This is my favorite of the Windham Brides series. I like how the relationship progressed, it had a nice cast of supporting characters, and we got a lot of insight into what the characters were thinking and feeling and not just what they said and did. ( )

I did quite enjoy this and could see that the characters involved could exist. Miss Charlotte Windham is looking for just a little scandal. Not as much as happened to her sister or any of the other unfortunates she helps, but just enough to give her some breathing space from some of the suitors. Lucas Sherbourne is distracting her and offering her a marriage, he might be a commoner but he is wealthy and getting ahead in the world.

The two of them find that they suit, after some work and the relationship is quite fun. They both bring out the best in each other.

I did enjoy the read and hope to read more by the author. ( )

3.3 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Charlotte Windham is tough and brash but she still is turning down offers of aristocrats looking to get in good with the Windham clan. With new debutantes wanting her out of the way, Charlotte decides it is time to do just that and decides a little ruination could go a long way to freeing her.
Lucas Sherbourne has had a lifetime of dealing with the arrogant aristocracy but he still can't help but be drawn to Charlotte.
A little scandal, a rushed trip to the altar, and rainy days in Wales soon becomes the best recipe for a marriage.

“I like you,” she said. “Somewhat. A little. I don’t dislike you.”

The fourth and last book in the Windham brides series, focuses on Charlotte with her sister and husband (heroine and hero of book three) playing big roles too. Lucas and Charlotte do appear in book three, you'd get the understanding why Lucas and Charlotte's brother-in-law have some animosity, but if focusing solely on Charlotte and Lucas' relationship, you could comfortably dive in here.

Lucas is a commoner but a fairly rich one, so he went to schools with titled boys who punished him various ways for being "lesser" than them and he never really had a sense of family or friends. I thought the author did a wonderful job showcasing how Lucas' personality was formed because of how he grew up and why he strives for achievement, is very self-contained, and wanting to do best by his home and the surrounding people. Charlotte, on the other hand, grew up in a very large family but also got a little bit lost in it, especially as everyone gets married. At first glance, these two may seem opposites attract but their desires, fears, and wants are very similar once you see below their surfaces. Burrowes is a master at nuances and subtleties, whether it's emotion or humor.

This is very much a story of marriage, how jobs, money, relationships, and two individual personalities come together and love. The tone is mild and you'd want to look elsewhere for drama or escapades but a stripped to its bones of marriage and love journey are found in the pages. Burrowes' artful use of secondary characters can also be found with previously introduced characters and even a simple relationship between the hero and his valet, enrich the depth of the hero and heroine. The villain of the piece provides a bit of a crescendo moment throughout the story, but makes our heroine seem a bit too stubborn for angst sake.

“You torrid very well, Mr. Sherbourne. May I prevail on you to ruin me?”

If looking for a mellower read with a thoroughly delved into look at marriage and relationships or just wanting to visit the Windhams again, Burrowes provides an endearing story. ( )

The last of her sisters to approach the alter, Charlotte Windham is intrigued by her few encounters with Lucas Sherbourne, the former creditor and neighbour of Charlotte's newest brother-in-law. When circumstances combine to push them into marriage both parties are convinced the marriage will be amicable even if it isn't a love match. But as Charlotte and Lucas spend more time together, they discover there may be more to their relationship than mild attraction and mutual social benefits.

Not the strongest entry in this series, I found Charlotte and Lucas fine but a bit bland to read about. There was little suspense to their relationship and while I enjoy the "marriage of convenience becomes love match" trope, this one didn't do much for me. However, I did adore that towards the end there was a kitten named Beowulf, which struck me as a truly excellent pet name. If you're a completist, this won't be a terrible read but not one I'd rush to recommend. ( )

Charlotte is the last of the four Windham sisters to marry. She's always been a bit prickly so even though she's had a lot of proposals due to her family connections, she's turned them all down until she meets Lucas Sherbourne. He's a commoner albeit wealthy and neighbor to the Duke who married her sister Elizabeth. It starts as a marriage of convenience; he wants a titled wife and she wants someone who'll grant her some independence. But there's always been an attraction also between the two ever since she bested him in an archery tournament in the previous book.
This is a fitting end to a great series. As always, I love the glimpses of the other Windham family members and we get some of that here even if most of the book is set in Wales. Percy and Esther play their parts in setting the marriage in motion even if Charlotte has no suspicions.
In some ways, it's hard to see Charlotte and Lucas as a match, and Ms. Burrowes takes the time to let the relationship grow as they come to know each other. Theirs is a quieter type of romance, a little more practical, and I appreciate that. I wouldn't like every romance to be all high passion and drama. It doesn't mean they're not deeply in love; they just display it differently.
As always, I love the author's writing style. Her descriptions draw the reader in. You can smell the tang of peat on a fire, taste the smokiness of brandy in a glass, and bask in the glory of the Welsh countryside. The dialogue and banter are also always good. It's fun to read about such intelligent characters.
I'm sorry to see this series end, but I'm looking forward to the new series, Rogues to Riches. ( )