Absolutely loved this book. The author easily transports you back in time to 1800s England Society. Sweet Phoebe is attending balls because her mother would like her to finally find a husband, even though she really has no desire to. But because their family is trying to recover from scandal she goes along. She is the epitome of a Lady and makes sure that she is not involved in any scandals.
Max does not want a wife, ever; but his mother has insisted if he wants guardianship over his nephew. Because of a secret in his family he has decided he must find a wife. He comes up with a plan for a fake engagement and uses Phoebe's sister's secret as a way to get her to agree to be engaged, but only temporary...until his mother agrees to the guardianship.
However Phoebe finds a way to change the agreement.....
I loved the characters in this book and the way the author transports you to another time. You watch these characters reveal themselves, experience love, loss, heartbreak, growth, trust, intrigue, etc. I cant wait to read more by her. Although I never read book 1 in the Landon Sisters this book was easy to follow.

I am giving honest review for ARC. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It just wasn't right as far as I could see.

This is my first time reading this author. I also mostly review contemporary books but I also enjoy the occassional well written historical. This was a new author but had an intriguing plot and I love forced marriage stories so I was excited to check this story out.

I tend to like Sabrina Jeffries and Julia Quinn. More authors with stronge female leads but who also write fun and funny historicals. While this was an enjoyable read, and I expected it to be fun from the summary, it really was much more serious than fun. It was well written, just not what I was expecting, though I totally enjoyed the story.

The lead character in this story is Max. His sister has died and left her young son. BUt Max' mother is taking care of her grandson and won't let Max raise him unless he marries. Max on the other hand, is terrifed to marry and procreate because his father went mad and even comitted suicide and he sees this as his future.

Enter, Phoebe, the heroine who is Max's friends new sister in law and someone Max has known for awhile. He proposes to her and threatens her with a secret he knows about her sister (not the one married to Max's friend". She agrees to an engagement and not a marriage and then falls hard for Max. She does not know the reasons for his refusal to marry, so she threatens to expose that he just wanted an engagement and no marriage and thats when he agrees to wed her to get custody of his nephew.

This story had a lot of holes. For instance his sister married and had a son and she never feared she would go crazy and should not procreate. He also has avery wild reputation supposedly but as you read you see it was very false. (I am trying not to spoil some of the big surprises in this story).

However I did enjoy the story. There are really no bad guys in this story. Its about two good people and they fall for each other. The biggest obstacle is for Max to grow up a little and realise you have to live your life and not worry about what 'could" happen in the future.

As I said it is not light and fun. There are some very serious things that happen in this story and they actually are very deep for the characters to deal with. I did enjoy it and would recommend it, but it is not light reading or even a very HOT story. There are not many sex scenes in this story.

Great book. I didn't realize it was the second book in a series..which I haven't read the first book. I didn't need to 'read the first book. It's a great stand alone book. With that being said - I'm off to read the first book. Great characters and story!

Definitely a buy book! Okay arguably four stars not five, but for me 5 stars. There are parts of the book that just totally captured me and made me laugh and splutter. There were parts that had me frowning and those that made my heart weep. All in all with such a range of emotions I had to go 5. The characters are wonderful and the heroine is witty as well as strong. The writing is creative and gives the reader pictures of the happening as you read the words. You are a part of the story by then and will have a hard time breaking loose. I would suggest reading number one as well as this one. Not that you have to do so but because it will be enjoyable as well! I found this writer very creative, talented and having a gift with words. A completely enjoyable read! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

This book was a good read. It is the second book in the Landon sisters series. You do not need to read the first novel, but if you want some backstory about the characters, you can read the first book in the series. I enjoyed the author’s writing and plot.
The Earl of Maxfeld, Max, will not marry due to father. However, in order to get custody of his nephew, he needs to show he is responsible enough to care for him. Max’s mother wants him to marry and why not appease her by having a fake fiancée. Max learns something about Lady Phoebe Landon’s sister, Isobel, that could ruin the family once again after their father destroyed their family with his gambling. Max blackmails Phoebe into becoming his fiancée. What he did not expect was the happiness it would bring to some people. Phoebe is not happy about being blackmailed by Max, but as they spend more time together, she begins to see that Max is not what society portrays him to be. Shoe begins to fall for Max and decides that they should actually marry, as to not disappoint the people who truly believe they are perfect for each other. Phoebe wants Max to open up about why he does not want to marry or have children (you will have to read the novel to discover Max’s secret). Max is afraid Phoebe will leave him if she learns the truth. They are both stubborn in their own ways, but both realize they care for one another and are falling in love. When Phoebe learns the truth, what will her response be and how will Max handle Phoebe’s reaction?