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thenovelbook's review against another edition
3.0
This is a sweet story that has its amusing moments, but which I also found a bit slow and long.
When a confederacy of matchmaking mothers set their sights on Paul Sheldon, he and his friends prepare to do battle to retain their right to singleness. For Paul, the subject is complicated by an unhappy childhood and money problems. But his hand-picked future bride is already on the way to meet him. And once he gets to know her, he finds marriage a much more appealing idea than he ever imagined it could be. But, of course, he's a Wounded Soul Who Doesn't Feel Worthy... so there's a fair amount of emotionally going in circles until everybody can figure out that if they would just talk to each other, things would get better very quickly.
I tend to get impatient with these plot dynamics that hinge on nobly keeping secrets, which is why I found it rather long to get through. But the secret gang of matchmaking mothers was really quite humorous.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy!
When a confederacy of matchmaking mothers set their sights on Paul Sheldon, he and his friends prepare to do battle to retain their right to singleness. For Paul, the subject is complicated by an unhappy childhood and money problems. But his hand-picked future bride is already on the way to meet him. And once he gets to know her, he finds marriage a much more appealing idea than he ever imagined it could be. But, of course, he's a Wounded Soul Who Doesn't Feel Worthy... so there's a fair amount of emotionally going in circles until everybody can figure out that if they would just talk to each other, things would get better very quickly.
I tend to get impatient with these plot dynamics that hinge on nobly keeping secrets, which is why I found it rather long to get through. But the secret gang of matchmaking mothers was really quite humorous.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy!
lolovesbooks3's review against another edition
3.0
I think I just didn’t connect to the characters. Honestly, I kind of felt like everyone including Paul, his friends and the matchmaking mamas kind of treated Louisa terribly. The fact that she kept smiling through everything also kind of annoyed me. The writing was good. I just felt sorry for Louisa the entire time as no one gave half a second to try to get to know her and just pushed her back and forth as if she were in their way. The chemistry / connection between Louisa and Paul felt forced and their interactions were so incredibly awkward. I just couldn’t get into their story.
reading_sweet_romance's review against another edition
4.0
Creative and entertaining. This is worth a re-read.
bibielle's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pikidoki's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thestagedstory's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the way the characters progressed. I liked the story and that I didn’t accurately predict everything about it. The character relationships felt believable.
The romance built slowly. It was an enjoyable read. I loved the group of friends and that while their goal was to help their friend Paul it was done by helping Louisa.
The romance built slowly. It was an enjoyable read. I loved the group of friends and that while their goal was to help their friend Paul it was done by helping Louisa.
notquinty's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skita's review against another edition
5.0
Bargaining For the Barrister had such a wonderful blend of humor and and vulnerability and depth and chemistry and friendship and… and… and! If you like Julianne Donaldson’s Blackmoore or Edenbrooke or Sarah Eden’s books or other similar others who write more than fluffy light stories than you’ll love this book! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
kimber_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Bargaining for the Barrister by Anneka Walker is a sweet regency romance with forced proximity and lots of dramatic irony.
Paul is a barrister, an earl’s son, and ironically, entirely broke. His compassion for the less fortunate compels him to give away his life savings and he refuses to accept an allowance from his parents. He also refuses to marry until he can comfortably support a family of his own. Obviously something in his life needs to change or he will never marry, much to the dismay of Paul’s mother.
Louisa is the daughter of a wealthy merchant with a large dowry. Although she wants to marry, she desires a love match to a man who doesn’t need her money.
Paul and Louisa are quickly roped into a matchmaking scheme created by Paul’s mother and the other matchmaking mamas of the neighborhood. The goal is to create opportunities for Paul and Louisa to fall in love naturally, but their respective financial situations and pride will ultimately either make or break their relationship.
This was such a fun story! Both Paul and Louisa are struggling to overcome things from their past that have thus far prevented them from being truly happy in the present. Their struggles with loneliness and feeling worthy of love and being valued for who they are, not what they are, make these characters so easy to love and relate to. I loved seeing Paul and Louisa learn to trust one another. I loved all the scenes where they shared things with one another they had never told anyone else. I also loved their playful and downright awkward moments. I loved seeing them interact in a variety of situations that revealed many different aspects of their respective characters. Louisa is a ray of sunshine without being naive or immature. Paul is so compassionate and sincere yet stubborn about doing things because he wants to, not because he has to. I loved seeing them learn from one another and help each other overcome their doubts and weaknesses.
I loved the dramatic irony of the plot. Everyone knows this is a matchmaking scheme but some characters are supposed to be unaware of the scheme. Essentially, everyone knows, but they are all pretending they don’t know. The dramatic irony made so many scenes hilariously awkward on so many levels!
If you enjoy regency romances, lovable characters, matchmaking mamas, hilariously awkward and swoony scenes, and stories with dramatic irony, you should definitely read Bargaining for the Barrister!
Paul is a barrister, an earl’s son, and ironically, entirely broke. His compassion for the less fortunate compels him to give away his life savings and he refuses to accept an allowance from his parents. He also refuses to marry until he can comfortably support a family of his own. Obviously something in his life needs to change or he will never marry, much to the dismay of Paul’s mother.
Louisa is the daughter of a wealthy merchant with a large dowry. Although she wants to marry, she desires a love match to a man who doesn’t need her money.
Paul and Louisa are quickly roped into a matchmaking scheme created by Paul’s mother and the other matchmaking mamas of the neighborhood. The goal is to create opportunities for Paul and Louisa to fall in love naturally, but their respective financial situations and pride will ultimately either make or break their relationship.
This was such a fun story! Both Paul and Louisa are struggling to overcome things from their past that have thus far prevented them from being truly happy in the present. Their struggles with loneliness and feeling worthy of love and being valued for who they are, not what they are, make these characters so easy to love and relate to. I loved seeing Paul and Louisa learn to trust one another. I loved all the scenes where they shared things with one another they had never told anyone else. I also loved their playful and downright awkward moments. I loved seeing them interact in a variety of situations that revealed many different aspects of their respective characters. Louisa is a ray of sunshine without being naive or immature. Paul is so compassionate and sincere yet stubborn about doing things because he wants to, not because he has to. I loved seeing them learn from one another and help each other overcome their doubts and weaknesses.
I loved the dramatic irony of the plot. Everyone knows this is a matchmaking scheme but some characters are supposed to be unaware of the scheme. Essentially, everyone knows, but they are all pretending they don’t know. The dramatic irony made so many scenes hilariously awkward on so many levels!
If you enjoy regency romances, lovable characters, matchmaking mamas, hilariously awkward and swoony scenes, and stories with dramatic irony, you should definitely read Bargaining for the Barrister!
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn’t put this book down! I love matchmaking stories with forced proximity. Louisa comes to Rothbrier Hall to meet Paul. Only Paul is unsuspecting of a match. He’s a barrister and a poor one at that. His mother and best friend’s mother meddle into his affairs, believing it’s time he settle down.