Heiress Isabelle is joined in an arranged marriage with handsome businessman Alexander in 1850s Manchester. Surprised by his aloof manner as the marriage progresses, Isabelle nevertheless tries to be a pleasing wife. Then, a back injury threatens Alexander's life and independence. Can she nurse him back to health and help keep his business going?

Overall, I liked this book. It started out a bit slow, but the pace picked up as the novel progressed. It's a quiet, domestic story that mainly focuses on Isabelle's internal development as she struggles with a marriage that's nothing like what she expected.

This is a chaste romance, which is a little unexpected given that the characters marry at the beginning of the book. There's simply no indication of a physical relationship between them even before his accident. After the accident, she doesn't have any thoughts about how his injury means she might end up childless. It's as if marital intimacy doesn't exist in this universe.

The writing style is more literary than commercial, and the emotion understated. Despite that, it was a quick read for me.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 STARS
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This is hard to rate because I really liked the story, but there were a few things that just didn’t work for me.

Overall I truly did love the story. This wasn’t your typical Victorian/Regency romance where they meet and eventually fall in love. Instead, you start off the novel with Isabelle and Alexander getting married as part of an arranged marriage.

I really liked the obstacles and struggles that our MC’s face and overcome throughout the book. These difficulties are the times I saw the most growth and strength in the characters. I also really liked the premise of the arranged marriage and then having love grow between the two MC’s. I was looking forward to a slow-burn with a twist.

Unfortunately the characters and their love story were hard for me to get into. Isabelle was not as bold of a character as I typically like in my heroines. She cowered at almost every turn, or rejection. The only time we finally see her standing up for herself and we see her independence is at the very end of the book.

I think multiple POV/alternating chapters really would have done a favor for this book. Because we don’t see his POV, Alexander fell super flat for me. There were times when I liked and understood him and his motives and other times that I did not.

The romance almost felt non-existent until the very end. I am usually a fan of slow-burn, but this was just a bit too slow with no burn.

That being said, I absolutely LOVED the snippets we got to see of our side characters. Dr. Kelley was fabulous. A kind and gentle giant that reminded me a lot of my grandfather. We also have Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy and their daughter Glory who is special needs. I loved their little side narrative, and as a mother to a special needs child I loved the representation being in a Victorian era novel. It’s something you typically do not see.

Overall, I thought that the story was a good light read, and if you are looking to read something quick and not wanting a deeply moving character-driven story than this is a great choice.

I think when we vow “in sickness and in health” we imagine a couple of weeks with a bad flu or maybe a broken arm; we imagine taking a short time off work to tend to our spouse, administering ibuprofen, cooking chicken noodle soup and nursing them back to health with the expectation that our lives will return to normal soon.

For some, that vow becomes a life long journey.

Isabelle has just married Alexander. Though the union is arranged by their parents, he is handsome and successful, humble and kind and Isabelle looks forward to falling in love with this man and building a family with him. Shortly after their wedding Alexander has a tragic accident and is paralyzed. Isabelle’s vow to honor her husband in sickness and in health is then tested in every way.

This book is such a beautiful and raw portrayal of what it’s like to live out that vow. Isabelle’s joy and despair as she witnesses her husband’s healing and setbacks is real. I feel like the author may have personal experience with this to an extent because she perfectly captured the loneliness and constant insecurity of being married to someone who suffers with a long term illness. Alexander, in his own depression and forced dependence, often pushes his loving wife away and she is left feeling unwanted and not good enough.

Both Isabelle and Alexander have to dig deep to find the strength to overcome their brokenness, both physical and emotional.

This may be the best Proper Romance book I’ve read so far, simply for it’s approach to the subject matter and how real the characters and their struggles are.

This book releases May 4, 2021 and I highly recommend! Thank you to @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5/5 ⭐️ - I really liked it!

Isabelle knew she was not marrying for love, but she hoped it would grow. But what chance is there for that when Alexander spends most of his time working in his mill and rarely says more than a few words to her? A visit together to his beloved country home raises her hopes, until he is thrown from his horse and badly injured. Can this enforced time away from his work allow them to grow together in a way that health never could, or is love forever out of reach?

This was a new author for me, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleased to find the story clean and well written, with interesting characters and an unusual storyline. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that it was told entirely from Isabelle's point of view, so that a lot of the time the reader knows little or nothing of what is going on with Alexander, particularly since there isn't a lot of communication between the two much of the time - and I really wanted to know how he was feeling about the marriage, his injury etc. All in all, while I hope to read more by the author in future, I'm not sure whether I'd read this book again because it felt very one-sided, even though I enjoyed the story itself. 3.5 stars.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Most of the romance books I read follow the journey of two people getting to know each other, falling in love and then getting married. This book does it all backwards. It starts out with Isabelle and Alexander's arranged marriage, then leads us through the development of their relationship.

I'm going to be honest, Isabelle seems to be made of much stronger stuff than I am. Many of the things she went dealt would cause me to shut down, walk away or just give up. (I mean, if I actually was in that situation, I hope I would be as strong as she was. But my initial reaction would be to do all of the above listed things.) I really appreciated her perseverance in fighting for their relationship.

I was caught up in this story right away and had a hard time putting it down. Definitely a winner.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Isabelle and Alexander piqued my interest due to the setting largely in Victorian-era Manchester, with the blurb evoking slight North and South vibes. And it definitely delivered on that count, with descriptions of the advancements of industry and the class warfare in that arena playing roles in the story and in the character motivations.

Isabelle was easy to resonate with, especially as she finds herself in an awkward arranged marriage with someone who remains distant from her. I rooted for her to find her footing in her new situation and navigate her relationship with Alexander.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about Alexander initially, and I struggled to see what made him tick. But I think not getting an insight into his POV allows for the reader to go on an authentic journey with Isabelle as she gets to know her husband better. It feels reminiscent of classic romances (Lizzie and Darcy?) where you discover the hero’s true motivations along with the heroine. While it may not be that fulfilling for everyone, I appreciated that artistic choice.

I enjoyed this book, and while it is a bit of a slow-burn, it does ultimately deliver. If you love a sweet historical romance and don’t mind one that is more heroine-centric, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

A beautiful story of unconditional love. When I think of Victorian Romance, I think of two young people either being forced into a marriage of convenience or falling in love. Usually the story is of that journey to marriage. Isabelle and Alexander were a marriage of convenience. Agreed upon by Alexander and Isabelle’s father, Isabelle had high hopes that it could turn into a loving marriage. Not to be the case, Isabelle was excited when Alexander family asked her to go with him to their country estate. As they were out for a country side ride, the unthinkable happened.. This is where the story varies from the run-of-the-mill (pun intended!) story.. A story of caring, compassion, determination and love evolves., and the journey they take you on is heartbreaking and heartwarming. You will hurt when they hurt and rejoice at their accomplishments.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a Proper Romance set in England in 1850, but it is much deeper than the typical Victorian romance of flirtation in ballrooms and women competing to win over a husband. Instead, it addresses physical and mental disabilities accurately and sensitively, but not in a heavy or depressing way.

Isabelle/Belle Rackham is part of an arranged marriage, to someone she has seen but doesn’t really know, in order to help her family’s business. The main characteristic she knows about her husband Alexander/Alec Osgood is that he is physically attractive, but she only knows this from a distance. He doesn’t act like he wants to have much of a relationship with her - they rarely speak to each other and do nothing at all physically, leaving Isabelle feeling lonely. They live in the same house but in separate rooms and as relative strangers.

Their relationship is very frustrating. Instead of saying what they mean, they make a comment and hope the other will read between the lines and take the hint. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t work very well. They frequently misread and misunderstand things the other person says and does. They have two houses, one in the city near the factory where they spend most of their time, and a small one in the country where they are more relaxed and do better at getting to know each other. I was interested to see if and how their relationship changes as time passes.

To reduce her loneliness, Isabelle writes letters to her lighthearted and chatty cousin Edwin. She also finds friends in the Kenworthy family. Lester, the business manager for Alexander at Osgood Mills, and his wife Polly are welcoming and cheerful. Their daughter Glory is my favorite character in this book. She has something similar to Down Syndrome, loves to paint, and receives piano lessons from Isabelle every week. She is generous, kind, and not afraid to say what she thinks.

In 1850, people with a disability were considered of little value to society. Institutions or asylums were the preferred residences for people with various physical or mental disabilities. Families had to fight against these beliefs to care for and keep their loved ones home. I’m grateful attitudes toward people with disabilities have changed for the better.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

This is not your typical love story. But that is what makes it so tender. This journey takes you through the depths of despair and into the light and joy that comes with love. Alec and Isabelle slowly but surely find love with each other. I think I would enjoy this even more a second time through knowing how it all works out in the end.

Surprisingly good book. This is the story of Isabelle and Alexander's marriage. It was an arranged marriage of sorts. This book was told from Isabelle's point of view (wished we could have had his side too). Marriage has turned out nothing like she thought and she struggles with confidence in how to handle things. When they are at their country home Alexander gets thrown from his horse and is paralyzed. Through this struggle they learn about each other and to love each other.

This is the engaging story of Isabelle who enters into an arranged marriage with Alexander to help his and her father's business. Alexander works very hard and keeps mostly to himself. It's hard for Isabelle to include herself into his life. Then, circumstances change.

This story intrigues me because of the setting and the way this relationship matures over time. I learned new things about cotton mills and I liked seeing how the workers interacted with the owners/ managers in a positive way. I love the idea that as one learns to serve another love and affection grows. I love the patience displayed by many of the characters in this book. I would have liked to have seen some things from Alexander's point of view earlier in the story. I also felt the pacing was a little slow. Overall though, I was drawn into the lives of Isabelle and Alexander and was cheering them on as I read.

** spoiler alert ** I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started this book. It had been on my eARC list for a long time so I honestly forgot what it was about. Which is okay with me. I, most of the time, prefer to go in blind when starting a new book.

I rather enjoyed this story. I really felt for the main character, Isabelle, and her struggle to adapting to a new life. One with a man that appears to not want anything to do with her. Every once in a while, you get a glimpse of hope and that kept me reading. I sometimes wanted to shake Alexander by the shoulders and tell him to stop being a stubborn donkey. He is so fixated on assuming that he is beneath her and that she’s not happy. If he would have just opened his eyes, he would have seen that she was trying so hard to please him. In the end, I much enjoyed watching the arc of their relationship. And I really liked how Isabelle discovers that there are not only good days in a relationship. There is give and take, good and bad, but those good days are what makes the struggle worth it.

On a side note, I loved the character Glory! I hope to see more characters like herself in books.

This book had a lot of really interesting elements. As much as I love a good Regency story, I'm loving the trend of publishing more books set during the Victorian era. I found the details of Isabelle's life as a business owner's wife, as well as the details of Alexander's business really interesting. I thought it was awesome that the book had featured two characters with disabilities--Alexander with his physical paralysis and secondary character Glory with her developmental disability. Getting glimpses of the struggles and the recommended treatments for both as well as their limitations and what they could do was really engaging. (Side note: before knowing what the book was about, I really liked the cover; however, now, while I still think it's a beautiful cover, I wish it actually showed Alexander in his wheelchair. A visual depiction like that would have been really powerful.)
Isabelle's character really resonated with me; her emotions fluctuated in a way that seemed very real as she struggled with her new situation and not knowing how to connect with Alexander. I appreciated her resilience and determination as she struggled to figure out how to interact with Alexander and his medical staff, and it was gratifying to see her find her voice. Alexander's character, with his moodiness and frustrations, was also very believable but not as enjoyable. Not having any of the book written from his point of view made it harder to truly see the good aspects, and it was pretty late in the book that we finally got a look at his heart. I wish there had been more of that, both when it did finally come as well as earlier in the book.
The tone is understandably somber and the romance is hard-f0ught rather than fluffy and fun, but the book is well-written and engaging.
4 stars.
I read an ARc provided by the publisher via #Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book start to finish. The Victorian Age setting intrigued me from the start. I haven't read many modern novels set in this time period and loved this one. It reminded me of everything I love about North and South. I loved all the details about Manchester and the industrial age. I was fascinated by the details of Osgood Mill and the process for creating their cloth from the machines, the floors, the workers, the potential for fire, and the shipping. And the twist that happens early in the novel is unlike any I have read in an historical romance.

Isabelle is a fantastic protagonist. In true Victorian form, we get the story exclusively from her perspective and I admired her growing strength and confidence. Anderson does a great job balancing Isabelle's growing role in her household with her personal dreams. She isn't a completely modern woman that doesn't quite fit in with her time period but rather a lovely celebration of the changing roles for women at this time. I loved following her journey and her strength in helping and healing with Alexander.

Alexander is a classic brooding character--reminiscent of Thornton and Mr Rochester. He is successful and hard working. He has built his successful mill business himself and gained the trust and love of his employees. His accident is tragic and difficult for him and all who know him. I was fascinated by the details of his recovery form the muscle exercises to the wheelchair and slow return of motion. I have never read a novel with historical accounts of that type of injury and recovery. It was so interesting to read about that intricate process in this novel. I would have loved some chapters from Alexander's point of view to understand his thought process and his slow burning love for Isabelle.

Their love story is slow burning and beautiful. They begin as an arranged marriage and then Alexander's accident happens so quickly, I wasn't sure how they could really fall in love. But it was possible and beautiful. It happened in small moments of Isabelle serving Alexander. In stories shared with each other. In understanding the mill and the livelihood they both needed. In being alone and being patient together. My favorite moment is when Alexander comes rushing to Isabelle's aid and she can't believe he has dropped everything for her. Then he nurses her as she did for him. Their love is not perfect but a process of service, honesty and patience. I loved the unique frame for their love story and the beautiful ending they deserve.

The other characters are also beautifully developed from Mr Connor and Mr Kenworthy at the mill. To Mrs Kenworthy and Glory and their friendship with Isabelle. I loved Mrs Burns and Yeardley for their loyalty and gentle encouragement to our protagonists. Cousin Edwin and Isabelle's changing relationship with her childhood best friend as they marry. They kind country doctor that is Alec's dear friend and becomes Isabelle's confidant and support. Even the rude doctor and truly horrible nurse who want to heal Alexander in different ways. Each help create a more full backdrop for the story.

A truly delightful novel that I read in about 24 hours. I loved the characters, the setting, historical details, and the slow and satisfying love story.

A Marriage of Convenience, a change in circumstances, and the blossoming of true love.

Isabelle and Alexander is a story about facing adversity with good grace and making the best out of what life has handled.

Isabelle was young and very sheltered. She was matched with Alexander by her father without being consulted or having ever met him.

When they finally met, Alexander turned out to be handsome but distant and cold. I felt for Isabelle in that impossible situation, and it hurt me to think how many real women have experienced that same helplessness.

Their relationship was detached and restrained. Two strangers married for life with no actual knowledge of one another.

And things got worse; Alexander suffered an accident that made him dependent and vulnerable.

Isabelle was so strong and loyal despite her youth and consequent lack of life experience. She was relentless in seeing the positive in everything and in trying to make things better.

I liked that Alexander was a mill owner respected by his employees. He had, in this sense, a John Thornton (North and South) vibe. I just wished he was a little more like John in his dealings with Isabelle. Alexander had a sense of inferiority that kept his walls high and his heart guarded.

My favorite side character was Glory, a lovely painter who struggled a bit and, at that time in history, was considered simple-minded and, therefore, worthless. Glory's talent and friendship played an essential role in the story.

It was great to see that the caregivers' struggles and perspectives were also portraited. Very often, stories forget about these heroes that do so much for those they love. Both Isabelle and Glory's mom were great examples of selflessness and unconditional love.

Isabelle and Alexander is an emotional story about disability, perseverance, and love; a very inspiring read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 05/03/2021 as part of the book's blog tour*

This story takes place in the cotton mills during the Victorian Age. Isabelle comes from a wealthy family and is married to Alexander, a self made man. Early on in the story, Alexander becomes paralyzed. I enjoyed seeing how Isabelle stays devoted to her husband during his injury.
The beginning was a little slow moving. It wasn’t until Isabelle started getting a personality of her own that the story picked up. I like how Isabelle stayed true to herself, while loving Alec.
My favorite character was Glory. It seemed like she was on the spectrum. Her parents were devoted to her and truly helped her to be the best person she could be.
If you like historical fiction and romance, this book is for you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shadow Mountain through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was a little unsure how I would like this book, but I am so grateful to have read it. It was a beautiful story of love and sacrifice amidst tragedy. I had yet to read a book dealing with paralysis in this time era so it was nice to read about, especially since I have a brother who has been wheelchair bound his whole life. It was an interesting perspective. I also adored seeing how those grow in love as they serve others who cannot serve themselves.

Isabelle and Alexander start their relationship as a business deal between Alexander and her father. She has certain hopes and expectations as to what marriage will be like, but when they get to Manchester to start their lives together, those expectations are dashed. She finds herself lonely as Alexander works so much, and they barely speak to one another, even when they are with one another. Alexander takes Isabelle to their country home and as things seem to start heading in the right direction with them, Alexander is in a terrible accident.

As the book goes on you follow Isabelle as she becomes more than just a wife in name, but a caretaker too. Alexander and Isabelle have to work together as they take on new roles and their hopes and dreams change as it becomes apparent that he will be paralyzed and chair bound.

As I started the book I found myself annoyed that it was only written from Isabelle's perspective. I wanted to get into Alexander's head so bad. But that ended up being a bit positive as I kept reading. I felt like I grew with her as she grew into her roles and got to find herself a little more every day.

Overall, a wonderful read. Thank you for the book NetGalley.

This was a well written and beautiful story. I loved the atmospheric descriptions and felt transported to 1850 England.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A unique, fulfilling story from Rebecca Anderson! Isabelle and Alexander is not your typical romance, but it is still enjoyable and enlightening. I do think the story would have benefitted from the inclusion of Alexander’s point of view. Anderson is talented, and I’m excited to see what she does next. 3/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.