The Marriage Contract contains beautifully poetic prose that keeps you engulfed in Sasha Butler's dark historical novel about love lost and found.

Set in Elizabethan England, this story takes you on the journey of Eliza, a young woman with dreams of becoming an artist while living in her father's repressive and abusive home. Her dearest friend turned lover, Francis is her only true confidant. The two make a pact to run away together before Eliza's father marries her off for riches neither of them can imagine. The plan seems to be going off without a hitch until the lovebirds have a fight, part ways, and Francis goes missing. Eliza's father completes his plan and marries her off to a gentleman in both name and domeanor, Edmund. Eliza is left to decide if she can open her heart up to Edmund as she continues to battle with the loss of Francis and if he's actually dead or alive.

As a whole, I found Eliza's story extremely compelling, but found Francis's role in her life lackluster. He's gone before we can truly learn to love him, very much like most first loves are. It feels as if Butler is attempting to create a love triangle between two very real characters and an essential ghost. Love triangles are an obvious draw to many readers, and when done well, can be a favorite trope of mine. Unfortunately, Francis felt very much like Jacob does in the Twilight series -- a really great friend, but not the man Eliza was meant for (and he's honestly a bit annoying after a while). I would also like to pass on a warning that this novel is VERY dark. There is a lot of death, both necessary and unnecessary, a fair amount of emotional and domestic abuse, and more heartbreak than I found necessary.

With all of that said, Eliza is the strong female character we all need. She finds herself throughout the endless trials and tribulations she faces within the binds of this novel, and is a beautiful take on female empowerment during the Elizabethan era. Eliza has four strong female relationships that are worth keeping an eye out for, but that is all I will say in fear of giving away major plot points. Overall, this was a decent read, with a heavy dose of drama and intrigue. If you're here to spill some 15th century fictional tea, Butler's debut novel is the read for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance and will definitely be looking out for more from this author. I felt transported to Elizabethan England. I enjoyed the weaving of the different narrative threads. Eliza is a great character and I felt the slow burn of her getting to know her new husband cleverly played with my emotional responses to the different characters. Really really enjoyable read. Thank you net galley and Salt publishing for the chance to read this.

In Elizabethan England, a woman artist struggles with her softening feelings for a husband she was forced to marry and the memory of a lover who vanished.

I don't read much historical romance (I tend to read historical horror or mystery), but I saw a snippet of the story through a novel competition the author had shortlisted and was drawn in by her writing. The story is very beautifully written, and the character Eliza pulled me in. I did guess the big reveal early on, but it didn’t lessen my eagerness to keep reading at all. Very well done!!

Thanks to Salt Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel.

oh Sasha Butler what have you done to us with this book. whoa. wow, gorgeous.
this was a favourite real amongst a true few gems of them ive had recently and it easily fit amongst with some of the best of those for me.
this is how you write historical fiction to fall for.
this book is heart healing and heartbreaking. its tender but powerful. its emotional yet kind.
we are taken right into the Elizabethan era following our character Eliza. she is forced by her father to marry a man name Edmund. but she doesn't love him. shes in love with someone else. shes in love with Francis her friend but also the son of a blacksmith(so we know how that would've gone down). Eliza has no options but to obey. this wasn't the time for woman with choices and how Sasha writes this book really depicts that stark and depressing feeling of woman, as humans do and deserve, wants choices or to be a person in her own right. but woman at the time were almost property, or controlled, or objects. and more than that they were living in a world where to even survive they had to go along with it. so Eliza has the pain of knowing this is a life she must live in complete control or dependence on others. in writing and reading this book of the time it also somehow made me rather sad too. because we could laugh and say "oh at least things have move on right?" im saddened because somehow we haven't, and somehow right now we are indeed going backwards. it was horrid how some of the views depicted im hearing in today's world. scary.
so this is a love story. but its also so much more. and almost a love story for us all with and for Eliza. i was so invested in how she would be, what would come next, and how she might fair going forward. i wanted to know and follow her story and felt lucky to do so especially under the talented writing style that Sash was bringing.
the book flows all the way through. there is no big battle grounds or push pull. there is no big grand acts of drama. but somehow its louder for not having those and just having truth. truth and hardness that can come with that. but also a loud beauty in being able to root and also feel relatable or connected to characters. you are truly into this book and have stepped right inside the story.
i felt a little emotional at times whilst reading. i couldn't really pinpoint for you as to why. but all of it. all of it was just so good. so it was a mixture of an emotional significant plot for me, the characters, what they went through and also the style of writing that truly make you involved.
loved this book so much. it was a song for my heart.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a new author to me and the write up was intriguing

I really enjoyed this
Absolutely loved this
A great summer read

This book is full of rich descriptive language making the landscape and the characters come alive.
At first I thought this was a typical romance trope that had often been hashed out in the regency period that had been reconstructed in the Elizabethan era but the book was much more than that.
It tells of the strength of women and how we find that within ourselves. Social class during period is highlighted too as well as other issues which we can connect to today. Grief is portrayed taking its different forms.

This is a book about love, in all its forms. Forbidden, longing, enduring, familiar, growing and changing. But it is also a book about grief. Set in Elizabethan England, rather than being a picture perfect account of life then, this book focuses on the reality of the times.

Eliza Litton is forced into a marriage by her violent father, to Edmund, a seemingly cold man who later turns out to be endearing, kind and loving. Eliza is torn between this new life with Edmund, and her past love, Francis, who has disappeared. As her life with Edmund starts to bring her renewed purpose and agency, she is forced to comfort her feelings for Francis and her family. This story is both beautiful and gritty.

Languishing sentences, evocative and descriptive, add to the story, slowing down the pacing so the reader can immerse themselves in the emotions Eliza is feeling. I recommend this book to any historical fiction fans. It truly is a beautiful story.

Thank you to Salt Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Sexy, dramatic, and utterly addictive 💍🔥. The Marriage Contract delivers sizzling chemistry, high-stakes romance, and unexpected twists. Sasha Butler crafts a steamy, emotionally charged love story full of secrets, passion, and undeniable tension. I loved the complex characters and the slow-burn intensity. Perfect for fans of arranged marriage tropes and fiery, unputdownable romance.

The Marriage Contact is a beautiful historical romance set in 15th century Elizabethan England. Although some parts I found a little bit slow I really enjoyed this book. The feeling of love was so sweet and cute to read, perfect to anyone who loves romance (especially hopeless romantics). Overall this is a book full of feel good, sweet romantic moments that I believe a lot of people would love.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Interesting plot. Reminded me quite a lot of The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, although the latter was much more accomplished. The writing felt clunky in places and descriptions overdone. There was quite a lot of jumping around that gave a disjointed impression.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this review copy. As a fan of historical fiction, I enjoyed this tender and gentle novel covering love, acceptance and hardship. The writing is intricate and although there are no surprises, it is a good satisfying read.

Love has many facets, which reflect and refract emotionally. A theme which entwines the lives of our three protagonists in this riveting coming-of-age love story set in the Elizabethan era.

Eliza Litton is in love with her childhood friend Francis, a farmhand who works on her father’s land. Terrified of her tyrannical father, the young lovers plan to run away once summer ends. But, after a drunken night at the tavern, Francis vanishes, and Eliza’s father forces her to marry a gentleman, Edmund.

Edmund and Eliza eventually form a passionate and fragile bond, but Eliza, still haunted by her memories of Francis and his disappearance, finds herself caught between her past and her present, especially when Francis returns. With devastating news from Edmund and her sister-in-law Alice, Eliza begins to reach for the comfort of nostalgia to soothe her furrowed brows. But how long can she stay in-between? Will she choose to walk forward into her future or remain rooted in her past?

The exploration of identity in conflict is a recurring theme, examined deeply through each character. Butler gives every character time to grow and develop, unveiling them with patience and care.SHe explores the evolving dynamics between as the story progresses with emotional succinctness, showing that they aren’t stuck in stasis. There is Eliza and her elder brother Henry, finally free from the tyrannical presence of their father and free to explore themselves— Eliza with her art, and Henry with his trade and sexuality.

In the fiercely patriarchal society of the Elizabethan era, an irony, sisterhood played a vital role in women’s survival and strength. Eliza’s mother protects her daughter from her husband’s beatings, and encourages her artistic talents albeit in secret. When Eliza departs for her marital home, her first friend is the housemaid Dorothy, who fills her in on the family she is married into. Her sister-in-law Alice, with whom Eliza shares a loving bond, which threatens to break once the secret she shares with Edmund is revealed.

A constant state of emotional flux forces Eliza to take steps to secure her future — reclaiming her agency and her freedom. Butler showcases these pivotal moments in the final part of the book, where Eliza leads conversations and discussions to reach a satisfying end for herself. My favourite scene is when she turns down an invitation by Francis to paint a portrait of his wife, much to her surprise.

In the end, Butler does a commendable job in narrating an engrossing tale about the precariousness of love and how its shifting forms can lead the players in the game to foreign shores with unexpected, yet liberating results.

For fans of coming-of-age stories set in a historical background, this captivating book offers a thought provoking take on love.

Theres so many things i could compare this to but my hopeless romantic heart is overwhelming my brain with too many emotions to think properly. This is a book that will have you cheering for your favorite man worse than you would when watching a season of the gilmore girls. FANTASTIC! well done and i cant get enough.

Set in 16th century Worcestershire the story centres around Eliza Litton. Her father, a yeoman, is a cruel man who beats both his wife and daughter.
The author captures the hardships women faced during the Elizabethan era where the men made all the choices and the women had to obey.
Eliza however has her own ideas and because of this takes many beatings, but her mother who is a herbalist is always on her side, however they both fear the wrath of the yeoman.
I was captivated by the way Eliza's story unfolds and by the beautiful writing.
This is a compelling read and is historical fiction at its best.
Highly recommend.

There is a gentle humanity to this tender story of love. As nature cycles through each season, the lives of Eliza and her family unfold and entwine, setting out the future for them all. Eliza’s father is a bully who drives her to find safety in the home of her childhood friend setting a course for heartbreak. Author Sasha Butler describes the drive and passion of young, first, forbidden love and then examines a different, steadfast caring, tenderness where love is about seeing and accepting another in their fullness of their past mistakes. I very much enjoyed Eliza’s growth as a woman and artist and cared about the thoughtfully described characters. Gorgeous descriptions of nature, weather, the smells (good and bad) and colours evoke an Elizabethan world and set the stage for this compelling and unexpected story.

The Marriage Contract is a story of forbidden love and self-suppression set in Elizabethan England. Eliza’s comparatively comfortable lifestyle as a yeoman’s daughter is dominated by her father’s violence and control which extends to all those in his household and to his farm labourers. As her father’s thoughts turn to securing his elevation in society, Eliza’s hopes of a happier, safer future are compromised by her duty to marry well.

The tension in this novel was palpable and I read it with a sense of impending doom. The story of finding a second chance at happiness only to discover one’s first love has returned is a well-used plot idea, though this novel stands out because of the infusion of historical detail about life in the Elizabethan period. The incorporation of well-known events of the era, such as Francis Drake’s expeditions and the burning of religious relics to usher in Protestantism, enhanced the historical depth of the novel.

Butler wrote convincingly about the profound impact of first love and how it can shape future relationships. Eliza’s fate was determined by men and was, arguably, never her own to choose. Yet when given the opportunity to grow and flourish, she could not shift an underlying sense of betrayal to her first love. Throughout the novel, I hoped that Eliza would find a sense of contentment and peace and remained unsure about how events would unfold right up until the final chapters.

I recommend this well-written novel to readers of historical fiction, particularly those who have enjoyed Maggie O’Farrell’s writing. Thank you to Salt Publishing and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Salt Publishing for allowing me to read this gorgeous book in advance!

The Marriage Contract is set in the late 1500s in the Midlands. Eliza Litton and Francis Marshall are childhood sweethearts and dream of a life together. She is a strong-willed young woman, a talented painter, but her tyrannical father has set his sights higher than a labourer. He wants his daughter to obey, to be seen and not heard.

By summer’s end, Francis has vanished, and Eliza is married to a stranger, a gentleman named Edmund Cecil. He seems cold, and she yearns for her missing love, but could this marriage give her a better life with time?

Edmund encourages her talent, and while Francis battles his way back to Eliza, she finds herself softening towards her new husband…until a revelation is uncovered that will change everything.

This is such a well-accomplished debut and a great piece of historical fiction. You are truly transported to the sights, smells and sounds of the time. It explores Elizabethan values and the lot women were expected to bear, as well as the love that holds people together, no matter the circumstances. Without spoilers, I just loved Eliza as a character and the women she represents. Female artists did exist at this time, but they were not encouraged and certainly not remembered the way they should be.

I cannot wait for more people to read this book. The Marriage Contract is out on 6th October 2025 with Salt Publishing,

I adore Historical fiction and this book was just amazing.


Eliza, the daughter of a yeoman,is to marry a gentleman named Edmund, however her heart is with her childhood sweetheart and she is devastated.

This is a book that shows all the emotions of what being in love entails. It is set in Elizabethen times and back then, love is no different than it is now.

It is a tender descriptive read that shows us all the kinds of love that there is and the struggles Eliza goes through makes the reader want the best for her.

Sasha Butler’s The Marriage Contract immerses readers in the raw and gritty reality of Elizabethan England. Unlike picture-perfect historical depictions, this novel focuses on the grim realities of the era. At the heart of the story is Eliza Litton, a talented artist determined to carve out a space for herself despite societal constraints.

Eliza Litton, a talented artist in The Marriage Contract, strives for creativity and independence in a patriarchal Elizabethan world. Forced by her violent father into marriage with Edmund, a seemingly cold gentleman who later shows unexpected support, Eliza is torn between her past love, Francis, who disappears after a drunken night, but fights to return. This tangled relationship, shaped by love, betrayal, and control, drives Eliza’s transformation from a trapped girl to a woman claiming her own agency. Edmund’s evolving kindness and Francis’s lingering influence add emotional depth and tension, making the characters’ interactions central to the story’s themes of resilience, loyalty, and self-discovery.

Butler bravely addresses issues such as abuse, control, and patriarchal structures, echoing concerns still relevant today. The quest for personal expression and freedom underpins Eliza’s journey, as does love in its many forms, including betrayal and forgiveness.

Butler masterfully transports readers to Elizabethan London through vivid descriptions that avoid bogging down the narrative with excessive historical detail. The alternating viewpoints of Eliza and Francis add depth and maintain emotional engagement, striking a balance between realism and accessibility.

While the narrative may slow down during detailed descriptions of scenery, these moments contribute to the reader’s sense of confinement alongside Eliza, enhancing empathy for her struggles. This pacing choice amplifies the emotional investment in her journey.

Focusing on everyday individuals instead of royalty or nobility provides a fresh perspective. Butler highlights the resilience of ordinary women battling for freedom in a repressive society, offering an intimate and relatable story that sets it apart from typical Tudor-era narratives.

The novel’s intense atmosphere captures an interplay of danger, hope, and love, with characters like Eliza and Edmund navigating a challenging landscape to find happiness. The Marriage Contract resonates with readers due to its honest portrayal of personal struggles and the pursuit of self-determination.

Historical fiction lovers: assemble! This is a must-read for you. The Marriage Contract is a tender, bittersweet, and emotionally powerful story set in the English Midlands during the Elizabethan era. It follows Eliza, the daughter of a yeoman, who is forced to marry a gentleman named Edmund –despite her affection for Francis, the blacksmith’s son and her childhood friend.

Although romantic love drives the plot, this novel is truly about the many shades of love – how it grows, how it transforms, how it feels different depending on whom we love, how we grieve its loss, and how our capacity to love evolves as we ourselves grow.

It’s also a quiet meditation on the hardships women faced in times when they were entirely dependent on male guardians. Eliza lives a relatively comfortable life as the daughter of a wealthy man, yet when it comes to choosing her own path, she has as little say as any woman of her time. The novel powerfully illustrates that in a world without female independence, suffering and heartbreak are almost inevitable.

What I really appreciated about this book is that it doesn’t rely on overly dramatic twists or grand declarations. Instead, the story unfolds with quiet intensity and emotional truth, grounded in the realities of 16th-century life. The characters’ desires, regrets, and sacrifices felt so real and intimate that I found myself completely immersed in their inner lives. The emotional impact broke my heart more than once. And yet, despite all the sorrow, this story brought a deep, unexpected sense of comfort. It felt honest – not tidy or perfect, but very human and grounded in emotional realism.

I won’t be the first to say it, but what made this book especially memorable was the writing. It’s an exquisitely written novel. Every sentence feels deliberately crafted, with a lyrical elegance that draws you into the texture of the time and place, yet never overshadows the story. The author has an extraordinary gift for conveying complex emotions with subtlety and precision—transforming even the quietest moments into something resonant and beautiful. Literarily, it’s a feast: rich, evocative, and deeply affecting.

I highly recommend this book to all lovers of the genre, especially fans of The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell. I’m excited to see what Sasha Butler writes next.