No Ordinary Groom

Spies and Lovers #1

by Gayle Callen

No Ordinary Engagement Miss Jane Whittington's hopes have been dashed. She'd always imagined herself marrying someone daring, adventurous, exciting. Instead, the man her father has betrothed her to is...a fop! Certainly William Chadwick is devastatingly handsome, but Jane could never love a dandy who cares for nothing save the latest fashions. So why does his heated gaze enflame a desire in her that she's never known? No Ordinary Love His work as a British spy has kept William apart from proper society for years -- and he has no idea that his latest “disguise” is anything less than appropriate. Now that he longs for a simpler, safer lot, he believes he's found his ideal bride in this irresistible beauty. But it will take a special sort of seduction to win Jane's heart. And when the Crown calls him back into service, how can William refuse -- even if it costs him the peace he covets...and the woman he can no longer live without?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Espionage, Fiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2003

About the author

USA 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

Reviews

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS ONE HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL BUT IT FELL FLAT

[susan p zyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story you would never believe would turn out like this

I loved this story ! It was full of adventure , and suspence a real page turner
I could not put it. Down
Susan zyla

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
William Chadwick aka newly minted Baron by the Queen had played so many roles he is uncomfortable in his own skin! Miss Jane Whittington has no idea why her beloved father has engaged her to a dandy who is concerned with the fabric of her clothes!
William aka Will is tired he longs for hearth and home and a wife and family to share it all with!
Jane longs for adventure and a life far beyond England shores! These two are definitely going in different directions! But are they?
Adventures pull Will back into the “spy” business and Jane meets the man behind the mask but is it enough for a future!?
When those dangers come to their door Jane can trust Will to take care of her but can she trust him Roth her heart?
Get in hold on for one wild ride! Will is no ordinary groom and neither is Jane an ordinary Bride! Bravo

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, steamy romance with a healthy amount of intrigue

It took me a while to warm up to the heroine but once she started to mature and grow as a character I wound up enjoying her more. Not one of my favorite Gayle Callen books but still good. I always enjoy the intrigue in her books. Not sure if I’ll continue on with this series though.

[Nidia Alberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet & Intriguing

I really enjoyed this book. Jane wasn't a delicate flower type. I liked that she didn't feel like she had follow society's proper rules from the times. William was a very interesting character. I kind of wish that there was more about his youth and upbringing to better understand his restlessness. Going to start Charlotte and Nick's story.

[Charity Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Ordinary Groom by Gayle Callen was Eventful!


Lord William Chadwick, the "H", was an amusing former Spy, and Miss Jane Whittington, the "h", was seeking a life less than ordinary, so they make a good match.

[Elaina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

William is a spy, we knew someone was going to be from the title. Jane is his intended. Jane wants nothing to do with William she thinks he's a ninny. She soon discovers that he is anything but.

[jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Loved your book it kept my interest !
The only thing was your dispiction oF
Lord Dudley . He is my long.ago ancestor .
Only kidding, who knows what he was like.

Thank ypu

[Cait M]

DNF @ ch10.
It might have been a great set up but the hero wasn't given a purpose or reason for his actions. The heroine was unlikeable and the story wasn't moving forward fast enough for me to continue.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Ordinary Groom

What an exciting story! Will appears to be a dandy. But don't judge a book by it's cover. Jane doesn't want an ordinary life. She doesn't want to be like other women of the ton. She craves excitement.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. No plot or character development. Plot holes.

[Padgett Ratings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast pace storyline and delightful feel.

[Kiora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heartless hunter made me want to read a bunch of Scarlett Pimpernel books. This one was okay.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lizzeth Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! A lot of adventure and chemistry

[Trudy Fagan]

Historical Romance meets Spy Novel!

I love the writing of Gayle Callen! I usually do not read spy novels but she keeps it interesting with all the romance that I enjoy!

[Debbie Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading.

[MrsMascara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle purchase

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sort of Scarlet Pimpernel type story. I felt the misunderstandings between the hero and heroine went on too long. I don’t mind some secrets and the tension they can bring, but there seemed to be too many along with the associated doubts, running all the way through the book. Part of the fun of a spy plot is getting past those misconceptions and having a team up, which did not play out that well here.

[Brigitta Antal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Történelmi romantikushoz képest lagymatag volt. Nem volt az igazi valahogy nem éreztem, hogy a kémia meglenne a két szereplő közt az elején. Végére csak csak megjött azért. Civódtak egy kicsit a főszereplők főleg mikor Jane rájött végre William titkára. Nagyon lagymatag főhős volt ez a William.
Bepillantást kaptunk a következő részbe ami valahogy izgalmasabbnak tűnik, mint ez. A százaléka is jobb, mint ennek. Most tükrözi a százalék azt, hogy milyen regény is ez.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humm... Honestly I started reading this book because the second book in the series has the same name as another that I just finished, that and it sounded good. This book wasn't as thrilling as I had hoped it would be. It was interesting but I had to force myself to finish it. The ending was well done and the couple did come to a better understanding of each other as well as what they wanted from marriage. Though honestly from the summary of the book I had thought that they would be married just after the beginning of the book when infact they were only on there way to be married at the end. over all I give this book a 3.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, as it takes place in 1844, Andrew learns about British spies in Afganistan. Our heroine, Jane, is told her father has betrothed her to a newly minted Baron. She is not happy, but though William is handsome, she finds his chatter inane. Will is trying to be something he is not, and eventually the truth comes out so they can have their happy ending. Now on to the story of sister Charlotte with another spy.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I can't say much for the hero's ability to read people, despite his being an experienced British spy, I did enjoy this one and thought it was plotted out better than most of the romance novels I've read.

[Karen Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fluff and awwwwww. A fun read with contrived scenes and yet also refreshing; seeing a hero going back to civilian life after so long.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency

[Karen Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4