I didn't have high expectations, and even they weren't met. It happens, but c'est la vie. Maybe, maybe I'll try another by this author in the future.

Jack Ransome is an enquiry agent, but his new client’s assignment comes as a shock: she wants a husband. And not just any husband. Him.

Madelyn has been raised in a castle by her now-deceased father, who was obsessed with the Middle Ages. Since she has no objection to marriage, she is willing to honor his wish to wed the man he has chosen. Having lived isolated from the outside world, however, she has no experience of contemporary customs. Can she adapt not only to marriage with a complete stranger, but to a very different world from the one she has been used to?

Since this, despite the sub-title (“Secrets of a Victorian Household, Book 2”), is a Regency romance, a happy ending can be anticipated, but the path is fraught with difficulties, and not only for naïve Madelyn, who is viewed by many as the daughter of a madman. Jack has problems too, for even though he is the Earl of Dersington, his lack of an estate and unconventional conduct have attracted scorn and censure. These two social outcasts are sympathetic characters, but they must learn to trust each other and be honest about their true feelings. These are valuable life lessons. Recommended.

This book was ok. I liked the main characters of Jack and Madelyn individually but not as a couple. They were both proud and compassionate people but they were lacking chemistry or story. The premise is interesting but it fizzles out from there.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Madelyn has lived a secluded life in her father's refurbished castle where almost everything was authentic to the time of the original construction. Because of this, she doesn't really know how to go about in polite society. She also doesn't want to leave the castle. But her father's last wish was for her to marry a nobleman. He even had one picked out for her and the means to get him to agree...

Jack doesn't live like most noblemen. His title is one without land or money, so he doesn't see the need. He does jobs for other nobleman to make his way in life. When his invite from Madelyn arrives, he figures that she has a job for him to complete. He never imagined that she would propose marriage and the return of his ancestral properties.

Jack agrees to the arrangement. But as these two spend time together, they can't deny the attraction they feel. Can this marriage of convenience turn into one of love?

I really enjoyed this story. If was different from those I normally read. I loved watching Madelyn adjust to the present world after having living in the past at her castle. I also like that she stood up for herself and didn't try to conform to what the societal norm of the time was.

This book was very hard to get into. In fact, I almost marked it as DNF on more than one occasion. The sad thing is, there was nothing wrong with the author's writing style. It was the fact that there was NOTHING between the two leads.

Jack continually thinks of Madelyn as "plain", he even goes so far as to wonder if she performed some type of witchcraft as he's not even attracted to her. AT ALL. He laments that she will do something to embarrass him, he even becomes angry with her on occasion and for what? He knew she was not accustomed to the life he had thrust her in. And even when she tried? It didn't seem to be enough. She wasn't what he thought she should be, so he was only interested in getting between her legs.

It was ridiculous. At some point I expected them to have a revelation. And yet, they remained distrustful of each other. And yet, instead of talking like rational adults, they argued, they went against each other. I got to read once again how much of a "scandal" she was going to cause. Or how he thought she was "purposely" doing something to hurt him.

In my opinion, there was nothing to sell this story or this relationship. And I'm not sure if I would read more from this author, no matter how good she is - if all of her relationships are this vexing, no thanks.

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.

I'm not sure what to make of this book. It wasn't a bad book, but something was missing. I liked the hero and heroine, but in sort of a distracted way. The development of their relationship was a little choppy. I can see what the author was trying to do, but I think she missed the mark somewhat. Still, it was an interesting read.

Contracted As His Countess by Louise Allen
Secrets of a Victoria Household #3

2 stars

Madelyn has been raised in a different century. Well, not really, but because of her father's obsession with medieval castles she has a lived a sheltered lifestyle of a few hundred years earlier. Her father's dying wish was for her to wed Jack Ransome.

Jack is a titled gentleman but has no lands to manage. Until he attends a meeting with Madelyn and she proposes a marriage of convenience.

I initially liked the premise of this book. It had promise to be unique, have some humor, and pull it all together in a love story. Yet, this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't find any humor in the situation of Madelyn's eccentric medieval dress and mannerisms taking storm in London. Instead I found myself cringing multiple times. Talking to her in my head “Noooooo, don't do that!”. Their relationship almost turned into enemies, at least it seemed to be non stop bickering and sizing each other up. Not trusting each other. The non stop talk about how hideous the heroine was. Well, they didn't use those words but it was stated how plain she was so many times that's what it turned into. This gown cut made her look like this and the gown color made her look like that and the droopy ringlets made her look like this. I kept waiting for her to have some sort of transformation or the hero to fully accept her medieval eccentricities but it didn't really happen. The sex is lackluster. I didn't care if they were together. And that's just not how romance should be.

DNF 75% into the book and I couldn't handle it anymore.

If I read on more time "that she's not even pretty", or she's plain I will pull my hair out.

In all honesty the history and time period of the writing was good, but the romance was non existent!! It was like the author forced or tried to throw in a thought or sentence here or there to give it the title of romance but it was secondary at best!!! ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

DNF 75% into the book and I couldn't handle it anymore.

If I read on more time "that she's not even pretty", or she's plain I will pull my hair out.

In all honesty the history and time period of the writing was good, but the romance was non existent!! It was like the author forced or tried to throw in a thought or sentence here or there to give it the title of romance but it was secondary at best!!!

And again beauty is in the eye of the behold and I was hoping at the half way point the hero would have found her inner beauty and expounded on that. Sadly that didn't happen. So I'm sad to say I just read couldn't take another sentence that said she wasn't pretty or she was plain.

I wanted to enjoy this book; it has an interesting setting; a medieval castle and maiden but set in the regency era, however, I found the set up of the story confusing and Madelyn was not a compelling heroine.

The setting of the novel is well written. The reader gets an excellent glimpse into a medieval castle. However, the characters did, at times, pull me out of the story.


In the end, I am not sure that I believe in the romance between the characters.

This is my first by Louise Allen and what a pleasant surprise! I devoured it in one sitting, and it was delicious. It’s a fish out of water story for our heroine, but she has strength and a surprising amount of confidence. Our hero’s childhood leaves him scarred, but that makes me strive to be better than his predecessors. They each bring a lot of baggage to the relationship, but also a lot of joy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a historical novel. I enjoyed the period details. Can a destitute earl come to terms with a marriage proposal from a damsel straight out of the middle ages? Possibly. Will she drive him crazy and embarrass him in front of the gentry of London? Maybe, maybe not! Can a maiden reared to live in the 1400 conform to modern society? This couple has many obstacles to overcome. A marriage of necessity might just turn out to be love after all.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 4.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!