Reviewer: Tracy Married for His Convenience by Eleanor Webster
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Publication Date: December 1st 2016
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A plain countess…
Tainted by illegitimacy, plain Sarah Martin has no illusions of a grand marriage. So when the Earl of Langford makes her a proposal that will take her one step closer to finding her half sister, she can't refuse!
Sebastian's dreams of romance died with his late wife's affair, so now he needs a convenient wife to act as governess for his silent daughter. Yet Sarah continues to surprise and challenge him, and soon Sebastian can't deny the joy his new bride could bring to his life—and into his bed!
Sarah Martin lived in London when she was little with her mother who was a mistress and her half-sister, Charlotte. When her mother died her father took her back to his home to live with him and his wife (awkward!) but since Charlotte wasn’t his daughter he left her in London. It’s been 14 years since Sarah has seen her sister but she dreams of the day she can get to London and find her once again.
Sebastian’s thought he and his wife were happy but she took off with his children with her lover and moved to France…where she was subsequently executed. The lover held Sebastian’s children for ransom which he paid but he only got his daughter Elizabeth back. He’s been searching for his son Edwin but hasn’t had any luck. He meets Sarah and finds her intriguing. She makes him laugh and she’s got a way with animals and people. He thinks maybe she’ll be able to bring his daughter out of the dark place she’s been since he got her back 6 months ago. She hasn’t spoken a word since her return and rocks incessantly. His great-aunt also wants him to marry and he needs her funds so he asks Sarah to marry him – just for convenience.
Sarah is shocked at the proposal but there are many reasons she should accept – the main one being that she would be in London and would be able to find her sister. Once married she finds the search for Charlotte as well as her interactions with Elizabeth much more difficult than she thought. She also starts having feelings for Sebastian which she knows are unrequited but she’s determined to make the most of her marriage no matter what.
This was a very sweet story. Sarah and Sebastian were very opposite people but they got along very well. Sebastian was a bit flummoxed by the fact that he found plain Sarah highly desirable and tried to curb his desires as much as he could. He couldn’t stay away for long, however, especially when he started getting emotionally attached to her. She was so good with his daughter and he loved that.
Sarah was a good person all around. She cared for children, people and stray animals. She even cared for her guardian who was her father’s wife and didn’t always treat her in a kindly way. I loved how she interacted with the silent Elizabeth and tried to help with the search for Edwin whenever she could.
The whole premise of the story was a good one and was really focused on love, trust and respect for the other person. It was well done and while not all that “sexy” it was a satisfying read.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5