Books › A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake
A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake
560 pages
A delightful double-feature of classic Regency tropes where clever schemes and scandalous reputations give way to genuine, swoon-worthy romance.
What it feels like
Reading this collection feels like stepping into a sunlit Regency drawing room where the tea is hot and the banter is even hotter. It offers a brisk, deeply satisfying immersion into classic romance tropes, specifically the fake engagement and the rake-meets-bluestocking, executed with signature emotional intelligence. The mood is playful yet tender, balancing the sparkling wit of societal games with the quiet, earnest vulnerability of falling in love. The prose is elegant and perceptive, focusing heavily on the internal emotional landscapes of the characters as they navigate their growing desires. It is a perfect comfort read for those who delight in watching guarded hearts slowly unravel, offering a cozy, swoon-worthy escape into a world of scandalous rogues, clever heroines, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.
- Mood
- cozy
- swoony
- tender
- lighthearted
- Tone
- wry
- romantic
- earnest
- playful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the vulnerability of desire · unmasking societal facades · unexpected emotional connection · second chances at love
- The writing
- Elegant, emotionally perceptive, and grounded in the subtle manners of the Regency era.
- The arc
- Moves from playful deception and guarded banter to genuine vulnerability and deep, abiding affection.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, character-driven historical romances where witty banter masks deep emotional yearning.
Content notes
- sexual content
- mild emotional manipulation
About the book
A COUNTERFEIT BETROTHAL
Lady Sophia Bryant has no intention of marrying anytime soon. Her one desire is to reunite her parents, who have been estranged for fourteen years. Surely, if she happens to announce her betrothal—even a false one—they will be forced to see each other. Devilishly handsome Lord Francis Sutton seems perfect for such deceit, always agreeable to games of passion in which he has nothing to lose. The trap is set—if only Lady Sophia can keep her foolish heart from falling prey to her brilliant snares.
Lord Edmund Waite is everything that Lady Mary Gregg despises: lewd, lascivious, mocking—the most incorrigible and successful rogue around. A bluestocking like her would never tempt a man whose taste runs to pretty playthings—so Mary is startled to find herself the object of Lord Edmund's desires. Even more surprising is her reaction to his shocking advances. She may be a lady, but this man knows so well how to make her feel like a woman.
Description from Open Library.
Books like A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake
See why they match
The Notorious RakeMary BaloghA quiet, simmering exploration of what happens when a cynical libertine and a rigid bluestocking strip away each other's carefully constructed defenses.
The Temporary Wife / A Promise of Spring okMary BaloghA tender, quietly angsty exploration of marriages that begin in pragmatism and slowly bloom into profound love.
The Viscount Who Loved MeJulia QuinnA sparkling, banter-filled battle of wits that slowly melts into a deeply vulnerable, swoon-worthy romance.
Notorious Rake, Innocent LadyBronwyn ScottA swoony, scandalous romp where a desperate bid for ruin blossoms into an unexpected journey of mutual redemption.
My Lady NotoriousJo BeverleyA swashbuckling, banter-filled romp where a desperate disguise leads to an irresistible game of cat and mouse.
Marry in Haste / Francesca's RakeLynn KerstanA delightful double-dose of classic Regency charm, where sudden marriages and mistaken identities pave the way to unexpected love.