Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Gentlewoman #1

The Gentlewoman Farmer

Rate this book
Shortly after agreeing to marry her neighbor to save her farm, Sophia Worthington’s childhood sweetheart returns, jeopardizing her heart and her home.

To thwart her uncle’s efforts to take over the farm left to her by her father, Sophia accepts a convenient marriage proposal. Her triumph is brief. Philip Eliot, the man she has loved her whole life, appears on her doorstep after a long, silent absence.

Philip Eliot promised his beloved Sophia that they would marry as soon as he turned twenty-one and gained his independence. But his meddlesome mother conspired to end the affair by sending him to France and intercepting their correspondence. Now he is back and doing everything he can to remind Sophia of the love they once shared.

Sophia convinces herself that she and Philip are merely friends but is unable to ignore the longing within her. Will she refuse Philip in favor of the stable life she’s committed to, or risk her farm, her livelihood, and all those who depend on her to be with the man she truly loves?

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2021

479 people are currently reading
463 people want to read

About the author

Emily Opal

8 books38 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
309 (53%)
4 stars
164 (28%)
3 stars
75 (12%)
2 stars
26 (4%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Marilee .
1,466 reviews235 followers
April 2, 2024
Such a sweet and gentle romance!

Sophia has waited patiently for her sweetheart Philip to return home to marry her but has had no word from him in years. When her uncle forces her to marry in order to keep running her father's farm, she accepts her neighbor's marriage proposal...and then Philip shows up on her doorstep.

Philip is in love with Sophia as much as ever and determined to show her the lack of correspondence was a misunderstanding and he still loves her. But Sophia doesn't know if she can ever trust Philip again and take the risk of choosing him when it would mean the end of her family's farm.

What to expect:
England 1753 setting
Second chance romance
Friends to lovers
Slow burn romance
Independant FMC
Dual POV
Love triangle
Matchmaking mamas
Side of mystery and suspense
The letters
Plowing the field
The ending!

I love historical romances with determined, strong female characters and Sophia definitely fits that description. She had a great character arc learning to trust and I love that she refused to be walked over by the men in her life.

I loved the unique setting and though the story is not fast paced, there is intrigue, reveals, mystery, charming characters, and a sweet romance with a happily ever after for everyone! I am super intrigued about book 2 and look forward to reading more from this author!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Profile Image for Kristalyne, love.lovely.books.
241 reviews45 followers
April 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I am in awe that this is Emily Opal’s debut novel! It’s beautifully written, and I loved it from start to finish!!

This is a sweet slow burn romance between childhood sweethearts, Philip and Sophia. They are such lovable characters and their story warmed my heart!

I absolutely loved the letters between them! It gives a wonderful background to the story and a glimpse into the character’s hearts. What a lovely way to get to know the past and the characters! Speaking of the past, their memories melted me!

This book has such a good balance of everything. The mystery, intrigue, suspense, the conflict, the romance, the memories, the tension, it was just so good. Plus it’s set in Cornwall! Such a stunning setting!!!

Read for:
🤍The letters between each chapter!!! My favorite!
🤍Cornwall
🤍childhood sweethearts
🤍a dreamy sunshine hero
🤍a strong and determined heroine
🤍wonderful side characters
🤍so sweet and romantic

This is such a beautiful story, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to get lost in a wonderful historical romance. This story will sweep you off your feet, whisk you away to a little sheep farm in Cornwall and it’ll fill your heart with joy.
.
.
.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Renske.
422 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2022
This was a cute read with a fun story line and some well written side characters. I just found the story to drag a little from time to time which made it hard to read and eventhough it is a shorter book it took me longer to read than expected.

I liked how headstrong Sophia was she knows what she wants and what she deserves which is rare for a women from her time but everyone around her respected her for who she was. I also really liked Philip he sounded like a really nice guy and the perfect companion for Sophia their energies matched really well.

Overall not a bad book just needed some work storywise. I am going to keep an eye on this author for sure I am interested in reading more of what they write.
Profile Image for Jess Reads Fiction.
105 reviews12 followers
July 20, 2025
After reading Emily Opal’s short story Lovelace (free for her newsletter subscribers!), I knew I had to dive into her other novels—and The Gentlewoman Farmer did not disappoint! This sweet childhood friends-to-more romance was such a delight. While the story started out a little slow for me, it soon found its stride, and by the middle, I was completely hooked and found it hard to put down.

This book had all the ingredients I love in a cozy historical romance: forbidden love, meddlesome family members, jealous rivals, and the tender slow burn of friendship blossoming into something deeper. As an animal lover myself, I adored the farm elements woven throughout the story and Sophia’s genuine devotion to her sheep—it added such charm and heart.

The forbidden love aspect was especially well done, with a beautiful reminder that love truly covers all inequities. If you enjoy gentle, heartfelt romances with a touch of pastoral life, The Gentlewoman Farmer is worth adding to your TBR.
Profile Image for Katie.
255 reviews
stopped-reading
July 19, 2024
Did not finish. I read several chapters and decided this wasn't a book for me. The writing was good, though. I just personally don't care for stories where the girl is so smart and knowledgeable and does much better at things (like farming) than her male relatives. I can't rate this book because some people might enjoy those types of books, they're just not for me. I found myself rolling my eyes too many times to continue.
Profile Image for Alice Irene.
391 reviews9 followers
January 10, 2023
Welcome to what is probably my favorite book of 2023 so far. Granted we are only nine days in but...

This book is literal perfection. I'm a Pride & Prejudice, romantic book lover, and rom-com devotee. This book has all of these things. A perfect love stroy.

Sophia Worthington and her childhood best friend Phillip Eliot spend summers at her Aunt Mary's home in Bramblefields Park and end up falling in love. Phillip makes a promise to Sophia before he leaves at the end of summer to pursue his art and to travel, that he will come back when he is twenty-one and when he was financially able to take care of her and give her the life, she deserves.
Sounds great, we love a man with a sound plan.

ENTER THE PLOT TWIST. *Dun dun dun*

Very a la Ally's mother in The Notebook, Phillip's mother keeps all the letters that Sophia and Phillip have been exchanging while he has been away for the last three years. Phillip's mother doesn't think Sophia is good enough for her son. When Sophia stops hearing from Phillip, she assumes that he has moved on and his promise to her was merely just words. She ends up losing her father during the course of this time and has to basically become the metaphorical glue that holds her family together. Despite the silence from Phillip, she continues to write him about the things going on in her life. (I'm serious, his silence (even though he didn't do it himself) was very kin to Avatar's "and when the world needed him most, he vanished." Well Sophia sure as hell needed Phillip.)

Three years later and Sophia is running her family farm and dealing with her annoying uncle who butts in everywhere he is not needed and has been trying to find every possible loophole to steal the farm from Sophia. Sophia is also engaged to Mr. Burns, a man who has financial connections that are helping Sophia run her farm.

ENTER PHILLIP.

Phillip returns to Worthington Farm to find Sopiha engaged to Mr. Burns, and he is very much in love with her and will not go down without a fight. They dance around their feelings for each other but it's so obvious they only have eyes for each other. Phillip is determined to prove to Sophia he is there for her, and he didn't know his letters were not making it to her and being kept by his mother. Actually, at one point during his stay at her farm he slips his letters she never read under her door and isn't just the most romantic thing you have ever heard.
Ultimately, Phillip wants to marry Sophia. BECAUSE THEY ARE SOULMATES. <3

I absolutely loved this book. I loved even more how halfway through Phillip's mother decides she was wrong to keep the letters and she teams up with Sophia's Aunt Mary to get the two together and away from Mr. Burns who is not appearing to be who he says he is. I loved the matchmaking. They stick their noses into everything, and I was here for it. Like at one point they are having a card game and they go, "Hey Mary come sit by me so Sophia can sit by Phillip." (Heart eyes.)

I swooned, I sighed, I rallied for Phillip and Sopiha to stop being complete idiots and just admit they love each other goddammit. Granted Sophia was kind of backed into a corner and couldn't just leave Mr. Burns because he was one of the reasons her farm was doing so well but Sophia and Phillip could barely even look at each from across the room because of all the pure sexual attraction.

I feel like based on its small number of reviews here on Goodreads that this is a relatively unknown book. Please, please, please go to Amazon and purchase a book like I did, you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Shayla Riley.
632 reviews22 followers
March 4, 2024
“Everything I do, I do better with you. It’s hard for me to admit my need for other people, but I need you, want you, love you.”

Resilient Sophia accepts a rather convenient marriage proposal to the neighbor, Mr. Malcom Burns to hinder her uncle’s efforts to take over the farm by her belated father. Her triumph is brief. You see, Philip Eliot, the man she has loved her whole life, appears on her doorstep after a long, silent three year absence.

Loyal Philip Eliot promised his beloved Sophia that they would marry as soon as he turned twenty-one and gained his independence. But his interfering mother conspired to end the affair by sending him to France and intercepting their correspondence. Now he is back and doing everything he can to gently remind Sophia of the love they once shared.

Sophia has poorly attempted to convince herself that she and Philip are merely friends but, she is unable to ignore how everything is better when done with Phillip.

Sophia must choose between refusing Philip in favor of the stable life she’s committed to, or risk her farm, her livelihood, and all those who depend on her to be with the man she truly loves. So much is at stake and time won’t stand still…

“All I know is you are the one I want to be with. Not even because we like to do the same things. It’s because of you. You are my best and favorite companion and friend. There is no one I love more than you.”

The Gentlewoman Farmer is a captivating read from the first to the last page! @emily.opal I love how you gracefully invite the reader into this dear story and hold the reader’s heartstrings with such care towards such endearing and charming characters. This book is beautifully filled with clean romance, humor, mystery, intrigue, deception, and an engaging plot with unexpected twists and turns along the way. The storyline and ending is rather lovely! This is simply a wonderful book worth reading!

“He was the one person whose love and companionship could fill the emptiness.”
Profile Image for Jeanine Reed.
608 reviews27 followers
March 25, 2024
Like the setting sun, inexorably sinking into the horizon, two pairs of lips closed the few inches between them. A first kiss.

This cover and title intrigued me, so I decided to give it a go. I liked the premise of a strong, determined female trying her hand at running the family estate after her father died, all while still stinging from her childhood friend’s absence and complete silence over the last three years. Just as Sophie reluctantly accepts Mr. Burns suit to join their lives and livelihoods for mutual benefit, Phillip shocks her with his unexpected arrival.

Sophie must learn to balance her farm, her fiancée, and her renewed friendship with Phillip, plus the presence of her uncle and his dastardly deeds to take over her estate. Phillip is determined to win back Sophie’s heart and esteem. But Mr. Burns stands in his way. Phillip believes there is more than meets the eye in regard to Burns and he is eager to uncover the mystery.

I’ll admit I struggled with this one at times. It had a nice beginning and a very strong ending, but the middle dragged for a bit. I am glad I stuck it out. The ending was perfect and the sneak peek at book two really has me excited. I love a good hidden identity and hopeful redemption/reformed bad guy story.
Profile Image for Sarah Hamilton.
726 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2021
An Author With Potential

I'm a little on the fence about this book. It had moments I really enjoyed, but a lot of it got bogged down in what it wanted to be and didn't quite hit the mark. The first half of the book seemed to drag on and I almost stopped reading it - it got overly tedious in dialog. The characters were okay - I honestly would probably read a story about Mr. Burns if it was written. While I won't anxiously wait for the next book, I would be willing to give The author another chance.
1,220 reviews
October 10, 2024
1753 England society has relegated women to the home, certainly not running a prosperous farm. However, when Miss Sophia Worthington finds herself left to run Worthington farms, both parents deceased, she takes control and does an admirable job in this male dominated position. Her many troubles and complicated romantic situation are revealed in this enchanting and very entertaining story along with some unexpected developments. The characters are wonderful and very likable, and the plot is engrossing. Good Read!!!!
167 reviews
September 16, 2025
What a delight!

Reading this was quite a rush. Between spiteful parents, death, chicanery, illicit activity, miscommunication, and greedy, vindictive relations, it's not hard to forget this is essentially a romance. A lovely, heartwarming tale of two star-crossed lovers who endure an endless list of obstacles and disasters before their mandated HEA. I would be grossly insincere if I did not highly recommend it to anyone addicted to delightful characters, idyllic settings, and triumphant love. Get your copy NOW!
Profile Image for Kirsty.
23 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2021
I loved this novel. It was amazingly written and I fell in love with the characters! It was such a sweet story while empowering women and showing how hard they must have had it back in the day when they "needed" men to own their own property. Thank god those days are over. I'm a big believer in soulmates (no spoilers) so I was ecstatic to get a HEA.
Profile Image for Sandie Mixa.
531 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were believable, the plot was unique, I liked how the main character truly loved to farm and take care of her sheep, the decisive way she took care of things. The romance came along gently, with a back story. Then a rewarding ending! I look forward to the next in the series by this author.
368 reviews13 followers
September 11, 2024
•Sweet, historical romance
•opposites attract
•a dash of mystery and danger
•letter writing
•farming
•family drama & matchmaking mamas
•golden Retriever hero
•love triangle
•second chance romance

This was an enjoyable read!
I am a sucker for letter writing in novels, and I love when a hero comes and fights to win his girl's heart!
2,381 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2024
Sophia and Phillip were to marry when he became of age but due to the meddling of his mother all letters were blocked. Finally after two years he returns only to find out what occurred. He takes matters into own hands to make amends but in the end, with some meddling from others he and Sophia find their hea
Profile Image for Luna (Ourbookshelves).
115 reviews5 followers
July 20, 2025
DNF @ 41%

I didn’t personally hate the story, I just felt that it dragged on and the miscommunication trope in romance books is one of my biggest pet peeves.
It’s completely avoidable and I feel like it’s often used as a crutch to feed into toxic relationships 🤷🏻‍♀️

All in all, this one just didn’t for me
Profile Image for Nicol.
20 reviews8 followers
September 20, 2021
Such a lovely book! I wanted to be in this story living Sophia's life. Loved how hard she worked and how her employees respected her. Loved everything about this book, that I ordered it and added it to my shelf.
Profile Image for NelleRenn.
998 reviews
March 19, 2024
This story has several villains including a manipulative mother and an interfering uncle. The hero is a very capable young woman. The hero is artistic and tries to win her back after being gone longer than anticipated. The character development was very good and the story had emotional moments.
672 reviews5 followers
June 16, 2024
Wonderful

Just so enjoyable I am anxious for more from this author. Such details and intriguing characters I could put it down. A very clever idea for a story about women in that age but so different from other Regency romance stories!
160 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2025
Sweet Read

Rarely do I itch to turn to the back of the book to read the ending. I was sorely tempted as the author held the suspense so thoroughly.
I didn't jump at the chance though I kept reading every chance I had. It was worth the wait.
Profile Image for Amaryah.
320 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2025
Not bad, just not great either. The pacing was a bit awkward, sometimes the dialogue fell flat, and some of the characters needed some more development. A light, easy read if you need one, but nothing special.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,729 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2021
I always enjoy a strong heroine, so this story didn’t disappoint. While a bit predictable, I still enjoyed how it turned out.
2 reviews
September 20, 2021
Recommend to book friends!

You will enjoy this lovely story, characters you'll quickly grow attached to, sweet clean romance. I will be recommending to all my book friends!
Profile Image for Katie.
407 reviews
September 23, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable regency romance novel - a great vacation read! Strong female heroine, interesting storyline, and great writing.
Profile Image for Heather.
16 reviews
October 20, 2021
Sweet Romance

This book has such a darling storyline. It had me rooting for the main characters the whole way through! I can't wait to see more from the author
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,857 reviews8 followers
March 4, 2024
Very easy story to read

Good strong characters and determination to get what each want but some can not have. Sweet and clean. Read this story.
Profile Image for Annette Summerfield.
705 reviews17 followers
March 10, 2024
It's a good story, I just found that it dragged along. I was getting bored and skimmed through.
Profile Image for Dev G.
374 reviews9 followers
April 26, 2024
In a man’s world, Sophia defies society by running her family farm after the death of her father. Obstacle after obstacle is thrown at her, yet she continues to be strong and hopeful, doing whatever is needed to keep her farm and her home.

Philip and Sophia have a sweet childhood friendship that blossomed into young love, however interference from his mother separates them for three years. Philip returns and is determined to reconnect with his friend and one and only love.

Philip has his work cut out for him when he discovers Sophia is engaged to a wealthy businessman.

Sophia is used to doing everything on her own, but with Philip’s encouragement and mere presence, she begins to see that she’s not alone and that it’s ok to let others help.

Emily Opal has a beautiful way of storytelling. I loved the letters in between that give us a deeper look into their relationship.

What I loved:
Childhood friends
Strong heroine
Supportive MMC
The letters
Meddling mom and aunt


Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.