The Bellerose Bargain

by Robyn Carr

In Restoration England, during the reign of Charles II, Alicia, a young tavern maid with a mysterious background, is asked to pose as Lady Charlotte Bellamy, heiress to the Bellerose estate, and to marry Lord Geoffrey Seavers

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, 17th Century, Audiobook

319 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.

Reviews

[Vivisection · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never has any hero in the history of heroes needed a kick right in the jimmy. And the missish doormat of a heroine? A kick to the beaver.

Insipid, insipid, dare I say it, INSIPID people.

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a $1.99 Nook book after someone mentioned it on the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers group. It has a typical romance set up of people pretending to be someone else, arranged marriage etc. etc. but it was more original and engaging than most. The character of Alicia is strong and refreshing. Her soul mate, Geoffrey, although horribly flawed is still lovable. Geoffrey is more like a real man than most other romantic leads I have read. There is also a nice story of family love and a brother's devotion to find his long lost sister. At times the story was predictable but still fun to read. Historically, it begins in England during the reign of King Charles, after he regains the throne, and ends in the Virginia colony. Charles, as the most prominent historical figure, weaves in and out of the story as he arranges Alicia and Geoffrey's marriage, sends Geoffrey off to fight the Dutch and perhaps ruins all hope of happiness for the couple. This is the first novel I have read by Robyn Carr but I plan to read others.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe how long it's taken me to post my review. Whoops.

So this annoyed me slightly at times. But then I don't often read historical romances. So that's probably why I got annoyed at times.

All in all, it was enjoyable though.

I think I remember having issues with the time setting. It felt too modern for being set when it was.

I remember the main male being an ass. I don't think I was too fond of him.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good story but Alicia did turn into a bit of a spoiled brat once she got to America. I could have done without her lengthy time of stupidity towards Geoffrey and her family's attitude towards marriage.

[Lisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Robyn Carr and I hope she continues to write more historical romance. I have enjoyed many of her other series of books and would love to see a historical romance series by her. Thank you Robyn for another fabulous book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting storyline that is able to maintain your interest

[SaturNalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alicia is a tavern maid, who is chosen to be Lord Geoffrey's bride so he can gain control of some property and money. Alicia is attracted to Geoffrey immediately, but Geoffrey is cold toward her. Story is epic and convoluted. Alicia is awesome, Geoffrey is a jerk but she loved him anyway. She makes him work for it at the end, by refusing him and slapping him but that makes him want her more. Secrets galore, twists a plenty just not enough of the main couple interacting.

[phoebess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't feel that much of chemistry between Alicia and Geoffrey. Well, I felt something else, like disgust or whatnot, with one particular idiosyncrasy in the end of almost every scene, not just chapters, and it really ruined my enjoyment of the book. The heroine often spoke to herself (and sadly, she wasn't the only one who did that) and I couldn't shake off the image of her, ugly crying in front of a window...
I was imagining something like this:

Any character (but mostly Alicia) in this book: (*sighing deeply*) I know you've just... (*sobbing silently*) read that scene... (*blowing her nose*) but I feel like I should... (*sobbing loudly*) sum it up for you... (*crying earnestly*) so you know what's what. (*ugly crying*)
Me: (*ugh*)

[LaSibila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó! Tiene trama, suspenso, secretos, e intrigas. Una damisela que busca forjarse un futuro diferente que casarse con un granjero, termina tomando la identidad de otra mujer para obtener la herencia (bajo la condición de casarse con un noble). El relato describe Inglaterra y las colonias en América, piratas, comercio, la corte inglesa y la peste negra. Bravo por Alicia por dejarlo antes de saber quién es su verdadera familia. Bravo por el final también.
Lo que NO: Qué necesidad tenían de consumar el matrimonio con alguien más durmiendo en la misma habitación!!!???? Lo siento, tal vez en dicha época no había tanto drama, pero me desilusionó más que la actitud infantil de Jeffrey (QUE TIENE 30 AÑOS) y que no quiere sentar cabeza (aunque reconoce que lo que está buscando es una novia con abolengo, es decir, de la nobleza, lo cual ella NO es)

[Teya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moja pierwsza przygoda z panią Carr i muszę przyznać, że jestem miło zaskoczona. Mimo charakterystycznej dla gatunku przewidywalności oraz odsłonięcia kart fabularnych na samym początku historii, postacie nigdy nie robiło do końca tego, czego od nich oczekiwałam. Bohaterka należy do nieprzewidywalnych, bohater to uparty samiec ze swoim skrzywionym planem na życie, ale jakoś to wszystko ma ręce i nogi.
Tym, co mnie zachwyciło w powieści, był język. Choć narracja zdawała się trochę zbyt oporna, przesłodzona i tautologiczna miejscami (niczego nie pozwalała nam się domyśleć samym, powtarzała wielokrotnie te same informacje z wzrastającą dosadnością), sam sposób układania niektórych wyrażeń osiągał chwilami granice minionej brytyjskości. Potrafili użyć czternastu słów twierdzących, żeby wyrazić nie, bardzo grzecznie naturalne. Jako miłośniczka stylizacji pozostaję pod wielkim wrażeniem.

[Patricia Solla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After receiving notice from the author that this story and another are being reissued (digital I think) I decided to see if the library system had a copy. This is an historical novel and it seems that the author began her career writing historical novels. This one was enjoyable. The story starts out in historical England and winds up in the 'colonies' in America. There's plenty of action to hold one's attention. Hmmm it's interesting to see a very young Robyn Carr picture on the inside cover of the back of the book jacket.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audible book, and it was an entertaining read. Although many scenes were predictable, the overall plot was not so it kept me listening. I haven't read anything else by Robyn Carr but I will look for more in the future.

[Cyndi Marie ☆★Audiobook Addict★☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review 🎧

This is not my favorite genre but it is my favorite author so I knew I had to give it a try and I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed this story. Usually I get bored with historical romance but I never lost interest in this one.

I am not knowledgeable about accents so I can't say if this was authentic but I can say I enjoyed it very much

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story set during the reign of King Charles II. Interesting plot and plenty of action with a good mix of romance and history. Tavern server Alicia is asked to pretend she is a lady so that Lord Geoffrey can collect a dowry to build ships.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Re read of a book I read as a teenager. Wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered. I can see why it appealed to that teen age self but it lacks substance and the characters were a little one dimensional. Glad I reread it though.

[VioletPetal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alicia is one of the best & most charming heroine I know. The hero however, is very immature and even with all the effort he made to get her back, he's still not my favourite. The only reason I manage to finish the book and even give it 4 (or more like 3.5) stars is Alicia.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satisfying romance novel

[Atunah]

Backlist title released on Kindle 6/21/12

[Jenn Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best, but still a good read.

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was overwrought. The premise became more absurd with each passing chapter. Upon reflection, the most likable characters had very minor roles. Three stars is perhaps generous.

[lily33 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok !

I did not like the hero ,if he could be called that , at all . He was immature ,selfish and cold towards the heroine . I also found the ending a little bit abrupt :( .

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical romance

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still strong and relateable characters, great story line, enjoyable read.

[Rochelle Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Geoffrey & Alica and how Alica becomes another prtson so Geoffrey gets the money to start his shipping business. Story ends with Alica finding her real family and getting tp know them.