Helpful Score: 2
Pure Joan Wolf. Girl meets boy- rough start but all ends well.
Charity Beaufort has grown up on tales of Prince Augustus, who fought the French occupation of his country Jura, while many nobles fled to England or Austria to sit out the war. He is Charity's hero, and childhood fantasy. But, the fatasy becomes reality, when after the war he seeks an English wife to reinforce the treaty the with the English, and agrees to marry Charity's sister, Lydia. At seventeen, Charity has decided she is happier without a husband to restrict her freedoms, and only slightly envies her sister. But, events outwit her, and treachery works to place Charity in her sister's role of wife to Prince Augustus.
Joan Wolf is such a good writer, and I like arranged marriage stories, so I ended up liking this book even though it had two things that usually turn me off.
#1 There was adultery on the part of the hero, after they got married. I know that's a total deal breaker for a lot of people in a romance, so fair warning! And it got smoothed over with barely any groveling.
#2 The story took place in an imaginary kingdom, which seemed to be located in Eastern Europe, somewhere near the area where Italy and Slovenia meet, in the real world. But the name of the country, Jura, is a real place located along the border of France and Switzerland. It difficult for someone who know geography to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy imaginary countries.
All that being said, if you are a fan of Joan Wolf's style, give it a try. It's not her best book but it's got one of her characteristic very young heroines who are wise beyond their years, and end up winning over the hero.
#1 There was adultery on the part of the hero, after they got married. I know that's a total deal breaker for a lot of people in a romance, so fair warning! And it got smoothed over with barely any groveling.
#2 The story took place in an imaginary kingdom, which seemed to be located in Eastern Europe, somewhere near the area where Italy and Slovenia meet, in the real world. But the name of the country, Jura, is a real place located along the border of France and Switzerland. It difficult for someone who know geography to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy imaginary countries.
All that being said, if you are a fan of Joan Wolf's style, give it a try. It's not her best book but it's got one of her characteristic very young heroines who are wise beyond their years, and end up winning over the hero.
To a continent in turmoil, Prince Augustus of Jura is the battle-hardened war hero who saved his tiny nation from the clutches of Napoleon. His next challenge is to find an English wife with the political connections he needs to keep his country safe. When the object of his pursuit runs off with his cousin, Augustus turns to the woman's younger sister, Charity Beaufort. Yet the strong-willed Charity is resistant to being a state pawn, even as duty demands her betrothal to the mysterious prince. Swept into a dazzling world of palaces and court intrigue, Charity suddenly finds herself awakening to new passions in her husband's arms. But for Charity this royal marriage of convenience will not be enough-unless she can win her dazzling husband's heart and soul.
To a continent in turmoil, Prince Augustus of Jura is a battle hardened war hero who saved his tiny nation from the clutches of Napoleon. His next challenge is to find an English wife with the political connections he needs to keep his country safe. When the object of his pursuit runs off with his cousin, Augustus turns to the woman's younger sister, Charity Beaufort. Yet the strong-willed Charity is resistant to being a state pawn, even as duty demands her betrothal to the mysterious prince.
From back cover. "The wit, the charm and the emotional storytelling power that are Joan Wolf's trademarks have turned her Regency-era romantic novels in to one bestseller after anothr. Now she tells an enchanting tale of a young woman who, by a scandalous twist of fate is sent to the altar as a Royal Bride."
