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Marriage Mart Mayhem #1
The Elusive Wife
Jason Cavendish, the Earl of Coventry, is trying to discreetly locate his unwanted and abandoned bride among London society to request an annulment. However, he doesn’t remember what she looks like because he was blind drunk at his arranged wedding and hasn’t seen her since.
The fascinating Lady Olivia has captured the Earl’s attention. Newly arrived from the country to stay with her school friend for the Season, she is appalled to discover that her husband, Lord Coventry, doesn't even recognize her. She's not about to tell the arrogant arse that she is his wife. Instead, she flirts with him by night and has her modiste send her mounting bills to him by day.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… Too bad this woman finds her husband nearly irresistible.
The fascinating Lady Olivia has captured the Earl’s attention. Newly arrived from the country to stay with her school friend for the Season, she is appalled to discover that her husband, Lord Coventry, doesn't even recognize her. She's not about to tell the arrogant arse that she is his wife. Instead, she flirts with him by night and has her modiste send her mounting bills to him by day.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… Too bad this woman finds her husband nearly irresistible.
200 pages, ebook
First published May 20, 2013
257 people are currently reading
2072 people want to read
About the author
Callie Hutton
141 books1,440 followershttp://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ (receive a free book for signing up and be up to date on new releases and sales)
Hi Romance Fans,
My historical romances are full of heat, humor, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.
I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Romantic Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A Study in Murder released last year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been excellent. The second book, The Sign of Death, released this year and the next book, The Mystery of Albert E. Finch will release in January of 2022.
I've also been busy keeping up with my Regency/Victorian romances. Check out my latest series, The Rose Room Rogues. Four brothers who own a gambling club and find themselves caught in the net of love.
Watch for my new Highlander series, The Sutherlands of Dornoch. The first book in that series, To Deceive a Highlander, will release March 30th.
Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers. www.calliehutton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
April 6, 2014
A " SPOILERS"
The only redeeming quality about the hero in this book is the last couple of pages. Jason, The Earl of Coventry is upset because his father is forcing him to marry. I can understand being upset by this but I think our hero " cough cough" carries his upset to the extreme. I developed an intense dislike for him through the book and the author expected to redeem him in the last few pages but it was to little to late for me.....
Jason the night before his wedding to a young lady he has never met gets drunk as a skunk and screws the innkeeper barmaid all night and heads off to marry the young lady still so drunk and unbathed from his fun and games he can hardly stand up.
This young woman who who has no family or friends then has to watch her groom stagger off and sit at her wedding breakfast humiliated without him. If things got better I could still have hope.
Upon waking the next morning in his own bed hung over, still dressed and realizing he can't even remember what his bride looks like he orders his carriage and takes back off for London without even leaving a note. When arriving in London he feels a pang of guilt for like 1.2 seconds and even his best friend calls him a real bastard and for weeks continues to all the balls and parties and not tell a soul he is married.
The poor deserted, humiliated wife finally writes to an old friend to stay and goes to London to talk her husband. When she finally sees him at a ball and he approached her at a ball he does it to flirt with her, he doesn't recognize his own wife. The poor girl is so humiliated once again she gives him her maiden name.
Mr. Wonderful decides after seeing her a few times that he desires her so much he writes his neglected ill used wife for and annulment.
He lets us know he likes her by explaining she isn't beautiful but she is..blah blah blah and when he is around her " His pants swell' or something like that. He must have talked about his swelling manhood at least a dozen times. I felt like yelling " we know we know...move on". Those are the special words that show us his regard during this great regency romance other reviews have written. When he finds out its her he is mad at her..huh? Then he doesn't want the annulment...ah no shit...Then just toward then end he questions himself on whether he will tire of her and be faithful or not....then waalaa the last couple pages insta love and a promise of faithfulness. I believe that Lord Coventry is Mr. HEA for right now. He has shown nothing but selfishness and unfeeling attitudes through most all of the book. My kindle's life was at stake through most of this book.
The only redeeming quality about the hero in this book is the last couple of pages. Jason, The Earl of Coventry is upset because his father is forcing him to marry. I can understand being upset by this but I think our hero " cough cough" carries his upset to the extreme. I developed an intense dislike for him through the book and the author expected to redeem him in the last few pages but it was to little to late for me.....
Jason the night before his wedding to a young lady he has never met gets drunk as a skunk and screws the innkeeper barmaid all night and heads off to marry the young lady still so drunk and unbathed from his fun and games he can hardly stand up.
This young woman who who has no family or friends then has to watch her groom stagger off and sit at her wedding breakfast humiliated without him. If things got better I could still have hope.
Upon waking the next morning in his own bed hung over, still dressed and realizing he can't even remember what his bride looks like he orders his carriage and takes back off for London without even leaving a note. When arriving in London he feels a pang of guilt for like 1.2 seconds and even his best friend calls him a real bastard and for weeks continues to all the balls and parties and not tell a soul he is married.
The poor deserted, humiliated wife finally writes to an old friend to stay and goes to London to talk her husband. When she finally sees him at a ball and he approached her at a ball he does it to flirt with her, he doesn't recognize his own wife. The poor girl is so humiliated once again she gives him her maiden name.
Mr. Wonderful decides after seeing her a few times that he desires her so much he writes his neglected ill used wife for and annulment.
He lets us know he likes her by explaining she isn't beautiful but she is..blah blah blah and when he is around her " His pants swell' or something like that. He must have talked about his swelling manhood at least a dozen times. I felt like yelling " we know we know...move on". Those are the special words that show us his regard during this great regency romance other reviews have written. When he finds out its her he is mad at her..huh? Then he doesn't want the annulment...ah no shit...Then just toward then end he questions himself on whether he will tire of her and be faithful or not....then waalaa the last couple pages insta love and a promise of faithfulness. I believe that Lord Coventry is Mr. HEA for right now. He has shown nothing but selfishness and unfeeling attitudes through most all of the book. My kindle's life was at stake through most of this book.
October 5, 2015
This book had a lot of potential, but I think it needed a more structured plot, better direction and just, in general, more focus. I don't feel the author really knew where to take the story, just that she wanted the MOC-separation trope. The story tends to meander and take slight detours into different directions before backtracking.
I did not like Jason, Lord Coventry, at all in the beginning. I absolutely detested him in the beginning when he showed up to his wedding blind-drunk and after having slept with some tavern servant. He didn't take a bath, change his clothes and did nothing to improve his appearance or work off the alcohol in his system. As the story continued, I didn't find myself warming up to him. What's so special about Olivia that he feels immediately attracted to her when he sees her in London? All he does is lust after her -- something he's done when it came to other women for years. Olivia does nothing to encourage him or give him the impression that she's not immature or like all of the other young women. All he sees in her is a pretty face because, when he first approaches her, she barely looks at him, avoids him when she can and gives very short and stock-like answers. All the reader gets from Jason's POV are lustful thoughts about her -- how he wants her in his bed and wants her "delectable body." When she's angry with him, he starts imagining that anger change into passion, completely disregarding and undermining her emotions and reasons behind the anger. The other characters are in support or him and talk about how great he is, but we see none of that from his POV. Instead, he's all selfishness, inconsideration, arrogance and lust. Where is this so-called great Coventry that they all speak of? Oh, how about the dub-con during their first time when her brain feels "muddled" because she's had too much to drink? Jason, who said he doesn't force women...but getting them tipsy is fine, huh?
There's even a part in which he refers to Selena, Lady Sheridan, as a "selfish, conniving bitch." Umm....sweetheart, isn't that what you are? He's the one that showed up to his wedding drunk off his ass, after having sexed some other woman, muddled through the ceremony and then promptly passed out. Oh, and then awoke the next morning and snuck out, leaving his wife to rusticate. He should be the last person calling anyone any names.
Olivia. I rather liked her in the beginning...but then I didn't. In the beginning, I was praising her for not falling for the age-old "I should hate him...but he's so hot!!" line of thinking that many of these female protagonists do. However, partway through, this is exactly what she starts to do. At this point, he hasn't done any grovelling for the way he treated her and she just starts lusting after him. I was rooting for her when she wanted to slap him as he flirted with her while, at the same time, he was still married (to her, though he didn't know). Then, near the end, she just goes completely TSTL. She doesn't like Sir Daniel and notes not feeling safe in his presence. Yet, when she finds him rifling through Jason's things, she calls him out on it and he tells her to shut the door...and she does. SO STUPID. OMG, stupid doesn't even begin to cover it!!! What the heck. And then we're supposed to believe she's smart enough to leave a coded message for Jason? Pfft...yeah, right.
This is what I meant by the author not knowing where to take the story. She brings up and drops various subplots and then goes and introduces the ~big bad~ in the last 10-15% of the story. And that's not even an exaggeration on my part. And suddenly, there's a gun and a kidnapping and a chase and fight at an inn...like, what in the hell? This all came completely out of left field!
There were also characters introduced for no reason. They literally show up for all of two seconds...and then are never mentioned again. Sir Garrett Brooke shows up at Coventry Manor...and then is never mentioned again. Lord Bristol is introduced and Jason doesn't like him...and he's never mentioned again. Olivia is accepted into a music school in Italy and it's briefly mentioned...before never being brought up again. Why even bother introducing any of this if there's no follow-up? If they have nothing to do with the story whatsoever? Even Lady Sheridan is pretty much dropped after he lets her go as his mistress. Instead, we get a villain, who we aren't even introduced to until the end, showing up and causing trouble in the eleventh hour. Heck, even Lady Sheridan would've been the better villain. Her causing trouble would've been more believable! He goes to her house and she kisses him and he gives her a bracelet as a send-off...and it's never brought up. Olivia overhears talk about Lady Sheridan and Jason...and she never brings it up with him. What was the point of any of that?
Another thing that bothered me was the writing itself. The author tends to include a lot of unnecessary actions in her story. She writes them sampling soup, pushing chairs back, serviettes...just, all of these unnecessary actions that contribute nothing to the story and merely act as filler.
Instead, the author should've focused her on developing her characters and their actions and emotions. After Jason's initial anger once he figured out Olivia was his wife, the author should've had him reflect on how she'd acted in his presence. She was quiet and trembled and blushed...the author should've written him coming to the realization that those blushes weren't in delight but in embarrassment. Before he figured out she was his wife, she was always super quiet in his presence, didn't look at him and did nothing to encourage him. She should've used it as a turning point in his character. Instead, she had him settle and remain firmly entrenched in anger and lust and arrogance. It was annoying to read that all he saw in her was her beauty that was why he wanted her -- there was nothing more to it. He continues this way until far too late into the story. He saw a pretty face and a hot bod...and he's suddenly ready to marry her.
There was also a part where she's telling Jason that she doesn't want to go to Coventry Manor with him...and then she's traveling with him in the next paragraph. The author should've talked less about serviettes and more about how he convinced her to go.
Also, why in the heck is Olivia traveling around alone with him in London? I get that they're married but, other than Grif, Elizabeth and Drake, no one knows that they're married. She wants an annulment. So, why is she getting into his carriage alone and traveling with him alone to the opera? Why is there no gossip about this? They go to a house party and he arrives with her. Alone. Just earlier he was mentioning that not telling his staff that they're married might "tarnish [her] reputation." What about her traveling all about with him, and him alone, with no chaperone?
The author's chaptering also bothered me. Sometimes days pass within a chapter...but then other times chapters end and begin in the middle of the same scene. WHY? It's so unnecessary!
Also, for those that don't like scenes with other women: this book has them. As the book opens, he's with his mistress, Lady Sheridan, with whom he also later shares a kiss about a third of the way through the book (she initiates and it's not said whether he reciprocates -- but this IS post-marriage). There's also a tavern servant he has sex with the night before his wedding.
I did not like Jason, Lord Coventry, at all in the beginning. I absolutely detested him in the beginning when he showed up to his wedding blind-drunk and after having slept with some tavern servant. He didn't take a bath, change his clothes and did nothing to improve his appearance or work off the alcohol in his system. As the story continued, I didn't find myself warming up to him. What's so special about Olivia that he feels immediately attracted to her when he sees her in London? All he does is lust after her -- something he's done when it came to other women for years. Olivia does nothing to encourage him or give him the impression that she's not immature or like all of the other young women. All he sees in her is a pretty face because, when he first approaches her, she barely looks at him, avoids him when she can and gives very short and stock-like answers. All the reader gets from Jason's POV are lustful thoughts about her -- how he wants her in his bed and wants her "delectable body." When she's angry with him, he starts imagining that anger change into passion, completely disregarding and undermining her emotions and reasons behind the anger. The other characters are in support or him and talk about how great he is, but we see none of that from his POV. Instead, he's all selfishness, inconsideration, arrogance and lust. Where is this so-called great Coventry that they all speak of? Oh, how about the dub-con during their first time when her brain feels "muddled" because she's had too much to drink? Jason, who said he doesn't force women...but getting them tipsy is fine, huh?
There's even a part in which he refers to Selena, Lady Sheridan, as a "selfish, conniving bitch." Umm....sweetheart, isn't that what you are? He's the one that showed up to his wedding drunk off his ass, after having sexed some other woman, muddled through the ceremony and then promptly passed out. Oh, and then awoke the next morning and snuck out, leaving his wife to rusticate. He should be the last person calling anyone any names.
Olivia. I rather liked her in the beginning...but then I didn't. In the beginning, I was praising her for not falling for the age-old "I should hate him...but he's so hot!!" line of thinking that many of these female protagonists do. However, partway through, this is exactly what she starts to do. At this point, he hasn't done any grovelling for the way he treated her and she just starts lusting after him. I was rooting for her when she wanted to slap him as he flirted with her while, at the same time, he was still married (to her, though he didn't know). Then, near the end, she just goes completely TSTL. She doesn't like Sir Daniel and notes not feeling safe in his presence. Yet, when she finds him rifling through Jason's things, she calls him out on it and he tells her to shut the door...and she does. SO STUPID. OMG, stupid doesn't even begin to cover it!!! What the heck. And then we're supposed to believe she's smart enough to leave a coded message for Jason? Pfft...yeah, right.
This is what I meant by the author not knowing where to take the story. She brings up and drops various subplots and then goes and introduces the ~big bad~ in the last 10-15% of the story. And that's not even an exaggeration on my part. And suddenly, there's a gun and a kidnapping and a chase and fight at an inn...like, what in the hell? This all came completely out of left field!
There were also characters introduced for no reason. They literally show up for all of two seconds...and then are never mentioned again. Sir Garrett Brooke shows up at Coventry Manor...and then is never mentioned again. Lord Bristol is introduced and Jason doesn't like him...and he's never mentioned again. Olivia is accepted into a music school in Italy and it's briefly mentioned...before never being brought up again. Why even bother introducing any of this if there's no follow-up? If they have nothing to do with the story whatsoever? Even Lady Sheridan is pretty much dropped after he lets her go as his mistress. Instead, we get a villain, who we aren't even introduced to until the end, showing up and causing trouble in the eleventh hour. Heck, even Lady Sheridan would've been the better villain. Her causing trouble would've been more believable! He goes to her house and she kisses him and he gives her a bracelet as a send-off...and it's never brought up. Olivia overhears talk about Lady Sheridan and Jason...and she never brings it up with him. What was the point of any of that?
Another thing that bothered me was the writing itself. The author tends to include a lot of unnecessary actions in her story. She writes them sampling soup, pushing chairs back, serviettes...just, all of these unnecessary actions that contribute nothing to the story and merely act as filler.
Instead, the author should've focused her on developing her characters and their actions and emotions. After Jason's initial anger once he figured out Olivia was his wife, the author should've had him reflect on how she'd acted in his presence. She was quiet and trembled and blushed...the author should've written him coming to the realization that those blushes weren't in delight but in embarrassment. Before he figured out she was his wife, she was always super quiet in his presence, didn't look at him and did nothing to encourage him. She should've used it as a turning point in his character. Instead, she had him settle and remain firmly entrenched in anger and lust and arrogance. It was annoying to read that all he saw in her was her beauty that was why he wanted her -- there was nothing more to it. He continues this way until far too late into the story. He saw a pretty face and a hot bod...and he's suddenly ready to marry her.
There was also a part where she's telling Jason that she doesn't want to go to Coventry Manor with him...and then she's traveling with him in the next paragraph. The author should've talked less about serviettes and more about how he convinced her to go.
Also, why in the heck is Olivia traveling around alone with him in London? I get that they're married but, other than Grif, Elizabeth and Drake, no one knows that they're married. She wants an annulment. So, why is she getting into his carriage alone and traveling with him alone to the opera? Why is there no gossip about this? They go to a house party and he arrives with her. Alone. Just earlier he was mentioning that not telling his staff that they're married might "tarnish [her] reputation." What about her traveling all about with him, and him alone, with no chaperone?
The author's chaptering also bothered me. Sometimes days pass within a chapter...but then other times chapters end and begin in the middle of the same scene. WHY? It's so unnecessary!
Also, for those that don't like scenes with other women: this book has them. As the book opens, he's with his mistress, Lady Sheridan, with whom he also later shares a kiss about a third of the way through the book (she initiates and it's not said whether he reciprocates -- but this IS post-marriage). There's also a tavern servant he has sex with the night before his wedding.
January 19, 2021
Solid 3* - not for the very worn out abandoned-bride-turned-who's-that-hot-chick-across-the-ballroom tropey moves, but for the author's clever drip drip of new plot elements. It's no riveting stuff but is, at least, never boring.
March 16, 2021
J'ai adoré l'histoire. Les personnages ont du caractère. Je me suis beaucoup attachée à eux et à leur histoire.
Je regrette juste la fin qui pour moi n'avait aucun sens. Rien ne justifiait vraiment cela. En plus, c'était beaucoup trop rapide et donc pas très cohérent. À cause de ça, j'ai été obligée d'enlever une étoile. C'est dommage, car c'était presque un coup de cœur. Mais au moins, j'ai pu découvrir la plume de Callie Hutton ! Je vais continuer la série sur les mésaventures nuptiales ; j'espère ne plus être déçue de la fin !
Je regrette juste la fin qui pour moi n'avait aucun sens. Rien ne justifiait vraiment cela. En plus, c'était beaucoup trop rapide et donc pas très cohérent. À cause de ça, j'ai été obligée d'enlever une étoile. C'est dommage, car c'était presque un coup de cœur. Mais au moins, j'ai pu découvrir la plume de Callie Hutton ! Je vais continuer la série sur les mésaventures nuptiales ; j'espère ne plus être déçue de la fin !
October 12, 2020
I liked the heroine’s integrity and that she had enough self respect to not fall into the handsome hunk of a hero’s bed immediately.
But the angst and chemistry was definitely lacking between the two. I didn’t feel that spark nor did I come to care for the hero.
In the beginning the hero acted like a pure rake, sleeping with his married mistress and then jumping into bed with a waitress at an inn, all in the span of a day or two and on the night before his wedding was to take place with the heroine, granted that it was forced/arranged by his father, the late earl, it still didn’t make it right. It was disrespectful towards the heroine. So when other characters described the hero being honorable, it was hard to believe.
And, I’m surprised he didn’t catch any STD.
Then he gets drunk enough to not even walk or see properly, he takes his vows and leaves his newly wedded heroine the next day without greeting her at all. Once he reaches London, he spies the lovely Lady Olivia and starts pursuing her with a madness, only to find out, after sending his wife annulment papers, that Lady Olivia is his wife. So its not surprising when the heroine is hostile towards him.
It takes a while but the heroine finally accedes to being his wife in truth and sleeps with him but I still didn’t feel the chemistry. I felt, a more extensive grovel would have been better.
Something was missing and I’m not sure what.
Safety: H is h’s only lover, no cheating after marriage, no significant ow/om drama, however there is some small drama with a debutante and her mama plotting to get the H married with the said debutante.
But the angst and chemistry was definitely lacking between the two. I didn’t feel that spark nor did I come to care for the hero.
In the beginning the hero acted like a pure rake, sleeping with his married mistress and then jumping into bed with a waitress at an inn, all in the span of a day or two and on the night before his wedding was to take place with the heroine, granted that it was forced/arranged by his father, the late earl, it still didn’t make it right. It was disrespectful towards the heroine. So when other characters described the hero being honorable, it was hard to believe.
And, I’m surprised he didn’t catch any STD.
Then he gets drunk enough to not even walk or see properly, he takes his vows and leaves his newly wedded heroine the next day without greeting her at all. Once he reaches London, he spies the lovely Lady Olivia and starts pursuing her with a madness, only to find out, after sending his wife annulment papers, that Lady Olivia is his wife. So its not surprising when the heroine is hostile towards him.
It takes a while but the heroine finally accedes to being his wife in truth and sleeps with him but I still didn’t feel the chemistry. I felt, a more extensive grovel would have been better.
Something was missing and I’m not sure what.
Safety: H is h’s only lover, no cheating after marriage, no significant ow/om drama, however there is some small drama with a debutante and her mama plotting to get the H married with the said debutante.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2015
Seriously disappointed that I didn't enjoy it. Stupid blurb with its stupid false promises of greatness.
I mean damn, I thought this was going to be that one bomb ass historical romance novel to end 2015 with. This was supposed to be it for me people!
This book had so much potential, if only the characters didn't have the personalities and star-factors of doorknobs. From the way this was written it was like the characters didn't even want to be in the bloody book and were reading off a script that they couldn't quite decipher.
Jason stared off into space for a moment. "Ah, you mean the lovely Lady Coventry? My wife. The women i am legally and rightfully married to. That Lady Coventry?"
Conversation between Earl Jason aka fuckwit to best-friend/ not so much a fuckwit Derek something
So yes I DNF'd it at 70%,
I found twas not to my liking.
February 25, 2018
Tenía expectativas y no las cumplió, me encanta el romance histórico y sobretodo esta temática, pero como ya he leído demasiado sobre ello, ya pocas me sorprender, a pesar que ésta tenía un comienzo de premisa diferente, no me convenció de a mucho. Sin embargo, se deja leer.
June 7, 2022
I do love a quick read and as part of a bookclub challenge this story by Callie Hutton captured my attention from beginning to end.
Jason Cavendish, the new Earl of Coventry has been summoned to his country estate and according to his father's will, he is to enter into an arranged marriage with Lady Jane Grant, his father's goddaughter. Upon arriving, he is too far into his cups but still continues on to wed Lady Jane Grant. Site unseen, he leaves for London and abandons her at the estate the next morning. While in London, he continues the pretense that he is not married leaving the debutants and their mommas on his trail for a likely match. That is until he runs into his wife who now goes under the name of Lady Olivia Grant. She has come to London to stay with a dear friend and Jason is desperately on the hunt to make her his own.
Lady Olivia has come to London to stay with a friend from school and in the process try to locate the scoundrel of a husband, Mr. Arrogant, to give him a piece of her mind for leaving her alone at his country seat to traipse around London showing her the rake and rogue she's married. When Jason is finally introduced to Olivia, he does not recognize his own wife and this infuriates Olivia the more. As the Season continues, she starts her own crusade of eligible men making Jason want her more and more. In order to have Olivia, he discreetly locates the woman he thought abandoned and requests an annulment. However, he doesn’t remember what she looks...which creates a problem for his perfect plan.
This was one enemy to lovers trope that I thoroughly enjoyed and was hard to put away. I loved all the shenanigans and angst between the Jason and Olivia. I did however think that regardless of her attraction to her rakish husband, I would have made him suffer for quite a long time. I did like the redeeming quality of Jason and the slow build to Olivia understanding that looks are not all that it appeared to be and that they both wanted the same from their marriage and not the ones that their parents have lived. A delightful and wonderful read. Recommend reading.
Jason Cavendish, the new Earl of Coventry has been summoned to his country estate and according to his father's will, he is to enter into an arranged marriage with Lady Jane Grant, his father's goddaughter. Upon arriving, he is too far into his cups but still continues on to wed Lady Jane Grant. Site unseen, he leaves for London and abandons her at the estate the next morning. While in London, he continues the pretense that he is not married leaving the debutants and their mommas on his trail for a likely match. That is until he runs into his wife who now goes under the name of Lady Olivia Grant. She has come to London to stay with a dear friend and Jason is desperately on the hunt to make her his own.
Lady Olivia has come to London to stay with a friend from school and in the process try to locate the scoundrel of a husband, Mr. Arrogant, to give him a piece of her mind for leaving her alone at his country seat to traipse around London showing her the rake and rogue she's married. When Jason is finally introduced to Olivia, he does not recognize his own wife and this infuriates Olivia the more. As the Season continues, she starts her own crusade of eligible men making Jason want her more and more. In order to have Olivia, he discreetly locates the woman he thought abandoned and requests an annulment. However, he doesn’t remember what she looks...which creates a problem for his perfect plan.
This was one enemy to lovers trope that I thoroughly enjoyed and was hard to put away. I loved all the shenanigans and angst between the Jason and Olivia. I did however think that regardless of her attraction to her rakish husband, I would have made him suffer for quite a long time. I did like the redeeming quality of Jason and the slow build to Olivia understanding that looks are not all that it appeared to be and that they both wanted the same from their marriage and not the ones that their parents have lived. A delightful and wonderful read. Recommend reading.
March 14, 2018
Setting: Regency England
Ladies adore handsome blue-eyed Jason Cavendish,the Earl of Coventry (even though he does need a swift kick in the rear end)
To hold his title and be eligible for his family's riches, he must marry Lady Jane Olivia Grant.
Now neither of them are too thrilled with this arranged marriage, and Jason arrives at his wedding day intoxicated and soon flees after the vows are said.
In London later, Jason and Olivia are reunited, but he cant remember the marriage at all and has no recollection of his new wife.
Olivia keeps her identity hidden but still...it hurts none the less because her attraction for him sizzles.
It's difficult for Jason to remember that sacred day, but even more challenging for Olivia to keep her heart quiet.
The heroine, Lady Olivia is charming and the reader will embrace her instantly.
Jason for me was a different story, he kinda didn't win me over but the romance itself had a humorous twist to it.
The story was fast paced, but a little out of the ordinary for a historical, because a lady would never behave the way Olivia did (wont give that away) and it made it rather offbeat but still funny.
The high steam factor in this story will appeal to book lovers who are more interested in that than the plot itself, but for this reader I need more Historical/plot stuff to get it higher than a 3 star.
But there are enjoyable scenes where the characters actually have their clothes on :D
Ladies adore handsome blue-eyed Jason Cavendish,the Earl of Coventry (even though he does need a swift kick in the rear end)
To hold his title and be eligible for his family's riches, he must marry Lady Jane Olivia Grant.
Now neither of them are too thrilled with this arranged marriage, and Jason arrives at his wedding day intoxicated and soon flees after the vows are said.
In London later, Jason and Olivia are reunited, but he cant remember the marriage at all and has no recollection of his new wife.
Olivia keeps her identity hidden but still...it hurts none the less because her attraction for him sizzles.
It's difficult for Jason to remember that sacred day, but even more challenging for Olivia to keep her heart quiet.
The heroine, Lady Olivia is charming and the reader will embrace her instantly.
Jason for me was a different story, he kinda didn't win me over but the romance itself had a humorous twist to it.
The story was fast paced, but a little out of the ordinary for a historical, because a lady would never behave the way Olivia did (wont give that away) and it made it rather offbeat but still funny.
The high steam factor in this story will appeal to book lovers who are more interested in that than the plot itself, but for this reader I need more Historical/plot stuff to get it higher than a 3 star.
But there are enjoyable scenes where the characters actually have their clothes on :D
August 7, 2022
Read:2013
Reread: 2015
Reread: 2019
This book was an absolute pleasure to read! It's witty, charming, and captivating. I love Oliva's revenge against her errant husband.
This is definitely a regency romance to try!
Reread: 2015
Reread: 2019
This book was an absolute pleasure to read! It's witty, charming, and captivating. I love Oliva's revenge against her errant husband.
This is definitely a regency romance to try!
April 16, 2015
A VERY GOOD LIGHT HEART ROMANCE!!
I am very impressed with Callie Hutton's The Elusive Wife. The story starts out as a typical Historical Romance with the old Earl John Martin Cavendish dying and ordering his son Jason Cavendish to marry Lady Jane Olivia Grant the old Earls Goddaughter. If Jason doesn't' marry Lady Jane in 3 days after his fathers death he will lose the bulk of money and property that is not entailed.
Lady Jane Olivia Grant has been told by her dying father that she has been betrothed to the her god fathers son and must leave Rome, Italy and travel to Coventry Manor to marry the new Earl Jason Cavendish. Honoring her now deceased fathers wishes she finds herself at the alter facing an very drunk Jason. They wed and Jason immediately returns to London. He leaves Jane in the country. Jason doesn't even remember what his new wife looks like. When Jane arrives in London to visit her best friend and go to balls, routs and dinner parties. Jason is enamored with her Not knowing this is his wife he is determined to have her even though he is married.. Jane is using her middle name Lady Olivia and is very hurt when her own husband doesn't even recognize her and is constantly is trying to court her. The funny part was Jason fell so hard for Olivia aka Jane that he decides to annual his marriage to Jane and marry Olivia. Oh boy how funny it was when he realized that he was in love with his own wife. But Olivia didn't think it so funny. She took Jason on a very merry chase.
I Highly Recommend The Elusive Wife. it was sad, funny and very romantic with a bit of adventure. I really couldn't stop reading an read through the night to finish. Its a very light heart and enjoyable story. I loved all the characters. I really felt like I was there. A voyager into the past. Very well written.
I am very impressed with Callie Hutton's The Elusive Wife. The story starts out as a typical Historical Romance with the old Earl John Martin Cavendish dying and ordering his son Jason Cavendish to marry Lady Jane Olivia Grant the old Earls Goddaughter. If Jason doesn't' marry Lady Jane in 3 days after his fathers death he will lose the bulk of money and property that is not entailed.
Lady Jane Olivia Grant has been told by her dying father that she has been betrothed to the her god fathers son and must leave Rome, Italy and travel to Coventry Manor to marry the new Earl Jason Cavendish. Honoring her now deceased fathers wishes she finds herself at the alter facing an very drunk Jason. They wed and Jason immediately returns to London. He leaves Jane in the country. Jason doesn't even remember what his new wife looks like. When Jane arrives in London to visit her best friend and go to balls, routs and dinner parties. Jason is enamored with her Not knowing this is his wife he is determined to have her even though he is married.. Jane is using her middle name Lady Olivia and is very hurt when her own husband doesn't even recognize her and is constantly is trying to court her. The funny part was Jason fell so hard for Olivia aka Jane that he decides to annual his marriage to Jane and marry Olivia. Oh boy how funny it was when he realized that he was in love with his own wife. But Olivia didn't think it so funny. She took Jason on a very merry chase.
I Highly Recommend The Elusive Wife. it was sad, funny and very romantic with a bit of adventure. I really couldn't stop reading an read through the night to finish. Its a very light heart and enjoyable story. I loved all the characters. I really felt like I was there. A voyager into the past. Very well written.
November 8, 2018
2.5
Book source ~ NetGalley
Jason, Earl of Coventry and Lady Olivia had a hastily arranged marriage that neither wanted. Olivia because she didn’t want to be saddled with a man telling her what to do and Jason because he didn’t want to be tied down. Because Jason arrives drunk to their wedding then immediately heads back to London, when he decides to just have the marriage annulled he has a slight problem. He can’t remember what she looks like. And since she left the country estate and is currently in London, but not at his townhouse, he needs to find her and fast. Too bad he’s already met her at a ball and just doesn’t realize it. Olivia does and she’s determined to make him pay.
This is a fast, slightly decent read with a sort of unique premise. However, Jason is totally unlikeable. Olivia is a great character (at first), but I loathe him. So this HEA didn’t really sit well with me. I think she could have done a whole lot better. A pretty face and fine body do not make up for an ugly personality. Ok, he may not be that bad to others, but like I said, I despise him. Then Olivia gets the hots for him and all of a sudden, the fact he’s a major douchebag gets a pass. Ugh. Others may like this story, but it wasn’t really for me.
Book source ~ NetGalley
Jason, Earl of Coventry and Lady Olivia had a hastily arranged marriage that neither wanted. Olivia because she didn’t want to be saddled with a man telling her what to do and Jason because he didn’t want to be tied down. Because Jason arrives drunk to their wedding then immediately heads back to London, when he decides to just have the marriage annulled he has a slight problem. He can’t remember what she looks like. And since she left the country estate and is currently in London, but not at his townhouse, he needs to find her and fast. Too bad he’s already met her at a ball and just doesn’t realize it. Olivia does and she’s determined to make him pay.
This is a fast, slightly decent read with a sort of unique premise. However, Jason is totally unlikeable. Olivia is a great character (at first), but I loathe him. So this HEA didn’t really sit well with me. I think she could have done a whole lot better. A pretty face and fine body do not make up for an ugly personality. Ok, he may not be that bad to others, but like I said, I despise him. Then Olivia gets the hots for him and all of a sudden, the fact he’s a major douchebag gets a pass. Ugh. Others may like this story, but it wasn’t really for me.
May 7, 2020
Decepción :( A partir del la pag 50 e perdido el interes se vuelve muy aburrdio y no empatize con los personajes.
January 4, 2018
Se nota que últimamente necesitaba un cambio de género porque me he pasado a la época/Highlanders.
En este caso, está historia nos da a conocer a Jason, recientemente conde de Coventry (de nuevo con los nombres, no os fijéis jajaja) al cual su padre, ahora que ha muerto, sigue manejando. Al parecer, hay una cláusula en el testamento que dice que si quiere recibir la herencia completa, debe presentarse en dos días en la mansión de Coventry Major para casarse con lady Jane Grant. Obviamente, nuestro querido Jason no se lo toma bien y para celebrar su último día como soltero se pilla la cogorza de su vida. Es tal la borrachera que lleva que acude a su boda todavía ebrio y no ve la cara de su esposa. Ay, pero cuando conoce a lady Olivia en su vuelta a Londres, Jason tiene que buscar a una esposa que no conoce para pedir la anulación y poder cortejar debidamente a Olivia... pero la vida da muchas vueltas, y muchas sorpresas.
¡Maldito estupido Jason! Eso fue lo que pensé al principio. Mi corazón dolió por Jane, ¿que pasa, que se creía que solo él sufría por un matrimonio arreglado? Pues no idiota! Así que me desquicié todo el maldito libro, de hecho no le he dado las 5 estrellas precisamente porque Jason me ponía negra, coqueteando con otras sabiendo que estaba casado. Y cuando hablaba con su amigo Drake, ah entonces ahí si le remordía algo la conciencia. Imbecil.
Así que las idas y venidas de nuestro querido conde, cuando descubre la verdad sobre su esposa, el daño ya está hecho y es un gran NO, para él. ¡Obviamente! Mi mayor problema con esto es que primero alarga mucho el momento de Jason de descubrir la verdad y luego, cuando ya la sabe, alarga muchísimo de nuevo para resolver todo. Y eso de su primo al final, creo que ni hacía falta, fue drama innecesario.
Aún así es un libro que te mantiene enganchada con las idas y venidas de los personajes, con las ansias que te entran de que el idiota de Jason descubra todo y le peguen un buen coscorrón! Aunque solo tiene 200 páginas a mi me pareció lo bastante extenso, creo que de haberla alargado más la hubiese estropeado.
En este caso, está historia nos da a conocer a Jason, recientemente conde de Coventry (de nuevo con los nombres, no os fijéis jajaja) al cual su padre, ahora que ha muerto, sigue manejando. Al parecer, hay una cláusula en el testamento que dice que si quiere recibir la herencia completa, debe presentarse en dos días en la mansión de Coventry Major para casarse con lady Jane Grant. Obviamente, nuestro querido Jason no se lo toma bien y para celebrar su último día como soltero se pilla la cogorza de su vida. Es tal la borrachera que lleva que acude a su boda todavía ebrio y no ve la cara de su esposa. Ay, pero cuando conoce a lady Olivia en su vuelta a Londres, Jason tiene que buscar a una esposa que no conoce para pedir la anulación y poder cortejar debidamente a Olivia... pero la vida da muchas vueltas, y muchas sorpresas.
¡Maldito estupido Jason! Eso fue lo que pensé al principio. Mi corazón dolió por Jane, ¿que pasa, que se creía que solo él sufría por un matrimonio arreglado? Pues no idiota! Así que me desquicié todo el maldito libro, de hecho no le he dado las 5 estrellas precisamente porque Jason me ponía negra, coqueteando con otras sabiendo que estaba casado. Y cuando hablaba con su amigo Drake, ah entonces ahí si le remordía algo la conciencia. Imbecil.
Así que las idas y venidas de nuestro querido conde, cuando descubre la verdad sobre su esposa, el daño ya está hecho y es un gran NO, para él. ¡Obviamente! Mi mayor problema con esto es que primero alarga mucho el momento de Jason de descubrir la verdad y luego, cuando ya la sabe, alarga muchísimo de nuevo para resolver todo. Y eso de su primo al final, creo que ni hacía falta, fue drama innecesario.
Aún así es un libro que te mantiene enganchada con las idas y venidas de los personajes, con las ansias que te entran de que el idiota de Jason descubra todo y le peguen un buen coscorrón! Aunque solo tiene 200 páginas a mi me pareció lo bastante extenso, creo que de haberla alargado más la hubiese estropeado.
September 11, 2013
When I read the blurb of The Elusive Wife it immediately reminded me of a couple of Shakespeare’s plays, the premise sounded like his usual misunderstanding-mixed up love comedies. And while the story was nice, it could have been better.
Even after his death Jason’s father must make his son’s life miserable: in his will he gave an ultimatum according to which Jason either marries a girl his father chose for him or will lose his title and estate. So after his initial adamant rebellion Jason surrenders but doesn’t want to witness his own misery so he gets comatose drunk for his wedding. That is how he doesn’t remember or recognize the woman he married and can fall under the spell of a beautiful stranger he has no idea is actually his brand new wife.
I really wanted to like this story better, but neither the characters nor the writing made it easy. Both Jason and Olivia remained undeveloped, one-dimensional characters I couldn’t really root for, especially since their interaction lacked real passion and unrestrained emotion. I thought their dialogues were affected.
I also found that the hero discovered the true identity of the mysterious Lady Olivia too early, I would have preferred for the misunderstanding/charade to go on for a bit more and have a laugh at him being clueless and lovesick.
Another complaint of mine was that Jason was in lust with Olivia, he was constantly going on about how he envisioned her sprawled out on his bed, felt his groin tightening upon seeing her neck, etc. Ok, I get that his interest for Lady Olivia was sparked by her beauty and his physical reaction to her, but I would have loved to see some clues that it was more than a physical craving, I wanted him to feel affection and love for her, but only his lust was apparent.
Besides the romance aspect of the story I had some problems with the writing: it could have used some smoothing out, a bit more/stricter editing to shape the words and narrative better. Some lines were bumpy, they read stilted:
“We will rest here for the night. Don’t try to do anything foolish. It would bother me not at all to kill one of the tavern keepers.”
"Her mouth was nectar he sipped from, could become addicted to."
It was a nice quick story, but I just wanted to like/enjoy it better. Somehow Callie Hutton’s writing didn’t flow smoothly enough for me, I don’t know if it was mostly due to a less than stellar editing or the writing style itself, will have to give her stories another go to decide.
Verdict: The Elusive Wife started out well, I liked its premise, but unfortunately the characters remained shallow and uninteresting, and the plot took a turn for the worse by having recourse to the usual clichés. With a bumpy writing, it didn’t manage to suck me in and make me devour the pages. I expected more from it.
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing 6/10
Ending 5/10
Cover: old cover: 5/10 - looks too photoshopped and not professional enough
new cover: 8/10 - the new cover is a great improvement compared to the old one, bravo!
Even after his death Jason’s father must make his son’s life miserable: in his will he gave an ultimatum according to which Jason either marries a girl his father chose for him or will lose his title and estate. So after his initial adamant rebellion Jason surrenders but doesn’t want to witness his own misery so he gets comatose drunk for his wedding. That is how he doesn’t remember or recognize the woman he married and can fall under the spell of a beautiful stranger he has no idea is actually his brand new wife.
I really wanted to like this story better, but neither the characters nor the writing made it easy. Both Jason and Olivia remained undeveloped, one-dimensional characters I couldn’t really root for, especially since their interaction lacked real passion and unrestrained emotion. I thought their dialogues were affected.
I also found that the hero discovered the true identity of the mysterious Lady Olivia too early, I would have preferred for the misunderstanding/charade to go on for a bit more and have a laugh at him being clueless and lovesick.
Another complaint of mine was that Jason was in lust with Olivia, he was constantly going on about how he envisioned her sprawled out on his bed, felt his groin tightening upon seeing her neck, etc. Ok, I get that his interest for Lady Olivia was sparked by her beauty and his physical reaction to her, but I would have loved to see some clues that it was more than a physical craving, I wanted him to feel affection and love for her, but only his lust was apparent.
Besides the romance aspect of the story I had some problems with the writing: it could have used some smoothing out, a bit more/stricter editing to shape the words and narrative better. Some lines were bumpy, they read stilted:
“We will rest here for the night. Don’t try to do anything foolish. It would bother me not at all to kill one of the tavern keepers.”
"Her mouth was nectar he sipped from, could become addicted to."
It was a nice quick story, but I just wanted to like/enjoy it better. Somehow Callie Hutton’s writing didn’t flow smoothly enough for me, I don’t know if it was mostly due to a less than stellar editing or the writing style itself, will have to give her stories another go to decide.
Verdict: The Elusive Wife started out well, I liked its premise, but unfortunately the characters remained shallow and uninteresting, and the plot took a turn for the worse by having recourse to the usual clichés. With a bumpy writing, it didn’t manage to suck me in and make me devour the pages. I expected more from it.
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing 6/10
Ending 5/10
Cover: old cover: 5/10 - looks too photoshopped and not professional enough
new cover: 8/10 - the new cover is a great improvement compared to the old one, bravo!
March 5, 2019
Jason, Earl of Coventry must comply with his father’s will or lose everything that is unentailed & that means marrying the woman his father has chosen & within the next two days. However his father didn't state that Jason couldn't be blind drunk or leave her immediately after the ceremony, which is exactly what he did, in fact apart from violet eyes he has no idea what she looks like.
Newly arrived from the country for the Season, Lady Olivia is appalled to discover that her own husband, Lord Coventry, doesn't even recognize her. She's not about to tell the Earl of Arrogance that she is his wife. Instead, she flirts with him by night and has her modiste send her mounting bills to him by day.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, except Lady Olivia finds her husband nearly irresistible.
An easy reading enjoyable & entertaining read that was very amusing in places with boating disasters & hiding in wardrobes. I disliked Jason at the start & wondered how he would redeem himself but as his reasons for his actions became clearer then the more I understood him &his actions. I loved Olivia & how she ran rings round Jason. Their attraction was apparent but she certainly made him work to win her. A very good start to the series
Newly arrived from the country for the Season, Lady Olivia is appalled to discover that her own husband, Lord Coventry, doesn't even recognize her. She's not about to tell the Earl of Arrogance that she is his wife. Instead, she flirts with him by night and has her modiste send her mounting bills to him by day.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, except Lady Olivia finds her husband nearly irresistible.
An easy reading enjoyable & entertaining read that was very amusing in places with boating disasters & hiding in wardrobes. I disliked Jason at the start & wondered how he would redeem himself but as his reasons for his actions became clearer then the more I understood him &his actions. I loved Olivia & how she ran rings round Jason. Their attraction was apparent but she certainly made him work to win her. A very good start to the series
November 20, 2019
What the f***k in this world.. REALLY???
tongueing the nipple of a barmaid and fucking her afterward in the NIGHT BEFORE YOUR WEDDING is the authors idea of ROMANTIC.. no maam ill keep away from your works.. forever
tongueing the nipple of a barmaid and fucking her afterward in the NIGHT BEFORE YOUR WEDDING is the authors idea of ROMANTIC.. no maam ill keep away from your works.. forever
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 31, 2017DNF! Not for me - interesting premise which the author failed to have fun with (IMO)
June 5, 2013
I've long been a fan of historical romances featuring a rake and a woman spunky enough to give even a jaded man a run for his money. Hutton delivers all that this trope is known and loved for with a dash of flair.
Jason lived a life dictated by a father who didn't care about what he wanted or needed. When a dictate from the grave commands he marry, Jason understandably wishes to rebel his father's last effort to control him. Getting sloshed, he only has vague memories of his wedding and a blurry memory of the enchanting eyes of his bride.
Lady Olivia fascinates Jason from the moment he meets her. Unfortunately for him, she knows exactly who he is and has no desire to engage in a flirtation with a rake...who abandoned her on their wedding day and didn't even bother to be sober for the event.
Watching him chase the very woman he's trying to evade set up for an entertaining story and Hutton delivered on the sexual tension, humor, and engaging characters which made this book a true pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book as I loved everything about it. Great read!!
Jason lived a life dictated by a father who didn't care about what he wanted or needed. When a dictate from the grave commands he marry, Jason understandably wishes to rebel his father's last effort to control him. Getting sloshed, he only has vague memories of his wedding and a blurry memory of the enchanting eyes of his bride.
Lady Olivia fascinates Jason from the moment he meets her. Unfortunately for him, she knows exactly who he is and has no desire to engage in a flirtation with a rake...who abandoned her on their wedding day and didn't even bother to be sober for the event.
Watching him chase the very woman he's trying to evade set up for an entertaining story and Hutton delivered on the sexual tension, humor, and engaging characters which made this book a true pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book as I loved everything about it. Great read!!
August 21, 2013
I thought this Regency romance was just okay. I found the dialogue a bit stiff and unrealistic and was distracted by the author's word choice. For instance, I couldn't count the number of times she chose to have her characters refer to their fathers as their "sires." Perhaps this is meant to reflect Regency-period speech, but I found it distracting.
WARNING: SPOILERS
Also, the ending was completely inexplicable to me and had NOTHING to do with the preceding 95% of the novel. Introducing a character within the last 50 or so pages, a character who had previously not been mentioned in so much as a single sentence in any of the preceding pages, seems lazy. Like, the author wasn't sure how to wrap up the story and thought throwing in some danger! suspense! kidnappings at pistol-point! would keep the reader engaged when otherwise it seemed like the plot was pretty well already wrapped up. It was silly.
WARNING: SPOILERS
Also, the ending was completely inexplicable to me and had NOTHING to do with the preceding 95% of the novel. Introducing a character within the last 50 or so pages, a character who had previously not been mentioned in so much as a single sentence in any of the preceding pages, seems lazy. Like, the author wasn't sure how to wrap up the story and thought throwing in some danger! suspense! kidnappings at pistol-point! would keep the reader engaged when otherwise it seemed like the plot was pretty well already wrapped up. It was silly.
June 28, 2013
I enjoy the basic premise and the beginning, but much of the plot followed the usual tropes - the scheming to trap the H was predictable and the ending with the cousin seemed tired and a silly, overly dramatic way to make the h and H finally resolve their differences. Also, the h is supposedly the one to make him change - but he originally focuses on her as someone he'd like to marry solely because of her looks. That's pretty superficial and not very encouraging.
Also, the story was not very fleshed out and lacked enough authentic Regency details. Also there are many extraneous characters used solely as plot devices (debutante, barmaid, cousin, lechers, etc.) - they enter the story, fulfill their function, and depart. They are not three dimensional. Very quick read and not very memorable. I'd give it 2 1/2 stars.
Also, the story was not very fleshed out and lacked enough authentic Regency details. Also there are many extraneous characters used solely as plot devices (debutante, barmaid, cousin, lechers, etc.) - they enter the story, fulfill their function, and depart. They are not three dimensional. Very quick read and not very memorable. I'd give it 2 1/2 stars.
October 22, 2013
2.5 stars
A fluffy and cute historical romance but very forgettable IMO.
A fluffy and cute historical romance but very forgettable IMO.
November 27, 2016
The poor women in these times, he is utterly disgusting.
He does have a change of heart and of course she should forgive him.
He does have a change of heart and of course she should forgive him.
June 24, 2017
Histórica de regencia.
Pintaba interesante, pero quedó en un más o menos llena de tópicos.
Para mantener la herencia de su padre, James tiene que casarse con una desconocida, Olivia, hija de un amigo del difunto conde. Él no quería hacerlo porque se sentía manipulado por su padre desde la tumba, pero lo hizo porque lo necesitaba económicamente, aunque fue tan borracho a la boda que fue incapaz de reconocerla. Es que volvió a Londres al día siguiente de la boda, sin consumarla, y meses después se la encuentra en un baile y, no solo no la reconoce, sino que queda prendado de ella. Pero no será fácil conquistarla después del desplante.
Podría haber sido una linda comedia de enredos pero queda en el camino.
Igual pasa. Digamos.
Un par de escenas hot interesantes aunque poca tensión sexual.
Pintaba interesante, pero quedó en un más o menos llena de tópicos.
Para mantener la herencia de su padre, James tiene que casarse con una desconocida, Olivia, hija de un amigo del difunto conde. Él no quería hacerlo porque se sentía manipulado por su padre desde la tumba, pero lo hizo porque lo necesitaba económicamente, aunque fue tan borracho a la boda que fue incapaz de reconocerla. Es que volvió a Londres al día siguiente de la boda, sin consumarla, y meses después se la encuentra en un baile y, no solo no la reconoce, sino que queda prendado de ella. Pero no será fácil conquistarla después del desplante.
Podría haber sido una linda comedia de enredos pero queda en el camino.
Igual pasa. Digamos.
Un par de escenas hot interesantes aunque poca tensión sexual.
May 31, 2013
The Elusive Wife is a witty, fast-paced historical romance that is thoroughly enjoyable. Callie Hutton demonstrates her sense of humor, imagination, and ability to write an entertaining book, as she pens this tale of an arrogant London rake and the beautiful woman who brings him to his knees.
Lady Jane Grant, also known as Olivia, finds herself in an arranged marriage, to Jason Cavendish, the Earl of Coventry, a man she’s never met. Olivia has lived a secluded lifestyle in the country regions of Italy and doesn’t want a marriage of convenience, as is the norm among the ton of London. She wants a marriage based on love and mutual respect.
Jason Cavendish is a handsome, entitled gentlemen of the ton and a much sought-out lover, who has earned the notorious reputation of a rake. He is obligated to marry Lady Jane, if he wants to keep his title and family money, as decreed in his father’s will. He has no desire to be married to a woman he doesn’t love, so is extremely drunk at the time of his marriage and has no recollection of the ceremony or the woman he married.
Finding himself smitten the first time he sees Olivia at a London party, Jason vies for her attention. But Olivia rebuffs Jason’s pursuit and leads him on a merry chase when he doesn’t realize the woman he’s trying to court is none other than his wife.
This book is well-written, with a story line that flows smoothly. It has humor, conflict, and historical romance all wrapped up in a happily ever after. This is an entertaining book and one that will keep the reader turning the pages from beginning to end.
I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing
in exchange for my honest review.
Janna Shay
Author of Fair Play
Lady Jane Grant, also known as Olivia, finds herself in an arranged marriage, to Jason Cavendish, the Earl of Coventry, a man she’s never met. Olivia has lived a secluded lifestyle in the country regions of Italy and doesn’t want a marriage of convenience, as is the norm among the ton of London. She wants a marriage based on love and mutual respect.
Jason Cavendish is a handsome, entitled gentlemen of the ton and a much sought-out lover, who has earned the notorious reputation of a rake. He is obligated to marry Lady Jane, if he wants to keep his title and family money, as decreed in his father’s will. He has no desire to be married to a woman he doesn’t love, so is extremely drunk at the time of his marriage and has no recollection of the ceremony or the woman he married.
Finding himself smitten the first time he sees Olivia at a London party, Jason vies for her attention. But Olivia rebuffs Jason’s pursuit and leads him on a merry chase when he doesn’t realize the woman he’s trying to court is none other than his wife.
This book is well-written, with a story line that flows smoothly. It has humor, conflict, and historical romance all wrapped up in a happily ever after. This is an entertaining book and one that will keep the reader turning the pages from beginning to end.
I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing
in exchange for my honest review.
Janna Shay
Author of Fair Play
July 30, 2015
If you enjoy a funny book with a Regency flair and a clever plot twist then The Elusive Wife is the book for you. It is a cute, well written story with charming, flawed characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Jason Cavendish, Earl of Coventry, knows that an arranged marriage is on the horizon, but when the word comes for him actually marry he does not take it well. He shows up totally drunk, marries the girl and leaves immediately after. Lady Jane Olivia Grant is not thrilled to be marrying a stranger, but she cooperates with her father’s wishes. She is, however, hugely annoyed when the groom appears in a fully drunken state, then leaves. She takes the bull by the horns by traveling to London to stay with her friend. She proceeds to take society by storm as the new beauty, Lady Olivia, and catches Jason’s rapt attention. Jason does not recognize her because he was too drunk to really see her and he married a girl named Jane. What follows is a fun, but predictable romp where Jason falls for his own wife while feeling guilty about it and Olivia gets her revenge.
The Elusive Wife is not a great book, but it certainly is a good one. It has that traditional Regency feeling with a more modern twist and enough steam to keep most readers happy. Jason was not a bad guy; he was just very far gone into rebellion against a marriage planned by his father. Olivia was resourceful and determined. The story moved along nicely to a very satisfying ending. Readers will definitely enjoy this one.
ARC provided by the author.
Jason Cavendish, Earl of Coventry, knows that an arranged marriage is on the horizon, but when the word comes for him actually marry he does not take it well. He shows up totally drunk, marries the girl and leaves immediately after. Lady Jane Olivia Grant is not thrilled to be marrying a stranger, but she cooperates with her father’s wishes. She is, however, hugely annoyed when the groom appears in a fully drunken state, then leaves. She takes the bull by the horns by traveling to London to stay with her friend. She proceeds to take society by storm as the new beauty, Lady Olivia, and catches Jason’s rapt attention. Jason does not recognize her because he was too drunk to really see her and he married a girl named Jane. What follows is a fun, but predictable romp where Jason falls for his own wife while feeling guilty about it and Olivia gets her revenge.
The Elusive Wife is not a great book, but it certainly is a good one. It has that traditional Regency feeling with a more modern twist and enough steam to keep most readers happy. Jason was not a bad guy; he was just very far gone into rebellion against a marriage planned by his father. Olivia was resourceful and determined. The story moved along nicely to a very satisfying ending. Readers will definitely enjoy this one.
ARC provided by the author.
November 4, 2015
There was so much for comedic enjoyment here and none of that potential was met. With the exception of the main characters friend.You do want to laugh along when he finally reviews to his friend that the woman he fell in love with is the wife he wishes to discard. To me that is the best scene. The description of the eyes how many times can one write or read that. I love the plot of the story and the beginning of the story where the groom shows up drunk and the night he spent with the bar maid. That was enjoyable that was well described, the adjectives were lively. The move of sending the bill for all the new gowns to her actual husband was so passive, but considering the era it could be considered bold.
June 19, 2013
This was a cute book and there was a lot I liked about it. But the cousin problem thrown in at the end didn't seem to belong in this book. If he was going to be in the book he should have been introduced earlier in the story. It came across as oops I don't have enough pages and need to add something.
November 6, 2016
Aunque me encantó como escribe la historia, me costó encariñarme con los personajes. Olivia es demasiado testaruda hasta el final. Jason demasiado ansioso por su libertad. La escena del casamiento podría haber sido mucho más dramática y cómica. Y la venganza de Olivia más entretenida. Lo de sir Daniel fue al pedo porque no paso nada interesante. Pero por lo demás me gustó y entretuvo.
January 19, 2015
Just doing some housekeeping...not a fan of mansluts in general so this was a DNF. Pretty sure the heroine was the docile type too.
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