We – well, I know we don't all love them, but many of us do, me included: Marriage of Convenience stories. There is something enchanting about two people, who might be fond of each other in a different way, in such a special, intimate situation. Please note the difference between this and forced marriage stories, because they are not the same.
I have a few particularly lovely book recommendations for you.
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
The title says it all. But what a marriage it is! Horatia is the youngest and plainest of her sisters, and she has a terrible stammer – not to mention a little gambling problem – but she chooses to "sacrifice" herself to save her eldest sister from a marriage of convenience with a wealthy Earl, to solve the family's financial trouble.
It's an absolutely hilarious story, with gambling and fighting and lots of jokes, set in the late 18th century. The Earl of Rule is one of my favourite Heyer heroes, and I absolutely adore Horry.
It is not a very popular book by Heyer's standards, but trust me – it's frightfully underrated and truly enjoyable!
April Lady by Georgette Heyer
Another favourite – one of Heyer's least popular and, in my opinion, best novels. Many think it a revamped version of The Convenient Marriage, and I disagree strongly. The marriage of convenience factor is the only similarity, and that one is shared, obviously, by all books in this list.
The most notable difference is that both leads were in love with their spouse from the start, and believe that it was merely a convenient marriage for the other one. This adds a completely different sort of tension, and is both from a moral and a psychological perspective very interesting. There are also more social factors addressed than in most Regency romances.
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer
The most popular out of the three Heyer novels in this list, A Civil Contract is one of her most serious and solemn books. In my opinion, the conclusion can be somewhat lacking, but I think that is for a more semantic reason than anything else – the word love can be used very differently – and I am, as far as constellations of that sort are concerned, spoiled by reading Elizabeth Goudge, who handled these better than any other author I know.
But all that aside, this novel is a nice and quiet comedy of manners, and the ideal Heyer novel for Janeites. It's elegant, witty, and interesting, and all in all an excellent read.
The Weaver Takes a Wife by Sheri Cobb South
An excellent read and one of the few modern Regency novels that are truly in the same league as Georgette Heyer. I have written an extensive review here.
I'll admit that there's a bit of force in this particular marriage of convenience, but it all makes sense as it is in the story. It's truly lovely – we've got one of the most unusual and sympathetic heroes in romance literature, and a delightfully unlikeable heroine.
The book is short, quick, and very witty, and truly refreshing.
French Leave by Sheri Cobb South
French Leave is a lovely sequel of The Weaver Takes A Wife, and its hero is the first book's villain; its heroine, a lovely but involuntary novice turned sweet polly oliver, who flees with him from France to England.
This is a sweet and truly hilarious read. If you like These Old Shades and The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer, I am sure you'll enjoy this one greatly. The characters are simply delightful, we meet the leads of the first book again, and the anti-hero has a wonderful redemption story. And the heroine is oh, so delightful!
The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Yes, this book is by the author of such beloved children's classics as The Secret Garden, A Little Princess and Little Lord Fauntleroy. But it's an adult novel alright and the heroine is a bit of a spinster.
The romance is not as prominent in the story, which is mostly about the schemes of mean relations against the heroine, but it's a truly lovely read. I have read some complaints about her, but I love the main character, and I also really like her husband.
It's a lovely, simple, at times surprisingly dark story, with a very reasonable and sensibily motivated marriage.
Do you have a favourite marriage of convenience novel, and perhaps a recommendation to add to this list? Let me know ♥
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