Lovers to enemies to lovers trope. When Emmaline Shawn’s fiancé John Brantwood disappeared London’s fickle society turned against. Emma’s rebuilt herself from a timid girl to a startling woman who knows her own mind
Now he’s back after four years as the new Duke of Worley. Society is in raptures over the newest bachelor Duke, except there’s on thing they’ve all forgotten. He’s engaged—to Emma!
Emma however has other ideas and the engagement is off, except that John needs her to help introduce his sister into society. More than that he admires her spirit and finds he can’t let her go.
An interesting concept let down by the confusion of the second half of the book

A NetGalley ARC

The Reunion is a romantic, beautiful and highly enjoyable book.
I really loved the plot, it's a got good pacing which holds the attention. I really enjoyed the author's attention to detail, from the setting to the clothing.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, some were more memorable than others but they all brought something to the story, each was well defined and developed throughout the story.
Overall the Reunion is a sexy and passionate love story.

The Reunion truly is a book of two halves. I don't think I have ever enjoyed a book so much in its first half only to be so thoroughly let down by it's second. It really was such a shame.

Emma just wants a quiet life after her fiancé left her 4 years ago sending her into scandal. She has always presumed John dead so when he appears as a duke she is shocked. John is looking for a good marriage after living in America for 4 years looking after his mother and sister, Charlotte. He needs someone of strong character to help him introduce Charlotte to English life and the ton. He is surprised to find his fiancé unmarried and their betrothal still very much intact. When he meets Emma he realises that she is just what he has been looking for. She, however, can think of nothing worse than marrying John and becoming a Duchess.

The first half of this book was everything I want in a regency romance. The characters were wonderful, especially Emma who was vibrant, intelligent and head strong. I wasn't so sure of John but he won me around. The banter between them was funny and razor sharp, the flirtation fun and warm with a good dose of sexual tension thrown in. Then the tone and shape of the book changed.

The introduction of Charlotte turns everything upside down. The book became more about her than the relationship that had been built up originally. Suddenly chapters were from her point of view and a new romance took centre stage. I cannot understand why Portman didn't just sow the seeds and write another book in the series.

This time away from John and Emma hurt the book. It rushed the angst and resolution of their relationship. John seemed to become a different person. He was mean, judgemental and mostly absent. His personality died away into nothing and I ended up not liking him at all. His behaviour towards Emma was at times abhorrent. What made it worse was the disappearance of Emma's backbone. There is absolutely no way she would have put up with it in the first half of the book.

It is such a shame that this book fell of the cliff towards the end. The first half was an easy four stars from me, the second only a two.

A woman and a man engaged, the man thought dead in battle then comes back for his lady.

The Reunion is the first book in the Brides of Beadwell series by Sara Portman.

Lady Emmaline Shaw was forced into an engagement four years ago, only to have her betrothed flee the country, leaving her reputation in ruins. Everybody including Emma thought he had gone to war; did he really want to escape her that badly? They also believe that he died during the war.

Four years on and John, Duke of Worley, Emma’s betrothed returns to England. He had been in America, he hadn’t gone to war, and he brings back with him a sister that he had been told had died. She had a rough life in America, and in order to help her take her rightful place in his family, as a Lady, John needs to marry. He needs a strong woman as his Duchess who can help teach his sister all she needs to know about entering society, and also help stop the vicious rumours that are going to be spreading. He totally forgot that he was already engaged to Emma, but when he is reminded of the fact and when he meets the woman again, he realises she will be perfect as his wife.

Can he convince her that it’s in her best interests too to marry him? Can a marriage of convenience be enough for either of them? Finally, will Charlotte (John’s sister) be able to make her way into society or not?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, marriage of convenience happens to be one of my favourite tropes. I love it when characters fight the good fight not to fall for each other, and love when I just want to give one or both of them a good shake to see sense. That kind of story captivates me, THIS story captivated me. John and Emma were fabulous characters, and I love the way that they both did their part in helping Charlotte. I also enjoyed that Charlotte found herself a love interest, two great love stories in one great book.

I voluntarily reviewed and advanced readers’ copy of this book.
reviewed by AnnMarie

Once upon a time, I only read romance set in the pre-1900s U.S. or Regency England. This is probably because that’s what my older sister had, and raided her stash when she wasn’t home. In recent years, I’ve been reading mostly contemporary romance. But I’ve been slowly working in more historical, and The Reunion is a great read. The heroine is smart and sassy. The hero’s devotion to his little sister makes it easy to root for him. And together, the two of them are so hot.

THE REUNION is the first book in Portman's Brides of Beadwell series. I can't wait to read the next one!


***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

John Brantwood, the Seventh Duke of Worley, once thought to be dead, has returned after being missing for 4 years. The gossips have differing reasons for his absence, but the marriage mamas know he needs to get married and start a family.

Lady Emmaline (Emma) Shaw is not is not at all interested in John’s return. She was raised by her aunt and uncle after her parents passed away. It appears that John and Emma had once been engaged before he disappeared and he was assumed to have been killed in battle. Now, he is the Duke and some think they are still engaged. But Emma did not want to marry him 4 years ago and now she doesn’t want to be engaged either. John had treated her with disdain years ago and she simply does not care for him.

When John walks into a soiree one evening, he is every inch a Duke and one needing a wife right away. When he is reminded that he is still engaged to Emma, he is appalled. He remembers her as a frightened young girl. The engagement had been arranged by their fathers. When they meet at the soiree, Emma wants to break the engagement but John does not. He likes the woman that Emma has become. She is not only beautiful, but she is outspoken as well. John needs her to sponsor his sister, Charlotte, for her debut who has been living in America for most of her life. So, when Emma’s aunt decides she should marry the Duke, she agrees to do so.

Thus begins a relationship that has many ups and downs. Is it destined to be a happy marriage or will there be problems?

I liked this book at the beginning, but after the marriage, the plot seemed to fall apart for me as it turned into a “chase me and catch me if you can.” I find that type of scenario overdone and boring. However, I do look forward to reading more of this author’s books hoping that this one was simply not a good fit.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The book keeps your attention until the very end. The bantering between Emma and John and Charlotte and Brydges is so wonderful and hilarious you want to keep on reading. There is a HEA for all parties. This is a great read and I would recommend it.

I really enjoyed debut author Sara Portman’s book, The Reunion. Smart, mature characters (well, one immature side character I grew to like), a sexy hero, and a heroine who I adored.

Four years prior to the book starting, seventeen year old Lady Emma, was forced into an engagement to a man whom she barely knew. This man, our hero John, took one look at the very young Emma, sneered, and made some not so nice remarks. To everyone’s confusion, shortly after this, John disappears. Time passes and everyone assumes he is dead. Emma has no idea if she is still engaged, but very happy to not have him in her life anymore. But then to the shock of everyone, John comes back.

With his father dead, John comes back from Boston, to inherit the title of duke. John has good reason to have disappeared four years ago. His hateful father had driven John’s mother and sister, Charlotte, from their house, and the fled across the ocean. When John learns that his sister and mother were alive, he fled to find them. Now back in England, John is preparing to bring his sister back into society (his mother died of illness) and John really needs a wife/duchess to help transition Charlotte to London. Of course, he had totally forgot that he was engaged prior to leaving. But the ton never forgets, and when he makes his first appearance in London, they all remind him who his fiance is.

John can’t believe this beautiful woman is his fiance….and Emma wants nothing to do with him. But John is entranced – it’s not just her beauty but she has a sharp tongue. She is smart and mature and can hold her own. Not only enticing to him, but exactly what Charlotte needs when she comes to live with them. It takes much convincing to woo Emma back to him….

“I do not believe you have any desire or intent to marry me any more than I do you. What I do believe is that you expected a desperate girl who would be disconsolate at your rejection. I believe you feel robbed of your authority as the one who grants and takes away.” She gripped the wooden arms of her chair and peered at him. “Is your ego really so bruised you would punish me by threatening to push forward with this ridiculous engagement? You would bat me around like a cat’s toy just to remind me of your superiority?”

Did I mention Emma has a sharp tongue? But Emma does fall for John. I consider this book a marriage of convenience, but it’s also a slow burn of courtship until they marry about halfway through the book. Even though John behaved poorly four years prior, he really is a gentleman. A sexy one at that. And as Emma realizes this, and gets to know him better, she agrees to the marriage.

As the pleasantries were exchanged, Emma found herself watching John. When finally he stood in front of her and addressed her directly, heat suffused her cheeks. Was he taller and broader than he had been two days before? Surely his hair was sinfully darker and his eyes were more startlingly blue. How strange that this man, this unfamiliar, intimidating lord would be her husband.

The second half of the book focuses on Charlotte’s arrival. She is….quite the character. She comes off spoiled and bratty and I kind of didn’t want to read about her for the remainder of the book. I won’t spoil and give away things, but I ended up liking her a lot. She has a substantial supporting story that is well done – just give her a chance.

I’m impressed with this author’s voice. I love finding a new author to anticipate – and with book two and three coming out in the next two months, I have high hopes. Emma’s best friend will be the heroine in book two – can’t wait.

Grade: B+

'The Reunion' by Sara Portman is the First Book in The "Brides of Beadwell" series. This is the story of Lady Emmaline Shaw and John Brantwood.
Emma was to marry John but he up and left. Rumor had it he went to war and possible died. Emma became a outcast in the town so instead of staying there and feeding their gossip she left. Emma went on to live her life and make a new life. Emma is no longer the shy girl that was at the wimps of the town.
John is now a Duke and returns to help his sister to come out to the town. John knows a Duchess would be just the things to help them. John and Emma come to a deal and with that they slowly learn to love each other.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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This debut deserves its stars. Sara Portman tells the story of a man who rushed off to do his duty, taking care of his mother and sister, while forgetting the havoc he would leave behind him. It's a reminder, again, that what would today be unremarked — a broken engagement — could ruin a young lady's life. To be jilted was to be marked as ruined, unfit, and after Lady Emmaline was left by the future Duke, John Brantwood, she had few options. Her reputation was shattered. That the men in these books do not understand the damage they do is unfortunate, but we would not have such interesting stories otherwise. The Duke of Worley returns in need of a wife -- except he is still engaged. The betrothal never was formally broken, although Lady Emmaline gives him his freedom. How it is all resolved is a satisfying read, and a quick one. This book is the kind that grabs a reader, envelops them, and several hours later, you look up and wonder where the time went. A really enjoyable read, especially for a debut. (I received an advanced copy via NetGalley. Views are my own.)

Loved it!
This was such a wonderful romance.
Lady Emmaline Shaw is betrothed to John Brantwood who would later become the Duke of Worley - was struck speechless when he angrily insults her at their betrothal (she was a shy 17 year old) as a dimwit and disappears for four years!
Not giving a fig that her reputation would be left in tatters he rushes to help his sister and mother in America. Resulting in Lady Emmaline to be just the strong willed woman he’s in search of to pave the way for his sister.
All that Emma wants is her country cottage and her gardens not the overbearing Duke!
John Brantwood can’t get over that the shy almost invisible young girl he remembers is his betrothed, she is the perfect woman for his needs , so when she releases him he’s the one left speechless! And he’s got to make her his wife what entails is one fast paced read that keeps you on edge with passion and strong willed women witty dialogue and a hellion of a sister (Charlotte) that keeps things so entertaining!
I really found another great author and can’t wait to read the next one which is Lucy’s story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley for my honest unbiased opinion

The Reunion by Sara Portman
Brides of Beadwell #1

Brilliantly told story of an inconvenient that becomes a marriage of convenience….and then…becomes…oh so much more…

Lady Emmaline Shaw and John Brantwood, Duke of Worley were engaged…and he disappeared suddenly. Rumors abounded regarding where he might have gone and why leaving Emma to deal with other rumors in the wake of his disappearance. Four years later he reappears as if resurrected from a grave and he is looking for a wife to help him launch his sister into society. In his mind it won’t be his affianced Emma…not until he meets her at a ball and realizes she has the exact temperament to do what needs to be done. Emma puts up a good fight to avoid matrimony as her doggedly pursues her for the first third of the book. Once she realizes there might be benefits to her in marrying John the marriage takes place, the sister arrives (and what a hellion she is), the coaching and coaxing of Charlotte into being a lady begins, a blackmailer appears and more occurs. It takes most of the book for John and Emma to grow into loving one another and then expressing their feelings but in the end a HEA is achieved AND Charlotte finds her place in society, too.

This book felt in keeping with the era it was set in. The dialogue, costumes, descriptions, characters, interactions and everything resonated in a way that made me felt I was in the past no reading about contemporary characters acting modernly in a historical setting. It was a very good read and made me want to find each of this author’s books as it is published.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

sara portman's debut historical, the reunion, is an enjoyable second-chance-at-love romance. years ago john brantwood left england in a hurry with no consideration to the betrothal his father had arranged for him. his abandonment left emmaline shaw's reputation in tatters. his alleged death and then the actual death of her parents had her retiring from society.

so it is a shock when he reappears four years later, and an even greater shock to realize that their betrothal is still valid and that he wants to hold her to it. the more emmaline puts up a fight, the more determined john is to marry her. he needs a woman with a steel core to withstand the scandal of his long-lost sister's return to society.

he also needs someone to help her learn to navigate society's pitfalls, and who better than someone who has experienced the scorn and derision first-hand. emmaline doesn't want to give in, but soon it seems that everyone in her life is counseling her to marry john. and truth be told, everything she's learned about him since his return makes her think he is not the high-handed, egotistical maniac she thought he was.

and then there is that disturbing attraction that keeps bubbling up between them. arguments that end with kissing are not proper, especially when the point of the argument is to break the engagement. john and emmaline have to overcome a fair amount of obstacles to obtain their happily ever after. but the conflicts fit into the story perfectly, so it doesn't feel as if they are at odds for the sake of adding length to the novel.

and watching these two characters fall in love is actually a treat. one of my favorite scenes is when they go to the local village for market day. the way john watches emmaline interact with others, and how he gains so much understanding of her true character on this unplanned outing is really well done. i look forward to seeing more in this series.

Sara Portman’s debut novel The Reunion was even better than I expected. The description of the story pulled me in of a betrothed who disappears for four year and believed dead after the betrothal is announced. Lady Emmaline is left behind to deal with the aftermath and, eventually, like everyone else believes her affianced, John, the now Duke of Worley, is dead. They re-meet at a ball he is attending to look for a wife. Yet, he never questioned what had become of the naive seventeen year old of whom he was betrothed. He thought her long married by now. So, he happens to bump into her at the ball and decides she will do because she stands up to him. Emmaline is not going for the ‘we are betrothed’ line.

For some time, she refuses to marry him, betrothed or not. He works to convince her he needs her to help launch is, also thought dead, sister on English society. Once Emmaline decides the marriage will benefit her as much as him, they each make demands of the other before marrying. Shortly after they marry, his sister, Charlotte, arrives from Boston. Oh, dear, is she difficult! It can be excused away, she has lot her mother, she has left her home, she has to come to England and has to learn to ride a horse. Her reaction to her losses is to be bratty. Plus, her brother’s best friend Hugh puts her down every chance he gets.

I will say that I would have enjoyed seeing John grovel a bit more about disappearing for four years without so much as a word to anyone, then suddenly showing up and demanding Emmaline marry him. It is a marriage of convenience but not what is considered a true marriage of convenience – Emmaline and John are quite compatible in the marriage bed. At times, that is the only time they are connecting. John is determined to not allow the same mistakes his father did and it almost takes his marriage to low depths.

As a debut novel, Sara Portman, shows great promise. This new series, The Brides of Beadwell is off to an exceptional beginning. Ms. Portman has the amazing ability to take you to the locations of which she writes. You can close your eyes and see the beautiful garden Emmaline and her mother built together. Ms. Portman’s characters seem well-rounded and human with true human feelings, hurts and loves. I am looking forward to Lucy’s story.

Lady Emmaline Shaw was a shy gangly seventeen year old when her father arranged her engagement to John Brantwood, who disappeared immediately after their engagement. Now four years later John returns, he’s now the Duke of Worley & is looking for a wife to chaperone his sister. Emma is now a confident woman who has no need for society & is happy with her cottage & garden. Rumour has it that John ran off to war and died in battle, his shocking resurrection throws the ton into a tizzy and makes him one of England’s most sought after bachelors except that he’s already engaged & his meetings with Emma make him decide that their engagement should stand. After heated discussions & each laying down conditions they marry.
What an amazing debut novel, the pace is good & flows. The characterisation is very good. John & Emma are delightful, their verbal spats are so well done & engaging. Their attraction sizzles. Charlotte, Hugh & Lucy are strong secondary characters, I can’t wait to read Lucy’s story. There are plenty of misunderstandings which all add to this very enjoyable book. I’m always a shade wary of debut novels as they can be a little gauche & most authors improve over time, so for a debut novel to be so accomplished is wonderful & I can’t wait to read more from Ms Portman as I’ve found a brilliant new talent.

This is Emma and John's story. They were engaged years ago. He ran away to America to help his mother. This adversely effected her reputation. He is back to marry her. He needs her to help launch his sister. There are many misunderstandings. They fall in love. It was a fast read. I truly enjoyed the story.

A Delightful Story.
I adored this story, Emma was such a feisty heroine whilst John's love and care for his mother and sister were inspiring. I liked that Emma gave him such a hard time before agreeing to marry him and the solution she found to have Charlotte accepted into Society. I will be looking to read more by this author
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I had such high hopes for this story, and to be honest, they story itself wasn't entirely lacking. It was the characters and certain plot points that missed the mark.

One of the things that was hardest to get through were the seemingly one-dimensional characters. We have John, our Hero who runs off to save his mother and sister leaving no thought to how his actions would be perceived by the ton, nor how they would hurt his betrothed (even if she wasn't what he intended at the time). He is, quite plainly, the stereotypical Hero of these novels, he "sacrifices" himself for his family, going so far as to take a wife he doesn't even know in order to "pave the way" for his sister. Oh, and he's got some series "daddy" issues too. The kind that take a whole book to resolve, when frankly, anyone with half a brain could see they were just ridiculous.

Next we have Emma, his reluctant wife. Poor Emma is adamant that she will not marry John. Not after the way he spoke to her on their one meeting four years ago, not after the way he waltzed back into her life and began trying to manage her with high-handed tactics. Until, of course, she finds there is something it it for her. Originally, I admired her backbone. The way she stood up to John, and the way she held her head high when around some of the most notorious gossips. Somewhere along the way, we lose that Emma. She becomes a shadow of her former self, mooning over her husband and lamenting that he's not around. Thankfully, she does re-appear near the end of the story, but by then it was a little too late.

Then we move on to our secondary characters, his sister Charlotte, who acts like a petulant child, refusing to even consider all that her brother has done for her. Instead she purposely misses appointments, lashes out at her brother and is downright rude to Emma. To be honest, you couldn't have paid me to deal with a shrew like her.

Finally, the whole arc with John's friend Hugh. The abhorrent way he behaved should never be used as an excuse for being infatuated with someone. That is what you would expect from children who didn't know any better, but certainly not from adults of marrying age.

It isn't all bad however, the author does seem to have a competent style when writing things out, allowing the reader to visualize the places they visit. And there are times (such as the fair to name just one) that they story moves along with purpose and without any of the overused plot points so often found in historical novels of late. I do think the ending, while a bit predictable in some aspects, did tie the story together nicely.

Overall, I am sure this story will still appeal to those who enjoy a decently written historical romance novel. I would give this author another chance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I am so excited that I have a new romance series to follow. I loved this book. I like historicals with a marriage of convenience plot and this one was well done. Emma is my kind of herioine- smart, feisty and independent. The romance was well developed, not too rushed, and the secondary characters all well written.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.