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Breaking the Marriage Rules #4
How to Avoid the Marriage Mart
A notorious rake
Meets a spirited spinster…At a weekend shooting party, where the guests are as determined to bag a marriage partner as they are a pheasant, two attendees are under siege. The Duke of Kingsford from a clutch of desperate debutantes, and Charlotte FitzRoy from her matchmaking mother! A pretend courtship between them should keep the others at bay, but an unexpected, impassioned kiss may just bring about the marriage they both sought to avoid!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Breaking the Marriage Rules
Book 1: Beguiling the Duke
Book 2: Awakening the Duchess
Book 3: Aspirations of a Lady’s Maid
Book 4: How to Avoid the Marriage Mart
Meets a spirited spinster…At a weekend shooting party, where the guests are as determined to bag a marriage partner as they are a pheasant, two attendees are under siege. The Duke of Kingsford from a clutch of desperate debutantes, and Charlotte FitzRoy from her matchmaking mother! A pretend courtship between them should keep the others at bay, but an unexpected, impassioned kiss may just bring about the marriage they both sought to avoid!
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Breaking the Marriage Rules
Book 1: Beguiling the Duke
Book 2: Awakening the Duchess
Book 3: Aspirations of a Lady’s Maid
Book 4: How to Avoid the Marriage Mart
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
About the author
Eva Shepherd
87 books25 followersAfter graduating with degrees in history and political science, Eva Shepherd worked in journalism and as an advertising copywriter.
She began writing historical romances because it combines her love of a happy ending with her passion for history.
She lives in Christchurch New Zealand, but spends her days immersed in the world of late Victorian England.
She began writing historical romances because it combines her love of a happy ending with her passion for history.
She lives in Christchurch New Zealand, but spends her days immersed in the world of late Victorian England.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 18, 2020
My new favourite of the series... another “rake” with honour and a heart! The determination of the spinster to not conform to society’s rules...
I have loved reading Eva’s portrayal of life in the late 1800’s, for both the rich and poor. The challenges the women faced to be who they wanted to be ...
I’ve really enjoyed these books and hope she continues the series...
I have loved reading Eva’s portrayal of life in the late 1800’s, for both the rich and poor. The challenges the women faced to be who they wanted to be ...
I’ve really enjoyed these books and hope she continues the series...
February 7, 2021
Woman with principles and values throws them all out of the window in the last 10% of the story because of luuuurve. Ugh.
December 19, 2020
Good book. Charlotte is one of the "new breed" of women who are independent, intelligent, and not interested in subjugating themselves to the selfish men they are exposed to. She has her interests, such as supporting a hospital in a poor section of London, that don't include trying to catch a husband. Unfortunately, her mother wants her married ASAP, and she doesn't care who the groom is. The shooting party they attend is rife with eager young women and far too many sketchy bachelors. While her mother searches for a target, Charlotte merely wants to ask her host to donate to the hospital.
Another attendee, Nicholas, is on the other end of the problem. Since his recent elevation to Duke, he is the target of every debutante and matchmaking mama he encounters. He has no interest in marriage. He attends the house party to play cards with the host and counts the hours until the card games begin. The only bright spot in the evening is the presence of Charlotte.
Nicholas and Charlotte have a history together. Years earlier, in her first Season, Charlotte approached Nicholas with an unusual and shocking request. He turned her down rather than ruin her prospects, but she saw it as a rejection. She never knew how he felt about her and carried a grudge ever since. Meanwhile, Nicholas left England for a wild time in Europe, hoping to erase her from his mind. It didn't work, and seeing her again brings it all back.
I enjoyed watching the development of their relationship. Nicholas and Charlotte encounter each other while trying to escape from their pursuers. Nicholas comes up with the idea of pretending to court as a way of fending off the others. Charlotte is somewhat reluctant at first but quickly realizes the benefits. Though she spent the last years still angry over his rejection, it becomes apparent that the attraction she felt toward Nicholas then is even stronger now. For his part, Nicholas discovers that he tempts fate whenever he is near her. One of the things I loved about Nicholas is that he likes Charlotte just the way she is. He appreciates her sense of justice and honor and enjoys seeing her stand up for herself. There's an amusing scene where Charlotte decides to seduce him and attempts to employ the standard female wiles. It doesn't go well, as Nicholas is completely confused by her actions. A confrontation turns into a heated encounter that gets more than a little out of hand. They narrowly escape a forced marriage, leading to an end of their pretend courtship. Though neither is sure why both are upset at the parting.
The house party also served another purpose. The host, the Marquess of Boswick, demanded a rematch of cards between himself and Nicholas. Boswick believes he is a better cardplayer than he is but consistently loses to Nicholas. This time, Nicholas promises Charlotte that he will donate his winnings to her hospital. Of course, the card game goes his way, angering Boswick again. Even worse, it happens again the next night. Nicholas believes that honor is satisfied and departs the house party early after his argument with Charlotte.
Matters become complicated when Boswick shows up to blackmail Nicholas. Given a choice, Nicholas would rather destroy his own reputation than see anything happen to Charlotte. She is devastated, but I wanted to shake her because she believed what she read in the paper. Then a conversation with Boswick made her reconsider. Once she figured out what really happened, she took steps to right the wrong. I loved what she did - it was so much a Charlotte thing to do. Nicholas's reaction wasn't much of a surprise, nor was Charlotte's response. It took a conversation with her sister-in-law for Charlotte to admit the truth. I loved their big moment at the end and seeing them finally admit to their feelings. The epilogue was terrific.
Another attendee, Nicholas, is on the other end of the problem. Since his recent elevation to Duke, he is the target of every debutante and matchmaking mama he encounters. He has no interest in marriage. He attends the house party to play cards with the host and counts the hours until the card games begin. The only bright spot in the evening is the presence of Charlotte.
Nicholas and Charlotte have a history together. Years earlier, in her first Season, Charlotte approached Nicholas with an unusual and shocking request. He turned her down rather than ruin her prospects, but she saw it as a rejection. She never knew how he felt about her and carried a grudge ever since. Meanwhile, Nicholas left England for a wild time in Europe, hoping to erase her from his mind. It didn't work, and seeing her again brings it all back.
I enjoyed watching the development of their relationship. Nicholas and Charlotte encounter each other while trying to escape from their pursuers. Nicholas comes up with the idea of pretending to court as a way of fending off the others. Charlotte is somewhat reluctant at first but quickly realizes the benefits. Though she spent the last years still angry over his rejection, it becomes apparent that the attraction she felt toward Nicholas then is even stronger now. For his part, Nicholas discovers that he tempts fate whenever he is near her. One of the things I loved about Nicholas is that he likes Charlotte just the way she is. He appreciates her sense of justice and honor and enjoys seeing her stand up for herself. There's an amusing scene where Charlotte decides to seduce him and attempts to employ the standard female wiles. It doesn't go well, as Nicholas is completely confused by her actions. A confrontation turns into a heated encounter that gets more than a little out of hand. They narrowly escape a forced marriage, leading to an end of their pretend courtship. Though neither is sure why both are upset at the parting.
The house party also served another purpose. The host, the Marquess of Boswick, demanded a rematch of cards between himself and Nicholas. Boswick believes he is a better cardplayer than he is but consistently loses to Nicholas. This time, Nicholas promises Charlotte that he will donate his winnings to her hospital. Of course, the card game goes his way, angering Boswick again. Even worse, it happens again the next night. Nicholas believes that honor is satisfied and departs the house party early after his argument with Charlotte.
Matters become complicated when Boswick shows up to blackmail Nicholas. Given a choice, Nicholas would rather destroy his own reputation than see anything happen to Charlotte. She is devastated, but I wanted to shake her because she believed what she read in the paper. Then a conversation with Boswick made her reconsider. Once she figured out what really happened, she took steps to right the wrong. I loved what she did - it was so much a Charlotte thing to do. Nicholas's reaction wasn't much of a surprise, nor was Charlotte's response. It took a conversation with her sister-in-law for Charlotte to admit the truth. I loved their big moment at the end and seeing them finally admit to their feelings. The epilogue was terrific.
August 9, 2021
Unforgetable kiss.
Step back in time and place to 1893 England. Meet a pair of aristocratic mothers making a profession of finding rich, titled spouses for their children.
Expressing a desire to never marry, and needing to relieve the pressure of such mothers, Charlotte and Nicholas create a scheme. They will pretend to court, and when the house party weekend is over, break it off.
Ms. Shepherd takes a familiar trope, gives a solid background including a previous kiss, and takes the reader for an adventure. I enjoyed both the story and the underrepresented time period.
Step back in time and place to 1893 England. Meet a pair of aristocratic mothers making a profession of finding rich, titled spouses for their children.
Expressing a desire to never marry, and needing to relieve the pressure of such mothers, Charlotte and Nicholas create a scheme. They will pretend to court, and when the house party weekend is over, break it off.
Ms. Shepherd takes a familiar trope, gives a solid background including a previous kiss, and takes the reader for an adventure. I enjoyed both the story and the underrepresented time period.
March 22, 2026
Il romanzo è ambientato in Inghilterra nel 1893.Lady Charlotte FitzRoy accetta l'invito di un marchese per riuscire ad ottenere soldi da devolver ein beneficienza per la costruzione di un ospedale per poveri. Peccato che quasi tutti gli ospiti appaiano più determinati a catturare un coniuge che un fagiano e la madre di Charlotte è convinta di poterle trovare un merito ed è disposta a tutto pe rottener eil suo scopo. Il Duca di Kingsford, è un ottimo partito: ricco, bello e gentiluomo. E' assediato da un gruppetto di fastidiose debuttanti, e , vittima delle manovre della madre, che vuole a tutti i costi trovarle un buon partito. Ma entrambi non hanno alcuna intenzione di sposarsi. Vogliono essere liberi e non sottomettersi alle convenzioni dell'alta società. Un finto corteggiamento tra loro potrebbe essere la soluzione per uscire indenni dalla situazione e placare le rispettive madri. Tuttavia un inaspettato quanto appassionato bacio rischia di incastrarli proprio nel matrimonio che cercavano di evitare... L'autrice scrive molto bene, tuttavia è sempre la solita storia d'amore trita e ritrita.
April 23, 2025
2.5 star DNF @ 69%.
I liked both MCs (especially the MMC) but I stopped reading when the MMC was I didn’t see how he (or the book) could come back from that.
I liked both MCs (especially the MMC) but I stopped reading when the MMC was I didn’t see how he (or the book) could come back from that.
Read
November 16, 2020Categories
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Victorian Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Miniseries
Breaking the Marriage Rules
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Victorian Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Miniseries
Breaking the Marriage Rules
Read
December 28, 2020Categories
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Victorian Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Miniseries
Breaking the Marriage Rules
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Victorian Historical Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Miniseries
Breaking the Marriage Rules
February 15, 2022
Great storyline as haven't read a M&B Historical book before. Eva writes a great story and lovely characters with Charlotte and Nicholas.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews