Marry in haste… a penniless younger son, is handsome, witty, and thrilled that a woman with a dowry has agreed to wed him. Best of all she’s a fiercely independent bluestocking, a woman who won’t want to bother with a family. Because John has a shocking secret. He’s vowed never to bring a child into the world, a child who, like his own mother, might carry the strain of madness.
As secrets unfold, tension grows, threatening the fragile bonds they’ve forged. Worse, someone wants them to abandon their home and leave Yorkshire, and they’ll stop at nothing to make it happen.
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I just finished reading this story about Gwen and John and I loved it. It was not only romantic but also mysterious, sad and with a bit of Gothic thrown in. It made for very enjoyable reading.
QUITE ENJOYABLE. THE MAIN CHARACTERS ARE RELATABLE AND LIKABLE. A PLEASURE TO SPEND TIME WITH.
Scandal is the least of their problems.
On the brink of a forced betrothal, Lady Gwendolyn Pettigrew will need to employ cunning and trickery to avoid a fate (almost) worst than death. What better way, than to fabricate a devoted suitor whom she already loves. Now, she just needs to locate one.
As the second son of an earl, John Montague never imagined that he would have his own estate. However, his estate needs more repairs then he has funds. A wife with a large dowry would solve his problem, but second sons who lack funds are not what well dowered young women are trying to wed. He just needs to find one who will agree to a marriage of convenience.
There were a good many aspects of Scandal’s Bride that I really enjoyed. I loved Lady Gwen. She was truly an original who was both smart and likable. However, she deserved better than John with his deceptions and lies. I liked the dialogue, both the drama and bit of lighthearted banter. I liked the story which was both romantic and suspenseful. I also enjoyed the cameo appearances of Jeremy and Miranda from the first book, Scandal’s Child. I especially liked the epilogue, which was very satisfying. All in all Patricia Gibson has written an engrossing and entertaining novel.
Content 411: Although the swearing was kept to a minimum, there were some descriptive sexual intimacies.
:Lady Gwendolyn longs to be a mother but refuses to marry the lecherous old fool her father found for her. Her best friend convinces her to consider her husband’s younger brother as a suitable candidate. Gwen agrees to a marriage of convenience, hoping her dream of becoming a mother will come true. John Montague, a penniless younger son, is handsome, witty, and thrilled that a woman with a dowry has agreed to wed him. Best of all she is a fiercely independent bluestocking, who he thinks will not want children. . Jon has a shocking secret; he vowed never to bring a child into the world, a child who like his own mother might carry the strain of madness. As secrets unfold, tension grows, threatening the fragile bonds they forged. Worse, someone wants John and Gwen to abandon their home and leave Yorkshire. They will stop at nothing to make that happen. – I enjoyed Gwen and John. She is kind, caring, and impetuous. He is kind, caring, and funny. Their friendship grows, and they are respectful of each other. The mystery was easy to figure out but still interesting. This is a good read.
This is not a story that compels you to read it as it seems quite a few times like beads loosely strung together. Though on the whole it is not a bad story. The heroine is quite acceptable and accommodating of others. I did however found John, despite his good character to be a bit insipid and gullible. Gwen could have done with a more forceful husband.
What an enjoyable read! I love Pamela Gibson’s historical romances. She adds so much detail it’s like taking a trip back in time, perhaps into a Victoria Holt or Mary Stewart gothic novel. I loved those authors’ novels, and Ms. Gibson ranks up with them in her world building.
I fell in love with Gwen and John right from the beginning. Marriage of Convenience tropes can be a little tiring because of similar plot lines, but not with this book. Here the H/h actually like each other! It’s their reasons for marrying that cause the friction, and I immensely enjoyed how they got around their personal obstacles.
Gwen is a real-life heroine. She likes sweets, is a little rounder than fashionable, and does what she likes, not what is expected. She needs a special hero who can enjoy and foster her independence, and John suits the bill. He likes sweets too, and doesn’t mind if Gwen takes a second dessert. Unfortunately, he is hiding a fact about him and his family, which eventually blows up in his face. This is the suspense in the book, and what sets it apart from other books of the genre.
I have been a fan of Ms. Gibson’s wine country novels, but I have to say, her historical romance stories are perfect gems of story lines, characterization, and mood. You’ll be transported in time to a place (and with people) you won’t want to leave.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed it.
Found it hard to put the book down. Good read
Slow and somewhat boring.
Good story.
The book was easy to read and had believable characters!
I really liked Gwen’s fee spirited character! She was full of life, intelligent and a powerful women with her own ideas and convictions! In that era where men ruled she was the exception! I’m reading the next book in the series another awesome very special lady. Haven’t completed it yet but I’m really enjoying! Will write a review when I complete the book.