Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What happens when the proprietress of Siren's Retreat discovers the charming romantic she's been corresponding with is same villain turning her beloved property into a gaming hell?
When not responding to advice column letters, entrepreneurial widow Mrs. Deborah Cartwright runs bright, beautiful Siren’s Retreat, legendary for helping her lovelorn guests find their perfect match. Deborah experienced love years before, and lightning does not strike twice. Although there might be a light flirtation with a certain anonymous letter-writer she’s definitely not falling for, there’s no time for romance. Not whilst a heartless blackguard is in town to wrest her beloved inn out from under her!
Clever, career-minded Mr. Patrick Gretham is the trusted man-of-business for a powerful lord, who is eager to turn this perfectly situated property wasted on lovebirds into a gambling hell the likes of which no one leaves with their fortunes intact. Over Deborah’s dead body! The beautiful proprietress hates everything Patrick stands for and will fight him every step of the way. Except when they find themselves on opposite sides of a plume. Or falling into each other’s embrace…
Review
The last in the Siren’s Retreat series focuses on the proprietress behind the hotel that promises to bring people together. Deborah Cartwright is a widow who is convinced lightning doesn’t strike twice when it comes to love. She and her husband were madly in love and helped others find their soulmates at their retreat. In steps Patrick Gretham who is the man of business for an Earl. He’s dead set on obtaining the property for his boss to ensure his future. In its place a gaming hall will be built. That plan goes off the rails when he meets Deborah. Can he risk his occupation and financial future for love?
A slow burn historical romance, it was clean and sweet. I enjoyed that the main characters are older and one is a widow. It’s nice to see them grow together a partners, working side by side. It’s also fun to see a woman take the reins in an era where she wasn’t given an equal chance due to the entailment of the property to her brother-in-law. I haven’t read the rest of the series, but I’m looking forward to it after this and having read Erica’s Wylde Winchesters series. Endnotes of the ARC also had links to free reads by Erica Ridley, so I’m adding more of her books to my TBR pile. Thanks to Netgalley and Webmotion for the advanced reading copy for review.
Content: clean, off page mention of intimacy, kissing.
