This is the third (of four) story of the Parish Orphans of Devon. Alex Archer arrives in the Surrey region, seeking a wealthy heiress to marry. He gains entry to meet just such a woman in Henrietta Talbot, through the offices of George Wright, who owes Alex ten thousand pounds. George and Henrietta are lifelong friends and neighbors. However, Alex also meets Henrietta's friend, Laura Hayes, who is struggling financially. Since her father died three years earlier, the Hayes family has been struggling because of their failed perfume business.
Although he knows it is against his interests, Alex finds himself fascinated with Laura. When they decide to marry, out of convenience, Alex learns about the convoluted perfume business and their crooked lawyer. When he gets involved, things change. This is a great character study of Alex, who, at the beginning of the story, seemed to be a fortune hunter and little else.
Parish Orphans of Devon â Total of 4
1. The Matrimonial Advertisement (2018)
2. A Modest Independence (2019)
** 3. A Convenient Fiction (2019)
4. The Winter Companion (2020)
Although he knows it is against his interests, Alex finds himself fascinated with Laura. When they decide to marry, out of convenience, Alex learns about the convoluted perfume business and their crooked lawyer. When he gets involved, things change. This is a great character study of Alex, who, at the beginning of the story, seemed to be a fortune hunter and little else.
Parish Orphans of Devon â Total of 4
1. The Matrimonial Advertisement (2018)
2. A Modest Independence (2019)
** 3. A Convenient Fiction (2019)
4. The Winter Companion (2020)
Regina (virgosun) reviewed A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon) on + 889 more book reviews
Alex's story satisfies the plaguing questions surrounding his mysterious disappearance all those years ago. In the meantime, for a person haunted by past betrayals and one who makes a rather unscrupulous living as a cardsharp, he cleans up quite nice and gets a chance to redeem himself in heroic style. Steadfast Laura, with her own dreams and rallying spirit, offers Alex the foundation and family he had always craved during his decades alone. And despite agreeing initially to a marriage of convenience, theirs was a definite love match. I'm loving the way these parish orphans weave in and out of each others' stories, and I'm looking forward to Neville's chance at love. But for now, Alex and Laura's romance is sure to please genre fans. 4 stars.
