An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Marriages Under Conditions Book 6)
Trapped in her family’s debts, Abigail must make a difficult decision, to marry the infamous Beast of Crestwood. A terrifying figure to many members of society, someone a young lady would be afraid to love. Can she trust him?
Miss Abigail Townsend, a graceful and compassionate viscount’s daughter, is faced with a daunting prospect: a marriage to the feared ‘Beast of Crestwood Hall’. Compelled by her family’s precarious financial circumstances, she concedes to the arrangement, steeling herself for a grim future. Yet, upon her arrival at Crestwood Hall, she uncovers a man who starkly deviates from the frightful tales she’s been told. Hidden beneath his stern facade and dark history, she discovers a man of nobility, kindness, and deep-rooted loneliness.
Arthur Atwood, the Earl of Crestwood, endures a life overshadowed by his fearsome reputation, as intimidating as the scars that blemish his visage. Condemned to a reclusive existence within the stern walls of Crestwood Hall, his solitary life is disrupted by the sudden presence of Abigail, a woman radiating gentle charm. Brought together by an agreement of necessity, Arthur becomes intrigued by Abigail’s courage and warmth, finding unexpected comfort in her presence. Her compassion progressively thaws the ice surrounding his heart, nurturing an undeniable attraction. As they share more moments, their relationship transforms from cool acceptance to mutual admiration, gradually blossoming into a tender love.
However, their journey towards love is fraught with danger. A long-standing enemy from Arthur’s past, fueled by deep-seated animosity, embarks on a crusade to dismantle their union by circulating malicious gossip through society’s scandal pages. Will the developing bond between Arthur and Abigail withstand this tempest of slanderous murmurs, or will the malign intentions of their concealed adversary prevail?
An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast is a historical romance novel you will love. Full of twists and turns, no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after.
Also available with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
C*******n
Tranforming Love
Love truly does push the darkness away in Sally Forbes’s 6th book in the series. Though war and a broken betrothal weigh down the Earl of Crestwood, a transformation begins almost immediately after meeting Miss Abigail Townsend. One that withstands all the tonnish shenanigans at play!November 9, 2024
R*****a
A realistic betrayal of human relationships; the negative and the positive
I really enjoyed this book! There is a lot of depth to the human relationships and emotions that are portrayed. It examines the way people hurt others with their words and actions. It also shows the resilience of the human spirit and what people are able to recover from. This is a regency historical romance and has all that I like about the era, but really had me involved with the characters and what they were experiencing. I highly recommend this book! Remember when subscribe to Sally’s newsletter you have access to her extended epilogue. Happy reading!August 22, 2024
K*************r
An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast By Sally Forbes
Three stars, misunderstandings can cause permanent damage. The storyline was obvious, Crestwood was scarred during the war, his fiance broke off the engagement. He carried baggage as a result. He paid to get a wife, so he could get an heir. But Abigail, was determined to break through his barriers. But lies, and rumors almost ended their relationship. But as a typical romance goes she runs he follows. Naturally a happily ever after.March 29, 2024
M***n
Sweet Clean Regency Romance
Loved this book! Great characters – wonderful heroine and hero. Enjoyable story development. Really kept me engaged and they get their Happily Ever After!March 19, 2024
G***g
Interesting Story
This story holds your interest from the first word to the last. A story where love conquers all. A great read.March 6, 2024
K*************r
Loved it!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. The healing, the forgiveness, and the courage brought forth by both character, Arthur and Abigail, was beautiful. The heavy scars we carry are much deeper than the easily seen physical outer appearance and that was what Arthur had to face and overcome. And of course, it is not without the compassion and love of Abigail, someone to show you, you are worthy that greatly helped heal and give life to what was once dark and near death. What a beautiful story and message!March 6, 2024
A*************r
Books
Great reading material. Just love all the historical romance booksMarch 3, 2024
C******F
excellent Book
Highly recommend this book by a great authorFebruary 17, 2024
D******.
Very good romance
Very good romance. A sweet forced engagement, with high drama regarding the exp girl friend. I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance and conflict.January 27, 2024
C**********e
A Good Read
Truly enjoyed Abigail’s strength and maturity at such a young age. Good supporting characters.January 12, 2024
K*************r
An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
Good story although I was expecting a little more suspense and just a little more storyline. Abigail was portrayed as timid and shy. Arthur was supposed to be mean neither were.!January 5, 2024
B*********e
wonderful
A charming light reading. Had it all. Betrayal lies Love for a person not their looks but what’s inside. Good for the soulJanuary 2, 2024
R***********s
Amazing love story
This book was absolutely wonderful with the storyline and the two main characters (Arthur and Abigail). Especially enjoyed reading the love between Arthur and Abigail and the twists and turns, gossips and misunderstandings makes this book hard to put down. Truly enjoyed reading and I especially loved that the author added the Extended epilogue because the reader always wonder what happened to the main characters’ lives after they wed. Love the happy ending!January 1, 2024
K*************r
A beast no more
Battle scars don’t make you a beast and realization of that kept Abigail from being a spinster. Abigail’s father had no idea the love that would come out of his selfish actions.December 29, 2023
K*************r
New Twist on Beauty and the Beast
This is a well-written story about a young woman described as shy by her father and the ton, but is just a woman of character who knows her mind, yet is considerate and thoughtful. The beast is just a man injured in war and by a thoughtlessly harsh fiancée who wounds him severely emotionally. There are several twists that make the story very interesting.December 16, 2023
e*b
How they fell in love
I totally enjoyed this book. Was very well written.December 13, 2023
e***5
Very Enjoyable Read!
This book was interesting from the beginning. It moved along nicely and I never got bored with the story. Well written and the characters were well developed.December 11, 2023
M***i
The Beast is tamed
ABIGAIL is forced by her father into a betrothal with a troubled and scarred man. Her kindness and warmth thaws his heart. I really enjoyed the story and thought it moved at a good pace and had a nice endingDecember 10, 2023
R*********e
Reluctant to Love
Arthur falls in love with Abigail but he keeps pushing her away, deeply scarred by the rejection of his former betrothed, Clara. Arthur’s friend, Captain Harrington, helps him put things into perspective throughout the story. Isabella, Arthur’s sister, helps both her brother and Abigail with their relationship as well. It is clear that not only are Abigail and Arthur well matched but so too are Isabella and Captain Harrington! Two love stories in one! Lady Clara, her mother and Lord Drover work to destroy the love between Abigail and Arthur but true love wins! Yet another delightful novel from Sally Forbes!December 8, 2023
A**.
Fantastic
Sally has done it again and made my heart feel soft for someone who was beastly. A sweet love story with a wonderful ending.December 8, 2023
C***************n
Great read
I enjoyed the story very much…characters came to life and I wanted both of them to be happy asap!December 7, 2023
B***Y
Very good reading
I really liked the story line about a person who through no fault of his own was maligned and his reputation was destroyed because of jealousy. The heroine who helped him overcome the evil was perfect for him. Liked how they were able to overcome all that was against them and had a happy ending. Well written and entertaining.December 7, 2023
A***********y
IT was a Beauty and the Beast happy ending!
I enjoyed every minute of this book i stayed up past 1am to finish it!December 6, 2023
N***********n
Surprise ng
I loved the whole story. He brought her out of her shell. I would love reading more of her works.December 6, 2023
S********7
The Beast is a great one
I liked the development of the beast. He appeared so daunting in the beginning. I almost couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Great character development throughout. As always a wonderful story with a happy ending.December 6, 2023
A**********n
Cool
FunDecember 5, 2023
E****e
that it is a good read
I enjoyed it very muchDecember 5, 2023
G**********y
Well thought out plot line
Really well thought out plot line which makes the book an interesting and easy read. Just wanted to read all of it at onceDecember 5, 2023
W******j
Nice Holiday Read
I enjoyed this book and it was a good choice to curl up with on a snowy evening. The main characters have a rocky road, beginning with the machinations of the heroine’s father and the hero lacking trust that anyone could love him because of his scars. Fortunately, the heroine and the hero’s family and best friend were there to help him along the way. There was even a sweet secondary romance that was enjoyable.December 5, 2023
r**e
What’s real
Well written, full of drama, intrigue, mystery, love, hope, emotions, pain, twists and turns. Abigail is the daughter of a Viscount , who has gone thru his money and arranges a marriage with an Earl who is considered a beast. Arthur has many scars from a war wound both physical and mental. He has since his return lived in exile , not seeking any help. Abigail is able to see behind his front and realizes that he needs a little extra care. She has to get him to see that he really is a lovable person and not just the scars that people see. Great characters, fabulous storyline. Would recommend this story to others. I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.December 5, 2023
S******l
Enjoyable
Felt like is was a very mean guy. Abigail’s father had gambled away the family fortune so therefore he need to make a match between his daughter and a wealthy gentleman…….December 5, 2023
C***y
What Beast?
How do you perceive love? An arranged Betrothal With A Beast by Sally Forbes was a touching book of the heart. Abigail needs to believe. This book is a must read..December 4, 2023
G****a
Awesome
I really liked this book! The characters sweet and caring and the “Beast “ even grew a heart!!December 4, 2023
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.December 4, 2023
J*d
Great read!
Arther Atwood left scared from war knew no woman would want this broken man for her husband. Abigail was destined to be a spinster but not if her father had a say in it. He gambled away his fortune and need to arrange a profitable marriage for his daughter. This is a wonderful love story with a few bumps in the road. The characters are very engaging.December 4, 2023
A*g
Good
Well written and a joy to read. This story lets us know that it is not always what you see on the outside that counts. But you should look to what’s on the inside. Real love never see the harshness of the flesh but the purity of the heart. Wonderful story to read and with a happily ever after ending.December 4, 2023
J***e
So good!!!
Loved this book, the characters and the storyline were amazingDecember 4, 2023
r********.
Absolutely wonderful
This was an entertaining read. I loved the h, she was kind, intelligent but not a wimp, and I would like to be friends with someone like her. The H was his own worst enemy. He healed thanks to the h, and they had a hea. I read this book in one sitting, I didn’t want to put it down.December 4, 2023
K***y
Great read!
Sally Forbes at her best. He came back from the war to be discarded by his fiancé because of his scars. She spread rumors among the ton that he was a beast. Abigail’s father had acquired large debts due to his gambling, so he presents Abigail to be his bride in order to clear his debts.will Crestwood accept the deal?will Abigail look past the beast and find the real man? I loved this story.December 4, 2023
c***l
Sweet read
Arthur, scarred from war and rejected by his betrothed, is persuaded into forming a betrothal contract with Abigail’s father (a man in heavy debt). Although not happy about the betrothal Abigail agrees to it and tries hard to develop a relationship with Arthur, who still is struggling to come to grips with the scars and betrayal two here past. After some misunderstandings and devious attempts by his former betroth all is cleared up and they find their heaDecember 4, 2023
M*******H
Nice story
This book is like some other “beauty and the beast “ type plots, but it’s done well and it’s clean, as are all of her books. This regency style story is not over the top, which I appreciate. It’s a pleasant story and is definitely worth reading!December 4, 2023
Jo
Is he really a beast
An intense twist on beauty and beast, this is one you won’t want to put down. It is engaging and entertaining from the first page until the final period. Mystery and suspense aid this story as it moves from being there same old story to one that has a life of its own. Abigail is the type of woman most of us want to be. While Arthur is truly a nasty horrible person. The saying you get more with honey than vinegar is true in this story. Abigail pours lots of honey on Arthur that he finally comes to a different reality. This is one to keep in your library.December 4, 2023
