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His Trilogy #1
His Betrothed
She was a reluctant bride...
When Lady Roselyn Harrington discovers an injured sailor from the Spanish Armada washed up on shore, she's stunned to see he's the fiancé she abandoned at the altar two years before. When she'd first met Sir Spencer Thornton, he was far from the man of her dreams. But the Spencer she nurses back to health now is very different from the aloof nobleman who once scorned her. And in his strong embrace, Rose discovers passion...with the one man she can never trust.
He was a determined groom!
Spencer had jumped at the chance to escape London and serve Queen Elizabeth as a spy against Spain. And though he's now dependent on Rose's good graces to hide him from the traitor trying to kill him, Spencer decides to play an even more dangerous game: to make Rose fall in love with him so that he can reject her. But the impetuous girl has become a strong beauty, and Spencer's intended revenge turns into a wholesale wooing of the one woman he can't resist -- his betrothed.
When Lady Roselyn Harrington discovers an injured sailor from the Spanish Armada washed up on shore, she's stunned to see he's the fiancé she abandoned at the altar two years before. When she'd first met Sir Spencer Thornton, he was far from the man of her dreams. But the Spencer she nurses back to health now is very different from the aloof nobleman who once scorned her. And in his strong embrace, Rose discovers passion...with the one man she can never trust.
He was a determined groom!
Spencer had jumped at the chance to escape London and serve Queen Elizabeth as a spy against Spain. And though he's now dependent on Rose's good graces to hide him from the traitor trying to kill him, Spencer decides to play an even more dangerous game: to make Rose fall in love with him so that he can reject her. But the impetuous girl has become a strong beauty, and Spencer's intended revenge turns into a wholesale wooing of the one woman he can't resist -- his betrothed.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 29, 2001
348 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Callen
46 books523 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books. Her twenty-second novel, The Wrong Bride, was published in November 2015.
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 22, 2020
3.5 stars. Roselyn and Spencer. I liked this story. Heroine goes through a lot in this one. Betrothed. Jilts her betrothed at the alter. Marries another guy who turns out to be a jerk, her parents disown her, loses her first born daughter and her awful first husband to the black plague, etc.
All of this stuff happens before the book is even half way through.
Spencer makes no effort to get to know his betrothed, wants to get revenge due to her jilting him, happens to wash up on the shore where she finds him and helps him heal, has spy issues going on that he can not communicate with her. etc. Makes a weird decision to protect her by leaving her AFTER he has sex with her. In short, these two really had to work at their epic hea.
All of this stuff happens before the book is even half way through.
Spencer makes no effort to get to know his betrothed, wants to get revenge due to her jilting him, happens to wash up on the shore where she finds him and helps him heal, has spy issues going on that he can not communicate with her. etc. Makes a weird decision to protect her by leaving her AFTER he has sex with her. In short, these two really had to work at their epic hea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2017
I hv nothing against the author's writing style. It was pretty decent. But I hated the plot. I read the blurb and got Intrigued but within the first 20-30 pages of the book I realised this is not what i thought and expected. A reluctant fiance is one thing but being an earl's daughter and eloping with a stable groom is plain stupid and disgusting. Its not even like the heroine is in love with the groom she just likes the way he talks (wtf). The heroine is just stupid and deserved whatever she went through.....not all foolhardy girls like her gets a happy ending in real life.....i know its all fiction and all...but i dont want stupid selfish girls like her hving a happy ending.....what i hated most is even after 2 years after her "mistake" she was showing attitude to the hero...wtf. Its like she has selective intelligence, using her brain too much unnecessary just in case of our hero( spy and sudden patriotism)and otherwise turning her brain off in every other matter.
So its a No NO NO from me.
So its a No NO NO from me.
September 30, 2022
I found this a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down & completed it in one day. The story moved right along and there was no foul language or too explicit love scenes. The dialog was well done & realistic. I will definitely read the rest of Callen's trilogy.
February 17, 2010
O n the eve of her wedding, at a party to celebrate the joining of their families, Lady Roselyn Harrington laid eyes on her betrothed for the first time.......to sort out the problem she did something unpredictable........intresting solution leads to an intresting encounter with a spanish sailor...now what happens next is intruging and intresting!!!!
August 7, 2022
3 stars
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I got the book free. I almost didn’t finish because the book was slow and boring about daily routines. It was not very historical in parts because the heroine was independent. She hand fasted with a servant rather than marry the hero two years prior. She was disinherited by her parents and was subsequently a widow in this book. Obviously, the H/h had issues with each other when she found him washed up on the beach as a spy. The hero was a jerk at the beginning of their first and second meeting.
There were a few bad sentences which need to be corrected and a few misspelled words. The scene at the end was unbelievable. I did finish it so I gave it 3 stars.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I got the book free. I almost didn’t finish because the book was slow and boring about daily routines. It was not very historical in parts because the heroine was independent. She hand fasted with a servant rather than marry the hero two years prior. She was disinherited by her parents and was subsequently a widow in this book. Obviously, the H/h had issues with each other when she found him washed up on the beach as a spy. The hero was a jerk at the beginning of their first and second meeting.
There were a few bad sentences which need to be corrected and a few misspelled words. The scene at the end was unbelievable. I did finish it so I gave it 3 stars.
July 29, 2022
Surprisingly successful
I had misgivings when this started out so dismally... Another awful arranged marriage set up by conniving parents, a groom who was an utter arse, and then a disastrous decision leading to a worse union with bitterness for all.
As the story built and the couple gradually learned about each other, however, it felt more and more hopeful. Add in a generous helping of wartime intrigue, treachery, secrets, uncertainty, and a race to the queen to build suspense, but it was obviously headed to a happy ending (as these things invariably do).
Some nice complexity in what could have been just another forced marriage story.
I had misgivings when this started out so dismally... Another awful arranged marriage set up by conniving parents, a groom who was an utter arse, and then a disastrous decision leading to a worse union with bitterness for all.
As the story built and the couple gradually learned about each other, however, it felt more and more hopeful. Add in a generous helping of wartime intrigue, treachery, secrets, uncertainty, and a race to the queen to build suspense, but it was obviously headed to a happy ending (as these things invariably do).
Some nice complexity in what could have been just another forced marriage story.
September 14, 2022
I thought this was a good entertaining read. It was a bit frustrating in the beginning because of all the back and forth between the hero & heroine. She was stubborn and wouldn't give and he was just as stubborn & bull-headed as she was. So many times I wanted the two to just let go and let it all out. But there was too much pride between the two of them. I'm happy they finally came to their senses and found their happy ending.
This is my first book from Gayle Callen. This was a goodread for me and I'll be picking up book 2 in this series.
low 4 stubborn stars outta 5 for this read!!
This is my first book from Gayle Callen. This was a goodread for me and I'll be picking up book 2 in this series.
low 4 stubborn stars outta 5 for this read!!
March 12, 2025
Interesting pick for time period
I love Elizabeth's England. It was an age of treacherous politics and outrageous fortune. Pirates, armadas, exploration and formality what's not to love. The story is mainly a second chance romance in a small village. It removes all the elements of awesome drama and focuses on the boring parts. I wouldn't be so upset if the awesome drama of a spy ring being killed and an undercover agent living among Phillip's navy wasn't such a cool idea. He's badly wounded and she nurses him back to health.
I love Elizabeth's England. It was an age of treacherous politics and outrageous fortune. Pirates, armadas, exploration and formality what's not to love. The story is mainly a second chance romance in a small village. It removes all the elements of awesome drama and focuses on the boring parts. I wouldn't be so upset if the awesome drama of a spy ring being killed and an undercover agent living among Phillip's navy wasn't such a cool idea. He's badly wounded and she nurses him back to health.
September 9, 2022
His Betrothed by Gayle Callen was a Story with an Interesting Turn of Events!
Lady Roselyn Harrington, the "h", was a nice surprise, with a good, kind heart. Her demeanor made me like her right from the start.
Spencer Thornton, the "H", gave me pause at the beginning of the story, but as the plot unfolded, and his character evolved, I found myself liking him as well.
I am glad that they achieved their happy ever after, since they both deserved a good life.
Lady Roselyn Harrington, the "h", was a nice surprise, with a good, kind heart. Her demeanor made me like her right from the start.
Spencer Thornton, the "H", gave me pause at the beginning of the story, but as the plot unfolded, and his character evolved, I found myself liking him as well.
I am glad that they achieved their happy ever after, since they both deserved a good life.
October 21, 2024
3.5 Stars! This was a good time. I had to hold back a cringe/suspend disbelief a little bit, but overall I enjoyed the characters/plot. If you're looking for an easy romance/historical setting--this could be for you. The twist at the end was kinda annoying.....but I had a good enough time to let it be. I felt good tension between characters and I love forced proximity--probably my favorite romance trope.
July 27, 2022
Love in denial.
Lady Roslyn's reasoning for rejecting Spencer was valid. However, her life did not play out the way she wanted it to. After finding Spencer washed up on
shore she learned a lot about herself and what a relationship is. Fortunately her loyalty paid off and she was able to save Spencer and to find her happily ever after
Lady Roslyn's reasoning for rejecting Spencer was valid. However, her life did not play out the way she wanted it to. After finding Spencer washed up on
shore she learned a lot about herself and what a relationship is. Fortunately her loyalty paid off and she was able to save Spencer and to find her happily ever after
November 5, 2022
Engaging
Words can not describe how enticing this story is. The drama, suspense, and my but the utter disregard for social norms made it so thrilling. I loved the scene with the Queen, definitely dramatic.
Words can not describe how enticing this story is. The drama, suspense, and my but the utter disregard for social norms made it so thrilling. I loved the scene with the Queen, definitely dramatic.
July 21, 2022
Great plot. Well fleshed out characters.
July 23, 2022
Great read
Characters are realistic , plot is interesting and believable. She certainly deserved a happy ending after all she endured. A proud woman
Characters are realistic , plot is interesting and believable. She certainly deserved a happy ending after all she endured. A proud woman
July 23, 2022
I love a good romance!
Have been reading a couple of abduction books and needed something a bit lighter and happy ever after!! This was the perfect book..thank you!
Have been reading a couple of abduction books and needed something a bit lighter and happy ever after!! This was the perfect book..thank you!
July 23, 2022
regency romance
I loved it. Kept me reading into the night. So much tragedy and heartbreak just like real life. But, forgiveness and love prevail.
I loved it. Kept me reading into the night. So much tragedy and heartbreak just like real life. But, forgiveness and love prevail.
July 23, 2022
amazing
Loved this story! Full of adventure, romance and characters with sorrow and regrets! Read it in on go! Enjoyed the HEA ending. Highly recommend
Loved this story! Full of adventure, romance and characters with sorrow and regrets! Read it in on go! Enjoyed the HEA ending. Highly recommend
August 1, 2022
Enjoyable light reading
August 5, 2022
A fun distraction from the real world.
August 10, 2022
Great story
Loved the characters and descriptions. A very vivid story! A well thought out love story . Loved the characters .
Loved the characters and descriptions. A very vivid story! A well thought out love story . Loved the characters .
August 16, 2022
Almost a Bride
The introduction was very inviting . The plot was good . The suspense was captivating. Happy ending for Roselyn and Spencer.. Good read.
The introduction was very inviting . The plot was good . The suspense was captivating. Happy ending for Roselyn and Spencer.. Good read.
January 31, 2023
Really good read!
I can't wait to read the next book in the series! It was a fast read, very well written. It kept my interest the entire time.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series! It was a fast read, very well written. It kept my interest the entire time.
March 4, 2023
absolutely delightful
Great, well written characters, with interesting history! The story line is complex and filled with hairpin turns! Absolutely a wonderful love story!
Great, well written characters, with interesting history! The story line is complex and filled with hairpin turns! Absolutely a wonderful love story!
January 19, 2024
A lovely romance with everything in Rosalyn is your typical heroine and Spencer typical hero with a little plot in the mix easy reading
March 19, 2024
Almost a bride
I loved this story of love, suspense, loyalty,and betrayal. Rose and Spencer desperate to fight their love,finally united in marriage.
I loved this story of love, suspense, loyalty,and betrayal. Rose and Spencer desperate to fight their love,finally united in marriage.
July 13, 2024
Damn good!
August 6, 2024
Love anything by Gayle Callen, and this was no exception.
January 12, 2025
had to suspend disbelief a little with the plot but overall a good story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews