When I first started this I did not realize who Sig was, but then I remembered the playboy cousin in The Aristocrat who had warmed my heart by the end of that book.

Sigmund Benedictus is now a grumpy, anti-social, work-a-holic, widower in England who has lost his passion for life and avoids connections. When his former in-laws come to him with a plan for a surrogate to carry his late wife's child, he is shocked and a bit panicked. 

Abby Knickerbocker is a family friend of his in-laws and she volunteered to be the surrogate. She has her own reasons but ultimately wants to help. She has also experienced loss and grief and is at a crossroads in her life. She is empathetic, caring, and sweet. But she also has a backbone and is sassy, witty, and challenges him. 

They begin their journey with antagonism and mistrust. But as they travel this unconventional road together they find themselves close at times and separated by distance at others. But as layers are peeled back and guards are let down, they are also finding an inconvenient attraction and confusing feelings. But the entire situation is complicated and messy mixed up with loss, expectations, obligations, fears,  distance, and uncertain futures. The chemistry between them is natural and easy, but everything surrounding them and the future is not. Neither of them is sure what they want and can truly handle in this unconventional situation that not only involves each other but affects the lives of others. 

This is a forbidden-by-circumstances, age gap, grumpy-sunshine, close proximity, and long distance, second chance love story involving hope, healing, passion, and found family. I fell for Sig all over again. From his guarded, grumpy beginnings to his protectiveness and big heart. He has perfected this hard outer shell that Abby just starts poking holes in and I loved seeing his fear, confusion, and attempts to dodge the inevitable. Abby is strong and understanding and she calls him on all of his crap. And she is unselfish as she put her life on hold to help someone and then is afraid to hope that the scary feelings she is having could ever lead anywhere for her. Together they are a hot mess of issues, hidden feelings,  and anxiety, but their story is just so beautiful and heartwarming too. I think this might be my favorite Penelope book to date. Something about this story and these characters just touched my heart. 

I enjoyed getting an update with Leo and Felicity and I adored the spry Grandma figure Lavinia, and the whole blended family aspect.