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Miss Vincent's Vow
A destitute lady. An ambitious merchant. Two strangers bound in a marriage—which won’t be so convenient if they can’t learn to get along
Rector’s daughter Cassandra Vincent has lost her father and now she is forced to leave her home. In desperation, she advertises her services as a companion.
Weymouth merchant Jethro Hunt is proud of the success he has achieved from his humble origins. To expand his business, he must impress his investor, and for that he needs a genteel wife. He answers Cassandra’s advertisement and offers her an alternative—a marriage of convenience in return for her help to navigate society.
Trusting in Jethro’s godly reputation, but knowing little else about him, Cassandra takes a risk and accepts his proposal rather than relying on charity. They vow to love each other, but they soon realise this promise means different things to each of them.
Driven apart by misunderstandings, they must unite to face malicious gossip and family problems if they want their marriage to blossom into something more meaningful—or they’ll be forced to settle for the deal they first made.
Set in 1811 in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, this novel by the co-author of the popular Regency History blog is rich in historical detail and includes a glossary and historical notes.
Miss Vincent’s Vow is a clean and wholesome, faith-based Regency romance. Part of the Women of Weymouth series, it can be read as a standalone romance with its own happily ever after.
Rector’s daughter Cassandra Vincent has lost her father and now she is forced to leave her home. In desperation, she advertises her services as a companion.
Weymouth merchant Jethro Hunt is proud of the success he has achieved from his humble origins. To expand his business, he must impress his investor, and for that he needs a genteel wife. He answers Cassandra’s advertisement and offers her an alternative—a marriage of convenience in return for her help to navigate society.
Trusting in Jethro’s godly reputation, but knowing little else about him, Cassandra takes a risk and accepts his proposal rather than relying on charity. They vow to love each other, but they soon realise this promise means different things to each of them.
Driven apart by misunderstandings, they must unite to face malicious gossip and family problems if they want their marriage to blossom into something more meaningful—or they’ll be forced to settle for the deal they first made.
Set in 1811 in the seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, this novel by the co-author of the popular Regency History blog is rich in historical detail and includes a glossary and historical notes.
Miss Vincent’s Vow is a clean and wholesome, faith-based Regency romance. Part of the Women of Weymouth series, it can be read as a standalone romance with its own happily ever after.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2024
14 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Knowles
8 books110 followersRachel writes faith-based Regency romance with rich historical detail.
Already addicted to happy endings, Rachel first read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the age of thirteen and fell in love, not only with Mr Darcy, but with the entire Regency period.
Since 2011, she has been blogging about her research on the Regency History blog. She writes historical non-fiction based on this research.
Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew. They have four grown-up daughters and a growing number of grandchildren.
Already addicted to happy endings, Rachel first read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the age of thirteen and fell in love, not only with Mr Darcy, but with the entire Regency period.
Since 2011, she has been blogging about her research on the Regency History blog. She writes historical non-fiction based on this research.
Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew. They have four grown-up daughters and a growing number of grandchildren.
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July 7, 2025Unfortunately, this one was not for me. If you enjoyed the book, skip this review, for I am not positive!
I felt that the heroine was all right, but the hero was an unrepentant jerk throughout the book, and the heroine's siblings were just as bad, and there were no truly likable characters. It made it especially hard to root for the romance, because the whole time, I was thinking, "She deserves so much better!" (by virtue of her humanity, not because she was super interesting). The hero was also pious, which made him feel like a grumbly Puritan who wasn't actually living out his faith - just using it as an excuse to bop other people over the head for their real or perceived unholiness. It works for a villainous father figure who is defeated by the end of the book; it does not make a very redeemable hero.
I feel like the author explored the ideas of love being an action a little, in theory. but hesitated to actually show the hero and heroine performing "love as an action." Instead, they were horrid to each other (especially the guy). Honestly, there were points at the beginning where I wondered if the author was trying to write the hero as neurodivergent coded, as he seemed to have a very black-and-white view of the world, a more pragmatic view of humanity and its relation to him, and an awkwardness/poor social skills that matched some autistic representation I've seen in the past, and that would have been an interesting take ... but alas, within a few chapters, I realized this was not the case. It turns out, he's just a gruff jerk.
I'm done with grumpy men in their moldy castles. May romance raise our standards - not lower them.
I felt that the heroine was all right, but the hero was an unrepentant jerk throughout the book, and the heroine's siblings were just as bad, and there were no truly likable characters. It made it especially hard to root for the romance, because the whole time, I was thinking, "She deserves so much better!" (by virtue of her humanity, not because she was super interesting). The hero was also pious, which made him feel like a grumbly Puritan who wasn't actually living out his faith - just using it as an excuse to bop other people over the head for their real or perceived unholiness. It works for a villainous father figure who is defeated by the end of the book; it does not make a very redeemable hero.
I feel like the author explored the ideas of love being an action a little, in theory. but hesitated to actually show the hero and heroine performing "love as an action." Instead, they were horrid to each other (especially the guy). Honestly, there were points at the beginning where I wondered if the author was trying to write the hero as neurodivergent coded, as he seemed to have a very black-and-white view of the world, a more pragmatic view of humanity and its relation to him, and an awkwardness/poor social skills that matched some autistic representation I've seen in the past, and that would have been an interesting take ... but alas, within a few chapters, I realized this was not the case. It turns out, he's just a gruff jerk.
I'm done with grumpy men in their moldy castles. May romance raise our standards - not lower them.
March 21, 2025
An interesting read by a new-to-me author, with a terrific premise, a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunications, and some difficult family situations, which I read avidly.
Here’s the premise: Cassandra Vincent’s rector father has died leaving her destitute, and her brother is away at sea. In desperation, she advertises for a position as a companion. Only one person replies - merchant Jethro Hunt, who wants to impress his investor by being more adept socially, so he needs a genteel wife. He offers her a business deal - a marriage of convenience, nothing more, if she will help him move in society. Cassandra prefers marriage, even if it’s not a love match, to the alternatives. Because she’s about to be thrown out of the rectory by the incoming resident, they marry immediately.
Now, this is a wonderful situation - two people who know very little about each other, thrown together by circumstance, and inching their way towards an accommodation. Things are bound to be a bit rocky, and so they are, not helped by the fact that they both continually make assumptions about what the other wants, and don’t think to simply ask. How hard would it be? Quite hard, apparently.
To make things more difficult, there’s a stepsister, Julia, who’s taken a different route, working as a teacher at the local school until a suitable husband comes along, and then there’s Eugenia, who was betrothed to Cassandra’s brother, Alexander, but abandoned him when a better offer came along, having now married Jethro’s business rival, Mr Frampton.
Eugenia is a real piece of work, who is unspeakably rude to Cassandra in her own house, and Cassandra, who sometimes has all the gumption of a wet noodle, simply sits there and takes it with very little pushback. Now, this is an overtly Christian book, so there’s an element of turning the other cheek, but when someone is insinuating, and not very subtly, that the hasty wedding was for suspicious reasons, I’d have thought a more robust response is called for. It’s possible to do that without being nasty, surely?
And then there’s Alexander himself, who is less than well-behaved. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the Christian tone regarding these less than admirable characters - the flighty Julia, the rude and avaricious Eugenia and the sneering, selfish Xander. The strong implication is - if only they followed more Christian principles like Cassandra and Jethro, they’d be good people. But Eugenia and Xander aren’t so much unChristian or immoral as downright bad-mannered, and Jethro, for all the time he spends praying, isn’t a great advert for Christian charity. He far too often comes across as grumpy, and he jumps to wrong, and very negative, conclusions about Cassandra all the time.
And this is my main complaint about the book. Jethro and Cassandra are constantly at cross purposes because they simply won’t talk to each other. Something happens, they see the other’s reaction and they promptly misinterpret it. It’s maddening. I wanted to bang their heads together so many times. They know very little about each other, so it’s not unreasonable to say, ‘Is it all right if I…?’ now and then. And they keep circling round the marriage of convenience business. Why not simply say, ‘Look, I know what we agreed, but if ever you want to change that, I’m willing. And if not, that’s fine, too.’ You know, talk to each other, like sensible adults.
And despite all that, I devoured the book in no time. There’s some nice business at the end with Mr Wade, Jethro’s backer, which turned out to be more complicated than I’d expected, and a big, dramatic finale to resolve the romance. A beautifully written book free from typos and Americanisms. I noticed a couple of historical quibbles. Angst is a twentieth century word, and male cooks were very rare (and expensive!) in the Regency. Otherwise, a great read (apart from all those misunderstandings). Four stars.
Here’s the premise: Cassandra Vincent’s rector father has died leaving her destitute, and her brother is away at sea. In desperation, she advertises for a position as a companion. Only one person replies - merchant Jethro Hunt, who wants to impress his investor by being more adept socially, so he needs a genteel wife. He offers her a business deal - a marriage of convenience, nothing more, if she will help him move in society. Cassandra prefers marriage, even if it’s not a love match, to the alternatives. Because she’s about to be thrown out of the rectory by the incoming resident, they marry immediately.
Now, this is a wonderful situation - two people who know very little about each other, thrown together by circumstance, and inching their way towards an accommodation. Things are bound to be a bit rocky, and so they are, not helped by the fact that they both continually make assumptions about what the other wants, and don’t think to simply ask. How hard would it be? Quite hard, apparently.
To make things more difficult, there’s a stepsister, Julia, who’s taken a different route, working as a teacher at the local school until a suitable husband comes along, and then there’s Eugenia, who was betrothed to Cassandra’s brother, Alexander, but abandoned him when a better offer came along, having now married Jethro’s business rival, Mr Frampton.
Eugenia is a real piece of work, who is unspeakably rude to Cassandra in her own house, and Cassandra, who sometimes has all the gumption of a wet noodle, simply sits there and takes it with very little pushback. Now, this is an overtly Christian book, so there’s an element of turning the other cheek, but when someone is insinuating, and not very subtly, that the hasty wedding was for suspicious reasons, I’d have thought a more robust response is called for. It’s possible to do that without being nasty, surely?
And then there’s Alexander himself, who is less than well-behaved. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the Christian tone regarding these less than admirable characters - the flighty Julia, the rude and avaricious Eugenia and the sneering, selfish Xander. The strong implication is - if only they followed more Christian principles like Cassandra and Jethro, they’d be good people. But Eugenia and Xander aren’t so much unChristian or immoral as downright bad-mannered, and Jethro, for all the time he spends praying, isn’t a great advert for Christian charity. He far too often comes across as grumpy, and he jumps to wrong, and very negative, conclusions about Cassandra all the time.
And this is my main complaint about the book. Jethro and Cassandra are constantly at cross purposes because they simply won’t talk to each other. Something happens, they see the other’s reaction and they promptly misinterpret it. It’s maddening. I wanted to bang their heads together so many times. They know very little about each other, so it’s not unreasonable to say, ‘Is it all right if I…?’ now and then. And they keep circling round the marriage of convenience business. Why not simply say, ‘Look, I know what we agreed, but if ever you want to change that, I’m willing. And if not, that’s fine, too.’ You know, talk to each other, like sensible adults.
And despite all that, I devoured the book in no time. There’s some nice business at the end with Mr Wade, Jethro’s backer, which turned out to be more complicated than I’d expected, and a big, dramatic finale to resolve the romance. A beautifully written book free from typos and Americanisms. I noticed a couple of historical quibbles. Angst is a twentieth century word, and male cooks were very rare (and expensive!) in the Regency. Otherwise, a great read (apart from all those misunderstandings). Four stars.
November 16, 2024
A clean Romance set in Regency with a strong Christian values.
A full-size novel (and let not the number of chapters scare you off) with a very engaging style (that beautiful British spelling) that is sure to make you turn one more page to read another chapter or two. Set in Regency England, with its beautiful atmosphere and a charm of a coastal town, the story follows Jethro, a wealthy merchant, and Cassandra, a destitute rector’s daughter, as they vow to love and cherish each other in this new to them thing called marriage of convenience.
But where does the honor and respect start? How to choose love when it’s not a feeling? Why are there misunderstandings if the spouses agree on the principles? Does the cherish part even exist in a business arrangement?
And when can one confess they have fallen in love?
Such a wonderful gentle story of choosing love. It’s also a beautiful story of relying on God in everyday choices, even when different and difficult, but especially when it comes to the matters of one’s heart. When one sees emotions as a loss of control and the other longs for the warmth the affection brings, Jethro and Cassandra learn they need to trust God to guide and teach them how to love one another unconditionally .
And when life brings challenges and tragedy strikes, can the new found affection grow stronger, or will its newness pull them apart?
If you’re like me, you’ll become very invested in the outcome of this MoC to keep reading “one more chapter”. And let’s not forget all those complex side characters for whom one can’t help but hope a story of their own.
A couple of brownie points are given for the glossary and discussion questions at the end of the novel.
I had a privilege to read an advanced copy but the review and opinions expressed are all my own.
A full-size novel (and let not the number of chapters scare you off) with a very engaging style (that beautiful British spelling) that is sure to make you turn one more page to read another chapter or two. Set in Regency England, with its beautiful atmosphere and a charm of a coastal town, the story follows Jethro, a wealthy merchant, and Cassandra, a destitute rector’s daughter, as they vow to love and cherish each other in this new to them thing called marriage of convenience.
But where does the honor and respect start? How to choose love when it’s not a feeling? Why are there misunderstandings if the spouses agree on the principles? Does the cherish part even exist in a business arrangement?
And when can one confess they have fallen in love?
Such a wonderful gentle story of choosing love. It’s also a beautiful story of relying on God in everyday choices, even when different and difficult, but especially when it comes to the matters of one’s heart. When one sees emotions as a loss of control and the other longs for the warmth the affection brings, Jethro and Cassandra learn they need to trust God to guide and teach them how to love one another unconditionally .
And when life brings challenges and tragedy strikes, can the new found affection grow stronger, or will its newness pull them apart?
If you’re like me, you’ll become very invested in the outcome of this MoC to keep reading “one more chapter”. And let’s not forget all those complex side characters for whom one can’t help but hope a story of their own.
A couple of brownie points are given for the glossary and discussion questions at the end of the novel.
I had a privilege to read an advanced copy but the review and opinions expressed are all my own.
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April 22, 2025It is a delightful book, and the way the author writes the story makes the reader keen to find out how this strange marriage of convenience will pan out. It is hard to realise, living in the 21st century, that for a young woman in the Regency period, to be single and poor gave one very few options. A marriage of convenience without love was a difficult choice, especially since marriage vows for a Christian woman could not be broken. The heroine, Cassandra, is a very sympathetic creation – almost too kind and careful of hurting others than is good for her.
The more that Jethro changes his view about and feeling for Cassandra, the more the misunderstandings multiply. They are both so concerned about each other’s feelings that they keeping pushing apart. The plot is well woven together, with such characters as Cassandra's brother, Alexander - a drunken, petulant and selfish naval officer with a big chip on his shoulder, the dreadful but dangerous society woman, Eugenia Frampton, playing important parts in creating havoc with the couple’s developing relationship. Such a lovely read and a good story.
The more that Jethro changes his view about and feeling for Cassandra, the more the misunderstandings multiply. They are both so concerned about each other’s feelings that they keeping pushing apart. The plot is well woven together, with such characters as Cassandra's brother, Alexander - a drunken, petulant and selfish naval officer with a big chip on his shoulder, the dreadful but dangerous society woman, Eugenia Frampton, playing important parts in creating havoc with the couple’s developing relationship. Such a lovely read and a good story.
December 5, 2024
What a wonderful marriage of convenience story!!! Cassandra and Jethro are strangers who get married for convenience not affection but they do not know how to communicate with one another. So many times I was just wishing they would talk clearly or talk it out. But they either didn’t, or got interrupted or misunderstood each other. This causes many problems in their marriage that take a lot of work to resolve. This is a great example of how good communication is essential in marriage. Jethro is a bit harsh at times but I love how his character develops. I loved watching these characters fall in love with each other and learn how to communicate and show their feelings. Cassandra’s brother is such a jerk and I liked how Jethro stood by Cassandra during the tough times with her brother. There is also good Christian content through out the book. I really enjoyed this story and did not want to put it down. I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 16, 2024
This is a lovely, lovely book!
I am soooo glad to have read this story! A gentle and loving story. I love when one of the characters says, “Love is a choice, not a sentimental feeling.” The whole story is set around this choice, a wonderful story about how choosing to love can lead to nurturing and developing a deeper love kind of love. There was also a bit of mystery to solve. Love, romance, and mystery! What more could you want?
I am soooo glad to have read this story! A gentle and loving story. I love when one of the characters says, “Love is a choice, not a sentimental feeling.” The whole story is set around this choice, a wonderful story about how choosing to love can lead to nurturing and developing a deeper love kind of love. There was also a bit of mystery to solve. Love, romance, and mystery! What more could you want?
November 19, 2024
Cassandra and Jethro meet in an unusual manner, each believing the other is an answer to prayer.
It's a good thing each is honorable, keeping their word regardless of the circumstances, because neither is good at communicating.
Of course it all works out in the end, but it was a fantastic journey! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
It's a good thing each is honorable, keeping their word regardless of the circumstances, because neither is good at communicating.
Of course it all works out in the end, but it was a fantastic journey! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
December 8, 2024
I had a pleasure to be one of the first readers of Miss Vincent’s Vow novel by Rachel Knowles.
I finished it two days after receiving it and I really like it.
It's about an arranged marriage, but don't think it is just about a sequence of misunderstandings between the main characters, the plot gets quite twisty very soon, the well-written secondary characters add to the story and to the main couple's journey towards each other.
It's easy to say that two adults should just "talk it out" and just "be honest about how they feel",
but I believe these characters, and how their life experiences, faith, and principles help them (or not) on their way to mutual understanding.
While they each had certain plans and requirements from this "business arrangement" marriage, they soon discover they need to work a lot to match their expectations with new life together and find ways to cope with what they didn't expect.
The reader is given both sides of view in this marriage, and I love it.
Main male characters in Regency romances are often brilliant gentlemen, with a great sense of humour, strong principles and self-control, sportsmen and generally admirable, but it is not often that I can truly say "this is a man I could imagine as a life partner for myself". Because I do not see the full picture of this man - beyond the social events, the balls and his clubs.
Jethro in Miss Vincent's Vow is a man I can see and understand. We can see his feelings and thoughts, how his background and his faith guide him through life and challenges, as well as his daily work and business - it shows the full picture of their life together. And it is a perfect picture, I believe.
And intimate scenes are so sweet, good balance of sparks in clean "closed doors" genre.
Also, Authoress is co-author of the Regency History blog, so the book is written with love to history and to the town where the action takes place, the book is not only historically accurate, but also has a glossary at the end.
This is a wonderful story that I will definitely reread, and more than once.
// I received a free advanced copy from Authoress, but a review was not required, this feedback is my honest opinion on the book for fellow readers.
I finished it two days after receiving it and I really like it.
It's about an arranged marriage, but don't think it is just about a sequence of misunderstandings between the main characters, the plot gets quite twisty very soon, the well-written secondary characters add to the story and to the main couple's journey towards each other.
It's easy to say that two adults should just "talk it out" and just "be honest about how they feel",
but I believe these characters, and how their life experiences, faith, and principles help them (or not) on their way to mutual understanding.
While they each had certain plans and requirements from this "business arrangement" marriage, they soon discover they need to work a lot to match their expectations with new life together and find ways to cope with what they didn't expect.
The reader is given both sides of view in this marriage, and I love it.
Main male characters in Regency romances are often brilliant gentlemen, with a great sense of humour, strong principles and self-control, sportsmen and generally admirable, but it is not often that I can truly say "this is a man I could imagine as a life partner for myself". Because I do not see the full picture of this man - beyond the social events, the balls and his clubs.
Jethro in Miss Vincent's Vow is a man I can see and understand. We can see his feelings and thoughts, how his background and his faith guide him through life and challenges, as well as his daily work and business - it shows the full picture of their life together. And it is a perfect picture, I believe.
And intimate scenes are so sweet, good balance of sparks in clean "closed doors" genre.
Also, Authoress is co-author of the Regency History blog, so the book is written with love to history and to the town where the action takes place, the book is not only historically accurate, but also has a glossary at the end.
This is a wonderful story that I will definitely reread, and more than once.
// I received a free advanced copy from Authoress, but a review was not required, this feedback is my honest opinion on the book for fellow readers.
December 28, 2024
Left in penury at her father’s death, Cassandra Vincent places an advertisement in the newspaper at Weymouth offering her services as a companion. Rising businessman Jethro Hunt answers the advertisement, offering a different sort of companionship than she had in mind: matrimony. Trusting in Jethro’s reputation as an honest, god-fearing man, Cassandra resolves to enter into matrimony with him, making vows “till death do us part” with a man she hardly knows.
What follows is the story of two sweet but stubborn souls striving to become one. Cassandra tries to do her duty and elevate her husband’s standing in good society but is thwarted at every turn by Jethro’s prickliness, by a rival businessman’s petty wife, and by misunderstandings, chance, and circumstance. Jethro seeks to turn his marriage of convenience into a true marriage of hearts but is stymied by his ignorance of the female psyche, by Cassandra’s infuriating relatives, and by constant interruptions every time a kiss seems imminent.
Normally, misunderstandings make a weak plot in a romance novel, but in Miss Vincent’s Vow, the constant misunderstandings and interruptions almost reach the level of comedy. I couldn’t wait to see what obstacle would come between the hero and heroine next. The supporting characters of Cassandra’s heartbroken brother and snooty sister add life to the story, and the descriptions of the author’s own hometown of Weymouth add colour. The theme of love being a choice not a sentimental feeling is prominent throughout. Readers of inspirational Regency romance will be delighted with this one. Recommended.
What follows is the story of two sweet but stubborn souls striving to become one. Cassandra tries to do her duty and elevate her husband’s standing in good society but is thwarted at every turn by Jethro’s prickliness, by a rival businessman’s petty wife, and by misunderstandings, chance, and circumstance. Jethro seeks to turn his marriage of convenience into a true marriage of hearts but is stymied by his ignorance of the female psyche, by Cassandra’s infuriating relatives, and by constant interruptions every time a kiss seems imminent.
Normally, misunderstandings make a weak plot in a romance novel, but in Miss Vincent’s Vow, the constant misunderstandings and interruptions almost reach the level of comedy. I couldn’t wait to see what obstacle would come between the hero and heroine next. The supporting characters of Cassandra’s heartbroken brother and snooty sister add life to the story, and the descriptions of the author’s own hometown of Weymouth add colour. The theme of love being a choice not a sentimental feeling is prominent throughout. Readers of inspirational Regency romance will be delighted with this one. Recommended.
November 30, 2024
There aren't many books that get me enthralled in the first chapter, let alone the first paragraph, but this one had me from the beginning.
I must say, when I saw how many chapters there were, I pulled my bootstraps up and expected a long haul, but I was totally mistaken. The chapters were relatively short and the book was easy and quick to read. This may seem a strange thing, but I found, being English, that the book flowed more for me being written by an English woman.
What intriguing characters Miss Vincent and Mr Hunt were. Miss Vincent puts in an advertisement looking for a position as a Lady's Companion, and she walks out of her interview with Mr Hunt with a marriage proposal! Their marriage was one of convenience, both having their reasons for agreeing to go ahead. The relationship, of course, is full of misconstrued words and actions, but there is an underlying respect of character for each other.
The story has its twists and turns but love slowly blossoms on the way. My only qualm was Miss Vincent's brother, a Naval Captain, who seemed to lack the stoicism that I would expect of a Captain who has seen battle. There is an amount of disrespect from his character and his younger sister towards their host that surprised me. It was a great read though and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Though I did gratefully receive a copy of this book from the author, these reviews are my own.
I must say, when I saw how many chapters there were, I pulled my bootstraps up and expected a long haul, but I was totally mistaken. The chapters were relatively short and the book was easy and quick to read. This may seem a strange thing, but I found, being English, that the book flowed more for me being written by an English woman.
What intriguing characters Miss Vincent and Mr Hunt were. Miss Vincent puts in an advertisement looking for a position as a Lady's Companion, and she walks out of her interview with Mr Hunt with a marriage proposal! Their marriage was one of convenience, both having their reasons for agreeing to go ahead. The relationship, of course, is full of misconstrued words and actions, but there is an underlying respect of character for each other.
The story has its twists and turns but love slowly blossoms on the way. My only qualm was Miss Vincent's brother, a Naval Captain, who seemed to lack the stoicism that I would expect of a Captain who has seen battle. There is an amount of disrespect from his character and his younger sister towards their host that surprised me. It was a great read though and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Though I did gratefully receive a copy of this book from the author, these reviews are my own.
December 7, 2024
Strong characters and storyline, make for an engaging read. I couldn't find fault in 'Miss Vincent's Vow'. I enjoyed it very much and have read it twice. I always highly recommend any of Rachel's books, which are well researched and full of accurate historical facts.
Cassandra will soon be destitute. She needs a job.
When Jethro answers Cassandra's advertisement, seeking a position as a companion, he jumps at the chance of finding what he needs - a wife.
A marriage of convenience sounds just what Jethro needs, a wife to help him navigate in society, but with no strings attached.
Cassandra has always believed she would marry for love. She wants a home and children and the kind of marriage that Jethro is proposing, isn't what she had in mind. However, she doesn't have a choice.
Cassandra makes the most of their arrangement, and along the way, tries to keep her growing feelings for Jethro and the life she's always wanted, to herself.
Meanwhile Jethro keeps his distance, even whilst his feelings for his wife begin to grow. However, their business arrangement has boundaries, which he is determined to keep.
With all the challenges thrown across their paths, can Jethro and Cassandra find their way to a marriage filled with love?
I acknowledge that I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Cassandra will soon be destitute. She needs a job.
When Jethro answers Cassandra's advertisement, seeking a position as a companion, he jumps at the chance of finding what he needs - a wife.
A marriage of convenience sounds just what Jethro needs, a wife to help him navigate in society, but with no strings attached.
Cassandra has always believed she would marry for love. She wants a home and children and the kind of marriage that Jethro is proposing, isn't what she had in mind. However, she doesn't have a choice.
Cassandra makes the most of their arrangement, and along the way, tries to keep her growing feelings for Jethro and the life she's always wanted, to herself.
Meanwhile Jethro keeps his distance, even whilst his feelings for his wife begin to grow. However, their business arrangement has boundaries, which he is determined to keep.
With all the challenges thrown across their paths, can Jethro and Cassandra find their way to a marriage filled with love?
I acknowledge that I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
November 21, 2024
This author does justice to the regency period. She even has a glossary of term at the end of the story. I enjoyed how she represented both main characters’ point of view without rehashing scenes. One of the character’s view point was given every other chapter. The storyline is sweet and clean with references to their faith and trust in God. The hero is a merchant wanting to impress an investor by improving his social graces, including being married. The heroine is a destitute clergyman’s daughter who needs to provide for herself. They unite to aid one another in a marriage of convenience. As they grow fond of each other, it is hard for them to express their thoughts and feelings. There are secondary characters which add some drama to the story. It is well written and researched and didn’t involve any members of the ton.
November 24, 2024
This is the first book of the authoress that I read and enjoyed it very much.Parents whom you love if they scold you for your mistake it sticks even when you are an adult. For the hero kissing became a prohibition. An accidental fire made them realise their true feelings for each other.A book with more than 60 chapters and a new authoress made me hesitant at first but once started I did not leave until I finished late in the night. The climax with his unknown father coming into picture makes the story fitting for a beautiful picture with a u certificate .Not but the least the glossary at the end of the book made me understand the words used I the regency based novels like for eg pellise which I thought was an umbrella instead of a coat for ladies.
I hereby thank madam. authoress and the bookfunnel for the arc copy.
.
I hereby thank madam. authoress and the bookfunnel for the arc copy.
.
November 21, 2024
What a wonderful start to a new series! I enjoy unusual marriages, and this business-like arrangement between Cassandra and Jethro certainly started out that way. Each was so used to facing life alone that they easily misread each other’s feelings and intentions. His poverty of spirit and her poverty of purse made for a very challenging relationship. And then their families of origin added to the frustrations! An unexpected ending but a happy one. Great research gave this Regency novel an authentic flavor, and the glossary is a real boon to new readers of the genre. (I also love seeing characters from a previous novel I loved: Miss Harding’s Hope). I received an advance copy of this book but was not required to post a review.
November 21, 2024
After Cassandra places an add for a position of companion, Jethro offers her a marriage of convenience. She is about to be without a roof over her head, so she gratefully accepts. As is often the case, it was frustrating to see how much difficulty they had because of lack of communication. They would have found joy so much faster if they had just been honest and forthcoming with each other. However, both trusted in God, and it was through the struggles of developing respect and friendship, as they faced various trials, which eventually led to a deep and lasting love. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to leave a review.
November 23, 2024
An interesting story of a young woman who receives an unexpected marriage proposal. In a dire situation Cassandra accepts the arrangement. She promises to be a good wife despite her sister’s attempts to dissuade her. Cassandra struggles initially as Jethro, her husband, treats her as a business arrangement. Over time things become less strained but the arrival of her brother onto the scene causes her grief. Jethro realises that life could be better and works toward this aim. There are many obstacles to overcome as the couple move towards a successful marriage. A well written story to launch this series.
November 23, 2024
An absolutely delightful regency romance. Marriage of convenience has long been my favorite troupe and this book does this marvelously. This is the first book (I think) that I’ve read by this author and I’m so excited to have a new author to add to my favorites list. I have to also mention how delighted I am with the “Glossary & Historical Notes” section. It’s so neat to get a little more historical detail about the various things referenced in the story. All in all a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a free copy from the author and was not required to leave a review.
I received a free copy from the author and was not required to leave a review.
December 12, 2024
I recently re-read Austen's novels, and picking them up in mid-life I was struck by the subtle sense of fear that underlies them: for genteel women whose means are not great, the alternatives to marriage are few, and can be grim indeed. Ms Knowles hones in on this to explore a romance that blossoms within a marriage of convenience between a destitute clergyman's daughter and a businessman who needs to take his place in society. A sweet and realistic romance. I've read the first two books in the Women of Weymouth series and will definitely be buying the next. I'm already trying to guess who in the current cast of characters is next destined for romance!
December 6, 2024
The story is well written and well edited, as well as being clean and having a delightful ending. There is even some intrigue and a number of twists and turns - all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. What I did not enjoy is the constant misunderstandings between Jethro and Cassy. It went on for so long I could happily have slapped the both of them - and I'm not a violent person! I'm sure there are those who enjoy that element in the plot, but I don't.
I received an ARC of this book and was NOT required to leave a review. I wrote the review because I wanted to.
I received an ARC of this book and was NOT required to leave a review. I wrote the review because I wanted to.
December 12, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the setting by the sea, in Weymouth. Cassandra Vincent is the main character and is left in dire circumstances after the death of her father. I liked her determination to find herself a position and then her acceptance of a marriage of convenience to Jethro Hunt. I did wish at times that they would find the courage to speak honestly to each other. Unfortunately, they also had relatives and acquaintances who caused them problems and there is a surprise in store. This is the first in a series and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
February 10, 2026
A delightfully unique Regency read
He is a merchant in need of a gentle wife, she needs a roof over her head
I was a little uncertain if the book would hold my attention at first, and I definitely sided with the husband. But the author pulled me around to the gentry's way of dealing with enemies and difficult situations. I really liked the story once her brother showed up and I stayed up late just to read "a few more pages".
A very enjoyable Christian fiction read with a satisfying romance.
He is a merchant in need of a gentle wife, she needs a roof over her head
I was a little uncertain if the book would hold my attention at first, and I definitely sided with the husband. But the author pulled me around to the gentry's way of dealing with enemies and difficult situations. I really liked the story once her brother showed up and I stayed up late just to read "a few more pages".
A very enjoyable Christian fiction read with a satisfying romance.
November 18, 2024
This book was a wonderful read. It tells a story about Cassandra who has just lost her father and now needs to find her way Jethro is a business man who is looking for a companion. When Cassandra answers his ad it changes her life. This is a story of family, patience, understanding, and God's love. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these characters grow. I was given an advanced copy by the author. All thoughts are my own.
December 7, 2024
A lesson learned: speak the truth from your heart!
This sweet romance is an interesting look at what can happen to a marriage of convenience. It provides multiple examples of how being open and truthful to your marriage mate will make your marriage happier and with fewer chances of misunderstandings. The lack of such openness leads to opportunities for distrust to develop. A nice clean story that held my interest
This sweet romance is an interesting look at what can happen to a marriage of convenience. It provides multiple examples of how being open and truthful to your marriage mate will make your marriage happier and with fewer chances of misunderstandings. The lack of such openness leads to opportunities for distrust to develop. A nice clean story that held my interest
January 25, 2025
This was the first book by this author for me and I enjoyed her story of a marriage of convenience that travels through several pitfalls and misunderstandings. Yet due to each of the parties dedicated hold to the vows they took at the marriage it kept them strong and unified (even when they didn’t know it).
I also enjoyed the theme of forgiveness and respect.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I also enjoyed the theme of forgiveness and respect.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
November 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are wonderful and I cared about what happened to them. I loved how the main characters related to each other. The story kept me turning the pages to see how their relationship developed. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
This clean historical romance focused on the character growth that happened over the course of the story, and I was enthralled to see how each person acted with each other and reacted to the events in the story! There was so much human interest in the telling of this tale that my interest never waned. I became fully invested in the outcome of the story!
January 22, 2025
Exceptional novel. Deeper than the usual regency, but it’s not preachy. Covers many Christian subjects with unusual depth. It reminds me of a parable like we find in the Bible, making it easier for the author to get her message across, which she does splendidly.
January 2, 2025
2.5 stars.
Read
January 20, 2025Loved it! Characters a developed well and the time period I love!
April 1, 2025
A lovely story
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