"Witty historical romance"

Five years ago, teenager Gwendolyn Townsend learns she has nothing to live on so she flees for America to earn a living as a governess. Perhaps it was the grabbing males, but she quickly realizes she stinks at her job. Her deceased father's solicitor Mr. Whiting funds her passage home to inform her she has a small inheritance that she could live on but if she married she would have quite a dowry and that her dead sister left behind three nieces.

Marcus Holcroft is broke unless he marries the daughter of his deceased neighbor rather quickly. He offers a marriage of convenience to Gwendolyn, but she rejects it until she meets her unhappy three nieces. Marriage to Marcus will provide her the cash to care for her needy relatives. As Marcus and Gwendolyn become acquainted after they marry they fall in love, but will this duo recognize how lucky they are?

Though in many ways, this delightful historical romance is a typical marriage of convenience tale, the three nieces provide depth and an extra spin to the plot. The lead couple is an intrepid charming pair, but the behavior of the unholy threesome make for fine entertainment for sub- genre fans who read Victoria Alexander's latest novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 25, 2003