My Thoughts on The Rules of Matrimony by Anneka R. Walker

 

About:

London, England, 1823

Ian has vowed never to marry, steadfast in his resolve to shield himself from the heartache his father’s infidelity brought upon his mother. Instead, he dedicates his heart and soul to reforming criminal law with his Rebel group. A chance encounter in a country graveyard with the infuriatingly bold Miss Amie Tyler only solidifies his resolve to remain single. That is, until his life descends into chaos when rumors of his engagement—an engagement he had no part in or prior knowledge of—force him and the vexing Miss Tyler into a calculated marriage, a mutual scheme to protect Miss Tyler from her lecherous cousin and to save Ian from a political marriage he dreads.

Amie never imagined her unsophisticated life would lead to an entanglement with Lord Ian Reynolds. Living on her relatives’ charity, she is resigned to remaining a wallflower. But when her mother concocts a wild lie of her engagement to Lord Reynolds, she chooses to trust a gentleman she hardly knows with her future. Amie is thrust into a whirlwind marriage and is overwhelmed to find herself falling for Ian despite their agreement to maintain independence.

As they navigate their charade, Ian’s political ambitions clash with his growing affection for Amie, and Amie’s courageous attempt to help Ian’s family heal threatens to unravel their bond. However, a forbidden kiss and unexpected acts of kindness kindle the spark between them that neither can ignore. In a desperate race against societal expectations, the two must decide whether a future together is worth breaking their earlier vows of independence.

My Thoughts:

This was a fun read, as it was a well-done marriage of convenience trope between two characters not looking for love. Amie and her mother have lived off of their relatives' charity for so long and now her cousin wants to marry her, she just longs for escape. Ian, due to his fractured relationship with his father, has decided to never marry. Unfortunately, rumors have a way of spreading and changing one's decisions.

Ian and Amie decide to a marriage of convenience in which Ian has established a set of rules for them. All seems well enough, each has a measure of peace until love gets in the way.

Watching these two navigate their newfound feelings without breaking the rules made for an enchanting read. Already Amie has fallen for her husband. Ian was just so stubborn and dug into his rules all the more. However, marriage is much more than rules. It is the joining of two lives together, and Ian and Amie are going to learn that lesson whether they want to or not.

Their romance won't be easy. Besides battling their own feelings, they also need to make peace with the past, and their own families. I found this story had a great lesson on believing in rumors and even in our own fallacies without seeking the truth from those who can give it.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.