Monday, May 16, 2011

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck-Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck
Kathleen Y'Barbo
WaterBrook, Jun 21 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780307444820

In 1887 London, American Charlotte Beck informs her Uncle Edwin she was accosted as astronomer Lord Alex Hambly arrives with her battered fan. Edwin does not wait for explanations when he punches Alex in the eye. Thus Charlotte and Alex have cause to detest one another.

Her father Daniel wants her married while Charlotte prefers going to college and join his company after graduating. Daniel offers a deal to his daughter and the aristocratic astronomer. They marry and he will fund Alex’s passion to save the Hambly family from financial scandal, and his offspring’s education. Charlotte and Alex agree to Daniel’s terms; but make a secret arrangement between them to annul their marriage first chance they get. All goes accordingly until Alex refuses to end their inconvenient marriage.

This amusing late Victorian romance will have readers loudly laughing at the gender war between two strong willed individuals. Charlotte is a terrific protagonist who is used to having her way; while Alex proves her equal as he has the guts to say no to her. Fans will enjoy this delightful twist to the marriage of convenience as Kathleen Y’Barbo provides another delightful historical.

Harriet Klausner

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