I'm a complete fiend for a good novella, and A Lady's Desire absolutely fits the bill. Although it's technically an installment in a (largely cishet) romance series, it works just fine as a standalone; I've only read one other work in the series and it didn't impact on my enjoyment of it at all.

At its heart, this is quite simply a sweet love story between two ladies. Once the very best of childhood friends, Sarah and Win have grown apart since Win left town to marry Sarah's cousin. After the death of her husband, Win returns to town and moves in with Sarah and her family, and the two of them must face up to the truth of their feelings for one another. However, Sarah's family grow suspicious of the two's closeness, and the time comes for them to make a decision: respectability or love?

I devoured this book in one sitting. I absolutely loved both protagonists. Win's apparent seriousness masks her tendency towards unladylike overconfidence, and Sarah's shyness is a symptom of her parents' expectations of her. I loved how there was no self loathing here, too. Both women have already accepted that they are attracted to one another, and there's no angst about being gay; it's simply a part of their character, which I found refreshing. It means that the book can be a lighthearted romance without having to overcome such issues.

If you're looking for a treatise on lesbianism as it was considered in the Regency area, this isn't it, but if you're looking for a Regency romance with a queer flavour, then this will do the trick.

A sweet and uplifting romance between two imperfect women, and a very welcome addition to the queer historical romance genre, which is overwhelmingly m/m.