Katherine Cartwright knows through bitter experience that true love is fiction and trust should not be bestowed easily. Now, after two unsuccessful London Seasons, her atrocious father has decided to marry her off to the highest bidder to pay for his gambling debts, ridding himself of the daughter he never wanted. A profitable deal is struck, and Kate is packed off to the home of her betrothed, an earl she has never met. Or so she believes.
When James Fenwick, the new Earl of Bowcott, learns that the girl he’s loved since childhood is being sold off like chattel, he’s determined to step in and save her. He makes an offer her father cannot refuse and insists on a proper engagement. But when Kate meets James again, her old friend cannot bring himself to admit it is him whom she is to marry. Soon, an intricate charade and a past that cannot be escaped jeopardize James’s chance at rekindling their friendship, to say nothing of winning Kate’s heart. Can love truly conquer all, or was this a match doomed from the start?
My Thoughts
After thoroughly enjoying this author’s contemporary Christmas story I was excited to read more from her! When I found out she would be publishing a regency I was definitely intrigued, and if I’m being honest a little wary. It’s tricky to do historical and contemporary and keep them both true to their genre. But Karen Thornell did it exceptionally and this story had everything I love about regencies!
I’m always a fan of friends to more, though this one had a slightly different spin due to the fact that they had been separated for years.
James was great and truly desired to do the right thing, even if he was misguided occasionally about the best way to do it. I greatly admired the way he wanted Kate’s happiness and safety above any of his own desires. I wanted him to tell Kate the truth faster than he did but I did understand the reasons he held back so I didn’t dislike him for that.
I felt so bad for Kate and the life she’d been forced to endure under her father’s thumb. She didn’t let it turn her bitter though and she had the kindest heart. She also had some trust issues that needed to be worked through thanks to her father and other circumstances and I was so happy to see her start to let her walls down.
I thought James and Kate made a wonderful couple and their romance, while a bit of a bumpy road was still so sweet!
I absolutely enjoyed everything about this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Meet the Author
Karen Thornell grew up reading when she should have been sleeping, but it wasn't until 2019 that she started writing. Tired of ending books and saying 'goodbye' to beloved characters, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters that lived in her head always. It was probably a mark of sleep deprivation that she wanted people living in her head, but the idea was planted regardless.
Karen lives in Utah with her husband and kids. When not writing contemporary or regency romance, she spends her free time doing endless loads of laundry, playing board games, and, yes, talking to those characters in her head.
You can connect with Karen on Instagram, Facebook, or on her site at www.karenthornell.com
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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