by TJ Alexander
4.6 · 5 reviewsIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a single noblewoman who has lost her fortune (no thanks to her father’s terrible business dealings) must be in need (not want) of a husband.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single noblewoman who has lost her fortune (no thanks to her father’s terrible business dealings) must be in need (not want) of a husband. It’s the end of the 1820 London season, King George III is dead, and there are no suitable suitors in sight. Beautiful, cunning, formerly wealthy Verbena Montrose must devise a new plan to secure a position for herself and save her odious family from abject poverty. Fortunately, what she lacks in a dowry, she makes up for in the currency of gossip. When she hears an alarming rumor about her very dear, very queer friend Etienne that could put him at risk of ruin (or worse), she comes to his aid with a proposal—for a marriage of convenience, that is.
5 reviews
Read it for the fake marriage, stayed for the friendship. The 1820 setting is used properly — the death of George III actually matters to the plot instead of being wallpaper.
Verbena is 'formerly wealthy' in the most entertaining possible way. Loved that her cleverness is the actual engine of the plot rather than a character trait mentioned once.
Wonderful voice and a heroine I'd follow anywhere. There are perhaps one too many subplots involving her odious family, but Verbena's scheming carries it.
The opening line riffing on Austen made me nervous but it earns it. What I loved most is that the danger to Etienne is real and the book never pretends otherwise — the safety they build together means something.
Verbena trading in gossip because it's the only currency she has left is such a good premise, and TJ Alexander commits to it completely. The marriage of convenience with Etienne is tender without ever being twee. Funny, sharp, genuinely warm.