As someone who doesn't usually pick up this genre of romance, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! While predictable and even the mystery component was easy to guess, I still found a newfound appreciation for Perri's storytelling and it lived up to my expectations. I would read her again!

This book has all the feelings! There is sadness, laughter, frustration, and lots of hopefulness. Susanna has endured a horrible marriage, but all she feels is relief. She is an amazing character. When Benedict shows up, she has to deal with her previous infatuation with him. He is strong willed and thinks he knows what he wants out of life. But is he right? I enjoyed this story immensely. It was easy to read and hard to put down until finished!

It's the third book in the Tempting Tycoons series, but as it's a complete story, it reads well as a standalone. Susanna is a recent widow, and all she feels is relief, despite the mass of debt her abusive husband left her. She has a close connection with the estate's workers, but knows that selling may be the only way for her. Benedict is a financial success and the only man she has loved. When he appears on her doorstep offering to help, she cannot refuse. It's a lovely, gentle story of unrequited love on Susanna's part and a gradual realisation that Susanna could be the woman he needs on Benedict's part. Although the romance is slow-burning, proximity makes passion inevitable, but the reader has to wait to see if the necessary emotional connection between the couple develops. A mysterious admirer haunts the story whose attentions are increasingly menacing, and this leads to an impactful conclusion. I like the story's mystery and romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author.

A delicious eye opener for our hero Benedict, who pays a visit to his widowed childhood friend Susanna only to find he wants to change the equation between them, but is facing some hurdles.

Including the heroine, who has been in love with him since she was 12. And the fact that she has a dying estate, a stalker and an unhappy marriage that ended quickly and gave her a reprieve from repressive men.

But Benedict is determined both to save her estate, protect and love her.

A sweet romance I loved this friends to lovers book very much.

Susanna has loved Benjamin since childhood! Fantastic story of a life long love that isn't coming to fruition. Through the trials of life, they must work together to determine how to save her home, keep her safe and figure out if they are just friends. Well written with depth, angst, and a bit of a surprise. Always a pleasure reading this author.

After reading and adoring the first two books, I was super excited to get Susanna’s story. This author has become an automatic read/buy for me. She’s a newer author but writes so well! Book three surprised me with where we find Susana and a little mystery. I really enjoyed how it all came together. I never felt rushed or strung along. The chemistry between Benedict and Susanna felt organic. We find Susanna a widow with a discomfortingly effusive, increasingly aggressive, secret admirer. When Benedict comes to give his condolences he sticks around to be of help with the many new problems she’s juggling as a widow. The epilogue on this was just so darn sweet! I really hope Collette keeps writing! This one is a delightful, engaging read that is a welcome reprieve from the world!

You don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy book three. However, we do get to see and hear from the previous couples. And book 1 & 2 are so good - definitely go read them!

*I’m thankful to have received an ARC since I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one. Regardless, this is my honest review.

Oh I loved this! There are so many elements that I adore - anonymous love notes from a creepy admirer (don't question it, I'm already self-examining), widow recovering from abuse, friends to lovers, and rejecting the MMC so that he questions his masculinity and MUST convince her otherwise. Perri is a new author to me, and this is the third in a series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

Susanna has recently been widowed, to her relief. Unfortunately her troubles are far from over as she's debt-riddled and receiving anonymous love notes which are escalating. Luckily her childhood friend and long-standing crush, Benedict, is there to help her out. She knows she can never be involved with him because unrequited love sucks even more when you're constantly in the presence of it. He's shocked by her perceived rejection and subsequently develops ~feelings~ which shock him even more.

This character arc is one of my absolute favourites - I love when the MMC acts like he's doing her a massive favour, she shoots him down, and then he has an epiphany that she's THE ONE. I appreciated the atypical villain angle - I think I've only read 2 books with overenthusiastic stalkers, but they both had me so invested. I suspect the MMCs stepping into protective roles is part of the charm.

This was a perfect storm for me. The pacing, plot, and tropes pushed all the right buttons. There's a good balance of external and internal plot, by which I mean you get some solid character development from both MCs. My thanks to the author and #netgalley for the ARC. This book releases 25/08/25 📚

Benedict and Susanna were childhood friends that grew apart.
He went on to build railways and make money while her father married her off to a controlling emotionally abusive husband.
When her husband died, Benedict came to check on her and offer his condolences.
Susanna is broke and needs protection.
As they reconnect, their lives become complicated with mysterious notes, possible murder, and unrequited love.
Worthwhile read and romance with some steamy scenes.