A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Love’s Gentle Manners Book 2)
Lady Eleanor Montague, fiercely independent and unconventional, is thrust into an arranged marriage with the notorious Lord Sebastian Thornton, a notorious rake. With her father’s financial ruin hanging in the balance and Sebastian’s father seeking to reform his wild ways, can this mismatched pair find unexpected passion and purpose together?
Unbeknownst to Eleanor and Sebastian, there’s a hidden agenda behind their arranged marriage. Decades ago, their grandparents were close friends, but a bitter misunderstanding led to a long-standing family feud. The elders hope that by uniting Eleanor and Sebastian in matrimony, they can heal old wounds and restore familial bonds.
As Eleanor and Sebastian navigate their new life together, they clash over their differing views on love, duty, and societal expectations. Sebastian’s rakish exterior hides a scarred past, and Eleanor’s indomitable spirit begins to chip away at the walls around his heart. Meanwhile, they uncover the hidden family connection that adds a layer of complexity to their union.
Amidst societal pressures, family secrets, and the shadows of the past, Eleanor and Sebastian must confront external forces seeking to tear them apart. Can love truly conquer all, or will the weight of history and societal judgement keep them from finding happiness together?
A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words—no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
If you like the Regency and Victorian era, this novel is for you.
Get your copy today, free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
K*******************a
Eleanor
What a good read. The touching story of growing love though not expected. Arranged marriage, little intrigue, and story of kindness and non-conformity. Hated for it to end .May 2, 2025
A*C
Starting anew.
Pretty good, not quite as captivating as other books by this author. However, it’s a good read. Recommend Descent plot, although I thought male lead gave up his lascivious lifestyle a bit too easy… way too responsible too fast. This book has more feelings than others i recall, which seem pretty realistic of a virgin experiencing being close to a man she likes (at least what I remember) . closed door clean romance. Easy read. Story has a good plot with a slow burning romance. Some intrigue and mystery, (curse) and a brother in need of help. Loss of a mother (child), arranged wedding, starting anew, saving family, love of family, maturing, finding meaning, finding love, breaking curses, hope. Sometimes, things life throws at us matures us and makes us better.April 14, 2025
A**K
Slow pace
Too many contrafictions to overcome. One after another. Heroine remains true to self and focused on her gardening to center herself.April 7, 2025
C***l
A bit sugary sweet
For a rake he was very wishy-washy. Found the whole thing a bit sugary sweet.September 24, 2024
M***P
A nice story
This is a nice story, but some details are troubling. The most glaring one is that a manor house for a gentleman would barely fit on an acreage, much less one for a marquess (I mean, McMansions sit on about 3/4 acre as, and that’s part of what makes them look silly!)September 21, 2024
K*************r
Enjoyable Story
I did like the characters and their dialogues. it was a very sweet story. i also enjoyed the unexpected resolution to the curse, and, the numerous blessings as a result of the lifting of said curse..September 1, 2024
M****e
Rumors fly quickly ….. and linger
An arranged marriage for businesses to merge and strengthen was not unusual. But to be forced into a marriage to save your brother from his own recklessness? With a quick mention to the daughter shortly before meeting her intended. Her parents shamelessly guilted her into acceptance, using her love for her brother’s children. Not wanting the children and their mother to be in debtor’s prison while her brother went to jail, she accepted her fate. Her brother proved to be arrogant, selfish, and mean spirited. Jonathan was not forthcoming to Eleanor about his hand in her life being turned upside down. Yet he was quick to spread rumors and gossip to her about Sebastian. With her head in turmoil about her life with a man she’s never met, add to it the gossip her brother felt compelled to share. How will she survive this tumultuous situation?August 29, 2024
l***********!
Very well written
I liked the format. It made reading much more enjoyable. It was clean with a good story line. Enjoy reading!August 25, 2024
K*************r
Fluff
The story isn’t bad, but has very little substance. It is a clean, non-violent story. The house, as described seemed quite odd. They went upstairs from the bedrooms to get to the breakfast room. That must have made quite a trek from the kitchen. Another oddity, was the location of the ballroom. Guests went downstairs from the front entrance. A ball was held with the host and hostess seemingly dancing one dance, and that didn’t seem to be the dance to open the ball. Most of the characters were mentioned once or twice, but didn’t have anything to do with story development. It was a quick, easy read without any real depth.August 20, 2024
A*************r
A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
A beautiful story yet again, engaging characters, with lots of emotions, twists and turn, I love that era with all their rules and etiquette. Very good read, thank youAugust 13, 2024
L*****G
Excellent
Very good story! Well written with characters that keep your attention and interest. Loved it!August 13, 2024
M***********n
great
Very good book. It had all that is required for an exciting, thrilling, satisfying, wonderful story. Get it and read it!!August 12, 2024
L******e
Eleanor And Sebastians Love Story
A beautiful love story about a reformed rake and an arranged marriage. It had drama, intrigue, a family curse, a scare of arrest, and jail and the poor house, an illegitimate child, death, and so much more to entertain and delight. I enjoyed the romance that grew into love and how happily everything became for everyone. I highly recommend reading!August 9, 2024
B***Y
Entertaining read!
Liked the book, characters, and storyline. Was completely entertaining. I have really enjoyed every book written by Emily Barnet.August 8, 2024
R*********e
Passionate, yet Clean!
This book held my interest from beginning to end. There were even surprising things about the characters that were revealed near the end of the story! The characters were well developed and the love that unfurled between Eleanor and Sebastian was beautifully rendered by the author. Their love was passionate while still keeping the book clean. I really appreciated that! Another character I really liked was Aunt Tessa. She was such a fascinating character and remained mysterious throughout the story. I was very pleased that Aunt Tessa was included in the extended epilogue! I look forward to Emily Barnet’s next book!August 8, 2024
E******e
Does Love Conquer all??
This is the sweet love story of Eleanor and Sebastian. Eleanor is an independent lady and Sebastian is a rake. Neither are wanting or even thinking about marriage and settling down. Their fathers arrange their marriage and they go through with it. That’s when secrets are discovered and people are trying to cause them trouble. They have twists and turns but do find their HEA. A very good read.August 8, 2024
T******.
This is Eleanor and Sebastian story.
A great read. The story is about Eleanor and Sebastian marriage of convenience. Eleanor did not want to be forced to marry, but she had to save her brother. Eleanor was the one who changed all their lives by just loving them. It was a sweet story w a great ending.August 8, 2024
M******************a
An exceptional lady for a rakish reluctant Earl
This is a wonderfully written historical romance, and is highly recommended for lovers of strong female romantic characters and lords who wish to turn the good leaf for the sake of love. Miss Eleanor Montague is an extraordinary woman who oozes with kindness, compassion, and common sense. She represents the females of that era when their fates are decided by what their parents think are good for them, considering societal and familiar expectations. In her case, Miss Eleanor is forced to marry an Earl who is known to be a thoughtless rake/rascal in many ways. Her adamance against the scheme intrigued the reluctant Earl, not to mention his growing interest in his intended. After they marry, the Earl, Lord Sebastian Thornton, is hesitant and slow to realize his fortune in marrying a most special lady and ever so gradually falls in love with the unassuming and principled Miss Eleanor, who remains confused with her distant husband. But once Lord Sebastian realizes and acknowledges his attraction and love for his lovely wife, he stops at nothing to show to her the extent of his devotion. This reader enjoyed this story immensely and will definitely read more from this author. Satisfying romance indeed!August 8, 2024
T************d
Story was fine, some of the conversation seemed stilted.
Some of the conversation was abrupt and stilted, not free flowing.August 8, 2024
RH
Nice story
What I especially like about this author is that she doesn’t go overboard on the usual should I kiss her? and he seems to care, but does he really? parts of the relationship. This story was just – nice – without all the angst and miscommunications that, for me, get real tedious, real fast. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and lame, likewise the extended epilogue, but the epilogue seemed appropriate to me. I am an ARC reader and am pleased to offer this reviewAugust 8, 2024
M*********l
Love conquers all
Good solid story, well written, well rounded characters and I enjoy a book better these days, I am a very old lady, if there is a nice picture, good English and few mistakes.August 7, 2024
A**********n
Cool
Lovely readAugust 6, 2024
M************r
Very good!
I really enjoyed reading this tale. It had it all, an arranged marriage, an accused brother, a curse, and interesting, realistic characters. The extended epilogue was especially enjoyable with the laughter of children.August 6, 2024
G**********y
Great storyline
Absolutely loved the characters and the change in behavior which brings forth a love story. I had a hard time putting down the book even for a bathroom break. Great storylineAugust 6, 2024
A*************r
Eleanor really does follow her heart.
This was an enchanting story. From being forced into marriage because of your brother! Wow, something’s are hard to overcome. With following her heart and some trust Eleanor finds what she had wanted all along.August 6, 2024
J*d
Good read!
A family curse began many years ago between the Thortons and the Montagues. What will happen when a marriage between Eleanor Montague and Lord Sebastian Thornton is arranged by her father. A deal was set and the wedding took place. This is a very good story with engaging characters and interesting plot. Definitely worth the read.August 6, 2024
Jo
Great
Beautiful story. Fully engaging and great characters.August 6, 2024
B*****************n
Enjoyed
Well written Good plot developmentAugust 5, 2024
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the charactersAugust 5, 2024
M*****************r
An awesome book
This book has a wonderful Plot and Makes the characters believable.August 5, 2024
T******s
Great story line!
This is a great example of do not believe everything you hear about people… reputations can be damaged by gossip, and people can think the worst of you! Sebastian has more to the story than just his reputation as a womanizer and rake, and Eleanor is just the person to find out what is there. Learning about the curse that Sebastians family has, Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of it.. lots of twists and turns, hard to put it down!August 5, 2024
B***y
Another Good One from Emily Barnet
I have yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t like. Ms. Barnet is a very talented Regency Romance writer who is able to make her characters and writing relatable, easy to imagine, and interesting. The romances are challenging, yet swoon worthy and always keep me rooting for the couple’s HEA. This book did not disappoint in any of these areas. I believe any who love sweet romances will find it worth their time to read. I received this book as an ARC preview and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.August 5, 2024
J*************s
I loved Sebastian & Eleanor’s story!
This is a sweet , sweet story! I have read ALL of Emily’s books and they never disappoint. Eleanor is independent and has not even considered marriage that is until one is arranged for her! Her family is on the verge of financial ruin and the only solution is to accept an arranged marriage in exchange for her brothers freedom. She does it but is cautioned over and over of her husband to be. Sebastian is known for his wild ways and is not at all close to settling down. The last thing he wants is a boring marriage with a boring woman that will only use him to further her ranks in society. But when his father recommends Eleanor, Sebastian trusts his judgment and gives it a chance. And when he meets Eleanor and realizing she is nothing like the others… he agrees to the marriage. The problem is Sebastians reputation is ruined. His family cursed. And the arrangement that forced the marriage in the first place falls through… threatening to ruin Eleanor’s family again. What’s to come of this marriage, will it always be just convenient? And even if they fall in love… Can they get past the rumors from the ton, Eleanor’s family’s concerns and Sebastians family’s curse?! Such a wonderful story once again! I enjoyed it a lot!August 5, 2024
J*****d
Great book!
This was a very good story. I loved it.August 5, 2024
