Nadine Millard has absolutely charmed and blown me away with this series! I have adored watching each one of the Templeworth Daughter's fall head over heels in love while bringing their heroes to their knees! Millard has created such a beautiful group of sisters, that always have each other's backs, and willing to play out any scheme in the name of what that sister wants and needs. Millard's writing easily draws the reader in, has a comforting and clear tone, and works to balance humor and heart that gives the plot and characters relatable moments and growth. I have also found Millard's characters to be wonderfully dimensional and understandable on a base human level which makes these quick reads easy to get into and creates the perfect endearing connection as the story unfolds and journeys towards the HEA.
This story is the youngest Templeworth sister's romance, and it is so much fun to watch the inner push and pull this heroine goes through in order to accept the love that is growing with in her. Sophia is bold and brash in moments, she loves her horses, and she dreams of her own independence sans a husband. Devon is a duke, and can come across as proper and stoic, but when he becomes the guardian to his nephew and niece he wants to learn how to be open to them and provide them with the people they need to support them in their growth and development. I adore the small moments and gestures that Sophia does to show Devon's charges that they are loved. I love the subtle way that Sophia is able to pull Devon out of his shell and gently guide him in ways to show his love and support. Millard beautifully builds a level of chemistry and tension between Sophia and Devon which bubbles deliciously under the surface. I really enjoyed the tension of a potential forced marriage that Sophia has to work through in her minds, and Devon has to learn he must show Sophia why a marriage between them would be pleasant. This novel, while low on the physical side of intimacy, has such strength in the growth of the romantic side of Devon and Sophia's feelings that I did not need to have lots of steamy scenes to believe and root for their growing affection. Millard has a wonderful way of building up the understanding of their love in subtle ways that pay out in the small moments and interactions they have not only with each other but the characters around them. I adored Devon and Sophia together. I know that Sophia was stubborn more often than not, but watching the patience and dedication that Devon has towards her, really shows the strength of his feelings. This novel also has some really beautiful care taking scenes which are always favorites of mine in romance novels!
I would very highly recommend this novel by Nadine Millard. I would very highly recommend this series, and while they each can be read as a stand alone, I adored reading them in order and watch these sisters find their happily ever afters!
Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.