The Wedding Wager

A marriage of honor and independence Derek rescues Victoria when her father wagers her hand in a card game. Noting that her dedication to her science coupled with her not-conventionally-attractive appearance makes her the perfect candidate for his duchess because he's promised himself never to father an heir, he offers her all the independence and support she could ever ask for and is convinced theirs will be a hands-off marriage of friendship only. Victoria recognizes that her father will force her into a much worse marriage if she doesn't accept the Duke of Chase, and welcomes the protection he can offer to her and her younger sister. She's never been comfortable in Society, but the prestige of her new position becomes a handy tool that she can use to further her archaeological endeavors. I loved how the romance that blossoms between them was built entirely on mutual respect and friendship, especially as they each discover more layers and secrets about each other. It was a refreshing change from the usual "most beautiful woman/most handsome man" dynamic. I adored the intelligence and compassion inherent in both characters. The graveyard declaration was a well-executed, pivotal step to their HEA. The writing style, especially the dialogue, was a bit more formal than I'm accustomed to, so it took a bit to get in the flow, and there was a tad too much focus on "broodmare" expectations of Society wives. Still, it was a delightful story with charming characters and I recommend it for anyone who loves historical romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Very good book! But then what else would you expect from Eva Devon? The Wedding Wager is witty, romantic, sexy, and evoking. It is the story of the handsome Duke of Chase who steps in and wins the hand of Lady Victoria Kirby in a gambling match. Chase, handsome, rich, and noble, believes that Victoria will be his perfect companion because she is rumored to be unattractive and strong willed. He wins her hand and insists that she marry him for her safety, but now he doesn't feel quite safe. I love the magnetism between the characters. They say one thing but do another. You can't put it down! I would definitely recommend this book. I would like to thank Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

When the Duke of Chase sees Victoria's father offering her hand in marriage as a wager, he has to step in. He can't let her be given away to an old lecher. She's got a reputation for her acerbic tongue, but that doesn't bother Chase. He's happy to live separate lives. Producing an heir isn't a goal for him. Victoria has no desire to marry. She wants to catalogue antiquities, traveling about Britain and the Continent on archeologic digs. But her father has given her little choice, and Chase has vowed to support her projects. They aren't counting on the attraction that develops between them after the wedding. Will marriage turn all their plans upside-down? I love the concept behind this story. The hero and heroine are well developed and have a lot of chemistry together. They're well matched in terms of intelligence, which drives a lot of the interactions between them. It's a fun, entertaining, heartfelt story. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.