Message from a Lady by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Spirited Storms, #6

Release Date: 02/14/23 – Previously released in the “Sunflower Season” Anthology

Lady Johanna Knight has loved Peter Storm for some time, but despite her encouragement, he refuses to court her, knowing as the fourth son of an earl, her father and grandfather would never consider him worthy of her hand. When her grandfather threatens to ship her off the country and arrange a marriage for her if she doesn’t stop associating with Peter, she is determined to get him to elope with her. But to her dismay, Peter’s friend and the man her grandfather wants her to marry, the Duke of Eldridge begins to take notice of her. He assures her that he had no desire to marry, and is just trying to help Peter spend time with her.

Peter loves Johanna but he knows even if her family would approve, he doesn’t feel that he could give her the type of life she deserves. When his great-uncle intervenes and offers to help him, Peter refuses his help, feeling that if he can’t marry her on his own merit, he doesn’t deserve her. When he sees how well Eldridge and Johanna are getting along, he is jealous and decides it might be time for him to leave London. He is still pondering that idea when he learns that Johanna is missing. He is frantic to find her and realizes that he was a fool – but did he wait too long?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced novella with characters that have enough backstory to make their romance believable. The book has a lot going on for such a short story, there will be longing, friends running interference, carrier pigeons, unreasonable relatives, abduction, The Duke of Danby, and one toe-curling kiss, all before these two find their way to HEA. The book is a sweet, low-steam read that features a bit of a beta hero, in a sort of forbidden love mixed with a friends-to-lovers trope that ends with HEA and even offers an epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title. This novella was originally part of the Sunflower Season charity anthology which is no longer available, and it should be noted that this edition has been revamped and expanded from the previously published novella. Overall, I found this story a delightful quick read and would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*