Could Love Be Fated?

They found one another in an advertisement, and they were not expecting love. Then, they were two strangers on their way to London, and they met by chance. The attraction between them was instant. Was it fate that brought them together? He advertised for a spouse, but he did not think he could love again. His previous marriage was quite unhappy. She answered his advert to escape a monster. When the two married, they were hiding secrets. Their passion was growing, but their secrets were like poison. The past was lurking like a deadly snake in the grass. Should it strike, it might destroy them both. The villain of the story was evil. What happened when Miles and Verity trusted one another and finally shared all their secrets?

This story has steamy romance, mystery, and suspense. I recommend it to those who like historical romance with secrets.

This is the first book of a brand new series, Matrimony, and it is off to a captivating start. Miles and Verity meet quite by accident. Miles has been a widower for several years and us now tired of being alone. He decides it's time he find a bride and places an ad in the paper. He finds a suitable match and on the way to meet her, gets stuck in a snowstorm and comes across a mail coach which has had an accident. When he stops to help, he meets Verity, who is on her way to London. Not having good experiences with men, Verity is reluctant to trust him. But she is stranded in the snowstorm and needs shelter and decides to trust him. Miles is definitely drawn to her, but she still distrusts him, and when they head to London they go their separate ways. It turns out Verity is the woman who answered his ad, and they decide to go ahead with the marriage. They begin to grow closer and Verity helps his heart heal. But she has her own secrets and when her past catches up with her, things start to get bumpy.
This first installment was a delightful read and kept me engaged and entertained throughout. A well-written story with interesting and well-developed characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

If I Loved You will keep you captivated all the way through. Cerise Deland has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you into their tale, with passion, suspense, secrets and an enjoyable plot.

The motivating factor, which is the plot for Verity who was seeking companionship is a very interesting accomplishment for her. The same for Miles. I thought that Miles was able to bring more to the table than Verity. As for the mystery behind Verity’s benefactor the started to steer t words choppy waters. I was lost as to what character was speaking. The conversations and the story was confusing. I was surprised when Verity showed Miles that she was simpering violet. The story moved easily, but I say t words the middle the story picked with some steam. The entertainment was the romance between Miles and Violet.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this one as it has everything you want in a historical romance, but it fell really short for me because of lack of plot. Verity immediately runs away from an abusive man into the arms of a man she's only talked to via letters after answering his marriage ad in a newspaper. I have no issue with her answering the ad or the storyline around that, but I had an issue with the characters falling in love within a few days. Maybe if I believed in love-at-first-sight I would've liked this more, but I had a hard time with it.

I'm giving this book two stars because the sexy scenes were giving. They had no lack of chemistry and I really enjoyed that between their characters. In the future, I'd love a book that's a little bit longer with more substance, and just a smidge more real!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.

I was not sure about starting this new series by Cerise DeLand. I have quite enjoyed some of her stories in the past, finding them fun to read, sexy, lighthearted. But sometimes the characters are a little uneven and I found myself not really liking some of them.

But I am very glad to have read this story. I think I like the entire premise of it. Miles St. John Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, is a widower, with a failed first marriage. But after several years of being alone, he has realized that he is lonely and decides to find a new spouse using a way that seems logical and controlled. He sets an ad in a paper, seeking a bride who will meet his needs and requirements. He finds a suitable candidate, and on his way to meet her in London, he is caught in an unseasonable snowstorm, and comes across a mail coach accident.

When he goes to their aid, he finds a young woman as a passenger in the coach and offers her aid. Verity Carr is that young woman, and she is on her way to London also for an important appointment. But from her recent experiences, she does not trust men easily, and is reluctant to take the help offered by the handsome stranger. In the end, she is forced to trust in him, albeit reluctantly, and they seek refuge in a nearby inn. Miles finds himself attracted to the young woman, known to him as Miss Smith. He offers her transport to London, but still distrustful, she declines. But their short time together gives Miles the hope that perhaps he can find attraction and love in a future mate, and he heads off to his appointment at the paper with the intention of stopping his meeting set up through the ad.

Both he and Verity are surprised when they meet again at the paper, finding that they are the two potential mates set up through his advertisement. They agree to go ahead with the plan to wed, and find in their time together that Verity is quite different from the his first wife, and he can trust her, and she helps his heart to heal and open to her. But unfortunately she also has secrets and she ran towards a marriage to a stranger to escape a threat in her past. And unfortunately her marriage does not protect her in the end.

The entire a logical marriage set up by want-ads is a cute premise and I liked how the couple met by accident anyways on the way to their set up meeting - setting up a nice little meet-cute. The development of Verity and Mile's relationship was lovely and warm, which both of them needed to heal from their pasts. There was a nice tension set up by Mile's distrust and romantic history, and Verity's secret past, and the danger she faces in the present, that added some nice drama. Also there was a cute dog, who is very protective of her mistress and a good sense of who bad people are.

I presume the premise of the advertisements for marriage is a theme that will be throughout the series - and I like that. I'd like to see where it goes!

A solidly enjoyable little story.

4 stars out of 5

“Wow”, “Awesome”, “Fantastic” all seem pretty lame in describing this series beginner by Cerise DeLand. But, OMG it is WOW, AWESOME, FANTASTIC! I adore our heroine who has backbone but still retains a sense of helplessness in the right circumstance. And our hero? Oh my, I fell in love with the slightly brooding man who can make any woman weak in the knees. Let’s not forget our story – historical romantic suspense – romance and suspense perfectly balanced to create a 10 star read!

Off and running, this is a great start to a new series. Matrimony Adverts For Happily-Ever-After. Miss Smith and M.St.John places ads in the Fleetside Chronicle looking for companionship, not expecting love. An accident on the road to London is their first introduction, but their ads did not give their real names. Unexpected pleasure between them is a quick marriage that makes them happy, but they both have secrets. Adding to their relationship, someone is manipulating their lives with evil intentions. Honesty and love with be their strength. A very passionate love story that moves at a fast pace. I can only slide the pages so fast on my Kindle!
Explicit sex!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Verity Carr is desperate to leave her old life behind despite coming from a fine family. It seems that the solution to her problem is to reply to an advertisement from a man who wants to marry. Miles St. John Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, should never have wed his first wife so in choosing a second, he decides to be more logical. With careful investigation, he decides to advertise for a wife. Yet when he meets a beautiful woman on his travels, he decides to end his venture. To his surprise, he finds that Verity is the woman who answered his ad. Their marriage becomes one built of mutual passion but when Verity’s past comes into their lives, they wonder if they will survive its ramifications.
A quick read with romance and suspense making for an interesting story. Maybe a bit too quick with the instant attraction, the relationship seemed steady. I thought that Miles did bring too much of his past into his marriage despite realising the difference between his two wives. Likewise, Verity did tend to hesitate to confide in Miles, which at times, was a bit frustrating.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An entertaining start to a new series, brings two people together unexpectedly!

Advertising for a spouse, could be a disaster, but for Verity, who is trying to escape a terrible match, it seems perfect!

Miles wants a spouse totally opposite from his first wife, he is determined to choose the right one and when he finds Verity, it seems that he has.

But when the past comes forward, will their happiness survive? Cannot wait for more in this series!!

I really wanted to like this book more. I like romances that start out with the couple getting married and then having to figure out their relationship. The premise of a nobleman advertising for a spouse was unbelievable, but I was willing to go along with it. Add in the coincidence that he meets the woman whom he’d chosen from out of his respondents without either of them knowing who the other one is and my disbelief was strained. But I was willing to suspend all that since it’s a romance and that’s what the reader must do. However, I was irritated that they instantly fell for each other after this brief meeting on the road. Then they meet and get married and they’re in love. There is no real development of why they’re in love, it just is so. So there is no building on that. Instead there is the not-so-suspenseful plot of the extremely evil man from whom the heroine has been fleeing and how her loving husband can or cannot protect her. It just got to be a bit too much with not enough strength of character or plot development.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

After the death of her father, Verity Carr wants a new beginning. Miles Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, now a widower, had a cold unhappy marriage. He takes out a personal advertisement to find a wife. Verity is from a good family, is well educated, and personable, the qualities Miles would like in his new companion, so she answers his ad. They meet and agree to marry. Miles and Verity take care in coming to know each other. Both have bad experiences in their pasts, and Verity still faces a threat. Miles is determined to protect her. This is an excellent story to start a new series. The plot is a just a bit different and interesting, and there is a lovely romance, a little danger, and a mystery. The characters are wonderful. I look forward to more stories in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

In this well-written romance, the cloud of the past hangs over the shoulders of both Viscount Bellamy and Miss Verity Carr and the obvious way to solve their dilemma is to advertise for a spouse. On the way to their initial meeting, they both encounter an adventure that not only makes them rethink their decision but also highlights the implications of what they are planning. There is a suspenseful element that runs through the plot as both Miles and Verity slowly find the courage to admit the truth about the past, fully expecting rejection, but rather they experience understanding and concern for one another. The suspense ramps up as the plot escalates, but so do the feelings between the newlyweds, bringing both Miles and Verity to an appreciation for the great gift they have in one another. The novel comes to a good conclusion with justice being served. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

4.5 Stars
Verity Carr wants a new life in a new town far from her old home and the vile threat to her body and soul. She comes from a fine family, has a good education and a bold ambition to become a portrait artist so she answers an advertisement. Miles St. John Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, never should have wed his first wife. He vows to select a new one with logic and careful investigation via advertisement. Whilst travelling to London the mail coach Verity’s a passenger of gets into difficulties in a blizzard & she's rescued by a handsome stranger. The pair meet again at the newspaper office & realise they are supposed to marry each other.
The start of a new series & a very good starter it is, it’s different & it works. I loved both Miles & Verity, they both had secrets & desperately wanted to leave their past behind. I loved the attraction between them & they also became friends as well as lovers whilst all the time falling in love. Things don’t go smoothly when Verity's past comes to haunt them, the villain was vile as well as sly & devious. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA a lovely romance with some intrigue & mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

If I Loved You is the first entry in Cerise DeLand's new Matrimony! series. Verity Carr, running for her life from a man in her past, answers an advert for a wife placed by Miles Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy. Miles is still emotionally scarred by the actions of his first wife and he seeks a union of convenience, not of love. Verity just wants to feel safe.

Miles and Verity have a meet cute prior to learning just who the other was, paving the way for them to almost immediately hope for a marriage of more than just convenience. Neither, however, are truly upfront about what is in their pasts, setting the stage for a potentially dangerous end to their love story.

I enjoyed this book and will plan to pick up the others in the series as they are released. Verity is willing to take a tremendous chance to secure herself some semblance of freedom. Miles for his part realizes quite quickly that the cold practical marriage he thought he wanted is nothing like what he wants to have with Verity. He is accepting of her and her reasons for hiding why she answered his ad.

A solid read overall. 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own,

A series premise that intrigued & thrilled as much as it delivered & effortlessly reeled me in!
From serendipitous first meeting, Verity and Miles had me hooked. Radiating with instanteous connection as they tried so hard to resist the overwhelming pangs of love at first sight, with such teasing wit, humour and fun. Until understanding and revelation sparked an undeniable magnetism that burned bright and glowed with an ever rising, steamy intimacy that deliciously sizzled the more I read. To create an overriding encompassing hunger, bound in respect and sincerity, which manifested as a deep passionate craving, warmed by the excitement and blessed hope of a much desired new beginning for the pair, all under the security of a loving embrace.
With an added thread of darkness, I just didn't see coming, evoking a fear of something bad looming on the horizon, not only increased internal tension but threatened to snap it. Ultimately, gripping and compelling me, with such a need to unravel their secretive past torments and for them in turn to reveal them to each other, that I became entangled in their fates and willingly swept along until the end.
I loved this added frisson of tension the intrigue created, that cast this ever haunting shadow of past betrayal and mystery over this whole heart pounding romance. As it threatened to seep through the joy, levity and bliss of a marriage born of convenience resulting in true love.
Touching upon some harsh realities for women at the time, in terms of moral and social double standards (in favour of men of the nobility) and how overindulged entitlement can breed sick depravity.
All came together beautifully, in this well crafted tale of healing love and entangling chemistry infused romance. Made all the more vivid by the enriching snippets of historical detail so cleverly threaded throughout.
A wonderful start to a new series that balances a wealth of vibrancy, humour and joy with the bittersweet slap and tang of danger and some harsh realities of the time that not only laid the groundwork for well rounded, three dimensional characters but added colour by giving them a resilience and core strength - to match their integral kindness and compassion - ultimately adding another level of fascination to Verity and Mile's story that injected a greater degree of depth through their moments of painful fragility and heartrendering torments and insecurities whilst making you want to fight their corner and see them satisfyingly prevail.
An absorbing first book; looking forward to book 2!

Both our lead characters in this historical romance have advertised for a spouse in a newspaper.

They also both have a past that they are desperately trying to leave behind.

Is it possible to find the person they need through a personal advert??

Or will the past rear it's ugly head to destroy the future??

An adventure for both of them gives us a fascinating story. Life on the fringes of the "ton" is sometimes more exciting or dangerous than you might think.

This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to reading more.

Great fun.

A well written romance with an unusual starting point of an advert although titles are involved they are not really important as neither is bothered about being part of the ton. There is also a mystery involved that causes danger, suspense and a kidnapping. A wonderful start to a new series can't wait for more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If I Loved You is the first book in the Matrimony series.

This book starts off with a very inventive idea. Miles Armstrong places a post in a newspaper that he is looking for a woman who might be interested in marriage. He gets many answers to his post and settles on one in hopes that she will be the answer to his prayers.

Verity Carr is on her way to meet the man that she hopes will be the one to save her from her dilemma. She has to get away from her cousin’s widower. The man is determined to have Verity. On her way to London the mail coach gets stuck in a blizzard, but luckily a handsome stranger offers help.

Miles Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy's, first wife was not happy being married to Miles. He was a means to an end to better herself and she took advantage of Miles' generosity and created a decadent life away from him. She died, leaving him angry and bitter, but now he is determined to move on from the past. On his way to London to meet his chosen candidate, he rescues Miss Smith in a blizzard. He’s so taken with her; he decides it wouldn’t be fair to the stranger he’s supposed to marry.

As the two hopeful strangers meet in the newspaper office who printed the ad, they’re both surprised, but delighted as it appears they both got their wish come true. As with all love stories these two have had painful pasts and will need to reveal the secrets that have hurt their hearts before they can truly move on and love one another.

Verity's greatest fear is getting closer, and her life will be put in danger more than once as someone from her past has decided Verity belongs to him and not Miles.

This is a delightful first book in the series. It is a nice afternoon read. The writing is wonderful and descriptive. These characters are well written and fully developed. Their love story builds from the moment they meet as they each slowly learn they need each other.

After the passing of her father, Verity Carr has to get away from her cousin’s widower. The man is cruel and relentless. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so she answers the ad from a man looking for a companion. On her way to London the mail coach gets stuck in a blizzard, but luckily a handsome stranger offers help. If only he was the man she’s supposed to marry …

Miles Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, was burned by his first wife. She abused his heart and his trust. Then she died, leaving him angry and bitter. Now the successful York mill owner is ready to find companionship again. Not love though, he won’t be fooled twice. Since he has no time, nor interest in the social whirl, he takes out an ad to find a suitable lady.
On his way to London to meet his chosen candidate, he rescues the mysterious Miss Smith in a blizzard. He’s so taken with her, he decides it wouldn’t be fair to the stranger he’s supposed to marry until …

Coming face to face once more in the newspaper office who printed the ad, they’re both surprised, but charmed. There’s an instant connection, and they decide to take the leap.

📚 It starts as an almost perfect fairy-tale, but the shadows of the past creep up on them. The story unravels as bits and pieces are revealed. Pieces of a puzzle slowly coming together. The MMC is almost a knight in shining armour, but, though in trouble, the FMC is no damsel in distress. She’s kind, compassionate and courageous. A lovely story with a thrilling and dangerous culmination before the HEA.
📚 an anonymous inheritance, a nefarious earl, a home for abused women, kidnapping
📚 strangers to friends to lovers, MCs with a past, love at first sight, medium steam

Thank you to Cerise DeLand, NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.