Lady Merritt Sterling is a widow, businesswoman, and daughter of Earl Lord Westcliff. She is smart, capable, caring, and honest. She focuses on work and has no plans for getting married again.

Keir MacRae is a grumpy, outspoken Scot who has just hit a snag in his business due to something regarding hers. He bursts into her office and her life. He is handsome, charismatic, and oh so tempting. He is in London for a short time and then ready to head back to his home and distillery in Scotland.  

The pull is hard to deny and sensible Merritt finds herself pushing him to play with fire. No matter how he tries to resist her and knows he is not good enough for her, they just seem to keep coming together.  But Keir's time in London has been fraught with what now appear to be threats and things are heating up. And when he is in the worst of it, Merritt seems to be the person he wants next to him and can trust, even if he does not realize exactly why. 

Secrets are revealed. Connections are made. Their lives are shaken up and turned upside down. She has her doubts and insecurities, but she is also fierce and his "wee bully. He has his own issues of self-worth regarding their differences and is an old-fashioned, honest man suddenly thrust into chaos. Their lives are lived in different worlds. But maybe fate might have led them right where they were supposed to be, but now they have to figure out if they can find a way to make it work....and stay alive in the process. 

This is an engaging, sexy, swoony romance with some past secrets and suspense mixed in. I loved getting visits with old friends from the Wallflowers and Ravenels series. I enjoy the fact that the Wallflowers have instilled a sense of independence, free spirit, stubbornness, and tenacity in their daughters despite the fact that they have strong, powerful fathers. I enjoy the dynamics and close connections these families have. I will admit that Keir and Merritt's actual love story was sometimes a bit overshadowed by all that was going on and it did progress pretty fast despite a big hiccup. But I still really loved them together. He totally won my heart and he met his match in Merritt. 

I know some people have been upset over the possibilities in this story, but I was totally satisfied with it and it did not change my opinion of any of my favorite characters at all.  I do not think there is anything to worry about and should trust that the author knows what her readers want and would not set out to ruin her characters. In fact, I loved how it all came together and I think I might love them just a wee bit more. I always enjoy escaping back into this rich world and spending time with these amazing families.