Sophie Barnes knows how to craft a sweet, well paced romance that is an enjoyable and comforting read. This novella is the first in a novella series and I found it to be absolutely charming and delightful. Barnes has a wonderful understanding of the period and the inner workings of society. She know how to create an interesting world with characters that feel real and natural. This new series looks like it will be the perfect, quick reads if you are looking for a low angst romance that is light on the steam but absolutely adorable in its our rights.
This novel opens up with Calista, the heroine, who is down on her luck. She has traveled from New York to England in hopes to marrying someone who will help her rescue her father from ruin, as well as save her from an unwanted marriage. Calista finds herself with out a husband and with out any money to return to her home, so she seeks employment at a luxury hotel, where the staff things her a prostitute so they give her a very low paying position. When Stephen Donahue discovers her and realizes she is in need of help he does everything in his power to see that she is safe and well taken care of.
I love that Stephen is so charmed by Calista that he is generous with not only his time but his money in seeing that she has all the comforts she needs. He works above and beyond to make sure that he is able to provide he with safe passage back to her family. He is also extremely generous with with time and how we finds himself draw to getting to know her. Calista is independent and a hard worker, she does not shy away from what she needs to. do in order to rescue herself and when she finds some reprieve with Stephen she takes his help with grace and gratitude. Calista always takes the situations she finds herself in stride and Stephon sees this as a strength of her character. I love that Calista and Stephen are able to work together and get to know each other in such an open and honest way. I love that they are both are hard and independent people in their own rights and I love that they build a friendship of respect and understanding which blossoms into love. Their journey to love might be swift but it is absolutely endearing and even though this is a romance with very low steam I really enjoyed the sweetness of Calista and Stephon's romance.
This is the perfect quick read that will sweep you up in a simple and gentle romance that will have you smiling with joy at the hero and heroine's love story.
OUT January 25, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.