Major Calbourne Ruherford is hot on the heels of an assassin when he discovers that he has inherited the role of Lord Ashendon and with it his half-sisters, and if that's not complicated enough he discovers that his brother had married someone and left him a niece as well. The two half-sisters get on well with their former teacher Emmaline Westwood who has had her share of heartbreak along the way. After offering to hire her doesn't get her to work for him he eventually convinces her to marry him. But there are more hidden secrets and it's complicated. There are layers in this story that made it interesting and Emmaline was good at getting the various people around her to go to her plan but I wasn't really convinced by the romance. He needs to work at it. ( )

It was a little slow starting for me, quite a bit of set up for the rest of the series and things, but the characters grew on me and I ended up really enjoying them. They generally acted reasonably, which I appreciate, and I could easily follow what was motivating their actions. There were also a lot of little touches that kept it from feeling run of the mill. It had a solid ending. ( )

The new Earl of Ashendon has two unruly half sisters and a surprise niece but is fully occupied in searching for an assassin, so he marries a governess who can manage the girls. ( )

Well... I was quite excited about this one. But in the end something was missing. And the characters and world building seemed a bit too modern. I mean telling a girl in a regency novel that she is fat, when obviously she just have a bit more figure, which would've been an advantage at that time. I could've even overlooked the problems with historical things, but Emm was just a bit too perfect and traditionally feminine and Cal was bit of a tool, but also too perfect. There was no real conflict, no misunderstandings, no drama that would definitely arise from marrying a perfect stranger.

Marriage of convenience is definitely my catnip, but this book really didn't deliver. Also, considering that this was supposed to be a romance, it took way too long for the couple to meet and I felt there was much more stuff about the other characters than the ones that the book was supposed to be about. Maybe it was a setup for Cal's sisters and nieces, who no doubt will have their books, but really I wished a bit more actual romance in a romance book. Many people who felt the same about this book have liked the Chance sisters books, so I might try those still. ( )

After a youthful indiscretion and later gossip, Emm becomes an outcast and returns to her former school as a teacher.
Cal returns from the war to discover that he is now heir to the family estate and title. Along with 2 half-sisters and a cousin, he finds everything has been neglected. If he has any hope of bringing order to the chaos and launching 3 girls on society, he will need a partner. However, sin Emm isn't interested in his short-term job offer, he proposes a marriage of convenience. The agreement suits both--Cal will have help with his family and Emm will gain a family. However, will Emm's past impede her future happiness?