A Convenient Fiction

Title:

Parish Orphans of Devon, #3

Author:

Matthews, Mimi

Format:

eBook

Electronic Format:

HTML

ADOBE EPUB

KINDLE

Provider:

Libby

Language:

English

Publication Date:

2019

Subject:

Historical Fiction

Romance

Fiction

Description:

"[Matthews'] books are classics and remind me of Georgette Heyer and Mary Balogh...simply wonderful." -Jane Porter, New York Times bestselling author A USA TODAY BESTSELLERShe Needed a Husband... It's been three years since Laura Hayes's father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family's failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite. He Wanted a Fortune... Alex has no tolerance for romantic sentiment. He's returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it's all the fault of Laura Hayes—a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting. From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?

ISBN:

9781733056922

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

A gambler bets on love in Matthews' (The Work of Art, 2019, etc.) latest period romance, set in 1860 England. Alex Archer never looks back, or so he claims. Decades ago, he fled the orphanage that was his childhood home and left his friends behind, piecing together a life for himself as a gambler. Now, his latest scheme is to leverage his winnings, wed a wealthy country socialite, and finally secure his own land. But his plans seem to go awry from the beginning when he stumbles across the beautiful, impoverished Laura Hayes. Her family has suffered financially since the death of her father, and Laura has been responsible for the well-being of her brother, who's in ill health, and her elderly aunt. Unfortunately, her family's estate is controlled by a scheming lawyer, and their only hope is for Laura to marry before her upcoming 25th birthday to receive her inheritance. When Alex appears in her small town, Laura immediately sees him as a fortune hunter, intent on marrying her wealthy friend, Henrietta Talbot. But Alex's plans are no match for the vagaries of true love. Despite his financial interests and Laura's determination to avoid him, their fate is sealed when Alex saves her life. But before they can pursue their relationship, Alex must reconcile with his past. Readers of Matthews' previous works will be pleasantly satisfied when Alex crosses paths with memorable characters from prior installments of the Parish Orphans of Devon series. Matthews' storytelling skills remain rock-solid, and she spins a lovely romantic tale here. Her characters are familiar types and the plot follows a predictable path, but that doesn't make the journey any less enjoyable. As always, the background historical details are impeccably researched; in particular, Laura's trip to the seaside at Margate provides readers with a captivating glimpse into Victorian culture. The description of Victorian bathing machines is intriguing, as well, and Matthews builds excellent narrative tension as Laura's independent attitude clashes with the era's cultural expectations.A well-crafted historical romance, built on a marriage of convenience. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.