Matthew's Willing Widow: The Bookshop Belles: Prequel

Before the Bookshop Belles, there was a love story born of war, courage, and second chances…

Matthew Baxter has always counted himself a fortunate man. As the owner of Baxter’s Fine Books and father to four lively daughters, his life in the market town of Hatfield is both busy and content. But when a letter from France reveals the devastation of priceless books and a long-lost family connection in desperate need, Matthew sets out on a perilous journey across a continent still reeling from war.

In the heart of a country torn apart by war, Matthew is reunited with Céline, his late wife’s courageous cousin, now a widow struggling to keep her sons safe from hunger and conscription. Together, they brave danger, betrayal, and an uncertain future as they risk everything to save not only rare books, but their own lives.

As Matthew and Céline are drawn together by necessity and shared loss, friendship blossoms into something deeper. But with armies marching, borders closing, and every step fraught with peril, both must decide if they have the courage to trust in love again.

Set against the sweeping backdrop of post-revolutionary France and the promise of a fresh start in England, Matthew’s Willing Widow is a heartwarming Regency novella about hope in the darkest of times, the bonds of found family, and the enduring power of love.

Step into the world that began it all - perfect for fans of sweet historical romance, strong heroines, and slow-burn love stories with the happiest of endings.