REVIEW: No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton

No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton: This delightful lighthearted Christmas novella is the story of Sophronia and James. Sophronia has resigned herself to her fate of relying on a distant relative after her father passes away, leaving her without means to support herself. A chance meeting at an inn results in a sudden reprieve and some hope, when James offers her a bargain -pretend to be his fiancee for a month to appease his mother’s matchmaking hopes (attending an extended holiday party with him) and in return he’ll finance a small cottage for her to live a comfortable life as she chooses. It’s the perfect solution to both their problems. But could this Christmas give them a gift they’d never expected?

I really enjoyed this sweetly sensual story. At the start James is quite firm in his beliefs that settling down in one place is just not in the cards for him, yet he loves and respects his mother dearly and doesn’t want to let her down. Hiring Sophronia to play at being his fiancee is a stroke of luck for him – even more so when she turns out to be a charming, quick-witted, intelligent woman. In fact, if he were going to choose a wife, it would be someone like her. I loved seeing him come to terms with his feelings for her and the conflict within himself, as he realizes that his wants and desires are no longer so cut and dried.

Sophy sees in James a friendly, fun-loving, kindred spirit, the life of the party but at the same time a devoted son and a generous man. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that her feelings for him are becoming more involved and deciding that if this is going to be her only chance to be with him, she’ll make the most of it. They share a tender love scene that reinforces their feelings for each other. They both get a wonderful Christmas gift as their planned arrangement turns into so much more.

No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton was a real treat to read and perfect for the holiday season.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Nov 10 2015 | Avon | Dukes Behaving Badly #2.5

In this Dukes Behaving Badly holiday novella, a young lady entertains a sudden proposal of marriage—to a man she’s only just met…

What does a lady do when a man she’s never seen before offers his hand in marriage? Lady Sophronia Bettesford doesn’t scream and run away. Instead, she accepts the shocking proposition. After all, what’s her other choice? To live with her cousin, caring for six children and a barnyard full of chickens?

James Archer has roamed the world, determined never to settle down. He’s faced danger and disaster…he fears nothing and no one—except his mother and her matchmaking ways. So when ordered to attend a Christmastime house party filled with holiday cheer and simpering young misses, he produces—a fiancée!

Sophronia and James vow to pretend to be in love for one month. But when they promise to give each other a Christmas kiss, it becomes clear that this pact made out of necessity might just be turning into love.