The Awakening of Lady Flora

The Bachelorette #0.5

by Bronwen Evans

Widowed Lady Flora Stanton is attending the Whitwell's annual masquerade ball for one thing only: to finally have a little fun and find herself a paramour. A man who she can share everything with, except her heart. Her dead husband owns that, and it's locked safely away. But is she brave enough to admit she's lonely? The rest of her life is a long time to be without pleasure.

Attending the Whitwell's ball, James Tennison, Earl of Battling, recognizes the lady in the Grecian Goddess disguise. How could he not? She's owned his heart for many, many years, and tonight, he's putting the memory of his dead best friend to rest and going after what he wants—what he needs. He might never win Lady Flora's heart, but he's not prepared to step aside and let her take any other man into her bed.

Published in the anthology, A Midsummer Night's Romance

Genres: Historical Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Regency

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.

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Reviews

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story that introduces new series. A widow who finds love again. Plot has been done many times but does have fun sexy bits!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short story, it made very enjoyable reading. The characters were pleasing and so too was the storyline. 4☆

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Flora decides has been a struggling widow for two years, her friend Lady Caroline persuades her to attend a masquerade to have some fun & who better to have fun with than her husband's best friend, James, Earl of Battling. He has loved her since they shared a kiss when she was eighteen but lost her to his best friend.
A lovely best friend to lovers, husband’s best friend story. Strong characters & a well paced story had me sighing & shedding a tear at the end. I just loved it.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Bronwen Evans' writing.
I have been reading her since 2016 and even though she hasn't written that many books this was my 22nd book by her. I do know she has other genres but I don't read those. I was sad it was just a novella which I normally don't read but I was just happy to see a new book written by her. Hopefully that means a new series is coming out.

Good read but quick read.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Flora Stanton is a widow with three young girls. Her husband, Charles, died two years ago, but Flora doesn't see herself marrying again. Her husband's best friend, James Tennison, the Earl of Battling, has been in love with Flora before she met Charles who won her first. James has hope that Flora will consent to his courting and to be his wife. When the decision to marry James is taken out if her hands, James can only hope honesty and love will win her heart. A short sweet romance with an open bedroom door.

[Tenley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is only around 70 pages or so. Due to the limited number of pages, the plot moves very quickly. Feelings jump from one extreme to the next and any misunderstandings or conflicts are resolved speedily. Because of that, it was hard to buy in to the story (heroine is a widow and the hero is her deceased husband's best friend and he has been in love with her for forever and she is of course, clueless of his feelings). Frankly, I wasn't a fan of the heroine. She was an idiot.... and somewhat superficial. And the hero needed a way bigger dose of self-confidence.

So yeah, not my fav but free on KU!

[Dorel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I read by Bronwen Evans. I enjoyed this book's storyline. I really liked the hot 🔥 & steamy scenes. I really liked Lady Flora's character. I really liked James's character. I really liked the ending.

[Lidia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and hot short story on second chance.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute little story to read before bedtime that introduces the character of Charlotte.

Una storiellina carina da leggere prima di andare a dormire che introduce il personaggio di Charlotte.

[Cindy Woltman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Lady Flora love again?

This is a wonderful story of finding love after loss. Lady Flora is a widow with three young daughters. Her widows pension is too little to live on. Can she love again? Her husbands best friend has loved her for 10 years. Is he strong and brave enough to tell her how he feels. How about a masquerade ball? Will they find each other. Very good story!

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Flora, a widow still in love with her deceased husband, finds it difficult to think about loving another man. But it’s James, her long-time friend. . . and her feelings towards him may be stronger than simple friendship. Is she willing to risk her heart and seek love again?

[Christiane Robillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely short story

Loved this story. The characters were both warm hearted and loving and deserved to find love and happiness. Well written and touching. Recommend.

[Kristen Kull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella. James has been in love with his best friends wife forever. In fact James introduced them.
Well now she's widowed and he doesn't want to lose her a 2nd time.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story of a man who moves aside for his best friend to woo the lady he loves. Years later the characters get to reunite at a masquerade. The love and passion oozes off the page of this story. James and Flora are so amazing together. A great story. I previously reviewed in an anthology.

[June Karen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Flora and James. Short novella well written and entertaining. Flora is a widow and James her husband’s best friend has loved her for years. He is now at the point of trying to woo Flora. Will he succeed. Love the characters including Flora’s three daughters

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful love story, a friends to lovers romance. I enjoyed every page of James and Flora's journey to love to a delightful happy ending.

[Greselley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

[Emily]

Yet another book I can't recall reading much less finishing but yet I did. I wonder if it was good.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so glad there was a happy ending for James and Flora. I'm so sad it took so long.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A widow with three girls still grieves her husband after two years. After a bit of conniving on the part of a couple widows she finds her hea with her deceased husband’s best friend