I truly wish there had more to the story line about their correspondence over the two year time period when they were separated. They met after the death of Poppy's brother and began a correspondence.

Poor Poppy is mistreated badly by her stepmother and two half sisters and James steps in to help her boost her popularity this season. James, Lord Kingsley’s best friend’s dying wish was that he married his spinster sister. This is book 12 in the Forever Yours series and a new take on Cinderella. She writes characters with depth and this book was no exception. She is one of my 'autobuy' authors and I adore everything she writes. Let me start by saying that I would read a dictionary if Stacy Reid wrote it. * I received an ARC and this is my honest review. Tropes: Cinderella/Fairytale Retelling, Brother's Best Friend, Friends to Lovers, Lessons, Matchmaker There was a lot of emotion packed into this novella.I really liked Poppy and James and wish there was a little more time to spend with them. James and his sister Daphne play 'fairymother' and help polish Poppy up with society lessons and a new wardrobe. Sunny Poppy has always been second fiddle in her family, and is even willing to take a governess position to strike out on her own and have her own life. This is a lovely Cinderella story complete with stepmother and two self absorbed half-sisters. It stands alone, although the hero from book eight plays a small role. This is book twelve in the Forever Yours series. Despite his attraction to Poppy, James will help her conquer the ton and find a husband. However, James feels honor bound to fulfill a betrothal contract his deceased brother made in order to save their estates. After learning that Richard passed away, James opens a letter that Richard gave him - years earlier - before they marched to war: his final wish was that James marry his sister Poppy.

James Delaney, now Earl of Kingsley, served in the military with his best friend Richard Ashford.

My One and Only Earl by Stacy Reid