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Generations of Love #26
Love Thy Enemy
To reunite with her children, she must earn the trust of the man determined to hate her.
Tessa Stuart and regret are old companions. What began as a love match ended in bitterness, betrayal, and broken promises—and six poor children caught in the crossfire—but now that her estranged husband is dead, Tessa will do anything to reclaim the family she lost.
Except someone new stands in her way.
Gregory Vaughn never asked to be the guardian of six grieving children, but he’s determined to honor his dear friend’s final request. They have no one but him to shield them from the woman who abandoned them and broke their father’s heart—and he will do everything in his power to protect them.
Yet the lady who appears on his doorstep isn’t a monster. Tessa is clever and compassionate, and as the line between enemy and ally begins to blur, Gregory finds himself drawn to the very woman he promised to hate.
Something doesn’t add up.
One of them is lying.
But who?
As walls crumble and secrets unravel, Tessa and Gregory must decide what they’re willing to risk. Because with hearts—and children—at stake, one wrong choice could cost them everything.
Tessa Stuart and regret are old companions. What began as a love match ended in bitterness, betrayal, and broken promises—and six poor children caught in the crossfire—but now that her estranged husband is dead, Tessa will do anything to reclaim the family she lost.
Except someone new stands in her way.
Gregory Vaughn never asked to be the guardian of six grieving children, but he’s determined to honor his dear friend’s final request. They have no one but him to shield them from the woman who abandoned them and broke their father’s heart—and he will do everything in his power to protect them.
Yet the lady who appears on his doorstep isn’t a monster. Tessa is clever and compassionate, and as the line between enemy and ally begins to blur, Gregory finds himself drawn to the very woman he promised to hate.
Something doesn’t add up.
One of them is lying.
But who?
As walls crumble and secrets unravel, Tessa and Gregory must decide what they’re willing to risk. Because with hearts—and children—at stake, one wrong choice could cost them everything.
- GenresHistorical
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
117 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Nichols
39 books479 followersBorn and raised in Anchorage, M.A. Nichols is a lifelong Alaskan, though she briefly ventured south to get a fancy bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University—neither of which had anything to do with why she became an author, but they kept her alive while launching her publishing career.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 21, 2025
A solid read.
The long and short (which is an unintended pun that will make sense momentarily) of why this is 4 stars is I felt that at 309 pages, this book was too short for its premise to truly flourish (get it?). Still a solid read that was emotionally engaging, but 50-100 pages more would have made this an all-timer for me.
The premise is Gregory becomes the guardian of the six children survived by his friend he passed away after a tragic accident. We start the story off seeing said friend and his interactions with his children and with Gregory. We immediately take him for an affable guy with deep love for his children, only surpassed by his deep loathing for his wife. As our introduction to her is through his lens, we surmise that Tessa is a horrible person who abandoned her children and may try to insert herself back into their lives for the sake of money. And this is what Gregory is led to believe wholeheartedly. So when he meets Tessa he's dismayed that the stranger he had a marked interest in getting to know further is actually the vilified widow of his deceased friend.
I think my main enjoyment of this story was how emotionally engaging this was. From the outset you know you're in for a heavier read with some intense themes and it definitely delivered on that.
The rest of my comments may seem like complaints, but truly are just brief explanations for why this wasn't 5 stars. And it can be summed up simply by saying that I wanted just a little more. Examples below.
I wish that we had delved in a little deeper into Gregory's life as a new guardian to these six kids. We get snippets sure of his struggles such as the trepidation of having to launch Daphne into society, or dealing with the eldest boy's turbulent emotions. But I never felt like we got to sink into it, in a slice of life way. Instead it felt like passing moments. For instance at one stage Daphne almost gets into a compromising situation and yet we don't see any follow up with Gregory as her guardian discussing the matter with her.
Also with Tessa, I think it was great that a lot of her growth had happened outside the scope of this book, but we still got to see her growing moments as she tried to rebuild relationships with her children. I just wish (again) we had gotten a little more, outside of the big moments with Daphne and her oldest boy.
I guess I went in expecting kind of a slice of life, and while we got some of that the book moved a little too quickly for me to fully feel immersed.
So not bad at all.
The long and short (which is an unintended pun that will make sense momentarily) of why this is 4 stars is I felt that at 309 pages, this book was too short for its premise to truly flourish (get it?). Still a solid read that was emotionally engaging, but 50-100 pages more would have made this an all-timer for me.
The premise is Gregory becomes the guardian of the six children survived by his friend he passed away after a tragic accident. We start the story off seeing said friend and his interactions with his children and with Gregory. We immediately take him for an affable guy with deep love for his children, only surpassed by his deep loathing for his wife. As our introduction to her is through his lens, we surmise that Tessa is a horrible person who abandoned her children and may try to insert herself back into their lives for the sake of money. And this is what Gregory is led to believe wholeheartedly. So when he meets Tessa he's dismayed that the stranger he had a marked interest in getting to know further is actually the vilified widow of his deceased friend.
I think my main enjoyment of this story was how emotionally engaging this was. From the outset you know you're in for a heavier read with some intense themes and it definitely delivered on that.
The rest of my comments may seem like complaints, but truly are just brief explanations for why this wasn't 5 stars. And it can be summed up simply by saying that I wanted just a little more. Examples below.
I wish that we had delved in a little deeper into Gregory's life as a new guardian to these six kids. We get snippets sure of his struggles such as the trepidation of having to launch Daphne into society, or dealing with the eldest boy's turbulent emotions. But I never felt like we got to sink into it, in a slice of life way. Instead it felt like passing moments. For instance at one stage Daphne almost gets into a compromising situation and yet we don't see any follow up with Gregory as her guardian discussing the matter with her.
Also with Tessa, I think it was great that a lot of her growth had happened outside the scope of this book, but we still got to see her growing moments as she tried to rebuild relationships with her children. I just wish (again) we had gotten a little more, outside of the big moments with Daphne and her oldest boy.
I guess I went in expecting kind of a slice of life, and while we got some of that the book moved a little too quickly for me to fully feel immersed.
So not bad at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
I love this book sooooo much!!!
September 8, 2025
When Gregory Vaughn's close friend dies after a picnic accident, the dying man names Gregory as guardian for his six children. However, the children's mother (who abandoned the family) soon comes into the picture, and there is trouble. Daphne, the eldest daughter, tells her mother to "go away." Like all of Ms. Nichols' stories, this is a complex tale.
At first, I was dismayed by the somber tone of this story. However, it took on a charm of its own because of Ms. Nichol's ability to write about complex subjects with care and compassion. Gregory is a stodgy gentleman who is complacent and set in his ways. Suddenly, he goes from bachelor to father of six. At first, he wants to punish Tessa Stuart because he listened to Rodney's stories about his wife. But Gregory is a fair man, and he soon understood there were gaps and half-truths in Rodney's journals.
When Gregory calls for an honest discussion with Tessa Stuart, he comes to understand that the truth can be different, depending on one's perception. This is a gently told story about nine hearts that learn to trust and love again.
Vaughns
1. Rivals and Roses (2024)
2. Marry in Haste (2025)
3. A Meddlesome Match (2025)
** 4. Love Thy Enemy (2025)
At first, I was dismayed by the somber tone of this story. However, it took on a charm of its own because of Ms. Nichol's ability to write about complex subjects with care and compassion. Gregory is a stodgy gentleman who is complacent and set in his ways. Suddenly, he goes from bachelor to father of six. At first, he wants to punish Tessa Stuart because he listened to Rodney's stories about his wife. But Gregory is a fair man, and he soon understood there were gaps and half-truths in Rodney's journals.
When Gregory calls for an honest discussion with Tessa Stuart, he comes to understand that the truth can be different, depending on one's perception. This is a gently told story about nine hearts that learn to trust and love again.
Vaughns
1. Rivals and Roses (2024)
2. Marry in Haste (2025)
3. A Meddlesome Match (2025)
** 4. Love Thy Enemy (2025)
September 2, 2025
Another great romance!
I love how the author makes humans romantic- she makes flawed characters who feel so real and then matches them with another flawed character that complements them perfectly. In this book, it's a confirmed bachelor who takes everything so seriously thrust into being a guardian of six children and a woman whose first marriage turned bitter and left her estranged from her children and mistrustful of men.
What sets the romance apart is the way the two are healthy but hurt grown adults who learn to see each other for who they are and not who they expect the other to be. And the children and other family and business obligations don't help. It's not a perfect romance, but that makes it all the sweeter.
I love how the author makes humans romantic- she makes flawed characters who feel so real and then matches them with another flawed character that complements them perfectly. In this book, it's a confirmed bachelor who takes everything so seriously thrust into being a guardian of six children and a woman whose first marriage turned bitter and left her estranged from her children and mistrustful of men.
What sets the romance apart is the way the two are healthy but hurt grown adults who learn to see each other for who they are and not who they expect the other to be. And the children and other family and business obligations don't help. It's not a perfect romance, but that makes it all the sweeter.
September 19, 2025
Wonderful Book!
I love how Ms Nichols writes the most 4 dimentional characters!
There are so many emotions ingrained in each character in this book, and I love them all!
With every subsequent book I read of M.A. Nichols, they get better and better at describing the setting in the story.
Wonderful story!
I love how Ms Nichols writes the most 4 dimentional characters!
There are so many emotions ingrained in each character in this book, and I love them all!
With every subsequent book I read of M.A. Nichols, they get better and better at describing the setting in the story.
Wonderful story!
September 18, 2025
Beautiful book
This plot was so complicated! I couldn't turn the pages enough to see how the sorry would develope with such a difficult topic.
But WOW. So beautifully pulled together. I loved it!
This plot was so complicated! I couldn't turn the pages enough to see how the sorry would develope with such a difficult topic.
But WOW. So beautifully pulled together. I loved it!
September 3, 2025
This book was so amazing. Gregory and Tessa's story was well written and compelling. Love it!!!
September 10, 2025
Nichols gets better and better
September 29, 2025
As ever a well written love story but also offering real family dilemmas and depth of thought.
A plea to read such a well written book
A plea to read such a well written book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews