A little overdone (widow marries rich after she sells literlaly everything for some reason or another). premise. But it was undeniably sweet and I love when people have to play into the roles they are faking.

I've read a couple of Sophie Barnes's novellas but this is the first of hers I've read that would count as a full length novel. I preferred that because it allows more time for the plot to properly develop. I felt like Juliana's side story was unnecessary and didn't connect with the main plot, and it wasn't until the afterword that I realised she'd featured in the previous books in the series and this was basically giving her a happy ending as the series came to its conclusion. I did feel this side story was a bit half hearted though and either needed more to it, or to be cut out. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I'd encountered the character before.

It's quite a sweet story. I like that the characters are older but I felt most of the difficulties encountered could be resolved very easily. The romantic scenes made me cringe and I think these could have been glossed over - they weren't super steamy but I think this would have worked better as a clean romance.

The author has clearly done a lot of research particularly about farming and the like however there seemed to be a fair small few things that weren't historically accurate to the period or place as well, like marrying outside (which I think until the 2020s was still not legal in the UK) or indeed getting married anywhere outside a church without obtaining a special license. Small things though, overall I enjoyed the story.

(I also did not think Victoria was remotely brazen btw)

Sophie Barnes is such a wonderful historical romance writer, who can be forgotten in the shuffle of the genre. Barnes writing such a beautiful quality to it, it's comforting and accessible, is calm and careful, and it is beautifully woven together and expressive of the deep and quiet emotions that build throughout. Mr. West and the Widow is a beautiful romance, that Barnes slowly builds with depth and understanding. Her characters are well developed and such wonderful partners to the other. This novel while interconnect with two others, can easily be read as a standalone and is a beautiful companion to the other two. If you love a romances that you feel the. depth and growth of, than this novel and Sophie Barnes are definitely for you. I so highly recommend this book, this series and this author!

Charming as all Sophie Barnes are charming, The two love interests were sweet and their miscues added to the plot in a sweet but confusing way, I liked the obstacles put in their way and a good miscommunication is always fun to see resolved. Not as good as the first one in the series.

This story was fine, but didn't keep me engrossed or turly engaged in the relationship or their conflicts

What do you do when you are a widow and need money? Need to pay off your husband's debts? You sell off your belongings off course, then sack the servants, and finally attempt to make money through various schemes. But unfortunately, you are not knowledgeable about these schemes to make them work.
It is always helpful then when a neighbour is able to help you out - and btw, marry you as well so you no longer need the money anyway.
I like Sophie Barnes stories. They tend to have a premise that is not in the normal trope and thus makes the stories more interesting. She has a good style of writing and knowledge of the eras she writes about and of course, always manages an HEA.

The conclusion to Barnes' series is delightful. The characters are amazing. The storyline is fresh and interesting. The deep friendships are wonderful. Highly recommend the entire series.

This is the third installment of the Brazen Beauties, and can be easily read as a standalone. Victoria has been out of society's spotlight for a while now. She is a widow who is burdened with paying off the debts left by her late husband and trying to secure a comfortable life for herself. By chance, she meets Colin West when he seeks shelter from a storm in her home. He is a war survivor and is badly disfigured, and he also keeps to himself, away from society. While staying with Victoria, he learns she is the sister of one of his fallen comrades, and someone he has been looking for for years. He realizes how much help she needs in managing her estate, so he and his friends decide to help her and give her some guidance. He invites her to a house party and it doesn't take long for him to realize he has really fallen for her.
Colin and Victoria were a wonderful pair and I enjoyed seeing their feelings for each other blossom and grow. The pair is well-matched and the chemistry between them is amazing. The story was well-written and the characters and depth and personality and I couldn't help but fall in love with them. This was an emotional, heartwarming story and I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Sophie Barnes is one of my favorite authors and she totally hits the mark with her latest book. With a Beauty and the Beast aura to it, this fast paced highly entertaining story about two emotionally scarred characters, who come together during a storm, as the weather rages outside, the temperature begins to rise inside when sparks begin to flu between recently widowed Victoria leighton, mistress of the manor where Colin West finds himself trapped due to the inclement weather and the bridge being out.
I loved this fast paced, witty, entertaining story. 5 stars for sure, and recommend for all regency romance fans!!
Thank you to Sophie Barnes and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

This was a beautiful story about two people who have seen the worst in humanity, but find a reason to believe again. Colin West was injured in the Napoleonic Wars and his face marred. People treat him like he’s a beast because of it; his self-confidence and worthiness are in the gutter. He gets stuck in a storm and seeks out shelter in a nearby home that belongs to Victoria Leighton. She was widowed in the past year and her husband was emotionally abusive. During his stay, Victoria learns that Colin served with her deceased brother and they were really close friends. They begin to fall for each other and Colin invites Victoria to his house to learn how to manage an estate. What follows is eventful, heartfelt, spicy, and sweet. Colin reminded me a lot of the character Richard Harrow in Boardwalk Empire as he has this innate sadness about him, he’s immensely honorable though. Victoria is not shy either, she stands up for what she believes and I love that about her. I appreciated that this story had characters in their late 30s and early 40s as it lends to a fresh perspective in these historical romance novels. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book and the series, it’s beautifully done.

Steam Level: Medium 2 scenes
Tropes: A twist on the brother's best friend trope, forced proximity, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Triggers: war violence & war stories, sword violence, attempted SA, miscarriage, and emotional abuse told in retrospect

This was such a fun read! Colin and Victoria were definitely made for each other. I will for sure go back and read the previous installments.

This is a story of two emotionally, unavailable people who rescue each other. Mrs. Leighton, Victoria, has been isolated and verbally abused by her deceased husband.
Colin West of Woodstone Park, suffered major wounds while in the army. He was betrayed by his wife. He took has been effected emotionally.
An act of fate brings the two together. Colin and his two friends had been searching for Victoria for years and had given up. When a rainstorm prevents him from getting home, he takes refuge in the nearest home, that of Victoria.
Neither have any desire to marry again. He feels he is too scarred for anyone to truly desire him. She feels that she has finally gained some independence and wants it to remain that way.
What follows is a truly lovely love story. It's all the little ways that they help each other that adds up and builds up to a beautiful love story
I loved the two main characters and the additional characters from the previous two books.
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I am a fan of Sophie Barnes and her regency romance reads. Her books are quick and easy to read and are a delightful distraction.

𝗠𝗥. 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗪 had a Beauty and the Beast vibe to it that I thoroughly enjoyed. Victoria and Colin are drawn together under unusual circumstances and when they discover that they are attracted to one another, things get interesting. I enjoyed watching them together and the evolution of their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers to husband and wife.

I’m giving 𝗠𝗥. 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗪 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Let me preface by saying I LOVE SOPHIE BARNES, so my review is probably biased.

Mrs. Leighton has been living a reclusive life since her husband passed away a year ago. One night, a traveler gets stuck in the rain and seeks shelter on her property. As it turns out, the unexpected stranger knew her late brother and is excited to realize the connection.

Thank you to Sophie Barnes, the Independent Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Colin West seeks shelter during a storm at Victoria Leighton home, she is uncertain as to why he instils feelings in her that she had long thought forgotten. Having spent the past year as a recluse, trying to pay off the debts that her husband left her, she has turned her back on society. However, Colin soon makes his way into her heart, and he also finds himself captivated. Yet, the scars he gained during battle, have made him believe anyone can ever love him.
This is a slow burn romance, with Victoria being very hesitant around Colin. They both struggle, more so Victoria, to express their feelings. Consequently, this plays out part way through the story. At times, I did wish that they could overcome their personal demons, to confront and express their feelings. Whilst I enjoyed this book, it still has not lived up to the first book in the series, Mr Dale and the Divorcee.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall an excellent book. It has action and a little mystery and of course romance. It has more than one steamy scenes. Although if you skip those you need to go back on one of them and read the chatter. I enjoyed the secondary story and the ending. Very well done.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Sophie Barnes has one last Brazen Beauty for us, with Mr. West and the Widow!

This is such a great book to end the trilogy with, not only was it great to see Mr. West, finding his own HEA, the storyline connecting these series also comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Mr. West is scarred, both physically and emotionally from his time at war. He has pretty much become a recluse, except for his yearly visits with his two surviving best friends that he went to war, with they meet on the anniversary of their lost friends death in his remembrance. West is grief stricken that he was never able to find his friends sister after his death to offer their help…

Faith intervenes 10 years later, when on a dark and stormy night, West winds up seeking shelter and finds that his hostess is the woman he has been looking for!

After losing her brother and then her father, Victoria Leighton found herself a 16 year old bride to a friend of her fathers. 10 years later, she is a widow and trying to find a way to be independent. Happenstance brings her Mr. West, who feels indebted to her and sets out to help her find her financial independence.

Lessons and land management start to take a romantic spin as these two get cozy!

I love a scarred hero and Colin West played a delightfully grumpy, scarred beast looking for love. This pairing brought out the best in both Collin and Victoria. and showed that they were both desirable and worthy of love.

The story brought the series full circle, and I loved getting to see the other couples come back.

Coming in at a hefty 450 pages, I flew through this book like it was a novella! This is an excellent story, and I’m sad to let these characters go!

Sophie Barnes remains one of my Auto buy/Read authors! Always a top read for me!

Thanks to Sophie Barnes for my eBook review copy from NetGalley.
Paperback version purchased by myself. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


#MrWestAndTheWidow #SophieBarnes

The third installment of The Brazen Beaties series is the story of Colin West and Victoria Leighton, the sister of his deceased friend, Richard. Colin and Victoria meet incidentally when he is forced to ask for shelter at her home during a storm. When they finally meet and he finds out that she is the sister of one of his brothers in arms who was lost in the war, he commits himself and his other two friends to helping her out of the predicament she currently finds herself in. A beautiful story which encompasses two lost souls who think they are destined to spend the rest of their lives alone. I really enjoyed Colin and Victoria's story and would recommend it to other readers who enjoy flawed characters who get a second chance to find the loves of their lives.
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Favs of Beauty and the Beast, this story is for you. Victoria Leighton is a widow struggling to hold on, but the debts her husband left her with is threatening her to lose her home. When a stranger seeking shelter from a torrential downpour sees the desperate situation the widow is in he offers her his guidance on running an estate.
Colin West is a well to do landowner, but hides from society due to the scars on his face he received during the Neapolitan war. One never gets use to the fear and horror on the faces of passersby’s but the reaction from Victoria is different. He invites her along with his good friends to a house party in order to instruct her in running an estate. As their friendship develops there is a possibility for more but both swore off on marriage.
As always one gets swept into the story as the characters find their HEA. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #MrWestandtheWidow

This story was part of a series, but definitely a stand alone story. It did not rely on previous stories to tell this tale.
They may be spoilers in this review.
The heroine of this story is a widow, about 31 years old. On a cold and.rainy night, a man was at her front door asking for a room for the night, even if it was in the barn, because the bridge gave out and he would have to travel 5 miles out of his way. Her servants took care of him and she did not meet him until the next day when the weather became worse and her dog escaped the stables and ran away into the storm. She decided to help her servant look for the dog and she found him, but was not able to get him out of a flooded canal. She went back to get a ladder from the garden shed and the wind whipped the door out of her grasp and cracked her on the head and knocked her unconscious. The maid asked the man for help. The man came in the dark and it wasn't until the light of day that he showed himself to the maid and she saw his facial scars. He was in a war 20 years prior and was next to an explosion. He had additional scars on his shoulder and lower hip. But the facial scars caused women and children to cry out in fright and the men to walk the opposite side of the street. The man is the hero of this story. He is one of a group of four friends who went to war and the friend next to him was shot in the head by a sniper. The other two friends and the hero survived the war. They all had deep emotional scars. The hero goes to carry the heroine in and she asks him to get her dog. So he goes back out into the storm and saves the dog, but is covered in muck. The heroine is not friendly because she is emotionally scarred by her husband who was 30 years older than her and left her in the country to go to London to gamble and wench. She is an extraordinary beauty, but her husband lead her to believe that she is ugly and worthless.
I really enjoyed this story. And the previous two stories also. They did not rely too much on each other, but the characters interacted. The heroines are all older women with men who are of a similar age. The heroines have to be strong and support themselves anyway they can. The men all have some sort of PTSD, but are able to work and live in the real world. These books were not overly dramatic or have strange plot lines. It was a good, solid read that I could immerse myself into and really enjoy. I give this 5 stars and recommend reading.