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A sudden engagement

Penny Jordan

192 pages

A deliciously dramatic clash of egos where theatrical revenge sets the stage for a simmering, high-stakes fake engagement.

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What it feels like

Reading this vintage romance feels like stepping into a delightfully stormy, emotionally heightened theatrical production. The pacing is brisk and propulsive, sweeping the reader into a whirlwind of wounded pride, simmering resentment, and undeniable chemistry. It thrives on the delicious tension of a power imbalance, wrapping the reader in a mood that is both intensely dramatic and deeply passionate. The prose is unapologetically earnest, focusing heavily on the internal turmoil and breathless dialogue of two strong-willed people locked in a battle of wits. It is a perfect escape for readers who love the classic, angsty melodrama of old-school category romance, where every glance is loaded with meaning and the line between bitter enmity and consuming love is thrillingly thin.

Mood
  • simmering
  • tense
  • passionate
  • dramatic
Tone
  • melodramatic
  • intense
  • earnest
  • theatrical
Pace
brisk
Themes
enemies to lovers · fake engagement · pride and vulnerability · theatricality of romance · power dynamics
The writing
Heightened and emotionally charged, leaning heavily into internal monologues of angst and sharp, breathless dialogue.
The arc
Moves from stinging humiliation and a fiery desire for revenge to a reluctant, all-consuming romantic surrender.
Who it's for
Readers who crave the intense, unapologetic melodrama of vintage category romance, complete with power clashes and forced proximity.
Content notes
  • power imbalance
  • emotional manipulation
  • vintage gender dynamics

About the book

Had he been cruel only to be kind?

Kirsty's promising stage career had nearly been destroyed by a scathing review written by Britain's foremost drama critic, Drew Chalmers. So when Kirsty saw a chance to avenge herself, she took it, unmindful of the consequences.

Her vengeance seemed to provoke no retribution, especially when she was offered a place in an important Shakespearean company--until she suddenly found herself engaged to Drewand learned it was his influence that had won her the job.

Now, while learning her new role, Kirsty must learn to play the part of Drew's lover... to perfection!

Description from Open Library.

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