The Viscount's Convenient Bride by Josie Bonham

Luke, Viscount Enstone’s, resolve to avoid a love match is tested to its limit when he accepts responsibility for the Davenport family.

Luke has found it hard to sort out his late father’s affairs. A dishonest secretary and ailing land agent have left the family estates in disorder. With new people in place, he sets off to one of his smaller properties to discover the extent of an obligation that seems out of keeping with the cold-hearted father he remembers. Who is the young woman living at Shepley Hall and what was her connection to his father?

Miss Kitty Davenport has waited for a long time to find out if the new Viscount Enstone will continue the support his father gave to her family and her patience is wearing thin. Will he carry on paying for her young brother’s education and even assist him in finding a career? For herself, all she needs is help to find a suitable position as a companion and to escape from the unwanted attentions of a persistent suitor.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viscounts-Convenient-Bride-Reluctant-Brides-ebook/dp/B08MHH4M8Z
US - https://www.amazon.com/Viscounts-Convenient-Bride-Reluctant-Brides-ebook/dp/B08MHH4M8Z

Review

Impoverished and orphaned, Kitty's life and her brother's education are dependent on the late Lord Entstone's heir, a man who she has never met. Though first impressions are less than ideal, she quickly finds herself falling for Luke - but he has vowed to never to give his heart away. Will a proposed marriage of convenience lead to love or only more heartbreak?

This is a charming and enjoyable Regency romance between two lonely people. Kitty and Luke are both sensible and interesting, though Luke tends towards maudlin introspection and Kitty towards self-doubt. Despite Kitty's misgivings, Luke's sister and aunt are nothing but welcoming and supportive, and Luke has a support structure of his own even if it was at times too large for me to follow.

There are a few things that drew me back from loving this - the climax of the plot doesn't coincide with the emotional climax, so it feels like the book should end earlier than it does, and the mystery about Sir Sewell and Davenport Court fades away and could well have been cut without affecting the main plot at all.

The romance was engaging, the dresses were sumptuous, and the supporting cast convincing. Overall, a solid historical romance for anyone in the mood.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio

Josie lives in the English midlands, surrounded by towns full of history such as Evesham, Stratford-Upon- Avon, Warwick and Worcester. Which is perhaps why her favourite reads are historical. Out of all the periods to choose from the Regency Era stirs her imagination the most. The true Regency lasted from 1811 until 1820 but dates as wide as 1789 to 1837 have been included in the extended Regency period. For Josie the true flavour of this period emerges after the iniquitous hair powder tax of 1795, unsurprisingly, scuppered the fashion for hair powder almost overnight.
Josie has always dabbled in stories but it took the combined efforts of her sister and eldest niece to set her on the path to writing novels. Her Regency romances, with a dash of adventure and intrigue, are the result.
There is more information on her website at www.josiebonhamauthor.com

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