Companion Lenore Griffin is in dire straits when a letter from a dear friend arrives, offering a new position. Relieved at her good fortune, Lenore packs up herself and her beloved dog, Hero, and makes haste for London. Upon arrival, however, not only does she find her old friend in a shocking state of dishabille, but she’s somehow mistaken his offer. He has not written requesting a companion for … for his new wife. He’s written to request Lenore become his companion…for the rest of their lives.
Price Wagstaff, Earl of Carmichael, must have been deeper in his cups than usual when he wrote that correspondence. He doesn’t remember a blasted word of it. Still, it is a disaster of his own making, and so he will do his duty by Lenore. He quickly decides his old childhood friend will make a sensible wife and an agreeable mother to his heirs. He can give her safety, protection and comfort. A marriage of convenience. Lenore need never know that Price’s heart can never be won.
Despite their intentions to live separate lives, the pair can’t avoid the closeness that intimacy provides, and soon, Price no longer wishes to. Is it possible that he may find love a second time? Perhaps…if his secrets don’t kill their chance at happiness. Again.
Distinguished Rogues Series
Book 1: Chills (Jack and Constance)
Book 2: Broken (Giles and Lillian)
Book 3: Charity (Oscar and Agatha)
Book 4: An Accidental Affair (Merrick and Arabella)
Book 5: Keepsake (Kit and Miranda)
Book 6: An Improper Proposal (Martin and Iris)
Book 7: Reason to Wed (Richard and Esme)
Book 8: The Trouble with Love (Everett and Whitney)
Book 9: Married by Moonlight (Gilbert and Anna)
Book 10: Lord of Sin (Julian and Portia)
Book 11: The Duke’s Heart (Sinclair and Kitty)
Book 12: Romancing the Earl (Price and Lenore)
Book 13: One Enchanted Christmas (Otis and Meg)
Book 14: Desire by Design (Alexander and Sylvia)
Book 15: His Perfect Bride (Harry and Ophelia)
Book 16: Pleasures of the Night
more
Didn’t Do It For Me
I have read other books by the author before and enjoyed them. But unfortunately, that was not so in this case. The problem was that I could not get beyond my dislike of the hero; I have to like and fall for the hero along with a heroine for a romance to work for me. I didn’t like his initial presentation as a sloppy, grieving drunk, nor did I like how he treated the heroine initially after they came to their agreement on a marriage of convenience. He just didn’t act the way a hero should. I also didn’t like the info dump in the first chapter from the heroine’s perspective. It slows down the pacing with information that could be more artfully strewn throughout the book. I felt no chemistry between them either. As I have enjoyed other books in the series, I will check out the next one, and I sincerely hope it is better than this one.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Like a good historical romance with lots of twists and turns. There’s some unexpected drama as part of the journey to romance. Interesting characters help tell the story. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Marriage of Convenience:
Price Wagstaff, Earl of Carmichael proposed to Lenore Griffin in a letter which he does not remember doing because he was drunk. Lenore misunderstood the letter and thought he wanted her as a companion to his wife. Now she is at his home and he decides to propose to her again because he does need a wife. He believes his childhood friend will be a dutiful wife. After they are married, they both yearn for each other. They are afraid to say how they really feel about one another. Hopefully they can admit their love for each other and get on with their lives together. This is a sweet and entertaining read. It was nice seeing other characters from earlier books. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW… an awkward romance. Lenore is a lady’s companion. She was just propositioned by the lady’s beau to be his mistress. She had to get away and fast. Her employer would never believe her if she told her. Like a miracle she receives a letter from her dear childhood friend Price, Earl of Carmichael. Her grandmother was employed by Price’s parents. The kept in touch via letters over the years. This time Price sent her money and offered her employment. She immediately absconded her job and left for London. Price’s life was haunted by scandal and the loss of what he felt was his one true love. She was murdered. In order to drown the pain for the last six months he remained drunk with his friends at a bawdy house. When Lenore appeared at his home, he did not know why she was there. Apparently, he wrote the letter while he was in his cups. But apparently Lenore misunderstood the letter for it was not for a paid position but an offer of marriage. Well this made everything uncomfortable between them. I liked Lenore’s personality. She was patient, kind, thoughtful, selfless and giving. She had a backbone when pushed too far other than that her inexperience in the world hampered her knowledge of men and life. Luckily for her she had three dear friends in London she could turn to for help. Price was a decent man, handsome, titled and rich. Kind and thoughtful. Treated his staff like family and had a few true friends. At this point the situation with Lenore had only one solution – marriage of convenience. He knew he could never love her but he would be an excellent provider and would be loyal to her. Thus began their awkward marriage of convenience. I must say Lenore put up with a lot from Price more than I would no matter what agreements were made. I was disappointed in Price when he kept running from his attraction to Lenore that battled with his vow to never stop loving his old love. What a conundrum. He did not fool his friends and neither did Lenore that they were both so miserable and unhappy. Lenore’s friend thought of something scandalous to entice Price. She did it but was dejected and disconsolate by the results. Then Price’s past came knocking at his door as did Lenore’s past from the employer she absconded from. What a viper that one was. Lenore made another effort with Price and it seemed he finally came to his senses. They were finally coming together and Lenore could not have been happier. But then two things happened simultaneously that shocked and upset her. She ran from her home from Price to her friends’ home. Where she stayed till she could figure out what to do. Price finally came to her and they had their first open and honest dialogue since their marriage began. They found out that they fell in love with each other. A fine ending of connubial bliss. A strange and awkward story with a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The twelfth book in the Distinguished Rogues series a well written story of a drunken letter that brings Lenore Griffin to Price Wagstaff, Earl of Carmichael side. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Price of love
If ever there was two people who needed saving it was Price, the Earl of Carmichael and Miss Lenore Griffin. Lenore from her lonely life servitude and Price, the Earl of Carmichael from himself. Having known each other in childhood even though they came from different stations in life they had remained loosely connected over the years through letters. So when Lenore received one particular letter from Price saying he was in need of a companion the writing barely legible and she misinterpreted the offer. She was so happy to be saved from the predicament she had found herself in she hurried off to Lord Carmichael’s. But when she and Hero arrived they found her savior a drunken mess. Not only does he not remember writing the letter he doesn’t remember the contents. What sort of Earl doesn’t remember writing a proposal? A drunken one wallowing in self pitying and reeking of woe is me. Hero should have bitten him twice. But things have a way of working themselves out. The road to marriage of convenience and living separate lives is paved with misunderstandings. Which in regency land always leads to love and happy ever after. I wonder what sort of Distinguished Rogue the Hillcrest cousins will get for their own happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Heather is an excellent storyteller by making all her characters lifelike. They are all believable and can be related to our own lives.
Price, the Earl of Carmichael Was in love but she was murdered along with any of the other women he was interested in by his Godmother (because they weren’t right for him). He carries this guilt with him and almost hits rock bottom and while drunk one night he writes a childhood friend and proposes to her. Lenore comes immediately thinking Price has married and wants her as companion to his wife only to find out he has proposed to her to have a marriage of convenience. With unsaid pasts there are many problems to work out. Thinking they could wait awhile Price doesn’t say anything and causes heartache for both him and Lenore.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a sweet story. It was a lovely slow build to a happy ending. I truly loved every moment. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
This is the twelfth book in the series and though I have not had the opportunity to read each book, I had no trouble following this one. It can easily be read as a stand alone. This was such well-written book that captivated me and held my attention all the way through. It was well-paced and the storyline flowed very nicely. Price, the Earl of Carmichael, was in a very bad place as he was mourning the death of the woman he loved. He was depressed and took to drinking heavily. Lenore is a lady’s companion and has been friends with Price since childhood. He had helped her with obtaining her first job and they have remained friends over the years. In a drunken state, he asks her to marry him and she ultimately becomes his wife. However, their life is not easy as trust, past issues, misunderstandings and miscommunications come into play and contribute to quite a bit of drama. The characters were very well-developed and both had a great opportunity for growth as the story progressed. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to reading more by Ms. Boyd!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such an emotional romance dealing with heavy things like grief and loss of someone you love, moving on with someone new and giving yourself permission to love again. On the other side is the person being confused and feeling inadequate. It’s a sad situation and I’m so glad they moved beyond it to find the love they both deserved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I didn’t like Price at first. He spends his evenings drinking at a house of ill repute mourning his lost love and he drunkenly sent his childhood friend and servant Lenore an illegible letter offering her marriage. Lenore was stuck serving thankless companions and warding off the attentions of their lecherous suitors and thinks Price is saving her by sending her an offer to be companion to his wife. His actions are not a good way to start off a marriage. He also keeps secrets from her, which lead to plenty of misunderstandings between them. But he did give her dog years ago for her protection. Hero was rambunctious, protective of his mistress, funny, and sweet. I liked Lenore’s friends at the Hillcrest Academy, who were also former companions. They help gentlemen win suitors, but I would love to see them find their own love interests in future books. This was a steamy marriage of convenience Regency romance.
Releasing the past is not always easy.
The tale of two old friends who come together for a marriage of convenience and in the end find out that love is possible but like all good stories there a reasons that one may not release the past in order to have a future. How people deal with loss and guilt is what this story is really based on. Price lost the love of his life due to something horribly unexpected and add-on to that the thoughts that he may have been the cause of more than one death he is not a happy soul. The cast in this book is great the main characters and the secondary ones were written so well. This is a good book and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
A marriage of convenience become true love.
This is my second book by Ms. Boyd, and it reinforces my opinion that she is a wonderful writer. The main characters are well developed and the supporting characters add depth to the complex plot. They have real problems with trust, secrets, sorrow and love. It is a great story and sometimes the outcome is in doubt.
This is the story of Price, Earl of Carmichael and Miss Lenore, a ladies companion. They have been friends since childhood. Price assisted her in getting her first job and they have maintained a correspondence over the years as friends. Because of the loss of his first love, in a drunken stupor, Price writes to Lenore and awkwardly asks her to marry him. Because she is having problem with her employer’s suitor, and she mistakenly thinks the letter is offering her a position as a companion, she immediately leaves and ravels to London to accept. They get married and Price’s old demons and habits case him to neglect his wife. She decides that the solution is to seduce him. Problems of truth, trust, past history, and communication work to undermine their happiness, but in the end there is an HEA. You don’t want to miss this book. I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lenore is a companion and is happy when a letter arrives from her friend with a job offer. When she arrives, it turns out she is mistaken, and the job was for Price’s wife. The agreed to live separate lives but what will happen when sparks fly between them? Fast-paced historical read with wonderful chemistry and plenty of drama and emotion. I really liked it.
Price Wagstaff, Earl of Carmichael, is grieving the death of his beloved and drinks constantly. He believes he can never love again, but he needs to marry and provide an heir. So while drunk, he writes to an old friend he grew up with, Lenore Griffin, a lady’s companion who, it just so happens, needs a new position. His letter is sloppy and doesn’t make much sense, but Lenore believes it says he needs her to become a companion to his wife! The timing is perfect for her, so she goes.
Since Price made the mess, he figures that he should provide her safety, protection and comfort, so he will offer her a marriage of convenience. He can ignore her and be free to mourn his deceased fiancée instead. But being together, they fall for their spouse but they don’t say anything and make each other miserable and unhappy for not speaking up! Can Lenore manage to romance her husband into loving her? Will they get their HEA? Will they sort it out and realize how they feel about each other?
I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, so there were definitely parts that referred to things I wasn’t aware of. It made me want to go back and read some of the former books. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the love story between the H/h and laughed at the corner they’d painted themselves into. The best part of the story was the matchmaking cousins and I figure they will be working hard on all those single lords.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Lenore and Price. Price is an Earl and Lenore worked in his parent’s home. Price got Lenore a job as a companion. She is having a terrible time and receives a letter from Price saying he has a job for her. She picks up and moves to London. He wrote the letter drunk, he cannot get over the death of his fiance. With no other choice they agree to a marriage of convenience. This is a fabulous story with wonderful people. The writing was delightful. The story flowed and it was hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was very enjoyable, but be aware that it is loaded with emotion more than action. Price is mourning the death of a woman he thought was the love of his life, who was actually murdered by his own godmother. He is weighed down by depression and lots and lots of alcohol. Lenore is a kind and intelligent young woman who has spent her life in service to various members of the nobility. Her current employer is getting engaged to a man who has made his salacious interests and intentions for Lenore known to her. When she gets a letter from Price offering her a new situation, she is elated. Over from different class levels, Price and Lenore had grown up on the same estate and were childhood friends, and she trusts him.
Some serious misunderstandings happen, of course, and along with them some serious drama. The story is told from a dual point of view, which gives the reader great understanding of the motivations and feelings being experienced by the main characters. They both undergo a good bit of character development and personal growth as the story progresses.
If you read other books in this series you may recognize a few of the secondary characters, but the book is definitely a stand-alone so you don’t need to have read anything that came before. This is a romance novel so it’s not a spoiler to tell you that Price and Lenore do manage to get their HEA. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had potential because of the good main characters. However, for me it fell somewhat short.
Yes, the emotions were there for Lenore and her feeling rightfully that she is almost invisible as his wife. Her husband Price was dealing with his own guilt and sorrow which didn’t leave a whole lot of room for anything else.
Yes, Hero, who was Lenore’s faithful, slightly mischievous dog added some interest. So did the three friends who helped Lenore through their Hillcrest Academy and friendship. But the story was so slow that it made it hard to keep interested.
The good news is that there is a H.E.A. for Lenore and Price.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
This story shows you how devastating the loss of someone you love can be. Price, who we have met previously, is still in mourning over the love of his life. While he is down he writes a letter to a friend that does not go as expected. I have to tell you that I was tense through the first about three fourths of the story. I understand loss but Price just could not get past his loss and subsequently treated Lenore with indifference. How horrible would that be to live with someone who rarely stayed at home. I felt so sorry for Lenore but you know what she decided to do? She decided to “romance the earl” to get him to see her. Mind you, he was reluctant even after but he slowly comes around to realizing that you can love two people in your life. An emotional read.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.