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The Notorious Briarwoods #14
The Duchess's Absolutely Delightful Dream
Elspeth Graham, Duchess of Donaldoon, dreams of a beautiful life after the death of her best friend and husband. Despite the sufferings of his illness, she adored their life together! At her husband’s urging, she has promised to live on with fun and joy. After years spent nursing the duke, Elspeth does not even know how to begin. Oh, she knows how to be feisty enough, every good Scottish lass does, but it hasn’t been easy. And giving in to joy feels difficult, given the circumstances. But one day on her brother’s estate in Scotland, she meets an Englishman who might just hold the key to her healing and how to begin again.
Lord Octavian Newfield, second son of the Earl of Drexel and Hermia Briarwood, is a military man who has seen the darkest days on battlefields all over the Continent. He also knows how to laugh at life and mock the darkness before it can claim him! No morose fellow is he. So, when a fellow officer and laird invites him and his rather large family to get away to the Highlands to revel in the glories of life, he cannot refuse. But once in those glens, instead of merry antics, he finds the temptation of a beautiful woman and her wounded heart. Still, Octavian cannot give in to love. His life is war. Death lurks on every battlefield. And he will never chance leaving a woman he loves behind. Not even if that woman causes him to dare to hope for a future free from war.
Lord Octavian Newfield, second son of the Earl of Drexel and Hermia Briarwood, is a military man who has seen the darkest days on battlefields all over the Continent. He also knows how to laugh at life and mock the darkness before it can claim him! No morose fellow is he. So, when a fellow officer and laird invites him and his rather large family to get away to the Highlands to revel in the glories of life, he cannot refuse. But once in those glens, instead of merry antics, he finds the temptation of a beautiful woman and her wounded heart. Still, Octavian cannot give in to love. His life is war. Death lurks on every battlefield. And he will never chance leaving a woman he loves behind. Not even if that woman causes him to dare to hope for a future free from war.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
195 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 9, 2025
I loved the first generation of the Briarwoods, they were something special, good as individuals, but great as a family. There was a sort of magic about them. I'm enjoying the next generation but feel something is missing, maybe too many next generation characters so we lose the strength of the family as a whole.
Octavian, the younger of Lady Hermia's twin sons is a career soldier, determined to shut life out as he's seen so much death fighting Napoleon, if he doesn't have friends it doesn't hurt when they're killed in action. He's determined to remain alone so no hurt can befall him.
Ellie is a widower duchess,married very young to her best friend, he died of illness too soon, but she promised him she'd find love and happiness again. She was devastated at his death, her best friend gone, so returned to her family.
Teague is Ellie's eldest brother, and has invited Octavian and some of his family to a house party at his castle in Scotland after meeting Octavian on the continent and realising he needed a break from war. Whilst he and all his brothers have warned Octavian against hurting or trifling with Ellie, they ask him to help her return to society rather than watch from the side lines.
The prologue of the book has me in years for the first time - not the only time. There is a lot of emotion. I like the main characters, well drawn and likeable, but some of the magic of the initial generation's books is missing. I can't quite out my finger on why. Still an enjoyable read.
Octavian, the younger of Lady Hermia's twin sons is a career soldier, determined to shut life out as he's seen so much death fighting Napoleon, if he doesn't have friends it doesn't hurt when they're killed in action. He's determined to remain alone so no hurt can befall him.
Ellie is a widower duchess,married very young to her best friend, he died of illness too soon, but she promised him she'd find love and happiness again. She was devastated at his death, her best friend gone, so returned to her family.
Teague is Ellie's eldest brother, and has invited Octavian and some of his family to a house party at his castle in Scotland after meeting Octavian on the continent and realising he needed a break from war. Whilst he and all his brothers have warned Octavian against hurting or trifling with Ellie, they ask him to help her return to society rather than watch from the side lines.
The prologue of the book has me in years for the first time - not the only time. There is a lot of emotion. I like the main characters, well drawn and likeable, but some of the magic of the initial generation's books is missing. I can't quite out my finger on why. Still an enjoyable read.
August 3, 2025
A different generation of Briarwoods……..
This Briarwood tale had the tings you would expect, like love, steam, family, witty banter, humor, good characters, and an in depth look into the main characters. However, I couldn’t help but feel that some of the things that I loved about the other books was missing. Part of what I have loved so much is the closeness of the Briarwood family and the support they show one another. This next generation seems to be going in a different direction. They are more resistant to the idea of “the one” and when fate calls listening. They are splitting up and moving away from the family. Octavian fought so hard against love and tried to deny the family way for most of the book. There was a lot of focus on duty, war, and grief. The thing I love that remains was the idea of sensitive men that are in touch with their feelings and able to be vulnerable with one another and offer support when needed. The HEA was a bit abrupt and the epilogue was short and didn’t really tell much. This story got 3.5 stars.
This Briarwood tale had the tings you would expect, like love, steam, family, witty banter, humor, good characters, and an in depth look into the main characters. However, I couldn’t help but feel that some of the things that I loved about the other books was missing. Part of what I have loved so much is the closeness of the Briarwood family and the support they show one another. This next generation seems to be going in a different direction. They are more resistant to the idea of “the one” and when fate calls listening. They are splitting up and moving away from the family. Octavian fought so hard against love and tried to deny the family way for most of the book. There was a lot of focus on duty, war, and grief. The thing I love that remains was the idea of sensitive men that are in touch with their feelings and able to be vulnerable with one another and offer support when needed. The HEA was a bit abrupt and the epilogue was short and didn’t really tell much. This story got 3.5 stars.
August 12, 2025
I liked both characters, strong, honorable, good hearted, everything one could hope for. I found myself passing over pages of their thoughts as I read, wanting to get on with the story of it all. Their thoughts were repetitive, each voicing their fears, what they were overcoming and fear of the future, all of which were honest, heartfelt and normal for those finding an attraction to someone new, wondering what the future would bring. Those same thoughts were repeated often though. I like dialog as it’s the result of all that thinking and what they say to each other is what matters. So it was a quick read but I did not even think of not finishing it as it’s a Briarwood story and I love them all.
I think I have read or listened to every single book written by Eva Devon and, as I said, loved them all so was disappointed this one seemed to not have the same luster as the earlier books in the series. It still gets a 3 for the story and characters though and I will read the next in the series whenever that comes out but I am hoping for more dialog!
I think I have read or listened to every single book written by Eva Devon and, as I said, loved them all so was disappointed this one seemed to not have the same luster as the earlier books in the series. It still gets a 3 for the story and characters though and I will read the next in the series whenever that comes out but I am hoping for more dialog!
August 1, 2025
This was a 5 hankie read!!!
I love this series--great characters, especially the women--and the dowager duchess is like a cherry on top of the great sundae!
Ellie lives life to the fullest after 2 significant deaths in her life, especially the death of Hamish. I had such great respect and awe for her in that she could keep her promise to live as fully and joyfully as possible. And the tension with Octavian is so palpable!
Part of this author's strength is writing characters that speak with truth, but also conviction. The tension and angst is so real because what they think and feel is so very genuine, even though at times misguided!
Can't wait for the next book.
I love this series--great characters, especially the women--and the dowager duchess is like a cherry on top of the great sundae!
Ellie lives life to the fullest after 2 significant deaths in her life, especially the death of Hamish. I had such great respect and awe for her in that she could keep her promise to live as fully and joyfully as possible. And the tension with Octavian is so palpable!
Part of this author's strength is writing characters that speak with truth, but also conviction. The tension and angst is so real because what they think and feel is so very genuine, even though at times misguided!
Can't wait for the next book.
August 1, 2025
Elspeth promised her husband, who had been her best friend her entire life, that she would find joy and true love after his passing.
Lord Octavian Newfield is at a house party given by her brother along with his family the Briarwoods.
Octavian is enchanted by Elspeth, but being a soldier doesn't want to marry and possibly leave a widow during the war.
The chemistry between Elspeth and Octavian is fun and spicy. Elspeth sees signs everywhere that he is the man she is meant to be with. Octavian feels the same way but still has misgivings because of the war.
This is a fun, entertaining read with some spicy scenes, fun secondary characters, (who doesn't like the Briarwoods), and a bit of humor.
Lord Octavian Newfield is at a house party given by her brother along with his family the Briarwoods.
Octavian is enchanted by Elspeth, but being a soldier doesn't want to marry and possibly leave a widow during the war.
The chemistry between Elspeth and Octavian is fun and spicy. Elspeth sees signs everywhere that he is the man she is meant to be with. Octavian feels the same way but still has misgivings because of the war.
This is a fun, entertaining read with some spicy scenes, fun secondary characters, (who doesn't like the Briarwoods), and a bit of humor.
August 10, 2025
A great read
I love reading the stories of the Briarwood's, they are a very interesting family and now the next generation is finding love. It was a story of losing those we love only to find love in a different capacity. I cannot wait to find out who will be the next member to fall in love for life. I highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤
I love reading the stories of the Briarwood's, they are a very interesting family and now the next generation is finding love. It was a story of losing those we love only to find love in a different capacity. I cannot wait to find out who will be the next member to fall in love for life. I highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤
July 30, 2025
A beautiful and meaningful romance. Finding your true love, two hearts meant to be. Octavian and Ellie have a wonderful connection and they learn together to grasp the joy and a future filled with love.
December 13, 2025
Good but not my favorite
This was a good story but not my favorite Briarwood story. I don't know what it was about this one but it seemed to drag quite a bit and for a book of this length to drag on isn't good in my opinion.
This was a good story but not my favorite Briarwood story. I don't know what it was about this one but it seemed to drag quite a bit and for a book of this length to drag on isn't good in my opinion.
August 9, 2025
Loved it
November 11, 2025
I enjoyed it so much and running to get the next one
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews