A Countess in name only…
…tempted by a night with her husband!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Eloise Brannagh has witnessed first-hand the damage unruly passion can cause. Yet she craves freedom, so a convenient marriage to the Earl of Fearnoch seems the perfect solution! Except Alexander Sinclair is more handsome, more intriguing, more everything, than Eloise anticipated. Having set her own rules for their marriage, her irresistible husband might just tempt Eloise to break them!
I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
Marriage of Convenience is always an interesting trope in romance, firstly it was commonplace in Regency Society, but in Regency Romance, it is the beginning of something that is anything but convenient, and usually involves, heartbreak, passion and soul searching, as is the case for Eloise and Alexander.
Both seem excellent candidates for a marriage in name only, but close proximity, friendship and chemistry make their fight to remain platonic, a cocktail of amusing, frustrating and poignant. They have to work hard for the chance of real love, both have emotional damage, secrets and real fear of letting go and the consequences.
Eloise is a vibrant woman, with independent interests that are explored in this story and enrich it with historical detail and vivid imagery. Alexander is not what he seems, and even though he endeavours to offer Eloise some transparency, he retains secrets that offer the ultimate conflict to any real happiness they may achieve.
A lovely cast of characters, some of which will get their own stories?
An enjoyable, impeccably detailed historical romance, with authentic, believable characters, a good plot and a satisfying end.
