A vow to remain unwed and a bargain designed to find her a husband.What could possibly go wrong?
Elsie and her two best friends made a childhood vow to never marry.
But when Elsie begins her first season in London, her mother presents her with an irresistible bargain: if she says yes to each and every man’s invitations and still remains unattached by the end of the season, she will receive her … unattached by the end of the season, she will receive her inheritance and become a free woman.
She is thrown into the spotlight by increasing attention in the newspaper gossip articles, and keeping her end of the bargain seems impossible—especially when her best friend’s tyrant of a brother, Lord Cameron, begins to make advances that Elsie literally cannot refuse.
The gossip grows increasingly malicious, leaving destroyed reputations and broken homes in its wake, and Elsie can’t seem to escape its focus. But it’s her own blossoming feelings for Lord Cameron that pose the greater threat. If she can’t keep him out of her heart, she’s sure to compromise the bargain, break her vow, and lose her one shot at freedom for good.
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I enjoyed this clean historical novel. The beginning of the book was funny as Elspeth (Elsie) Cox and her friends make a pact and have to drink an awful concoction to seal the deal to never marry. This Sisterhood of Desrving Females is due to the fact that each of the girls’ fathers were men whom dominated their families with very little love shown to their wives or children.
Elsie is forced to accept all dance partners and any invitations that follow from the men who call upon her in order for her to gain her independence. This leads to her becoming the talk of the Ton as she is prominently featured in the societal page. Elsie finds that she cannot escape rumors and shows her courage as she stands up to the social elite instead of running away after her Aunt Georgina gives her some sound advice,“You are only as brave as you choose to be. Courage comes from within. It cannot be bought or traded, but it can be feigned until it is real. Telling yourself you lack bravery, however, is nothing more than an excuse to not even try.” She also says,“You are only as brave as you choose to be. Courage comes from within. It cannot be bought or traded, but it can be feigned until it is real. Telling yourself you lack bravery, however, is nothing more than an excuse to not even try.”
While I did like the story, I felt that the relationship between Elsie and Lord Cameron could have been developed more. Much of the book was focused on Elsie’s friends and her embittered Aunt Georgina and not as much on Lord Cameron and their developing feelings. I was happy to see that after his intentions and feelings were revealed that he would love and support Elsie in whatever endeavors she chose.
I liked Elsie’s friends and will read the next book in the Women of Worth series. I thought Ms. Stockton developed an interest in finding out what happens next to her other sisters from her childhood pact. I would be interested in having Aunt Georgina’s story told too since she is a central character in Elsie and her friends’ lives.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series
The characters were fantastic, the plot and dialogue believable for the most part.
There was plenty of drama — gossip, betrayal, and surprises — and a twist or two in our main characters’ lives. All well played out.
The author did drop in a couple of words that had not yet been invented… so let’s call this “really, really liked.” 🙂
I have become quite the fan of Kasey’s books this year. Her three newest books have become some of my favorites—they’re written so well and you can’t help but love the characters.
I didn’t love this book as much as I loved her newest books. The opening scene is really great: a society of deserving females, vowing never to marry so they would be granted the freedom they never saw their mothers have is golden. But I found I got confused by the girls when they were older. Rosalind getting angry at Freya, to do more than Freya was doing, was perhaps the most confusing. I didn’t understand ever. I also struggled to understand the deal with Lord Cameron. I didn’t really like him much.
Honestly, I think if some things could have smoothed out more I would have liked it better. Some of the character & relationship development could have been clearer and stronger, and a plot point or two could have been cleared up. Anyway, it’s not bad but not my favorite. I’ll still read the rest in the series. As I said, Kasey has become one of my favorites and I’m excited to watch her develop as an author through the rest of this series.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by Mary Sarah: I do not want to be mean, but this narrator actually made me crazy. Even listening at 1.5x speed she was just annoying.
In this light-hearted read, Elsie barters with her parents for her financial freedom. She’s made a pact with her girlhood friends to stay single but, in order for her to do so, her parents require her to have one Season in London. She’s not allowed to say “no” to any invitations. Elsie tries a few different ideas to lessen her attractiveness to others. Her failures are amusing, to say the least.
I’ve read a couple of books now by Kasey and she has a great way with a story’s flow. I appreciate her pace and tone.
I seemed to not be able to ‘get into’ this story in a way that made me smile big and feel my heart grow in happiness. It rubbed me the wrong way, I guess. Maybe it made me uncomfortable because it was more real and messy. I’m unsure.
I liked the individual characters, but I didn’t like how surface everything seemed: It was like everyone was flitting about in their superficial ways. I guess that’s what the ton was like, though.
My favorite moments were when Elsie would say something true and genuine and Cameron would gaze at her knowingly. I wish there could have been more between them without it wrapping up so fast. I wasn’t able to really feel the emotion in their 2nd kiss.
I think the writing was of a quality that I’d be willing to read the next 2 books and see if I liked them more. I’m sad I didn’t really rave about this one. It could have just been my mood or something. :/
I am such a sucker for a good regency romance. Seriously I might have an addiction. I wonder if the same author wrote a contemporary book if I would like it as much….hum. Anyway this was a great read. The author knows her regency time period. This is the first thing I have read of her’s and I am impressed. The romance didn’t even start till 30% and I was still hooked. These three girls, but especially Elsie just wrapped themselves around me and I wanted to hear there story. It was very well done and very satisfying:}
Love in the Bargain
Kasey Stockton
Elise made a bargain to never marry, with her best friends when she was young. Her mother made her a bargain-accept every gentlemen’s offer during her season, and if the end-of-season she remains unmarried, she gets her inheritance and will be a free woman. That is so irresistible! However her best friend’s brother Lord Cameron makes it hard for her to say no to anything. She can’t resist him!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This had me thinking a bit of Georgette Heyer. This new author definitely has her own style and is not a copycat. Georgette Heyer is queen but I found myself seeing their similarities. We were not told how the characters felt but shown. The romances and twists were subtle and not on the nose or overly flowery. It held a few surprises for me I didn’t see. I lost all productivity and sleep so I could finish the story. I enjoyed the story staying clean and with the feel of the era. I will definitely read this whole series!!
Elsie was about to experience her first season as a debutante in England. Her friends, Freya and Rosie were also in London for their first season. These girls had made a pact when they were twelve years old and away at school together. They would never let a man control them so that meant they would never marry. They had all experienced either men who were controlling, tyrannical or just uninterested in them and their lives so they didn’t see the need to have a man in their life. They had all watched their own mothers experience disappointment when their husbands had been less than involved, except to dictate behaviors or actions.
Their aim was to get through their first season with as little disruption to their lives as possible. Unfortunately they each experienced something to thwart their efforts. Elsie had made a deal with her parents that if she never refused a man a dance, a walk, a ride, or a visit, then at the end of her season, if she was not affected by any man, she would be given her entire dowry and could live in whatever manner she pleased. That seemed like the best possible outcome for her but as her season proceeded, the gossip seemed to dog her at every turn. It seemed as if someone was out to ruin her before she even made her debut.
Each girl experienced something that seemed devastating toward the end of their first season. It seemed, at times, that their friendship would not endure the trials they faced and that their trust of one another was waning.
This was a wonderful debut by a new author. I felt that the characters were well developed and the story was interesting and engaging. I also appreciated the fact that there was no vulgarity or foul language. It was a clean read with a happy ending. Definitely my type of story.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
It is interesting what a twelve year could possibly think that marriage was so horrible that it was to be avoided at all cost. When Freya, Rosalynn and Elsie made the pact to become respected spinsters and live out their lives together in a cottage it all seemed reasonable. Considering the different types of relationships each had with their parents it was easy to see why they were put off of marriage. At eighteen and facing their first season, the girls went through trying times in their relationships with each other and with men. This an okay read. When I read the subtitle of the book “Women of Worth” I definitely expected more substance to the story. This is a coming of age story and again it is just okay.
Just fell short of what it could be
I don’t usually write 3 star reviews, but I just didn’t feel like I could give this one more. It wasn’t bad, in fact, 3 is supposed to be “I like it”, I guess the main issue I have is the writing style. It felt more like an oral history than the type of novel I’m used to reading. I really didn’t feel like I knew the characters at all, just what they said and did. I did enjoy the insight into the gossip articles that were prevalent in London society, however, that was not enough to carry the whole story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.