Series: Synneful Spinsters, #1
Traits & Tropes: marriage of convenience; bluestocking;
Publication Date: 11.08.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; London, England, 1820
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4/5
Ash Hawkins, the Duke of Buckley, has no interest in marrying and carrying on his father’s tainted title. He’d be content to just run his gaming club, but he has the responsibility of three young girls as his wards and their open rebellion is becoming more than he can manage on his own. A marriage of convenience would be ideal if he could find a logical, intelligent woman who would stand to gain from such an arrangement as much as he would. On a madcap trip to the Isle of Synne in pursuit of his runaway wards, he just happens to stumble across the perfect woman for his plan.
Bronwyn Pickering has faced her parents ridicule her entire life because she prefers her entomological studies to furthering their social climbing efforts through an advantageous marriage. She’s managed to avoid marriage for a few years, but now her parents are threatening to banish her from her beloved Isle until she comes around to their way of thinking. When she meets Ash, Bronwyn knows he’s hiding quite a bit, but since his proposal of a businesslike marriage would give her the freedom she needs to pursue her research, she accepts, all the while trying to keep in mind that their arrangement is purely for convenience, not a matter of the heart.
Though the pacing of this book was a bit slow at first and it took me a while to get into it, I think that was more down to the busyness of the holidays than anything else. Ash was frustrating with his insistence on believing in his unworthiness, but I loved seeing how Bronwyn gradually brought him out of his self-imposed isolation while he in turn gave her the opportunity to stand up for herself and what she wanted. I very much loved that she finally stood up to her parents, though I would’ve liked possibly a couple more pages on what happened with them after being told off.
The writing is so lush and, even though sometimes I absolutely wanted to shake Ash, you have to give props for such a good conveyance of emotions. I loved the found family aspect here, especially as it was really a solidification/admission of feelings that were already in existence, but which Bronwyn was able to bring out into the open with a gentle influence. I also appreciated that this book was a bit higher in steam than this author’s previous works, especially since that physical connection was also very important to these MCs connecting on a deeper level emotionally. Overall, this book tackles some pretty heavy themes and does a good job with them. I look forward to further installments in this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5091457883
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/4149855913
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