The Inconvenient Marriage

Up for review is: The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y’Barbo. This is a book about one of my favorite subjects in fiction, that of a marriage of convenience. There is something warm and fuzzy about two people being tied to each other for reasons other than love and yet through the process end up finding just that. The subject always lends to the characters moments of awkwardness, companionship, angst, and yes some passion. Needless to say I was excited to read another book with this theme. I also had never read any of Y’Barbo’s books and was very eager to see if I had found a new author to keep up with.

The description on the back of The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck goes something like: Charlotte Beck, feisty and hardheaded daughter of an American socialite, is matched with Alex Hambly, distinguished English viscount and astronomer, in a marriage of convenience. Both enter into the agreement, Charlotte because she wants to attend school and Alex because he needs money, to meet their respective needs. What comes about from this marriage is two people who detest each other yet are (supposedly) irrevocably tied to each other. Yet in the process feelings start to change and complications ensue.

After reading the book, I would completely rewrite the description. It should include the fact that the two don’t end up married until part II which starts at 59% (as calculated by my Kindle) through the book. Thus the marriage is only given 41% of the book to actually play out. I was very disappointed because that’s what I wanted to read about, the tension and romance that could be found in the “inconvenient marriage” not about what lead up to them getting married. I will give in and say that yes there is some romance leading up to the marriage and some details are needed to build a foundation for the characters and story line. However, I would have loved to have seen all of that condensed down to maybe 20% to 30% max. When I did finally wade through part I and arrive at part II I thought to myself “finally this will be really good.” Sadly I was disappointed again. There was just too little time to actually incorporate all of the factors that make this subject exciting.

I wouldn’t say this book is a waste. I do think that Y’Barbo added in many elements such as humor, danger, romance, and history. That is a lot to accomplish in one book and can be applauded. I won’t be adding this book to my list of favorites but I can see many people with tastes that vary from mine liking it a lot. My recommendation is to go ahead and read it if it sounds interesting to you, just make sure to have a triple shot soy latte on hand to keep you awake through the beginning.

Your Sippin Chick

*I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.*