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The Earl's Practical Marriage
Childhood friends all grown up
Now they must marry for convenience!
Giles Redmond, Earl of Revesby, is marrying childhood friend Laurel Knighton because it’s the only way to save his family fortune. Last time he saw her, she was an unconventional tomboy… Now she’s a beauty, but finding himself aroused by her is as baffling as it is surprising. Who would have thought such an infuriating, disobedient bride could be so tempting?
Now they must marry for convenience!
Giles Redmond, Earl of Revesby, is marrying childhood friend Laurel Knighton because it’s the only way to save his family fortune. Last time he saw her, she was an unconventional tomboy… Now she’s a beauty, but finding himself aroused by her is as baffling as it is surprising. Who would have thought such an infuriating, disobedient bride could be so tempting?
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2018
90 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 30, 2018
This would have been a 2 star rating book for me if would not have been a Louise Allen story . Her skilled writing style makes it a 3 star .
The hero of this tale was almost the entire story uneasy with his not telling the whole thruth about why he wanted to marry the heroine , and I was just as uneasy reading his deception and he confessed only when he was overheard talking to his father over it by the heroine and she asked him what she precisely heard .
The hero of this tale was almost the entire story uneasy with his not telling the whole thruth about why he wanted to marry the heroine , and I was just as uneasy reading his deception and he confessed only when he was overheard talking to his father over it by the heroine and she asked him what she precisely heard .
March 26, 2021
This was too easily resolved. Give me some angst, people!
December 4, 2020
The low rating probably isn’t really fair or accurate, it’s just that I LOVED the setup and was a bit disappointed in the execution. So a good book with excellent characters, but too many missed angst opportunities for my tastes (2.5 stars)
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May 1, 2018"Allen writes Regency romances that always become favorites. Her latest, The Earl's Practical Marriage, is a funny, enchanting romance between reunited childhood sweethearts, who fall in love again despite old — and new! — betrayals. Readers will enjoy the engaging plot twists and the authentic setting and characters" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
April 17, 2018
I am a fan....
I read this book twice before commenting. I love Louise Allen's books but this one is not quite as powerful a presentation. Good story line, ... perhaps it's missing the strong connection to the horrors of war our H has survived to explain his background. The guilt of the money, but it isn't the H fault. More a study of burdens the next generation is left to sort out. I did enjoy the story, but not a five star.
I read this book twice before commenting. I love Louise Allen's books but this one is not quite as powerful a presentation. Good story line, ... perhaps it's missing the strong connection to the horrors of war our H has survived to explain his background. The guilt of the money, but it isn't the H fault. More a study of burdens the next generation is left to sort out. I did enjoy the story, but not a five star.
June 3, 2018
The Earl’s Practical Marriage is an enchanting, enjoyable and tender hearted historical romance about second chances, convenient arrangements and everlasting love from the perennially delightful pen of one of the genre’s most talented and most distinguished writers: Louise Allen.
Giles Redmond, Earl of Ravesby, and Laurel Knighton had grown up together and been the best of friends throughout childhood. Laurel had been an unconventional tomboy who loved to run wild and get herself into all manner of scrapes – much to Giles’ delight! Their friendship had been rock solid until a cruel twist of fate had torn them apart and ruined any chance they might have had of their friendship developing into something more. While Laurel had been a complete hoyden as a child, Giles had been lanky and studious much to his father’s disappointment. With the passing of time, Laurel and Giles had lost touch – until a chance encounter had brought them back together again…
Giles hadn’t initially recognised Laurel when fate had pushed them together again after all those years spent apart. All traces of the willful hoyden are gone and Laurel is now a beautiful young lady who has awakened feelings deep within him which he thought he would never experience ever again. As childish infatuation gives way to an attraction that simply cannot be denied, Giles finds himself wondering how he could possibly spend another moment away from Laurel. But when he learns that the only way he can save his family fortune and secure his estate is by marrying her, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Only there isn’t anything convenient about his feelings for Laurel!
Marriage seems to be the most sensible and logical of solutions for Laurel. Even though she knows that Giles could never reciprocate her feelings, she hopes that they can still find a way of making their practical arrangement work and she has already told Giles that she has no romantic feelings towards him – even though her heart says something completely different…
As their feelings for one another intensify and passion escalates between the two of them, will Laurel and Giles find the courage to admit the truth about the depth of their feelings for one another? Or will the secret which Giles has kept hidden for so long ruin any hope they might have had of having a real marriage?
The Earl’s Practical Marriage is historical romantic fiction of the highest order. Louise Allen has a wonderful affinity with the Regency period and what elevates her writing above most other writers writing in the genre is her gift for recreating the past with her vivid descriptions of the clothes people wore in the early nineteenth century, the houses they lived in, the streets they walked on and the establishments they frequented. Louise Allen writes about the past with flair, elan and style and her books are rich and rewarding reading experiences for people who look for authentic, captivating and engrossing historical romances.
The Earl’s Practical Marriage takes the much-loved childhood friends and marriage of convenience tropes and spins them into historical romance gold with a beguiling blend of drama, emotion, passion, humour and heart. Laurel is a wonderful heroine who is intelligent, witty, clever and resourceful and I absolutely adored charismatic, handsome and charming Giles.
A compulsively readable historical romance I simply couldn’t put down, The Earl’s Practical Marriage is another novel by Louise Allen that is heading straight for my keeper shelf!
Giles Redmond, Earl of Ravesby, and Laurel Knighton had grown up together and been the best of friends throughout childhood. Laurel had been an unconventional tomboy who loved to run wild and get herself into all manner of scrapes – much to Giles’ delight! Their friendship had been rock solid until a cruel twist of fate had torn them apart and ruined any chance they might have had of their friendship developing into something more. While Laurel had been a complete hoyden as a child, Giles had been lanky and studious much to his father’s disappointment. With the passing of time, Laurel and Giles had lost touch – until a chance encounter had brought them back together again…
Giles hadn’t initially recognised Laurel when fate had pushed them together again after all those years spent apart. All traces of the willful hoyden are gone and Laurel is now a beautiful young lady who has awakened feelings deep within him which he thought he would never experience ever again. As childish infatuation gives way to an attraction that simply cannot be denied, Giles finds himself wondering how he could possibly spend another moment away from Laurel. But when he learns that the only way he can save his family fortune and secure his estate is by marrying her, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Only there isn’t anything convenient about his feelings for Laurel!
Marriage seems to be the most sensible and logical of solutions for Laurel. Even though she knows that Giles could never reciprocate her feelings, she hopes that they can still find a way of making their practical arrangement work and she has already told Giles that she has no romantic feelings towards him – even though her heart says something completely different…
As their feelings for one another intensify and passion escalates between the two of them, will Laurel and Giles find the courage to admit the truth about the depth of their feelings for one another? Or will the secret which Giles has kept hidden for so long ruin any hope they might have had of having a real marriage?
The Earl’s Practical Marriage is historical romantic fiction of the highest order. Louise Allen has a wonderful affinity with the Regency period and what elevates her writing above most other writers writing in the genre is her gift for recreating the past with her vivid descriptions of the clothes people wore in the early nineteenth century, the houses they lived in, the streets they walked on and the establishments they frequented. Louise Allen writes about the past with flair, elan and style and her books are rich and rewarding reading experiences for people who look for authentic, captivating and engrossing historical romances.
The Earl’s Practical Marriage takes the much-loved childhood friends and marriage of convenience tropes and spins them into historical romance gold with a beguiling blend of drama, emotion, passion, humour and heart. Laurel is a wonderful heroine who is intelligent, witty, clever and resourceful and I absolutely adored charismatic, handsome and charming Giles.
A compulsively readable historical romance I simply couldn’t put down, The Earl’s Practical Marriage is another novel by Louise Allen that is heading straight for my keeper shelf!
June 1, 2020
Interesting Read
Another excellent and well written book by Louise Allen. Lady Laurel Knighton had fallen out with her friend Giles Redmond years before over a misunderstanding and Laurel's naivety. Unbenown to Laurel she and Giles had been betrothed from childhood by their father's and despite fallings out by all involved, the plan for the two to marry still held. It was Gile's duty to put the plan into action to save his father's funds and his inheritance, he still thought of Laurel in a friendly manner but Laurel thought of him in a totally different manner. In his need to marry he deceived Laurel but she had learned from her previous experience and gave him repeated opportunities, to provide a ' Happy Ending'
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
Another excellent and well written book by Louise Allen. Lady Laurel Knighton had fallen out with her friend Giles Redmond years before over a misunderstanding and Laurel's naivety. Unbenown to Laurel she and Giles had been betrothed from childhood by their father's and despite fallings out by all involved, the plan for the two to marry still held. It was Gile's duty to put the plan into action to save his father's funds and his inheritance, he still thought of Laurel in a friendly manner but Laurel thought of him in a totally different manner. In his need to marry he deceived Laurel but she had learned from her previous experience and gave him repeated opportunities, to provide a ' Happy Ending'
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
February 3, 2019
Read on the suggestion of Ms. Burrows.
Two childhood friends, a row and nine years of estrangement. He in Portugal as a spy, she in the country as a governess for an orphaned relative and then a spinster.
When Giles and Laurel met after nine years, they didn't recognize each other. The resentment always between them, but Giles discovers that he must marry Laurel if want saves his land.
How convinces her? And the past continues to come in the surface.
A bit slow but enjoyable
Two childhood friends, a row and nine years of estrangement. He in Portugal as a spy, she in the country as a governess for an orphaned relative and then a spinster.
When Giles and Laurel met after nine years, they didn't recognize each other. The resentment always between them, but Giles discovers that he must marry Laurel if want saves his land.
How convinces her? And the past continues to come in the surface.
A bit slow but enjoyable
March 23, 2018
This book was disappointing. It didn't seem to be classic Louise Allen. It was quite tepid and slow paced. I missed the usual witty dialogue and clever storyline. I doubt I would have finished it if not for my fondness for the author.
April 26, 2018
The story is set in 1814 Bath, England.
Giles Redmond, the Earl of Revesby returns from Portugal
and heads towards Bath, where his father is taking the: "cure."
Laurel Knighton, is Giles' former childhood sweetheart.
The love scenes are steamy, however, the story lacks a strong conflict.
Giles Redmond, the Earl of Revesby returns from Portugal
and heads towards Bath, where his father is taking the: "cure."
Laurel Knighton, is Giles' former childhood sweetheart.
The love scenes are steamy, however, the story lacks a strong conflict.
March 10, 2019
My first read by Louise Allen and I really did enjoy it. Got it for 99p for Valentines Day, so a bargain and a good read. Her writing style automatically drew me in and I could easily envision everything. I was fully engaged, enchanted and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. She just has a way of bringing you in with her words and keeping you there with her story.
The two main characters, Giles and Laurel, grew up together and were best friends throughout their childhood. A misunderstanding ripped them apart and their friendship ended. Until, fate pushed them back together after years of being apart. They both have their reasons for then marrying each other, love a marriage for convenience, but their passion and their feelings for one another shines off the pages, or screen in this case. It was easy to like both characters separately and together romantically. Laurel is a wonderful heroine who I immediately liked, she is witty, clever, sweet and resourceful. You can see why Giles fell for her, and with Giles being charismatic, smart and handsome you can see why Laurel fell for him also.
I was annoyed that I picked this up and just didn't have the time to enjoy it in one sitting, but it was nice to read it a bit more slowly than I normally would. I throughly enjoyed my time reading it and is was nice, easy read.
The two main characters, Giles and Laurel, grew up together and were best friends throughout their childhood. A misunderstanding ripped them apart and their friendship ended. Until, fate pushed them back together after years of being apart. They both have their reasons for then marrying each other, love a marriage for convenience, but their passion and their feelings for one another shines off the pages, or screen in this case. It was easy to like both characters separately and together romantically. Laurel is a wonderful heroine who I immediately liked, she is witty, clever, sweet and resourceful. You can see why Giles fell for her, and with Giles being charismatic, smart and handsome you can see why Laurel fell for him also.
I was annoyed that I picked this up and just didn't have the time to enjoy it in one sitting, but it was nice to read it a bit more slowly than I normally would. I throughly enjoyed my time reading it and is was nice, easy read.
January 15, 2020
Ooh! Clever. Very clever.
Very well written. Great story line. Well organised and everything accounted for. No loose ends. Even the ones you forget.
Well worth a read and now a new author for me to follow. Happy days.
Very well written. Great story line. Well organised and everything accounted for. No loose ends. Even the ones you forget.
Well worth a read and now a new author for me to follow. Happy days.
October 13, 2024
Louise Allen’s prose and understanding of human nature, particularly of male is a delight to read. Her depiction of our heroine’s character, as well as the ups and downs in her life make a very satisfying read. I enjoy an author who can make one laugh at human foibles.
December 21, 2018
Nice romance
August 9, 2020
2.5 stars.
May 24, 2021
It felt like the misunderstanding would have easily been sorted out ....and the reveal was just dragged on.....and the angst moments could have just been more.......
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February 19, 2022DNF at 60%.
January 11, 2026
Enjoyed the book I liked both the hero and the heroine. Giles was a good man and Laurel was sweet and lovely
October 22, 2023
Rating: 4 Stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews