An Agreeable Alliance

by Kasey Stockton

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It’s only a little ruse…

Rebecca Turner traveled to Bath on the faint hope of finding a cure for her ailing mother—but with very little money to pay for it.

Dr. Jared Cooper was unsure he could ever love again until he laid eyes on Rebecca’s cousin—the incomparable Miss Alicia. He’s smitten, but she’s in mourning and thus unavailable for a time. Fortunately, her cousin Rebecca can help.

Finding themselves each in need of something that the other person can procure, Rebecca and Jared strike a bargain: he agrees to tend to her ailing mother at no charge on the condition that Rebecca discreetly passes his letters to her mourning cousin. She can ill afford to lose Dr. Cooper’s help, so when Alicia refuses to write back to the doctor, Rebecca takes matters into her own hands.

But what can Rebecca do when she finds herself falling in love with the man behind the letters, and he doesn’t know it’s her?

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Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

General Historical, Medical

Series

Sons of Somerset

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

October 4, 2023

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Chronic or terminal illness

A fun read!

This was so cute! I’m a little sad it’s over. Loved the friends to love and letter writing. The characters’ growth and how they help each is other is perfect!

Strong start, weak end

I liked the story in the beginning, but Rebecca pretty much created her own problems, then complained about them. It was very annoying. Her pride and fixation on debt also wasn't consistently portrayed (willing to sell the heirloom, not, willing, not), which contributed to the annoyance.Part of this book's blurb/plot centered on Rebecca writing letters in place of her cousin. In another set up, this could have been cute or at least made more sense. Instead, the letter falsehood just created self inflicted angst after she already knew Jared would treat her mother without it. Poorly done. Jared was understandably upset. (It bugged me that he later apologized... for not doing so sooner? Eh.)

Rebecca and Jared

I enjoyed this clean Regency romance with common people instead of gentry. I liked the characters and how well they are drawn and personified. I liked how the story progressed and how the characters grew individually and as a couple.

Prejudices, Misunderstandings, & Ruses

Rebecca Turner is concerned for her mother’s health and lack of energy and is looking for a doctor to help her mother. She and her mother haven’t heard from her father in a very long time. Her mother doesn’t appear to be too concerned since her father tends to be absent minded when he is involved with his business trips, but money is getting tight, and it’s been awhile since they’ve received a message from him. Dr. Jared Cooper, a surgeon, meets Rebecca and her cousin Alicia and immediately falls for Alicia. Due to extenuating family circumstances and her cousin’s conniving, Rebecca ends up being a messenger between Jared and Alicia, delivering messages in order to pay her debt to Dr. Cooper, who is helping her mother. Dr. Cooper had been mistreated in his hometown so he is not very trusting of Rebecca when she admits to her part in the cousin’s subterfuge. There are some uncomfortable times between Jared and Rebecca until they figure out a way to solve their differences. Also, Alicia learns a thing or two about her own behavior. And whatever happened to Rebecca’s father? Things eventually resolve themselves nicely.

Loved it!!

An absolutely adorable regency romance! I have immensely enjoyed the unique Sons of Somerset series, regency stories which feature heroes that are working men. In this book, Jared Cooper is a surgeon who becomes smitten with a girl he meets at a cricket match. As he seeks to court her through letters, however, he ends up spending time with her cousin Rebecca and wondering if he is courting the wrong woman.Loved Rebecca's personality and that she wore spectacles! Jared was thoughtful and kind, and I appreciated that their challenge to overcome didn't have anything to do with their social stations. Such a sweet romance and that kiss in the rain? Sigh worthy, for sure!I have long been a fan of Kasey Stockton and this book is a perfect example why. Memorable characters, captivating plot, and swoony romance. What more could you ask for?I received a complimentary copy of this book but a positive review was not required.