Convergence of Desire

The Lovelocks of London #1

by Felicity Niven

An insatiable rake falls for an eccentric genius. Too bad she’s his innocent bride, and he has vowed never to touch her.

Harriet “Harry” Lovelock lives a life of the mind, and she knows she can prove a theorem that has baffled male mathematicians for two centuries. But her stepmother wants her married and the swirl of the Season saps Harry’s energy and distracts her from her work. She has to put an end to the tedium of balls. Now. Full stop.

Thomas Drake, the Earl Drake, devotes himself to the pleasures of the flesh, even as he wrestles with his own demons and intractable problems. He needs to marry wealth, but could he ever be satisfied by just one woman?

She can spend all her time on her proof. He can have any woman he wants, except her.

Their marriage of convenience could prove to be the perfect partnership—as long as love never enters the equation.

Convergence of Desire is book one of the steamy Regency romance series The Lovelocks of London from author Felicity Niven. However, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. It has a happily-ever-after ending, a marriage of convenience, a slow burn, a neurodivergent heroine, and no cliffhanger.

Content warnings: steamy sexual material, coarse language, consensual non-monogamy, physical and sexual assault.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Marriage Of Convenience, Historical Fiction, Regency, Slow Burn

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

Sign up for Felicity Niven's newsletter and to receive a free prequel novella to the series The Lovelocks of London at https://www.felicityniven.com/reviews....

Felicity Niven is a hopeful romantic. Writing Regency romance is her third career after two degrees from Harvard. And you know what they say about third things? Yep, it’s a charm. She splits her time between the temperate South in the winter and the cool Great Lakes in the summer and thinks there can be no greater comforts than a pot of soup on the stove, a set of clean sheets on the bed, and a Jimmy Stewart film on a screen in the living room.

Reviews

[Wendy Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent genius of a heroine, is infinitely patient and poignantly unusual and swooningly tender.

I love her, I love him, I love the writing, I love the scientific/mathematic/literary references, and most importantly, I love the author.

WOW. With two degrees from Harvard and this lovely pearl of a book, who needs traditional editing/publishing?

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Harry (Harriet) is neurodivergence and makes a deal with Thomas to marry him to save him from financial ruin. After the marriage is where the story lays. How supportive Thomas is and to see the growth in him. He comes to care deeply about Harry, her physical and mental health is very important. I wonder how many men of his time would have done so. He continues to visit brothels after the marriage as it was agreed upon not to be consummated. He starts to fall in love with his wife. My favorite scene is Harry standing in the corner with a candle. My underlying feeling throughout the book is how lonely Thomas is. A bad guy and a hea completes this good read.

[Nabilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last weekend must have been my neurodivergent week; I've read two books featuring a neurodivergent character. And this one is fantastic! I still couldn't get this book out of my head. The writing is simply spot-on, highly readable, and not overly descriptive. The pacing is excellent, not a dull moment. I read this book in one sitting, and my sleep suffered (yet again!). The characters! Oh, the characters simply tugged at your heartstring. Harriet "Harry" is a mathematical genius, and I'm guessing she's autistic as well. She has trouble picking up social cues and is obsessive about specific things to the point of neglecting her health. Thomas is one of those rakes that I coined a 'lovable rake.' He's not a cruel person; he's just someone who's lost his way. His actions are understandable since he didn't have a good role model growing up.

I know that this sort of story has been done to death before. However, the story feels like a breath of fresh air in Ms. Niven's competent hands. In addition, the story has a few plot twists, so it doesn't get boring. Ms. Niven has also included a couple of calculus theories in the book. I was a mathematics graduate myself (alas, I'm not working in a field related to my studies), so it was fun walking down memory lane.

I was a bit wary of reading this book since she is a new-to-me author (I've been burnt so many times before when it comes to new authors). However, Ms. Nivens did some clever marketing here. You can subscribe to her newsletter, and you'll be able to download a novella. I decided to do just that before purchasing this book. I read the novella (It's about Harry's sister, Mary; the beauty of the family) and loved it. At least, you get a feel of the author's style and writing before committing yourself. For my GR friends who haven't read this one, I highly suggest downloading the novella first and deciding if her books suit you.

I can't wait for the next book (it's about Harry's stepmother, an older and widowed heroine/younger man trope). I'm not a fan of this trope. I prefer the reverse, but I'm sure Ms. Nivens will be able to do it justice. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with in this genre. In a sea of historical romance novels, this book stands out. Well done, Ms. Nivens!

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: Third person from both heroine and hero and some minor parts from a side character (Catherine Lovelock, Harry's stepmother)
Epilogue: Yes, and there are extended epilogues available too

Should I read in order?
It’s not necessary but there’s a lovely novella titled When Ardor Blooms you can get from her newsletter sign up here

Basic plot:
A marriage of convenience brings Harry (Harriet) and Thomas together.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1818)
- London and country estate setting (more focused in the countryside)
- Marriage of convenience
- autism rep (heroine)
- Low to mid steam (2 full scenes)
- SLOW burn
- You’re okay with cheating that is fine with the heroine early on in the marriage (at least up to 44% of the book)
- Hero needs an heiress
- Hero nurses hero back to health
- Mathematician, neuro-diverse heroine
- Emotionally strong hero (hero cries)
- left handed hero!

Ages:
- Heroine is 23/24, hero is 30

First Line:
"Harry!" In the room she called her own, the one she had begged her father for when he had built this house, the young woman muttered to herself, dipped her quill into the inkpot, and bent over her paper.

My thoughts:
Some authors just feel special. There’s been many stories I have enjoyed, but some author’s prose just makes me pause in the best way. Pause, and think, smile at the witty writing. The words weave in deeper to my heart than other stories and I’m finding that with Niven’s work. I adore finding a unique voice in a new author. She’s just unique and refreshing.

I enjoyed a lot about this story. Thomas is misguided but lovable and truly finds his way and his center when he works through his marriage to Harry. Harry is focused on proving a mathematical theory and really doesn’t think she has time for anything else. Seeing her journey towards taking care of herself and opening up to Thomas is really heart warming.

It’s very much a slow burn and I’ll admit I wanted things to move a bit faster between them. But the way this story unfolds really does work for them though. Thomas isn’t ready for Harry when they marry, emotionally, I think, and he had some things to work through first. And Harry isn’t ready to really see Thomas in that way in the beginning – she needs time to adjust to their new life together. So this story ends up being oh so rewarding – with the character development that unfolds and the true love story you get. The love feels so true and deep, something quality writing will bring to the page.

It was refreshing to see an annulment actually discussed with historical accuracy – they weren’t handed out willy nilly as soon as anyone wanted them like many historical romances lead us to believe. The whole book you really just fall into and the time period feels authentic. I am loving Niven’s world she’s creating with the Lovelocks and definitely curious about the next book in the series, which features Harry’s step mother and happens concurrently with this story.


Content warnings:

- Feelings of infidelity – heroine gives hero a pass to have relations with others because she’s not interested with being sexually active
- Mention of hero’s sister being married to an abusive man at 16, medicated, and dying
- Mention of hero’s mother dying giving birth to him
- Death/murder in self defense on page
- Attempted rape on page of heroine
- Scene of sexual harassment by side character of other character
- Scenes of drinking to excess and one scene resulting in the hero accidentally harming the heroine (he tries to leave the room and steps on her hand when she’s picking up broken glass and cuts/breaks her hand before he passes out)
- Harry is autistic, and there's some scenes of her mother teaching her to mask and act to make society passage easier for her


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:

57% - 🔥 breast play, fingering for her (hero teaches heroine how to give herself pleasure), followed by oral scene, followed by hero masturbating
62% - heroine mentioning masturbating 4 times prior
92% - 🔥 kisses, table sex (virginity loss for the heroine) (no o for the heroine, only the hero), followed by fingering for her

[GigiReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's me, hi, I'm the problem. It's me 😬

I know this is a Booksta darling and well-loved here judging by the glowing reviews. Objectively I can say that it's very well written, the author has an engaging voice that reminds me a bit of Mary Balogh. I thought the heroine, Harry was a delight and it was refreshing to read about a neurodivergent heroine in a historical with a supportive family. I also appreciate a spicy character-driven historical that didn't feel like modern characters in corsets.

Unfortunately, the hero ruined it for me. I adore rakes. Love them. Some of my all-time favorite heroes are massive rakes and raked it up all over England. Thomas is a rake and this is told AND shown to such a degree that it turned me completely off him. Yeah, there was a backstory that was supposed to explain he was damaged and didn't know any better. I don't mind if a hero is dicking other women before the book starts but once the story begins I don't want to see it and I most certainly don't want to read about it in explicit detail almost fifty percent into the book 🥴 I didn't care if Harry was okay with it, I wasn't. I mean I was over halfway and he was trying to masturbate to thoughts of other women (he was trying not to think of her but still no). I also felt like his raking was his only defining characteristic for almost the entire book and to me he came across as more of a sex addict than a rake. Needless to say, he didn't work for me at all. I think if his character had been as well developed as Harry and there hadn't been an unnecessary explicit sex scene between him and a courtesan this could have been a completely different story but aside from all his raking, there was not much else to him. The slow burn is Mariana Zapata slow and tbh if it wasn't for Harry and the fact that this was a book club read I would have DNFd.

Read it if you love slow burns, a well-written romance with spice and lots of humor.

Avoid if you are a jealous reader like me 😅

🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥/5


Tropes
Marriage of Convenience
Rake/Bluestocking

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one night. Slept 1 and half hour and went to work. Then was too exhausted to write a review so here I am actually few days later.

Excellent! Magnificent writing, characters and the story that was unputdownable.
As I read it I was trying to figure out what it was that kept me so interested. There were no cheap tricks like murder mystery that I just had to see a resolution or some kind of major drama.

It was just two people starting to like each other but not admitting it to one another. I guess I’m a sucker for emotional depth that is not all out in the open but boils slowly under the surface. And that’s the best way to describe this book.

Otherwise our heroine is on autistic spectrum and hero is a “virile” man who has to get paid for sex. But at the end of the day they are just two knuckle heads that fall in love and neither of them have an idea about the other person’s feelings.

Great writing and I learned a thing or two about math.

[Jultri]

Just not feeling in the forgiving mood. Man-whores I can overlook, because occasionally they might redeem themselves. What I don't have much patience for are indigent man-whores who are so sex-addicted, they continue their whoring ways despite knowingly sinking further into debt. A bit of self-control never hurts anyone. DNF 17%

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars. I enjoyed this book about the rakish Tommy and his marriage of convenience with Harry (Harriet), the neurodivergent heroine who is on the autism spectrum. Harry is a brilliant mathematician, obsessed with solving Fermat's Last Theorem. She is also trapped by her gender, unable to attend university or to openly share her findings unless she pretends to be male.

The writer has been able to make her characters interesting and believable. It is not your usual Regency romance. In some ways quite an intense read, with a fresh take on Regency romance.

This book won't be for everyone. The author does give some content warnings, which potential readers should check out before deciding whether or not to read the book. It is also a very slow burn romance, although the book held my interest pretty much right through anyway. But it does take a long time for Harry and Tommy to break through the walls both of them have, and allow themselves to openly love and care for each other.

Towards the end of the book I felt things were a bit rushed, and the writing didn't seem to be as consistent, but otherwise I found this an enjoyable read. I intend to try the second book in the series, which is to be released soon. BTW I like the cover design of this book. Appropriate to the content, and visually appealing.

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*
Almost, almost perfect!!
Wow, Tom and Harry!
FN is a wonderfully talented writer - A great new find!
A neuro-divergent or transgressive mc is always welcome. They add such unique layers to the story. And make it all the more human and relatable.

Harry/Harriet, our h is a mathematics genius and is quite certainly on the autism spectrum. We have scenes with stimming and she has difficulty making eye contact. But she is a determined and independent person who makes the H look pretty beta. She has a loving stepmama and two sisters - older, happily married and a younger 16 yo. (All 4 ladies have books of their own.) Her dead father and her stepmother have always indulged her interest in Math, not completely understanding her but supporting her nonetheless. FN has styled her on a RL lady mathematician of the times, Sophie Germain and similarly Harry is obsessed with proving 'Fermat's last Theorem'. And that too while she's 23 - an age she believes lead to great works by greats like Newton. She's shown as too busy to eat and so is skinny and sickly. Most Doctors have given her few more years to live.
She has been corresponding with a professor at Cambridge posing as a Mr.White but upon the death of ssaid professor, she feels she need to take her destiny in her own hands - via a marriage of convenience. And so enters Tom.

Tom/Thomas is an earl in dire need of funds. We begin knowing two things about him, three actually.
One - He absolutely loves his lands and estate and is ready to do anything to retain/ rebuild them.
Two - He has some kind of emotional baggage that keeps him melancholic and reserved.
Three - He has "appetites" and “have always needed more . . . companionship than all the rest of you.”
To that end, he knows that he needs a moc with a wealthy woman.
He has an heir, a nephew (son of his sister and a degenerate cousin from their paternal side), so no real need to procreate, and egged on by his bff (H of the next book) decides that marrying a wealthy older widow would serve him well. He settles his sights on the h's stepmother and begins to woo her, to the lady's confusion.
When she laughingly refuses him, the h happens to hear them. And decides that this man would serve her well. So follows him, to propose an arrangement of her own.
“Since we will both just continue to do what we have always done.” Thomas was silent, but Harry went on to explain, “I will be a mathematician, and you will be a whoremaster.”
Poor Tom! :D

They marry.
And settle at his estate.
Harry is happy to be mostly left alone to pursue Fermat.
And Tom goes every so often to town to visit the brothels. But never stays away from home for more than a day or two, making for pretty grueling journeys.
But he ensures that Harry eats and regains her health. “In a way, it was very . . . sacrificing of him to try to keep her alive. She had told him that she would die and leave him free. He was working against his own best interests, wasn’t he?”
And he gives her 'her room', 'her aerie' where she can work undisturbed.
The nephew/heir visits a few times and while Tom sees nothing wrong in his character, Harry dislikes him instantly.

Tom is strangely drawn to his very smart wife but is unable to wade through the pain of his lonely existence and her now-here-now-not presence. And Harry begins to rely on and trust her husband like none other, even allowing and enjoying his touch. He never even deigns to match her intellect, but is warm to her smart. And yes, they or she begins to explore her sexuality at one point.

With this plot framework, the writer weaves a most riveting, uplifting story that's equal part sweet and bittersweet. The book follows our mcs in the entertaining ups and downs of the one year of their marriage, with an abundance of heartwarming, poignant, brilliant, funny and sweet moments between these two very disparate people.
Their love is both impossible yet inevitable.

“And when he had told her he loved her just before he had released inside her, she had not flinched, she had not looked away, she had said very simply, “Of course you do, Tommy,” and gazed at him with her enormous hazel eyes.
Yes, of course, he loved her. Of course. His Harry. At this moment, he felt that she was his. Or he was hers. Yes, he was hers. She owned him. What a terrible power she had. He would do anything for her, his wife.”

Macbeth's Act two, scene three has a special reference in the book alluding to the H's incessant 'whoring' “What three things does drink especially provoke? And the Porter says, Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes the desire but it takes away the performance.” Even as shame fought rage in his heart, Thomas found himself able to marvel at her memory for things she had read once.'
Shakespeare, ofc, did have the right of it.

The epilogue is fittingly wonderful too.
'Tom, Dick and Harry'. :D
“And then she did the two things that made him tremble—she looked in his eyes and she smiled.”

Okay, Triggers - ofc his continuing 'whoring' till after half way of the book. Yes, it's an moc and she doesn't seem to care, even encourages. And yes, he 'thinks' of her but it's uncomfortable to read.
And to do that very thing - 'whoring' - that made his poor, abused sister slap him for, the last time they met before she dies a lonely, destroyed woman - at 18? I did not get the logic. He should have turned pious and celibate to cherish the memory of the woman who was both 'a mother and sister' to him. Rather than follow in the footsteps of the man who destroyed her - her husband.

**The eldest Lovelock girl, Mary's novella is available by newsletter only so sadly does not show on GR. Mary and David Vaughan, the Viscount Tregaron.
David is the stuffy older son (with a rascally younger brother Rhys) and much determined to make a sensible refined match, preferably daughter of a duke or earl at least. So, Mary with her merchant connection is not even in the running. She even overhears him deriding her which embarrasses him while she remains cool.
He's annoyed that he feels such a strong attraction towards her but his brother's attentions towards her makes him unable to leave her/them alone too. So, he pays her visits, sits in her drawing room for hours glowering at other suitors but leaves without saying a word. And every time he 'forgets' his walking stick there. A physical flirtation begins between them that crosses few lines. But she still doesn't know that he' staying on course. There's a confusion about who's sending her daffodils as his nickname is Daffyd she assumed it was him (it was not him). So, a mini separation/cooling off happens as she sends him off and only then he begins wooing her quietly but fervently by sending her roses, stranding outside her home in the rain etc.

[Ali L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry just wants to be left alone to do math, which is like, weird to me but looks great on her. Thomas is an earl in desperate need of money to rebuild his family’s estate and help the tenants depending on him, because he is a rake but like a nice rake who feels bad about stuff. Harry, who has a big fat dowry, goes “sorry my step-but-also-just-mom blew you off but you can marry me I’m super rich just give me a room to hang out in and don’t touch me” and Thomas is like “bet” and then this asshole accepts and nurtures her coping mechanisms and learns to accommodate her stimming and, in a final dissent to being the Mayor of Dickville, respects her bodily autonomy without question or hesitation. The BALLS on this guy. Harry is depicted as being on the spectrum but mostly she’s just a woman with specific preferences, which I throw my full weight behind (AS DOES TOMMY). Does that mean it’s a celibate book? NO. THERE IS EXTRA GOOD SEX.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEVOURED this stinkin' book! It was glorious! It was beautiful, frustrating, unique, special, romantic, chaotic....the list goes on. OMG. I just fell in love with these two cuckoos!

I can't review this book, I love it too much. To all my GR friends, read this damn book and thank me later!!

[Sarahcophagus · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite HR tropes is strangers who do an overly practical marriage of convenience, but then they get to know each other and fall in love while already married. The set up was perfect here. What tripped me up from loving this as much as I usually do, was just how much miscommunication there was for the whole middle and end chunk of the book. The slow burn was excruciating when both of the characters just kept misunderstanding each other, mostly due to Harry’s neurodivergence and Thomas’ misunderstanding of her neurodivergence. Which my opinion changed moment to moment on whether that felt like a reasonable excuse to me. Most of the time though, I would genuinely laugh out loud at how perfectly ridiculous their situation was. Also important to point out that Thomas is probably the most vaguely horny MC I’ve ever read. Dear god, that man needs a more distracting hobby than spending 95% of his days paying for sex and 5% of the time riding his horse around, most of the time transporting himself to visit Brothels.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating book!
This was an all-nighter!
Harriet "Harry" Lovelock is a mathematical genius who has very little social graces. Interacting in social obligations is exhausting for her mentally and physically. Her Mama Kate wants her to marry, but Harriet doesn't see the point. She's not interested in a physical relationship, but finally realizes there are advantages in having a husband. Earl Thomas Drake is devoted to living life as a rake, until he is heavily in debt and trouble is at the door. He needs a rich wife. Harriet finds out he needs money. She is very wealthy and decides to propose to Thomas...with stipulations. What kind of marriage is this? It's definitely bizarre, but at the same time a very touching love story. First in a series.
Trigger warning: profanity, abuse, sex, violence, infidelity and death.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Convergence of Desire, the first book in Felicity Niven’s The Lovelocks of London series, is a unique and moving historical romance. It follows a rake and a mathematician as they enter into an unconventional marriage.

Harry and Thomas are both compelling and memorable protagonists. Harry is a neurodivergent mathematician who is trying to solve a theorem no other mathematicians have been able to solve. She is brilliant, hates social events, and she ignores her health and well-being to focus on her work.

Thomas’s growth is one of my favorite parts of the story. He changes so much from beginning to end, especially once he faces his demons. At first, he is a rake with an insatiable sexual appetite, but he slowly changes. Kind and caring, Thomas insists Harry take care of her health even when he hasn’t cared for his own. He’s damaged and guarded, yet he’s also tenderhearted and kind.

Thomas and Harry have a slow-building and slow-burning love story. Their marriage very much begins as a marriage of convenience, and both are perfectly happy with their arrangement. Harry is free to work on her theorem and Thomas to continue his rakish ways. However, the more time they spend together and the more they get to know each other, the more their relationship changes. I loved seeing their tentative agreement turn into a friendship and then to something more. They appreciate each other in a way that neither has experienced before, and their slow-building romance is emotional and compelling. I also really appreciate the way Thomas respects Harry’s boundaries and strives to understand her. This is especially poignant in their more intimate scenes.

Another aspect of the romance that I enjoyed is their fabulous discussions. Thomas reads to Harry in the evenings, and these quiet moments strengthen their bond. They connect over Shakespearean sonnets, and in her own reading, Harry even learns about men from the comedic porter’s scene in Macbeth. The mathematical discussions are way over my head, much like Thomas, but they further highlight Harry’s brilliance. All of these conversations and time spent together show how well the pair connect and complement each other. I think they help each other see themselves in a much more positive light.

Overall, I thought this was a unique story and a great start to the series. I would recommend checking out the content warning, as some aspects of the story could trigger readers, including consensual cheating, physical assault, and attempted sexual assault. Thanks to Felicity Niven for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

All Harriet “Harry” Lovelock wants is to be left alone to work on proving Fermat’s conjecture, a mathematical theorem that has baffled mathematicians for two centuries. But her stepmother insists that she participate in a London season in hopes of finding a husband. Harry has no desire to marry, she is brilliant but socially inept and has health issues that will most likely prevent her from having children, not to mention she has no desire to have a physical relationship – so what man would even want her, not to mention, the social whirl is taking time away from her work. She thinks that Mama Katie will realize that Harry is not meant for marriage, but it soon becomes clear that her stepmother is not going to give up and when the opportunity arises, Harry takes matters into her own hands and brokers a marriage of convenience with the fortune-hunting rake that was just rejected by her stepmother when he proposed to her.

Thomas Drake, Earl Drake is in desperate need of a fortune and hopes that the beautiful and very rich widow Mrs. Lovelock, a former actress, will be swayed into marriage by the thought of gaining a title. But she makes it clear that she knows he is only after her money and that she is not interested. He then turns his attention to finding another heiress without much success, he is starting to wonder if he will ever find a bride when he is surprised by an unexpected visitor in his room. Harry offers him a marriage of convenience, she will give him her fortune and in return, he will leave her alone to work on her mathematical theorem – there will be no physical relationship between them and he is free to continue the hedonist life he has always lead, including taking lovers. And though he finds Harry odd with her blunt speech and the way she takes everything very literally, he agrees and they wed.

They go to his estate and he insists on Harry taking care of her health, and slowly her health improves and an unlikely friendship develops between them. Eventually, Thomas realizes he wants more from Harry than she agreed to give, but can they renegotiate their terms, or is he doomed to endure a loveless marriage?

OK, this book had a lot going on and I have mixed feelings. The story itself was good, and Harry instantly reminded me of the character Dr. Temperance Brennan from the TV show Bones which delighted me to no end. And I thought that Thomas was a very complex character and while he projected a jaded, pleasure-seeking playboy, he was actually a very sensitive man who hid his pain and insecurities behind his rakish mask. However, I was really turned off by a scene not long after they married in which Thomas is frustrated with Harry and runs off to London and sleeps with a prostitute – on page and in graphic detail. I can’t abide adultery in romance stories and while the author did mention certain triggers, she did not mention cheating (and I know that they agreed to him having lovers – but I didn’t expect to have to read about his escapades and I certainly didn’t want to read that “after he had penetrated her for the third time”) If cheating had been in the triggers and I really think it should have been – I would not have requested the book. Honestly, I almost decided to quit reading the book at that point, but I felt obligated to finish as I had committed to a review. Thankfully, that was the only incidence of cheating and in regards to the other triggers mentioned, while difficult to read, they were well done and thoughtfully executed. Overall, this book was an interesting read and I would consider reading more by this author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

[huma ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was otherwise perfect but it had one of my biggest book icks. he kept sleeping with other women even after meeting her?? i know theirs was a marriage of convenience but i can’t look past that i’m just a girl 😭🎀

4.25 ✨

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile]

Note to self

H continues whoring after marrying the h..... cheating by any other name is still cheating, even if she doesn't havr a problem with it 🤷🏿‍♀️

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving this up to a five-star. Do not dismiss this story due to its bland cover. Felicity Niven is a wonderful regency author, reminding me at times of Mary Balogh and Meredith Duran in terms of the wit, the yearning, the chemistry (Mary Balogh), as well as the interesting fleshed-out characters that I am actually invested in their self-growth and development (Meredith Duran).

I loved this read. It was so charming, humourous, happy, sad, real, romantic (the tree!). The dialogue is sharp. The callbacks are so rewarding i.e. Harry's fixation with the thigh, Mama Katie's tree metaphor.

I was hesitant to read Convergence of Desire due to the slow burn label, but it's one of Niven's more highly rated books on GR so I went for it.

Harry (Harriet) is a sickly, skinny heiress on the spectrum. She loves numbers and her one goal in life is to discover a mathematical proof before she turns 23. She has had enough with balls and after a few pivotal scenes involving Thomas (Tommy), she proposes a marriage of convenience. They first meet at a ball when they both fall asleep in the wee hours on each other. The second time they meet is when she ducks behind a curtain when he proposes to her stepmother for her money.

Thomas has an insatiable carnal appetite but he is devoted to Harry even if he does still go to the brothel early in their marriage. Niven did an excellent job of finding that balance of a relationship unfurling. He goes but it's very much routine. None of his emotions are involved and he treats Harry with respect.

Thomas was always intrigued by Harry, and I love those subtle moments where it is shared he waits for her by her aerie on the days he comes back from London, or when he eventually stops going to London...

Nothing bothered me in reading this book. I didn't feel Niven talked down to me as a reader by avoiding any "unsafe" conversations or events, or treated the characters horribly. I felt that Niven cared for her female characters. Thank you for writing the relationship between Harry and Mama Katie.

If this was written by a lesser author, I truly believe a few things would have happened: 1. Mama Katie would be a seductress/abusive step-parent to add unneccessary drama (or Hope would), 2. Harry would end up using her numbers to help Thomas in running the household, giving up her dream on solving the proof.

There did seem to be a suggestion of this when she scares one of Thomas' debtors off (and I actually really wanted to know what happened with that lol) or when Thomas is working on the household accounts and not understanding his steward's penmanship. I was hoping there might be something here, but I like that the story ends with Harry still in lifelong pursuit of discovering the math proof.

I love the way Niven writes her heroes. You can tell Thomas is always respectful to her, and that there is that deep yearning.

An invitation came. Dinner at the Dunbars.
"No," Harry said.
...
"You are free, I am not," Harry said. She picked up her last stalk with her fingers.
Thomas was about to put his argument more strongly. She was his wife. She must accompany him.
Harry leaned forward, her stalk of asparagus dangling from her fingers, and looked at him neutrally, like a teacher not wanting to give away the right answer, waiting to see what he would say next.
He opened his mouth and then he closed it again.
"You are absolutely correct," he said.
Harry sat back and put her tip of her stalk of asparagus in her mouth and bit down. Thomas suddenly felt like he had passed a very important test."

PS. Can someone please tell me how we are, as a collective, defining slow burn? Because I am fine with slow burn if it's one sex scene at the very end but all throughout the romance the couple are interacting and having feels. But I feel like different subgenres define it differently. I will run away from slow burn if it means there is no romance but a suggestion of one ... in the next book (I'm looking at you paranormal fantasy...)

I can't put down all of my favourite quotes but here are some... mostly to do with the thigh lol.

"Glub."

She didn't know why, but she was inordinately fond of that thigh. How pleasing to look on it now.

After all, in many ways, she felt that was her leg. And she should defend it in her own house.

[j · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book; although it wasn't as spicy as the 'Bed Me' collection, I got caught up in the story of these two characters, who conveniently get married for the benefit of both of them.

I like the way the author writes and how her characters are somehow not perfect.

[HR-ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency England. This had a 'slow burn' leading
to sex. But the pacing was too slow in places. I
gave this 3 stars.

I've worked in the mental health field with people
w/ communication issues (expressive/receptive
deficits or both), autism, bi-polar disorder, schiz-
ophrenia, developmental disabilities, multiple
personality disorder etc.

This featured Harriet "Harry" as a math genius who
didn't know how to 'read' someone or his/ her mood.
She missed nuisances IE verbal or facial cues, or when
someone used humor or sarcasm. I think she would
have been blunt w/ most strangers as in her later
interaction w/ the beautiful young lady, Hope Dunbar.
Harry made inappropriate comments & then was non-
plussed on how to rectify it. Hope left in a hurry.

Heiress Harry arranged a MOC with rake Thomas, an
earl, who inherited debt. They agreed on no kissing,
no sex, no children. They moved to his country home.
She had to work on her math theory (needed privacy)
& she gave him permission to have sex with OW in a
London brothel. She worked excessively & was under-
nourished. Dr. Andrews helped her eat healthier and
encouraged her exercise. Thomas became jealous
that Harry smiled for and listened to Andrews.

Harry acted one way (no sex) but thought another
(curiosity about her and his bodies & sex). Several
times she willingly sat on spouse's lap (after she
liked the 1st time). She gave Thomas mixed signals.
He went from reading aloud to her poetry & novels
to being force-fed calculous by her. She came across
as too tentative & coffee-obsessed. Doubtful Thomas
would've spent many mos. lusting after his wife, w/o
telling her. He wasn't shy & didn't lack initiative.
IMO this needed more romance (I'm not referring
to sex).

Revised 07/14/23.

[i_hype_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender, triumphant love story that will burrow into your heart and leave you breathless with wonder.

There are so many reasons I loved this delightfully unconventional regency romance. Because the list is quite long, I’ll elaborate on my top five- one for each star in my rating:

1. The sensitive, conscious portrayal of neurodivergence. The heroine Harriet’s neurodivergence doesn’t serve as a plot device or s nod to inclusion. Instead, it is intrinsic to her nature and celebrated and revered by the hero, Thomas.

2. The hero’s redemption arc isn’t compelled by a rare epiphany. Instead it creeps over him as his own self-awareness evolves. That self-awareness is the motivation for the changes wrought in his character.

3. The frank discussion of sexuality that happens between the couple throughout the book as the heroine explores her body and what brings it pleasure. It is in itself a celebration of woman’s sexuality and a subtle nod to the fact that men are not required for orgasms.

4. The vulnerability of the male main character is unflinchingly excavated. The plot itself is a very poignant examination of the pitfalls of toxic masculinity. The way the hero takes care of the heroine, ensuring her body and mind receive the same nourishment and freedom they need to flourish is beautiful.

5. The solid friendship that forms the basis of Tom and Harry’s marriage. They go on walks together. He patiently listens to her lectures on mathematical theorems.

This was an extraordinary debut novel and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

[Izzie (on pause) McFussy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Kindle Unlimited buried treasure. Like the hero, Thomas, I fell deeply in love with Harry and her story.

A marriage of convenience turns into a courtship where emotional and physical love slowly meld together in the most lusciously, gorgeous way. I’m adding this book to my 2022 favorites.

Full disclosure: I did have some quibbles with the vagueness of the timeline and the authenticity of the time period. Nevertheless… What. A. Glorious. Read.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

Premise: Harry (short for Harriet) is a neurodivergent mathematician who just wants to be left alone to solve a theorem. Thomas is an Earl who needs to marry rich to save his estate, but is not so keen on having a bride. They enter a marriage of convenience where they can both continue as they are, with the only rules being no love and no sex (with each other).

Harry was often in her own world but so charming, and Thomas spent a lot of time in caregiver mode in a gnashing his teeth sort of way. 😂 Even if Harry did not care for this behaviour, I loved how Thomas adapted in his tactics and didn’t try to change her. Also, I’m weak for a man who is all “oh no, I think I desire my wife! 😫”.

With none of the usual “we must consummate this marriage” to drive physical intimacy between the main characters, this book had the slowest of slow burns but great relationship development. Plus it was SO funny, with a fair amount of drama to balance things out, and there were excellent side characters.

I loved this story so much, and am really excited to read the next book which is about Harry’s stepmother!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miscommunication can work well for a plot when the cause is neurodovergent misunderstanding. This was achingly sweet and a little steamy. Lots of math, which obviously I also liked.

[Lissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just can't with this book.

Full disclosure: I am autistic (diagnosed) and probably also have ADHD (but not diagnosed).

I love that there are neurodivergent heroines out there, but I'm so so SO tired of all neurodivergent characters being portrayed as mathematical and/or scientific geniuses. Granted, some of those with autism are, but most of us ARE NOT. It's called a spectrum for a reason, and I'd love to see other facets of autism being depicted, too. I, for one, get overwhelmed when there are too many prime numbers strung together (telephone numbers and I have often have a problem). I'm kind of tired of every neurodivergent character being portrayed as a walking, talking calculator.

WE ARE NOT ALL MATHEMATICAL GENIUSES, and this doesn't feel like real representation to me. Nor are we all cold emotionally, and I'm sick of seeing that, too. Many of us, particularly women, WANT friends, WANT relationships - they're just out of our reach and we can't figure out why.

This feels like a book that is written ABOUT us but not FOR us, and I HATE that feeling. I cannot even express how much I hate it. The little I read reminded me of The Rosie Project, which is the worst depiction of a neurodivergent character I've ever had the displeasure of reading, and this book gave me the same vibes. Maybe it gets better, I don't know, but I don't really care to know, either.

And combined with the hero being with other women while married, even though the heroine is okay with it, and I noped the hell on out of this book.

If you want to read a historical romance where it feels like the author really did her research on autism and portrays it very well, I'd recommend The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley. He isn't a mathematical genius (but he is very good with memorization and finds number patterns easily), has a very specific special interest, has meltdowns, and feels very genuine to me.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Book Q & A***

* How did the book make you feel?: I enjoyed this slow-burn romance. It had a lot of misunderstandings, but it was sweet. The characters were endearing.

* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I felt the author did the neurodivergent Harry justice. I got a bit impatient wanting the MC’s to see eye-to-eye.

* What did you think about the main characters?: I loved Thomas. I felt that he was a good person. I liked that he was self-deprecating. Harry was exasperating in her single-mindedness, but it made sense due to her being on the spectrum. The secondary characters were well-developed.

* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: It was interesting and tedious being inside Harry’s head. This was definitely a slow burn. I could’ve done without the big miscommunication at the ending.

* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: blue stocking, rake and whoremonger with innocent virgin h, character on the spectrum, slow burn

* What did you think about the ending?: I was happy it all worked out for them, but would’ve loved it if the book had reached the resolution more quickly. I liked the epilogue but wondered how Harry would do as a mother.

* What is your impression of the author?: This author is very talented. This is the first book I’ve read by Niven and I would read more.



Possible Triggers and Safety: attempted rape on page, physical assault, infidelity on MMC’s part (h doesn’t care), h and H pushing away, HEA

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the idea and final chapters, but much of the early relationship was repetitive and drawn out. They are a sweet couple married for sensible reasons, not love. He needs money, she needs a quiet place to 'work' uninterrupted. He falls in love but she's difficult to engage. I liked him learning her needs, but it was tediously slow for her, and me.

[Laurie Sand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just my kind of romance, though I will concede it might not be to the taste of everyone. Calling the burn "slow" might be a misnomer, it might be better called "glacial". If you're looking for a romance with sexytimes before the 50% mark, this is NOT the book for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for subtle humor and the achingly sweet story of two people who seem entirely wrong for each other gradually falling in love, look no further!

Some details:
--a neurodivergent heroine who actually has a supportive family. I can't tell you how worried I was that the stepmother was going to be bad, I was SO RELIEVED.
--a "rake" hero who was doesn't seem to realize that he was abused.
--omniscient or limited omniscient narrator, an approach I thought would irritate me, but ended up being pretty funny at times, especially when we get the perspective of Mrs. Lovelock or Dr. Andrews.
--There is not much action. Although there is one big, dramatic event in the latter half of the book (no spoilers), for the most part we see Thomas and Harry eating dinner, or NOT spending the night together, or holding hands, and having lots of feelings about it. Personally, I love this. It's just two people with baggage getting to know each other and loving each other with their actions long before they acknowledge their feelings for each other. It was oddly gripping.
--I was almost scared off by the content warning about consensual non-monogamy in the book, because that kind of thing is SO not my jam, but I honestly had no issue with it because in this context it made perfect sense and was not meant to be titillating.

I do have two minor criticisms:
--The beginning of the book was rather heavy on exposition in the form of flashbacks. Anytime the past perfect tense is used a lot I start to get antsy and wonder, Yes, but what is happening NOW??
--The way characters slurred their words when drunk did not seem true-to-life to me, which jerked me out of the story a bit.

So, to recap, you might like this book if you like: slow burn, monogamy, eccentric heroines (some might call it the "nerdy with no social skills" trope), and the emotional buildup of the romance rather than the sexual payoff.


Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from BookSirens and this is my freely given opinion.

Harriet (Harry) Lovelock is a brilliant mathematical genius daughter of a banker, and heiress. She does not have the time or patience to waste on the balls, at-homes, teas, and other social obligations expected in the search for a husband. Harry is not a typical miss, even beyond her genius and her love of calculus. She barely has time to waste on eating, and her own health, as her focus is proving Fermat's Conjecture before she is 24 and her time is running out. Because of her self neglect, she is frail and anorexic. She doesn't understand and relate to people, social norms and expectations, and emotions the way others around her does. But she grew up in a very loving home and is understood and indulged by her father and step-mother, which was a good thing. In other circumstances, with less understanding and loving family, I would wonder if she would have been drugged into submission, or sent to an asylum, from how her behaviours were described, since neurodivergence would not have been accepted or understood at the time.

Thomas Drake, Earl Drake (I presume the Earl of Drake?), is a peer who inherited an impoverished mismanaged estate that was mismanaged for a couple of generations. He is at loss what to do and his friend gives him the idea of marrying a rich widow who can help to save his finances, but be savvy enough to put up with his fallacies. He is a man who indulges in excess his own pleasures and does not wish to give up his lifestyle. He seems to carry some deep emotional trauma, and a facile salve for them, for him is sex... lots of it, and with different partners.

Initially, he pursues Catherine Lovelock, Harry's widowed stepmother, as she chaperones Harry and her younger sister, Arabella, to society events. But Catherine declines him.

Harry, frustrated with wasting her time at society events, in search of a husband she does not want, approaches Thomas with a bargain. Her massive dowry for marriage to her, so long as she is given the time and freedom so she can focus on her calculus/proving Fermat's Conjecture. No more balls, no social activities, etc. It would be a marriage of convenience, and he would have the freedom to do what he wants, including sex with whores and others. All she wants is to spend what time she has left on her preferred pursuits.

Not very romantic right?

But this is a fascinating and compelling story that I sacrificed sleep to read and finish. Harry is such a cerebral creature that she thinks she is dying and wants to focus all her time on her math. And she probably was dying, since she had so malnourished and neglected her own health in her singular focus. Thomas is a man who seems very physical as his great loves are riding his horse and sex... he does not understand Harry, but appreciates her genius and uniqueness.

It would have been a bargain for Thomas, if he were a more hard hearted man, to take her massive dowry and just let nature take it's course, and have her die. Or being a man of the time, he could have taken her dowry and had her put away in an asylum.

But he is far more honorable than he appears at the beginning, and seeing how frails she is, finds a local doctor she can connect with, and works hard to reach her and force her to take care of herself. Maybe it was because he could not stand the thought of others thinking he was heartless and did not take care of her. But regardless, Harry becomes healthier. In the time they spend together, Thomas and Harry manage to forge a connection and relationship. Even though he continues to slake his sexual needs with whores, as she is not allowing sex since she was told childbirth would kill her by doctors in London.

The beauty of the story for me is how Thomas works so hard to connect with Harry and manages to pull her out of her head and connect with him. This was a very unusual romance, but so beautifully compelling. I loved the secondary characters too, including the doctor, Harry's sister and stepmother, and even her lady's maid. Because they all seem to surround her with love and understanding. I even found myself wishing there was a story with her father alive, as he sounded like an unusual man for his time, having been a loving father to a difficult child like Harry, and to have indulged her in her love of math. Also for his marriage to Harry's stepmother, which itself sounded a bit unusual but very lovely as well.

4.5 stars out of 5