"A Pursuit of Home" by Kristi Ann Hunter - Haven Manor, book 3

Jess has spent most of her life in hiding and on the move in an effort to leave the past behind her, finding a haven--if not outright a home--at Haven Manor. But when it turns out family she thought long dead might be alive and in danger, her secrets can only stay buried for so long. Desperation brings her to Derek Thornbury, the world's most annoying expert in history and art, to help her decipher the clues in an old family diary. Will their search to uncover the truth of the past lead to a future together?

Finally we find out the backstory of the mysterious Jess! My guesses regarding her history were woefully shy of the reality. With Jess's ties to the Duke of Marshington, I was not surprised when he and other characters from A Noble Masquerade made appearances. I will admit, Ryland, when not the hero of the story, can be exasperating. But it was fun to finally tie the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series together, and to find out how Jess moved from one to the other.

It amused me highly that Jess, the highly efficient master of disguise and rather blood-thirsty former spy, is forced to work with the one person in this world who annoys her more than any other. And that Derek, so oblivious to the world and so obsessed with art, is able to catch her out when she's up to her tricks. It's pretty sweet justice. Of course, once they quit fighting so much, they balance each other beautifully and form a great partnership.

I really like how the romance played out. Enemies to lovers is a pretty popular trope, but the author keeps it believable with a slow change of opinions, a gradual softening toward one another, working toward friendship and then attraction (none of that getting-into-a-fight-that-ends-in-passionate-kissing nonsense). Come to think of it, I'm not sure they ever did kiss on page. But it was a delightfully satisfying conclusion regardless.

Haven Manor
0.5: "A Search for Refuge" (free prequel e-novella)
1. A Defense of Honor
2. A Return of Devotion

3. A Pursuit of Home (November 2019)

3.5: "Legacy of Love" (published in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection)

Related Series (takes place chronologically before Haven Manor):
Hawthorne House
0.5 "A Lady of Esteem" - a free novella introduction to the Hawthornes and friends!
1. A Noble Masquerade
2. An Elegant Facade
3. An Uncommon Courtship

4. An Inconvenient Beauty

Related Series (takes place chronologically after Haven Manor):
Hearts on the Heath
1. Vying for the Viscount
2. Winning the Gentleman