Series: Penniless Brides of Convenience (Book 2)
A convenient proposal…
Makes a scandalous match!
Knocking on Owen Harrington's door, impoverished and
desperate Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London's most eligible catch will
recognize her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And
he's in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen's shock proposal allows Phoebe
to fulfill her life's ambition to open a restaurant…but his heated kisses tempt
her to hope for a new dream -- marriage, for real!
Good book. This is the second in a series about three sisters
and their aunt. We met Phoebe in the first book, The Earl's Countess ofConvenience, as the younger sister who loves to cook. In this book, Phoebe has
gone against the advice and wishes of her sisters and moved to Paris to pursue
her dream of becoming a chef. We first see her at a café where she is waiting
for that chef, who is also her lover and trying to fend off some unwanted
advances. She is rescued by a fellow Englishman, who joins her for a drink and
conversation while she waits. Owen is traveling, taking time for himself before
honoring a commitment made for him by his late father. He's a lighthearted and
charming young man who looks forward to the adventure ahead of him.
I liked that first meeting between Phoebe and Owen. Both
are full of hopes and dreams for their futures, and they share that enthusiasm
with each other. Owen is a little envious of Phoebe's knowledge of what she
wants, as he feels he is just drifting through his adventure. Before they part,
they make plans to meet again in two years to see how well they have succeeded
in their goals.
Oh, the changes that two years can bring. Phoebe
discovered that her chef and lover was not the man she thought he was. He used
and abused her, crushing her dreams before leaving her destitute. Determined
not to return to her sisters as a failure, Phoebe returned to London, showing
up at Owen's townhouse. He hadn't shown up at their planned two-year meeting,
and Phoebe can only hope that he remembers her. But Owen is no longer the
carefree young man she met in Paris. A tragic accident has left him with
physical and mental scars, barely able to walk and haunted by what he
experienced.
Phoebe's arrival is like a breath of fresh air and hope
to the now reclusive Owen. I loved seeing him perk up and make an effort to see
her and listen to her story. Owen wants to help her, but Phoebe won't accept
charity. As Owen needs help extricating himself from an awkward situation, he
proposes a marriage of convenience with Phoebe. It will be business only, as
Owen has no intention of inflicting his broken mind and body on anyone. I loved
seeing Owen start to come back to life as he helps Phoebe make and carry out
her plans for her restaurant. There are many beautiful scenes of them as they
work together to make her dream a reality. The more time they spent together,
the closer they became, and feelings began to change. I loved the way that Owen
supported Phoebe, listening to her, and taking her seriously. The events in
Paris did a number on Phoebe's confidence in herself, and Owen works hard to
rebuild her belief in herself. Meanwhile, Phoebe's presence and faith in him
motivates Owen to take charge of his recovery. I loved seeing the changes in
him as his health improves, and his feelings for Phoebe grow stronger. But Owen
is still haunted by what happened to him, and the mental anguish causes him to
push her away. I ached for Phoebe, whose feelings for Owen ran deep, but she
loved him enough to let him heal in his own way. I loved the ending and Owen's
heartfelt exposure of his feelings and fears, and Phoebe's growth into a woman
strong enough to love him as he is.
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