A Convenient Engagement was a good story but not amazing. There wasn't anything I could think of that really set it apart or made it unique. However, despite its simplicity, it wasn't a disappointing debut. I kept wanting to read it, and the romance between the couple had strong development and was convincing.
Hannah Howard is the textbook strong, independent female. Due to her controlling father, she wasn't allowed to do much or socialize. Now that her father has passed she has moved herself to London and wants to renovate her new town home. Unfortunately, construction can be noisy, and her late night carousing neighbor gets disturbed.
Her rake of a neighbor is Gavan Dalreouch, Earl of Rhone. He marches over there and says a few things making quite a fool of himself. Next thing he knows, he is on the curb after Hannah has punched him. While he feels affronted, Hannah then finds herself being snubbed by polite society.
Gavan feels guilty and comes up with a plan for a false engagement. This will help her get back on the good side of the "Ton". Of course false engagements tend to lead to a lot of face time. They get to know each other and the romance builds. It was sweet.
Hannah's character doesn't grow very much until the very, very end and quite out of nowhere. Her convictions changed very quickly and too easily. I didn't like Gavan at first, but he grew slowly as a character. It was more believable, and soon had me falling for him.
I did like this story, and I think the author has a lot of potential. I really believe in a few more books she will become better and write some amazing romances. I look forward to seeing where she goes from here.
**ARC provided by Publisher**
