In the Spinster's Bed

Good introductory novella to the Spinster House series characters though it doesn't have much on why the Spinster House exists to start with. The current resident is Belle Frost, though she's known as Miss Franklin to the people of Loves Bridge. Twenty years earlier she had been kicked out of her home by her father for scandalous behavior and sent to a relative in Loves Bridge. She has served as the town librarian ever since and led a quiet life.

William shows up in Loves Bridge looking for a place to hide out for a while. He is tired of being the butt of gossip because of his wife's antics and wants somewhere to go where no one knows him. He will be plain Mr. Wattles and fill in for the music teacher while he is in Loves Bridge.

Belle show more and William's reunion came as a shock to both of them. Belle does her best to convince William that he has mistaken her for someone else, but he doesn't believe her. William is stunned to find the passionate girl he knew is all prim and proper. Neither can deny the sparks that still fly between them. A confrontation between them gets heated, then passionate, until Belle recalls that William is married and calls a halt. They spend the next several months doing their best to avoid each other and temptation. Then Fate takes a hand, and William is free to pursue Belle again.

I liked the development of Belle and William's relationship. Though they had been apart for twenty years, they had never forgotten each other, even as they went on with their lives. I liked seeing their backstory as it was revealed through flashbacks. I admit to being a bit disappointed in the young William's behavior when he returned to school and didn't try to contact Belle, leaving her to deal with the fallout when it happened. I liked that he realized he was wrong to kiss (and more) Belle while he was still married and avoided temptation after that. When he returns after his wife's death, there is no longer an impediment to their being together. It doesn't take long for them to fall into each other's' arms. Those times between them are intense and rekindle the feelings they had before. At this point neither is thinking of the future, until William is called home because of his father's illness.

There isn't much love lost between William and his father and two older brothers. I had the feeling that many of William's actions as a young man were directly because of how they treated him. But he certainly didn't expect the depth of the tragedy that awaited him when he arrived. I ached for William and everything that he went through. During those weeks he finally realized his feelings for Belle and that he needs her with him and in his life forever.

Meanwhile, Belle has to deal with her own unexpected circumstances. I wasn't surprised at the fix she was in, only that she had believed herself too old at all. I ached for her and her fear that she wouldn't see William again because of his new status. I loved her surprise at his sudden appearance and their joy at being together again. Poor Belle was so nervous about confessing her secret, but William's reaction was great. I loved his way of proving to her that his proposal was not being forced by honor. show less

Description:

It has been twenty years since Lord William Wattles laid eyes on Annabelle Frost. Still, he remembers everything—her ethereal beauty, her bookish intelligence, her surprisingly modern attitudes about love…and lust. But Belle’s allegedly wanton behavior led her father to send her away to save the family’s reputation. Now she resides at Spinster House in the village of Loves Bridge, where an unmarried lady can live—and in Belle’s case, support herself as a librarian—in peace…

Beautiful, passionate Belle—sworn off marriage? William can’t believe the woman he once knew could end up like this. But when the hands of fate bring him to Loves Bridge, his long-lost love might just end up back in his arms. Is their show more unwavering desire worth the sweeping scandal that is sure to follow them both? Absolutely.

Review:

I have to say that I loved the story, I just wish it was longer. This would’ve been a great book if it had more of a story to it. With it being so short I would not pay money to read it unfortunately.
I loved both of the characters, Belle had a terrible past that made her the woman she was. William was a part of Belle’s past and he was the only person that made Belle’s past bearable. I liked how the author put diary entries at the beginning of the chapters, it showed part of Belle’s past and explained a lot.
The story progressed way to fast for my liking. There could’ve been so much more added to it. For this reason I have to give the book a 3 out of 5 stars.

~Trisha Leigh~ show less

I love Sally MacKenzie's writing, and I was thrilled when I heard about her new Spinster House series and In the Spinster's Bed is the first story from this series, it is a novella but still is a great start.
William and Belle had had a very lustful affair as teenagers, which had led her father to sending her away. William had no idea of her fate as he had joined the army.
20 years later he discovers Belle working as a librarian under a different name in a small village living in the Spinster house, and she claims not to recognize William at all.
William is mystified why she'd lie, but also is happy for the time being as he also has reasons to hide the village and can pursue her to find out.

This was a delightful story of rekindled lost show more love. I enjoyed the light humour that Ms. MacKenzie always manages to add to her stories and the love scenes which are always tender but also hot. I can't wait for the first full length novel from this series, it's sure to be great. 5/5 show less

A cute read about the power of love. In The Spinster's Bed by Sally Mackenzie is a beautiful story filled with forgiveness, second chances and a hint of divine intervention. Wrapped in the blush of young love neither Belle or William expected things to end the way they did. Twenty years later each is still haunted by memories and what ifs. Belle is a character that can break your heart. Through her strength and courage she was determined not be a victim but make the best of what life had given her. William never felt good enough and always felt like he had to prove his worth. Are Belle and William destined to reunite only to lose each other again? I did not want to end. A magical start to a majestic new series. Received this book from show more NetGalley for an honest review. show less

Description:

It has been twenty years since Lord William Wattles laid eyes on Annabelle Frost. Still, he remembers everything—her ethereal beauty, her bookish intelligence, her surprisingly modern attitudes about love…and lust. But Belle’s allegedly wanton behavior led her father to send her away to save the family’s reputation. Now she resides at Spinster House in the village of Loves Bridge, where an unmarried lady can live—and in Belle’s case, support herself as a librarian—in peace…

Beautiful, passionate Belle—sworn off marriage? William can’t believe the woman he once knew could end up like this. But when the hands of fate bring him to Loves Bridge, his long-lost love might just end up back in his arms. Is their show more unwavering desire worth the sweeping scandal that is sure to follow them both? Absolutely.

Review:

I have to say that I loved the story, I just wish it was longer. This would’ve been a great book if it had more of a story to it. With it being so short I would not pay money to read it unfortunately.
I loved both of the characters, Belle had a terrible past that made her the woman she was. William was a part of Belle’s past and he was the only person that made Belle’s past bearable. I liked how the author put diary entries at the beginning of the chapters, it showed part of Belle’s past and explained a lot.
The story progressed way to fast for my liking. There could’ve been so much more added to it. For this reason I have to give the book a 3 out of 5 stars.

~Trisha Leigh~ show less

... true love rekindled!

Sweet story of love lost and found and a mountain of personal tragedy in between.
Twenty years ago Annabelle Frost had loved Lord William Wattles, her childhood friend. A friendship that one ripe afternoon developed into a passionate relationship.
William returned to school and Belle was hustled off, banished really, to another part of England. That was then. Now William is fleeing a scandal to the very village of Loves Bridge where Belle has made a new life for herself.
The future is uncertain and fearful but the attraction between Annabelle and William is still as strong and heady as it was so long ago.
Between times the mystery of the being of Spinster House is hinted at. As is said, 'at Spinster House, a woman show more can enjoy the spoils of single life—or find the love of a lifetime…'
A successor to residency seems to be waiting in the wings. Then there's the mysterious cat!
A little gem showcasing the Spinster House series.

A NetGalley ARC show less

#0.5 in the "Spinster House" series,but can be read as a stand alone. A Novella. A quick read, which has a powerful punch. You can't help but love these characters. Second chance love is always a favorite of mine. Romance, passion and love, is always an enjoyable premise, to me, anyway.
An enjoyable and satisfying read. I look forward to the next installment.

*Received for an honest review from the publisher via Net Gallery*

**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More