“He kissed her because he loved her. And he had never stopped loving her for one moment in all the years they’d been apart. Even when he wanted to. Even when he tried.”

FINAL DECISION: I love the cross-class story where the man is of the lower class. Here, there was a bit of angst, a bit of drama and I really liked that the characters knew the value of characters over title or privilege.

THE STORY:  Felicity, Viscountess Barbridge, killed her abusive husband in self-defense.  Now her secret is in the hands of her family’s enemy.  In order to track down the potential blackmailer, her brothers call in Asher Seyton, solicitor and financial advisor, to help with the financial investigation. Asher is the son of a servant and grew up with Felicity and her brother. Asher broke Felicity’s heart when after a kiss, he left her.  Now Felicity and Asher have to face their long ago feelings and the current threat on Felicity’s future.

OPINION: I love books with cross-class romances — especially ones where the man is of a lower class because it upends the normal trope.  Here, Felicity is an aristocratic woman, the daughter of an earl and Asher is the son of her father’s valet. The two were children together and friends (along with Felicity’s two older brothers). As Felicity grew up, however, an attraction grew between Felicity and Asher.  At her debut six years ago, the two had their first and last kiss as Asher left the next day.  Felicity married the Viscount who beat and abused her.  Now Asher has returned at Felicity brother’s request because Felicity is in danger.

In the prior book in the series, an enemy of the family has found out that Felicity killed her abusive husband in self-defense.  The potential blackmailer must be tracked down before the secret is revealed, ruining Felicity and her family.  This plot moves the story along, but the center of this book is the romance between Felicity and Asher.

Felicity is a woman who has closed herself off after her horrible marriage. Fear, disappointment, lack of trust in herself and others dominate her life now.  When Asher returns, Felicity begins to feel again and wonders if she can at least have a sexual relationship free from fear.

Asher and Felicity are good people who got torn apart by their class differences. Asher feels keenly the class differences.  I thought this book did a really good job of showing that even if Felicity *thinks* that the two of them were always equal, Asher’s reality was something different.

There is something very sweet and gentle about these characters together and yet their is definite heat in their relationship. I liked these characters quite a bit and the story is not dark or angst filled but rather is about two people working their way through past obstacles and finding a future together.

This is an enjoyable read and a fine conclusion to series as it wraps up the ongoing storylines and gives readers a look at all the characters coming together and solving the mysteries that have arisen.

WORTH MENTIONING: Everyone gets what they deserve in the end.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  ADORED IN AUTUMN is the fourth and final book in the Seasons series. The romance in this book is self contained by there are continuing storylines that depend upon the prior books in the series.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE:  I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions contained herein are my own.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

“‘This isn’t going to be quick, Mrs. Wilde,’ he assured her between kisses that tasted her skin. ‘It isn’t going to be perfunctory.’

She shuddered and leaned back against his chest. ‘What will it be then?’

He lifted his fingers to the top button of her gown and unfastened it, letting his fingers slide into the gap he’d created.

‘A night to remember,’ he vowed.  ‘For both of us.'”

FINAL DECISION:  I very much enjoyed this book of these two people who are on opposite sides of their siblings upcoming marriage. I thought the story and connection between the characters was good and I found their story sweet if a bit simplistic in its resolution.

THE STORY:  Mrs. Rosalinde Wilde is a widow traveling on her way to her sister’s wedding when a snowstorm forces her to stop at an inn.  There she meets Grayson Danford.  The two end up having dinner together in the crowded inn and then decide to spend the night together — two people attracted to one another knowing almost nothing about one another.  A night of passion out of time.  How surprised they are to discover one another again as siblings of the couple getting married where Gray is determined to stop the wedding.

OPINION: AN AFFAIR IN WINTER is the start of a new series, and I think this series has great potential.  This book begins with a 19th century one night stand between the hero and heroine.  Although the night is special for both of them, they part in the morning never intending on seeing one another again.  Of course, they end up being siblings to a couple getting married. The two are placed in opposition as Rosalinde supports the marriage, while Gray is opposed.

The one night stand, of course, complicates what would have been a pure adversarial relationship between Rosalinde and Gray.  I loved that these two are so likeable when the events easily could have led either of them into being conniving and betraying any possible relationship between them.  Everything between them ends up being handled in such a reasonable and deft manner, that I never moved from my initial liking of the characters.

Rosalinde is recovering from a bad marriage, but she never loses her optimism and her belief in the joy and love of life.  And despite a love match gone wrong in her own life, Rosalinde wants love and happiness for her sister.  Gray is determined to avoid love after seeing both of his siblings suffer because of bad relationships. He cannot resist Rosalinde despite his resolution.  Both are incredibly loving siblings (even when they are wrong) and this essential characteristic gives these two a foundation that connects them in unexpected ways.

Even when they are at cross-purposes, there is an essential element of caring that keeps them from being torn apart.  I thought that their evolution of their viewpoints of their sibling upcoming marriage was amusing but also represents their intelligence and the complexity of the situation.  The ultimate lesson is that people should be free to make their own choices having all relevant information.

The connection between Gray and Rosalinde is hot and intense — even in proper society dress.  I really only had one complaint and that is that the solution to all the dilemmas seemed too simple and didn’t necessary convince me completely.  Despite that, however, I enjoyed this book and look forward to future books in the series.

WORTH MENTIONING:  Oh, now I really want to read Gray’s brother’s story.  I think that is going to be an angst filled one.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  AN AFFAIR IN WINTER is the first book in the Seasons series.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.