I absolutely loved this book! Great storyline. Great characters. What more do you want from a book?! Overall great read.

~~Reviewed by Bonnie~~

Grace Alnott’s deceased father’s greatest wish was for Grace to marry Lord Raynor, the man he chose as guardian for his young son. But Grace has firsthand knowledge that Raynor isn’t the honorable man he purports to be, and has no intention of marrying him, and is determined to remove her young brother, Henry, from his guardianship. Mr. Alnott has not left Grace any inheritance, only a large dowry, which is conditional upon her marrying a titled peer. Grace decides to search for an impoverished aristocrat who is willing to enter a business arrangement which will net him half of her dowry in exchange for a marriage of convenience in name only.

Everett Hetherington, second son and former soldier, is now unexpectedly the Earl of Westbury, a title he never expected to inherit and is ill-prepared for. His father and older brother have made poor investments and run up gambling debts which the earldom has no funds to pay. In addition, there is a disease which is killing most of the cattle, causing almost certain financial ruin. Everett hears of Grace’s search and hastens to meet her. He’s pleasantly surprised by her beauty and poise, but not so enamored of her terms.

Grace will immediately give Everett half her dowry if he agrees to let her keep half, keep his hands off her, keep from consummating the marriage, and keep his nose out of her business. Everett’s debts are such that he needs more than the half he’ll acquire, but he’s desperate enough to agree to her terms if she will agree to stay with him for six weeks, allowing him to save face. His ultimate intention is to seduce Grace into a real marriage. Grace is eager to start legal proceedings to acquire custody of her brother, so she agrees. The marriage begins with deception, Grace not disclosing her reasons for wanting her half of the dowry, and Everett not disclosing the full amount of his debts and his intention to have a real marriage.

As I read the first half of this book, I was very disappointed with both characters. I disliked Grace’s aloofness, and her constantly rebuffing Everett’s overtures of friendship. I didn’t think the experience she had (a prior engagement that her father ended) justified her coldness and her unwillingness to even discuss her problems and goals with Everett. I also hated that Everett lied about the total indebtedness of the earldom, and set out with a calculated plan of seduction to further his own agenda. Then things began to change. Everett began to have genuine feelings for Grace, though he kept his promise about not making physical overtures unless she requested them. He also staunchly defended Grace to his snooty mother, who felt that a merchant’s daughter was not good enough to be the Countess of Westbury. Grace, too, began to loosen up and respond to Everett’s approaches. Their banter and their sizzling chemistry substantially picked up the pacing of the book, and I enjoyed reading the second half much more.

Both Grace and Everett showed considerable growth as they worked to achieve their goals, and they truly did have the best of intentions, Everett to make the earldom a success, and Grace to remove her brother from the custody of a villain. While the secrets and deceptions created a very bumpy road for this couple, their passion, their developing love, and their ingenuity saw them through. I especially enjoyed the clever resolution to their major problem, and their chemistry was very hot. Ms. Pendle does know how to write a sexy scene! I think that SIX WEEKS WITH A LORD will be an enjoyable read for fans of the marriage of convenience trope who enjoy some steam with their romance.

Exciting story that I couldn't and didn't want to end, I loved it

I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

The first chapter in this book is so intense and delicious, I got very excited! But my excitement soon fled as this book loses steam and had a romance that didn’t work for me.

The reason the first chapter is so striking is the fact that our heroine, Grace Alnott, needs a husband desperately. She comes from trade, her father owned a very large grocer and she has a fifty thousand dollar dowry. Her father really wanted her to marry a titled gentleman, in particular a man named, Lord Rayner. But Rayner is a vile man and performed vile acts – and Grace absolutely refuses to marry him. When her father dies, and she reads his will, she is horrified. He names Rayner as guardian of her four-year old brother, and will only release Grace’s dowry to her when she marries a peer. The problem is, Grace doesn’t know any peers, except Rayner. So she advertises herself to titled gentleman who are desperate need to marry wealthy, and sets up a marriage of convenience. Marry her, take half her dowry, and leave her alone for the rest of her life. With the money, she can rescue her brother and let her life go on.

Everett is a titled gentleman in need of lots of money. Recently returned from the army, he inherits a title and a cattle farm that are failing. The cattle are becoming diseased at an alarming rate, and his tenants are suffering greatly. He also inherited a lot of debt from his brother and father and he is very stressed about keeping his staff and tenant safe and healthy.

So when he hears what Grace is offering, he puts his name in a hat and they meet and she accepts his marriage proposal. But he has a condition – he is embarrassed to let his staff and tenants know he didn’t marry for love, like his parents. So he asks Grace to pretend to be his wife for six weeks. She really wants to get Henry and run away, but he is adamant (she doesn’t tell him about Henry at first because he is basically a stranger and doesn’t know she can trust him). She agrees to six weeks and off she goes.

I have two big problems with this book. First, Grace and Everett lack passion and chemistry. There isn’t a lot of build up to their romance and although they spend a lot of time together getting to know one another, it just fell flat for me. I lost interest in them as a couple. What bothered me more is the fact that we start this book so desperate for Grace to save Henry, who is most likely being severely mistreated by Rayner. I felt like Grace should have tried to act to save Henry during these six weeks – especially after she knew she could trust Everett. And then – after meeting with Rayner – and hearing that Henry is being strictly dealt with (remember he is four) he leaves, and she learns Everett actually loves her and they have sex (this is after several make-out/sex sessions leading up to this.) Is she really this horny all this time, knowing her poor brother is being beaten and lord knows what else?? Does that put you in the mood???

I couldn’t get into the romance because I was too worried about Henry.

Grade: C-

Being placed in a no win situation by her deceased father, Grace Alnott is not giving up hope that she can save her younger brother from the guardian her father had chosen. When Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury, known to be in need of a dowry, appears at a husband hunting ball set up for Grace, he fits her requirements in a husband to a tee. In a marriage that will greatly benefit both, what will be the harm in putting up a presence of love for 6 weeks?
I am assuming this is a debut for this author and for the first one out of the gate, this was worth the read. I liked both Grace and Everett. There were a few loose ties with parts of the background story and some of the secondary characters but all in all I enjoyed this story.

Grace Alnott's father was a successful dry grocer. His one dream was for her to marry into the aristocracy. When she did not find a husband in her first season, Grace's father sent her to finishing school. While she is away, her father dies and leaves her four-year-old brother in the hands of an abusive guardian. To get her dowry, she must marry a member of the aristocracy and her father wants her to marry her brother's guardian.

Major Everett Hetherington is the new Earl of Westbury. As the second son, he never expected to inherit. What he inherited was an estate on the verge of ruin, his older brother's gambling debt and a major issue on his estate. Grace Alnott is the solution to his problems. They get married, he gets her dowry and she marries an aristocrat and gets the guardianship of her brother. Only, Grace will only give him half her dowry because she wants a marriage of convenience. Everett stipulates that she must live with him for six weeks. In the six weeks, Everett must convince Grace to stay with him.


This was an amazing debut novel. I loved the characters. Grace was a very determined heroine and Everett was just attempting to navigate his way through the mess he inherited. He was a very strong hero. I liked that the plot moved at a steady pace with the chemistry between Grace and Everett growing.

I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

I had mixed feelings about this read. I enjoyed the fact that Grace was involved in trade and was a pretty independent woman. I felt for Everett. I think the whole inheriting your family's debt as if it's your own was horribly unfair to ask of people in that time period. I liked that Everett was responsible and took care of his estate and its people. What I didn't like was how Everett and Grace lied to each other and didn't just talk things through. Everett's plan was pretty underhanded and he lost points in my point of view for carrying on with his plan for so long. Grace annoyed me with her immaturity in some parts. Either decide he's your husband and commit to the marriage or be done with it. This back and forth stuff was annoying. That being said, it was well-written, so maybe it was a miss for me, but some might enjoy it.

Grace Alnott must marry a titled gentleman to gain control of her dowry. Her young brother is at the mercy of an abusive guardian and the only way to save him is to have guardianship transferred to her but this is an expensive endeavour.
Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury never expected to inherit the Earldom. He was happy serving in the army. After the deaths of his father and brother he discovers the estate is destitute and he has to marry a wealthy woman or lose everything.
The two strike a bargain, they will marry, split the dowry and go their separate ways. Everett has one stipulation, they must live together for six weeks before going their separate ways. Everett hopes that Grace will fall in love with him, and stay, giving him control of the entire dowry.
Grace is loath to give up her independence and is anxious to start her quest for guardianship, but she can’t help being drawn to her irresistible new husband.
This is the debut offering of author Eve Pendle. She crafts an interesting tale with compelling characters. The only flaw I have is the lack of honesty between the two characters. If Grace had told Everett of her wish for guardianship of her brother a lot of angst could have been avoided. The misunderstanding at the climax of the story would also have been overcome if they had just talked to each other.
Overall I did enjoy this story and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the themes of marriage of convenience and a slow burn romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

Six Weeks with a Lord
by Eve Pendle

Its a buy buy buy buy buy book!

I am not so familiar with this author as many others, however, I will hope in the future to read much much more! From page one to the end, she delights her audience with imaginative writing that captures the reader and keeps pulling them in. While it was a little slow in the middle, it picks back up and keeps going strong! I love love love this authors way of writing. I am waiting for more and more and more! From her characters and plot line to the expressive way of writing it was a delight to read. I can only say buy the book and just enjoy. I was given this arc via NetGalley, all opinions are given voluntarily and are my own. Regards, Anna Swedenmom

Grace Alnott is determined to have her independence and be reunited with her brother, but the only way that will happen is if she marries a man with a title. Luckily, Everett Hetherington, the new Earl of Westbury is looking for a wife; someone with enough money to wipe the family debts. Will Everett be able to convince Grace that their marriage of convenience is so much more or will the pair go their separate ways once the terms they've set for the marriage are fulfilled?

What an utterly fantastic, fast-paced, captivating read Ms. Pendle has delivered in this story where the main characters were fascinating due to their back stories, as Grace will do anything to get her brother back while the hero needs Grace in order to wipe the family debts and save the family estate; the compelling dialogue drew me in from the very beginning and had me loving this couple's growing relationship; and the obstacles these two face to be together had me wondering whether they would be able to overcome them. Will Grace and Everett take a chance on each other?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, as Everett is an honorable man and determined to pay the family debts, even though the debts belong to his deceased brother while the heroine can't believe what a mess her late father has made. Why wasn't Grace made her brother's guardian? Moreover, the heroine was strong, determined to fight for her independence and I liked how she did her best to resist the hero because she has plans for her life that don't include staying with Everett. I also liked how far she was willing to go to help her brother because she's not about to let him stay in the situation he's in now.

While the hero, he's confident, charming and I liked how far he's willing to go to get the heroine to stay because he needs more from her than what they've agreed to. Will he be able to win Grace over? I also liked how far he's willing to go to help the heroine get her brother back. Will he find a way to help Grace? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his determination to fight for his relationship with Grace because she comes to mean so much to him.

Overall, Ms. Pendle has delivered a wonderful debut novel in this historical romance where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance was delightful and had me liking that the heroine took a chance on the hero; and the ending had me loving what the hero does for the heroine because it shows that he will do anything for her. Then again, she's everything he wants in his life, so why wouldn't he do everything in his power to prove his love. I would recommend Six Weeks with a Lord by Eve Pendle, if you enjoy Historical Romance, the marriage of convenience trope or books by authors Sarah MacLean, Maggie Dallen, Tina Gabrielle and Harmony Williams.

4.5 Stars!

Miss Grace Alnott is in a pickle. She needs her dowry to save her brother from a vile guardian. In order to do that, she has to marry a man with a title.

Everett Hetherington, new Earl of Westbury, was the spare. His father and brother have left him with almost nothing. He needs money to pay debts as soon as possible. When he sees Grace and learns of her circumstance, he believes a miracle has happened. The two agree to marry and split the dowry, but Grace has to live with Everett for six weeks.

I love the concept of this story. Two people who are insanely attracted to each other find love when they don’t want to. They both have other problems to solve where love or passion would complicate it all. There is so much I loved about this book, but I don’t want to give anything away. It is a sweeping love story where Grace fights tooth and nail not to give in to her husband’s desire.

This is my first read from Eve Pendle and I believe it is her first historical novel. She is going on my must read list. I can’t wait to read more from Eve! Get working on more historical romances!

I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

in six weeks with a lord, grace alnott needs to marry to access her fortune, and she must do so quickly to protect her young brother from the guardian her late father appointed. a man she was supposed to marry, but who she finds terrible. her father requires her to marry an aristrocrat, but her previous dealings with the lords trawling society give her a poor opinion.

but she's desperate and decides to let it be known that she's willing to marry in exchange for half her dowry, but the catch will be that once her fortune is acquired, the marriage will be annulled and she will be allowed to go off to france where she plans to raise her brother.

everett, earl of westbury is in need of a rich wife. and how delightful that the heiress looking to marry a desperate aristocrat is the one woman who catches his eye across a full ballroom. he agrees to grace's terms even as they run counter to his interests, but he also demands that she spend six weeks with him, hoping to seduce her into more than a marriage of convenience.

they have conflicting interests and the path to grace's heart is not an easy one. grace is complicated and intelligent and wary. watching the two characters come together makes for an enjoyable story.

**six weeks with a lord will publish on june 25, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

A sensuous, passionate and dramatic Victorian debut, Six Weeks with a Lord is an enchanting historical romance from a wonderful new talent: Eve Pendle.

Miss Grace Alnott has always had a flair for business and a passion for numbers. Just like her beloved late mother, Grace had high hopes of following into her parents’ footsteps and stepping into the breach and running the family business, Alnott Stores, but alas that was not to be. Unlike her progressive mother, Grace’s father believed that a woman’s place was in the home and certainly not running a company. He believed that Grace should stop wasting her time trying to run a business and focus on making a suitable match with a member of the aristocracy. Independent Grace balks at the thought of marrying somebody she does not love, but when her father dies and his will is read, she is shocked when she discovers that her father has appointed as guardian to her younger brother Henry, the nefarious Lord Rayner and that she could stand to lose everything – unless she marries a peer of the realm! Grace is desperate to rescue her brother from Rayner’s evil clutches, but the chances of marrying a titled gentleman are almost nonexistent – until a chance encounter with the dashing Major Everett Hetherington, the new Earl of Westbury, sees a change in her fortune. Everett agrees to marry her. However, he has conditions of his own…

After unexpectedly inheriting his title, Everett finds the burden of responsibility weighing heavily upon his shoulders when he has to make his dilapidated and derelict estate profitable once more. Restoring the fortunes of his family seat when there is next to no money is no easy feat and marrying a woman like Grace with a large dowry seems to be the answer to all of his prayers – even though his snobbish mother is appalled that rather than marry someone of his own class, Everett has consented to marry a grocer’s daughter! Agreeing to a marriage of convenience with Grace was the most logical solution to his many problems, however, he makes it clear that she must live with him for six weeks at his estate. During these six weeks, Everett hopes he can make Grace fall head over heels in love with him and convince her to stay for good, rather than head off to London and be married to him in name only. Yet, Grace makes it clear from the start that she is not interested in having a relationship with him. But can Everett change her mind?

Grace’s plan to keep Everett at arm’s length looks set to fail when, the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself unable to stop herself from wanting to kiss him. As their marriage of convenience beings to give way to something deeper, can Grace and Everett find a way to work through all the obstacles standing in their way and grasp this unexpected chance at happiness? Or will they continue to let old ghosts and past secrets condemn them to a lifetime of loneliness and regret?

Six Weeks with a Lord is a dramatic and emotional Victorian historical romance I simply could not put down. Eve Pendle is a wonderfully gifted writer who has penned an engaging and engrossing tale featuring an independent, kind-hearted and compassionate heroine and a dashing and handsome hero readers are simply going to love.

A compulsively readable tale of secrets, second chances and healing from the past written with flair and panache and laced with sensuality, charm and heart, Six Weeks with a Lord is a spellbinding debut from a writer to watch out for: Eve Pendle.

I really enjoyed this. I loved how Everett understood Grace's hesitancy, and how he encouraged her to get involved with the community. He definitely did a stupid towards the end, but I think he made up for it. I also liked how Grace was willing to go against the mold to get her brother back.

Grace Alnott returns from finishing school to learn that her father is dead and has left her nothing but her dowry, a dowry she will only get upon her marriage to a peer. Her father named Lord Rayner as guardian to her young brother and expects Grace to marry him.


Grace despises Lord Rayner, he is an awful man and she plans to petition the Chancery court for guardianship of her brother Henry. But to do that, she needs money. She makes it known that she is looking for a marriage of convenience and is willing to split her dowry with her new husband.

Everett Hetheringon, the Earl of Westbury needs a rich bride. His father and older brother both neglected the estate and left behind huge debts, when his younger brother tells him of Grace with her dowry of 50,000 pounds, it seems like the answer to his prayers. He offers for Grace and learns that he will only get half of the dowry and she doesn't plan to live with him. They make a bargain - she will live with him for six weeks and he will not take his "husbandly rights" - he agrees but he is not completely honest with her - he plans to seduce her into staying and claiming her entire dowry to pay off his brother's debt.

They marry and return to his estate, she doesn't trust men and tries to keep Everett at arms length, she hasn't told him what she plans to do with her half of the dowry instead she told him that she wants to be an independent woman and travel. But over the course of the first few weeks, they form a friendship and she tells him about her brother and Lord Rayner. He offers to help her with her problem, but still doesn't disclose his plan to keep her entire dowry. He woos her with kindness and kisses.

Grace begins to fall in love with him and thinks that he may be a man she can trust with her heart, and after a visit from Lord Rayner, she is sure of it. She decides to wait until the six weeks is up to tell him of her feelings, but lets him consummate the marriage.

The morning after the six weeks is up, she is excited and in love, she wants to tell him and is just waiting for the perfect moment. But everything goes terribly wrong and Grace is heartbroken. Everett tries to explain and swears that his love for her is true, but he needs the money to pay the debt and thinks that is more important than getting guardianship of Henry. Grace decides to return to London and Everett doesn't stop her. But a visit from his mother makes him realize what he has given up and what he has to do to win back Grace. But is it too late?

This was a well written book that moves along at a steady pace, with likable characters, steamy love scenes, a nasty villain, interesting secondary characters and a true chemistry between Grace and Everett. I really enjoyed the book and would happily recommend!

Six Weeks with a Lord by Eve Pendle is a wonderful addition to the Victorian Romance world. Debut author. Well crafted, and well written. A marriage of convenience, emotional, secrets, suspense, poignant and witty, makes for a page turning story. Grace Arnott and Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury make an emotional, engaging and believable couple. Sparks fly and love blossoms What a beautiful story! Ms. Pendle is an talented author who pulled me into her story and held me there in awe. I hope to read more from this talented author.

“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR

Six Weeks with a Lord is not your typical, historical romance. It is so much better. The balls and teas that you normally expect are absent. It may begin with our couple meeting at a ball, but the romance quickly moves into Everett and Grace marrying and getting to know each other. Although all occurs within the six-week period, Ms. Pendle writes in such a way that you begin to believe their love developed more slowly.

Grace’s brother is in the hands of a cruel lord. Her goal is to get him back. To do so, she must marry a lord in order to access her dowry. She promises half that to the lord who will marry her in name only. Everett needs all her dowry to pay his father’s and brother’s debts. He needs all her funds to keep his family solvent. They strike a bargain, with Everett knowing her is not completely upfront with Grace.

What follows is sweet and charming even with the challenges Grace and Everett face. Their love is too young to just ‘know’ they are committed. Numerous challenges are thrown at them, from Everett’s brother George, Everett’s mother, Lord Raynor’s guardianship of her brother.

Seeing these two overcome those challenges while strengthening their love is a charming romance. As a first Pendle read, I found this to be a very well-written book. Ms. Pendle handles the telling of Everett’s brother’s lifestyle in a very respectful way without being preachy or getting on ‘a soapbox.’ In addition, the hinted at mistreatment of her brother and her maid were handled in a very kind, understanding way. Thank you! This is a highly sensual book, also handled well. I look forward to more of Ms. Pendle’s writings.

This Victorian romance highlights some of the appalling inequities women - even wealthy women - faced in the time period, where everything a woman owned became the property of her husband on her marriage, among other issues. Grace’s father left her hefty dowry with a stipulation. She has to marry a peer, or she’ll never see a penny. With the guardianship of her young brother left to Lord Rayner, it’s very obvious Grace’s father intended her to marry the lord as well. Knowing Rayner’s awful character, though, Grace devises an alternate plan. She’ll find an impoverished lord and offer him a bargain - half her dowry for her freedom, and help winning her brother’s guardianship.

The Earl of Westbury, desperate for funds after a cattle plague wiped out his stocks, agrees to all her stipulations for a marriage of convenience, but adds one of his own… his people need some positive news. Grace must live with him for six weeks, and present a loving facade to outsiders.

I had a bit of a problem with this story, because right from the start Everett planned to deceive Grace. He needed her whole dowry, not half, and he fully intended to take it. He really didn’t give what she might want or need a second thought. And while he was decent in comparison to Rayner, that wasn’t saying much. Yes, Everett did understand the responsibilities of an estate, and he did accept that he had a cloak of privilege (Grace explaining it to him was one of the best parts of the book). Grace learning how to be a countess was really well written, especially as she came to understand it wasn’t that different to the responsibility she’d held before as manager of her father’s grocery chain.

Grace’s withholding of information came from a need for self-preservation. Everett’s came from… I still don’t quite know. Pride, I suppose, and therefore I felt a good deal less respect for him. In the end they both came clean, and Everett did grovel suitably. His decision to trust Grace’s business acumen to solve his problem was really pleasing, and in the end I guess the problem I have with the story isn’t anything about the writing, but about the realities of women’s rights in the time period. Therefore, I’m going to give it five stars, with the note that Everett will probably make you angry in the beginning but you’ll eventually forgive him. Stick with it for a great emotional reward.

This book just goes to show that even the best laid plans can be derailed. Grace agrees to marry Everett and split her dowry so she can save her younger brother. Everett needs her money to save his estate. What neither of them plan on is falling in love.

Eve Pendle has brought us a look at the societal restrictions that formed cages around both men and women in the Victorian era. Grace is unable to access her inheritance unless she marries a Peer due to her father’s Will. She needs this money to fight for custody of her young brother in court. Everett is trying to salvage his Earldom from crushing debt he inherited from his father and brother. Marrying Grace on her terms would give him half of what he needs but if he can seduce from her the remainder of her dowery then he will be debt free. Neither expects to fall in love.

An especially well written first novel. It is full of complicated Victorian societal pressure that brings this era to life. I can recommend this novel to all fans of Historical Romance.

I received this book free for review from the Publisher.