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The Order of the Owed #2
Inconvenient Marriage
He wasn’t supposed to have an Offering… until her. Now he’ll accept nothing else—even if she’s convinced it’s all fake.Annaliese
In Harmony Heights, there’s no such thing as a choice. At least, not when your family has ties to the Order of the Owed.
I always knew that there was a fine line between being one of the Offering and one of the Used. When the time came for the society to decide where I’d land, one tiny mistake means that I’ll never be more than a mistress… unless I find a husband first.
I’m desperate. To save my family’s position in the city—to save my sister—I need to belong to one of the Owed. I’ll do anything, even sell myself to the highest bidder. All he has to do is sign on the dotted line and I’ll be the best fake wife he could ever imagine, with all the perks and none of the commitment.
Sebastian Reynolds is the perfect man for the job. With a devil-may-care attitude and a disdain for being descended from one of the founding families of the Order, if all I have to do is share a house—and a bed—with him, I’ll do it.
I’ll do anything. Anything, but fall in love again…
Sebastien
I had an out. As the second-born son of a founding family, only my brother needed to take an Offering, have a kid, and try to continue the Reynolds name.
As Harmony Height’s biggest screw-up, I always knew that the best I could hope for was settling down with someone outside of the Order, having my fun with the Used, or simply accept that it’ll just be me, my bike, and a long drive out of the oppressive city that thinks it can tame me.
I sure as hell wasn’t going to marry one of the pristine, untouched women given only to the men who deserve them... but when Annaliese Crawford walked into an Order bar, her head held high, her eyes desperate, I would’ve killed every single guy in there to be the one she chose as her fake husband.
She asked for a year.
I already know I won’t settle for less than forever.
I had an out… but I don’t want it anymore.
I want Annaliese—and nothing will stop me from keeping her.
In Harmony Heights, there’s no such thing as a choice. At least, not when your family has ties to the Order of the Owed.
I always knew that there was a fine line between being one of the Offering and one of the Used. When the time came for the society to decide where I’d land, one tiny mistake means that I’ll never be more than a mistress… unless I find a husband first.
I’m desperate. To save my family’s position in the city—to save my sister—I need to belong to one of the Owed. I’ll do anything, even sell myself to the highest bidder. All he has to do is sign on the dotted line and I’ll be the best fake wife he could ever imagine, with all the perks and none of the commitment.
Sebastian Reynolds is the perfect man for the job. With a devil-may-care attitude and a disdain for being descended from one of the founding families of the Order, if all I have to do is share a house—and a bed—with him, I’ll do it.
I’ll do anything. Anything, but fall in love again…
Sebastien
I had an out. As the second-born son of a founding family, only my brother needed to take an Offering, have a kid, and try to continue the Reynolds name.
As Harmony Height’s biggest screw-up, I always knew that the best I could hope for was settling down with someone outside of the Order, having my fun with the Used, or simply accept that it’ll just be me, my bike, and a long drive out of the oppressive city that thinks it can tame me.
I sure as hell wasn’t going to marry one of the pristine, untouched women given only to the men who deserve them... but when Annaliese Crawford walked into an Order bar, her head held high, her eyes desperate, I would’ve killed every single guy in there to be the one she chose as her fake husband.
She asked for a year.
I already know I won’t settle for less than forever.
I had an out… but I don’t want it anymore.
I want Annaliese—and nothing will stop me from keeping her.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 25, 2025
Annaliese and Sebastien.
Slapped. A secret society, a marriage of convenience, and a chance one night stand in a bar bathroom, really just the makings of a great second installment in this series. Annaliese is braver than I because no way would the 2nd words out of my mouth after seeing my hookup that I ditched in the secret society club be “would you marry me”, but I guess she was a woman on a mission.
Also, Sebastien is very into gifting jewelry with a hidden meaning, but I guess everyone has to have hobbies.
Slapped. A secret society, a marriage of convenience, and a chance one night stand in a bar bathroom, really just the makings of a great second installment in this series. Annaliese is braver than I because no way would the 2nd words out of my mouth after seeing my hookup that I ditched in the secret society club be “would you marry me”, but I guess she was a woman on a mission.
Also, Sebastien is very into gifting jewelry with a hidden meaning, but I guess everyone has to have hobbies.
June 13, 2026
Inconvenient Marriage had all the ingredients for a compelling dark romance, but for me it never quite reached its full potential. The story follows Annaliese, whose life takes a complicated turn after spending years tangled up with the wrong man before crossing paths with Sebastian Reynolds.
Where this book shines is Sebastian. If you’re looking for a possessive, obsessive, morally gray hero who will move heaven and earth to protect the woman he wants, Carin Hart absolutely delivers. Sebastian’s determination to keep Annaliese safe—and firmly in his orbit—is the strongest part of the novel. His plotting, scheming, and relentless devotion fit the dark romance genre perfectly.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story didn’t always hit the same highs. The pacing felt uneven at times, and while the premise had plenty of potential, I found myself wanting more depth and tension to fully connect with the romance and emotional stakes.
Still, readers who love an over-the-top protective hero and a man willing to manipulate circumstances to keep the woman he loves close will likely find plenty to enjoy here. It wasn’t a perfect fit for me, but Sebastian Reynolds definitely understood the assignment.
Where this book shines is Sebastian. If you’re looking for a possessive, obsessive, morally gray hero who will move heaven and earth to protect the woman he wants, Carin Hart absolutely delivers. Sebastian’s determination to keep Annaliese safe—and firmly in his orbit—is the strongest part of the novel. His plotting, scheming, and relentless devotion fit the dark romance genre perfectly.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story didn’t always hit the same highs. The pacing felt uneven at times, and while the premise had plenty of potential, I found myself wanting more depth and tension to fully connect with the romance and emotional stakes.
Still, readers who love an over-the-top protective hero and a man willing to manipulate circumstances to keep the woman he loves close will likely find plenty to enjoy here. It wasn’t a perfect fit for me, but Sebastian Reynolds definitely understood the assignment.
December 2, 2025
Pretty boy
Bas and Annalise's story was really good. She thought she was going to have to be a "used" and then she met him. They met in a bar then didn't see each other for a while. Until she needed to find a husband and ran into him again. He was in forever from the start. Her not so much. I can't wait for the next book.
Bas and Annalise's story was really good. She thought she was going to have to be a "used" and then she met him. They met in a bar then didn't see each other for a while. Until she needed to find a husband and ran into him again. He was in forever from the start. Her not so much. I can't wait for the next book.
February 25, 2026
Excellent book
The first book is good,this one is better. Sabastien is a complex, likeable character that is way more than he appears to be.The easy-going player with layers and a dark side. Annaleise was used by a much older man and put in a desperate situation. They complement each other perfectly.And Eric gets what he deserves. Dallas' story is next.I can't wait.
The first book is good,this one is better. Sabastien is a complex, likeable character that is way more than he appears to be.The easy-going player with layers and a dark side. Annaleise was used by a much older man and put in a desperate situation. They complement each other perfectly.And Eric gets what he deserves. Dallas' story is next.I can't wait.
May 21, 2026
Just when you thought you couldn't love a series more. Bas and Anna, wow such a power couple I didn't see coming. Didn't want to sleep till I finished it but unfortunately real life and work gets in the way. So hyper to see Dallas get his girl in book three!
December 2, 2025
This series is such a guilty pleasure for me! Is it the best? No .. but I can’t help but to love reading every page.
December 10, 2025
Loved, loved, loved their story!! It was everything I was expecting it to be and more!! Can’t wait to read Dallas’s story next 😋😍
December 29, 2025
This book was a good one, and maybe after this one, I'm certain I'm becoming a Carin Hart fan.
February 3, 2026
2.5⭐ Normally, I would round it up but not happening here. I mean, (spoiler) a ring from your ex's ashes? That was too much even for me
July 12, 2026
Another great one
Bas.... reformed play boy with a big soft heart for his fmc
Fake marriage but for bas it was never fake he just has to wait for his fmc to catch up!
Bas.... reformed play boy with a big soft heart for his fmc
Fake marriage but for bas it was never fake he just has to wait for his fmc to catch up!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews