Introducing the Bow Street Bachelors—men who work undercover for London’s first official police force—and the women they serve to protect. . .and wed?
Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What could possibly go wrong?
Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him—and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together…until actual death do they part?
My Thoughts:
This was my first time reading Kate Bateman, but it won't be my last. The inciting incident is rather far-fetched, as are a few other elements of the plot, particularly at the climax, but the characters are so fun, so well-developed, the chemistry and romance between them so well-depicted, that I didn't care. I was happy to go along for the sake of a good story. And I love a good opposites-attract romance. Georgie is a sheltered, wealthy society girl, jaded because no suitor has ever seen past her money to the woman beneath, and Benedict is a street-wise second son who's had to fight for everything he has, and he doesn't care a fig for Georgie's money. It was a joy to watch these two slowly come to realize they were perfect for each other.
It was very refreshing to read about an independent businesswoman during this age, and one that actually knows about business. This is not just an aspect of the story that is glossed over. As heiress to her father's shipping company, Georgie has spent her life learning the ropes, and she knows her stuff. She's earned respect from the men in her field, and her knowledge comes in handy in Benedict's investigation. They make a good team. I was also pleased that Benedict's time as a soldier in the war was not glossed over or depicted as something resolved by the presence of a good woman. Though he does not let it take over his life, the reader gets the sense that his experience will always be with him, and I think that's very realistic.
Despite a few outrageous moments and the subplot involving Georgie's rather ridiculous younger sister, I loved the main characters and their witty banter and steamy sexual tension set against the backdrop of a high-stakes investigation. I'm looking forward to reading from Kate Bateman's backlist while waiting for the next book in this series.
My Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
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Rainy days inspire me to write sad novels...I sit by my window and type my novel as it rains outside. But marketing a book is not so romantic, it requires a different mindset that many artists/authors do not have..So, I outsource the job to usabookreviewers.com while I focus on my craft...life goes on..
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