By: Becky Lower
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Published: March 3, 2014
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: August 16, 2015
In 1858 New York City, Halwyn Fitzpatrick thinks he's off the hook for attendance at the annual Cotillion Ball. He has no sister to shepherd down the grand staircase this year and no real desire to go through the rituals of courtship and betrothal himself. Besides, he’ll know the right girl when he sees her, especially now that he has new spectacles. But his mother has other plans for him. At twenty-seven years of age, her son is in dire need of a wife.
Grace Wagner needs a husband by July in order to inherit the trust her father has left for her. Her stepfather, though, has plans for the money that don’t include Grace, and the last thing he wants is for her to find a husband before she turns twenty-one, thereby fulfilling the terms of the trust. She's been in love with Halwyn since she was thirteen, but he hasn't noticed her at any of the balls they've been at over the years. With the aid of his new glasses, he spies Grace from across the room and they share a dance. Grace decides to present him with a business proposition that will satisfy them both. But can a clueless knight in shining armor and a desperate damsel in distress find a way to turn this marriage of convenience into something more?
Grace Wagner needs a husband by July in order to inherit the trust her father has left for her. Her stepfather, though, has plans for the money that don’t include Grace, and the last thing he wants is for her to find a husband before she turns twenty-one, thereby fulfilling the terms of the trust. She's been in love with Halwyn since she was thirteen, but he hasn't noticed her at any of the balls they've been at over the years. With the aid of his new glasses, he spies Grace from across the room and they share a dance. Grace decides to present him with a business proposition that will satisfy them both. But can a clueless knight in shining armor and a desperate damsel in distress find a way to turn this marriage of convenience into something more?
Grace Wagner meets Halwyn Fitzpartick once again at a ball. She remembers him from the first time they met when she was 13. That was when Grace fell in love with him. Hoping to help her, Halwyn dances twice with her that night, Later that night, Halwyn feels good for having helped Grace by making her happy.
Grace is troubled by her step father management of her trust. She must marry by July or lose it all. Grace comes up with a plan. Grace goes to see Halwyn at the bank and tells him what is going on. They agree to court each other then marry for a year.
Simon will do anything to stop the wedding and he makes it very difficult for these two. There is non stop hurdles and it makes for very interesting reading.
I love this book from the very beginning. I liked how they came together and they knew each other. Inspite of all the obstacles that Simon put in their way, Halwyn and Grace found each other and found their love. I would recommend this book. It is a really good historical romance.
