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Victorian Prizefighters #2
A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter
Plain, respectable Lizzie Anderson is in the devil of a fix. After catching sight of something she was not supposed to, her whole family is torn apart by the ensuing scandal. Lizzie’s steadfast principles means she cannot deny the evidence of her own eyes and as a consequence finds herself thrown out onto the street! Her only ally in her time of need, comes from a very unexpected quarter indeed...
Benedict Toomes has long thought Lizzie a thorn in his side, but after seeing her staunchness in the face of adversity, he finds himself picturing her in a totally different role in his life. A stand-in for the betrothed he no longer wants to marry… Find out how this unlikeliest of couples navigates life together after a rocky start and find their preconceived notions about the other could not have been further from the truth!
Benedict Toomes has long thought Lizzie a thorn in his side, but after seeing her staunchness in the face of adversity, he finds himself picturing her in a totally different role in his life. A stand-in for the betrothed he no longer wants to marry… Find out how this unlikeliest of couples navigates life together after a rocky start and find their preconceived notions about the other could not have been further from the truth!
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 593 reviews
October 11, 2022
“I know exactly why I fell in love with you, Benedict Toomes.”
His gaze snapped to hers, all playfulness gone. “You do? Why?”
“It’s because you set me above everyone else,” she sobbed, feeling suddenly overcome with emotion. “No one ever did that for me before.”
I need Benedict Toomes to wife me.
Here’s why Benedict Toomes is perfect husband material:
✨ He’s hot and sexy
✨ He’s protective
✨ He’s a grumpy hero
✨ He’s a man of few words but always manages to say the right things
✨ He always feeds his wife and make sure she has tea to drink
✨ He only has eyes for his wife
But MOST IMPORTANT REASON OF ALL:
✨ He never lets misunderstandings escalate and initiates communication with his wife!!
I don’t want to jinx myself because this is only the second book I’ve read from this author, but I can see how Alice Coldbreath might be becoming one of my favorite HR authors!
Like I said in my review of the first book, I enjoy reading about couples going through the motions and enjoying everyday life together. (I’ll admit, it did get a little bit repetitive at times, but nothing that made me want to bang my head against a wall.) Sometimes romantic gestures don’t need to be grand. They can be as simple as small conversations in bed, and making time for each other in between work.
I loved Benedict and Lizzie together and separately. They felt like real people and I really enjoyed seeing their romance develop and grow. Like the couple of the first book, they seemed like an unlikely pair at first, but the way they both tried to make their marriage of convenience work melted my heart! So wholesome!!
“I love you,” she said breathlessly. “It’s strange to even remember a time when I did not.”
I have to say, the epilogue was complete and utter perfection! If I hadn’t been reading this book in the office, I would’ve been bawling my eyes out. I’m so jealous of Lizzie, I want a Benedict of my own!
Would I recommend this one? Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for in a historical romance because I don’t think this story will be for everyone. For a marriage of convenience story, this book is definitely more subdued than most. The drama is mostly focused around Benedict's family but if you’re looking for a low-angst, low conflict love story between two working class citizens in a Victorian fair setting (yes, you heard me!!), this would be your best bet! This can be read as a standalone too.
Rating: 4.25/5
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Victorian Prizefighters Series
#1 A Bride for the Prizefighter: 5/5
#2 A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter: 4.25/5
#3 A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter: 3.75/5
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November 20, 2022
As the first book in the series, A Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter is a beautiful marriage of convenience Victorian romance. Writing in the same slow-paced style, this time we follow the love story between the proper, serious Lizzie and a handsome prizefighter called Benedict.
Lizzie saw something she shouldn’t have.
Now her family doesn’t want to believe her because it would be a scandal and demand her to apologize for the false accusations. By refusing to lie, Lizzie finds herself alone in the streets, with her little possessions in a carpet bag and no money. However, she will find help in the most unexpected person...
When Benedict sees how his fiancée’s family dispatches Lizzie for telling the unmistakable truth, he decides he’s done with hypocrisy and breaks the engagement. But Benedict still needs a wife and something tells him Lizzie might be the perfect one for him...
She raised a hand waveringly to her forehead and pressed it here. “I think I must be sleeping right now.”
“Is it such a dream of yours to receive an offer of marriage from me?”
Alice Coldbreath has made it again. I’m here reading about two people living their lives, just talking and working and going back home, with a smile on my face and unable to stop reading. The reason? I love Benedict and Lizzie independently as much as them together, and I didn't need anything more.
There is nothing you could say could turn me against her, so don’t ever try. I may as well tell you now that I’d believe her word over the evidence of my own eyes.
Straightforward, honest and loyal, Benedict has earned a place on my book-boyfriend shelf. Besides adoring and having eyes only for his wife, Benedict always takes notice of the smallest things and loves to show his affection through tiny daily gestures. He is also a possessive, jealous alpha -it’s the only kind of hero Alice Coldbreath writes- but he doesn’t want to control her, doesn’t tell her what she can or can’t do. There is a huge difference between being possessive and wanting to control her freedom, and that’s something a lot of authors tend to forget while writing an alpha hero.
Last but not least, he is perfect because he hates miscommunication. Every time he feels something is off between them, he always tells her to sit down with him to talk. THAT’S A MAN!!✨👏
“Are we flirting? Only I don’t think anyone ever did that to me, so I’m not certain.”
A curious expression swept over Benedict’s face. “I’m not sure if it counts as flirting when you’re married.”
“Oh,” she felt ridiculously disappointed.()
“Do you want me to flirt with you, Lizzie?” He asked in a low intimate tone. His breath against her ear made her shiver.
Lizzie is a heroine I don’t think I have read before. She’s sensitive, independent and serious -she has a governess vibe. But Lizzie is not like most “cold” heroines, who are sweet on the inside. Comparing her POV with Benedict’s, his is full of feelings and more romantic, while hers it’s practical and determined.
“I would have wanted you, if I had known it would be like this, Benedict Toomes.”
Lizzie doesn’t need a man to take care of her and never complains when something bad happens, she always tries to figure out a way to make things work. In another relationship, her coldness might be a disaster, but Benedict’s openness makes it work perfectly.
He picked up her own hand to press it to his chest. () “I felt it here, and I knew you were the one for me. And every day, every hour, and every minute I have spent with you since has confirmed that instinct one-hundredfold. You’re the one for me.”
Moreover, the setting is so unique: they work in fairs and live together in a tiny wagon, where they have to share the only existing bed. It was surprisingly cozy to see them go to sleep together in their small bubble at the end of the day, my heart warming while seeing them fall in love. Also, the side characters added a lot to the story, specially the friendship forged between Lizzie and other women who worked with her.
Overall, A Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter is slow-paced, a bit repetitive and has a simple plot free of unnecessary drama. It's focused on the characters and their relationships, and there is something so relaxing about reading a beautiful, simple romance without confusing plots. I enjoyed it so much that, when I finished it, I started to read it again because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye! Also, that epilogue was everything.
Ren you were so right about me loving the hero!! How could I not?? Thank you so much for the rec, I wouldn’t have discovered this author if it wasn’t for you! ❤️
**
Reread: I think I love this more every time I reread it. The plot is rather simple but the setting makes it unique and I love the characters and their relationship so so so much!! If I could, I'd live in this book forever🤗
↬Series:
1. A Bride for the Prizefighter: 3.5 stars
2.A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter: 5 stars
Lizzie saw something she shouldn’t have.
Now her family doesn’t want to believe her because it would be a scandal and demand her to apologize for the false accusations. By refusing to lie, Lizzie finds herself alone in the streets, with her little possessions in a carpet bag and no money. However, she will find help in the most unexpected person...
When Benedict sees how his fiancée’s family dispatches Lizzie for telling the unmistakable truth, he decides he’s done with hypocrisy and breaks the engagement. But Benedict still needs a wife and something tells him Lizzie might be the perfect one for him...
She raised a hand waveringly to her forehead and pressed it here. “I think I must be sleeping right now.”
“Is it such a dream of yours to receive an offer of marriage from me?”
Alice Coldbreath has made it again. I’m here reading about two people living their lives, just talking and working and going back home, with a smile on my face and unable to stop reading. The reason? I love Benedict and Lizzie independently as much as them together, and I didn't need anything more.
There is nothing you could say could turn me against her, so don’t ever try. I may as well tell you now that I’d believe her word over the evidence of my own eyes.
Straightforward, honest and loyal, Benedict has earned a place on my book-boyfriend shelf. Besides adoring and having eyes only for his wife, Benedict always takes notice of the smallest things and loves to show his affection through tiny daily gestures. He is also a possessive, jealous alpha -it’s the only kind of hero Alice Coldbreath writes- but he doesn’t want to control her, doesn’t tell her what she can or can’t do. There is a huge difference between being possessive and wanting to control her freedom, and that’s something a lot of authors tend to forget while writing an alpha hero.
Last but not least, he is perfect because he hates miscommunication. Every time he feels something is off between them, he always tells her to sit down with him to talk. THAT’S A MAN!!✨👏
“Are we flirting? Only I don’t think anyone ever did that to me, so I’m not certain.”
A curious expression swept over Benedict’s face. “I’m not sure if it counts as flirting when you’re married.”
“Oh,” she felt ridiculously disappointed.()
“Do you want me to flirt with you, Lizzie?” He asked in a low intimate tone. His breath against her ear made her shiver.
Lizzie is a heroine I don’t think I have read before. She’s sensitive, independent and serious -she has a governess vibe. But Lizzie is not like most “cold” heroines, who are sweet on the inside. Comparing her POV with Benedict’s, his is full of feelings and more romantic, while hers it’s practical and determined.
“I would have wanted you, if I had known it would be like this, Benedict Toomes.”
Lizzie doesn’t need a man to take care of her and never complains when something bad happens, she always tries to figure out a way to make things work. In another relationship, her coldness might be a disaster, but Benedict’s openness makes it work perfectly.
He picked up her own hand to press it to his chest. () “I felt it here, and I knew you were the one for me. And every day, every hour, and every minute I have spent with you since has confirmed that instinct one-hundredfold. You’re the one for me.”
Moreover, the setting is so unique: they work in fairs and live together in a tiny wagon, where they have to share the only existing bed. It was surprisingly cozy to see them go to sleep together in their small bubble at the end of the day, my heart warming while seeing them fall in love. Also, the side characters added a lot to the story, specially the friendship forged between Lizzie and other women who worked with her.
Overall, A Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter is slow-paced, a bit repetitive and has a simple plot free of unnecessary drama. It's focused on the characters and their relationships, and there is something so relaxing about reading a beautiful, simple romance without confusing plots. I enjoyed it so much that, when I finished it, I started to read it again because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye! Also, that epilogue was everything.
Ren you were so right about me loving the hero!! How could I not?? Thank you so much for the rec, I wouldn’t have discovered this author if it wasn’t for you! ❤️
**
Reread: I think I love this more every time I reread it. The plot is rather simple but the setting makes it unique and I love the characters and their relationship so so so much!! If I could, I'd live in this book forever🤗
↬Series:
1. A Bride for the Prizefighter: 3.5 stars
2.A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter: 5 stars
January 8, 2021
3 stars
First of all, I liked the 1st book better and I was disappointed because for some reason I was expecting this to exceed the quality of the 1st one. There was an element of mystery surrounding the male character and his world in the first book which I think really helped capture my attention.
That being said, I cannot point to one thing that would be truly wrong with this story. It was quite sweet actually, but it just didn’t do anything or me. I appreciated the (I think) authentic vibe in terms of the time in history when this was set, and I also liked the characters.
This followed a very low angst, minimal conflict type of storyline and there’s nothing wrong with that, except I was bored during reading and I pushed myself to stay involved and finish it. I find that kind of reaction almost as bad as when I dislike a book. Being bored is not better than being annoyed/offended, at least most of the time.
I think someone else might enjoy this more because as I said it was a very well written and well structured story, it just lacked the spark I needed in order to class it higher on my rating scale.
First of all, I liked the 1st book better and I was disappointed because for some reason I was expecting this to exceed the quality of the 1st one. There was an element of mystery surrounding the male character and his world in the first book which I think really helped capture my attention.
That being said, I cannot point to one thing that would be truly wrong with this story. It was quite sweet actually, but it just didn’t do anything or me. I appreciated the (I think) authentic vibe in terms of the time in history when this was set, and I also liked the characters.
This followed a very low angst, minimal conflict type of storyline and there’s nothing wrong with that, except I was bored during reading and I pushed myself to stay involved and finish it. I find that kind of reaction almost as bad as when I dislike a book. Being bored is not better than being annoyed/offended, at least most of the time.
I think someone else might enjoy this more because as I said it was a very well written and well structured story, it just lacked the spark I needed in order to class it higher on my rating scale.
July 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The story was so original and authentic. I’m used to reading historical romance with dukes and earls so it was refreshing to read about a prizefighter who worked his way out of the workhouse. This book was very gritty but sweet. I like Coldbreath’s gruff heroes in this series, and Benedict was so hard on the outside but such a soft and considerate husband to Lizzie. I can’t say enough good things about this book; the setting, the side characters, the drama were all so well developed and balanced. This book was better than the previous as we had the hero’s POV and the descriptions of day to day life were interesting, I mean Lizzie worked the door of what was in essence a freak show, so her daily life was not boring. Lizzie was fierce and outspoken and her strength and honesty is what won Benedict over. They were both such forthright and no-nonsense people who loved each other fiercely. Great book. Highly recommend reading, especially if you are in a slump with the same old tropes over and over.
April 8, 2023
This was so good, I enjoyed it even more than the first book!
After a very unpleasant dinner party at her uncle’s home Lizzie ends up with no roof over her head and no resources. A prizefighter Benedict Toomes was supposed to marry her cousin and he is the last person she would expect to come to her rescue and yet…
One of the things that I appreciate most about this series is that it’s not about aristocrats like most HR, it’s so refreshing!
There’s some spice and the love story is still the main theme but the chemistry doesn’t overpower the storyline and there’s space for other elements.
Just like the previous one in this series this book is a historical fiction novel as much as it is a romance. I adored details about the life at the time; what did they wear or eat, what were the daily rituals and activities or general life rhythm of boxers and prizefighters at the time. The characters were incredibly authentic and it was a delight to get to know them - no unnecessary drama and no third act breakup, only the good stuff 😌
If marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and historical fiction are your thing you will adore this book!
After a very unpleasant dinner party at her uncle’s home Lizzie ends up with no roof over her head and no resources. A prizefighter Benedict Toomes was supposed to marry her cousin and he is the last person she would expect to come to her rescue and yet…
One of the things that I appreciate most about this series is that it’s not about aristocrats like most HR, it’s so refreshing!
There’s some spice and the love story is still the main theme but the chemistry doesn’t overpower the storyline and there’s space for other elements.
Just like the previous one in this series this book is a historical fiction novel as much as it is a romance. I adored details about the life at the time; what did they wear or eat, what were the daily rituals and activities or general life rhythm of boxers and prizefighters at the time. The characters were incredibly authentic and it was a delight to get to know them - no unnecessary drama and no third act breakup, only the good stuff 😌
If marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and historical fiction are your thing you will adore this book!
December 5, 2023
I just finished this very satisfying book. Once again, I'm going to have to climb up on my Alice Coldbreath soapbox and preach! I love this author's books!
Orphaned Lizzie lives with her Aunt and Uncle in London. Benedict is engaged to Lizzie's cousin and while they are at a dinner party, Lizzie witnesses something that causes her family to disown her and throw her out on the streets with only her meager belongings. Harsh. Ben has been wanting out of the engagement for a while and when he sees Lizzie's integrity juxtaposed against her family, he decides to end the engagement and marry Lizzie instead.
At the start, Lizzie is a bit of a prissy prude. She's been raised by her church-going relatives and taught to be very pious. She's sincere in her beliefs and is a kind soul. Benedict has just come off 9 months in prison, so Lizzie wasn't very impressed with him for her cousin. With Lizzie having no other prospects, accepts Ben's marriage proposal. Ben has decided to go back on the road as a boxer and travel in a wagon to fairs all over England, and he brings his wife with him. Both start out the marriage not really liking the other. (Because of this, the H did a few things that made me angry: ). None of this caused much angst in the story, since the h isn't aware of them, but as a reader it made me give him the side-eye. Lizzie is shocked at this new life, but soon she acclimates and is making friends and getting along quite well. Thanks to her past as a prissy prude, she takes no crap from anyone, be it Ben, his harpy grandmother, or the people at the fair.
Most of the book consists of Lizzie and Ben getting to know each other and letting their previous bad impressions go. There is a sense of the day-to-day life at the fairs. Unlike the last book, there is a bit of boxing happening in the story. My favorite bit was Lizzie's job as a bouncer in the Wonderous Females of the World tent. There's even a dog that Lizzie buys who guards her and is devoted to her. I loved watching Ben falling harder and harder for Lizzie. He loves her like crazy. There were a few very small misunderstandings, but the H/h hash things out and have great communication.
This book was a sweet, low-angst adventure and I loved every page.
Safety
Orphaned Lizzie lives with her Aunt and Uncle in London. Benedict is engaged to Lizzie's cousin and while they are at a dinner party, Lizzie witnesses something that causes her family to disown her and throw her out on the streets with only her meager belongings. Harsh. Ben has been wanting out of the engagement for a while and when he sees Lizzie's integrity juxtaposed against her family, he decides to end the engagement and marry Lizzie instead.
At the start, Lizzie is a bit of a prissy prude. She's been raised by her church-going relatives and taught to be very pious. She's sincere in her beliefs and is a kind soul. Benedict has just come off 9 months in prison, so Lizzie wasn't very impressed with him for her cousin. With Lizzie having no other prospects, accepts Ben's marriage proposal. Ben has decided to go back on the road as a boxer and travel in a wagon to fairs all over England, and he brings his wife with him. Both start out the marriage not really liking the other. (Because of this, the H did a few things that made me angry: ). None of this caused much angst in the story, since the h isn't aware of them, but as a reader it made me give him the side-eye. Lizzie is shocked at this new life, but soon she acclimates and is making friends and getting along quite well. Thanks to her past as a prissy prude, she takes no crap from anyone, be it Ben, his harpy grandmother, or the people at the fair.
Most of the book consists of Lizzie and Ben getting to know each other and letting their previous bad impressions go. There is a sense of the day-to-day life at the fairs. Unlike the last book, there is a bit of boxing happening in the story. My favorite bit was Lizzie's job as a bouncer in the Wonderous Females of the World tent. There's even a dog that Lizzie buys who guards her and is devoted to her. I loved watching Ben falling harder and harder for Lizzie. He loves her like crazy. There were a few very small misunderstandings, but the H/h hash things out and have great communication.
This book was a sweet, low-angst adventure and I loved every page.
Safety
June 22, 2023
I have so much appreciation for this series. Like the first book, this one focuses on regular characters in a historical setting. This time though, they're in a bit different of a setting, working fairs. When the story opens though Benedict (H) is engaged to Lizzie's (h) cousin until Lizzie speaks out against a crime and is tossed out by her family. Our H uses the circumstance to break his engagement and "substitutes" Lizzie for his bride in an agreed upon arrangement. Neither held a positive opinion of the other while he was with her cousin, but they quickly begin to work well together and you start seeing hints of how perfect they are for each other and the romance that will develop fairly early. This is written in third person narrative, dual POV. No ow/om drama (H did nothing more than close-mouthed kiss h's cousin and there are no romantic hang-ups over her), h is a virgin, H is not (he had been in prison prior so had been celibate for a while), bc not used.
These were excellently drawn characters and I appreciated their growth and that they still maintained their core personalities. Lizzie is judgmental to start, opinionated, and upfront, but she's never cruel and she's pretty adaptable once she has to be. She becomes more open-minded as the story progresses but is still a bit reserved. Benedict is gruff, abrupt, and also opinionated, but he's still caring and concerned when it comes to Lizzie and those feelings are more obvious and open later in the book. There are many protective and j/p scenes. The steamy parts were well paced and I felt added to their growing intimacy and relationship.
The plot is focused on their everyday lives and the growing romance. How they go from a "respectable" area of town to traveling between fairs with Benedict boxing and living in a small wagon was interesting and gave the reader a wealth of different experiences and characters for them to come in contact with. There's some family drama given that Lizzie was thrown out of hers and Benedict has friction between his. His two brothers and grandmother made appearances in the first book and I'm hoping his youngest brother gets his own book. An awesomely sweet but protective dog adopts Lizzie as his owner and becomes part of the family as well.
The epilogue is several months in the future and while it's technically HFN, I consider it a HEA. There are still other boxers that have been mentioned or seen for the author to write about and I hope she continues writing in this series because both books out so far have been great reads.
These were excellently drawn characters and I appreciated their growth and that they still maintained their core personalities. Lizzie is judgmental to start, opinionated, and upfront, but she's never cruel and she's pretty adaptable once she has to be. She becomes more open-minded as the story progresses but is still a bit reserved. Benedict is gruff, abrupt, and also opinionated, but he's still caring and concerned when it comes to Lizzie and those feelings are more obvious and open later in the book. There are many protective and j/p scenes. The steamy parts were well paced and I felt added to their growing intimacy and relationship.
The plot is focused on their everyday lives and the growing romance. How they go from a "respectable" area of town to traveling between fairs with Benedict boxing and living in a small wagon was interesting and gave the reader a wealth of different experiences and characters for them to come in contact with. There's some family drama given that Lizzie was thrown out of hers and Benedict has friction between his. His two brothers and grandmother made appearances in the first book and I'm hoping his youngest brother gets his own book. An awesomely sweet but protective dog adopts Lizzie as his owner and becomes part of the family as well.
The epilogue is several months in the future and while it's technically HFN, I consider it a HEA. There are still other boxers that have been mentioned or seen for the author to write about and I hope she continues writing in this series because both books out so far have been great reads.
February 14, 2023
What a wonderful book using subject matter and romance in a way that I would never have thought of about boxing and the traveling fair circuit. I cannot think how to describe the growing relationship of our H/h as the book is just lovely in doing that very thing. I have to say that Lizzie is my favorite as she just seems a bit unflappable and handles life as it comes. Ben's faith in his wife's word makes him a real hero in my book. The audible version is a real treat. 4.5*
August 21, 2024
THROW AWAY your favorite Duke and get you a blue collar man that will put you first 🥊👖 historical romance that makes country fair living sound romantic and carefree!
Marriage of convenience at its finest! Lizzie needs rescuing real bad after her family kicked her to the curb. Help arrives in unexpectedly large-and-in-charge package aka her cousin’s ex-fiancé 💍 but then….he takes her on the road of a traveling country fair where she ends up being a security guard?! Convinience slowly turns into something more when Benedict realizes what a true jem our Lizzie girl is!
Things I enjoyed
🥧 he wants her complete attention!
🥧 real real SPICE! what it would actually be for a working class couple AND he has to teach her everything!
🥧 relationship with a healthy COMMUNICATION that heals
🥧 he falls first
🥧 he never makes her do chores! he admonishes men who want a servant for a wife saying “I didn’t marry Lizzie for that” #progressiveKing
🥧 when he takes her on dates and dancing
🥧 dog best friend!
This is such a refreshing series because the historical really touches on the harsh realities of the working class. BUT WITH SMUT! If you are at all into historical romance you just need to read this!
marriage of convenience
roadtrip romance
forced proximity
protective & jealous mmc
virgin fmc
he falls first!
strong fmc
who hurt you
found family
HEA
Marriage of convenience at its finest! Lizzie needs rescuing real bad after her family kicked her to the curb. Help arrives in unexpectedly large-and-in-charge package aka her cousin’s ex-fiancé 💍 but then….he takes her on the road of a traveling country fair where she ends up being a security guard?! Convinience slowly turns into something more when Benedict realizes what a true jem our Lizzie girl is!
Things I enjoyed
🥧 he wants her complete attention!
🥧 real real SPICE! what it would actually be for a working class couple AND he has to teach her everything!
🥧 relationship with a healthy COMMUNICATION that heals
🥧 he falls first
🥧 he never makes her do chores! he admonishes men who want a servant for a wife saying “I didn’t marry Lizzie for that” #progressiveKing
🥧 when he takes her on dates and dancing
🥧 dog best friend!
This is such a refreshing series because the historical really touches on the harsh realities of the working class. BUT WITH SMUT! If you are at all into historical romance you just need to read this!
marriage of convenience
roadtrip romance
forced proximity
protective & jealous mmc
virgin fmc
he falls first!
strong fmc
who hurt you
found family
HEA
August 31, 2022
I absolutely adored the story. On every level. The character's growth and development, their dislike of each other at the beginning, to marriage, and finally to falling in love.
The story was woven to perfection. My only disclaimer, is that you have to like the genre of storytelling. It isn't high action, high angst, or high drama. It's found family, it's a super protective alpha male, it's tender and beautiful. Surprisingly steamy for this genre too! There is just something about Coldbreath's writing that makes me so happy. Going on the reread list for sure.
The audiobook was read so well by Carmen Rose, highly recommended!
The story was woven to perfection. My only disclaimer, is that you have to like the genre of storytelling. It isn't high action, high angst, or high drama. It's found family, it's a super protective alpha male, it's tender and beautiful. Surprisingly steamy for this genre too! There is just something about Coldbreath's writing that makes me so happy. Going on the reread list for sure.
The audiobook was read so well by Carmen Rose, highly recommended!
January 2, 2021
What a new year’s treat from Alice! 😍
I slept few minutes before 3am last night or should I say this morning? 😴😂
Because I couldn’t stop reading Lizzy’s and Ben’s story.
A strong heroine, loveable ‘eventhought you want to kick his arse sometimes’ hero, very funny with excellent supporting characters and a fabulous world building too.
This two didn’t appear in 1st book, but his brothers did a little bit.
That’s the good thing with this one, I don’t expected any certain character will show up and failed the expectation miserably! This one was a nice surprise and very enjoyable to read their story ❤️
I write more later, probably but if you are Alice’s fan you just need to read this one! 😘
Highly recommend from me, do read this one if you love HR and getting tired with those silly dukes everywhere! 😂
❤️❤️❤️
I slept few minutes before 3am last night or should I say this morning? 😴😂
Because I couldn’t stop reading Lizzy’s and Ben’s story.
A strong heroine, loveable ‘eventhought you want to kick his arse sometimes’ hero, very funny with excellent supporting characters and a fabulous world building too.
This two didn’t appear in 1st book, but his brothers did a little bit.
That’s the good thing with this one, I don’t expected any certain character will show up and failed the expectation miserably! This one was a nice surprise and very enjoyable to read their story ❤️
I write more later, probably but if you are Alice’s fan you just need to read this one! 😘
Highly recommend from me, do read this one if you love HR and getting tired with those silly dukes everywhere! 😂
❤️❤️❤️
February 22, 2023
1st read: July 2021
2nd read: February 2023
A Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter is one of the first books that I read by Alice Coldbreath when I discovered her a few years ago. Since then I've bought every ebook of hers that I could find and have read every one. She's one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing flows so perfectly and her characters and stories are so interesting.
This book in particular is amazing and one of my favorites of all time. Lizzie and Benedict are so good together, even though they have a rocky start. There's so much sweetness in this book.
I wasn't a big fan of the epilogue during my last read, but I liked it this time around. I think I didn't like it before because I wanted to read more of their story and was disappointed that the story jumped ahead eight months and then ended.
********************
Original review:
This book is great. It's kind of a marriage of convenience story, with a tiny bit of enemies to lovers thrown in.
I love Benedict and Lizzie together. They're chemistry is great. The story is pretty unique and I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue didn't work for me though. It felt like it was from a completely different story.
2nd read: February 2023
A Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter is one of the first books that I read by Alice Coldbreath when I discovered her a few years ago. Since then I've bought every ebook of hers that I could find and have read every one. She's one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing flows so perfectly and her characters and stories are so interesting.
This book in particular is amazing and one of my favorites of all time. Lizzie and Benedict are so good together, even though they have a rocky start. There's so much sweetness in this book.
I wasn't a big fan of the epilogue during my last read, but I liked it this time around. I think I didn't like it before because I wanted to read more of their story and was disappointed that the story jumped ahead eight months and then ended.
********************
Original review:
This book is great. It's kind of a marriage of convenience story, with a tiny bit of enemies to lovers thrown in.
I love Benedict and Lizzie together. They're chemistry is great. The story is pretty unique and I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue didn't work for me though. It felt like it was from a completely different story.
October 13, 2022
Reread 10/13/2022: 5 stars and adding it to my favorites shelf. This is at least my third re-read of this book. I'm actually surprised that I didn't add anything on this Goodreads review to commemorate all of my devotion to this book. It has really become a comfort read for me, and I couldn't care less what my initial issues with this story were, because at this point, I just love it.
Original Review 3/9/2021: 4 stars, would have been higher if there were fewer day-to-day menial tasks thrown in. The MCs couldn’t get through a single conversation without washing up or having tea. It just got in the way of the story eventually. Still, this was a really sweet book. I wasn’t a fan of how this started, considering the hero was engaged to the heroine’s cousin. But... I think that the author did a good job of redeeming their relationship and making his prior engagement feel nearly inconsequential. The hero did treat the heroine badly at the beginning, but he soon started to redeem himself and never wavered from that path. The ending was super sweet, and even worth enduring another couple of pages of Lizzie and Benedict drinking tea. ☕️
Safe; hero is engaged to h’s cousin at the beginning, they have only kissed. Heroine virgin. Hero experienced but his past is barely discussed. No om/ow drama, no cheating.
Original Review 3/9/2021: 4 stars, would have been higher if there were fewer day-to-day menial tasks thrown in. The MCs couldn’t get through a single conversation without washing up or having tea. It just got in the way of the story eventually. Still, this was a really sweet book. I wasn’t a fan of how this started, considering the hero was engaged to the heroine’s cousin. But... I think that the author did a good job of redeeming their relationship and making his prior engagement feel nearly inconsequential. The hero did treat the heroine badly at the beginning, but he soon started to redeem himself and never wavered from that path. The ending was super sweet, and even worth enduring another couple of pages of Lizzie and Benedict drinking tea. ☕️
Safe; hero is engaged to h’s cousin at the beginning, they have only kissed. Heroine virgin. Hero experienced but his past is barely discussed. No om/ow drama, no cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2022
I’m so pleased I finally started this series, after months putting it off for no reason.
I love the author’s writing style, perfectly balanced paced and the stories are so original for the HR I’ve previously read. They’re not ladies or lords, they’re common people having common lives, and it’s so rich. Full of details and such an entertaining read.
And most of all, I loved Benedict and Lizzie, they were beautiful, strong and resilient characters. They were perfect together and I miss them already 🥺
I love the author’s writing style, perfectly balanced paced and the stories are so original for the HR I’ve previously read. They’re not ladies or lords, they’re common people having common lives, and it’s so rich. Full of details and such an entertaining read.
And most of all, I loved Benedict and Lizzie, they were beautiful, strong and resilient characters. They were perfect together and I miss them already 🥺
January 9, 2021
A fun, endearing and adorable read is what a Substitute Bride for the Prizefighter was.
I’m a little biased when it comes to Miss Coldbreath. There’s never been, and there’s not ever going to be a book of hers that I won’t enjoy.
Without a doubt, A Bride for the Prize fighter was my best read of 2020, it’s become one of my eternal favourites. I think when it comes to my top ten list A Bride for the Prizefighter ties at first position along with Lord of Scoundrels and Devil in Winter.
I loved the Toomes Family, and thank you Miss Coldbreath for this wonderful new year’s surprise. Benedict Toomes was an adorkable rogue, or atleast he thought that he was a rogue, what he really was, was a softie.
I don’t have many complains. But it think what made A Bride for the Prize fighter such a masterpiece was the overarching plot. A substitute bride for the prizefighter was slightly lacking in this point. The climax was kind of anti-climactic, and a little weak - that’s my complaint. There was no boom, I don’t know if Im making sense.
And another thank you to miss Coldbreath for writing one more working class of historical romance novel. I’m very tired of the dukes and the ladies of the past. I’m all for prizefighter, pub owners, and school teachers getting their own romances.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN?? WHEN? WHENNNNN?? WHEN CAN I GET MY HANDS ON THIS ONE????
I really don’t remember who Benedict Toomes is but do I look like I care?
I’m a little biased when it comes to Miss Coldbreath. There’s never been, and there’s not ever going to be a book of hers that I won’t enjoy.
Without a doubt, A Bride for the Prize fighter was my best read of 2020, it’s become one of my eternal favourites. I think when it comes to my top ten list A Bride for the Prizefighter ties at first position along with Lord of Scoundrels and Devil in Winter.
I loved the Toomes Family, and thank you Miss Coldbreath for this wonderful new year’s surprise. Benedict Toomes was an adorkable rogue, or atleast he thought that he was a rogue, what he really was, was a softie.
I don’t have many complains. But it think what made A Bride for the Prize fighter such a masterpiece was the overarching plot. A substitute bride for the prizefighter was slightly lacking in this point. The climax was kind of anti-climactic, and a little weak - that’s my complaint. There was no boom, I don’t know if Im making sense.
And another thank you to miss Coldbreath for writing one more working class of historical romance novel. I’m very tired of the dukes and the ladies of the past. I’m all for prizefighter, pub owners, and school teachers getting their own romances.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN?? WHEN? WHENNNNN?? WHEN CAN I GET MY HANDS ON THIS ONE????
I really don’t remember who Benedict Toomes is but do I look like I care?
August 25, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
February 28, 2023
3,5 ✨✨✨
January 5, 2021
(2.5 stars) This is the second in Coldbreath's Victorian Prizefighters series. I enjoyed the first one, A BRIDE FOR THE PRIZEFIGHTER, quite a bit. In it I found good character development, a convincing growth in the H/h relationship in which I could feel the love developing, a clear-cut plot, and a writing style that was entertaining and humorous at times.
In this second one, I had a tough time finding much of this as I read. The affection and attraction which developed between H and h early on failed to convince me. I could not see the reason for such an almost instant about-face from the two who had had many misconceptions about each other when they first met. In addition, the hero's thought processes and decisions seemed a bit wobbly. He decides he needs to marry, for some reason or other. So when one Elizabeth Anderson doesn't work out, he marries her plain, prim, judgmental cousin with the same name. Why waste the special license, after all? His reasons for marriage to either cousin just made no sense. Hers to him did. It was desperation.
The H is a former boxer with prison time in his recent past. He had quit the boxing circuit he had traveled, from fair to fair around England, with his father and brothers. But now he decides to take his new prim little bride and join up with them again. The reasoning process here is also a bit iffy, a punishment for his substitute bride not having liked him when he was engaged to her cousin. Yet if you continue reading, some things he says later on do not jibe with this reason.
And the plot? It's just a random series of events in the lives of the two. Since Lizzie had lived a sheltered life up to this point, the story feels like the title "Lizzie Joins the Circus and Learns to Have Friends and Open Up a Little" would be appropriate. Every once in a while something happens that could have led to a little suspense or conflict but it's all resolved in the next paragraph. For example, Lizzie goes off to shop. She doesn't come back at the time she had said she would. He worries. She arrives. Turns out she just lost track of the time. Problem solved. Several 'exciting' things just like that throughout the book. One happening near the end could have been fraught and I was expecting something bad to happen, but no, it's fine, nothing to worry about here. The end.
Even the romance between the two was bland and conflict-free. He doesn't like her for two seconds. Then he does. He treats her well and respects her throughout the story. Granted, that's a good thing. But I like a little conflict or antagonism in the early stages of a relationship, to make the reading to the end worth my while. Here they marry. He helps her adjust to their nomadic life. He buys food so she doesn't have to cook. He gets her some nice material so she can make curtains for the caravan. He buys bones for the dog she adopts. He makes sure she has a gazillion orgasms every time they have sex. Dang. He's a nice guy, except, of course, for the fact that he is not open and transparent about his life or his past or his reasons for his decisions. Well, as a reader who was allowed into his brain at times, I couldn't figure out the reason for his marriage or for the decision to take up boxing again, mostly because he was a bit unclear about it all himself.
But if you like a romance between two nice people and enjoy reading about little life happenings as they go traveling about the Victorian fair circuit, this will entertain. It was a bit too uneventful for me and it also is missing any humor. My romances have to supply me either with angst or with humor. This one had no angst, so I needed the humor. Sadly, it was M.I.A. Also missing was good proofreading. This is common to her books, and since readers have pointed this out in the past, I figured she might be a bit more careful by now. Well, not exactly.
Still, I was able to read it to the very end. Maybe because I had Georgia On My Mind and wanted this to drown it out.
In this second one, I had a tough time finding much of this as I read. The affection and attraction which developed between H and h early on failed to convince me. I could not see the reason for such an almost instant about-face from the two who had had many misconceptions about each other when they first met. In addition, the hero's thought processes and decisions seemed a bit wobbly. He decides he needs to marry, for some reason or other. So when one Elizabeth Anderson doesn't work out, he marries her plain, prim, judgmental cousin with the same name. Why waste the special license, after all? His reasons for marriage to either cousin just made no sense. Hers to him did. It was desperation.
The H is a former boxer with prison time in his recent past. He had quit the boxing circuit he had traveled, from fair to fair around England, with his father and brothers. But now he decides to take his new prim little bride and join up with them again. The reasoning process here is also a bit iffy, a punishment for his substitute bride not having liked him when he was engaged to her cousin. Yet if you continue reading, some things he says later on do not jibe with this reason.
And the plot? It's just a random series of events in the lives of the two. Since Lizzie had lived a sheltered life up to this point, the story feels like the title "Lizzie Joins the Circus and Learns to Have Friends and Open Up a Little" would be appropriate. Every once in a while something happens that could have led to a little suspense or conflict but it's all resolved in the next paragraph. For example, Lizzie goes off to shop. She doesn't come back at the time she had said she would. He worries. She arrives. Turns out she just lost track of the time. Problem solved. Several 'exciting' things just like that throughout the book. One happening near the end could have been fraught and I was expecting something bad to happen, but no, it's fine, nothing to worry about here. The end.
Even the romance between the two was bland and conflict-free. He doesn't like her for two seconds. Then he does. He treats her well and respects her throughout the story. Granted, that's a good thing. But I like a little conflict or antagonism in the early stages of a relationship, to make the reading to the end worth my while. Here they marry. He helps her adjust to their nomadic life. He buys food so she doesn't have to cook. He gets her some nice material so she can make curtains for the caravan. He buys bones for the dog she adopts. He makes sure she has a gazillion orgasms every time they have sex. Dang. He's a nice guy, except, of course, for the fact that he is not open and transparent about his life or his past or his reasons for his decisions. Well, as a reader who was allowed into his brain at times, I couldn't figure out the reason for his marriage or for the decision to take up boxing again, mostly because he was a bit unclear about it all himself.
But if you like a romance between two nice people and enjoy reading about little life happenings as they go traveling about the Victorian fair circuit, this will entertain. It was a bit too uneventful for me and it also is missing any humor. My romances have to supply me either with angst or with humor. This one had no angst, so I needed the humor. Sadly, it was M.I.A. Also missing was good proofreading. This is common to her books, and since readers have pointed this out in the past, I figured she might be a bit more careful by now. Well, not exactly.
Still, I was able to read it to the very end. Maybe because I had Georgia On My Mind and wanted this to drown it out.
February 19, 2021
4.5 STARS
"Eyes on me..."
Another winner here. I have yet to read an Alice Coldbreath book that I didn't love. Such rich characters and unique storylines. And this was no exception. I loved both Ben and Lizzie. Such raw honesty. They had a connection that was indeed rare, and they both shared a painful childhood that made them even that much more compatible. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
"Eyes on me..."
Another winner here. I have yet to read an Alice Coldbreath book that I didn't love. Such rich characters and unique storylines. And this was no exception. I loved both Ben and Lizzie. Such raw honesty. They had a connection that was indeed rare, and they both shared a painful childhood that made them even that much more compatible. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
December 22, 2021
I loved reading this! It hooked my attention from the beginning to the middle to the end. A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter has a unique setting in that we see a glimpse of the traveling fair life (I guess this is the precursor to circuses?), and a hero and heroine not from the titled or gentry class (I believe they are both lower or middle class).
What was really fun about the story was the heroine learning to adjust to her new married life, and getting a job as an enforcer at one of the tent acts. The boss, her co-workers, and the dog she picks up (she names him Sebastian) were all delightful snatches of her life that clearly gave her a sense of purpose. Although I think the hero could be a better listener when she was sharing about her day, I did think it was funny when the hero would be off in his own la-la land in a jealous funk or in a sulk because he wanted her to focus on him and them. I think it was funny because he's realizing he loves his wife, and because he does treat her right. He always made the fire for her and never once threw her under the bus with his family, but always protected her and drew the boundaries.
And this come down to the point that he trusts her. He admires her because of her honesty. I love that the hero trusted the heroine, and in one scene even says that he would believe her over what he'd see with his own eyes. UGH. What a powerful scene.
Very enjoyable historical romance - will read more by Alice Coldbreath!
What was really fun about the story was the heroine learning to adjust to her new married life, and getting a job as an enforcer at one of the tent acts. The boss, her co-workers, and the dog she picks up (she names him Sebastian) were all delightful snatches of her life that clearly gave her a sense of purpose. Although I think the hero could be a better listener when she was sharing about her day, I did think it was funny when the hero would be off in his own la-la land in a jealous funk or in a sulk because he wanted her to focus on him and them. I think it was funny because he's realizing he loves his wife, and because he does treat her right. He always made the fire for her and never once threw her under the bus with his family, but always protected her and drew the boundaries.
And this come down to the point that he trusts her. He admires her because of her honesty. I love that the hero trusted the heroine, and in one scene even says that he would believe her over what he'd see with his own eyes. UGH. What a powerful scene.
Very enjoyable historical romance - will read more by Alice Coldbreath!
January 4, 2021
Any book that can keep me up until 2 am when I need to be up at 5:30am before my 24 hour shift deserves 5 stars.
The communication in this book should be the gold standard for any relationship.
The communication in this book should be the gold standard for any relationship.
May 30, 2023
⊹ reread, may 2023.
⊹ reread, may 2022.
⊹ read, december 2021.
❛I know exactly why I fell in love with you, Benedict Toomes.❜ His gaze snapped to hers, all playfulness gone. ❛You do? Why?❜
❛It’s because you set me above everyone else,❜ she sobbed, feeling suddenly overcome with emotion. ❛No one ever did that for me before.❜
lizzie and ben are the softest and cutest couple and have the healthiest relationship ever. the way ben always takes care of her warms my heart. I swear if I don’t have a relationship like theirs, then I don’t want it.
⊹ reread, may 2022.
⊹ read, december 2021.
❛I know exactly why I fell in love with you, Benedict Toomes.❜ His gaze snapped to hers, all playfulness gone. ❛You do? Why?❜
❛It’s because you set me above everyone else,❜ she sobbed, feeling suddenly overcome with emotion. ❛No one ever did that for me before.❜
lizzie and ben are the softest and cutest couple and have the healthiest relationship ever. the way ben always takes care of her warms my heart. I swear if I don’t have a relationship like theirs, then I don’t want it.
May 29, 2021
I tried the first time but the writing was a bit tough to get through. I’m starting again now I’m really craving Historical romance. I really enjoyed book one, so I reckon I’ll like this too.
8% : Benedict is yet to grow on me. First, he referred to heroine as b!tvh. Second, I think it’s a bit petty how he called off his engagement to Betsy and condescends to her family, even though they do have their issues.
I’m displeased about this. When he wanted to marry Betsy, he bought a fancy ring and a big house. Then he switched to marry Lizzie and gave her a too-tight ring and bought a wagon for a house? Hmm...
27%: I know the men in this series are grumpy and gruff but so far, Benedict is not very likeable. He and most of the other characters except Lizzie. Also The language is a bit tough to get into with all the slang.
36%: Okay Benedict is such a thoughtful lover, he’s been highly redeemed. Their first time together was so sweet and heartfelt.
49% Benedict is getting sweeter by the minute. My. I love how he always wants to clear things out with communication.
78% Super strange how I actually like the wagon house now and their routines 😂 Benedict really takes care of Lizzie. Literally always getting her bath water, making her tea and buying her food, even when she’s not thinking she’s hungry.
100%: Final Review
This was a really good book. It’s funny how the first time I couldn’t get into it but as I decided to try again, I didn’t want to drop it. Literally my mum called to send me out on an errand and I was all woe-is-me because I had to drop it for a bit. THEN I found out everyone took a house key as they went out and I couldn’t leave—I was ecstatic to have been locked in so I could finish.
I liked the brother’s relationship, even though sometimes I wish Benedict cared more what happened to his brothers —not his grandma or horrible father though!
It’s lovely how both of them had vulnerabilities they needed each other to soothe and eventually did. I loved when he told Lizzie what his father and mother did to him and she was like sobbing, “How dare they? How DARE they?!” Benedict deserves all the love and effection.
I also liked the bit about his boxing career, seeing how he wasn’t perfect but had flaws too. Flaws he was willing to be humble to overcome.
But while I really enjoyed this book, there was something a bit off, some kind of boundary that stopped me from loving it all the way. For one, it took too long for Lizzie to stop being quite naive to the whole romance thing. Often times, certain cute gestures and comments flew right over her head and she never actually understood them. It made her seem way too rigid and hindered the beauty or cuteness of those moments. Sometimes she was just so detached from some things too. For Benedict, towards the end he became too brash(or gruff) and all jealousy, and it kind of stilted things to me. I didn’t enjoy the epilogue as much because these things kind of put a damper on their relationship for me.
But all in all, it was a REALLY good book with lots of cuteness and I’m glad I could read and finish it. Now I just feel like writing historical romance again.
8% : Benedict is yet to grow on me. First, he referred to heroine as b!tvh. Second, I think it’s a bit petty how he called off his engagement to Betsy and condescends to her family, even though they do have their issues.
I’m displeased about this. When he wanted to marry Betsy, he bought a fancy ring and a big house. Then he switched to marry Lizzie and gave her a too-tight ring and bought a wagon for a house? Hmm...
27%: I know the men in this series are grumpy and gruff but so far, Benedict is not very likeable. He and most of the other characters except Lizzie. Also The language is a bit tough to get into with all the slang.
36%: Okay Benedict is such a thoughtful lover, he’s been highly redeemed. Their first time together was so sweet and heartfelt.
49% Benedict is getting sweeter by the minute. My. I love how he always wants to clear things out with communication.
78% Super strange how I actually like the wagon house now and their routines 😂 Benedict really takes care of Lizzie. Literally always getting her bath water, making her tea and buying her food, even when she’s not thinking she’s hungry.
100%: Final Review
This was a really good book. It’s funny how the first time I couldn’t get into it but as I decided to try again, I didn’t want to drop it. Literally my mum called to send me out on an errand and I was all woe-is-me because I had to drop it for a bit. THEN I found out everyone took a house key as they went out and I couldn’t leave—I was ecstatic to have been locked in so I could finish.
I liked the brother’s relationship, even though sometimes I wish Benedict cared more what happened to his brothers —not his grandma or horrible father though!
It’s lovely how both of them had vulnerabilities they needed each other to soothe and eventually did. I loved when he told Lizzie what his father and mother did to him and she was like sobbing, “How dare they? How DARE they?!” Benedict deserves all the love and effection.
I also liked the bit about his boxing career, seeing how he wasn’t perfect but had flaws too. Flaws he was willing to be humble to overcome.
But while I really enjoyed this book, there was something a bit off, some kind of boundary that stopped me from loving it all the way. For one, it took too long for Lizzie to stop being quite naive to the whole romance thing. Often times, certain cute gestures and comments flew right over her head and she never actually understood them. It made her seem way too rigid and hindered the beauty or cuteness of those moments. Sometimes she was just so detached from some things too. For Benedict, towards the end he became too brash(or gruff) and all jealousy, and it kind of stilted things to me. I didn’t enjoy the epilogue as much because these things kind of put a damper on their relationship for me.
But all in all, it was a REALLY good book with lots of cuteness and I’m glad I could read and finish it. Now I just feel like writing historical romance again.
June 26, 2024
4.75/5 oh, he’s MY husband “I set you above everyone else because you are above everyone else to me”<3
Me encanta como esta autora me pone a dos personajes que usualmente no me gustarían y que entre ellos NO se gustan al inicio y luego los convierte en una pareja toda bella, son los pequeños gestos, lo doméstico de todo (aparte es refrescante no leer sobre duques o herederos), lo daylight coded, nonono aparte añadir un perro como personaje????
Benedic es el esposo que yo quiero y merezco!! No deja que mueva un dedo para complacer a nadie y la defiende incluso de su propia familia, le da un montón de regalos, se comunica con ella para calmarle cualquier duda/inseguridad, la pone por encima de todos, es MUY CELOSO y la ama mucho. En fin, se tardó un poco en hacerse la declaración de amor pero sorprendentemente no me molestó como lo haría usualmente porque era obvio como se sentían el uno para el otro, ellos ya eran familia en ese punto y lo sabían.✨✨🫶🫶
—
Me hubiera gustado que no se le diera taaaanta importancia al asunto de Maggie y el hermano de Benedic, porque resultó en un final anti climático y no creo que la autora les vaya a hacer un libro (tampoco lo leería porque Maggie ni lo hizo arrastrarse, fue decepcionante) pero equis. También puntos extra por las aclaraciones que Benedic hizo sobre su anterior prometida, él NUNCA la amó y solo fue un compromiso donde Ben prácticamente estaba usando el respeto que la sociedad tenia por la familia de la ex prometida para su beneficio, él aclara muchas veces que nunca sintió por ella lo que siente por Lizzie
Me encanta como esta autora me pone a dos personajes que usualmente no me gustarían y que entre ellos NO se gustan al inicio y luego los convierte en una pareja toda bella, son los pequeños gestos, lo doméstico de todo (aparte es refrescante no leer sobre duques o herederos), lo daylight coded, nonono aparte añadir un perro como personaje????
Benedic es el esposo que yo quiero y merezco!! No deja que mueva un dedo para complacer a nadie y la defiende incluso de su propia familia, le da un montón de regalos, se comunica con ella para calmarle cualquier duda/inseguridad, la pone por encima de todos, es MUY CELOSO y la ama mucho. En fin, se tardó un poco en hacerse la declaración de amor pero sorprendentemente no me molestó como lo haría usualmente porque era obvio como se sentían el uno para el otro, ellos ya eran familia en ese punto y lo sabían.✨✨🫶🫶
—
Me hubiera gustado que no se le diera taaaanta importancia al asunto de Maggie y el hermano de Benedic, porque resultó en un final anti climático y no creo que la autora les vaya a hacer un libro (tampoco lo leería porque Maggie ni lo hizo arrastrarse, fue decepcionante) pero equis. También puntos extra por las aclaraciones que Benedic hizo sobre su anterior prometida, él NUNCA la amó y solo fue un compromiso donde Ben prácticamente estaba usando el respeto que la sociedad tenia por la familia de la ex prometida para su beneficio, él aclara muchas veces que nunca sintió por ella lo que siente por Lizzie
February 16, 2021
"He thought she was beautiful?”
I am quickly becoming a big fan of Alice Colbreath. This is my 4th or 5th book by her and I so enjoy her writing. Her heroine's are strong and independent and ones who are not led around by the men in their lives. Alice also does a wonderful job with her hero's that while they are a bit brutish and rough around the edges they have a knack for thoroughly loving the lady they set their eyes on.
Here we have Lizzie and Benedict's story. As the reader goes along with these two and their traveling fair, Lizzie struggles to find her spot in this new life of hers. One that she hadn't expected but one that she is determined to fit into.
Benedict is torn. He knew dragging Lizzie into the world his family belonged to wasn't something she deserved. But he couldn't stop himself from needing her to be part of it. To be with him as he returned to the boxing ring. This guy though.....Ben was something else. One minute he was a big brut and the next thing he was loving on Lizzie. ❤
Once again there are some interesting secondary characters that rounded out the story. Ben's brothers Frank and Jack were great. I wonder if down the road we will see Jack get a story of his own. And Sebastian the four legged character added a little something extra.
Loved the Epilogue!
I'm looking forward to book #3.
April 2, 2023
“May we never arrive, but always be on our way.”
Less than a year before I read it again! second time here we come
I liked it! Not nearly as much as A Bride for the Prizefighter, but still enjoyed quite a bit!
I especially enjoy Alice Coldbreath illustrative writing. From the way her characters take their tea, to the food they eat, she’s very gifted at making it all very natural. Some might find it wordy or tedious, but I think it makes for a comfy read. She’s also good a creating jealous heroes who aren’t annoying about it- it’s all very sexy and carnal.
Just like Bride for a Prizefighter, the MCs relationship start off rocky, not too sure about each other, but what’s sorta brilliant about Alice’s writing is, gradually her MCs start to find a groove and before we know it, they are in love. That’s the best to me! I don’t like insta-love and I don’t like big misunderstandings. There really wasn’t much to this plot, but that didn’t bother me because Alice kept me interested with her imaginative writing. I love her
Less than a year before I read it again! second time here we come
I liked it! Not nearly as much as A Bride for the Prizefighter, but still enjoyed quite a bit!
I especially enjoy Alice Coldbreath illustrative writing. From the way her characters take their tea, to the food they eat, she’s very gifted at making it all very natural. Some might find it wordy or tedious, but I think it makes for a comfy read. She’s also good a creating jealous heroes who aren’t annoying about it- it’s all very sexy and carnal.
Just like Bride for a Prizefighter, the MCs relationship start off rocky, not too sure about each other, but what’s sorta brilliant about Alice’s writing is, gradually her MCs start to find a groove and before we know it, they are in love. That’s the best to me! I don’t like insta-love and I don’t like big misunderstandings. There really wasn’t much to this plot, but that didn’t bother me because Alice kept me interested with her imaginative writing. I love her
January 3, 2021
A marriage of convenience between an unlikely duo gives Lizzie Anderson safety and a home and prizefighter Benedict Toomes a wife he finds himself wanting more and more.
The book is low angst.
I wasn't sure about this when I first started reading, and whilst I haven't finished adoring the read and MCs, I did enjoy the latter half. I liked the strength Lizzie had (at the start I was ready to dislike her). I just wanted a bit more oomph maybe this will be better in a re-read if I re-read.
The book is low angst.
I wasn't sure about this when I first started reading, and whilst I haven't finished adoring the read and MCs, I did enjoy the latter half. I liked the strength Lizzie had (at the start I was ready to dislike her). I just wanted a bit more oomph maybe this will be better in a re-read if I re-read.
January 4, 2021
4.75 Stars. What a surprise and delight to see this available so quickly after the first book! Okay so this one had a hard start, meaning we weren't drawn into the world, we were plopped right down into dinner with Ben and his fiancé, Beth. It took me a minute to get my mind wrapped around what what going on. Lizzie, Beth's cousin, doesn't like Ben, he is too good looking, too broad-shouldered and just too much and not enough god fearing in him anywhere...according to Lizzie. Ben doesn't think too much of plain, pious and colorless Lizzy either. Okay so that is the set up at this dinner party for the "happy" couple. This is where the story opens and we have our "beloved" man of the cloth presiding over everything. I forget his name, but it should have been light-fingers Louie. Lizzie witnesses something shocking during dinner and tries to convince everyone of the truth. Her Aunt and Uncle refuse to believe her and to the extent that they need to hide from it, they put her out the next day with nothing but a little bag.
Meanwhile Ben had already been thinking that he made a mistake and got the wrong "Beth" or Lizzie as it were. But it takes him a while to reveal that to his heart, so on with the review. He happens to show up just as they are handing Lizzie her butt. She can't believe it, but heads to the bad side of town to crowd in with a group of ladies that do sewing. Ben follows to make sure she makes it there. Then he gets the bright idea to kill two birds with one stone. He can still have a respectable wife to take back to his family and get revenge on snooty and judgmental Lizzy. After the foin folk had kicked Lizzie out, Ben went back and made such a cake of himself, he ensured that Beth had no choice but to break it off with him.
So there you have it, a revenge marriage....see Ben twirling his mustache and rubbing his hands. His family business as it were is a traveling boxing ring around the local fairs. His family sets up a boxing tent and takes on the local gents for a purse in the ring, but really for the betting. Ben's family life is a bit messy shall we say. So he installs pious Lizzy in a little traveling house and steps back ready to watch her come apart at the seams at her new life. But it doesn't quite work out that way as Lizzie starts to bloom under the stars and tents. Poor Ben can't help himself as he becomes the husband she deserves. He tried to be mean, he honestly did, but his heart couldn't stay in the mean camp. It was firmly in love's camp instead.
I won't tell you the rest of the story, as I want you to read it. But trust me, the love scenes were just spicy enough and the storyline so compelling that I was up to 1AM this morning on my last day of vacation finishing it. Thank you AC for the dark circles, it was worth it. Ben's got secrets ladies and gents ....so tune in to find out how it all plays out under the stars and tents. You don't have to read the first book in the series to read this book, the other couple is mentioned as an aside. Well done AC, well done!
Meanwhile Ben had already been thinking that he made a mistake and got the wrong "Beth" or Lizzie as it were. But it takes him a while to reveal that to his heart, so on with the review. He happens to show up just as they are handing Lizzie her butt. She can't believe it, but heads to the bad side of town to crowd in with a group of ladies that do sewing. Ben follows to make sure she makes it there. Then he gets the bright idea to kill two birds with one stone. He can still have a respectable wife to take back to his family and get revenge on snooty and judgmental Lizzy. After the foin folk had kicked Lizzie out, Ben went back and made such a cake of himself, he ensured that Beth had no choice but to break it off with him.
So there you have it, a revenge marriage....see Ben twirling his mustache and rubbing his hands. His family business as it were is a traveling boxing ring around the local fairs. His family sets up a boxing tent and takes on the local gents for a purse in the ring, but really for the betting. Ben's family life is a bit messy shall we say. So he installs pious Lizzy in a little traveling house and steps back ready to watch her come apart at the seams at her new life. But it doesn't quite work out that way as Lizzie starts to bloom under the stars and tents. Poor Ben can't help himself as he becomes the husband she deserves. He tried to be mean, he honestly did, but his heart couldn't stay in the mean camp. It was firmly in love's camp instead.
I won't tell you the rest of the story, as I want you to read it. But trust me, the love scenes were just spicy enough and the storyline so compelling that I was up to 1AM this morning on my last day of vacation finishing it. Thank you AC for the dark circles, it was worth it. Ben's got secrets ladies and gents ....so tune in to find out how it all plays out under the stars and tents. You don't have to read the first book in the series to read this book, the other couple is mentioned as an aside. Well done AC, well done!
March 14, 2023
This book took over my life.
I was listening on audiobook and literally spent an entire day with Lizzie and Benedict.
I think I loved this even more than the first but that’s probably because we got Benedict’s pov this time as well. I don’t really have anything to say that everyone hasn’t already but I will say this, the communication 🎉🥰❤️ the “let’s have it all out moments” even the misunderstandings where addressed in a way that made sense!
If you are even slightly interested it’s worth the read
I was listening on audiobook and literally spent an entire day with Lizzie and Benedict.
I think I loved this even more than the first but that’s probably because we got Benedict’s pov this time as well. I don’t really have anything to say that everyone hasn’t already but I will say this, the communication 🎉🥰❤️ the “let’s have it all out moments” even the misunderstandings where addressed in a way that made sense!
If you are even slightly interested it’s worth the read
December 6, 2022
4 Stars
- My first from this author. It was written well.
- Good character development.
- The plot was a little thin. It was just romance without a lot of background noise.
- Steamy.
- I liked that the characters were utterly non-aristocratic.
- After a while, the story went nowhere per se, it was like reading the day-to-day life of a travelling couple.
- My first from this author. It was written well.
- Good character development.
- The plot was a little thin. It was just romance without a lot of background noise.
- Steamy.
- I liked that the characters were utterly non-aristocratic.
- After a while, the story went nowhere per se, it was like reading the day-to-day life of a travelling couple.
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