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Marriage of Convenience #4
Marry in Scarlet
A marriage born of passion and scandal turns into something more from the bestselling author of Marry in Secret.
When a duke denied...
The proud and arrogant Duke of Everingham is determined to secure a marriage of convenience with heiress Lady Georgiana Rutherford. He's the biggest prize on the London marriage mart, pursued by young unmarried ladies and their match-making mamas, as well as married women with a wandering eye. He can have any woman he wants. Or so he thinks...
...Hunts an independent lady...
Lady Georgiana Rutherford—irreverent and unconventional—has no plans to marry. Having grown up poor, Lady George has no intention of giving up her fortune to become dependent on the dubious and unreliable goodwill of a man. Especially a man as insufferable as the Duke of Everingham, whose kisses stirs unwelcome and unsettling emotions...
...Sparks are sure to fly
The more she defies him, the more the duke wants her, until an argument at a ball spirals into a passionate embrace. Caught in a compromising position, the duke announces their betrothal. George is furious, and when gossip claims she deliberately entrapped the duke—when she was the one who was trapped—she marches down the aisle in a scarlet wedding dress. But the unlikely bride and groom may have found love in the most improbable of places—a marriage of convenience.
When a duke denied...
The proud and arrogant Duke of Everingham is determined to secure a marriage of convenience with heiress Lady Georgiana Rutherford. He's the biggest prize on the London marriage mart, pursued by young unmarried ladies and their match-making mamas, as well as married women with a wandering eye. He can have any woman he wants. Or so he thinks...
...Hunts an independent lady...
Lady Georgiana Rutherford—irreverent and unconventional—has no plans to marry. Having grown up poor, Lady George has no intention of giving up her fortune to become dependent on the dubious and unreliable goodwill of a man. Especially a man as insufferable as the Duke of Everingham, whose kisses stirs unwelcome and unsettling emotions...
...Sparks are sure to fly
The more she defies him, the more the duke wants her, until an argument at a ball spirals into a passionate embrace. Caught in a compromising position, the duke announces their betrothal. George is furious, and when gossip claims she deliberately entrapped the duke—when she was the one who was trapped—she marches down the aisle in a scarlet wedding dress. But the unlikely bride and groom may have found love in the most improbable of places—a marriage of convenience.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
300 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Anne Gracie
95 books1,534 followersI've always loved stories. Family legend has it that I used to spend hours playing in the sand pit, with a dog on either side of me and Rocka the horse leaning over me, his head just touching my shoulder, while I told them stories. I have to say, dogs and horses are great audiences, apart from their tendency to drool occasionally. But people are even nicer.
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
May 21, 2020
Scandals galore!
A humorous rendition of the marriage of convenience trope.
Redmond Jasper Hartley, the fifth Duke of Everingham, has been left at the altar. Now the punctilious Lady Salter, his mother's friend, and aunt to his ex fiancé, has decided that another of her niece's would be the answer. After all the Dukedom needed an heir.
Well neither Lady Georgiana nor the Duke agree. They didn't like each other. Except, there was that moment of laxity and The Kiss at a ball. Furthermore at a musical soirée, the unexpected continuation of that kiss thrust them into the ton's notice in such a way that nothing but an engagement would do. Though even that was taken out of George's control much to her anger.
I adored Lady Georgiana Rutherford, George to her family and friends.
Like George I eventually came to appreciate the emotionally deprived Hartley.
Fast forward to the wedding! I was in raptures over George's wedding dress and her moments of feisty independence, a gauntlet thrown down in the face of the ton who decried her and worse when her forthcoming marriage to a prize catch had been announced--much to her horror, particularly as she didn't want to get married. Georgiana had had a curious upbring.
BTW I loved Aunt Dottie and simultaneously despised and pitied Aunt Agatha.
Hartley's narcissistic mother is in a self centered cage all of her own making. Like Hartley I abhorred her shallowness and self serving actions.
Of course there's the usual conglomeration of beloved animals that an original like George would have. Indeed, Hartley's original contact with George builds around her horse. And then just as an HEA ending was in the offing for George and Hartley, another tangled problem comes to light.
A nice touch are the Jane Austen chapter heading, an enlightening commentary on what is to come.
A rather tantalizing addition to this Marriage of Convenience series.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
A humorous rendition of the marriage of convenience trope.
Redmond Jasper Hartley, the fifth Duke of Everingham, has been left at the altar. Now the punctilious Lady Salter, his mother's friend, and aunt to his ex fiancé, has decided that another of her niece's would be the answer. After all the Dukedom needed an heir.
Well neither Lady Georgiana nor the Duke agree. They didn't like each other. Except, there was that moment of laxity and The Kiss at a ball. Furthermore at a musical soirée, the unexpected continuation of that kiss thrust them into the ton's notice in such a way that nothing but an engagement would do. Though even that was taken out of George's control much to her anger.
I adored Lady Georgiana Rutherford, George to her family and friends.
Like George I eventually came to appreciate the emotionally deprived Hartley.
Fast forward to the wedding! I was in raptures over George's wedding dress and her moments of feisty independence, a gauntlet thrown down in the face of the ton who decried her and worse when her forthcoming marriage to a prize catch had been announced--much to her horror, particularly as she didn't want to get married. Georgiana had had a curious upbring.
BTW I loved Aunt Dottie and simultaneously despised and pitied Aunt Agatha.
Hartley's narcissistic mother is in a self centered cage all of her own making. Like Hartley I abhorred her shallowness and self serving actions.
Of course there's the usual conglomeration of beloved animals that an original like George would have. Indeed, Hartley's original contact with George builds around her horse. And then just as an HEA ending was in the offing for George and Hartley, another tangled problem comes to light.
A nice touch are the Jane Austen chapter heading, an enlightening commentary on what is to come.
A rather tantalizing addition to this Marriage of Convenience series.
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
April 20, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Marry in Scarlet is the fourth book in the series and in this book we have the final (I am guessing the final) book in the series. Now I haven't had a chance to read all the books in the series here so I will say first off that you don't need to read all the previous books in the series to read this book. Because I have only read book two and I wasn't lost at all. And if you understand the inner workings of Anne Gracie and how she writes, you will fall in love with this style that this book is penned in. Now I probably might have loved this book a bit more if I had read previous books and seen more background in our hero and heroine, but overall I did like this book.
Marry In Scarlet starts with some tension between our hero and heroine and they hate each other with a passion. George finds Hart overbearing, rude and controlling. And Hart finds George unconventional, a prude and too prideful. Soon Hart and George find something more building between them other than the hate and distrust that have for each other. Soon we see a physical attraction which builds into tender affection and playfulness and trust between these two. But their road is packed with obstacles especially within the relationship....will George and Hart find the balance and openness they need or will it fall apart?
This book honestly is a pride and prejudice retelling. And what a retelling this turned out to be and quite frankly I fell in love with this style of retelling. Now first I want to make it clear that the angst in this book is the type of angst I REALLY need to be prepped beforehand because this is the main reason my rating isn't as high. I really struggled with the first half of the book and the biggest reason for that is due to the tension that was pretty strong for me if I didnt know I was going into it and the second reason I struggled with this book is the heroine. *Sigh* I get the whole independent woman and all that and being all for feminism, but the personality of our heroine put my teeth on edge. I did like her in parts but her character was too much for me and didn't seem at all easy to relate with. If this heroine was real, I doubt we would be friends and in many ways due to how she treats and views men, very demeaning of them at times. It just didn't sit well with me and I probably will be in the minority opinion but this is a honest view.
Now I will say that the second half of the story was ROCKIN GREAT.....this story really worked for me once we got past most of the hate and tension and got to the beauty of the book and that is seeing both George and Hart softening towards each other and exploring what they feel for one another. They both have strong opinions but the book really shines once we see them see the good sides of each other instead of all the bad. And boy this book had me laughing so hard. Especially in how George views the physical attraction she has for Hart.....like its animal heat and will go away lol yeah sorry Miss George, but human sexual attraction doesn't really work like animals. It was pretty hilarious to see her view it like its the common cold or flu, to be avoided at all costs.
Overall I have found Marry In Scarlet to be a highly enjoyable read that is packed with laughs, an entertaining dialogue and true delights to savor.
Marry in Scarlet is the fourth book in the series and in this book we have the final (I am guessing the final) book in the series. Now I haven't had a chance to read all the books in the series here so I will say first off that you don't need to read all the previous books in the series to read this book. Because I have only read book two and I wasn't lost at all. And if you understand the inner workings of Anne Gracie and how she writes, you will fall in love with this style that this book is penned in. Now I probably might have loved this book a bit more if I had read previous books and seen more background in our hero and heroine, but overall I did like this book.
Marry In Scarlet starts with some tension between our hero and heroine and they hate each other with a passion. George finds Hart overbearing, rude and controlling. And Hart finds George unconventional, a prude and too prideful. Soon Hart and George find something more building between them other than the hate and distrust that have for each other. Soon we see a physical attraction which builds into tender affection and playfulness and trust between these two. But their road is packed with obstacles especially within the relationship....will George and Hart find the balance and openness they need or will it fall apart?
This book honestly is a pride and prejudice retelling. And what a retelling this turned out to be and quite frankly I fell in love with this style of retelling. Now first I want to make it clear that the angst in this book is the type of angst I REALLY need to be prepped beforehand because this is the main reason my rating isn't as high. I really struggled with the first half of the book and the biggest reason for that is due to the tension that was pretty strong for me if I didnt know I was going into it and the second reason I struggled with this book is the heroine. *Sigh* I get the whole independent woman and all that and being all for feminism, but the personality of our heroine put my teeth on edge. I did like her in parts but her character was too much for me and didn't seem at all easy to relate with. If this heroine was real, I doubt we would be friends and in many ways due to how she treats and views men, very demeaning of them at times. It just didn't sit well with me and I probably will be in the minority opinion but this is a honest view.
Now I will say that the second half of the story was ROCKIN GREAT.....this story really worked for me once we got past most of the hate and tension and got to the beauty of the book and that is seeing both George and Hart softening towards each other and exploring what they feel for one another. They both have strong opinions but the book really shines once we see them see the good sides of each other instead of all the bad. And boy this book had me laughing so hard. Especially in how George views the physical attraction she has for Hart.....like its animal heat and will go away lol yeah sorry Miss George, but human sexual attraction doesn't really work like animals. It was pretty hilarious to see her view it like its the common cold or flu, to be avoided at all costs.
Overall I have found Marry In Scarlet to be a highly enjoyable read that is packed with laughs, an entertaining dialogue and true delights to savor.
June 1, 2020
I loved it. If I could I would give it more stars. I also loved the quote's out Jane Auston books at the head of each chapter.
April 1, 2020
If you’re an Anne Gracie fan, you’ll like this. The best comps I can think of is a meld of Judith McNaught, Mary Balogh, and Stephanie Laurens. The writing style is decent and the character archetypes are Icy/Sneering/Asshole Duke paired with Hoyden Lady Who Loves Her Horses And Independence.
I was disappointed because the blurb misrepresented that it was a marriage-of-convenience trope. MOC is my favorite trope in historical romance and I was SO looking forward to a book that featured a married couple.
Spoilers under the spoiler tag as I rant in more detail:
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was disappointed because the blurb misrepresented that it was a marriage-of-convenience trope. MOC is my favorite trope in historical romance and I was SO looking forward to a book that featured a married couple.
Spoilers under the spoiler tag as I rant in more detail:
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2020
Series: Marriage of Convenience #4
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 336
Whew! What a delightfully entertaining and lustful couple Hart and George turn out to be. I absolutely adored each of them and could easily see why they were so very skittish and protective of their hearts. Thank goodness for manipulative and interfering family members who end up making the right thing happen for all of the wrong reasons.
When we last saw Redmond Jasper Hartley (Hart), the fifth Duke of Everingham, he was being left at the altar by his betrothed (Marry In Secret). He has a very low opinion of women and being left at the altar did nothing to soften that opinion. After all, he and his father had been manipulated by the champion manipulator, his mother, and he had no reason to believe any female would be different. No, he didn’t love his betrothed, but he had negotiated in good faith and he’d been livid at being left standing at the altar. Yes, he has a reputation of being cold, unfeeling, arrogant, and aloof – and he believes he is – just as everyone else does. When he decides to seek another bride, he has specific criteria – she must be independent minded and not hang off his sleeve, one who would like to retire to the country and keep out of his way, they need have few interactions other than conjugal visits.
Lady Georgiana (George) Rutherford loves her newly found family and has absolutely no intention of giving them up. She also has absolutely no intention of marrying. Men are a worthless, faithless lot and she sees no reason to subjugate herself to one. It is her desire to live in the country and breed horses and dogs and to care for other animals. She doesn’t give a fig about what any male has to offer her – money, prestige, titles – she doesn’t want any part of it.
George and Hart are really two kindred souls – both a product of their unhappy experiences early in their lives – but neither of them can see that. When Georgiana is brought to Hart’s attention – in the most manipulative of ways, of course – he is incensed. But then, when he sees her – and kisses her. That does it for him – he decides she is the one who will be his bride – whether she wants to or not. So, he begins his own plan of manipulation and entrapment.
I loved watching Hart and George at war with each other. Neither was going to give in and each was bound and determined to win. When Hart compromised her and then announced their betrothal, she was incensed. But, later, when he offered her the opportunity to get out of the betrothal, she decided to let it stand. She didn’t know why. What had possessed her?
They are two very passionate, very caring people and it was a delight to get to know them and to see them find their way to a loving, passionate life together. I hope you’ll enjoy this story as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 336
Whew! What a delightfully entertaining and lustful couple Hart and George turn out to be. I absolutely adored each of them and could easily see why they were so very skittish and protective of their hearts. Thank goodness for manipulative and interfering family members who end up making the right thing happen for all of the wrong reasons.
When we last saw Redmond Jasper Hartley (Hart), the fifth Duke of Everingham, he was being left at the altar by his betrothed (Marry In Secret). He has a very low opinion of women and being left at the altar did nothing to soften that opinion. After all, he and his father had been manipulated by the champion manipulator, his mother, and he had no reason to believe any female would be different. No, he didn’t love his betrothed, but he had negotiated in good faith and he’d been livid at being left standing at the altar. Yes, he has a reputation of being cold, unfeeling, arrogant, and aloof – and he believes he is – just as everyone else does. When he decides to seek another bride, he has specific criteria – she must be independent minded and not hang off his sleeve, one who would like to retire to the country and keep out of his way, they need have few interactions other than conjugal visits.
Lady Georgiana (George) Rutherford loves her newly found family and has absolutely no intention of giving them up. She also has absolutely no intention of marrying. Men are a worthless, faithless lot and she sees no reason to subjugate herself to one. It is her desire to live in the country and breed horses and dogs and to care for other animals. She doesn’t give a fig about what any male has to offer her – money, prestige, titles – she doesn’t want any part of it.
George and Hart are really two kindred souls – both a product of their unhappy experiences early in their lives – but neither of them can see that. When Georgiana is brought to Hart’s attention – in the most manipulative of ways, of course – he is incensed. But then, when he sees her – and kisses her. That does it for him – he decides she is the one who will be his bride – whether she wants to or not. So, he begins his own plan of manipulation and entrapment.
I loved watching Hart and George at war with each other. Neither was going to give in and each was bound and determined to win. When Hart compromised her and then announced their betrothal, she was incensed. But, later, when he offered her the opportunity to get out of the betrothal, she decided to let it stand. She didn’t know why. What had possessed her?
They are two very passionate, very caring people and it was a delight to get to know them and to see them find their way to a loving, passionate life together. I hope you’ll enjoy this story as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 1, 2020
I've given this a B at AAR.
Marry in Scarlet is the fourth book in Anne Gracie’s Marriage of Convenience series, and to be perfectly honest, after the huge disappointment that was Marry in Secret (book three), I wasn’t sure I was going to read it. However, I couldn’t resist the pairing of the spirited heroine with no interest in marriage and the cold, aloof hero; it’s a very well-worn trope, and to be honest there isn’t really anything new to be found here. But with tropes, it’s all about the execution, and the best authors can turn even the most worn-out old cliché into an appealing story; and for the most part, that’s what Anne Gracie manages here, crafting strong, flawed characters and an interesting conflict that kept me engaged.
Lady Georgiana Rutherford has made no secret of the fact that she doesn’t want to get married. Ever. When she comes into her inheritance at twenty-five she plans to buy a house in the country and breed horses and dogs, and luckily for her, her uncle and guardian, the Earl of Ashendon, is neither horrified by this nor trying to push her into matrimony. Unluckily for her, her great Aunt Agatha sees George’s plan for living in the country with dogs and horses as a positive reason to suggest her as a bride to the haughty Redmond Hartley (Hart), Duke of Everingham, after he was jilted at the altar by another Rutherford girl, Rose (Marry in Secret). The duke is annoyed at such interference, but Agatha keeps trying to persuade him that Georgiana is exactly the sort of woman he wants:
“a young woman of good family who would not hang off your sleeve… a wife who would keep out of your way and give you no trouble.”
Everingham refuses – although Agatha’s Parthian shot:
“it would have taken all my considerable powers of persuasion to coax Georgiana to wed you”
causes him just a little bit of pique.
Of course, when Agatha tells the Rutherfords of Everingham’s refusal – he wouldn’t want “an ill-trained, boyish, impertinent hoyden for a wife” – George is outraged. How dare Agatha suggest such a thing without even consulting her! (And she’s privately a bit stung by Everingham’s rejection. She doesn’t want him, but it’s for HER to reject HIM, dammit!)
I wasn’t sure if Agatha was trying a bit of reverse-psychology there, but the next time Hart sees George – she’s riding hell-for-leather astride a massive black stallion – he admires her seat and decides he wants to buy the horse. George refuses. Hart is obviously a man used to getting exactly what he wants, and the more adamant her refusal, the more intrigued he becomes. After a few more encounters – during one of which they share an intensely passionate kiss – Hart decides he wants George after all. He recognises that she’s every bit as in lust with him as he with her, and sets out to increase her physical desire for him by playing hard to get.
There’s no getting away from the fact that at the beginning of the book, Hart is an arrogant, sexist git. He thinks all women are scheming, unscrupulous and out for what they can get, and doesn’t for one moment consider that George’s refusal of him is sincere. He thinks she’s playing some sort of game with him, and decides to stop wasting time by arranging for them to be caught in a compromising situation. George is well aware that what she’s feeling, for the first time, is physical desire (every time she sees Hart, she’s overwhelmed by the need to climb him like a tree) – but is adamant in her refusal to marry him.
The bulk of the story is given over to the merry dance Hart and George lead one another, and overall it’s well done. There’s no question that Hart is haughty and controlling, and while there’s no excusing his misogyny, there is at least some explanation for it when we meet his mother, a manipulative woman who had his father wrapped around her little finger and will stop at nothing – even pretending to be at death’s door – to get what she wants. Hart has tarred all women with the same brush, and the moment at which he finally comes to see that he has acted in a way that is completely at odds with his personal code of ethics, sense of honour and view of himself is a powerful one that truly shakes him up and forces him to seriously examine himself and his motives. And he doesn’t like what he sees.
It’s fortunate for him, then, that he falls for a woman who is as unlike his mother as it’s possible to be. George grew up in poverty with no knowledge of her family until Ashendon sought her out; she’s straightforward, honest and honourable, but reluctant to trust herself and her happiness to anyone else. Hart’s growing realisation that George deserves more from him is nicely done as he starts to understand that she needs his support regardless of what it may cost his dignity, and to accept and value her eccentricities. I liked the way the author shows the couple’s growing closeness, and Hart gradually loosening up under George’s influence.
So everything is shaping up well, the duke and his new duchess are settling in to life together – and suddenly the story veers off in a completely unexpected direction with a sub plot concerning the disappearance of two seven-year-old boys, one of whom is Hart’s ward. I suppose it’s meant to show that Hart really does have a heart (!), but it felt like I’d picked up the wrong book. I knocked a few points off because it jarred so much, but that’s balanced out by the extra points given for the sweet little sub-plot about Aunt Dottie.
Ultimately, Marry in Scarlet is an enjoyable read featuring a strongly-characterised central couple with a genuine spark, and a relationship that’s allowed space to develop. It’s not ground-breaking, but it’s a well-executed version of the trope, a solid series finale and a satisfying character-driven romance.
Marry in Scarlet is the fourth book in Anne Gracie’s Marriage of Convenience series, and to be perfectly honest, after the huge disappointment that was Marry in Secret (book three), I wasn’t sure I was going to read it. However, I couldn’t resist the pairing of the spirited heroine with no interest in marriage and the cold, aloof hero; it’s a very well-worn trope, and to be honest there isn’t really anything new to be found here. But with tropes, it’s all about the execution, and the best authors can turn even the most worn-out old cliché into an appealing story; and for the most part, that’s what Anne Gracie manages here, crafting strong, flawed characters and an interesting conflict that kept me engaged.
Lady Georgiana Rutherford has made no secret of the fact that she doesn’t want to get married. Ever. When she comes into her inheritance at twenty-five she plans to buy a house in the country and breed horses and dogs, and luckily for her, her uncle and guardian, the Earl of Ashendon, is neither horrified by this nor trying to push her into matrimony. Unluckily for her, her great Aunt Agatha sees George’s plan for living in the country with dogs and horses as a positive reason to suggest her as a bride to the haughty Redmond Hartley (Hart), Duke of Everingham, after he was jilted at the altar by another Rutherford girl, Rose (Marry in Secret). The duke is annoyed at such interference, but Agatha keeps trying to persuade him that Georgiana is exactly the sort of woman he wants:
“a young woman of good family who would not hang off your sleeve… a wife who would keep out of your way and give you no trouble.”
Everingham refuses – although Agatha’s Parthian shot:
“it would have taken all my considerable powers of persuasion to coax Georgiana to wed you”
causes him just a little bit of pique.
Of course, when Agatha tells the Rutherfords of Everingham’s refusal – he wouldn’t want “an ill-trained, boyish, impertinent hoyden for a wife” – George is outraged. How dare Agatha suggest such a thing without even consulting her! (And she’s privately a bit stung by Everingham’s rejection. She doesn’t want him, but it’s for HER to reject HIM, dammit!)
I wasn’t sure if Agatha was trying a bit of reverse-psychology there, but the next time Hart sees George – she’s riding hell-for-leather astride a massive black stallion – he admires her seat and decides he wants to buy the horse. George refuses. Hart is obviously a man used to getting exactly what he wants, and the more adamant her refusal, the more intrigued he becomes. After a few more encounters – during one of which they share an intensely passionate kiss – Hart decides he wants George after all. He recognises that she’s every bit as in lust with him as he with her, and sets out to increase her physical desire for him by playing hard to get.
There’s no getting away from the fact that at the beginning of the book, Hart is an arrogant, sexist git. He thinks all women are scheming, unscrupulous and out for what they can get, and doesn’t for one moment consider that George’s refusal of him is sincere. He thinks she’s playing some sort of game with him, and decides to stop wasting time by arranging for them to be caught in a compromising situation. George is well aware that what she’s feeling, for the first time, is physical desire (every time she sees Hart, she’s overwhelmed by the need to climb him like a tree) – but is adamant in her refusal to marry him.
The bulk of the story is given over to the merry dance Hart and George lead one another, and overall it’s well done. There’s no question that Hart is haughty and controlling, and while there’s no excusing his misogyny, there is at least some explanation for it when we meet his mother, a manipulative woman who had his father wrapped around her little finger and will stop at nothing – even pretending to be at death’s door – to get what she wants. Hart has tarred all women with the same brush, and the moment at which he finally comes to see that he has acted in a way that is completely at odds with his personal code of ethics, sense of honour and view of himself is a powerful one that truly shakes him up and forces him to seriously examine himself and his motives. And he doesn’t like what he sees.
It’s fortunate for him, then, that he falls for a woman who is as unlike his mother as it’s possible to be. George grew up in poverty with no knowledge of her family until Ashendon sought her out; she’s straightforward, honest and honourable, but reluctant to trust herself and her happiness to anyone else. Hart’s growing realisation that George deserves more from him is nicely done as he starts to understand that she needs his support regardless of what it may cost his dignity, and to accept and value her eccentricities. I liked the way the author shows the couple’s growing closeness, and Hart gradually loosening up under George’s influence.
So everything is shaping up well, the duke and his new duchess are settling in to life together – and suddenly the story veers off in a completely unexpected direction with a sub plot concerning the disappearance of two seven-year-old boys, one of whom is Hart’s ward. I suppose it’s meant to show that Hart really does have a heart (!), but it felt like I’d picked up the wrong book. I knocked a few points off because it jarred so much, but that’s balanced out by the extra points given for the sweet little sub-plot about Aunt Dottie.
Ultimately, Marry in Scarlet is an enjoyable read featuring a strongly-characterised central couple with a genuine spark, and a relationship that’s allowed space to develop. It’s not ground-breaking, but it’s a well-executed version of the trope, a solid series finale and a satisfying character-driven romance.
April 12, 2024
Best Book of the series!! So good, I read it twice, back to back!
I Just read it again for a 3rd time and realized this book deserves a quality review. Not just because I love Anne Gracie, but this is one of my favorite historical romance novels.
Hart, The Duke of Everingham, is so unbelievably jaded. Everyone has a scheme and a price. You can't believe anything women say because their motives are to manipulate men for their own selfish gain.
Lady George is an absolute darling! She's honest, adorable, and rough around the edges. She has no desire to marry, but instead wishes to breed horses and dogs in the country.
Leave it to an interfering aunt to bring these two together. Then Hart kisses George just to see if they are compatible, only to find she rocks his equilibrium. Once Hart discovers that George is "an original", he will stop at nothing to make her his!
There is just something about this book! I love the secondary characters, and their back stories. I feel that this series should be read in order in order to appreciate the interactions and relationships among the aunts, friends, and relatives.
I Just read it again for a 3rd time and realized this book deserves a quality review. Not just because I love Anne Gracie, but this is one of my favorite historical romance novels.
Hart, The Duke of Everingham, is so unbelievably jaded. Everyone has a scheme and a price. You can't believe anything women say because their motives are to manipulate men for their own selfish gain.
Lady George is an absolute darling! She's honest, adorable, and rough around the edges. She has no desire to marry, but instead wishes to breed horses and dogs in the country.
Leave it to an interfering aunt to bring these two together. Then Hart kisses George just to see if they are compatible, only to find she rocks his equilibrium. Once Hart discovers that George is "an original", he will stop at nothing to make her his!
There is just something about this book! I love the secondary characters, and their back stories. I feel that this series should be read in order in order to appreciate the interactions and relationships among the aunts, friends, and relatives.
August 13, 2020
I love Anne Gracie's Regency romances - especially now. If you're looking for a delightful, well-written, fun novel with real heart then Marry in Scarlet is for you. During this time of Covid-19 and having to stay home because of it, I find myself turning more and more to books that are full of hope and love and warmth. Anne Gracie's books have all that and they feature characters who really care about each other. Even her most damaged heroes and heroines (See Marry in Secret for another great story) find redemption in her novels. Marry in Scarlet is the fourth book in her Marriage of Convenience series and I absolutely loved Lady George's story. She's tough and bold and forthright and her battles with the Duke of Everingham are priceless - as are the scenes with my favourite Aunt Dottie - you totally have to read this series to grasp the full magnificence of Aunt Dottie! Marry in Scarlet is a rich, satisfying romance but I also love the humour in this novel. The "olé" joke is very funny! Marry in Secret is like a delicious chocolate dessert and the really good thing about it is that when you've read this book there are other Anne Gracie novels to feast on.
May 15, 2020
What a story, what a finish to a series, oh I loved this one so much Anne Gracie is a must read author for me and she has never disappointed me, I have been looking forward to George’s story since this series started and it was worth the wait, I hope I get this review right because this book and the series is a must read, beautifully written with witty banter and a sensual romance it is fun, moving and filled with joy, smiles and sighs.
Lady Georgiana Rutherford had been bought into the ton and a family she didn’t know she had kicking and screaming, because George was much happier with her horse and dog, but it didn’t take her too long to feel the love of her family and get used to living in London, but one thing that George was determined was that she would never marry that life was never going to be for her, well that is until the Duke of Everingham decides he wants her and goes all out to get her.
The Duke of Everingham, is arrogant and always gets his own way and after being stood up at the alter by one of the Rutherford Gels he now decides that he wants a marriage of convenience with Georgiana Rutherford, but George is not going to be easy to convince that this will be the best option and this leads Hart to take drastic action and ensure that they are caught in scandalous situation that should end in marriage and any other gel would be pleased with this but not George.
I loved George so much, she is beautiful caring and strong as well as being honest to a fault, I love that she will say what she feels and is not afraid to do so and Hart struggles as she continually stands up to him and she makes him realize who he really is, there is a very sensual pull between the two of them and Hart starts to realize what he has done and is there when the ton turns on George. Seeing Hart become the man he really is and fall head over heels in love with George was a beautiful journey, their joining in love and as a family was awesome, truly I loved this story so much, I laughed and smiled throughout, I cheered George as she stood her ground and as for Hart he turned out to be the best man for George.
Thank you MS Gracie for another story that will stay with me for a long time to come, I really loved this one and the series and I look forward to many more stories from you.
Lady Georgiana Rutherford had been bought into the ton and a family she didn’t know she had kicking and screaming, because George was much happier with her horse and dog, but it didn’t take her too long to feel the love of her family and get used to living in London, but one thing that George was determined was that she would never marry that life was never going to be for her, well that is until the Duke of Everingham decides he wants her and goes all out to get her.
The Duke of Everingham, is arrogant and always gets his own way and after being stood up at the alter by one of the Rutherford Gels he now decides that he wants a marriage of convenience with Georgiana Rutherford, but George is not going to be easy to convince that this will be the best option and this leads Hart to take drastic action and ensure that they are caught in scandalous situation that should end in marriage and any other gel would be pleased with this but not George.
I loved George so much, she is beautiful caring and strong as well as being honest to a fault, I love that she will say what she feels and is not afraid to do so and Hart struggles as she continually stands up to him and she makes him realize who he really is, there is a very sensual pull between the two of them and Hart starts to realize what he has done and is there when the ton turns on George. Seeing Hart become the man he really is and fall head over heels in love with George was a beautiful journey, their joining in love and as a family was awesome, truly I loved this story so much, I laughed and smiled throughout, I cheered George as she stood her ground and as for Hart he turned out to be the best man for George.
Thank you MS Gracie for another story that will stay with me for a long time to come, I really loved this one and the series and I look forward to many more stories from you.
June 23, 2020
June 15-22, 2020 Buddy read with Joanna and Julia (aka Jultri).
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I definitely enjoyed reading/listening to this book more than books 1 and 2. Book 3 was good, too, but I was too distracted by the heroine Rose's romantic side to enjoy the book to its fullest. See, Rose wasn't like that in the first two books, so for some unknown reason, it was hard for me to see her all lovey-dovey in her own book.
Two things that didn't earn this book a higher rating are
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I definitely enjoyed reading/listening to this book more than books 1 and 2. Book 3 was good, too, but I was too distracted by the heroine Rose's romantic side to enjoy the book to its fullest. See, Rose wasn't like that in the first two books, so for some unknown reason, it was hard for me to see her all lovey-dovey in her own book.
Two things that didn't earn this book a higher rating are
June 26, 2020
3.75/5. Great start to the book with spirited, strong minded Lady Georgiana butting heads with the pompous Duke of Everingham, who suspects that all eligible young ladies are out to trap him into marriage and that Georgiana is no exception despite her sharp tongue and words to the contrary. However the consistently antagonistic George soon makes Hart realise that she is not to be typecast, for she is like no other lady of the ton that he has met. Forgotten by her father and left to run wild at a country estate, she eschews usual social niceties and marital ambitions and has an abiding adversity for sides saddles or any saddle in fact. There's a fine line between antagonism and attraction and the two of them seem to toe that line quite often until one day, the ton bears witness to their unbridled passion. Unfortunately, the book went a bit downhill after their forced engagement as the pacing slowed down and the author deviated course away from the main romance. The excellent narration by Alison Larkin probably elevated the book somewhat.
December 16, 2020
Lady Georgiana Rutherford never much cared for her sister Rose's fiancee, the dour Duke of Everingham, so when he gets dumped at the alter she's not mad about it. Except then he keeps showing up and she is conflicted: she doesn't like that she likes it but she doesn't like him. Or something. Feelings.
Anyways, the Duke (who's full name is like Redmond Jasper Hartley) decides that the tenacious, outspoken George is the only women who'll do for him and his burning loins, so he traps her! And then untraps her, and then she declines and stuff. Finally, MARRIAGE, LOVE, BONERS, RANDOM KINDNAPPINGS, ETC.
1. This was fine. Serviceable, even. It was a romance novel with a plot and emotions and some sex. Check; check; check.
2. That said: what a ridiculously uneven plot. The general foundation-laying was decent enough and then Gracie, likely not wanting to throw an emotional wrench between her lovebirds, instead throws in a missing ward plot that dips a toe into considering pedophiles, outright nods at the murder of a seven-year-old child, and ends with one big happy family.
This plot also overlaps with the requisite sexing mentioned above, for added flavor? I don't fucking know.
Absolutely ridiculous.
3. Also, this needed another edit. At one point George falls asleep, I believe in a carriage, and Hart just keeps fucking piling rugs on her so she doesn't die of a chill or something. (It's really only two rugs and it's clear it's just a copy-editing oversight. BUT READER I LAUGHED.)
4. George was a much better developed character than Hart; near the end of the book his point of view just drops off, leaving his (assumed to be) developing feelings a mystery. I mean, they're not much of a mystery because boners, but you know what I mean.
5. Y'know, for allegedly loving guardians, Emm and Cal let Aunt Agatha say some nasty-ass shit to George without stepping in. Yike.
6. I don't know. I'm glad I finished the series, but it's obvious that this needed a bit more baking to come together.
Anyways, the Duke (who's full name is like Redmond Jasper Hartley) decides that the tenacious, outspoken George is the only women who'll do for him and his burning loins, so he traps her! And then untraps her, and then she declines and stuff. Finally, MARRIAGE, LOVE, BONERS, RANDOM KINDNAPPINGS, ETC.
1. This was fine. Serviceable, even. It was a romance novel with a plot and emotions and some sex. Check; check; check.
2. That said: what a ridiculously uneven plot. The general foundation-laying was decent enough and then Gracie, likely not wanting to throw an emotional wrench between her lovebirds, instead throws in a missing ward plot that dips a toe into considering pedophiles, outright nods at the murder of a seven-year-old child, and ends with one big happy family.
This plot also overlaps with the requisite sexing mentioned above, for added flavor? I don't fucking know.
Absolutely ridiculous.
3. Also, this needed another edit. At one point George falls asleep, I believe in a carriage, and Hart just keeps fucking piling rugs on her so she doesn't die of a chill or something. (It's really only two rugs and it's clear it's just a copy-editing oversight. BUT READER I LAUGHED.)
4. George was a much better developed character than Hart; near the end of the book his point of view just drops off, leaving his (assumed to be) developing feelings a mystery. I mean, they're not much of a mystery because boners, but you know what I mean.
5. Y'know, for allegedly loving guardians, Emm and Cal let Aunt Agatha say some nasty-ass shit to George without stepping in. Yike.
6. I don't know. I'm glad I finished the series, but it's obvious that this needed a bit more baking to come together.
June 13, 2021
4+
Bellissima conclusione di questa serie !!!!
Bellissima conclusione di questa serie !!!!
May 25, 2020
4.5 rounded up.
Lady Salter together with the Duchess of Everingham orchestrated the wedding of the year – maybe even the decade when they paired Lady Salter’s niece, Lady Rose Rutherford and the Duchess’ son Redmond Jasper Hartley “Hart”, the Duke of Everingham– too bad the bride was already married! Unwilling to lose bragging rights to the wedding of the decade – Lady Salter aka Aunt Agatha, offers Lady Georgiana Rutherford to the duke – who firmly refuses.
Lady Georgiana “George” Rutherford was not raised to be a lady, hidden away and kept secret, she didn’t even know she was a “lady” or had a family until her uncle Cal, Earl of Ashendon found her and brought her kicking and screaming into the family. She has participated in several seasons and enjoys London, she has had several offers of marriage, but has turned them all down, she has no desire to marry and her heart’s desire is to retire to the county, raise dogs and horses and live an independent life. So, when she learns that her aunt has offered her up, she is very clear – she will not marry anyone, especially not the cold and arrogant Duke of Everingham. A thought she makes crystal clear to him as well, and she means it – she just wishes his kisses didn’t set her aflame.
Hart has no desire to marry George, but why is she pretending like she doesn’t want to marry him and how did he never notice how attractive she is or how different from all the other ladies of his acquaintance? At first, he tells himself that he is trying to talk to her because he wants to buy her horse, but when he kisses her to supposedly test a theory, he knows – George will be his duchess. The fact that she doesn’t want to marry isn’t a problem – he wants her and he always gets what he wants.
But George is no society miss overly concerned about her reputation and her family stands by her come hell or high water, so for the first time in his life, Hart faces the possibility of not getting his way! But when her aunt and his mother interfere again and use George’s tender heart to get their way – George resigns herself to a loveless marriage – but Hart surprises her and soon they both realize they both want what they never expected, happily ever after.
This was a well written, perfectly paced, fun story with lots of emotion and humor. The story has wonderful characters, warm love scenes, some shocking surprises, an unconventional, stubborn heroine and a hero who wouldn’t want her any other way. Hart and George are perfect for each other and their interactions and reactions were so much fun to read, that you can help but root for them to get their HEA and when they do, SIGH… and if that isn’t enough for you, the epilogue was incredibly sweet and the perfect ending to this series. The book isn’t perfect, George was not the easiest heroine to like at the beginning and there are a couple of title errors, but by the end of the book, I loved George and didn’t really care about a couple of errors. I am happy to recommend this series and this story especially. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*
Lady Salter together with the Duchess of Everingham orchestrated the wedding of the year – maybe even the decade when they paired Lady Salter’s niece, Lady Rose Rutherford and the Duchess’ son Redmond Jasper Hartley “Hart”, the Duke of Everingham– too bad the bride was already married! Unwilling to lose bragging rights to the wedding of the decade – Lady Salter aka Aunt Agatha, offers Lady Georgiana Rutherford to the duke – who firmly refuses.
Lady Georgiana “George” Rutherford was not raised to be a lady, hidden away and kept secret, she didn’t even know she was a “lady” or had a family until her uncle Cal, Earl of Ashendon found her and brought her kicking and screaming into the family. She has participated in several seasons and enjoys London, she has had several offers of marriage, but has turned them all down, she has no desire to marry and her heart’s desire is to retire to the county, raise dogs and horses and live an independent life. So, when she learns that her aunt has offered her up, she is very clear – she will not marry anyone, especially not the cold and arrogant Duke of Everingham. A thought she makes crystal clear to him as well, and she means it – she just wishes his kisses didn’t set her aflame.
Hart has no desire to marry George, but why is she pretending like she doesn’t want to marry him and how did he never notice how attractive she is or how different from all the other ladies of his acquaintance? At first, he tells himself that he is trying to talk to her because he wants to buy her horse, but when he kisses her to supposedly test a theory, he knows – George will be his duchess. The fact that she doesn’t want to marry isn’t a problem – he wants her and he always gets what he wants.
But George is no society miss overly concerned about her reputation and her family stands by her come hell or high water, so for the first time in his life, Hart faces the possibility of not getting his way! But when her aunt and his mother interfere again and use George’s tender heart to get their way – George resigns herself to a loveless marriage – but Hart surprises her and soon they both realize they both want what they never expected, happily ever after.
This was a well written, perfectly paced, fun story with lots of emotion and humor. The story has wonderful characters, warm love scenes, some shocking surprises, an unconventional, stubborn heroine and a hero who wouldn’t want her any other way. Hart and George are perfect for each other and their interactions and reactions were so much fun to read, that you can help but root for them to get their HEA and when they do, SIGH… and if that isn’t enough for you, the epilogue was incredibly sweet and the perfect ending to this series. The book isn’t perfect, George was not the easiest heroine to like at the beginning and there are a couple of title errors, but by the end of the book, I loved George and didn’t really care about a couple of errors. I am happy to recommend this series and this story especially. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*
May 13, 2020
Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie is the fourth (and I believe, final) book of the Marriage of Convenience series and I’m so sad that it is over as I loved these characters. With that said, I am so glad I finally got to read George’s story and I loved how it all wrapped up.
If you recall, the last book had Rose leaving the Duke of Everingham at the altar which turned out well for her in the end. It wasn’t a love match, so he wasn’t that broken hearted about it but he’s definitely having to deal with the gossip and he doesn’t really have any interest in finding a replacement.
Lady Georgina Rutherford is determined not to marry. When she comes of age, she wants to move to the country and raise horses and dogs. Unfortunately for her, that means that until that happens, she has to continue to go to all of the parties and social events whether she wants to or not. George actually has a good reputation with the gentlemen of the Ton because she has always been up front with her plans and even though she still gets offers of marriage, she is clear with her intention not to marry.
George catches Hart’s interest at first because of her aunt Agatha. They never really interacted all that much when Hart was engaged to Rose but when Agatha offers George up as an option as a bride, Hart’s interest is piqued. Of course, he declines (adamantly) but when he starts to engage with George at parties and then also finds out she owns a magnificent horse he would like to own, he decides he wants her and does whatever he has to in order to make her his.
I loved how these two came together. I was worried it was going to be weird with Hart having almost married Rose, but it actually wasn’t as they didn’t have any feelings invested. As George continues to challenge and push back at Hart, things get more interesting until they find themselves in a situation where the only way to save both their reputations is to get married. Unfortunately for George, she is the one to suffer because of this. Having declined other offers, people now think she was scheming for a title and even though she doesn’t really care what people think of her, she does care if what they think is completely incorrect.
As Hart and George start to learn more about each other and correct some assumptions they had along the way, their relationship becomes about more than just the contract they agreed to and it was wonderful to see these two figure it out.
Overall, I thought this was a great wrap up for this group. I loved every one of the stories and George’s was a solid ending. I think everyone who loves Historical Romance should be reading Anne Gracie’s stories as they rank amongst some of my favorites. She develops wonderful characters, interesting stories, and makes the romance swoony. Gracie has quickly become an auto-buy author for me in this genre and I can’t wait for the next book she writes to come out…whatever it is.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you recall, the last book had Rose leaving the Duke of Everingham at the altar which turned out well for her in the end. It wasn’t a love match, so he wasn’t that broken hearted about it but he’s definitely having to deal with the gossip and he doesn’t really have any interest in finding a replacement.
Lady Georgina Rutherford is determined not to marry. When she comes of age, she wants to move to the country and raise horses and dogs. Unfortunately for her, that means that until that happens, she has to continue to go to all of the parties and social events whether she wants to or not. George actually has a good reputation with the gentlemen of the Ton because she has always been up front with her plans and even though she still gets offers of marriage, she is clear with her intention not to marry.
George catches Hart’s interest at first because of her aunt Agatha. They never really interacted all that much when Hart was engaged to Rose but when Agatha offers George up as an option as a bride, Hart’s interest is piqued. Of course, he declines (adamantly) but when he starts to engage with George at parties and then also finds out she owns a magnificent horse he would like to own, he decides he wants her and does whatever he has to in order to make her his.
I loved how these two came together. I was worried it was going to be weird with Hart having almost married Rose, but it actually wasn’t as they didn’t have any feelings invested. As George continues to challenge and push back at Hart, things get more interesting until they find themselves in a situation where the only way to save both their reputations is to get married. Unfortunately for George, she is the one to suffer because of this. Having declined other offers, people now think she was scheming for a title and even though she doesn’t really care what people think of her, she does care if what they think is completely incorrect.
As Hart and George start to learn more about each other and correct some assumptions they had along the way, their relationship becomes about more than just the contract they agreed to and it was wonderful to see these two figure it out.
Overall, I thought this was a great wrap up for this group. I loved every one of the stories and George’s was a solid ending. I think everyone who loves Historical Romance should be reading Anne Gracie’s stories as they rank amongst some of my favorites. She develops wonderful characters, interesting stories, and makes the romance swoony. Gracie has quickly become an auto-buy author for me in this genre and I can’t wait for the next book she writes to come out…whatever it is.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2020
Absolutely loved this 4th book.
May 8, 2021
4 stelline e mezzo
"C'è un motivo per la vostra visita, lady Salter?"
"Avete ancora bisogno di una moglie".
Dopo l'inflessione del terzo volume (non all'altezza del resto), mi sono decisa a leggere l'ultimo perché avevo una gran voglia di vedere in primo piano due dei personaggi più interessanti della serie.
In primo luogo Georgiana, la nipote dei Rutherford cresciuta selvaggia e indomita, senza famiglia, senza regole, senza scuola, e abituata a farsi strada nella vita a testa alta, anche facendosi chiamare "George", come un vero ragazzaccio.
E ovviamente, a questo punto, di maschio appetibile c'è rimasto solo lui, o meglio soprattutto lui: la pecora nera della serie, quel Duca di Everingham, sempre agognato come obiettivo dalla terribile zia Agatha per propinarlo a una delle sue parenti.
Così il duca, nel corso dei romanzi, è sfuggito alle cene e agli appostamenti di lady Salter, è stato portato all'altare grazie a un accordo proficuo ma grazie al destino è riuscito a liberarsene, ed è rimasto il candidato ideale per il matrimonio da favola, la preda ideale per tutte le debuttanti di Londra e le loro madri.
Fino a cadere, tuttavia, nel trappolone del noto adagio "in amor vince chi fugge"... infatti, se proprio lady Georgiana non se lo fila manco di striscio, vuoi che non diventi proprio lei il peggior affronto, la ragazza misteriosa e indecifrabile, l'unica donna che può davvero smuovere qualcosa nell'annoiato animo di un rampollo abituato a ottenere sempre tutto?
Questo quarto volume è la degna conclusione della serie, tra battibecchi, ratti e serre, cavalcate con Sultan, sorprese e tutta la famiglia che rientra alla grande (compresi Cal ed Emm in attesa dell'Erede): è il momento di gloria di George e della sua freschezza e irriverenza, persino nell'incedere nella navata della chiesa, è la riscoperta di Hart, è il sorriso soddisfatto di zia Agatha e quello felice di zia Dottie.
Si termina il romanzo contenti, io lo sono stata. E penso che conserverò un buonissimo ricordo di questa serie.
"C'è un motivo per la vostra visita, lady Salter?"
"Avete ancora bisogno di una moglie".
Dopo l'inflessione del terzo volume (non all'altezza del resto), mi sono decisa a leggere l'ultimo perché avevo una gran voglia di vedere in primo piano due dei personaggi più interessanti della serie.
In primo luogo Georgiana, la nipote dei Rutherford cresciuta selvaggia e indomita, senza famiglia, senza regole, senza scuola, e abituata a farsi strada nella vita a testa alta, anche facendosi chiamare "George", come un vero ragazzaccio.
E ovviamente, a questo punto, di maschio appetibile c'è rimasto solo lui, o meglio soprattutto lui: la pecora nera della serie, quel Duca di Everingham, sempre agognato come obiettivo dalla terribile zia Agatha per propinarlo a una delle sue parenti.
Così il duca, nel corso dei romanzi, è sfuggito alle cene e agli appostamenti di lady Salter, è stato portato all'altare grazie a un accordo proficuo ma grazie al destino è riuscito a liberarsene, ed è rimasto il candidato ideale per il matrimonio da favola, la preda ideale per tutte le debuttanti di Londra e le loro madri.
Fino a cadere, tuttavia, nel trappolone del noto adagio "in amor vince chi fugge"... infatti, se proprio lady Georgiana non se lo fila manco di striscio, vuoi che non diventi proprio lei il peggior affronto, la ragazza misteriosa e indecifrabile, l'unica donna che può davvero smuovere qualcosa nell'annoiato animo di un rampollo abituato a ottenere sempre tutto?
Questo quarto volume è la degna conclusione della serie, tra battibecchi, ratti e serre, cavalcate con Sultan, sorprese e tutta la famiglia che rientra alla grande (compresi Cal ed Emm in attesa dell'Erede): è il momento di gloria di George e della sua freschezza e irriverenza, persino nell'incedere nella navata della chiesa, è la riscoperta di Hart, è il sorriso soddisfatto di zia Agatha e quello felice di zia Dottie.
Si termina il romanzo contenti, io lo sono stata. E penso che conserverò un buonissimo ricordo di questa serie.
April 27, 2020
Marry in Scarlet was a highly anticipated read for me and I'm sorry to say that this one just missed the mark.
I had been so excited to read George's romance with the stuff Duke of Everingham. George is a lady that defies convention and I thought she would be a fabulous foil for the duke, and to a certain extent she was. But, to be totally honest, I just wasn't a big fan of the duke. Hart was arrogant and controlling and I'm not sure that I was ever convinced that George didn't deserve better.
I also found it jarring that the novel changed course in the last part with this last minute mystery involving two missing boys. And the resolution of that added on intrigue just felt overly sweet.
Ultimately, this was an uneven novel for and not my favourite from Gracie.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I had been so excited to read George's romance with the stuff Duke of Everingham. George is a lady that defies convention and I thought she would be a fabulous foil for the duke, and to a certain extent she was. But, to be totally honest, I just wasn't a big fan of the duke. Hart was arrogant and controlling and I'm not sure that I was ever convinced that George didn't deserve better.
I also found it jarring that the novel changed course in the last part with this last minute mystery involving two missing boys. And the resolution of that added on intrigue just felt overly sweet.
Ultimately, this was an uneven novel for and not my favourite from Gracie.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 23, 2020
Marry in Scarlet
Marriage of Convenience Series #4
Anne Gracie
https://www.facebook.com/AnneGracieAu...
Release date 05/26/2020
Publisher Berkley
Blurb :
When a duke denied . . .
The proud and arrogant Duke of Everingham is determined to secure a marriage of convenience with heiress, Lady Georgiana Rutherford. He's the biggest prize on the London marriage mart, pursued by young unmarried ladies and their match-making mamas, as well as married women with a wandering eye. He can have any woman he wants. Or so he thinks. . .
...Hunts an independent lady . . .
Lady Georgiana Rutherford--irreverent and unconventional--has no plans to marry. Having grown up poor, Lady George has no intention of giving up her fortune to become dependent on the dubious and unreliable goodwill of a man. Especially a man as insufferable as the Duke of Everingham, whose kisses stirs unwelcome and unsettling emotions . . .
...Sparks are sure to fly
The more she defies him, the more the duke wants her, until an argument at a ball spirals into a passionate embrace. Caught in a compromising position, the duke announces their betrothal. George is furious and when gossip claims she deliberately entrapped the duke--when she was the one who was trapped--she marches down the aisle in a scarlet wedding dress. But the unlikely bride and groom may have found love in the most improbable of places--a marriage of convenience.
My review :
This is my introduction read to Mrs Anne Gracie’s world. I just needed a new rekease to come to finally get my hands on one of her books.
I very much liked the writing style and humour, I was less fond of the knee weak heroine and the pushover duke at the beginning.
I loved George’s independence and freedom of speech and thoughts. Why I was afraid when she began to suffer from the wobbling knees affection, unable to dampen her lust for the icy duke. And while she was lust driven for most of the book, she in time is able to retrieve control from her brain.
I very much loved her, while she is younger, her upbringing matured her beyond her years. It also set her determination to never marry.
Hart was lucky she is a woman who never back down on a promise.
Of course, as a romance, she will come to see marriage to the right man can fulfill her life as much as she had hope as a spinster, even more as it my bring children in the lot.
Yet her aunt is the perfect proof that love whatever its form is the most achieving sentiment.
My gaze was more lukewarm about Hart. He was not the most cheerful and sunniest man to like. His haughtiness and arrogance did not precisely hearten me to like him even a bit. And until the far end, he very much not once let transpire his feelings.
George suspects but sees nothing of what in his heart.
I hated he tried to trick her in a marriage of convenience because he wanted her and refused to accept she did not. Why I was surprised that when he learned the true reason behind George acceptance of the match, he did not stay quiet and instead he did help her to see how she had been deceived.
He was the one who changed less, after he is a duke, no lowly peer, it is expected from him to be arrogant, still with George he will see a side of himself he did not like and so he will curb a bit his actions to prove her he can be more than the facade he shows to the world.
I was just disappointed the blurb revealed too much, as three quarters of the story is summarized in it. It was not really a marriage of convenience tale as it did occur only in the last quarter. The last end twist surprised me a bit as it was a very far removed plot that was suddenly reawakened.
Yet in all, it was a very enjoyable read, with a few unexpected turns and two very different characters everything seems to oppose.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Berkley, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Marriage of Convenience Series #4
Anne Gracie
https://www.facebook.com/AnneGracieAu...
Release date 05/26/2020
Publisher Berkley
Blurb :
When a duke denied . . .
The proud and arrogant Duke of Everingham is determined to secure a marriage of convenience with heiress, Lady Georgiana Rutherford. He's the biggest prize on the London marriage mart, pursued by young unmarried ladies and their match-making mamas, as well as married women with a wandering eye. He can have any woman he wants. Or so he thinks. . .
...Hunts an independent lady . . .
Lady Georgiana Rutherford--irreverent and unconventional--has no plans to marry. Having grown up poor, Lady George has no intention of giving up her fortune to become dependent on the dubious and unreliable goodwill of a man. Especially a man as insufferable as the Duke of Everingham, whose kisses stirs unwelcome and unsettling emotions . . .
...Sparks are sure to fly
The more she defies him, the more the duke wants her, until an argument at a ball spirals into a passionate embrace. Caught in a compromising position, the duke announces their betrothal. George is furious and when gossip claims she deliberately entrapped the duke--when she was the one who was trapped--she marches down the aisle in a scarlet wedding dress. But the unlikely bride and groom may have found love in the most improbable of places--a marriage of convenience.
My review :
This is my introduction read to Mrs Anne Gracie’s world. I just needed a new rekease to come to finally get my hands on one of her books.
I very much liked the writing style and humour, I was less fond of the knee weak heroine and the pushover duke at the beginning.
I loved George’s independence and freedom of speech and thoughts. Why I was afraid when she began to suffer from the wobbling knees affection, unable to dampen her lust for the icy duke. And while she was lust driven for most of the book, she in time is able to retrieve control from her brain.
I very much loved her, while she is younger, her upbringing matured her beyond her years. It also set her determination to never marry.
Hart was lucky she is a woman who never back down on a promise.
Of course, as a romance, she will come to see marriage to the right man can fulfill her life as much as she had hope as a spinster, even more as it my bring children in the lot.
Yet her aunt is the perfect proof that love whatever its form is the most achieving sentiment.
My gaze was more lukewarm about Hart. He was not the most cheerful and sunniest man to like. His haughtiness and arrogance did not precisely hearten me to like him even a bit. And until the far end, he very much not once let transpire his feelings.
George suspects but sees nothing of what in his heart.
I hated he tried to trick her in a marriage of convenience because he wanted her and refused to accept she did not. Why I was surprised that when he learned the true reason behind George acceptance of the match, he did not stay quiet and instead he did help her to see how she had been deceived.
He was the one who changed less, after he is a duke, no lowly peer, it is expected from him to be arrogant, still with George he will see a side of himself he did not like and so he will curb a bit his actions to prove her he can be more than the facade he shows to the world.
I was just disappointed the blurb revealed too much, as three quarters of the story is summarized in it. It was not really a marriage of convenience tale as it did occur only in the last quarter. The last end twist surprised me a bit as it was a very far removed plot that was suddenly reawakened.
Yet in all, it was a very enjoyable read, with a few unexpected turns and two very different characters everything seems to oppose.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Berkley, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
May 26, 2020
Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie is book 4 in the Marriage of Convenience Series. This is the story of Georgiana 'George' Rutherford and Redmond Jasper Hartley 'Hart' the Duke of Everingham. This book was a standalone book for me. Georgiana has set her sites on being a spinster who lives in the country breading horses and dogs. Georgiana has little faith in men and she is happy with the family she has so she feels secure in her wishes. Hart has learned from the best...his mother, that women are not to be trusted. Hart's mother is the picture of deceit to his father and to him. But he is aware that he has to marry which lead him to a good settlement with a women but she up and left him at the alter. No, Hart's heart was not broken but his pride did take a slight hit. When he settles into find another match for what he wants in a wife it takes a turn when Georgiana enters the picture. But she isn't going along with any plans he has and she fighting back causing passion to flair so much that they get caught. Of course they have to marry but Georgiana is going out in a blaze of red. Loved this author's writing and of course this book. I cannot wait for more from her.
March 14, 2021
Good but my least favourite of the series. I liked the h's honesty, that the H listened to her and the slow building of their relationship. But the last few chapters felt like someone else was writing, it ws clunky and just wrong. I expected his ward would come into play but it seemed overwrought. Her speech was out of character, she's lost her sass, he lost his charisma, they were 'unfinished'? The series is wonderful but I struggled to give this 4 stars.
June 28, 2020
DNF at 42%. I can’t take any more of this drivel. I want to slap the shit out of several characters.
The “hero,” Hart, is a fucking asshole. He’s arrogant, jaded, and an enormous jerk.
And great Aunt Aggie. What a bitch. And she never shuts up, haranguing people incessantly. Why haven’t they banished her somewhere where no one has to listen to her vitriol any more?
This book just made me madder and madder as I read, and life is to short to read terrible books. So I’m done.
The “hero,” Hart, is a fucking asshole. He’s arrogant, jaded, and an enormous jerk.
And great Aunt Aggie. What a bitch. And she never shuts up, haranguing people incessantly. Why haven’t they banished her somewhere where no one has to listen to her vitriol any more?
This book just made me madder and madder as I read, and life is to short to read terrible books. So I’m done.
Read
May 14, 2024What a great conclusion to this series!
George reminded me of Eloise Bridgerton!
George reminded me of Eloise Bridgerton!
June 23, 2020
A wonderful conclusion to a romantic series!
July 19, 2020
Cute. I quite liked the vow scene. The second half of the book was better once past the will they marry or not trickery.
June 19, 2022
Not bad.
March 20, 2020
It is not yet clear whether this is to be the last book in this series. This reviewer would very much like to see aunt Agatha married and well out of everyone's hair.
George and Hart are a very well matched couple. And their pairing offers a great solution to the problem created in Marry In Secret. (Please see afore mentioned book for plot twist.)
Hart is just as spirited. And maybe even a bit more displaced than George. Given the fact that unlike her. He hasn't had the benefit of any really sort of familial affection.
So...
Seeing the two of them literally battle their way to the altar. With him using every trick at his disposal to bring about a marriage between the two. Along of course with some much unwanted help from both Agatha and his very over the top mother.
Scheming aside...
The flowering of true passions and emotional connection between the two is what really makes this story
The reality of each being well meaning but flawed. And more than just a little unsure about just how the business of letting down one's guard and loving another works.
The incorporation of George's animals. (Sultan in particular.) Serves as both a great bridge between past and present interactions. While also providing one of the cop's best battling points early on in the read.
Marry In Scarlet is written with Anne Gracie's characteristic flair for the lightheartedly dramatic.
An unsurpassed knack for family building.
As well as an uncanny ability to keep the possibility of "happily ever after" in sight for her couples. While not making it a foregone conclusion.
The only thing standing between this book and 5 stars?
The the treatment of the sex between George and Hart. The love scenes while good. Just never seem to fully convey the levels of passion that Hart and George share.
Instead managing to always leave one wanting more.
That being said...
Hart and George's story is one befitting their fire, ferocity, and passion. And one sure to stir all three emotions in any untamed soul who dare peruse its pages.
Marry In Scarlet is the fourth book in the Marriage Of Convenience series. And may be read as part of its intended collection or as a standalone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Romance for providing the review copy on which this unbiased critique is based.
George and Hart are a very well matched couple. And their pairing offers a great solution to the problem created in Marry In Secret. (Please see afore mentioned book for plot twist.)
Hart is just as spirited. And maybe even a bit more displaced than George. Given the fact that unlike her. He hasn't had the benefit of any really sort of familial affection.
So...
Seeing the two of them literally battle their way to the altar. With him using every trick at his disposal to bring about a marriage between the two. Along of course with some much unwanted help from both Agatha and his very over the top mother.
Scheming aside...
The flowering of true passions and emotional connection between the two is what really makes this story
The reality of each being well meaning but flawed. And more than just a little unsure about just how the business of letting down one's guard and loving another works.
The incorporation of George's animals. (Sultan in particular.) Serves as both a great bridge between past and present interactions. While also providing one of the cop's best battling points early on in the read.
Marry In Scarlet is written with Anne Gracie's characteristic flair for the lightheartedly dramatic.
An unsurpassed knack for family building.
As well as an uncanny ability to keep the possibility of "happily ever after" in sight for her couples. While not making it a foregone conclusion.
The only thing standing between this book and 5 stars?
The the treatment of the sex between George and Hart. The love scenes while good. Just never seem to fully convey the levels of passion that Hart and George share.
Instead managing to always leave one wanting more.
That being said...
Hart and George's story is one befitting their fire, ferocity, and passion. And one sure to stir all three emotions in any untamed soul who dare peruse its pages.
Marry In Scarlet is the fourth book in the Marriage Of Convenience series. And may be read as part of its intended collection or as a standalone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Romance for providing the review copy on which this unbiased critique is based.
May 22, 2020
Every so often, a character comes along, captures my heart, and refuses to return it. George is just such a character. I've been eagerly anticipating her story since she first burst onto the page of book one, kicking and screaming. She's unique, endearing, courageous, refreshing, honorable, and just plain fun. I adore her kindness, her loyalty, her protective nature, her irreverence, take-charge mindset, and huge capacity for love. Watching her evolve over the course of this series, while remaining true to herself, has been pure pleasure. There are so many facets of her personality and passages from her story that I want to share but each reader should have the opportunity to discover the wonder of George by reading her story themselves.
And then there's Hart. If George evolves during this journey, it's nothing compared to what happens to Hart. This aloof, entitled duke, full of his own consequence and cold-blooded in his approach to matrimony, has his life turned upside down by our heroine. She's nothing he could have anticipated and everything he never knew he needed. The banter between these two sparkles and the desire threatens to spiral out of control. But it's the unexpected sweetness and depth of their emotions, especially his, that are so romantic and sensual. He's one of my favorite Gracie heroes and, believe me, after reading book three, Marry in Secret, I never thought I'd be saying that. But Hart came through, and in glorious, heart-tugging style. He and George made me laugh, made me sigh, and made me cry. And if they aren't enough, there's a secondary, secret romance that kept my tear ducts, and my heart, overflowing. Keep tissues handy for the epilogue. Just sayin'.
I've already read this book twice and I know if won't be long before I'm pulled back to these characters again...and again...and again. Marry in Scarlet can be read as a standalone but for a more complete understanding of the characters and their journeys to this point, especially George, I strongly recommend reading this quartet in order: Marry in Haste, Marry in Scandal, Marry in Secret, and Marry in Scarlet. All four books have my enthusiastic endorsement.
*ARC received via Netgalley
*Opinions unbiased and my own
And then there's Hart. If George evolves during this journey, it's nothing compared to what happens to Hart. This aloof, entitled duke, full of his own consequence and cold-blooded in his approach to matrimony, has his life turned upside down by our heroine. She's nothing he could have anticipated and everything he never knew he needed. The banter between these two sparkles and the desire threatens to spiral out of control. But it's the unexpected sweetness and depth of their emotions, especially his, that are so romantic and sensual. He's one of my favorite Gracie heroes and, believe me, after reading book three, Marry in Secret, I never thought I'd be saying that. But Hart came through, and in glorious, heart-tugging style. He and George made me laugh, made me sigh, and made me cry. And if they aren't enough, there's a secondary, secret romance that kept my tear ducts, and my heart, overflowing. Keep tissues handy for the epilogue. Just sayin'.
I've already read this book twice and I know if won't be long before I'm pulled back to these characters again...and again...and again. Marry in Scarlet can be read as a standalone but for a more complete understanding of the characters and their journeys to this point, especially George, I strongly recommend reading this quartet in order: Marry in Haste, Marry in Scandal, Marry in Secret, and Marry in Scarlet. All four books have my enthusiastic endorsement.
*ARC received via Netgalley
*Opinions unbiased and my own
May 31, 2020
My least favorite of this series. I liked the heroine, George, but I didn’t like her love interest, the duke, and my disgust of him influenced my opinion of this story. He comes out as a cold and arrogant pig. How could George, a warmhearted and caring girl, be attracted to him is beyond me.
Their romance seems strange too, totally unrealistic on both their sides. It is unclear how they managed to proceed from indifference (on his part) or absolute dislike (on her part) to mutual love. Of course, there is insta-lust to the rescue, but that’s a trope I hate in romantic fiction.
Overall: a disappointing conclusion to the lovely series.
Note: I hope the author’s next book is going to be better, because I truly love most of her novels. She is on my automatic ‘to buy’ list, and I enjoyed her other books.
Their romance seems strange too, totally unrealistic on both their sides. It is unclear how they managed to proceed from indifference (on his part) or absolute dislike (on her part) to mutual love. Of course, there is insta-lust to the rescue, but that’s a trope I hate in romantic fiction.
Overall: a disappointing conclusion to the lovely series.
Note: I hope the author’s next book is going to be better, because I truly love most of her novels. She is on my automatic ‘to buy’ list, and I enjoyed her other books.
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