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The Earl's Bookish Bride
Marianne Hastings is a devoted daughter, dutifully caring for her ailing father over the last several years. As she reluctantly prepares for the London Season to please her father, she highly doubts she could find a suitable match in the pretentious rituals of the ton. When her father collapses at the opera one night though, a handsome young stranger will offer his assistance and unintentionally capture her heart…
Will she be able to get past her prejudice and take the leap to real love? Philip Ramsay, the Earl of Berkeley, has been warned against marrying for love. After making a promise to his father on his deathbed, he is determined to find a suitable match and thus starts courting a fitting lady. When he meets Marianne though, he finds himself surprisingly stricken with her wit, kindness and unique beauty… Will he be able to overlook his father's dying wish and trust his own heart? As they start falling in love, and their paths begin to entwine more than either of them expected, Marianne and Philip must confront society and disheartening family expectations. With Philip’s scheming intended sabotaging them as well, will they be able to stay true to their love or will they be forced into loveless marriages of convenience? "The Earl's Bookish Bride" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Will she be able to get past her prejudice and take the leap to real love? Philip Ramsay, the Earl of Berkeley, has been warned against marrying for love. After making a promise to his father on his deathbed, he is determined to find a suitable match and thus starts courting a fitting lady. When he meets Marianne though, he finds himself surprisingly stricken with her wit, kindness and unique beauty… Will he be able to overlook his father's dying wish and trust his own heart? As they start falling in love, and their paths begin to entwine more than either of them expected, Marianne and Philip must confront society and disheartening family expectations. With Philip’s scheming intended sabotaging them as well, will they be able to stay true to their love or will they be forced into loveless marriages of convenience? "The Earl's Bookish Bride" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2023
215 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Bridget Barton
167 books207 followersBridget Barton was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
She has studied English Literature in college and after a brief passage in journalism as a newspaper writer, she stirred her career to what she always loved: becoming an author!
She has always been intrigued by rascals, vagabonds, dukes and rogues, so having the chance to write stories about them is a wish come true for her!
Bridget is married to her own prince charming and is the proud mother of two daughters (and three adorable kittens) and soon to be a grandma!
She is a hopeless romantic who devours romance literature and of course enjoys writing love stories of her own.
When she is not writing, Bridget is relaxing by cooking for her lovely husband, exercising and listening to soft music.
Bridget loves to connect with her readers!
With love and respect,
Bridget Barton
She has studied English Literature in college and after a brief passage in journalism as a newspaper writer, she stirred her career to what she always loved: becoming an author!
She has always been intrigued by rascals, vagabonds, dukes and rogues, so having the chance to write stories about them is a wish come true for her!
Bridget is married to her own prince charming and is the proud mother of two daughters (and three adorable kittens) and soon to be a grandma!
She is a hopeless romantic who devours romance literature and of course enjoys writing love stories of her own.
When she is not writing, Bridget is relaxing by cooking for her lovely husband, exercising and listening to soft music.
Bridget loves to connect with her readers!
With love and respect,
Bridget Barton
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 3, 2023
Another book where parental expectations threaten a couple's happiness. Although it was common amongst the ton for parents to demand their adult children obey them in finding a match, I often wonder why they would. Either they were unhappy in their own marriages and hoped for better for their offspring, or their priorities were their money and titles. Ignoring the loveless and unhappy marriages they forced on their children implies that they were sad, lonely and unhappy themselves. Why would you do that to your children? Demanding deathbed promises of any kind is cruel and causes incredible angst. Philip tries to do as his father wishes, but his father's arrangement of a marriage with a spoilt and manipulative woman makes him miserable. It was interesting that she appeared to be a bit nicer at the end of their last meeting, implying that she was as much trapped by her ambitious mother as Philip was by his father. Marianne's father, on the other hand, acts out of love and concern for her future. But even so, he is manipulated by a man intent on owning his wife. Hugh may have done better with Marianne had he not tried to control her and tell her what to do, before they were even courting.
Lack of communication is paramount in this story, and almost destroys their future together. It was interesting to have a side story of Victor's past love and see him come to the realization that his first love was simply infatuation. I was hoping for a happy ending for Isobel, but it was not to be.
This was an ARC and I gave it 4 stars.
Lack of communication is paramount in this story, and almost destroys their future together. It was interesting to have a side story of Victor's past love and see him come to the realization that his first love was simply infatuation. I was hoping for a happy ending for Isobel, but it was not to be.
This was an ARC and I gave it 4 stars.
June 18, 2023
Another enjoyable book.
I really enjoyed this book. But, something that I have been noticing lately, in many, if not all, of the historical romances that I have read, they all have such manners, and those manners can sometimes get in the way of how they truly feel, or what they want to say, but don't. The main character is almost lost their opportunity for true love. Maybe this is how it truly was back then.
I really enjoyed this book. But, something that I have been noticing lately, in many, if not all, of the historical romances that I have read, they all have such manners, and those manners can sometimes get in the way of how they truly feel, or what they want to say, but don't. The main character is almost lost their opportunity for true love. Maybe this is how it truly was back then.
April 23, 2023
The Earl's Bookish Bride
Phillip promised his father he would not marry for love and he learned he was expected to marry lady Louisa but when he met Marianne he was attracted to her and they fell for each other But another wanted to possess her but love wins and the pair finds love and happiness A wonderful story
Phillip promised his father he would not marry for love and he learned he was expected to marry lady Louisa but when he met Marianne he was attracted to her and they fell for each other But another wanted to possess her but love wins and the pair finds love and happiness A wonderful story
May 1, 2023
This is a delightful story with lots of complications. The characters are well developed and completely lovable. Marianne is the devoted daughter and her father wants her to be settled. Phillip, the Earl of Berkley, is all set to follow his father's death bed wishes until he meets Marianne. Jealousy ensues. Plots are enacted out. Love is greater than all the selfish machinations.
May 13, 2023
A sweet regency romance
I enjoyed reading The Earl's Bookish Bride. The characters were well-developed, and the plot seemed realistic. I would have made more of the fiancee's revenge, but that's just me. I thought the irony was nicely done - Marianne read a book that involved miscommunication between lovers, and then that's exactly what happened in her own life.
I enjoyed reading The Earl's Bookish Bride. The characters were well-developed, and the plot seemed realistic. I would have made more of the fiancee's revenge, but that's just me. I thought the irony was nicely done - Marianne read a book that involved miscommunication between lovers, and then that's exactly what happened in her own life.
June 4, 2023
Entertaining & Very Interesting Characters
This novel had a simple but well written story to tell with characters this reader came to enjoy. They both felt honor bound to follow the wishes of their respective fathers but knew that what their well-meaning fathers wanted for them was not in their best interests.
I rated "The Earl's Bookish Bride" with 4 stars.
This novel had a simple but well written story to tell with characters this reader came to enjoy. They both felt honor bound to follow the wishes of their respective fathers but knew that what their well-meaning fathers wanted for them was not in their best interests.
I rated "The Earl's Bookish Bride" with 4 stars.
June 18, 2023
Drawn together by her father’s illness and the mutual enjoyment of books, will it be enough of a foundation to turn an unlikely friendship into something more. With plenty of obstacles in their path, and a hefty dose of miscommunication, can love prevail? Guess you’ll have to pick up a copy to find out!
July 14, 2025
Regency fun
This clean Regency Romance tracks the unconventional meeting of two people who are meant for one another. If not for the intercession of his brother and her spinster aunt they would have let unsaid feelings and misinterpretation sink their Romance before it had started. A lovely story. I rated it a 4 instead of five due to formatting issues in the Kindle.
This clean Regency Romance tracks the unconventional meeting of two people who are meant for one another. If not for the intercession of his brother and her spinster aunt they would have let unsaid feelings and misinterpretation sink their Romance before it had started. A lovely story. I rated it a 4 instead of five due to formatting issues in the Kindle.
April 24, 2023
Marianne and Philip.
Marianne and Philip story was a charming tale not without it challenges but it was and entertaining way to spend my Sunday reading. I liked the characters and I was rooting for them all the way. The book is well done and one I am happy to recommend.
Marianne and Philip story was a charming tale not without it challenges but it was and entertaining way to spend my Sunday reading. I liked the characters and I was rooting for them all the way. The book is well done and one I am happy to recommend.
April 25, 2023
nice and sweet
Phillip and Marianne meet at an opera when her father takes I’ll. After that they must deal with some human obstacles and misunderstandings before they reach their hea
Phillip and Marianne meet at an opera when her father takes I’ll. After that they must deal with some human obstacles and misunderstandings before they reach their hea
December 2, 2024
True love excist
Great story wonderful story line great characters. Lord Berkeley is following his father's deathbed wish that he marry for convenience and not love. His mind is set , but when he helps lady Marianne with her father, his heart has a change of plans.
Thank you ❤️
Great story wonderful story line great characters. Lord Berkeley is following his father's deathbed wish that he marry for convenience and not love. His mind is set , but when he helps lady Marianne with her father, his heart has a change of plans.
Thank you ❤️
July 15, 2025
Good romance
Kindness and reading in common Phillip and Marianne make a good couple. Plotting fathers was the rule of the day and some did better than others. Motives for marriage varied greatly.
Kindness and reading in common Phillip and Marianne make a good couple. Plotting fathers was the rule of the day and some did better than others. Motives for marriage varied greatly.
October 25, 2025
Why do so many authors rely on miscommunication as a plot device? It often feels like a lack of creativity — a single honest conversation could have resolved the entire conflict. I can’t help but feel that I wasted my time listening to this story. Thankfully, at least, it was free.
April 25, 2023
Nan Van
I enjoyed the premise of the story. the characters sucked you into their love saga. A real page turner I couldn't put it down.
I enjoyed the premise of the story. the characters sucked you into their love saga. A real page turner I couldn't put it down.
June 6, 2023
3.5, aunt isobel carried
July 9, 2023
Cute.
Very romance-y and that's it.
Slow burn without any action, and a bit less strong on world-building and relationships outside the two MC.
still cute.
Very romance-y and that's it.
Slow burn without any action, and a bit less strong on world-building and relationships outside the two MC.
still cute.
June 15, 2024
The Earl's Bookish Bride
A good romance, it had nothing bad. Everyone comes out happy. It was sweet. I recommend the book to all avid readers.
A good romance, it had nothing bad. Everyone comes out happy. It was sweet. I recommend the book to all avid readers.
September 24, 2024
awesome book
Phillip and Marianne are such a lovely couple and I was so happy when they came together and did not let others keep them apart. True love is amazing.
Phillip and Marianne are such a lovely couple and I was so happy when they came together and did not let others keep them apart. True love is amazing.
April 9, 2025
Not a book!
I enjoyed this partial story but hate being told I am reading a book only to find that there is no ending.
I enjoyed this partial story but hate being told I am reading a book only to find that there is no ending.
May 19, 2025
This was a long drawn out Regency type read. Two people who had the most to risk had bad communication skills.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews