An Unsuitable Wife

by Mary Kingsley

After a scandalous encounter at a country inn, Justin, Earl of Chatleigh, and Miss Melissa Selby are forced to make an unsuitable match. Justin, facing an uncertain future, believes he has been trapped into marriage by a scheming miss. Melissa, running from a dangerous past, fears she has gotten herself into even deeper trouble. It is not the best way to begin a marriage. Matters become even worse when it becomes apparent that someone is threatening Justin’s life. It will take all Melissa’s courage and strength to protect her husband - and to win his love.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical, Historical Romance, Marriage Of Convenience

Nook

First published March 25, 2011

About the author

Mary Kingsley is the pen name of mystery author Mary Kruger. She is the author of 11 Regency romances, 4 Regency novellas, and 3 historical romances. Her novel "The Rake's Reward" was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA award. Her novella "The Runaway Duchess" won the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award.

Reviews

[SM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and irritating.
Hero made the book unbearable. He misunderstood the heroine from beginning and it just went on and on. On top of that he is completely selfish and follows his aunt’s decision most of the time.
Hero never grows and becomes a better character. He remains gruff and doubting till 70% of the book. Even after he sees heroine’s suitability he continues to think her a whore and sly and cunning.
There is so little communication between hero and heroine.
I didn’t understand what made heroine fall in love with hero.
I just felt heroine deserved better than this guy and couldn’t believe in the romance. Step father was too evil, but ending chase was ok.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. I started out a little apprehensive, Melissa and Justin meet under unusual circumstances when he mistakenly enters her hotel room thinking it is his own. He finds her in his bed and being drunk, he gets a little carried away. Melissa quickly gets away, but Justin insists on marrying her. While Melissa makes it plain she does not want to marry him he wins out and they marry. Then he suddenly claims she trapped him and is angry with her. Its rather silly, the whole time she kept trying to get out of it and he kept insisting, and yet she was the one that trapped him? Later he even admits that she didn’t want to marry him. His thinking was just weird at times. But, I’m rambling. They eventually settle into their marriage, both keeping their distance and somewhere along the way they do become friends. I actually liked them, they weren’t perfect and their trust issues were a problem, but I still liked them. All these outside forces that were trying to break them up actually helped bring them together. While the story is a little predictable, I still found it enjoyable.

I wanted to give this more stars, but because of content I couldn’t. The opening scene was a bit racy (things don’t go too far, but he does get a little handsy), and there are a couple steamy makeout sessions and at the end they do eventually consummate things (although luckily not too detailed). If those scenes had been toned done just a tad, the book would have been a lot better, IMO. They had enough chemistry between them without some of the details. There is also quite a bit of swearing (mostly D and G), that was overdone. Aside from those, it was actually pretty clean and Justin is at the end of the day a gentlemen and does treat Melissa well (once he gets over his fears/prejudices).

Content: PG13-Subtle (per www.likesbooks.com/kissburn.html)

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember how I found this book and author - probably just by browsing through lots and lots of pages on my Kindle! But I'm glad I did because I liked this book immensely.

I see from the author list on Goodreads that she has written a large number of regencies, but they're not all easy to get hold of. Some are published for Kindle now, at very reasonable prices, and I hope this trend continues, as I definitely plan to read more books by Mary Kingsley.

[Emma Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Mary Kingsley does a fantastic job o getting you hooked and keeping you hooked. I liked the involvement of her other characters too. Great characters, wonderful conflict, fabulous romance.

[Marcella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad regency, the male charter was a little on the selfish side and the plot was a bit confusing in spots

[Frankiejohnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

she is perfect for him, but he can't see it. Then he does, but is it too late? Typical, light, and cute romance.

[Seema · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was too complicated..too many misunderstandings and villains. The hero was at cross purposes with the heroine throughout the book. I liked the characterization of the heroine.

[Juniebgood]

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