A Tenuous Betrothal ~ Review

A Tenuous Betrothal

Royal Regency #3
By Jen Geigle Johnson

What can I say - I love this series and Rhianna (Rhi) Davies is a perfect new potential daughter-in-law/wife to join the royal family of Oldenburg. There is just one small issue neither she nor Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg even knew they were betrothed. Mhm, so big problem as neither cares to be wed to a perfect stranger.

The perfect solution to their shared dilemma? Why a season in London to show Rhi around so she could find a possible love match of her own choosing, with Prince Marc's assistance, of course. What could go wrong? 

Plenty starting with the fact that after those first awkward moments the two actually seem to like each other. But Marc is firm - he can't take a wife while there is danger around. Oldenburg needs his skills and he won't marry and leave a wife to wonder if he would return from a mission. Nope as perfect as Rhi seems to be for him - marriage is out of the question.

When circumstances dictate a change of plans, Rhi finds herself in Oldenburg where she finds she has an unexpected connection to both the country and the royal family. But she has been promised by the king to one of his sons, so with Marc declaring he cannot marry, Rhi is expected to give the remaining unwed sons a chance to win her hand, if not heart.

I enjoyed this book in both print and audio so that was fun. I love the audio as it says the words so I can hear them as I read along. (Or just listen as I commute to work) This story is lovely and sweet. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking clean-reading Regency. The characters are realistic with a depth that brings them to life. I love the blend of the fictional with the historic as it plays well off of each other. 

Now ideally you will have read the first two books in the series, but if you haven't the story can be read as a standalone title.  I loved the narration by Luone Ingram, she brought the story to life and I think she presented Rhi and Marc perfectly. The story was well paced and engaging.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book (print) with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending—until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.

Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.