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The Donovans #0.5
Unrequited
Previously offered in the Sweet & Swoony Romance promotion.
Elena MacKinnon has spent the last seven years training to become a proper English lady. When her childhood friend, Captain Theo Donovan, returns from serving in the Navy, he brings along with him Elena’s humiliation for the ill-advised and ardent love letter she wrote him before his departure, which he ignored entirely. Elena hopes to simultaneously stifle his memory of the letter and make him regret overlooking her, showing him just how fine an English lady she can be. The only problem? She is not English but a proud Scot—and her heart may be more enamored with Theo than ever.
Elena MacKinnon has spent the last seven years training to become a proper English lady. When her childhood friend, Captain Theo Donovan, returns from serving in the Navy, he brings along with him Elena’s humiliation for the ill-advised and ardent love letter she wrote him before his departure, which he ignored entirely. Elena hopes to simultaneously stifle his memory of the letter and make him regret overlooking her, showing him just how fine an English lady she can be. The only problem? She is not English but a proud Scot—and her heart may be more enamored with Theo than ever.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
December 31, 2022
This is a free book offered by the author. I recommend reading it before reading book 1 as it helps to fill in some of the history. The next book can be enjoyed without it but it's helpful. I merely liked this book but not as much as the next book. It is a sweet short story that I rate 3.5*
July 8, 2025
Reread 07/2025
Lovely and heartwarming.
-----------
Reread 01/2024.
5 stars.
Still love this quiet and endearing novella about Elena and Theo.
It's a joy to see Elena deciding her way forward, looking out for herself and her own future happiness.
One of my favorites by Martha Keyes.
--------
11/2022
Lovely reread.
Still 5 stars.
---------
08/2022
My first book by Martha Keyes and I'm so happy I found her!
I loved Elena and Theo...
It's amazing how some authors (including Mrs Keyes) are able to build a connection between the MC's and beautiful chemistry in a short novella, without many intimate scenes (there's one kiss in this novella, and one embrace, plus one kiss in the epilogue).
5 stars.
Lovely and heartwarming.
-----------
Reread 01/2024.
5 stars.
Still love this quiet and endearing novella about Elena and Theo.
It's a joy to see Elena deciding her way forward, looking out for herself and her own future happiness.
One of my favorites by Martha Keyes.
--------
11/2022
Lovely reread.
Still 5 stars.
---------
08/2022
My first book by Martha Keyes and I'm so happy I found her!
I loved Elena and Theo...
It's amazing how some authors (including Mrs Keyes) are able to build a connection between the MC's and beautiful chemistry in a short novella, without many intimate scenes (there's one kiss in this novella, and one embrace, plus one kiss in the epilogue).
5 stars.
May 25, 2025
I really loved it !
This is wonderful and sweet, clean romance!
It's a short and light read, but with great intensity and is very engaging from start to finish.
This is the second time I've read a novel by Martha Keyes, and it's the second time I've given it a five-star rating.
I kept dreaming about the story and its characters for many days after finishing the book.
I loved it because, even though at first glance the plot might seem unoriginal, or even like the usual banal Regency love story, this short novel stands out from the rest.
There's no bickering or spite between lovers who then resolve their issues and have a happy ending, starting a life of comfort and privilege, as you might expect after reading the synopsis.
____ WHAT THE SYNOPSIS TELLS US: England, after the end of the war against Napoleon.
Elena MacKinnon has spent the last seven years training to become a proper English lady. When her childhood friend, Captain Theo Donovan, returns from serving in the Navy, he brings with him the memory of Elena’s humiliation: the ill-advised and ardent love letter she wrote him before his departure, which he ignored entirely.
Elena hopes to simultaneously suppress his memory of the letter and make him regret overlooking her, showing him just how refined an English lady she can be.
The only problem? She is not English, but a proud Scot—and her heart may be more enamored with Theo than ever.
_________*********__________*********________
As I already said the story doesn't include the bickering and foolish revenge that the back cover implies.
Elena only intends to seek revenge in the first few pages of the book, knowing that her childhood love is about to return from the war (now over) after having ignored her and made her suffer for seven long years.
As we all know, things rarely go according to plan, and both Elena and Theo find themselves in situations where it's difficult to understand what is real and what only appears to be.
The general plot summary on the back cover doesn't do the novel justice. It's misleading and suggests a story of little intensity, offering, at most, a few comic situations.
The reading is light and very pleasant, but the story also conveys deep feelings.
It subtly addresses serious themes such as the conflict between appearance and reality, the struggle for self-acceptance, and society's often unfair expectations, trapping individuals within rigid and unjust rules.
___ THE MAIN CHARACTER: ELENA ___ I would say there's only one main character in this narrative: Elena, who tells us the whole story in the first person. Everything revolves around her feelings, assumptions, considerations, and thoughts. We get to know the other characters, including her beloved Theo, through her words and the lively dialogue.
____ EXCELLENT FIRST-PERSON NARRATION ___ Even though the events are told from her point of view, I assure you it's not boring at all; on the contrary, it's very captivating.
I really like first-person narration. In fact, when it's done well, I find it more engaging than third-person stories because it gives me the impression of hearing the confidences of a friend, allowing me to be more involved in the character's emotions.
Of course, the writer must skillfully insert surprising scenes and effectively convey the character's excitement, anticipation, passion, fear, happiness, and other emotional involvements to the reader.
It's not easy at all, but Martha Keyes excels at this. She has an exceptional writing style and makes you feel every little thrill and heartbeat of her characters.
___ THE MAIN CHARACTER'S BELOVED: THEO _____ Through Elena's keen observations and thoughtful reflections, we are able to discern, along with her, the emotions of the other characters, especially the fascinating and enigmatic Theo.
He is a complex character who is difficult to judge at first (and here we see the author's skill in leading us to make at least three or four different conjectures).
Despite the brevity of the novel, he gradually reveals himself to the reader. He pleasantly surprised me and made me read voraciously to discover new developments.
___ SIDE CHARACTERS ___ Each of them plays a relatively small role, which is understandable in such a short novel, but I was still satisfied with how the author managed to bring out the essence of each, providing us with a complete and gratifying picture of the situation and the dynamics of the events.
___ FULFILLING HAPPY ENDING ___ Martha Keyes surprised me even with the ending, which is quite original and different from the usual happy endings.
___ AN UNDERLYING THEME, HIDDEN BETWEEN THE LINES ___ What I appreciate in some novels are the serious themes that are addressed while entertaining us.
The underlying theme of this book is the acceptance of oneself – embracing who you are and your origins – without conforming to the rigid rules imposed by society.
Those rules, based on prejudices, dictate who is worthy and who is not, who is better and who is worse. This theme remains relevant in every era, even today, despite the ongoing battles fought in the name of equality and respect for all.
Elena is Scottish, and therefore her accent is not favored by the English. She grew up with a certain freedom of expression, running in nature and interacting with commoners.
While, initially, we observe her efforts to please society and Theo, and Theo's efforts to fulfill a parent's dream, we see these two caterpillars transform into butterflies and fly with their own colors during the story.
I really liked it!
____ CONCLUSION ___ In summary, this is a clean romance with just kissing, and with characters and an ending that are a little different from the usual clichés.
A pleasant read that I recommend to all romantic and dreamy readers who aren't necessarily looking for hot sex, alpha males, and scandals.
----> SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES !
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.
Please forgive any remaining English grammar errors, as English is not my first language.
This is wonderful and sweet, clean romance!
It's a short and light read, but with great intensity and is very engaging from start to finish.
This is the second time I've read a novel by Martha Keyes, and it's the second time I've given it a five-star rating.
I kept dreaming about the story and its characters for many days after finishing the book.
I loved it because, even though at first glance the plot might seem unoriginal, or even like the usual banal Regency love story, this short novel stands out from the rest.
There's no bickering or spite between lovers who then resolve their issues and have a happy ending, starting a life of comfort and privilege, as you might expect after reading the synopsis.
____ WHAT THE SYNOPSIS TELLS US: England, after the end of the war against Napoleon.
Elena MacKinnon has spent the last seven years training to become a proper English lady. When her childhood friend, Captain Theo Donovan, returns from serving in the Navy, he brings with him the memory of Elena’s humiliation: the ill-advised and ardent love letter she wrote him before his departure, which he ignored entirely.
Elena hopes to simultaneously suppress his memory of the letter and make him regret overlooking her, showing him just how refined an English lady she can be.
The only problem? She is not English, but a proud Scot—and her heart may be more enamored with Theo than ever.
_________*********__________*********________
As I already said the story doesn't include the bickering and foolish revenge that the back cover implies.
Elena only intends to seek revenge in the first few pages of the book, knowing that her childhood love is about to return from the war (now over) after having ignored her and made her suffer for seven long years.
As we all know, things rarely go according to plan, and both Elena and Theo find themselves in situations where it's difficult to understand what is real and what only appears to be.
The general plot summary on the back cover doesn't do the novel justice. It's misleading and suggests a story of little intensity, offering, at most, a few comic situations.
The reading is light and very pleasant, but the story also conveys deep feelings.
It subtly addresses serious themes such as the conflict between appearance and reality, the struggle for self-acceptance, and society's often unfair expectations, trapping individuals within rigid and unjust rules.
___ THE MAIN CHARACTER: ELENA ___ I would say there's only one main character in this narrative: Elena, who tells us the whole story in the first person. Everything revolves around her feelings, assumptions, considerations, and thoughts. We get to know the other characters, including her beloved Theo, through her words and the lively dialogue.
____ EXCELLENT FIRST-PERSON NARRATION ___ Even though the events are told from her point of view, I assure you it's not boring at all; on the contrary, it's very captivating.
I really like first-person narration. In fact, when it's done well, I find it more engaging than third-person stories because it gives me the impression of hearing the confidences of a friend, allowing me to be more involved in the character's emotions.
Of course, the writer must skillfully insert surprising scenes and effectively convey the character's excitement, anticipation, passion, fear, happiness, and other emotional involvements to the reader.
It's not easy at all, but Martha Keyes excels at this. She has an exceptional writing style and makes you feel every little thrill and heartbeat of her characters.
___ THE MAIN CHARACTER'S BELOVED: THEO _____ Through Elena's keen observations and thoughtful reflections, we are able to discern, along with her, the emotions of the other characters, especially the fascinating and enigmatic Theo.
He is a complex character who is difficult to judge at first (and here we see the author's skill in leading us to make at least three or four different conjectures).
Despite the brevity of the novel, he gradually reveals himself to the reader. He pleasantly surprised me and made me read voraciously to discover new developments.
___ SIDE CHARACTERS ___ Each of them plays a relatively small role, which is understandable in such a short novel, but I was still satisfied with how the author managed to bring out the essence of each, providing us with a complete and gratifying picture of the situation and the dynamics of the events.
___ FULFILLING HAPPY ENDING ___ Martha Keyes surprised me even with the ending, which is quite original and different from the usual happy endings.
___ AN UNDERLYING THEME, HIDDEN BETWEEN THE LINES ___ What I appreciate in some novels are the serious themes that are addressed while entertaining us.
The underlying theme of this book is the acceptance of oneself – embracing who you are and your origins – without conforming to the rigid rules imposed by society.
Those rules, based on prejudices, dictate who is worthy and who is not, who is better and who is worse. This theme remains relevant in every era, even today, despite the ongoing battles fought in the name of equality and respect for all.
Elena is Scottish, and therefore her accent is not favored by the English. She grew up with a certain freedom of expression, running in nature and interacting with commoners.
While, initially, we observe her efforts to please society and Theo, and Theo's efforts to fulfill a parent's dream, we see these two caterpillars transform into butterflies and fly with their own colors during the story.
I really liked it!
____ CONCLUSION ___ In summary, this is a clean romance with just kissing, and with characters and an ending that are a little different from the usual clichés.
A pleasant read that I recommend to all romantic and dreamy readers who aren't necessarily looking for hot sex, alpha males, and scandals.
----> SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES !
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I did.
Please forgive any remaining English grammar errors, as English is not my first language.
August 5, 2025
I adore this author’s writing. The way she writes emotions and chemistry — chef’s kiss! What’s even more impressive, there are no cheap tricks like over-describing exactly how certain body parts react — it’s all squeaky clean and perfect. 😌
This story was simple but very sweet. I loved Elena and Theo; they were both wonderful characters, and I was rooting for them from the very start. I only wish there had been more of them — the book was just a little too short for deeper character development.
It works well as a series starter, and I’m heading straight to Diana’s book. I have a good feeling about it…
This story was simple but very sweet. I loved Elena and Theo; they were both wonderful characters, and I was rooting for them from the very start. I only wish there had been more of them — the book was just a little too short for deeper character development.
It works well as a series starter, and I’m heading straight to Diana’s book. I have a good feeling about it…
April 5, 2022
Oh gosh I loved this sweet story! A highland lass this time! That was a switch up:} A very gentle building romance with some good feels! I love reading a sweet story like this, it is just my jam:} This is sweet with some kisses. No violence or religion.
December 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I read this book last even though it was supposed to be first (oops!), and it’s lovely to see how much the Donovan siblings has grown and found love along the way!
Theo & Elena are adorable, and I loved the childhood friends angle. As for unrequited love, it might not be what you think. 😉
I didn’t expect to fall in love with this series as much as I did. Now it’s a new favourite & one I can’t wait to add to my bookshelves!
I read this book last even though it was supposed to be first (oops!), and it’s lovely to see how much the Donovan siblings has grown and found love along the way!
Theo & Elena are adorable, and I loved the childhood friends angle. As for unrequited love, it might not be what you think. 😉
I didn’t expect to fall in love with this series as much as I did. Now it’s a new favourite & one I can’t wait to add to my bookshelves!
June 20, 2025
4.5 stars. Really lovely story, I almost didn’t even miss the steam … almost.
I especially loved this heroine, she’s fantastic.
Safe
This is a no spice romance, the MCs only share a few kisses.
Heroine is courted by OM
Lots of pushing away by the hero
Heroine feels jealousy about hero talking to OW, nothing comes of it, and I doubt he was ever interested in anything more than friendship.
I especially loved this heroine, she’s fantastic.
Safe
This is a no spice romance, the MCs only share a few kisses.
Heroine is courted by OM
Lots of pushing away by the hero
Heroine feels jealousy about hero talking to OW, nothing comes of it, and I doubt he was ever interested in anything more than friendship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2022
Simply sublime! Loved Elena and Theo. RTC.
April 19, 2022
I've been wanting to give Ms. Keyes a try for awhile now, and thought this was a good book to get a taste of her writing style. I'm a fan! I thought this was a well written and engaging story. It's a novella, so it moves a long a bit quickly, but I thought it was developed well. I liked the characters and setting. A sweet romance and just a fun way to pass an afternoon. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Keyes.
Content Rated G
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: None
Content Rated G
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: None
July 17, 2022
My heart! I loved this so, so much! It is without a doubt one of the best novellas I’ve ever read. I’m so happy it was on the longer side. It was the perfect length!
I loved the characters, the setting, and the story. I really, really liked Elena’s character. I felt like she was a kindred spirit and I could relate to her in many ways. I quickly fell for Theo too. 💗
I absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere of this book ! It was described so well that I felt like I was on the beach with the characters, experiencing the sea and sky and sand with them. I loved every minute of it!
Anyways, I loved this so much! One of the best childhood-friends-to-lovers I’ve ever read. It was so romantic and made my heart quite happy.💗
I loved the characters, the setting, and the story. I really, really liked Elena’s character. I felt like she was a kindred spirit and I could relate to her in many ways. I quickly fell for Theo too. 💗
I absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere of this book ! It was described so well that I felt like I was on the beach with the characters, experiencing the sea and sky and sand with them. I loved every minute of it!
Anyways, I loved this so much! One of the best childhood-friends-to-lovers I’ve ever read. It was so romantic and made my heart quite happy.💗
November 23, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and the first thing to get me hooked was the accents 😍 They were pure perfection! A good narrator can really bring a story to life and this narrator did the most amazing job!
Elena’s character won me over instantly 😍 I loved her storyline and her many quirks. Her love story was perfect in my opinion: long unrequited love finally come to fruition ♥️ Theo was honestly so perfect for her!
This was such a good short story to begin this series! We got a tiny taste of Diana’s amazing character before her own book, The Art of Victory, which was AMAZING!! 😍 I’m super excited to continue with this series and learn of Valentine’s and Phineas’ stories!
Elena’s character won me over instantly 😍 I loved her storyline and her many quirks. Her love story was perfect in my opinion: long unrequited love finally come to fruition ♥️ Theo was honestly so perfect for her!
This was such a good short story to begin this series! We got a tiny taste of Diana’s amazing character before her own book, The Art of Victory, which was AMAZING!! 😍 I’m super excited to continue with this series and learn of Valentine’s and Phineas’ stories!
August 22, 2022
This was such a sweet unrequited, friends to lovers, forbidden romance. Poor Elena is without family as her brothers went off to sea to help fight in the war. Elena finds comfort with her friend Diana and has lived with them for 7 years. She developed feelings for one brother and is excited to see if he returns them.
⚓️
Elena has an adventurous spirit but everyone tells her it’s not proper for a lady. She’s torn by being the proper English lady and her more wilder Scottish upbringing. I liked seeing her growth and what she really wanted instead of rolling with the waves. I do wish there was more romance in the beginning with Theo or see his perspective.
⚓️
Happiness is a choice and it must be made for one’s self, other people can be happy with your choice but shouldn’t be the main factor for making it. I’ve heard great things about the series and can’t wait to read more.
⚓️
Elena has an adventurous spirit but everyone tells her it’s not proper for a lady. She’s torn by being the proper English lady and her more wilder Scottish upbringing. I liked seeing her growth and what she really wanted instead of rolling with the waves. I do wish there was more romance in the beginning with Theo or see his perspective.
⚓️
Happiness is a choice and it must be made for one’s self, other people can be happy with your choice but shouldn’t be the main factor for making it. I’ve heard great things about the series and can’t wait to read more.
April 23, 2022
4.5 Stars
It's been awhile since I've read a book by Martha. I keep meaning to pick up her Scottish series, Tales from the Highlands. This novella makes me want to even more.
Elena craves adventure, however there's not much to be had at her fingertips. Her best friend's brother returns from years at sea and Elena's love for Theo renews. Pushing her feelings aside, she attempts to build a bond with another man.
I love a good unrequited love story. Martha wrote an all-encompassing story in a small package but it felt complete and beautiful without the need for additional filler. This is definitely one I will think of with great fondness and be recommending to both fans and newbies to her books.
It's been awhile since I've read a book by Martha. I keep meaning to pick up her Scottish series, Tales from the Highlands. This novella makes me want to even more.
Elena craves adventure, however there's not much to be had at her fingertips. Her best friend's brother returns from years at sea and Elena's love for Theo renews. Pushing her feelings aside, she attempts to build a bond with another man.
I love a good unrequited love story. Martha wrote an all-encompassing story in a small package but it felt complete and beautiful without the need for additional filler. This is definitely one I will think of with great fondness and be recommending to both fans and newbies to her books.
September 14, 2022
I’d almost forgotten just how good Martha Keyes is. I’ve been a fan of hers since first stumbling across Wyndcross three years ago, and read all her early work avidly. She took an authorly excursion to Scotland, which didn’t interest me, but now she’s back in the English Regency and she’s only improved in the interim. This is the prequel to her new series, and it’s a wonderful, nuanced, layered work. I loved it.
Here’s the premise: Elena MacKinnon is an orphan, whose four brothers are all serving in the army. Elena can’t stay alone at their Scottish estate, so she’s been living with her godfather’s family for seven years, being educated in the ways of English ladylike behaviour. Her godfather, Admiral Donovan, has three sons, Theo, Phineas and Valentine. Theo has been at sea, following in his father’s footsteps, but it’s not clear to me quite what the other two have been doing. All we know is that Phineas is bookish, and Valentine is the cynical, wayward one. There is also a daughter, Diana, and since the death of Mrs Donovan, the girls have been largely left to their own devices. But now, with the end of the war, Admiral Donovan and Theo are coming home. Although Theo’s just been promoted to Captain, his future is uncertain, as there’s a lack of naval vessels to command.
That’s a fairly brief summary, for this is a family with a LOT of history. Some of it we read about here, like the lingering illness and death of Mrs Donovan, and some is obviously being saved for future books in the series (Phineas and Valentine, for instance). But the key piece of history is between Elena and Theo, and the letter she tucked in his luggage as he left for sea several years ago, when he was nineteen and she an impassioned and lovesick fourteen. He broke her heart by never writing back. Now he’s home again, they’ve both changed but is there the possibility of a grown-up love for them? Or should she marry Mr Bailey, the dull but worthy man Admiral Donovan is steering her towards?
The answer is obvious, of course, but how they reach their happy ever after is an absolute delight.
Keyes has the power to weave a multitude of strong story threads into beautiful cloth. Every one of these characters springs to life on the pages as a fully rounded person, with history and temperament and an agenda of their own, and their interactions feel like spontaneous reactions rather than plot devices. There are no villains here, just good people doing the best they can according to their lights, and making mistakes along the way, mistakes that ripple through the family.
There’s so much depth here. For example, Elena is Scottish, and her normal accent is a strong brogue, but she’s learnt to moderate her voice into a more ladylike English accent. But is she throwing away her heritage with the accent? Can she be true to herself with a false voice? If she is to consider marrying Mr Bailey, she has to talk like a lady but can she maintain that indefinitely? Or should he accept her as she really is? The attitude of the English characters to Scotland both intrigued and amused me, particularly the Baileys, since they see the Scots as barbaric heathens (unless they present themselves in a flawlessly English way, of course). But Elena has the best line: “The English took a strange view of [Scotland]— simultaneously romanticizing it and looking down upon it— but I felt uncomfortable with both approaches. For me, it was simply home and all that such a word encapsulated.” And that’s just one of many threads running through the book.
But what of the romance? There isn’t the joy of watching the two fall in love, for Elena did that long ago. For her, there’s the agony of seeing Theo again, not knowing whether they can even rekindle the close friendship of their childhood years, and she doesn’t dare to hope beyond that. For him… well, we don’t know what he feels, because the story is all written from Elena’s point of view, so the reader has to glean hints of his state of mind from his words and actions, and try to interpret the subtlest gesture, just as she does. I normally prefer to see both points of view, but here it works perfectly.
Theo’s feelings are gradually revealed, but of course there’s more to a Regency romance than just feelings. What about Theo’s career in the navy? And perhaps more important, what about his father’s wishes for him and the obligations of family duty? This is why I say this book is nuanced, because all of this comes into play, and much more, before the situation is resolved. And along the way there are some memorable interactions between the two, particularly those walks on the beach.
The writing is excellent on every level, and very little tripped me up. Admiral John Bailey is a baronet, so he should be Admiral Sir John Bailey, surely? And I wondered about the use of ‘trek’, which sounds too modern to me, but the Oxford English Dictionary puts it at 1824, which is close enough. One or two Americanisms, but trivial stuff.
This is a book about being true to yourself, and not having your life dictated by other people’s expectations of you, and it’s also about family and home and freedom and a lot more besides. It’s a short book but with tons of depth, and it was free when I got it. A great read - highly recommended. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Elena MacKinnon is an orphan, whose four brothers are all serving in the army. Elena can’t stay alone at their Scottish estate, so she’s been living with her godfather’s family for seven years, being educated in the ways of English ladylike behaviour. Her godfather, Admiral Donovan, has three sons, Theo, Phineas and Valentine. Theo has been at sea, following in his father’s footsteps, but it’s not clear to me quite what the other two have been doing. All we know is that Phineas is bookish, and Valentine is the cynical, wayward one. There is also a daughter, Diana, and since the death of Mrs Donovan, the girls have been largely left to their own devices. But now, with the end of the war, Admiral Donovan and Theo are coming home. Although Theo’s just been promoted to Captain, his future is uncertain, as there’s a lack of naval vessels to command.
That’s a fairly brief summary, for this is a family with a LOT of history. Some of it we read about here, like the lingering illness and death of Mrs Donovan, and some is obviously being saved for future books in the series (Phineas and Valentine, for instance). But the key piece of history is between Elena and Theo, and the letter she tucked in his luggage as he left for sea several years ago, when he was nineteen and she an impassioned and lovesick fourteen. He broke her heart by never writing back. Now he’s home again, they’ve both changed but is there the possibility of a grown-up love for them? Or should she marry Mr Bailey, the dull but worthy man Admiral Donovan is steering her towards?
The answer is obvious, of course, but how they reach their happy ever after is an absolute delight.
Keyes has the power to weave a multitude of strong story threads into beautiful cloth. Every one of these characters springs to life on the pages as a fully rounded person, with history and temperament and an agenda of their own, and their interactions feel like spontaneous reactions rather than plot devices. There are no villains here, just good people doing the best they can according to their lights, and making mistakes along the way, mistakes that ripple through the family.
There’s so much depth here. For example, Elena is Scottish, and her normal accent is a strong brogue, but she’s learnt to moderate her voice into a more ladylike English accent. But is she throwing away her heritage with the accent? Can she be true to herself with a false voice? If she is to consider marrying Mr Bailey, she has to talk like a lady but can she maintain that indefinitely? Or should he accept her as she really is? The attitude of the English characters to Scotland both intrigued and amused me, particularly the Baileys, since they see the Scots as barbaric heathens (unless they present themselves in a flawlessly English way, of course). But Elena has the best line: “The English took a strange view of [Scotland]— simultaneously romanticizing it and looking down upon it— but I felt uncomfortable with both approaches. For me, it was simply home and all that such a word encapsulated.” And that’s just one of many threads running through the book.
But what of the romance? There isn’t the joy of watching the two fall in love, for Elena did that long ago. For her, there’s the agony of seeing Theo again, not knowing whether they can even rekindle the close friendship of their childhood years, and she doesn’t dare to hope beyond that. For him… well, we don’t know what he feels, because the story is all written from Elena’s point of view, so the reader has to glean hints of his state of mind from his words and actions, and try to interpret the subtlest gesture, just as she does. I normally prefer to see both points of view, but here it works perfectly.
Theo’s feelings are gradually revealed, but of course there’s more to a Regency romance than just feelings. What about Theo’s career in the navy? And perhaps more important, what about his father’s wishes for him and the obligations of family duty? This is why I say this book is nuanced, because all of this comes into play, and much more, before the situation is resolved. And along the way there are some memorable interactions between the two, particularly those walks on the beach.
The writing is excellent on every level, and very little tripped me up. Admiral John Bailey is a baronet, so he should be Admiral Sir John Bailey, surely? And I wondered about the use of ‘trek’, which sounds too modern to me, but the Oxford English Dictionary puts it at 1824, which is close enough. One or two Americanisms, but trivial stuff.
This is a book about being true to yourself, and not having your life dictated by other people’s expectations of you, and it’s also about family and home and freedom and a lot more besides. It’s a short book but with tons of depth, and it was free when I got it. A great read - highly recommended. Five stars.
April 17, 2022
SO. DANG. GOOD.
This is the 5th book I’ve read from the sweet and swoony romance giveaway and by far my favorite! I think Martha Keyes may be my new favorite author!
This was a lovely second chance romance. I love first person stories because I don’t know what the hero is thinking and I love that suspense.
Clean Romance. Lovely Scottish heroine.
This is the 5th book I’ve read from the sweet and swoony romance giveaway and by far my favorite! I think Martha Keyes may be my new favorite author!
This was a lovely second chance romance. I love first person stories because I don’t know what the hero is thinking and I love that suspense.
Clean Romance. Lovely Scottish heroine.
July 3, 2022
Sweet. Reminiscent of Persuasion
July 3, 2023
I enjoyed this regency romance. I liked the main heroine and identified with her personality, emotions and reactions. (Her Scottish brogue was distracting to read, though.) I loved that it was single perspective. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series featuring other characters introduced in this book. This is a standalone novella.
Content-
Clean in language and romance.
I read this on KU
How I rated this Series of Standalones:
0.5 Unrequited- 4 stars
1 The Art of Victory - 3.5/4 stars
2 A Confirmed Rake - 3.5/4 stars
3 Battling the Bluestocking- I’m not planning to read this. Phineas was a super boring bookworm character in the other books, whom I had no interest to read about. And I don’t enjoy reading about bluestockings (they are often cringy characters). Maybe I’ll try it some day…
Content-
Clean in language and romance.
I read this on KU
How I rated this Series of Standalones:
0.5 Unrequited- 4 stars
1 The Art of Victory - 3.5/4 stars
2 A Confirmed Rake - 3.5/4 stars
3 Battling the Bluestocking- I’m not planning to read this. Phineas was a super boring bookworm character in the other books, whom I had no interest to read about. And I don’t enjoy reading about bluestockings (they are often cringy characters). Maybe I’ll try it some day…
March 29, 2024
I love a leading lady named Elena 🤍
November 10, 2025
Easy, short, closed door romance. More of a novella than a fully fleshed out novel though it could have easily been stretched out if the admiral and theo’s relationship had been given a bit more attention rather than occur behind the scenes. Timeline is a bit ridiculous. But it was nice escapism. Other siblings seem more interesting than Theo (who truly seems like a bit of a bore; Elena was so much more feisty than him). Unsure if I’ll continue the series.
July 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ Short and cute! Wish there had been better communication and that Theo had fought for Elena sooner, but that slightly contrived ending was still so adorable!
Books 1 and 2 are my favorite of the series, but I’ve loved coming to know the Donovan family.
Content: kisses only
Books 1 and 2 are my favorite of the series, but I’ve loved coming to know the Donovan family.
Content: kisses only
July 24, 2022
2.5 stars. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me. Anyways, despite my complaints, I plan on continuing with the series, as the next book looks like it will likely be more my speed.
September 5, 2025
best friend's brother
slow burn
unrequited love
regency
closed door romance
Unrequited is a perfect start to the series, filled with emotional tension and an undeniable slow-burn romance. The chemistry between the characters builds beautifully, and the personal growth they experience along the way is so satisfying. If you love a love story where one person pines and the other doesn’t see it coming, this book’s for you!
Content Warnings:
-kisses only
-no language
slow burn
unrequited love
regency
closed door romance
Unrequited is a perfect start to the series, filled with emotional tension and an undeniable slow-burn romance. The chemistry between the characters builds beautifully, and the personal growth they experience along the way is so satisfying. If you love a love story where one person pines and the other doesn’t see it coming, this book’s for you!
Content Warnings:
-kisses only
-no language
December 10, 2024
3.5 super sweet novella on the surface this is a simple story of an unrequited childhood crush but this has deeper themes of found family, deals with loss of a loved one and an overall desire to be more then what one is expected to become.
My first by this author (through the Sweet and Swoony novella giveaway) but I look forward to checking out the rest of this series.
My first by this author (through the Sweet and Swoony novella giveaway) but I look forward to checking out the rest of this series.
December 14, 2023
3.45
A very sweet and satisfying romance. I didn't care for this one in the first person and see the next in the series is as well... I'll still read it, but I was just not in the mood for a first person I guess.
A very sweet and satisfying romance. I didn't care for this one in the first person and see the next in the series is as well... I'll still read it, but I was just not in the mood for a first person I guess.
December 8, 2023
Sweet, if very simplistic. I hope that's because it's only a prologue to the series, and this isn't a problem with the other books.
A happy speed read with no emotional rollercoaster.
A happy speed read with no emotional rollercoaster.
August 3, 2022
"No fourteen-year-old girl should be allowed to make a written record of her thoughts, much less to send the record to the man who consumed those thoughts."
Elena and Theo are an adorable couple. It is amazing the depth we were able to see of these two characters' personalities in such a short "pages-long" novella.
I admire Elena's courage, when she thought she couldn't manage a smile, "nor could I manage to withhold the question that had been weighing on my mind all these years. I had to ask."
I loved reading the Scottish accents. "I didna ken ye still made these." "Ye dinna have to fret over that."
This book is definitely worthy of a repeat read!
Elena and Theo are an adorable couple. It is amazing the depth we were able to see of these two characters' personalities in such a short "pages-long" novella.
I admire Elena's courage, when she thought she couldn't manage a smile, "nor could I manage to withhold the question that had been weighing on my mind all these years. I had to ask."
I loved reading the Scottish accents. "I didna ken ye still made these." "Ye dinna have to fret over that."
This book is definitely worthy of a repeat read!
September 4, 2025
It’s okay. It appears to be an homage to Persuasion. Not a very good one, in my opinion. I’m just not a fan of the first person narrative, especially in HR. It’s so limiting. I did relate very much to Elena’s struggles to make herself over to please others. But we never get Theo’s POV. It’s all young love angst which gets tiresome. It’s also very low key, unusual when Scots are involved, with almost no sexual tension. It’s so clean it’s boring. I’ll try the second in the series just because I love the covers which are very attractive.
June 4, 2022
Ahhh, unrequited love. We've all been there to some degree, whether it was true love, a crush or infatuation. I really felt for Elena. She is in a difficult situation. I wish we'd had Theo's POV as well to get a small glimpse into what he was thinking. I loved the setting for the story and the Scottish element. Elena and Theo were really good together. I'm excited to read the rest of the Donovan family's stories.
May 17, 2023
Great book! I loved this novella that tells the story of Elena and Theo and their second chance at love. I love Keyes’ way with words. I felt like I was on the beach watching the sea! And I loved the Scottish folklore and history weaved in. I have read Diana’s story already but I loved seeing her friendship with Elena.
November 28, 2024
I had fun reading this cute little novella. It didn't go super deep into anything (especially at the end there) but I'm not mad about it because it's the kind of fluffy sweet story I wanted right now.
I guess this is like a prequel to the other books? Not sure if I'll get to them but it did get me somewhat invested in the other characters too, so maybe.
I guess this is like a prequel to the other books? Not sure if I'll get to them but it did get me somewhat invested in the other characters too, so maybe.
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