Sophia Mallory, widowed Countess of Winterbourne and Ian Broderick, a Scottish earl, met and had a love affair in Scotland without either knowing much about the other, including their titles. This short story is also found in the Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance.

I guess that is the shortcoming of short stories (ha! pun!).Īnyways, overall, the writing was still lovely and I enjoyed the read. Perhaps this is my 21st century sensibilities clouding the issue, but I just felt like there was a lot of angst and then everything was neatly tied up really quickly. And then, overnight, she changes her mind. Sophia is a wishy-washy character and though I understood while she left him the first time, I didn't understand her continued unwillingness to accept Ian. I really liked Ian's character, his dedication, his beautiful proposal, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be with Sophia despite her reservations and her older age (12 years older).

The story picks up at this point and there are glimpses of their affair told in flashbacks. Then, Sophia suddenly leaves Ian behind and he spends the next 6 months searching for her in order to finally make her his wife. Ian and Sophia have a short, but blissful affair in Scotland with neither being completely honest about their identities.

I wanted to experience their affair and the time they spent together that made Sophia unforgettable to Ian. I loved this book and wish it would've been longer. Ian's declaration of love to Sophia is alone worth the read, and I love this author's way of communicating deep feelings in very few words. I struggled with Sophia's resistance and her reasons for denying Ian. He was simply an awesome hero and his love for Sophia was clear and honestly communicated. Ian Broderick is the stuff that dreams are made of. Ian is determined to find her and spends the next six months searching for his lost love. Sophia sees this relationship as impossible and leaves Ian one night with only a hastily written goodbye note as an explanation. Sophia is also twelve years older than Ian. In reality, Sophia is a widowed Countess and Ian is the Earl of Marlington. Neither of them reveal their true identity and let one another believe that they are both 'commoners'. Ian Broderick and Sophia Mallory meet one summer afternoon and begin a whirlwind affair that sweeps them both off their feet. I can't help wishing.If only this would've been a full length novel!

At Last by Jacquie D'Alessandro