When an offer to divorce becomes a marriage trial.

Synopsis

From shopkeeper… To Duke’s wife

When Beatrix, Duchess of Howden, writes to her estranged husband offering a divorce, she’s stunned when he arrives on her doorstep with a different proposition: a six-week marriage trial! Quinton Roxbury seems cold and inscrutable, but Beatrix gradually realises his rough exterior hides a heavy burden. As their connection deepens, dare she trust him with her own scandalous past and risk the marriage she never knew she wanted?

My review

Beatrix enjoys her life as a shopkeeper with her friends. But what her friends don’t know, is that she is actually married to the Duke of Howdon and that she ran away right after the wedding.
When she proposes a divorce, Quinton Roxbury surprises her by showing up at her doorstep. He does not want a divorce, but his proposition is to have a six – week marriage trial. If after those six weeks, Beatrix still wants to divorce, he will accept it. But only after she has given their marriage a try.
Beatrix thinks it will be easy, because Quiton appears to be cold and never shows his true emotions. Yet not all is what it seems. But will it be enough for Beatrix to trust him with her own secrets? And will it all be over in six weeks?

When I first read about Beatrix, it’s obvious she is not an evil woman. Yet I couldn’t match the image I had of her, with a woman who would just run away after taking vows and pretending her marriage never took place.
But even if her actions may seem harsh, it’s clear there is a story behind it. And let’s not forget she wants to get her freedom back, but also wants her husband to be free of her.
It show that there is a kind and gentle side of her, and what she wants is just to be happy, living with her friends and being a shopkeeper.

So when Quinton Roxbury appears on her doorstep, with another proposition, she is in shock. Of course Beatrix accepts the offer, otherwise we wouldn’t have a story at all.
I was very curious to know if and how Beatrix would adapt to a life as a Duchess, while she is totally not knowing what is expected from her. And how would Quinton’s family welcome her?

This story may seem like a simple story, man and woman spend time together, realize they have feelings and give their marriage a real chance.
But there is so much more going on…
Not only is there a man who doesn’t show or admit his feelings, there are also secrets from both sides that could jeopardize the whole relationship.
And to make things even worse, there is a bitter mother, siblings taking sides and relatives I don’t even wish for my worst enemies.

Even if I was eager to read about Beatrix and Quinton, there is one character that truly stole my heart… Sweet Helen went from a presence under a table to a young sister seeing (and hearing) more than everyone else and she turns out to be the real heroine of the story.

I enjoyed reading about how  two different people being forced being together, find common ground, and even dare to stand their ground for each other.
This story gave me more than I expected and I loved it!