A wild lady. A wicked curse. And a love torn apart by tragedy.MISS JOHANNA GREY’s wild youth ends abruptly when her best friend−and betrothed−falls to his death upon climbing the tree outside her window. Heartbroken and unable to forgive herself, she retreats to Miss Bell’s Finishing School for Young Ladies.Until London calls four years later, and Johanna finds herself swept into a world of … swept into a world of matchmakers and schemers, pressured to find a husband. Will it be kind-hearted Lord Kenwood, a man who reminds her of the friend she lost that fateful day long ago? Or perhaps COLIN GRENVILLE, a young man from her past, who has loved her for as long as he can remember?
For years, Colin stayed away, travelling the world, but now that Johanna has returned to London, he finds himself drawn back to England. Will he reach her in time before she chooses the wrong man? Or will fate never be on their side?
The Spinster is the prequel to the Forbidden Love Novella Series. We are going to meet Charles and Robert Dashwood before they meet their wives! (Oh, this notorious Norwood!)more
This is a story of two people sharing the heartbreak of losing someone and feeling guilt over the accident that took him. Years later they both share their feelings and maybe they can move on and admit their feelings for each other. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
A tragedy strikes Johanna’s and Colin’s lives that sends Johanna to Finishing School and Colin running from England to the Continent. Four years later, just as Johanna returns home from Finishing School, Colin hears of her return and decides to return to England and ask Johanna to marry him. But is he too late? Has Johanna moved on without him? When Colin finds out Johanna is betrothed, he runs to the Continent again with a broken heart.
Another tragedy strikes Johanna’s life and she retreats from society and is rumored to be cursed. Three years after the tragedy, Johanna is still shunning society and spends much of her time in her room reading. Will Colin be there for her or will he run again?
This is a wonderful story of love, tragedy, forgiveness, and faith. It is clean with the exception of two mild swear words, but there are no sex scenes. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes clean, historical romance. I loved the characters and the plot was well-developed. I have read all of Bree’s historical romances and they just keep getting better and better. This book is a prequel to the Forbidden Love Novella Series. If you haven’t read any of those books yet, start with this one and don’t stop until you have read them all. You will love them. Enjoy!
I received a review copy of this book from the Bree Wolf; all opinions in my review are my own.
Miss Johanna Grey’s wild youth ends abruptly when her best friend and betrothed Owen falls to his death upon climbing the tree outside her window. Heartbroken and unable to forgive herself, she retreats to Miss Bell’s Finishing School for Young Ladies.
Until four years later when her mother insists she travels to London for the Season, and Johanna finds herself swept into a world of matchmakers and schemers, pressured to find a husband. She meets kind-hearted Brendan Lord Kenwood, a man who reminds her of Owen, they grow close & become betrothed only for Colin Grenville, to return a mere ten minutes after her engagement. For four years, Colin stayed away following Owen’s death, travelling the world, but now that Johanna has returned to London he has to return.
An engaging novella well written with well portrayed characters, the pace is very good & I read it in a sitting. Poor Jo thinks she’s cursed when she loses two fiances & so refuses to marry the man she loves, however the wonderful Grandmamma Clarice comes to the rescue
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
4. Book 4: the Spinster:4 stars
I received a free copy of the sweet historical novella The Spinster: Ladies of Miss Bell’s Finishing School book 4 by Bree Wolf and this review is given freely.
Two clean romances. Johanna Grey completes finishing school then seeks a life of solitude after her second fiancé accidentally dies. But the return of her first love and an interfering Grandmother bring Johanna a surprising yet happy ending.
It takes true love after many years of great heartache to finally find one another again. Prepare for lots of angst to push through while reaching for that box of tissues. It’s a tale about mourning tragedy, conquering your fears, and reaching that joyful happy ending.
4 stars
I received a free copy of the sweet historical novella The Spinster: Ladies of Miss Bell’s Finishing School book 4 by Bree Wolf and this review is given freely.
Two clean romances. Johanna Grey completes finishing school then seeks a life of solitude after her second fiance accidentally dies. But the return of her first love and an interfering Grandmother bring Johanna a surprising yet happy ending.
Wow, Johanna has witnessed real tragedy in her life and I even asked, how does a woman come back from that? Luckily Jo has the love of a wonderful man and Grandmama who help her overcome the guilt, fear and loss. This was a beautiful story that tugged at my heart strings and made me exacerbated a few times, but I really loved it.
FANTASTIC!!!
Wow! Man, talk about rolling on. An eddy of unexpected events and surprising mishaps that launch all your emotions bursting into play with every color on the spectrum. You get it all with this little guy. One incredible pulse racing, heart pounding, page flipping delight that brings this baby bursting to life flawlessly. Twixt and twined and put through the wringer as we witness all the trials and tribulations. You get drawn into this world so deep everything else ceases to exist. All the drama, angst and intrigue keep you riveted from start to finish. Bree really brings this baby together beautifully with a intriguing storyline and engaging plot. The characters are authentic, approachable and realistic with such depth and individuality that draw you in. The scenes are so descriptive and detailed it’s easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another perfectly. Remarkable job Bree, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Johanna, Colin and Owen were best friends growing up. Jo and Owen had their futures pretty much figured out for them by their mothers (who were best friends). They were expected to wed when they were old enough, to join the families together forever. They weren’t sure how they felt about that but enjoyed each others company. Colin was Owen’s best friend and would do anything for his friends but one day he realized Jo was more than just his friend and was someone he had feelings for. Colin kept this information to himself, delegating himself to second fiddle to Jo and Owen. One fateful night Owen had a deadly accident and Jo leaves London for a country school for a few years. Colin vows not to return to London until she does.
Jo returns home a new woman, her mother feels it is time to move on and enter the season to find an appropriate suitor. Brendan is everything Jo is looking for but can she feel the same way about him as she did about Owen? Owen was everything she thought she should want for a husband but at the end of the day, she realized she wasn’t in love with him. She finds herself thinking about Colin more than she ever has before. Does she feel more for Colin than just friendship?
Colin returns to London with the sole purpose of pursuing Jo and finds her with a new beau, Brendan. He tells her that he will always care about her but leaves London so she can start her new life with her new husband to be. Without knowing what happens after he leaves, he tries to start a new life without his beloved Jo. Jo hides away after yet another tragedy in her life, she starts to feel cursed. Will Colin and Jo find their way back to each other? Spinster is a read alone but is part of a series written by different authors. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectation. Another great read from this author, I love period pieces and this doesn’t disappoint.
Perfect length as a bedtime story and if you’re in the mood for a very short, quiet read without dazzling ballrooms, rogues or sex, this fits the bill.
Jo has been feeling guilty about her friend’s (and fiancé’s) death 4 years earlier. Fortunately she had a no-nonsense – yet patient – grandmother to help her finally find her way.
Is being engaged to Jo a death sentence to her betrothed?
SETTING:Bath, England 1814 (or a variation thereof)
Johanna grew up with 2 boys as if she were their sister, despite the fact her parents had already made a betrothal agreement with the parents of one of the boys. Their playful, (and wild by Jo’s mother’s assessment) behavior came to a sudden halt when Owen fell to his death outside Jo’s window. Jo was sent to Miss Bell’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, and the third boy Colin, left for the continent to escape blame from Owen’s parents and any others who may have blamed him.
Now, 4 years later, Jo is facing her first season, with her parents pushing her to quickly find someone to ask for her hand, as they still fear her past wild ways and do not trust that she has matured. Johanna (Jo) still finds comfort in her Grandmother’s arms, as she seems to have deep insight into Jo. The ‘season’ begins, a betrothal match is finally made, when Colin suddenly returns. Will the childhood friends be able to resume a friendship with Jo now betrothed to someone else? When a second betrothed dies suddenly, everyone wonders if being engaged to Jo is a death sentence?That is the delimna in which Jo now finds herself.
CRITIQUE: A sweet, clean romance with a good storyline and characters easy to like. There are some unexpected twists that happen that add interest and anticipation to the story, keeping the reader turning the page. As an additional treat, towards the end of the book, we begin to see characters with whom we are familiar from other of Ms. Wolf’s books. This book is a wonderful addition to the Forbidden Love series, and will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
This was a fun sweet romance. Johanna was a young girl that has survivor’s guilt. She must overcome the guilt as she is tossed back into the matchmaking efforts of her parents. Colin is a young man that knows all about Johanna and her past, as he was there the same day their friend died. The chemistry between Johanna and Colin is there, but both try to ignore it. I had a hard time putting this book down. I liked how the story played out. I recommend to anyone that loves to cheer on a relationship that seems doomed due to guilt and superstitions.
Bree Wolf writes such emotionally charged and heartwarming books. This one is no exception. The story has a great deal of grief and guilt from the tragic event with two people who take years to find each other. Wonderful characters in this beautifully written piece I highly recommend this one. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
After having lost two fiancés to tragic accidents, Johanna believes herself cursed. Colin has been away from England since the death of her first fiancé, who was his friend. He loves Jo and has come back to be with her. Her fear and guilt cause her to send him away. Grandmama has different ideas. Can she convince Jo that she is not at fault in either tragedy, that she is not cursed, and that she should take a chance with Colin?
This is a story that touches your heart; makes you want to wrap Johanna in a big hug, and tell her and Colin to listen to Grandmama. A quick and satisfying read.
I received an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
I enjoyed the flow of the story. It moved smoothly from one situation to another. It is moderately paced and easy to read. The characters are realistic and the life events they had to endure was dealt with an emotionally moving somewhat irrational way. Guilt was the primary motive that guided the H/h. But the h dealt with the guilt deeper than most. Thank goodness the h had a wise, perceptive, astute and loving grandmother. She did her best to guide the h and eventually the H to a happy ending. A very good read.
Friendship Lost but Love Discovered
Growing up, Owen, Jo and Colin were best friends…until unspeakable tragedy struck. What happened next will make you cry, make you smile, and warm your heart.
I love a heartwarming second chance story with gentle and decent characters that brave all odds to find their happily-ever-after. Such is Bree Wolf’s latest book, The Spinster.
Ms. Wolf is a master storyteller. Her characters have you cheering for them, even as you’re grabbing for a tissue. I also love that this wonderful author can move me while still keeping her books clean and sweet. Bravo Bree. You’ve done it again.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
Tragedy strikes three childhood friends when one falls to his death. Johanna Grey and Colin Grenville both escape the aftermath with different paths. The death of their friend haunts both with guilt as they are growing up and move into adulthood. Colin escaped by leaving home and traveling. Johanna, who had a real zest for life, had to abide by her mother’s wishes to behave a certain way, so she was sent to finishing school. When at finishing school she became friends with Penelope and Caroline who brought forth her hopeful side when they all make a pact to marry for love. When Johanna returns home, she is expected to make a good match. Though Colin returns and hopes to make an offer to Johanna, she feels plans already made cannot be broken.
In The Spinster, Bree Wolf has woven a wonderful story of tragic events, and how love and hope can overcome them. Johanna, who felt she was cursed, had to learn that people do make mistakes but cannot feel guilty as long as there were no bad intentions. She could not ignore or forget the past, but it was the past, and Colin helped her accept that.
I received a gift copy of The Spinster and this is my honest review of what I read.
I enjoyed the story of Johanna and Colin. I thought the characters were great, especially Johanna’s grandmother. Bree brings to life her characters’ personalities making you feel as if you personally know them. Spinster is a sweet, romantic story that is a pleasure to read. There was a little more heartache than I usually like, but I enjoyed the outcome. It’s wonderful to read a clean romantic book. A great book for summer reading!
Twice marriage is denied Johanna Grey. Will she ever find her happy ever after? Along comes a childhood friend, Colin who believes they are meant to be. Can he help Johanna believe it too? An absolutely lovely story!
Sometimes tragedy can direct your life to be put on hold and Johanna Grey finds that when Owen, her bethrothed from childhood and best friend fell to his death. There had been three of them as friends growing up and she could only retreat to a finishing school for young ladies to try to deal with her grief. After four years she ends up in London for the season, pushed to find a husband by her mother. She meets Lord Kenwood who reminds her of Owen and eventually they become engaged.
But as fate would have it her other childhood friend Colin makes an appearance only minutes after their announcement. Colin had always been in love with Johanna and hopes to have his chance with her…
This was such a wonderfully written story that pulled at my heart with all of the emotions. Bree Wolf always brings the characters and settings alive with her amazing prose and I could only sigh as I turned the last page.