He vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for.Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared … secretly loved since their shared childhood.
As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience.
Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband’s rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day. What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time?
His Bluestocking Bride is clean/sweet, standalone romance featuring a marriage of convenience, though it is part of a larger series. The entire series may be enjoyed in any order.
Martha’s Patience, a prequel novella
The Social Tutor
The Gentleman Physician
His Bluestocking Bride
The Earl and His Lady
Miss Devon’s Choice
Courting the Vicar’s Daughter
more
With time, convenience can turn into love.
Ellen Bringhurst is a gentleman’s daughter, she is also the only daughter not yet married. At 26, she is a spinster with a capital “S”and she is truly on the the shelf. She did try to see the worth of the few gentlemen who displayed any interest. However, they never measured up to him, Marcus Calvert, the second son of an earl and her cousin Collin’s best friend. She has loved him since she was a girl.
Marcus Calvert’s mother has made it clear that he must marry soon if he wants her Orchard Hill estate before she passes. How is he to find a bride in such a short time? Especially a practical bride who will not be concerned with his lack of title and his lack of emotional attachment. Impossible.
Sally Britton is a master author who can spin a tale that is sweet and clean, as it tugs at my heartstrings. Such was the case with His Bluestocking Bride. I loved this book from beginning to end. Both Ellen and Marcus were imperfect characters, with believable personal issues. They stumbled through their ups and downs until they managed to work them out and find their happily-ever-after.
Content alert: This is a sweet and clean book that is free of vulgarities and sex.
FYI: I also submitted my review to Amazon (as Rural Reader), and to Good Reads. This book also made by 5 star favorites page on Pinterest ( https://www.pinterest.com/marthajane65/rural-reader-my-favorite-5-star-reads/).
The further I got into the book, the better the story became! Loved it!
4.5 Stars
Marcus Calvert is none too pleased when his mother tells him that before he can inherit and run Orchard Hill, he must first marry. When he shares this with his friend, Collin Falkham, he is sent an invitation to visit. He can’t get there fast enough. Surely the time away will help him clear his head and figure out what he’s going to do.
Ellen Bringhurst is the last single person in her family. She has resigned herself to becoming a spinster. She tells herself that she will be happy to be at her family’s beck and call but, inside her heart, she’s sad and lonely. When she receives a letter from her dear friend, Marianne Falkham, with an invitation to come visit, she jumps at the chance for a break.
When it’s proposed that Marcus and Ellen should enter into a marriage of convenience, Ellen is torn. She has been in love with Marcus for years. She has always been careful to keep her feelings hidden. But if she marries him, it will be a lot harder to keep her secret. Marcus has been straight forward about there being no romantic involvement. His heart has been broken in the past and he refuses to open himself back up for another heartbreak. But Ellen knows, in her heart, marrying Marcus is right. She’ll just have to build up her walls and do her best to not let her feelings show.
The more time they spend together, the closer they become. Marcus starts questioning if he can keep romance out of his marriage. He’s starting to have real feelings for his wife but without the knowledge of whether she returns his feelings, he doesn’t think he can say them out loud. But when Ellen announces that she’s leaving London alone to spend some time with her sister, Marcus starts to panic. He can’t live without his wife by his side. He’ll need to risk his heart one more time and hope that together, he and Ellen can find their HEA.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun getaway from reality. I found myself loving Ellen and Marcus instantly. I loved that they were childhood friends and that, as adults, they took the time to get to know one another better. I loved watching their relationship grow from friends to lovers. 🙂
I am really enjoying this series. I’m totally reading them out of order but I’m okay with that. I don’t feel lost at all. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Sally Britton! I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!
This story was a total delight to read. I love a strong leading lady who has real insecurity and issues that they fight to overcome. I love a strong but clueless leading man who barley even knows he is falling in love. And I love an arranged marriage story with great tension and deep feeling. Sally is one of my new favorite authors I will be reading for a long time to come. She writes a little like Sarah Eden or Julianne Donnaldson. The writing is so well done and the history so right on. Everything was true to the time. The love story was so well put together and real! If you love regency England do yourself a favor and grab up all of her books:}
A new author for me to watch for. As I do like steamy romances, I don’t specifically look for clean ones, but I found the synopsis interesting. This is one of the best “squeaky clean” romances I’ve read. When Ellen clarifies to Marcus she is now the “Miss Bringhurst” as all other sisters have married it tugged on my heart strings.
Ellen is resolved to make the best of her situation as the last unmarried daughter. And, at 26, she realizes that she will likely remain a spinster. She wonders if she’s still single because no one compares to her secret love from childhood, Marcus Calvert.
Marcus has been given an ultimatum by his mother – find a wife if he wants to take possession of his inheritance. However, he has decided that a marriage of convenience is what he wants. After having his expressions of love rejected, he determines to avoid any hint of romance again.
When their mutual friends decide to play matchmakers, Marcus decides Ellen is the perfect candidate for a marriage of convenience. Not wanting to lose him and risk never getting married, Ellen accepts. However, can she hide her feelings forever? Will Marcus ever realize that he can love again?
This is my first book from this author and I intend to read much more from her. I was completely drawn into the story. The character development is excellent as I was drawn in to the emotions of each. I felt their joys and sorrow. When Ellen pined with unrequited love for her husband, I felt her heartache. When Marcus wondered why his wife was so quiet, I felt his confusion even if I did want to reach into the pages and slap him! The author expertly shifted perspective to provide a fuller understanding of the scene. Also, the setting and historical accuracy are on point. I could sense the level of competition and tension within the ballroom. It’s simply a good book.
Romance – PG / clean
Language – clean
My rating – 5 stars
A marriage of convenience to the man she has loved since childhood… Talk about entering an emotional mine field but Ellen is determined to keep her feelings to herself. I just wondered how long it would take Marcus to figure out he loves her. In truth he was always kind and caring so falling in love was an easy step. Just took a big snow storm to figure it out. I was a little surprised that Marcus’s brother was more sensitive to Ellen’s feelings than Marcus’s mother was. I expected her to be the wise one. The big blow up bringing things to a head came as a surprise to me since Ellen had been keeping everything inside and coping as best she could but there had to be a blow up or things could never resolve… I thought the story was well written and I liked the main characters. Often in these marriage of convenience books, one spouse completely ignores the other but that was not the case in this book. I liked that they were pleasant with each other and had a good relationship even though they weren’t going to be starting their family any time soon if you know what I mean… ha.
Sex: a kiss
Language: no
Violence: no
This may be my favorite book so far in the Branches of Love series by Sally Britton, which is the third book. I could not stop listening to this book. I had to see what happened next in the story of Ellen and Marcus.
If you love romance or regency, then this the book for you.
Each book I read in this series becomes my new favorite. These marriage of convenience tropes are so different to me and I am enjoying seeing how authors work around the awkwardness and difficulty that would have come through such a match.
Naturally I loved Ellen. A book lover, especially in a time when women being well versed in much of any literature wasn’t the norm, is my favorite kind of book character. I also loved that she was a bit practical but still had a heart filled with hopes.
Marcus was a bit callous at first. He really looked at Ellen as a business partner, which, essentially, she was. But it always bugs me when people fail to remember that other humans have feelings and emotions and it’s important to talk about them! But he makes up for it later. Don’t worry.
Sally really is a fantastic writer. I have been loving this series and look forward to the rest. (My one complaint: I need Victoria’s story from book 2!)
Quote I loved:
“The girl had always kept a book about her person.”
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by Rachael Beresford—Rachael has narrated the first three books in this series and I really like her. The accent feels so authentic and she does good work.
Rating:
I really related to the characters, loved the plot and dialogue, and each person had a unique voice. Excellent writing! Love the series!
Such a great book! I read it when it first came out and pretty much devoured it throughout the day (around kid activities). Love this one!
A Short, Clean & Enjoyable Story.
A Marriage of convenience. Marcus doesn’t want another broken Heart & Ellen isn’t looking forwardto spinsterhood. Ellen & Marcus’s friends know their circumstances & invite them over without their knowledge & the marriage of convenience starts.
Though the Story was short, I still feel as if something was lacking.
A nice book. Entertaining. Well written. I was thoroughly invested in what happened between them. Great ending too! Quite enjoyable.
This book was totally predictable: the thirty year old playboy son is given an ultimatum by his mother – marry or lose your inheritance. The twenty six year old spinster whose sisters are all having babies while she can only look forward to caring for her aging parents and being passed from the home of one relative to another as she is needed. So they marry, but decide the marriage will be one of respect and companionship rather than love. Of course that intention doesn’t last, which makes for an entertaining read on a rainy afternoon.
After the wedding marriage for this era revealed. Somewhat slow coming to some conclusions. For the most part a delightful story of love and trying to understand each other. Did “they” ever consummate the marriage or just brush hands and steal a look once in a while? All in all a pleasant story
3.5 stars
I enjoy historical clean romances that are marriages of connivance, but they fall in love. This books falls under that category and is the third book in the series; Branches of Love.
Ellen is getting old and hasn’t married yet. She is giving up on her seasons in Bath and has succumbed to the fact that she will be a spinster.
Marcus has to marry someone soon. His mother has given him an ultimatum on his inheritance. Why not marry a childhood friend, like Ellen? She is practical and sensible. She won’t annoy him and they should make a good team.
I liked reading about their romance. It was sweet.
Finished ‘His Bluestocking Bride’ in 3 days. I’m rather surprised, too, as I don’t veer towards romance.
A very clean romance, unique in its own way. There wasn’t anything suspenseful or dramatic, but Britton kept me turning the pages. I could not put the book down.
The novel was a perfect escape from the mystery, horror, and paranormal books I write. I look forward to more of her books in the future.
a relaxing romantic read but nothing special
Second son Marcus must be married in order to get his inheritance, but having been burned by cupid once beforehas lost his taste for love. Ellen, finds herself pretty much on the shelf and has reconciled herself to a life alone. Ellen’s friends decide to step in and sets her up with Marcus. The two had known each other as children and decide to wed as a marriage of convenience. Doing so allows Marcus to get his inheritance and Ellen gets a husband to spend her life with. Cupid shows up again though, and the two fall in love. Happy ending.
The story is very well written and a pleasure to read. The plot is refreshingly different from the usual Regency romances. A nice, clean story without violence or gratuitous sex. Most will enjoy this one.
Convenience marriage becomes real, but slowly.