Lord Holt Takes a Bride

Vivienne Lorret

Mar 2020 · The Mating Habits of Scoundrels Book 1 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a charming new trilogy about three debutantes who get more than they bargained for when it comes to the mating habits of scoundrels . . .

Heiress Winnifred Humphries refuses to marry the odious man her parents have chosen. She’ll marry for love or not at all. But how does a woman know a man truly loves her? Needing answers, she sets out to discover the marriage habits of London’s aristocrats. Yet when her friends kidnap a lord for research, Winn knows they’ve gone too far. Now she’s facing a wickedly handsome scoundrel who wants revenge.

Lord Asher Holt has the perfect plan to free himself of his father’s debts. But when a trio of foolish debutantes abducts him, their scheme ruins everything! Fuming and tied to a chair, Holt overhears that one of them is an heiress. Perhaps he isn’t above a little kidnapping either.

Yet, when the heiress runs away from her own wedding and straight into his waiting carriage, Holt finds himself on an adventure he’ll never forget, falling in love with a woman worth more than any treasure. But will Winn ever believe his heart only desires her . . . and not her fortune?

Ratings and reviews

Winnifred never feels enough: not thin or pretty enough for her mother, not biddable enough for her father, and certainly not desirable enough for her soon-to-be husband. What she does have is a substantial dowry, an interior monologue that never stops, an insatiable curiosity and friends, true friends who are just as unusual and deviate from the norm in society as she does. Her friends despise her fiancé and have put their best efforts into scheming a way for her to ‘be free’. Asher is the only son of a ne’er do well man, one who has a legendary reputation as a bounder, gambler, and cad. He remembers his mother, has spent most of his life since her death trying to ‘cover’ his father’s debts and reputation, and has just fallen upon (with two friends) the answer he feels will bring him into his own, allowing him to divest himself of his father forever. But he’s been kidnapped by Winn’s friends, the money he had collected to start his new life is gone, and he’s found himself in the midst of a grand scheme. From the moment Winn alights into Asher’s carriage after running from her wedding, to the complexities of their journey as he is taking her to her aunt’s house, the chase is on. From running from more debt collectors (now in cahoots with his father) to losing everything, trading for clothes and rides, Asher sees Winn for who she is. A curious, beautiful and adventurous soul whose lack of practical world experience make for some interesting conversations, and the two find that they have more in common than not. But both are determined to ‘stay unemcumbered’ and this determination leads to several attempts to undermine both of their lives….. Lorret takes a wild, although mostly by reputation, scoundrel and pairs him with a debutante that is far more curious, bold and daring than one would ever expect, fueled on by her friends, always surprising and funny in all the best ways. A lovely start to a new series. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

She may be cautious, and she may be dowdy according to society, but Miss Winnifred Humphries is resourceful and determined. Faced with marriage to a man who despises her, and whom she hates, Winnifred makes a run for it, right into the waiting arms of Lord Asher Holt. A case of mistaken identity means that it is far too late for Winnifred to reverse her decision and return home. In what becomes a sometimes hilarious and others a dangerous adventure as Winn and Asher race towards their goal, the plot is exciting, witty and unpredictable. Discovering a warm-hearted woman who cares about his plight as much as her own, Asher is surprised when his feelings become engaged. However, with the threat of his father's actions hanging over him, he knows that he could never subject Winn to whatever his lordship plans next. When in such dire straights, it is difficult for Asher to act honourably, but the deeper he falls for Winn, the more convinced he is that he has to find a way for them to be together. The story is enthralling and romantic and made me realise all over again that when all one's props have been removed, it is amazing how resourceful the human spirit can be. I enjoyed this book immensely and found myself disappointed when it came to an end.

The runaway bride right into the carriage of the man destined to be her happy ever after! On her wedding day to a man not of her choosing, Winifred receives a gift with a note from her future husband that is for his current mistress. What's a girl to do? Of course not marry the cad and she runs out of the church and jumps into the waiting carriage. How was she to know it was not her friend Jane's rescuing her, but Viscount Asher. What happens if a delightful ride to happiness if only she can trust him. Sweet, fun, adventure...

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret writes fun and steamy Regency historical romances. She lives in the Midwest where she coaxes words out of giant mugs of tea and attempts to jot them down before they can escape.