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New York Times bestselling author, CHERYL HOLT, delights readers once again with the first sizzling story in her new “Reluctant Brides” trilogy…
Rose Ralston has spent her life at Miss Peabody’s School for Girls—first as a student, then as a teacher. But with Miss Peabody’s passing, the school has been closed, the students sent away, and Rose is facing an uncertain future. As Miss Peabody’s will is read, Rose had been told to expect a small bequest, but she’s stunned to discover that her inheritance is a dowry that’s already been paid to an elderly widower. The man is in quick need of an heir, and Rose can agree to wed or she’ll get nothing and will have no money and nowhere to go. She’s never lived on her own, and without family or friends to assist her, she’s out of options. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage and heads off to the man’s Summerfield estate.
James Talbot grew up at Summerfield. But as an orphan, his position was never exactly clear. The owner, Stanley Oswald, constantly tormented James with the secrets of his parentage. Rumors abound that he’s Stanley’s natural-born son, but the truth has been impossible to unravel. Needing to escape Stanley’s manipulations, James has spent the past decade in the army. But Stanley has lured him home, and when James learns of Stanley’s pending marriage, he can’t help but be intrigued. He’s eager to engage in a little mischief, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to ruin the match before it begins.
Rose is fascinated by handsome, virile James, but bound to wed elderly, decrepit Stanley. As Stanley woos her and James interferes, any wild ending seems possible. For Rose—who only ever wanted a home of her own—she just might end up with more than she ever dreamed.
RELUCTANT BRIDES… When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?
Rose Ralston has spent her life at Miss Peabody’s School for Girls—first as a student, then as a teacher. But with Miss Peabody’s passing, the school has been closed, the students sent away, and Rose is facing an uncertain future. As Miss Peabody’s will is read, Rose had been told to expect a small bequest, but she’s stunned to discover that her inheritance is a dowry that’s already been paid to an elderly widower. The man is in quick need of an heir, and Rose can agree to wed or she’ll get nothing and will have no money and nowhere to go. She’s never lived on her own, and without family or friends to assist her, she’s out of options. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage and heads off to the man’s Summerfield estate.
James Talbot grew up at Summerfield. But as an orphan, his position was never exactly clear. The owner, Stanley Oswald, constantly tormented James with the secrets of his parentage. Rumors abound that he’s Stanley’s natural-born son, but the truth has been impossible to unravel. Needing to escape Stanley’s manipulations, James has spent the past decade in the army. But Stanley has lured him home, and when James learns of Stanley’s pending marriage, he can’t help but be intrigued. He’s eager to engage in a little mischief, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to ruin the match before it begins.
Rose is fascinated by handsome, virile James, but bound to wed elderly, decrepit Stanley. As Stanley woos her and James interferes, any wild ending seems possible. For Rose—who only ever wanted a home of her own—she just might end up with more than she ever dreamed.
RELUCTANT BRIDES… When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2014
90 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Holt
92 books396 followersCHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 2, 2015
A decent historical romance. It had a convoluted storyline that stretched credibility at times, but the characters were fun and enjoyable.
March 13, 2016
Did not grab me, I did not feel a strong bond between them. It was also ridiculous that he would not marry her for financial reasons when she faced worse alone. I will not read it again.
January 2, 2023
Took me longer to finish it with the new years celebration!!
This is book 1 of the reluctant brides trilogy: I read book 2 a while ago and while I love Cheryl Holt, her books are way too similar, especially in her series.
The men look the same, behave the same way, talk the same fashion, even the sex scenes have similar moves.
Anyway, it wasn't bad.
We have prim and proper Miss Ralston who arrives at Summerfield to marry old and decrepit Stanley Oswald. Stanley needs a heir ASAP and arranged a marriage with Rose through Miss Peabobish (I like to view her that way, that old meddling bitch lool). Rose had no other options because she arrived at the school as an orphan and has no family, so when P got her a dowry with a husband already found, she forced herself to accept her fate.
Except that at Summerfield, there is a young and handsome young man waiting for her, James, who will be seducing her under Stanley's roof.
That part was disgusting, without giving too much Stanley was such a rat. When his connection to James is revealed and when you think of what he was watching, ewwww!
We also have a scheming girl who wants James to herself to add some spice to the story. James and Rose never romantically betray each other which I like, only misunderstanding and outside ruse keep them apart, but briefly, before we get the happy ending.
There is no epilogue, but since it is book 1, we will see them in the next books!
3 stars
This is book 1 of the reluctant brides trilogy: I read book 2 a while ago and while I love Cheryl Holt, her books are way too similar, especially in her series.
The men look the same, behave the same way, talk the same fashion, even the sex scenes have similar moves.
Anyway, it wasn't bad.
We have prim and proper Miss Ralston who arrives at Summerfield to marry old and decrepit Stanley Oswald. Stanley needs a heir ASAP and arranged a marriage with Rose through Miss Peabobish (I like to view her that way, that old meddling bitch lool). Rose had no other options because she arrived at the school as an orphan and has no family, so when P got her a dowry with a husband already found, she forced herself to accept her fate.
Except that at Summerfield, there is a young and handsome young man waiting for her, James, who will be seducing her under Stanley's roof.
That part was disgusting, without giving too much Stanley was such a rat. When his connection to James is revealed and when you think of what he was watching, ewwww!
We also have a scheming girl who wants James to herself to add some spice to the story. James and Rose never romantically betray each other which I like, only misunderstanding and outside ruse keep them apart, but briefly, before we get the happy ending.
There is no epilogue, but since it is book 1, we will see them in the next books!
3 stars
June 16, 2014
Historical English romance where two orphans find love even without the help of their entourage. Miss Rose Ralston expects a small inheritance from her employer and friend, Miss Peabody who ran the small girl's school that Rose works at. So it comes as a total surprise that Miss Peabody instead, buys a husband for Rose and her other spinster teachers at the school. So Rose is rushed off on the same day as the reading of the will to marry the very old Mr. Stanley Oswald at his vast wealthy estate, Summerfield. We also met Mr. James Talbot who is Mr. Oswald's orphaned ward. There are so many lies, nefarious plans and craziness going on at Summerfield.
I wonder if the crazy was in the water (unknowing lead poisoning?) because even the best of people like James and Rose turn a bit insane in that lovely mansion. The worse of people like the Oswald family as well as the deluded Veronica (Did you have Archie comics flashbacks with that name? Because I definitely did!) were bat $#*! crazy through out the story. Perhaps too much inbreeding?
So this was a marriage of convenience plot with a secret baby plot so they can keep a huge inheritance from a mean intolerant pseudo-dictator and you could almost put either of the Oswald brothers in that definition.
I did like the little we see of Lucas (his is the next book in the series) in Wanton so I hope that there was a less crazy in that story.
218 pages and bought for 0.99$ on Amazon kindle
2 stars
I wonder if the crazy was in the water (unknowing lead poisoning?) because even the best of people like James and Rose turn a bit insane in that lovely mansion. The worse of people like the Oswald family as well as the deluded Veronica (Did you have Archie comics flashbacks with that name? Because I definitely did!) were bat $#*! crazy through out the story. Perhaps too much inbreeding?
So this was a marriage of convenience plot with a secret baby plot so they can keep a huge inheritance from a mean intolerant pseudo-dictator and you could almost put either of the Oswald brothers in that definition.
I did like the little we see of Lucas (his is the next book in the series) in Wanton so I hope that there was a less crazy in that story.
218 pages and bought for 0.99$ on Amazon kindle
2 stars
December 9, 2014
What a tangled web.
Both Rose & James were orphaned & their extended family refused to acknowledge them so they had little choice than to bow to orchestrations of others.
Rose 's mentor had left an inheritance in the form of a husband Stanley Oswell, old enough to be her grandfather. Stanley is crotchety, a liar, manipulative & a perverted old man.
James an orphan had been bought to live at the estate with Stanley & his first wife. James with promise of finally finding his parentage & financial incentive agreed to help with deception of begetting an heir.
It's sad how families cut loved ones off because they loose the gifts of inocent children.
Both Rose & James were orphaned & their extended family refused to acknowledge them so they had little choice than to bow to orchestrations of others.
Rose 's mentor had left an inheritance in the form of a husband Stanley Oswell, old enough to be her grandfather. Stanley is crotchety, a liar, manipulative & a perverted old man.
James an orphan had been bought to live at the estate with Stanley & his first wife. James with promise of finally finding his parentage & financial incentive agreed to help with deception of begetting an heir.
It's sad how families cut loved ones off because they loose the gifts of inocent children.
July 1, 2020
This is a stark reminder of the poor situation that women found themselves in if they had no money or connections. It is an interesting if unexpected plot. It demonstrates how powerful men were back in history. All of the characters are clearly drawn and you see their flaws and insecurities in full! The story of Rose and James draws the reader in and you feel their frustrations.
January 30, 2018
Rated 3.5
April 7, 2016
I'm always a bit dubious of stories that show the book cover as a pretty woman and a bare-breasted man, but I'm happy to give this story three stars. I enjoyed the way the story started and I took to Rose, a woman with no money, no relatives to care for her and thrust into a situation in which she has no choice. In fact I thought the idea quite intriguing, of three spinster schoolteachers married off to various suitors by their late employer.
I'm not sure if I liked the various male characters. The hero, James, is hard to like since he is selfish and arrogant and barely redeems himself at the end.
I would have upped this story to four stars or even five, except there seemed to be a lot of 'telling' rather than 'showing' which surprised me, since this author has written a great many stories. I also noticed many split infinitives.
Of course, it's a story set in England, written by an American author and that means American spelling which often spoils the story for me, especially the American expression of sidewalk. In England in modern times, we call it a pavement, but whether it was called a sidewalk in the past I can't really say.
I did read the sample chapter of the second of the series, but Amelia's story didn't appeal to me and from that sample it was obvious who Evangeline was destined to marry, so I felt reluctant to buy any more of the series.
But overall I did enjoy Wicked and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical/erotic romance.
I'm not sure if I liked the various male characters. The hero, James, is hard to like since he is selfish and arrogant and barely redeems himself at the end.
I would have upped this story to four stars or even five, except there seemed to be a lot of 'telling' rather than 'showing' which surprised me, since this author has written a great many stories. I also noticed many split infinitives.
Of course, it's a story set in England, written by an American author and that means American spelling which often spoils the story for me, especially the American expression of sidewalk. In England in modern times, we call it a pavement, but whether it was called a sidewalk in the past I can't really say.
I did read the sample chapter of the second of the series, but Amelia's story didn't appeal to me and from that sample it was obvious who Evangeline was destined to marry, so I felt reluctant to buy any more of the series.
But overall I did enjoy Wicked and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical/erotic romance.
July 10, 2014
Wicked is a thoroughly charming little historical romance – the first of a trilogy about three young teachers from a girls’ school. As a final, parting gift, the head mistress of the school bequeaths them their dowries and arranges for their marriages to men they’ve never met.
Rose, Wicked’s heroine has been matched to an aging gentleman who is willing to go to extraordinary ends to have an heir to whom he can leave his estate when he dies. All Rose needs to do to ensure herself a place as mistress of his estate for the rest of her life is to go along with his plan, but can a sweet, sheltered young woman go along with such “wicked” doings?
It’s story with an interesting set of characters – the maid, the wastrel, the sidekick, the lecher, the coquette and the straight-laced vicar are all characters who would have done Charlotte Bronte or Thomas Hardy proud. They could easily have become the cardboard templates of the morality play but all of them, with the possible exception of the Vicar, show traits and emotions that save them from becoming merely symbols.
Wicked spins a sweet romantic tale that leaves us wanting more, and after a few surprises in the closing pages, this reader suspects we may see more of many of our favourites before the trilogy ends.
Rose, Wicked’s heroine has been matched to an aging gentleman who is willing to go to extraordinary ends to have an heir to whom he can leave his estate when he dies. All Rose needs to do to ensure herself a place as mistress of his estate for the rest of her life is to go along with his plan, but can a sweet, sheltered young woman go along with such “wicked” doings?
It’s story with an interesting set of characters – the maid, the wastrel, the sidekick, the lecher, the coquette and the straight-laced vicar are all characters who would have done Charlotte Bronte or Thomas Hardy proud. They could easily have become the cardboard templates of the morality play but all of them, with the possible exception of the Vicar, show traits and emotions that save them from becoming merely symbols.
Wicked spins a sweet romantic tale that leaves us wanting more, and after a few surprises in the closing pages, this reader suspects we may see more of many of our favourites before the trilogy ends.
January 3, 2017
3.5 Stars for this unconventional historical romance.
This story was definitely different and I really did not have any clue how it was going to play out by the end for Rose and James. But there were some interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed these two characters together and wished for a happy ending - even though I couldn't envision how they would get there. Stanley Oswald was an interesting and twisted character - one you love to hate. And I really did not care for Lucas Drake - best friend to James Talbot - so I can't imagine how the second book in the series will play out since Lucas is the hero. He isn't at all heroic in book one and only marginally redeems himself at the very end. All's well that ends well.
This story was definitely different and I really did not have any clue how it was going to play out by the end for Rose and James. But there were some interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed these two characters together and wished for a happy ending - even though I couldn't envision how they would get there. Stanley Oswald was an interesting and twisted character - one you love to hate. And I really did not care for Lucas Drake - best friend to James Talbot - so I can't imagine how the second book in the series will play out since Lucas is the hero. He isn't at all heroic in book one and only marginally redeems himself at the very end. All's well that ends well.
October 6, 2014
Good plot that kept me interested (not your typical Regency) and well drawn characters made for an enjoyable read. I really liked Rose, not a simpering Regency-era miss but an intelligent woman with opinions and logic.
The only thing that prevented me from giving it a 5 star rating: annoyance at the over-use of the word "torrid." The word 'kiss' did not appear without the word 'torrid' preceding it and this REALLY started to annoy me after awhile. There are many other adjectives that can be paired with 'kiss' and I hope Ms. Holt makes use of them in future books.
The only thing that prevented me from giving it a 5 star rating: annoyance at the over-use of the word "torrid." The word 'kiss' did not appear without the word 'torrid' preceding it and this REALLY started to annoy me after awhile. There are many other adjectives that can be paired with 'kiss' and I hope Ms. Holt makes use of them in future books.
June 30, 2014
What a great start to a new series. This is my first time reading Cheryl Holt and I am hooked! Rose is a great strong character. James is a rogue who is bid to do some dirty business. It is well written and kept me glued to it to see when they were both going to realize what they had. I really loved the premise of the book. It really was Wicked and unlike any other book I have read!! Very original. Can't wait for the next book!!
July 2, 2014
Terrible, stilted, and repetitive writing. Not only does the author tell rather than show, she repeats herself, cannot change POVs gracefully, and butchers the English language. Just bloody dreadful. Even free it would be too expensive; save your money and time.
June 20, 2014
I enjoyed this story and can't wait to start the second book.
August 27, 2014
another enjoyable series. on to book two!!!
July 1, 2015
I cannot comment.
October 6, 2015
Good grief.
Reluctant brides indeed. A great story to read and sorry it ended. So much intrigue and falsehood and love and hate. OnwArd to the second book.
Reluctant brides indeed. A great story to read and sorry it ended. So much intrigue and falsehood and love and hate. OnwArd to the second book.
May 21, 2014
3 1/2 stars
Review coming
Review coming
May 2, 2017
Rose Ralston hears that she will be be getting an inheritance from the late Miss Peabody who was the owner of the school she has spent most of her life at. However, the inheritance is not what she expected.
Rose moves to Summerfield where she has been sent. There she meets the owner Stanley Oswald as well as James Talbot.
The book is a light hearted romance enjoyable to read.
Rose moves to Summerfield where she has been sent. There she meets the owner Stanley Oswald as well as James Talbot.
The book is a light hearted romance enjoyable to read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews