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A Secret to Shock the Earl
A secret-baby, second-chance Regency romance
Long-lost love…
Newfound heir!
Richard, the Earl of Farnleigh, believed he had lost his sweetheart, Hetty, forever. Amid the carnage of the Peninsular War, she was torn from his arms, thought dead. But now she’s back on his doorstep—with their two-year-old child!
Thinking Richard had abandoned her, pregnant Hetty became trapped in a joyless marriage to a cruel man. Now a widow, she’s finally free—but alone, vulnerable and penniless. Richard is her only hope for refuge. They’re bound by their son, and an undeniable connection, but when they both bear the scars of the past, is a rekindled romance more than she can promise?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Long-lost love…
Newfound heir!
Richard, the Earl of Farnleigh, believed he had lost his sweetheart, Hetty, forever. Amid the carnage of the Peninsular War, she was torn from his arms, thought dead. But now she’s back on his doorstep—with their two-year-old child!
Thinking Richard had abandoned her, pregnant Hetty became trapped in a joyless marriage to a cruel man. Now a widow, she’s finally free—but alone, vulnerable and penniless. Richard is her only hope for refuge. They’re bound by their son, and an undeniable connection, but when they both bear the scars of the past, is a rekindled romance more than she can promise?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
5 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Laura Martin
127 books31 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Laura Martin was born and bred on the South Coast of England into a family of two loving parents and a spirited older sister. Books were a feature of her life from early on. One of her earliest memories involves sitting with the family on a rainy Sunday afternoon, listening to the exploits of a clumsy but lovable stuffed bear and his assorted cuddly friends. Laura's first ambition was to be a doctor, and in 2006 she went off to Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Medical School in London to study medicine. It was whilst she was earning her degree that she discovered her love of writing. In between ward rounds and lectures Laura would scribble down ideas to work on later that evening and dream of being an author. In 2012 Laura married her high school sweetheart, and together they settled down in Cambridgeshire. It was around this time that Laura started focussing on the Romance genre, and found what she had always suspected to be true: she was a romantic at heart. Laura now spends her time writing Historical Romances when not working as a doctor. In her spare moments Laura loves to lose herself in a book, and has been known to read from cover to cover in a day when the story is particularly gripping. She also loves to travel with her husband, especially enjoying visiting historical sites and far-flung shores.
Laura Martin was born and bred on the South Coast of England into a family of two loving parents and a spirited older sister. Books were a feature of her life from early on. One of her earliest memories involves sitting with the family on a rainy Sunday afternoon, listening to the exploits of a clumsy but lovable stuffed bear and his assorted cuddly friends. Laura's first ambition was to be a doctor, and in 2006 she went off to Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Medical School in London to study medicine. It was whilst she was earning her degree that she discovered her love of writing. In between ward rounds and lectures Laura would scribble down ideas to work on later that evening and dream of being an author. In 2012 Laura married her high school sweetheart, and together they settled down in Cambridgeshire. It was around this time that Laura started focussing on the Romance genre, and found what she had always suspected to be true: she was a romantic at heart. Laura now spends her time writing Historical Romances when not working as a doctor. In her spare moments Laura loves to lose herself in a book, and has been known to read from cover to cover in a day when the story is particularly gripping. She also loves to travel with her husband, especially enjoying visiting historical sites and far-flung shores.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (It’s decent I guess)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ (I feel like all of this was skipped over)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (the scenes are pretty short and vague, I prefer more details / explitness)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (a few paragraphs to a page)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? I guess medium….some parts felt slow
When mains are first on page together: very soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a year or so later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I love historical romance and wanted to try more Harlequin historicals
Mains: Richard (Earl of Farnleigh) and Hetty – this is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This stands alone
Basic plot:
Richard and Hetty find love on the battlefield only to be separated and reunited years later.
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance – Regency – 1816
- Earl hero
- nurse heroine
- secret baby
- widow heroine
- celibate hero – it’s been 3 years for him
- single mother heroine
- second chance
- lower steam – 2 full scenes but they are quite short and light
Ages:
- didn’t catch them
First line:
There were bodies everywhere.
My thoughts:
Sadly this one wasn’t for me! I didn’t read synopsis before grabbing. Second chance and secret baby are probably 2 of my least favorite things. I can like it though! But in this particular one it just didn’t work the best for me.
I think it’s because all my favorite romance things were skipped over here. Everything happened so fast and behind the scenes in the prologue. They meet in Portugal during the war. You’re just getting to know them, seeing them with each other and then bam. It’s years later. He thought she was dead, she’s widowed and has a child. And then when they meet there’s this...animosity from her that was painful to read about. The book just kind of drug on for me with this depressing overhang. I never grew to love it but I DID love the scenes of them helping other veterans and opening a place for them. Best part of the book!
The spice is light, the scenes pretty short and vague. The 2 year old reads much older to me but who knows maybe Regency children weren’t lunatics like mine are 😂
I did try another one by Martin and I think she might just not be for me.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: maybe Her Best Friend the Duke
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 (It’s decent I guess)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡ (I feel like all of this was skipped over)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (the scenes are pretty short and vague, I prefer more details / explitness)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (a few paragraphs to a page)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? I guess medium….some parts felt slow
When mains are first on page together: very soon in
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, a year or so later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I love historical romance and wanted to try more Harlequin historicals
Mains: Richard (Earl of Farnleigh) and Hetty – this is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This stands alone
Basic plot:
Richard and Hetty find love on the battlefield only to be separated and reunited years later.
Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance – Regency – 1816
- Earl hero
- nurse heroine
- secret baby
- widow heroine
- celibate hero – it’s been 3 years for him
- single mother heroine
- second chance
- lower steam – 2 full scenes but they are quite short and light
Ages:
- didn’t catch them
First line:
There were bodies everywhere.
My thoughts:
Sadly this one wasn’t for me! I didn’t read synopsis before grabbing. Second chance and secret baby are probably 2 of my least favorite things. I can like it though! But in this particular one it just didn’t work the best for me.
I think it’s because all my favorite romance things were skipped over here. Everything happened so fast and behind the scenes in the prologue. They meet in Portugal during the war. You’re just getting to know them, seeing them with each other and then bam. It’s years later. He thought she was dead, she’s widowed and has a child. And then when they meet there’s this...animosity from her that was painful to read about. The book just kind of drug on for me with this depressing overhang. I never grew to love it but I DID love the scenes of them helping other veterans and opening a place for them. Best part of the book!
The spice is light, the scenes pretty short and vague. The 2 year old reads much older to me but who knows maybe Regency children weren’t lunatics like mine are 😂
I did try another one by Martin and I think she might just not be for me.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: maybe Her Best Friend the Duke
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Harlequin Romance for the e-ARC.
Historical romance with secret baby trope? I'm there; sign me up. But...I struggled with this book. The opening prologue did not do enough to set the scene for the eventual romance. The story opens with the main characters in a small town in Portugal, right in the midst of the violent and brutal Napoleonic War. Hetty, the FMC, is working as a nursing assistant at a makeshift hospital for the British Army after becoming separated from her army husband several months prior. For all intents and purposes, she believes him to be dead. It is while working in Portugal that she meets and treats Richard, an injured cavalry officer. Some time passes, who knows how long because it's unclear, but apparently a relationship develops between the main characters. During a siege upon the town, Hetty and Richard are separated, with Richard presuming that Hetty did not survive the skirmish before being forced to continue on in service to crown and country.
That's just the prologue! And I know it's a lot to summarize, but it's partial proof of where this book struggled. Category romance moves fast by design but this was entirely too much.
Their romantic connection is only vaguely alluded to at the beginning of the story, and this is where the secret baby trope and second chance romance begins to fall apart. There just wasn't enough backstory to the romance to make their affair believable. While details are sprinkled in later on when the pair are reunited back in England, the relationship arc is disjointed and choppy. At the same time, these were two characters deeply impacted by their experiences during the war and, in Hetty's case, domestic abuse. Because that husband she was separated from on the Continent...well it turns out he wasn't dead after all! And he became abusive when Hetty turned up pregnant by another man. These were two characters very clearly struggling with trauma and PTSD, which okay that's understandable. But it also overshadowed the romantic relationship. There was potential! But it just couldn't stick the landing.
I also have beef with children being written in an age appropriate manner in romance. Hetty and Richard's two and a half year old son was far too well spoken for their age. Until the very end...when they suddenly began speaking in more of a baby talk voice. Consistency is key! If a child is on page, their dialogue and actions need to reflect their age accordingly!
Alas, the premise had promise.
Historical romance with secret baby trope? I'm there; sign me up. But...I struggled with this book. The opening prologue did not do enough to set the scene for the eventual romance. The story opens with the main characters in a small town in Portugal, right in the midst of the violent and brutal Napoleonic War. Hetty, the FMC, is working as a nursing assistant at a makeshift hospital for the British Army after becoming separated from her army husband several months prior. For all intents and purposes, she believes him to be dead. It is while working in Portugal that she meets and treats Richard, an injured cavalry officer. Some time passes, who knows how long because it's unclear, but apparently a relationship develops between the main characters. During a siege upon the town, Hetty and Richard are separated, with Richard presuming that Hetty did not survive the skirmish before being forced to continue on in service to crown and country.
That's just the prologue! And I know it's a lot to summarize, but it's partial proof of where this book struggled. Category romance moves fast by design but this was entirely too much.
Their romantic connection is only vaguely alluded to at the beginning of the story, and this is where the secret baby trope and second chance romance begins to fall apart. There just wasn't enough backstory to the romance to make their affair believable. While details are sprinkled in later on when the pair are reunited back in England, the relationship arc is disjointed and choppy. At the same time, these were two characters deeply impacted by their experiences during the war and, in Hetty's case, domestic abuse. Because that husband she was separated from on the Continent...well it turns out he wasn't dead after all! And he became abusive when Hetty turned up pregnant by another man. These were two characters very clearly struggling with trauma and PTSD, which okay that's understandable. But it also overshadowed the romantic relationship. There was potential! But it just couldn't stick the landing.
I also have beef with children being written in an age appropriate manner in romance. Hetty and Richard's two and a half year old son was far too well spoken for their age. Until the very end...when they suddenly began speaking in more of a baby talk voice. Consistency is key! If a child is on page, their dialogue and actions need to reflect their age accordingly!
Alas, the premise had promise.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Secret to Shock the Earl is a really lovely story of two traumatized war veterans who had a whirlwind romance during the Peninsular War but were separated by tragic events. She was thought to be dead, he was thought to have abandoned her. Hetty wasn't a war veteran in the sense that she fought on the front lines like Richard did, she was a nurse fighting for soldiers lives when they weren't strong enough to fight for themselves. And lucky for Richard, he was placed under Hetty's care after being injured in battle.
We get a brief glimpse of their budding relationship before a 3 year time jump when they meet again. It's a reunion neither of them expected. I'm not sure who was more shocked. Hetty who assumed Richard was still enlisted or Richard who thought he was seeing a ghost. Two ghosts actually. One was the woman he loved who, the last time he saw her, was lying dead in the street. And the other was his deceased brother. A miniature of his brother anyway. Seeing them together, there was no doubt that this was his son.
So many things had to be overcome to get these two the HEA they both deserved. Feelings of abandonment, fear and unworthiness on her part and thoughts of being cursed with everyone that he loves, dies on his part. They both have PTSD from events of their past and I thought the author did a wonderful job showing the reality of this being something they'd suffer from the rest of their lives and it didn't magically disappear no matter how much they loved each other.
I would have liked a little more levity or a few more light-hearted moments mixed in giving a break from the seriousness. A longer prologue of them being happy and falling in love would have connected me better and become more invested in their story.
There are 2 full intimate scenes that are on the shorter side and what I would consider mildly explicit.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this second chance at love story with a very sweet, honorable hero and a resilient, caring heroine. I loved watching them heal, grow, accept, and choose to love both the good and not so good parts of each other. I also loved how they took their experiences of war to better the lives of the soldiers that the rest of society chose to ignore. This was my first book by this author and I wouldn't hesitate reading another.
Thank you to Laura Martin and to Netgalley for my early copy.
We get a brief glimpse of their budding relationship before a 3 year time jump when they meet again. It's a reunion neither of them expected. I'm not sure who was more shocked. Hetty who assumed Richard was still enlisted or Richard who thought he was seeing a ghost. Two ghosts actually. One was the woman he loved who, the last time he saw her, was lying dead in the street. And the other was his deceased brother. A miniature of his brother anyway. Seeing them together, there was no doubt that this was his son.
So many things had to be overcome to get these two the HEA they both deserved. Feelings of abandonment, fear and unworthiness on her part and thoughts of being cursed with everyone that he loves, dies on his part. They both have PTSD from events of their past and I thought the author did a wonderful job showing the reality of this being something they'd suffer from the rest of their lives and it didn't magically disappear no matter how much they loved each other.
I would have liked a little more levity or a few more light-hearted moments mixed in giving a break from the seriousness. A longer prologue of them being happy and falling in love would have connected me better and become more invested in their story.
There are 2 full intimate scenes that are on the shorter side and what I would consider mildly explicit.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this second chance at love story with a very sweet, honorable hero and a resilient, caring heroine. I loved watching them heal, grow, accept, and choose to love both the good and not so good parts of each other. I also loved how they took their experiences of war to better the lives of the soldiers that the rest of society chose to ignore. This was my first book by this author and I wouldn't hesitate reading another.
Thank you to Laura Martin and to Netgalley for my early copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Portugal - 1813
Mrs. Hetty Fairweather is working as a nurse assessing those injured in the Napoleonic war to decide who needs to see the surgeon first. Her husband was evidently lost in battle six months ago. Now, she hopes to save enough money to get herself back home.
Richard is a colonel who has suffered a sword cutting through his leg. He insists to Hetty that he will not allow the surgeon to amputate his leg. Although he gets an infection, her nursing helps to pull him through. It’s their time together that sparks an attraction between them. He is the youngest of 4 brothers. His eldest brother, George, is Earl Fairfield and his home is Fairfield Hall in Northumberland.
One day while Hetty is assisting the surgeon, a battalion of men are heading for the camp so Richard gets up and heads out to fight.
1816 - England
Hetty is heading to Fairfield Hall with her son, Noah, 2-1/2 years old. Leaving the coach to walk the rest of the way, the coach overturns and people are injured. Hetty runs to help them. After doing all she can for the injured, Hetty continues on foot to Fairfield Hall. Richard is shocked to see her as he thought she had been killed. He is amazed to find Noah is his son. He explains that all 3 of his older brothers died and he is now the earl. She tells him that her husband did not die in the war but was drummed out as he was a drunk. He abused her for having a child with another man. But he has recently died. She just wants Richard to meet his son. Of course, he insists that they stay at the Hall and she agrees. Is there a way that they can pick up where they left off in life? It’s a difficult road both of them face but can it be conquered?
This is a good story that emphasizes the horrors that both of them faced both in the war and the abuse Hetty faced from her drunken husband. It is well written and I’m sure readers will enjoy it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Mrs. Hetty Fairweather is working as a nurse assessing those injured in the Napoleonic war to decide who needs to see the surgeon first. Her husband was evidently lost in battle six months ago. Now, she hopes to save enough money to get herself back home.
Richard is a colonel who has suffered a sword cutting through his leg. He insists to Hetty that he will not allow the surgeon to amputate his leg. Although he gets an infection, her nursing helps to pull him through. It’s their time together that sparks an attraction between them. He is the youngest of 4 brothers. His eldest brother, George, is Earl Fairfield and his home is Fairfield Hall in Northumberland.
One day while Hetty is assisting the surgeon, a battalion of men are heading for the camp so Richard gets up and heads out to fight.
1816 - England
Hetty is heading to Fairfield Hall with her son, Noah, 2-1/2 years old. Leaving the coach to walk the rest of the way, the coach overturns and people are injured. Hetty runs to help them. After doing all she can for the injured, Hetty continues on foot to Fairfield Hall. Richard is shocked to see her as he thought she had been killed. He is amazed to find Noah is his son. He explains that all 3 of his older brothers died and he is now the earl. She tells him that her husband did not die in the war but was drummed out as he was a drunk. He abused her for having a child with another man. But he has recently died. She just wants Richard to meet his son. Of course, he insists that they stay at the Hall and she agrees. Is there a way that they can pick up where they left off in life? It’s a difficult road both of them face but can it be conquered?
This is a good story that emphasizes the horrors that both of them faced both in the war and the abuse Hetty faced from her drunken husband. It is well written and I’m sure readers will enjoy it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I haven't read many (possibly any) Harlequin line romances, but have been wanting to change that. A Secret to Shock the Earl jumped out at me as up my alley and I had a lot of fun with it! While many romances touch on the Napoleonic Wars, I think this one did a particularly good job of depicting it. I appreciated the author actually placing us on the continent for the beginning of the book, versus just showing the aftereffects. I also loved seeing Hetty serve as a nurse. Many women who followed their husbands had to adapt to survive, and she did just that! And like other women before and after her, Hetty took those skills home and applied them in peacetime as well.
I would have loved to see more of their romance while on the continent. That time serves largely as a prologue of sorts, but it could easily have been the first few chapters. I was obviously rooting for them to get back together later in the book, but I feel that would have been enhanced if we could have seen more of their love affair. Also, as hard as it would be to read, I think we as readers would benefit from seeing Hetty's time with her abusive husband. Hetty references it and you can immediately tell her treated her badly, but it can be hard to understand why she so averse to just getting back together with Richard without seeing that history of hers.
A Secret to Shock the Earl is a strong read, and seriously packs a punch for a relatively short book. You can tell the author did some serious research (and probably drew some inspiration from her own background in the medical field). I definitely recommend it to historical romance readers, whether your a Harlequin aficionado or a total newbie.
I would have loved to see more of their romance while on the continent. That time serves largely as a prologue of sorts, but it could easily have been the first few chapters. I was obviously rooting for them to get back together later in the book, but I feel that would have been enhanced if we could have seen more of their love affair. Also, as hard as it would be to read, I think we as readers would benefit from seeing Hetty's time with her abusive husband. Hetty references it and you can immediately tell her treated her badly, but it can be hard to understand why she so averse to just getting back together with Richard without seeing that history of hers.
A Secret to Shock the Earl is a strong read, and seriously packs a punch for a relatively short book. You can tell the author did some serious research (and probably drew some inspiration from her own background in the medical field). I definitely recommend it to historical romance readers, whether your a Harlequin aficionado or a total newbie.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A historical romance that begins in 1813 in Portugal. Hetty is an English widow, working as a nurse at a military field hospital. One of the patients is Colonel Richard Westbridge. As she nurses him to health they get to know each other very well. Richard is planning to propose when their location is attacked. He thinks she’s dead and is devastated.
3 years later…. Hetty seeks out Richard’s family, 2.5 years later old son in tow, for help. She’s had a terrible few years, is emotionally any physically exhausted. But….Richard is now the Earl and reuniting is a little more complicated.
This is sweet but also sad. Both characters have a lot of trauma and not a lot of tools to manage with. But they are so honorable and want to do the right thing, especially for their son. Richard is do patient with Hetty and loves her through her doubts, and Hetty makes adjustments too.
CW: spouse abuse (off page), injured soldiers, everybody in their family’s is dead, war stuff.
Thanks to Harlequin for the arc
3 years later…. Hetty seeks out Richard’s family, 2.5 years later old son in tow, for help. She’s had a terrible few years, is emotionally any physically exhausted. But….Richard is now the Earl and reuniting is a little more complicated.
This is sweet but also sad. Both characters have a lot of trauma and not a lot of tools to manage with. But they are so honorable and want to do the right thing, especially for their son. Richard is do patient with Hetty and loves her through her doubts, and Hetty makes adjustments too.
CW: spouse abuse (off page), injured soldiers, everybody in their family’s is dead, war stuff.
Thanks to Harlequin for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Martin delivers exactly what I was expecting from one of her romances, tender hearts, wartime scars, and a big emotional reunion wrapped in classic historical romance tropes. I enjoyed it overall!
What works well: The emotional core is solid. Martin excels at writing wounded heroes and resilient heroines who have real trauma without it feeling overdone. The war's impact on both characters feels authentic and their chemistry sparks nicely once trust starts rebuilding.
Where it fell a bit short for me: The pacing drags in the middle, too much internal angst and circling around the same misunderstandings before they talk it out. Some side characters and society drama felt underdeveloped, almost like filler to pad the word count. The resolution comes together predictably, with few surprises beyond the initial twist. It's cozy and comforting, but not particularly memorable or innovative in the genre.
It is a warm, satisfying escape if you're in the mood for second-chance Regency with wounded warriors and heartfelt forgiveness.
What works well: The emotional core is solid. Martin excels at writing wounded heroes and resilient heroines who have real trauma without it feeling overdone. The war's impact on both characters feels authentic and their chemistry sparks nicely once trust starts rebuilding.
Where it fell a bit short for me: The pacing drags in the middle, too much internal angst and circling around the same misunderstandings before they talk it out. Some side characters and society drama felt underdeveloped, almost like filler to pad the word count. The resolution comes together predictably, with few surprises beyond the initial twist. It's cozy and comforting, but not particularly memorable or innovative in the genre.
It is a warm, satisfying escape if you're in the mood for second-chance Regency with wounded warriors and heartfelt forgiveness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book. I do want to push back on the blurb calling it a secret-baby romance. That label carries a pretty negative connotation, and if that’s what’s stopping you from picking this up, don’t let it. This isn’t a secret baby so much as a consequence of war, separation, and life getting in the way. The FMC wasn't plotting against him and hiding the baby out of spite.
I do wish the beginning had more showing instead of telling. We’re told they fell in love through long conversations, but we don’t really get to see those moments on the page. That said, I did feel them falling in love again. They’re both deeply traumatized and doing the best they can, which made their second chance feel earned and tender. Overall, such a sweet second-chance romance and the MMC is the best.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shameless Romantics for the arc.
I do wish the beginning had more showing instead of telling. We’re told they fell in love through long conversations, but we don’t really get to see those moments on the page. That said, I did feel them falling in love again. They’re both deeply traumatized and doing the best they can, which made their second chance feel earned and tender. Overall, such a sweet second-chance romance and the MMC is the best.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shameless Romantics for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a lovely book all about second chances and a love that conquers all.
Hetty and Thomas first meet in Portugal during the Peninsular War. They fall in love but are torn apart during a surprise attack on the village where Hetty is working as a nurse and Thomas is recuperating from an injury. Hetty thinks Thomas has abandoned her and returned to his posting, Thomas thinks Hetty dead.
The real magic comes when they are reunited. I loved the scene where Hetty and Thomas see each other for the first time in years-it gave me goosebumps. The path to their happy ending is not smooth, but I enjoyed the journey to get there and it made the ending all that more satisfying.
This was a beautifully written book where I was rooting for the couple from the very start.
Hetty and Thomas first meet in Portugal during the Peninsular War. They fall in love but are torn apart during a surprise attack on the village where Hetty is working as a nurse and Thomas is recuperating from an injury. Hetty thinks Thomas has abandoned her and returned to his posting, Thomas thinks Hetty dead.
The real magic comes when they are reunited. I loved the scene where Hetty and Thomas see each other for the first time in years-it gave me goosebumps. The path to their happy ending is not smooth, but I enjoyed the journey to get there and it made the ending all that more satisfying.
This was a beautifully written book where I was rooting for the couple from the very start.
March 5, 2026
3.5 rounded up to 4. I don’t believe I’ve read any other books by this author and since it was a Harlequin Historical, I thought I’d give it a try.
Richard is a solider and Hetty is a self taught field nurse. She’s been persuaded to follow the fighting action and serve in some gruesome conditions. Not the ideal place to find someone to fall in love with. Richard is seriously injured and Hetty nurses him through the danger.
All of that happens in the first few chapters. These two characters are so kind, generous, they can’t help but love each other deeply.
While I appreciated the main characters and their efforts to help post-war injured soldiers, I found the layout of the storyline clunky. Lots of action in places, followed by dull chapters.
This ARC was obtained via NetGalley.
Richard is a solider and Hetty is a self taught field nurse. She’s been persuaded to follow the fighting action and serve in some gruesome conditions. Not the ideal place to find someone to fall in love with. Richard is seriously injured and Hetty nurses him through the danger.
All of that happens in the first few chapters. These two characters are so kind, generous, they can’t help but love each other deeply.
While I appreciated the main characters and their efforts to help post-war injured soldiers, I found the layout of the storyline clunky. Lots of action in places, followed by dull chapters.
This ARC was obtained via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked the premise of a second chance romance where the MCs are separated during the war and the outcome of their relationship was a baby the hero doesn't know about. A lot going on here, and the heroine's journey was quite emotional. The hero was a bit too perfect for me though, and his emotions were perhaps a bit flat. There was also quite a lot of dithering both of them and I just wanted them to communicate and get over their hang ups. Overall an ok read but not a favourite.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the arc.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the arc.
March 5, 2026
Richard, Earl of Farnleigh, thought his love Hetty was lost forever in the Peninsular War. Now, she reappears on his doorstep with their two-year-old child! Widowed and penniless after a joyless marriage, Hetty seeks refuge with Richard. Bound by their son and a lingering connection, can they overcome the scars of the past to rekindle their romance? I loved the characters in this heartwarming book, and the story kept me engaged throughout.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story had great potential, two people find love then torn apart by war and brought together years later. But it felt like it was lacking some emotional depth, and what was there felt repetitive. The side characters added alot to the story like Redfern. As for the romance I felt like it lacked some chemistry between the two MCs. In the end it wasn't for me.
I received an ARC from Netgalley, my opinions are freely given and my own.
I received an ARC from Netgalley, my opinions are freely given and my own.
March 16, 2026
Great book! I love historical romances, and this was just wonderful. Richard and Hetty met in Portugal amidst a war. Richard had thought Hetty had died, only to find out a few years later that she's alive and he has a son. Hetty needs Richard's help but they have the past between them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love second chance romances! This book is filled with sweet moments as the two main characters fall in love for a second time round.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
cute regency romance with some good characters and a plot that worked well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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