The New York Times bestselling author of The Viscount Needs a Wife returns with another roguishly delicious Regency romance…

As England mourns the death of Princess Charlotte, Lady Ariana Boxstall has another succession in mind. Her brother, Norris, is a strapping young man, but he’s also happily unmarried and childless. Norris agrees to take a wife on one condition: that Ariana take a husband first. Although she realizes she risks a lifetime in a loveless marriage, for the sake of her family, Ariana accepts his challenge.

When the Earl of Kynaston met Ariana eight years ago, he broke her heart. Since then, his own heart has been broken, and he’s sworn off love…until he sees Ariana all grown-up and his resolve is threatened.

Could Ariana’s bargain with Norris actually lead her to happiness? With real love on the line, she must win over the one man who refuses to be had.

This story was a fun read.  The characters were easy to fall in love with and root for.  I love how the author used the societal expectations of the era to push the main characters together all the while giving them the opportunity to show their depth of character, in what would have been devastating circumstances.  I love how the author adds humor throughout the story by showcasing some of the more shallow, narrow-minded aspects of Victorian English society such as how quickly and easily “life” altering scandals could be created and believed (no matter how outlandish the scandal) with no proof to back up the accusations.

  The only thing I didn’t really like about this book was the way the author rushed through the ending.  The last chapter felt like I was reading the Cliff’s Note version of the book while yes it got the point across I feel it was somewhat of a letdown after how well the rest of the book had been laid out.

All in all I would read this book again, But with the ending as it is I don’t think I would buy it to add to my collection.

 

BOOKBESTIES- DANIELLE