Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780399583544 |
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| Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 05/30/2017 |
| Sold by: | Penguin Group |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 56,950 |
| File size: | 1 MB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Merely a Marriage
3.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
6 reviews.
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Jo Beverley is an automatic buy for me because for years she has written quality Regency and Georgian romances. I eagerly awaited this book only to be disappointed almost from the beginning. The characters weren't engaging, the plot dragged and the pacing was off. If you are going to read this author pick any book in her backlist other than this one. I've read them all and they are all 3,4,and5 star books.
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Merely A Marriage had a great love story premise, but once the story began it just never seem to go anywhere. I felt there was never any kind of true romantical chemistry or even any sort of intimacy developing between Ariana and Titus (the Earl of Kynaston) more especially from Titus. Then it seemed so very sudden towards the end, rushed and more like a second thought...
Although, the plot was nicely developed relating to both of their insecurities and what shaped the two to believe themselves unworthy of goodness and then also dealing with someone set on petty churlishness.
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I really enjoyed Ariana and Kynaston's story! Years ago, Ariana had feelings for Kynaston when she overheard him saying mean things about her. Her heart was broken. Now that she is ready to get married, her sponsor has put him on the list of eligible bachelors. Ariana crosses his name off immediately, but as they spend time together, she sees a different side to him. Could he be the one to give her the HEA she is after?
I really enjoyed Beverley's last book. I was so sad to hear of her passing...
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Lady Ariana Boxstall is frightened. She's afraid that if her somewhat reckless brother doesn't marry and produce an heir soon, that he'll end up dead and she and her mother will be left in the hands of a cruel cousin. Ariana Boxstall may or may not be overreacting. Death is on everyone's minds and she wants to make sure her family is secure.
She strikes a deal with her brother that he will marry soon, but she has to marry first....and she's not really the debutante anymore. Her first season was a disaster, and she's not looking forward to going on a new husband hunt. As a taller than average woman, she does not fit into the ton's status quo.
I enjoyed Lady Ariana a lot. She was intelligent and curious, but also afraid to make waves with it by being too open. She was insecure and confident at the same time. She was a real person, with numerous faults balance by lovely personality attributes and a true caring about those close to her. This is balanced out by the Earl of Kynaston, who is not exactly what he appears at first (of course).
Their rocky "friendship" was an entertaining development that will keep you wondering when they'll both get their heads of the sand and realize they're perfect for each other. There's a good scandal (of course - but who doesn't love a good scandal) and suddenly things start to fall into place.
Merely a Marriage was a fun and quick read with some engaging side characters that just might need their own story if they don't have one already.
**I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book**
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Merely a Marriage by Jo Beverley is a Regency/Historical novel. At the start, we meet Lady Ariana Boxstall , who is concerned about the future of her family, especially after the childbirth death of Princess Charlotte. Ariana fears that she would lose her beloved Boxstall residence to her drunken uncle, if her brother dies. She then sets a plan in motion for her brother Norris to marry, but the one condition is she must marry first.
Ariana and her mother travel to London to stay at the home of a family friend, and look for the perfect husband for her. The Earl of Kynaston, is also staying at the house of his aunt, and Ariana remembers him from 8 years before at her coming out ball, where he embarrassed her. Needless to say, of all the eligible men, Kynaston is now crossed off the list. We get to spend time with Ariana, as she attends various balls/events to meet the eligible bachelors, but she also must spend time with Kynaston, since he also attends. At first, they both are sarcastic to each other, and keep their distance when possible; but it seems they keep getting pushed together, since a lady is never supposed to be without an escort. Ariana also does not like that Kynaston drinks too much, and looks very unhappy, which she will later learn why.
What follows is a slow build romance, with Ariana in the forefront for most of the story. She is determined to find someone to marry, to force her brother to then get married. Things change slightly when Norris meets Kynaston’s young sister, and surprisingly falls in love. At the same time, Ariana fights off her growing attraction to Kynaston. As we got closer to the last 1/3 of the book, the romance between Ariana & Kynaston began to heat up, which also improved the story line a lot. During this time, we got to learn all about Kynaston’s tragic past which still haunted him, and Ariana’s help to open his heart again.
I liked the characters in this story, for the most they were interesting and fun. However, I did think much of the early part of the book was a bit slow reading, which does improve later on. If you enjoy historical romances, Merely a Marriage is a nice read by Jo Beverly.
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Some of her most heartfelt writing.
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