The Substitute Bridegroom cover

The Substitute Bridegroom

by Jeanne Abbott

ISOLDE WOULD RATHER WED THE DEVIL HIMSELF! For the odious Harold Biggelswade was, in her opinion, a good deal worse than the devil. But her avaricious guardian, Uncle Wendall, insisted the wedding would take place in three weeks. What was a poor desperate orphan like Isolde to do? Unbeknownst to her, a notorious rake, the new Earl of Shalbourne, faced difficulties tantamount to her own. For his formidable aunt Jane now threatened to exclude him from her considerable will (ruin!) should he not marry and produce an heir forthwith. So, reluctantly, he responded to the curious ad in the London Morning Chronicle, a desperate lady's plea for a savior—a substitute bridegroom. The wedding was hasty. The honeymoon, horrific, for the odious Harold was hot on their trail. But Shalbourne found Isolde an amorous armful—for a bride acquired through the morning paper!

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?