"A Convenient Fiction" by Mimi Matthews

Alex Archer has lied and cheated his way through life. Raised in an abusive orphanage, he left the country at the first opportunity and has become a professional gambler, concocting a backstory for himself and learning the ways of the upper classes. Ready to pursue the one thing he believes will bring wholeness to his heart—his own property—he goes back to England to take advantage of Miss Henrietta Talbot.

But Alex is in for a surprise. He didn't expect to find himself inexplicably drawn to Miss Talbot's raven-haired companion. The country miss, bordering on spinsterhood, seems to see through him and bring out those unfortunate truths he's tried so hard to hide.

Laura Hayes has held her family together since her father's death. With an infirm aunt and invalid brother, she's had to take control and see everyone through. Now their solicitor is threatening to take over what remains of her father's business because her brother isn't fit to manage it with his disability. The only way Laura can retain the reins of the operation is to find a husband before her 25th birthday, which is coming up in a fortnight. 

While he finds Laura beautiful, smart, kind, and determined, she isn't what Alex is after. Marriage to her would force him to examine the parts of himself he's buried deep inside. Surely locking himself away is the only safe way to survive.

I liked the responsible heroine who saw deep into the hero's heart. While you know Alex is conniving, you understand his survivalist ways come from a neglected past, and that there is hope he can be redeemed. The plot had good pacing and some nice surprises.

Content warning: This is not a Christian fiction book, which I knew ahead of time. There is some PG-rated swearing, and there are also bedroom scenes between a married couple which are not explicit but you definitely know what's going on. If you're familiar with any BBC shows like Poldark or Downton Abbey, it's very much in line with what you would see there. Use your own discretion.