan to Daniel and he takes her up on it. Since he requires almost nothing in his bride other than being able to look at him and his scars without cringing, it should be an easy task. Several unmarried young women are on the island, but can any of them get past the scars and social awkwardness to become the next Duchess of Carlisle?

I absolutely loved both Daniel and Margery. I loved watching Daniel begin to come to terms with his scars and awkwardness under the careful ministrations of Margery, and I loved watching Margery come to terms with her past and realize that she could still love and honor Aaron and open her heart to a new love at the same time. This book had an excellent epilogue that showed the healing of past hurts and the promise of a loving future. I can definitely recommend the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Margery has already experienced the love of her life - and was profoundly devastated by its loss. She is absolutely certain that she will never find its equal, and has resigned herself to a life spent caring for others and burying her dreams. A malicious letter changes that. Suddenly, Margery must navigate an impending scandal and begins to question all of her own assumptions about the past.

Margery has no resources of her own. She is desperate to meet the demands of her blackmailer but has nowhere to turn. Enter Daniel. The enigmatic, battle-weary veteran whose social awkwardness is hampering his search for a wife. Daniel is a reluctant duke. He wants a wife for more than duty, but is convinced that his emotional and physical scars are repulsive. He knows that his situation is hopeless. Margery strikes a bargain with him - she will find him a suitable wife in exchange for a fee. The problem is that Margery has captivated him, even though she's made it abundantly clear she is unavailable.

Margery is far from immune to the allure of the tall, imposing duke with the voice that is "dark and deep, with a delicious timbre that is as rich and mouthwatering" as the chocolate she consumes every morning. His injuries do not bother her- she finds him compelling and irresistible. And Daniel finds it harder and harder to suppress his yearning for the sweet, solicitous, entrancing widow.

I adored this slow burn romance with a scarred hero and a mature widow. I was heartbroken by the fact that Daniel' s experiences in war have left their stamp on him - his use of a cane and his self -doubt were extremely realistic depictions of the emotional trauma inflicted on soldiers. I was touched by Margery's realization that love doesn't just come once, that the heart is open and resilient and has an endless capacity for care.

These two broken souls who have seen the world trample on their dreams finally surrender to the possibility between them. They are forced to acknowledge it will change the course of their lives, and nothing - not blackmail, not self-doubt, not social expectations- can keep them apart.

How to pair a socially inept and scarred peer when you want him for yourself …

As the first two chapters set the plot in motion, I quickly saw where it would lead the heroes and me as who was the culprit. My questions were it would be done.

I loved Margery, she has been and still is a strong woman, going against her family’s wish to marry the man of her heart. A decision she never regretted even if she is left a widow and facing ruin if she can’t acquire the means to silence the blackmailer who wants to blemish her late husband’s name. She does not doubt him honorability, she just wants to protect his reputation.
Daniel was never meant to be a Duke, he is no ton material, worse he retreated after the war into his shell of a skin, already awkward among society, his battlefield’s scars left him even more wary when in company.
He became self conscious of his appearance, seing judgement when there were not always one. Even more as his discomfort is fueled by a bullying cousin who is determined to bring him down.

Both are instantly drawn to one another but prefer to stay deaf and blind about their attraction, still dealing with the pain of their past. Why at time I was upset at Margery, why confine her life to one love when she could have more, her devotion to her late husband is ill advised, protect his name, yes; but restrict herself to a life of loneliness, no. Daniel is much straightforward but not one to push, but his kindness and gentleness helped to open her eyes.

I much loved that each had its own journey to go through before anything between them came possible. And it is a path they have to undertake alone. This no easy trip to the past, but by revisiting it, it clears things. For healing is a burdensome and lonely heart affair. Even if each one stand by the other when needs be.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Forever, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

When Margery Kitteridge receives a blackmail letter accusing her deceased husband of desertion at the battle of Waterloo, she offers her services as matchmaker to hero and war veteran Daniel Hayle, Duke of Carlyle.

The first part of this book was a little bit slow-moving with Margery introducing Daniel to debutantes. I loved how awkward Daniel is with women in this book, it made for some funny scenes in the beginning. The steam really picked up in the back half when Daniel and Margery agree to act on their mutual attraction for one night. It quickly becomes more than one night but both have psychic wounds to heal before they can be together.

Daniel has battle scars on his face and body that he believes renders him unlovable. Margery is still mourning the loss of her first love and commoner husband. I loved that both characters are dealing with baggage and have trauma to work through. It puts them on equal footing. -Once they actually get together, the book becomes a lot faster-paced and much more enjoyable. I really struggled to stay engaged with the first half as other reviewers mentioned. But once they stopped denying their attraction, I liked the story a lot more. It also wrapped up nicely at the end.

Characters from the first two books make appearances but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I read those books a while back and really couldn't remember them. You can read this book as a standalone.

This is my favorite book of the Isle of Synne Series so far!

I really liked the way Daniel’s character was written. He has battle scars, is socially awkward, and is big and clumsy. I liked that he wasn’t a charming smooth-talker because it made him much more complex and interesting. Daniel was written in such a way that I sympathized with his character and was rooting for him to find his HEA. Our heroine, Margery, was a fun character to read, especially when she was battling her attraction to Daniel.

There is one part of this book that you will have to stretch your imagination to believe because it is too much of a coincidence. It is integral to the conflict in the book, so I'll leave it there to avoid spoilers.

I enjoyed the characters, steamy romance scenes, and the supporting characters of this book. I recommend it to all romance readers.

4.5 rounded up