I was thirsty for a medieval romance when I picked up Forging a Fiancé, and it definitely scratched an itch for me. Unfortunately, this novel has a little bit of Ye Olde Historical Wallpapering, but there’s still a charming heroine to enjoy, and a perfectly good romance and some fascinating bits about life working in an iron works – if you can ignore some modern turns of phrase and a very modern-feeling heroine. It’s not outstanding, but it’s perfectly decent for those boring summer afternoons where nothing’s going on.

Giselle “Gis” Marstars is only nineteen, an outspoken lady trapped in the sixth year of the reign of Richard the Lionheart and she is shocked – nay, stunned! – that a man would demand obedience from his wife. Her Sister Rosalind – Rose – is preparing for a life of wifehood and good works, while Gis dreams of hanging out with her fellow, single, freedom-loving maidens and staying free and independent of the fellows.

Enter Solomon “Soly” Smith, her childhood friend, who’s back after apprenticing as a blacksmith in another town. Solomon and Gis were the only ones who understood each other when they were kids. Gis doesn’t want to be married off and follow in Rose’s path and becomes a mother.

Solomon is engaged to the odious Avelina Ward – daughter of healer, Artesima. Gis finds herself coping with this information in an unexpected way. After a fire when she and Solomon are alone in the smithery, Gis ends up working at the forge to pay back the damages. She becomes an apprentice to Harry Ward while secretly taking on a mentorship with Artesima. She soon realizes that Solomon’s engagement might not be what it seems, and she thinks she must break the curse upon him to free him. But when he can see her with clear eyes, what will happen?

Forging A Fiancé had me in a bit of a quandary. I liked a number of things about it – the heroine’s spirited nature, the group of rebellious maidens, and the very kind hero who looks at Gis and wonders where her brain has flown off to. The way it applies ancient myths and bard songs to life. The way nothing is quite as it appears to be. Giselle’s imagination spurs on trouble and misunderstandings, which provides an interesting contrast with the very realistic, bare-bones society in which the two of them live.

I also liked that Gis grew up from a spoiled girl to one who was determined to do anything to make sure Solomon gets his due. She is involved in both healing and forging and both are well-portrayed.

Soly, too, is a very nice guy who just wants to get ahead. He loves Gis – as a friend at first, then desires her. But by the middle stretch, a sense of repetitiveness sets in. Harry threatens Giselle, trying to force her to marry him; she gets into a compromising position with Soly and Avelina does something suspicious.

There were also a couple of moments that didn’t make sense and the dialogue here is just too modern. Some idioms and phrases pulled me out of the medieval setting, for example “put on the spot” didn’t become a phrase until the 20th century. But Forging a Fiance has a quirky appeal, and there’s just enough charm to make it work.

Lisa Fernandes has been reviewing romance novels ever since her great aunt left a Billie Douglas book out in the bathroom. She’s currently working on a biography about Julian Sands.