A marriage hiding secrets …but forged by passion! A Penniless Brides of Convenience story. Miss Estelle Brannagh has never met a man who’s tempted her to renounce her hard-won independence–until an encounter with Irish landowner Aidan Malahide blossoms into spine-tingling attraction. He’s carefree and charismatic; accepting his proposal seems practical and shockingly desirable! Yet Aidan is … desirable! Yet Aidan is hiding a dark secret, and it will take all of Estelle’s courage to ensure it doesn’t tear them apart…
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Having just finished the second book in the PENNILESS BRIDES OF CONVENIENCE series, A WIFE WORTH INVESTING IN, it was nice to roll right into this last book, THE TRUTH BEHIND THEIR PRACTICAL MARRIAGE. It was nice to be reunited with characters we’ve met before along with new ones.
The book starts out in Florence, Italy, segues to Ireland and England and then back to Ireland. The scenic descriptions were both vivid and breathtaking. My emotions were engaged throughout.
The prologue sets the stage and takes place in late 1832 in Ireland. We then revert back to Florence earlier that year and are introduced to Estelle and Aidan. We get to know them a little at a time although Aidan definitely has some secrets. He’s not as carefree as he seems. The story flows nicely and there are multiple plots going on at once. There’s a darkness overshadowing Aidan at times. His lack of communication with Estelle, about anything of substance, is heart-wrenching, especially since that lack of trust keeps her distant.
Estelle and Aidan take a steps forward then a few steps back in their relationship, even though she’s proven she’s a helpmate. Aidan’s secrets slowly reveal themselves and their connection deepens. The story resolves itself as the last book in the series. I wouldn’t have minded an epilogue, however. The historical note at the back of the book was once again enlightening.
Ms. Kaye has fast become one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I look forward to reading whatever she writes next.
I rated it 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here.
4.5 stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-11Y
Estelle Brannagh is in Florence, enjoying the beautiful city, and pondering her uncertain future. Her two sisters have married, and she has left her aunt’s household to travel. She sees a handsome gentleman, and they play a game of covertly looking at each other while trying not to meet the other’s eyes. After a couple days of this, the man, Aidan Malahide, finally approaches Estelle. Aidan is Irish, a widower, who has taken a one year sabbatical from the running of his estate, and has been traveling, as well. Estelle and Aidan hit it off, and begin spending much of their time together, sharing meals, walks, the touristy sites, and laughter.
They discuss their dreams, and both discover they would very badly like to have children. Aidan, however, is determined to never marry again, while Estelle would make a convenient marriage, but never one for love. She saw what “love” did to her parents, turning their passion for each other into a series of battles, reconciliations, and unspeakable hurt. Aidan and Estelle are so in sync, that it’s inevitable that they would share some kisses, neither of them realizing what is patently obvious – they are falling rapidly in love. As the time grows nearer for them to part, it’s breaking both their hearts. Though they haven’t known each other that long, they agree to marry – in name only – and adopt children to create the family they both want more than anything.
The newlyweds return to Cashel Duairc, Aidan’s home, and almost immediately Aidan begins to change from the charming, happy man she met in Florence to a sadder, quieter, uneasy version of himself. He flatly refuses to discuss his first wife, and any of her possessions can throw him into a panic. There are still occasional happy moments and kisses, but they are becoming fewer and farther between. Aidan sees what his behavior is doing to Estelle, but he’s unable to control his reactions. He notices how now she has lost her spontaneity, something he loved about her, and guards what she says, choosing her words carefully, so she doesn’t upset him.
Finally, Aidan realizes he has to share the truth about his first marriage. He tells Estelle how they started out happily enough, but as each month passed without a child being conceived, his first wife changed from concerned to obsessed. Her behavior and actions had a strong effect on Aidan, both emotionally and physically. Eventually her tragic death was almost a relief for Aidan, but it still left him with a heavy burden of guilt for the part he unwittingly played. Now Aidan realizes that he doesn’t deserve happiness, and he was a fool to try and find it with Estelle. Before he destroys her, he decides that he has to send her away, and so they separate.
THE TRUTH BEHIND THEIR PRACTICAL MARRIAGE is hard to read – and by that, I’m not referring to the quality of the writing, as it’s quite superb, and I couldn’t tear myself away from the book. I mean that it’s so painful to see Aidan’s suffering and pain. The beautiful days they shared in Florence are like a romantic interlude, full of life and laughter and kisses. Then their life at the dark castle is fraught with doubt, uncertainty, and unhappiness. I did feel the “Rebecca” vibes, even before I read that this was Marguerite Kaye’s intent. There was even initially a creepy housekeeper, though, thankfully, she was nothing like the one in the classic novel. I fell in love with this couple as they were unknowingly falling in love in Florence, and while I knew why Estelle wanted to avoid love, I couldn’t understand why Aidan would agree to a platonic marriage when he had such a passionate response to Estelle there. It was heartbreaking to watch them part, but the time away from each other gave them both the opportunity to see things more clearly. Aidan, in particular, was able to search his soul, and set himself on a path of healing. Their reconciliation was wonderful, and I’m hoping that the final book in this excellent quartet will contain a snippet about their beginning the family they both desire so greatly. THE TRUTH BEHIND THEIR PRACTICAL MARRIAGE is very intense and ranges from lightly romantic to atmospheric to despairing to hopeful. It’s fabulously written and totally engrossing. Prepare to be captivated.
I have to admit at about a quarter into this book, I couldn’t figure out what was businesslike about the marriage of this couple at all, because quite frankly they seemed to have fallen quite thoroughly in love with each other while exploring Florence (and where better?) However, as the story went on, I came to realise that Aidan was in absolutely no fit state to have his heart engaged, no matter how well he and Estelle suited each other. Aidan’s past is a very slow reveal, with a dead first wife and a miserable marriage behind him, and it took me about another half the book to say “wait a minute, this is very much like Rebecca, except Estelle isn’t meek”. Of course, I wasn’t surprised to read the author’s note at the end which admitted this is indeed her take on Rebecca with a second wife who wasn’t willing to be passive.
Readers should be aware that Marguerite Kaye doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Aidan’s first marriage deteriorated beyond repair because his first wife was obsessed with having a child. Now, I went through IVF to have my two sons, so infertility is a tricky topic for me, but I do think the author deals with it sensitively, even though she doesn’t gloss over the appalling toll it can take on mental health and the strain it can put on a relationship. Reading about Aidan and Aoife’s trials made me very grateful for the modern medical miracles which brought me my children. I also really like that Kaye doesn’t go for ‘magical resolutions’; a lot of authors would have written in Estelle getting pregnant at the end of the story, but Kaye doesn’t go there. It’s not completely ruled out, but both Estelle and Aidan are determined to adopt. I’d actually like to see them making steps in that direction by the end of the book, but this story really was about resolution of past trauma by facing it, rather than papering over the cracks.
The first part of the book is the ‘romance’ part of it, really; Estelle and Aidan meet in Florence and there are some charming scenes as they get to know each other, with Aidan’s ghosts only hinted at this early stage. When they return to Aidan’s home in Ireland is when things get tough, just as when the second Mrs de Winter arrives at Manderley. There’s even a forbidding housekeeper who, fortunately, turns out nothing like Mrs Danvers!
If you come into this looking for a typical Regency romance full of balls and handsome rakes, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re willing to let the author take you on a fascinating adventure through Italy and Ireland and into the heart of a couple who desperately want to make their marriage work despite past difficulties intruding, you’re going to absolutely love this book. I give it five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Truth Behind their Practical Marriage is the third book in author Marguerite Kaye’s “Penniless Brides of Convenience” series. This story focuses on Estelle one of the twin sisters that we met in the previous two books in this series. Although this is the third of a four-book series, you could easily read this story as a stand-alone. But to truly appreciate this story and series, I highly recommend you read the previous books!
Estelle Brannagh is traveling around Europe by herself. With both her sisters happily settled now, Estelle is looking to find something to bring her the happiness her sisters have achieved. After a year of traveling, she still hasn’t come up with a plan on how to spend the rest of her life.
Aidan Malahide has taken a year’s sabbatical to Italy to escape real life at the age of 30. He first came to Italy to attend university at 18 but had to return to Ireland before he completed his degree when his father suddenly died. As his year in Italy is coming to an end he unexpectedly meets Estelle.
Such a fabulous story and couple and an absolutely perfect addition to this series! This story is first set in Italy where Aiden and Estelle by chance meet while both are visiting there. It’s obvious these two are immediately drawn to each other and are meant to be together. Their time in Italy is light and carefree as they enjoy getting to know each other. But both are at the end of their journeys and need to make decisions to move on. Not wanting to end the connection between them, Aidan suggests a marriage of convenience for the sole purpose of adopting children to raise.
Marguerite Kaye is an exceptional writer who tackles subjects that not all authors could do justice too. She excels in this area and this story was no exception. As our story moves now to Aidan and Estelle in a marriage of convenience in Ireland, Aidan’s cheerful and happy demeanor disappears. Aidan is tormented by demons from his first marriage that haunt him and prevent him from moving forward with Estelle.
I have to admit I really fell for Aidan and I felt he and Estelle were a perfect match. I especially like how Aidan and Estelle’s story was told in two parts, one first in Italy and then one in Ireland. I loved Aidan in Italy with Estelle and was rooting for him to find a way back to the man he was there. He’s torturing himself completely over his first wife and is struggling to put the past behind him. He obviously cares deeply for Estelle and wants to make their marriage work, but just doesn’t know how to move forward over his guilt. This is where Ms. Kaye’s writing expertise shows! She never sugar coats a tough subject, the characters deal with it in not a quick fix but takes the time necessary for them to overcome their issue. Estelle was fabulous in this story. She has definitely matured since we first met her in the first book in this series. My heart broke for Estelle when it looked as if all hope was lost for her and Aidan. Although the road to their HEA wasn’t smooth, it was well earned and I loved the ending.
This was another fabulous story and couple from author Marguerite Kaye. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know each of the Brannagh sisters and I’m looking forward to Uncle Daniel & Aunt Kate’s book next! Highly recommend this book and series.
Rated 4 1/2 STARS
A dark gothic romance with a tortured hero, but a strong beautiful heroine.
Meeting in Florence, Aidan and Estelle grow closer as friends. In just a few weeks they strike a bargain, marriage as companions with no intimacy. Everything falls inline with their expectations, until they reach his castle in Ireland. Their fragile relationship starts to fall apart when Aidan’s secrets concerning his first wife and her death build a wall between them. Desperate to keep their marriage, Estelle tries to break through Aidan’s guilt. He refuses to let it go even though he loves her, instead he pushes her away. I totally wasn’t expecting how dark this one would go. Even with an HEA, I still have expectations of their future.
As the author states in the back of the book, this is an homage to Daphne du Maurier’s book REBECCA.
It most definitely is!