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For the Love of a Widow
A widow scarred by love and loss…
After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon’s troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn’t see a place for herself in society anymore.
A lord determined to save the woman he loves…
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He’s lived the last six years alone after the woman he was betrothed to cast him aside for another man. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery—gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did. But neither of them are the same people they were in their youth—they must trust one another to heal the wounds of their past to find a love that lasts forever.
Available in the Hearts of Courage Anthology.
After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon’s troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn’t see a place for herself in society anymore.
A lord determined to save the woman he loves…
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He’s lived the last six years alone after the woman he was betrothed to cast him aside for another man. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery—gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did. But neither of them are the same people they were in their youth—they must trust one another to heal the wounds of their past to find a love that lasts forever.
Available in the Hearts of Courage Anthology.
184 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2017
283 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Christina McKnight
63 books827 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Christina McKnight writes emotional and intricate Regency Romance with strong women and maverick heroes.
Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books...don't forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.
Sign up for Christina's newsletter and receive a free book: eepurl.com/VP1rP
Follow her on Twitter: @CMcKnightWriter
Keep up to date on her releases: christinamcknight.com
Like Christina's FB Author page: ChristinaMcKnightWriter
Join her private FB group for all her latest project updates and teasers! facebook.com/groups/634786203293673/
Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books...don't forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.
Sign up for Christina's newsletter and receive a free book: eepurl.com/VP1rP
Follow her on Twitter: @CMcKnightWriter
Keep up to date on her releases: christinamcknight.com
Like Christina's FB Author page: ChristinaMcKnightWriter
Join her private FB group for all her latest project updates and teasers! facebook.com/groups/634786203293673/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 4, 2018
Lettie is returning to England after losing her husband on the battlefield. By chance, she runs into her childhood sweetheart Daniel; whom she broke off their engagement to. Both of them are battling their own inner demons, but can what they felt for each other in the past be enough to rekindle what was lost?
September 23, 2017
Premise is the heroine ditched the H because, one she was in love with another, and, two, the H was drinking and womanizing too much despite his feelings for the h. Long story very short, it's several years later and she is back, a widow, having lost her husband in the Napoleonic Wars.
Great potential, but it fell flat for me.
One, we never get a hint of the dead husband, the love of her life, that the heroine completely upended every part of her life for: her parents, safety, her dowry, her future Duchess position.
Two, the heroine is a PTSD victim, but comes off petulant and bitchy.
Three, anachronistic details. Her parents are a Duke and Duchess, top tier peers, but want her to ditch mourning and jump back into the Marriage Market and marry someone worthy of her status. Nope. Not happening. Rituals of mourning were as strict if not more so than courting and marriage rituals. Please, if you are going to write about a certain era, especially Regency that has such prescribed rules and social mores, get it right.
Four, no chemistry between the two main characters primarily because IT'S ONLY BEEN THREE MONTHS AND SHE'S STILL MOURNING HER HUSBAND!
Five, she meets her friends who have not had the same horrific experiences she has had due to her proximity to the war. They are stupid, shallow and vapid. Okay, maybe. Given the impact of the Napoleonic War on England, surely someone in her set would have sympathy and empathy for what she went through????
Six, in some ways this had huge overtones of a rebellious daughter from the sixties that has come home to upper crust parents. I've been watching Ken Burns' "Viet Nam" series so maybe that's it.
Oh there is more, but eh. Too bad as it had a lot of promise.
Caveat to rule breaking in a historical....
Caveat. Okay, yes our heroes and heroines break rules ALL THE TIME in historical fiction, romances or otherwise. Sex before marriage, flouting society's rules, women being doctors, men being supportive, wearing the wrong thing, skinny dipping, swimming upstream while other swim down, not wearing gloves, gasp! If they didn't, it would be b-o-r-i-n-g! However, the main characters are supposed to do the bending, the flouting, etc. The establishment needs to stay the establishment so the H and h can do what they need to do.
Great potential, but it fell flat for me.
One, we never get a hint of the dead husband, the love of her life, that the heroine completely upended every part of her life for: her parents, safety, her dowry, her future Duchess position.
Two, the heroine is a PTSD victim, but comes off petulant and bitchy.
Three, anachronistic details. Her parents are a Duke and Duchess, top tier peers, but want her to ditch mourning and jump back into the Marriage Market and marry someone worthy of her status. Nope. Not happening. Rituals of mourning were as strict if not more so than courting and marriage rituals. Please, if you are going to write about a certain era, especially Regency that has such prescribed rules and social mores, get it right.
Four, no chemistry between the two main characters primarily because IT'S ONLY BEEN THREE MONTHS AND SHE'S STILL MOURNING HER HUSBAND!
Five, she meets her friends who have not had the same horrific experiences she has had due to her proximity to the war. They are stupid, shallow and vapid. Okay, maybe. Given the impact of the Napoleonic War on England, surely someone in her set would have sympathy and empathy for what she went through????
Six, in some ways this had huge overtones of a rebellious daughter from the sixties that has come home to upper crust parents. I've been watching Ken Burns' "Viet Nam" series so maybe that's it.
Oh there is more, but eh. Too bad as it had a lot of promise.
Caveat to rule breaking in a historical....
Caveat. Okay, yes our heroes and heroines break rules ALL THE TIME in historical fiction, romances or otherwise. Sex before marriage, flouting society's rules, women being doctors, men being supportive, wearing the wrong thing, skinny dipping, swimming upstream while other swim down, not wearing gloves, gasp! If they didn't, it would be b-o-r-i-n-g! However, the main characters are supposed to do the bending, the flouting, etc. The establishment needs to stay the establishment so the H and h can do what they need to do.
March 15, 2017
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
Daniel isn't having a good evening. After getting a little too heavy in his drinking, he shows up to the home of his betrothed with the smell of alcohol and another woman's perfume on his person. It seems that this is the last straw for his betrothed, who announces she will no longer marry him and is in love with another man. Wait. What?
Yep. Lettie marries another and leaves to follow him to war. Six years later, she returns home as a penniless widow with haunting memories and absolutely no plan to jump back into a relationship with anyone, despite her parents' insistence that she remarry quickly.
Daniel has had a life-altering experience of his own and is now the man that Lettie deserved all of those years ago. Unfortunately, it seems to be too little too late because the woman he still loves isn't interested in him or any other man. She's still hung up on her dead husband to see the opportunity in front of her.
This novella left my thoughts in conflict. I have to say that the idea of the story was much better than the actual story, in the end. The parents were pushy and downright rude to their grieving daughter, at times. I wasn't surprised by this, but I did find it difficult to swallow the fact that the people who loved Lettie most were unsympathetic to her.
On the other hand, Lettie was a miserable bowl of dramatics, herself. Being inside her head was exhausting. Yes, her husband died in her arms and that is terrible. But it was almost as if she had given up on life entirely, her thoughts were so constantly dark and destitute.
At the end of the novella, I felt more as if Lettie was coerced into being with Daniel, instead of her actually choosing to move on. Perhaps, this story should have given her proper time to get over her husband, first. I would have found it more believable if the story had picked up at around maybe a year after her husband's death. When Lettie was more open to the idea of a future with another.
As it was, there wasn't really any romance here whatsoever. It was just one man's attempt to convince a woman that she wasn't really depressed and she should marry him for the sake of having a companion. I felt terrible for Daniel because he didn't deserve to have a woman who "settled" for him only because her soul mate of a husband died. In all, it just didn't work for me.
In closing...
Despite not enjoying this one, I won't give up on this author. I've seen some of her other titles that look interesting and will reserve my opinion of the writing until I've sampled more of her work. For this one, though, two suns!
Full review on blog: http://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/review-for-love-of-widow-by-christina.html
March 9, 2017
Christina McKnight has done it again; this charming Regency romance packs a weighty emotional punch for a short novella. We suffer along with Lettie as she tries to come to terms with her husband’s tragic death at Waterloo, as she tries to return to the only life left to her as a daughter of one of the Ton’s highest-ranking families despite knowing that she has seen too much and suffered too much in her years as a soldier’s wife ever to be ‘one of them’ again.
Daniel, Duke of Linwood, wasn’t ready to be a husband to Lettie six years before when he allowed her to break their engagement to marry the man she loved. It’s taken him this long to understand that, and for a senseless tragedy he could have prevented to bring him to a bitterly-won maturity. Though he hasn’t seen the horrors of war that Lettie has suffered - and reading from a modern perspective, Lettie’s obvious PTSD is beautifully depicted and never belittled - he does try to understand, and seek to be a supportive friend and not press her for anything more.
My only complaint with this book is that it was too short. I’d have loved to see a few more chapters covering Daniel doing his best to allow Lettie as much time as he could to come to terms with their marriage, and her gradual realization that she could feel love for a second man even while she would always miss her husband.
Christina McKnight writes beautifully for the time period, but I did pick up a couple of tiny modernities creeping in; “gotten” is an American term anyway and certainly not one that would come from an Englishman’s mouth in the 19th century, and tea is never drunk with cream even today. In the Regency era it was generally drunk with lemon, and honey if required, as a sweetener. A historically knowledgeable beta reader should pick those up, and I’d advise seeking one for future works.
Such small things as these did not remotely spoil my enjoyment of the book, though, and I’m happy to give it five well-deserved stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Daniel, Duke of Linwood, wasn’t ready to be a husband to Lettie six years before when he allowed her to break their engagement to marry the man she loved. It’s taken him this long to understand that, and for a senseless tragedy he could have prevented to bring him to a bitterly-won maturity. Though he hasn’t seen the horrors of war that Lettie has suffered - and reading from a modern perspective, Lettie’s obvious PTSD is beautifully depicted and never belittled - he does try to understand, and seek to be a supportive friend and not press her for anything more.
My only complaint with this book is that it was too short. I’d have loved to see a few more chapters covering Daniel doing his best to allow Lettie as much time as he could to come to terms with their marriage, and her gradual realization that she could feel love for a second man even while she would always miss her husband.
Christina McKnight writes beautifully for the time period, but I did pick up a couple of tiny modernities creeping in; “gotten” is an American term anyway and certainly not one that would come from an Englishman’s mouth in the 19th century, and tea is never drunk with cream even today. In the Regency era it was generally drunk with lemon, and honey if required, as a sweetener. A historically knowledgeable beta reader should pick those up, and I’d advise seeking one for future works.
Such small things as these did not remotely spoil my enjoyment of the book, though, and I’m happy to give it five well-deserved stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
March 9, 2017
This novella is my first by Christina McKnight. It tells the story of Lettie, a young widow who loses her husband in battle and is forced back into her parent's household as well as into the company of Daniel, then man she jilted years before.
I love novellas, particularly if I'm in the mood for a quick read. This book was really easy to get through, but unfortunately the romance just missed the mark.
Daniel is a scoundrel, a drunk and a gambler. We are led to believe that the loss of his father is what drove him into a depression, the consequences of which was the loss of Lettie. I admit that I'm not partial to cheating men who blame their actions on depression and jealousy. Apparently Daniel loved Lettie. He just didn't love her enough to not be a cheating drunk. Unfortunately this fact made it difficult for me to see the "connection" between them.
Lettie is a woman who's experienced first-hand the horrors of war. I liked that she, very realistically, found it hard to assimilate back into the comfortable life she knew before marrying a soldier. But the fact that she loved her first husband and still regarded him as her soul mate more than halfway through this book, made it really hard for me to believe that she could ever get past his death. Having a woman pining for her dead husband is a real romance killer.
Ultimately I just never warmed up to Daniel. Perhaps if this had been a full length novel (there are so many complex emotions displayed by both Letty and Daniel that needed to be fleshed out more), he might have stood a better chance of winning me over.
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love novellas, particularly if I'm in the mood for a quick read. This book was really easy to get through, but unfortunately the romance just missed the mark.
Daniel is a scoundrel, a drunk and a gambler. We are led to believe that the loss of his father is what drove him into a depression, the consequences of which was the loss of Lettie. I admit that I'm not partial to cheating men who blame their actions on depression and jealousy. Apparently Daniel loved Lettie. He just didn't love her enough to not be a cheating drunk. Unfortunately this fact made it difficult for me to see the "connection" between them.
Lettie is a woman who's experienced first-hand the horrors of war. I liked that she, very realistically, found it hard to assimilate back into the comfortable life she knew before marrying a soldier. But the fact that she loved her first husband and still regarded him as her soul mate more than halfway through this book, made it really hard for me to believe that she could ever get past his death. Having a woman pining for her dead husband is a real romance killer.
Ultimately I just never warmed up to Daniel. Perhaps if this had been a full length novel (there are so many complex emotions displayed by both Letty and Daniel that needed to be fleshed out more), he might have stood a better chance of winning me over.
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2017
“For the Love of a Widow” is a solid novella that I really enjoyed. Daniel and Lettie have been betrothed since they were young, but Daniel is having second thoughts. Lettie is swept up in the glitz and glam of her first season and Daniel is feeling left out and turns to loose women to hide his emotions.
Lettie asks to break their betrothal – she fell in love with another man, while Daniel was off running after other women – and she is going to follow him to the battlefield. Six years later, Lettie has had a rough time, she helped heal injured soldiers after battles and has slept on the ground for years. She didn’t care, she loved her husband, but when he is killed she returns to her parents’ home.
Six years ago, Daniel walked away from Lettie believing it was the right thing to do, and spent a majority of that time drunk and living as a libertine. He is now trying to get his life together and Lettie returning seems like the perfect time to reinstate their former betrothal. But Lettie is a shadow of her former self, scares easily and probably has PTSD. Daniel realizes that she is the only woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Lettie is a sweet soul and readers will connect with her. Daniel was harder to like, if I was Lettie, I would have a hard time trusting him after his behavior six years prior. I would say this is a pretty clean romance, some kissing, but nothing too heavy. I really enjoyed this story and will read more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lettie asks to break their betrothal – she fell in love with another man, while Daniel was off running after other women – and she is going to follow him to the battlefield. Six years later, Lettie has had a rough time, she helped heal injured soldiers after battles and has slept on the ground for years. She didn’t care, she loved her husband, but when he is killed she returns to her parents’ home.
Six years ago, Daniel walked away from Lettie believing it was the right thing to do, and spent a majority of that time drunk and living as a libertine. He is now trying to get his life together and Lettie returning seems like the perfect time to reinstate their former betrothal. But Lettie is a shadow of her former self, scares easily and probably has PTSD. Daniel realizes that she is the only woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Lettie is a sweet soul and readers will connect with her. Daniel was harder to like, if I was Lettie, I would have a hard time trusting him after his behavior six years prior. I would say this is a pretty clean romance, some kissing, but nothing too heavy. I really enjoyed this story and will read more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2017
Lettie broke tradition by refusing to marry the man chosen for her almost since birth. Instead, she married another and was transported to the battlefields and became a nurse, cook and more to the men in her husband's regiment. She went from balls and beautiful gowns to long hours helping and healing while wearing a simple dress.
Daniel, the man she broke off her engagement with, drank and seduced women before witnessing a life changing event.
It's 6 years later and Lettie has returned home a broken widow.
Both have experienced pain, grief and sorrow. Can they find overcome their own histories? Can they find a common happiness and become friends again and perhaps more?
I just kept turning the pages as I needed to have the two questions answered. My heart ached for Lettie. She was such a strong willed heroine.
Ms. McKnight has delivered another engaging book that held my interest from start to finish and made me truly care about the characters.
I encourage you to join Lettie and Daniel on their journey. It will fill your heart.
Daniel, the man she broke off her engagement with, drank and seduced women before witnessing a life changing event.
It's 6 years later and Lettie has returned home a broken widow.
Both have experienced pain, grief and sorrow. Can they find overcome their own histories? Can they find a common happiness and become friends again and perhaps more?
I just kept turning the pages as I needed to have the two questions answered. My heart ached for Lettie. She was such a strong willed heroine.
Ms. McKnight has delivered another engaging book that held my interest from start to finish and made me truly care about the characters.
I encourage you to join Lettie and Daniel on their journey. It will fill your heart.
September 6, 2017
Heart-wrenching, second chance at love
Great example of how a novella should begin - with an enthralling introduction of pertinent details and none of the dross.
I appreciated the unusual storyline of post-trauma suffered by females who followed their husband/soldiers to war.
I could've done without the suicidal thoughts, despite that it is a real symptom of PTSD.
Midway the story began to be bogged down by repetition of angst and emotional outlooks.
There were moments where angst moved into a melodramatic realm.
Conclusion: Story was fairly well-written but a little too somber for my taste. I prefer reading that offers more of an escape from reality.
Great example of how a novella should begin - with an enthralling introduction of pertinent details and none of the dross.
I appreciated the unusual storyline of post-trauma suffered by females who followed their husband/soldiers to war.
I could've done without the suicidal thoughts, despite that it is a real symptom of PTSD.
Midway the story began to be bogged down by repetition of angst and emotional outlooks.
There were moments where angst moved into a melodramatic realm.
Conclusion: Story was fairly well-written but a little too somber for my taste. I prefer reading that offers more of an escape from reality.
August 18, 2017
When I grow up I want to be a Christina McKnight heroine. A rather ridiculous statement, I know, but in reality it makes sense. Ms. McKnight centers her stories around women with strength of character. They are fighters, not victims. They lead with heart but have the smarts to back it up and they always manage to land on their feet and in the arms of their perfect match. Of course life is not a fairytale, but with stories like For the Love of a Widow, characters like Daniel and Lettie, keep the fantasy alive in a realistic kind of way.
July 20, 2018
Some wounds aren't meant to heal. But we learn to live with them. And maybe even cherish the scars.
Really touching story about two childhood friends who have grown apart. Due to love, war, loss, gambling and liquor. Will they grow together again? Despite or due to their wounds...
Really touching story about two childhood friends who have grown apart. Due to love, war, loss, gambling and liquor. Will they grow together again? Despite or due to their wounds...
August 8, 2025
This was extremely boring, and to add insult to injury, McKnight derogatorily referred to women as "females" TWICE.
March 8, 2017
Lady Lettie Hughes feels like a broken woman. She’s a woman who cancelled her engagement to a life-long friend, a friend who parents heartily approve of, to wed the man she fell in love with, a man who parents strongly disapprove of. A man she has spent six years following into battle - tending wounded soldiers, cooking, mending and doing whatever needs to be done, while witnessing the horror of war, until she loses the love of her life.
Returning to London she’s forced to acknowledge her parent’s desires for her to return to society as if nothing ever happened. She’s forced to face the man she was once to wed. But the war and her loss encroach on her daily living. Unable to make everyone see how she’s changed she contemplates on to go on with her life.
Daniel Greaves, Duke of Linwood, has spent a good portion of his life drinking, gambling, and womanizing in the attempt to dull his pain from the loss of his father. Daniel is thrown into a tailspin when the one person he thought would always be there requests to be released from their betrothal because she loves another. Until one fateful night when he witnesses a horrific act awakens the desire to change his life. Now years after being dumped he encounters the woman who tossed him aside.
Can Daniel make Lettie see that she has much to live for? Can Lettie see that Daniel has changed from the self-absorbed man he used to be?
When an excellently written tale takes me a few days to digest (because a-it was an excellent story and b-it was so emotionally charged) then I consider it to be well worth 10+ stars. Christina McKnight has written such a tale.
One last note - the scene in Lettie’s dressing room….I could fall in love with Daniel just from that scene alone.
Returning to London she’s forced to acknowledge her parent’s desires for her to return to society as if nothing ever happened. She’s forced to face the man she was once to wed. But the war and her loss encroach on her daily living. Unable to make everyone see how she’s changed she contemplates on to go on with her life.
Daniel Greaves, Duke of Linwood, has spent a good portion of his life drinking, gambling, and womanizing in the attempt to dull his pain from the loss of his father. Daniel is thrown into a tailspin when the one person he thought would always be there requests to be released from their betrothal because she loves another. Until one fateful night when he witnesses a horrific act awakens the desire to change his life. Now years after being dumped he encounters the woman who tossed him aside.
Can Daniel make Lettie see that she has much to live for? Can Lettie see that Daniel has changed from the self-absorbed man he used to be?
When an excellently written tale takes me a few days to digest (because a-it was an excellent story and b-it was so emotionally charged) then I consider it to be well worth 10+ stars. Christina McKnight has written such a tale.
One last note - the scene in Lettie’s dressing room….I could fall in love with Daniel just from that scene alone.
March 8, 2017
Wow! What a story Lady Colette is a broken woman never in her dreams did she ever think that pursuing the man that she loved to Waterloo, would render her a broken shell of her former self but she didn't regret her decision really, if her betrothed had stood firm and not agreed to end their engagement maybe things would have been different....maybe.
Daniel was in his own turmoil suffering from the death of his father he has fallen in to every vice available to him and the one person who had the power to save him he was pushing away.
Until fate gave them a second chance to mend and heal their broken souls, each needing the strength that only they could provide!
A sensational story from the perspective of the woman's side and how traumatic war can be to the mind not only to the men that fought but it also touched the women whose job it was to try and mend the broken pieces of the wounded and offer some comfort to the dying.
Christina MacKnight really did an outstanding job in this story full of anguish and heartbreak really gives the reader a glimpse of what a person who has served in the army the horror of war goes through. The reader will definitely fall in love with this truly awesome story of a two people given a second chance at love and their HEA.
A copy was supplied by the author for my honest opinion
Daniel was in his own turmoil suffering from the death of his father he has fallen in to every vice available to him and the one person who had the power to save him he was pushing away.
Until fate gave them a second chance to mend and heal their broken souls, each needing the strength that only they could provide!
A sensational story from the perspective of the woman's side and how traumatic war can be to the mind not only to the men that fought but it also touched the women whose job it was to try and mend the broken pieces of the wounded and offer some comfort to the dying.
Christina MacKnight really did an outstanding job in this story full of anguish and heartbreak really gives the reader a glimpse of what a person who has served in the army the horror of war goes through. The reader will definitely fall in love with this truly awesome story of a two people given a second chance at love and their HEA.
A copy was supplied by the author for my honest opinion
March 8, 2017
*I was provided a copy by the author in exchange for my honest review
This is much more than just a romance its about two people that have suffered heartbreak, loss and need to heal and find each other. Both have been on downward spirals at different times and needed to grow and find each other again. I loved everything because of the raw emotion and how they both had horrible witnessed things that made them grow and change. They needed each other because they understood each other.
Lettie is a strong woman that is stronger than she thinks after what she has seen and done. She saved soldiers lives and saw more death than anyone in London can understand so they push her to be like them again. I kept cheering her on hoping she would find peace soon.
Danial was on his way to ruin when he witnessed a horrible thing that turned him sober. He changed in many ways but still had hints of the man she knew. It was easy to understand why he had acted the way he did before she left, but no one realized why or understood.
This one is high on my favorite list and a must read.
This is much more than just a romance its about two people that have suffered heartbreak, loss and need to heal and find each other. Both have been on downward spirals at different times and needed to grow and find each other again. I loved everything because of the raw emotion and how they both had horrible witnessed things that made them grow and change. They needed each other because they understood each other.
Lettie is a strong woman that is stronger than she thinks after what she has seen and done. She saved soldiers lives and saw more death than anyone in London can understand so they push her to be like them again. I kept cheering her on hoping she would find peace soon.
Danial was on his way to ruin when he witnessed a horrible thing that turned him sober. He changed in many ways but still had hints of the man she knew. It was easy to understand why he had acted the way he did before she left, but no one realized why or understood.
This one is high on my favorite list and a must read.
September 12, 2017
“For the Love of a Widow” is a second chance at love concept ... for me dis was a quick read as there were many thoughts acrossd d story ... the actual dialogues between d main Characters were less so it tended to get boring ....i skipped most of d pages as i wanted to see d gist of d story...
Lettie the heroine of dis story breaks her betrothal with long time friend, Daniel, Duke of Linwood. She marries a soldier and follows him off to war for six years until his untimely death. Daniel is thrown into depression after the death of his father and turns to drinking, gambling, and women. He's thrown further into his rakish ways after Lettie breaks their betrothal and runs off with the man she really loves. Lettie comes back to London, after the death of her husband, broken ...circumstances bring Lettie and Daniel back into each others lives...
Lettie's character doesnt make sense ...she comes across as stubborn & a bit stupid ....daniel is good ...kind ...compassionate but acts like a coward wen it comes to his feelings...
so dis book didnt work for me as to overcome all obstacles u ve to move forward in life but d the story was just moving in circles ...to reach a conclusion it took time ... it should ve been cut short ...i got bored ...there was no Romance ...it was like lettie doing a favour on Daniel all d way ...
sorry but it was a okayish read...
i got a free copy in exchange for a voluntary & honest Review
Lettie the heroine of dis story breaks her betrothal with long time friend, Daniel, Duke of Linwood. She marries a soldier and follows him off to war for six years until his untimely death. Daniel is thrown into depression after the death of his father and turns to drinking, gambling, and women. He's thrown further into his rakish ways after Lettie breaks their betrothal and runs off with the man she really loves. Lettie comes back to London, after the death of her husband, broken ...circumstances bring Lettie and Daniel back into each others lives...
Lettie's character doesnt make sense ...she comes across as stubborn & a bit stupid ....daniel is good ...kind ...compassionate but acts like a coward wen it comes to his feelings...
so dis book didnt work for me as to overcome all obstacles u ve to move forward in life but d the story was just moving in circles ...to reach a conclusion it took time ... it should ve been cut short ...i got bored ...there was no Romance ...it was like lettie doing a favour on Daniel all d way ...
sorry but it was a okayish read...
i got a free copy in exchange for a voluntary & honest Review
September 14, 2017
The plotline was interesting: PTSD syndrome after the Napoleone wars.
There was a character development, nice main characters, and unfeelingly cold parents.
But I did not believe in the premise the daughter of an earl and a duchess breaking off her engagement to a duke and marrying a man who enlists around the wedding and takes his beloved wife along to war with him. That behaviour might be expected by people without means and accomodation, otherwise a wife would stay with her in-laws - a viscount no less - and await the return of her husband.
Firstly Gregory was the son of a viscount, so his family would have bought him a patent and he wouldn't have served as a plain soldier but as an officer.
Secondly Nettie was not of age so her father could have refused to give his permission to a wedding.
Thirdly she was working all the time either along or as a surgeon, as a needlewoman or a cook. So she would have earned and saved some money to get home from Waterloo by her own and not relying on the charity of her late husband's comrades - how could they afford to give her money?
There is the novel "The Spanish Bride" by Georgette Heyer, an acclaimed expert in all things Regency, Christina McKnight could pick up some facts from her.
The grammar was awful in regard to the use of past tense, although there have been her editor, her historical editor and her proofreader according to the author's thanks at the end.
There was a character development, nice main characters, and unfeelingly cold parents.
But I did not believe in the premise the daughter of an earl and a duchess breaking off her engagement to a duke and marrying a man who enlists around the wedding and takes his beloved wife along to war with him. That behaviour might be expected by people without means and accomodation, otherwise a wife would stay with her in-laws - a viscount no less - and await the return of her husband.
Firstly Gregory was the son of a viscount, so his family would have bought him a patent and he wouldn't have served as a plain soldier but as an officer.
Secondly Nettie was not of age so her father could have refused to give his permission to a wedding.
Thirdly she was working all the time either along or as a surgeon, as a needlewoman or a cook. So she would have earned and saved some money to get home from Waterloo by her own and not relying on the charity of her late husband's comrades - how could they afford to give her money?
There is the novel "The Spanish Bride" by Georgette Heyer, an acclaimed expert in all things Regency, Christina McKnight could pick up some facts from her.
The grammar was awful in regard to the use of past tense, although there have been her editor, her historical editor and her proofreader according to the author's thanks at the end.
September 12, 2017
I must be missing something, everyone seems like love this book. I finished it feeling something I rarely feel when I'm done with a book: that I wasted my time.
I found Lettie to be inconsistent and boring and the story was incredibly repetitive.
Am I supposed to find Daniel to be supportive? Because I didn't think he was at all - I thought he was pushy and kinda desperate in an unhealthy way.
I found Lettie to be inconsistent and boring and the story was incredibly repetitive.
Am I supposed to find Daniel to be supportive? Because I didn't think he was at all - I thought he was pushy and kinda desperate in an unhealthy way.
September 12, 2017
Lord Daniel Greaves, Duke of Linwood and Lady Colette Hughes nee Downing have known each other for most of their lives. As playmates, they romped, climbed various trees, and explored the grounds of their respective townhouses and country estates. It was always accepted and expected that they would one day marry and bring the two great families even closer together for the next few generations. On that fateful day in May 1808, at Lord Barclay and Lady Julianna Downing’s London townhouse, Carrolton Hall, Lettie broke off the impending nuptials. Although Daniel was fully committed to the union, at twenty, he wasn’t ready to take on the responsibility of a title and a new bride. Lottie, on the other hand, simply loved another. She revealed that she was in love with Gregory Hughes and was going to marry him with or without parental consent.
Now, six years later, Napoleon has been defeated on the fields surrounding the village of Waterloo and Lettie is soon returning to England a newly widowed wife. Gregory Hughes’s lifeless body has been committed to a grave, under the Belgian sod. With no other options, Lettie returns to England, a twenty-six-year-old widow, without anything except a ditty bag of possessions and a memory full of broken dreams.
Daniel too has undergone metamorphoses. Now, racked with guilt after squandering his life for so long on drink, gambling, and cardinal pleasures, he has come to realize what he had lost when the love of his life forsook him for another. Now, sober and repentant, he hopes to atone for his rebellious ways. Deep down he rues the day he lost the one constant in his life; Lettie. Life offers many paths to follow. Sometimes, the path less traveled eventually arrives at the destination that was always meant to be.
I was thoroughly enthralled as I entered the pompous world of England’s elite classes. A world void of emotion and sorely lacking in compassion; where in six short years monumental changes in Lottie’s life had formed a breach between her and those she’d once known and loved. This novella is sweeping, emotional, and interesting but just a little too vanilla for my tastes. Raw and uncontrolled lustful passion has been replaced with almost shy, apathetic emotional ardor. This said I must say that the lack of said lust and passion, doesn’t affect the story as a whole. It is solid and well worth time and effort spent on reading it. I’m sure it would be seen as a welcome addition to anyone’s library.
Now, six years later, Napoleon has been defeated on the fields surrounding the village of Waterloo and Lettie is soon returning to England a newly widowed wife. Gregory Hughes’s lifeless body has been committed to a grave, under the Belgian sod. With no other options, Lettie returns to England, a twenty-six-year-old widow, without anything except a ditty bag of possessions and a memory full of broken dreams.
Daniel too has undergone metamorphoses. Now, racked with guilt after squandering his life for so long on drink, gambling, and cardinal pleasures, he has come to realize what he had lost when the love of his life forsook him for another. Now, sober and repentant, he hopes to atone for his rebellious ways. Deep down he rues the day he lost the one constant in his life; Lettie. Life offers many paths to follow. Sometimes, the path less traveled eventually arrives at the destination that was always meant to be.
I was thoroughly enthralled as I entered the pompous world of England’s elite classes. A world void of emotion and sorely lacking in compassion; where in six short years monumental changes in Lottie’s life had formed a breach between her and those she’d once known and loved. This novella is sweeping, emotional, and interesting but just a little too vanilla for my tastes. Raw and uncontrolled lustful passion has been replaced with almost shy, apathetic emotional ardor. This said I must say that the lack of said lust and passion, doesn’t affect the story as a whole. It is solid and well worth time and effort spent on reading it. I’m sure it would be seen as a welcome addition to anyone’s library.
September 13, 2017
This well written novelette expresses so much pain and emotion that at times it was difficult to read. Unless a person has gone through the kind of trauma experienced by Lady Lettie (not necessarily war, but a life event that changes your whole world view) it is difficult to identify with her. As a facilitator of support groups, I have seen that different types of trauma have similar effects on people, as was shown both by Lettie and Daniel, the Duke of Linwood. An interesting aspect in Daniel's experience is the catalyst it provided for him to change and turn his life around. Despite a broken engagement and Lettie's marriage to Gregory, neither Lettie nor Daniel were able to dispel the links of friendship forged when they were children and as Lettie returns to London after the death of her husband on the battleground of Waterloo, it is that friendship that motivated Daniel to do everything in his power to bring healing and to protect her. I loved the character that Daniel became and the caring compassion he developed as a result of witnessing a hideous crime. One couldn't help but feel Lettie's pain and the difficulty she had adjusting to life back in London after 6 years of living on the battlefields of Europe. When one has had to scrimp and make do under the harshest of circumstances, it isn't easy to throw off the yoke of responsibility and just let go and enjoy oneself without feeling guilt and shame. The book came to a tender close and gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing that Lettie had found new purpose and a reason for living.
December 23, 2017
Lettie did what no one had expected: She married a military man and went to war. Heir to a Dukedom, she was supposed to marry Daniel, the Duke of Linwood, but Daniel quickly lets her slip through his fingers because of mistakes and grief. Years later, when Lettie returns husbandless and in deep mourning for the man she loved, Daniel is determined to be her friend. He's always loved her, but if she can't give him more he'll make sure that he keeps her in his life regardless. Because he knows that she makes him a better man.
This is a really nice novella. McKnight really knows how to put emotions down on paper. I felt for Lettie and the loss she was facing as well as the hardships (PTSD) that she had. However, I think it would have done better if it had been longer and if McKnight had taken the time to really flesh some things out. The ending felt a little rushed to me, and you don't really see the two fall in love, rather it seems more like displacement to me as well as escape. It was really easy to dislike Lettie's parents as well as her friends, whom she still seemed to forgive. And though Daniel really does allow her to grieve to a certain extent without expectations, I really did feel that the expectations were there. This made me really feel for Lettie, whether that was intentional or not I'm not sure.
This is a really nice novella. McKnight really knows how to put emotions down on paper. I felt for Lettie and the loss she was facing as well as the hardships (PTSD) that she had. However, I think it would have done better if it had been longer and if McKnight had taken the time to really flesh some things out. The ending felt a little rushed to me, and you don't really see the two fall in love, rather it seems more like displacement to me as well as escape. It was really easy to dislike Lettie's parents as well as her friends, whom she still seemed to forgive. And though Daniel really does allow her to grieve to a certain extent without expectations, I really did feel that the expectations were there. This made me really feel for Lettie, whether that was intentional or not I'm not sure.
March 15, 2017
Publisher's Description:
A WIDOW SCARRED BY LOVE AND LOSS...
After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon's troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn't see a place for herself in society anymore.
A LORD DETERMINED TO SAVE THE WOMAN HE LOVES.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He's lived the last six years alone after the woman he was betrothed to cast him aside for another man. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery--gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did. But neither of them are the same people they were in their youth--they must trust one another to heal the wounds of their past to find a love that lasts forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a well thought out story of young love lost due to tragic circumstances and a chance at a second go-round.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood was a young man who had inherited a title through the loss of his father. Instead of taking hold of the holdings he instead acts out his grief by turning to debauchery.
His betrothed could take no more of this and turned to another man and severed their betrothal. After six years of following her soldier husband around and his consequent death, Lettie has returned home broken and living with the nightmares of battle.
Will these two be able to reconcile their past and come together for a second chance at love?
This novella is well developed with characters that are believable if a bit tragic. I enjoyed the read although it at times brought me to tears.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 2.5 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title and I have voluntarily left this review.
A WIDOW SCARRED BY LOVE AND LOSS...
After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon's troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn't see a place for herself in society anymore.
A LORD DETERMINED TO SAVE THE WOMAN HE LOVES.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He's lived the last six years alone after the woman he was betrothed to cast him aside for another man. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery--gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did. But neither of them are the same people they were in their youth--they must trust one another to heal the wounds of their past to find a love that lasts forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a well thought out story of young love lost due to tragic circumstances and a chance at a second go-round.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood was a young man who had inherited a title through the loss of his father. Instead of taking hold of the holdings he instead acts out his grief by turning to debauchery.
His betrothed could take no more of this and turned to another man and severed their betrothal. After six years of following her soldier husband around and his consequent death, Lettie has returned home broken and living with the nightmares of battle.
Will these two be able to reconcile their past and come together for a second chance at love?
This novella is well developed with characters that are believable if a bit tragic. I enjoyed the read although it at times brought me to tears.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 2.5 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title and I have voluntarily left this review.
March 7, 2017
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood fiancée Lady Lettie broke off her engagement when she fell in love with another man. Daniel had fallen into deep disparity after his father’s death. He drank and seduced women before witnessing a life changing event. Now Lettie has returned a broken woman. Her husband a soldier died in her arms on the battle field, she has lived on the battlefield as a nurse, cook and more to the men in her husband's regiment, a far cry from the beautiful dresses and ball she use to attend. Daniel is happy his Lettie has come home and decides to win her back, but she has so much pain and suffering to overcome. If only she will let Daniel become the friend she once had and one she desperately needs again maybe they can find common happiness and become friends again and perhaps more. This is a riveting story with some deep anguish and hardships for Daniel and Lettie as they find their way back to each other and find the happiness the both deserve.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
February 20, 2023
I really enjoyed this story.
Lettie decided she would not marry her betrothed Duncan at a dinner the family were having to celebrate the event. Duncan had turned up reeking of alcohol and cheap scent.
She married another and followed him across Europe whilst he fought Napoleon.
She helps by nursing the wounded and helping make camp life better.
She looses her husband at Waterloo when he is bought to her after being wounded and dies in her arms.
Meanwhile Duncan has been getting into bad company, spending his time getting drunk and gambling until a horrific event makes him turn his life around.
When Lettie arrives back from the continent with little more than the clothes she stands up in her parents are less that sympathetic as the did not approve of her marriage and her subsequent decision to follow the drum
Can these two who have seem more that they should find the love they need to help them heal each other?
Lettie decided she would not marry her betrothed Duncan at a dinner the family were having to celebrate the event. Duncan had turned up reeking of alcohol and cheap scent.
She married another and followed him across Europe whilst he fought Napoleon.
She helps by nursing the wounded and helping make camp life better.
She looses her husband at Waterloo when he is bought to her after being wounded and dies in her arms.
Meanwhile Duncan has been getting into bad company, spending his time getting drunk and gambling until a horrific event makes him turn his life around.
When Lettie arrives back from the continent with little more than the clothes she stands up in her parents are less that sympathetic as the did not approve of her marriage and her subsequent decision to follow the drum
Can these two who have seem more that they should find the love they need to help them heal each other?
October 1, 2017
This is a Regency Romance about a woman that went with her husband to the Napoleonic Wars. The woman is a lady of privilege. She follows her husband doing what has to be done, whether it is surgery, cooking, washing or sleeping on the ground. When her husband dies she is expected to return home to England on her own. She has very little money and a change of clothes. She was unable to bring her husband's body back. She is suffering from PTSD and survivors guilt. Her parents expect her to pick up where her life left off. Her old childhood friend and former fiancee` is there to meet her at an inn. He also has changed as the result of a class experience with a poor child. This was actually a very good novel. This story has many layers and portrays the struggle that women who married soldiers and followed into war suffered along with the men.
March 18, 2017
Although this book has one of my least favorite types of characters, I must say it was extremely good. The H is very disappointing initially, extremely difficult to like, much less love. The h is very likable and interesting.. They have been betrothed, essentially since childhood, and friends as well. Upon the opening of the book he is gaming, drinking and unfaithful, all disagreeable behaviors, and not even regretful about them. Due to his negligent attentions, she has met someone else, and wants release from the engagement, which he agrees to. He then continues his whoring, gambling and drunkenness, while she marries, follows her military in war, and serves as nurse, cook, helpmate to her husband and troops. Eventually, she is widowed and returns home, broken-hearted and distraught with grief, suffering from nightmares of war. He has stopped his aimless ways and realizes he loved her all along, she is not finished grieving. This is an emotional roller coaster, a story of love lost and rediscovered, a man redeemed and a woman's heart healed. A beautiful well written love story that manages to turn an irredeemable man into a hero . A quick read, it moves along well, but not too fast as to be unbelievable. Highly recommend.
August 13, 2018
Lettie & Daniel
Lettie and Daniel have been friends most of their lives. It was always understood that they would marry. But Daniel lost his parents, and started drinking and not paying any attention to Lettie. She found someone else to love and marry. Then her husband was killed in the war, and she came home a widow. By this time Daniel has straightened out his life, and realizes he loves and wants to marry her. She thinks she is damaged, from being with her husband in the war. But Daniel shows her, that there is still purpose to living and helping others ravaged by the war.
Lettie and Daniel have been friends most of their lives. It was always understood that they would marry. But Daniel lost his parents, and started drinking and not paying any attention to Lettie. She found someone else to love and marry. Then her husband was killed in the war, and she came home a widow. By this time Daniel has straightened out his life, and realizes he loves and wants to marry her. She thinks she is damaged, from being with her husband in the war. But Daniel shows her, that there is still purpose to living and helping others ravaged by the war.
March 7, 2018
Happy endings!
He is a Duke who was lost when his Father passed away. She was his fiancée and a Duchess to be in her own right. She breaks their engagement, marries a soldier and follows the drum until his death at Waterloo. She returns home and is totally lost and filled with grief. He fights to become necessary to her while she’s becoming necessary to him. Naturally, this being chick lit, there are lots of happy endings, but it is a good day’s read to reach them. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
He is a Duke who was lost when his Father passed away. She was his fiancée and a Duchess to be in her own right. She breaks their engagement, marries a soldier and follows the drum until his death at Waterloo. She returns home and is totally lost and filled with grief. He fights to become necessary to her while she’s becoming necessary to him. Naturally, this being chick lit, there are lots of happy endings, but it is a good day’s read to reach them. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
March 10, 2017
On the one side I liked this novella a lot because it was different but on the other side, there were a few things, I wasn't happy about. This story shouldn't be a novella but a full novel because lady Lettie's fight with herself, her dreams, her past, her grief should be given more space. And we should be able to learn more about Daniel and how he changed. A single event may have been the trigger for his change but there must have been more before it ...
October 26, 2017
For The Love Of A Widow by Christina McKnight is a fairly quick read. Ms. McKnight has delivered a well-written book. The characters are awesome. Daniel and Lettie's story is a second chance historical romance. There is plenty of drama, bits of humor and just a tiny bit of spice. This book is clean enough for just about any age. I enjoyed reading For The Love Of A Widow and look forward to reading more from Christina McKnight in the future.
This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
June 25, 2018
It’s like somebody wrote the beginning to a good story then said screw it and threw together a quick ending just to be done. First of all she is a widow of three months. Second, she is fresh off the battle field and suffering from PTSD. I don’t feel she was given enough time to recover. I was enjoying it up until the last 20%. I really wish that the author had extended the story by a minimum of six months and maybe shown a development of feelings between the two leads.
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