"The Indebted Earl" by Erica Vetsch - Serendipity and Secrets, book 3

Captain Charles Malvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Malvern to escort the man's grieving fiancée and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell, and with the earldom comes some unexpected complications. . .

I enjoyed Charles and Sophie's relationship, from strangers to allies to friends to lovers. The progression felt natural; Sophie starts with some understandable feelings of anger toward Charles in that he shoulders (rightfully or wrongfully) some of the blame for her fiancé's death, but as circumstances push them together more and more, they grow all the closer, learning to forgive each other and themselves, and bonding over shared love of the people in their care. 

I enjoyed the references that one has to read the rest of the series to understand (like Sophie's brother Marcus's enigmatic actions). It was nice of Marcus to impart some of the wisdom he gained (belatedly) in the previous novel. I would have liked to see what happens with Cilla, who is on the periphery in these two later books--maybe someday there will be a fourth book or novella so we can know she's not at the mercy of her domineering mother-in-law the rest of her days?

Thank you Kregel and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Serendipity and Secrets
1. The Lost Lieutenant
2. The Gentleman Spy
3. The Indebted Earl