A Wife Worth Investing In - Marguerite Kaye (HH #1438 - June 2019)

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.

 

The Earl's Countess of Convenience - Marguerite Kaye (HH #1431 - May 2019)

Series: Penniless Brides of Convenience (Book 1)

A countess in name only…

…tempted by a night with her husband!

Eloise Brannagh has witnessed firsthand the damage unruly passion can cause. Yet she craves freedom, so a convenient marriage to the Earl of Fearnoch seems the perfect solution! Except Alexander Sinclair is more handsome, more intriguing, more everything than Eloise anticipated. She's set her own rules for their marriage, but her irresistible husband might just tempt her to break them!

Terrific start to the new series. Eloise and her twin sisters, Phoebe and Estelle, have lived with their aunt ever since their parents and brother died. Eloise is a practical young woman, and when her uncle informs her that a friend is interested in a marriage of convenience with her, she gives the offer serious consideration. The promise of the freedom of a married woman without the downfalls of the intimate side of marriage is very appealing.

Alexander never expected to inherit the earldom, and to fulfill the conditions of the inheritance he must marry by age thirty, just a few weeks away. Otherwise, everything goes to a cousin who is well-known for his profligate ways. It would also leave Alex's mother in dire financial straits. He hadn't planned to marry at all, his work as “Victualling Commissioner for the Admiralty” keeps him busy and frequently out of the country. There are also other issues that cause him to insist on an in name only marriage, issues that have haunted him for years.

I loved the first meeting between Eloise and Alex. Neither is what the other expected, which throws each of them slightly off-kilter. However, they are open and honest about their expectations, and a deal is quickly reached. They also didn't expect the sparks that flew between them, ones they tried desperately to ignore. To protect the public illusion that their marriage is a love match, Alex and Eloise must spend time together. As they do so, they discover that they like each other, and that liking adds fuel to the attraction that continues to grow. Every time that attraction flared to life it made keeping their distance even harder.

I loved seeing Alex and Eloise get to know each other. Both of them have excellent observation skills and quickly learn the little things that please each other. I especially loved the gift that Eloise made for Alex and how it showcased her understanding of him along with a sense of humor. Alex also demonstrated his understanding of Eloise and what makes her tick with the unexpected gift near the end of the book. One thing they have in common is their cynical views of marriage and their determination to avoid those pitfalls. But the time they spend together has each looking upon their pasts with different perspectives, and their feelings begin to change. But not everything is as it seems, and Eloise starts to suspect that there is more to Alex than he shows the world. I loved the scene where she confronted him with her suspicions and ached for them both as he finally confessed the events that had such a significant effect on him. I ached for Eloise as she finally admits her feelings, first to herself and then to Alex, only to realize that he won't return those feelings. There are some eye-opening twists and turns on Alex's horizon, and I loved seeing them each come to pass. His big moment at the end was fantastic as he let go of his fears and opened his heart.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Eloise's sisters are as intriguing as she is and I look forward to seeing how their dreams work out. I expect that one of the books will be Kate and Daniel's story. I have a feeling that, like Alex, there is more to Daniel than Kate knows about. I also hope to see more of Eloise and Alex in the later books.