In Victorian England, Anthony Fairchilde, the earl of Malvern, is tricked into a compromising position with a tradesman’s daughter and must marry her to prevent a scandal. He’s determined it will be a true marriage of convenience, but she’s so unimpressed by his rank and yet so responsive in his bed, that she’s soon the only woman he desires. Prudence Crump has dreamed of finding love, but faced with the threat of a scandal that will make her unfit for respectable employment, she’s forced to agree to the earl’s arrogant proposal. She’s determined to keep her side of the bargain and not develop feelings for him, but he stirs surprising emotions within her. Prudence begins to hope for something more than a marriage of convenience, but first she must teach him that rank has responsibilities as well as privileges, and he must convince her that his love is real.
This doesn't run the usual path for 'forgotten wife' stories. He's not particularly cruel and she's pretty practical AND she's not really forgotten.
Prudence is the beautiful naïve half sister of a friend of Anthony's and Anthony's looking for a new mistress. He is a bit harsh with her here and there because he thinks that she had more to do with her brother's machinations than she did. She in turn isn't too impressed with his morals (or lack there of...). I mean who tries to seduce their friend's half sister in a restaurant? So she's naïve but she's not an idiot ...or a doormat. I loved the way her backstory is revealed slowly as the story goes on. And I love how Anthony slowly falls in love with her as he gets to know her.
I remember it being very safe and I liked his mother's character.
I would read this author again! Safety is good, honestly I can't remember any OW/OM stuff, but it's been a couple weeks since I read it.
I liked this story very much and enjoyed it. Even with the loser brother who was despicable at first. He was better at the end. The hero didn't cheat which is a bonus for me. The sex scenes were not crude and not quite fade to black and they didn't offend me. I liked the sweet heroine and her strong resolve. The hero actually turned out okay. He sent her to a remote estate but he missed her too. I liked that she stood up to him too.not a great review I know but I am tired! Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a reread and I still liked it. Its not the Tessa Dare, Stacy Reid type of historicals where the sex scenes and light bantering is what makes the plot.
This is a very serious Victorian romance where both the mcs and her brother have to grow up and confront their feelings for each other and also their relationships and responsibilities towards society.
Anthony, is a spoilt, entitled, pompous aristocrat and it was nice to see him accept his faults and build his marriage with Prudence.
Prudence is a very simple country girl who through this book learns to stand up for herself , take the reins of managing a crumbling estate into her hands and build her relationships with her neighbours. This book really brings out how a housewife has to be able to say no to her husband and question his motives. The insecurities and her vulnerability in the marriage was well dealt with, so for every step forward they went back two.
Neil, her brother too has his growing up period. His hea with Effie wad a little rushed but, excusable. Anthony's mother the dowager Countess really was the one with the wittiest dialogues.
I liked how the plot played out mostly in the North viz. Manchester and not London as seen in most historicals.
Strangly, this is one of the few bks by this author that I like.
Not an all-time favorite but a book I enjoy well enough to reread from time to time but LORD does Winn desperately need someone to go through her work before she publishes. As with her other books this one is filled with mistakes in address, anachronistic words, and family tree errors. Despite these issues I keep coming back to her books set in the Victorian era because her plots include so many of my trope weaknesses.