A gentleman‘s impulsive wager to marry a stranger. A young woman’s determination not to marry the man she wants. When Isabel Cosgrove is informed by her father that he lost her hand in marriage while playing cards with Charles Galbraith—the gentleman she’s been admiring from a distance for years—she is filled with dismay. How can she agree to wed a man whose reason for marriage is part-revenge, … for marriage is part-revenge, part-indifference? Intent on avoiding a painful union where her regard cannot be returned, she concocts a plan.
Charles Galbraith didn’t intend to become engaged as a result of a drunken wager at cards, but after the woman he loves spurns him, what does it matter whom he marries? But even Miss Cosgrove, the fiancée he won by wager, seems intent not to marry him—a fact that both relieves and piques him. She instead suggests a plan that has the potential to temporarily appease her father’s demand of marriage while also winning back the love of the woman Charles truly wants.
But when Charles and Isabel are thrown into the midst of a brewing scandal and another man’s potential disinheritance, their plan begins to unravel thread by thread, challenging what Galbraith thinks he wants—and just how much more time with him Isabel’s heart can stand.
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Wow, quite the intrigue and suspense. Charles and isabel get along so naturally. It’s fun to read their banter and quick humor. Miss Darling is anything but. Hetty is sweet, naive, hilarious and has gumption. I loved her character. So many different things going on in this book that it gets a little crazy. I enjoyed the book, even though it’s wasn’t super accurate when depicting the Regency era.
This was a good read. I liked Isabel and Charles’s story. They didn’t have a clear path, and since Charles was originally attracted to someone else, it was interesting to see how they would get together. I would have liked it a bit better if Isabel had told him how they first met, since it seems Charles didn’t remember. Overall, it was a good read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
Isabel is unusual in that her family doesn’t force the younger to wait until the elder sister is married. Instead, the sisters share an introduction into society and the disparity between how they are treated, especially by family, is significant. Isabel feels so relatable. Her character and actions make so much sense in light of how she lives in the shadow of her younger, prettier sister.
This is a tiny point, but I love how Martha describes her as plain but Charles never has this “change her hair and she’s suddenly beautiful” moment. I greatly appreciate that.
The flow of the story is well paced and the subtle changes in Isabel and Charles’ connection is sweet and natural.
Oh what a tangled web we weave. This was a wonderful story with so many great characters and a few side storylines. It was a grand adventure through so many emotions.
I loved this book and stayed up late to finish it (which is a huge deal for me). I kept wondering how the author would tie everything up and it kept me guessing up till the end.
This was a clean book with no bedroom scenes or foul language.
I would definitely recommend it.
lovely light reading (Mills & Boone)
4 1/2 stars. A truly charming story with Isabel being an endearing and relatable heroine truly deserving of respect and Charles a worthy (if a bit out of touch with his feelings for a while) love interest. There are miscommunications and misconceptions, of course, before the H/h finally get to their happily ever after. I definitely look forward to continuing with this series! I’ve read someone compare this book to Edenbrooke (another favorite of mine), and I concur.
Such a delightful book! A clever and humorous heroine and a thoughtful and honorable hero. Just loved it!
Good story and no steamy sex – Yea!
This book was interesting – fairly well written. The plot was developed but I felt some of the insults were exaggerated.
This was a great book, one of a sequel. I ordered the next book immediately.
So typical of the kind of lady who wants only the best for everyone else to her own detriment. Just like me!
Enjoyed very much.
A sweet and clean Regency Romance
The synopsis of this book is accurate, so in this review, I will only point out the many positive facets of this sweet and clean Regency romance.
The writing is descriptive and pretty true to the period. It had the right balance of thoughts to dialogue, and each scene moved the story forward. The danger and angst is well woven into the plot, as is the eventual resolution.
Although it begins slowly, the story of Isabel Cosgrove and Charles Galbraith is both simple and complicated. As I read it, I was reminded of how plans can often go astray, and of how it is truly better to be honest.
The characters are all interesting, and I really like both Isabel and Charles. They are basically good and kind people who must deal with less than good and kind people. Kind of like real life. I am especially fond of Isabel’s best friend Mary. Everyone should have a friend like Mary.
The ending is happy, and also includes an epilogue.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I would like to read more by this author.
Isabel is a sweet regency romance that shows how tender love can be. Isabel and Charles are such great characters, I enjoyed how the story was told from both of their perspectives which allowed a deeper connection to the story as a whole. Starting off on the wrong foot after becoming engaged as a result of a wager, this story is both entertaining and suspenseful as Isabel and Charles battle against their own hearts to determine the future they really want. I definitely found it to be a great regency romance.
Isabel and Charles have a merry chase to their HEA. This story was full of mischief and fun and the characters were robust and intriguing. I enjoyed their journey and the strong character in Isabel and in Charles.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The third book in the Families of Dorset series a well written story that held my interest from the first page. This is Isabel Cosgrove and Charles Galbraith it has suspense, drama, danger, and romance, I enjoyed reading this book and I hope there is more to come in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A swoon worthy romance.
It was an interesting story watching how Charles and Isabel finally get together. It was well written and with characters that were at times were frustrating, funny, sweet and oh-so-human. I found it to be thoroughly engaging with some lovely surprises just the right amount to keep you glued to your seat reading. I am looking forward to reading more of Martha Keyes books. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I had an advance copy of this book, but this is my honest opinion. I really enjoyed reading this regency book. Martha’s character development was very good, and the plot interesting. Isabel’s personality and the way she handled herself were believable and fun to read.