This started out way more intriguing than the first entry in the series ("Loving a Lost Lord"): an older widow as heroine (great), and she's not a fancy lady but a village midwife (even better), and she can't have children (wow!), and she was abused by her first husband and has lingering PTSD-esque issues about sex (ok... not what I anticipated but could be interesting). It had all the makings of a story that wouldn't retread the classic romance novel trajectory of bodice-ripping passion followed by dream wedding followed by babies and blissful domesticity.

Unfortunately the plot quickly hopped right back on the rails and went exactly where you'd expect it to.

Spoiler

She's secretly a duchess! The first time they have sex she overcomes her trauma! She's disowned by all the guys we're supposed to hate and heartily supported by everyone else! The people hunting her down have one last crack at her but the hero saves her! And lo and behold, she gets pregnant at the end, because no relationship can be truly fulfilling unless it produces babies. ARGH.

Had it at least ended the way I hoped it would

Spoiler

(Julia and Randall adopt Branford's bastard and settle into a life as an unconventional but loving little family of 3)

, I was prepared to overcome the drabness of the rest of the plot and give this 3 stars. Alas and BOO-URNS.

Spoiler

Is anyone out there writing romance novels for women who consider "surprise, you're pregnant!" a fine piece of horror writing?