Books › Married by Mistake
Married by Mistake
224 pages
A crackling, banter-filled romp where forced proximity turns childhood enemies into reluctant, passionate allies.
What it feels like
Reading this traditional Regency feels like stepping into a cozy, fire-lit drawing room where the air crackles with unresolved tension and sharp-tongued banter. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, driven almost entirely by the friction between two people who are absolutely certain they despise each other. As the forced proximity wears down their defenses, the mood shifts from exasperated comedy to something surprisingly tender and emotionally grounded. The prose is light and dialogue-heavy, perfectly capturing the rhythm of classic historical romance while slowly peeling back the layers of a seemingly dissolute fool to reveal the wounded, worthy man underneath. It is a delightful, comforting read for anyone who loves the delicious agony of childhood enemies realizing they are actually perfect for one another.
- Mood
- crackling
- cozy
- romantic
- isolated
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- exasperated
- tender
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- seeing past facades · childhood grudges · unexpected second chances · the burden of expectations · forced proximity
- The writing
- Brisk and dialogue-heavy, characterized by sharp banter and a light, engaging Regency cadence.
- The arc
- Moves from mutual exasperation and bitter assumptions to a reluctant, tender understanding as hidden depths are revealed.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, banter-filled traditional Regencies where forced proximity forces stubborn enemies to finally see each other clearly.
Content notes
- alcohol use
- family dysfunction
About the book
In part because he is a dissolute fool, but also for a reason that is ultimately revealed, Viscount Alford (Thomas) signs a proxy document incorrectly, becomes too drunk to attend the proxy ceremony and finds himself the husband of sophisticated and educated diplomatic hostess Florence Washburn (Florrie). Florrie has expected to be married by proxy to Thomas’ ambitious but amiable younger brother, Kit, and to return within days to Europe to help him advance his diplomatic career. She hates Thomas’ boorish and reckless ways and well remembers how he tormented her as a child. Furthermore she is enraged by the humiliation of his non-appearance at the wedding and subsequent arrival, dishevelled, even dirty and most certainly drunk. He dislikes her with equal fervour. They are in total agreement that the marriage must be annulled. Florrie's father and Thomas’ father, have other ideas. They send their respective "children" out of London to a remote location to await a resolution and to avoid the enthusiastic gossip about the “marriage”. To the couple’s horror, when they arrive separately at a remote location, they discover that their fathers have sent them to the same house - where escape is not the easiest solution. Initially, Thomas. continues to act the unscrupulous and childish fool and Florrie the condemnatory and affronted adult, but consanguinity and various adventures change all that.
Description from Open Library.
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