Oswald smiled at this and took a small sip of wine. “Why? Because Father practically moved in with you, after his grandchildren were born?” Does that mean you have accepted me as such?” He had to work to keep his voice calm and even. He sounded confrontational, though it was not his intention. Second read: 4.5 stars. I don’t know what I was thinking the first time around, but I definitely appreciated this book more the second time. I absolutely LOVE the hero, he’s fantastic. All his scheming and plotting made him all the more delicious. Also, the sex scenes were 🔥🔥🔥. Feeling pressure from predicted actions of the King, Oswald uses the opportunity with Fen to save himself from a situation he has no desire to find himself in. With every intention of carrying on with his life as it has been, he soon realizes that he cannot imagine a day, much less a night, without Fen at his side. What was once a well-organized life becomes filled with inopportune thoughts of her when he should be giving everything to the intrigues that surround court life.

His Forsaken Bride - Goodreads

Fenella is a great person, but she's sometimes a bit of a doormat. She has had problems with men not treating her very well and now she seems to think that she deserves it. She works hard to do well in her new life and make her husband proud, but she doesn't always succeed.

Customer reviews

Oswald we find, is the proverbial 'still waters'. And Fenella finds her curiosity seeking out their depths. This one is very lovely, is it not?” she said happily holding an expanse of green-gold brocade up for him to admire. I've only read book 1 and 2 so far, but I'm loving the heroines as well. They are very sweet and kind characters. They don't have a mean or manipulative bone in their bodies. I think in other scenarios, I would think they were doormats to the hero, but it really doesn't come off that way in this series. I put that down to the magic of this authors writing.

Just wanna freak out about Alice Coldbreath : r/RomanceBooks

Fen swallows her pride and rides to the King’s court at Aphrany to beg for Lord Vawdrey’s intercession. But Lord Vawdrey is not the charming boy she remembers, and he has no interest in halting her divorce. Instead, he has quite different plans for his former intended bride.

Fenella Thane has been married to an ass. She’s been celibate for over two years, and unbeknownst to her, he’s been cheating and plans to replace her, requesting an almost unheard of divorce from the King. I’m also sad that this book didn’t have an epilogue. I’m glad we get glimpses of this couple in future books, but I still want more! He gazed past the gown to focus on her and the blue gown she wore. “Very lovely,” he said. “Take off that gown,” he said testily. “I don’t want to see you wearing it again.” His pained expression cleared. Her own body was plainly seeking the same release as his. “There?” he asked with relief, following her lead. He moved his own hips experimentally in a similar motion, and felt a deep shudder run through her whole body. She gave a strangled gasp and struggled to sit up. “No – please,” she sobbed. “You must - stop that at once. Or I hardly know what will happen!” He didn't seem -at all - H material in book #1 but here he's been transformed (from super beta-ness) into a cold and callous spy-courtier, the king's confidante/manipulator. So cold that he's been celibate for a long, long time.

Books like Wed By Proxy(Brides of Karadok) by Alice Coldbreath

Fenella was a country girl who tried to please everyone. All that got her was a divorce from her weasel of a husband. Oswald was in dire need of a wife and Fenella just fell right into his lap. Yes,” she answered, her eyes flying to his and he had the oddest feeling she was trying to comprehend his gaze rather than his words. That probably wasn’t something he should encourage. When had she started doing that? Fenella,” he said, squeezing his eyes shut a moment. The poor woman was clearly worried he was overworking, while he was sat imagining her underneath him! It wasn’t like him. He wasn’t usually such a pig. Safety details… Hero has been celibate 10 years, heroine celibate 2. Heroine was married to OM who she hasn’t seen in 2 years when he requests a divorce from her. Heroine is cheated on by her first husband. No cheating between H/h. No major OW drama, although some jealousy. OM drama from the ex husband but it’s mostly just jealousy too. No scenes with OM/OW. This is technically a second chance romance since they were betrothed as children. I am hoping to strike Gold with Roland, similar to the way I did with Mason. Especially because I adored Roland in both the books. I hope he’s still just as immature, and churlish, and is painfully brought to his knees by Eden.

Reviews

Forgive me Linnet, I know how well-suited you and Mason are together. I flatter myself that I was one of the first to appreciate it.” He paused, considering his words. “Even two brothers can be cut from different cloths. I do not think that sort of life would suit me. I am set in my bachelor ways now. My career…my position at court are what consume my days.” Fenella was such a sweetheart. She was always just trying to do the right thing and make everyone happy. She was soft and kind but still very impressive with all the crap she had to put up with in the past. Often times these types of characters can get a little annoying with their doormat behaviour but it worked with her. She still had her own thoughts and opinions but just wanted to be a good wife and fit in and there’s nothing wrong with that. I liked Oswald in Her Baseborn Bridegroom and for most of this book. He made some mistakes with the heroine and hoped that he would make them right by the end. Then the main conflict happened and he just doubled down on his bad qualities. The resolution wasn't good enough to make up for it. This second Vawdrey Brothers book was surprisingly good. The hero, Oswald, was far more complex and not as beta as he comes across in the first book. Oswald Vawdrey was a revelation.