Title: The Widow’s Auction
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Romance
Dates read: 28th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: They’d made love on the floor before the fireplace, writhing on the fur rug like cats in heat.
Though Isobel Lamberton, the widowed Lady Kingsley, is confounded by her dealings with the obstinate Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, his commanding presence sparks something deep within her. But such romantic thoughts are for naught. For Justin’s political aspirations always come first. And Isobel’s own secret past could damage both of them permanently.
So when Isobel’s friend talks her into participating in a scandalous auction of masked widows at a gentleman’s club, she reluctantly agrees…and soon begins to relish being an object of desire. But none desire her more than Justin, who recognizes the outspoken Isobel in disguise and sets out to teach her a lesson worth far more than money…
This was not really the story that I was expecting. The name made it sound a little more raunchy. And, since it is found in a book that is more of the paranormal romance kilter – I was expecting a werewolf or vampire thrown in there. I did not expect to read a story about a widow and her philanthropic choices in life. Her slightly unorthodox upbringing. Or even about the man that she eventually falls for. None of the aspects of this story were as expected, even when I read the blurb. And I certainly didn’t regret picking this up in the slightest. It was a lot of fun, and incredibly cute.
We all have different faces that we show to the world. It doesn’t matter if that’s just our own personal face and a more professional one that we show at work, or something more. Everyone does it. Which made it kind of fun to read a novella which played with this idea and built a beautiful romance around it. I especially loved the fact that even when the truth about who she is is revealed, she is still loved and cherished. Showing that sometimes our first instincts and assumptions just aren’t correct, and we can find love in the most unexpected of places.
The Widow’s Auction is a great start to the Fantasy collection of novellas. It is sweet and lustful. Fun and filled with hope for a happily ever after. The entire story, you are guaranteed to be gunning for the heroine and wanting her to find a way to thrive in a world that is more skewed towards men. Luckily for my love of happily ever afters, that’s exactly what you get. This novella is one that is guaranteed to leave a smile on your tired, world-worn face.
Earth and Skye 
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