No Groom at the Inn by Megan Frampton Series: Dukes Behaving Badly, #2.5
Published by Avon Impulse on November 10th 2015
Genres: Adult Historical Romance
Pages: 96
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Rating:
Heat Rating:
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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.
James Archer does not want to settle down, he likes roaming the world, and he has no plans of giving that up. So when his mother stages a house party for a couple of mothers and their eligible daughters, James accidentally blurts out that he is already engaged.
Lady Sophronia Bettesford has no where else to go but to see to her cousin, her six children and chickens. So when a mysterious stranger throws her an unexpected proposal, Sophronia can’t help but see this as an opportunity to get what she wants and get away from a lifetime of raising her cousins’ children and chickens.
I felt the story was refreshing. There was no mention of dukes, just Mr.Archer and Lady Sophronia. The house party was amusing watching one of the eligible ladies’ mother practically shoot daggers at Sophronia for stealing Mr.Archer. I hated the woman for being so cynical and treating Sophronia for the way she did, but I guess she and James deserved it. Their deceiving ways was kind of hurting James’ mother, who was over the moon that her son is actually engaged. All she wants from him is to get married and stay rooted so she could see him more often and that is in fact that last thing James wants.
As any novella this suffers from being too fast, too many jumps ahead, it felt like a skipping record or watching a movie on fast forward. The romance unfolded much too quickly, as well as the attraction between these two.
But I did enjoy it. I thought it was sweet watching the two fall in love, even with James struggles to accept the fact, a little. This was also a nice introduction to the authors writing, which is another reason I do find myself enjoying novellas, despite their length. I already know they aren’t the strongest piece of writing, and I take that into consideration. But, it told a story of two unlikely people who might have been missed out on a book, and that I was okay with.
Also, there is holiday cheer as the house party is preparing for Christmas, and a contest of who can bring in the best Christmas tree. I loved watching these two work together. So if you are looking for a quick Christmas read and love historical romance, I would give this one a shot. There are also plenty of moments to chuckle over.
LilyElement
Sounds good even with it being a bit too fast/skips ahead. I have that issues with novellas a lot too <3
LilyElement recently posted…Thrifty Thursday [139]
Crystal, Tasty Book Tours
Great review!
Renee (Lover of Romance)
I really have enjoyed this author, and am eager to read this one. Planning on it for December. Great review.
Heidi
I have those issues that you mentioned with novellas all the time, so I tend to avoid them. Too bad this wasn’t a full length.
Heidi recently posted…Review: The Visitant: A Venetian Ghost Story by Megan Chance
kindlemom1
There definitely can be draw backs to novellas, usually either too much or too little info dump but overall, this still sounds like it was a fun little read.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Visions by Kelley Armstrong
blodeuedd
Novellas can be so tricky
blodeuedd recently posted…The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison
Lola
I kinda like these type of romances where an engagement or marriage out of necessity turns into love. I like seeing that change. It’s a shame that because it’s a novelle it all felt a bit rushed and happening too fast. It does sounds like a refreshing read. And that’s nice there is some christmas feel thrown in as well. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: How do you Decide in Which Format to read/ buy a book?
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
Novellas are so hit or miss for me. I do like it as a way of introduction to an author though. Great review!
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog recently posted…How I Keep Organized Blogging
Sophia Rose
That’s a good way to look at novellas both as a way to try the author and that you expect them to be weaker.
This does sound cute; if rushed.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Ripped by Oliva Rigal
Rachel @The Readers Den
Wow, I do love that sexy cover! Novellas are a great way to try an author out. I think it’s a challenge to write a moving story in a short amount of pages, so I’m a fan of anyone who can pull it off. I’ve been reading more historical romances and loving them. Tessa Dare is my favorite so far. I’ll have to give Ms. Frampton a go. Wonderful review, Lily and thanks for the giveaway!
Rachel @The Readers Den recently posted…Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Every Word by Ellie Marney
A Voracious Reader
This sounds like a fun quick read.
A Voracious Reader recently posted…Together in Cyn
Nick @ Nick & Nereyda's Infinite Booklist
I struggle with novellas too because they are so short and everything feels kind of hasty. That being said I love historical romance, and this looks like a series I need to explore.
Lovely review, Lily!
Nick @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist recently posted…Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Kristin @ Addicted to HEA
I never mind short stories because you get to try new authors. This one sounds adorable!! Best Christmas Tree contest? I can only imagine!! Hey, as long has it’s a happy Christmas story it’s ALL GOOD
melliane
Ah yes it’s always complicated with novellas but it’s nice to find a good one and well youmade me curious for the longer ones.
Joy // Joyousreads
A historical romance without dukes?! What is this world coming to? Lol. That’s definitely refreshing!
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…[589]: The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson
kimbacaffeinate
Love the added holiday element!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Fighting for Devlin by Jessica Lemmon
Brandi Breathes Books
Good to hear it was enjoyable even if short being a novella
Danielle Meek
This one sounds cute
I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
Danielle Meek recently posted…Compromising Her Position by Samanthe Beck {Blog Tour & Giveaway}
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I usually have the exact same problem when it comes to novellas, Christy, but the fact that there are actually no dukes or princes still makes me want to pick this up… It’s weird how that goes, eh? Just something a little different and I’m quite sold
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Ugh, the novella syndrome of being to fast/short. That sucks, but happy it was mostly good.
Naomi Hop
Big jumps in time annoy me in my reading too. But it sounds like a good read.
Naomi Hop recently posted…Paradise Road by C.J. Duggan ~ Review & Quote-tastic
Magen Corrie
Great review. I can understand the speedy pace though. Always rushes the story a bit too fast. But I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wattle
That is one major problem with novellas
they are just too short, and often there’s more plot than there should be (I know one shouldn’t complain, but sometimes it’s like novellas really should be full length novels!) I’m glad you were able to enjoy this, despite its flaws. It sounds like a fun Christmassy read.
Wattle recently posted…Book Review: Sinful by Jennifer Dawson
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
I could have sworn I commented on this post! No? Well, good thing I checked. 😀 I need to read a Frampton book! I’ve seen nothing but really positive feedback when it comes to her work. I’m not a huge fan of novellas (their length and usually their price bother me!), but I do make exceptions for certain authors. 😀 Sounds like this one is not a bad one to read around the holidays!
Wonderful review, Lily.
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!) recently posted…Review: Say You’re Mine by Diane Alberts