Review: What's a Wager Between Friends?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 16, 2014
I really enjoyed this novella; it's a fun, lighthearted, easy read.  It's well written, with an interesting plot, and endearing protagonist.  Harry and Julian have been friends since childhood.  Julian, Viscount Debenham, proposes marriage to Harry, so that he can gain control of his inheritance.  At present, Julian's fortune is in the hands of his two uncles--and have been ever since he gained his inheritance and title at the tender age of 5.  Per his father's will, his uncles will continue to manage his affairs until he reaches the age of 30, unless they deem him fit before then.  Julian has no wish to wait another five years before gaining control of his affairs, and believes that if he marries his uncles will deem him mature enough to relinquish control to him.Harry, of course, thinks Julian's scheme is a bit harebrained.  She does not wish to marry Julian for a number of reasons.  For one, she loves the country, while Julian thrives on town-life, then there is the fact that she does not believe that Julian can remain faithful to her.  Since adulthood, Julian and Harry have grown apart somewhat, mostly because Julian preferred to spend his time in London.  In an attempt to thwart Julian's ridiculous scheme, Harry proposes a wager, whereby the rakish Julian must refrain from kissing another woman for three months.  If he wins, Harry agrees to marry him.  Julian quickly agrees to the terms, confident of his ability to win the wager.  Harry, however, is not so certain, knowing how much Julian loves the fairer sex.  As Julian reports his progress to Harry each week, and the two spend more time together, Harry finds herself hoping that she will lose the wager.  From there the story quickly develops.  This is a beautiful story of a friendship that blossoms into love.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it as a worthwhile read.  FYI, this is a clean romance.  Happy reading!