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Historical Regency Romances #1
Marry in Haste
‘I need to marry, and I need to marry at once.’ When James, Viscount Demarr confides in an acquaintance at a ball one evening, he has no idea that the potential solution to his problems stands so close at hand …
Amelia Ravenscroft is the granddaughter of a earl and is desperate to escape her aunt’s home where she has endured a life of drudgery, whilst fighting off the increasingly bold advances of her lecherous cousin. She boldly proposes a marriage of convenience.
And Amelia soon proves herself a perfect fit for the role of Lady Demarr. But James has doubts and his blossoming feelings are blighted by suspicions regarding Amelia’s past. Will they find, all too painfully, that if you marry in haste you repent at leisure?
Newly edited edition for Choc Lit 2012!
Amelia Ravenscroft is the granddaughter of a earl and is desperate to escape her aunt’s home where she has endured a life of drudgery, whilst fighting off the increasingly bold advances of her lecherous cousin. She boldly proposes a marriage of convenience.
And Amelia soon proves herself a perfect fit for the role of Lady Demarr. But James has doubts and his blossoming feelings are blighted by suspicions regarding Amelia’s past. Will they find, all too painfully, that if you marry in haste you repent at leisure?
Newly edited edition for Choc Lit 2012!
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2009
124 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Christina Courtenay
35 books372 followersChristina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 4, 2023
A marriage of convenience historical novel, I liked the premise of this story. But it was a novella and it felt as though so much of the story had been rushed. And there was no smut. I mean, hello, have you met me?
Complete story. (*clears throat *) and wholesome if that’s your thing.
Complete story. (*clears throat *) and wholesome if that’s your thing.
February 3, 2013
Couldn't get into it. This is the type of romance that gives romance novels a bad name.
H/h are wed because she is fleeing a lecherous cousin and he needs a quick wife to please his grandfather after a scandal. The title is misleading, the only one who should be repenting the marriage is Amelia; since the moment they marry, James is suspicious of her for no good reason. OMG, she's NOT PLUMP, SHE'S THIN AND ATTRACTIVE BUT DISGUISED HERSELF BY PADDING HER CLOTHES TO REPEL HER COUSIN'S ATTENTION? She must have lied, obviously. If she lied about her appearance, what else could she be lying about? She's not chaste, she could be pregnant with another man's child!!!!!!! She gets called the "silver nightingale?" It could refer to her singing voice but IT COULD SIMPLY MEAN SHE HAS OTHER LESS CHASTE TALENTS AS WELL. That whore.
Honestly, James is suspicious and stupid of every little thing, and I could not like him at all. Amelia is too compliant and too sweet to be believable. Didn't like the book.
H/h are wed because she is fleeing a lecherous cousin and he needs a quick wife to please his grandfather after a scandal. The title is misleading, the only one who should be repenting the marriage is Amelia; since the moment they marry, James is suspicious of her for no good reason. OMG, she's NOT PLUMP, SHE'S THIN AND ATTRACTIVE BUT DISGUISED HERSELF BY PADDING HER CLOTHES TO REPEL HER COUSIN'S ATTENTION? She must have lied, obviously. If she lied about her appearance, what else could she be lying about? She's not chaste, she could be pregnant with another man's child!!!!!!! She gets called the "silver nightingale?" It could refer to her singing voice but IT COULD SIMPLY MEAN SHE HAS OTHER LESS CHASTE TALENTS AS WELL. That whore.
Honestly, James is suspicious and stupid of every little thing, and I could not like him at all. Amelia is too compliant and too sweet to be believable. Didn't like the book.
February 18, 2014
I listened to the audio version of this, read by Jilly (surname escapes me). I enjoyed the narration very much, though I suspect Jilly's sense of irony was just a tinch on display. That was a good thing.
The story is short and fast-moving which pleased me. I don't like very long audio books. The style was quite pleasing, and there was some humour. The hero failed the would-he-really test a few times. I loved the squire's wife and her son and liked the relationship between Amelia and her little stepdaughters (and guessed one of the secrets almost immediately).
In fact, I predicted the story turns accurately all the way. This led me to wonder; when do genre conventions and editorial givens become predictability? One might argue that all the events/twists in the story had to happen because otherwise there would be no story. I have a subversive mind though and like to see some obvious roads not taken. I think that's why I prefer cross-genre romances to the pure ones. In a cross-gen, the H and H can have adventures and conflict without idiotic suspicions or misunderstandings. They might disagree on how to tackle a specific challenge, but that's down to differing opinions, not to stupid misunderstandings.
As a regency, I liked this book very well. It engaged me. However, I would have liked it better if it had avoided just a few of those so-obvious twists.
The story is short and fast-moving which pleased me. I don't like very long audio books. The style was quite pleasing, and there was some humour. The hero failed the would-he-really test a few times. I loved the squire's wife and her son and liked the relationship between Amelia and her little stepdaughters (and guessed one of the secrets almost immediately).
In fact, I predicted the story turns accurately all the way. This led me to wonder; when do genre conventions and editorial givens become predictability? One might argue that all the events/twists in the story had to happen because otherwise there would be no story. I have a subversive mind though and like to see some obvious roads not taken. I think that's why I prefer cross-genre romances to the pure ones. In a cross-gen, the H and H can have adventures and conflict without idiotic suspicions or misunderstandings. They might disagree on how to tackle a specific challenge, but that's down to differing opinions, not to stupid misunderstandings.
As a regency, I liked this book very well. It engaged me. However, I would have liked it better if it had avoided just a few of those so-obvious twists.
January 16, 2016
Silly, shallow and entertaining. Nice, mindless brain candy. Marriage of convenience well done.
January 9, 2016
Non sono ancora convinta sulle tre stelle, direi più un 2.75!
February 27, 2024
Another one where the concept seemed right up my alley but the execution fell way flat. The writing is very choppy and the story rushed and the conflicts very forced and frustrating. Will not be picking up this author again.
March 1, 2024
Fun reading!
October 6, 2012
What's a girl to do? She's in a dire predicament, must escape from it, but can't see how, and then she overhears Lord Demarr say that he urgently needs to get married!
Well, she does the only thing she can -she steps forward and volunteers herself. And without even seeing how devilishly good-looking he is!
This is a delightful story of two charming characters overcoming their initial mistrust and misgivings and coming together.
I loved it and couldn't put it down. An entertaining read that is well worthy of the 5 stars I've given it.
Well, she does the only thing she can -she steps forward and volunteers herself. And without even seeing how devilishly good-looking he is!
This is a delightful story of two charming characters overcoming their initial mistrust and misgivings and coming together.
I loved it and couldn't put it down. An entertaining read that is well worthy of the 5 stars I've given it.
June 27, 2011
This is a very nice sweet read. I enjoyed the authors writting very much. This book was a gift for my mother from my daughter Tara however, I just had to read it. It is a very fun book. I know my mother will enjoy this read very much. I also am glad it is in large print. There are so many good books out there but not many in large print for the elderly who have eye problems. Thanks for making it in large print.
April 11, 2024
What a lovely regency romance. Amelia is in a dire situation with her rakhill cousin threatening to ruin her and her guardian Aunt turning a blind eye to his behaviour. Then one day she overhears a conversation that could be the answer to her prayers.
After an elopement to Gretna green she becomes a viscountess but feelings begin to develope between them both but James is too stubborn to see it. Unfortunately the past comes back to bite them when her lecherous cousin tracks her down and kidnaps her. Will James find her in time? Will he admit that he loves her?
After an elopement to Gretna green she becomes a viscountess but feelings begin to develope between them both but James is too stubborn to see it. Unfortunately the past comes back to bite them when her lecherous cousin tracks her down and kidnaps her. Will James find her in time? Will he admit that he loves her?
June 2, 2024
Amelia proposed
Amelia lives in a precarious situation and needs to find a husband and James needs to satisfy his grandfather by marrying again. Hearing him talk about it, she works up the nerve to propose. Unfortunately, there is no smooth path when doubt exists and add a threat from the past.
Amelia lives in a precarious situation and needs to find a husband and James needs to satisfy his grandfather by marrying again. Hearing him talk about it, she works up the nerve to propose. Unfortunately, there is no smooth path when doubt exists and add a threat from the past.
July 29, 2025
A plot line- i.e. marriage of convenience and a couple getting to know each other through forced proximity- that could have potentials of an excellent story is used and abused through graceless writing and cramming of tropes that do not contribute to anything more than rending the story even more incredible.
Undoubtedly, the book has been a loss of time and energy for me.
Undoubtedly, the book has been a loss of time and energy for me.
March 17, 2024
This is cute and clean, but it needed to be longer. I liked that the heroine needed to understand and forgive the hero, but he also needed to do more than apologize (he needed to prove his trust in her). As it is, I felt that the heroine deserved better.
April 19, 2024
Delightful Story
Total escapism. A simple but enjoyable storyline, about a poor unwanted relation and her journey to happiness. It made cleaning the Windows a lot more enjoyable. Thank you.
Total escapism. A simple but enjoyable storyline, about a poor unwanted relation and her journey to happiness. It made cleaning the Windows a lot more enjoyable. Thank you.
January 4, 2025
An easy light read with a bit of drama, misunderstandings and of course romance. The characters are easy to understand, you know who to root for and who not to like. If you want something not too arduous as a bedtime read this would be a good choice.
February 11, 2025
1.5
Contains tropes that have been done to death which wouldn’t have been a problem if not for the fact that the characters are flat, the dialogue clumsy, the prose often too contemporary, rushed pacing, and not a drop of romance to be found. Basically 174 (depending on edition) pages of nothing.
Contains tropes that have been done to death which wouldn’t have been a problem if not for the fact that the characters are flat, the dialogue clumsy, the prose often too contemporary, rushed pacing, and not a drop of romance to be found. Basically 174 (depending on edition) pages of nothing.
January 20, 2020
James is odious. The book is preachy. Promising story but no real relationship development.
May 9, 2020
A very nice little story
Read
November 13, 2020Content warnings for fatphobia / sizeism, misrepresentation of abuse, threat of rape (not the hero), toxic masculinity attitudes towards virginity, believing women, and women's sexuality (the hero).
March 9, 2024
Short and sweet
A short story but sweet - a marriage of convenience where they eventually find their HEA. A good taster for this author's work.
A short story but sweet - a marriage of convenience where they eventually find their HEA. A good taster for this author's work.
March 16, 2024
Sweet romance
This is a story about the power of love and the importance of trust especially when doubt raises its ugly head.
This is a story about the power of love and the importance of trust especially when doubt raises its ugly head.
June 4, 2024
Romantic
For any fans of a Regency romance this is definitely a lighthearted contender, ideal reading for relaxing. Well worth a read
For any fans of a Regency romance this is definitely a lighthearted contender, ideal reading for relaxing. Well worth a read
June 10, 2024
The MMC was an immature fool. The story was entirely too predictable.
September 15, 2024
A true romance
A classic ‘ marriage of convenience that turns into love’ story. A very quick read with a threat of danger.
A classic ‘ marriage of convenience that turns into love’ story. A very quick read with a threat of danger.
October 23, 2012
I do enjoy Christina Courntenay's writing and so I just had to get a copy of this novella for a weekend read.
The opening scene sees Amelia eavesdropping on a conversation between two gentlemen at a ball. Her curiosity and current predicament get the better of her and she agrees to marry one of the men without knowing why he is in such a hurry to marry.
So begins a full on adventure that takes the 2 main characters charging across the country to Marry in Haste and worry about the consequences later. Which they do.
Will there be a happy ending to this irresponsible act?
For a novella this story is fast paced and just the right length. I suspect this is not an easy task when the author is used to writing full length novels, but Christina has accomplished this.
Perfect romance adventure.
9 out of 10 for me!
The opening scene sees Amelia eavesdropping on a conversation between two gentlemen at a ball. Her curiosity and current predicament get the better of her and she agrees to marry one of the men without knowing why he is in such a hurry to marry.
So begins a full on adventure that takes the 2 main characters charging across the country to Marry in Haste and worry about the consequences later. Which they do.
Will there be a happy ending to this irresponsible act?
For a novella this story is fast paced and just the right length. I suspect this is not an easy task when the author is used to writing full length novels, but Christina has accomplished this.
Perfect romance adventure.
9 out of 10 for me!
October 3, 2012
Marry in Haste was such an amazing book. I read it in less than three hours because I just couldn't put it down.
Amelia was such a breath of fresh air and I loved the relationship she had with James' children, it was so lovely I had tears in my eyes reading their scenes.
James is such a wonderful character because he is flawed. He finds it difficult to trust Amelia and I loved how Amelia and James had to fight for their relationship and their marriage, when James makes many a mistake through jealousy he doesn't want to admit.
A fantastic book and beautifully written. 5 stars definitely.
October 12, 2012
This novella has all the ingredients I enjoy in a book; romance, adventure and tension. For a book of 117 pages there is quite a lot going on, but it all blends in so easily and effortlessly that you just get drawn into it. There is the main story of James and Amelia but there is also more than one sub-plot running throughout.
I liked Amelia’s determination and the fact that she wasn’t a push-over and James although not perfect, was a great hero.
I always enjoy Christina Courtenay’s writing style and this was no exception – I felt transported into the era and caught up in all the happenings. A thoroughly good read, one which I would quite happily have read as a full length novel.
I liked Amelia’s determination and the fact that she wasn’t a push-over and James although not perfect, was a great hero.
I always enjoy Christina Courtenay’s writing style and this was no exception – I felt transported into the era and caught up in all the happenings. A thoroughly good read, one which I would quite happily have read as a full length novel.
October 23, 2022
Good
Amelia father was a military man , after death of her mother feel into gambling and committed suicide. Leaving her penniless she had to go to her aunt thru marriage whom used her for a servant and allowed her son to try harass her. One grateful night she over years a conversation that might help her out of her horror.
James a viscount needs a wife his grandfather last wish with his failing health ask him to remarry. No one is willing did to the scandal with his name.. Till Amelia ask him to marry her after hearing his need of wife
Upon marrying James past fear interfere with his new marriage.
Good book on the sweet side and clean. I enjoyed it.
Amelia father was a military man , after death of her mother feel into gambling and committed suicide. Leaving her penniless she had to go to her aunt thru marriage whom used her for a servant and allowed her son to try harass her. One grateful night she over years a conversation that might help her out of her horror.
James a viscount needs a wife his grandfather last wish with his failing health ask him to remarry. No one is willing did to the scandal with his name.. Till Amelia ask him to marry her after hearing his need of wife
Upon marrying James past fear interfere with his new marriage.
Good book on the sweet side and clean. I enjoyed it.
June 4, 2011
To read a review and find out what real life handsome hottie Ms. Courtenay had in mind while writing this novella, please see my blog post: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
March 13, 2024
Some errors and irritations lost a star but otherwise this was a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable romance. Short and sweet, with our hero having tantrums that our heroine handles without any hand-wringing. Threaded through with moments of delightful humour, this comes highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews