Disclaimer: I rec’d a copy of this book from the publisher as part of their Blogging for Books program. I rec’d no other compensation and the following review is my honest “take” on this work of fiction.

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Summer is the time for relaxing and enjoying God’s bounty. Reading should imitate that with light, fun, relaxing books. The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck is just such a read.

I really enjoyed this Christian chick-lit and highly recommend it!

The setting is 1880s England and Colorado. The premise: Charlotte Beck, a wild young woman whose family is from Colorado and England (landed-gentry!) meets erudite astronomer Alex Hambly (a viscount) whose family affairs in the financial realm are pretty tight. All Charlotte wants is to impress her father: she wants to prove as shrewd a wheel-dealer as her dad; she wants to go to college; she does NOT want to get married. Viscount Hambly, whose war-torn twin is heir to the family, must take financial care of his widowed mother, his twin and protect the family name … all while trying to study astronomy! These two are given their dream by a simple pact: Charlotte’s father will finance both a college education for Charlotte and financial independance for the Hamblys … all they have to do is promise to marry in four years (after Charlotte graduates from Wellesley).

Y’Barbo does a great job at telling this story: the historical fiction aspect is well done with great descriptions of the time and place in the story; the characters are believable, likable and interesting; the plot line avoids being trite by the humorous events that plague this couple. It’s very well done!

This is a perfect fluff romance … no deep meaning just pure entertainment. Each is sure they hate the other. The father is even more sure that God has put these two together for a reason …. perfect vacation reading! This book is all about love and faith and trust. It’s about overcoming groundless fears and accepting the gifts God gives. Very fun! Try it … you’ll like it!