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The Convenient Bride
Threatened with being cut off by his father, womaniser Maxwell Stark is forced to marry and he chooses the woman he secretly loves, Lucy Steed, his family's ward.
Lucy has been desperately in love with Max ever since she first moved in with the Stark family, but she's convinced that he only loves her as a friend.
Although both are too afraid to admit their true feelings, the marriage is a happy one, until Max's spurned mistress, Marie, decides that if she can't have Max, then no one can.
They say that 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', and Marie is furious!
Lucy has been desperately in love with Max ever since she first moved in with the Stark family, but she's convinced that he only loves her as a friend.
Although both are too afraid to admit their true feelings, the marriage is a happy one, until Max's spurned mistress, Marie, decides that if she can't have Max, then no one can.
They say that 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', and Marie is furious!
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
55 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 9, 2022
Reread 9-2022… I have a tendency to get random book scenes stuck in my head (usually when I’m trying to fall asleep) and then OBSESS about it until I track it down. Recently, I got hung up on a historical romance with… H/OW play rehearsal and OW/h carriage scenes. Turns out, they’re from different books… this has the rehearsal scene and the carriage ride is in My Forbidden Duchess.
****Original Review****
2-2.5 Soapy Stars
I got hooked by the crazy ex-mistress part of the blurb, and she is certifiable, but this was just meh for me. The book opens with Max begging his BFF Lucy to marry him. His father has given him and ultimatum that either he marries or is cut off. Lucy has LOVED Max FOREVER but is hesitant because he’s a manwhore man-child… and she knows she’ll be miserable if he continues his rakish ways.
I felt like it was a smidge all over the place and just couldn’t find my groove. For instance, this is supposed to be a historical romance, but it’s not realistic. Like- Max and Lucy having so much alone time together, or them having sex a couple years earlier because she wanted to get him out of her system by giving him her virginity.
Much of the plot is illogical and unrealistic. Like his actions while discussing fidelity.
Ch. 1- All gentlemen have mistresses; I am no different.
Ch. 2- “Luce? I don’t understand why you’re saying this.” Didn’t she know that he would be faithful to her? That she was probably the only woman he could be faithful to?
Ch. 2- No sleeping with other women on the same day as me. Of course, that would simply be crass.
Ch. 3- He dumps the mistress.
Why wouldn’t he just tell Lucy that he plans to be faithful, and that he was dumping the mistress? Why would he make it seem that he was going to cheat? It makes zero sense and set it up for unneeded misunderstandings.
Bottom Line- Not terrible but not great either. It has a bit of an OTT soapy feel. All the drama is generated from miscommunication, assumptions, or far-fetched plot devices. It felt a bit lazy; like the author relied on the characters being gullible or stupid rather than developing logical conflicts. There’s a short epilogue one year later.
****Original Review****
2-2.5 Soapy Stars
I got hooked by the crazy ex-mistress part of the blurb, and she is certifiable, but this was just meh for me. The book opens with Max begging his BFF Lucy to marry him. His father has given him and ultimatum that either he marries or is cut off. Lucy has LOVED Max FOREVER but is hesitant because he’s a manwhore man-child… and she knows she’ll be miserable if he continues his rakish ways.
I felt like it was a smidge all over the place and just couldn’t find my groove. For instance, this is supposed to be a historical romance, but it’s not realistic. Like- Max and Lucy having so much alone time together, or them having sex a couple years earlier because she wanted to get him out of her system by giving him her virginity.
Much of the plot is illogical and unrealistic. Like his actions while discussing fidelity.
Ch. 1- All gentlemen have mistresses; I am no different.
Ch. 2- “Luce? I don’t understand why you’re saying this.” Didn’t she know that he would be faithful to her? That she was probably the only woman he could be faithful to?
Ch. 2- No sleeping with other women on the same day as me. Of course, that would simply be crass.
Ch. 3- He dumps the mistress.
Why wouldn’t he just tell Lucy that he plans to be faithful, and that he was dumping the mistress? Why would he make it seem that he was going to cheat? It makes zero sense and set it up for unneeded misunderstandings.
Bottom Line- Not terrible but not great either. It has a bit of an OTT soapy feel. All the drama is generated from miscommunication, assumptions, or far-fetched plot devices. It felt a bit lazy; like the author relied on the characters being gullible or stupid rather than developing logical conflicts. There’s a short epilogue one year later.
August 3, 2013
It was okay. The writing style was rushed, and I did not like that. It seemed as if everything was underdeveloped.
May 25, 2015
Glad this was a freebie. Max wasn't much of a hero. The heroine, Lucy, was okay. I just could not empathize with her character. Lots and lots of grammatical errors.
August 17, 2023
I’ve read a number of books by this author and enjoyed them. I bought this book some years ago and this is the third time I have read it. Max given an ultimatum by his father to marry or will be cut off. He asks Lucy to marry him (they both love each other but keep their feelings to themselves) Enter the ex mistress who is determined to break up the marriage. I for one enjoyed this book very much
December 7, 2023
I usually avoid historical novels but this one was the exception: it contained an evil other woman. The H had a lot o growing up to do and the h was stronger than most victorian wives. The OW was a previous mistress who refused to be used and discarded by the H the night before his wedding (yup, he lacked class). They grew together, the ow tried many times to set them up and failed and finally met her fate. The HEA was earned.
March 9, 2020
The book lingered on irrelevant details but rushed through vital parts so much it felt disjointed, I could not finish.
April 6, 2021
they have been friends sine childhood now he has to marry so who better then her but of there is his ex-mistress to cause trouble
February 14, 2017
The Convenient Bride
This is the second time that I have read this story. I really enjoyed it the 1st time and the second time was just as good. Looking forward to reading more of Catherine Winchester s work. Thank you for a great story.
This is the second time that I have read this story. I really enjoyed it the 1st time and the second time was just as good. Looking forward to reading more of Catherine Winchester s work. Thank you for a great story.
September 19, 2013
Historical English romance with an orphaned ward who is in love with the oldest rakish son of her guardian. Maxwell Stark must marry or be cute off by his father, so he chooses the woman he secretly loves, Miss Lucy Steed who was raised as his younger sister in his father's household.I really liked the provisions that she puts into her marriage contract in order to protect herself from disease and holding on to her family's estate wealth for her future children. The evil ex-mistress was really silly since she doesn't even speak any French whilst trying to pass as a French courtesan. The miscarriage/mistaken betrayal episode is sad but Lucy doesn't go about it very smart as traveling around without a good companion in dangerous London and then taking a stranger into her confidence.
Lucy and Max are in love as well as being insecure which is never a good combination, but they work their problems out becasue they do have a kind loving family to help negotiate. There is the Max and Charles kidnapping which was a bit too much for me, but well written. I just didn't get into this story although I can't put my finger on it because the characters were interesting and have lots of conflicting emotions.
252 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Lucy and Max are in love as well as being insecure which is never a good combination, but they work their problems out becasue they do have a kind loving family to help negotiate. There is the Max and Charles kidnapping which was a bit too much for me, but well written. I just didn't get into this story although I can't put my finger on it because the characters were interesting and have lots of conflicting emotions.
252 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
May 1, 2015
The Convenient Bride is Lucy and she is in love with Max, the son of the family where she was raised after her parents died when she was young. He became her protector and best friend when they were young and fell in love with her too. Neither of them realized they loved each other, other than as best friends. Max asked her to marry him when his father told him to find a wife in a month or he would disinherit him and he would lose his title; Lucy was to be The Convenient Bride to please his father.
The Convenient Bride had several other conflicts and robbers, a kidnapping, false rumors and attempted murder to keep the story exciting and full of fun romance throughout as Max and Lucy learn to become husband and wife and not just The Convenient Bride. I enjoyed the romance and continuous excitement in the plot.
The Convenient Bride had several other conflicts and robbers, a kidnapping, false rumors and attempted murder to keep the story exciting and full of fun romance throughout as Max and Lucy learn to become husband and wife and not just The Convenient Bride. I enjoyed the romance and continuous excitement in the plot.
May 30, 2014
Heart-warming tale of selfless love
Heart-warming tale of selfless love
Max's father was at the end of his rope, frustrated with his lack of interest in his inheritance, or anything that resembled responsibility. So he picks a bride and tells Max he'll be getting married at the end of the month. To save himself from the odious woman, Max asks Lucy, his best friend and confidant, to marry him instead. Lucy has secretly loved him for years, and isn't sure she can live with a taste of what she wants more than anything else, but can she live without it?
Heart-warming tale of selfless love
Max's father was at the end of his rope, frustrated with his lack of interest in his inheritance, or anything that resembled responsibility. So he picks a bride and tells Max he'll be getting married at the end of the month. To save himself from the odious woman, Max asks Lucy, his best friend and confidant, to marry him instead. Lucy has secretly loved him for years, and isn't sure she can live with a taste of what she wants more than anything else, but can she live without it?
Read
November 15, 2013I didn't know what to expect when I read this book. Even though the writing seemed a bit sudden, it was entertaining and well-written. Liked the main characters, though Lucy seemed a bit too bland at times. Marie really pricked my nerves, and not just because she was the villain. She really didn't know when to stop! Anyway, liked the book and intrigued me until the end.
June 6, 2016
well...it was a good book...but it didn't work for me...
October 5, 2014
I loved this story
September 12, 2016
One of the most enjoyable romances I've read thus far.
February 15, 2015
Cute read
This was a cute and easy read for a lazy afternoon. There were a few editing errors but nothing major. I will be. Looking for more from this author.
This was a cute and easy read for a lazy afternoon. There were a few editing errors but nothing major. I will be. Looking for more from this author.
February 21, 2015
Love it
I love it. Good story line , love how Lucy kept all her money and max had to work to earn her trust
I love it. Good story line , love how Lucy kept all her money and max had to work to earn her trust
February 10, 2016
Over quickly
Sweet and sensual recency romance with a happy ever after ending. Lucy and Max deal with family drama, his nasty ex-mistress and her evil plots. Well written plot.
Sweet and sensual recency romance with a happy ever after ending. Lucy and Max deal with family drama, his nasty ex-mistress and her evil plots. Well written plot.
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December 2, 2016Good book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews