A Marriage To Shock Society

by Joanna Johnson

Enter a world of Regency scandal with this dramatic marriage of convenience!

An accidental introduction

Takes them to the altar!

Having lived at the Laycock School for Young Ladies since the day she was born, Emily Townsend thinks she is finally about to meet her father… Only to mistakenly arrive at the estate of dashing Andrew Gouldsmith, Earl of Breamore, instead! Determined Emily needs access to the ton if she’s to resume her search, and Andrew needs a convenient wife! But can their unconventional—and surprisingly passionate!—marriage survive Society’s scrutinous gaze?

Genres: Harlequin Historical

336 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2024

About the author

Joanna Johnson lives in a little village with her husband and too many books. After completing an English degree at university she went on to work in publishing, although she'd always rather she was working on her own books rather than other people's. This dream came true in 2018 when she signed her first contract with Harlequin and she hasn't looked back, spending her time getting lost in mainly Regency history and wishing it was still acceptable to write a manuscript with a quill.

Reviews

[DD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emily has been brought up in a private orphanage/school, paid for by her father -she thinks, but with no real knowledge of her parents except for a quick glance at a document when she was young where she thought she saw Lord something. On reaching 21 the owner has said she needs to leave and find employment, so Emily visits the nearest Lord in the area, and is disappointed he's not her father.
But he is the lack earl and decided to marry her to keep local society women at bay.

So all a little odd. Although happy Emily is determined to find her father, which to me is silly - if she was abandoned at birth by her father, he'll never want her now, but Emily persists against all advice. It all comes to a head at a garden party.

At this point for me whole book fell apart and the rest is just ridiculous, if the outcome had been the opposite, I'd have rated this book more highly.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an engaging historical romance focusing on two individuals whose background fell outside Tonnish society. Emily has endured poverty and loneliness in her young life. Finding her father has been the focus of her existence until she meets Andrew in a serendipitous encounter. Andrew, now an Earl, also lived through hardship before he inherited it. He feels empathy for Emily, and the attraction between them is tangible. Emily and Andrew's relationship leads to a fairytale marriage, but Emily's need to find her father threatens everything. I like the characters, the focus on the poorer aspects of nineteenth-century life, and the believable emotional romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Hannah Paley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage to shock society is an enjoyable historical romance book. Andrew is a kind man and I liked him as a character. Emily had her good points but was also frustratingly naive and more than a little irritating at times concerning the hunt for her father. I did like the use of characters who aren’t both from privilege and this gave the story something a little bit different to the norm.

My only real negative is that it’s a bit forgettable. I’m writing my review 24 hours after reading and struggle to remember much of how I felt.

[Karen Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the young girl’s feeling of being unloved except by a father who never named her. There is nothing better than a perfect ending

[Rod · Rating 1 out of 5]

I regret I did not finish this story. I got nearly half way through but it seemed very slow and it just did not grab me.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has a rather dumb and unbelievable plot.