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A Reluctant Betrothal

(The Grantham Girls #3)

Amanda Weaver (Goodreads Author)

3.81 · Rating details · 171 ratings · 42 reviews

From the seaside villas of France to the sumptuous drawing rooms of London’s Victorian aristocracy comes a tale of star-crossed lovers desperate to escape their irresistible—and terribly inconvenient—passion

When Grace Godwyn is introduced to her soon-to-be fiancé’s closest friend, she can hardly keep from fainting. The man whose angry gaze confronts her is none other than ...more

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Kindle Edition, 226 pages

Published September 26th 2016 by Carina Press

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Aug 14, 2016 Norah Una Sumner rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star-read, arc-net-galley, covergasm, super-nice-authors, great-female-characters, great-male-characters, loss, love, 2016, new-adult

4.5 stars

It's a well known fact that I absolutely love The Grantham Girls and Amanda's writing, so it's not a surprise that I immensely enjoyed the third installment in this series! Grace (one of my all time favourite names... it reminds me of Jeff Buckley) is introduced to the 'dark side' of this world at a very young age. She's grown up fast and had to make her own way through the society, even though she's daughter of a viscount... but that doesn't seem to matter as she's orphaned and pennile ...more

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Aug 14, 2016 Zoe rated it liked it

A perfectly comfortable regency (kind of?) read one would expect. This is my first Amanda Weaver book. And I have read quite a few glowing reviews about her previous works. I suppose I am a harsher reader. I am not just looking for a well told story. I want to live and love , experience regrets and struggles. I want much more from my stories than a comfortable nice historical romance. I want to be swept off my feet.

I wasn't swept off my feet by Julian and Grace.

The writing is very promising tho A perfectly comfortable regency (kind of?) read one would expect. This is my first Amanda Weaver book. And I have read quite a few glowing reviews about her previous works. I suppose I am a harsher reader. I am not just looking for a well told story. I want to live and love , experience regrets and struggles. I want much more from my stories than a comfortable nice historical romance. I want to be swept off my feet.

I wasn't swept off my feet by Julian and Grace.

The writing is very promising though. Had the book packed more of a punch, I would have really liked the book. Grace was an orphan, a viscount's daughter down on her luck. Her only option was to marry well. Her friends from school both were happily married and now imagine how poor Gracie was feeling. Julian entered the scene, sharing one hot kiss with Grace in a dark alley not knowing each other's identity. They met later and Julian became an expert on what kind of a woman Grace was and why his friend and Grace would not suit. I found it extremely odd that Julian was so analytical about what would make a marriage work. Yeah he had his parents' unfortunate example to learn from. Still, I thought Julian's interest in what would make a marriage work unnatural. But that's just me.

Grace seemed too desperate and too much of an opportunist for me. I never like the plot of "poor girl has to marry well to save herself from becoming a mistress". It just smells too opportunistic for my romantic heart. I can live with a marriage of convenience. But a girl hunting for a husband, that is just bad form in my book. I am certain it doesn't seem that way to others. And each to his own, I have no issues if others find it enticing. Since this is my review, Grace is unfortunately, subject to my standards. I don't like a girl with a single mind hunting for a husband. Too scheming and too calculating. What makes it worse is that she was picky too. Now beggars can't be choosers. I like a practical mind, not a desperate, calculating mind. Grace was desperate. But no no no not anyone would do, because she was "a viscount's daughter!"

Julian was no peach either. He thought low of Grace based on lies from someone he didn't even respect. Now that's not very wise of you, my lordship. Aren't we being a tad too judgmental? Then Julian's obsession with Grace, I don't get it. The attraction didn't convince me. I was rolling my eyes and flipping through the pages, hoping to find a less clichéd paragraph.

This book seemed unremarkable to me. But I did think the writing was nice. If one was in the mind for a comfortable, simple, uncomplicated regency (or the likes, I didn't spend time on determining the time period) read, this is a good read.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. ...more

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Jul 24, 2016 Caz rated it really liked it

Shelves: aar, arc, romance-1850-1900s

I've given this a B at AAR.

Unlike the heroines of the other books in Amanda Weaver’s Grantham Girls series, the heroine of A Reluctant Betrothal is not an heiress. Grace Godwyn is the daughter of a viscount who gambled away his estate and fortune and who, following the death of her mother then she was four, spent her life living with her father in a succession of ever smaller, dingier homes, doing moonlit flits when he couldn’t find the money to pay the rent.

He died when Grace was fifteen, I've given this a B at AAR.

Unlike the heroines of the other books in Amanda Weaver’s Grantham Girls series, the heroine of A Reluctant Betrothal is not an heiress. Grace Godwyn is the daughter of a viscount who gambled away his estate and fortune and who, following the death of her mother then she was four, spent her life living with her father in a succession of ever smaller, dingier homes, doing moonlit flits when he couldn’t find the money to pay the rent.

He died when Grace was fifteen, leaving her alone and with nowhere to go, when a letter arrived informing her of the recent death of a great aunt who had set aside some money for Grace to be “finished” under the tutelage of Lady Grantham. In this way, Grace made the acquaintance of Victoria and Amelia (heroines of the previous books in the series) who are now her dearest friends, and was able to spend a few years among people of her own class. But Grace’s lack of funds and desire to postpone matrimony for a while meant that she was never sought out and is now in the awkward position of being unable to seek paid employment – that was not the done thing for a viscount’s daughter – while not having any other way of supporting herself.

Not wishing to live off Lady Grantham’s charity, Grace is managing by acting as an unpaid companion to older ladies of the ton. It is not quite employment – Grace attends the ladies as their “guest” - but it at least provides a roof over her head and regular meals. Her current hostess is Lady Marlbury, who is currently on holiday in the small town of Menton in the South of France, and whose son, Frederick, shows signs of being interested in Grace.

Desperate to obtain security and stability, Grace decides to encourage his attentions, hoping to elicit a marriage proposal. She has resigned herself to not being able to marry for love and knows that her chances of making a decent match are dwindling away. But her determination is shaken by a chance encounter one evening during a festival, when she is passionately kissed by an unknown but handsome reveller to whom she feels an almost overwhelming attraction. Back in the real world, however, Grace consigns the kiss to fond memory and concentrates on coaxing a proposal from Frederick Musgrave. She is shocked and insulted when the proposal is not an honourable one and immediately flees back to England to seek help from Lady Grantham.

Julian St. John, the newly minted Earl of Knighton, is in the South of France to settle the affairs of his late, reprobate father. As the son of a man who ran off with his mistress and ignored his responsibilities to family and title, Julian has spent most of his life trying not to be tarred with the same brush and takes his duties very seriously. He is active in parliament and is currently the primary supporter of a project in London which is designed to provide housing for many of the city’s less well-off inhabitants. In this, he is aided by an old friend, Lady Honor Chatham, whose father is well-respected in the House and whose support is bound to go a long way towards smoothing Julian’s path in politics and will help him to further erase the memories of his father’s self-indulgent, dissolute behaviour.

When Julian returns to England, he is surprised to discover that one of his closest friends, Rupert Humphrey, is on the verge of becoming engaged to the lovely, but penniless Miss Godwyn. Julian doesn’t know her, but is immediately worried that his friend – a sweet, generous, open-hearted young man – has been targeted by a fortune hunter. His fears are confirmed when he is introduced to Miss Godwyn and recognises her as the young woman whom Frederick Musgrave had claimed was his mistress – and the woman with whom Julian had shared a passionate kiss on a balmy evening in Menton.

Julian immediately determines to separate Grace from Rupert, and at the same time tries to convince himself that the intense attraction to her he had felt in France has not come roaring back to life. It’s clear that the fascination is mutual, but neither Grace nor Julian is prepared to explore the possibility of a relationship. Grace is committed to Rupert and while Julian is not officially spoken for, there is a general understanding in society that he will offer for Lady Honor. This is rather similar to the storyline in the previous book (A Common Scandal) in which the hero was convinced he needed to marry someone other than the woman who was so obviously perfect for him. But thankfully, the similarities end there. Julian and Grace have to fight different battles to be together and the author does not rely on the initial misunderstandings between them to create dramatic tension. In fact, they are refreshingly honest with each other, even when they are trading veiled insults; the tension instead comes from their expectations – of themselves, each other and of society. Grace really wants to stand on her own two feet, but her only option if she is not to starve is marriage; Julian wants to expunge society’s memories of his father by being the most proper, upstanding gentlemen in existence. Both of them have a hard time adjusting those expectations, but eventually realise that their love for each other is the most important thing.

Ms. Weaver writes very well – although the occasional Americanism and modern turn of phrase do creep in – and the sense of longing that she creates between her protagonists is palpable. But Grace’s continual assertions that Julian doesn’t really want her and will eventually tire of her are presumptuous and frustrating to read, even given her instinct for self-protection. And while It’s true that she does come across as somewhat mercenary, her reasons are completely understandable given the lack of options open to women at this period. Julian is an attractive hero, in spite of his determination to believe the worst of Grace at the outset, and I do rather enjoy watching a stoic man coming unravelled when he falls in love. As characters, they are both flawed and have a lot to learn about themselves, but they grow throughout the course of the book and their HEA feels well-deserved.

A Reluctant Betrothal is an entertaining and engaging story from one of the strongest new voices in historical romance. I look forward to reading more from Amanda Weaver. ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Lisazj1 rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, adult, google-books, favorite-series, hot-and-sexy, romance

I'm sorry to see this series end *unless maybe we can get a novella on Genevieve's surprise in the epilogue? please?*, I've loved each book!

Julian and Grace didn't work for me as much here. I spent a lot of the beginning massively annoyed with both of them, though to be fair, Grace's behavior was more due to the unfair constraints society placed on her *and Julian's boneheaded outlook*. Once Julian got a kick in the pants by his lovely American relatives, the end of the book was everything I cou ...more

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Jul 15, 2016 Em rated it really liked it

A Reluctant Betrothal is my favorite in the Grantham Girls series. I enjoyed the first two books, but thought they were missing a certain 'something.' I don't know what that something is, but A Reluctant Betrothal has it. All the promise of the first 2 books is realized in this one.

Grace Godwyn, penniless orphan of a dead viscount, is running out of options. She's completed finishing school with Lady Grantham and spent two seasons trying to secure a husband - and her future. She hasn't had any s ...more

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Sep 22, 2017 Jultri rated it liked it

Shelves: hate-to-love, impossible-romance, heroine-poor, promised-to-another, straight-laced-pompous-hero, victorian

3/5. Not as good as the first 2 in the series. Grace is the only offspring of a disgraced now deceased viscount. Utterly alone in the world and not a cent to her name, she relies on the matchmaking ability of her instructor and friend and the borrowed clothes of another friend to make a comfortable match and secure her future. Julian, Lord Knighton, shared a stolen kiss with Grace on a magical night in France, where both momentarily escaped from their usual worries by losing themselves in the ro ...more

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Sep 16, 2016 AnnMarie rated it it was amazing

A Relcutant Betrothal is the third book in the 'Grantham Girls' series by Amanda Weaver. You don't need to have read the first two books in order to understand and enjoy this one. I have read them though, and it was nice to see some of the characters from those books mentioned in this one.

This is the story of Grace Godwyn. She is the orphaned daughter of a Viscount, but as her father gambled away everything they had before he died, she is left penniless. Despite having attended Grantham's finish A Relcutant Betrothal is the third book in the 'Grantham Girls' series by Amanda Weaver. You don't need to have read the first two books in order to understand and enjoy this one. I have read them though, and it was nice to see some of the characters from those books mentioned in this one.

This is the story of Grace Godwyn. She is the orphaned daughter of a Viscount, but as her father gambled away everything they had before he died, she is left penniless. Despite having attended Grantham's finishing school, and having had two seasons in London she hasn't managed to find a husband. She ends up in France as a guest of a Duchess, which pretty much means an unpaid companion. One evening during a ball, Grace, annoyed by the woman's leering grandson, escapes outside where other frivolities are happening. It's there that she first meets Julian St John, Lord Knighton. Circumstances lead up to her being rescued by him in a dark lane outside, and not knowing who he is, and visa versa, an immediate attraction occurs and they end up sharing a very sexy kiss. Realising that he shouldn't be being intimate with Grace, Julian ends the kiss and makes sure that Grace makes it safely back into the hotel.

Julian is in Paris to finish up taking care of his father's affairs after the man died. He disgraced the family name, and lived with a lover practically as soon as Julian, his heir, was born. Julian's mother is still alive but she's lost her vitality since her husband left her. Julian wants to be everything his father wasn't, and he wants to make the Knighton name one that is respected, not one that has been ruined by the things his father has done. It was completely out of character for Julian to be kissing strange women in the street and it scared him. He has to be all that is right and proper, again, everything that his father wasn't.

After that one meeting in France, Julian goes back to London. Grace has gone back there as well. Lady Grantham, her friend, persuaded her to go back for one last attempt at finding a wealthy husband to look after her. Two of her married friends, (from the previous books) want to help her, and knowing it's her last chance before she ends up having to take up a position of paid employment, Grace agrees. It isn't long before she finds a man that will make her a good husband. He's well off, and women don't seem to want to wed him purely because he lacks some social niceties. He's a friendly, nice man though, and it isn't long before he starts courting Grace. Everything points to him proposing to her. So you can imagine her shock when he introduces her to his best friend Julian St John!!! Thanks to some gossip in France, Julian thinks that Grace is a loose woman, who only wants to trap his friend into marriage. He is determined to split the couple up and lets Grace know what he intends to do. She doesn't understand why he is so against her, surely it can't be because of that shared kiss. She finds out that he is pretty much betrothed himself, so he is as bad as she is for kissing a stranger in France.

So what happens next? Does Rupert find out about Grace, will her one chance of marriage and being safe again get ruined by Julian. The more time that Julian spends with Grace, the more both of them find it difficult to fight their attraction to each other. Julian hates himself for it because he realises that Rupert really does think highly of Grace and wants to marry her. Even as he learns more about Grace and realises how wrong he had it about her, he could still never come between her and his best friend.

The will they won't they aspect of the relationship between our hero and heroine was a definite hook to keep reading the book. As a reader you get to see between the lines and know that they are meant to be together, and yet the story keeps us thinking that the wrong marriage is going to happen. Perhaps Grace will marry Rupert, maybe she can be with Julian on the side. Although how could he live with that, knowing what his mother went through in the same situation. Can love defy the odds. It certainly doesn't seem like it, but you never know!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ...more

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Jun 25, 2016 Steph rated it really liked it

Historical romances are so much fun to read…it's hard to imagine so many restrictions and recriminations on love and marriage!

Grace Godwyn is a very practical, straight-laced young woman. Though her father was a viscount, they lived in destitute squalor when she was growing up, until his death and her being granted tutelage as a lady with Ms. Grantham. The one night where she indulges herself with a nameless man in France comes back to haunt her, as it turns out he's the best friend of the man s Historical romances are so much fun to read…it's hard to imagine so many restrictions and recriminations on love and marriage!

Grace Godwyn is a very practical, straight-laced young woman. Though her father was a viscount, they lived in destitute squalor when she was growing up, until his death and her being granted tutelage as a lady with Ms. Grantham. The one night where she indulges herself with a nameless man in France comes back to haunt her, as it turns out he's the best friend of the man she hopes to marry for security.

Julian St. John, Lord Knighton, grew up in the shadow of his roguish father's misdeeds, and has kept his nose clean trying to make up for his sins. Something about Grace makes him throw all of his hard-fought propriety out the window, and he KNOWS that his friend isn't going to be enough for the fiery young woman he's spotted underneath her polish. Will the two of them be able to ignore their attraction, or will everyone be hurt by their forbidden romance?

I'm a huge fan of Ms. Weaver's Grantham Girls series, and Grace's story is no exception! These historical romances are the perfect blend of sexy and tasteful, with the peerage of England society both observing rules yet breaking them whenever their lust becomes too much. This story wasn't as spirited as the first two books in the series, as Grace grew up in a much different situation than her friends did, and Julian was about as buttoned-up as they come. Even so, as the story went on, the passion and desperation between the two of them became heated and needy and sexy as hell. They had good chemistry that lit the pages up whenever they were together, and you can't help but root for them even though they're both on the verge of being promised to other people. Julian's guilt over betraying his best friend and, in his mind, acting like his licentious father, were the worst kind of sins. I adored the turn of events for Grace toward the end, and the strength that she gained really rounded out her character. Bonus: I'm from the Pittsburgh area, and I got so giddy at reading about Mt. Washington and the inclines and steel mills and the Monongahela! Props for the shout out, Ms. Weaver!

Bottom Line: This is a sexy and fun series that fans of many genres will enjoy! - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...

- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view... ...more

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Jun 08, 2016 Al *the semi serial series skipper* rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, hr

*** I received this ARC courtesy of Netgallery in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars
Absolutely beautiful writing from Amanda Weaver.

This book is about Grace, who had always been described as the impoverished friend in the previous books, uncomfortable accepting charity and subsequently becoming a companion in order to survive.

I really liked Grace, she knew the position she was in and did what she had to do.She was very reasonable. At that time in England when all a lady aspired to was good ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Judi Easley rated it liked it

Shelves: review-done, romance-historical, read-in-ebook, from-netgalley

As much as I enjoyed the first and second books in this series, this third book wasn't quite as good. I feel like it was just a series of conversations. I know things really did happen, but when I think back over the book, it just seems like a lot of talk and thinking. I need to ponder on this a bit. Full review to follow.

My Review of the series:
Each of these books could have been read as a stand alone. They are not written so closely that they aren't whole stories all on their own. In fact, the ...more

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Jul 12, 2016 Joann Maggio rated it it was amazing

A Reluctant Betrothal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Written by Amanda Weaver
(The Grantham Girls # 3)

Grace Godwyn had her fair share of disappointments and from an early age.
Her father whom she loved dearly squandered all his wife money as well as his own on gambling. After he died Grace had close girl friends who were wealthy and married wealthy but she was very uncomfortable accepting charity.

Although her father had the title Viscount, Grace knew her position and therefore her expectation as well. She becomes a ...more

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Feb 03, 2017 RoloPoloBookBlog rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, mystery-suspense, series, historical-fiction, historical-romance

A Reluctant Betrothal by Amanda Weaver
Book #3: The Grantham Girls Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

Grace Godwyn has no interest in being a burden to anyone, least of all her finishing school friends. Trouble is, Grace is a finished lady with no family and no money to recommend her in marriage to most of the eligible bachelors in London society. With few prospects, Grace finds herself facing the very real possibility of having to go into service, a position that would lower h A Reluctant Betrothal by Amanda Weaver
Book #3: The Grantham Girls Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

Grace Godwyn has no interest in being a burden to anyone, least of all her finishing school friends. Trouble is, Grace is a finished lady with no family and no money to recommend her in marriage to most of the eligible bachelors in London society. With few prospects, Grace finds herself facing the very real possibility of having to go into service, a position that would lower her already low reputation even more and further separate her from her friends. It is with a bleak future in mind that Grace turns to her finishing school mistress, Lady Grantham. If anyone can find Grace a husband, it’s the formidable Genevieve Grantham.

Julian St. John has very firm and seemingly unwavering opinions about marriage. After watching his own father totally and completely humiliate his mother, Julian has no interest in marrying a woman who is not his equal both financially and socially. Those beliefs are put to the test each and every time Julian encounters Grace Godwyn. She excites all his senses, makes him absolutely crazy and somewhat reckless, and reminds him he is still very much a man capable of incredible passion despite his self-imposed rules. Julian doesn’t want to respond to Grace the way he does for several reasons: 1) she isn’t his social or financial equal, 2) she is currently being courted by his best friend and, 3) Julian is expected to marry his lifelong friend, Lady Honor. Yeah, the whole situation is all kinds of screwy and it’s going to get so much worse before it has any hope of getting better.

Over the days and weeks that pass, Julian tries everything imaginable, including running away to America, to erase his feelings for Grace. He doesn’t want to become the social and moral disgrace his father was, he doesn’t want to betray his best friend, and he certainly doesn’t want to disappoint everyone who is expecting he and Honor to marry. For Grace’s part, she fully appreciates her feelings for Julian, but knows how strongly he believes in avoiding an unequal marriage. Her place in society is already on the edge of total destruction and so, she must content herself with a future in which she is financially secure but in no way in love with her husband. Such is the plight of the penniless.

The Bottom Line: I believe this may be the end of the Grantham Girls series, and A Reluctant Betrothal is a fine and satisfying ending. As with the two previous reads in the series, Grace and Julian’s story is filled with struggle, emotional turmoil, sexual tension, and a few somewhat surprising twists and turns. There is no easy road to the HEA for Grace and Julian which keeps the read interesting and engaging. Both characters are incredibly stubborn and proud which means, they need some help getting to their inevitable union. One of the things I liked most about this read is how and where that help comes from. In all, the Grantham Girls trilogy has been a worthwhile set of books that will most certainly appeal to lovers of period pieces, strong women, and beautiful men who just need a little work before they become the perfect partner for their women.
...more

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Aug 21, 2019 Cordelia Linder rated it it was amazing

SENSATIONAL

What an exciting true love story. I could not stop reading this book fast enough and hating for it to end. So many twist and turn that could have been resolved with adult conversation or sex. Julian & Grace are my favorites of this series, however, I have to give a shout out to Archie &Gen in the Notorious Lady Grantham. I read their story and loved it but was not given the opportunity to rate the story. Great series Lady Amanda keep up the exceptional work. By the by, please add more ...more

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Jul 03, 2020 BJ rated it liked it

Shelves: disliked

Unfortunately I disliked both self righteous H and tiresome h. The h had little morality, willing to use the other man for own ends. She could have made a difference, as she had a lived experience of being poor. If she wasn't so self absorbed, she could have worked with Honour, and made a difference. It felt like a mistake in the plot. It was disappointing, and the steamy scenes replaced what was missing - a good plot. ...more

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Nov 11, 2017 Mrs. rated it it was amazing

A must read

This third book in the trilogy of The Grantham Girls is a refreshing culmination of the stories of the girls who were prepared for Society by Lady Grantham

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May 06, 2018 Janet Rainey rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book series and this book in particular. I'll be seeking out this author's work in the future (I think this series is finished?), no matter the genre. ...more

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Jun 06, 2018 Brittany rated it liked it

Shelves: historicals

I received this as a recommendation and fell in love with the series. This is a review for all the rest of the series. I loved them all and honestly couldn’t but it down.

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Feb 09, 2019 Amanda Bright rated it liked it

Quick light read which is what I was looking for.

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Jun 25, 2020 Kathleen Crowell rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

It was okay. Started off strong , but weakened in the last half.

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Sep 24, 2016 Debbie Brown rated it really liked it

Grace Godwyn, penniless orphan of a dead viscount, is running out of options. She’s finished two years at Lady Grantham finishing school in hopes of finding a husband. Her two friends from school have found wonderful marriages to husbands they love. She in France as a lady’s companion when she meets where she takes a walk and is being accosted and a handsome man comes to her recuse and she shares a moment of passion with Julian St. John, Lord Knighton. He feels a certain attraction but decides a ...more

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Sep 29, 2016 Annamaria rated it really liked it

Four Great Stars! Grace is basically penniless and after her father dies is trying to secure a husband. She is granted tutelage with Mrs. Grantham, while there she has a one night of passion with a man who turns out to be the best friend of the man she hopes to marry. Julian grew up trying to keep his nose clean to make up for the sins of his past. When he meets Grace he knows he wants to have her but what about his friend. Can Grace and Julian have what they so desperately want? The author writ ...more

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Sep 10, 2016 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

Description:
From the seaside villas of France to the sumptuous drawing rooms of London's Victorian aristocracy comes a tale of star-crossed lovers desperate to escape their irresistible—and terribly inconvenient—passion

When Grace Godwyn is introduced to her soon-to-be fiancé's closest friend, she can hardly keep from fainting. The man whose angry gaze confronts her is none other than the handsome stranger who came to her aid in a dark French alleyway. The stranger with whom she'd shared a momen ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Connie rated it really liked it

Menton, France - 1897

Grace Godwyn is currently a companion to Lady Bosworth. The Lady’s grandson, Frederick Musgrave, the third son of an Earl, has been visiting his grandmother for a week and is constantly flirting with Grace. As Grace is in need of marrying a man of wealth, she knows she should be open to his passes, but finds him repulsive.

Grace is the daughter of the late Viscount Hadden who gambled away his fortune after his wife died. Her friends, Genevieve, Victoria, and Amelia are all w Menton, France - 1897

Grace Godwyn is currently a companion to Lady Bosworth. The Lady’s grandson, Frederick Musgrave, the third son of an Earl, has been visiting his grandmother for a week and is constantly flirting with Grace. As Grace is in need of marrying a man of wealth, she knows she should be open to his passes, but finds him repulsive.

Grace is the daughter of the late Viscount Hadden who gambled away his fortune after his wife died. Her friends, Genevieve, Victoria, and Amelia are all wealthy and Grace has been their guest at different times in her life.

This evening in Menton, Grace, Lady Bosworth, and her grandson are watching a street festival when Lady Bosworth sends Grace on a errand. She gets caught up in the festivities and meets a man whom she kisses freely knowing she will never see him again.

Julien St. John, the new Earl of Knighton, has been busy settling his father’s estate. He is in Menton watching the street festival when he sees a young woman being pursued by a man. He jumps in, rescues her, and kisses her. The young woman is Grace.

When Julien sees Grace at a musical evening, he is shocked to hear Frederick, whom he knew in school, speak crudely about Grace. Later, Frederick tries to get Grace to agree to be his mistress. She is furious and sets him straight.

Grace’s friend, Genevieve, Lady Grantham, with whom she has lived for some years learning to be a lady and preparing for her season, has insisted that Grace leave her companion position and come live with her. Hopefully, with the Lady’s help, a good husband can be found for Grace. With the help and generosity of her friends, Grace is launched with style into the season.

When Grace meets Rupert Humphrey, a man soon to inherit a fortune, she finds him to be nice but he is a man who loves living in the country while she prefers London. But the man is wealthy and she needs to marry a man like that. She soon meets Julien who is a friend of Rupert and Julien pegs her for a fortune hunter. When he confronts Grace with his accusation, she is furious. Lady Honor is a lovely young woman who is a friend of them all. It has always been assumed that she will marry Julien, but he only thinks of her as a friend. Honor has graciously agreed to help Rupert furnish and decorate his new home. This necessitates a lot of togetherness.

Will Julien and Grace ever get over his distaste for one another? Will Grace and Rupert find love and marry?

This is a great story with lots of twists. I’m thinking it will appeal to many readers.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more

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Jul 23, 2016 Eleanor rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

Ok, so I enjoyed the first two Grantham Girls novels, but this one? Oh my… fantastic ❤

Yes, I adored Victoria’s book, and I loved Amilia’s story, but Grace has seemed to be almost a lost cause. Being launched to society having nothing going for you, no money or family to fall back on, is beyond hard. Especially when you know that aside from family and money, you have no other shortcomings compared to your dearest friends.

Both Victoria and Amilia married and well off with their lives, Grace is lef Ok, so I enjoyed the first two Grantham Girls novels, but this one? Oh my… fantastic ❤

Yes, I adored Victoria’s book, and I loved Amilia’s story, but Grace has seemed to be almost a lost cause. Being launched to society having nothing going for you, no money or family to fall back on, is beyond hard. Especially when you know that aside from family and money, you have no other shortcomings compared to your dearest friends.

Both Victoria and Amilia married and well off with their lives, Grace is left to play a companion to the Musgrave Dowager who’s grandson is a wild and offensive young man, seeking to make Grace his mistress. Frederick Musgrave even goes the extra mile and tries “pretend” attacking Grace, only to be thwarted by a dark and mysterious young man.

Genevieve Grantham, Grace’s finishing school mentor, is doing her best in finding Grace a husband, and lands her a fine gentleman, albeit less refined in city life. But when she is met with this best friend, Julian St. John, she is stunned to realize it’s her savior from France.

From here on out it’s a rumor mill that drives Julian to act on his best friend’s behalf, doing his best to separate him from the gold-digging young lady he believe Grace to be.

This story invokes the most extreme emotions; my feelings ranged from pride in Grace and her resourcefulness and determination, her realistic view of life, to frustration at the inequality society forced on women back then, through annoyance with Julian at being so prone to unjust judgement of a person he doesn’t know, and so. many. freaking. swoons!!!

I love Amanda’s writing style, the way her women in Regency books fit the time, yet aren’t weak and fragile. I love how even with a happily ever after we don’t get it all wrapped up in a cotton candy cloud, but a real genuine outcome. Add to that her unique love for art and fashion which she beautifully incorporates into her writing – and it’s a winner.

I know the series is about three girls finding their path in life, but I wish we could get a glimpse into what to be of Genevieve, or how Julian’s mother is in America, or even a future take of the couples’ children, 10 years ahead.

These stories are characterized with one thing more than anything: you just can’t put them down.

Make sure you read this exquisite series.

Btw – the cover? Spot on Grace. Love it! ...more

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Sep 23, 2016 Sara rated it it was amazing

Amazing- Could not put it down. Loved Grace and her independent attitude. Well done indeed.

Thank you Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

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Jun 17, 2016 Jess rated it it was amazing

This book was given courtesy of Netgalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.

I've loved all three books in The Grantham Girls series, but there's something extra special about this book. Grace Godwyn, daughter of a bescandaled (is that even a word?) Viscount, has been left with no family and not a penny to her name. Forced to either marry for position or take a job like an average commoner, Grace begins her Season with one mission: marry well. But a run-in with a stranger on a da ...more

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Sep 19, 2016 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, arc-netgalley, trt, 5-star

'A Reluctant Betrothal' by Amanda Weaver is book three in the "The Grantham Girls" series.
This is the story of Grace Godwyn and Julian St. John, Lord Knighton. I have read the other books in this series but feel that you don't have to if you wanted to just start with this one.
Grace has been left with no money have her father dies..and after two season has found a husband. So she went with as a sort of Companion type job to France where in a heated moment met Julian. But it was just a quick enc ...more

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Aug 11, 2016 SynergyQuest rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars - Delightful from start to finish. Neither Julian nor Grace have led charmed lives. Julian has been forever plagued and judged based on his father's careless neglect of his familial and political responsibilities. Grace suffers too because of her father's shortcomings which include gambling and drink.

When they first meet, its unexpected, magical and completely out of character for both of them. Upon their next meeting assumptions are made, pride takes center stage and many things degra ...more

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Nov 04, 2016 Merissa Childress rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book. I love reading books from this time period. The fact that the books was from both points of view was excellent. The book gave me so many emotions. I felt sad for Grace and her situation. I like that she was able to become independent. I would like to see what Grace was able to do with the rest of her life. Did she continue to be independent, or did she let her lifestyle change her? I gave the books 3/5 stars. I wanted the love between Julian and Grace to be more emotional. M ...more

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Dec 24, 2016 Amy Alvis rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed Grace and Julian's story!

They meet one magical night in France and share a kiss. They think they will never see each other again, but fate has other ideas. After getting an improper offer from the grandson of her employer, Grace flees back to London and hopes to find a husband. She never imagines that she will encounter the man that she kissed on that magical night.

When Julian meets back up with Grace, she is being courted by one of his friends. After being given some incorrect ...more

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About Amanda Weaver

Amanda Weaver

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Amanda has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.

A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough spa ...more