The Rake's Convenient Bride

Wedding a Wallflower #2

by Madeline Martin

A wallflower who trips through life…

Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is something of a klutz. Only this time the quiet, bookish young lady has literally fallen directly into the path of none other than the notoriously rakish Earl of Darington.

When an accidental encounter appears rather compromising, Lady Elizabeth does what any sensible young lady would, and declares they are engaged.

Even rakes can act the gentleman when necessary and Lord Darington does so by allowing her lie to stand, thus saving her reputation with the ridiculous claim. After all, they only need to be “betrothed” for a few weeks before calling their engagement off.

And it will be called off. Lord Darington is enticing, smooth-talking, and as sure in his footing as he is in his own confidence. That is to say, he is everything Lady Elizabeth is not and the kind of gentleman that should make any lady guard her heart.

In all possible ways, they are entirely ill-suited for one another… aren’t they?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages.

She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she's not writing, researching or 'moming', you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.

Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more: https://madelinemartin.com

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful female lead who tends to trip over things, loves novels and hides against the wall at balls. Misunderstood rake who has his grandmothers unreserved love and a wish for him to marry. After all she’s dying (at her age aren’t we all in that process?)
Loved it

[ChasingLeslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is something of a klutz and trips her way right into a compromising situation with Jasper Fitzroy, Earl of Darington. Elizabeth claims they are engaged, and Jasper allows her lie to stand.

This is the second book in the Wedding a Wallflower series. Several friends make a pact never to marry but break the vow one by one. The friends appear in the story, but it works as a stand alone.

This is my first time reading this author and I thought the story was super cute. Elizabeth and Jasper have met before and, unbeknownst to each other, they both have a bit of a crush. Both take the fake engagement in stride and seem to be hurling towards a real marriage, until their own personal baggage shows up and cools things down. In these stories, there's always a bit of a "stop being a dunderhead" moment where the reader is annoyed, but overall I really enjoyed the pacing and the resolution. I would definitely read this author again.

Tropes: Wallflower, Secret Crush, Compromised, Fake Engagement, Nursed to Health-ish

Steam: 2

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is something of a bit of a clumsy wallflower Only this time the quiet, bookish young lady has literally fallen directly into the path of none other than the notoriously rakish Jasper, the Earl of Darington. When an accidental trip over a rug appears rather compromising, Lady Elizabeth does what any sensible young lady would, and declares they are engaged. Even rakes can act the gentleman when necessary and Lord Darington does so by allowing her lie to stand, thus saving her reputation with the ridiculous claim. After all, they only need to be “betrothed” for a few weeks before calling their engagement off.
A very well written romance. I loved Jasper, Elizabeth & her supportive fellow wallflowers & of course the Dowager Countess. Jasper & Elizabeth both fall for each other but they each think they are not good enough, thank goodness they had interfering friends & a lovely grandmother. A captivating romance which I read straight through & thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline Martin is a new author for me. This is only my 2nd book. I previously read Book 1 in this series. It was a good read and had an interesting storyline. Sex was minimal but well written. She has other books out but some are not my genre.

I really liked Elizabeth and Jasper. I liked their story and their chemistry. Just a really good overall read. Definitely sounds like a few more books in this series to come.

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance. Jasper, the hero, is a bit broken by his cruel and indifferent parents but is really a softy. When Elizabeth, a clumsy, but highly intelligent and nice person, is found by mistake in the same room as Jasper, a fake engagement is agreed upon. Except the fake courtship starts to feel very real and each of them needs to open upon to love. No angst, lots of tension, a true understanding of characters and bonding, makes this a rather lovely read.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook and her four dearest friends made a pact at school to never marry, but now that one of her friends has broken the pact, Elizabeth has been chosen as the next to break it. Elizabeth is sweet and lovely, but she is shy, bookish, and incredibly clumsy, and while she is not opposed to marriage, she is sure no man will want to tie himself to a klutz. When it becomes clear that her parents will not let her younger sister marry before her, she agrees to attend more events and make an effort to find a husband. At the first ball of the season, she is with her friends, trying to blend into the wall when she sees Lord Darlington, a man she accidently spilled lemonade on and tried to clean it up, but ended up touching inappropriately and humiliating herself. She tries to slip away unnoticed, but during her escape her stocking begins to fall, so she seeks out an empty room to repair it. She hikes up her skirts to fix her stocking and realizes she is not alone – Lord Darlington is in the room; she trips and lands in his arms. Before they can untangle themselves, the door opens, and they are caught alone together by some of the ton’s biggest gossips. Elizabeth blurts out that Lord Darlington proposed, and they are engaged, a claim he thankfully backs up. Elizabeth knows they could never marry, but if he is willing to play along so her sister can wed, she promises to break it off, even if that is the last thing she wants to do.

Jasper Fitzroy, the Earl of Darlington is contemplating his day when his Grandmother Bess arrives to announce that she is dying, and Jasper must marry and give her a great-grandchild as soon as possible. Jasper is horrified, he loves Bess more than any person in the world, she raised him when his mother died and during his misspent young, she loved him when it seemed no one else did. He agrees to find a bride and she is ecstatic and tells him she happens to have an invitation to a ball that evening. He arrives and once it is clear that he will be looking for a bride, he feels hunted and slips away for a moment of peace. When Elizabeth comes in, he recognizes her and teases her. He has always liked and admired her but believes that his past makes him unworthy of a woman like her. When they are caught alone together and she announces they are engaged, he is happy to go along, as she would make a wonderful bride and Bess will be overjoyed and maybe he will be able to prove to Elizabeth he can be worthy of her.

This installment of the Wedding a Wallflower series was definitely worth the wait! I loved Elizabeth and Jasper, they are both wonderfully flawed and incredibly likeable characters who you can’t help but root for. This book is filled with emotion, longing, insecurity, wonderful characters, great friends, a feisty grandmother, steamyish love scenes, a bit of misassumption, a little heartache and finally an extremely sweet ending complete with an epilogue! This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no issues. I loved this story and would happily recommend it to my fellow historical romance readers, especially those who love a reformed rake story and those who love to see “girl power” at its finest.

4.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Julie Eichelberger-Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rake's Convenient Bride is the second in the Wedding a Wallflower series but can be read as a stand alone story however I suggest reading the prior book for a little secondary character background as well as for the pure entertainment of the series. As young girls in school, Lady Elizabeth and her friends made a pact to never marry but now a few years older and their pact is dissolving one by one. Elizabeth is a somewhat klutz but has a heart of gold and would help anyone so she has agreed to attend a few balls to potentially find a husband therefore allowing her younger sister to become engaged to her suitor. After accidentally bumping into the hostess, she hurries off to escape her recent embarrassment only to overhear being laughed about so she enters a dark study to repair her stocking unaware the room is occupied. Lord Jasper Darington has been named the ton's most eligible bachelor and therefore agrees to attend a few balls with his grandmother because she is the only family member who ever showed him love and she wishes for him to find a wife. Jasper is tired of the bubbling debutantes and escapes to the study for a little reprieve when his solitude is interrupted by the unexpected show that Elizabeth puts on as she raises her skirt to fix a stocking. He has been attracted to her since the first time they met but always felt unworthy of someone so pure and when they are caught in an innocent but albeit compromising situation, he agrees with Elizabeth's announcement that they are engaged. Their plan is to break the engagement after her sister's happiness has been secured but feelings of closeness grow and although they are both fighting the attraction, the heart wants what the heart wants. They both must overcome their insecurities of being unworthy in order to find their happily ever after. This is a sweet with a touch of spice story and characters that have you rooting for them from the first page.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSprout for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second story in the Wedding a Wallflower series, and I think it can be read as a standalone. This is historical romance between a notorious rake and a clumsy, bluestocking wallflower. Opposites attract, forced betrothal themes.

Lady Elizabeth is shy and notoriously clumsy, earning her the contempt and ire of many in Society when she does catch their attention. A woman like her would never catch the attention of men such as the handsome, rakish Earl of Darington, right? Especially as she and he have been in embarrassing situations before.

But they end up in a fake betrothal situation after being caught accidentally in what appears to be a compromising situation. But when the scandal dies down, Lady Elizabeth plans on releasing the Earl from the unwanted engagement. However, what she is unaware of is that Darington has always thought of Elizabeth as beautiful, kind, and warm, and he wants their betrothal to be real. He is not certain, however that she wants to wed him, especially when she keeps bringing up the ending of their engagement.

A sweet, lovely historical romance with two rather sweet characters who care for each other, but are uncertain about revealing their true feelings.

4 stars out of 5

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart went out to Lady Elizabeth as I identified with her in so many ways. She is an accident waiting to happen and I felt myself cringing as she reminded me of my own past mishaps! Knowing that her younger sister cannot marry the man she loves until Elizabeth is at least betrothed, she is hard-pressed to find someone who will love her the way she desperately needs. Lord Darington has a bad reputation, due to his reckless past when acting out his anger and frustration against his parents. His beloved grandmother is putting the screws on and using every ploy in her box of tricks to inveigle him to find a bride. When the inevitable happens and he is caught in a compromising position with Lady Elizabeth, he does not fight too hard to accept the inevitable announcement of their engagement. After all, it does solve his problem, and he actually likes Elizabeth, even if he does not think he can ever love her. Much to Jasper's surprise, he discovers that Elizabeth is uncompromising when it comes to the matter of love, and it takes a near tragedy to bring him to his senses. I received a copy of this delightful romance as a gift through BookSprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Jasper and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a clutzy, wallflower who along with her fellow wallflowers made a pact as teenagers not to marry. Unfortunately, with the passing of time, the group has dwindled significantly with several of the ladies each finding their HEA.

Here, Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook accidentally trips over a rug that places her in a compromising position with Jasper, the Earl of Darington. Jasper has always had poor self-esteem and the only one to see past his rakish reputation is his beloved grandmother.

When Elizabeth decides to fake an engagement with Jasper, he continues to maintain the lie as he has been his eye on Elizabeth for a long time, but just did not think he was worthy of her.

Enter one lovable grandmother who was determined that these two young people, perfect for each other but were unable to see it for themselves, should get a push in the right direction.

All in, a lovely story that tended to drag on a little in the middle and would have been better if both their insecurities could be pushed along a little faster! I received an ARC from the publishers and Booksprout and submit my honest review voluntarily.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth had a group of wallflower friends that had decided to remain spinsters. This series is about this group and its dwindling ranks. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Jasper had had his eye on her for a long time.
Although handsome, Jasper suffered from poor self-esteem. The only person who had ever loved him was his grandmother. Feeling worthless, he behaved recklessly as a young man. He didn't think that he deserved to win the hand of a proper lady because he had such a bad reputation.
Elizabeth was a total klutz and she didn't think that she could attract a handsome man like Jasper. The couple began a fake engagement after they were caught in what could have been a compromising situation.
This book is basically about the bumpy road leading from a fake engagement to a happy ending. The character of Jasper's grandmother was a standout. The story was solid and predictable even if not terribly exciting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Wedding a Wallflower series. I haven't read the first book and although it's plain that the characters and storyline will run throughout the series, I didn't feel as if I had missed anything by not reading the first book. That said, I enjoyed this one so much that I think I will buy the first one and read it anyway.

This was a fast-paced novel with two loveable main characters. Both of them believe that they aren't good enough for the other once they reach the conclusion that a pretend engagement between them is one they would prefer to be a real one.

At times I wanted to jump into the story and knock their heads together, but the frustration at them not seeing what was in front of their faces made for extra happiness as I read as quickly as I could to enjoy their happy ending.

I am looking forward to the next books in the series which I am sure will be equally as good as this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have JASPER FITZROY, the fifth Earl of Darington a very handsome and wealthy Lord!
Jasper has secrets that won’t allow him to get too close to anyone but his grandmother!
We have Lady Elizabeth who is a clumsy Klutz like really trips over air! These two are definitely not a couple pretend or otherwise!
Jasper has noticed Elizabeth before she literally falls into his arms! Well of course the biggest gossips in the Ton pounced like a tiger on this latest on dit!
Jasper steps up like a true hero and means every word!
But when you are a clumsy wallflower who doesn’t think much of herself! How can Elizabeth believe him? Well this retired rake has a lot of work to do!
Good thing Jasper has Elizabeth friends and his grandma Bess!
Elizabeth wants to run away but Jasper just needs a good knock on the head to see his future more clearly!
Bravo and laugh out loud moments! Can’t wait for the next one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[iread · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rake’s Convenient Bride is book two in the Wedding A Wallflower series. I truly enjoyed this book. This author is a wonderful writer. Her characters are complex and at times vulnerable. I loved Elizabeth and Jasper’s story. He’s a rake being pressured to marry and she’s a wallflower feeling the same requirement by her family. I especially relished the fact that the hero had noticed Elizabeth for several years and desired her, when she just wanted to be invisible in Society. My negatives are that I wish there was more historical context woven into the story. It takes place in London 1817. The author does mention Almack’s which was considered a pinnacle of society at the time. But she could have also mentioned the Elgin Marbles first put on display in the British Museum or the opening of Waterloo Bridge. I also wish that she had built out the setting more. I had a difficult time picturing some of the scenes. There are several very steamy scenes so this is not a “sweet” romance. Overall, this is a delightful story and one I will probably read over and over again.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasper Fitzroy, Earl of Darington, is handsome and wealthy, a reputed to be a rake. His only confidante is his grandmama. Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is lovely and, unfortunately, quite clumsy. Both are under a lot pressure to find a spouse. Seeking a respite from the crowded ballroom, they both go to the library. Just as Elizabeth trips and Jasper catches her, the door opens. All of a sudden, they are engaged. They agree to a temporary, false engagement, not considering that it could become something real. Neither feels worthy of the other, or love with anyone. There is a spark between them, but neither is confident enough to act on it. Elizabeth’s Wallflower friends and Jasper’s grandmama Bess work to change their minds. A well-written engaging story with a bit of angst, a lot of humor, entertaining characters, and a happy ending.
I received a special copy of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confessions, Ruse, Perfect Waltz:
A delightfully passionate romance story with the usual ups and downs between Elizabeth and Jasper neither ever wanted to marry. 
Oh dear, how can there be a romance when the two people involved feel they are not good enough for the other person? Read on to find out. Elizabeth is a clumsy wallflower to a fault and insecure and Jasper has a bad reputation with his own insecurities. When there is a suggestion of scandal between this couple there needs to be an engagement announcement right away., but wait, it's not a real one, right?
This is a fun lighthearted story with an enjoyable cast of characters where friendship is key, and a few sizzling scenes where the pages are smoldering.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this story because I can identify with the heroine, Elizabeth. Grace is definitely not my middle name and neither is hers. Jasper has been “used” his whole life and the only one who he can really trust is his Grandmother, Bess. I adored the meet-cute between these two, especially what she had to fix , as I can see myself there as well. I adored the Spinsters, they are friends for life . The characters were so real, I felt a part of the crowd. I hurt for Jasper and it was lovely to see how Elizabeth brought the best out in him. The story once again proves that seeing confident people on the outside doesn’t mean they feel it on the inside. Jasper’s way of handling her “oops” moments was so endearing too! A good story of love conquering all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookishVocab · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Elizabeth's experience with being clumsy was extremely relatable and endeared me to her character immediately. Jasper has created a hard shell around himself and Elizabeth comes crashing into his world (figuratively and literally) - challenging them both to view themselves in a new light. I really enjoyed reading along as their love story develop.

Madeline Martin's historical fiction's have been some of my favourite to read this year and I was excited to finally read one of her historical romance novels. The Rake's Convenient Bride did not disappoint. Each Wallflower has such a distinct personality and I find myself very invested in reading along and watching the other Wallflower's fall in love!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth and her friends make a pack to be spinsters so they can do exactly as they want. Years later, one of the group has found happiness and is now expecting. Elizabeth's family wants her to find a suitor so that their middle daughter can be engaged. She doesn't really want to be married but hates making her sister miserable. A solution falls into her lap when she and Jasper find themselves in an unexpected situation. They agree to be engaged as a way to save Jasper from the marriage mart and her to let her sister get engaged. Everyone around them realizes each is in love with the other, however, they don't realize it. The journey to happiness is bumpy, but fun to read about.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick fun read for book 2 in this series. I liked that Elizabeth is such a klutzy wallflower and that Jasper only felt his grandmother was the one has loved him most his life has given him low self-esteem. Elizabeth and her friends made a pact to stay single but thats obviously not happening. Elizabeth trips over a rug and is caught into Jasper's arms in a compromising position but they both come to an arrangement to help each out when they both don't feel good enough for them they still end up falling for the other. Can't wait for the next one.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific regency romance that I read in one day. The characters are endearing and I fell in love with Jasper and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s fun friends. The friends have made a pact to not get married, but after being caught in a compromising position at a ball, Elizabeth blurts out that her and Jasper are engaged, and Jasper, ever the gentleman, goes along with the fake engagement.

I love that Elizabeth is not perfect and I love how Jasper always comes to her rescue and it will take Jasper to deal with his past to know he can love. The Dowager Darington is a great character and there are many fun moments within this book. This one was very difficult to put down and I was almost sad it was over. The epilogue is always a nice touch.

[Jennifer Yeakel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Wedding A Wallflower series.

Elizabeth is one of the wallflowers friend that vowed never to marry.

Elizabeth younger sister Grace can’t get engaged until Elizabeth marries.
Elizabeth has always thought of herself as being very klutzy and is very insecure.

Jasper, Earl of Darington is being pressured to marry and to give his grandmother a great grandchild.

Elizabeth and Jasper are found in a compromising position.

Elizabeth fears that this will hurt the chances of her sister getting engaged so she impetuously declares that she and Jasper are engaged.

Jasper readily agrees to this fake engagement.

Will this turn into a real relationship?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone. The heroine is a clumsy wallflower who needs to marry so her younger sister can. The hero has sort of a roguish past, but his grandmother wants him to wed. They both end up in a room alone in a compromising position. To save reputations, the heroine says they are engaged. The hero accepts this as he has always liked her. They both feel unworthy of the other for various reasons. How they build their self confidence and acknowledge their true feeling makes for a nice read. The supporting characters help things along, too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A swoony perfect read!
I identified with Elizabeth’s clumsiness and preferring to be reading a book rather than being social.
Lord Darington is a darling. I love that he fell first and longed for Elizabeth from afar, but having been bruised by not having love in his past, he hides his heart.
Thank goodness for Elizabeth’s meddling friends and Darington’s grandmother Bess, who frankly stole every scene she was in.
I loved how Bess pretended she was on death’s door in almost every conversation she had with Jasper, elderly blackmail is very effective.
It’s a dashing read perfect for your holiday lineup!
Thanks to Madeline Martin for the advance copy.

[Lena Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in a series and I really enjoyed this one. I loved the humor in the story with her being a klutz and I loved how the Earl reacted to her clumsiness. Both Lady Elizabeth and Lord Darington have liked and admired each other from afar, so when they end up in a fake engagement, they both quickly wish it were real. I also loved the grandmother and how her and Elizabeth's friends get together to help the couple out. Overall, an enjoyable read that I didn't want to put down once I started reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2*STARS*
Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is self- conscious of her shyness and embarrassing herself and her family. A brief encounter two years ago with Jasper Fitzroy, Earl of Darington, is still an embarrassment. Jasper hasn't forgotten the encounter and is enchanted with the lady. With low self esteem, he doesn't consider himself good enough for Elizabeth. Compromised at a ball, they agree to a temporary engagement. Elizabeth wants to marry for love, but Jasper questions his feelings. Humor, heartache and thankfully an HEA.
Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a Pretend Courtship Turn into Love?

A rake and a wallflower are caught in a compromising position, so they must pretend to be engaged. He is a rake; she is clumsy. Can there be more to Elizabeth and Jasper than meets the eye?

Elizabeth is considered clumsy by everyone, but Jasper truly sees her and knows there is more to her than her clumsiness. There is just one problem. Jasper does not believe he is worthy of love. Can Elizabeth help him to see he is lovable? Will he let go of his stubbornness before it is too late?

I enjoyed this entertaining historical romance and would recommend it. I look forward to what this author writes next.

[Dominique Englebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can clumsiness lead to love?
At a ball, Elizabeth had doused the Earl of Darington with lemonade. Not on purpose, of course, but he never forgot it. When she literally falls into his arms at another ball, creating a compromising situation, they agree to a fake engagement to quiet the viperous tongues of the ton, with the agreement that it will quietly be rescinded at the end of the season. With time will this fake betrothal lead to something real?
A truly lovely story of young love in a society that did not believe in it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caligirlkrys · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I loved Elizabeth and all her friends. She loves and is loved by all who truly know her but struggles with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity especially in regard to her clumsiness. Jasper has developed a reputation as a rake but uses it as a cover for a painful past. There is chemistry between them from the first moment they meet but both struggle with doubts that need to be worked through. Overall, an enjoyable easy to read book with a sweet and spicy romance. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth is part of a group of wallflowers who vowed to remain spinsters. But of course, best laid plans and all that.

Jasper has felt unlovable most of his life.

When the two must fake an engagement can they overcome their pasts to find a way to love?

I would have liked a little more of a deep dive into each of the main characters so we would better understand them. But, it was still a fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.