Wedded to His Enemy Debutante by Samantha Hastings

About the Book:

Enjoy this enemies-to-lovers Regency romance 

Signed, sealed… 

Seduced! 

Lady Frederica is the last person Samuel, the new Duke of Pelford, wants to marry! His childhood nemesis might have grown into a beautiful woman, but she’s as bold, outspoken and badly behaved as ever! Except marrying her is the only solution to the debts he’s inherited. As memories of their tense years growing up make way for a surprising desire, Samuel realizes the walls he put in place between him and his convenient wife are quickly crumbling!

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

Released: January 23, 2024

About the Author:

Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. She also writes cozy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen. 

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters and I love the Stringham family. I loved how Samuel and Frederica didn’t want to marry each other at first but each did so for their own reasons but by the end of the book they discovered how perfect they were for each other. I liked how they teased each other but also supported each other. I thought it gave a good glimpse into a good marriage. I thought the story was well written and entertaining. I definitely want to read more about the Stringham family.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Wedded to His Enemy Debutante Excerpt

‘Why do not we all sit down?’ Lady Hampford suggested, smiling at him. ‘Shall I ring for some tea?’

He shook his head, holding up one gloved hand. ‘Not on my account, please. And if you will forgive my abruptness, I would prefer to speak alone with Lady Frederica. My time is limited and there is a question of great importance I wish to ask her.’

Lady Hampford gave him a dazzling smile and left the room as if she were leaving a pair of young lovers and not childhood enemies. Samuel sat on a chair across from Frederica where he could readily observe her features. He smiled slightly when he realised that he was not the only one surprised at what he saw. The colour in her cheeks was high and her lips upturned into the slightest of smiles.

‘I suppose I ought to apologise for putting the bear cub in your room when last I saw you,’ Frederica said, in a completely unrepentant tone. She may have grown into a beauty, but her personality had not changed one whit. Something about her had always irritated him like a rash on his skin.

‘Freddie, do not bother apologising,’ Samuel said, sardonically. ‘I should not wish for our relationship to begin with a lie.’

She let out a crow of laughter and gave him a beguiling grin. ‘You are not as stupid as you used to be, and no one calls me Freddie any more.’

‘And you are not as skinny as you used to be,’ he retorted.

She laughed again and more colour came into her cheeks. She was an attractive woman with curves even courtesans would be jealous of. ‘I suppose I am not. But then, neither are you. You seem twice as broad as before.’

‘Do you wish to marry me?’ he asked bluntly, hoping that by some miracle that she would be the one to release him from this unwanted obligation.

‘No,’ she said honestly, raising her eyebrows. ‘Do you wish to marry me?’

No, but I wouldn’t mind kissing you.

Where had that thought come from? He pulled at his collar, feeling rather hot and betrayed by his own body.

‘Heavens no! I do not even know you.’

And I’ve never liked you.

Frederica laughed loudly at this and his lips twitched. Earlier in the day, he would have thought that there was nothing humorous in his situation. But he’d forgotten that Frederica could be funny; unfortunately, in the past, he’d been the butt of most of her jokes.

She sobered first, clearing her throat. ‘Perhaps we could become better acquainted now that we are no longer children? I long for adventure and purpose. And no doubt you have had many adventures and political intrigues whilst on the Continent.’

Samuel stiffened. He hated how the aristocracy glamourized war with their fancy uniforms and formal parades. There was nothing adventurous or exciting about a battle. It was loud. There was so much blood, the wounded, and the burying of your friends. ‘Those stories are not fit for a woman’s ears.’

Her lips tightened into a straight line. ‘Quite a set-down.’

He could not help but smirk back at her as he watched Frederica struggle within herself to be civil. As a child, she would not have even tried. She would have yelled at him, hurled an object, or got her revenge when he least expected it. Usually with a dead rodent or a live snake whilst he was sleeping. Still, he had loved the summers he’d spent at Hampford Castle with her older brothers, avoiding Frederica whenever possible. Her brother Charles had been his best friend and closest companion. He was also the first person he’d seen buried. After his death, Samuel had resented how Frederica had tried to take her brother’s place as his friend. She was a poor substitute for Charles who had been a good listener, clever, and kind.

Little had Samuel known then how many friends he would lose in the war. How many pieces of himself he would bury with them.

After a few moments she said in a lighter tone, ‘Shall I receive many set-downs as your wife?’

‘I haven’t asked you to be my wife,’ he pointed out.

Frederica lifted her eyebrows in an arched look and talked with her hands. ‘No, you have not. And I have not said yes, but somehow, I believe we will both find ourselves arrayed in finery and in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury before too long.’

‘Dreadful thought.’

‘I know. It quite gives me the dismals.’

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