This was a fun and enjoyable read. Jane is a refreshing main character. She is a determined to live the life she wants and she is quite unpredictable. The love between the characters takes its time to develop.

1814. When she rescues a man being beaten by a band of ruffians, little does Miss Jane Newnham expect that it will lead, eventually, to the altar. She is, after all, planning a career as a portrait artist, not a wedded woman. Through an entertaining series of mishaps, however, the man she rescues ends up offering marriage to preserve her reputation. Despite reservations, she eventually accepts: Ivo Merton, ex-army officer, Earl of Kendall, and heir to a marquessate, is, after all, an attractive man and surprisingly open-minded for an aristocrat. Nor is it long before the feelings of both become increasingly engaged. But will progress towards a love match survive the revelation that Ivo had been, and may still be, in love with another, particularly when the teary-eyed (but lovely) widow seeks his help (and more besides) after her husband’s death?
There is much to enjoy in this Regency romance. The plot is lively and liberally sprinkled with amusing incidents, and the protagonists are very likeable: her combination of optimism and practicality provides a delightfully ironic point of view; though honorable and protective, he does learn from experience; and both are willing to make personal sacrifices for others.
Highly recommended.
(Review forthcoming in Historical Novels Review)

Jane meets Ivo on the road as she is escaping to her aunts after a scandal. She is a artist who enjoys drawing beautiful naked bodies. Ivo is being beaten when she saves him. This is an enjoyable parody of adventures.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Earl’s Marriage Bargain is standard sweet historical romance fare, and I loved it for it with two lead characters firm in their convictions. I particularly liked Jane, and her determination to make something herself outside of marriage. And while I did not read book one in the series, I did like the overall concept of the women’s club with all of them wanting to pursue their different talents, and wish there was more time spent on it (Ah, well, reason to pick up/look out for the others!)

I felt for Ivo as well, given how he was nursing a past heartbreak, but given how he bantered with Jane, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to get them together.

Ultimately, this is a nice fluffy read that gives exactly what you expect, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re looking for a Regency escape in category romance form, I recommend this one.

*** I”ve received this ARC in exchange for an honest review ***

OK. I’m gonna admit, this was a guilty read for me. I haven’t read a lot of romance (but I’m dipping my toes as you can see from my recent read history), so this more falls in line with my Korean webtoon binge of historical romances. This manages to itch a spot.

You can quickly read through this, but looking back it’s interesting to see that there wasn’t a lot really going on — just a lot of talking, swooning, character development. In this case, it’s not a bad thing. Sometimes the talking was a bit much, but the descriptions weren’t overly wordy and didn’t detract from the romance or development going on.

I appreciate the fact that not everyone is a god/goddess on earth to woo every walking human being of age. It’s more realistic and I enjoyed the bits of culture for the time included in the story. If you’re looking for something to read, I would (guilty as charged) suggest this for an enjoyable read.

Charming!

A delightful romance with a lively leading lady whose impulsiveness drags her and her acquaintances into unchartered waters.
Jane Newnham has her life mapped out--even if her parents have other ideas! A talented artist she intends to set herself up as a portrait painter. Yes, it will be a struggle but one Jane's determined she'll win through.
That was before she hauled a man being attacked by some hefty thugs into her carriage and whisks him away to safety, much to her maids disgust.
Ivo Merton, recent Earl of Kendall, just back from the Napoleonic battlefields, recovering from a broken heart, and now a damaged shoulder, finds his would be rescuer a force to be reckoned with.
Which may be why these two at some time further along find themselves declaring they're engaged to bystanders after a heated argument in the middle of a Bath street. This news just ricochets around the place in a nano second and suddenly they're faced with an arrangement that confuses them both. What now of Jane's artistic dreams and Ivo's commitment to the love of his youth, even though that party is married to someone else?
Although, those shared kisses do hum in both their minds, even as their reasons for the betrothal have nothing to do with this!
An easy, humorous read with two endearing lead characters and a plot populated with various interesting secondary personalities.

A Harlequin - Romance ARC via NetGalley

I found I quite enjoyed this book and got immersed right away.

Jane is an intrepid young woman who wants to be an artist.
Ivo is just back from the military, He's had a secret understanding with Daphne, his friends younger sister for years. He's infatuated with her, only, his friend is now dead and Daphne married a rake hell. Then she sent her goons to beat him up. Its as he's being beaten up that Jane rescues him.

What I liked? The amount of growth these two unlikely allies have to do. Jane with what she thinks she wants (to be a portrait artist) and Ivo, who thinks he's in love with Daphne, still. At first they bicker and fight, with Jane being a free spirit and Ivo being a buddy duddy with some very traditional patriarchal views. Can an engagement of convenience become something more?

I especially liked that they really got to know each other over time (though pretty quickly) and that they communicated well and laughed together. They rub along rather well. All in all, thoroughly satisfying.
Recommend.

Sweet and grasping story. Engaging characters with a relationship out of the ordinary. The plights and twists of their stories and how they entwined, the growth of their character and all the funny and clever moments, aye and the heartbreaking ones, making you root for an unexpected pair ! Can’t wait to read more from the author!

Very cute and very funny! Both leads are strong in their beliefs and noble and always trying to see the best in others... So naturally it’s a little heartbreaking toward the end until the big misunderstanding is made right. Content is not squeaky clean, but no naughty sex scenes either. Heavy petting? :)

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

On her way to her cousin’s, Miss Jane Newnham witnesses an assault on a gentleman by 4 men and, parasol in hand, she rescues him from his attackers.
Ivo Merton, Earl of Kendall wakes up from a beating to find himself in a post chaise on his way to Lord knows where in the company of an unknown and much unescorted young woman. Hurt and without funds, he finds no other choice but to follow her game and escort her under the guise of being siblings on her travels.
After reaching their respective destinations, they’ll meet again and a few inconvenient situations and misplaced words later, the pair will find themselves betrothed and Jane will see her plans for emancipation and the freedom to pursue her artistic dreams thwarted by an unexpected marriage offer.
I hadn’t read a Louise Allen book in years and reading this story made me wonder why. I found this book fresh, fun, well written and quite enjoyable though it’s on the lighter side, IMO.
Ivo and Jane make a cute couple. A former Army man very keen on appropriate behavior and a woman who wants to live off her artistic exploits are always fun to read especially as they try to find a middle ground into their HEA.

#TheEarlsMarriageBargain #NetGalley

This story is perfect for curling up with outside on a nice day (or inside on a rainy day). With no scenes of an overly sexual nature (although there are scenes of kissing and some heavy touching), this isn't your average historical romance. The characters are witty and work well together with their romance developing slowly as the story goes on. Jane is definitely someone who not only knows her own mind and desires for her life, but is also intelligent enough to realize when her plan isn't necessarily the best one. Ivo, despite being a soldier and used to having his word taken as law, is patient with her (especially when he is exasperated not only with her, but with circumstances beyond his control).

Where this story lost it for me was in the constant reminder that Ivo had loved someone else. He consistently felt bad for having any type of interaction (or feelings) for Jane as it felt like a "betrayal" to Daphne, the girl he had loved in his youth (who fun fact was not only married now, but had also been the one behind the vicious attack on him). This continued on throughout the story, even when it was obvious to everyone (including Ivo) how much better for him Jane was. Jane was nearly as bad, knowing there could be more between them, but consistently worrying about "the other woman" without coming out and asking him for an honest answer as to where they stood.

And of course, when Daphne shows up later on it throws a wrench into everything for no reason other than to provide drama and the "tipping point" as it were between the characters. I could have overlooked this if I felt as though we got a reasonable ending to the entire Daphne/Ivo fiasco, but it felt like the author rather left things unfinished there as well. We don't know what happened between them once Jane left, and I for one, needed more closure to their relationship than I feel we got.

However, I know these things that lessened my enjoyment will be easily overlooked by others. 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.

The Earl's Marriage Bargain by Louise Allen is book 2 of the Liberated Ladies series but it can be read as a stand alone. It tells the story of artist Jane Newnham, who pulls Ivo Merton the Earl of Merton into her carriage after witness him being viciously attacked. Her well meant actions may have saved his like but it has put both of them in a compromising position, one that can only be fixed by a betrothal. Can Jane give up her independence and dreams of being a business owner? And can Ivo get over a heartbreak buried in his past?

I found this historical romance to be utterly charming. It was so different from other Harlequin romances I have read. Firstly, it is a remarkably clean romance. A few kissing scenes and heavy bosoms but no passionate sex scenes. Secondly, it was remarkable funny, especially the first half which had me laughing out loud.

It was not only the witty writing and charming storyline that had me loving this book, it was also the characters. Jane and Ivo are some of the best characters I have read in this type of novel. Jane is wonderful in pretty much everyway. She is independent, intelligent, compassionate and witty. Ivo was charming and kind with a wickedly dry humour. Together they were brilliant and the dialogue between them was entertaining and fun.

I loved the romance. It was slow but not boring. There was a lot of chemistry between Jane and Ivo but it didn't overwhelm the storyline, it was well written and well judged.

This could have easily been a five star rating for me but unfortunately the book ran out of steam around the half way point. It lost some of its humour and whilst I still enjoyed it the second half didn't live up to the first. Despite that I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all romance readers.