A good historical read that was filled with adventure, and a bit of intrigue. Would recommend this book

Marriage with a Proper Stranger is the first book in the Men of Wollstonecraft Hall series by Karyn Gerrard.

Riordan Wollstonecraft is a second son, and also the youngest grandson of the Earl of Wollstonecraft Hall. The family has always been ready to help the underdog, especially underprivileged children, and the rights of women once they are married. So it's no surprise that when Riordan is asked by a woman to help her that he agrees.

Lady Sabrina Lakeside is that women. She was forced into marriage, a very bad one, by her father and when her husband died she had to move back home. Now he is trying to force her into another marriage, to an even more disgusting old man so she must use desperate measures to escape her plight. She asks Riordan to marry her, but only for long enough to get her father off her back, then they can get an annulment. Fortunately, there is an instant attraction between them, so a short time of marriage won't be too much of a hardship for either of them.

That is the basis of the story but there is so much more going on, such as Riordan working as a schoolmaster under a different identity, rather than living off his family's wealth. His twin going missing. What Sabrina has gone through, and what her evil father gets up to. Not to mention the fact that the Wollstonecrafts believe that there is a curse on the family that means that every woman that marries into the family for love ends up dying an early death.

This book is such a wonderful read because of just how much goes on in it. Sabrina's past is so heartbreaking because of her father's machinations and I shed tears for her. She deserves the happiness that Riordan can give her, but they have so many obstacles in their way. I couldn't read quickly enough to find out if she would get her happily ever after. I loved this book and definitely recommend it. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

I was not a fan of this book. I felt like the villains were villains to be villainous and there was a sense of gothic hyperbole in this book that I didn't really care for. I also felt like the main characters ended up falling in love too quickly, and I love the arranged marriage trope, but this time it didn't work for me.

Marriage with a Proper Stranger by Karyn Gerrard was an enjoyable story. A family curse that affects all the men in the Wollstonecraft family and kills off all the women that they love. Can Riodan Wollstonecraft over come this curse when he meets a woman to love? He vows to "Build a wall around his heart" but then he meets a widowed woman and wants to help her by agreeing to a temporary marriage. They both are holding on to secrets but they can build a life together as the love is there in their relationship.

Netgalley gave me an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

An enjoyable one-off read, but not one I'll read again. The hero came off as quite pompous, and the maid's vocabulary struck me as too high-brow and philosophical for her background.

Marriage With a Proper Stranger is a page turner you will not want to put down. Sabrina, unknown to her, was auctioned off in marriage to an old man by her father. After years of a sadistic, cruel marriage her wealthy husband dies but leaves her penniless. After a year of morning, her father auctions her off again to another old peer willing to pay for her. All she knows is her father is forcing her to marry another old, cruel man. Sabrina decides to take matters into her own hands by suggesting to a stranger, the local schoolmaster Riordan Black, marry her for three months so she can get her dowry from her husband. Sabrina offers Riordan a percentage of her dowry for the three months of marriage before annulling it.

Riordan is really a Wollstonecraft who is basically doing community service. His family is distantly related to Mary Wollstonecraft, the women’s rights activist. A family of men due to an old family curse of which wives die young. No one knows he is a Wollstonecraft except one of the members of the school board where he works. Riordan feels guilty about keeping Sabrina in the dark about his family, but their marriage has its secrets on both sides.

I appreciated the way Ms. Gerrard allowed Riordan to be so patient with Sabrina and her fear of intimate contact typical of an abuse victim. He seemed to talk to her in a way that helped her to envision the possibilities of their relationship. On the other hand, the ‘curing’ of Sabrina’s fear went a bit too fast. It’s not a long book, so you just about have to move it along, but it was unusually quick. Either way, it all works out.

This is a quick read and a great first in the series the Men of Wollstonecraft Hall. Thoroughly enjoyable! Even the ‘cure’ for the curse teases of what is to come in future books. The Wollstonecraft men care about each other and stick together even when upset or disappointed within their family. You see a group of strong, caring men who love deeply.

Publisher's Description:

“Build a wall about your heart.”

Riordan Wollstonecraft labors under the heavy burden of his forebears. For generations, a curse has followed the dashing young men of his family, guaranteeing the women they love an untimely death. The youngest grandson of the Earl of Wollstonecraft Hall, charismatic Riordan is quietly resigned to his fate, an educator who devotes his life to good works, and ignores any longing for something more . . .

Widowed and penniless, Lady Sabrina Lakeside is desperate to avoid a second forced betrothal—this time to an aged marquess. Her chance encounter with Riordan leads her to an impulsive offer: a temporary marriage of convenience that could benefit them both. His agreement is as surprising as it is welcome. Before long, Riordan’s keen intellect and kind words have Sabrina rethinking her plans of a union in name only. But her new husband is holding something back. Will giving in to their tantalizing passion lead her only to further heartache . . . or could it be the first step toward healing them both?

My Thoughts:

This book is an interesting take on a marriage of convenience.
Riordan never plans to marry due to the curse on the men of his family.
Lady Sabrina Lakeside wants nothing to do with a second forced betrothal and marriage especially after her first marriage.
Coming together in a planned marriage of convenience these two both have their own secrets. Sabrina eventually comes forth with hers, but has her husband done the same or is he still holding his secrets in check?
I gave this book 4 of 5 stars fro storyline and character development. It is possible that secondary characters in this story will have their own books.
Although a marriage conceived of convenience this couple finally gives in to their desires. I gave it a sensual rating of 2.5 of 5.0 flames.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Who knew a temporary marriage of convenience could be sexy, dangerous and yet fun!

When Lady Sabrina offers a marriage of convenience to the schoolmaster Riordan she wasn’t expecting to truly find a husband, all she wanted was an escape, she also has no clue what her father has done behind the scenes that come back to haunt her.

I really enjoyed both Sabrina and Riordan, their sparks flew off the pages as they both unravel each other’s hidden mysteries. You also get a peek at other great characters that will be in future books.

I recommend this to any historical romance lover out there that wants a different twist.

This was a real treat of a book, Riordan Wollstonecraft believes that love is a curse, if he goes by all the women ithat the men in his family have lost.... then it must be true. Love is off limits forever. For him giving back to his community is and will be his priority. Education is a means of survival,
But when he meets the lovely widow Sabrina Lakeside he’s surprised to find that he’s willing to help in her plight. Sabrina’s father is ready to barter her off to a man twice her age, she’s desperate to find a solution. She doesn’t want to be forced into another horrible marriage she just wants to live a quite life. So when Riordan offers a marriage of convenience she accepts. But when passion develops between them Sabrina is willing to make things work but Riordan is holding out secrets that may jeopardize their newfound love.
One amazing story that will have lovers of historical romance enjoying this difficult to put down this new book. I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest unbiased opinion.

This is the first book I have read by Karyn Gerrard and I truly enjoyed it! Entertaining from beginning to end, we find two people, both who have dealt with life's unfairness. Our heroine, Lady Sabrina Lakeside has been through a lot. She was forcibly made to marry, by her father, to an aged man who treated her terribly. Now a widow with no funds, she is forced to move back with her hateful father who is marrying her off again to the highest bidder. Desperate to get away, she comes up with a scheme with the local schoolmaster to help her out of her predicament. This is where is really becomes interesting. You see, Riordan Wollstonecraft ( yes you have heard that name before in exulted terms for women's rights and they are related!) is the grandson of an Earl. But he is determined not to engage his heart due to the family curse ( what curse you ask? Must read to find out!). He and his family are very social oriented as in trying to change the treatment of the less fortunate. So Riordan takes a job as the local schoolmaster so he can engage some of his ideas of forward thinking to the students. Nobody knows who he really is, least of all Sabrina! Sabrina has a plan and with Riordan's help they execute a daring marriage of convenience to save her from her current forced betrothed. As Sabrina and Riordan spend time together things seem to be changing and with a lot of twist and turns and even some suspense, this story will hold you captive until the end! Cannot wait for the other books in this series!!!

Marriage with a Proper Stranger by Karyn Gerrard is the First Book in the new series "Men of Wollstonecraft Hall". This is the story of Riordan Wollstonecraft and Lady Sabrina Lakeside.
Sabrina is a widower whose father married her off to and awful man. But now that the husband has died she is left with no choice but to return home. Now her father plans to do it all over again and marry her to another man. Sabrina tries to take matters into her own hands by asking Riordan to go into a fake/temporary marriage with her. Riordan and his family have a somewhat tragic history but they try to help those in need. Riordan keeping his family cruse a secret goes forth with agreeing to marry her. But the more they are with each other the more it seems that they started to develop strong feelings that they won't be able to ignore.
I enjoyed this book and it a great start to a new series.

‘Marriage with a proper stranger’ took a different slant on the typical romance novel with the main male character being quite noble and honourable. The name Wollstonecraft would resonate with many readers as Mary Wollstonecraft’s writings and beliefs were quite controversial at the time. Riordan Wollstonecraft obviously shares his ancestors’ strong beliefs and not only is he intent on providing education to everyone, he comes to the assistance of Lady Sabrina Lakeside. As a young widow, Sabrina has been relying on her father for financial support, but he is forcing her to marry again, in order for her to leave his house. Sabrina approaches Riordan in the hope that he will marry her for a short period of time before they annul the marriage. However, as Riordan and Sabrina spend time together, the likelihood of an annulment diminishes.

I enjoyed this different perspective of women’s rights, seen through the eyes of the men of Wollstonecraft.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Riordan Wollstonecraft has been taught that love is a curse. All the men in his family have loved and lost the women in their lives so Riordan determines that when he is old enough he will not face the same consequences as his ancestors. Riordan is intent on making changes in the world. He believes even the poor deserve an education so he takes up a teaching position under an assumed identity.

Sabrina is a widow who just want to live a quiet life. Unfortunately, she is at the mercy of her cold father who will see her married off once again to a man twice her age. Sabrina has been there and done that and suffered horribly in her first marriage. She must find another candidate for marriage before her father follows through with the arranged marriage. When Sabrina happens upon Riordan and witnesses what a kind and considerate teacher he is with his students, she knows he is the one. Now she must convince him to marry her.

Riordan is appalled at Sabrina's father's treatment of her. He wants to refuse when she asks for his help, but in the end, the decision is easy to make. Riordan will marry her and they can seek an annulment at the end of a three month period, thus freeing her from her father's clutches. What neither is expecting is that they might just come to care for one another. Find out what happens in MARRIAGE WITH A PROPER STRANGER.

MARRIAGE WITH A PROPER STRANGER, book one in the MEN OF WOLLSTONECRAFT series, is refreshing. I love that the series centers around a fictional family who are an offshoot of Mary Wollstonecraft, a woman who was such a strong advocate for women's rights in a time when it was not the popular opinion. I absolutely enjoyed the idea of men championing people's rights and freedoms; trying to open the world's eyes to what is really going on around them and to see what is right and wrong. If Riordan was real, I am sure Mary would have been extremely proud of him! Sabrina and Riordan's story has it's ups and downs, but together they will overcome any and all trials and tribulations. MARRIAGE WITH A PROPER STRANGER is my first novel by author Karyn Gerrard and I cannot wait to read her next masterpiece.

This starts out with Sabrina, Lady Pepperdon, the young widow of an Old, Vile, Earl! Now, she is returned to her father's house, poor, devastated at once again, living with a Vile father! He has decided to make her marry, once again, this time to a Vile Marquis! She, and her personal Maid Mary, take a walk, in order to think. She finds herself on a bench, outside a School House, she hears the voice of a most beautiful tone, and then finds herself, face to face, with the most handsome man, that she has ever laid eyes on. She has decided to offer this poor School Teacher, an offer of marriage, for 3 months, and then an annulment. She, and Mary, will then be free to get away from all men!
Riordan Black Wollstonecraft! The grandson of an Earl, the son of a Viscount, much less, poor School Teacher. Only, he will not tell her, he listens to her horrendous story, and being the progressive that he is, decides to help her.
There were several times in the book, I didn't care for, the reasoning of Sabrina, who at heart, is still a pampered peer of the Aristocracy, also, would she have entertained this fake marriage, to a plain looking School Teacher? This obviously, will be a series!

I recommend! Thanks!
carolintallahassee 👒

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 1 in series and I am looking forward to more. This was a good introduction to the series. I enjoyed it a great deal. We have the men of Wollstonecraft who are cursed to have the women in their family die. The story was well done and I enjoyed the romance that grew. Looking forward to more!

I like this story. Its a bit cheesy and parts are a kind of dis-believable but it was a pleasant read.

While I did find some of the point it made a bit heavy handed and a bit repetitive, I understood the authors points. I also felt that some of the sentiments and language use as a bit modern for the setting and characters.

Though the focus is on Riordan and Sabrina, the plot does include obvious set ups for two further stories and for two less obvious. Would I read the rest of the series, possibly.

Having been gifted with this ARC I promised a fair and honest review. This is part of a series of a family of men who have been cursed where love is concerned. This is the story of one (well, with some hints of what is to come with the others). I am not certain that the way this starts out is feasible however, this is a novel and as such creative license is always a part.

A heartbreaking tale of a heroine who was brutally abused physically, mentally and psychology first by her abominable excuse of a father then by her abhorrent, depraved husband. I struggled to read and comprehend what the heroine has gone through. I skimmed through few chapters.

If not for The Wollstonecraft men of nobility, Gentlemen to their very bones, I would not have been able to finish reading. The Wollstonecrafts have liberal beliefs on women's and children's rights and use their power to fight for semblance of equality or close to what they could achieve circa 1830 England.

The hero, Riordan Black Wollstonecraft, second son to Viscount Tensbridge, is all for education reform, as a teacher, his passion to educate young people resonates with me.

The heroine, widow and penniless Lady Sabrina Lakeside, was saved by Riordan from another wretched marriage to an old debauched, lewd man by marrying her himself!

Their union is fraught with deception, blackmail, kidnapping and mistrust not to mention the Wollstonecraft curse hanging over their heads but they did manage to have their HEA.

This is an eGalley copy from the publisher. This is my honest and impartial review.

This is Riordan and Sabrina’s story. Riordan comes from a powerful family with a curse attached to any female they love. Sabrina has a father who is willing to sell her to the highest bidder more than once. Riordan is teaching under an assumed name. Sabrina brings marriage of convenience scheme to Riordan. There are many twists and turns in their relationship. True love wins. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.