The brand new series from 10-Time USA Today Bestselling author Jess Michaels!When the Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, offered to marry one of the infamous Shelley triplets, he was doing it for the dowry to refill his depleted coffers, not for anything so silly as love. But when he realizes it is Thomasina Shelley masquerading as his fiancée at their final engagement ball, not his true … engagement ball, not his true intended, a desire for her that he has been ignoring sparks. And when it becomes clear her sister has run away with another, an opportunity arises for a marriage with a much deeper connection.
Thomasina’s feelings for Jasper have never been appropriate and she doubted the prudence of pretending to be his even for just one night. Once she’s caught, everything escalates so quickly. Suddenly she’s going to marry this stern, fascinating man who is not particularly pleased at her perfidy. Add to that her worry about where her wayward sister has gone and it’s a recipe for both passion…and disaster.
As the two slowly grow closer, Jasper realizes his former fiancée’s disappearance may have more to do with his own past than he originally realized. And the longer he keeps that from Thomasina, the more painful it will be when the truth comes out. Can they let each other close enough to fight together against the dangers right around the corner? And will they survive to meet the future they could have if they do?
Length: Full Length Novel
Heat Level: Put a fan in your cart now (you’re gonna need it).
This is the first book in The Shelley Sisters series.
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Thomasina Shelly is hopelessly attracted to Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. Hopeless because Jasper is engaged to marry her sister Anne in a week.
Theirs is not a love match, Jasper contracted a marriage with her father to marry one of the Shelly sisters who happen to be identical triplets. He didn’t care which one he married, he just needed the dowry to right the wrongs to the estate made by his father and brother. But the more time he has spent with the girls, the more he wishes he had asked for Thomasina.
Thomasina would never betray her sisters, she is the “good one” and when Anne expresses unhappiness about the marriage, she tries to comfort her and assure her that it will all work out – even though she wishes she was the one marrying Jasper. Anne is so upset that when she begs Thomasina to pretend to be her at the engagement ball so she can have a quiet evening alone, Thomasina reluctantly agrees. The problem is Jasper can do what no other can – he can tell Thomasina from her sisters. He wonders why she is pretending to be Anne and goes as far as to try and kiss her. Shocked, Thomasina runs from him and decides to tell Anne that she can’t continue the ruse – but so learns why Anne wanted her to pretend to be her – Anne has eloped.
When he learns of Anne’s elopement, Jasper insists that Thomasina marry him in Anne’s place and she agrees. Jasper is upset that she tried to trick him and makes her promise to always be honest with him, and in the spirit of honesty, he tells her that he is not looking for a love match and probably won’t be able to love her, he is attracted to her and he likes her and tells her that he hopes she can accept that.
Jasper learns who Anne eloped with – one of his wastrel brother Solomon’s friends. He then learns that Ellis Maitland has not married Anne, he has passed her off to a relative Rook Maitland and will not return her until Jasper returns the “treasure” his brother took from him before he died. Jasper has no idea what the treasure is and keeps this information from Thomasina.
They marry and it seems like things are going well between them, Thomasina knows she is in love with Jasper and tries to forge a deeper relationship, but when she learns he has been keeping secrets from her, she is crushed and Jasper realizes too late what he has lost.
I thought this was a good story, it is well written and flows at a good pace, with likeable characters, steamy love scenes, a bit of mystery and a HEA with a nice lead into the next book. This is the first book in a new series and I am happy to recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Series: The Shelley Sisters
Publication Date: 1/7/2020
Number of Pages: 280
OMGoodness – what a delightful book for this author to write as her return to full-length novels. The characters are delightful, the story is well-written and well-plotted, and the villain is mysterious (is he truly a villain?)
Nobody can tell the triplets apart, at least in looks. Anne is the wild one, the ‘free spirit’ who acts first and thinks later. Juliana is the calm, even-keeled, responsible ‘fixer’, who runs the household. Thomasina is the pleaser, the one who brings peace and comfort to others – even at the cost of her own. As far as their father is concerned, they are a commodity to be bartered in marriage as he chooses and they are totally interchangeable in his eyes. (You won’t like him.) He has negotiated a marriage contract for one of his daughters – and the groom doesn’t care which one – so, Anne is chosen because she is the most troublesome of the three and it will get her off his hands.
Jasper Percival Stephen Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, is left to clean up the mess left behind by his father and his half-brother. He was never meant to be the Earl and both his cold, mean, hateful father and his errant half-brother made that abundantly clear to him. Yet, here he is, with a title he didn’t want, trying to clean up a mess he didn’t make by bartering himself and his title for a bride with a large dowry. He’ll marry one of the Shelley triplets and he doesn’t care which one – he’s never even met them. He has no intention of loving whichever one it is – he has spent his entire life building walls around himself and he has absolutely no intention of lowering those barriers for anyone. He will make that very, very, very plain to his new bride.
The three Shelley ladies, along with their father, have been staying at Jasper’s estate in the Lake District in preparation for Anne’s wedding to Jasper. Thomasina has found herself attracted to the Earl and she knows it is wrong and fights it as best she can. Yet, when Anne begs Thomasina to switch places with her and attend the final engagement ball in her place, Thomasina agrees – simply because Anne doesn’t care for Jasper and convinces Thomasina that she just needs the quiet time to come to grips with the marriage. When Thomasina returns to her rooms after she leaves the ball, she goes to check on Anne – and finds a note from Anne. Anne says that she’s found the love of her life and has run away to Gretna Green with him.
Jasper is incensed and insists that one of the other sisters fulfill Anne’s role. That will save scandal and still fill his coffers. However, it turns out he’s not quite so indifferent to the sisters as he’d thought and insists that Thomasina will be the one to replace Anne.
Jasper quickly learns that there is more to Anne’s disappearance than there first appeared to be. It seems his deceased half-brother may have set some things in motion that were now coming back to bite him and to harm the Shelley family. As Jasper and Thomasina grow closer, his fears for Anne – and then Thomasina grow as well. He tries to keep that knowledge from Thomasina – but isn’t able to do so. Can they salvage their relationship in the face of Jaspers’ lack of sharing and untruths? Can they find what the villain wants and save Anne? Will Jasper finally realize that he loves Thomasina? You’ll just have to read the story to find the answer.
I definitely recommend this as a lovely read. I had hoped that there would be a trip to London and Jasper’s mother would realize what her coldness had cost her and that maybe there would be some softening in her. However, that didn’t happen and since the book has ended, I assume it will never happen. There is still a chance that the triplet’s father will finally have some sort of epiphany since there are two more books to go.
I can hardly wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a huge fan of Jess Michael’s writing but this one was a little hard for me to get into. The characters were too aloof at first. But after Anne runs away the action picks up and you are left wondering where she is and why she hasn’t come home. This book draws you in and by the end you are eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. But then that is just how Jess Michaels writes.
She wants love, but he doesn’t.
All of his life, Jasper Percival Stephen Kincaid, Earl of Harcourt has endured family scandal. Now, all he wants is a scandal-free marriage to a rich bride who will not expect love. Dream on Lord Harcourt – dream on.
They are identical triplets, but each Shelley sister is uniquely different in personality and behavior. Also, each sister sees marriage differently, but it’s Thomasina Shelley who dreams of forever love. Will her dreams come true, or will her dream opportunity become a living nightmare?
If not for the needless cursing and vulgarities, A Reluctant Bride could have been a five-stars read. I loved the story and the heroine. I even understood and like the hero and his hangups. In fact Jess Michaels did a very good job of developing all of the characters within this well written romance/mystery. I didn’t even mind that the over-arching plot is not solved in the first book. After all there are three sisters who each need a story, and Thomasina and Jasper’s happiness is solid by the end of this first book in the series. Sweet. I just keep coming back to the authors choice to use language that didn’t help or improve the overall story in any way. Sad.
Content 411: In addition to secular and religious swearing, this author also used the “f” word four times. Also, this book contains detailed sexually intimate scenes, dialogue and thoughts.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
More like this, please!
Identical triplets and their father can’t tell them apart, but Jasper can!
He is about to marry Anne but she runs away just before the wedding and so because it wasn’t a love match, he insists on marrying one of the other triplets.
Needless to say, Thomasina is chosen and she is absolutely delighted because she has very warm feelings for this man.
A beautifully written romance which kept me reading into the wee hours, lapping up the romance and delighting on how these two characters kept me glued to the pages. I definitely need an early night tonight to make up the lost sleep (smile) but it was well worth it!
I definitely have to recommend this book and need to get hold of the second one soon!
This is the first in Jess Michaels new series centered around the Shelley triplets. The story begins with the wildest of the sisters Anne engaged to Jasper, Earl of Harcourt. We learn early on she doesn’t want the match and persuades Thomasina, the quietest of the sisters, to take her place at her engagement ball. Mayhem ensues when we discover Jasper knows right away the sisters have switched and Anne disappears into the night. Surprisingly Thomasina and Jasper marry. Throughout the hunt for Anne, the two newlyweds come to know each other and past hurts and secrets come to light. Ultimately they find love and we are set up well for the next installment of the series. Great read, if you love regency I recommend you give this series a try.
Author Jess Michaels must have some sort of writing magic. Every book she writes is not only original but features well developed and likable characters. Of course there’s also plenty of chemistry and hot and steamy romance to round things off. A Reluctant Bride featuring the Shelley sisters will not disappoint. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment. Write faster Ms. Michaels!!
A Reluctant Bride by Jess Michaels is book One in The Shelley Sisters Series. This is the story of Thomasina Shelley and Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. Jasper has taken on the title after his father and half-brother are not longer. But neither of them where productive and instead where selfish and have run through everything. Now Jasper has committed to being up the coffers by marrying one of the Shelley Sister who are triplets this will ensure that he will have the much need help to fill the coffers. Not looking for anything but that goal he doesn’t care which sister he marries. Mr. Shelley picks out Ann for him to take as his wife but when the night of their engagement party she has gone missing and Thomasina feels in. Jasper for some reason can tell Thomasina apart from her sister where the other two he can’t find any difference. Thomasina has immediate feelings for him but her father choose her sister so she tries to not show them until she has to pretend that she is his chosen bride.
This was a hot read that kept me turning the pages.
The first in a trilogy about the Shelley triplets. Thomasina falls in love with her sister’s fiancé, Jasper. I found Thomasina a bit too nice and understanding of Jasper’s fear of love. Both Thomasina’s father and Jasper’s mother are portrayed as cold mean individuals. I thought the story dragged on towards the end with Jasper and Thomasina declaring their love for each other over and over and over. The tension over the missing sister could have been greater to lead up to the next book in the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Thrilling start to an amazing series!
Thomasina is tricked into impersonating her sister, Anne; an event which leads to drastic changes of fortune for all involved. The slow dance that she and Jasper execute as they get to know each other while they search for the missing Anne is exquisitely detailed, with deeply emotional characterizations and no small emphasis on their intense physical connection.
As a mother of identical twin girls, let me just say how very important it is that the hero can distinguish between the sisters. The significance of the fact that he instantly recognizes Thomasina even when she’s pretending to be Anne cannot be overemphasized. When I discussed that scene with one of my daughters, she confirmed that that one issue is an absolute must. The author delicately and respectfully deals with a lot of the issues unique to siblings that are multiples, especially those who are identical in appearance. That alone makes this book special, and well worth reading.
Jasper soon finds that the root cause of all the trouble they’re facing lies with his late brother, and he must dig deep into his own complex family history to find a workable solution. I absolutely adored the way Thomasina partnered with him throughout all the ups and downs, showing him a future that he had never dared to imagine.
Jasper and Thomasina’s romance concludes with a very satisfying HEA, while the overarching mystery surrounding Anne’s disappearance is left for the next book to explore. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A Reluctant Bride by Jess Michaels
The Shelley Sisters #1
Being one of the Shelley triplets has not been easy for Thomasina, Anne and Juliana. They were considered freaks and treated so by family and society. The same face on all three but definitely not the same as Anne is outgoing and the life of the party, Juliana needs to fix things and Thomasina wants to help and comfort. Since nobody can tell them apart it is no big deal for Thomasina to step into Anne’s shoes for a night and dance with the man she fell hard for when he was introduced as Anne’s intended…even though Anne did not want him. And…that is just the beginning of the tale of the Shelley sisters…
What I liked:
* Thomasina – all heart, giving and comfort putting herself last – she really loves Jasper but she also has spirit and a temper.
* Jasper – perhaps damaged by his childhood but a good man who is surprised by the connection he feels for Thomasina – and HOT indeed he is with his new wife.
* Wondering about Juliana and Anne – I am eager to find out who they really are and what men they will end up with.
* The story – it drew me in and made me feel for the triplets and for Jasper and all they managed to survive while growing up.
* The mystery still unresolved – What is the treasure and why is it so important? Will they find it and if so when?
* The relationship between Thomasina and Jasper
* The connection between the triplets
What I did not like:
* The father of the Shelley triplets – a man I who was more interested in himself than his family.
* Anne’s thoughtless action – although it did work out well for Thomasina
* Having to wait to find out what will happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
A Reluctant Bride is a new series about the Shelley sisters who are a set of identical triplets. As you can imagine they get up to a lot of mischief and mayhem which was a total lark to read about. This book didn’t disappoint at all in any way as Jess Michaels writes such magical romance stories, she somehow manages to capture your imagination and is able to make you feel like you are a part of the story. I absolutely loved the characters and the story was such an exciting read. This is another winner from such an amazingly talented author.
The Shelley triplets are going to provide us with so much entertainment
******
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle Unlimited: Unknown
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This is book one in the series, and in this book we meet all 3 of the Shelley triplets. Anne, the wild and free sister, Julianna, the sister that always has to fix things, and Thomasina, the quiet shy sister everyone overlooks. Everyone but Jasper that is.
Anne is engaged to Jasper, a marriage of convenience; the father wants to push Anne on to a suitor and Jasper needs to replenish his coffers after the mess his brother made. Thomasina had felt a connection and curiosity for Jasper the first time they met. But, since he was betrothed to Anne, Thomasina only watched him from afar. However, when Anne asks Thomasina to go to her engagement ball as Anne, everything changes. Anne takes off with a love interest and leaves the family to clean up the mess. That is where the story gets good.
No one can tell the triplets apart, no one except Jasper that is…he can pick Thomasina out instantly, but does he want anything more than a full coffer and warm bed? You will need to read the book to find out. I enjoy Jess Michaels books and I can’t wait to read about Anne and Julianna, and hopefully more on Thomasina and Jasper! Do I recommend! A resounding YES!!! Will I continue to read the series? Yes, I will read anything that @jessmichaelsbks writes!!! Grab this book ASAP!!!
#booklovers #booknerd
#booksarelife #bookish #amreading
#lovesbook #romancereads
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#readersofinstagram #netgalley #historicalromance #recommendedreading #thereluctantbride
Summer 1812
I know when I pick up a book by Jess Michaels I will immerse myself in a wonderful story and she never fails! As a side note, if you have not listened to one of her audibles, you don’t know what you are missing!
The Shelley Triplets, yes three sisters that are really different in nature and their father was ready to get them married off. Anne was the one who loved fun and town, Julianna was the level one, calm and kept the peace, while Thomasina thought she was just boring, always the one to do the right thing, the good girl.
When Jasper, Lord Harcourt asked their father for one of the girl’s hands in marriage, he told their father to pick. Can you just imagine? Interchangeable? Not in the least. But Anne was chosen who seemed the least similar in temperament and Thomasina developed feelings for him and this is their story.
Fate seems to step in and Anne elopes with one of Jasper’s wastrel brother’s friends who demands something from Jasper before he will return her to the family. He turns to Thomasina to stand in Anne’s place and marry him!
A tangled web with a mystery, secrets, wonderful characters and an attraction that cannot be denied although some will try! Great start to a new series! Wonderful!
I was sad to see the end of the Jess Michaels novella series The Scandal Sheet, so I was thrilled to find out she had a new series coming out…and there would be a full-length book! Squeeeeeee! A Reluctant Bride is the first book in that new series, The Shelley Sisters.
The Earl of Harcourt, Jasper Kincaid, needs to refill his coffers to replace all that was whittled away by the prior earls, his father and half brother, both notorious wastrels. He is set to wed Anne Shelley, one of the identical Shelley triplets, whose father basically sold her for the prestige of his daughter marrying an earl. Anne has no wish to marry Jasper, and she begs biddable sister Thomasina to pretend to be Anne at a ball so she can have some time to herself. After all, no one can tell the triplets apart…or so they believe. Thomasina agrees, having had feelings for Jasper since they first met. Jasper knows that Thomasina is pretending to be Anne, but he says nothing. When it is discovered that Anne has run off with another man, Thomasina agrees to marry Jasper instead. It soon appears that Anne may be in danger, and Jasper feels that an incident in his family’s past may have something to do with it.
Though I loved this book, one thing drove me nuts, making it necessary to give this book 4 stars instead of 5. The secrets Jasper kept from Thomasina about Anne’s disappearance and his family’s possible involvement seemed silly to me; they didn’t reflect on his character, and the sweet Thomasina would no doubt have told him so. However, the rest of the story was great. At first Thomasina seemed like a bit of a doormat, and I loved seeing her grow a spine of steel and standing up to Jasper. Jasper was a great hero; emotionally wounded, he tried to do right by his estate and tenants. Though he had no intention of falling in love with Thomasina and told her so, you know how that is going to turn out! I loved seeing both of them grow emotionally. And since Ms. Michaels is a queen of historical sensual romance, you can imagine how hot sexy times turn out! I can’t wait until the next installment…what troubles has Anne gotten into by running away? I am most eager to find out!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
When the Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, offered to marry one of the infamous Shelley triplets, he was doing it for the dowry to refill his depleted coffers after his father & half brother have depleted them. He’s engaged to Anne but at their final engagement ball he realizes it is Thomasina Shelley masquerading as Anne a desire for her that he has been ignoring sparks. And when it becomes clear Anne has run away with another, an opportunity arises for a marriage with a much deeper connection. Thomasina’s feelings for Jasper have never been appropriate and she doubted the prudence of pretending to be his even for just one night. Once she’s caught, everything escalates so quickly. Suddenly she’s going to marry this stern, fascinating man who is not particularly pleased at her perfidy. Add to that her worry about where her wayward sister has gone and it’s a recipe for disaster or is it?
This is the start of a new series about identical triplets & once again the author’s nailed it. Strong characters with plenty of depth, a very well written well placed plot & I was one happy reader. I was drawn in from the start & held captive all the way through & then the epilogue really shook me, talk about a twist! Thank goodness there’s not long to wait until the next instalment. I loved Jasper the Earl who was trying to restore his family’s reputation but hadn’t wanted to be the Earl & he’s also has his own guilt & grief to deal with. Thomasina is the selfless triplet who puts everyone else first & wants to please everyone, I loved how she grew throughout the book. Their attraction sizzled but they also confided in each other. A lovely read that I read in two sittings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The journey of Jasper and Thomasina is wrought with unrequited love, a runaway sister, a mystery and soul-searching. The patience and uncompromising love of Thomasina stands out in this story. Jasper is way too hard on himself but Thomasina brings him back in such a way that you realize that is does not take big bold statements but the little things that matter. I loved this story and am looking forward to the next two sisters’ stories. Oh Ellis, I do not think you are that bad. Can he be redeemed?
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was such a brilliant story and I enjoyed reading every page!! The Shelley Sisters are triplets who are identical….Anne, Juliana and Thomasina. This first book in the series is Thomasina’s story and how she finds herself married to Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt.
I loved both their characters. Thomasina is such a caring soul and Jasper is a tortured man who tries to be completely unlike his father and older half brother! It is up to Thomasina to get through the walls he’s erected around his heart and I love how she does it, with patience, love and believing in him. Add to that a villain (or is he?) who is searching for a treasure, a sister who is missing and a father who only sees his daughters as a commodity to be used to better his circumstances. A very well written story with lots of heat, passion, intrigue, danger, etc.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A Reluctant Bride
The Shelley Sisters series #1
Jess Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaelsBks/
Release date 01/07/2020
Publisher The Passionate Pen LLC
Blurb :
When the Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, offered to marry one of the infamous Shelley triplets, he was doing it for the dowry to refill his depleted coffers, not for anything so silly as love. But when he realizes it is Thomasina Shelley masquerading as his fiancée at their final engagement ball, not his true intended, a desire for her that he has been ignoring sparks. And when it becomes clear her sister has run away with another, an opportunity arises for a marriage with a much deeper connection.
Thomasina’s feelings for Jasper have never been appropriate and she doubted the prudence of pretending to be his even for just one night. Once she’s caught, everything escalates so quickly. Suddenly she’s going to marry this stern, fascinating man who is not particularly pleased at her perfidy. Add to that her worry about where her wayward sister has gone and it’s a recipe for both passion…and disaster.
As the two slowly grow closer, Jasper realizes his former fiancée’s disappearance may have more to do with his own past than he originally realized. And the longer he keeps that from Thomasina, the more painful it will be when the truth comes out. Can they let each other close enough to fight together against the dangers right around the corner? And will they survive to meet the future they could have if they do?
My review :
What drama will follow when the youngest of triplets switches her place with her affianced sister at her betrothal party …
What a delightful read this first in a series is, I do think it is even the first full length novel I have read by Mrs Jess Michaels.
I love her novellas, and this story does not disappoint.
Here we are I traduces to three identical siblings, when I liked Juliana and Thomasina, I must say I do not really care about Anne, too selfish for my taste but maybe the next book in this series will correct my misconception.
So here we have Thomasina, the youngest and more quiet of the Shelley triplet, the one who was instantly drawn to the Earl of Hartcourt, alas he is betrothed to her sister Anne. So never will she hope to let her feelings free, but when circumstances put her position in jeopardy, she realizes she is quite happy to take her sister’s place at the altar.
Even if it is because of a deception she is now gaining her sister’s betrothed. While she never expected this outcome when she agreed to help her sister, as it was at first just a little deceit, so she thought.
Jasper did not care at first which of the siblings he would be marrying, he just needed the dowry. Then, how unsettling it became, as the more time passed, the more he had nothing to do with his actual fiancée when he wanted to spend more time with her shy sister. Unexpectedly, she is the one he can always tell apart. Still, when she becomes the one walking the aisle, he hold back, happy to give in his lust for her but unable to share more.
Thomasina has spent her life making do with the whispers about the oddities she and her sisters are, and her aloof of a father using them as spawns for his own gain. She is one to always trying to please, at first to win her cold father’s love because it is in her second nature, she feeds in obliging the others.
And for her new husband, she will do anything, hoping to win even if it is only a tiny bit of his heart, she wears her soul in her eyes, longing to see his reflect in his own.
Jasper lived with his father and bother’s excesses most of his adult’s life as a sword of Damocles waiting to strike. And it did strike, he just never anticipated he would be the one left to clean the mess and bear the title.
And while he could have resented Thomasina for her part in Anne’s deception as she was a participant even if not aware of the whole scheme. He is filled with relief as he has won the one of the sisters he is more and more looking for.
Yet he decides to put boundaries to their relationship, warning Thomasina to not hope for more than he can give her. But when they promised to never again lie to one another, he began to hold informations, to protect her he says to himself.
It is a lovely read that follow the journey of their rising feelings, from their epiphany to the sewing of the bonds that will link them or tear them apart if they are not cautious of how they deal with their sentiments and the trust they have put in one another.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and preordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Since his father and his half-brother before him were both wastrels and libertines of the worst order, Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, must marry a wealthy bride to restore his fortunes. He offers for one of the well-dowered Shelley triplets and their father decides it will be Anne that Jasper marries. Until Jasper immediately recognizes that it is actually Thomasina Shelley pretending to be his fiance at their engagement ball. Desire that they’ve both been ignoring fires between them and when they realize that Anne has eloped with another, Thomasina and Jasper both have the opportunity for a meaningful marriage, if he’ll allow it.
Thomasina has been fighting inappropriate feelings for Jasper since she first met him, but her worry for her runaway sister’s safety shadows most of her other feelings. When Jasper learns that Anne’s continued absence may have quite a bit to do with his own brother’s past misdeeds, he keeps that fact from Thomasina, not wanting to add to her worries. With danger closing in on them and their relationship taking two steps forward and one back, their future is far from assured.
I was unsure about this one with the hero being engaged to someone else, but it totally worked and wasn’t a problem at all. I liked Thomasina as a heroine; she had a brain and responded sensibly to situations rather than becoming shrewish. I wound up loving Jasper as a hero. He was so broody, with so much pain and vulnerability under his layers and I loved seeing Thomasina peel them back. There was plenty of steam, a little suspense, and enough loose ends to make me really want to continue with the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.