Monday, September 9, 2019

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a Lady Travelers Society novel by Victoria Alexander

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a Lady Travelers Society novel by Victoria Alexander, published August 27, 2019.

Blurb for THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER:

Before there was a Lady Travelers Society, there was just one lady traveler…

Some marry for love. Some marry for money. But Violet Hagen’s quick wedding to irresponsible James Branham, heir to the Earl of Ellsworth, was to avoid scandal.

Though her heart was broken when she learned James never wanted marriage or her, Violet found consolation in traveling the world, at his expense—finding adventure and enjoying an unconventional, independent life. And strenuously avoiding her husband.

But when James inherits the earldom it comes with a catch—Violet. To receive his legacy he and Violet must live together as husband and wife, convincing society that they are reconciled. It’s a preposterous notion, complicated by the fact that Violet is no longer the quiet, meek woman he married. But then he’s not the same man either.

Chasing Violet across Europe to earn her trust and prove his worth, James realizes with each passing day that a marriage begun in haste may be enjoyed at leisure. And that nothing may be as scandalous—or as perfect—as falling hopelessly in love. Especially with your wife.

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Connie’s Review:

London - 1882

Richard Branham, the Earl of Ellsworth, age 72, is preparing to speak to his nephew and heir, James Branham. James had come to live with his uncle when he was 9-years-old after his parents had died. It appears that James who was engaged to Marie, was caught kissing Violet on the terrace during a ball. Now, he is married to Violet, but confesses to his uncle that he is not ready for marriage. As he admits this, he is overheard by Violet herself. He also says he thinks they should go their separate ways. Deeply hurt, Violet lashes out at James. She refuses to move into a house of her own and Lord Ellsworth insists she remain at Ellsworth House. But she says she wants to travel and never wants to see James again.

London - Six years later

Back in London Violet meets up with James at a ball. He is now the new Earl of Ellsworth since his uncle passed away. Richard’s will stated that for James to inherit all of his properties, he and Violet must live together for 3 years. They must be seen together looking happy at least 3 times a week and there must be no scandal about either of them. To make sure his strict rules are followed, 3 elderly women, one of whom Richard loved, come to be with and watch them.

James soon finds that Violet is no longer the quiet, biddable young woman he married some years ago. She is now independent, outspoken, and knows what she wants from life. They are determined to fulfill Richard’s requests.

Violet had loved traveling all those years and James doesn’t care for it, even getting sick when on a ship. But they go to Italy and Greece and he is amazed at how Violet knows so many people and speaks the language. Will they learn to become friends and have a true marriage?

Violet loves art but James couldn’t care less. However, I did have to laugh at some of his snarky comments about art in general.

This is a good book and I enjoyed the plot, but it was WAY too long, to the point that it became repetitive and almost boring. It should have been cut back quite a lot.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.



THE LADY TRAVELERS GUIDE TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a Lady Travelers Society novel by Victoria Alexander, Harlequin, available now in ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

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