What do you think?
Rate this book
Regency Ethereal Encounters #1
A Forced Marriage with an Unbridled Lady
Can a free-spirited lady find love with the brooding, reluctant Earl she's forced to marry?
Miss Hannah Darlington yearns to escape the confines of London society and her controlling family by pursuing her passion for riding horses across the lush English countryside. But her dreams of independence come crashing down when a compromising encounter leads to an abrupt marriage of convenience with the mysterious newly titled Earl of Carronwood, Maxwell Carlisle.
The new Earl of Carronwood never desired titles or prestige, only the freedom to pursue his dreams of building an esteemed horse breeding legacy distinct from his disapproving father's. After years of cultivating those ambitions abroad, duty calls Maxwell home to a strained inheritance and hastily arranged marriage to a headstrong beauty. Though initially overwhelmed with obligations and distrustful of Hannah’s ambitious relatives, Maxwell soon discovers that first impressions deceive.
As fate and fortune conspire to upend Hannah and Maxwell’s separate worlds, could two defiant hearts find an unbreakable bond standing up to rivals that try prying them apart? When deception and desire collide, will the reluctant Earl of Carronwood ultimately awaken to the precious gift of true love he’s found in his steadfast new Countess if he can simply embrace their chance at happiness?
"A Forced Marriage with an Unbridled Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words—no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like the Regency and Victorian era, this novel is for you.
Get your copy today, free with Kindle Unlimited!
Miss Hannah Darlington yearns to escape the confines of London society and her controlling family by pursuing her passion for riding horses across the lush English countryside. But her dreams of independence come crashing down when a compromising encounter leads to an abrupt marriage of convenience with the mysterious newly titled Earl of Carronwood, Maxwell Carlisle.
The new Earl of Carronwood never desired titles or prestige, only the freedom to pursue his dreams of building an esteemed horse breeding legacy distinct from his disapproving father's. After years of cultivating those ambitions abroad, duty calls Maxwell home to a strained inheritance and hastily arranged marriage to a headstrong beauty. Though initially overwhelmed with obligations and distrustful of Hannah’s ambitious relatives, Maxwell soon discovers that first impressions deceive.
As fate and fortune conspire to upend Hannah and Maxwell’s separate worlds, could two defiant hearts find an unbreakable bond standing up to rivals that try prying them apart? When deception and desire collide, will the reluctant Earl of Carronwood ultimately awaken to the precious gift of true love he’s found in his steadfast new Countess if he can simply embrace their chance at happiness?
"A Forced Marriage with an Unbridled Lady" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words—no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like the Regency and Victorian era, this novel is for you.
Get your copy today, free with Kindle Unlimited!
- GenresHistorical Romance
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2024
400 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 4, 2024
Jo has provided a great review of this story. The writing and editing were great. The h's mother was about as awful as her brother and her forced marriage was, in essence, her 'get out of jail' card. She and the H developed a slow, sound foundation for their marriage and their mutual love for horses. Most of the characters were likeable with the exception of the h's family and even they 'seemed' to come around after the children were born (but their true colors had already become clear in my opinion).
May 6, 2024
So, this story is very much a slow-burn romance. That said, that is not a bad thing. I think sometimes we get so used to the emotional rollercoaster reads, that just a sweet romance has a hard time comparing. But that is not the case with this one. I liken it to a fire, it is warm and comforting, and you just get used to it. But there are moments where you hear the little pops and it draws you out of complacency and you look at the fire and admire it. And this is this story. It is sweet and at times slow, but I felt myself constantly returning back to it, and instantly remembering where I was left last.
In this story we have Hannah, who struggles to find her way in society and all of its rules. She loves horses and the outdoors, and her father was her closest companion. But, after her passing she is left with an unkind brother, sister in law and a wicked mother. She finds that the only solace she has in her life is her horse, and its the one thing they all tease and mock her over.
Then we are introduced to Maxwell, he's being thrust into his new position as the Earl, after the untimely death of his father, and his mother is unwell. He also has love for the horses and is a dreamer of one day owning a horse farm, something that's not common for an Earl. So, he returns to his mothers bedside to care for her instead. She is kind, but his father that had passed, was never fond of Maxwell.
So, here we have two people that are both horse lovers, dreamers, and lived much of a life where no one understood them. Neither was the least interested in romance and love, and definitely not marriage. But fate had other plans! When Hannah and Maxwell occupy an inn at the same time, they both find themselves in the horse stall together. And there they are caught! It is NOT okay in those times to be alone with an unmarried women, and certainly not in the position they were found in. So, in an effort to spare BOTH their reputations, they wed. Two strangers, that are very similar, but strangers all the same. Much of this story follows their love, and the hurdles they cross as they get to know each other. Can Hannah and Maxwell, truly take their forced marriage and make it into one of love and honor?!
Sweet, sweet story. It was a bit slow for me at times , but still lovely all the same!
In this story we have Hannah, who struggles to find her way in society and all of its rules. She loves horses and the outdoors, and her father was her closest companion. But, after her passing she is left with an unkind brother, sister in law and a wicked mother. She finds that the only solace she has in her life is her horse, and its the one thing they all tease and mock her over.
Then we are introduced to Maxwell, he's being thrust into his new position as the Earl, after the untimely death of his father, and his mother is unwell. He also has love for the horses and is a dreamer of one day owning a horse farm, something that's not common for an Earl. So, he returns to his mothers bedside to care for her instead. She is kind, but his father that had passed, was never fond of Maxwell.
So, here we have two people that are both horse lovers, dreamers, and lived much of a life where no one understood them. Neither was the least interested in romance and love, and definitely not marriage. But fate had other plans! When Hannah and Maxwell occupy an inn at the same time, they both find themselves in the horse stall together. And there they are caught! It is NOT okay in those times to be alone with an unmarried women, and certainly not in the position they were found in. So, in an effort to spare BOTH their reputations, they wed. Two strangers, that are very similar, but strangers all the same. Much of this story follows their love, and the hurdles they cross as they get to know each other. Can Hannah and Maxwell, truly take their forced marriage and make it into one of love and honor?!
Sweet, sweet story. It was a bit slow for me at times , but still lovely all the same!
May 10, 2024
I loved this book. It was a nice story about a young girl and man who both loved horses. The young girl Hannah had a horrible mother who was always putting her down. Hannah's family were on their way to London for the season. Her mother was forcing her to get married. They stopped at an inn. Hannah saw a beautiful horse there and went to the stable to talk to him and to get away from her mother bullying her. The owner of the horse noticed her there and asked what she was doing. For just a few moments, they were alone. Her mother demanded that the man marry her or ruin her reputation. Maxwell agreed after he thought about it. They were married, and Hanna left w him to travel to his manor. This is the story of their relationship. It has a nice ending. I didn't like Hannah's mother. She criticized Hanna in front of everyone. What I loved was Maxwell and his mother, who raised a kind son. He did not make demands on her bec she was a complete stranger. I loved that about him, and of course, I loved Hannah. It was a wonderful story, and I enjoyed it. Towards the end of the book, it seemed to go on too long, but there was a reason for that I found in the end.
June 26, 2024
A accident that turns out advantageous. As a woman escapes her social climbing family on route to London to put her in the "marriage mart", she steps into the stable. A traveler bellows at her as she approached his horse. Startled, she lost her footing. He caught her before she fell. Her mother saw her in the mans arms and demanded he marry her. Her reputation was ruined by his fondling her daughter in the stable. That was not at all what happened but when his cousin announced he was a duke, the momma wouldn't be swayed.
May 8, 2024
The thread in common for the two main characters is their love of horses. The heroine has a very mean family. The hero has just become an earl and is trying to reach his ill mother. The two accidentally meet in a horse stall, but are caught by her mother who makes such a big deal about it that they must marry. The rest of the story is about them learning to like and then love the other. It was a slow story at times but it still kept my interest. I received an arc for an honest review.
May 11, 2024
This was a sweet and clean romance about Hannah, a lady with social climbing parents, and Max a newly made lord after his father had died. Max had issues with his father in the past and how he met and married Hannah was not under the best of circumstances, thanks to her mother. That being said this story revolves around how they come to love each other despite their past problems and forced marriage. For me, personally, it was a bit wordy and dragged out a bit but overall a sweet read
January 9, 2025
A Good HEA
This is a sweet romance for teens and adults. I found the bride's family brought a little too much drama and nothing to explain the situation. Other than that, it's a great story, especially for horse lovers, and writing and dialogue was good yet a tad slow a few times because of unnecessary details slowed down the flow of the story in a couple spots. No swears, no sex (closed door only) and an idyllic HEA.
This is a sweet romance for teens and adults. I found the bride's family brought a little too much drama and nothing to explain the situation. Other than that, it's a great story, especially for horse lovers, and writing and dialogue was good yet a tad slow a few times because of unnecessary details slowed down the flow of the story in a couple spots. No swears, no sex (closed door only) and an idyllic HEA.
May 15, 2024
Good story
It started a little slowly but I loved getting to know the characters slowly. There are some places that don't make sense. The men would never sit while a lady was standing. A footman would pull out the chair for them to sit. They would not pull out their own chair at the table. A lady would not be able to saddle her own horse without help.
It started a little slowly but I loved getting to know the characters slowly. There are some places that don't make sense. The men would never sit while a lady was standing. A footman would pull out the chair for them to sit. They would not pull out their own chair at the table. A lady would not be able to saddle her own horse without help.
May 16, 2024
deeply disappointed
When I started this book the introduction of the characters led me to expect strong vibrant character but the reality is they were weak, underdeveloped and cheesy (not in a good way). Don’t waste your time reading this book there are so many others out there that are so much better.
When I started this book the introduction of the characters led me to expect strong vibrant character but the reality is they were weak, underdeveloped and cheesy (not in a good way). Don’t waste your time reading this book there are so many others out there that are so much better.
May 31, 2024
This was a lovely, sweet, and delightful story. It included match making parents, an unfortunate incident, and it included a lot about horses and that both Hanna and Maxwell both had a tremendous love and appreciation for them. I enjoyed how a forced relationship bloomed into mutual love and respect, and it ended happily. I recommend reading!
March 16, 2025
A shared love
Hannah and Maxwell, 's was a forced marriage. An in counter at a Inn, where Maxwell saved Hannah from falling. Caught by her mother who was a social climber forced a marriage between them, when they were strangers. But soon their love of horses brought them together, in a shared love.
Thank you ♥️
Hannah and Maxwell, 's was a forced marriage. An in counter at a Inn, where Maxwell saved Hannah from falling. Caught by her mother who was a social climber forced a marriage between them, when they were strangers. But soon their love of horses brought them together, in a shared love.
Thank you ♥️
June 8, 2024
Okay
Most unnecessary scene was the one between heroine and her brother. Revealed unnecessary and unpractical jealously in family.
Thank author for not taking the reader into bedroom!
Most unnecessary scene was the one between heroine and her brother. Revealed unnecessary and unpractical jealously in family.
Thank author for not taking the reader into bedroom!
June 18, 2024
A Forced Marriage with an Unbridled Lady
This book is a great Regency romance story. The story is good and the characters are lovable. Emily proves her knowledge of the period throughout the book. I recommend this book.
This book is a great Regency romance story. The story is good and the characters are lovable. Emily proves her knowledge of the period throughout the book. I recommend this book.
September 23, 2025
Slow-moving and rather boring
Two stars is generous of me. The whole story was rather boring. It was slow-moving, with little action, and didn’t keep my attention. Too much repetition. The characters weren’t very interesting or well developed.
Two stars is generous of me. The whole story was rather boring. It was slow-moving, with little action, and didn’t keep my attention. Too much repetition. The characters weren’t very interesting or well developed.
May 19, 2024
Took a little bit to get hooked on the story but I found my self really liking their personalities and fun nature. Good romance!
July 23, 2024
Sweet romancr
This is a story about challenges that life can bring us and how the outcome can be much different then we anticipate.
This is a story about challenges that life can bring us and how the outcome can be much different then we anticipate.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews