Review: Widows of Somerset by Rebecca Connolly, Jen Geigle Johnson, and Heather B. Moore

 

About:

Rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows:

Rule 1: Be a widow.

Rule 2: Have an impeccable reputation.

Rule 3: Don't fall in love again.

AN HEIR TO SPARE by Rebecca Connolly

Widowhood has changed much for Anna—Lady Lyndham—but an unconventional heir to the estate was not something she had anticipated. Nor had she anticipated that he would have no intention of forcing her out, although he has every right to. And she certainly did not anticipate finding him handsome, charming, and unfailingly generous. But Ned Richards, the new Lord Lyndham, has a world of surprises in store for her, and not anticipating them will become quite the adventure.

THE WIDOW OF LAVENDER COTTAGE by Jen Geigle Johnson

As a widow, Lillian Hunter has never been in love and plans to never marry again, so the rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows suit her just fine. Her days are spent attempting to transform her newly inherited Lavender Cottage into a livable space until Oliver Wentworth shows up, asking for her late husband. Anxious to establish himself as a landed gentry in Somerset, Oliver is none too pleased to discover that a widow lives alone in a tiny run down cottage bordering his new property. The fact that she’s young and attractive only adds frustration to his sense of responsibility over her. And confound her, she challenges his every attempt to help manage her affairs.

A PROMISE FORGOTTEN by Heather B. Moore

Charlotte Ashford never thought she’d marry a vicar, and she never thought she’d find herself widowed with a young child to care for on her own. She certainly never thought she’d return to Somerset to live with her mother again, and Charlotte never thought she’d see him again. But Lord Wilshore has never forgotten her, and he has never forgotten their promise made long ago. Charlotte would love nothing more than for Lord Wilshore to forgive her, but too much heartache and too much time might make that impossible. Friendship is all she can hope for, but that hope may be dashed as well.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this Timeless collection of romances about widows who knew no love in their first marriages. Whether the man was indifferent or too old or just too preoccupied, their wives were less in their eyes.

I thought the authors did a good job on bringing the plight of these young women to the forefront. That a lot of these widows were just pawns to be used by fathers and husbands. But what happens to the lady when her husband dies? All three of these women were in various degrees of bad situations especially financially.

Lady Joanna, the head widow if you will, was a hoot. She tied all of these women together as she sought to make them wiser the second time marriage came around, and for them not to dismiss their future security for love. If their new beaus loved them, they would provide for them. So true and relevant even for today. 

I don't have a favorite story. Each was romantic and wonderfully told and I enjoyed how each lady found herself in love whether a new one or one that has been rekindled.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.