Convincing the Countess

Alina K. Field

Feb 2021 · The Upstart Christmas Brides Book 2 · Havenlock Press

About this ebook

A penniless widowed countess with trade in her blood descends upon the country manor of her sons’ negligent guardian, intent on confronting him about her boys’ futures. Instead, she finds his younger brother, a business-minded aristocrat with a penchant for widows and a distaste for emotional entanglements. A man who once witnessed her greatest humiliation. A man offering enticing distractions that threaten to derail all her plans.

Called home at Christmas to bring his older brother to heel and sort out the family finances, a baron’s younger brother wishes nothing more than to finish the task and return to his railway project. But when he finds his mother entertaining a fetching widow he met many years earlier as the unfortunate bride of a ne’er-do-well earl, temptation steers him along a different track, one that may derail all his plans.

Can he convince the reluctant countess to set a course for her future that includes him? 

Previously published in the Mistletoe & Mayhem Regency Holiday Romance Anthology

Ratings and reviews

The first time George Lovelace met Sophie Clark, he had just walked away from her husband who was disparaging her to a group of his friends. She was standing in a garden awaiting her carriage. The next time he sees her is when he comes home for Christmas with his family. It seems that her deceased husband left guardianship of her two sons in the hand of George’s brother Fitz Lovelace, Baron Loughton. He has neglected this responsibility as he has most of his others according to his very worried mother. George wants to help put things to rights, Fitz’s personal mess, the estate, and the obligation to Sophie and her son’s. It doesn’t take long for George to realize that he is falling in love with Sophie. He adores her boys and treats them like family. It seems she might be taken with him as well, even though she is very cautious, having been hurt before. Can George help Fitz, calm his mother’s worries, AND convince the countess that he loves her and wants a family with her? This is a lovely story. George comes from a large happy family, even though they are mourning the passing of the former baron, and they welcome her from the start. Sophie welcomes their ready inclusion of her and the boys. George’s siblings treat Artie and Ben like brothers. There are some secrets that need to be revealed, and there are some problems. George and Sophie have some interests in common that might help solve some of the problems. These two are intelligent and forward thinking. A formidable couple more than capable of facing challenges, and more than willing to grab their happily ever after. Good read. I recommend it. I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout. My review is voluntary.

Charlotte, Lady Glanford, is desperate to speak to her boys guardian. As a widow with no money, taking care of her sons is her first priority. Showing up at their guardian's home at Christmas, she hopes to pin him down for a conversation. He's avoiding her. His level headed and charming brother George steps in to help her. When push comes to shove, he wants to marry her himself. He will have to maneuver his way to win her hand with honesty. A short, passionate holiday romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great ending. When I first read this in Mistletoe & Mayhem Regency Holiday Romance Anthology I did not do a review but I am pleased to do one now. Sophie Halverton Clark needs help, a widow with two sons she is penniless due to her late husband's ways. Going to the boy’s guardian’s home she hopes to receive the aid she needs. I am not sure if I like either George or Fritz and I can understand why Sophie does not see them as gentlemen. The characters did have a depth to them and I liked how the author portrayed them. I loved Willa and George gets a whole lot better. This was a really good story that I highly recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.