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A Hasty Betrothal
A Practical Proposal
Though Lady Elizabeth Wayland would rather spend her days with her beloved books than an uncaring spouse, scandal forces her to find a match posthaste. To escape the scoundrel who almost ruined her, Elizabeth accepts an unconventional proposal from a childhood friend. But when she finds herself falling for her husband-to-be, will she be able to convince him to return her love?
Widowed cotton mill owner Miles Hawthorne vowed to never marry again—until Elizabeth's reputation is on the line. Their betrothal begins as a simple favor. As he spends more time with his fiancée, though, Miles finds that there's more to her than he ever saw before. And Elizabeth just might be the only woman who can slip into his heart.
Though Lady Elizabeth Wayland would rather spend her days with her beloved books than an uncaring spouse, scandal forces her to find a match posthaste. To escape the scoundrel who almost ruined her, Elizabeth accepts an unconventional proposal from a childhood friend. But when she finds herself falling for her husband-to-be, will she be able to convince him to return her love?
Widowed cotton mill owner Miles Hawthorne vowed to never marry again—until Elizabeth's reputation is on the line. Their betrothal begins as a simple favor. As he spends more time with his fiancée, though, Miles finds that there's more to her than he ever saw before. And Elizabeth just might be the only woman who can slip into his heart.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2016
16 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Nelson
13 books159 followersMy heart is filled with romantic stories, my shelves are loaded with chocolate and my lips are always longing for one more cup of Starbucks. Besides that, I write for Love Inspired Historical and am a happy mom to a bunch of little boys. I love connecting with readers and writers.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 21, 2016
Squeeeeaaaalllllllll!!!! A bibliophile heroine in Regency England -- can it get any better than that? Never mind the hero, I was swooning over Elizabeth's love of reading! "I simply want you to understand the great scope of stories. Their extraordinary ability to draw out the imagination, to teach life lessons and to inspire one to greater heights of creativity." (p 188) Yes! I love Elizabeth! Even though she finds it "very exhausting to be the heroine of her own story." (p. 279) I personally found it exhilarating! :-) I seriously got all swoony over the book references.
Mind you, Miles made me weak in the knees too. He could be gallant and charming one minute and brooding and distant the next. What a complicated man -- but -- oh my goodness, he has a tender heart, especially where Elizabeth is concerned. Though he can be a dunderhead about her as well. He's pegged her a certain way so she discombobulates him at every turn. Just when he gets his balance she lambasts him with something else. So much fun keeping up with their banter -- like watching a tennis match! Back and forth. Back and forth. Witty and riveting.
Stupendous fun -- a Regency romance not to be missed!
July 26, 2017
Quick romance that I read because I love the time period, and hey, she loves books!
The premise was excellent, and I enjoyed parts of it, but for the most part, the characters got on my nerve. I DID however love the subplot with the children, and the moral wrestling involved with that. I thought the author handled that beautifully.
The premise was excellent, and I enjoyed parts of it, but for the most part, the characters got on my nerve. I DID however love the subplot with the children, and the moral wrestling involved with that. I thought the author handled that beautifully.
July 26, 2016
I love stories set in the Regency time period! A Hasty Betrothal is a beautiful example of clean Regency fiction that is witty and romantic. I absolutely loved these two main characters and the situation they found themselves in. It was so easy to want them to both find the best in life, especially knowing the scars that they each carried.
Lady Elizabeth had a lot of inner uncertainty due to a very obvious birthmark. She weathered many hurtful gazes and comments in her young life. Miles carried his own inner turmoil due to the way he lost his first wife. What complicated emotions this man carried around with him! Guilt and blame, along with confusion, seemed to follow him and haunt his decisions. A Hasty Bethrothal tackles some deep topics and does so with grace.
But, through it all, I loved that Miles came to Elizabeth’s rescue, even when he was a bit hardheaded about it! The back and forth between these two was priceless and this was a story I loved from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Lady Elizabeth had a lot of inner uncertainty due to a very obvious birthmark. She weathered many hurtful gazes and comments in her young life. Miles carried his own inner turmoil due to the way he lost his first wife. What complicated emotions this man carried around with him! Guilt and blame, along with confusion, seemed to follow him and haunt his decisions. A Hasty Bethrothal tackles some deep topics and does so with grace.
But, through it all, I loved that Miles came to Elizabeth’s rescue, even when he was a bit hardheaded about it! The back and forth between these two was priceless and this was a story I loved from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
October 4, 2019
“How very exhausting to be the heroine in one’s own story.” Haha, yes it is! 😂😜
In the time of the ton, Elizabeth has a birth mark on her face causing others to stare. Because of the uncomfortableness, she loves books so much more than doing life.
“For that is all she wanted to do tonight. Curl up in a chair and find another world in which the heroine won the hero, in which he felt for her as she did for him. A world in which the story ended as it should, with the villain destroyed and the hero triumphant.”
But by the end, the Bibliophile (yes, she’s called that a few times 😁) realizes books are for enjoying but:
“She must persevere and live her life. Not continue hiding.”
I enjoyed the read 😊💜
In the time of the ton, Elizabeth has a birth mark on her face causing others to stare. Because of the uncomfortableness, she loves books so much more than doing life.
“For that is all she wanted to do tonight. Curl up in a chair and find another world in which the heroine won the hero, in which he felt for her as she did for him. A world in which the story ended as it should, with the villain destroyed and the hero triumphant.”
But by the end, the Bibliophile (yes, she’s called that a few times 😁) realizes books are for enjoying but:
“She must persevere and live her life. Not continue hiding.”
I enjoyed the read 😊💜
October 19, 2016
Elizabeth serves as a strong lead with an even stronger love of reading who refuses to let anyone hold her back, including herself? I found her to be an extremely relatable character in this and many other ways. While all of us do not have such an obvious reason for self-consciousness, it is still something that all of us struggle with. Miles is an unlikely hero for our bibliophile heroine, yet their attempts at avoiding love land them squarely in one another's path. The marriage of "convenience" that was anything but convenient kept me on my literary toes. I was never sure which of our betrothed was going to ruin things first, or worst, or if they would ever figure out how to just enjoy being. The historical elements were woven (seemingly) effortlessly throughout the text and served to really bring the story to life. With the constant concerns for appearances and propriety I found myself both cringing and laughing at the archaic dating habits that society has almost entirely abandoned. I'm not sure which would be more painful to endure; fancy balls and elaborate courting attempts or netflix and chill requests... A Hasty Betrothal is most assuredly the quintessential book to read as you curl up on the couch and indulge in some chocolate and wine.
September 17, 2017
Full disclosure, I got this book as a free gift from Harlequin after sending in a slip thing, but they didn't specifically choose me to send it to for review or anything.
This was a pretty cute story. Parts of it were predictable, but there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's still enjoyable, and it was still enjoyable. It's about a hasty marriage of convenience between two people, so the woman could avoid becoming a "ruined woman" in the public eye, which is an annoying idea, but it also works with the time period, so I can't be mad about it, really. Everything in regards to the couple and how they interact is obvious and predictable, but again, it didn't bother me, because I liked the characters. The protagonist is a shy bookworm and her love interest is an old childhood friend of hers that happens to be a successful businessman. It's definitely a cute Christian romance, and worth a read if you're in the mood for something light and fluffy.
This was a pretty cute story. Parts of it were predictable, but there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's still enjoyable, and it was still enjoyable. It's about a hasty marriage of convenience between two people, so the woman could avoid becoming a "ruined woman" in the public eye, which is an annoying idea, but it also works with the time period, so I can't be mad about it, really. Everything in regards to the couple and how they interact is obvious and predictable, but again, it didn't bother me, because I liked the characters. The protagonist is a shy bookworm and her love interest is an old childhood friend of hers that happens to be a successful businessman. It's definitely a cute Christian romance, and worth a read if you're in the mood for something light and fluffy.
February 4, 2018
A Hasty Betrothal by Jessica Nelson. Miles Hawthorne is a widower and vows never to marry again and he owns several cotton mills. One he just purchased and is trying to bring it up to standard. There are children working at this plant. He wants to change that.
When childhood friend Lady Elizabeth Wayland is at a party she goes to the garden by herself. A man follows her and tries kissing her. Miles follows and knocks him down to protect Elizabeth. The bad guy spreads rumors about Elizabeth. Miles agrees to marry her in name only.
A romance happens. Miles cotton mill he just bought burns. The guy running it cheated Miles and took off with Miles money. Elizabeth is teaching the children at the mill to read. A very touching story. A good read.
When childhood friend Lady Elizabeth Wayland is at a party she goes to the garden by herself. A man follows her and tries kissing her. Miles follows and knocks him down to protect Elizabeth. The bad guy spreads rumors about Elizabeth. Miles agrees to marry her in name only.
A romance happens. Miles cotton mill he just bought burns. The guy running it cheated Miles and took off with Miles money. Elizabeth is teaching the children at the mill to read. A very touching story. A good read.
October 16, 2017
Delightful and worthwhile.
In addition to being delightfully entertained by Jessica Nelson's stories, I always learn something from her expert weaving of history throughout her books. This time it was the inner workings of a textile factory and how it affected both employees and workers.
I loved Miles and Bitt and was entranced by their story. Although much like a roller coaster ride, the happy ending made up for all the careening about! I highly recommend this delightful novel.
In addition to being delightfully entertained by Jessica Nelson's stories, I always learn something from her expert weaving of history throughout her books. This time it was the inner workings of a textile factory and how it affected both employees and workers.
I loved Miles and Bitt and was entranced by their story. Although much like a roller coaster ride, the happy ending made up for all the careening about! I highly recommend this delightful novel.
March 20, 2020
First off that cover. Saw this at a bookstore and it sounded interesting. The two characters of Elizabeth and Miles I liked. There was some good moments and some frustrating moments.
You grow to like the characters and their arcs throughout the book. And one of them being a bookworm.
For some reason, I imagined Miles as Dan Stevens. A quick but really good read.
You grow to like the characters and their arcs throughout the book. And one of them being a bookworm.
For some reason, I imagined Miles as Dan Stevens. A quick but really good read.
June 30, 2018
This was a sweet love story that I didn’t want to end! I don’t recall how I stumbled upon this book but I fell in love with the characters and the story. I would really like to hear more about Bitt and Miles.
Any chance of a part 2, Ms. Nelson?
Any chance of a part 2, Ms. Nelson?
August 11, 2016
the bookworm n the realist clashing n annoying at times but a charming read
December 22, 2016
3.5 stars
January 7, 2017
Best of this genre I've ever read. Much more realistic than some of the other novels I've read through this publisher, but still sweet and romantic.
July 8, 2017
Absolutely loved it!
February 6, 2020
This had more depth than I had anticipated.
June 14, 2021
Interesting story. I liked the plot of it and the characters were good. Enjoyable read overall.
June 11, 2025
This book has charm and depth. It hooked me right away and I read it over just a couple of days (or should I say late nights!) I connected with and liked Bit and Miles, who were both realistically portrayed, and I could understand their dilemma, as well as their vacillating feelings. The story is set in the Regency Era of British history, like Jane Austen's novels, but I felt that Jessica Nelson gave me so much more insight into the time period than Austen's classics. Jessica deftly wove the conditions of mill workers at that time into her story, as well as the extreme need for propriety, along with the consequences of gossip. I appreciated Miles' compassion and how the book portrayed him as a caring business owner trying to help his workers have a better life while bringing to light the complicated situation both they and he faced. I liked how Miles appreciated Bit's intelligence, accounting abilities and initiative. It blessed me to see how Bit kept facing her fears to show Miles that she would be a worthy match --even just in name at first. This book is full of triumph over the stranglehold of past grief, as well as the box of self-imposed naivety. I'm so glad I discovered this author!
February 4, 2026
Wow, this had so much potential, but the main character was so obnoxious. She literally is so rude to everyone, doesn't take an interest in anyone or anything around her. Randomly has an interest in math. Controversial in that she says she doesn't leave the estate (I take it as the house) yet says she runs the households and visits the tenets. However, this girl never bothers to learn anyone's names? And when someone tells her that someone got injured she rushes to them but then doesn't care? Such a rude person. Also she cannot take constructive criticism to become a better person but thinks it is personally insulting her and her "hobbies" which just sounds like she lives a boring lonely life with her thoughts of woe is me. All her redeeming qualities are so overshadowed it seems like she has none. So rude to that poor fiance, almost ruins her family for selfish reasons. This girl uses what the fiance describes as a heart shaped birthmark to let that get in her way? Pfff she's the daughter of an earl and granddaughter of a duchess. People will respect you if you give them someone to respect you lousy girl. So basically stopped somewhere close/ish to half through because the main character was insufferable.
August 16, 2019
I'm probably rating this higher than it deserves because I read a few really disappointing romances recently, but oh well. It's an okay, VERY chaste Regency romance. Seriously, they BARELY kiss a total of 2 or 3 times. Don't get me wrong, Jane Austen is in my top 3 favorite authors so I don't *need* my romances to be explicit, but it helps because most most authors are no Jane Austen.
Also, leaving aside any personal beliefs I may have, I found the references to God and prayer rather awkwardly inserted. I know that there is a genre of Christian romances, and maybe this book is one (?), but it's generally not something I would intentionally choose to read.
Also, leaving aside any personal beliefs I may have, I found the references to God and prayer rather awkwardly inserted. I know that there is a genre of Christian romances, and maybe this book is one (?), but it's generally not something I would intentionally choose to read.
January 22, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
I really loved the main character's bookish nature and how self-conscious she was, both things I can relate to. I do wish her childhood relationship with her love interest would have been better explained; they were called nemeses multiple times, but I didn't really get that vibe from the flashbacks.
I really loved the main character's bookish nature and how self-conscious she was, both things I can relate to. I do wish her childhood relationship with her love interest would have been better explained; they were called nemeses multiple times, but I didn't really get that vibe from the flashbacks.
January 15, 2023
Just okay.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews