Amy De Trempe

Jane Charles is releasing this book she had written under the name of Amy De Trempe but it is pure Jane Charles. This is a sweet, clean romance with some dark undertones. Lady Lillian Blaint's father is emotionally and verbally abusive and descending into madness. Since he has no legitimate son, he is convinced that he can select a husband for his daughter who will meet his list of requirements. The suitor must be a 3rd or 4th son from a good family who would be willing to overlook his daughter's shortcomings and who would change his name to Blaint so that he could become the Earl's heir (no matter how unlikely that could be). In return, the husband would receive a dowry of 40,000 and 3 unentailed estates.
Of the 20 potential husbands on the list, Lily was able to discourage 19 of them, leaving only Maxwell Kendrick (a 4th son of a Duke). He wondered what was wrong with the girl that her father had to offer such a bribe but when he saw her across a crowded ballroom (without knowing who she was) he was immediately attracted to her.
The relationship between the two continues to grow but Lily is determined not to marry and she is unable to show her real feelings. Because of her relationship with her father, she is unable to trust any men except her cousin and her illegitimate brother (who she is not supposed to be in contact with).
As Max comes to realize what her situation really is he begins to fall in love. Unfortunately, when he finally meets with her father - he refuses the most important requirement of the betrothal - he will not change his name. This forces her father to betroth Lily to an older, fatter widow who has already lost 2 wives. Rather than marry she runs away forcing Max to look everywhere for her.
Will Max find her before her father does? Will he be able to convince her that he wants to marry her for herself and not for her money? Will she be able to let go of her fear and accept a Happily Ever After with Max? All these questions and more will be answered.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.… (meer)