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Regency Expedient Marriages #7
A Deal with an Unwilling Consort
''I am surely not delighted in this engagement. You may be unaware, Your Grace, that I have no interest in marrying you and find this situation disagreeable.”
Love requires vulnerability, and it takes courage to open your heart to someone knowing they have the power to hurt you. But sometimes, the fear of love is just the fear of truly living.
Lady Amelia and Joseph, the Duke of Langford, both scarred by past heartaches and betrayals, find themselves bound together in an arranged marriage that neither of them wants. Initially resentful and wary of each other, they slowly begin to see past their own pain and defenses, finding unexpected comfort and understanding in each other's company. As they navigate the complexities of their new relationship, they start to glimpse the possibility of healing and happiness in each other's arms.
But as their bond deepens, they cannot ignore the shadows of their pasts that still linger, threatening to pull them back into darkness. Will they be able to overcome their shared traumas and fears, or will their love be doomed to the same tragic fate that leads to darkness? Only time will tell what the future holds for Lady Amelia and Joseph.
* If you love engaging characters set in the refined world of the Regency and Victorian periods, "A Deal with an Unwilling Consort" is a great choice. This delightful romance, about 62,000 words long, offers a story without deception, with a bit of suspense, and ends with a touching happily ever after.
Also Free with Kindle Unlimited.
Love requires vulnerability, and it takes courage to open your heart to someone knowing they have the power to hurt you. But sometimes, the fear of love is just the fear of truly living.
Lady Amelia and Joseph, the Duke of Langford, both scarred by past heartaches and betrayals, find themselves bound together in an arranged marriage that neither of them wants. Initially resentful and wary of each other, they slowly begin to see past their own pain and defenses, finding unexpected comfort and understanding in each other's company. As they navigate the complexities of their new relationship, they start to glimpse the possibility of healing and happiness in each other's arms.
But as their bond deepens, they cannot ignore the shadows of their pasts that still linger, threatening to pull them back into darkness. Will they be able to overcome their shared traumas and fears, or will their love be doomed to the same tragic fate that leads to darkness? Only time will tell what the future holds for Lady Amelia and Joseph.
* If you love engaging characters set in the refined world of the Regency and Victorian periods, "A Deal with an Unwilling Consort" is a great choice. This delightful romance, about 62,000 words long, offers a story without deception, with a bit of suspense, and ends with a touching happily ever after.
Also Free with Kindle Unlimited.
- GenresRomanceHistorical
165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2024
178 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 28, 2024
As a rule, I try to be forgiving with indie books. If you like clean, short form romance and a regency esthetic, I think this book is a great fit for a quick read. It clearly took inspiration from Brigerton and Pride and Prejudice story arcs, with the grumpy man and quick witted woman who don't want to get married.
I will say that it frustrated me that there was really only one conflict for the first 90% of the book, and that being constant conversation about how neither wanted to be married. It got a little repetitive. The final conflict added some interest, but required some suspension of belief. I am a historian by profession, so some of my issues are not fair to the author as I don't think I was an intended audience - it certainly wasn't written with an emphasis on history.
Things I enjoyed:
I found it very endearing that there was a conversation about Joseph wanting a friend. We don't discus masculine need for platonic love and support nearly enough.
The author does a good job at expressing hurt feelings.
Amelia's clapback after Joseph's "tolerate a moment with you" tirade
Good research on marriage practices in regency England. Can't remember the last time I read a fictional romance book that mentioned marriage banns.
Things I struggled with:
Random nitpick: whiskey was not a high society drink in regency England because of the malt tax. Didn't become popular till Victorian era
I'm a person who doesn't really care about gossip - if someone doesn't like me or is spreading a rumour, I don't really understand the need to address it or fix it, so the whole premise of the book felt a little unnecessary for my personality.
Pet peeve of using dialogue as the main form of exposition. "You are my fearsome brother, who does all he can to push everyone away from him by his sharp glances, angry expressions and cold manner." Trust the reader to understand the character.
Too much use of the word "mayhap." The way the author used words like "sennight" as a way to set the regency theme was done better - one use, then moved on. There were points when Mayhap was used 3 times in a paragraph and it felt like a satire.
Walking in on your daughter 2 seconds after she ran away, alone in a room with a stranger, completely clothed and far away from him... that seems very unlikely to force a marriage, even in Regency England. Then once they are engaged, private conversations are suddenly fine? That was a little odd.
Overall it wasn't unenjoyable. If you don't take it too seriously, I think it is a rather good story to get in the mood of watching some romcoms and having some tea. This is a book I would give a preteen daughter to read if she was interested in a romance
I will say that it frustrated me that there was really only one conflict for the first 90% of the book, and that being constant conversation about how neither wanted to be married. It got a little repetitive. The final conflict added some interest, but required some suspension of belief. I am a historian by profession, so some of my issues are not fair to the author as I don't think I was an intended audience - it certainly wasn't written with an emphasis on history.
Things I enjoyed:
I found it very endearing that there was a conversation about Joseph wanting a friend. We don't discus masculine need for platonic love and support nearly enough.
The author does a good job at expressing hurt feelings.
Amelia's clapback after Joseph's "tolerate a moment with you" tirade
Good research on marriage practices in regency England. Can't remember the last time I read a fictional romance book that mentioned marriage banns.
Things I struggled with:
Random nitpick: whiskey was not a high society drink in regency England because of the malt tax. Didn't become popular till Victorian era
I'm a person who doesn't really care about gossip - if someone doesn't like me or is spreading a rumour, I don't really understand the need to address it or fix it, so the whole premise of the book felt a little unnecessary for my personality.
Pet peeve of using dialogue as the main form of exposition. "You are my fearsome brother, who does all he can to push everyone away from him by his sharp glances, angry expressions and cold manner." Trust the reader to understand the character.
Too much use of the word "mayhap." The way the author used words like "sennight" as a way to set the regency theme was done better - one use, then moved on. There were points when Mayhap was used 3 times in a paragraph and it felt like a satire.
Walking in on your daughter 2 seconds after she ran away, alone in a room with a stranger, completely clothed and far away from him... that seems very unlikely to force a marriage, even in Regency England. Then once they are engaged, private conversations are suddenly fine? That was a little odd.
Overall it wasn't unenjoyable. If you don't take it too seriously, I think it is a rather good story to get in the mood of watching some romcoms and having some tea. This is a book I would give a preteen daughter to read if she was interested in a romance
July 15, 2024
Joseph and Amelia's story was magnificent. I started reading it and could not put it down!
If you like:
Enemies to love
Sworn off Love
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
THIS is the story for you!
After an incident with a past possible suitor, Amelia has chosen a life of a Spinster. That is until her parents say they will cut her off if she doesn't marry!
Joseph is only attended the balls to accompany his sister Sophia and give approval for whoever asks for her hand. He had his heart broken years ago and will not give it out again!
Neither of them are interested in "the ton", attending balls or marriage. But an unfortunate incident occurs that forces the two to have to marry and face the one thing they dread - sharing their life with another. There is a lot or bickering, and plenty of banter to balance it out. But what's to come of the two that have sworn off love and now are forced into a marriage of convenience?!
This for some may be a slow burn. These two are a true enemies to lovers trope and they will/do take time. But your will LOVE going on this journey with them as they come closer and closer to their wedding day! And you'll be surprised the HUGE amount of trials they will have to overcome together just to get there. Will they make it? Can a person be so indifferent to love and still fight to keep their wedding plans in place.
Dorothy has really done it with this one. I have no complaints. Such a sweet read! 💗
If you like:
Enemies to love
Sworn off Love
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
THIS is the story for you!
After an incident with a past possible suitor, Amelia has chosen a life of a Spinster. That is until her parents say they will cut her off if she doesn't marry!
Joseph is only attended the balls to accompany his sister Sophia and give approval for whoever asks for her hand. He had his heart broken years ago and will not give it out again!
Neither of them are interested in "the ton", attending balls or marriage. But an unfortunate incident occurs that forces the two to have to marry and face the one thing they dread - sharing their life with another. There is a lot or bickering, and plenty of banter to balance it out. But what's to come of the two that have sworn off love and now are forced into a marriage of convenience?!
This for some may be a slow burn. These two are a true enemies to lovers trope and they will/do take time. But your will LOVE going on this journey with them as they come closer and closer to their wedding day! And you'll be surprised the HUGE amount of trials they will have to overcome together just to get there. Will they make it? Can a person be so indifferent to love and still fight to keep their wedding plans in place.
Dorothy has really done it with this one. I have no complaints. Such a sweet read! 💗
July 16, 2024
I loved reading this book. It was about a young lady named Amelia who didn't want to marry, but her father was unrelenting. Amelia was trying to hide out to prevent her father from setting her up w someone. At a ball, she went down the hallway, slipping into a room. Joseph was trying to get away from gossip and women trying to get near him. He slipped into a room to hide. When Amelia's father walked into the room and found them alone together only for a moment, he demanded that Joseph marry his daughter. As they started getting used to each other and spending time together, their feelings grew. I loved how she slowly got him to give up his emotional walls, and that changed his feelings about himself and his interactions w others. The only thing I didn't like was how mean Joseph was in the beginning, but she told him how he made her feel. I loved this book very much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2024
Whiniest man in the whole of England is surrounded by a lot of women smarter than he is, yet he's a Duke and therefore convinced of his own superiority despite having had his nose rubbed in it every other chapter. Continues making an ass of himself over and over and caring for no one but himself and his own perceived inconveniences.
This book feels like the author read pride and prejudice and attempted to remake it with more dramatic characters. So the Darcy character is very very brooding and very very cold and very very condescending, and the Elizabeth character is very very sharp and very very concerned about her own freedom. Neither are very believable characters, and the author seems to have missed the point entirely that Jane Austen's works are often loved for their subtlety.
This book feels like the author read pride and prejudice and attempted to remake it with more dramatic characters. So the Darcy character is very very brooding and very very cold and very very condescending, and the Elizabeth character is very very sharp and very very concerned about her own freedom. Neither are very believable characters, and the author seems to have missed the point entirely that Jane Austen's works are often loved for their subtlety.
August 11, 2024
love always wins
Amelia thinks she wants to be a spinster but her father tells her she must marry. The Duke of Langford has been locked away at his
Estate for years. The duke comes after his sister who is going to have her first season. Her brother Langford comes after her in London. He comes to her first ball and she refuses to leave with him.
Amelia is hinding in a room and Langford walks in and her father finds them together and the are engaged. There goes the story.
Two people who don’t know each other and all the things that happen and they finally fall in love.
Amelia thinks she wants to be a spinster but her father tells her she must marry. The Duke of Langford has been locked away at his
Estate for years. The duke comes after his sister who is going to have her first season. Her brother Langford comes after her in London. He comes to her first ball and she refuses to leave with him.
Amelia is hinding in a room and Langford walks in and her father finds them together and the are engaged. There goes the story.
Two people who don’t know each other and all the things that happen and they finally fall in love.
July 31, 2024
When two unmarried people set out to enter into a unwanted marriage of convenience. Neither party ever wanted to marry, but were in a compromising situation. They have a few weeks to become acquainted and set the tone for their lives. Despite the attempts of a ambitious lady who wishes to derail their wedding in order to become a Duchess.
August 4, 2024
As with all the author's novels, this one was very good. It’s always a pleasure to read a clean, historical romance with a happy ending. The character’s are well written and the storyline was good. In this story, it’s about one woman not wanting to get married and a duke who really has had it with women. I always recommend this author to people for a happy, feel good read.
September 16, 2024
Oh My Goodness!
That duke was a piece of work!! He was positively horrid, until…. I liked the plot and the rest of the characters. There are such arrogant, narcissistic characters in this story. So much so, I almost trashed it in my review. Instead, the overwhelmingly saccharine sweetness from about the middle onward, balances it?
That duke was a piece of work!! He was positively horrid, until…. I liked the plot and the rest of the characters. There are such arrogant, narcissistic characters in this story. So much so, I almost trashed it in my review. Instead, the overwhelmingly saccharine sweetness from about the middle onward, balances it?
July 23, 2024
A Deal With an Unwilling Consort
Dorothy Sheldon is a favorite author of mine. This story is a great example of her talented writing of the regency period. The characters are wonderful and I love the changes the Duke made throughout the story.
Dorothy Sheldon is a favorite author of mine. This story is a great example of her talented writing of the regency period. The characters are wonderful and I love the changes the Duke made throughout the story.
July 29, 2024
What a very sweet romance book! A marriage that isn't wanted by either but they fight through tough issues and find love! Yay!
October 23, 2024
It was hard to read it was ...
It was very repetitive The topic was like walking in thick mud and then walking in quicksand just would get away from repeating And repeating
It was very repetitive The topic was like walking in thick mud and then walking in quicksand just would get away from repeating And repeating
January 28, 2025
First, let me say I am a fan of Dorothy Sheldon. This one fell short. I had to struggle to finish. The characters are annoying and the repetition of their continuing angst begs skipping pages.
October 19, 2025
The two main characters are not amenable to marriage for various reasons and past hurts. The hero is especially “mean” about it. They both are trying to get away from society at a ball and end up in the same room where her father finds them an demands marriage. Then the banter happens as they get ready for their marriage. Actually they are very much alike and slowly they realize they have a lot in common. The story was enjoyable and the hero does redeem himself. I received an ARC for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews