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The Cavendish Family #1
Leave a Widow Wanting More
A penniless widow. A baron in need of a bride. A marriage of convenience will save them or tear them apart.
Sarah Pennington has just been sacked from her position at Hopkins’ Bookshop, and if she doesn’t fine a new position fast, she’ll know the pang of hunger. Again.
When a famous adventurer enters the shop looking for a rare and priceless book, Sarah finds the key to her future—she’ll beat the baron and win the book for herself.
Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden returns home in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels. He expects to obtain his goal effortlessly.
He doesn’t expect to compete against a lovely-eyed widow to win the book. Her determination and passion reveal a prize of greater value—the widow herself.
Henry suggests a marriage of convenience. He’ll win the book, she’ll gain stability, and they’ll both find passion in one another’s arms.
But for Sarah, stability isn’t enough. She wants the baron’s heart.
Sarah Pennington has just been sacked from her position at Hopkins’ Bookshop, and if she doesn’t fine a new position fast, she’ll know the pang of hunger. Again.
When a famous adventurer enters the shop looking for a rare and priceless book, Sarah finds the key to her future—she’ll beat the baron and win the book for herself.
Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden returns home in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels. He expects to obtain his goal effortlessly.
He doesn’t expect to compete against a lovely-eyed widow to win the book. Her determination and passion reveal a prize of greater value—the widow herself.
Henry suggests a marriage of convenience. He’ll win the book, she’ll gain stability, and they’ll both find passion in one another’s arms.
But for Sarah, stability isn’t enough. She wants the baron’s heart.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2021
411 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Lane
71 books189 followersCharlie writes Regency romance that's lighthearted and hot. Her books have a little bit of angst, a lot of laughs, and a whole lot of heart and heat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 31, 2024
⭐💫
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
“Older” heroine. (36)👏👍
“Older” couple.
(Both main characters are 35+)👍
Widow heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming.
Formulaic.
Flat and uninteresting main characters.
Annoying main characters.
Nonsensical.
Idealized and formulaic main characters.
(The hero is tall/very tall and muscular and handsome… and heroine is small and petite etc.)
Romance/chemistry is very unconvincing.
Predictable.
Formulaic.
Repetitive use of the words Zeus and Gutenberg.
Contrived and OTT plot.
Not steamy just a little lukewarm.
Weird discrepancy with the main characters ages…
Heroine is 36 (tells hero her age) but also tells the hero that she was 17 when she had her son...that would make her 33.🤔
And the hero is 40 at the beginning of the story/book… but he has a daughter that is 26… that would mean he became a father when he was 14 years old.🤔
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
“Older” heroine. (36)👏👍
“Older” couple.
(Both main characters are 35+)👍
Widow heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming.
Formulaic.
Flat and uninteresting main characters.
Annoying main characters.
Nonsensical.
Idealized and formulaic main characters.
(The hero is tall/very tall and muscular and handsome… and heroine is small and petite etc.)
Romance/chemistry is very unconvincing.
Predictable.
Formulaic.
Repetitive use of the words Zeus and Gutenberg.
Contrived and OTT plot.
Not steamy just a little lukewarm.
Weird discrepancy with the main characters ages…
Heroine is 36 (tells hero her age) but also tells the hero that she was 17 when she had her son...that would make her 33.🤔
And the hero is 40 at the beginning of the story/book… but he has a daughter that is 26… that would mean he became a father when he was 14 years old.🤔
dnf
February 9, 2023I have to DNF. I tried but the two MCs have no attraction and no chemistry yet the hero really wants to marry her and she is refusing. 33 % in I can’t deal with this dry boring writing.
April 17, 2022
Endearing & sexy but something felt missing. I gave this
3.5 stars.
Henry (a wealthy baron/ scholar) & Sarah (a penniless
woman employed by a bookseller) were both celibate/
widowed. He traveled and wrote books about various
cultures. Henry had 2 grown daughters & a 7 yr old dtr.
And 9 yr old twin nephews/ wards. Ada his eldest @
26 (who never had a season. huh?) acted as mother to
this brood. Sarah had a son on scholarship at Harrow.
The author hinted that v. lg /tall Henry was in his late
40s yet looked younger & tiny Sarah 36. They wed after
knowing each other a couple days!
Henry engaged in his adventures & returned home
for 2-3 weeks 2x a year. Henry introduced his new
wife to his brood at his country estate. Sarah saw his
broken family. Ada especially resented her neglectful
father.
The MCs had sexy times until Henry cut it off. He
feared Sarah's safety if she had a baby. He decided
to have minimal contact with her. This embrace/
ignore pattern got old. He rejected her seduction
attempts.
Henry came across as moody, & at times his anger
boiled over. He finally concluded he needed to work
to become a better father.
Irritating repetition: Sarah bit her lower lip until it
disappeared (just kidding) & uttered too often:
Great Gutenberg! Sweet Gutenberg! Zeus! Why?
3.5 stars.
Henry (a wealthy baron/ scholar) & Sarah (a penniless
woman employed by a bookseller) were both celibate/
widowed. He traveled and wrote books about various
cultures. Henry had 2 grown daughters & a 7 yr old dtr.
And 9 yr old twin nephews/ wards. Ada his eldest @
26 (who never had a season. huh?) acted as mother to
this brood. Sarah had a son on scholarship at Harrow.
The author hinted that v. lg /tall Henry was in his late
40s yet looked younger & tiny Sarah 36. They wed after
knowing each other a couple days!
Henry engaged in his adventures & returned home
for 2-3 weeks 2x a year. Henry introduced his new
wife to his brood at his country estate. Sarah saw his
broken family. Ada especially resented her neglectful
father.
The MCs had sexy times until Henry cut it off. He
feared Sarah's safety if she had a baby. He decided
to have minimal contact with her. This embrace/
ignore pattern got old. He rejected her seduction
attempts.
Henry came across as moody, & at times his anger
boiled over. He finally concluded he needed to work
to become a better father.
Irritating repetition: Sarah bit her lower lip until it
disappeared (just kidding) & uttered too often:
Great Gutenberg! Sweet Gutenberg! Zeus! Why?
July 31, 2021
I loved it! From the first page to the last you will be spellbound by Leave a Widow Wanting More. Charlie Lane weaves a story from beginning to end with threads of strong emotions, uncertainties and angst. It's a beautifully written romance that brims with tension-building twists and turns, remarkable emotions, extremely interesting characters that weaves a story that will pull you into their emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, sizzling passion, witty banter and with one fantastic plot that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next in The Cavendish Family series.
August 26, 2021
Delightful, first in new series looking forward to book 2. Henry is an explorer and he has written books on foreign cultures recently returned to England to check in with his motherless children. Sarah is a widowed mother of a male youth working in a bookstore to keep her son in necessities.
The two meet in the bookstore where Sarah has just learned she will be let go soon. Henry is looking for a special book but the owner will not tell him who owns so Henry tricks the identity out of him, Sarah offers to get the book for her boss in exchange for continuing her job, Henry offers her a ride home in his carriage due to the rain and his great fear of a woman becoming ill. While in the carriage he asks her to marry him. The next day she agrees and before she knows it she is the mother of five more children.
Neither wanted love nor wanted to need anyone this is why Henry never stays home for long, Sarah always has had only herself to depend on and didn't want to miss him when he left again. The story travels how each person changes and how the children have been affected by the absence of their father. Truly unique love story I enjoyed it very much.
The two meet in the bookstore where Sarah has just learned she will be let go soon. Henry is looking for a special book but the owner will not tell him who owns so Henry tricks the identity out of him, Sarah offers to get the book for her boss in exchange for continuing her job, Henry offers her a ride home in his carriage due to the rain and his great fear of a woman becoming ill. While in the carriage he asks her to marry him. The next day she agrees and before she knows it she is the mother of five more children.
Neither wanted love nor wanted to need anyone this is why Henry never stays home for long, Sarah always has had only herself to depend on and didn't want to miss him when he left again. The story travels how each person changes and how the children have been affected by the absence of their father. Truly unique love story I enjoyed it very much.
August 21, 2021
An entertaining tale.
Sarah a widow with a 16 year old son has a job she really needs but she maybe loosing. Henry an explorer who is home in England for two reasons a rare book and a wife so his children have a mother. He is also a widower plus has two twin wards. Events occur and they ended up in a marriage of convenience kind of. I think perhaps there is friendship and a grain of love there too. I loved the writing and the back and forth banter by Sarah and Henry. I can't say I liked Hopkins but Hellwater was fun. It was a very entertaining piece. I received this book for free from Book Options and voluntarily chose to review it.
Sarah a widow with a 16 year old son has a job she really needs but she maybe loosing. Henry an explorer who is home in England for two reasons a rare book and a wife so his children have a mother. He is also a widower plus has two twin wards. Events occur and they ended up in a marriage of convenience kind of. I think perhaps there is friendship and a grain of love there too. I loved the writing and the back and forth banter by Sarah and Henry. I can't say I liked Hopkins but Hellwater was fun. It was a very entertaining piece. I received this book for free from Book Options and voluntarily chose to review it.
December 12, 2023
I did not love this one. I read these out of order and thought #2 in the series was fantastic. I may continue the series, since I liked the next one so well. I never liked the MMC. He was "I'll never love again" and "won't let anyone close" guy. It went on too long in my opinion. He was a coward. The FMC was okay. Her mental gymnastics seemed TSTL sometimes. They both did for "smart" "learned" people. I do know people like that in real life. Book smart with zero common sense. They each had an exclamation that they used constantly. CONSTANTLY. He said "Zeus!" and she said "Great Guttenberg!" a million times. I would also say sensual and not steamy. On to the next.
July 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book, I love a book that involves children. I liked the romance between Sarah & Henry, even though it happened fast, it was believable. I was given an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion. It looks like this is going to be a good series if this first book is anything to go by.
August 7, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah and Henry's story.
Henry is a man with motherless daughters, he is also a world renowned scholar and adventurer. Henry has a habit of running away from the ones he loves in fear that death will come nipping at their heels.
Sarah is a poor widowed mother of one who will do whatever it takes to house, feed and school her only son at Harrow.
Due the machinations of a world weary Earl and the lore of a rare book an agreement is formed that will benefit them both a mother for Henry's daughters and security and wealth for Sarah and her son.
However will their underlying attraction for each other get in the way of their arrangement as theirs was a marriage conceived to help each other giving them both what they need a home and freedom, but at what cost, will Henry see the distructive effect his seemingly selfish way of abandoning all for far ofshores is doing to the children under his care in time or will it take a wife, a runaway child and a rare book to bring him to his senses to makr him realise that what he was searching for or running from was right in front of him along.
Henry is a man with motherless daughters, he is also a world renowned scholar and adventurer. Henry has a habit of running away from the ones he loves in fear that death will come nipping at their heels.
Sarah is a poor widowed mother of one who will do whatever it takes to house, feed and school her only son at Harrow.
Due the machinations of a world weary Earl and the lore of a rare book an agreement is formed that will benefit them both a mother for Henry's daughters and security and wealth for Sarah and her son.
However will their underlying attraction for each other get in the way of their arrangement as theirs was a marriage conceived to help each other giving them both what they need a home and freedom, but at what cost, will Henry see the distructive effect his seemingly selfish way of abandoning all for far ofshores is doing to the children under his care in time or will it take a wife, a runaway child and a rare book to bring him to his senses to makr him realise that what he was searching for or running from was right in front of him along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2021
Farce
This book is a farcical comedy of errors. Extraordinary claims of love for the most part fell flat.
I didn't particularly like this book.
This book is a farcical comedy of errors. Extraordinary claims of love for the most part fell flat.
I didn't particularly like this book.
February 8, 2022
Another delightfully entertaining book by Charlie Lane! This book kicks off the new Cavendish Family series, and what a wonderful start it is! This marriage of convenience story was well-written and pulled me in from the start. Whenever I pick up a book by this author I get totally immersed in the story and this was no different. Sarah is a widow and works in a bookshop to support herself and her 16 year old son. She is let go from her job and and worries how she will manage when she meets Henry at the shop. Henry is a widower and an adventurer who is back in London looking for a rare copy of a book and also a wife. They ultimately agree to a marriage of convenience but as they spend more time with each other, their relationship grows and develops into something more.
Henry and Sarah are well-developed characters and I loved the dialogue between the two and the chemistry between them just sizzles. The story is beautifully written and is filled with emotion and the twist and turns will keep you turning the pages, anxious to find out what happens next.
I am already addicted to this series and can't wait to read book 2!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Henry and Sarah are well-developed characters and I loved the dialogue between the two and the chemistry between them just sizzles. The story is beautifully written and is filled with emotion and the twist and turns will keep you turning the pages, anxious to find out what happens next.
I am already addicted to this series and can't wait to read book 2!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
August 21, 2021
🗺 Leave a Widow Wanting More 🗺
A Steamy Historical Romance
The Cavendish Family Series #1
✒️ Charlie Lane
https://www.facebook.com/CharlieLaneR... Release Date 08/26/2021
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948DJHXB/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A penniless widow. A baron running from love. Will a marriage of convenience save them or tear them apart?
Widow Sarah Pennington has no time for love. Sending a son to Harrow is not cheap, and her husband’s lies left them in poverty. When she loses her position at the bookshop, she knows marriage isn’t the answer. Only her own hard work will save the day.
It seems Baron Eaden can’t love a woman without her dying. To keep his daughters, and his heart, safe, he roams the world, keeping his distance. But when his hunt for a rare book brings him back to London, he knows he must do the one thing he’s avoided for years—find them a mother. He needs a woman who’s up to the challenge, not one to fall in love with. Because he’s vowed never to make that mistake again.
The determined, lovely-eyed widow in the bookshop challenges Henry in every way. She’s exactly who his daughters need. But she’d rather have the book he’s after than his hand in marriage.
A marriage of convenience could save Sarah and her son, but when she finds passion in the baron’s arms, she realizes security isn’t enough. She wants Henry’s heart. If he can find the courage to trust her with it.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will he realize running away does not prevent loss …
Each new addition to this author’s work is a little gem, and this new release does not disappoint.
I loved stories with older people, the dramatic is always different from the younger set, less flighty, more grounded to life’s experience and the pain it leaves in everyone’s soul.
Sarah never had an easy life, she had to do what she could to provide a roof for herself then her son. She married her husband not for the great she had for him as he was more a friend than a lover but to assure herself a better life than the cards she was left to deal with. But it did not turn as she could have expected and for the last decade and a half, she had been alone to raise her son and provision for him. And once more she is at a turn of her life having lost her last position.
Henry has roamed the world for the last five years, coming back to England only when he had to, and yet never really there as always planning his next trip. He knows he is running away from the pain of losing those who were dear to his heart. But he also wounds the ones who are left behind to cope without him, now a stranger in his own household. So he believes in supplying his absence with a stepmother, he will atone for his defection.
Their encounter was like a fate strike, she needs a way out of her predicament and he is looking to redeem part of his actions. Yet he had to be quite forcefully argumentative to convince her to accept his proposal. And while he never lied, he neglected to offer details about the emotional state of his kin.
So Sarah lands into a home full of love and hurt, with wounds left to fester as each coped with their pain their own way, but mostly by rejecting or ignoring the father who left left them behind.
This introduction to a new series is a delightful lighthearted read of people who need a way back to the others, with Sarah provided as a wrap to bandage superficially their pain, while in fact she becomes the cure, fixing everyone of their ailments, even opening Henry’s eyes on the errors of his way.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS1IJjRAq...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #historicalromanceauthor #bookblog #romanceauthor #historicalromancewriter #bookblogger #historicalromancenovel #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote
A Steamy Historical Romance
The Cavendish Family Series #1
✒️ Charlie Lane
https://www.facebook.com/CharlieLaneR... Release Date 08/26/2021
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948DJHXB/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A penniless widow. A baron running from love. Will a marriage of convenience save them or tear them apart?
Widow Sarah Pennington has no time for love. Sending a son to Harrow is not cheap, and her husband’s lies left them in poverty. When she loses her position at the bookshop, she knows marriage isn’t the answer. Only her own hard work will save the day.
It seems Baron Eaden can’t love a woman without her dying. To keep his daughters, and his heart, safe, he roams the world, keeping his distance. But when his hunt for a rare book brings him back to London, he knows he must do the one thing he’s avoided for years—find them a mother. He needs a woman who’s up to the challenge, not one to fall in love with. Because he’s vowed never to make that mistake again.
The determined, lovely-eyed widow in the bookshop challenges Henry in every way. She’s exactly who his daughters need. But she’d rather have the book he’s after than his hand in marriage.
A marriage of convenience could save Sarah and her son, but when she finds passion in the baron’s arms, she realizes security isn’t enough. She wants Henry’s heart. If he can find the courage to trust her with it.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will he realize running away does not prevent loss …
Each new addition to this author’s work is a little gem, and this new release does not disappoint.
I loved stories with older people, the dramatic is always different from the younger set, less flighty, more grounded to life’s experience and the pain it leaves in everyone’s soul.
Sarah never had an easy life, she had to do what she could to provide a roof for herself then her son. She married her husband not for the great she had for him as he was more a friend than a lover but to assure herself a better life than the cards she was left to deal with. But it did not turn as she could have expected and for the last decade and a half, she had been alone to raise her son and provision for him. And once more she is at a turn of her life having lost her last position.
Henry has roamed the world for the last five years, coming back to England only when he had to, and yet never really there as always planning his next trip. He knows he is running away from the pain of losing those who were dear to his heart. But he also wounds the ones who are left behind to cope without him, now a stranger in his own household. So he believes in supplying his absence with a stepmother, he will atone for his defection.
Their encounter was like a fate strike, she needs a way out of her predicament and he is looking to redeem part of his actions. Yet he had to be quite forcefully argumentative to convince her to accept his proposal. And while he never lied, he neglected to offer details about the emotional state of his kin.
So Sarah lands into a home full of love and hurt, with wounds left to fester as each coped with their pain their own way, but mostly by rejecting or ignoring the father who left left them behind.
This introduction to a new series is a delightful lighthearted read of people who need a way back to the others, with Sarah provided as a wrap to bandage superficially their pain, while in fact she becomes the cure, fixing everyone of their ailments, even opening Henry’s eyes on the errors of his way.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS1IJjRAq...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #historicalromanceauthor #bookblog #romanceauthor #historicalromancewriter #bookblogger #historicalromancenovel #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote
August 22, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Charlie Lane. It will not be the last. This story is the first in the Cavendish Series. I can't wait for the next book.
This is a very different kind of romance story. Lord Henry Eaden is in London for two reasons, first to get a copy of a very rare book he has wanted for a long time and second to find a mother for his daughters. He has an idea of where the book is he has no idea how to find his kids a mother. He needs someone who can not only help his daughters, Nora and Ada have a season but also be a mother to his youngest, Pansy. He is also the guardian for his twin nephews Thomas and Nicholas. That is a tall order for any woman.
Mrs. Sarah Pennigton has gotten a job at a bookstore that pays her better them being a seamstress.
It is unheard of for a woman to be working in a shop. The owner only hired her because she knows a lot about the books. When an unfortunate issue happens, she has a month to find other job.
With her son, James in Harrow on scholarship it takes a lot to buy proper clothes for him. Most jobs did not pay as well as the bookstore and she has no idea what she is going to do.
Then she runs into Henry literally. She knows him from the books he writes, her son has read a number of them. Ah now the fun begins.
Both her and Henry feel an attraction right from the start, neither understand it. And try not to show it.
Due to events that unfold neither could have seen. With him needing a mother and her needing everything they agree to have a marriage of convenience(with benefits). Both feel like they have known each other a lot longer than three days !! Both have passionate feeling simmering just the skin.
What a great book, how both Henry and Sarah have to overcome their past. How the children have to figure out having a mother now. So much emotion mixed with sadness, joy, love and let us not forget the animals. I loved the horses and mostly the goat!!!
I hope you get a copy it will make you laugh out loud, maybe cry a little too. This book has steamy love scenes which work well with the story.
I received and ARC and wish to thank the author, this is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
This is a very different kind of romance story. Lord Henry Eaden is in London for two reasons, first to get a copy of a very rare book he has wanted for a long time and second to find a mother for his daughters. He has an idea of where the book is he has no idea how to find his kids a mother. He needs someone who can not only help his daughters, Nora and Ada have a season but also be a mother to his youngest, Pansy. He is also the guardian for his twin nephews Thomas and Nicholas. That is a tall order for any woman.
Mrs. Sarah Pennigton has gotten a job at a bookstore that pays her better them being a seamstress.
It is unheard of for a woman to be working in a shop. The owner only hired her because she knows a lot about the books. When an unfortunate issue happens, she has a month to find other job.
With her son, James in Harrow on scholarship it takes a lot to buy proper clothes for him. Most jobs did not pay as well as the bookstore and she has no idea what she is going to do.
Then she runs into Henry literally. She knows him from the books he writes, her son has read a number of them. Ah now the fun begins.
Both her and Henry feel an attraction right from the start, neither understand it. And try not to show it.
Due to events that unfold neither could have seen. With him needing a mother and her needing everything they agree to have a marriage of convenience(with benefits). Both feel like they have known each other a lot longer than three days !! Both have passionate feeling simmering just the skin.
What a great book, how both Henry and Sarah have to overcome their past. How the children have to figure out having a mother now. So much emotion mixed with sadness, joy, love and let us not forget the animals. I loved the horses and mostly the goat!!!
I hope you get a copy it will make you laugh out loud, maybe cry a little too. This book has steamy love scenes which work well with the story.
I received and ARC and wish to thank the author, this is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
October 11, 2021
Charlie Lane’s “Leave a Widow Wanting More” A Steamy Historical Romance is Book 1 in The Cavendish Family Series. This is a sweet story packed with heart rending emotions while at the same time being lighthearted.
Mrs. Sarah Pennington , a widow works at a bookstore to keep her son in school at Harrow’s. Now she’s losing her job and is at a loss. Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden, a widower is a famous explorer and writer who collects rare books and is in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels that he uncovers through the bookstore where Sarah works. He’s come to London to find a mother for his children and acquire the book. So once losing his wife he’s run away from the pain and subsequently the responsibility of being there for their children. Henry strikes up deal with Sarah which alleviates their problems.
These two characters have much to overcome. Henry’s children are hurt that he’s been away five years while he’s tried to outrun his fear and pain and Sarah has lead a difficult life for the past ten years.
This was a warm and wonderful story. The characters were good people trapped in unforeseen circumstances. Sarah was delightful, strong, funny and resourceful. My heart went out to Henry although I think he could handle the situation better but people do sometimes try it out around their grief and fears. The children were a delightful addition to the story. I really enjoyed that the characters were older and in mature situations, it’s was a refreshing change. There were some age discrepancies if I figured correctly by it didn’t affect the story as a whole. This is a wonderful story that warms your heart. I enjoyed the story and how Sarah was able to heal and bring the family together.
Thank you so much Ms. Lane for this sweet, entertaining story.
Mrs. Sarah Pennington , a widow works at a bookstore to keep her son in school at Harrow’s. Now she’s losing her job and is at a loss. Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden, a widower is a famous explorer and writer who collects rare books and is in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels that he uncovers through the bookstore where Sarah works. He’s come to London to find a mother for his children and acquire the book. So once losing his wife he’s run away from the pain and subsequently the responsibility of being there for their children. Henry strikes up deal with Sarah which alleviates their problems.
These two characters have much to overcome. Henry’s children are hurt that he’s been away five years while he’s tried to outrun his fear and pain and Sarah has lead a difficult life for the past ten years.
This was a warm and wonderful story. The characters were good people trapped in unforeseen circumstances. Sarah was delightful, strong, funny and resourceful. My heart went out to Henry although I think he could handle the situation better but people do sometimes try it out around their grief and fears. The children were a delightful addition to the story. I really enjoyed that the characters were older and in mature situations, it’s was a refreshing change. There were some age discrepancies if I figured correctly by it didn’t affect the story as a whole. This is a wonderful story that warms your heart. I enjoyed the story and how Sarah was able to heal and bring the family together.
Thank you so much Ms. Lane for this sweet, entertaining story.
February 12, 2023
This book was my first by this author.
This was called a “steamy” historical romance, which almost made me give it a pass: not because I object to steamy but because most books advertised as such are just poorly written excuses to string sex scenes together for no purpose but titillation. This is neither poorly written nor chock full of sex scenes nor really all that steamy. The main characters are interesting: Henry, a famous explorer, takes one look at widowed Sarah in a bookstore and decides she’ll do, as a mother to his children during his extended absences and as a bed partner when he’s home. He proposes. She says no, although she’s hungry and cold and is having trouble keeping her son in clothes and school. Henry, seemingly intelligent, intuitive, methodical, and persistent, figures out how to get her to say yes. He looks like an attractive knight in shining armor but, upon arriving at his estate, she discovers he’s an absentee father whose family is broken and his children are emotionally damaged and it turns out he can’t wait to dump all that on her and run to protect his own heart. That is why I only gave this book four stars in spite of how impressed I was by the writing. Henry’s fear of loss, propelling him to take actions so cowardly and self-centered he looked like an unmitigated jerk, seemed decidedly out of character for the man in the first half of the book. One would expect a father who spends large amounts of time traveling for his work to have damaged children—to purposely cause the damage in order to save himself future pain makes him a villain of the highest order. He didn’t deserve his happy ending.
There was enough good stuff in this book to make me want to read another by this author, but I’ll hope for a better hero.
This was called a “steamy” historical romance, which almost made me give it a pass: not because I object to steamy but because most books advertised as such are just poorly written excuses to string sex scenes together for no purpose but titillation. This is neither poorly written nor chock full of sex scenes nor really all that steamy. The main characters are interesting: Henry, a famous explorer, takes one look at widowed Sarah in a bookstore and decides she’ll do, as a mother to his children during his extended absences and as a bed partner when he’s home. He proposes. She says no, although she’s hungry and cold and is having trouble keeping her son in clothes and school. Henry, seemingly intelligent, intuitive, methodical, and persistent, figures out how to get her to say yes. He looks like an attractive knight in shining armor but, upon arriving at his estate, she discovers he’s an absentee father whose family is broken and his children are emotionally damaged and it turns out he can’t wait to dump all that on her and run to protect his own heart. That is why I only gave this book four stars in spite of how impressed I was by the writing. Henry’s fear of loss, propelling him to take actions so cowardly and self-centered he looked like an unmitigated jerk, seemed decidedly out of character for the man in the first half of the book. One would expect a father who spends large amounts of time traveling for his work to have damaged children—to purposely cause the damage in order to save himself future pain makes him a villain of the highest order. He didn’t deserve his happy ending.
There was enough good stuff in this book to make me want to read another by this author, but I’ll hope for a better hero.
December 15, 2022
I adore Charlie Lane’s writing. Her books are an auto-add to my tbr list. This story is no exception. For a marriage of convenience, this story has a remarkable family pull. Not standard in that trope, but love is the underlying emotion of all their problems from the start. Coming from a place of loss, Henry protects his heart by staying away from everything he loves. But his children need a parent, so he enlists the help of widow, Sarah Pennington. The attraction and the need to protect is instant, she is smart, kind and a good mother already. The perfect answer to his dilemma. Except that protecting his heart means leaving her too, but she is a fixer and sets out to fix not only his household, but also his heart.
I was drawn in immediately by their wicked teasing rapport. These two blend together so smoothly you cannot help but love them. I loved how his research played such a rounding arc throughout the entire book. ‘The Crocodiles!’ Right down to his crocodile smile. The children were endearingly sweet, and the conflict with the oldest daughter was exactly what one would expect from a young girl forced to grow-up too fast. She has such strong emotions and deserves to be taken care of for once. Charlie Lane is a master at writing a good Brute, tough and wounded and desperately in need of love. Henry is exactly this and it breaks your heart how effortlessly he pushes everyone away. I have never read so much laughter in a love scene, and yet it completely worked and took away nothing. Sarah is literally the light he needs to bring him out of the shadows. The HEA at the end is the perfect picture of the family bliss he’s always deserved.
I was drawn in immediately by their wicked teasing rapport. These two blend together so smoothly you cannot help but love them. I loved how his research played such a rounding arc throughout the entire book. ‘The Crocodiles!’ Right down to his crocodile smile. The children were endearingly sweet, and the conflict with the oldest daughter was exactly what one would expect from a young girl forced to grow-up too fast. She has such strong emotions and deserves to be taken care of for once. Charlie Lane is a master at writing a good Brute, tough and wounded and desperately in need of love. Henry is exactly this and it breaks your heart how effortlessly he pushes everyone away. I have never read so much laughter in a love scene, and yet it completely worked and took away nothing. Sarah is literally the light he needs to bring him out of the shadows. The HEA at the end is the perfect picture of the family bliss he’s always deserved.
March 13, 2023
A meeting in a book store
Henry goes into a bookstore looking for a rare book surprised to find a woman working there.This meeting results in a marriage proposal with an agreement that her will provide for her and her son and she will care for his three daughters and two nephews. Sarah is a very strong woman who has been alone for 14 years raising her son alone. She is up for any challenge and expects that the outcome will always what she wants.Heny loves his children but after his wife and infant daughter die he is afraid of losing another person he loves so he travels and studies other countries. Sarah is just the woman he needs for his children and to help him to realize he is running from his life not living it.
I loved Sarah with her independent spirit. I felt sorry for Henry until I became angry with him for not noticing how much his children wanted and needed him at home. There were some tender scenes when he was asking Sarah to marry him after knowing her for 24 hours. The situation was out of the ordinary but it appeared their attraction was sincere and would eventually turn into love. I found his daughters to be exceptional given that they had practically raised themselves.
Love this book and recommend it as a historical novel with just a little extra twist.
Henry goes into a bookstore looking for a rare book surprised to find a woman working there.This meeting results in a marriage proposal with an agreement that her will provide for her and her son and she will care for his three daughters and two nephews. Sarah is a very strong woman who has been alone for 14 years raising her son alone. She is up for any challenge and expects that the outcome will always what she wants.Heny loves his children but after his wife and infant daughter die he is afraid of losing another person he loves so he travels and studies other countries. Sarah is just the woman he needs for his children and to help him to realize he is running from his life not living it.
I loved Sarah with her independent spirit. I felt sorry for Henry until I became angry with him for not noticing how much his children wanted and needed him at home. There were some tender scenes when he was asking Sarah to marry him after knowing her for 24 hours. The situation was out of the ordinary but it appeared their attraction was sincere and would eventually turn into love. I found his daughters to be exceptional given that they had practically raised themselves.
Love this book and recommend it as a historical novel with just a little extra twist.
August 27, 2021
Sarah Pennington is a 33 year old (though also shown as 36 in error) small curvy pretty woman working in a London book store when the owner Hopkins tells her that she is not working out and he has to fire her giving a month's notice. Having a 16 year old son in the elite Harrow school, James, is expensive even if he is on a scholarship as he wants to keep up with the aristocratic boys. Serendipitously, a Lord Henry Eadon visits the shop looking for a special edition of Gulliver's Travels which leads Sarah to go on a mission to find and obtain it. This is an amusing part of the story but we go on with this famous explorer Henry Eadon needing a wife to take care of his three daughters and two nephews and he finds that he has an amorous interest in the lust inducing Sarah. Off to Cavendish Manor and this is like a second part of the book where the now Lady Sarah becomes mother to a large family mostly estranged from Henry who they know will be off to travel to Egypt or somewhere else as exotic but leaving them. There are some steamy sensuous scenes between Sarah and Henry adding to the enjoyment of this lovely read. Received this ARC and have voluntarily reviewed.
August 27, 2021
Leave a Widow Wanting More by Charlie Lane is delightful from beginning to end. The only thing that would have made it better would be the addition of 30 more chapters (yes, I am greedy). Widowed Sarah is currently working in a bookstore when she encounters Baron Henry Eaden, scholar and adventurer. Henry is looking for a book in the store but he is also looking for a wife while he is in England. When he and Sarah are thrust together as they grapple for the possession of a rare copy of Gulliver's Travels, Henry comes to realize that the enchanting, yet strong Sarah would make an excellent wife: she can supervise his three children and two wards, allowing him to continue his escape from the ghosts that haunt him at home. Ms. Lane has crafted a lovely story. She shows how one can cope with sorrow by leaving behind the people you love the most. She also infuses this weighty subject with humor and light. I look forward to reading the other upcoming books in the series; I am so hoping that Henry and Sarah will have prominent roles in those books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2021
As always, what I enjoy about Charlie Lane’s books are they are unpredictable and different from the traditional Regency Romance stories. Sarah Pennington is a penniless widow trying to make ends meet for herself and her son. She’s on the verge of losing her latest job at Hopkins Bookstore and is desperate to get her boss to change his mind.
Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden collects rare books and is in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels that he uncovers through the bookstore. He needs someone to take care of his daughters, he is an adventurer who avoids his children because of his fear of losing them so at best their relationship is superficial.
Without telling their story, Henry suggests a marriage of convenience, this way he gets the book, she has stability and income, he’ll have a mother for his daughters, and they will find passion together.
A delightful story filled with uncertainties, humor, insecurities, fear, passion, and so many emotions from a variety of characters. The best part of this book was the children were very much involved and it wasn’t just about Henry and Sarah. I read an ARC copy of this book and highly recommend it.
Henry Cavendish, Baron Eaden collects rare books and is in search of a rare copy of Gulliver’s Travels that he uncovers through the bookstore. He needs someone to take care of his daughters, he is an adventurer who avoids his children because of his fear of losing them so at best their relationship is superficial.
Without telling their story, Henry suggests a marriage of convenience, this way he gets the book, she has stability and income, he’ll have a mother for his daughters, and they will find passion together.
A delightful story filled with uncertainties, humor, insecurities, fear, passion, and so many emotions from a variety of characters. The best part of this book was the children were very much involved and it wasn’t just about Henry and Sarah. I read an ARC copy of this book and highly recommend it.
February 22, 2022
Whirlwind romance
Sarah has a son and she has learned to scrimp and save to provide for the both of them until her job at the bookstore is threatened! You guessed it by a self righteous harpy who thinks Sarah sold her daughter an inappropriate book well if only!
Henry world famous explorer stops in and is captivated by this woman! He uses every weapon in his arsenal including Gulliver Travels and befriending her son! The book does play a significant tear jerker scene later on.
Henry's family is a mess his daughters especially the oldest resents him he has been in and out of their lives for 5 years leaving her to raise her siblings! Sarah struggles with not falling in love with a man who has kept every promise except not to leave again and not to take her heart with him!
Henry has two assistants one we are sure to hear about in her own story!
There is lots of humour with 6 kids between them including his wards there is laughter, lust and just the right amount of mayhem to keep you turning pages! Never a dull moment and this family will steal their way into your hearts and you will absolutely want to visit them!!! Bravo!
Sarah has a son and she has learned to scrimp and save to provide for the both of them until her job at the bookstore is threatened! You guessed it by a self righteous harpy who thinks Sarah sold her daughter an inappropriate book well if only!
Henry world famous explorer stops in and is captivated by this woman! He uses every weapon in his arsenal including Gulliver Travels and befriending her son! The book does play a significant tear jerker scene later on.
Henry's family is a mess his daughters especially the oldest resents him he has been in and out of their lives for 5 years leaving her to raise her siblings! Sarah struggles with not falling in love with a man who has kept every promise except not to leave again and not to take her heart with him!
Henry has two assistants one we are sure to hear about in her own story!
There is lots of humour with 6 kids between them including his wards there is laughter, lust and just the right amount of mayhem to keep you turning pages! Never a dull moment and this family will steal their way into your hearts and you will absolutely want to visit them!!! Bravo!
September 1, 2021
Leave a Widow Wanting More is a beautifully written book. The characters pull you into the story. Henry and Sarah agree to a marriage of convenience. He gets a mother to stay home while he is off exploring, and she gets security for her and her son. There is a whole in Henry’s heart and a wall between him and his family. Sarah seeks to help the hurt heal and bring him back to his children. Can she do it? Can she help him realize that staying away from the people he loves is not the best way to cope with his fear? This emotional story is hard to put down. There is pain, uncertainty, and tension, but there is also humor woven through the whole story. The kids are absolutely delightful. Henry and Sarah make a great couple. Their romance has a twist and turn or two, but the attraction is strong and the chemistry sizzles. An entertaining beginning for what promises to be a great series. I look forward to next story.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.
August 3, 2025
Hit & Miss
Not a bad story, though I struggled over whether to give 2 stars or 3. It has too many unanswered questions, and an utterly dreadful hero.
Sarah is a great character, well developed and on the whole, well written. She’s compassionate, clever, and insightful, with a strong moral compass. Her common sense and loving heart steer her path through the Cavendish family’s struggles.
For all his fame and scholarship, Henry is a self-centred, emotionally indulgent, idiot. A man who gave a year of mourning with his children after the death of his wife & newborn daughter, and then left because he found it too painful. He has rarely been home in the many years following, spending his time abroad, researching and writing. No thoughts of what the consequences of his absence and neglect have upon his children.
Too many Americanisms, sub-plots left hanging, and what really happened with Sarah’s first husband?
In the end I gave three stars as I finished the book and liked the core of the story.
Give it a go.
Not a bad story, though I struggled over whether to give 2 stars or 3. It has too many unanswered questions, and an utterly dreadful hero.
Sarah is a great character, well developed and on the whole, well written. She’s compassionate, clever, and insightful, with a strong moral compass. Her common sense and loving heart steer her path through the Cavendish family’s struggles.
For all his fame and scholarship, Henry is a self-centred, emotionally indulgent, idiot. A man who gave a year of mourning with his children after the death of his wife & newborn daughter, and then left because he found it too painful. He has rarely been home in the many years following, spending his time abroad, researching and writing. No thoughts of what the consequences of his absence and neglect have upon his children.
Too many Americanisms, sub-plots left hanging, and what really happened with Sarah’s first husband?
In the end I gave three stars as I finished the book and liked the core of the story.
Give it a go.
August 19, 2021
This is such a heartwarming read. The characters, from the main hero and heroine, to all the family members and acquaintances have such depth to them, with deep hurts and scars, and the author does such an amazing job of helping the reader to really know and understand them. Sarah is a poor widow, working in a bookstore, trying to keep her son in an expensive school. Lord Henry Eaden is a famous author/explorer who comes to the book store looking for a rare copy of “Gulliver’s Travels”. It’s not there but the store owner knows who possesses it. When Sarah loses her job, she knows that getting the rare book back for the owner would get her her job back. The resourceful lady not only ends up with the book but a marriage to the famous Baron as well. She also gains a very broken family along with him, the most broken of all. A very beautiful story as she earns the trust and love of each one !
August 26, 2021
This is so good! There is a lightness to the story, even though it deals with heavy emotions. Henry is a famous adventurerer who happens to meet Sarah at the bookstore where she is employed. When she shows up at the earl’s house that Henry is visiting, he and the earl decide she would make him the perfect wife….as he had returned to London to find someone to help raise his daughters and nephews. And so begins the persuasion, the introductions, the familial dynamics, the playfulness, the fear and the abandonment. This author is spot on with her dialogues and the portrayal of emotions, enabling the reader to get caught up and invested in the story quickly and effortlessly. The characters and their issues and reactions feel very real. I just really enjoyed this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2022
Amazing!
I loved this story from the moment I started reading it to the moment I finished it!
She's a widow with a son in school she's struggling to make ends meet and she wants nothing more than to keep her job at a bookstore so she doesn't have to go back to being a seamstress. Her life is forever changed after meeting a scholar along with getting her hands on a very rare gem.
He wants this very rare travel guide and has wanted since he was a child and he will ANYTHING to get it so when he meets this widow and she has it, he finds out about her life and makes a proposal.
They were only supposed to be marriage of convenience but after spending time together surrounded by her son and his daughters they not only find passion but love blossoms.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I look forward to the next book in this series
I loved this story from the moment I started reading it to the moment I finished it!
She's a widow with a son in school she's struggling to make ends meet and she wants nothing more than to keep her job at a bookstore so she doesn't have to go back to being a seamstress. Her life is forever changed after meeting a scholar along with getting her hands on a very rare gem.
He wants this very rare travel guide and has wanted since he was a child and he will ANYTHING to get it so when he meets this widow and she has it, he finds out about her life and makes a proposal.
They were only supposed to be marriage of convenience but after spending time together surrounded by her son and his daughters they not only find passion but love blossoms.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I look forward to the next book in this series
October 10, 2022
Widow Sarah Pennington and Henry, Lord Eaden, meet for the first time at Hopkins Bookshop. Acquiring the
1st Edition Gulliver's Travels is Sarah's ticket to keep her job at Hopkin's Bookshop to support her son. Henry wants it, too. Lord Hellwater has the book. Who gets the book? Henry is leaving soon on his next exploration trip and needs a wife to supervise the care of his children and wards while he is gone. In the five years since his wife, child and a year later, his brother and sister-in-law died, he continually leaves his daughters and wards to run away on these trips for a year or two at a time. He cannot handle someone else to die on his watch. Fortunately Sarah sees the problem and tries to show Henry what he has is more important than what he is looking for. Henry is very attractive and can charm the dress off a lady. A mature couple romance. An open bedroom door.
1st Edition Gulliver's Travels is Sarah's ticket to keep her job at Hopkin's Bookshop to support her son. Henry wants it, too. Lord Hellwater has the book. Who gets the book? Henry is leaving soon on his next exploration trip and needs a wife to supervise the care of his children and wards while he is gone. In the five years since his wife, child and a year later, his brother and sister-in-law died, he continually leaves his daughters and wards to run away on these trips for a year or two at a time. He cannot handle someone else to die on his watch. Fortunately Sarah sees the problem and tries to show Henry what he has is more important than what he is looking for. Henry is very attractive and can charm the dress off a lady. A mature couple romance. An open bedroom door.
August 27, 2021
An emotional story about self-discovery and sacrifice with a HEA. The characters in the story are equally charming: Henry, a young man who is afraid to fully live his life and consequently chooses the easy paths with little responsibility and Sarah, a young widow who is willing to do everything in her power to secure the welfare of those she loves, meet in less than fortunate circumstances and strike a bargain. Little do they know that this is the moment their lives are going to be changed forever and eventually find love. A good story with a good plot and good turn of phrase. It is a promise for the books to come. I enjoyed reading it and I look forward to the next book in series.
I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2021
I enjoyed this romance with great characters. She was a war widow who had raised her son for 14 years and was losing her job at the bookstore. He was a scholar who went to foreign countries and wrote books about it. He had just returned to England and needed a wife to raise his 3 daughters and twin wards. His wife had died 6 years previously in childbirth and he had traveled constantly since then. He met the widow in the bookstore and after a day got her to marry him so she could take care of her son. His children resented him when he came home. There were complications, but the ending was great. Looks like this will be a great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2021
This was my first read from this author and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. The books had a great family dynamic, and just the right amount of family drama. The widow has a teen son who doesn't quite understand being frugal (and most parents will relate to that!) and the hero has a few children and doesn't understand that running away from the heartache he still feels over their mother isn't going to ever help them, or make it stop. The two meet over a rare book and a man's wicked sense of humor and passion flares between them. I loved how the families slowly blended together and the widow was able to mend the rifts between the hero's daughters and himself. It was a great read for my first experience with this author and I look forward to more.
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