The Obedient Bride

I quite liked this story, the heroine was cute, sweet and definitely too good for this horrible "hero". He was so selfish, a cheating husband, killing the joy of life in his new bride, he was perfectly aware of all the things he did wrong, but he kept doing it just because. I hated him. Plus, I would be much happier if there were no sex scenes, they were so uncomfortable and made me hate the hero even more. Zero stars for the hero, three and a half in general.

This is a reissue from one of Ms. Balogh's early books which I hadn't read before. Geoffrey inherits the title of Viscount Astor and decides to set up his household and take one of his predecessor's three daughters as his wife - he doesn't care which one as he doesn't expect it to change his lifestyle much. Arabella, the chosen daughter, wanted a marriage of convenience, not this union with the handsome and dashing Geoffrey with his town manners. Geoffrey actually is a good man though also a man of his times, but when a secret comes out to Arabella, it looks like the new marriage might fall apart, despite their growing closeness.
Ms. Balogh always writes a good story and this one is a good example of her style though a bit sexier than show more most. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more of her early books coming out in e-format. show less

I really enjoy seeing a character change before they even realize what's happening to them. While the heroine Arabella, has her own issues, lack of empathy or caring for others aren't among them. It is the hero of this "marriage of convenience" Regency who undergoes the most drastic change; he learns to love, to care about someone more than he cares about himself.
A

This is a story about a marriage of convenience between Arabella and Viscount Astor. Astor things he can just go about his normal life and keep his wife in the country - not from maliciousness but from cluelessness. He was a beta hero who wasn't very self-aware and it was interesting to see his eyes open. There was a secondary thread (so small it could hardly be called a story) about Mr. Hubbard and his estranged wife (who had run off with another man, taking Hubbard's son with her). Hubbard decides to forgive his wife and try and sort things out when she writes asking for a reconciliation - I would have loved more of that story and how they would have gotten on in society and if it would have worked out etc.

Very different times. A man's world.
Arabella Wilson and Geoffrey Astor
He thinks he can get married and very little about his life will change. So he keeps his mistress.
Old fashioned views but typical story route. Wife finds a backbone and husband learns a few things he didn't know about women.
Not a comfortable read for me as he cheats while married and isn't good to her in many respects though he seems to care, in his own way, but that said they have only been married a month when the so called 'hero' sees the need to change, even if it isn't for the right reasons.

Romance