Less is More Series by V.R. Christensen

***Inspired by the short story Blessed Offense (found in Parade)Season One: The Reluctant OnesVolume One: FaultlessCaroline Wallace is a woman who never forgets a wrong, particularly when it is committed by Lynford Townsend, her sister’s fiance’. Is Caro really the heartless woman people believe her to be? Or has she a reason for maintaining her grudges? Perhaps, after all, a little humility and forgiveness are what Caro needs to find the love that has been right in front of her all along.

Season One: The Reluctant OnesVolume Two: FearlessCharlotte Darling is an unaccomplished, talentless girl of meager prospects with a shrewish temperament that will make it almost impossible for her to marry. Such is the opinion of Mr. Blakeney, the heir apparent of Charlotte’s childhood home. The estate of Blithewell, upon her father’s death, will pass to Mr. Darling’s nephew by his first marriage—a “cousin” of sorts. It is Mr... moreSeason One: The Reluctant OnesVolume Two: FearlessCharlotte Darling is an unaccomplished, talentless girl of meager prospects with a shrewish temperament that will make it almost impossible for her to marry. Such is the opinion of Mr. Blakeney, the heir apparent of Charlotte’s childhood home. The estate of Blithewell, upon her father’s death, will pass to Mr. Darling’s nephew by his first marriage—a “cousin” of sorts. It is Mr. Blakeney’s intention to see that Charlotte is married and off his hands at the earliest possible convenience. Charlotte has other ideas. Love is not among them, but when Mr. Blakeney's half-brother arrives, she is forced to reconsider everything she previously considered non-negotiable, including leaving her beloved Blithewell. less

Antonia Gibson has been educated in the manner of most young women of the 19th century—to be good, obedient wives and not much else. When Antonia’s family takes the time to notice her, they only see what they expect: a silly, trivial girl, unpossessed of a mind of her own. These qualities are what keep her silent when her father and equally overbearing brothers contrive to manipulate her into an engagement with a gentleman for whom she can summon no sufficiently warm feelings... moreAntonia Gibson has been educated in the manner of most young women of the 19th century—to be good, obedient wives and not much else. When Antonia’s family takes the time to notice her, they only see what they expect: a silly, trivial girl, unpossessed of a mind of her own. These qualities are what keep her silent when her father and equally overbearing brothers contrive to manipulate her into an engagement with a gentleman for whom she can summon no sufficiently warm feelings. Meanwhile, brother Tom, having been expelled from Cambridge, has hired Mr. Gregory Hale, a young lawyer striving to help Tom in his efforts to contest the accusations laid against him and salvage his character. It is this stranger to the family who discovers that Antonia is not entirely incapable of intelligent thought and helps her feel truly seen for the first time in her life. He encourages Antonia to fight for her own happiness, but at what cost? Mr. Hale, after all, is no stranger to scandal, for a dark history looms behind his otherwise charming demeanor and threatens to destroy the happiness of all with whom he comes in contact—perhaps none more so than Antonia herself. less