Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

Miss Diana Highwood, the perfect beauty of her family, is destined to be a noblemans wife, at least according to her mother and Diana has accepted this until they arrive in Spindle Cove to address her health and she meets the local blacksmith, Aaron Dawes.  Now with two years of glances and delicious thoughts, she is pushed by her sister to live her life her way and Diana decides to finally act on her thoughts and desires, much to the delight of Aaron.  Never in his dreams would he expect a lady to give up a genteel life for the life of being a blacksmith's wife but Diana seems determined too even though she refuses to tell anyone about their relationship.  Matters come to light that force this couple to explain themselves (seriously, I about died laughing at that scene...oh, her poor mother!) and you just hang on for the happily ever after that is sure to come!

Oh my goodness, what a clever, hilarious  tender and sexy romance!  I devoured it and was so disappointed when it was over!  Tessa Dare has become an auto buy author for me with her Spindle Cove series and this novella is the reason why.  I know when I read a Tessa Dare book I will get a smoldering romance with trials and grit mixed with some laugh inducing scenes that will keep you up all night until you finish and Beauty and the Blacksmith is no exception!  Diana is quite a beauty but through her actions, Aaron learns that beauty goes all the way through and helps showcase her strength, determination and intelligence.  However, he learns that maybe she isn't the right fit for a kitchen :)  Aaron is protective (having had to raise two sisters), affectionate, honest and strong... especially in the forearm area and he is a wonderful counterpart to Diana and takes her mishaps in stride and helps give her the courage to follow her heart.  Clever wit, charm, smoldering heat and a true love destined to be make this a keeper for both new and old Tessa Dare fans!  4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Spindle Cove series
Could be read as standalones but characters are recurring and probably best enjoyed in order

                                                                                                                         May 28th