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Marriage Bargain with the Comte
"An elegant category romance." - Olivia Waite, The New York Times
From first kiss
To husband and wife?
Dieudonné, the Comte de Montreau, steps in when he catches a disreputable suitor trying to ruin his friend, heiress Evena. Only to accidentally compromise her himself, forcing them to wed!
Dieudonné might be the man who occupies Evena’s thoughts, but he’s not the well-connected nobleman she needs to help her ailing father. And now, as they head to the altar, their friendship is in jeopardy, too! Could her convenient husband ever see her as more than a burden…and could their bond become something even more thrilling?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Proposals in Paris
Book 1: Marriage Bargain with the Comte
From first kiss
To husband and wife?
Dieudonné, the Comte de Montreau, steps in when he catches a disreputable suitor trying to ruin his friend, heiress Evena. Only to accidentally compromise her himself, forcing them to wed!
Dieudonné might be the man who occupies Evena’s thoughts, but he’s not the well-connected nobleman she needs to help her ailing father. And now, as they head to the altar, their friendship is in jeopardy, too! Could her convenient husband ever see her as more than a burden…and could their bond become something even more thrilling?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Proposals in Paris
Book 1: Marriage Bargain with the Comte
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Parker J. Cole
76 books212 followersI am an author, speaker, and radio show host with a fanatical obsession with the Lord, Star Trek, K-dramas, anime, romance books, old movies, speculative fiction, and knitting. I’ve finally kicked the off and on addiction to Mountain Dew and marshmallows.
Find out any and everything about me at my website, ParkerJCole.com
Find out any and everything about me at my website, ParkerJCole.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2025
I’m a certified Harlequin Historical fan, and when I saw this cover, I knew I had to read Marriage Bargain with the Comte.
Evena Baptiste, daughter of a wealthy landowner in Saint-Domingue, and Dieudonné, the Comte de Montreau, have been best friends since childhood. His family would spend part of the year in Saint-Domingue, where the two passed nearly all their time together. Everything changes when Evena is 17 and they share a passionate kiss—but they can never marry. Dieudonné is seeking a wife who can help him overcome the stigma of his illegitimate birth to a Creole mother. While Evena is wealthy, she is also Black and has no connections to the court at Versailles.
When Evena’s father’s health declines, her family decides to move to Paris to secure a match that will give him access to the king’s physician. Evena is excited to see Paris but dreads seeing Dieudonné—his wedding to an aristocratic woman should have taken place just before their arrival. But when the Baptistes reach his parents’ home, they discover the wedding never happened. Evena is thrown. If Dieudonné isn’t married, could they have a future? And what would that mean for her father’s health? When she and Dieudonné are caught in a compromising situation, she isn’t upset about the prospect of marrying him—but she’s deeply worried about what it could mean for her father and Dieudonné’s standing at court.
It’s rare to find historical romance outside the Regency (1795–1837) or Victorian (1837–1901) eras, so when I spot one, I’m immediately intrigued. This book takes place in 1774, the first year of King Louis XVI’s reign—a time of discontent in France as the general population faced economic hardship and high taxes while the wealthy looked away. In Saint-Domingue, similar unrest brewed after an earthquake several years earlier and a severe drought. Both countries were on the brink of revolutions. At the center of this story are two mixed-race members of the French aristocracy, always kept slightly apart due to race and Dieudonné’s illegitimate birth. While Parker J. Cole doesn’t delve deeply into the era’s economic troubles or revolutionary beginnings, readers with historical context will find the backdrop adds a richer layer to the story.
Marriage Bargain with the Comte delivers exactly what I hope for in a Harlequin Historical: plot-driven pacing, compelling characters, and a satisfying level of spice. Friends-to-lovers can be a tough sell for me because the reasons for keeping the couple apart often feel flimsy—but here, Dieudonné’s stance is clear from the start. He believes he needs a wife with a certain social standing, and no matter how he feels about Evena, she doesn’t fit that mold. He’s so mired in old wounds from his school days, when he was teased for his illegitimacy and Creole heritage, that he can’t see what’s been right in front of him all along: Evena.
If you love a heroine who is unapologetically herself, you’ll enjoy Evena. She’s passionate, fierce, and refuses to let the men in her life (looking at you, Dieudonné) derail her future. She’ll do almost anything for the people she loves. I especially appreciated her narration. We first meet her as a teenager and later see her as a young woman, with Parker J. Cole deftly showing how she’s matured in the intervening years.
Fans of unusual historical romance, pick this one up. This was my first Parker J. Cole novel, but it won’t be my last. 4.5 stars.
Evena Baptiste, daughter of a wealthy landowner in Saint-Domingue, and Dieudonné, the Comte de Montreau, have been best friends since childhood. His family would spend part of the year in Saint-Domingue, where the two passed nearly all their time together. Everything changes when Evena is 17 and they share a passionate kiss—but they can never marry. Dieudonné is seeking a wife who can help him overcome the stigma of his illegitimate birth to a Creole mother. While Evena is wealthy, she is also Black and has no connections to the court at Versailles.
When Evena’s father’s health declines, her family decides to move to Paris to secure a match that will give him access to the king’s physician. Evena is excited to see Paris but dreads seeing Dieudonné—his wedding to an aristocratic woman should have taken place just before their arrival. But when the Baptistes reach his parents’ home, they discover the wedding never happened. Evena is thrown. If Dieudonné isn’t married, could they have a future? And what would that mean for her father’s health? When she and Dieudonné are caught in a compromising situation, she isn’t upset about the prospect of marrying him—but she’s deeply worried about what it could mean for her father and Dieudonné’s standing at court.
It’s rare to find historical romance outside the Regency (1795–1837) or Victorian (1837–1901) eras, so when I spot one, I’m immediately intrigued. This book takes place in 1774, the first year of King Louis XVI’s reign—a time of discontent in France as the general population faced economic hardship and high taxes while the wealthy looked away. In Saint-Domingue, similar unrest brewed after an earthquake several years earlier and a severe drought. Both countries were on the brink of revolutions. At the center of this story are two mixed-race members of the French aristocracy, always kept slightly apart due to race and Dieudonné’s illegitimate birth. While Parker J. Cole doesn’t delve deeply into the era’s economic troubles or revolutionary beginnings, readers with historical context will find the backdrop adds a richer layer to the story.
Marriage Bargain with the Comte delivers exactly what I hope for in a Harlequin Historical: plot-driven pacing, compelling characters, and a satisfying level of spice. Friends-to-lovers can be a tough sell for me because the reasons for keeping the couple apart often feel flimsy—but here, Dieudonné’s stance is clear from the start. He believes he needs a wife with a certain social standing, and no matter how he feels about Evena, she doesn’t fit that mold. He’s so mired in old wounds from his school days, when he was teased for his illegitimacy and Creole heritage, that he can’t see what’s been right in front of him all along: Evena.
If you love a heroine who is unapologetically herself, you’ll enjoy Evena. She’s passionate, fierce, and refuses to let the men in her life (looking at you, Dieudonné) derail her future. She’ll do almost anything for the people she loves. I especially appreciated her narration. We first meet her as a teenager and later see her as a young woman, with Parker J. Cole deftly showing how she’s matured in the intervening years.
Fans of unusual historical romance, pick this one up. This was my first Parker J. Cole novel, but it won’t be my last. 4.5 stars.
May 24, 2025
Good friends-to-lovers romance in an unusual setting. It begins in Saint-Domingue (current-day Haiti) and moves to Paris in the 1770s, a little-used era in the Harlequin Historical line. It was refreshing to step outside the Regency period. I liked learning more about these two locations and people. I do wonder about their fates in the coming years of unrest.
Dieudonné is the illegitimate son of a French nobleman, raised by his aunt and uncle. Though illegitimate, he inherited his father's title (we find out why eventually). Though raised primarily in France, his aunt and uncle also own property in Saint-Domingue, where they frequently visit. Dieudonné and the girl next door, Evena, have been best friends since childhood. The book opens with a visit in 1769 when Dieudonné is twenty-one, and Evena is seventeen. Suddenly, he sees her in a whole new light.
Evena is a beautiful and outgoing young woman who adores her best friend. But something changed with this visit, and he stirs feelings she doesn't understand. An impulsive kiss changes everything. Both try to forget, but the memory is there between them.
Five years later, they meet again when Evena and her family travel to Paris. Her father developed a mysterious illness, and they hope to gain access to the King's doctor for his help. That access requires Evena to marry a well-connected nobleman despite her attraction to Dieudonné. At the same time, he wants to marry a well-connected Frenchwoman who can give him the legitimacy he needs for respectability. His first attempt ended with him being left at the altar.
The development of Evena and Dieudonné's relationship was enjoyable and frustrating. Their connection and attraction remain strong, but their goals create an insurmountable obstacle. Dieudonné has trouble controlling his attraction to Evena and copes by avoiding her whenever possible, which strains their friendship. However, Dieudonné is there when Evena's "suitor" attempts to ruin her and rescues her, only to compromise her himself. Marriage to each other is their only option.
Once they marry, each spends an inordinate amount of time beating themselves up for ruining the other's plans. Frequent misunderstandings prevent them from actually talking to each other about their situation and feelings. Dieudonné frustrated me with his frequent response of "not now" whenever Evena tried to speak to him about it. He wasted so much time because he thought she would reject him. I liked Evena's strength of will in taking charge of her life and doing what she thought would help him. I liked how her support helped him see he was chasing the wrong thing. The ending brought several surprises before they found their way to their desired future. The epilogue was good.
Evena's twin sister, Sophiette, intrigues me. She is very different from Evena in that she prefers to be alone. I liked how she clearly sees Evena and Dieudonné and tries to help them through their issues. I look forward to her story and the man who wins her heart.
Dieudonné is the illegitimate son of a French nobleman, raised by his aunt and uncle. Though illegitimate, he inherited his father's title (we find out why eventually). Though raised primarily in France, his aunt and uncle also own property in Saint-Domingue, where they frequently visit. Dieudonné and the girl next door, Evena, have been best friends since childhood. The book opens with a visit in 1769 when Dieudonné is twenty-one, and Evena is seventeen. Suddenly, he sees her in a whole new light.
Evena is a beautiful and outgoing young woman who adores her best friend. But something changed with this visit, and he stirs feelings she doesn't understand. An impulsive kiss changes everything. Both try to forget, but the memory is there between them.
Five years later, they meet again when Evena and her family travel to Paris. Her father developed a mysterious illness, and they hope to gain access to the King's doctor for his help. That access requires Evena to marry a well-connected nobleman despite her attraction to Dieudonné. At the same time, he wants to marry a well-connected Frenchwoman who can give him the legitimacy he needs for respectability. His first attempt ended with him being left at the altar.
The development of Evena and Dieudonné's relationship was enjoyable and frustrating. Their connection and attraction remain strong, but their goals create an insurmountable obstacle. Dieudonné has trouble controlling his attraction to Evena and copes by avoiding her whenever possible, which strains their friendship. However, Dieudonné is there when Evena's "suitor" attempts to ruin her and rescues her, only to compromise her himself. Marriage to each other is their only option.
Once they marry, each spends an inordinate amount of time beating themselves up for ruining the other's plans. Frequent misunderstandings prevent them from actually talking to each other about their situation and feelings. Dieudonné frustrated me with his frequent response of "not now" whenever Evena tried to speak to him about it. He wasted so much time because he thought she would reject him. I liked Evena's strength of will in taking charge of her life and doing what she thought would help him. I liked how her support helped him see he was chasing the wrong thing. The ending brought several surprises before they found their way to their desired future. The epilogue was good.
Evena's twin sister, Sophiette, intrigues me. She is very different from Evena in that she prefers to be alone. I liked how she clearly sees Evena and Dieudonné and tries to help them through their issues. I look forward to her story and the man who wins her heart.
June 23, 2025
The Marriage Bargain with the Comte by Parker J. Cole delivers a delicious mix of angst, betrayal, and longing. If you loved Bridgerton, you’ll likely enjoy this historical romance too. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
The story follows Dieudionné and Evena, childhood best friends from the island of Saint-Domingue whose bond has clearly deepened into love. There’s no ambiguity—they’re into each other, and everyone knows it. One of the standout moments is a steamy, rain-soaked scene that sets the tone for their chemistry.
But love doesn’t come easy. Dieudionné, born a bastard, is determined to climb the ranks of nobility and seeks to marry into a powerful family. Evena, who always dreamed of marrying for love, finds herself needing to wed someone with access to the king in order to advocate for her ailing father. Both of them enter strategic relationships for survival—and both get completely played.
What’s wild is that they end up married to each other, against their wills, even though their love for each other is obvious. It’s messy. It’s dramatic. It’s so good.
What I loved:
The angst. I don’t usually gravitate toward high-drama romances, but it really worked here. The emotional stakes were high, and I felt fully invested in both leads. I also appreciated how honest Dieudionné and Evena were with their respective suitors—only to be betrayed. That emotional fallout made for compelling tension.
What was eh:
Some of the scene transitions felt abrupt. At times, it was hard to track where we were or who was speaking, which might be due to the formatting of the ARC. Still, it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience.
This is a rich, dramatic historical romance with complex characters and emotional depth.
Thank you to Harlequin Historical for this e-ARC. This is my honest review.
The story follows Dieudionné and Evena, childhood best friends from the island of Saint-Domingue whose bond has clearly deepened into love. There’s no ambiguity—they’re into each other, and everyone knows it. One of the standout moments is a steamy, rain-soaked scene that sets the tone for their chemistry.
But love doesn’t come easy. Dieudionné, born a bastard, is determined to climb the ranks of nobility and seeks to marry into a powerful family. Evena, who always dreamed of marrying for love, finds herself needing to wed someone with access to the king in order to advocate for her ailing father. Both of them enter strategic relationships for survival—and both get completely played.
What’s wild is that they end up married to each other, against their wills, even though their love for each other is obvious. It’s messy. It’s dramatic. It’s so good.
What I loved:
The angst. I don’t usually gravitate toward high-drama romances, but it really worked here. The emotional stakes were high, and I felt fully invested in both leads. I also appreciated how honest Dieudionné and Evena were with their respective suitors—only to be betrayed. That emotional fallout made for compelling tension.
What was eh:
Some of the scene transitions felt abrupt. At times, it was hard to track where we were or who was speaking, which might be due to the formatting of the ARC. Still, it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience.
This is a rich, dramatic historical romance with complex characters and emotional depth.
Thank you to Harlequin Historical for this e-ARC. This is my honest review.
January 31, 2025
I liked a ton of things about this book. First of all, the history was on point, both the portions that take place on Saint-Domingue (the former name of Haiti) and in Paris. I absolutely loved reading about Haitian traditional food and fashion - Evena wears a tignon, a fashionable headwrap, instead of a towering wig with her 18th Century panniers - thought the depiction of Creole society on the island was super fascinating, and especially loved the use of kreyòl throughout instead of just relying on standard French. The French history was also accurate, including a courtesy title for an illegitimate child. Yes, Evena is an heiress and daughter of a plantation owner, but Parker J. Cole allows us to suspend our disbelief by making the plantation a cooperative venture without slavery.
The story is a straightforward friends to lovers romance: both Dieudonné and Evena acknowledge their mutual attraction but are set on marriage of convenience based on their own goals. Dieudonné interrupts a ruination scheme only to be caught in a scandalous embrace with Evena after. Oops!
I was a little frustrated that once Evena and Dieudonné are married there is a sequence of miscommunications that was harder to believe than the slight glosses of history. (Speaking of that - I do have to admit that an aristocratic romance set in 1770s France makes me nervous for the couple's future, but I realize that I just need to deep breathe through my discomfort.)
If you liked the BIPOC rep in Netflix Bridgerton but have a hankering for something more grounded in history, I definitely recommend this one!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
The story is a straightforward friends to lovers romance: both Dieudonné and Evena acknowledge their mutual attraction but are set on marriage of convenience based on their own goals. Dieudonné interrupts a ruination scheme only to be caught in a scandalous embrace with Evena after. Oops!
I was a little frustrated that once Evena and Dieudonné are married there is a sequence of miscommunications that was harder to believe than the slight glosses of history. (Speaking of that - I do have to admit that an aristocratic romance set in 1770s France makes me nervous for the couple's future, but I realize that I just need to deep breathe through my discomfort.)
If you liked the BIPOC rep in Netflix Bridgerton but have a hankering for something more grounded in history, I definitely recommend this one!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
April 9, 2025
3.5 stars. An interesting picture of late-1700s life with a beautiful romance.
The Comte of Montreau saves his friend from a disreputable suitor, but then ends up compromising her himself. Now they're focused to wed. But she needs a well-connected nobleman to help her ailing father and he wants someone to help him gain more respectability with the court. Will their forced bond become something more?
To me, the biggest strength of this book is the setting. We get a picture of the beautiful, lush landscape of Saint-Domingue (with some creative license so that our characters are not involved in slavery). Then we experience the colors and extravagance of Paris. While the story deals with some of the racism and classism that was very much a part of the late 1700s in France and its territories, it was nice to see this nuanced and slightly modernized version. We don't get nearly enough stories from either of these places (or with characters who aren't white) in historical romance, so I'm so glad to get to read this story.
I did struggle a bit more with the romance. Admittedly, miscommunication is a major issue for me. It was so frustrating to have such a lack of communication when they were friends for their entire lives. I wish we got to see more of them building on that friendship throughout the book.
Overall, if you enjoy historical romance and want something that gives you a setting we don't get very often, definitely give this one a try. It's a quick read that will make you want to visit warm islands.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Historical for an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
The Comte of Montreau saves his friend from a disreputable suitor, but then ends up compromising her himself. Now they're focused to wed. But she needs a well-connected nobleman to help her ailing father and he wants someone to help him gain more respectability with the court. Will their forced bond become something more?
To me, the biggest strength of this book is the setting. We get a picture of the beautiful, lush landscape of Saint-Domingue (with some creative license so that our characters are not involved in slavery). Then we experience the colors and extravagance of Paris. While the story deals with some of the racism and classism that was very much a part of the late 1700s in France and its territories, it was nice to see this nuanced and slightly modernized version. We don't get nearly enough stories from either of these places (or with characters who aren't white) in historical romance, so I'm so glad to get to read this story.
I did struggle a bit more with the romance. Admittedly, miscommunication is a major issue for me. It was so frustrating to have such a lack of communication when they were friends for their entire lives. I wish we got to see more of them building on that friendship throughout the book.
Overall, if you enjoy historical romance and want something that gives you a setting we don't get very often, definitely give this one a try. It's a quick read that will make you want to visit warm islands.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Historical for an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2025
Evena Baptiste has always been close friends with Dieudonné, Comte de Montreau. Five years after their most recent visit though, when she reunites with Dieudonné, he's just been jilted and she's all but engaged to someone else. But they can't quite stay away from one another, despite his insistence that to be accepted by French Society as a Creole bastard he needs to marry someone with stronger societal connections.
Marriage Bargain with the Comte starts in Saint-Domingue 1769, or present-day Haiti, and takes us to Paris 1774, where we get a glimpse of a pre-revolutionary society (and even an on-page appearance by King Louis XVI). I loved peering into a different era and society than usual. Parker J Cole examines the concerns that mixed-race Dieudonné faces, using them as both core identity and the conflict he grapples with throughout his character arc. Evena's father is wealthy, so her racial heritage is less of a concern in her own eyes, though she recognizes she is somewhat of a novelty to French society, she uses that to her advantage to make connections.
The bulk of the conflict hinges on miscommunication. The good news is that they are forced to learn to communicate, though in a category-length romance, there's not as much exploration of communication as there is telling-not-showing via resolution. The miscommunication is very believable, but I do wish Dieudonné wouldn't have kept saying "not now" to discussing Evena's concerns.
Pick this up for its rich history, unique setting, and racial diversity in historical romance!
Thank you to Harlequin for an eARC for review. Marriage Bargain with the Comte is out 4/29/25.
Marriage Bargain with the Comte starts in Saint-Domingue 1769, or present-day Haiti, and takes us to Paris 1774, where we get a glimpse of a pre-revolutionary society (and even an on-page appearance by King Louis XVI). I loved peering into a different era and society than usual. Parker J Cole examines the concerns that mixed-race Dieudonné faces, using them as both core identity and the conflict he grapples with throughout his character arc. Evena's father is wealthy, so her racial heritage is less of a concern in her own eyes, though she recognizes she is somewhat of a novelty to French society, she uses that to her advantage to make connections.
The bulk of the conflict hinges on miscommunication. The good news is that they are forced to learn to communicate, though in a category-length romance, there's not as much exploration of communication as there is telling-not-showing via resolution. The miscommunication is very believable, but I do wish Dieudonné wouldn't have kept saying "not now" to discussing Evena's concerns.
Pick this up for its rich history, unique setting, and racial diversity in historical romance!
Thank you to Harlequin for an eARC for review. Marriage Bargain with the Comte is out 4/29/25.
August 14, 2025
My first read from this author and it won't be my last! Finally a historical romance not set in regency. For some reason historical fiction can have many time periods but romance is just stuck in one time period. Nothing wrong with Regency but still there is more to explore!
I loved the setting of Pre-Revolutionary France. The hero and heroine's familiy ties are in Haiti (Saint Domingue) and they move over to Paris and live adjacent to the French nobility. Without spoilers, the main characters get caught into a compromising position and are conlucded to wed for the sake of propriety and reputation. I loved how this one unfolded. Not very predicatble like this genre can be at times. The story starts of in Haiti and five years later the families are in France. You have a Black or mixed race man who is looking for acceptance in French society, desperate to fit in and his best friend whose loved him her whole life just trying to help those around her and find happiness of her own.
The side characters were great too. Especially, the FMC twin sister Sophiette. I can't wait to read her story.
I liked Dieudonne and Evena a lot and look forward to returning to this world.
I loved the setting of Pre-Revolutionary France. The hero and heroine's familiy ties are in Haiti (Saint Domingue) and they move over to Paris and live adjacent to the French nobility. Without spoilers, the main characters get caught into a compromising position and are conlucded to wed for the sake of propriety and reputation. I loved how this one unfolded. Not very predicatble like this genre can be at times. The story starts of in Haiti and five years later the families are in France. You have a Black or mixed race man who is looking for acceptance in French society, desperate to fit in and his best friend whose loved him her whole life just trying to help those around her and find happiness of her own.
The side characters were great too. Especially, the FMC twin sister Sophiette. I can't wait to read her story.
I liked Dieudonne and Evena a lot and look forward to returning to this world.
Read
May 7, 2025Heat Factor: Compromised! And then we can’t communicate with our mouths OR our bodies.
Character Chemistry: For best friends, they are awfully bad at talking to each other.
Plot: Evena needs a husband with clout who can get her an in at the French court; Dieudonné needs a wife with clout who can get him an in at the French court. Too bad they’re in love with each other and also in denial about it.
Overall: My inability to turn off my history brain really impeded my enjoyment of this one.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Pinterest
Character Chemistry: For best friends, they are awfully bad at talking to each other.
Plot: Evena needs a husband with clout who can get her an in at the French court; Dieudonné needs a wife with clout who can get him an in at the French court. Too bad they’re in love with each other and also in denial about it.
Overall: My inability to turn off my history brain really impeded my enjoyment of this one.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Pinterest
July 28, 2025
Perfect for fans of Adrianna Herrera’s Las Leonas and Season 1 of Bridgerton, Parker J. Cole gives us a fresh friends to lovers romance.
Taking place in Saint- Domingue (aka Haiti) and pre-Revolutionary France, Marriage Bargain with the Comte follows childhood friends Evena and Dieudonné. The book opens with Dieudonné visiting the island the summer Evena and Dieudonné realize their pull toward each other may be more than friendship. However, due to his illegitimate birth, Dieudonné is determined to make a match worthy of society eating their words and pulls away. But years down the line finds Dieudonné coming out of a failed engagement just as Evena has arrived in Paris to seemingly make an arranged marriage for the benefit of her father’s ailing health. But the arrangement, and the man Evena has yet to meet, may not be all it’s cracked up to be, and Dieudonné and Evena find themselves drawn to each other still.
I very much appreciated the unique setting here, and while it was constrained by the category requirements and a plot that covered a lot of ground, I would have loved to explore more of the world, and establish the unique social circles of both Saint- Somingue and Paris more intimately, if it was a longer novel. Still, I think it did a great job with the space it had.
We do cover a lot of ground here, and the marriage bargain element does feel like it factors in a little late considering the title, but I am a sucker for a marriage of convenience. The friends to lovers element raises the stakes in a way I wasn’t anticipating and very much enjoyed.
There is miscommunication toward the end that could be frustrating, but I also appreciate that it is born of both wanting the best for the other based on previously communicated desires.
The conflict with Dieudonné and his adopted parents was one of my favorite explorations of the book, especially as their love for him was clear. I loved both families in this and hope we get to see more of both.
Taking place in Saint- Domingue (aka Haiti) and pre-Revolutionary France, Marriage Bargain with the Comte follows childhood friends Evena and Dieudonné. The book opens with Dieudonné visiting the island the summer Evena and Dieudonné realize their pull toward each other may be more than friendship. However, due to his illegitimate birth, Dieudonné is determined to make a match worthy of society eating their words and pulls away. But years down the line finds Dieudonné coming out of a failed engagement just as Evena has arrived in Paris to seemingly make an arranged marriage for the benefit of her father’s ailing health. But the arrangement, and the man Evena has yet to meet, may not be all it’s cracked up to be, and Dieudonné and Evena find themselves drawn to each other still.
I very much appreciated the unique setting here, and while it was constrained by the category requirements and a plot that covered a lot of ground, I would have loved to explore more of the world, and establish the unique social circles of both Saint- Somingue and Paris more intimately, if it was a longer novel. Still, I think it did a great job with the space it had.
We do cover a lot of ground here, and the marriage bargain element does feel like it factors in a little late considering the title, but I am a sucker for a marriage of convenience. The friends to lovers element raises the stakes in a way I wasn’t anticipating and very much enjoyed.
There is miscommunication toward the end that could be frustrating, but I also appreciate that it is born of both wanting the best for the other based on previously communicated desires.
The conflict with Dieudonné and his adopted parents was one of my favorite explorations of the book, especially as their love for him was clear. I loved both families in this and hope we get to see more of both.
June 19, 2025
I mean, it does what it says on the tin.
These two idiots are clearly in love for basically the whole book and fail to communicate about it for approximately as long, so each longs for the other while feeling rejected. That trope *can* work, but doesn’t work as well for me here, in part because there isn’t enough else going on to distract and explain why they fail to communicate for this long, and in part because what replaces them communicating to each other is an awful lot of “mean voice in own head” for both of them, and even more of him blowing VERY hot and the ICILY cold, and all of that is just a horrible bummer.
These two idiots are clearly in love for basically the whole book and fail to communicate about it for approximately as long, so each longs for the other while feeling rejected. That trope *can* work, but doesn’t work as well for me here, in part because there isn’t enough else going on to distract and explain why they fail to communicate for this long, and in part because what replaces them communicating to each other is an awful lot of “mean voice in own head” for both of them, and even more of him blowing VERY hot and the ICILY cold, and all of that is just a horrible bummer.
April 17, 2025
While rescuing heiress Evena from a scoundrel, the Comte de Montreau accidentally compromises her. Their hasty union threatens their friendship, forcing them to question whether their convenient marriage can blossom into something more.
This story is innovative and deeply emotional. Evena and Dieudonné have strong chemistry but don’t always communicate as openly as they could. If you love friends-to-lovers and marriage of convenience, this book is for you.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This story is innovative and deeply emotional. Evena and Dieudonné have strong chemistry but don’t always communicate as openly as they could. If you love friends-to-lovers and marriage of convenience, this book is for you.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
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June 2, 2025I heard about this author (and maybe this book??) on one of the podcasts I listen to.
I greatly appreciated the less than usual setting(s) for this book - Saint Domingue and the Paris of Louis XVI.
I always find lack of communication and ensuing misunderstandings between the main characters irritating, and this was the case here. As this took quite a bit of room, this was not my favorite.
This being said it's refreshing (and essential) that issues of racism and prejudice be dealt with honestly in the romance genre as well as elsewhere, so that was good to find.
I greatly appreciated the less than usual setting(s) for this book - Saint Domingue and the Paris of Louis XVI.
I always find lack of communication and ensuing misunderstandings between the main characters irritating, and this was the case here. As this took quite a bit of room, this was not my favorite.
This being said it's refreshing (and essential) that issues of racism and prejudice be dealt with honestly in the romance genre as well as elsewhere, so that was good to find.
June 18, 2025
This was an interesting take on regency romance, particularly with the intercontinental bent. I loved the French tidbits, particularly how Dieudonné's parents call him mon fils (my son.)
However, it relies heavily on the miscommunication trope which is not my jam. I would have loved a pronunciation guide at the beginning!
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
However, it relies heavily on the miscommunication trope which is not my jam. I would have loved a pronunciation guide at the beginning!
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
July 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I was super intrigued by the time period and location of the romance. 1700’s France and Haiti is not well represented in romance so I knew I had to pick this one up when I saw it. It was dramatic and filled with the classic historical romance miscommunication. I’ll be interested to read the next book in the series.
I was super intrigued by the time period and location of the romance. 1700’s France and Haiti is not well represented in romance so I knew I had to pick this one up when I saw it. It was dramatic and filled with the classic historical romance miscommunication. I’ll be interested to read the next book in the series.
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April 1, 2025Historical Fiction, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Sagas, Historical Romance
Miniseries
Proposals in Paris (Book #1)
Miniseries
Proposals in Paris (Book #1)
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