His Bluestocking Bride: A Regency Romance

Branches of Love Series, Book 3

By: Sally Britton

Narrated by: Rachael Beresford

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

He vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for.

Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood.

As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience.

Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband's rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day. What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time?

©2018 Sally Britton (P)2018 Tantor

Very Enjoyable Romance!

Although the story ends up somewhat predictable, their developing relationship was surprisingly suspensful and quite moving. The length of time it took them to recognize their mutual love seemed a little unrealistic. However, I was able to suspend reality enough to thoroughly enjoy the slow-burn, emotionally-stirring romance. Entertainment value = five stars!

Love this author!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and many of this author's other works. Love conquers all.

I will always love you

Great book. Comments can hurt but like of communication really hurt this love. So glad that Love came through!

Okay

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood.

As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience.

Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband’s rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day. What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time?

MY TAKE
This was a bit of a tough read. I thought Ellen was a stronger character than she turned out to be. At first, there were memories of when they were younger and were friends. But then they both threw up walls that really began to wear on me. Later in the book, Marcus's brother makes a suggestion on how to fix things between them, making an excellent point that they had not idea how much time they might have. I expected him to court her. But Marcus does nothing. When he does try to talk to Ellen, she pushes doesn't give him a chance. It's something a simple conversation would have remedied. Some misunderstanding I could handle, but this just went too long.

Enjoyable live story

Good story and writing. The narrator did a good job overall but Ellen’s voice was too monotone. She should have had more life in it to be more realistic.

One of my favorites

I listened to this a number of times. I have enjoyed it every time. Sweet romance interesting characters. Great narration.

Bluestocking?

Bluestockings are (in my mind) women of backbone, forceful, confident. Helen was a milksop and the narrator had her speaking in calm barely audible tones. The story was good but I, wallflower that I am, was depressed listening to Helen. I think I'll go sit quietly in my room now.

Okay

It was quite slow. Difficult to plow through but it introduces the next book I think. Clean and Finally happy ending but the angst to get there was a bit tiring.

Won’t listen again.

I couldn’t feel any sparks between them… nothing that could make you think or wish for a happy ending! It was blah!

Author forgot to add the plot

I made it through the whole thing waiting for a plot to appear but nothing much happens at all. The characters are a bit annoying and one dimensional. The only "drama" is that some of the townsfolk gossip about the heroine when she married the neighborhood's most eligible bachelor. I read loads of historical romance and of course don't want anything truly bad to happen to the characters, but without some ups and downs the happy ending doesn't really have much impact. I actually dozed off during the last 10 minutes of the story.