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Joining

Johanna Lindsey

First published 1999 · 521 pages

A fiery battle of wills wrapped in the sweeping drama of medieval political intrigue.

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What it feels like

This is a quintessential old-school historical romance that thrives on the electric, combative energy between two fiercely stubborn people. The reading experience is brisk and dialogue-driven, pulling you into a sweeping medieval world where political duty constantly clashes with personal desire. It feels fiery and dramatic, leaning into the delicious tension of an arranged marriage where both parties are determined to hate each other but are betrayed by their own undeniable chemistry. The prose is lush and unapologetically romantic, delivering the kind of grand, sweeping emotional declarations that define the genre's golden era. It will absolutely delight readers who crave the nostalgic thrill of a high-stakes battle of the sexes, where yielding to love is the ultimate victory.

Mood
  • fiery
  • sweeping
  • romantic
  • tension-filled
Tone
  • passionate
  • dramatic
  • playful
  • earnest
Pace
brisk
Themes
duty versus desire · battle of wills · finding autonomy in constraint · vulnerability of yielding
The writing
Lush and dialogue-heavy, characterized by the dramatic flair and sweeping emotional declarations typical of classic nineties historical romance.
The arc
Moves from stubborn resistance and fiery resentment to a reluctant, passionate surrender to mutual love.
Who it's for
Readers who love old-school, banter-heavy medieval romances featuring fiercely stubborn protagonists who fight their attraction every step of the way.
Content notes
  • dubious consent
  • medieval political violence
  • kidnapping

About the book

A betrothal has been announced that will join together Britain's two most powerful families, a union of wealth and influence to rival even the King's himself. But not only does the dangerously ambitious King John oppose this wedding, but Milisant and Wulfric, the intended bride and groom, are equally unhappy with the arrangement. Two passionate, headstrong people, they resent being thrown together for purely dynastic reasons. But fate's many twists and turns, and the unpredictable predilections of two unconquerable hearts will turn an unwanted marriage of convenience into a true and eternal joining of desire and love.

Description from Open Library.

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