The Reluctant Suitor

The long-awaited historical romance from the beloved author of A Season Beyond a Kiss

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s breathtaking artistry has earned her a devoted following that grows with each historical tale she creates. In this highly anticipated new novel—her first original hardcover—she offers her loyal audience an engrossing, passionate love story that is sure to delight them.

Adriana has known for most of her life that her parents have signed an agreement committing her to a term of courtship and betrothal to Colton, the son of close friends. But she has known for just as long that he was strongly opposed to having his future arranged in such a manner . . . so determined, in fact, that he preferred to risk life and limb fighting Napoleon and his French forces rather than acquiesce and marry someone not of his choosing.

That was 16 years ago—nearly a lifetime for Adriana. Now Coulton—a dashing colonel—is back. But Adriana has changed. No longer plain and thin, the years have transformed the arisctocratic lady into one of society’s most desirable maidens. When Coulton finally meets the lady he once spurned, will he feel differently about the ravishing beauty Adriana has become?

© 2025 Avon (Audiobook): 9780063459427

Release date

Audiobook: 29 July 2025