A Counterfeit Betrothal/The Notorious Rake: Two Novels in One Volume

By Mary Balogh

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Mary Balogh presents two of her classic Regency-era romances—seductive tales of ladies who are running away from love . . . and rogues who enjoy the chase.
 
A COUNTERFEIT BETROTHAL
 
Lady Sophia Bryant has no intention of marrying anytime soon. Her one desire is to reunite her parents, who have been estranged for fourteen years. Surely, if she happens to announce her betrothal—even a false one—they will be forced to see each other. Devilishly handsome Lord Francis Sutton seems perfect for such deceit, always agreeable to games of passion in which he has nothing to lose. The trap is set—if only Lady Sophia can keep her foolish heart from falling prey to her brilliant snares.
 
THE NOTORIOUS RAKE
 
Lord Edmund Waite is everything that Lady Mary Gregg despises: lewd, lascivious, mocking—the most incorrigible and successful rogue around. A bluestocking like her would never tempt a man whose taste runs to pretty playthings—so Mary is startled to find herself the object of Lord Edmund’s desires. Even more surprising is her reaction to his shocking advances. She may be a lady, but this man knows so well how to make her feel like a woman.

Includes excerpts of The Proposal and The Arrangement by Mary Balogh

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9780345538697

Mary Balogh

New York Times bestselling, multi-award-winning author Mary Balogh grew up in Wales, land of sea and mountains, song and legend. She brought music and a vivid imagination with her when she came to Canada to teach. There she began a second career as a writer of books that always end happily and always celebrate the power of love.

Reviews for A Counterfeit Betrothal/The Notorious Rake

[veracite · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

One too many daffy heroines in a row and a monster case of lack of communication.

[selkins_12 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The title of the book I got via EarlyReviewers is actually *A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake*, and it's two novels in one -- fortunately, because I couldn't get past the deceit in the first one (the unrealistic picnic at the start where a few acquaintances -- including a known gossip -- decide to keep a scandalous secret didn't help either). Other readers may find a way to like the manipulative, spoiled heroine, or find the other characters/sub-plots of enough interest to enjoy it.*The Notorious Rake* was good enough to overcome a problematic element. The heroine and, after getting to know him, the hero are both engaging. I liked the way the story started out, but should include a trigger warning about a determined pursuit that descends into stalking. The main characters are explored in depth (no subplots here that I recall a week later), and their mutual evolution and the growth of their relationship is satisfying.

[kaetrin_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Counterfeit Betrothal by Mary Balogh - B /A- I picked this one up next because the two books are loosely related (except this one is set before the Notorious Rake). I want to watch the movie of this book. There are two stories - Sophia and Francis plan a counterfeit betrothal in an attempt to reconcile Sophia's estranged parents Marcus and Olivia. Sophia and Francis's story is funny and romantic and Marc and Livy's story is poignant and romantic. I thought the happy ending for the latter pair was a little drawn out so it wasn't an A, but otherwise it was an excellent book. The interplay between Sophia and Francis was hilarious. I don't think I'm giving anything away in saying that Sophia and Frank end up together but for most of the book the plan is for them to have a completely fake engagement - Sophia keeps getting caught up in the plan of getting her parents back together and there are many funny conversations where she says that if that doesn't work then they could try again at Christmas and Frank has to repeatedly remind her that they're not supposed to actually GET MARRIED. It would make a great movie farce - sort of like the Importance of Being Earnest ...but completely different really. :)