Seducing the Widow with Jane Walsh
Author: Jane Walsh
Publication Date: January 14, 2025 by Bold Strokes Books
Genres: Historical Romance
Representation: Lesbian, Bisexual
The latest historical sapphic romance from Jane Walsh is a pleasantly low-stakes, low-angst, low-conflict novel where the backstory is almost more interesting than the main narrative.
Fifteen years ago, Cass and Louise were young debutantes embroiled in a bitter rivalry for the affections of the same man. In an enemies-to-lovers twist, they ended up falling for one another, but weighed down by the burdens of social expectations, Louise turned her back on their love and chose the earl instead – leaving Cass heartbroken and humiliated. I really wish we could have seen more of this, because I wanted to see these young women discover one another, but what’s there is lovely.
As Seducing the Widow opens, Cass is returning to the scene off the crime (so to speak), desperate for the right patron to support her gloves and help her rescue her family’s fortunes – and that patron, the woman who she feels owes her, is Louise. It’s an awkward, uncomfortable reunion, but there’s guilt and longing there, and rather get bogged down in bickering and arguing, they opt for open and honest communication about the past, their feelings, and the present. We see them open up, reconnect, and look to make the most of their second chance.
While I’m not a fan of love triangles and generally resent the need to shoehorn a third into a relationship we’re invested in, I did like the Louise/Victor relationship because it opened up an interesting discussion into Victor’s past as Clarabel, who cast off the pressure to be the perfect young lady, but who ultimately rejected the same debut season that brought Louise and Cass together.
No surprises, no major twists or turns, just a happily-ever-after romance with two remarkable (and remarkably endearing) women.
Rating: 
My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
