Their Convenient Tuscan Marriage by Bronwyn Scott

Tracy’s Rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Regency Tour in Italy, #1

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Years after returning from war, Lord Hayes Winterton, second son of the Duke of Ravenswick, is still healing from losing Natalia, the woman he loved and the other losses he suffered in the war and is still feeling unsettled. When his father offers him an opportunity to buy a vineyard and manager the property in Florence, Italy, he jumps at the chance to return to Florence, even though he is less than thrilled to learn that he will be traveling with his rakish cousin Alistair Burke-Price. Once they arrive in Florence, Hayes is eager to complete the purchase of the vineyard and get to work. He has an appointment to meet with the lawyer handling the sale but stops for breakfast at a shop he had been to before and meets Evelisse Banfield, an English widow of a wool merchant and the first woman he has felt attracted to since losing Natalia. It seems the attraction is mutual, at least until it is revealed that they both want the same property.

Evelisse Banfield had been a widow for three years, when the opportunity to purchase the Delford’s vineyard – Quattro Venti – became possible. She was dear friends with Amelia Delford, the daughter of Vineyard’s owners and had promised the very ill Amelia that she would purchase the vineyard and help Amelia’s elderly parents. She never imagined that there would be competition for the vineyard and was even more stunned to learn that her competition was Lord Hayes Winterton, the man she was hoping to take as a lover! But when it becomes clear that even though legally, she could own the vineyard, she would not be able to run the business without a husband – she is angry. And when yet another party enters the bidding for the property, it seems like she won’t be able to keep her promise to her friend, until Lord Hayes makes an offer that gives them both what they want. He suggests that they marry and co-own the vineyard but is clear that while he will support her and be faithful, he will never love her. She agrees, especially as Hayes is true to his word and gives her control of her assets in the marriage settlements – now all she has to do it not fall in love.

I love a marriage of convenience story and one set in Italy is just the cherry on top – this story had so much promise and offered a fresh twist on a tried-and-true trope, but sadly, it wasn’t what I was expecting and while I adored Hayes, I really had a hard time liking Evelisse. I completely understood her frustration and even her anger about being unable to attain her dream without the help of a man, but the way she constantly blamed Hayes for these injustices was annoying – especially when he gave her no reason to paint him as the villain. Overall, the story was good, and if Evelisse hadn’t been so set on trying to make Hayes the root of all her problems, I would have probably loved the book, but she ruined this story for me. So, while I didn’t really care for Evelisse, I did love the setting, along with the author’s ability to paint a picture with her words and Hayes – so while not a book I would read again, it was still a book I am glad I read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *