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Scandalous Miss Brightwells #4
The Accidental Elopment
During a long English summer, a foundling home lad and an earl's headstrong niece form an unlikely alliance to protect themselves against a young bully. Twenty years later, that same bully threatens to tear them apart.
When Katherine and Jack are unexpectedly reunited many years after their childhood friendship was formed, love blossoms.
But Jack is about to depart for the West Indies and, at barely eighteen, each accepts that the future will take them in different directions.
Katherine is full of hope she will find love and happiness during the London season, while Jack intends to amass a fortune and return to England on a footing equal to the aristocratic bully who once tormented him.
Seven years later, Jack has fulfilled his ambitions, bought a fine estate in Wiltshire, and is returning home. Although betrothed to a beautiful, ambitious heiress, he can't wait to see his old friend and, once back on English soil, immediately seeks out Katherine.
However, Katherine is very different from the hopeful girl he left behind.
Notorious for the scandal she's courted since she eloped the day of Jack's departure, the newly widowed Katherine keeps Jack at a distance.
But Jack knows Katherine better than she knows herself. There must be some hidden reason she's insistent that her Cousin George, the boy who bullied Jack as a child, will be her next husband.
Can Jack and Katherine, pledged to others, break through the lies and secrets of the past seven years to discover the shining hopefulness that characterised their childhood alliance, and allow it to blossom into fully-grown love?
When Katherine and Jack are unexpectedly reunited many years after their childhood friendship was formed, love blossoms.
But Jack is about to depart for the West Indies and, at barely eighteen, each accepts that the future will take them in different directions.
Katherine is full of hope she will find love and happiness during the London season, while Jack intends to amass a fortune and return to England on a footing equal to the aristocratic bully who once tormented him.
Seven years later, Jack has fulfilled his ambitions, bought a fine estate in Wiltshire, and is returning home. Although betrothed to a beautiful, ambitious heiress, he can't wait to see his old friend and, once back on English soil, immediately seeks out Katherine.
However, Katherine is very different from the hopeful girl he left behind.
Notorious for the scandal she's courted since she eloped the day of Jack's departure, the newly widowed Katherine keeps Jack at a distance.
But Jack knows Katherine better than she knows herself. There must be some hidden reason she's insistent that her Cousin George, the boy who bullied Jack as a child, will be her next husband.
Can Jack and Katherine, pledged to others, break through the lies and secrets of the past seven years to discover the shining hopefulness that characterised their childhood alliance, and allow it to blossom into fully-grown love?
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2018
386 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Beverley Oakley
231 books210 followersAlso writes under Beverley Eikli.
Beverley Oakley writes Regency, Victorian and Georgian-set romances full of passion and laced with mystery and intrigue.
Born in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, she married the handsome bush pilot she met in Botswana while managing a safari lodge and has spent the rest of her life as a ‘trailing spouse’ doing what she loves most: writing books from sweet to steamy; and from humorous to historical romantic suspense.
Here’s more about her series.
Daughters of Sin
A very steamy, funny, witty and dangerous Regency-set ‘Dynasty’ featuring two nobly-born debutantes and their illegitimate sisters - laced with political intrigue, cheating spouses and, of course, dangerous gentlemen.
1. Her Gilded Prison
2. Dangerous Gentlemen
3. The Mysterious Governess
4. Beyond Rubies
5. Lady Unveiled: The Cuckold’s Conspiracy
(Prequel coming October 2021)
The Scandalous Miss Brightwells
A humorous, sometimes steamy, matchmaking series – with some books sweeter and more sensual and poignant.
1. Rake’s Honour
2. Rogue’s Kiss
3. The Wedding Wager
4. The Accidental Elopement
5. The Honourable Fortune Hunter
6. The Wilful Widow
7. The Courtship Caper
Fair Cyprians of London
A group of women who work in a high class House of Assignation. Ranging from very steamy to sweet, hopeful redemption stories.
1. Saving Grace
2. Forsaking Hope
3. Keeping Faith
4. Wedding Violet
5. Christmas Charity
6. Loving Lily
Hearts in Hiding
Historical romantic suspense, very steamy often showing the darker aspects of Regency society, including the dependence and subjugation of women – and how, against the odds, they find their happy-ever-afters.
1. The Duchess and the Highwayman
2. The Bluestocking and the Rake
3. Duchess of Seduction
4. The Countess and the Cavalier
Scandalous: Three Daring Charades
Three sweet, yet intrigue-filled Regency historicals
Lady Sarah’s Redemption
Lady Olivia’s Butterfly
A Little Deception
You can connect with Beverley on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverl...,
or through her website at: www.beverleyoakley.com
http://twitter.com/BeverleyOakley
https://www.facebook.com/beverley.eikli
Beverley Oakley writes Regency, Victorian and Georgian-set romances full of passion and laced with mystery and intrigue.
Born in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, she married the handsome bush pilot she met in Botswana while managing a safari lodge and has spent the rest of her life as a ‘trailing spouse’ doing what she loves most: writing books from sweet to steamy; and from humorous to historical romantic suspense.
Here’s more about her series.
Daughters of Sin
A very steamy, funny, witty and dangerous Regency-set ‘Dynasty’ featuring two nobly-born debutantes and their illegitimate sisters - laced with political intrigue, cheating spouses and, of course, dangerous gentlemen.
1. Her Gilded Prison
2. Dangerous Gentlemen
3. The Mysterious Governess
4. Beyond Rubies
5. Lady Unveiled: The Cuckold’s Conspiracy
(Prequel coming October 2021)
The Scandalous Miss Brightwells
A humorous, sometimes steamy, matchmaking series – with some books sweeter and more sensual and poignant.
1. Rake’s Honour
2. Rogue’s Kiss
3. The Wedding Wager
4. The Accidental Elopement
5. The Honourable Fortune Hunter
6. The Wilful Widow
7. The Courtship Caper
Fair Cyprians of London
A group of women who work in a high class House of Assignation. Ranging from very steamy to sweet, hopeful redemption stories.
1. Saving Grace
2. Forsaking Hope
3. Keeping Faith
4. Wedding Violet
5. Christmas Charity
6. Loving Lily
Hearts in Hiding
Historical romantic suspense, very steamy often showing the darker aspects of Regency society, including the dependence and subjugation of women – and how, against the odds, they find their happy-ever-afters.
1. The Duchess and the Highwayman
2. The Bluestocking and the Rake
3. Duchess of Seduction
4. The Countess and the Cavalier
Scandalous: Three Daring Charades
Three sweet, yet intrigue-filled Regency historicals
Lady Sarah’s Redemption
Lady Olivia’s Butterfly
A Little Deception
You can connect with Beverley on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverl...,
or through her website at: www.beverleyoakley.com
http://twitter.com/BeverleyOakley
https://www.facebook.com/beverley.eikli
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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February 9, 2022This is a stick a pin in it review.
This is to remind me that on page 183 the author just tossed in the fact that the H had a small sixth finger. I don't know much about Regency in real life, but I feel sure that this would have come up a little earlier. I mean...a six-fingered man is kind of a big deal.
This is to remind me that on page 183 the author just tossed in the fact that the H had a small sixth finger. I don't know much about Regency in real life, but I feel sure that this would have come up a little earlier. I mean...a six-fingered man is kind of a big deal.
February 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put it down and I managed to read it in a few hours.
June 10, 2021
A disappointing misunderstanding
Katherine has just had her come out and having sought advice from her free thinking, romantic aunt, decides the best way to discern whether a young man is suitable as a husband is with a kiss. I suppose I need not say that her method gave the wrong impression! Her dearest friend, Jack, who'd come to their home as a playmate of her cousin George when the were young children, has the best kiss. Unfortunately, another young man, having reasons of his own, is determined to claim her as his own.
Katherine's mind and heart are set on Jack, who's leaving for the West Indies, to seek his fortune. She desperately wants to go with him, but without means to support himself, it just can't happen. Imagine how excited Katherine is when, after all the heart ache of his leaving, a coach comes to take her to Jack!
Very well written with many twists and turns that make you question the outcome repeatedly. It was a complete pleasure to read this and every book I've read, so far, of Beverley's wonderful romances.
Katherine has just had her come out and having sought advice from her free thinking, romantic aunt, decides the best way to discern whether a young man is suitable as a husband is with a kiss. I suppose I need not say that her method gave the wrong impression! Her dearest friend, Jack, who'd come to their home as a playmate of her cousin George when the were young children, has the best kiss. Unfortunately, another young man, having reasons of his own, is determined to claim her as his own.
Katherine's mind and heart are set on Jack, who's leaving for the West Indies, to seek his fortune. She desperately wants to go with him, but without means to support himself, it just can't happen. Imagine how excited Katherine is when, after all the heart ache of his leaving, a coach comes to take her to Jack!
Very well written with many twists and turns that make you question the outcome repeatedly. It was a complete pleasure to read this and every book I've read, so far, of Beverley's wonderful romances.
June 22, 2019
This is one of the BEST books that I have read in quite some time.
I had to force myself to put it down at 2:30 this morning and, I finished it about an hour and a half ago.
This book is full of deception, heartbreak, greed and, a conquering love.
I highly recommend it to any historical romance enthusiast.
I had to force myself to put it down at 2:30 this morning and, I finished it about an hour and a half ago.
This book is full of deception, heartbreak, greed and, a conquering love.
I highly recommend it to any historical romance enthusiast.
January 18, 2021
Another brilliantly thought out story
This is another brilliantly thought out story, that continues the series, with great characters and plot lines. The characters are beautifully portrayed, with a determination and strength to be envied. This is a great book that would be suitable for anybody who loves slightly spicy historical romances that have a bit of suspense.
This is another brilliantly thought out story, that continues the series, with great characters and plot lines. The characters are beautifully portrayed, with a determination and strength to be envied. This is a great book that would be suitable for anybody who loves slightly spicy historical romances that have a bit of suspense.
July 2, 2018
Book 4
Have enjoyed this series. Great plot and characters which will keep you turning pages. Hope there are more to come.
Have enjoyed this series. Great plot and characters which will keep you turning pages. Hope there are more to come.
November 18, 2019
The Accidental Elopement is a fantastic historical romance by Beverley Oakley. Ms. Oakley has provided readers with a well-written book populated with an amazing cast of characters. Katherine is a widow and the mother of an 8 year old daughter. Katherine was in love with Jack when he left to work in the West Indies but was tricked into marriage to another. Jack loved Katherine but returned from the West Indies with a fiancee. Katherine and Jack's story is packed with drama, humor, spice, action and lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed reading The Accidental Elopement and look forward to reading more from Beverley Oakley in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
March 2, 2019
Years after "Devil's Run" we learn how things turned out for foundling Jack and his childhood friend Katherine. Katherine is still a bit impetuous. Little George still behaves as a spoiled child. From the writing the reader can sense something is going to go wrong. Oh! If only the characters would have the guts to honestly admit their feelings! Recommend!
July 24, 2019
Love
This book was fantastic. Couldn't put it down. Love wins in the end. Childhood sweethearts that make it through twists and turns as they grow older and in love.
This book was fantastic. Couldn't put it down. Love wins in the end. Childhood sweethearts that make it through twists and turns as they grow older and in love.
May 27, 2018
A Second Chance Romance
Jack and Katherine are in love, but due to a tragedy of errors, Katherine marries the wrong man. After seven years in the West Indies, Jack returns. Katherine is widowed, but Jack promised to marry another woman. Does their love stand a chance? Read the book and find out what happens.
Jack and Katherine are in love, but due to a tragedy of errors, Katherine marries the wrong man. After seven years in the West Indies, Jack returns. Katherine is widowed, but Jack promised to marry another woman. Does their love stand a chance? Read the book and find out what happens.
June 6, 2023
The Accidental Elopement
This is the story of a young woman who falls in love with her best friend when they were only 17 and 18 years old. Several years later they meet again only to
Discover that they truly love one another but are betrothed to someone else. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This is the story of a young woman who falls in love with her best friend when they were only 17 and 18 years old. Several years later they meet again only to
Discover that they truly love one another but are betrothed to someone else. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
July 24, 2019
Rating the series
It's an entertaining read with the characters crossing over between books. I did notice quite a few typographic errors in all the books which made it a little confusing at times with who and where the characters were in relationship to others.
It's an entertaining read with the characters crossing over between books. I did notice quite a few typographic errors in all the books which made it a little confusing at times with who and where the characters were in relationship to others.
April 24, 2023
A really long story
I love a good love story as long as it keeps moving along. I felt like this one drug me through a lot of nonsense that had me paging ahead to finally find the ending.
I love a good love story as long as it keeps moving along. I felt like this one drug me through a lot of nonsense that had me paging ahead to finally find the ending.
May 2, 2023
an active story
This story had a lot things happening interspersed with various characters adding to the mix. I really did think Jack was as honorable as he was portrayed in all his dealings he could have been more s. Meanwhile it did have a happy end
This story had a lot things happening interspersed with various characters adding to the mix. I really did think Jack was as honorable as he was portrayed in all his dealings he could have been more s. Meanwhile it did have a happy end
May 24, 2023
Miscommunication at its worst!
Good read of childhood friends falling in love but not available to marry. They both were separated against their true feelings. Many secrets are revealed but a great ending in this Defence Romance.
Good read of childhood friends falling in love but not available to marry. They both were separated against their true feelings. Many secrets are revealed but a great ending in this Defence Romance.
February 7, 2024
There was a lot going on. I think Jack was a little to honourable at times and Katherine was way to immature in the beginning. It was long and somewhat silly at times. Not a bad read, but not the best. No heat, just a few kisses.
January 27, 2025
Wonderful emotion filled story with interesting and engaging characters. Jack and Katherine are reunited childhood friends, I enjoyed their love story and they go through a lot before they can reach their well deserved happily ever after.
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February 10, 2022Very good
I enjoyed all the twists and turns. I stayed up late reading because I couldn't put It down. I didn't think I would enjoy It was so wrong.
I enjoyed all the twists and turns. I stayed up late reading because I couldn't put It down. I didn't think I would enjoy It was so wrong.
Read
February 10, 2022did not finish
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2022
Great
I enjoy so much this book. Love conquers all! Easy to read. Relaxing . great to read in a rainy day. If you are crazy with love stories you'll enjoy this book
I enjoy so much this book. Love conquers all! Easy to read. Relaxing . great to read in a rainy day. If you are crazy with love stories you'll enjoy this book
February 19, 2022
An entertaining read
This is an entertaining read, even if it is a bit exasperating at times. Recommended for fans of the genre and the series.
This is an entertaining read, even if it is a bit exasperating at times. Recommended for fans of the genre and the series.
March 5, 2022
Fun to read
I haven't read a regency novel in quite some time. Very entertaining. Looking forward to others in the series again.
I haven't read a regency novel in quite some time. Very entertaining. Looking forward to others in the series again.
Did not finish
June 30, 2023DNF @ 189/328. Not going to give a rating bc I may pick this up again one day. It’s just too slow paced for me right now and not my typical type of angst that I like
June 23, 2025
Katherine & Hack’s HEA after much meddling from friends families & frenemies.
September 17, 2025
Katherine and….
The second chance part of the story comes much later than anticipated in this story, but worlds of interest and adventure for a few involved. Such an interesting story and definitely makes a person want to read the others in this series.
The second chance part of the story comes much later than anticipated in this story, but worlds of interest and adventure for a few involved. Such an interesting story and definitely makes a person want to read the others in this series.
March 23, 2022
Jack and Katherine have known each other for years. When Katherine makes her come out she and Jack meet in a dark hall. But they know each other instantly. Before leaving Katherine asks Jack to kiss her. She wants to know what it feels like. Before Jack is to leave for the West Indies they experiment with more sensations. But the time comes for his departure and Katherine is determined to wait for him. But when a note arrives asking her to take the coach to be with the man waiting for her. She believes it is Jack but it turns out to be another man who was winning a bet. This leads to seven years of unhappiness.
June 5, 2022
I suggest read "Devil’s Run" before "The Accidental Elopement." I found the story okay. The characters and the plot is not that interesting.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews