The Elusive Phoebe

 

About the Book: 

A young widow learns that nothing is as it once seemed: her late husband loved her, mysterious enemies want her dead, and the childhood sweetheart she thought abandoned her has crossed an ocean to save her.

Lady Phoebe Smalling has spent two years in enforced isolation, believing her late husband cared nothing for her happiness.

But at the death of her husband, when she escapes to the sanctuary of Lavender Cottage in Somerset, she discovers that everything she thought she knew about her marriage was a lie.

Robert didn't abandon her—he died protecting her. And the inheritance he left behind is far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Now enemies are closing in, desperate to claim the secrets they believe she possesses. With the help of the remarkable Widows of Somerset—a secret society of independent women with skills far beyond embroidery and tea—Phoebe must navigate a deadly game of deception while uncovering the truth about her husband's mysterious past.

But her greatest challenge may be learning to trust again, especially when her childhood love Archie Lytton arrives offering protection, devotion, and everything she's afraid to want.

Some treasures are worth dying for. But Phoebe is about to discover that the greatest treasure of all might be worth living for.

A tale of second chances, female friendship, and the courage to choose love over fear.

My Review: 

Have you ever believed something to be true only to discover that you were entirely wrong? Phoebe Smalling seizes an opportunity to escape from the home her husband Robert had taken her to years earlier. But, what she didn’t realize was that his motive was not one of desertion, but something altogether different.

I loved the letters that Robert had written her and the care that he was able to express in them. Phoebe had really misjudged him and it was too bad that she didn’t find this out earlier. Phoebe had to learn to trust again after events that she had no control over caused a rift between her and her best best, Archie. When they are reunited, he was so patient with Phoebe and loved her unconditionally, which is such a rare thing to see.

The widows of Somerset were some of my favorite characters. I laughed and cheered at the things they did to help Phoebe. I can’t wait to see what they will be involved in with the remainder of the series. I recommend this book for readers young and mature.

Things to love:
loyalty
reconciliation
treasure hunt
Smalling properties
danger
staff
lavender cottage

I received this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.