This is my second Janna MacGregor (I also read #5). This book can be read as a standalone, but the characters from the previous book (and possibly others) are in it. Also, the heroine from this story is the one that ruthlessly broke the heart of the hero in book 5. It's not a huge part of the story, which is why I say it can be read alone, but as usual with a series you will get more from the characters if it's read in order.

Avalon has had a horrible first marriage. Widowed, she is happy to raise her son alone while helping fallen women get back on their feet. Her son's guardian sends his brother, Devan, to keep tabs on her and her spending. As Devan is a vicar, he takes up residence in the town. Well known to have a rakish reputation, he is fooling everyone with what's truly underneath.

I think you should give this story a try if you are looking for
the ever elusive virgin hero!
- You prefer widowed heroines
- You like a bit of enemies to lovers feel, though not overwhelming (a bit of push and pull, but their relationship progresses well before the end of the book, enough that they don't feel like enemies for long)
- You like a lot of plot devices going on, things to keep the book rolling right up to the end
- You want a different kind of hero – with him being a vicar and a virgin, Devan just felt different than other heroes I have read lately
- You like a child in the story and watching those family dynamics form with the main characters.

Personally, there were a few things that put me off this book. Some parts were overly dramatic to me, especially the beginning. I did get past it and enjoyed a bit of the middle, but then again the book started having a lot going on that pulled you outside of the actual relationship of the two main characters. If you like a book that keeps you busy and moving, you will probably like this more than me. There were a number of others things, but I'll include those under a spoiler header.

I love the cover!

Thanks netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own about the book.

Spoiler

Specific things I didn't like about this story.
I thought the beginning was just crazy. With how it was presented, I expected Mary Bolen to be in this story way more. Maybe she will have her own book further on, but it was just so over the top. I get it was setting up for the heroine to start her 'business' of helping people, but I just felt like it could have been done a little different. Her husbands behavior was appalling but at the same time, absurd. It just felt like too much. A bit unbelievable.

I was annoyed about the whole nickname Lady Warlock. I felt like we didn't get to see the original interaction between them, but after ten years of him doing it, it's implied he does it to bother her and she, rightfully, gets bothered. Then she decides halfway through the book she likes it. And he named her it as an endearment. I just wasn't buying it.

Just when I was liking the main couple's interactions and was feeling their relationship starting to really grow, it felt like all hell broke loose. Someone is desperate to compromise the hero. Oh, wait, the heroine is compromised. Now someone is pregnant. Now someone's engaged to a rapist murderer. Now the murderer murdered someone else. Just kidding that person is alive. Now the murderer is dead. The end. I was like WHERE DID ALL THIS COME FROM??? It made me sad because it totally took a way from the relationship of Avalon and Devan and I was left unconvinced that they truly loved each other. I felt like not enough had really happened between them to give me that solid conclusion.

So anyway, not for me.