Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi S Kilpack

Published: October 6th, 2016
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Pages: 336
Copy: Edelweiss
Summary: Goodreads

Lord Fenton is a gambler, a dandy, and a flirt—and he must marry or else he will be disinherited, stripped of his wealth and his position. He chooses Alice Stanbridge for two simple reasons: he once knew her as a young girl, and she is the least objectionable option available to him.

However, Alice has harbored feelings for Fenton since their first meeting ten years ago, and she believes his proposal is real. When she discovers it is not, she is embarrassed and hurt. However, a match with the most-eligible bachelor in London would secure not only her future but that of her family as well.

Determined to protect herself from making a fool of herself a second time, Alice matches Lord Fenton wit for wit and insult for insult as they move toward a marriage of convenience that is anything but a happy union. Only when faced with family secrets that have shaped Fenton’s life does he let down his guard enough to find room in his heart for Alice. But can Alice risk her heart a second time?

A quick review:

Lord Fenton's Folly is a quick sweet read, that had me at times laughing and gritting my teeth.  I loved the characters, but at the same time I couldn't believe how naive they were.  But then, we are talking marriage of convenience in Regency England, aren't we.  Kudos to Alice for not sitting back and taking everything that Lord Fenton dishes out to her.  She has a quick wit and an ascerbic tongue and she gives as good as she gets, better even in some cases.

The reader knows right from the beginning what the eventual outcome of the story is going to be, but the journey is fun.  Both laugh out loud funny and sad enough to have you wiping away a stray tear or two, Lord Fenton's Folly is a very clean read that is suitable even for younger teens, with the bonus of a guaranteed happy ending.  Lots of fun.