A Tenuous Betrothal - Review

A Tenuous Betrothal (Royal Regency, # 3)

By: Jen Geigle Johnson

Publication: August 1st 2022 by Covenant Communications

? pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

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Goodreads description--Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending—until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.

Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.

I've only read one book by Jen Geigle Johnson before--His Lady in Hiding. It was good, but not great. I remember enjoying parts of it, but then feeling like other parts just weren't up to my standards. And well, that's basically how I felt about A Tenuous Betrothal.

The story started off well. Rhianna's parents died leaving her under the care of her uncle. Her uncle has no purpose for her. She's basically in his way and has been relegated to a secluded hunting lodge on the family property. Except it turns out that her father made provisions for her before he died in the form of a betrothal to a longtime friend's son. Rhianna has no desire to be in an arranged marriage, but she does desperately hope for a future beyond being stuck in a hunting lodge in a small mining town. And bonus, the friend of her father is a king meaning his sons are princes. And there happens to be several of them to choose from. On top of that, the one who actually shows up to rescue her is quite handsome and the two make a good team upon first meeting.

Marc has no desire to wed any time soon. He is head of security for his country and that means that he's constantly in harm's way from those who wish ill upon their kingdom. He knows that marrying will require him to relinquish his duties so as to not place himself or his wife or family in any undue harm's way. Despite feeling a pull, an attraction toward Rhianna, he constantly tries to pull away.

My biggest frustrations revolved around the wishy-washiness of these characters. One moment they're heading in one direction, the next they change course in another. They're traveling to one location but abruptly go back the way they came. One minute they agree that there's nothing to be between them, the next they're cozying up on a ship only to turn around and part ways as soon as they make land. I found one too many "we can't be togethers" and "you don't understands."

Ultimately, I feel torn about A Tenuous Betrothal. Some parts were good and I was eager to read more, particularly the beginning. Other parts I struggle with wanting to roll my eyes and getting annoyed with the characters. I'm intrigued for future books, but not sure I would want to go back to read the previous in the series (I didn't know this was in the middle of a series when I requested it), and I can't say for sure that I will carry on the series or not. A Tenuous Betrothal gets 3 Stars. Have you read A Tenuous Betrothal? What did you think? Let me know!

His Lady in Hiding - Review

His Lady in Hiding

By: Jen Geigle Johnson

Expected Publication: April 1st 2020 by Covenant Communications

272 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lady Elizabeth Davenport is desperate. Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father’s first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas, Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.

Once on board the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz’s highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion on her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon disembarking, however, Barton’s generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz’s past looms, she knows she can’t hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?

His Lady in Hiding had a lot of similar themes and pieces as some other books that I have read and enjoyed over the last year. A Reluctant Bride and The Work of Art are two such books that come to mind. Escaping terrible situations or cruel potential fiances. Traveling to America in hopes of new opportunities and a new life. Add in forbidden romance and you've got the making of an interesting story.

Liz flees her home after her father basically sells her hand in marriage to the highest bidder. Initially, Liz is mostly put off physically by her intended, but she comes to learn that he can be quite cruel as well. She quickly makes the decision to assume a new identity, take a job as a housekeeper in America, and board a ship the following day. Traveling alone as a woman isn't entirely safe and Liz takes to sleeping in one of the rowboats stored on the deck of the ship to avoid the horrors of steerage as well as a fellow passenger who is attempting to get handsy. After a meeting with Lord Barton on the ship, the two begin to form a friendship. Lord Barton can tell that she is gentry and not the serving class almost immediately and he decides to try to help her with learning her new role as a housekeeper. In the process, the two become friends.

Lord Barton is the second son of a Marquess. As such he doesn't have the duty or responsibility his older brother has, but he hopes to make an impact for the family by creating a shipping business. He needs to make connections with the local Philadelphia community to make his business successful. And having a relationship with his housekeeper isn't the best way to go about doing that. Usually I connect to the male lead easier than the female lead, but ol' Barton needed to be popped in the head a few times.

His Lady in Hiding had several twists and turns in the plot. I know there was one part where I felt the characters were getting their "happy" too quickly. And I was right. Many more obstacles were in the way and it wasn't until the very end of the story that each piece was finally overcome.

His Lady in Hiding was a fun, light read with a lot to recommend about it. The twists and turns weren't completely without issues, but overall, I did like the characters and their story. I read it quickly which is always a good thing. His Lady in Hiding gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read His Lady in Hiding? What did you think? Let me know!