Chelsea Bobulski: A Deal with a Debutante

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236304632-a-deal-with-a-debutante

book blurb: 

She’s running from London’s marriage mart. He’s running out of time to save his estate. Neither planned on falling in love—but their hearts have other plans.

American heiress Calliope Hart is thrust into London’s high society against her will, all because her mother is determined to marry her off to an aristocrat. Despite being named “the debutante of the season” back in New York, Calliope wants nothing more than to avoid becoming another pawn in the social game.

Edward Chase, the Earl of Hayward, is on the brink of financial ruin. To save his estate, he must marry, and Calliope Hart is his last hope. When he boldly declares his intentions, she swiftly rejects him, making it clear she has no interest in marrying for convenience. Undeterred, Edward offers a deal: He will escort Calliope to all the best sights of London that she’s been dying to see if she agrees to visit his estate and consider what they could accomplish together.

What begins as a business arrangement soon sparks something much more complicated—an undeniable chemistry neither can ignore. But as their hearts begin to soften, both must confront their fears: Can Calliope trust Edward with her heart, and can Edward truly win her love when she’s convinced he only wants her fortune?

*Netgalley ALC 11/12  *Historical Romance  *Strangers to more  *Enemies (kind of) to more

*American Heiress x Earl down on his luck *Estate in shambles *outspoken FMC  

*he falls first  *no spice romance  *Edwardian *suggested Marriage of convenience *banter

*insta love (story is over a short time) *some no communication at times

Thoughts:

Calliope Hart is an American Heiress who was dragged to England by her mother on the hunt for a titled husband against her wishes she is thrust on society after having lessons in high society etiquette along with some other American Heiress friends.  While Calliope would love nothing more than to return to New York and continue her writing on older buildings and restoration projects her pushy mother continues to bring her to events.

Edward Chase (Earl of Hayward) has a large estate that many depend on but unfortunately for him his father made poor financial decisions and he owes more to creditors on the daily... he and his mother are both aware of the state of their finances and that the only thing at this point that will save them from a financial collapse is marrying a wealthy woman... in comes his latest plan to find the wealthiest heiress at the party his mother has thrown in order for him to find a bride and just ask for a marriage of convenience.

Calliope knows that she is being looked at not for who she is but for the wealth she can provide to these impoverished lords... and yet many are still snubbing her due to being nouveau riche... well she doesn't want to be with them anyways.  Meeting the Earl of Hayward at his ball they get off on the wrong foot when he asks for a marriage of convenience with no possibility of anything more between them... he feels he is just being honest and straight forward with his intentions he needs a big influx of money that their marriage can provide and he can provide her with the title that she is looking for (only he doesn't realize that it's her mother that cares about the title... not her).  

After Edward is swiftly rejected he makes an apology tour returning to London to find Calliope and make up for his poor behavior.  He agrees to play a bit of a tour guide to Calliope and take her to all of the sites she wants to go to in exchange for her to agree to give him a chance at showing her his home and thinking of his marriage proposal before rejecting him out right again.  

This was a cute enemies (kind of) to more story, there is no spice (just some passionate kisses) and some witty banter at times.  It was sweet seeing Edward and Calliope get closer together as the story progresses, I also enjoyed Edward's quirky family and Calliope's outspoken friends.  

I did struggle at times with the internal monologue on both sides about how they were starting to have feelings but know for a fact the other one would never have feelings for them... natually neither one of them are sharing their growing feelings with the other one for a good portion of the story (no communication).  

This was a lower stakes, lower drama story for the most part.  The FMC begins waffling towards the middle of the story when she is back and forth on her decision multiple times... girl make a decision!  

This was a sweet cozy read/listen the narrator did a great job with the accents swapping back and forth between English, American and even some Scottish accents.  If you are looking for a light easy read you might enjoy checking this one out.  I'm hoping this becomes a series would like to see if Calliope's friends get their happy ending.  

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ALC!