This is not the usual matchmaking by Mrs. Dove-Lyon but it is a good story. I loved the two main characters, especially Emmeline and the strength that she possessed and the fact that she is a good match for Horatio. The storyline has their romance as the main plot but there is also a murder that needs solving. I did not care for the way Charlotte turned on Emmeline. Overall it is a good story worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

What kept this from being a 4-star book for me was that it was too short. I felt like there were so many threads that never had the chance to go anywhere. It's pointed out that perhaps the Bryants aren't as wealthy as the pretend to be, but that's never brought up during the investigation. What was the whole deal with Nicholas reappearing? Was that just bad luck on Emmeline's part or was it all part of a larger plan? Were the little threats toward Mr. Bryant all his wife's doing? (I'm guessing the answer is yes to that one) Was Lucinda's final power play revenge on Horatio for him rejecting her? I feel that if the book had been about 25-30 pages longer we could have had some more answers. I also wasn't a huge fan of having Mrs. Dove-Lyon so easily fooled by Lucinda and Nicholas - she's way too shrewd to have bought their little story about a second chance romance. I realize I've started out with things I didn't like (which I usually try to avoid doing), but I did really enjoy this book. I loved the character of Emmeline. She's tough and smart and there's just really nothing to not like about her. And if that's not enough, anyone who could live with Charlotte for more than five minutes is pretty much a hero - that woman's moods and behaviors change so often it was hard to know whether she was going to support Emmeline or say horribly unkind things to her (or tell Emmeline's deepest darkest secret to a practical stranger). I like Horatio, but since so little of the book is told from his point of view it's hard to really feel as strong a connection to him. I thought he was a little hypocritical when he was trying to get Emmeline to tell him about her past considering he was refusing to tell her about his. But on the other hand, he 100% has Emmeline's back when she needs him the most so I could forgive him for his early missteps. I also loved the banter between Emmeline and Horatio at the beginning and how they were able to be honest with one another in a way they couldn't with anyone else. They also make a pretty good crime solving team. It's not often I wish a book were longer, but I would have happily read more of these characters. With this author having just wrapped up her Perfect Poison Murders I was also excited to get another new book from her!