I recently bought a new kindle after my old one broke. For some reason I was unable to download this title from the cloud onto my kindle, therefore I will be unable to review this title. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Alexandra and Malcolm met as children, when he was a poor crofter on her family's property. But since then Alex's family has fallen from grace and Malcolm has become a wealthy businessman. When they meet again as adults and their positions are reversed...well, quite frankly, they have a perfectly ordinary relationship.


Much as I liked the set up and the role reversal aspect, there wasn't anything 'convenient' about the marriage. Well, not in the 'marriage of convenience' trope meaning of the word. They liked each other, they mutually benefited each other, they had a courtship, a proposal, and a wedding. It was...utterly ordinary. Malcolm had some internal hangups regarding 'being good enough,' but not in any way that impeded things from going forward, so there wasn't much of a road block. Which is fine, it was a nice, light, sweet little romance with very few hiccups. Perfectly serviceable. Sorry, I can't seem to do anything except damn with faint praise here.

Not your typical duke or earl historical story which made it fresh and appealing. And with the appealing characters and engaging story, this is a winner.

Lady Alexandra “Alex” Mannerly, daughter of the Duke of Waverton, has been told time and again that her sole purpose in life is to marry well in order to further enhance her family’s already lofty social standing. Unfortunately, Alex is a shy young lady who dreads her upcoming first season, and convinces her parents to allow her to attend Miss Grantley’s Academy for Young Ladies so that she can polish up her social skills. While away at school, she becomes best friends with Emily and Diane, whose presence does help her when the dreaded season finally arrives. Before long, there is a scandal involving Alex’s father, and the whole family suffers a reversal of fortune, and leaves town. Alex chooses to become a teacher at the academy where she was formerly a student, then accepts an opportunity to become a governess in Paris.

Malcolm Gordston is the son of a former tenant of the Duke of Waverton at his Scottish holding. When Malcolm’s father couldn’t pay his obligations to the duke, he was evicted from the property. Young Malcolm was forced to make his way in the world, and he is sure of only two things – he will never love as his father did, as it only causes pain, and if he ever has the opportunity to be in a position of power over the Duke of Waverton, he will crush him. Years later, Malcolm is a millionaire and the owner of a string of exclusive and successful department stores. He’s now in Paris to oversee the opening of his latest store. Though he’s technically in trade, his great wealth has opened some doors for him.

Alex and Malcolm had a friendship as children, when she visited Scotland, until the duke saw them together and chased Malcolm away. When they meet again as adults, neither immediately recognizes the other, but both are struck by an intense and immediate attraction. Ironically, Malcolm still feels he’s not good enough for a duke’s daughter, while Alex feels her family disgrace makes her unsuitable for a wildly successful man like Malcolm. As they spend time together, their attraction only grows, and Malcolm begins to think that having a wife with Alex’s abilities and connections can only benefit him. He proposes, and Alex accepts. Now all he has to do is be sure not to fall in love.

Alex has a softness and vulnerability about her that I found very appealing. Being the daughter of a duke and goddaughter of a princess never spoiled her, or made her hard or arrogant. I loved her sweetness and kindness and her willingness to help others. Malcolm had a tougher life, and has grown to be a fair, yet hard and determined businessman. I love that he had principles and a softer side that he tried desperately to hide. After seeing how his mother’s death destroyed his father, he’s dead set against love, though he showers Alex with care, gifts, and most precious of all, his time and attention.

Alex’s and Malcolm’s marriage may be one of convenience, but they definitely are physically in tune with one another. What will happen when Alex longs for real love while Malcolm intends to run from it? Their brief honeymoon is barely over when the real world intrudes, bringing a former love, doubt, danger, and a money hungry duke. THE GOVERNESS’S CONVENIENT MARRIAGE is a warm and well written romance which kept me totally involved with the story as well as the characters from beginning to end.

This book had some interesting characters, and a strong writing style, however it just didn't come together for me. I wish we would have seen Alexandra's parents moment of disgrace rather than hearing about it after the fact. I wish the author would have gone into more detail about why her father suddenly reappeared after she was settled and began pushing her to marry. It seemed like he had a pressing need in mind that was never brought to light. I understand parents wanting their children settled, but this seemed like he needed money. But once Alex married Malcolm, her dad was never seen or heard from again. There were a few other variations on story-lines that I didn't feel were completely developed and for me, that took away from the overall appeal of this story.

However, I did enjoy these two characters together. The chemistry between them was believable and it was delightful watching them navigate the waters together. For two people who should have been worlds apart, they were remarkably alike in some ways.

Overall, I do think this book will appeal to fans of historical romance novels as well as a sort of rags to riches type novel. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Scotland - 1882

Lady Alexander (Alex) Mannerly, age 12, has managed to escape her governess and lessons. The daughter of the Duke of Waverton, Alex loves the time they spend at their home in Scotland with all the wonderful fresh air. While outside, she sees Malcolm Gordston, son of a crofter. He’s fishing for salmon for her family’s dinner. She sits with him and catches a fish just as he has taught her. They have been friends for years and he has always been kind to her. She has a huge crush on him but he reminds her that she is a duke’s daughter and they can never be together. But when her father sees them fishing, he is furious and demands that she never even speak to Malcolm again. Malcolm and his father are then evicted by the Duke. His father is ill and grieving the loss of his wife. Thus, the cottage isn’t in as good a shape as it should be and they are behind on the rent money. Later Alex sneaks out of the house to apologize to Malcom and sees him with a beautiful redheaded woman named Mairie standing close together. She realizes then that there can never be a future for them.

Miss Grantley’s School for Young Ladies - 1888

Alex has made lots of friends at school. The girls love to chat looking at pictures of beautiful clothes. One girl shares some information on a store in London named Gordston’s with another store to open in Paris. Alex is shocked to see that the owner is none other than Malcolm. Next year, she will have her first Season and she knows that her parents mean for her to marry well.

Waverton House - London - 1889

Alex slips out one day to meet her friends and sees the handsome Malcolm Gordston but does not recognize him at first. Shortly afterward, she learns that her father has lost his fortune and now she is simply Miss Mannerly teaching at the girl’s school she had attended. She is soon offered and accepts a job as governess to a family in Paris. There, she sees Malcolm again and his gorgeous store. Still in love with her, he is quite intrigued with her beauty. Is there a way for them to be together?

I hope I have not given out too much here but there is so much more to this beautiful story! I loved it and didn’t want it to end. Beautifully descriptive. I cannot believe that I haven’t read more of this author’s books. I will definitely be on a hunt for more. Don’t miss this fabulous book. It’s a true winner!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I know this will shock you all, but this is a marriage of convenience story.

I know! Harlequin is usually so cryptic with their titles!

All kidding aside, this is one of those delightful books that does exactly what it says on the tin, but does it so very well.

Our story opens in the past somewhere in Scotland, where Lady Alexandra Mannerly is a young teenager cavorting around her parents’ estate. She has fallen for a crofter’s son, Malcom Gordston, but nothing will ever come of it because her father is an exacting tyrant with specific ideas of how the world should work. For example, his daughter should marry someone outrageously wealthy and powerful and crofter’s sons should remember their place.

Fast forward several years and time has not been kind to the Mannerlys. There was a scandal and the fall-out means that Alex can no longer live as a lady and makes her living as a governess in Paris. Time has been scrumptiously kind to Malcolm, however, who is now one of the most wealthy department store owners in England.

Good news for our heroine: Malcolm has never forgotten her, and when their paths cross again he is determined to make her his bride. What follows is an immersive read that does right by the marriage of convenience trope. Anyone who is a fan, or is looking for a standalone historical to get lost in for a few hours - I think this one will tick your boxes and be worth your time.

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Available December 1: The Governess's Convenient Marriage by Amanda McCabe
**** 4 stars: If you want to get away with a book, Amanda McCabe's latest Debutantes in Paris novel is perfect.



Recommended readers:

If you like Amanda McCabe
If you like Regency-Highland historical romance
If you like rekindled love stories
Here's my Rankings:

4/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Lady Alexandra Mannerly is a governess - trying to make her way after her proud, elitist family suffered a terrible scandal. She's content leading a quiet life as a governess in Paris when she accidentally runs into her first love, Malcolm Gordston who used to be the crofter's son and who has risen to own a popular department store. Malcolm remembers the harsh treatment from Alexandra's parents - and uses that hatred to fuel his ambition.

A quick-reading historical romance, The Governess's Convenient Marriage is full of action, romance and will keep you reading non-stop. It's the perfect novel to just get away with!

Available December 1: The Governess's Convenient Marriage by Amanda McCabe

THE GOVERNESS’S CONVENIENT MARRIAGE - Amanda McCabe
Debutantes in Paris -Book 2
Harlequin Historical
ISBN-10: 1-335-52301-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-335-52301-3
December 2018
Historical Romance

Scotland 1882

When Lady Alexandra Mannerly, daughter of the Duke of Waverton, was nearly thirteen she escaped her governess and her father’s hunting estate to go to the one person who saw her as a person: Malcolm Gordston. Although a few years older, he had always talked with her, and he taught her how to fish. This day had been different. Her father had found them as Alex gave Malcolm an impetuous kiss on the cheek. The duke threatened Malcolm and drew Alex back to her prison of a bedroom, telling her she owed her family good behavior in order to marry well.

Paris 1889-1890

Much has happened since then. Alex has developed into a very shy and insecure young women, who feels comfortable only with her two friends from Miss Grantley’s School for Young Ladies, Diana and Emily. They are two talented and somewhat audacious young women who befriended her, and now talk to her and treat her as more than just a family asset. As her society debut was less than fruitful, her father decides to take Alex and her mother to the Paris Exposition of 1889. There he wants her to find a rich husband. After a chance encounter, she recognizes the fabulously wealthy owner of the Gordston’s Department Stores, one of the first such stores to open in London. It was her Malcolm. He was working on opening a store in Paris. Instead of finding a husband, Alex learns her father is bankrupt and involved in the attempted theft of the family’s treasure, the famous Eastern Star Sapphire; he has totally disgraced the family. Alex returns to Miss Grantley’s school as a teacher and learns to support herself. Miss Grantley then sends her with a family going to Paris and in need of a governess for their two young girls.

Malcolm has always imagined and seen Alex as a fairy, his winter fairy. Upon their re-acquaintance, he finds she draws his interest as no other woman has; and he is very experienced. Her father, however, ruined his father and his family, a grudge he still holds. He doesn’t envision himself married to a woman as he is totally engulfed in his stores and his success. When she returns to Paris a second time, much diminished in social standing, things have changed.

This is an enjoyable and emotional story that tells about Alex finding herself and of Malcolm overcoming past griefs to liberate himself. It is the second story in Debutantes in Paris, the first being Diana’s story in SECRETS OF A WALLFLOWER.

Robin Lee