Review: A Nettle By Any Other Name (A Christmas Bouquet #2) by Ruth J. Hartman

Print Length: 95 pages

Publisher: Dingbat Publishing (December 19, 2018)

From Goodreads.com: Helen Marie, Lady Stormont, longs to improve educational opportunities for the bluestockings of Highgate. Though her contemporaries scoff at her idea, she plans to open a home just for the girls, where they can study without interruptions. Thinking she’ll be alone in her endeavors, she’s thrilled when her close friend Talbot Yelverton happily agrees to help her. 

Talbot Yelverton, Earl of Godolphin, has a secret—he’s been in love with his friend Helen his entire life. Though he longs to tell her of his feelings, he’s afraid he’ll be rebuffed since she’s years his senior. Will Helen still think of him as the lad who followed her around when they were young? Will it advance his suit if he helps her fund the bluestocking house, or is he still hiding behind conventions while courting an unconventional lady? 

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

A Nettle by Any Other Name is novella number two in the Christmas Bouquet series, but it can be read as a stand alone if you have not read the previous novella. 

As with the prior story (Lost in Lavender), this was a short and sweet read with charismatic characters, several laugh out loud moments and scene stealing characters (Edwina hands down was my favorite). 

I enjoyed the fact that both of these characters were older. This is the kind of second chance love story that is my favorite. Everyone is always so caught up in the "bloom of a first love", but what happens when that story ends? This story is so full of that hope, and that belief that people can find romance a second time (after losing their first love), that you can't help but feel good about things after you've finished reading. It could be that I needed this book, having lost my own husband suddenly earlier this year, but I couldn't put this book down. 

I enjoyed everything about it. From these two people overcoming their longstanding friendship and finally admitting their feelings to one another, to Helen's desire to help the bluestockings find a place where they could grow, even including Edwina's escapades; this book was an amazing story of personal growth that I feel will resonate with readers.

I would read more from this author, and I can't wait to read more of this series! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                  A Nettle By Any Other Name is available from Amazon.com