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Although this is book two in Jenni Fletcher’s Regency Belles of Bath series, I didn’t feel I’d missed anything by not having read book one (An Unconventional Countess), as the author incorporates everything I needed to know about the events of that story into this one. Unexpectedly Wed to the Officer is a charming character-driven romance between two strongly characterised and attractive leads whose relationship evolves organically from a well-developed friendship, and – another bonus for those, who like me, are always keen to read historicals featuring non-aristocratic characters – are a (former) sailor and a shopkeeper. They do have some connection to the nobility, it’s true, but they are both people who work for a living.
Henrietta Gardiner is the manager of Belle’s biscuit shop in Bath, where she was formerly the assistant to its owner, Anna Fortini. Now that Anna is happily married – to an earl, no less (see book one) – Henrietta runs the business with the help of Nancy, an outspoken, no-nonsense young woman who clearly has Henrietta’s best interests at heart – especially after Henrietta’s reputation was maligned when she was accused of trying to entrap a young man into marriage. In fact, Henrietta’s beauty, combined with her status as a ‘shopgirl’, has attracted the wrong kind of attention once too often, and she is determined never to allow a man to mistake good manners for encouragement again; she’s decidedly wary of anyone who tries to compliment or sweet-talk her, and makes a point of dressing plainly to the point of dowdiness.
Sebastian Fortini – Anna’s brother – has been away at sea for a number of years, and arrives home very late one night. Not wishing to disturb anyone, he enters the shop using his key with the intention of sleeping in a chair – only to be hit in the face by an opening door and then confronted by a vision in a white nightgown wielding a pair of fireplace tongs. Fortunately for all concerned, mistakes are quickly corrected, but Sebastian is rather disconcerted when he learns of all the changes that have taken place; he never received any of his sister’s most recent letters (for reasons we learn later on) so to find she’s married and has left Bath and the business comes as something of a shock. Not only that, he’d come home – discharged from the navy after Trafalgar – intending to help Anna run the business, but now it seems he’s surplus to requirements at home as well. The feeling that he’s free of family obligations, naval orders and commitments is one he hasn’t experienced in many years, and it’s one that fills him with exuberance… but now he’ll have to come up with a new plan for what’s next.
Sebastian decides his first order of business is to travel north to see Anna and his mother, so he makes arrangements to travel the day after next… but changes his plans when he learns that Henrietta’s recently widowed brother has disappeared and abandoned his three young sons to her care. He fully appreciates Henrietta’s cool-headedness and her ability to manage the bakery, but he also sees she’s in danger of being overwhelmed, and I really liked the way he just steps in to help and support Henrietta without being all take-charge and ‘I know best’.
Henrietta makes it clear that she is not interested in anything more than friendship with Sebastian, and even though he’s strongly attracted to her, he takes her at her word, even going out of his way to make sure she feels comfortable around him. The author develops a lovely, genuine friendship between them which is underpinned by the mutual attraction that’s been bubbling since they met. I loved watching their feelings for one another grow and strengthen, and the way Sebastian’s kindness and honourable nature gradually erase Henrietta’s distrust.
I appreciated the way Ms. Fletcher has Sebastian explore and come to terms with his feelings of guilt over leaving home to join the navy, and she writes Henrietta’s nephews very well so they come off as real people rather than plot-moppets. I found the eleventh-hour conflict a bit contrived, but the knee-jerk reactions to it by both Henrietta and Sebastian made sense given what we know about them, and fortunately, the misunderstanding isn’t allowed to continue for very long. (The epilogue, for those who care about such things, doesn’t feature Sebastian and Henrietta at all, but is a chapter setting up the next book in the series.)
There’s a well-drawn secondary cast, I enjoyed the gentle humour of the dialogue, and I loved Sebastian, who is the best kind of beta hero; kind and considerate, sexy without really knowing it and able to step up and do what needs to be done without being flashy or overbearing.
Unexpectedly Wed to the Officer is a delightful romance between two decent, caring people who find, in each other, someone who helps them to work out who they really are and where they want to be in life. It’s a lovely, feel-good read with depth and emotional subtlety, and I’m happy to recommend it.
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Grade: B+
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 08/01/21
Publication Date: 01/2021
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
Has any one read the first book of the series? I read the first chapters and so thoroughly hated the hero’s “friend Ralph”, that I couldn’t get over it. Can anybody assure me, that said Ralph either dissappears or even better gets his comeuppance really quickly. Otherwise I do not think I can read the first book and I hate starting series in the middle.
I haven’t read it. But you can easily read this as a standalone – all you need to know about the first book is really that Sebastian’s sister used to manage the biscuit shop and is now happily married and living elsewhere. (And there’s no Ralph in this book!)
Thanks, in that case I shall try just reading the 2nd book
He gets his comeuppance a few chapters in.
This appeals to me very much but I have decided to start reading this author with Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride and then see how I feel about reading her other work. Sounds very promising!
Sadly Captain Amberton, etc. was a 2 star read for me. Inane dialogue with a thin plotline was my main issue. Not sure if I should try again with this author as there are plenty more books in the TBR queue.
I haven’t read many of her books, but those I have, I seem to have put in the B range. I’m about to read (and review) the sequen to this one, so watch this space!
Look forward to your thoughts.
I just started one of her earlier books, Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Sypmathetic characters—the perfect escape.
Sliding this onto my TBR pile!
Definitely my cup tea! I have never heard of this author So thank you and I will definitely try out the first book.
I’ve read a few of Jenni Fletcher’s books and have generally rated them in the B-range, so she’s a solidly good bet. I hope you enjoy whichever book(s) of hers you choose.
Oh, good. This sounds right up my alley at the moment. I’m not a fan of children in my romances, but mostly because they are too often poorly written, or they are written as brats to be part of the conflict. But if they are well done, like the children in Cadenza by Stella Riley, I can enjoy them.
Ditto to everything Carrie says!
Yes, there’s no overdone angst, but it’s still a good story with plenty of real feels and emotion.