ASIN: B014BR5QYC
Publisher: Loveswept (May 17, 2016)
Pages: 276
Blurb:
Though he’s fiercely loyal to his friends, Michael Carver has managed to avoid romantic entanglements by cultivating a reputation as a rake and a gambler. Believing himself incapable of intimacy, the Earl of Blandon avoids anything more than lighthearted flirtations or trysts with married women—which leaves more than enough time to slip out into the wilderness for a little fishing. All is well until Michael agrees, as a favor, to keep his best friend’s stubborn yet alluring sister-in-law company.
After one failed engagement, Beatrice Hawkins would rather become a spinster than risk her heart again. Her family, however, is relentless when it comes to finding her a suitable match. So when the roguish earl suggests they join forces to feign courtship and throw everyone off their scent, Beatrice only hopes the ton will take the bait. But at the hunting lodge where Michael takes her to escape prying eyes, Beatrice finds herself lured in by the unexpected charms of a man who has so much love to give—even if he doesn’t know it yet.
Review:
Any true romance reader has heard of arranged marriages. They have nothing to do with love, but are simply a business exchange. Well, Beatrice is having none of that, and regardless of the fact that he has nothing but his title, Michael won’t even consider getting leg-shackled.
But of course things change. Bea’s low-life relative reclaims his right as her guardian and promises her to an evil, dangerous man in exchange for money. In order to protect her, her brother-in-law, Ash (husband of her sister Caro), who was momentarily her guardian, convinces his good friend Michael to marry her. In order to allow time to get the special license, Michael takes Bea into hiding. As they struggle to find food and keep warm (remember he has no money), long conversations and care during an illness brings them closer together. Although the marriage is originally just a way to prevent her from marrying someone she loathes, it soon becomes real to both of them.
The sudden change in Michael’s desire (not just obligation) to marry Bea kinda caught me off guard, but not enough to put the book down. I was drawn to the characters and I wanted to see how their story would play out. The action ends with a death that results in Michael being arrested and facing his peers in court. Now that grabbed a hold of me. I don’t remember ever reading an actual court scene in a historical, so I was most definitely intrigued. It was quite arresting (pardon the pun), and I was totally absorbed. Labud took the time to give full details of the case – fact gathering, witnesses, etc, instead of just mentioning how it all turned out. Kudos to her for that!
I would’ve like a little more before Michael realized he really wants to marry Bea- especially since he’d vowed to never get married-, but don’t they all, so I wasn’t really disappointed or anything.
Labud’s writing is really good, and I think the story holds its own. I’d love to read more of her work.
Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 1 cup of coffee