Review: Sweet romance about an arranged marriage that won't disappoint!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 12, 2011
Francesca and Philip have been childhood friends forever, but she never expected to have to MARRY him! Of course, as her friend Chastity pointed out, Philip was handsome, well-mannered, wealthy, and a future earl, besides being an all-round good guy. What else could a girl expect in a husband?Well, Francesca had been looking forward to having a London season and meeting lots of eligible gentlemen and finding that one special man who could make her swoon. Philip was like a brother to her. Marriage to him might well get her away from her quarrelsome father, but she couldn't work up any enthusiasm for the idea, especially after he insisted that they would both be free to go their own independent ways after marriage. What exactly did Philip mean by that? She wasn't quite sure, except that she suspected that dallying with other women was involved, and that was hurtful, even though she wasn't in love with him.Therefore, Francesca and Philip make a bargain. They will have a secret engagement--to please their parents--and Francesca will go to London for a taste of the social whirl before the wedding. If she finds someone who makes her swoon, the engagement will be broken. But she has to allow Philip to try to make her swoon too, and if he does, she will agree to marry him.Philip's confidence that he can make Francesca see him in a romantic light is somewhat dashed when she becomes a great success in London and goes to considerable trouble to avoid him while she socializes with many eligible gentlemen. He realizes that he has to become more assertive in his courtship, using some of the rakish skills he has acquired over the years to get her alone and ply her with seductive kisses and touches.Ms. Gray has a deft touch with descriptions and has captured the period perfectly. In spite of the disadvantage caused by the shorter novella format, she has created two very vivid, likable characters with realistic problems of the Regency era. The only issue I have with the story is its predictability. A longer tale would allow more characters, perhaps a rival or two for either or both the hero and heroine, and provide a little more conflict and drama.However, I can wholeheartedly recommend this story as a well-written (and edited) very sweet (with a bit of spice as well) romance between two friends who never expected to fall in love. I'd love to see a full-length novel next time, though!NOTE: Reviewer received a free copy of this work from the author.