This book is definitely one of my favorites of the year. This book is a perfect example of why we should give lesser-known authors more of a chance. This book had a wonderful plot and enjoyable, realistic characters. The story had a slow start and it took a while for me to connect with the characters but around the halfway point is where it really started to pick up. The conflicts that the characters were dealing with were well done. I really appreciate how the characters were mature and handled everything very well; I am glad that the conflict wasn't caused by immaturity or a lack of/poor communication.

A great read for anyone trying to get into Victorian-era historical romances.

- 4 stars -

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5 stars!

When Lauren Alcott realized that Rafe Townsend would not rescue two women that were about to drown, she stepped in to rescue them herself. With that action, the arranged engagement between them was in peril and their fathers forced their offsprings to save it and repair their reputations amidst rumors perpetuated by a reporter. And thus their adventurous journey towards falling in love commence.

I enjoyed the entertaining romance. The couple has likable flawed families that truly loved them. The hero even has a best friend that will have his own story in the future, which I look forward to reading. For personal preference, I wanted more closure of the villains. Other than that, it was definitely a wonderful Betina Krahn book.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**

This book was so exciting. Instead of historical romance, it should read adventure romance! I mean, in the first chapter the heroine saves the lives of two woman and ends her betrothal, all in one fell swoop. Then we read that the hero and heroine are in a contracted marriage that will benefit the shipping companies of both families. And this benefit will change the shipping market because such a large company can change the way cargoes are shipped from overseas and not depend on the government. So many people want the marriage to go on but many politicians and government officials do not want this marriage. The hero and heroine agree. They can't stand or understand each other.
One of the better parts of reading this story was the development and growth of maturity in both of the main characters. The hero has always been the golden child and that follows him into adulthood. He can do no wrong in his parents eyes and that has made him a self centered, jaded lily of the field. The heroine has always been a reader, but more than that, an educator. She is dedicated to reading and teaching the poorer classes how to read and do math. Her father hates this and feels that she has expectations too high for a normal man, she wants a hero. So what does she do, she turns her self centered fiance into a hero. He does also do a lot on his own, but it takes her opening his eyes and educating him in the ways of the world. He was never a bad man, just used to being the center of attention.
This story was a good read from.cover to cover. It was well written with a supporting cast that made sense and added to the story. It was conclusive and no spelling or grammatical errors. 5 stars all around. I recommend reading this book.

I am a fan of Ms Krahn’s historical romances esp the Brides of virtue series, Behind closed doors among some of her many books. I was expecting intense narrative and fierce independence female protagonist. However this book was very different Victorian romance. The period made Huge difference in the story telling and characters.

Both the H/h are well defined characters but the story did not capture my interest. And I think it not the story itself but my preference to non Victorian romance unless it’s mystery genre.

I’m sure readers of Mr Krahn’s books will find this book interesting if not gripping.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was very slow to start and I really had a hard time with liking the characters. The characters did get better towards the end of the story. I would give this book a 3 1/2.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Initially I was unimpressed by these characters and braced for another disappointing novel with an overbearing, privileged lord who feels he us superior to the heroine, but as the story progresses both find common ground as they battle for acceptance. Lauren is an independent, self righteous woman who takes matters into her own hands when she witnesses two women nearly drown. She realizes that her then fiance Rafe, does not have the decency to save those women instead. They are forced by their parents to pretend to be in love so that they avoid facing complete ruin. what follows is a series of heated banter between the unwilling couple as they battle to understand and ultimately accept each other. Not an intensely great novel but entertaining enough to read.