I looked forward to reading this book, however; I had a hard time with the way it was presented. I would call it clean romance, but in almost every chapter the subject is brought up about when the newlyweds will finally consummate their marriage. Had this been left out, and not so much used as the focal point of the book, I would 've enjoyed it more. I also had a problem in that Phineas was always worrying about how he was to interpret social and personal interactions with his wife, Kitty. And both had problems communicating with each other and with servants. If a man notices a groom is making moves on his wife, don't sit and wonder - deal with it! Phinias saw this 3-4 times and stayed out of it. He could be at least said he would take over her riding lessons. Furthermore, if Kitty is able to put rude visitors in their their place, she ought to be able to deal with disrespectful servants: some of the story seemed contrived. Then all of a sudden it seems like it's time to wrap up the story. Kitty one night tells Phinias to forget about any kind of intimate relationship. The next morning she does a 180, grown a backbone and tells him everything she has been hoping for in the marriage, including the desire to become a mother!?? I just didn't follow...

Overall, the writing is decent. Unfortunately, the plot dragged on and on with the heroine being snubbed by everyone from servants to in-laws. It got so old and really was a downer—certainly not something you enjoy reading about for 200+ pages. On top of that the story had no humor, the dialogue was circa 2021 and not consistent with words used in the early 1800s. “Cookies” is used in America, not in England. Double wedding ring ceremonies did not become in vogue until World War 2. Humor could have been introduced through dialogue, instead conversations were so serious that it was not a fun book to read at all. The dialogue was stiff and uninspiring. Perhaps the author can take a primer by reading Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer & Clare Darcy to see how regency romances can be entertaining, true to historical details of the period, have fascinating dialogue including the “cant language” of the day, as well as have amazing plots. Good writing must include all these things if you don’t want the book to be a “dead bore.” If the author had included these suggestions in the writing of the story it might have made for a much pleasanter read.

This was a cute story. I felt so sorry for Kitty when they first married and it took Phineas forever to figure out how to court and speak to Kitty. Loved the new friendships Kitty made and how she and Phineas grew to love one another.

I enjoyed this book. It was the first book I've read from this author, and I am inclined to read more. I was pleased that this book explored the proper decorum and respect that should be shown after marriage. So many Regency books contain the "boy meets girl" storyline and end at the wedding. It's refreshing this author chose to highlight the proper way a spouse should behave in regards to members of the opposite sex outside the marriage. The book was very impressive it that regard.

This is a lovely Regency romance with a main character that immediately drew me into the book, as I came to care about Kitty Stokes’ search for love and happiness. She’s a sweet, gracious, and compassionate young woman who is in an unenviable position in her brother’s home. She returns home from a trip to find that her brother has signed a marriage contract in her behalf with a man she’s never met. Her brother wants the marriage to bring the business advantage of being connected with Lord Phineas Hayworth. Phineas needs the huge marriage settlement to make the repairs and upgraded improvements on his estate. Both Kitty and Phineas are fine people, but their marriage of convenience has it’s difficult moments because of their lack of communication. It was easy to like both Kitty and Phineas, and I enjoyed following the story through each of their viewpoints. There’s both tension and hope as they grow to know each

Four stars, typical Victorian story dealing with the class lineage, kitty was a merchant daughter, Phineas was a son of an Earl.. Would the ton allow such a marriage?.. A marriage of arrangement, due to a settlement he needed to upgrade his home.. He did not know he would fall in love.. But he had to battle his demons, and Kitty had to deal with the ton.. But being strong and meeting their battles head on, that their marry had a chance of survival.

I give this 4.5 stars. This is a marriage of convenience for Phineas who had no great expectations for it other than to get the money he needs for his estate and to get out from under his fathers very heavy thumb. Kitty was a very beautiful woman who was only seen as a pawn to raise her brother’s business interests (shipping) and make so he was no longer responsible for her. She wanted love and caring even though she nor Phineas were raised in a loving home. There was a prolonged period where they got to know each other and Phineas gradually learned what a woman needed and cherished her for who she was. There were issues with disrespectful servants and rude ladies of the ton ( including her mother in law). Phineas firmly took care of these, but first only after she pointed out the issues. There is much growth and change as Phineas developed into the kind of husband that showed Kitty she was honored and cherished. I listened to this and the narration was excellent.

It was a pleasant book to read, but I was expecting to have more if a conflict to work through. But that's ok.

I loved the way this story progressed. Bit by bit the story unfolds and you can begin to see the Character's love grow for one another. The twists and turns in the story adds drama to make the reading more enjoyable. I will read this story again.

This is the first book of Jennie’s I have read and it will definitely not be the last. Jennie’s writing was beautifully done and I soaked up every word of this lovely book. The characters and development are written to perfection and, though the “marriage of convenience” trope is not necessarily my favorite, I found myself quite inclined to enjoy this book. (See what I did there? 😉) I am ever so grateful that Phineas is a good sort of person. Perhaps a little slow and definitely not wise in the ways of wooing women, but I think the blame there falls more to his parents than anything. I am saddened to think that it was so normal not to speak of love or affection for one’s spouse. It seems so tragic to me that so many relationships could have blossomed into more if only affection were given freely. But no matter. What does matter is that Phineas learned some things and grew a lot. I liked his gentlemanly character and desire to do what is right. Kitty confused me quite a bit. I do understand that she wouldn’t have known what to expect with her new marriage and she was ill prepared considering her lack of training in running a household. But it seemed that for a woman who held no qualms for speaking her mind, she sure seemed shy at asking for what she needed, especially in regards to the servants and her reception from others of the ton. But in all, I do like her. I always like a strong heroine. The book was very tastefully done. This is not an easy trope to tackle but Jennie did very well and I loved how things worked out. The final few chapters were so good I kept catching myself grinning. This was a classic case of wanting to finish as quickly as possible for I must know the ending, while simultaneously holding off finishing because it was just so good. As I said, I look forward to reading more books from this author. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Lord Hayworth arranges a marriage contract to marry the sister, Kitty, of a wealthy shipping company owner without ever seeing her. He soon finds out she had no idea he arrangement was made. They see each other for the first time on their wedding day. She was determined for a love match and he was interested in the financial benefit of the arrangement that allowed him to get out from under his overbearing parents. Despite the initial differences they begin to reap the benefits of their new arrangement in unexpected ways. Touching story of love in a time when marriage was often just a business arrangement.

This was a fun marriage of convenience story. Plenty of ups and downs between the characters. But they didn't feel contrived, just the opposite, they felt very appropriate and like what a marriage of convenience struggles would be like. I really enjoyed these two characters. They have their reasons for the marriage but the real magic happened when they started to become friends. And seeing each other as a person who could be their friend. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. Content: Clean. Some mild innuendos nothing more. Happy Reading!!!

Very well written, with likeable characters and dislikeable characters in a mix of romantic difficulties and desires for escaping controlling people. The class differences are well represented and the disparities well illustrated.

I loved this story. Lord Haywood needs to marry for money to free himself from the bonds and whims of his father. He has an estate, but no money to maintain it. He arranges a marriage with a tradesman sister for an outrageous sum. He doesn’t want to even meet her before the wedding, so their first sight of each other is at the altar. He is awed by her beauty, feeling and immediate attraction, but she is angry that she is being forced to wed a man who is a future earl, just to help her brother’s business standing. Can they find happiness? Especially when the handsome stable master loves her and tries to win her affection at the same time. Sweet, clean romance

Jennie Goutet does so effectively what so few authors will attempt to do: write a satisfying novel that has no major catastrophic climax while at the same time preventing it from being shallow and insipid. Of course, there are many little tensions that keep it engaging, but they’re always reasonable, real life stuff that throw you back to another time yet resonate with normal, day-to-day things everyone experiences. I’m certain there are many men who can relate to Phineas’ awkwardness, uncertainties, and need to get out from under their parents’ thumbs; while there are as many women who are strong and competent like Kitty who face antagonism and lack of respect from others that threatens to undermine their confidence. Throw in their love story and you have a recipe for a relaxing and satisfying read.