The Baron Takes a Bet by Matilda Madison on August 22, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 258
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
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Married by proxy, seduced by passion...
Holly Smyth has had an unlucky life. Tragedy seems to be around every corner for her and her younger siblings. So, when the kindly old Baron Winscombe offers to marry her and save her from destitution, she accepts, thankful to finally have some security.
Until the baron dies, and his nephew, Gavin Winscombe, inherits the title.
The quick-witted Gavin is curious to meet his uncle's deathbed bride, but upon his arrival at Kingston House, he and Holly are informed that she didn't marry Gavin Wincombe, the elder. She was married to Gavin Wincombe, the younger, by proxy.
Now tasked with annulling their marriage, Holly and Gavin decided to work together, but the longer they live as husband and wife, the more natural it feels.
Will they be able to untangle their lives from each other, or will passion be their undoing?
Gambling Peers
A Duke Makes a Deal
The Baron Takes a Bet
The Earl Breaks Even
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After a marriage of convenience ends in the untimely death of her friend and new husband, Holly is surprised by the arrival of the heir apparent, Gavin.
They quickly find themselves tied together with no ready solution. What evolves is first a friendship and then love.
The situation is challenging: Holly is in charge of her twin siblings, a crumbling estate, and on the verge of penury. Gavin has had a traumatic past, estranged from his uncle, and living largely abroad. There is conflict in them learning to understand each other, but not in a heavy way although there are issues of abandonment, grief, and alienation at play. Financial trauma is also a part of the character’s arcs.
Gavin is a nice guy who endeavors to do the right thing even in the face of his hard past. Holly is also a nice gal, although a bit stubborn and independent. Her arc comes when she learns to depend and trust in others, including her own siblings. I think for readers looking for themes of growth with love, found family, and triumph over adversity, this will hit some sweet spots.
There are numerous intimate scenes, so it’s not a kisses only kind of read. There was also some mature subject matter and a little bit of violence towards the end of the novel. I recommend this for readers who are okay with heat. Overall, I thought the intimate scenes and tension was well done, and tasteful but definitely showing behind closed doors and on several occasions. It was effective for supporting the growth of intimacy and connection between these two characters.
This was a first Matilda Madison book for me, and I really enjoyed it. While the end veers toward melodrama, overall it was an interesting premise that was well executed and an entertaining read. Its the second in a series that involves a friend group, but worked well as a standalone. I would recommend it for reader looking for a new author who has a series that involves some unsavory wagers that result in unlikely love matches.
