Can a deal turn out better than expected?

Synopsis

A fake relationship, marriage of convenience 1830s romance.

How to court…

A convenient countess!

When blacksmith Thorn Ackerman was announced as the new Earl of Gadmin, his life changed instantly! Not least because if he’s to secure his inheritance, he must marry. So, now Thorn must begin his hunt for a convenient bride… 

Desperate to escape her demanding family, a practical union with Thorn could be Hypatia Quincy’s ticket to freedom. Especially when Thorn has made it clear that they’ll be saying “I do” to a business deal, not a real marriage. That is until their newfound desire poses a very real danger to their purely on-paper arrangement…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My review

Thorn Ackerman never expected that his life as a blacksmith would change into the life as the new Earl of Gadmin. However, no matter how alluring the life of an Earl is, Thorn quickly learns that his inheritance is at risk and it’s up to him to secure it. The only way to do that, is to marry well. But finding a willing and wealthy bride is easier said than done. Until Thorn meets Hypatia Quincy, who is ready to escape her own demanding family. With both needing something from each other, a deal is quickly made, with also clear expectations. However, with both wanting Thorn’s estate to do well, and with ideas bringing them to fruition, Thorn and Hypatia are discovering that there is a desire and attraction between them that they cannot ignore, yet could jeopardize the deal they made…

Having read several book with this genre, I have seen a lot. Especially situations where a marriage is a necessary need, for one reason or another. Yet these stories, with perhaps predictable endings, are always able to poke my curiosity.

And once again, I was pleasantly surprised with the direction of the story, because no matter that the ending is predictable, it is the characters’ journey that makes it an interesting story to read.

For people with normal lives, it for sure is a strange concept, marrying out of need and duty instead out of love. However, in this book it is obvious that Thorn and Hypatia don’t really have another choice.

Thorn finds himself being an Earl out of the blue, while in fact he enjoyed his life as a blacksmith. While it would seem like a fairytale, having suddenly a certain status, Thorn quickly learns that perhaps his normal life was not so bad at all.

Just like Thorn, I was a bit shocked seeing the state of his new home. And it is clear Thorn is out of his depth with trying to find a way to make it all work again.

I admired that determination that Thorn shows in this book. It would have been easy to just give up and go back to his former life. Yet the way he tries to find ways to make it all work, is truly amazing. 

And while I never liked swine in particular, it was sweet to see how Thorn not only truly cares about the animals, but also bonds with one little piglet. Isn’t it true that you see one’s real character the way he is around animals?

I could see in so many how well – fitted Thorn and Hypatia would be, despite the weird way they got together.

I was truly saddened to read how Hypatia has been seen and treated by her own family. It felt to me that she was more a maid then a daughter or a sister. And that made me understand her need to get away from them.

So even if she is getting married to a compete stranger, anything would be an update compared to living with her parent, wouldn’t it?

What I absolutely loved in this story is that no matter how less Hypatia and Thorn know each other, they just get along so well. Often in books with this trope, the freshly married couple don’t get along and then something starts to change.

But here, Thorn and Hypatia understand each other right from the start, and together they are for sure a great pair. Not only do they find ways to turn their situation for the better, but also on a personal level they are just so…

The attraction between them is palpable, and the sparks even fly higher just because they also connect on many other levels.

However, how delightful it was to see these two characters getting closer and closer, it also saddened me how doubts, self-doubts and even the interference of others, were putting a damper on whatever Thorn and Hypatia are feeling and how it threatens to tear their bond apart.

Both Thorn and Hypatia are learning in this book who they truly are, that their background or current status doesn’t define them. What matters is what’s in your heart. They both are even afraid of their feelings, and coming clean about them. And I could understand that trepidation, but as a reader I was just rooting for the both of them, just moments away from literally screaming of not being afraid.

I loved reading this book, showing us that women can be strong characters, and that men can show their vulnerability. But what I loved the most was reading how these two wonderful yet hurt and bit fearful people find each other and become a strong, understanding couple. They are in fact a force to be reckoned with, but also a couple that give everyone a chance and aren’t prejudiced at all.

Just a wonderful, sweet, inspiring, strong story that I devoured! And yes, the presence of some sweet little animals added a nice little extra to like even more!