Compromised into a Scandalous Marriage

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Pub Date Jul 26 2022 | Archive Date Aug 26 2022

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Description

"A sweet, satisfying, utterly intoxicating historical romance." - Olivia Waite, The New York Times

Escape to the Caribbean in this tension-filled compromised-into-marriage story!


From island scandal

To dutiful vows!

When heiress Paulina Despradel is banished from the family quinta in a storm, she seeks shelter with her dashing new neighbor, Sebastian Linares. Their attraction may be as electrifying as the lightning outside, but the night they spend together is totally innocent. Barely more than strangers, they must now marry. But left alone with their simmering chemistry, can they build a true union from the ashes of scandal?

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
"A sweet, satisfying, utterly intoxicating historical romance." - Olivia Waite, The New York Times

Escape to the Caribbean in this tension-filled compromised-into-marriage story!


From island scandal

To...

Marketing Plan

About the book: With Dominican characters and setting, Lydia San Andres based the concept of this novel on a true story! In her words, “Not too long ago, while perusing 19th century document in the Dominican Republic’s national archives, I came across a fascinating account of a man who had been forced to sign a marriage contract under the threat of imprisonment…this kernel became the basis for Sebastian and Paulina’s story.” Set in San Pedro de Macoris, a city two hours away from the author lived herself, Lydia takes us back to the 19th century “Sugartown,” when a storm causes our protagonists to seek shelter together overnight, the resulting scandal changes the course of their lives forever. 

About the book: With Dominican characters and setting, Lydia San Andres based the concept of this novel on a true story! In her words, “Not too long ago, while perusing 19th century document in the...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781335723345
PRICE CA$7.75 (CAD)
PAGES 288

Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

Content Notes: [violence; attempted murder; death; controlling/emotionally abusive brother (hide spoiler)]

This hits a lot of classic Harlequin tropes — forced marriage of convenience, childhood friends, rich girl/former poor boy — in a Caribbean island in the early 1900s. I don't know what it says about me, but I am weak for "hero is furious/indifferent to heroine when he mistakenly thinks that she trapped him into marriage.” A classic! This misunderstanding only lasts a short time before he wises up, but the angst is delicious.

I am even weaker for “hero spoils heroine with luxuries that she lacked from her evil family.” I am a simple woman. 😅 On a more serious note, I was touched when Sebastian saw that Paulina had been deprived of agency over "simple" decisions like choosing her own clothes, recognizing that the lack wasn't unimportant/frivolous. Tears were shed during a certain shopping scene.

Regarding the sugar mill: I really appreciated the explicit reassurance that its history did not include enslaved labor. The author didn't gloss over unfair/difficult conditions for laborers, making the worldbuilding feel thoughtful and fully-realized. In other words: the opposite of a wallpaper historical.

Overall impressions: an enjoyable, tropey Harlequin Historical with some dark elements (see content notes). Fingers crossed for a sequel about Dilia.

***

Note about Spanish language italics: I'm not blaming the author because this decision was likely a Harlequin in-house editorial standard. But it is absolutely ridiculous that every single Spanish word in the text is italicized. In a scene where the MCs eat empanadas, it's ludicrous to see that term italicized ten times over two pages. This editorial standard didn't affect my rating but it annoyed me enough to complain in my review.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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