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An Engagement of Sorts
Much to her mother’s dismay, spirited Anne Fletcher spent her youth seeking her father’s approval by hunting and riding. More comfortable in breeches than ball gowns, Anne sees the freedoms she once enjoyed slowly taken from her in the name of fashioning her into an eligible young lady. When her parents try to force her into marriage, Anne makes a desperate attempt to salvage her last vestige of independence. If she is to marry, she will do so on her own terms.
Anne strikes a deal: if she cannot secure a man for herself, she will agree to marry the husband her parents approved. She soon finds herself in the last place she would ever choose—that stifling parade of etiquette, the London Season. Anne’s plan is in motion. Now all she needs is a man willing to masquerade as her fiancé.
Anne strikes a deal: if she cannot secure a man for herself, she will agree to marry the husband her parents approved. She soon finds herself in the last place she would ever choose—that stifling parade of etiquette, the London Season. Anne’s plan is in motion. Now all she needs is a man willing to masquerade as her fiancé.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2021
40 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
About the author
Alene Wecker
4 books84 followersLife's too short to write (or read) in just one genre, right? But whether Alene's working on a high-brow historical with witty repartee or a kid's adventure series with magic and dragons, Alene's goal is to help her readers learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little choked up. If you manage to do one or all of those things while reading her books, she'd love to hear about it in your review.
When not writing, Alene's probably trying to homeschool her kids, sing, or . . . who am I kidding? She’s doing dishes or laundry. So. Much. Laundry. Hopefully, she’s listening to a great audiobook, too. Alene lives in southern California with her husband, six children, a beloved auntie, and a dog named Bubs.
Facebook: @authoralene
Instagram: @authoralene
When not writing, Alene's probably trying to homeschool her kids, sing, or . . . who am I kidding? She’s doing dishes or laundry. So. Much. Laundry. Hopefully, she’s listening to a great audiobook, too. Alene lives in southern California with her husband, six children, a beloved auntie, and a dog named Bubs.
Facebook: @authoralene
Instagram: @authoralene
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
May 14, 2021
This was absolutely delightful! I'm always up for trying a new or new-to-me regency author and I'm a huge fan of other regency authors from this publisher...so my hopes were high for An Engagement of Sorts. This book was everything I hoped it would be—romantic, charming, packed with witty banter and likable characters. My favorite thing about it? The author's writing voice. Loved it! I'm a sucker for a fantastic writing voice...and sometimes, for an amazing author voice, will keep reading a book even when I'm not that invested in the plot or characters. But thankfully in this case, I loved all three. Can't wait to see what she writes next!
October 3, 2021
DNF at 25%
I am not a fan of an extremely modern voice in a historical fiction, particularly a regency. I'll blame my absolute adoration for Jane Austen. I want proper language and as close to historical accuracy as possible. Reading things like a maid "passing gas" was a huge turn off for me and took me outside of the potential charm of the story. I think those phrases are best suited for a different audience than I and that was my straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.
From the quarter I did read, I was interested in the premise and foundation that was built surrounding a somewhat independent and willful heroine. I can relate to a girl who likes to participate in more adventurous activities.
Utlimately though, I like my regencies to take me back in time to a much more proper terminology and phrasing. Otherwise, I would gladly stick to contemporaries where the crude and crass is expected.
TW: attempted rape, parental neglect
Thanks to Covenant and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I am not a fan of an extremely modern voice in a historical fiction, particularly a regency. I'll blame my absolute adoration for Jane Austen. I want proper language and as close to historical accuracy as possible. Reading things like a maid "passing gas" was a huge turn off for me and took me outside of the potential charm of the story. I think those phrases are best suited for a different audience than I and that was my straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.
From the quarter I did read, I was interested in the premise and foundation that was built surrounding a somewhat independent and willful heroine. I can relate to a girl who likes to participate in more adventurous activities.
Utlimately though, I like my regencies to take me back in time to a much more proper terminology and phrasing. Otherwise, I would gladly stick to contemporaries where the crude and crass is expected.
TW: attempted rape, parental neglect
Thanks to Covenant and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
August 7, 2021
Engrossing Regency Madcap
Well that is the case here!
Synopsis:
Allow me to begin by setting a scene: A relatively obscure country lady is introduced at an assembly to the season’s eminently eligible gentleman. The gentleman rudely evades the introduction.
If you exclaimed:
You wouldn’t be alone; many a historical romances begin in such a manner and this yarn is no exception. For a second I was satisfied in my assessment that this was one of a plethora of 'Pride & Prejudice' derivative dynamics.
However, I was just as soon thwarted by foolhardy assumption, as to my great surprise, our heroine Miss Anne Fletcher, indignant at the reticence of Colonel Forester, turns away and slams straight into a much, much friendlier, handsomer, and eccentrically attired gentlemen: Mr Thomas Paling.
The absolute embodiment of a 'Dandy,' or to exercise the contemporary sobriquet, 'Metrosexual.'
I highlight this early scene as it is a brilliant microcosm of what you may expect from the story, in that you can’t be sure where it will go. Ms Wecker flips, stretches, and skirts the tenets of your typical regency romance, in a way that is both creative, entertaining, and a dash farcical, while never outright smashing them beyond recognition.
Alright, so back to the this gentleman Anne stumbles into, she can't quite place him, but she is sure they have met before.
When her brothers distressingly forward house guest Mr Smith- who has been harassing & propositioning her- requests her first set, Anne seemingly has two options:
A.) Acquiesce & endure it, so as to be open to dance with others.
B.) Feign indisposition & avoid the trial of his company, but thus lame the rest of her evening.
And now I whooped for she chose the seldom employed 'C' option that I have often wondered why no one attempted in these regency novels: BS your way out of it! That is my modus operandi.
Claiming the dance is taken and quickly scurrying away to secure the alibi- before the odious Mr Smith has a chance to ferret out if another set is available- Anne cleverly resorts to that familiar stranger Mr Paling for assistance and thus begins a most amusing dynamic.
Anne is considered fairly unconventional, for she doesn't have much impulse control and is a fountain of clever quips- both of which often land her in dire straights.
Another thing you ought to know about Anne is that she unwittingly garners a lot of interest from the less fair sex.
Anne:
A Mary Sue-ish quality to be sure, but I'll allow it for all the mayhem it invited.
It proves troublesome when her local rector and childhood friend, Mr Skinner, gets permission from Anne’s parents- without first consulting her- to court her. Seeing him as a brother, not to mention he often exhibits fairly backwards views towards women, she cannot fathom marrying him.
Up that point, Anne had been avoiding a London season like the plague, as she had no desire to finally escape the reins of her domineering mother- who really just has it out for Anne-
Mrs. Fletcher:
Only to offer them foolishly to a husband who may abuse them just as well. But now grasping at any life raft to avoid marriage to Will Skinner, she enters a risky gamble with him: If he convinces her mother to grant her a season, and if she doesn't manage to secure an alternative engagement in that time, she must return without any scruples to wed him.
There are many surprises in store, notable stumbling blocks, and antagonists for our protagonists as she navigates the London season.
What Worked:
♡Hilarious witty dialogue & narrative voice; undisputedly MVP of this work.
♡Fast paced & creative plot. The ball just kept rolling, I could not put it down from start to finish.
♡Anne is an active protagonist who endears you.
♡Mr Paling. He is a master of backhanded compliments and an excellent foil for Anne. They have this incredible comedic- oft daring- repartee.
What Irked:
✗The story is most definitely of a more lighthearted, farcical persuasion, so you can expect less emotional highs and lows, and some unlikely characterizations and scenarios.
However, I for one found the tradeoff well worth it as it is very entertaining and never over the top.
The Brass Tacks:
It is so fast paced and amusing once I started I could not tear my eyes away, the dialogue was just hilarious and I thrilled to every line. It is not heavy on setting the stage which affords the action packed plot. I would not call it emotionally complex, but there is growth in evidence for all the characters. Overall a fun ride that I found seamlessly enthralled me and very much recommend.
This is the first novel from Ms Wecker and I will definitely be on alert for her next project.
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Bell Pepper Chaste 🌶/5 ꙳
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well that is the case here!
Synopsis:
Allow me to begin by setting a scene: A relatively obscure country lady is introduced at an assembly to the season’s eminently eligible gentleman. The gentleman rudely evades the introduction.
If you exclaimed:
You wouldn’t be alone; many a historical romances begin in such a manner and this yarn is no exception. For a second I was satisfied in my assessment that this was one of a plethora of 'Pride & Prejudice' derivative dynamics.
However, I was just as soon thwarted by foolhardy assumption, as to my great surprise, our heroine Miss Anne Fletcher, indignant at the reticence of Colonel Forester, turns away and slams straight into a much, much friendlier, handsomer, and eccentrically attired gentlemen: Mr Thomas Paling.
The absolute embodiment of a 'Dandy,' or to exercise the contemporary sobriquet, 'Metrosexual.'
I highlight this early scene as it is a brilliant microcosm of what you may expect from the story, in that you can’t be sure where it will go. Ms Wecker flips, stretches, and skirts the tenets of your typical regency romance, in a way that is both creative, entertaining, and a dash farcical, while never outright smashing them beyond recognition.
Alright, so back to the this gentleman Anne stumbles into, she can't quite place him, but she is sure they have met before.
When her brothers distressingly forward house guest Mr Smith- who has been harassing & propositioning her- requests her first set, Anne seemingly has two options:
A.) Acquiesce & endure it, so as to be open to dance with others.
B.) Feign indisposition & avoid the trial of his company, but thus lame the rest of her evening.
And now I whooped for she chose the seldom employed 'C' option that I have often wondered why no one attempted in these regency novels: BS your way out of it! That is my modus operandi.
Claiming the dance is taken and quickly scurrying away to secure the alibi- before the odious Mr Smith has a chance to ferret out if another set is available- Anne cleverly resorts to that familiar stranger Mr Paling for assistance and thus begins a most amusing dynamic.
Anne is considered fairly unconventional, for she doesn't have much impulse control and is a fountain of clever quips- both of which often land her in dire straights.
Another thing you ought to know about Anne is that she unwittingly garners a lot of interest from the less fair sex.
Anne:
A Mary Sue-ish quality to be sure, but I'll allow it for all the mayhem it invited.
It proves troublesome when her local rector and childhood friend, Mr Skinner, gets permission from Anne’s parents- without first consulting her- to court her. Seeing him as a brother, not to mention he often exhibits fairly backwards views towards women, she cannot fathom marrying him.
Up that point, Anne had been avoiding a London season like the plague, as she had no desire to finally escape the reins of her domineering mother- who really just has it out for Anne-
Mrs. Fletcher:
Only to offer them foolishly to a husband who may abuse them just as well. But now grasping at any life raft to avoid marriage to Will Skinner, she enters a risky gamble with him: If he convinces her mother to grant her a season, and if she doesn't manage to secure an alternative engagement in that time, she must return without any scruples to wed him.
There are many surprises in store, notable stumbling blocks, and antagonists for our protagonists as she navigates the London season.
What Worked:
♡Hilarious witty dialogue & narrative voice; undisputedly MVP of this work.
♡Fast paced & creative plot. The ball just kept rolling, I could not put it down from start to finish.
♡Anne is an active protagonist who endears you.
♡Mr Paling. He is a master of backhanded compliments and an excellent foil for Anne. They have this incredible comedic- oft daring- repartee.
What Irked:
✗The story is most definitely of a more lighthearted, farcical persuasion, so you can expect less emotional highs and lows, and some unlikely characterizations and scenarios.
However, I for one found the tradeoff well worth it as it is very entertaining and never over the top.
The Brass Tacks:
It is so fast paced and amusing once I started I could not tear my eyes away, the dialogue was just hilarious and I thrilled to every line. It is not heavy on setting the stage which affords the action packed plot. I would not call it emotionally complex, but there is growth in evidence for all the characters. Overall a fun ride that I found seamlessly enthralled me and very much recommend.
This is the first novel from Ms Wecker and I will definitely be on alert for her next project.
꙳ Spice Scale rating: Bell Pepper Chaste 🌶/5 ꙳
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2021
What a delightful Regency tale! This engagement of convenience story had such heart. Full of witty dialogue between Anne and Thomas, I loved reading about their interactions.
There were some characters that were simply frustrating in the way they attempted to control Anne’s future and a truly reprehensible man who made me nervous any time he was around Anne.
I enjoyed the way the teasing grew into the engagement of convenience, which then seemed to grow into more, even as both Thomas and Anne struggled to understand what the other felt. There were some very swoon worthy moments between them and the second half of this book was such a page turner for me!
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
There were some characters that were simply frustrating in the way they attempted to control Anne’s future and a truly reprehensible man who made me nervous any time he was around Anne.
I enjoyed the way the teasing grew into the engagement of convenience, which then seemed to grow into more, even as both Thomas and Anne struggled to understand what the other felt. There were some very swoon worthy moments between them and the second half of this book was such a page turner for me!
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
August 28, 2021
Sad to say this one wasn't my cup of tea. I was aggravated by the plot and annoyed by the characters, including the heroine, and since the entire story was from her perspective, it was difficult to enjoy. I really wanted to, but had to move on at about 75%.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
November 11, 2021
This book was a delight and very fun from start to finish. I loved Anne. Oh, the things that would go through her head and oh, the things that she would say. I had a big smile while reading this book. My favorite thing about this book was the way it was written. There is humor, romance, great character development and growth. I am excited for this author's next book.
Content warning: attempted assault.
Content warning: attempted assault.
August 18, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up for this is debut book.
My heart felt so much for Anne. To say her mother is unloving would be an understatement. Her mother does nothing but find fault with her and wants Anne married off as soon as possible. To that end, her father has agreed to let Will Skinner, the local Vicar, court Anne although she has no romantic feelings towards Will at all. In fact, she tells Will that she thinks of him as a brother--lets just say Will didn't understand how that could be possible since he loves her. Anne is able to talk her mother into letting her go to London as a last attempt to find a suitor and this will also get her away from the creepy, Mr. Smith. Before going to London Anne meets Thomas Paling, who comes across initially as a dandy in his brightly colored waistcoats, but we soon find out there's more to Thomas than meets the eye.
Can I say how much I loved Thomas? He's the best!! He and Anne have the best banter and I loved how he didn't mind Anne's fiesty spirit. He didn't want to tamp it down and tame her like Will and her family did. Thomas was also the only person who believed Anne when she told him about the evil doings of Mr. Smith. Will, the man that supposedly "loved" her, and her own family laid the blame for Mr. Smith's actions towards Anne at her feet!! But not Thomas, who helped her in her attempt to find proof of Mr. Smith's misdeeds. I love when characters turn out to be more than they are at first glance.
Anne is young and hasn't yet learned to control her impulses and this tends to make matters worse. She didn't grow much in the course of the book but then the book probably takes place in just a few months time. I'd like to think that she learns a lot from her time in London and gains some impulse control.
This book shows a promising future for the author. I liked that the author put in an epilogue some author notes concerning the families in the book. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
*Note: there is a short scene of an attempted sexual assault (nothing graphic), and talk of male nobility taking advantage of female servants and impregnating them.
My heart felt so much for Anne. To say her mother is unloving would be an understatement. Her mother does nothing but find fault with her and wants Anne married off as soon as possible. To that end, her father has agreed to let Will Skinner, the local Vicar, court Anne although she has no romantic feelings towards Will at all. In fact, she tells Will that she thinks of him as a brother--lets just say Will didn't understand how that could be possible since he loves her. Anne is able to talk her mother into letting her go to London as a last attempt to find a suitor and this will also get her away from the creepy, Mr. Smith. Before going to London Anne meets Thomas Paling, who comes across initially as a dandy in his brightly colored waistcoats, but we soon find out there's more to Thomas than meets the eye.
Can I say how much I loved Thomas? He's the best!! He and Anne have the best banter and I loved how he didn't mind Anne's fiesty spirit. He didn't want to tamp it down and tame her like Will and her family did. Thomas was also the only person who believed Anne when she told him about the evil doings of Mr. Smith. Will, the man that supposedly "loved" her, and her own family laid the blame for Mr. Smith's actions towards Anne at her feet!! But not Thomas, who helped her in her attempt to find proof of Mr. Smith's misdeeds. I love when characters turn out to be more than they are at first glance.
Anne is young and hasn't yet learned to control her impulses and this tends to make matters worse. She didn't grow much in the course of the book but then the book probably takes place in just a few months time. I'd like to think that she learns a lot from her time in London and gains some impulse control.
This book shows a promising future for the author. I liked that the author put in an epilogue some author notes concerning the families in the book. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
*Note: there is a short scene of an attempted sexual assault (nothing graphic), and talk of male nobility taking advantage of female servants and impregnating them.
May 8, 2021
I ended up really loving this! I saw a new author and worried, I saw that cover and thought any author who picked that cover can't be bad, I was right. The cover is beautiful and the story is fun. Writing about a hoyden in regency times is always a fun character to create and Alene did and amazing job of it. I just loved Anne! She was the best character. I loved that each scrap she got in fit her, seemed real and not contrived and made our leading man fall more and more in love! Sigh..... he was so great! This was a great story line, good characters and put together so well! I never knew what would happen next! Proper romance with some sweet kisses and a couple of nasty men making sexual threats at woman.
August 27, 2021
If I didn't know better I would almost think that Alene Wecker wrote this book with me in mind. It has my favorite things! I will revel in snarky humor, a strong female character who is as clumsy as she is able to think for herself, humorous romance, great characters.... my list could go on and on and on.
Anne Fletcher does not want to marry the victor who is more a brother to her than a prospective groom. She is fantastic at getting out of tricky or unwanted situations. She has a strong head on her shoulders and a great sense of self. She knows her worth, even when the people who should accept her try to change her.
The pairing of the characters of Anne and Mr. Pailing is almost diabolical as well as genius. Oh my word, I loved them. It was amazing to me that this is Alene Wecker's debut novel. The characters and the story flowed really well. This is an author whom I look forward to reading her works in the future.
Content Warning: There is a character who tries to force himself upon Anne and makes sexual comments and threats to her. I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Anne Fletcher does not want to marry the victor who is more a brother to her than a prospective groom. She is fantastic at getting out of tricky or unwanted situations. She has a strong head on her shoulders and a great sense of self. She knows her worth, even when the people who should accept her try to change her.
The pairing of the characters of Anne and Mr. Pailing is almost diabolical as well as genius. Oh my word, I loved them. It was amazing to me that this is Alene Wecker's debut novel. The characters and the story flowed really well. This is an author whom I look forward to reading her works in the future.
Content Warning: There is a character who tries to force himself upon Anne and makes sexual comments and threats to her. I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 29, 2021
Anne Fletcher is a young woman with ideas on how her life should be led, but society, with all its strictures, doesn't agree. Anne has a hard time finding anyone who sees and accepts the real her, and her thoughts and opinions are often cast aside. Her mother is ready for Anne to be out of her hair and decides its time for Anne to be married off. Her father has agreed to let Will, the local vicar, court her, even though Anne thinks of Will as her brother. Anne is headstrong enough to want to choose her own husband, so she is allowed the chance to go to London in order to find one, but if she can't, she'll marry Will. While in London, Anne does her very best to try and fit in, but nothing seems to go as planned. Renewing her acquaintance with Mr. Thomas Paling, who is so infuriating and fascinating at the same time, complicates Anne's feelings even more. Can she trust what her heart is telling her?
I really enjoyed the scenes between Thomas and Anne. They were both dealing with incidents in their pasts that had affected them and their behavior. Thomas was such a great hero, and there were some laugh out loud moments when he'd aggravated Anne. I liked his wit and willingness to help and accept Anne and I really enjoyed watching their romance unfold. Anne has had a lot to deal with in her life. She is quite passionate, but also young and her actions show that lack of maturity when she often gets herself into scrapes that could have been avoided. I thought she did begin to find her footing, though, that showed her growth as a person and made her more endearing. I also liked the little intrigue to try and catch a villain and that kept me turning pages. The setting was described with just enough detail for the reader to be able to imagine it, and the secondary cast added depth to the story. I thought this debut novel was well-done and will definitely be looking for more by this author!
I really enjoyed the scenes between Thomas and Anne. They were both dealing with incidents in their pasts that had affected them and their behavior. Thomas was such a great hero, and there were some laugh out loud moments when he'd aggravated Anne. I liked his wit and willingness to help and accept Anne and I really enjoyed watching their romance unfold. Anne has had a lot to deal with in her life. She is quite passionate, but also young and her actions show that lack of maturity when she often gets herself into scrapes that could have been avoided. I thought she did begin to find her footing, though, that showed her growth as a person and made her more endearing. I also liked the little intrigue to try and catch a villain and that kept me turning pages. The setting was described with just enough detail for the reader to be able to imagine it, and the secondary cast added depth to the story. I thought this debut novel was well-done and will definitely be looking for more by this author!
August 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I can only imagine how it would feel to have to marry someone that you parents have arranged for you! I also enjoyed how Anne was determined to prove herself in order no to marry her intended!
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Alene Wecker!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy!
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Alene Wecker!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy!
May 20, 2023
Anne is an impulsive and rash young lady. She is determined to never marry and convinces her suitor to let her go to London. A whole slew of crazy events ensue and there are tangled up webs all over the place.
I found Anne to be slightly immature and as she's always been under her mother's firm thumb, she seems to rebel when it's lifted. It was humorous to find her in some of the situations she lands in, but there were a couple of others that were slightly disturbing.
Thomas is a dandy and yet he's drawn to Anne and finds himself helping her as her fake fiance. I really liked Thomas and have discovered that dandies often have reason to be so outlandish.
I wished for a tiny bit more of a connection between Thomas and Anne. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Anne, as no one seemed to take her side and believe her, even with the great lengths she went to in order to spread the truth. No one, but Thomas, that is.
This is an interesting Regency romance and I flew through it.
Content: attempted SA; talk of selling oneself; very mild kissing; mild moments of peril/violence and innuendo relating to the near SA and the interactions with that man.
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I found Anne to be slightly immature and as she's always been under her mother's firm thumb, she seems to rebel when it's lifted. It was humorous to find her in some of the situations she lands in, but there were a couple of others that were slightly disturbing.
Thomas is a dandy and yet he's drawn to Anne and finds himself helping her as her fake fiance. I really liked Thomas and have discovered that dandies often have reason to be so outlandish.
I wished for a tiny bit more of a connection between Thomas and Anne. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Anne, as no one seemed to take her side and believe her, even with the great lengths she went to in order to spread the truth. No one, but Thomas, that is.
This is an interesting Regency romance and I flew through it.
Content: attempted SA; talk of selling oneself; very mild kissing; mild moments of peril/violence and innuendo relating to the near SA and the interactions with that man.
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
August 9, 2021
I loved Anne's character! Yes there were times when I wanted to stop her or ask her what she was thinking, but I just loved her. I loved her wit. She and Thomas were so fun together. I loved their banter. This book sucked me right in. There were so many levels of villains in this story, but also some wonderful rescuers. I laughed, cried, ached and cheered during this story and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.
July 22, 2021
For those who like typical Regency stories, this is a good example of it. It has an underappreciated heroine with a controlling mother and a disinterested father, a hero who swoops in to save the day (several times), and a truly despicable villain who remains unrepentant until the end.
It's also set in London, with all the visits to shops, balls, and walks at the park, and also set in the countryside for the bucolic landscape and village life.
I had a hard time with the heroine as I found her to be too dramatic and too prone to complicate things even more than they were, which made for a lot of silly scenes.
Despite that, it kept me engaged to the end.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
August 8, 2021
On to the notes!
- hooks you pretty quickly
- I feel bad for Will.
- trying to mount the horse 🤣
- Mr Smith is blech
- her mom is a toad
- good dialogue- Anne is quick and spicy
- I really like Atkins
- Mr Paling is a great character, a very quick flirt
- this book is wordy. It's modern English but not entirely? I like it but I've had to look up a lot of the words
-Miss Smith is adorable
- I kind of love Mr Paling. He's a flirt and a tease but he's one of the very few that treat Anne as more than a nuisance
- I like Miss Loveland
- invokes a lot of feelings!
- the love letter 😍😭
And then I stopped taking notes because I was too invested to switch screens.
This book was truly adorable and so fun and exciting that it is her debut novel! 👏👏👏 I look forward to reading more of her work!
Thanks for the copy, @covenant_com and @authoralene
The opinions and rating are all me.
- hooks you pretty quickly
- I feel bad for Will.
- trying to mount the horse 🤣
- Mr Smith is blech
- her mom is a toad
- good dialogue- Anne is quick and spicy
- I really like Atkins
- Mr Paling is a great character, a very quick flirt
- this book is wordy. It's modern English but not entirely? I like it but I've had to look up a lot of the words
-Miss Smith is adorable
- I kind of love Mr Paling. He's a flirt and a tease but he's one of the very few that treat Anne as more than a nuisance
- I like Miss Loveland
- invokes a lot of feelings!
- the love letter 😍😭
And then I stopped taking notes because I was too invested to switch screens.
This book was truly adorable and so fun and exciting that it is her debut novel! 👏👏👏 I look forward to reading more of her work!
Thanks for the copy, @covenant_com and @authoralene
The opinions and rating are all me.
February 3, 2022
An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker is a wonderful regency romance with a spirited heroine and a flirtatious hero who pretend to be engaged. The chemistry between Anne and Thomas and their witty banter made this story really enjoyable. While there is a thread or two that could’ve made things feel too heavy, the personalities and relationship of our main characters gave it a light and fun feel. Recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2021
This was a really good debut novel from Alene Wecker! I loved that it was Regency and that it also was different from the other typical Regency stories out there. I absolutely loved Thomas! He’s doesn’t come across as the average Regency hero. I also really liked that she used some of her family history to influence this storyline. I look forward to reading more from Alene Wecker!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
August 4, 2021
Strong debut novel for Alene Wecker! This is not the typical lighthearted regency. It gave me a Georgette Heyer feel. The main character is unconventional which makes her fun, but she’s also besieged with an uncaring mother and an evil rake. While Anne’s behavior is more hoydenish than debutant, it’s easy to see why she is the way she is.
When faced with the prospect of marriage to friend/local vicar Will whom she doesn’t love and who doesn’t appreciate her feisty spirit, she asks to go to London for one last attempt to find a suitor and escape the evil clutches of Mr. Smith. Before she leaves, she meets the dandyish Thomas Paling. He really sees her and enjoys her banter and spirit. Unfortunately, Anne is immature and fails to recognize her own foibles.
While I enjoyed the quick dialogue, I was often surprised with Anne’s continual sharp tongue and her focus so much on her lustful feelings. She is young though and the author captured her naïveté perfectly.
Thomas was the character whom I enjoyed most. Though he appears a dandy, it’s more of a ruse. His teasing was lighthearted and flattering, yet there was true depth to his character that was endearing. Rather than repeat his father’s mistakes, he has sworn not to marry or love anyone. Meeting Anne changes this and he fights against his feelings for her. He offers Anne a fake engagement to save her reputation and rescue her from the dastardly Mr. Smith who shows up in London to torment her again.
There were several twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. Though Anne doesn’t grow much as a character, I did like the ending and the way she stands up for herself. One of the saddest aspects of the story is that Anne had no real allies except Thomas. Her parents and sister are abominable. They are condescending and belittling. While I loved Thomas, I would have liked to see even more growth in his relationship with Anne. My favorite part though was the letter that Anne was supposed to write to her friend Will but instead doesn’t address it to anyone and means it for Thomas.
Ms. Wecker’s writing is quick witted, intelligent and promising. I look forward to seeing more from her. I gave it a solid 3.5 stars. While I would consider this a clean romance, there are some disturbing situations that might upset some readers. There is an attempted sexual assault scene though not graphic. There are brief but not graphic mentions of infidelity, mistresses common at the time, and mild sexual innuendo. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Covenant Communications for providing a copy of this e-book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
When faced with the prospect of marriage to friend/local vicar Will whom she doesn’t love and who doesn’t appreciate her feisty spirit, she asks to go to London for one last attempt to find a suitor and escape the evil clutches of Mr. Smith. Before she leaves, she meets the dandyish Thomas Paling. He really sees her and enjoys her banter and spirit. Unfortunately, Anne is immature and fails to recognize her own foibles.
While I enjoyed the quick dialogue, I was often surprised with Anne’s continual sharp tongue and her focus so much on her lustful feelings. She is young though and the author captured her naïveté perfectly.
Thomas was the character whom I enjoyed most. Though he appears a dandy, it’s more of a ruse. His teasing was lighthearted and flattering, yet there was true depth to his character that was endearing. Rather than repeat his father’s mistakes, he has sworn not to marry or love anyone. Meeting Anne changes this and he fights against his feelings for her. He offers Anne a fake engagement to save her reputation and rescue her from the dastardly Mr. Smith who shows up in London to torment her again.
There were several twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. Though Anne doesn’t grow much as a character, I did like the ending and the way she stands up for herself. One of the saddest aspects of the story is that Anne had no real allies except Thomas. Her parents and sister are abominable. They are condescending and belittling. While I loved Thomas, I would have liked to see even more growth in his relationship with Anne. My favorite part though was the letter that Anne was supposed to write to her friend Will but instead doesn’t address it to anyone and means it for Thomas.
Ms. Wecker’s writing is quick witted, intelligent and promising. I look forward to seeing more from her. I gave it a solid 3.5 stars. While I would consider this a clean romance, there are some disturbing situations that might upset some readers. There is an attempted sexual assault scene though not graphic. There are brief but not graphic mentions of infidelity, mistresses common at the time, and mild sexual innuendo. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Covenant Communications for providing a copy of this e-book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
October 29, 2021
Have you ever read a book and felt that the main character just felt so perfect and could do no wrong? Well, this book is not like that. Anne, is definitely not a perfect character. She has several flaws and shortcomings, especially in the eyes of her mother. She's not the perfect model of what a young lady should be. She loves to hunt and ride her horse and be out of doors. But of course that's not what she's supposed to love. She's even a little bit clumsy and has a few too many accidents (that I have to say are pretty humorous, especially the carriage/cravat one hahaha). I felt like I was able to connect with her character more because of these traits. She's eccentric and outspoken sometimes, yet she tries to please her mom, but her heart cries out for things that are frowned upon for young ladies.
The ballroom scene at the beginning was great. She does a fantastic job of trying to avoid an unwanted suitor and at the same time makes a big faux pa in regards to another gentleman and introductions. And it just keeps going from there. I was laughing out loud, feeling embarrassed for her, and rereading some scenes because of the delight they brought me.
Thomas is our hero. He and Anne both have several things in their pasts that are hard. I really liked when they started to open up more about these struggles with each other and watching them find healing and taking steps towards fixing what they could. I loved these two together and anxiously awaited any scenes with them together.
Content: Trigger warning...Some spoilers in this section so don't read ahead if you don't want a spoiler. There is a bad guy. A sleazy bad guy. I will say that if you have any triggers towards sexual assault and abuse then this book is going to be one that you will not want to read. There are several innuendos said/implied by this character towards Anne. He also does attack her. Anne is able to get away but this is a sensitive topic. The author did a good job showing the emotions and struggles that would be connected to this situation. But it still is a hard and sensitive topic to address and read.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
The ballroom scene at the beginning was great. She does a fantastic job of trying to avoid an unwanted suitor and at the same time makes a big faux pa in regards to another gentleman and introductions. And it just keeps going from there. I was laughing out loud, feeling embarrassed for her, and rereading some scenes because of the delight they brought me.
Thomas is our hero. He and Anne both have several things in their pasts that are hard. I really liked when they started to open up more about these struggles with each other and watching them find healing and taking steps towards fixing what they could. I loved these two together and anxiously awaited any scenes with them together.
Content: Trigger warning...Some spoilers in this section so don't read ahead if you don't want a spoiler. There is a bad guy. A sleazy bad guy. I will say that if you have any triggers towards sexual assault and abuse then this book is going to be one that you will not want to read. There are several innuendos said/implied by this character towards Anne. He also does attack her. Anne is able to get away but this is a sensitive topic. The author did a good job showing the emotions and struggles that would be connected to this situation. But it still is a hard and sensitive topic to address and read.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 23, 2021
I finished reading this book by debut author Alene Wecker last weekend. I’ve been thinking about it and trying to figure out just how to say what I thought of this book since then. Hopefully this all comes out right. I really liked the story and the writing in this book.
I thought the author did a great job with her characters. Anne is kind of hilarious. She’s strong willed and always gets herself into a mess. There were so many times she made me laugh out loud. I especially loved when she accidentally ended up on a man’s horse with no sidesaddle. I’ve seen some of the other reviews that were wondering about her not growing up. I wonder if she is just one of those people who are impetuous, and crazy situations will always follow her.
I felt bad for Anne though. There was a “gentleman” who tried to hurt Anne. And kept making very inappropriate comments. There was one part in particular in the book where Anne feels the weight of all she’s been through. This part made me very sad for her. But the sun came up the next morning and she pushed on. I feel like these parts need a bit of a content warning. There is attempted sexual assault and the same man tries to make Anne into a prostitute.
I really liked Thomas. One thing about him was he was the only one that believed anything she said about the man who tried to attack her. You would have thought that Anne’s family would have believed her, but none of them did. Thomas went out of his way to help Anne, going so far as to pretend to be engaged to her.
I’m interested to see what this author does next.
I was sent a copy of An Engagement of sorts as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I thought the author did a great job with her characters. Anne is kind of hilarious. She’s strong willed and always gets herself into a mess. There were so many times she made me laugh out loud. I especially loved when she accidentally ended up on a man’s horse with no sidesaddle. I’ve seen some of the other reviews that were wondering about her not growing up. I wonder if she is just one of those people who are impetuous, and crazy situations will always follow her.
I felt bad for Anne though. There was a “gentleman” who tried to hurt Anne. And kept making very inappropriate comments. There was one part in particular in the book where Anne feels the weight of all she’s been through. This part made me very sad for her. But the sun came up the next morning and she pushed on. I feel like these parts need a bit of a content warning. There is attempted sexual assault and the same man tries to make Anne into a prostitute.
I really liked Thomas. One thing about him was he was the only one that believed anything she said about the man who tried to attack her. You would have thought that Anne’s family would have believed her, but none of them did. Thomas went out of his way to help Anne, going so far as to pretend to be engaged to her.
I’m interested to see what this author does next.
I was sent a copy of An Engagement of sorts as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
August 5, 2021
I believe I found the blurb slightly misleading, but not in a bad way. You will see what I mean as the plot unfolds. Anne and Thomas were delightful characters and the way they interact injects a lot of humor into the story. It makes me happy that some of these characters were based on real people as indicated by the author. It adds a bit of genuineness to the story.
I will admit that I got lost a time or two, but was able to find myself. I will chalk that up to my own exhaustion. Anne is a heroine that knows her heart and is determined not to marry the person her parents chose, in spite of their being "friends" I put that in parentheses because of the way she is treated by him and by her parents. They don't understand her eccentricities and the fact that she does not mold well in society. Her parents had basically written her off and Will talked down to her. I hate it when people treat someone that way.
I did like the way that Thomas saw her. He was delighted with all the traits that made her who she was and drove everyone else nuts. He saw her for who she was. To me that was the most important and organic thing in their relationships.
This was a good story and I found the highlight to be the interactions between the main characters. I did not rate this as high as I do many of the things I read. It just didn't fit me as well as I would have liked. It is still a good book and a worthy read and on that I will recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley and this is my honest review.
I will admit that I got lost a time or two, but was able to find myself. I will chalk that up to my own exhaustion. Anne is a heroine that knows her heart and is determined not to marry the person her parents chose, in spite of their being "friends" I put that in parentheses because of the way she is treated by him and by her parents. They don't understand her eccentricities and the fact that she does not mold well in society. Her parents had basically written her off and Will talked down to her. I hate it when people treat someone that way.
I did like the way that Thomas saw her. He was delighted with all the traits that made her who she was and drove everyone else nuts. He saw her for who she was. To me that was the most important and organic thing in their relationships.
This was a good story and I found the highlight to be the interactions between the main characters. I did not rate this as high as I do many of the things I read. It just didn't fit me as well as I would have liked. It is still a good book and a worthy read and on that I will recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley and this is my honest review.
March 16, 2022
Fun debut regency romance! I love a good fake relationship and the trope was well done. I really liked the hero Thomas and of course, the swoony romance and witty banter between him and Anne. Lots of humor too! I had a hard time connecting with Anne - she seemed immature and there just wasn't a lot of character growth but she did seem happy and confident with who she is. I wonder if we had Thomas' perspective if that would have helped me see her differently. This definitely had a more modern/contemporary voice than I usually like in my historical fiction as well.
3.5 stars rounded up for this debut novel. I can see a lot of promise in the author's writing. I can't wait to see what else she writes!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
3.5 stars rounded up for this debut novel. I can see a lot of promise in the author's writing. I can't wait to see what else she writes!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
August 16, 2021
This was a great debut by Alene Wecker! I loved Anne and Thomas! I loved how they interacted with each other and how they found love even though they didn’t want to. I loved how Thomas loved Anne for being the outspoken young woman that she is. I loved how the romance developed. I thought Alene did a great job at making us care about the characters and making us want to know what would happen next. I hope that she continues to write because I think she did a great job!
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
August 15, 2021
3.5
This was a well written and witty book. The romance for me was just a little off. I just couldn’t buy into the time line of things. Liked the characters, just wished we would of seen Thomas express his feelings and fears more instead of pushing her away(and yet not) the whole book and then finally all at once admitting he’s in love with Anne. Just felt like the pacing could be improved.
This was a well written and witty book. The romance for me was just a little off. I just couldn’t buy into the time line of things. Liked the characters, just wished we would of seen Thomas express his feelings and fears more instead of pushing her away(and yet not) the whole book and then finally all at once admitting he’s in love with Anne. Just felt like the pacing could be improved.
unfinished
October 11, 2021Trigger Warning: Several attempts of sexual assault. I tried multiple times to pick the book up after the second occurrence, but just couldn’t for this reason, so after two months I’m finally marking it as unfinished. I wish I had been warned about the book’s contents before reading it, both the trigger warning and all the innuendos, which I found inappropriate for a clean read.
July 11, 2025
Started and finished this in one day. I couldn’t put it down! I loved the dynamic between the two main characters and their banter. Such a fun easy read. The only reason it isn’t 5 stars is because of the super modern voice/not hardly being realistic for the time. But meh, who really cares. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
August 10, 2021
This was a fun debut novel. I enjoyed the relationship of convenience trope going on and I loved the theme of accepting oneself and living true to one’s character, even if one doesn’t fit “the mold” of societal—or familial—standards. I loved that Anne grew to appreciate and respect herself, learning to stand up for herself to others. I would have loved more growth in her character, as her continued impulsivity did cause problems that could have been avoided if she’d learned to think before she acted. But I did love that she ultimately decided she didn’t need to be what society deemed “right” for young ladies. I know it’s 21st century of me, but I applauded her choice.
Sometimes the historical books I read unleash the feminist within me and she goes on tangent after tangent to anyone who will listen (usually my husband) about how angry she feels over the treatment of women some 200 years ago.
This book was one of those.
But the thing that made me so angry is it was the mother of our heroine, Anne, who was the worst! Just makes my blood boil, especially seeing family members be so awful to the people they should love and support the most. Shouldn’t a mother believe her daughter rather than blame her? Grrrr.
The best character (in my opinion) by far was Thomas. I loved him the moment he entered the story to the very end. He is dashing and charming and, though he maintains a convincing facade to the contrary, he is not shallow and self-serving. I love when a character has multiple layers that have to be carefully peeled back to reveal the truth on what is within. I loved that he listened to and believed Anne’s story. It’s sad to me that the only person to listen to and believe her (I don’t like Will guys; sorry. He’s kind of a jerk) is a veritable stranger. But I love how he helped her and taught her to value herself for who she was.
Something I loved was the historical notes at the end, where Alene shares some of her inspiration and explains what is true and some things that actually happened. That was cool.
Overall a good book. It does feel like there is a more modern voice in the narrative. But the romance scenes are sooo good! I see a lot of promise from Alene. I think she’d write killer RomCom or contemporary and I look forward to reading what she writes in the future.
*Note: attempted sexual assault; lots of talk of male nobility and gentry taking advantage of female servants and impregnating them
Sometimes the historical books I read unleash the feminist within me and she goes on tangent after tangent to anyone who will listen (usually my husband) about how angry she feels over the treatment of women some 200 years ago.
This book was one of those.
But the thing that made me so angry is it was the mother of our heroine, Anne, who was the worst! Just makes my blood boil, especially seeing family members be so awful to the people they should love and support the most. Shouldn’t a mother believe her daughter rather than blame her? Grrrr.
The best character (in my opinion) by far was Thomas. I loved him the moment he entered the story to the very end. He is dashing and charming and, though he maintains a convincing facade to the contrary, he is not shallow and self-serving. I love when a character has multiple layers that have to be carefully peeled back to reveal the truth on what is within. I loved that he listened to and believed Anne’s story. It’s sad to me that the only person to listen to and believe her (I don’t like Will guys; sorry. He’s kind of a jerk) is a veritable stranger. But I love how he helped her and taught her to value herself for who she was.
Something I loved was the historical notes at the end, where Alene shares some of her inspiration and explains what is true and some things that actually happened. That was cool.
Overall a good book. It does feel like there is a more modern voice in the narrative. But the romance scenes are sooo good! I see a lot of promise from Alene. I think she’d write killer RomCom or contemporary and I look forward to reading what she writes in the future.
*Note: attempted sexual assault; lots of talk of male nobility and gentry taking advantage of female servants and impregnating them
June 2, 2023
The angst in this regency romance was almost over the top, but just realistic enough to keep me coming back for more.
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The men in this, for the most part, are completely atrocious and made my blood boil.
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The plot kept me guessing and the characters were fun.
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Definitely one to read again. Much more scandalous than I expected from a Covenant published book, which was a welcome surprise.
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The men in this, for the most part, are completely atrocious and made my blood boil.
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The plot kept me guessing and the characters were fun.
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Definitely one to read again. Much more scandalous than I expected from a Covenant published book, which was a welcome surprise.
January 1, 2025
I couldn’t put it down.
August 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up on a whim when shopping for some new releases, and I’m so glad that I did. It’s a well written and entertaining Regency romance by a debut author, reminiscent of Georgette Heyer (the original queen of Regency romance). The hero Thomas Paling is outgoing and flirtatious, though somewhat bored by simpering high society misses and he has vowed never to marry. Anne speaks her mind and is full of passion. She’s also the bane of her mother’s existence, so has never felt truly loved. She wants nothing more than her independence and to avoid marriage to Will, the town vicar who is more like her brother. She manages to make a deal with Will and contrives to get a Season in London to delay what she feels is an inevitable match. She is routinely thrown into company with Thomas and they strike up a bargain. But with her heart on the line and her sister to protect, will she be able to walk away and return home as planned? Thomas is one swoony hero and Anne is immensely likable. Highly recommend this to fans of Regency or historical romance.
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