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The Six Month Marriage
A Regency Romance. Tenth Anniversary Edition
Unless Philip, Lord Pemberton, could arrange a six-month marriage he would lose his inheritance. But how could he find a respectable young lady to go along with such a scheme?
Madeline Delaware was desperate to escape from her dissolute uncle and Philip's offer saved her from the fate her uncle had in store for her. But the six-month marriage turned out to be far from the peaceful interlude that Madeline had envisaged. And although it was simply a convenient arrangement, she found it increasingly difficult to think of its end . . .
Review
"The added dimension of Philip's involvement with espionage gives a frisson of adventure to this most engaging Regency." -Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
Unless Philip, Lord Pemberton, could arrange a six-month marriage he would lose his inheritance. But how could he find a respectable young lady to go along with such a scheme?
Madeline Delaware was desperate to escape from her dissolute uncle and Philip's offer saved her from the fate her uncle had in store for her. But the six-month marriage turned out to be far from the peaceful interlude that Madeline had envisaged. And although it was simply a convenient arrangement, she found it increasingly difficult to think of its end . . .
Review
"The added dimension of Philip's involvement with espionage gives a frisson of adventure to this most engaging Regency." -Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2002
123 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Grange
41 books711 followersAmanda Grange was born in Yorkshire and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whilst also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had twenty-five novels published including six Jane Austen retellings, which look at events from the heroes' points of view. She has also had two books published under different names: Murder at Whitegates Manor (as Eleanor Tyler; a Regency cosy crime murder mystery) and The Rake (as Amy Watson; a very light and frothy Regency romance).
Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."
Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."
Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!
You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook
Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."
Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."
Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!
You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 8, 2016
I think we should start a dumbest heroine of the year award. I have a sure winner in Madeline. I kept thinking that if Philip the Earl wanted children that could walk and chew gum at the same time he would have been better off marrying the maid Jennie. She was the one who had to explain to the ditzy h that it would be better to marry an nice and generous earl that could protect her from her evil uncle then try and be a governess alone and penniless. Like anyone would have left their kids with her.
Philip the H seemed ok though his taste in women was questionable. His wife is a space cadet and his girlfriend is Cruella Deville. There was some half hearted mystery thrown in but all in all the story was disjointed and shallow.
SPOILER ALERT--
I can't resist giving out one stupid Madeline story. At the end of the book Cruella tells Madeline to go across the rickety decaying wooden bridge over an icy raging river to gather Christmas greenery at the other side. Sure. Why not. When our h falls through and is hanging by one hand she has a rather prolonged conversation with the nasty Cruella. It has to be explained to our dangling h why she is being murdered by her husbands girlfriend. Cruella explains it is because Philip has fallen in love with his wife. Just like that Madeline's day is made and she realizes it is the happiest day of her life. I have to admit that if I was in the middle of a snowstorm and hanging over a river by one hand and death was minutes away I wouldn't give a flying duck. Maybe that's what Philip sees in her. She's a glass half full type. She still falls in the river though. I didn't care.
Stupid heroines are a pet peeve. I will not be reading this author again.
I
Philip the H seemed ok though his taste in women was questionable. His wife is a space cadet and his girlfriend is Cruella Deville. There was some half hearted mystery thrown in but all in all the story was disjointed and shallow.
SPOILER ALERT--
I can't resist giving out one stupid Madeline story. At the end of the book Cruella tells Madeline to go across the rickety decaying wooden bridge over an icy raging river to gather Christmas greenery at the other side. Sure. Why not. When our h falls through and is hanging by one hand she has a rather prolonged conversation with the nasty Cruella. It has to be explained to our dangling h why she is being murdered by her husbands girlfriend. Cruella explains it is because Philip has fallen in love with his wife. Just like that Madeline's day is made and she realizes it is the happiest day of her life. I have to admit that if I was in the middle of a snowstorm and hanging over a river by one hand and death was minutes away I wouldn't give a flying duck. Maybe that's what Philip sees in her. She's a glass half full type. She still falls in the river though. I didn't care.
Stupid heroines are a pet peeve. I will not be reading this author again.
I
December 5, 2017
OK, this was alright until a certain point in the novel where the NASTY, MONEY HUNGRY SOCIAL CLIMBING OW got NO punishment or retribution for her attempted murder of the heroine.
That's my big issue with what would have been an otherwise average novel. I refuse to rate this higher than 2 stars when the OW is not punished. Her only aim in life was to marry a titled man and join the Ton. The author doesn't give her the hero but she gets married to a 70 year old rich duke. Is that really punishment for a woman who gets her lifelong mercenary dreams ?
I can't even talk about the H and h right now because the author's flagrant refusal to give this bitchy OW her comeuppance after she threw the heroine off a bridge into a half frozen river, is just a big middle finger in the face to the reader. I did not invest a couple hours in the MC's of this story to see a villain get away scot free. In addition to this, the H allows the h's uncle, who had been planning to pimp her out, to keep all of her 10 000 pounds in dowry. This author really rewards villains.
I may eventually read another novel that reviewers have said shares a similar basic story line to this but is much better. That one is called The Kiss Of A Stranger by Sarah M Eden.
That's my big issue with what would have been an otherwise average novel. I refuse to rate this higher than 2 stars when the OW is not punished. Her only aim in life was to marry a titled man and join the Ton. The author doesn't give her the hero but she gets married to a 70 year old rich duke. Is that really punishment for a woman who gets her lifelong mercenary dreams ?
I can't even talk about the H and h right now because the author's flagrant refusal to give this bitchy OW her comeuppance after she threw the heroine off a bridge into a half frozen river, is just a big middle finger in the face to the reader. I did not invest a couple hours in the MC's of this story to see a villain get away scot free. In addition to this, the H allows the h's uncle, who had been planning to pimp her out, to keep all of her 10 000 pounds in dowry. This author really rewards villains.
I may eventually read another novel that reviewers have said shares a similar basic story line to this but is much better. That one is called The Kiss Of A Stranger by Sarah M Eden.
October 14, 2020
I really loved Phillip and Madeline's story. This is my second Amanda Grange book and so far this author has not let me down. Her writing style is phenomenal; her stories always with an interesting, unique plot. "The Six Month Marriage" is no exception. Madeline and Phillip are such wonderful characters, well developed and relatable.
Madeline, who is almost 21, is at her Uncle's mercy. He is her guardian and is determined to sell her off in marriage to a most unscrupulous suitor in order to cover his mounting debt. One night he has her dressed in a most unladylike manner and drags her off to the theater to meet this suitor. Madeline is able to effect an escape and runs off into the night where she is ultimately saved by Phillip, an Earl.
Phillip is in need of a temporary wife in order to secure his inheritance. His father's will includes a stipulation that if Phillip marries his chosen bride, a woman of whom Phillip's father does not approve, his inheritance will go elsewhere. In order to get around this stipulation Phillip must find a woman who is agreeable to a marriage of convenience for six months. At the end of such time, so long as the marriage has not been consummated, Phillip will claim his inheritance, have the marriage annulled, and marry Leticia, his intended.
Phillip proposes that Madeline marry him for six months at the end of which time he will give her a house and a generous annual annuity. Madeline is very distrustful of men and marriage after having been at the mercy of her cruel Uncle and having witnessed her father's cruel, demeaning treatment of her mother. It is her intent to never marry so as not to put herself under the control of another man. However, she ultimately agrees to Phillip's proposal thinking that because he needs her in order to claim his inheritance he will treat her well.
During the period of their marriage, the two fall in love. The path to their HEA is fraught with danger from villains who are looking for Phillip's friend, a spy for the crown, and by Phillip's former intended, Leticia, a cold, snooty woman who is determined to become Phillip's countess at whatever cost.
The relationship between Phillip and Madeline is extremely sweet and touching. Phillip is very protective towards Madeline and gradually falls deeply in love. This is a sweet, clean romance. I highly recommend. Another great read from Amanda Grange!
Madeline, who is almost 21, is at her Uncle's mercy. He is her guardian and is determined to sell her off in marriage to a most unscrupulous suitor in order to cover his mounting debt. One night he has her dressed in a most unladylike manner and drags her off to the theater to meet this suitor. Madeline is able to effect an escape and runs off into the night where she is ultimately saved by Phillip, an Earl.
Phillip is in need of a temporary wife in order to secure his inheritance. His father's will includes a stipulation that if Phillip marries his chosen bride, a woman of whom Phillip's father does not approve, his inheritance will go elsewhere. In order to get around this stipulation Phillip must find a woman who is agreeable to a marriage of convenience for six months. At the end of such time, so long as the marriage has not been consummated, Phillip will claim his inheritance, have the marriage annulled, and marry Leticia, his intended.
Phillip proposes that Madeline marry him for six months at the end of which time he will give her a house and a generous annual annuity. Madeline is very distrustful of men and marriage after having been at the mercy of her cruel Uncle and having witnessed her father's cruel, demeaning treatment of her mother. It is her intent to never marry so as not to put herself under the control of another man. However, she ultimately agrees to Phillip's proposal thinking that because he needs her in order to claim his inheritance he will treat her well.
During the period of their marriage, the two fall in love. The path to their HEA is fraught with danger from villains who are looking for Phillip's friend, a spy for the crown, and by Phillip's former intended, Leticia, a cold, snooty woman who is determined to become Phillip's countess at whatever cost.
The relationship between Phillip and Madeline is extremely sweet and touching. Phillip is very protective towards Madeline and gradually falls deeply in love. This is a sweet, clean romance. I highly recommend. Another great read from Amanda Grange!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2016
I gave this 3 stars, because of the ending. Madeline , and Philip got married because, both of them were, in need of spouses. He needed one for an inheritance, and she needed one to get away from a cruel guardian. There were obvious things I felt were a bit off in the story, like him giving her. ten thousand dollar inheritance, away to her greedy Uncle. Who does that, especially back then. It was a fortune. Second the book took its time coming to the end, and then it was all done....bam. I'm not saying it could not happen that way, but it just seemed a bit rushed with Jack, and then in the house at York. The final news came out of the blue. The rest was a clean, and Romantic romp. I liked Jennie, and Madeline was sweet, pretty, able, and kind enough to be his wife. Philip seemed to care for her, his estate, and the people, even if he was a bit of a snob, when it came to the fair sex. It was easy to figure out the evil characters, and I think they should have been punished more, but perhaps there was no proof, and one did everything to avoid scandal. Certainly his aunt could have seen the evil woman, was cut from the ton. I liked it, but it could have been so much better, and it had the promise to be.
May 7, 2015
I did enjoy this book but I didn't think it was as good as Castle of Secrets or The Silverton Scandal. The bad characters were too obvious and it was far too predictable. I also got the impression that the hero thought that most women, bar the heroine, were somehow beneath him; shallow and boring, wittering on only about novels and fashion. As those are two of my favourite subjects, I felt personally rather slighted!!
I really liked Madeline, the heroine, though. The foil, Letitia, was a cardboard cut out baddie with no character development. The bit at the end where she tries to kill Madeline was a bit stupid and not written very well, I thought. I don't know, it just felt a bit stupid and ridiculous even as I was reading it.
The whole spy subplot was also a bit stupid. I get that it was necessary for the plot and it did explain some things at the end, but at the same time some of the incidents, like when the hero and his friend shoot the enemies at the end, came across a bit laughable and and convenient and not that suspenseful. I didn't really enjoy this part of the story.
However, it was a very easy and enjoyable read and quite romantic. I'm a big fan of Amanda Grange's writing but I do think she has progressed a lot since this early book was written. Her more recent novels are much better I feel, especially her Jane Austen inspired ones.
The plot is basically about a marriage of convenience so that Philip can get hold of his fortune and annul the marriage after six months. At the end, they admit that they already loved each other even at the start of their sham marriage. Madeline says that she couldn't have said those vows if deep down she didn't really want to spend the rest of her life with him. I'm not so sure I believe that, I think the author was trying to make it romantic but that would mean the plot would make no sense. At that stage when the sham marriage is originally conceived, Madeline still has strong beliefs against and fear of marriage, and Philip still wants to marry Letitia. I just feel that the author was trying to add something that wasn't really there to add the romance but I'm not sure it works, on the one hand yes it is very romantic but then again it makes the whole book obsolete if true! I suppose I can accept it, if it was very subconscious.
Also, of course the heroine is expecting a baby at the end of the book and everything is wrapped up with a big shiny bow.
It was a nice story and I enjoyed it, but it's very lightweight and predictable with not much to make it stand out. I gave it three stars (it's more of a three and a half star rating), but that's still the lowest rating I've ever given an Amanda Grange book!
I really liked Madeline, the heroine, though. The foil, Letitia, was a cardboard cut out baddie with no character development. The bit at the end where she tries to kill Madeline was a bit stupid and not written very well, I thought. I don't know, it just felt a bit stupid and ridiculous even as I was reading it.
The whole spy subplot was also a bit stupid. I get that it was necessary for the plot and it did explain some things at the end, but at the same time some of the incidents, like when the hero and his friend shoot the enemies at the end, came across a bit laughable and and convenient and not that suspenseful. I didn't really enjoy this part of the story.
However, it was a very easy and enjoyable read and quite romantic. I'm a big fan of Amanda Grange's writing but I do think she has progressed a lot since this early book was written. Her more recent novels are much better I feel, especially her Jane Austen inspired ones.
The plot is basically about a marriage of convenience so that Philip can get hold of his fortune and annul the marriage after six months. At the end, they admit that they already loved each other even at the start of their sham marriage. Madeline says that she couldn't have said those vows if deep down she didn't really want to spend the rest of her life with him. I'm not so sure I believe that, I think the author was trying to make it romantic but that would mean the plot would make no sense. At that stage when the sham marriage is originally conceived, Madeline still has strong beliefs against and fear of marriage, and Philip still wants to marry Letitia. I just feel that the author was trying to add something that wasn't really there to add the romance but I'm not sure it works, on the one hand yes it is very romantic but then again it makes the whole book obsolete if true! I suppose I can accept it, if it was very subconscious.
Also, of course the heroine is expecting a baby at the end of the book and everything is wrapped up with a big shiny bow.
It was a nice story and I enjoyed it, but it's very lightweight and predictable with not much to make it stand out. I gave it three stars (it's more of a three and a half star rating), but that's still the lowest rating I've ever given an Amanda Grange book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2013
This book, to me, was very similar to the book The Kiss of a Stranger, which I also read recently. It was well written. There were definitely differences. But I have to admit that I enjoyed the other a bit more. Maybe it is because I read it first and so this one was redundant for me? So, someone else read this one first and see if you feel the same or if maybe you like this one better. ;)
I did like it, it was a good read. There is a mention of married intimacy, not real descriptive, but in my opinion maybe for a more mature reader. 16 and up, maybe even 18. But, again, that's my opinion.
I did like it, it was a good read. There is a mention of married intimacy, not real descriptive, but in my opinion maybe for a more mature reader. 16 and up, maybe even 18. But, again, that's my opinion.
May 29, 2013
I really liked this sweet clean book. I was surprised at the way it was written so well and cleanly done. This book could have gone down hill fast with the violence it could have portrayed or the intense feelings of the characters, but was kept very clean. The author did a good job with the characters I just wish they had come alive for me more. I will be reading a lot more from this author:}
July 6, 2016
The back cover well describes this book but I will add that the following 2 difficulties to their marriage becoming permanent exist: 1) Philip is informally engaged to someone else and 2) Madaline is scared of marriage and doesn't want any man controlling her. How our characters overcome these 2 obstacles is the Main focus of this novel.
July 3, 2016
A Nice Happy Ending
Madeleine was so fearful, but gutsy, too. Philip is a very nice earl,who asks her to be his temporary wife. He wises up and realizes that he truly loves her. Happy ending!
Madeleine was so fearful, but gutsy, too. Philip is a very nice earl,who asks her to be his temporary wife. He wises up and realizes that he truly loves her. Happy ending!
December 11, 2021
Madeline has a deep fear of marriage after seeing the abuse her father did to her mother and when her Uncle threatens to marry her off to one of his cronies or sell her to a brothel to collect her rather massive dowry she runs away and the Earl she meets that comes to her rescue offers her a six month marriage so that he can collect his inheiritance and saves her from her possible horrible future but promises her the freedom she craves at the end of the six months so that they can get an annulment and he can marry the woman he thinks he wants to marry. Needless to say there is a happily ever after in their future!
February 27, 2025
I DNF’d it 33% of the way. I couldn’t do it. There was sexual talk extremely early on and it was jarring. They both have valid reasons for not wanting/liking each other but instead of it being slowly explored and changed, within a whole chapter, they were already physically attracted to each other. Like what?…Was I missing something? No, there’s just a big jump for no reason. As someone who likes her romance slow burn and authentic, this one didn’t do it for me. If the characters already like each other literally not even halfway through the book, then it gets boring. There’s no journey from apathy or vague interest to friendship to lovers.
April 15, 2022
Cute fast read. No issues with grammar or character development. I like both MC and their cute story. There was only one annoying matter and that was the number of times Madeline mentions how terrible her mothers marriage was. I lost count on the number of times that was mentioned. Over and over like the reader could forget the feelings that marriage brought out in Madeline. It made her feel naive, which is opposite to who she was supposed to be.
August 1, 2019
A nice, light Regency read. Likeable leads. I liked the development of the romance. It wasn't just an attraction, but they learned to respect and enjoy each other with the give and take a real relationship needs. The action and intrigue was fun, though I did think the final encounter with the villain felt contrived and a little silly.
January 23, 2018
Love and Marriage in Six Months
A happy ending romance!! An easy read with great details and beautiful scenery. A cross section of human greed and meanness supported the strength of the ending! Enjoy!
A happy ending romance!! An easy read with great details and beautiful scenery. A cross section of human greed and meanness supported the strength of the ending! Enjoy!
February 19, 2017
Fun and fast read
I enjoyed the character development and the fast paced story line full of mystery and learning to overcome fears. Regency romance just as I like it.
I enjoyed the character development and the fast paced story line full of mystery and learning to overcome fears. Regency romance just as I like it.
March 11, 2020
Very interesting
I liked this original story, the way they got to know each other and found the love they didn't know each one was searching for. Lovely!
I liked this original story, the way they got to know each other and found the love they didn't know each one was searching for. Lovely!
July 21, 2021
Fake or Real
Madeline is deathly afraid of marriage and her uncle. Philip needs a wife. Can they help each other mend their journey? Will they find a way passed the sham marriage?
Madeline is deathly afraid of marriage and her uncle. Philip needs a wife. Can they help each other mend their journey? Will they find a way passed the sham marriage?
October 18, 2021
Clean Regency romance. Fun quick read
March 26, 2024
What a crap.
January 25, 2020
A well-written romance.
I really enjoyed this sweet, clean romance. It was a quick read. Madeline and Philip have struggles right from the start. But the love grew and was very sweet. And it was clean. Any intimate scenes were behind closed doors.
The subplots where interesting but didn't take up too much time or drama. Everything was solved pretty easily in the end.
I really enjoyed this sweet, clean romance. It was a quick read. Madeline and Philip have struggles right from the start. But the love grew and was very sweet. And it was clean. Any intimate scenes were behind closed doors.
The subplots where interesting but didn't take up too much time or drama. Everything was solved pretty easily in the end.
June 29, 2014
Madeline Delaware is under the guardianship of her awful and controlling uncle, Gareth Delaware. Her uncle is trying to marry her off to the horrid Lucius Spalding so her dowry can pay off his gambling debts. Madeline finds a chance to escape and takes it only to realize that having no chaperone can put a lady in danger. She is rescued by Philip Rochdale, the Earl of Pemberton who is in need of a wife for 6 months so he can claim the Rochdale fortune. His father wrote his will so Philip couldn't have the fortune if he married the selfish, shallow and vain Letitia.
Madeline has never seen a happy, healthy marriage and doesn't believe they exist. So she doesn't care if her reputation is ruined when their marriage dissolves... especially since Philip will set her up so she is independently wealthy. Philip doesn't think he will ever fall in love so he thinks Letitia will make the perfect countess for him - he doesn't mind that she's selfish, shallow and vain until he is "married" to Madeline and realizes what a marriage based in love feels like.
This was a cute, fun, clean read... I love stories of marriage of convenience; I just wish their relationship had been developed a little more.
No language, there is one scene
Madeline has never seen a happy, healthy marriage and doesn't believe they exist. So she doesn't care if her reputation is ruined when their marriage dissolves... especially since Philip will set her up so she is independently wealthy. Philip doesn't think he will ever fall in love so he thinks Letitia will make the perfect countess for him - he doesn't mind that she's selfish, shallow and vain until he is "married" to Madeline and realizes what a marriage based in love feels like.
This was a cute, fun, clean read... I love stories of marriage of convenience; I just wish their relationship had been developed a little more.
No language, there is one scene
March 12, 2013
Historical English society romance about an inheritance that forces someone to get married for at least six months, but no self respecting 'ton' society miss is going to go into that because it would effectively 'ruin' her for any other 'real' marriage proposals. But there is always an exception to every rule and one night Madeline is trying to escape her uncle because he is going to sell her body for his gambling debts. So she finds protection and freedom after a fake six month long marriage.
Philip, Lord Pemberton is a good man, but doesn't believe in love so he has picked out a bride that will leave him alone while still being beautiful and interesting, the only problem is that his whole family hates Laetitia and his father has made in nearly impossible for him to marry and still keep his inheritance. So in comes the new bride Miss Madeline Delaware. She has hidden depths and is kind and honest, basically everything that Laetitia isn't. So obviously Philip falls in love with his actual wife. HEA is simple, athough there is lots of action in this book, with spies, violence and a kidnapping.
257 pages and kindle freebie, originally published in paperback and hardcover in 2003
2 and half stars for solid historical writing.
Philip, Lord Pemberton is a good man, but doesn't believe in love so he has picked out a bride that will leave him alone while still being beautiful and interesting, the only problem is that his whole family hates Laetitia and his father has made in nearly impossible for him to marry and still keep his inheritance. So in comes the new bride Miss Madeline Delaware. She has hidden depths and is kind and honest, basically everything that Laetitia isn't. So obviously Philip falls in love with his actual wife. HEA is simple, athough there is lots of action in this book, with spies, violence and a kidnapping.
257 pages and kindle freebie, originally published in paperback and hardcover in 2003
2 and half stars for solid historical writing.
March 4, 2013
I really liked this clean regency novel from Amanda Grange. The only reason this wasn't five stars is that there were some minor editing errors in the Kindle edition. The story begins with Madeline, a 21 year old woman who is trying to escape from her cruel uncle. Lord Pemberton finds Madeline running away and saves her from a threatening situation. Philip, Lord Pemberton has his own dilemma. In order to inherit his father's fortune, Philip must be married for six months and it cannot be to Leticia, a woman who he thinks will be the perfect Countess. In order to help Madeline escape from her uncle and get his inheritance, he proposes a six month marriage to her. Madeline is extremely against marriage after being imprisoned by her uncle and seeing her mother cowed by her father. Can these two have a true marriage or will they both go their separate ways after six months? I enjoyed the characters in this book. Madeline and Philip were both well written. There was intrigue as well as romance. Love this author!
July 26, 2016
4-5 stars
I loved the characters, adored the writing style and the plot was good, too.
I read some reviews on the plot saying that the whole premise of the novel was so not regency like and that's right. Annulment of marriage? Was not easy then and would have looked really, really bad if he had just put his wife aside and marry another one. Wouldn't have worked that way but I should add that this is just the way it's supposed to be like. Anyways, yes, that both of the main characters don't see that and that we've got a lawyer who would suppose something like that isn't very Regency like and doesn't put the characters in a good light.
Sure, it's a bit cliché but I liked the way everything was being delivered.
Plus, it's squeaky clean for those who were wondering.
All in all, this wasn't something new but it was the perfect read for me for the summer.
I think the rating on goodreads is really disappointing for that one. There were no major plot holes, no annoying mistakes, no miserable main characters... Don't get the average...
Anyways, loved that one!
I loved the characters, adored the writing style and the plot was good, too.
I read some reviews on the plot saying that the whole premise of the novel was so not regency like and that's right. Annulment of marriage? Was not easy then and would have looked really, really bad if he had just put his wife aside and marry another one. Wouldn't have worked that way but I should add that this is just the way it's supposed to be like. Anyways, yes, that both of the main characters don't see that and that we've got a lawyer who would suppose something like that isn't very Regency like and doesn't put the characters in a good light.
Sure, it's a bit cliché but I liked the way everything was being delivered.
Plus, it's squeaky clean for those who were wondering.
All in all, this wasn't something new but it was the perfect read for me for the summer.
I think the rating on goodreads is really disappointing for that one. There were no major plot holes, no annoying mistakes, no miserable main characters... Don't get the average...
Anyways, loved that one!
August 14, 2016
Sweet
This story starts out with Madeline being under the care of her uncle who is selfish and cruel. She seeks to escape and finally manages just before her uncle marries her off to settle his debts. She runs out and eventually bumps in to the Earl who takes her home. He needs to marry someone for six months to get his inheritance so he proposes a sham marriage to Madeline. She accepts to escape her uncle although she is quite fearful of marriage due to her father having been so cruel to her mother and then the experience with her uncle. She doesn't want any man to have control over her. Oh, did I say the Earl is planning to have the marriage annulled so he can marry a power hungry money grubbing harpy? Yeah, she even tries to kill Madeline, what a tale!
This story starts out with Madeline being under the care of her uncle who is selfish and cruel. She seeks to escape and finally manages just before her uncle marries her off to settle his debts. She runs out and eventually bumps in to the Earl who takes her home. He needs to marry someone for six months to get his inheritance so he proposes a sham marriage to Madeline. She accepts to escape her uncle although she is quite fearful of marriage due to her father having been so cruel to her mother and then the experience with her uncle. She doesn't want any man to have control over her. Oh, did I say the Earl is planning to have the marriage annulled so he can marry a power hungry money grubbing harpy? Yeah, she even tries to kill Madeline, what a tale!
February 19, 2011
This is definitely an "old skool" Regency romance. The heroine has an uber-evil uncle/guardian who wants to sell her into marriage with a dastardly rake, but she's able to run away before she even has to be pawed by the evil guy. And she's rescued by a handsome earl/viscount/something who wants to marry her for six months so he can get his inheritance, an annulment, and then marry the woman he wants to marry, but one his dad disapproved of, and therefore said he couldn't inherit if he married her. The story is rather predictable, rather pedestrian--the heroine is everything virtuous, the villainess is everything acquisitive and manipulative-- but it's a nice read.
July 17, 2016
Uf. Es uno de esos libros que está medianamente bien pero no pasa por decente.
Me costó mi trabajo terminar este libro, quizás porque ya me había leído otro antes sobre matrimonios de seis meses por contrato (como que sí es todo un tema entre las fantasías de las mamás escritoras que suben sus libros a Amazon, ¿eh?).
Para ser un libro catalogado como romance, le ha faltado muchísimo. Tiene demasiada mezcla de temas que no terminan por desarrollarse bien. Típico libro que quiere tenerlo todo pero no sabe cómo manejarlo y es una decepción total. El romance queda muy por debajo de todas esas bonitas reseñas y sinopsis.
Les digo, "it was ok but not good".
Me costó mi trabajo terminar este libro, quizás porque ya me había leído otro antes sobre matrimonios de seis meses por contrato (como que sí es todo un tema entre las fantasías de las mamás escritoras que suben sus libros a Amazon, ¿eh?).
Para ser un libro catalogado como romance, le ha faltado muchísimo. Tiene demasiada mezcla de temas que no terminan por desarrollarse bien. Típico libro que quiere tenerlo todo pero no sabe cómo manejarlo y es una decepción total. El romance queda muy por debajo de todas esas bonitas reseñas y sinopsis.
Les digo, "it was ok but not good".
August 28, 2016
I liked the idea of this story; the plot was interesting, with a twist of suspense provided by the hero's friend. But I couldn't engage with the characters because everything, including their feelings, was 'told' rather than shown so they could be experienced by the reader. I persevered because I wanted to enjoy the moment when their temporary marriage became real, but felt cheated when the delayed 'wedding night' was glossed over in a couple of sentences. At that point, I figuratively 'threw' my iPad at the wall.
Please don't set up a scenario dependent on the feelings and the 'change' of a Regency wedding night then cheat your readers out of it.
Please don't set up a scenario dependent on the feelings and the 'change' of a Regency wedding night then cheat your readers out of it.
May 25, 2016
Characters: Let us get one thing clear. This book is about Madeline and Philip; the side-characters exist solely to have insignificant interactions with the main characters mentioned above.
Dialogues: The way Madeline kept saying "I think it's beautiful" on seeing moors, hills, et cetera was annoying.
Plot: Flimsy, at best. A sub-plot regarding spies was downright boring.
Conclusion: I knew this was a light read before I picked it up, so I should probably not complain. One would be better off reading the works of Georgette Heyer any day.
Dialogues: The way Madeline kept saying "I think it's beautiful" on seeing moors, hills, et cetera was annoying.
Plot: Flimsy, at best. A sub-plot regarding spies was downright boring.
Conclusion: I knew this was a light read before I picked it up, so I should probably not complain. One would be better off reading the works of Georgette Heyer any day.
July 9, 2016
Every now and then I read a Victoria novel. I read them for fun and relaxation. Most are depressingly alike, but THIS one, was well done, the characters were interesting, the plot enough different to make is a pleasure to read. I was impressed. It is not the typical "getting married against their will, out of necessity." If you like the period, read this one. The romance is lovely, and exciting.
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