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Goddess-Blessed #1
The Replacement Husband
Owen Honeyfield lives a goddess-blessed life. His picture-perfect courtship and engagement to the man of his dreams is proof of that. But when his betrothal takes a disastrous turn, Owen’s only hope to restore his tarnished reputation comes from a most shocking source—the cold, disturbingly sensual brother of the man who just shattered his heart and abandoned him. Perhaps he’s not as blessed as he’d always thought…
Arthur Drake is accustomed to cleaning up after his impulsive and selfish brother. After all, he’s done it his whole life. The latest debacle, though, is much worse than usual. This time, his brother’s actions have threatened not only their family name, but Arthur’s own happiness. The only honorable choice is to marry Owen. But while he knows he can repair the damage to his beautiful new husband’s reputation, mending his broken heart might prove infinitely more difficult.
It’s not long before the lines between duty and passion blur, and Arthur finds himself in the inconvenient position of falling for his new husband. Will his love be enough to convince Owen to let their marriage of convenience become the happily ever after they both deserve?
This is an M/M romance set in an alternate-universe Regency with waistcoats, awkward tea-drinking, and pagan goddesses on the loose. It is the first in a series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Arthur Drake is accustomed to cleaning up after his impulsive and selfish brother. After all, he’s done it his whole life. The latest debacle, though, is much worse than usual. This time, his brother’s actions have threatened not only their family name, but Arthur’s own happiness. The only honorable choice is to marry Owen. But while he knows he can repair the damage to his beautiful new husband’s reputation, mending his broken heart might prove infinitely more difficult.
It’s not long before the lines between duty and passion blur, and Arthur finds himself in the inconvenient position of falling for his new husband. Will his love be enough to convince Owen to let their marriage of convenience become the happily ever after they both deserve?
This is an M/M romance set in an alternate-universe Regency with waistcoats, awkward tea-drinking, and pagan goddesses on the loose. It is the first in a series, but it can be read as a standalone.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2018
About the author
Eliot Grayson
32 books1,191 followersEliot's a lifelong Southern California girl, right down to the flip-flops and backyard garden. When she's not writing her next book, you can find her reading, drinking tea, or (more likely) catering to the demands of her kids and ancient, cranky cat.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
January 1, 2019
The weirdly formal writing style didn't do much for me.
This is M/M Regency set in an alternate universe where men who have the mark of a goddess are blessed in some way and are destined to marry another man.
I'm not sure if that's the only way same-sex marriage is acceptable, as the world building was sorely lacking.
This story is quite steamy. I just wanted more Owen and Arthur together versus all the drama surrounding Tom, Arthur's younger brother, and his scoundrel ways. I also wish the epilogue had focused more on the MCs.
I loved Arthur. He was sexy as all hell with his growly, possessive nature. I wish Owen had been a stronger character though; as it were, he played the damsel in distress and didn't seem to have his own mind.
This is M/M Regency set in an alternate universe where men who have the mark of a goddess are blessed in some way and are destined to marry another man.
I'm not sure if that's the only way same-sex marriage is acceptable, as the world building was sorely lacking.
This story is quite steamy. I just wanted more Owen and Arthur together versus all the drama surrounding Tom, Arthur's younger brother, and his scoundrel ways. I also wish the epilogue had focused more on the MCs.
I loved Arthur. He was sexy as all hell with his growly, possessive nature. I wish Owen had been a stronger character though; as it were, he played the damsel in distress and didn't seem to have his own mind.
January 17, 2020
"Replacement Husband" is set in an alt universe with a strong resemblance to the Regency era in Britain (there is mention of "that new romance Owen had borrowed from his cousin, Withering Sights, whose sneering shaggy-maned hero had spent hundreds of pages gnashing his teeth and shouting at everyone"). The main area of difference is that the goddess Mirreith is worshipped, and people born with a sigil / birthmark on their body are said to be "goddess-blessed" which means they bring good fortune to those around them. Also same-sex marriage or being gay is not stigmatized.
Young virginal Owen meets Arthur and Tom, the brothers Drake, and quickly falls in love with good-looking Tom who sweeps him off his feet and proposes marriage. But Tom turns out to be faithless and because Arthur is already half-way in love with Owen, Arthur proposes marriage to save Owen's reputation. Their marriage is not in name only and while Owen reads like an innocent damsel in distress Arthur is intense and passionate and dear gawd, their wedding night is soooo hot.
The plot held my interest through out with twists and turns and the two men slowly realizing how much they love each other, but personally Owen's internal monologues about Arthur (i.e. will he love me after I'm no longer virginal and no longer a "challenge") and his excessive weepiness (along with the quivering chin, trembling eyelashes, etc.) is a bit much. However, I like the way Grayson fleshes out the MCs (and a good amount of secondary characters) and makes them all personable. I also admire how he creates this alt world and sets it in motion without unnecessary explanation. 4 strong stars for "The Replacement Husband."
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Young virginal Owen meets Arthur and Tom, the brothers Drake, and quickly falls in love with good-looking Tom who sweeps him off his feet and proposes marriage. But Tom turns out to be faithless and because Arthur is already half-way in love with Owen, Arthur proposes marriage to save Owen's reputation. Their marriage is not in name only and while Owen reads like an innocent damsel in distress Arthur is intense and passionate and dear gawd, their wedding night is soooo hot.
The plot held my interest through out with twists and turns and the two men slowly realizing how much they love each other, but personally Owen's internal monologues about Arthur (i.e. will he love me after I'm no longer virginal and no longer a "challenge") and his excessive weepiness (along with the quivering chin, trembling eyelashes, etc.) is a bit much. However, I like the way Grayson fleshes out the MCs (and a good amount of secondary characters) and makes them all personable. I also admire how he creates this alt world and sets it in motion without unnecessary explanation. 4 strong stars for "The Replacement Husband."
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
July 23, 2019
*2,75 stars*
This was ok. Just.
I always like a spot of historical in my reading, which is what drew me in here. Not sure however, that the paranormal ‘goddess aspect’ really gelled with it. It seems more like an easy way out to make gay marriage acceptable, so that the plot can work.
From the romance point of view, it’s one of the classic themes: blushing young virgin marries older, tall and dark aristocrat out of necessity. In this case it’s because Owen is dumped by Arthur’s younger, reckless brother and wants to avoid a scandal. If you ever read Mills and Boon – this would fit the themes perfectly.
I liked Arthur and his broody ways, but Owen feels very much like ‘a damsel in distress’ most of the time. Tbh, he did behave like a lady of the time rather than a young bloke. Which was a bit irritating at times. I desperately wanted him to ‘grow up’ and just ‘show them’.
Loved all the firsts Owen experiences in the bedroom, but unfortunately this is the most time the two guys get together. There is not much else on offer for them to get to know each other. I am not entirely certain how they got to the ILYs at the end. (apart from the lust aspect)
I guess I missed more depth all the way round!
Very easy read, with some cute moments.
This was ok. Just.
I always like a spot of historical in my reading, which is what drew me in here. Not sure however, that the paranormal ‘goddess aspect’ really gelled with it. It seems more like an easy way out to make gay marriage acceptable, so that the plot can work.
From the romance point of view, it’s one of the classic themes: blushing young virgin marries older, tall and dark aristocrat out of necessity. In this case it’s because Owen is dumped by Arthur’s younger, reckless brother and wants to avoid a scandal. If you ever read Mills and Boon – this would fit the themes perfectly.
I liked Arthur and his broody ways, but Owen feels very much like ‘a damsel in distress’ most of the time. Tbh, he did behave like a lady of the time rather than a young bloke. Which was a bit irritating at times. I desperately wanted him to ‘grow up’ and just ‘show them’.
Loved all the firsts Owen experiences in the bedroom, but unfortunately this is the most time the two guys get together. There is not much else on offer for them to get to know each other. I am not entirely certain how they got to the ILYs at the end. (apart from the lust aspect)
I guess I missed more depth all the way round!
Very easy read, with some cute moments.
December 14, 2019
4 Stars
Well, damn. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did.
Definitely remiscient of the historical romances I used to read way back when, but with a twist. In this Alternate world, there is a small percentage of the population that are "Goddess Blessed" men who are sought after as husbands by other men...and other than that small detail (well, plus the whole different religion) it was almost spot-on like those. Shy ingenue, lecherous villain, damaged reputation, dashing hero, hesitant connection, budding love, hot sex...
I'm still not sure what being "blessed" entails though because it seems sort of nebulous. (Good health? Luck? Wealth? Maybe the point of not nailing it down is to keep the options open for subsequent stories? IDK.)
Despite that, the rest added up to a story that I couldn't put down - which surprised me. Also, it looks like the protagonist for the next book in the series happens to be said "lecherous villain" and I am eager to see how that works out. Seriously, this guy seemed irredeemable and I love being proven wrong, so I can't wait to read that one.
Well, damn. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did.
Definitely remiscient of the historical romances I used to read way back when, but with a twist. In this Alternate world, there is a small percentage of the population that are "Goddess Blessed" men who are sought after as husbands by other men...and other than that small detail (well, plus the whole different religion) it was almost spot-on like those. Shy ingenue, lecherous villain, damaged reputation, dashing hero, hesitant connection, budding love, hot sex...
I'm still not sure what being "blessed" entails though because it seems sort of nebulous. (Good health? Luck? Wealth? Maybe the point of not nailing it down is to keep the options open for subsequent stories? IDK.)
Despite that, the rest added up to a story that I couldn't put down - which surprised me. Also, it looks like the protagonist for the next book in the series happens to be said "lecherous villain" and I am eager to see how that works out. Seriously, this guy seemed irredeemable and I love being proven wrong, so I can't wait to read that one.
August 19, 2020
I started reading this a while ago but I didn't get past the first page because the language put me off a little bit, I picked it up and let me tell ya, I should have read more. The story has a feel of the classics like pride and prejudice because of the language and the "proper" manners and stuff, but is worth it.
This one is a lovely story based on the premise of being God-blessed, that means that if the goddess chooses you, you will bring luck and prosperity to the people around you and yourself.
In this instance, Owen is a country guy, god-blessed that meets a pair of brothers (Arthur and Tom) by "accident" and falls infatuated with the wrong one to the point of accepting to marry him (Tom), but the guy is a sorry excuse for a person and backs out. Then the other brother takes responsibility and romance starts.
I must say that the pace was good, but there were stuff that happened more quickly than I thought it would. The story was engaging and I really liked the characters. Was it perfect? No, but is a simple little read that takes you to other times in a lovely way. 🥰❤
This one is a lovely story based on the premise of being God-blessed, that means that if the goddess chooses you, you will bring luck and prosperity to the people around you and yourself.
In this instance, Owen is a country guy, god-blessed that meets a pair of brothers (Arthur and Tom) by "accident" and falls infatuated with the wrong one to the point of accepting to marry him (Tom), but the guy is a sorry excuse for a person and backs out. Then the other brother takes responsibility and romance starts.
I must say that the pace was good, but there were stuff that happened more quickly than I thought it would. The story was engaging and I really liked the characters. Was it perfect? No, but is a simple little read that takes you to other times in a lovely way. 🥰❤
December 29, 2018
This is historical in the sense of some odd formality and one character wearing a night-shirt rather than a set time period, the writing at times felt discordant to a historical. Gay marriage is accepted due to Goddess intervention and I was lost on the social mores. Owen is basically a damsel in distress.
Spent most of the book wondering why the author didn't simply make Owen female. Although had Owen been female my inner feminist would have had to wake up and demand she find a backbone, because there wasn't one situation that didn't make him insecure and weepy. He's all tears and blushes. Also he's either spoilt deciding not to adopt a role of any use, the Goddess provides, or practical and suddenly able to understand complex paperwork.
I believe it's very loosely based on Pride and Prejudice there's reference to 'fine eyes' cerulean ones if I recall correctly. Aside from that the story proceeds at break-neck speed giving nothing impact. There's the threat of social ruin which feels convenient rather than real. Characters fall in love while skipping pesky bonding, beyond the bedroom.
Spent most of the book wondering why the author didn't simply make Owen female. Although had Owen been female my inner feminist would have had to wake up and demand she find a backbone, because there wasn't one situation that didn't make him insecure and weepy. He's all tears and blushes. Also he's either spoilt deciding not to adopt a role of any use, the Goddess provides, or practical and suddenly able to understand complex paperwork.
I believe it's very loosely based on Pride and Prejudice there's reference to 'fine eyes' cerulean ones if I recall correctly. Aside from that the story proceeds at break-neck speed giving nothing impact. There's the threat of social ruin which feels convenient rather than real. Characters fall in love while skipping pesky bonding, beyond the bedroom.
August 3, 2019
3.5*
Totally cute sort of alternative universe Regency historical romance with an opposites attract theme.
Although, I'm not sure I really got what the whole Goddess Marked bit was about, unless it was the author's way of making same-sex marriages acceptable in a historical romance. It needed a bit more world-building outside of the Regency feel imho.
Loved possessive Arthur though.
Totally cute sort of alternative universe Regency historical romance with an opposites attract theme.
Although, I'm not sure I really got what the whole Goddess Marked bit was about, unless it was the author's way of making same-sex marriages acceptable in a historical romance. It needed a bit more world-building outside of the Regency feel imho.
Loved possessive Arthur though.
February 20, 2020
I have a soft spot for this author. I enjoyed Like a Gentleman and this was a nice follow-up book by Eliot Grayson for me to read. There tends to be one MC you like and another you want to slap a few times, same as Like a Gentleman, but the writing is cute and breezy and very easy to read. It's not heavy on detail whatsoever, in this instance the whole goddess-blessed business just is, there isn't much to it.
I loved Arthur. Big, kind, possessive Arthur made the book worth it for him alone. Owen was sweet and virginal and gentle so I was good with that too, although he made me want to give him a shot of self-belief. Neither spoke to the other about important matters, about their actual feelings- Arthur found words stuck in his throat, and Owen just assumed he was a pity marriage after Arthur's younger and handsome brother Tom did a 'John Willoughby' on him.
I also wanted to have my two cents worth with Owen's mum and dad. Arthur was not Tom.
Thankfully for me at the moment this is not a long book and we get where we need to quickly and enjoyably. There's some sexy times, Arthur was determined to make sure Owen enjoyed himself and that he would forget his cad of a brother. He also wanted him to know just how much he loved him, he does things that the reader can see shows he cares, and we get two POV, but words aren't Arthur's first port of call - he gets there eventually.
I'm adding a caveat that I am unwell and not following words and sentences well. Occasional and easy is all I am able to read, and because there isn't much to the supernatural aspects of this book it made it nice and simple for me to process.
A cute, sexy, enjoyable alt-historical with no dramas around being gay. Nice.
I loved Arthur. Big, kind, possessive Arthur made the book worth it for him alone. Owen was sweet and virginal and gentle so I was good with that too, although he made me want to give him a shot of self-belief. Neither spoke to the other about important matters, about their actual feelings- Arthur found words stuck in his throat, and Owen just assumed he was a pity marriage after Arthur's younger and handsome brother Tom did a 'John Willoughby' on him.
I also wanted to have my two cents worth with Owen's mum and dad. Arthur was not Tom.
Thankfully for me at the moment this is not a long book and we get where we need to quickly and enjoyably. There's some sexy times, Arthur was determined to make sure Owen enjoyed himself and that he would forget his cad of a brother. He also wanted him to know just how much he loved him, he does things that the reader can see shows he cares, and we get two POV, but words aren't Arthur's first port of call - he gets there eventually.
I'm adding a caveat that I am unwell and not following words and sentences well. Occasional and easy is all I am able to read, and because there isn't much to the supernatural aspects of this book it made it nice and simple for me to process.
A cute, sexy, enjoyable alt-historical with no dramas around being gay. Nice.
January 3, 2024
This is kind of a fantasy regency. Fastpaced read. The villain is the MC of the next in the series. As he was quite unlikable I'm really curious to read it 😅 3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
June 23, 2019
You know, just a little while ago I was thinking, "I don't do hate reads. If I hate a book and don't think it's going to get better, I DNF."
And yet, here I am with this ridiculous book. I think part of the reason I finished it was because it was so incredibly short; another part was that I really wanted to rant about all of it. Still more was probably that part of me is somewhat interested in the next book, although I'm not sure I'm going to read it after this book.
So, this book is absurdly and unironically sexist. There are defined roles for men, and there are defined roles for women (with "Goddess blessed" men having to fit the role of women) and these roles are at no point challenged. No one ever says, "You know, it's pretty terrible that women/Goddess blessed men don't get to have their own careers and instead must spend their lives preparing to support the household of the husband they haven't even married yet," or anything like that. The entire world had to be altered to allow sexism to be specifically shoehorned horned into an m/m relationship, too; if this had been an m/f book, the female character would have been Owen and it could have been more typically sexist. However, because it was m/m, a whole system of "Goddess blessed" was specifically created to make a section of men that were included in the more typical sexism-against-women section. Why alter a world specifically to subject a section of men to sexism that is traditionally reserved for women? I don't know; I wish I could say that it was social commentary, but it obviously is not.
Owen doesn't actually seem to have any personality or self, either. Owen doesn't say, "Well, I'd actually really like to be a carpenter or own a book shop or even spend my free time growing super awesome plants." His sole goal seems to be to get married, and once his insta-love match is dashed he still wants to get married to avoid scandal (why is not clear; is he concerned he can't support himself otherwise? his parents don't seem to feel this way, and he doesn't seem at all certain that his marriage is actually going to leave him in a better position; very poor planning). Then he's really excited to start boning this guy he doesn't know at all and who he doesn't particularly trust (?!) and he is completely unassertive (Oh, no, I can't ask for tea at breakfast, even if that's what I want! Whatever you like to drink is fine, even if I don't like it!).
What Owen needs isn't to get married; what Owen needs is to figure out what he wants from life and to grow enough of a spine to go after it. He needs to explore who he is as a person so he can say, "This is what I want, and I'm going to do what I need to get it," not get into a relationship where he's going to try to act as a partner. If he doesn't feel comfortable declaring his food preferences, he needs space to strengthen as a person.
And yet, here I am with this ridiculous book. I think part of the reason I finished it was because it was so incredibly short; another part was that I really wanted to rant about all of it. Still more was probably that part of me is somewhat interested in the next book, although I'm not sure I'm going to read it after this book.
So, this book is absurdly and unironically sexist. There are defined roles for men, and there are defined roles for women (with "Goddess blessed" men having to fit the role of women) and these roles are at no point challenged. No one ever says, "You know, it's pretty terrible that women/Goddess blessed men don't get to have their own careers and instead must spend their lives preparing to support the household of the husband they haven't even married yet," or anything like that. The entire world had to be altered to allow sexism to be specifically shoehorned horned into an m/m relationship, too; if this had been an m/f book, the female character would have been Owen and it could have been more typically sexist. However, because it was m/m, a whole system of "Goddess blessed" was specifically created to make a section of men that were included in the more typical sexism-against-women section. Why alter a world specifically to subject a section of men to sexism that is traditionally reserved for women? I don't know; I wish I could say that it was social commentary, but it obviously is not.
Owen doesn't actually seem to have any personality or self, either. Owen doesn't say, "Well, I'd actually really like to be a carpenter or own a book shop or even spend my free time growing super awesome plants." His sole goal seems to be to get married, and once his insta-love match is dashed he still wants to get married to avoid scandal (why is not clear; is he concerned he can't support himself otherwise? his parents don't seem to feel this way, and he doesn't seem at all certain that his marriage is actually going to leave him in a better position; very poor planning). Then he's really excited to start boning this guy he doesn't know at all and who he doesn't particularly trust (?!) and he is completely unassertive (Oh, no, I can't ask for tea at breakfast, even if that's what I want! Whatever you like to drink is fine, even if I don't like it!).
What Owen needs isn't to get married; what Owen needs is to figure out what he wants from life and to grow enough of a spine to go after it. He needs to explore who he is as a person so he can say, "This is what I want, and I'm going to do what I need to get it," not get into a relationship where he's going to try to act as a partner. If he doesn't feel comfortable declaring his food preferences, he needs space to strengthen as a person.
December 6, 2021
**grm**
This book had an huge potential to be a five stars, at least for me, but there were so many things that pissed me off, that I actually started to roll my eyes after a few pages and never stopped until the end. Owen was an annoying brat, that acted like a little girl, but got pissed when someone treated him like a woman, bcs he was A MAN(so he kept saying), then he should have started acting like one and not like a crying idiot. Tom, Oh how I hated him. He was a dic*, he stole Owen's first kiss and courted him only to piss his older brother who had fallen in love with the damsel in distress(yes OWEN) at first sight. Arthur was a saint, he deserved so much better than this 22 years old petulant child. I'm not saying that there weren't good parts in this book, I loved the jealousy and the time setting, but dam* I hated most of the chars in it, and in over 30% of the book, Owen was thinking about Tom or was making out with him.
I really don't like to see one of the MC with someone else in a sexual way(also if here was more of an entusiastic make out session, repeated).
It really annoyed me how they painted the relationship btw Tom and Owen as if it was an epic romance. FFS they kissed like 3 times, one proposed marriage to despise his brother and knew that only saying he was in love the naive virgin would accept the proposal, and the other (Owen) didn't want to get married bcs he thought was too soon, and they didn't know each other good enough, and he wasn't sure about their relationship or how he felt for the other man, and he didn't like too much how Tom acted. But later became this epic sh*t, and all the chars thought so....for far tooooooooooooooooo long.WTF.
Now I'm on the 2nd book, bcs I have also the others of the series(lucky me..), and I told myself "DO IT UNTIL THE END, YOUR READING LIST IS BECOMING TOO BIG", but the MC of this book is Tom and OMFG I wanted to punch him each time I read his name or saw him in the last book, so idk how this will end... Wish me luck.
This book had an huge potential to be a five stars, at least for me, but there were so many things that pissed me off, that I actually started to roll my eyes after a few pages and never stopped until the end. Owen was an annoying brat, that acted like a little girl, but got pissed when someone treated him like a woman, bcs he was A MAN(so he kept saying), then he should have started acting like one and not like a crying idiot. Tom, Oh how I hated him. He was a dic*, he stole Owen's first kiss and courted him only to piss his older brother who had fallen in love with the damsel in distress(yes OWEN) at first sight. Arthur was a saint, he deserved so much better than this 22 years old petulant child. I'm not saying that there weren't good parts in this book, I loved the jealousy and the time setting, but dam* I hated most of the chars in it, and in over 30% of the book, Owen was thinking about Tom or was making out with him.
I really don't like to see one of the MC with someone else in a sexual way(also if here was more of an entusiastic make out session, repeated).
It really annoyed me how they painted the relationship btw Tom and Owen as if it was an epic romance. FFS they kissed like 3 times, one proposed marriage to despise his brother and knew that only saying he was in love the naive virgin would accept the proposal, and the other (Owen) didn't want to get married bcs he thought was too soon, and they didn't know each other good enough, and he wasn't sure about their relationship or how he felt for the other man, and he didn't like too much how Tom acted. But later became this epic sh*t, and all the chars thought so....for far tooooooooooooooooo long.WTF.
Now I'm on the 2nd book, bcs I have also the others of the series(lucky me..), and I told myself "DO IT UNTIL THE END, YOUR READING LIST IS BECOMING TOO BIG", but the MC of this book is Tom and OMFG I wanted to punch him each time I read his name or saw him in the last book, so idk how this will end... Wish me luck.
November 18, 2023
4.5
Absolutely lovely. I can't believe I haven't started this series sooner!
I love Eliot Grayson, and while this alt-historical series is a bit different from her more popular stuff, it still has her unmistakable, sexy, delicious atmosphere and style.
The world she creates in this series is unusual and magical, and I was obsessed from the start. "The Replacement Husband" is a historical romance with all the usual historical tropes, from blushing virgins and gruff love interests, to marriage shenanigans and interfering parents (and villains!), plus a whole lot of secret pining, sexy first times, and falling in love despite adverse circumstances. The world-building is pretty unusual, and I'm so looking forward to discovering more about this world where some men are Goddess-blessed and what it entails more precisely.
I loved both protagonists so much! Arthur was an ABSOLUTE dreamboat, and I freaking adored how gruff and protective he was, how respectful and witty and caring. He's got hidden layers and seeing him with Owen was a treat.
And Owen! I really felt for him. He's put through the ringer in the beginning of the novel, and I wanted to simultaneously hug him and shake him. His insecurities and fears were very relatable, and I thought Eliot Grayson did a wonderful job at portraying how much a low self-worth can impact a person's understanding of the world and the people around them.
I loved them together to bits: sexy and sweet, emotional and funny, every one of their scenes together stole the show.
I'm so excited to start book two. I had an inkling it was going to be a redemption story, and omg, I'm so looking forward to see how Eliot will manage it.
Absolutely lovely. I can't believe I haven't started this series sooner!
I love Eliot Grayson, and while this alt-historical series is a bit different from her more popular stuff, it still has her unmistakable, sexy, delicious atmosphere and style.
The world she creates in this series is unusual and magical, and I was obsessed from the start. "The Replacement Husband" is a historical romance with all the usual historical tropes, from blushing virgins and gruff love interests, to marriage shenanigans and interfering parents (and villains!), plus a whole lot of secret pining, sexy first times, and falling in love despite adverse circumstances. The world-building is pretty unusual, and I'm so looking forward to discovering more about this world where some men are Goddess-blessed and what it entails more precisely.
I loved both protagonists so much! Arthur was an ABSOLUTE dreamboat, and I freaking adored how gruff and protective he was, how respectful and witty and caring. He's got hidden layers and seeing him with Owen was a treat.
And Owen! I really felt for him. He's put through the ringer in the beginning of the novel, and I wanted to simultaneously hug him and shake him. His insecurities and fears were very relatable, and I thought Eliot Grayson did a wonderful job at portraying how much a low self-worth can impact a person's understanding of the world and the people around them.
I loved them together to bits: sexy and sweet, emotional and funny, every one of their scenes together stole the show.
I'm so excited to start book two. I had an inkling it was going to be a redemption story, and omg, I'm so looking forward to see how Eliot will manage it.
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December 28, 201812/28/18: Currently FREE as part of the New Year/New Author Giveaway:
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November 16, 2022
Quick and entertaining read. It was a bit dramatic and felt like a less refined version of this author’s later writing. I did get through it quickly and am toying with the idea of reading the sequel…maybe when I stop being angry that the villain of this story is the main character of the next!
November 10, 2019
A Charming and Delightful Story
This book left me feeling happy and relaxed.
It was just what I needed after a busy and complicated day. A book that transported me to a far away land, where one , can be blessed by Goddess ; a hot cup of tea and lots of steamy sexy times, can brighten a gloomy day ; true love is real and a HEA is guaranteed.
That's right , you got it!! The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson is charming and delightful Adult, MM Romance story.
This book left me feeling happy and relaxed.
It was just what I needed after a busy and complicated day. A book that transported me to a far away land, where one , can be blessed by Goddess ; a hot cup of tea and lots of steamy sexy times, can brighten a gloomy day ; true love is real and a HEA is guaranteed.
That's right , you got it!! The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson is charming and delightful Adult, MM Romance story.
November 9, 2020
I started out not liking this very much. The writing was kind of flowery and yet somewhat stilted. Owen was such a shrinking violet that he got on my nerves. I almost walked away ,but I stuck with it and after Arthur and Owen were married things certainly got better. I don’t know if I got used to the writing style or if it actually improved. I really liked the ending.
February 19, 2022
This had an interesting premise - alt-sort of paranormal historical? That was very much not the case. The blurb says “pagan goddesses running around” - this is lie. Here’s my other problems:
1. Shallow, shallow, shallow
Everything about this is shallow, from the writing, to the characters, to the plot (what little there is). The characters fall in love instantly, for no discernible reason. We’re told a lot of emotions, but rarely do they match up with what’s actually happening in the story.
Their whole connection is sex, no idea where the emotions came from.
This is barely a historical either - some clothing, a little bit about societal strictures…that’s it.
2. What is “goddess blessed and why does it matter? (it doesn’t)
There’s a decent amount of deal made of Owen being “goddess touched”, but it is never actually explained. What does it mean? The goddess herself shows up in an incredibly boring dream at the very end, otherwise absolutely no presence. If this whole bit was deleted, it wouldn’t even matter. Which leads me to…
3. This is just gender swapped MF
It felt like the goddess touched thing was just a way to allow MM marriages to happen, and also it relegated Owen into the “woman” category, which…first, boring, second, gross. Be a little more creative, and less rigid. You’ve made up a whole alt universe, change the roles.
4. Special callout for Owen, naive cupcake
Owen was a special brand of naive dingdong. He was so easily led around, which okay, he’s supposed to be innocent and naive, I can do that. But then…he never really managed to find a spine.
He overreacts to things just to cause misunderstandings it seemed, like they weren’t logical conclusions. I wasn’t sure where his incredible lack of self esteem came from either. Or why he was randomly confident about things. Or too timid to ask for tea. And then behaved very childishly via cold shouldering and not speaking to Arthur over the perceived slights. It got on my nerves very quickly.
I never understood why his attachment to Tom was so extreme - it was dragged out for the entire book, which was far too long for what was shown on page.
(for the record, Arthur was fairly one dimensional, but not interesting enough to get his own point on the list)
5. This reads like omegaverse
This reminds me so much of an omegaverse mpreg novel I read by Amelita Rae. I kept expecting alpha/omega things to crop up, and definitely thought the goddess blessing would result in mpreg. It did not. It would have been far better if it had.
Overall, this was emotionally weak, plot weak, and didn’t even use the one unique part of the blurb (the goddess stuff). What a letdown.
1. Shallow, shallow, shallow
Everything about this is shallow, from the writing, to the characters, to the plot (what little there is). The characters fall in love instantly, for no discernible reason. We’re told a lot of emotions, but rarely do they match up with what’s actually happening in the story.
Their whole connection is sex, no idea where the emotions came from.
This is barely a historical either - some clothing, a little bit about societal strictures…that’s it.
2. What is “goddess blessed and why does it matter? (it doesn’t)
There’s a decent amount of deal made of Owen being “goddess touched”, but it is never actually explained. What does it mean? The goddess herself shows up in an incredibly boring dream at the very end, otherwise absolutely no presence. If this whole bit was deleted, it wouldn’t even matter. Which leads me to…
3. This is just gender swapped MF
It felt like the goddess touched thing was just a way to allow MM marriages to happen, and also it relegated Owen into the “woman” category, which…first, boring, second, gross. Be a little more creative, and less rigid. You’ve made up a whole alt universe, change the roles.
4. Special callout for Owen, naive cupcake
Owen was a special brand of naive dingdong. He was so easily led around, which okay, he’s supposed to be innocent and naive, I can do that. But then…he never really managed to find a spine.
He overreacts to things just to cause misunderstandings it seemed, like they weren’t logical conclusions. I wasn’t sure where his incredible lack of self esteem came from either. Or why he was randomly confident about things. Or too timid to ask for tea. And then behaved very childishly via cold shouldering and not speaking to Arthur over the perceived slights. It got on my nerves very quickly.
I never understood why his attachment to Tom was so extreme - it was dragged out for the entire book, which was far too long for what was shown on page.
(for the record, Arthur was fairly one dimensional, but not interesting enough to get his own point on the list)
5. This reads like omegaverse
This reminds me so much of an omegaverse mpreg novel I read by Amelita Rae. I kept expecting alpha/omega things to crop up, and definitely thought the goddess blessing would result in mpreg. It did not. It would have been far better if it had.
Overall, this was emotionally weak, plot weak, and didn’t even use the one unique part of the blurb (the goddess stuff). What a letdown.
May 25, 2021
It was really really enjoyable..I loved it !
Regency is new to me and I can't wait to dive into other books!!
Regency is new to me and I can't wait to dive into other books!!
December 30, 2018
This is not the first book I read by the author and I have to say I’m very happy I had the chance of having this new release on my hands. The Replacement Husband was a lovely surprise, definitely different from my usual readings, but interesting and so well delivered, I enjoyed till the end.
The plot is simple and quite common, although I don’t think I already read something like this in the mm genre. As soon as I start it, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to like the character of Owen, but he grew on me; moreover I have to give credit to Arthur, he conquered me from the beginning, it reminded me the mysterious and generous heroes of the English literature of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which I am a huge fan of. So of course Arthur, who came and save Owen twice, was my favorite. I cheered on him and his unrequited love for the younger man.
Two reasons why I didn’t give the book an higher rating: first one is linked to the writing style and it’s something I noticed when I read Like a Gentleman too; since my English is still a work in progress, I have issues when the sentences are a little on the long side and here, once in a while, I had to come back and reread the words cause I missed the train of thoughts. Second, I would have preferred Owen to act more like an adult, think twice and be more strong. Some of his behaviours were childish, but he’s still young and with a lovely husband beside him.
The Replacemen Husband is a sweet, sexy and well done story, I feel to recommend it.
The cover art by Fiona Jayde is lovely and eyecatching, I love it.
The plot is simple and quite common, although I don’t think I already read something like this in the mm genre. As soon as I start it, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to like the character of Owen, but he grew on me; moreover I have to give credit to Arthur, he conquered me from the beginning, it reminded me the mysterious and generous heroes of the English literature of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which I am a huge fan of. So of course Arthur, who came and save Owen twice, was my favorite. I cheered on him and his unrequited love for the younger man.
Two reasons why I didn’t give the book an higher rating: first one is linked to the writing style and it’s something I noticed when I read Like a Gentleman too; since my English is still a work in progress, I have issues when the sentences are a little on the long side and here, once in a while, I had to come back and reread the words cause I missed the train of thoughts. Second, I would have preferred Owen to act more like an adult, think twice and be more strong. Some of his behaviours were childish, but he’s still young and with a lovely husband beside him.
The Replacemen Husband is a sweet, sexy and well done story, I feel to recommend it.
The cover art by Fiona Jayde is lovely and eyecatching, I love it.
June 6, 2020
Urgh. DNF 26%. It completely lacks that historical romance flavor that I love what with its accepting and modern ways. Also protagonist Owen is a love struck idiot I couldn't bring myself to l like. Arthur is just plain boring. Instalove to the extreme. The engagement/marriage with Tom just seemed completely unrealistic for the supposed time period. A society marriage would simply be more complicated than that! I'm just too much of a historical romance snob to stomach this. The whole 'goddess blessed' thing was kinda interesting but so many other things were just wrong.
November 16, 2019
Fantastic story with wonderful characters. I can't wait to read the second book in the series -- even though -- and I need to find anything else by this author ASAP. I love finding authors that are new to me when they write this well. I especially enjoyed the references to Withering Sights, the gothic novel with a tortured hero -- alternate history with the tongue planted firmly in cheek!
April 21, 2020
This is a low 3-star for me, mainly because of Owen.
Owen, at one point, is accused of inconsistency, which he seems appalled by, but is pretty much hitting the nail on the head. He thinks his parents are wrong about Arthur in one paragraph, and literally in the next paragraph thinks that his parents are a better judge of character then him. He flip flops between thinking Tom is coming on to strong to being in love, and then he flip flops between thinking Arthur is a gentleman to thinking he will force him, tire of him, throw him to the side, etc. He hopes Arthur will not come to his room on his wedding night, dreading having to sleep with him, but then asks him to stay, but is so thankful that Arthur fucks him from behind, because then he can tell himself that he wanted no part in this and that he is passive in it all. Ugh. I don't think I've ever read a character who goes from one end of a spectrum to the other so many times.
And Arthur. Arthur hides things from Owen a few too many times for my liking. He is also proud that Owen is doing the right thing by insisting on inviting Tom and his pregnant wife to their house. How is hosting the man who lied to you to woo you, cheated on you, abandoned you, etc, the right thing to do? I think it was cruel for Arthur to expect Owen to want to see Tom ever again, yet alone just a few months after the whole affair.
That being said, it was well written. I liked the plot. I did wish that there was a little more about the deities, but also glad there wasn't just an info dump on them. I plan to read the next book in the series, so here's hoping the next characters are more of a hit for me.
Owen, at one point, is accused of inconsistency, which he seems appalled by, but is pretty much hitting the nail on the head. He thinks his parents are wrong about Arthur in one paragraph, and literally in the next paragraph thinks that his parents are a better judge of character then him. He flip flops between thinking Tom is coming on to strong to being in love, and then he flip flops between thinking Arthur is a gentleman to thinking he will force him, tire of him, throw him to the side, etc. He hopes Arthur will not come to his room on his wedding night, dreading having to sleep with him, but then asks him to stay, but is so thankful that Arthur fucks him from behind, because then he can tell himself that he wanted no part in this and that he is passive in it all. Ugh. I don't think I've ever read a character who goes from one end of a spectrum to the other so many times.
And Arthur. Arthur hides things from Owen a few too many times for my liking. He is also proud that Owen is doing the right thing by insisting on inviting Tom and his pregnant wife to their house. How is hosting the man who lied to you to woo you, cheated on you, abandoned you, etc, the right thing to do? I think it was cruel for Arthur to expect Owen to want to see Tom ever again, yet alone just a few months after the whole affair.
That being said, it was well written. I liked the plot. I did wish that there was a little more about the deities, but also glad there wasn't just an info dump on them. I plan to read the next book in the series, so here's hoping the next characters are more of a hit for me.
February 6, 2022
Fun read, but I got a bit confused with the whole blessed by the goddess Mirreith and still do not understand what that is.
Other than that, Owen and Arthur's forced marriage turns out to be more than anticipated and they got their HEA.
Part of the Goddess-Blessed Series and is best enjoyed when read in order:
Download book 3.5 for free. The Yuletide Runaway
January 25, 2019
I have high expectations about this book, but then I must swallowed my disappointment when it turned out not like what I expected.
With the historical setting in alternate world and the mention of the ‘goddess gift' Owen has/blessed with, I thought that it will be some magical things will happen in this story or perhaps it will ended as Mpreg thing, but there’s no magical things happen until I catch the last page. So yes, it kinda disappointed me at some level because it seems it ended just like another ordinary historical gay romance set in regency time.
The story itself actually interesting enough to follow. I must admit some part of me actually like it, the writing is not bad, the plotting and pace are fine. Both Owen and Arthur characters are likeable enough, BUT still….it not satisfied me. Maybe it just ‘me’ thing, so I hope you’ll give this book a try, maybe it will suit you because even that I said that I’m disappointed but the book is actually not that bad…
December 21, 2019
Erst fand ich es ein wenig schräg, dann ein wenig albern. Aber das Buch hat sich wirklich gemacht und dann mochte ich die Geschichte gern. Sie erinnert halt ein wenig an eine Regency-Schmonzette. Das Setting würde natürlich auch dort passen. Aber mit dem leichten mystischen Touch, war es dann okay.
July 14, 2019
This was a decent short read. I got bored trying to clear out some of my “started but not finished” books and decided to grab something quick and simple.
This was indeed both quick and simple but still had enough depth draw you in and keep interested.
Would I read the next one? Probably not but maybe.
This was indeed both quick and simple but still had enough depth draw you in and keep interested.
Would I read the next one? Probably not but maybe.
July 29, 2021
Left me smiling
Classic romance tropes with a queer twist. I thought Owen was sweet but naive at first but he had depth. I loved Arthur and especially his treatment of Owen.
Classic romance tropes with a queer twist. I thought Owen was sweet but naive at first but he had depth. I loved Arthur and especially his treatment of Owen.
December 28, 2018
This is my first book by Eliot Grayson and I will definitely be reading more. I absolutely loved this story.
Set back in the times of bed clothes and fainting spells, Owen Honeyfield takes a fall along the moors and is rescued by Drake brothers Tom and Arthur. After meeting them properly a week later, Owen has his heart set on Tom and Tom asks for his hand, knowing that Arthur, too, has feelings for Owen.
When Tom sends a letter describing his less than ethical situation, Arthur steps in and volunteers to marry Owen, thus keeping gossip at bay. But will Owen ever get over Tom?
I loved the gauzy, vintage sepia feel of this book. I felt like each page had a unique filter and the spectacular writing put me right there in the room with Arthur and Owen and a cup of tea. Both MC's were wonderful. I loved Arthur and his fierce need to protect Owen and his ability to remain steady in the midst of Owen's uncertainty. And that he laughed when Owen threw a pillow at his face.
Owen was described so well and held true to his nature of agonizing over every decision, word and meaning. He made me laugh so many times at his misunderstanding of situations, but he came through in the end and it was worth it to see the change when he came to his important realization.
All in all, this was a simple, fun, quick witted story and I loved all the words. I'd absolutely recommend it.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted at http://gaybook.reviews/ *
Set back in the times of bed clothes and fainting spells, Owen Honeyfield takes a fall along the moors and is rescued by Drake brothers Tom and Arthur. After meeting them properly a week later, Owen has his heart set on Tom and Tom asks for his hand, knowing that Arthur, too, has feelings for Owen.
When Tom sends a letter describing his less than ethical situation, Arthur steps in and volunteers to marry Owen, thus keeping gossip at bay. But will Owen ever get over Tom?
I loved the gauzy, vintage sepia feel of this book. I felt like each page had a unique filter and the spectacular writing put me right there in the room with Arthur and Owen and a cup of tea. Both MC's were wonderful. I loved Arthur and his fierce need to protect Owen and his ability to remain steady in the midst of Owen's uncertainty. And that he laughed when Owen threw a pillow at his face.
Owen was described so well and held true to his nature of agonizing over every decision, word and meaning. He made me laugh so many times at his misunderstanding of situations, but he came through in the end and it was worth it to see the change when he came to his important realization.
All in all, this was a simple, fun, quick witted story and I loved all the words. I'd absolutely recommend it.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted at http://gaybook.reviews/ *
December 28, 2018
4.5 Stars!
The Replacement Husband was very reminiscent of stories like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, if those stories had had some steam to them. ;) As it is, I felt it was like a cross between one of those classics and a bodice ripper, not that I'm complaining because it's my favorite type of book.
While there were moments in which I really wanted to slap some sense into Owen, he played perfectly the part of the sweet, shy, so innocent and very easily duped younger guy. Arthur, on the other hand, was the dashing hero that comes to the rescue of the damsel, sorry, the gentleman in distress and he definitely was my favorite. He had that ineffable Darcy-like quality that I find swoon-worthy and I just wanted to bash Owen's head in when he showed his preference for Tom, Arthur's younger and supposedly more charming brother.
Anyway, the book was fantastically written, it was romantic and sexy and sweet and I loved that the villain got his comeuppance. What more can you wish for? If you love historical romances with just a touch of fantasy, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as much as I did.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
The Replacement Husband was very reminiscent of stories like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, if those stories had had some steam to them. ;) As it is, I felt it was like a cross between one of those classics and a bodice ripper, not that I'm complaining because it's my favorite type of book.
While there were moments in which I really wanted to slap some sense into Owen, he played perfectly the part of the sweet, shy, so innocent and very easily duped younger guy. Arthur, on the other hand, was the dashing hero that comes to the rescue of the damsel, sorry, the gentleman in distress and he definitely was my favorite. He had that ineffable Darcy-like quality that I find swoon-worthy and I just wanted to bash Owen's head in when he showed his preference for Tom, Arthur's younger and supposedly more charming brother.
Anyway, the book was fantastically written, it was romantic and sexy and sweet and I loved that the villain got his comeuppance. What more can you wish for? If you love historical romances with just a touch of fantasy, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as much as I did.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
January 31, 2019
I liked this one. Owen was a sweet and innocent man who met Arthur and Tom Drake after an accident. The vibrant Tom basically sweeps Owen off his feet, asking Owen to marry him, all to Arthur's dismay. But, two weeks before their marriage, Tom leaves Owen, making Arthur break the news to him. Trying to keep Owen's reputation intact, Arthur offers to marry Owen instead.
Owen was naive in many ways. Arthur was jaded in others. Which was why I enjoyed watching the effect the two of them had on each other. It was a quick and enjoyable read, which was exactly what I wanted.
Owen was naive in many ways. Arthur was jaded in others. Which was why I enjoyed watching the effect the two of them had on each other. It was a quick and enjoyable read, which was exactly what I wanted.
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