Delightfully Entertaining Story.
This is the second book I have read by this author and she is rapidly becoming a firm favourite of mine. Due to mistaken identity, and a subsequent conversation that was at cross purposes, Miss Lucy Betancourt and Mr Bexley Brantwood share a most inappropriate kiss. One would think that such an inauspicious beginning would lead to embarrassment at subsequent meetings but instead it allows them to disregard normal rules of behaviour, and rather than exchanging polite inanities, they are instead honest with each other and develop a friendship. I loved the characters, the writing style, the humour and the fact that neither the hero or heroine were titled and I enjoyed how the author resolved Bex’s lack of funds. A highly recommended read.
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.

4.5 stars - What an entertaining read. We first met the heroine in The Reunion which ended with a teaser of The Offer that had me eagerly anticipating its release. So, I was delighted for the opportunity to give a review.

Childhood friend of a now duchess the heroine has an aging father who will soon be unable to support her. She’s looking for a position as a governess or music teacher.

Our hero is the Duke’s cousin. He’s not afraid of risk and that’s gotten him into debt. He has integrity and honor though, so isn’t looking for someone to bail him out. His father, on the other hand, is despicable, has notions well above his station and no redeeming qualities.

The Duchess throws the two together is what follows is entertaining and heartwarming. They’re both great characters and very much products of circumstances, many of which were beyond their control. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend it!

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the story of a rather practical young woman named Lucy, who while staying with her friend Emma who is a Duchess, meets Emma's cousin through marriage, Bex. Lucy and Bex, a vicar's daughter and a duke's impoverished cousin, are on the edges of society, and are both in the process of making decisions regarding their futures. The two characters fall for each other. The story has well defined characters and an interesting plot but it slowed toward the end with a bit much of the "will they or won't they finally get together" devices in romance novels. It is a sweet story with a hea and I enjoyed it.

Sara Portman is on her way to being one of my favorite authors. After reading her first two novels, she is quickly becoming a favorite. Her characters are unique, interesting and realistic. The Offer is about Lucy, the Vicar’s daughter, best friend to Emma (The Reunion) and Bex, John’s cousin (the Duke of Worley). Lucy and Bex share a kiss and a misunderstanding of an offer when they first meet which leads to their instant attraction.

There is a special bond between Lucy and Emma from having grown up together, although one a vicar’s daughter and the other an earl’s daughter. They did everything together and it showed during the debut novel. That close relationship has continued even with Emma becoming the Duchess of Worley. Lucy is in London to help Emma through the morning sickness episodes and she plans to stay to assist with the birth of the future duke. You see quickly Lucy is concerned about her future and securing a post as a companion or governess once Emma and baby are delivered and healthy.

Bex, as well, is concerned about his future. His father has encouraged him to build up debt to live as would become the future Duke of Worley. But, with John returning from the dead, their debts are coming due. Bex’s father is not a very nice man. He is not exactly evil, just lazy and controlling. He seems to get worse as the book progresses. While Bex is determined to be a man and make something of himself, his father does not mind asking for money from the duke as if it is the duke’s fault he is in debt for not being dead! Bex will have none of it. He feels bad enough living in a house of which the duke is paying. Bex has a business mind and is trying to use that skill to get out of debt. He just seems to pick one bad investment after the other. All of them seem sound, just do not seem to work. His father has sold the family farm. So, all Bex has left is his business acumen.

I love that Bex calls Lucy Saint Lucy paying tribute to her innocence and birth. She is quite a temptress with her offer. Loved the section with the red dress. The cover fits the red dress perfectly. Lucy does not hide her thoughts at all, she is quite an open book.

Through much of the book they are both just trying to find a better life, to be independent. You see the love they have for each other, the respect, the trust. Their HEA is difficult to reach, but that is what makes this such an endearing book. Great job, Sara Portman – keep them coming!

The Offer is the story of Lucy, Emma’s best friend and John’s cousin Bex. Their story starts with a misunderstanding and a kiss. They are instantly attracted to each other, but fall in love a bit more slowly than that. They embark in field trips, adventures and shenanigans than allows them to be friends, to be honest, to get to know one another.

As they fall deep in love with each other, they each convince themselves that they have no future together. Lucy is penniless and destined to be a governess and Bex is deep in debt and unable to provide any kind of life for a wife. Therefore, Lucy decides that she was nothing to lose in asking Bex to be her lover for a short time. As you might guess, not all goes well for the young lovers.

Although I didn’t love The Offer as much as I did The Reunion, it was still a good read.

If you are tired of reading stories where the main characters are always rich, titled and incredibly beautiful, this one's for you!

Lucy is a vicar's daughter from a small village with no likely matrimonial prospects around. She goes to London to visit with her childhood friend who is married to a Duke and is expecting her first child. While there she decides that she needs to take her future into her own hands and take advantage of the opportunity of meeting members of the Ton to find herself a position as a Governess or Companion.

Bex is cousin to a Duke, but his financial prospects are grim, due to some bad choices he, and his father, have made. He finds Lucy refreshing and charming, but he's in no position to entertain a relationship.

Despite their positions, they are attracted to each other. Can these two find a way to have a future together? Read and find out!

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Having read “The Reunion”, the first in the Brides of Beadwell series, I was excited to read “The Offer”. Lucy, who is the childhood friend of Emma (Book 1) and is staying with her during her pregnancy. It is at the home of Emma and her husband, John Brantwood, the Duke of Worley, that Lucy meets Bex Brentwood, cousin to John. Bex has found himself with no income, due to his father’s poor financial decisions and his own business ventures. Bex realises the futility of a relationship with Lucy, who with no dowry, believes her only option is to become a governess. Whilst they are attracted to each other, they convince themselves that they cannot be together.
Lucy was such a great character in The Reunion, as her kind, generous yet pragmatic nature, makes her quite refreshing. Both Bex and Lucy together, are such a well-suited couple that I was cheering for them to make it work. It was a delight to hear how their story unfolded.

The Offer (Brides of Beadwell, #2)
by Sara Portman
Anna Swedenmom's review Sep 05, 2017 · edit
it was amazing

Arguably a four star, however, I had to go five stars. I found the book different in many aspects. Not only were they not just titled and rich, but they were also characters that showed strength and staying power no matter how many times defeated. I was so very interested in the story that I kept reading and I then took time to reread the book again. I must say from the characters to the plot to the sweet and simple love story it was all very touching for me. A book that was totally enjoyable and one I did not have to keep skipping pages for the writing that did not belong. So if you want an engaging sweet and interesting story this is definitely the one to buy. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

Loved this book and how it started out with the misunderstanding. Went uphill from there. Haven't read any other of Sara's books but definitely will look for her in the future.

When the main characters are not members of aristocracy and exist only in the fringes of such society, my curiosity was aroused and I was on tenterhooks throughout my reading as to how Sara Portman could make the characters interesting and engaging and ultimately have their happy-ever-after.
Ms Portman did not disappoint. Book 2 is as excellent as Book 1.. Brilliant epilogue. Five stars.

Lucy Betancourt is an innocent, bright, single-minded, musically-talented and passionate country miss. These attributes would eventually be her ruination when she tried to save the man she cared about. Bexley Brantwood doesn't have a lot going for him, his finances and personal life are disastrous. His life only made a complete turnaround once he accepted The Offer.

I received an advance reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my impartial review.

Bex Brentwood has foolishly speculated on numerous business ventures that have failed and he finds himself with no income, no home and a bleak future. All of that doesn't stop him from trying to better his situation. When he meets Lucy Betancourt, he's intrigued with the practical vicar's daughter. Lucy has no dowry and no prospects of getting married so she plans her future as a governess to relieve the burden on her aging parents. Fate, however, has other plans for these two and a sweet love story emerges.

I was so excited to ready Lucy's story. She was introduced in the previous novel and she's such a unique character--kind, loving, but, oh so practical. Her childhood friend, Emma, the Duchess of Worley, asks her to join her in London where Lucy meets the duke's cousin, Bex. I was happy to see that Bex wasn't trying to get out of his financial situation by wooing a wealthy widow. His character was good and honorable and I loved watching Lucy and Bex's unfolding story. The dialogue was witty and believable between these two as they got to know each other. There are a few twists in the story that kept me turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Fans of Regency romance will be delighted to read this story.

Finally a story where both protagonists, Bex, a distan indebited duke's cousin and Lucy a vicar's daughter, are penniless and not titled - I like also when they are rich and titled but for sure what is portrayed here is rarity in the genre, and therefore I'm happily surprised.That said, I found the love story so very sweet, simple and realistic.



The affection between them grows so naturally that you cannot not love it.

They are friends first - although attraction is present from the beginning - they banter a lot, which I found very amusing; they are very comfortable with one another (despite the "weird" beginning), showing a very deep connection that goes beyond the physical attraction and they both have to struggle with a reality that was widely common, that is that of earning a living.

I also liked the periferical characters, and there was NEVER a boring moment (and this is said from someone that often ends up skipping some lines, if not pages).
Lovely indeed!