Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker

Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker ISBN-13: 9781524413705 Paperback: 262 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: October 1st 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
She’s never been afraid of breaking the rules—until she risks breaking her heart. Constantly stifled by the rules of Society, spirited Rebecca Rowley enjoys finding ways to quietly—or not so quietly—rebel. But riding bareback and avoiding nosy neighbors are nothing compared to the thrilling secret she is keeping from her family.

When Rebecca’s quick thinking saves the life of a young girl, she unwittingly attracts the attention of the child’s dashing brother, Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. As that attention turns flirtatious, Rebecca is forced to tell him the truth: she is secretly engaged—to the one man her family would never approve of. Fortunately, Lieutenant Avery is a navy man with no wish to marry, or so they both assume as they enter into a friendship.

Rebecca hopes to change her family’s mind about her betrothed, but the more she comes to know the handsome lieutenant, the more she wonders if she promised her hand too hastily. Rebecca must force her heart to decide. Should she stay true to the promise she made or fight for the future she’s only just begun to imagine?


My Review:
Otherwise Engaged is a romance set in 1822 in England. Rebecca has entered into a thrilling secret engagement with a charming, handsome man that she barely knows. She does know that her family would never approve because of a long-standing feud between their dead fathers. She's certain that she can get her mother's approval if only she can discover the reason behind the feud, but that turns out to be more difficult than she expected. When she meets Nicholas while out secretly bareback riding and he willingly keeps her secret and even admires her skill, she begins to question whether her betrothed will be so supportive of her unusual interests.

The characters were engaging, likable, and reacted realistically to events. Rebecca wasn't self-centered; she simply longed for more adventure than social custom (and her protective brother) allowed. I liked how Rebecca and Nicholas became best friends that supported and built each other up, and that this was the foundation of their growing attraction. When conflict occurred, both were quick to ask for forgiveness and see where they were at fault. And they could laugh and joke together. Both grew in maturity and character throughout the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this very enjoyable historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.