*3.5 stars*

A widow afraid to lose her dead husband's estate to his rapey brother hires the land owner in training next door to be her "stud" and help her conceive a baby she can pass off as the heir. Once per day, no passion. No lust. No orgasm (for her). Between their daily seed deposits, the two fall into friendship over learning about milk cows and farming, then fall in love near the end of their deal.

I was both compelled and exhausted by this romance. The sheer amount of described quick, seed depositing sex scenes made my body tired by proxy. Talk about awkward sex. I felt so awful for Theo who would have made it so good for Martha the entire time but also angry he didn't insist on it. I appreciated seeing a moment when Theo had difficulty performing, and I wish that was explored more.

I appreciate seeing awkward sex on page but I guess after reading this I like seeing awkward sex when both parties are trying to have sex enthusiastically because they want to, but having some issues because sex is awkward and needs talking.

The whole "not in my backyard" concept of preventing the rapist brother from living on the estate but him still being free to live a life elsewhere was also a bit troubling.

A mixed bag for me.