Lettie did what no one had expected: She married a military man and went to war. Heir to a Dukedom, she was supposed to marry Daniel, the Duke of Linwood, but Daniel quickly lets her slip through his fingers because of mistakes and grief. Years later, when Lettie returns husbandless and in deep mourning for the man she loved, Daniel is determined to be her friend. He's always loved her, but if she can't give him more he'll make sure that he keeps her in his life regardless. Because he knows that she makes him a better man.

This is a really nice novella. McKnight really knows how to put emotions down on paper. I felt for Lettie and the loss she was facing as well as the hardships (PTSD) that she had. However, I think it would have done better if it had been longer and if McKnight had taken the time to really flesh some things out. The ending felt a little rushed to me, and you don't really see the two fall in love, rather it seems more like displacement to me as well as escape. It was really easy to dislike Lettie's parents as well as her friends, whom she still seemed to forgive. And though Daniel really does allow her to grieve to a certain extent without expectations, I really did feel that the expectations were there. This made me really feel for Lettie, whether that was intentional or not I'm not sure.

When I grow up I want to be a Christina McKnight heroine. A rather ridiculous statement, I know, but in reality it makes sense. Ms. McKnight centers her stories around women with strength of character. They are fighters, not victims. They lead with heart but have the smarts to back it up and they always manage to land on their feet and in the arms of their perfect match. Of course life is not a fairytale, but with stories like For the Love of a Widow, characters like Daniel and Lettie, keep the fantasy alive in a realistic kind of way.

This begins as a story of a broken betrothal. Lady Colette Percival (Lettie to those who loved her) and the Duke of Linwood (Daniel Greaves ) grew up close, knowing that one day they were to wed. They expected it, and as near as one could tell, these two were happy with their parents’ decisions cast years ago. But as they reached the threshold of their wedding, they stumbled. Internal forces neither truly understood pulled them apart just before they could wed.

Six years ticked by, each living the life in front of them. As the months and years moved past, they both became shadows of what they once were—both scarred by the decision that ended their betrothal.

This is a story of piousness and betrayal. Lettie married a soldier, Gregory Hughes. She believed she married for love and was willing to do anything to live her life wrapped in love. She found herself journeying along side her husband’s regiment, as they fought against Napoleon’s forces. Her lot was repairing wounds, closing the eyelids of the dead, and struggling not to let the men on the battlefield down. She rarely bathed, wore only tattered, old clothes, and had nightmares of the horrors she endured daily, with each new battle. She never complained. She looked at the life she had as more worthwhile, even though it was hard. But through all of it, she thought the one thing she would always have was the love of her husband…until she had him no more. Cannon fire destroyed what little she had left when it took her husband, leaving her a widow. She was a widow without a home.

It is a story of self-realization. Daniel spent his time in the bottle, turning cards of chance, or in the beds of light skirts, thinking he could cut the numbness of Lettie’s jilt. He lived his life as he had been doing before she left, pleasing himself. As time passed, he finally acknowledged that this self-treatment wasn’t really helping, and he crawled out of the bottle, and out of himself, determined to become a more responsible version of his former self. He briefly wondered if his lifestyle six years ago had cost him his betrothal. He had only been concerned about himself and his own happiness. He never expected Lettie to change her mind about marrying him. But it was too late for recriminations. He had avoided looking for a duchess, and was still not interested. He had his own life to save.

Lettie had no choice before her but to return to her parents and hope that they would accept her. She contacted them and arranged to be picked up in town when she arrived. But the person she saw in their stead was none other than Daniel. She knew him as a scoundrel, a drunk, and a man that had caused her to look in another direction for love. But the man she saw when she looked was an older, more hardened version of Daniel. He was kind, but she realized he was as surprised as she to be picking her up, as a favor for her parents.

It is a story of renewal. Daniel had remained in touch with Lettie’s parents, helping them, being more or less a son they never had. They were the closest things to parents that he had, having grown up in their presence. But he had no idea that Lettie was their favor. Once back in town, the story begins, as choices are again made. The opportunity to renew what they once had looms, but forces born from choices of long ago threaten any chance of reuniting. Lettie comes home, but she is without the Lettie of yesterday. She was no longer interested in the life she had, or any of the attachments. She was no longer the Lettie that danced and found her life gay and bright had been lost.

Can Daniel and Lettie find their way back together…and can they ever be happy? The prospect of being together again isn’t one both share. Scars, parents, society, and social norms—all create an imposing picture that blinds them to any possibilities.

Christina McKnight’s story of the widow grabs at your heart. The story looks at life in the ton, and its social norms. It also portrays the life of the soldier’s wife, one with few social norms, and few expectations. It looks at love, it’s expectations, and its fickleness.

I loved this book, mostly for its wide-eyed view of the Regency era rarely seen. The characters were rich in detail, and their stories compelling. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story in the Regency era, and looks for more in the lives of the characters than simply a happily ever after. I have given little away in this review…and encourage you to read this. Five stars PLUS!!

Lettie comes home from the war a widow and her parents want her to jump right back into the marriage mart and with her former fiancee to boot. But she is not ready to move on and is still morning her husband. She does agree to start going out to functions with Daniel, her former fiancee and best friend. But she lets Daniel know that she just wants to be friends with him even though her parents are pushing for more.

Daniel has never stopped loving Lettie and will do anything to get her back into his life, even if it is just as friends. But that doesn't mean he won't try to get Lettie to see that he is the man for her.

The was a great, quick read! I really enjoyed watching Lettie and Daniel become friends again and then so much more!

“For the Love of a Widow” is a solid novella that I really enjoyed. Daniel and Lettie have been betrothed since they were young, but Daniel is having second thoughts. Lettie is swept up in the glitz and glam of her first season and Daniel is feeling left out and turns to loose women to hide his emotions.

Lettie asks to break their betrothal – she fell in love with another man, while Daniel was off running after other women – and she is going to follow him to the battlefield. Six years later, Lettie has had a rough time, she helped heal injured soldiers after battles and has slept on the ground for years. She didn’t care, she loved her husband, but when he is killed she returns to her parents’ home.

Six years ago, Daniel walked away from Lettie believing it was the right thing to do, and spent a majority of that time drunk and living as a libertine. He is now trying to get his life together and Lettie returning seems like the perfect time to reinstate their former betrothal. But Lettie is a shadow of her former self, scares easily and probably has PTSD. Daniel realizes that she is the only woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Lettie is a sweet soul and readers will connect with her. Daniel was harder to like, if I was Lettie, I would have a hard time trusting him after his behavior six years prior. I would say this is a pretty clean romance, some kissing, but nothing too heavy. I really enjoyed this story and will read more by this author in the future.

The story is of a woman who endured the hardships of following the war, as a soldier's wife, and eventual death of her husband. She returned to England but she is not a naive young woman anymore. The story seems to speak a lot about war and the hardships related to it. Daniel, her first love, tried to ease her turmoil by being a shield between her and her parents and society. Its listed as a romance but that is a very minimal part of the book, even though there is a happy ending.

Publisher's Description:

A WIDOW SCARRED BY LOVE AND LOSS...

After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon's troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn't see a place for herself in society anymore.

A LORD DETERMINED TO SAVE THE WOMAN HE LOVES.

Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He's lived the last six years alone after the woman he was betrothed to cast him aside for another man. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery--gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did. But neither of them are the same people they were in their youth--they must trust one another to heal the wounds of their past to find a love that lasts forever.

My Thoughts:
This is a well thought out story of young love lost due to tragic circumstances and a chance at a second go-round.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood was a young man who had inherited a title through the loss of his father. Instead of taking hold of the holdings he instead acts out his grief by turning to debauchery.
His betrothed could take no more of this and turned to another man and severed their betrothal. After six years of following her soldier husband around and his consequent death, Lettie has returned home broken and living with the nightmares of battle.
Will these two be able to reconcile their past and come together for a second chance at love?
This novella is well developed with characters that are believable if a bit tragic. I enjoyed the read although it at times brought me to tears.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 2.5 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this title from the publisher to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title and I have reviewed it voluntarily.

Two people that had suffered loss and tragedies come together and find that their love has the power to heal. Enjoyed.

A definite buy book. This author is one that I have read before and try to keep up with. In this creative story of a war widow she has created a world of life happenings with pathos, emotional moments as well as trauma. There is naive romance as well as an outline of how we as humans can fail even our most loved ones causing confusing choices and mistakes. Now, having said that, I did not put the book down but one time from the start to the finish. I was engrossed in my reading for my heart was so touched by the story of what the heroine had been through. I would of wished for perhaps a little less darkness but that is life at times is it not? Characters that have blemishes and make mistakes, a love that survives through all of it and finally a happy ending. A novella that is worth the read! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

For the Love of a Widow holds more about understanding human nature and frailty than any novella I have read before. McKnight seems to be able to draw deep within the suffering of one who has seen and done too much and make it real to her reader.

Daniel Greaves, Duke of Linwood, was betrothed to his childhood friend Lady Collette, female heir to a dukedom. Daniel’s father has passed before Daniel was ready for him to go. He pretty much feels useless, not needed to care for his estates since his stewards take care of everything, not needed by his Lettie except to escort her to society events, but he is needed by his mistress. His complaint is that he had to leave her arms to escort his fiancé and her parents to yet another ton event. He arrives foxed and stinking of his mistress. Lettie informs her parents and him she is in love with another and wants to end their lifelong betrothal. What’s he to do, but allow it. Now he is even more alone – a drunkard, scoundrel, gambler.

Lady Lettie knew she was not important to Daniel, the man who should have been the love of her life and future. While he was off drowning his sorrow, she met Gregory and fell in love. They married and left for the life of a soldier and his wife. Now she is home a widow and broken. Her parents will not accept she is not the same person she was before she left. They want her to take her place in society and marry Daniel. They will force her if they have to.

Sweet Daniel finally met the bottom of his pit when he did not stop an acquaintance from beating a child. It changed his life completely. He decided to become the man his father meant him to be. He drew closer to Lettie’s father and his father’s close friend. Daniel seemed to be the only one who could understand, help and love Lettie for who she is now and accept her with her demons at her heals.

This is a powerful story and different from previous writings I have read of Ms. McKnight. I appreciate her all the more for writing about such a difficult topic. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this amazing story.

Although this book has one of my least favorite types of characters, I must say it was extremely good. The H is very disappointing initially, extremely difficult to like, much less love. The h is very likable and interesting.. They have been betrothed, essentially since childhood, and friends as well. Upon the opening of the book he is gaming, drinking and unfaithful, all disagreeable behaviors, and not even regretful about them. Due to his negligent attentions, she has met someone else, and wants release from the engagement, which he agrees to. He then continues his whoring, gambling and drunkenness, while she marries, follows her military in war, and serves as nurse, cook, helpmate to her husband and troops. Eventually, she is widowed and returns home, broken-hearted and distraught with grief, suffering from nightmares of war. He has stopped his aimless ways and realizes he loved her all along, she is not finished grieving. This is an emotional roller coaster, a story of love lost and rediscovered, a man redeemed and a woman's heart healed. A beautiful well written love story that manages to turn an irredeemable man into a hero . A quick read, it moves along well, but not too fast as to be unbelievable. Highly recommend.

On the one side I liked this novella a lot because it was different but on the other side, there were a few things, I wasn't happy about. This story shouldn't be a novella but a full novel because lady Lettie's fight with herself, her dreams, her past, her grief should be given more space. And we should be able to learn more about Daniel and how he changed. A single event may have been the trigger for his change but there must have been more before it ...

Christina McKnight has done it again; this charming Regency romance packs a weighty emotional punch for a short novella. We suffer along with Lettie as she tries to come to terms with her husband’s tragic death at Waterloo, as she tries to return to the only life left to her as a daughter of one of the Ton’s highest-ranking families despite knowing that she has seen too much and suffered too much in her years as a soldier’s wife ever to be ‘one of them’ again.

Daniel, Duke of Linwood, wasn’t ready to be a husband to Lettie six years before when he allowed her to break their engagement to marry the man she loved. It’s taken him this long to understand that, and for a senseless tragedy he could have prevented to bring him to a bitterly-won maturity. Though he hasn’t seen the horrors of war that Lettie has suffered - and reading from a modern perspective, Lettie’s obvious PTSD is beautifully depicted and never belittled - he does try to understand, and seek to be a supportive friend and not press her for anything more.

My only complaint with this book is that it was too short. I’d have loved to see a few more chapters covering Daniel doing his best to allow Lettie as much time as he could to come to terms with their marriage, and her gradual realization that she could feel love for a second man even while she would always miss her husband.

Christina McKnight writes beautifully for the time period, but I did pick up a couple of tiny modernities creeping in; “gotten” is an American term anyway and certainly not one that would come from an Englishman’s mouth in the 19th century, and tea is never drunk with cream even today. In the Regency era it was generally drunk with lemon, and honey if required, as a sweetener. A historically knowledgeable beta reader should pick those up, and I’d advise seeking one for future works.

Such small things as these did not remotely spoil my enjoyment of the book, though, and I’m happy to give it five well-deserved stars.

Wow, I really didn't expect this novella to pack quite the punch that it did. I find that many novellas lack in development because they are short (duh), but Christina McKnight has done a beautiful job with For the Love of A Widow.

Lettie breaks her betrothal with long time friend, Daniel, Duke of Linwood. She marries a soldier and follows him off to war for six years until his untimely death. Daniel is thrown into depression after the death of his father and turns to drinking, gambling, and women. He's thrown further into his rakish ways after Lettie breaks their betrothal and runs off with the man she really loves. Lettie comes back to London, after the death of her husband, broken and suffering from PTSD. Unfortunate circumstances bring Lettie and Daniel back into each others lives and they are the only people that can save each other.

Christine McKnight nailed Lettie's struggles with her experiences of war and death. She establishes Lettie's headstrong personality early on and even though at her core she's the same person when she returns home, she isn't the same at all. That doesn't make sense,I know, but I feel like you'd understand more once you read the story. Lettie comes home broken hearted and grieving; something that her parents can't seem to grasp but Daniel does. He recognizes it and acknowledges it instead of trying to shove it under a rug. He truly becomes Lettie's saving grace, and she his. Instead of letting each other succumb to the tragedies they've dealt with, they force each other to confront them head on. Daniel truly redeems himself from the rake he is in the beginning of the story (for real, I did not like him at first) and becomes the man that Lettie needs in her life to move forward. There is scorching chemistry between them and this is one of those books that is deliciously steamy without there being any sex. Christina McKnight accomplished in a novella what some authors fail to do in a full length novel. Don't pass up on this gem!

Christina McKnight does a wonderful job handling characters who easily fall in love. In this book she does an even better job of handling 2 wounded characters. Daniel, Duke of Linwood and Lettie, Lady Collette Hughes had been promised since childhood. Right before her come out, Daniel's father died and it put him in a tailspin. When Lettie's come out was so successful that her dance card was always full it sent him into a downward spiral of drinking, gambling and whoring. Lettie's frustration led her to fall in love with Gregory Hughes. She broke her betrothal to Daniel and followed Gregory to fight Napoleon.
Six years later, she returns as a widow but what she has seen can't be forgotten and she can't just jump back into the London scene. In the meantime, Daniel has cleaned up his act. Unlike her parents who want to ignore it, he recognizes Lettie's pain and wants to help her.
Watching the two work through their pain and help each other is a beautiful piece of fiction and Christina McKnight is to be applauded to show that not just soldiers are affected by war and they was that Daniel helps Lettie through the pain is well written.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon’s troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn’t see a place for herself in society anymore.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He’s lived the last six years alone after Lettie who he was betrothed to cast him aside for Gregory Hughes. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery—gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did.
I think this is the first novel I’ve read that deals with a Waterloo widow & how she has been affected by her husband’s death. Lettie nursed soldiers, cook & washed for them but nothing prepared her for her husband being brought into the hospital tent & to see his life ebbing away. Once Lettie returns to England she is plagued by nightmares & it seems only Daniel eases these. A fairly quick read, longer than a novella but shorter than a novel. Not an easy read as the author portrays the horrors of war very well. The characters are well rounded & very likeable. I enjoyed the book & SO wanted Daniel & Hettie to have their HEA
After years spent following her husband as he fought against Napoleon’s troops, Lady Lettie Hughes returns to London a widow to take her rightful place among the ton as the daughter of an earl. Her parents and friends expect her to enter the marriage market and secure the match she should have pursued in her debut Season. But Lettie is not the same innocent girl she was before Waterloo. Nightmares of the battlefield plague her, and she doesn’t see a place for herself in society anymore.
Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood, is a man who knows rejection and loss. He’s lived the last six years alone after Lettie who he was betrothed to cast him aside for Gregory Hughes. Instead of taking control of his title and lands, Daniel fell into a life a debauchery—gaming, women, and spirits. But now the woman who stole his future and left him hollow is back in London.
When Lettie and Daniel are reunited, their connection burns as bright as it once did.
I think this is the first novel I’ve read that deals with a Waterloo widow & how she has been affected by her husband’s death. Lettie nursed soldiers, cook & washed for them but nothing prepared her for her husband being brought into the hospital tent & to see his life ebbing away. Once Lettie returns to England she is plagued by nightmares & it seems only Daniel eases these. A fairly quick read, longer than a novella but shorter than a novel. Not an easy read as the author portrays the horrors of war very well. The characters are well rounded & very likeable. I enjoyed the book & SO wanted Daniel & Hettie to have their HEA

Daniel Greaves, the Duke of Linwood fiancée Lady Lettie broke off her engagement when she fell in love with another man. Daniel had fallen into deep disparity after his father’s death. He drank and seduced women before witnessing a life changing event. Now Lettie has returned a broken woman. Her husband a soldier died in her arms on the battle field, she has lived on the battlefield as a nurse, cook and more to the men in her husband's regiment, a far cry from the beautiful dresses and ball she use to attend. Daniel is happy his Lettie has come home and decides to win her back, but she has so much pain and suffering to overcome. If only she will let Daniel become the friend she once had and one she desperately needs again maybe they can find common happiness and become friends again and perhaps more. This is a riveting story with some deep anguish and hardships for Daniel and Lettie as they find their way back to each other and find the happiness the both deserve.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

Daniel sounds like a selfish jerk.

Six years, and he's still drinking like a fish?

You're a bastard, Phineas.

Gosh I can't imagine being a nurse and having your husband as a patient, especially dead on arrival.

How long is she planning to force herself to be miserable in order to honor her husband's memory?

So there, idiot!

What happened to the boy Charlie?

Her parents are both nuts.

Well played, Lettie.

Did they know much about PTSD at this time?

Gable should have been arrested for murder.

This was a tender and romantic novel between two childhood friends. Lady Collette (Lettie) and Daniel, the Duke of Linwood, were originally to marry. However, Lettie begged Daniel to release her from their betrothal, having fallen in love with another man. Having followed her husband onto the battlefields for six years, she returns to London a widow. Lettie finds Daniel still unwed and her parents, pushing them to marry. Daniel, having lost his father and then Lettie, finds himself at another crossroad, with an event that changes his perspective on how to live his life.
I found both characters to be characters that were passionate in their feelings and beliefs. Whilst this was meant to be a novella, McKnight has done a wonderful job of drawing together a great storyline and bringing these wonderful characters to life. This is always a challenge for a novella but I felt I knew these characters from the beginning chapters. The struggles faced by these characters was expressed with great sensitivity. A truly enjoyable story.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

excellent read.