I loved Carrie! She was practical and sensible despite being insecure about her looks after being rejected by her husband. Her adorable forthrightness charmed Avery from the start. I liked watching their relationship - and her confidence - develop. Not going on the BBW even though she is described as large - she is tall, but not chubby. Still, a good trope read. ( )

Carrie was widowed by the Napoleonic Wars. As were her fellow two widows, they live in a house that was part of the family estate.They decide to try to earn their own way, their husbands having spent all the money, leaving them just existing. They decide to try to earn something and they set up a milnery shop. Lord Avery works as an escort for discontented women to help them get their husband's attention, he also gambles to try to help his disowned sister.

It was sweet and charming and well done, I liked how the characters sparked off each other and how they dealt with some of the issues before marrying. They entered marriage knowing that was what they wanted and actually talked honestly with each other. ( )