Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication Date: 1 August 2022
Pages: 288
Format: eBook - PDF
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: ARC via NetGalley
Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending—until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.
Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.
A Tenuous Betrothal is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone story. I have been struggled over the last 24 hours to decide how to review it, as it was a mixed bag for me. Let me start with the positive points. This book has an intriguing premise and strong, interesting characters. I also liked the fact it was not instalove and, instead, the romance between the two developed at a believable pace throughout the course of the story. I had no issues with the prose, which was a readable and free of any glaring errors, but the place I did struggle was with suspension of disbelief over some of the action. In these kinds of stories, I am willing to allow the odd far-fetched plot point in the name of romance, but there were certain moments where I couldn't make myself easily accept what was taking place. I don't want to risk spoilers, but there was one moment in the middle of the book that involved news and people dashing back and forth between Wales and London, and the timeframes in which this was accomplished did not seem doable to me, given the time period and transportation options available. It really yanked me out of the story and then continued to irk me until the end of the book. But, that was my only complaint, and while it bothered me, other readers may not find it such an issue. If you like slow-burn historical romance and don't mind a little suspension of disbelief you are likely to find A Tenuous Betrothal an enjoyable read. It gets 3.5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment