I was offered an advance copy to review, and I'd never even heard of this author before, so I probably wouldn't have requested one, but it seemed like it might not be too bad, so I took a gamble and accepted. I was hoping it would at least be tolerable, but it ended up being a joy to read! Right off I was pleased that the setup was a bit different from any historical romances I've read previously, (and I've read many!), and then bit by bit I just got sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down. The main characters are both likable people. They're slightly timid compared to a lot of characters who've been around the block a few times, but they're like 18 & 20, so I didn't hold it against them. It felt like they weren't always quite certain how things were, or what they should do about it, but they were trying their best. And it was endearing and relatable. I'm not always against 'insta-love' but sometimes it skips over a lot of the romance of falling in love, so I enjoyed the step by step process in this one. They're thrown together, but then they slowly learn who the other really is, and how to trust, and ask for what they want, and they begin to admire the other more deeply. I smiled a lot at how cute they were. I felt like I had a good grasp on the supporting characters. I kept them straight pretty easily and felt like they were mostly individuals rather than 'best friend #1, Vilain #3' sort of thing. And the story resolved in a satisfying way. I would definitely read more from this author. ( )

The Heir and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden

This is a standalone in a series. I have not read any of the other books and had no problems with the story.

Hazel and one of her best friends, Agnes is determined to marry for love. But due to an unfortunate incident, as the two are playing matchmakers and enablers for Agnes' governess, they are caught up in a disaster that causes Hazel to become married to Harold Hobbs, heir to Collingswood barony.

Hazel and Harold were already betrothed from childhood, but have not seen each other for years. Harold wanted to marry for love but instead offers up their match to save Hazel from disgrace.

How they decide to live with their choices is interesting. You can have a cheerless, loveless union or take steps to make it a glorious, heartfelt union.

Sincere thanks to #netgalley for the complimentary copy of #theheirandtheenchantress I was under no obligation to post a review. ( )

I absolutely adored Hazel Trethow and Harold Hobbs. Both were placed in untenable positions, yet made the best of those situations by looking forward rather than bemoaning what had happened to them. Sadly, both were victims of family greed and were used, unfeelingly, as pawns to garner more wealth for their families. The book is, as always, very well-written, nicely-plotted, and delivered at a smooth and even pace. This author always creates wonderfully inviting characters and stories and I have enjoyed everything she’s written.

Harold Hobbs is the son of a very wealthy baron. Well, his father pretends they have enormous wealth anyway. What they really have is a father who takes more and more chances with wild investments in pursuit of enormous wealth. What they really are is totally insolvent and the creditors will be at their door at any minute. Harold can see all of the things his father is doing wrong – and has some good ideas about how to fix them. However, his father is totally fixated on his own schemes and dismisses Harold’s suggestions. There really isn’t anything Harold can do since he hasn’t even reached his majority yet and has absolutely no control and no leverage over his father. Even when Harold learns his father is defrauding a lifelong friend of his fortune, he has no control. All he can do is clench his teeth and accept it. Even when his father tells him he plans to cancel Harold’s lifelong betrothal, he feels he has no options. Harold had really been looking forward to courting the young lady now that he is back from three long years in India.

Hazel Trethow is the apple of her father’s eye – he totally dotes on her. While her father is enamored of her lifelong betrothal to his best friend’s son, Hazel wants a love match. She’s been watching and pursuing one man in particular, but he’s ignoring her. She wonders what her betrothed is like, but she’s sure he is a toad – and he looks like one when she first meets him. In a room of popinjays who are perfectly turned out in fine clothes and powdered hair, he shows up – not so well turned out. Yet, there is something about him.

When a very unfortunate situation, which neither of them has any control over, forces them into a marriage of convenience, they both want to make the best of it. After all, marriage is a lifelong commitment. It was fun to watch them build their relationship slowly and steadily. They both wanted love, but would the machinations of their fathers allow them to have what they want? When the betrayals are revealed, can their fledgling romance survive? You’ll just have to read the book to see!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I did have a hard time equating the knowledge and maturity levels of these two characters with their ages. Harold isn’t even twenty-one, and yet he has already spent three years in India because of a business investment for his father. Sometime before he was seventeen and sent to India, he managed to learn all about estate management from their steward. Another thing I had a hard time with was the casual manner in which homosexuality was treated. In that time, homosexuality was a hanging offense and nobody would have been so open with it.

These characters are lovely and their romance is lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. It was fun that the marriage happened early-on in the story and the relationship was built afterward. I absolutely loved a couple of the secondary characters – Nana – Harold’s grandmother was wonderful as was Patrick, Harold’s best friend. I would have wished for more ‘punishment’ for the villains (all of them), but at least there was a bit. Being the bloodthirsty reader I am, I would have been happy with the vilest of them being thrown from his horse – over a cliff – into the ocean – onto the rocks below. However, he’ll still have to live with his scars and that will have to be enough.

I can definitely recommend the book and I hope you will read and enjoy the book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )