Book picks similar to
The Only Hope by Jan Constant


companion-chaperone
regency
dropped
fibs-lies-and-falsehoods

The Duke's Heart


Kelly Anne Bruce - 2016
    She lives on a manor in the countryside and the distance from the city suits her well. She loves her charges and her employer is understanding and kind. What more could a poor vicar's daughter ever dream of? The Duke of Rossdale is lonely. He's not really aware of that. At least not yet. When he is dragged to a house party at a manor in the country side, he has no idea he will come face to face with his loneliness. He is happiest at his spread of land in the Scottish Highlands, but he needs an heir. For that, he needs a wife. When the duke and Dorothea first meet, there are sparks that neither can acknowledge. Eventually, they must. He has to tell her how he feels. Will she find the bravery to let him overlook her humble family heritage?

The Matchmaker’s Rogue


Regina Scott - 2020
    She is the hostess of the spa, arranging introductions and entertainments and playing matchmaker to the ladies and gentlemen who come to take the waters, promenade through the shops, and dance at the assembly. But when a rogue returns from her past, Jess finds herself suddenly at sea.Always an adventurer, Larkin Denby left Grace-by-the-Sea to right the wrongful death of his father. Now he’s back on a mission: to identify the mysterious Lord of the Smugglers who allegedly sails from Grace Cove and takes England’s secrets to France. But Grace-by-the-Sea is the perfect little spa town, run by the still oh-so-perfect Jesslyn Chance. When the village’s future is threatened, Jess must work with Lark to solve the mystery and protect the town’s own. In doing so, the matchmaker of Grace-by-the-Sea may just find that the best match for her is the rogue who stole her heart years ago.

My Dear Jenny


Madeleine E. Robins - 1980
    When she realizes that Emily’s having second thoughts Jenny finds it impossible not to interfere. With the help of her fellow travelers — enigmatic Peter Teverley and his nephew Dominic — Jenny foils a fortune-hunter’s plans.That should be the end of it, but when they reach London matters grow more complex: the fortune-hunting Adrian Ratherscombe still has his eye on Emily. Dominic Teverley has a tendre for Emily, but she only has eyes for Peter. Jenny's growing feelings for the intriguing, infuriating Peter Teverley are simply not to be borne. But she finds it isn’t easy to put such dreams aside...

Archer Sisters of Goldrush 3 Book Box set


Faye Sonja - 2015
    Adeline Archer is twenty-five and she is DESPERATE!She needs to run from the luxury she's known in New York.Their affluent lifestyle is at an abrupt end! Now her father has taken his own life, leaving either Adeline or her younger sisters commanded to marry to Lex Baxtor- the man they hated most!Well . . . so she needs an ESCAPE PLAN - to become a Mail order Bride with a strict no-love policy. Perfect!Gold Rush . . . and James Blair, are her ONLY option.What will happen in a marriage when two hearts committed to a strict-no-love policy?Will they go through with the annulment they think they want?AMELIA - The Idealistic Bride for Her Insecure Rancher ~ Book 2Amelia Archer is almost twenty - a romantic artist and DREAMER by nature...As a matter of fact, she's imagined her wedding day for as long as she can remember.Along with a wonderful wedding, her thoughts had often to be with her one true love. The touching and poetic letters from Jack Blair have had Amelia's heart in a spin and she knows he's the perfect husband for her.Everything had worked out perfectly well......well... until reality struck...What will happen when Amelia comes crashing down to earth on a ranch which is more rustic than she expected and nowhere near as romantic as she imagined?Dashing Jack Blair loves the ranch but hates ranching. He's insecure about his future and maybe a bride can help give him hope for the future.Will he choose his own bride for love and not for her ability to further the family empire?AVERILL- The Careful Bride for Her Impulsive Sheriff ~ Book 3Averill Archer is eighteen, an intellect, careful and YEARNING for a NEW FUTURE to fulfill all her ambitions . . . and at the same time to fulfill her sister's escape plan.If she must marry, she will do so with a man to match her bright and active mind. When well-written letters arrive from Jacob Blair,. she's EXCITED and absolutely POSITIVE he's the one for her.But there's a problem . . . . .Averill Archer hates liars and drinkers!What will happen if her future husband - Jacob Blair is both a liar and a drinker?Jacob can't read or write and doesn't believe he can ever learn.Being impulsive and hot-headed, his main answer to problems is a bottle of booze.Will Averill's discovery about Jacob's lies and deceit over the letters that captured her heart and his pig-headedness be the end of budding young love?The Big Feisty Bride tamed by Her Scarred Banker ~ BONUS STORY: Book 1 in

The Season of the Blind Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel


Hazel Linwood - 2021
    

Dominica


Kate Harper - 2015
    He is stunned to discover than his old friend Peter Mandeville left his only child in his care in the hope that he will teach her something about her heritage, an aspect of life that his strong willed daughter has yet to experience. Felix has spent his entire life avoiding the convoluted world that constitutes Society and is appalled by the burden that has been thrust upon him, especially when his new ward refuses to play by the rules. For Dominica Mandeville there are no rules. Beautiful and independent, she has spent her life following in the wake of battle in the company of her soldier father and her Portuguese mother. After a life of adventure, the knowledge that she has been given into the care of a perfect stranger chaffs unbearably. The loss of her beloved parents hurts but the loss of her freedom is the cruelest cut of all. Will she ever learn to be a demure debutante? Or will her impetuosity lead to scandals that even the capable Felix is unable to save her from?

Their Unlikely Marriage of Convenience: A Western Historical Romance Book


Ava Winters - 2021
    

Suddenly Betrothed: A Pride and Prejudice variation


Margaret Gale - 2019
    Another Pride and Prejudice variation from the author of Words Spoken in Anger, follow Elizabeth on her journey to the altar as she tries to decipher the character of the stranger she has to marry.

Falling for the Lonesome Cowboy


Lorelei Brogan - 2019
    With courage and strength, she managed to escape and start over under the care of a kind livery couple. Even though she changed her life for the better, the trauma never left her broken heart. Then Clay Donnelly literally fell off his horse unconscious at her gate and she had to act fast and save his life. Could the man she helped be the one to make her world complete? Or would the scars in her soul stop her from ever finding true love and happiness? Clay Donnelly arrives at a beautiful woman's door after having ridden over the mountains and across the desert to escape pursuit. After a false alarm, he had to abandon his post at the ranch he was working on as a cowboy to help his brother. After realizing that the call for help was a trap, he decided to make a run for it to avoid being blamed and found himself at Jess's door. Can he convince the charming woman who helped mend his wounds that he can be the one to mend hers? Or will her tortured past become an obstacle between them? They both found love when they least expected it, but they have to fight their demons to let it blossom. Can Clay make Jess see that he is the one who deserves her trust? Will Jess let go of her trauma and succumb to this unprecedented feeling?

Caroline and Julia


Clare Darcy - 1981
    a snare of lies... a savage act of violence... and the very contrary ways of men--all made the irresistible darlings turn to each other for all the help they could get....

The Way to His Lonely Heart


Aurora Hanson - 2020
    When Hank Collins enters her life with an appealing business proposal, she realizes that she has never truly known home outside of her town’s limits. Being rather skeptical, at first, she declines the offer but when her family is in great need of money, she sees no other choice but to take it. Surrounded by people she does not trust and being away from her family, how will she handle the challenges coming ahead? Could a relationship that started as a professional one, be developed into something deeper and more meaningful?Hank Collins has been down on his luck facing tragedy after tragedy, and now, his family legacy is nearly in shambles. Hank will meet Lauren under very peculiar circumstances, but he is soon to realize that she and her amazing cooking skills are all that he needs. When Lauren joins the ranch, her cooking fills the souls of Hank and his men, while it gives him strength and inspiration for even greater things. How far is he willing to go in order to claim his happiness with Lauren? When a misunderstanding nearly destroys their connection, will he manage to prove his feelings and true intentions to her?Their paths entwine more than either of them expected, but the struggles of running a ranch might just tear them apart. When success comes knocking, will they make the decision their heart truly desires or will they suppress their feelings driven by selfishness? ?s their love meant to last or will it be demolished at the first sign of trouble and disagreement?

An Improper Companion


Karla Hocker - 1989
    Despite her fetching blue eyes and sable hair, Kate Elliott remained every bit the prim and practical schoolmistress. Few at Miss Venable's Seminary for Young Ladies would have dreamed that Kate had entertained romantic notions in her girlhood! At twenty-eight, she remained firmly on the shelf and—with the closing of the school—firmly unemployed. Hence, she welcomed the invitation to be Liza Ashcroft's chaperone for the Season at Bath. But how would she endure the girl's father? Patience was not in her nature... Damien Ashcroft was certain that Miss Elliott would be the ideal companion for his daughter. A wallflower of quiet virtues, she would neither distract the handsome widower from scholarly pursuits nor be bothered by his impatient nature. So he was stunned to discover that the impudent Miss Elliott was outspoken to a fare-thee-well. And shocked when sassy Kate made his pulse race—and even more so when he began to not mind quite so much…

A Fiery Duchess for the Dashing Duke: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel


Scarlett Osborne - 2021
    

A Most Unlikely Betrothal: A Historical Regency Romance Book


Alice Kirks - 2021
    Her life takes an abrupt turn though when the handsome Richard Hatherton, Earl of Brittingham, mistakes Sophia for her prettier sister and kisses her in the shadows. Unbeknownst to them, their kiss was witnessed, and in an instant, a great scandal ensues…How will Sophia feel upon hearing that the only way to clear her name is to marry a man she dislikes?When Richard finds out that Sophia is now his wife-to-be, he cannot imagine his life by her side. However, he soon realises that there is so much more to his fiancée than what meets the eye, finding himself unable to stop thinking about her unique beauty and intelligence. From that moment on, he is determined to make her see that he is more worthy of her attention and make up for his regretful mistake. Will Richard manage to charm Sophia and prove deserving of her love?Could he really compensate for such a rocky start and earn her trust?While Sophia and Richard's mutual love and admiration grow, Sophia’s guilt tied to marrying her sister's beau lies heavily on her chest. More than that, society’s criticism continues challenging their decision to unite their lives and hearts... Could these threatening obstacles cost the happiness both Sophia and Richard deserve? Will Sophia and Richard fight for their deep feelings, or will their romance collapse under society’s weight?"A Most Unlikely Betrothal" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

First Night


Jane Aiken Hodge - 1990
    It is a world where the hazards of Napoleonic power politics mix with the glamour of early 19th century opera and culture.