A Deal with an Unwilling Consort: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Regency Expedient Marriages Book 7)
”I am surely not delighted in this engagement. You may be unaware, Your Grace, that I have no interest in marrying you and find this situation disagreeable.”
Love requires vulnerability, and it takes courage to open your heart to someone knowing they have the power to hurt you. But sometimes, the fear of love is just the fear of truly living.
Lady Amelia and Joseph, the Duke of Langford, both scarred by past heartaches and betrayals, find themselves bound together in an arranged marriage that neither of them wants. Initially resentful and wary of each other, they slowly begin to see past their own pain and defenses, finding unexpected comfort and understanding in each other’s company. As they navigate the complexities of their new relationship, they start to glimpse the possibility of healing and happiness in each other’s arms.
But as their bond deepens, they cannot ignore the shadows of their pasts that still linger, threatening to pull them back into darkness. Will they be able to overcome their shared traumas and fears, or will their love be doomed to the same tragic fate that leads to darkness? Only time will tell what the future holds for Lady Amelia and Joseph.
* If you love engaging characters set in the refined world of the Regency and Victorian periods, A Deal with an Unwilling Consort is a great choice. This delightful romance, about 62,000 words long, offers a story without deception, with a bit of suspense, and ends with a touching happily ever after.
Also Free with Kindle Unlimited.
Customer Reviews
K**********************************************************************.
A good read.
Started off well but then got a bit silly and mushy, the ends always seem rushed to me would like a bit more detail in the endings.January 11, 2025
R*****d
Good
Perfect book easyNovember 13, 2024
C*****************l
It was hard to read it was …
It was very repetitive The topic was like walking in thick mud and then walking in quicksand just would get away from repeating And repeatingOctober 23, 2024
A*************r
A Deal with an Unwilling. Consort
Like the book. Glad the Duke had his aunt and sister. Thought her parents were a little hard on Amelia but happy the couple worked though their hurts.September 5, 2024
F*************t
Unwilling to Marry
Both the hero and heroine want nothing to do with marriage. They have their reasons and are firmly entrenched. Throughout the book we are given reasons for these feelings as well as see how they both evolve. Though somewhat stilted, this was an enjoyable Regency novel.August 30, 2024
A**********i
Constant repeat
The stories were actually very good to all seven books, however, the only reason they were as long as they were or for the constant repeating of the story that we already read so far.August 25, 2024
S**************z
love always wins
Amelia thinks she wants to be a spinster but her father tells her she must marry. The Duke of Langford has been locked away at his Estate for years. The duke comes after his sister who is going to have her first season. Her brother Langford comes after her in London. He comes to her first ball and she refuses to leave with him. Amelia is hinding in a room and Langford walks in and her father finds them together and the are engaged. There goes the story. Two people who don’t know each other and all the things that happen and they finally fall in love.August 11, 2024
B************i
Good historical romance!
As with all the author’s novels, this one was very good. It’s always a pleasure to read a clean, historical romance with a happy ending. The character’s are well written and the storyline was good. In this story, it’s about one woman not wanting to get married and a duke who really has had it with women. I always recommend this author to people for a happy, feel good read.August 4, 2024
L*****G
Enjoyable!
What a very sweet romance book! A marriage that isn’t wanted by either but they fight through tough issues and find love! Yay!July 29, 2024
B*****************r
ANOTHER WINNER!
Oh, Dorothy Sheldon, you’ve done it again! Your novel of The Duke of Langford and Amelia has kept me turning page after page, totally ignoring the housework needing to be done and errands that need to be run! You might be the cause of my divorce!! What a wonderful story woven by this wonderful author!July 26, 2024
V*****G
A Deal with an Unwilling Consort
Joseph and Amelia’s story is a battle from the start and throughout its take. What colorful characters and interesting situations are what makes this an adventure. Fighting the ton and personal feelings makes for excitement.July 26, 2024
K*************r
Three and a half
There is no plot to this story, pages and pages on basically one subject. There is much that is charming in the story but not enough to read again. The writing is good and the characters are well drawn.July 26, 2024
O****************s
A Deal With an Unwilling Consort
Dorothy Sheldon is a favorite author of mine. This story is a great example of her talented writing of the regency period. The characters are wonderful and I love the changes the Duke made throughout the story.July 23, 2024
K***i
Lovely
It took a bit for the main characters to meet. Once they did, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Left my wanting more of their story.July 23, 2024
C******F
Excellent Author
Highly recommend this bookJuly 22, 2024
A*************r
A Deal with an Unwilling Consort
A beautiful story, lot of emotions, lot of gossip, but the discovery of love between two person is very special. Very good read thank you.July 20, 2024
j*****s
A contest of wills
A prideful, arrogant Duke and a stubborn, willfull woman are forced to marry. Can they become friends let alone lovers? Another great story by Dorothy Sheldon. A very quick, fun read.July 20, 2024
B***Y
Good reading
Enjoyed reading this book. Well written. Liked the story and characters.July 19, 2024
K*************r
Great STORY!!!!
I really enjoyed this book!!! Dorothy Sheldon NEVER disappoints!!! Her book was A Historical Love Story that completely draws the reader into a time gone by!! I loved this book!!! I highly recommend it to everyone that loves the beautiful setting of the Defence Era. It’s a very good read!!!!July 18, 2024
R*********e
From icy beau to perfect husband!
After his betrothed revealed a devastating secret and ended their engagement, Joseph became reclusive and spoke bitterly to everyone including his own family. His sister had her season in London against his wishes, compelling him to attend to oversee things. Speaking coldly and loudly at a ball about his sister, in embarrassment, Joseph ends up in a room alone with an unmarried lady. Something about Amelia makes Joseph’s heart open again and they fall in love. When they married at the end, it was a wedding that reminded me of something from a Jane Austen book; beautiful and full of tender, true love despite all odds.July 18, 2024
J**********e
Captivating romance
Can two willful people find love together? Add a scandal, frustrating conversations, determined relatives, and a big piece of humble pie, and we’ve got a captivating romance. Ms Sheldon has broken down the walls between Joseph and Amelia, brick by delicious brick and left their true feelings for all to enjoy.July 17, 2024
J*d
Great read!
Wonderful love story filled with emotion. The characters are very real and engaging. Lady Amelia and Joseph, the Duke of Langford, relationship had a few ups and downs.. The shadows of their past threatened to pull them apart. Lady Charlotte was determined to have the Duke be hers no matter what it took. Can their love survive? Definitely a must read.July 17, 2024
C***n
A Rocky Start to a Marriage
Two people who don’t ever want to get married are found in a compromising situation accidentally and are forced to wed each other. I loved the stories and back stories of the characters. I only wish the romance that was growing between them lasted longer and had more detail. As always, Dorothy writes the best antagonists in clean fiction.July 17, 2024
D******n
Two Broken Hearts
Two people burned by love and have decided never to marry leaving themselves vulnerable. Duke Langford was forced to follow his sister to London a place he swore he never would step foot in. After arriving he decided to help his sister in her selection of a gentleman. One evening at a ball hearing talk that upset him he looked for some privacy to gather himself. Unfortunately, he stepped into a room that Lady Amelia had taken herself to and of course they were caught alone. Amelia’s father made such a spectacle that Joseph, the Duke felt the only thing to do was honor the declared marriage so Amelia would not be ruined. Neither wanted this so they were having a hard time coming to some terms. As they determine that maybe they needed to make the most of it, gossip and rumors was going around that could destroy any chance they had. ARC ReviewJuly 16, 2024
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.July 16, 2024
Jo
Stubborn
Amilia and Joseph are two people who have been hurt in the past, are very stubborn and determined to not marry. A lovely story that shows the various adventures they must deal with in order to find their own HEA. Engaging story.July 16, 2024
T******.
This is the story of Amelia and Joseph.
I loved reading this book. It was about a young lady named Amelia who didn’t want to marry, but her father was unrelenting. Amelia was trying to hide out to prevent her father from setting her up w someone. At a ball, she went down the hallway, slipping into a room. Joseph was trying to get away from gossip and women trying to get near him. He slipped into a room to hide. When Amelia’s father walked into the room and found them together, he demanded that Joseph marry his daughter. He had to agree. As they started use to each other and spending time together, their feelings grew. I loved how she slowly got him to give up his emotional walls, and that changed his feelings about himself and his interactions w others. The only thing I didn’t like was how mean he was in the beginning, but she told him how he made her feel. I loved this book very much.July 16, 2024
E****************y
A delightful story
A lovely romance and an interesting ending. This is well worth the read.July 15, 2024
J*************s
Loved Amelia and Joseph’s story!
Joseph and Amelia’s story was magnificent. I started reading it and could not put it down! If you like: Enemies to love Sworn off Love Marriage of convenience Forced proximity THIS is the story for you! After an incident with a past possible suitor, Amelia has chosen a life of a Spinster. That is until her parents say they will cut her off if she doesn’t marry! Joseph is only attended the balls to accompany his sister Sophia and give approval for whoever asks for her hand. He had his heart broken years ago and will not give it out again! Neither of them are interested in the ton, attending balls or marriage. But an unfortunate incident occurs that forces the two to have to marry and face the one thing they dread – sharing their life with another. There is a lot or bickering, and plenty of banter to balance it out. But what’s to come of the two that have sworn off love and now are forced into a marriage of convenience?! This for some may be a slow burn. These two are a true enemies to lovers trope and they will/do take time. But your will LOVE going on this journey with them as they come closer and closer to their wedding day! And you’ll be surprised the HUGE amount of trials they will have to overcome together just to get there. Will they make it? Can a person be so indifferent to love and still fight to keep their wedding plans in place. Dorothy has really done it with this one. I have no complaints. Such a sweet story!July 15, 2024
A**********n
Cool
FunJuly 15, 2024
M***i
PEOPLE CHANGE
Lady Amelia and Joseph have both been hurt in the past, but the story of how they came to know, trust and care for each other was a pleasure to read.July 15, 2024
T******s
My favorite book yet!
This is probably my favorite book yet from Sheldon. I love the story line, and the vulnerability of the characters… They are both stubborn and determined not to marry although for very different reasons. As they get to know each other better, they find they have so many things in common, yet is that enough for them? I enjoyed everything about this book, and hope that she makes a series out of this one!July 15, 2024
M**********y
Enterta
A delightful book about falling in love when it is the least expected.July 15, 2024
V****r
great historical book
This book along with the others have kept my attention and I can not wait to get home everyday to read more.July 15, 2024
r**e
Slow sweet love
Well written, full of love, betrayals, romance, passion, arranged marriage, society sadness and anger with past relationship. Has a great storyline/plot , does start out slow but as the story goes on, they get closer. Lady Amelia and Duke Joseph , both have had a terrible experience in their past. Each not liking to get to balls or society in general. Both have to work at this marriage to make it work. Unfortunately they have something go wrong and now will really have to push to get to the peace and love they desire. Hopefully to their happily ever after. Would recommend to everyone. I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.July 15, 2024
A*************r
Another hit
I like everything about the book. A great readJuly 15, 2024
S*H
A troubled beginning with a sweet ending
Neither Amelia nor Joseph want to marry. Due to traumatic events from their pasts, they hope to be able to avoid future pain by never allowing themselves to become close to anyone again. When they are caught in an accidentally compromising situation, neither is happy about the resulting engagement. As they come to know each other better though, they find their hearts beginning to change. I liked the overall plot of the story and the charming ending. I did have a problem with Joseph though. He treats people horribly in his attempt to distance himself from them, and is so unlikable that it is hard to see him as a sympathetic hero initially. If he had only been so divisive for a short time it would have been easier to set aside his behavior, but he is quite unlikable until almost 75% of the way into the story. Although he does end up in the right place, I just wish he hadn’t taken so long to get there, making the transition feel somewhat rushed. Overall though, this clean, sweet story ends well and is worth the read.July 15, 2024
