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Wedded Bliss
Agreeing to a marriage of convenience with the Earl of Rockford as a last resort, beautiful widow Alissa Henning, determined to provide for her sons, vows to teach her new husband that there are more important things in life than money, including love. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 19, 2012
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399 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
93 books200 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 14, 2024
One hears a lot about BM’s writing skills and this book sure proves it. It’s humorous, poignant, sad and uplifting all at the same time.
All pages (if not each line) are full of tongue in cheek wit, which make you read on even when you don’t agree with the story or a character.
One minute you are laughing, and the next tears prick your eyes.
I loved the h – she’s a spunky but practical woman who knows refusing the earl’s proposal would be foolish in the extreme. When impoverished hs in historicals hold out for love even when in the direst of straits –especially when they/and their kids are on the verge of starvation, being homeless and worse - it seems farcical and definitely fictional. I’m sure safety and security provided by a moc is quite pragmatic in such cases.
And the boys –all four of them are simply adorable. Their characters are distinct, well etched and they come across as real people.
The H.
Now he’s a different ball game altogether. He starts out the usual rakish peer. A merry widower (twice over)- with nary a worry for his motherless sons or his neglected estate, staying in London busy with mistresses and international politics.
Still, he's expected to behave as all others in his place do. Fight it but still fall for his moc wife and basically reform. But he fights it too hard and too long. Yes, he cheats on his vows by returning to his mistress in London and it isn’t quite clear if he sleeps with her even after consummating the marriage (there was one night he doesn’t return home and it wasn’t explained away.)
And on him this droll humor grates. I couldn’t quite get over his dug-in-his-heels resistance till the end and so his sincerity towards a hea/fidelity is questionable imho.
Despite the H and the long winded ending, the book is near perfect. After the H’s disappointing conduct, I continued reading it not as a romance/rom-com but as a bittersweet comic novel that entertains on many levels and excels at it.
All pages (if not each line) are full of tongue in cheek wit, which make you read on even when you don’t agree with the story or a character.
One minute you are laughing, and the next tears prick your eyes.
I loved the h – she’s a spunky but practical woman who knows refusing the earl’s proposal would be foolish in the extreme. When impoverished hs in historicals hold out for love even when in the direst of straits –especially when they/and their kids are on the verge of starvation, being homeless and worse - it seems farcical and definitely fictional. I’m sure safety and security provided by a moc is quite pragmatic in such cases.
And the boys –all four of them are simply adorable. Their characters are distinct, well etched and they come across as real people.
The H.
Now he’s a different ball game altogether. He starts out the usual rakish peer. A merry widower (twice over)- with nary a worry for his motherless sons or his neglected estate, staying in London busy with mistresses and international politics.
Still, he's expected to behave as all others in his place do. Fight it but still fall for his moc wife and basically reform. But he fights it too hard and too long. Yes, he cheats on his vows by returning to his mistress in London and it isn’t quite clear if he sleeps with her even after consummating the marriage (there was one night he doesn’t return home and it wasn’t explained away.)
And on him this droll humor grates. I couldn’t quite get over his dug-in-his-heels resistance till the end and so his sincerity towards a hea/fidelity is questionable imho.
Despite the H and the long winded ending, the book is near perfect. After the H’s disappointing conduct, I continued reading it not as a romance/rom-com but as a bittersweet comic novel that entertains on many levels and excels at it.
June 10, 2022
Read 6/22
4.5 Stars!
What a great marriage of convenience story! The book had a more series tone than some of her other book. Though it still maintained that whimsical tone BM is known for.
I love an emotional distance man who grows a heart two sizes too big😉. Alissa was a fantastic h! Taking care of 4 boys and a sister makes her a Saint in my book! She was such a great mother!
TG the author wrote the children in a more realistic tone. I hate perfectly behaved children in books and movies.
I highly recommend this book or really any of her books!. They are all good and funny.
4.5 Stars!
What a great marriage of convenience story! The book had a more series tone than some of her other book. Though it still maintained that whimsical tone BM is known for.
I love an emotional distance man who grows a heart two sizes too big😉. Alissa was a fantastic h! Taking care of 4 boys and a sister makes her a Saint in my book! She was such a great mother!
TG the author wrote the children in a more realistic tone. I hate perfectly behaved children in books and movies.
I highly recommend this book or really any of her books!. They are all good and funny.
May 20, 2022
Well, if you want to read about a mad house type of family, you will enjoy this book. I loved the fact that the children were described to the letter. That it was a realistic life with 4 boys. Many things happens in this story, it is a non stop madness.
The heroine was the best. The hero was an idiot but which guy isn't? There's a secondary romance (and a third and a fourth), thieves, kidnapping, povery, widowhood, marriage of convenience and lots of humor. The hero's time with the children were all full of humor and the end was simply hilarious. The family only grew out of proportion.
I don't believe I have ever read another book by this author, but I will definitely look for her other works.
PS with spoiler: there's cheating but they were in a marriage of convenience and as soon as the hero accepted that things changed, he stopped. Then the author showed two couple that acted differently about cheating and how their lives changed do to it.
The heroine was the best. The hero was an idiot but which guy isn't? There's a secondary romance (and a third and a fourth), thieves, kidnapping, povery, widowhood, marriage of convenience and lots of humor. The hero's time with the children were all full of humor and the end was simply hilarious. The family only grew out of proportion.
I don't believe I have ever read another book by this author, but I will definitely look for her other works.
PS with spoiler: there's cheating but they were in a marriage of convenience and as soon as the hero accepted that things changed, he stopped. Then the author showed two couple that acted differently about cheating and how their lives changed do to it.
June 29, 2012
I've just finished this book with a smile on my face :) It's an absolute gem; sweet and funny and filled with great characters.
The hero starts out as your typical Regency hero - handsome, rich, titled and arrogant - but right from the start, it's obvious there's something missing in his life and that he's aware of it but has no idea what it is. He's a widower twice over and has two young sons, one by each of his wives, but he's not at all involved in their lives; in fact, he suspects that neither of them are his. His youngest is ensconced far away from town, at Rock Hall where he is cared for by the elderly staff, and Rockford considers that he does his fatherly duty towards him by visiting him on high-days and holidays.
On his latest visit to his country seat, Rockford discovers his youngest son has been "removed" from Rock Hall by a local widow, and he sets off to reclaim him, livid.
The widow in question is Alissa Henning, mother of two young boys herself, who is appalled that such a young child has been left practically alone for so long. Immediately, it's clear that although impoverished, Alissa is a lady and that she adores her boys and Rockford's too.
Realising that he's not been much of a father, yet seeking a way to ensure his son's comfort without inconvenience to himself, Rockford proposes marriage to Alissa. She accepts, realising that life isn't going to get any easier for her, her sons and her younger sister, and following an unwelcome proposal by the local lecher.
The children in the story are rather charming, although the younger of Rockford's son is rather a handful! There are a couple of secondary romances (three if you count the mad-as-a-hatter aunt and the butler!) and all the characters are drawn superbly.
What I absolutely loved was Rockford's transfomation from the haughty, man-about-town to a somewhat bamboozled yet endearing man who is just learning how to be a father and a good husband. He enjoys spending time with all the boys and although he'd wanted a marriage of convenience, falls hopelessly in love with his wife. He doesn't realise it at first, and of course resists it - but he can't resist her, and against his better judgement, takes her to bed.
The thing is, he's so desperate for her that the sex is over almost immediately and is completely unfulfilling for Alissa.
Alissa stared at the ceiling. How could she sleep when every inch of her body was on fire, when she wanted to launch herself off the bed, knock him to the floor and demand that Rockford satisfy the cravings he had aroused?
At least now she knew why his wives had left him.
And their second encounter is no different:
Just when she was about to extinguish her candle, he came.
He came. And then he kissed her forehead and left.
All Alissa had in return for her day's efforts were another restless, unfulfilled sleep and a wet spot.
So she finds a copy of the Kama Sutra in the library and puts it under his pillow!
There are so many chuckle-inducing moments in this book, I'd run out of space if I tried to quote them all.
Of course, all ends well, but not before there is one hell of a mess when Alissa's sons decide to run away to Oxford, her sister is kidnapped by the aforementioned lecher and the bonkers aunt proposes to the butler!
A truly wonderful read.
The hero starts out as your typical Regency hero - handsome, rich, titled and arrogant - but right from the start, it's obvious there's something missing in his life and that he's aware of it but has no idea what it is. He's a widower twice over and has two young sons, one by each of his wives, but he's not at all involved in their lives; in fact, he suspects that neither of them are his. His youngest is ensconced far away from town, at Rock Hall where he is cared for by the elderly staff, and Rockford considers that he does his fatherly duty towards him by visiting him on high-days and holidays.
On his latest visit to his country seat, Rockford discovers his youngest son has been "removed" from Rock Hall by a local widow, and he sets off to reclaim him, livid.
The widow in question is Alissa Henning, mother of two young boys herself, who is appalled that such a young child has been left practically alone for so long. Immediately, it's clear that although impoverished, Alissa is a lady and that she adores her boys and Rockford's too.
Realising that he's not been much of a father, yet seeking a way to ensure his son's comfort without inconvenience to himself, Rockford proposes marriage to Alissa. She accepts, realising that life isn't going to get any easier for her, her sons and her younger sister, and following an unwelcome proposal by the local lecher.
The children in the story are rather charming, although the younger of Rockford's son is rather a handful! There are a couple of secondary romances (three if you count the mad-as-a-hatter aunt and the butler!) and all the characters are drawn superbly.
What I absolutely loved was Rockford's transfomation from the haughty, man-about-town to a somewhat bamboozled yet endearing man who is just learning how to be a father and a good husband. He enjoys spending time with all the boys and although he'd wanted a marriage of convenience, falls hopelessly in love with his wife. He doesn't realise it at first, and of course resists it - but he can't resist her, and against his better judgement, takes her to bed.
The thing is, he's so desperate for her that the sex is over almost immediately and is completely unfulfilling for Alissa.
Alissa stared at the ceiling. How could she sleep when every inch of her body was on fire, when she wanted to launch herself off the bed, knock him to the floor and demand that Rockford satisfy the cravings he had aroused?
At least now she knew why his wives had left him.
And their second encounter is no different:
Just when she was about to extinguish her candle, he came.
He came. And then he kissed her forehead and left.
All Alissa had in return for her day's efforts were another restless, unfulfilled sleep and a wet spot.
So she finds a copy of the Kama Sutra in the library and puts it under his pillow!
There are so many chuckle-inducing moments in this book, I'd run out of space if I tried to quote them all.
Of course, all ends well, but not before there is one hell of a mess when Alissa's sons decide to run away to Oxford, her sister is kidnapped by the aforementioned lecher and the bonkers aunt proposes to the butler!
A truly wonderful read.
April 22, 2017
CAUTION SPOILERS
I was enjoying this book. I found it funny and liked the writing and the characters, even the Earl. He was cold and kind of a jerk but I thought he had potential.
That was until he left his new bride in the country on their wedding night without consumating the marriage and he returned to London to continue his life as a bachelor. At first I thought it was just gossip so I continued reading. Until it was confirmed that he was humiliating and embarrassing his new bride by having his affair out in the open for everyone to know about including his wife - leaving his newly arrived wife in London at their home to spend the night with his mistress.
I don't like cheating in books. Much less romances. I understand it was part of the times, even part of nowadays, but I feel there's enough of that ugliness in real life I don't like to read about it in the fantasy world as well.
I read these books for the romances. The love between the hero and the heroine. It's hard to believe in their love/romance when the hero is betraying the heroine.
It was a "did not finish" for me. Unfortunately I got through about 3/4 of the book before I gave up. I wish I could get my money back.
I was enjoying this book. I found it funny and liked the writing and the characters, even the Earl. He was cold and kind of a jerk but I thought he had potential.
That was until he left his new bride in the country on their wedding night without consumating the marriage and he returned to London to continue his life as a bachelor. At first I thought it was just gossip so I continued reading. Until it was confirmed that he was humiliating and embarrassing his new bride by having his affair out in the open for everyone to know about including his wife - leaving his newly arrived wife in London at their home to spend the night with his mistress.
I don't like cheating in books. Much less romances. I understand it was part of the times, even part of nowadays, but I feel there's enough of that ugliness in real life I don't like to read about it in the fantasy world as well.
I read these books for the romances. The love between the hero and the heroine. It's hard to believe in their love/romance when the hero is betraying the heroine.
It was a "did not finish" for me. Unfortunately I got through about 3/4 of the book before I gave up. I wish I could get my money back.
May 23, 2022
This was such a fun book. I've always loved the author's tongue in cheek humour. I'm not sure if Robert did cheat on Alissa after their marriage. This was only mentioned in one sentence? So, take it as you will. Alissa is my kind of heroine. Independent, resourceful and she did not let her circumstances get her down. She took charge of her own destiny. And the bad sex! Not many books feature lousy sex. The sex is always great, even for the first time. Alissa was smart in letting Robert know that he did not satisfy her. She didn't tell him outright (I mean, how do you do that? That would make for some very awkward conversation), but she let him know alright. It wasn't so much bad sex. He was just really into her, and he didn't want his heart engaged, so it was perfunctory. Understandable based on his experience with his previous wives. Her books usually have a huge ensemble cast. The children featured here are lovely. I usually find the children distracting and annoying. Ms Metzger did a good job fleshing out the characters with each child having a distinctive personality. And the dogs, don't forget the dogs. Recommended!
July 21, 2016
I'm sorry, but Rockford ruined this book for me. I just couldn't like him. His condescending opinions about Alissa, Eleanor and females in general was irritating. I didn't really mind at the beginning since the story was (supposed to be) about him changing his ways and be a better man. But when it went on and on, and he's still a pompous ass I started lose interest. I know those were common opinions for that time period, but he's the 'hero', and I expected more from him.
When I thought it couldn't get worse, turned out that the rumour about his affair was true.
This statement came out after Rockford had been married for about a month or so.
He’d been a faithful husband for almost a week now, and he wondered if she even noticed.
And this from Duke Hysmith.
“Do you think Lady Rockford can ever trust your brother? He was seeing that Austrian princess even after their marriage.”
So what had he sacrificed by marriage to the impoverished neighboring widow?
A mistress he did not want in the first place and a diplomatic career that he did not enjoy or respect.
Yes, this was Rockford's revelation.
He did redeemed himself, sworn to be devoted father and husband. But I just couldn't get over the cheating.
I did like the last five chapters. Just the kind of silliness I wanted to enjoy from this author. I also like the children and other secondary characters, I found them very entertaining.
I will try other books by this author, but I'll read more reviews to find out if there's cheating involved.
When I thought it couldn't get worse, turned out that the rumour about his affair was true.
This statement came out after Rockford had been married for about a month or so.
He’d been a faithful husband for almost a week now, and he wondered if she even noticed.
And this from Duke Hysmith.
“Do you think Lady Rockford can ever trust your brother? He was seeing that Austrian princess even after their marriage.”
So what had he sacrificed by marriage to the impoverished neighboring widow?
A mistress he did not want in the first place and a diplomatic career that he did not enjoy or respect.
Yes, this was Rockford's revelation.
He did redeemed himself, sworn to be devoted father and husband. But I just couldn't get over the cheating.
I did like the last five chapters. Just the kind of silliness I wanted to enjoy from this author. I also like the children and other secondary characters, I found them very entertaining.
I will try other books by this author, but I'll read more reviews to find out if there's cheating involved.
March 1, 2025
3.75/5. Far more serious than the light-hearted, high jinks affairs the author is usually known for. A MOC story between an arrogant earl and pretty, struggling widow. He needs a maternal figure for his two sons and she needs security for herself and her own two young buys. Alissa started off being a wonderful and strong, no-nonsense character, refusing to kowtowing to highhanded demands. The problem was she fell in love with him and love softened her, and he got away with being an arse for way too long, not just towards Alissa but especially towards his sons who deserved a present and loving father. Metzger did a great job portraying the cheeky, rambunctious boys, especially his two motherless but also fatherless sons who just craved some love and attention. It was also implied that he "reluctantly" continued to have some sort of intimate relations with some foreign aristocrat after their marriage - all to further diplomatic ties for King and country, of course.
March 31, 2016
It took time to finish the book. Though, I should admit that I had not much time and being in a reading slump didn't help me either.
Although, I was in a reading slump, somehow I didn't DNF it and could keep reading. I like author's sense of humor and vivid description of events and dialogs. The plot was well-paced and she had ability to processing of a crowded group of characters. Each of them were fleshed out to add a depth to the storyline.
Last quarter of the book was very enjoyable and high on the action. I liked how she developed the relationship between hero and heroine and also between hero and the children both with his own and hers. Usually I don't like how authors handle children characters. In most of the stories, they are like an element that necessity to gather hero and heroine together. Ms. Metzger was really successful to use all of her characters to play an important role in the story. This is my first book of Ms. Metzger so I can comment on based this book.
I think, any reader who like to read Julia Quinn or Georgette Heyer would like to read to Barbara Metzger too. I'm glad that I read her book and will look out other books of her.
Although, I was in a reading slump, somehow I didn't DNF it and could keep reading. I like author's sense of humor and vivid description of events and dialogs. The plot was well-paced and she had ability to processing of a crowded group of characters. Each of them were fleshed out to add a depth to the storyline.
Last quarter of the book was very enjoyable and high on the action. I liked how she developed the relationship between hero and heroine and also between hero and the children both with his own and hers. Usually I don't like how authors handle children characters. In most of the stories, they are like an element that necessity to gather hero and heroine together. Ms. Metzger was really successful to use all of her characters to play an important role in the story. This is my first book of Ms. Metzger so I can comment on based this book.
I think, any reader who like to read Julia Quinn or Georgette Heyer would like to read to Barbara Metzger too. I'm glad that I read her book and will look out other books of her.
October 10, 2021
Regency period. 2 baddies equaled 1 antagonist too many.
The author's trademark wit was mostly MIA this time. MCs
Robert & Alissa, both widowed, both with 2 sons, 'met cute'
due to his unwarranted assumptions. Precise, overconfident,
overindulged Robert, a diplomat/ linguist earl put his job
ahead of knowing/ parenting his sons. Another HR hero who
greatly disliked/ distrusted women based on 2 bad
experiences + an impulsive older sister.
The story implied Robert seduced a 'plump countess' as part
of his diplomatic mission, even after he wed Alissa. No
scenes depicted him kissing/ seducing the OW. About 4-5
weeks into his marriage w/ Alissa, Robert congratulated
himself for being a 'faithful husband of one week.' Give the
man a medal- not!
Sons seemed underutilized and the baddies overutilized. It
took the selfish H too long to appreciate the h. Toward
the story's end, H wanted a physical interlude with his wife
in the midst of searching for endangered loved ones. Huh??
Reminds me of the old soda commercial "the pause that
refreshes."
The author's trademark wit was mostly MIA this time. MCs
Robert & Alissa, both widowed, both with 2 sons, 'met cute'
due to his unwarranted assumptions. Precise, overconfident,
overindulged Robert, a diplomat/ linguist earl put his job
ahead of knowing/ parenting his sons. Another HR hero who
greatly disliked/ distrusted women based on 2 bad
experiences + an impulsive older sister.
The story implied Robert seduced a 'plump countess' as part
of his diplomatic mission, even after he wed Alissa. No
scenes depicted him kissing/ seducing the OW. About 4-5
weeks into his marriage w/ Alissa, Robert congratulated
himself for being a 'faithful husband of one week.' Give the
man a medal- not!
Sons seemed underutilized and the baddies overutilized. It
took the selfish H too long to appreciate the h. Toward
the story's end, H wanted a physical interlude with his wife
in the midst of searching for endangered loved ones. Huh??
Reminds me of the old soda commercial "the pause that
refreshes."
January 11, 2024
This makes the twentieth romance I have read by Ms. Metzger. With the exception of Lady Whilton's Wedding, An Angel for the Earl and The Primrose Path (all of them 4 stars), for me, the remainder of her stories rate 3 or less.
Perhaps, it was because I read it on the heel of The Rake. I never connected with Rothmore. Or, for that matter, with Alissa. There was the trademark humor that the author is known for and I appreciated some of the lighter moments. As for the rest of the story, I have to say "meh".
Perhaps, it was because I read it on the heel of The Rake. I never connected with Rothmore. Or, for that matter, with Alissa. There was the trademark humor that the author is known for and I appreciated some of the lighter moments. As for the rest of the story, I have to say "meh".
April 20, 2017
3.75 stars
Very funny story with sweet likeable heroine and selfish unlikeable hero!
The story is rather light so you won't really mad to him when you read after he married the heroine, installed her and the kids in the country he continued his philandering life in London.
He only change after he fell in love with the heroine and she made him a better man. The heroine was very forgiving, sigh. What can I say maybe that's why he crazy about her later in the story. But no, she is not a pushover, only very forgiving person and I guess that's what the hero needed and yes he drop his mistress and chooses to be a loving husband and good dad because of heroine.
The kids in this book were fabulous too and the secondary romance also good.
It's a good read when you want to have plenty lol moments:)
Very funny story with sweet likeable heroine and selfish unlikeable hero!
The story is rather light so you won't really mad to him when you read after he married the heroine, installed her and the kids in the country he continued his philandering life in London.
He only change after he fell in love with the heroine and she made him a better man. The heroine was very forgiving, sigh. What can I say maybe that's why he crazy about her later in the story. But no, she is not a pushover, only very forgiving person and I guess that's what the hero needed and yes he drop his mistress and chooses to be a loving husband and good dad because of heroine.
The kids in this book were fabulous too and the secondary romance also good.
It's a good read when you want to have plenty lol moments:)
July 14, 2017
BM has a wicked sense of humor which I came to love and I am piling her books more and more.
February 18, 2021
So much fun! I think I'm in love with Barbara Metzger. This is the second book I've read of Metzger's and the second 5-star rating.
December 14, 2014
Wonderful regency story. On a surface our hero, Earl Rockford, is a handsome, educated aristocrat who is valued by Prinny for his knowledge of languages and diplomatic work. But closer examination revealed a more troubled man. Lord Rockford is a widower twice over. One of his wives died while running away with her lover, the other one in a childbirth while whispering a name of another man. They left Earl with one son each but he is not sure the children are his. And now, his 40 years old spinster sister ran away with his estate manager taken with them the estate silver and Rembrandt. To top it all , when Rockford rushed to his home, he found out that his 5 years old son was taken by some unscrupulous widow who, according to his stable hand, was milking the estate. The widow, Alisia Henning, a mother of two young sons, is strong and compassionate woman who is appealed by the earl's absence in bringing up his child. When the earl and the widow met sparks flew and what follows is entertainment in its finest including marriage of convenience, unscrupulous neighbor, children's antics, unruly dogs, carriage chases etc, etc. I loved the story!
July 14, 2020
I found this book on a cheating list somewhere on GR. It was entertaining, funny and quirky for 85% of the story, and then it devolved into a comedy of errors, that wasn’t all that entertaining.
I must be reading too many infidelity stories, the cheating seemed inconsequential, more of a plot device to move the story along. It was a strange situation, he wasn’t all that interested, treating it as part of diplomatic work. He marries for the 3rd time to provide a mother for his boys and to protect her from a local licentious bully. He sees it as a MOC, she wants to add to their Brady Bunch type brood of boys.
I must be reading too many infidelity stories, the cheating seemed inconsequential, more of a plot device to move the story along. It was a strange situation, he wasn’t all that interested, treating it as part of diplomatic work. He marries for the 3rd time to provide a mother for his boys and to protect her from a local licentious bully. He sees it as a MOC, she wants to add to their Brady Bunch type brood of boys.
May 19, 2022
3.75 stars
This one wasn't as much fun as Metzger's romps usually are. It had all the staples of her plots - a nobleman, a pretty widow, assorted villains, broken engagements and all the mad side characters that make BM books such a delight. But the romance got lost in the blended family shenanigans (both MCs are parents with two sons which made for fun reading, but didn't allow the romance to shine as much). Rothmore also fell short of the usual standards I expect from BM's men.
Not a bad read, but not one of the most memorable from my favourite traditional Regency author.
This one wasn't as much fun as Metzger's romps usually are. It had all the staples of her plots - a nobleman, a pretty widow, assorted villains, broken engagements and all the mad side characters that make BM books such a delight. But the romance got lost in the blended family shenanigans (both MCs are parents with two sons which made for fun reading, but didn't allow the romance to shine as much). Rothmore also fell short of the usual standards I expect from BM's men.
Not a bad read, but not one of the most memorable from my favourite traditional Regency author.
April 27, 2021
This was lovely! Marriage of convenience with an arrogant hero who is uncaring and not lovable and a strong down to earth heroine and many funny children and dogs and side characters. Quite excellent until the 75-80% mark when it started to turn into a comedy. 3.5.
TW cheating while the marriage was a MOC.
TW cheating while the marriage was a MOC.
avoid
April 27, 2021Cheating in a marriage ... How is that a wedded bliss???
He married the heroine and settles her with his kids in a country home so that he can continue to live his life in London with his mistress. What a blissful marriage !!!
He married the heroine and settles her with his kids in a country home so that he can continue to live his life in London with his mistress. What a blissful marriage !!!
July 21, 2024
Barbara Metzger has a very funny and satisfying way of skewering the oligarchs of England. In this case, our heroine is Alissa, a widow and mother of two young men. It’s so interesting to see how little society cares for anyone who falls outside the desired norm. So, as usual, the widow is left without money and pathetically vulnerable to aggressive men and vicious gossip.
Then there is the Earl. The challenge always is to make this spoiled and selfish man redeemable. In those days, children were treated as assets to be managed. The Earl is a very hands off manager and has ignored his ‘assets’, including the management of his estate in favor of saving the world through diplomacy. His chickens come home to roost when his charming and capable estate manager runs off with his sister and an embezzled fortune. When he is finally torn from his diplomatic life, he arrives to find chaos and Alissa who is valiantly caring for his youngest son. What was his name again? This is the setup for the sparring between a truly remarkable woman and and a powerful Earl.
As is usual with Metzger, there are a lot of hijinks, cute children and animals and chaos. It’s satisfying to watch the powerless widow take the Earl down a notch or three. Ably narrated by Pippa Metzger.
Then there is the Earl. The challenge always is to make this spoiled and selfish man redeemable. In those days, children were treated as assets to be managed. The Earl is a very hands off manager and has ignored his ‘assets’, including the management of his estate in favor of saving the world through diplomacy. His chickens come home to roost when his charming and capable estate manager runs off with his sister and an embezzled fortune. When he is finally torn from his diplomatic life, he arrives to find chaos and Alissa who is valiantly caring for his youngest son. What was his name again? This is the setup for the sparring between a truly remarkable woman and and a powerful Earl.
As is usual with Metzger, there are a lot of hijinks, cute children and animals and chaos. It’s satisfying to watch the powerless widow take the Earl down a notch or three. Ably narrated by Pippa Metzger.
February 3, 2022
Darling book! Highly recommended!
January 25, 2015
Anyone acquainted with Metzger's droll wit will see immediately that the title, "Wedded Bliss", is ironic and an indication of humor to come. Which is true: This is one of the funniest Regencies I've read in a long time.
Rockford is not your standard Regency hunk; he is handsome and rich, yes, but also has an ear for foreign languages and is fluent in many, so he has been working for years on Prinny's behalf as court translator, most recently as personal translator for Princess Helga Hafkesprinke of Ziftsweig, Austria (you have to love the names Metzger comes up with), a guest at court. Rockford wants to think he is serving his country in this capacity, but is beginning to question that when Her Royal Heftiness indicates that she expects more from her personal translator, more of a personal nature (wink-wink, nudge-nudge). Rockford decides that toadying up to Her Royal Pain-in-the Arse does not qualify as serving King and Country, much less does becoming the Frankish Foreigner's cicisbeo.
His duties at court have caused Rockford to neglect his two young, motherless sons who are practically strangers to him. When his coach driver says that Rockford's youngest son William has gone missing, this shakes Rockford into action and he races north.
The speed in which he and the widow marry would be unbelievable, but here it's not because Rockford wants to protect her and the children from the 2 villains bent on raping her and her sister. The baronet villain is completely loathsome and creepy in a nigh-sociopath way.
I found Rockford's sister to have more personality than his new wife, but you can't have everything. Alissa is however, the best mother any child could want. Too bad she doesn't like dogs!
This book has everything: Disappointment, despair and evil, but also joy, humor, and of course romance--as well as 4 boisterous boys making a blended family. Metzger can't help tossing in a few compact canines as well to complete the picture of a happy family, and the pups also serve to create mayhem when the youngest son isn't.
Five-year-old Billy manages to get into trouble on a routine basis, usually involving destroying his father's attire in some spectacular fashion. Billy, a Regency version of Dennis the Menace, thrives on mischief (as well as dirt), especially if it riles male adults. The pint-size pipsqueak is not a Bad Seed, he just has too much energy. He is exhausting but endearing, calling his papa "Papa Rock" when he plants a big smackeroo on Papa's cheek.
Rockford may have wondered about the paternity of his sons before, but no longer--he knows they must be his because the eldest, Hugo, takes to languages like a duck to water, and Billy shares his tendency toward travel-sickness.
Metzger's comedic timing is pitch-perfect: There are so many comic scenes in this book that they alone warrant reading the book. The kidnap/rescue scene at the end is reminiscent of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on first?" routine, so funny that you will laugh outloud. Her eye for all-too-human foibles is chuckle-worthy as well. This is simply a wonderful book.
Rockford is not your standard Regency hunk; he is handsome and rich, yes, but also has an ear for foreign languages and is fluent in many, so he has been working for years on Prinny's behalf as court translator, most recently as personal translator for Princess Helga Hafkesprinke of Ziftsweig, Austria (you have to love the names Metzger comes up with), a guest at court. Rockford wants to think he is serving his country in this capacity, but is beginning to question that when Her Royal Heftiness indicates that she expects more from her personal translator, more of a personal nature (wink-wink, nudge-nudge). Rockford decides that toadying up to Her Royal Pain-in-the Arse does not qualify as serving King and Country, much less does becoming the Frankish Foreigner's cicisbeo.
His duties at court have caused Rockford to neglect his two young, motherless sons who are practically strangers to him. When his coach driver says that Rockford's youngest son William has gone missing, this shakes Rockford into action and he races north.
The speed in which he and the widow marry would be unbelievable, but here it's not because Rockford wants to protect her and the children from the 2 villains bent on raping her and her sister. The baronet villain is completely loathsome and creepy in a nigh-sociopath way.
I found Rockford's sister to have more personality than his new wife, but you can't have everything. Alissa is however, the best mother any child could want. Too bad she doesn't like dogs!
This book has everything: Disappointment, despair and evil, but also joy, humor, and of course romance--as well as 4 boisterous boys making a blended family. Metzger can't help tossing in a few compact canines as well to complete the picture of a happy family, and the pups also serve to create mayhem when the youngest son isn't.
Five-year-old Billy manages to get into trouble on a routine basis, usually involving destroying his father's attire in some spectacular fashion. Billy, a Regency version of Dennis the Menace, thrives on mischief (as well as dirt), especially if it riles male adults. The pint-size pipsqueak is not a Bad Seed, he just has too much energy. He is exhausting but endearing, calling his papa "Papa Rock" when he plants a big smackeroo on Papa's cheek.
Rockford may have wondered about the paternity of his sons before, but no longer--he knows they must be his because the eldest, Hugo, takes to languages like a duck to water, and Billy shares his tendency toward travel-sickness.
Metzger's comedic timing is pitch-perfect: There are so many comic scenes in this book that they alone warrant reading the book. The kidnap/rescue scene at the end is reminiscent of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on first?" routine, so funny that you will laugh outloud. Her eye for all-too-human foibles is chuckle-worthy as well. This is simply a wonderful book.
March 25, 2015
Where have all the real men gone? Lately it seems to be my very question. I can't believe so many people fed into this rubbish! The only romance was the love Rockford felt for himself. Rockford is everything I can't stand in a H. He is a pompous arse , neglectful Father,adulterer ( yes, that's right he never gave up his mistress after his marriage).
In fact, the author wrote the book in such a way that he threw up her low breeding and made it clear that she was not to get jealous or interfere with his escapades in the same sentence and somehow her response to this ill treatment was to be grateful. Her other alternative was far worse believe it or not.
I just couldn't find anything to like about the H. He referred to all the children as brats. He came to Alissa's aid several times because he was a gentleman but yet talked down to her as though she was the mud upon his boots. When she stood up to him demanding a daughter ( heaven knows why you'd want to share anything with such a man) he was such a cruel man who would through the fact that his money paid for everything up in her face.
I just can't understand all the fuss over such a character for the H. I definitely don't want them fornicating with other woman no matter how little they no about one another. That is a deal breaker and if I could have gave no stars I would have!
In fact, the author wrote the book in such a way that he threw up her low breeding and made it clear that she was not to get jealous or interfere with his escapades in the same sentence and somehow her response to this ill treatment was to be grateful. Her other alternative was far worse believe it or not.
I just couldn't find anything to like about the H. He referred to all the children as brats. He came to Alissa's aid several times because he was a gentleman but yet talked down to her as though she was the mud upon his boots. When she stood up to him demanding a daughter ( heaven knows why you'd want to share anything with such a man) he was such a cruel man who would through the fact that his money paid for everything up in her face.
I just can't understand all the fuss over such a character for the H. I definitely don't want them fornicating with other woman no matter how little they no about one another. That is a deal breaker and if I could have gave no stars I would have!
October 5, 2022
What a delightful book. I enjoyed it so much. Billy made this book. I adored him. Mind you I am very happy I didn't have a child like him but from afar I loved him. Robert and Alissa were a match made because Robert didn't know how to be a father and he didn't want to be bothered to learn. This suited her just fine as she need a home. I loved her putting the DISCOVER SEXY KAMA SUTRA POSITIONS: THE ART OF MAKING LOVE under his pillow because he was a wham-bam thank you kindly Mam. 😂😂 I laughed at what the four boys got up led by Billy. Willy and Kendall were Alissa's two sons and Hugo plus Billy were Roberts. I loved how the joined forces to save the day. This book is a madcap romp that just was so much fun to read!
July 24, 2023
i really like bm’s writing and her heroines, sometimes her hero’s as well but this hero was a trash can personified.
there wasn’t a single redeeming quality about him, he was a cheater throughly and congratulating himself on one week of celibacy. UGH I HATE MEN. he was disgusting father, and an even worse earl. i can clearly see him going back to his cheating ways, so eww.
also the situation with Alissa’s kids wasn’t dealt with nicely. those kids had genuine concerns and it was just never properly addressed.
Alissa was actually a good mother, responsible woman. BUT WHAT DID SHE SEE in the H to ask him for a daughter.
too much going on and nothing executed well.
there wasn’t a single redeeming quality about him, he was a cheater throughly and congratulating himself on one week of celibacy. UGH I HATE MEN. he was disgusting father, and an even worse earl. i can clearly see him going back to his cheating ways, so eww.
also the situation with Alissa’s kids wasn’t dealt with nicely. those kids had genuine concerns and it was just never properly addressed.
Alissa was actually a good mother, responsible woman. BUT WHAT DID SHE SEE in the H to ask him for a daughter.
too much going on and nothing executed well.
September 2, 2019
What a lovely amusing regency romance romp! I truly enjoyed this book and found myself trying to read slowly just to delay the ending.
Sigh 🥰
Sigh 🥰
November 2, 2025
Barbara Metzger's vintage Regencies have a specific, recognizable style that sets them apart from most modern-day historical romances. Her books tend to be social comedies, with relatively little angst. At the sentence level, Metzger's writing is characterized by witty, memorable turns-of-phrase. Metzger's plots are often the sort that could be described as "zany" or "madcap," with children running amok, fruitless traveling back and forth, and characters getting stuck in ridiculous situations. Her characters grow, change, and come to love each other, but she doesn't take her stories too seriously, and you shouldn't either.
Wedded Bliss is a great example of that zany, witty, light-hearted style. If you like this, you may enjoy Metzger's other work. You might also want to give Joan Smith's writing a try; her style of humor is somewhat similar.
On the other hand, if you crave romances full of emotional depth, angst, and introspection, Wedded Blissh may not be the book for you. You may also want to give it a pass if you don't like child characters in your romance novels, because both leads have children and the children are absolutely central to both plot and character development.
As far as spice, the "door" is neither fully closed nor fully open. There are on-page sex scenes, but they are brief and nondescript. They are more likely to be played for comedy than for titillation. I would consider it low-spice.
Wedded Bliss is a great example of that zany, witty, light-hearted style. If you like this, you may enjoy Metzger's other work. You might also want to give Joan Smith's writing a try; her style of humor is somewhat similar.
On the other hand, if you crave romances full of emotional depth, angst, and introspection, Wedded Blissh may not be the book for you. You may also want to give it a pass if you don't like child characters in your romance novels, because both leads have children and the children are absolutely central to both plot and character development.
As far as spice, the "door" is neither fully closed nor fully open. There are on-page sex scenes, but they are brief and nondescript. They are more likely to be played for comedy than for titillation. I would consider it low-spice.
January 9, 2019
3.5 *
January 21, 2019
Flounced for a while. It was cute. The H was neglectful and a cheater in the beginning. Still ended with a big ol’ bow.
December 1, 2025
Charming, funny. I really liked it.
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