When her father departs for France in search of rare books, Estelle Baxter is left to manage Baxter’s Fine Books, and her younger sisters, in the bustling town of Hatfield. Practical, determined, and far too busy to entertain notions of marriage, Estelle is focused on keeping the bookshop afloat and her family’s reputation intact. But her orderly world is thrown into disarray when an infuriatingly charming stranger waltzes into her shop.

Felix Yates, the rakish grandson of a local baron, has returned from his Grand Tour with little interest in settling down, until he meets the spirited Miss Baxter. Intrigued by her wit, resilience, and no-nonsense attitude, Felix finds himself drawn to the beautiful woman who seems determined to resist him at every turn.

As rumours swirl about Estelle’s father’s safety and a meddling cousin threatens to take the shop, Estelle and Felix find their lives increasingly intertwined. But can a woman determined to protect her independence trust a man who always gets what he wants? And is Felix ready to prove he’s more than just a wealthy aristocrat with too much charm for his own good?

With family loyalty, financial woes, and a mischievous cat named Crafty complicating matters, Estelle must choose between guarding her heart and risking it all for the one man who might just be her perfect match.

Marie Baxter, the second eldest of the Baxter sisters, is the sensible, steady heart of Baxter’s Fine Books. Content to manage the family’s accounts, she avoids the hustle and bustle of book deliveries and prefers the quiet familiarity of Hatfield. But when a demanding earl insists that only she can deliver a valuable order of books to distant Cumbria, Marie reluctantly sets out on a journey she would rather avoid.

Her carefully laid plans fall apart almost immediately. The weather is treacherous, her companions vexing, and her destination, a forbidding castle perched high in the Pennines, is nothing like she imagined. And then there is the earl. Sebastian, the brooding and book-obsessed Earl of Renwick, is nothing like the cantankerous old man she had envisioned. He is young, frustratingly handsome, and utterly lacking in social graces.

A sprained ankle leaves Marie stranded at Alston Castle for Christmas, surrounded by Sebastian’s mischievous twin sons, a bumbling tutor with terrible French, and a castle full of secrets. As the snow deepens, so does Marie’s connection to the Earl, who surprises her with his quiet thoughtfulness and shared passion for knowledge. But Sebastian has locked his heart away, and Marie must decide if she is willing to take a leap of faith or risk losing her own heart in the process.

Louise Baxter may not be the eldest of the four Baxter sisters, but she is certainly the tallest, the sturdiest, and the one who gets things done. With her eldest sister away in Ireland and another traveling to Cumbria, Louise is left to oversee Baxter’s Fine Books during the busiest time of year. But between managing customers, keeping her youngest sister out of trouble, and dealing with their overbearing cousins, Louise has no time for nonsense, or for romance.

When a towering, handsome stranger arrives in Hatfield, carrying crates of books and a mysterious past, Louise is intrigued despite herself. Shaun Jackson, a former soldier searching for his place in the world, is everything Louise admires - capable, clever, and unafraid to stand up to bullies. But his arrival stirs up more than just fluttering hearts. Rumours of arson, family scheming, and a growing threat to the bookshop push Louise to her limits, and she finds herself in need of an ally.

As Christmas approaches, the bond between Louise and Shaun deepens, but his plans to move on may shatter the fragile happiness they have found together. With her family depending on her strength, Louise must decide whether to guard her heart or take a chance on the one man who makes her feel truly seen.

Bernadette Baxter, the youngest of the four Baxter sisters, is known throughout Hatfield for her herbal remedies, quick wit, and compassionate heart. Whether crafting lozenges, setting broken bones, or delivering herbal teas, Bernadette has earned the trust and reliance of the townspeople. But when a new doctor arrives, her place in the community is suddenly under threat.

Dr. Glynn Williams has seen his share of battlefield injuries and is determined to bring modern medicine to Hatfield. But his arrival is met with resistance from Bernadette, whose strong will and herbal expertise challenges everything he believes about healing. Their rivalry sparks plenty of tension, and more than a little attraction, as they clash over patients, practices, and the stubborn belief that they know best.

As Bernadette and Glynn are forced to work together, their animosity begins to soften into admiration. But with Napoleon’s escape from Elba casting a shadow over England and Bernadette’s father still missing in France, both face challenges that threaten to drive them apart. Can Bernadette and Glynn find common ground - and love - before duty and danger tear them away from each other?

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.