Ned is the local doctor and the chair of the Logical Men’s Society, open to bachelors and widowers only- no trace of women at all, not even as wives. A bit misogynistic! Gemma is a widow with no money, forced to live life as an unpaid maid and companion to relatives in exchange for a home. She comes to town after learning that her uncle has died and he left her a tavern in the little town of Maidenshop. Ned and Gemma are immediately at odds over the ownership off the tavern as the Logical Men’s Society meets there and has taken over the tavern since her uncles death. Gemma wishes to turn it in to a tea shop of all things. They are further at odds because Gemma is a natural healer while he, a man of science and learning, is a physician. But they have an instant attraction and as they come to work together, especially on women’s health issues, they come to admire one another. However Ned is betrothed to the village orphan, Clarissa a wonderful woman and a friend to Gemma.
Ending was a bit abrupt: At a Logical Men’s Society event Clarissa makes the announcement that she will not to marry Ned, Ned and Gemma are at their wedding, and it is revealed that Clarissa already has a position as a companion. It isn’t clear how that could all happen in a day or two. Still the characters were engaging and well written. I would recommend this book as a 3.5- 4.

Cathy Maxwell is an author you can always depend on the deliver a wonderful, feel-good-to-your-toes, heart warming tale. This story is no exception.
The heroine is one who has had great suffering and loneliness. She had a horrible husband, detestable in-laws, and still has hope and perseverance. She travels to inherit her uncle's tavern in a small town. The hero is the local doctor of that town, who has taken over the tavern because that is where his gentleman's club has been meeting for decades. He is engaged, by default, to a local.orphan, but he has been putting off the wedding for two years. The heroine arrives in town and the first meeting is chilling. It becomes a war of the tavern and a war of the sexes over who will run the village.
The characters that are depicted all blend seamlessly into a lively village. The description of the village and people make the reader feel as if they took a big step into the authors mind. The book reads like a movie. I enjoyed reading the details of village life and how everyone twists and turns with each other. It is as if they are a big family and will support each other even when there are disagreements. The heroine is also a healer who learned from her grandmother and the doctor also feels that this is magic and not science. He has a lot to learn.
I recommend this story with 5 stars. All of Ms. Maxwell's stories are timeless. I have 3 of her books on my keeper shelf and will probably add this one.

I had to request this book because I love Cathy Maxwell and this one did not disappoint in the least. Thankful to NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel.

Thanks to Netgalley. This book was given to me as a arc in return for a honest review. These are my thoughts and honest opinion.

Trope: enemies to lover/second chance at love. This is Installment #2 in the series: A logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Woman. But can also be read as a standalone.

I loved the idea that the main characters and the most of the surrounding characters were normal everyday people with no titles. This is the first time reading something like this and I thought it was unique and quite refreshing.

Her First Desire is about Gemma and Ned. Gemma is widowed, and when her late husband passed on, her greedy brother in law claims all of the properties, money, including her widows portion. Her late husband was a drunken-scoundrel, irresponsible man. When he died he left no will and she lost everything. Ned was born on the wrong side. His mother was a famous courtesan, and his father a earl. His poor background doesn't define who he is. He's very educated, smart, a handsome man, and is the towns doctor.

Gemma brother in law treats her pretty bad Shes treated more like a servant than a family member. One day she finds a opened letter from a Reverend informing her of her uncle's death. The letter was 3 months old, intentionally hidden from her, & that was the last straw. She's finally had enough and decides to leave. She travels to lay claim to her uncles tavern. The problem is Ned has already claimed it for himself. They both challenge eachother in front of the law and she wins.

Anyways When they first meet, there's instant attraction between the two. Though they both dislike eachother and bicker back and forth and because of that they both unknowingly form a strong bond. You can definitely feel an aurora of heat that they both try to fight off but can't let go. They both try to go their separate ways but the heart want what the heart wants. The problem is he's already engaged to another but he's only marrying her out of pity. Gemma also feels horrible for coming in between them. One reason is because her dead husband treated her horriblely, and she doesn't want the other woman to feel the pain she's dealt with. Ned also decides to honor his words and go through with the unwanted marriage but the other woman catches Ned and Gemma kissing. She forgives him at first but later calls off the wedding. Finally Gemma and Ned are free to be with eachother.

This book takes place in England but felt more like a western to me. The dialect and the atmosphere didn't help either. Instead of london 1815...it was more like California 1815. I also felt that there was no relationship build up between Ned/Gemma. Their relationship felt too rushed and after one kiss there was already a claim of love. The steam was on the lower side, and the sex happened unexpectedly and too fast. No romantic background, tension, or exciting setting. It just happened with very limited details.

Again these are my own thoughts, and mine alone. I want to encourage everyone to give this book a chance. You might feel differently from what I did.