His Disinclined Bride - Review

His Disinclinde Bride (Seasons of Change, # 7)

By: Jennie Goutet

Expected Publication: October 28, 2020 by Millefeuille Press

270 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--Theirs is not a love match. She’ll make sure of it.

Kitty Stokes never imagined she’d be so weak as to sacrifice herself on the altar of family obligations, but when the only alternative to marriage with Lord Hayworth is to play nursemaid to her brother’s children, Kitty reluctantly agrees. On her wedding day, she’s certain she has made a grave error, but it’s too late to back out.

Phineas Hayworth refrained from setting eyes on his new bride before their wedding day—the price he forced himself to pay for being so mercenary as to wed the sister of a wealthy merchant in a bid to save his estate from ruins. Her beauty, therefore, comes as a shock, as does her icy treatment, which he feels he deserves. He swears an oath he will not approach her for an heir unless the invitation comes from her.

As Phineas sets out to put his estate in order and present his new wife to Society, he finds her more enchanting than he could have hoped for, even in a love match. Kitty continues to hold him at arm’s length, although he suspects her feelings for him run just as deep. As Phineas’s love and desire for his wife grows, the oath he swore her begins to suffocate. It soon becomes clear that while he’d once been prepared to settle for a loveless marriage, he will not abide an unrequited love.

His Disinclined Bride is a sweet/clean regency romance, stand-alone novel about arranged marriage, and book seven in the Seasons of Change series.

Kitty knows she isn't close to her brother or his wife. She adores their children, but her brother is distant, and her sister-in-law seems to view her as an intruder. Yet Kitty thought she would be able to choose her future, that her brother would allow her some say in it. But instead, he goes off and marries her to a stranger. She can't imagine who would "purchase" a bride sight unseen. I felt so bad for her because she goes into her marriage terrified.

Phineas made the arrangements without even seeing his future bride. He put all his trust in his solicitor to make sure she wasn't unattractive. Phineas needs to marry to be able to start repairs on his estate. He is set to inherit from his father, but he wants to make his own way in the world. And a bride's fortune is what he needs. While he accomplished his own needs, he didn't consider that his bride might not want to be married, and even if she does, she might not want to marry him. He doesn't realize that she wasn't given a choice in the matter.

Phineas and Kitty have a slow build to their relationship. They begin to form an alliance and seem to be aligned in their goal of establishing a home. Kitty is still hesitant to let him in past her walls. I enjoyed the inclusion of an older neighbor that Kitty somewhat confides in. Those who have more years than us often have so much wisdom and advice to give.

In truth, I loved just about every part of this book. I already have a soft spot for arranged marriages, so I was pretty much set up to like this book. And I'm glad that I found it. Kitty and Phineas have such a sweet story. If you're looking for a feel-good book that is a fast read (or listen), this is the one. His Disinclined Bride gets 4 Stars. Stevie Zimmerman as always does a great job with the narration. Have you read (or listened) to His Disinclined Bride? What did you think? Let me know!