The beginning of a new series in historical Brighton... A Convenient Engagement by Ashtyn Newbold (Review)


I've enjoyed the other books I've read by this author and am excited for her new
series. This first book in the series is only 99¢! Read my thoughts on it below...

A Convenient Engagement
(Brides of Brighton #1)
By Ashtyn Newbold
Adult Historical Romance
ebook, 184 Pages
October 24th 2018

Summary

A false engagement. A mysterious coast. Two reluctant hearts.

Much to her father’s dismay, Miss Amelia Buxton aspires to become a spinster, just like her eccentric aunt. Growing up with parents who married for every reason but love, she has never seen a joyful marriage. When Amelia requests a summer trip to the legendary waters of Brighton, her father allows her the excursion, but with one requirement: she must return engaged, or agree to the proposal of the man of his choosing.

Crawling with tourists, Brighton is not the town Adam Claridge had once loved. When his sister Eleanor disappears without warning, Adam is desperate to bring her home. In his search, he happens upon Miss Amelia Buxton, a young tourist that proves vital in his search for Eleanor. But Amelia is conducting a search of her

own—a search for a husband—and Adam has little choice but to offer a fair trade: he will play the role of Amelia’s betrothed in exchange for her assistance in finding Eleanor.

Convenient at first, Amelia and Adam’s arrangement quickly plummets into disarray. Falling in love had not been part of their bargain.

BRIDES OF BRIGHTON SERIES:
A Convenient Engagement (October 2018)
Marrying Miss Milton (November 2018)
Romancing Lord Ramsbury (December 2018)
An Unexpected Bride (January 2019)

(Affiliate link included.)

My Review

A CONVENIENT ENGAGEMENT is a fun story about a man who needs help in searching for his missing sister and a woman who needs someone to fill in as her fiancé so that she won't be forced to marry a man twice her age of her father's choosing. What then occurs is a crazy story of awkward moments, subterfuge, and courting. Not necessarily in that order. It's an overall sweet, humorous tale set in Brighton where the waters are said to have magical healing powers.

My favorite character was definitely Adam. He felt consistent and genuine, with a good sense of humor, and a strong intellect. He was also charming and handsome, at least according to Amelia and her aunt who couldn't help but notice. Amelia's aunt is a little outlandish, but she also adds a certain charm to the story in her eccentric way. Amelia was a little hot and cold to me. She is at once intelligent and foolish, proper and exceedingly not, believes herself honest while also manipulating and lying. She's thrown in these circumstances that make is difficult, so I got parts of that. She just is also very hot and cold towards Adam, so it took me time to warm up to her. The ending was super sweet and probably my favorite part of the story.

I did have some issues with some of the things that happened or liberties taken. I wondered where the magistrate and officials were that should have been involved in Adam's sister's disappearance. I also wondered how Adam's sister's friends could not know if Amelia was a friend or not or how Adam and another character could live in the same town their whole lives and not know each other. Some of the actions and dialogue of the characters felt out of place - some things that would have caused quite a scandal. Some of the things felt rushed. I like my stories to move logically to an extent and there were several places I had to basically suspend belief in order to believe the plot.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed reading this. It's a light historical romance that is very entertaining in parts and an ending the ties it all up beautifully.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books by the Author


About the Author


Ashtyn Newbold grew up with a love of stories. When she discovered chick flicks and Jane Austen books in high school, she learned she was a sucker for romantic ones. When not indulging in sweet romantic comedies and regency period novels (and cookies), she writes romantic stories of her own across several genres. Ashtyn also enjoys baking, singing, sewing, and anything that involves creativity and imagination.


Have you read any of Ashtyn's books? Any thoughts on this one? Do you have a favorite historical period you enjoy stories to be set in?

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