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The Butler's Borrowed Bride
Lark Morgan has only weeks to endure her parents’ relentless parade of “approved” suitors before they leave for Europe, and once they’re gone, she plans to slip away from San Francisco for good.
Jasper Carlisle came to the Morgan household for one work. Hired for one night as an extra butler for a lavish party, he intends to keep his head down, earn his wages, and stay invisible long enough to save what he needs to leave the city behind.
When one humiliating evening turns Lark’s suitor parade into something she can’t politely laugh off, Jasper makes a split-second choice that draws him into her affairs.
And Miss Mabel Blessington is there to see everything.
Unfortunately, that single act of decency leaves Jasper seen and Lark cornered—two problems polite society will happily make worse. Lark needs time, and Jasper needs a clean escape.
Fortunately, Miss Mabel does what she does she finds one solution that answers both.
A courtship.
Or at least the pretend kind.
No expectations, no promises, and absolutely no falling in love.
When the wrong person begins asking the right questions, Jasper’s past edges into the light, and the arrangement starts to crack. Will they walk away as they always intended… or stay and fight for the person they were never meant to need?
They ask for quiet, obedient brides. Mabel sends them the ones with fire.Full of laugh-out-loud banter, heartfelt faith, and sweet frontier romance, The Brides of Miss Mabel’s Registry is a series of wholesome, charming love stories where opposites attract, sparks fly, and happily ever after comes with a few unexpected detours.
Jasper Carlisle came to the Morgan household for one work. Hired for one night as an extra butler for a lavish party, he intends to keep his head down, earn his wages, and stay invisible long enough to save what he needs to leave the city behind.
When one humiliating evening turns Lark’s suitor parade into something she can’t politely laugh off, Jasper makes a split-second choice that draws him into her affairs.
And Miss Mabel Blessington is there to see everything.
Unfortunately, that single act of decency leaves Jasper seen and Lark cornered—two problems polite society will happily make worse. Lark needs time, and Jasper needs a clean escape.
Fortunately, Miss Mabel does what she does she finds one solution that answers both.
A courtship.
Or at least the pretend kind.
No expectations, no promises, and absolutely no falling in love.
When the wrong person begins asking the right questions, Jasper’s past edges into the light, and the arrangement starts to crack. Will they walk away as they always intended… or stay and fight for the person they were never meant to need?
They ask for quiet, obedient brides. Mabel sends them the ones with fire.Full of laugh-out-loud banter, heartfelt faith, and sweet frontier romance, The Brides of Miss Mabel’s Registry is a series of wholesome, charming love stories where opposites attract, sparks fly, and happily ever after comes with a few unexpected detours.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2026
12 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
London James
182 books47 followersWelcome to my little corner of the internet! So who am I? Well, it’s quite simple actually. Of course, first and foremost, I’m a wife and mother. However, along with those two hats, I’m also a Sweet Historical and Contemporary Romance author who writes in her fuzzy pants and loves her horses and her cats!
Love historical romance? Well, then strap on those petticoats, travel back in time, and go on adventures with my sweet Historical Romances. Not feeling historical today? I have a few sweet Contemporary Romances, too!
And if you are looking for something with a little more heat (not too much, but more smooching and some fade-to-black scenes), then check out my titles written under the name Angela Christina Archer
Love historical romance? Well, then strap on those petticoats, travel back in time, and go on adventures with my sweet Historical Romances. Not feeling historical today? I have a few sweet Contemporary Romances, too!
And if you are looking for something with a little more heat (not too much, but more smooching and some fade-to-black scenes), then check out my titles written under the name Angela Christina Archer
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 2, 2026
[2.5 stars]
This starts out better than it ends, as the cheese gets progressively deeper the further you wade into it. It has a basic fake-dating plot, light and without much depth. The language feels more contemporary than historical (I think the time period is the late 1800s), especially in the dialogue. The romance is insta-love, and did I mention it’s cheesy?
This was a very near DNF for me, but it’s fairly short and the writing does have a nice flow to it, so I decided to keep going. Unfortunately, the further I went, the lower my rating fell.
Not one I’d recommend.
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance has no real kissing to speak of (a couple pecks on the forehead). There is a light Christian message, mostly in the form of a single sermon part way through the book.
This starts out better than it ends, as the cheese gets progressively deeper the further you wade into it. It has a basic fake-dating plot, light and without much depth. The language feels more contemporary than historical (I think the time period is the late 1800s), especially in the dialogue. The romance is insta-love, and did I mention it’s cheesy?
This was a very near DNF for me, but it’s fairly short and the writing does have a nice flow to it, so I decided to keep going. Unfortunately, the further I went, the lower my rating fell.
Not one I’d recommend.
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance has no real kissing to speak of (a couple pecks on the forehead). There is a light Christian message, mostly in the form of a single sermon part way through the book.
February 28, 2026
The Butler's Borrowed Bride is one of the best stories I have read. This is a different matchmaking for Miss Mabel. Lark Morgan is tired of being paraded amongst the eligible bachelors in San Francisco by her parents. Tired of not being able to do what she wants and not what society demands. Jasper has come to the Morgan house to work a party. He needs the money for his future endeavors. What happens while working, will change both their life's forever.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
February 27, 2026
I love London James’s books! An amazing story that had me speeding through the pages. Wonderful characters I couldn't help but fall in love with, especially my favorite, Lark. It’s a mix of romance and a journey of self-discovery.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews