Lady Willow Hunnicut has always dreamed of living in London. With design talent and aspirations grander than London’s finest houses, she knows an unmarried heiress will never be allowed to live in the capital alone. But a married woman may come and go as she pleases. With a little imagination, a lot of courage, and one carefully worded advertisement, Willow concocts a plan to get everything she … she wants… even if she must take a husband in exchange.
Lord Brent Caulder, the Earl of Cassin, is destitute, his Yorkshire castle is crumbling, and his tenants are without work. He has an ingenious scheme that’s a surefire moneymaker—if only someone would invest. When he discovers an advertisement seeking adventurers to fund, he is determined to claim the money. But his world is turned upside down when the investor turns out to be a flame-haired heiress.
The deal is simple: In return for marrying Willow, Cassin will receive her substantial dowry—and nothing else. All she asks is that after the wedding, each go their separate ways. But for all her careful preparation, the one thing Willow couldn’t have planned is the way she feels about Cassin… or the desire that threatens to enflame them both.
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I was due to read a book by Mrs Michaels as I wanted to know her work before I was able to maybe meet her during a romance book festival, so as the clock was tickling, two weeks before the event, here I am with the one book I purchased last year when I saw her name on the list of the attendees.
I confess Charis Michaels has her own writing style, it was new to me, but after few pages, I was in.
I didn’t know what to really expect with the details given by the blurb, but I thought about a more angsty story (anger is far from my favorite way to express thing) but she used discussions, exchange of opinion and time to give the characters their right reward.
The author did not use stratagems to manipulate her characters, they are straightforward and say what they have in mind. She gave them time to settle and understand what they really want instead of what they expect.
Willow is a strong woman, she accepts compromises and is ready to alter her path if it is to help her friends (who are really more in need of rescue than her) or those who might need her but she won’t accept half commitment.
Brent is ready to bury his own need if he can find a mean to save those under his care, so when in his way to fulfill his goal, he comes face to face with Willow and her incredible offer. He felt so entranced by her mere presence, that he did try to fight his attraction but was lost after a simple kiss.
It was a beautiful tale of two persons hazard put on the same path and were fated to complete each other. Brent accepts who is Willow while she understands him, it is up to them to find a way to fulfill their dreams and duties together.
I can’t wait to read Sabine’s story.
I’m more dubious about Tessa as I disliked she lied even by omission, plus I suspect her story deals with something that is triggering for me.
I enjoyed this book! Three friends, each with personal problems they wish to solve but bound by societal restraints–launch a scheme to “buy” husbands with their dowries and then banish them in order to live their own lives independently. This book, which introduces the series, focused on the character of Lady Willow who is an artistic delight. I enjoyed the author’s careful research of 19th century “guano” as a viable investment, and I loved the letters that were exchanged between Willow and her Earl as their love relationship grew.
It started out good but just seemed to end very quickly with poor wrap up of plot
great book, a little too steamy
Entertaining, an escape
A fun regency romance with great characters.
Good read!!!
Intriguing plot, wrong characters. Happy ending!!!
I really enjoyed this book. Cleverly written. Good sexual tension and adorable characters. If you like historical romance, you will love this author. I have read 4 of her books and will read anything she writes.