Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter

 Aaron is an illegitimate son who has made a life for himself as a horse trainer and stable manager.  He has always vowed he would never inflict the liabilities of his birth on any woman by marriage. Then one day, Sophia tricks her way into his life.  She is an amazing horsewoman, and someone in need of his help and protection.  They both have walls and secrets, but with the gentle nudging of friends those walls have at least the possibility of coming down.

Yeah, Christian historical romance time again.  In this one we get to meet many of our old friends from previous Hunter novels.  In some ways this book is as much about having a supportive community of like-minded friends as it is about the two love birds. It takes a lot of encouragement and conniving of their friends to get Sophia and Aaron together at last. One thing I like about Hunter's stories is that she doesn't rush the relationships.  No Cinderella-like "love at first sight" here.  It takes time and much overcoming of bumps in the road to bring Hunter's leading men and women together, which is much more realistic than the fairytale version. (2021, 352 p.)