Review: It's no inconvenience
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 18, 2011
As the poor relation to the Arringtons, a baronet family, Lucy has few and small expectations in life. When her cousin, Sebastian, proposes Lucy is grateful but also very surprised. Sebastian's mother approves, but her only stipulation is that they keep it a secret until after Sebastian's sister is married. At the sister's wedding parties, preparations, etc. the Arringtons meet the Wright-Gordons. Sebastian is smitten with Anna, who has no knowledge of the engagement. Honoring her promise for silence, Lucy says nothing while another woman flirts with her fiancé and ends up spending more and more time with Anna's brother James. Once family tragedy strikes, Sebastian proves less than honorable leaving Anna on her own.A MARRIAGE OF INCONVENIENCE was an engaging love story with a lot of heart. Both Lucy and James, as well as Sebastian and Anna, were believable characters who all have their own agendas and priorities. There was a lot of subtlety used to showcase each person's true character.For the most part, I was completely drawn into this story. I felt as if I were a part of Lucy's and James' relationship by watching all the small and little things that built it.The only problem I had with this story was with some issues with the ending. The big crux of their budding romance was something you knew was coming and could easily understand both sides of it. I was just waiting for something more in the overcoming of it. Early on in their marriage while Lucy is trying to adjust to the life as a viscountess, James tells Lucy "You do have power. You simply have to choose how to use it. That's when it becomes your own."  I kept waiting for Lucy to do just that. But she doesn't. She does nothing. She concedes to James' anger and hurtful decisions and cries. I kept waiting for her to make a decision, make a choice, cause a reaction, something, anything! to own her new power. But she doesn't. She cries. *sigh*Despite the lackluster ending, I really enjoyed this story. You can read Anna's and Sebastian's continuing story inThe Sergeant's Lady(which was released before this one.)(264 pages)