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Pratt Twins #4
A Prudent Match
A Marriage of Convenience
Desperate to settle a debt regarding his estate, Baron William Ledbetter marries Prudence Stockworth in a hasty ceremony. The wealth she inherited in the wake of her fiance's death is enough to mend his financial affairs. But even if he didn't need the money, he finds himself entranced by her innocent beauty...
Prudence remains brokenhearted over the death of her fiance, but knows the time has come to marry rather than die a spinster. Although she is aware that Ledbetter has wed her only for her money, his forward advances frighten her pure sensibilities. And it will take all of her courage to trust this man whose passion knows no bounds--and find a love that is the greatest fortune of all...
Desperate to settle a debt regarding his estate, Baron William Ledbetter marries Prudence Stockworth in a hasty ceremony. The wealth she inherited in the wake of her fiance's death is enough to mend his financial affairs. But even if he didn't need the money, he finds himself entranced by her innocent beauty...
Prudence remains brokenhearted over the death of her fiance, but knows the time has come to marry rather than die a spinster. Although she is aware that Ledbetter has wed her only for her money, his forward advances frighten her pure sensibilities. And it will take all of her courage to trust this man whose passion knows no bounds--and find a love that is the greatest fortune of all...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 12, 1986
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October 25, 2020
I adored these Pratt Twin books growing up. Between the school Halloween dance, a dashing but dubious new boy named B.J. Wilkins, and a haunted house, The Pumpkin Principle has a lot of fun Halloween goodness in it. Chris and Susan Pratt are up to their usual twin hijinks, including a very creative masquerade theme for the dance and, of course, some identical twin switcheroos thrown in for good measure. It's the best kind of good, clean, early 90s fun to revisit as an adult.
April 15, 2025
The Pumpkin Principle (Updated)
Both Pratt twins agree they love autumn. Chris says it’s her favorite season. Susan says even the air smells different. Chris describes it as “crispy”. They are headed to school (Whitting High). Their both just starting their senior year. Chris says she thinks there’s something magical about fall. It’s Halloween month. Susan says that’s just one day. What else makes it magical? Chris points out the Peterson’s house -the elderly couple who run the bookstore-. Sitting on their poarch are three fat, huge, pumpkins.
Susan wonders if (and asks Chris does she think) pumpkins have magical powers. Chris says no other fruit gets picked, goes into people’s homes, then emerges a few days later with a face. Besides Cinderella’s pumpkin did turn into a coach. Susan says but *that* pumpkin had a little help from a fairy godmother. Chris says she’s developed a theory and named it “The Pumpkin Principle.” She’s studied this very closely and done researched and come to the conclusion that pumpkins have mysterious, magical, powers. Every autumn when they appear they give people the urge to pretend to be someone other than themselves.
Susan says she must be right. She doesn’t know anyone else wouldn’t pretend to be someone else unless it was Halloween and then both twins laugh because they’ve done just that on a few occasions. It tells about “The Banana Split Affair,“ “The Hot Fudge Sunday Affair” and “Strawberry Summer.”
They pass Mr. Peterson’s house and he tells them he’s going to go check out the retirement home for his sister (Cece;oa Carpenter). Susan says she knows her, but she didn’t know that was his sister. She lives on Crabtree Hill in the big, Victorian house. Mr. Peterson says not for long. She’s gotten it into her head that the house is haunted. All kinds of strange things go on there at night. Susan says there’s no such thing as ghosts. Mr. Carpenter says they can’t tell her otherwise. He says maybe it’s for the best.
When they’ve continued on, Chris says its not so unsual. There have been a lot of documented cases about haunted houses. Susan tho is doubtful. Chris says oh well they can’t do anything about if it is or isn’t. Susan says she guesses not and tells herself she’ll put the whole thing out of her mind-for now-. She suggests after school they go for a long, bike ride and then go to the Atkinses farm and pick up some pumpkins. Chris remembers tho that there’s a meeting of the Halloween Dance Committee after school. Susan says that’s ok they have time. They plan to do it tomorrow.
Susan says she’ll even spring for ice-cream at Fozzy’s. Susan asks about the dance and Chris says she’d like go come up with something different. That’s why she decided to join the committee. Only she doesn’t have any ideas yet. She doesn’t even have any ideas for a costume. Susan says she will. Coming up with out there ideas is there specialty. Before Chris leaves to go to her locker, Chris tells Susan to be thinking of ideas. She really wants to make this dance one no one will ever forget.
Katy sees her old friend Katy in the hallway (on the way to her locker to get her notes for a math test). She’s been pretty busy with gymnastics and is somewhat the Simone Biles of Whittington High. Chris invites her to come on their bike ride and this leads to talk of Halloween coming up and the dance. Katy says she wasn’t planning on going. She’s not good at going to things alone. She always feels silly standing around waiting for someone to ask her to dance. Then even sillier if no one does.
She says she’ll go if someone asks her but that’s not likely. She’s not popular like Chris. Chris says that’s no reason she shouldn’t get someone to take her. She says she’s shy and gymnastics takes up so much of her time that she doesn’t even get to meet anyone. Chris asks her if someone did ask her who would she want it to be. She says there is someone. Wayne Lowell is one of the nicest boys she knows. Chris inwardly groans he’s also one of the shyest. She knows it’s not likely he’ll ask her or anyone. Katy says there’s no use of thinking about it. It’s all good tho. She’ll have fun helping her mom pass out candy to the trick or treaters.
Chris and Katy say goodbye when the bell rings. Chris promises to call Katy. Chris thinks about Katy’s problem and thinks maybe there’s a way to help her. Maybe her unique idea for the dance could be a way that *everyone* could participate. Maybe she can’t help Cecelia Carpenter but she’ll think of a way to get Katy and Wayne together. Or at least get Katy to the dance.
As Betsy calls the meeting to order, Chris notices a cute, sandy-haired, boy she’s never seen before. Chris brings up her idea of doing something different. Something that’s never been done before. Only she’s not sure what that is and needs help with ideas. They all want a theme party. Some ideas are the American Revolution, the Future, and dressing up as what they want to be (for example a rock star). They also think circus performers, animals, famous historical figures, and movie stars. It gets late and Betsy suggest they hold off on their final vote until the next meeting. It’ll give everything a chance to think and maybe even talk to their friends about which ideas they like the best.
Chris likes the idea but she just doesn’t think it’s enough. Katy won’t come to a theme masquerade party any more than she would any other dance. The sandy haired boy comes up to her and introduces himself as B.J Wilkins. He’s a senior and plays around with Chris about knowing her next question will be why hasn’t she seen him before. He says his family just moved there He says he joined the committee to meet new people and it looks like it worked.
He wants to know about her idea and she tells him the little of it she has. When they have to go in different directions she says she’ll see him at the next meeting. He says maybe sooner. All kinds of mysterious things have been known to happen around Halloween. Susan has read Gone With the Wind in the library and dreams about making and wearing a dress like that to the Halloween dance. She’ll ask her mom to help her make it for the dance. She still has it on her mind when she steps off the curb (not paying attention) and runs into a sandy haired boy named B.J B. J suggests they go get ice-cream which is what Susan was thinking. On the way home, she gives him a tour. He comments that the old Victorian house looks spooky. Susan says it does but as far as she knows it’s not.
She thinks about Cecelia again and how she wishes there was something she could do. Only it’s not her business as Chris pointed out. She tells B.J about Cecelia and the Perkins. Then she mentions the Halloween dance and daydreams about going with him and dressing as Scarlett O Hara and Rhett Butler. She decides she likes this new boy a lot. B.J walks Susan home and tells him about her art. He says one day maybe she’ll show him her art and she says she’d love too. She invites him in but he says he’s got to get home and start his homework. He says he’ll see her around school.
Chris goes to the bookstore to get a few things, and Mr. Petterson tells her they went to the retirement home and he doesn’t think his sister belongs in a place like that. His sister tho insists tho its not a safe place to live and that there are ghosts there. Chris says maybe she really has been seeing and hearing things. Mr. Petterson says that’s possible and he’s suggested that he and his wife live there with her but she’s in a hurry to leave. If only she and Susan could come up with something. Coming out of the shop and on the way home, she sees Susan and BJ talking and laughing. This confuses and hurts her and she tells herself she needs to talk a walk. Then she decides to just hold off on hopping to conclusions.
But Susan starts to gush to her about the new boy she meet and tells her all about how they meet. Chris says that’s greet, but Susan can tell she doesn’t sound all that excited. Chris uses what she heard about Mrs. Carpenter as an excuse. Susan asks about the meeting and Chris tells her about the theme idea they came up with and tells her it’s not exactly what she had in mind. Then she tells her about Katy. Susan promises every waking minute she’ll dedicate it to thinking of a way all the shy students can feel comfortable to attend the dance, but her thoughts are really on B.J.
Chris is also thinking about B. J If he’s the kind of boy that goes around making every girl think she’s special then she doesn’t want him for Susan. But she’s also jealous because she can’t deny she likes BJ herself. Chris tells herself she’ll forget about BJ, but there he is at her locker the next day being flirty and she can’t resist his charm. Chris casually throws out that if he thinks her locker is bad he should see her sisters. He surprisingly knows about Susan and that they’re twins. He doesn’t say he walked her home tho. He says he’s heard she’s talented and would like to see her paintings.
Chris thinks maybe he’s just a friendly person or maybe he’s just trying to get to know as many new people as he can. So, she suggests that one day he can come over and see some of her sister’s artwork and he says he’d like that. He then offers to walk her to class leaving Chris to wonder about his intentions. Chris and BJ talk about the dance again and Chris says she hasn’t thought of an idea yet. BJ suggest making dances an extension of gym class. Chris says maybe they could put all the students names in a hat and there would be a prize for the one drawn. Only you’d have to be there to get the prize. Only where would they get the money for the prize. (Maybe they could charge for tickets and use the money to get the prize).
He then asks if they can go out that weekend. Chris thinks about Susan but then tells herself he didn’t really *ask* Susan out. She makes up the excuse tho that her family might go out for a “family thing”. She’ll have to check. Inspired by the discussion of Romeo and Juliet in class, Chris goes over to Wayne and asks him if he’s going to the dance and tells him about how she’s interested in the turn out and the idea of having a theme. He says it’s different but he doesn’t know how he’d feel about dressing up as any of those things. Then seeing how original costume creating was a part of Halloween and Chris sees his point.
Wayne says not that it matters he won’t be going to the dance. He went to one in the 10th grade and had a terrible time. He spent the dance with his friends and neither could get up the courage to ask anyone. Chris says to give it another chance and maybe ask a date. Wayne says he does like one of Whittington’s most popular athletes (Katy Johnson). But why would she want to go out with him? She probably doesn’t even know who he is.
Chris goes by the bookstore and asks Mrs. Peterson for a book about people who have seen ghosts and Mrs. Peterson says she has some in the basement. She finds 2 about haunted houses. One is about Crabtree Hill and tells about the ghosts of Jonathan Spring. Could it be him that’s haunting Mrs. Carpenter’s house? After school, BJ and Susan run into each other again and he asks her out for Saturday night. (BJ has also told Chris that he had to ask his father for the car for Friday). The twins decide to go on their bike ride and get pumpkins at the Atmore farm. Susan tells Chris about her date. Chris doesn’t know what do about this. When she gets home, she tells her mother.
Her mother suggests she warn the “good friend” about the boy in her best interest. Then she tells her where Susan is. So, she tells her about meeting BJ at the Halloween dance committee. She tells her he asked her out too. Chris asks if she’ll still go out with him and Susan says absolutely not. Then they both agree to confront him. No one screws over the Pratt twins. She then shows Susan the book about Jonathan Spring. They decide to come up with a plan so they can stay over Mrs. Carpenters house.
The girls dress alike the next day to show unity. BJ asks Chris about their date and she blows up at him. She calls him a two-timer and asks if he didn’t think they’d find out. BJ just laughs. He says he didn’t do anything wrong and then asks if this means their date is off. Chris just stomps away. BJ asks Susan about their date and he also starts to laugh. Susan asks him to explain and he says no he’s not ready to explain. He just looks at her in amusement. She asks if he reacted this way with Chris and did he notice that they were dressed alike. He says he didn’t. Susan says they did it because their sisters. If you screw with one you screw with the other. BJ says he guesses that means they won’t be going out Saturday. She then storms off.
They talk about it at lunch and his strange reaction. They both call him a “Smooth Operator” and say good riddance. Inspired by Susans PBand J sandwich, Chris tells the members of the dance committee about her idea. They’ll get give whoever buys tickets a slip of paper with the half of a half of something. They’ll find the other half at the dance. If they already have a date they’ll give the ticket person what they’re coming as. If they have an idea for a costume, they’ll make sure someone else comes as the other half. She calls it “Masquerade for Two.” Everyone loves it!
BJ tells her he really likes her idea and says she’s really something. She’s compassionate and considerate. He says they should let bygones be bygone and go to the dance together. Chris says she has no intention of going to the dance with a two-timer and starts to leave. BJ says there’s a reason and a very good one. She’ll find out on the night of the Halloween dance that he’s a nice guy. He asks if she’ll dance with him at the dance and she says yes for old times sake. He tells her he’ll get more treats and tricks than she’s expecting. Susan tho and Chris decide to beat him to the punch. They decide that Susan will be Juliet and Chris will be Scarlet O Hara.
Susan and Chris also come up with the idea to pretend to be pledging Mrs. Carpenters sorrority and their “pledge task” will be spending the night at her house (they’ll tell her) because it’s haunted. Mrs. Carpenter is reluctant but eventually allows them to stay. The twins amuse her with their antics. Before going to bed, she warns them about the ghost. She says she hasn’t seen it but she’s heard it. She’s been awakened by things falling and then there’s a high-pitched screaming noise. Every moning, she’s find things tipped over and things fallen to the floor. She goes to bed and says if they’re not there in the morning she’ll understand.
The twins hear something walking around in the dark in the room. Then they start hearing the noises. Susan turns on the light and it turns out to be five stray cats. They’re sneaking in through a hole in the wall. The next day the tell Mrs. Carpenter and she thanks them. She says she’ll keep the four cats and Susan says she’s going to ask her parents if they can have the fifth and she’ll name him Jonathan. Chris and Susan discover that there are two BJ’s. Romeo says his name is Robert Wilkins . Also kmown as BJ. Everyone calls him Bobby and his middle name is James. (Rhett) says his name is William. Everyone calls him Bill and his middle name is John. Chris sees Katy (as Wendy) and Wayne (Peter Pan) dancing together. She says her friend made sure she matched them but Connie comes over to them and apologizes to Chris saying she didn’t get a chance. It turns out Katy invited him.
My Thoughts
Sometimes things aren't what they seem to be seems to be the theme of this one. This is the first Pratt twins book I ever remember reading. The original covers are so much prettier than the newer, modern, editions of the twins in front of the mirror. And by the way, the book got it wrong. Their sweaters are powder blue, but their pants aren't black. They're pink.
Moving on, I appreciate the autumn setting (the crisp weather, the pumpkins, the Addam's family looking Victorian house, the apple cider) and the focus on my favorite holiday (Halloween) with the faux spooky ghost (haunted) premise. Even tho it didn't quite go in the direction of making this a super-natural story and wisely settled on a more realistic ending
There were 3 main parts to this book. The first was the Halloween Dance. I thought the Masquerade for Two thing was cute with the pairs. As well as the twins Scarlet O Hara and Juliet ideas (and dresses). Katie coincidently decides to ask Wayne to the dance and he returns her feelings. However, if Katie hadn't asked Wayne to the dance no matter what Chris did neither one of them probably would have ended up going to this thing because they're both introverts. Since Chris is a extravert she clearly doesn't understand this concept that sometimes it's not about not having a date. Iintroverts (some) just don't do well in social settings like this. Wayne tried to get this across to her but like a lot of extroverts she couldn't possibly believe that he just couldn't have fun and encourages him to go to another dance. It might have gotten a few more to attend that wouldn't have normally with the possibility of having a date, but again would the shy kid's really have wanted to open up to someone they didn't know. Or would it have made them feel MORE awkward?
The next part was about the BJ's. Which I liked the twist but it threw me a little bit when they both were so cool about explaining themselves. It made them come off a little bit jerkish. And I'm not sure if I bought that they just knew that the twins decided to switch their costumes. But we never hear about the BJ's again and by the next book the twins have new boy toys (as they do in every book). But I did like for once the twins got beat at their own game which NEVER happens in any of the other books.
The final part tied up pretty simply and logically and quickly. It felt like there was a lot of build up to the mystery of this "ghost" and it turns out to be cats. I actually forgot that Jonathan (the twin's cat who is mentioned in the rest of the series) was one of the cats that was in Cecilia's house doing the haunting. It was actually nice to see the twins for once doing something nice that didn't over step their bounds.
RATING: 71/2
Both Pratt twins agree they love autumn. Chris says it’s her favorite season. Susan says even the air smells different. Chris describes it as “crispy”. They are headed to school (Whitting High). Their both just starting their senior year. Chris says she thinks there’s something magical about fall. It’s Halloween month. Susan says that’s just one day. What else makes it magical? Chris points out the Peterson’s house -the elderly couple who run the bookstore-. Sitting on their poarch are three fat, huge, pumpkins.
Susan wonders if (and asks Chris does she think) pumpkins have magical powers. Chris says no other fruit gets picked, goes into people’s homes, then emerges a few days later with a face. Besides Cinderella’s pumpkin did turn into a coach. Susan says but *that* pumpkin had a little help from a fairy godmother. Chris says she’s developed a theory and named it “The Pumpkin Principle.” She’s studied this very closely and done researched and come to the conclusion that pumpkins have mysterious, magical, powers. Every autumn when they appear they give people the urge to pretend to be someone other than themselves.
Susan says she must be right. She doesn’t know anyone else wouldn’t pretend to be someone else unless it was Halloween and then both twins laugh because they’ve done just that on a few occasions. It tells about “The Banana Split Affair,“ “The Hot Fudge Sunday Affair” and “Strawberry Summer.”
They pass Mr. Peterson’s house and he tells them he’s going to go check out the retirement home for his sister (Cece;oa Carpenter). Susan says she knows her, but she didn’t know that was his sister. She lives on Crabtree Hill in the big, Victorian house. Mr. Peterson says not for long. She’s gotten it into her head that the house is haunted. All kinds of strange things go on there at night. Susan says there’s no such thing as ghosts. Mr. Carpenter says they can’t tell her otherwise. He says maybe it’s for the best.
When they’ve continued on, Chris says its not so unsual. There have been a lot of documented cases about haunted houses. Susan tho is doubtful. Chris says oh well they can’t do anything about if it is or isn’t. Susan says she guesses not and tells herself she’ll put the whole thing out of her mind-for now-. She suggests after school they go for a long, bike ride and then go to the Atkinses farm and pick up some pumpkins. Chris remembers tho that there’s a meeting of the Halloween Dance Committee after school. Susan says that’s ok they have time. They plan to do it tomorrow.
Susan says she’ll even spring for ice-cream at Fozzy’s. Susan asks about the dance and Chris says she’d like go come up with something different. That’s why she decided to join the committee. Only she doesn’t have any ideas yet. She doesn’t even have any ideas for a costume. Susan says she will. Coming up with out there ideas is there specialty. Before Chris leaves to go to her locker, Chris tells Susan to be thinking of ideas. She really wants to make this dance one no one will ever forget.
Katy sees her old friend Katy in the hallway (on the way to her locker to get her notes for a math test). She’s been pretty busy with gymnastics and is somewhat the Simone Biles of Whittington High. Chris invites her to come on their bike ride and this leads to talk of Halloween coming up and the dance. Katy says she wasn’t planning on going. She’s not good at going to things alone. She always feels silly standing around waiting for someone to ask her to dance. Then even sillier if no one does.
She says she’ll go if someone asks her but that’s not likely. She’s not popular like Chris. Chris says that’s no reason she shouldn’t get someone to take her. She says she’s shy and gymnastics takes up so much of her time that she doesn’t even get to meet anyone. Chris asks her if someone did ask her who would she want it to be. She says there is someone. Wayne Lowell is one of the nicest boys she knows. Chris inwardly groans he’s also one of the shyest. She knows it’s not likely he’ll ask her or anyone. Katy says there’s no use of thinking about it. It’s all good tho. She’ll have fun helping her mom pass out candy to the trick or treaters.
Chris and Katy say goodbye when the bell rings. Chris promises to call Katy. Chris thinks about Katy’s problem and thinks maybe there’s a way to help her. Maybe her unique idea for the dance could be a way that *everyone* could participate. Maybe she can’t help Cecelia Carpenter but she’ll think of a way to get Katy and Wayne together. Or at least get Katy to the dance.
As Betsy calls the meeting to order, Chris notices a cute, sandy-haired, boy she’s never seen before. Chris brings up her idea of doing something different. Something that’s never been done before. Only she’s not sure what that is and needs help with ideas. They all want a theme party. Some ideas are the American Revolution, the Future, and dressing up as what they want to be (for example a rock star). They also think circus performers, animals, famous historical figures, and movie stars. It gets late and Betsy suggest they hold off on their final vote until the next meeting. It’ll give everything a chance to think and maybe even talk to their friends about which ideas they like the best.
Chris likes the idea but she just doesn’t think it’s enough. Katy won’t come to a theme masquerade party any more than she would any other dance. The sandy haired boy comes up to her and introduces himself as B.J Wilkins. He’s a senior and plays around with Chris about knowing her next question will be why hasn’t she seen him before. He says his family just moved there He says he joined the committee to meet new people and it looks like it worked.
He wants to know about her idea and she tells him the little of it she has. When they have to go in different directions she says she’ll see him at the next meeting. He says maybe sooner. All kinds of mysterious things have been known to happen around Halloween. Susan has read Gone With the Wind in the library and dreams about making and wearing a dress like that to the Halloween dance. She’ll ask her mom to help her make it for the dance. She still has it on her mind when she steps off the curb (not paying attention) and runs into a sandy haired boy named B.J B. J suggests they go get ice-cream which is what Susan was thinking. On the way home, she gives him a tour. He comments that the old Victorian house looks spooky. Susan says it does but as far as she knows it’s not.
She thinks about Cecelia again and how she wishes there was something she could do. Only it’s not her business as Chris pointed out. She tells B.J about Cecelia and the Perkins. Then she mentions the Halloween dance and daydreams about going with him and dressing as Scarlett O Hara and Rhett Butler. She decides she likes this new boy a lot. B.J walks Susan home and tells him about her art. He says one day maybe she’ll show him her art and she says she’d love too. She invites him in but he says he’s got to get home and start his homework. He says he’ll see her around school.
Chris goes to the bookstore to get a few things, and Mr. Petterson tells her they went to the retirement home and he doesn’t think his sister belongs in a place like that. His sister tho insists tho its not a safe place to live and that there are ghosts there. Chris says maybe she really has been seeing and hearing things. Mr. Petterson says that’s possible and he’s suggested that he and his wife live there with her but she’s in a hurry to leave. If only she and Susan could come up with something. Coming out of the shop and on the way home, she sees Susan and BJ talking and laughing. This confuses and hurts her and she tells herself she needs to talk a walk. Then she decides to just hold off on hopping to conclusions.
But Susan starts to gush to her about the new boy she meet and tells her all about how they meet. Chris says that’s greet, but Susan can tell she doesn’t sound all that excited. Chris uses what she heard about Mrs. Carpenter as an excuse. Susan asks about the meeting and Chris tells her about the theme idea they came up with and tells her it’s not exactly what she had in mind. Then she tells her about Katy. Susan promises every waking minute she’ll dedicate it to thinking of a way all the shy students can feel comfortable to attend the dance, but her thoughts are really on B.J.
Chris is also thinking about B. J If he’s the kind of boy that goes around making every girl think she’s special then she doesn’t want him for Susan. But she’s also jealous because she can’t deny she likes BJ herself. Chris tells herself she’ll forget about BJ, but there he is at her locker the next day being flirty and she can’t resist his charm. Chris casually throws out that if he thinks her locker is bad he should see her sisters. He surprisingly knows about Susan and that they’re twins. He doesn’t say he walked her home tho. He says he’s heard she’s talented and would like to see her paintings.
Chris thinks maybe he’s just a friendly person or maybe he’s just trying to get to know as many new people as he can. So, she suggests that one day he can come over and see some of her sister’s artwork and he says he’d like that. He then offers to walk her to class leaving Chris to wonder about his intentions. Chris and BJ talk about the dance again and Chris says she hasn’t thought of an idea yet. BJ suggest making dances an extension of gym class. Chris says maybe they could put all the students names in a hat and there would be a prize for the one drawn. Only you’d have to be there to get the prize. Only where would they get the money for the prize. (Maybe they could charge for tickets and use the money to get the prize).
He then asks if they can go out that weekend. Chris thinks about Susan but then tells herself he didn’t really *ask* Susan out. She makes up the excuse tho that her family might go out for a “family thing”. She’ll have to check. Inspired by the discussion of Romeo and Juliet in class, Chris goes over to Wayne and asks him if he’s going to the dance and tells him about how she’s interested in the turn out and the idea of having a theme. He says it’s different but he doesn’t know how he’d feel about dressing up as any of those things. Then seeing how original costume creating was a part of Halloween and Chris sees his point.
Wayne says not that it matters he won’t be going to the dance. He went to one in the 10th grade and had a terrible time. He spent the dance with his friends and neither could get up the courage to ask anyone. Chris says to give it another chance and maybe ask a date. Wayne says he does like one of Whittington’s most popular athletes (Katy Johnson). But why would she want to go out with him? She probably doesn’t even know who he is.
Chris goes by the bookstore and asks Mrs. Peterson for a book about people who have seen ghosts and Mrs. Peterson says she has some in the basement. She finds 2 about haunted houses. One is about Crabtree Hill and tells about the ghosts of Jonathan Spring. Could it be him that’s haunting Mrs. Carpenter’s house? After school, BJ and Susan run into each other again and he asks her out for Saturday night. (BJ has also told Chris that he had to ask his father for the car for Friday). The twins decide to go on their bike ride and get pumpkins at the Atmore farm. Susan tells Chris about her date. Chris doesn’t know what do about this. When she gets home, she tells her mother.
Her mother suggests she warn the “good friend” about the boy in her best interest. Then she tells her where Susan is. So, she tells her about meeting BJ at the Halloween dance committee. She tells her he asked her out too. Chris asks if she’ll still go out with him and Susan says absolutely not. Then they both agree to confront him. No one screws over the Pratt twins. She then shows Susan the book about Jonathan Spring. They decide to come up with a plan so they can stay over Mrs. Carpenters house.
The girls dress alike the next day to show unity. BJ asks Chris about their date and she blows up at him. She calls him a two-timer and asks if he didn’t think they’d find out. BJ just laughs. He says he didn’t do anything wrong and then asks if this means their date is off. Chris just stomps away. BJ asks Susan about their date and he also starts to laugh. Susan asks him to explain and he says no he’s not ready to explain. He just looks at her in amusement. She asks if he reacted this way with Chris and did he notice that they were dressed alike. He says he didn’t. Susan says they did it because their sisters. If you screw with one you screw with the other. BJ says he guesses that means they won’t be going out Saturday. She then storms off.
They talk about it at lunch and his strange reaction. They both call him a “Smooth Operator” and say good riddance. Inspired by Susans PBand J sandwich, Chris tells the members of the dance committee about her idea. They’ll get give whoever buys tickets a slip of paper with the half of a half of something. They’ll find the other half at the dance. If they already have a date they’ll give the ticket person what they’re coming as. If they have an idea for a costume, they’ll make sure someone else comes as the other half. She calls it “Masquerade for Two.” Everyone loves it!
BJ tells her he really likes her idea and says she’s really something. She’s compassionate and considerate. He says they should let bygones be bygone and go to the dance together. Chris says she has no intention of going to the dance with a two-timer and starts to leave. BJ says there’s a reason and a very good one. She’ll find out on the night of the Halloween dance that he’s a nice guy. He asks if she’ll dance with him at the dance and she says yes for old times sake. He tells her he’ll get more treats and tricks than she’s expecting. Susan tho and Chris decide to beat him to the punch. They decide that Susan will be Juliet and Chris will be Scarlet O Hara.
Susan and Chris also come up with the idea to pretend to be pledging Mrs. Carpenters sorrority and their “pledge task” will be spending the night at her house (they’ll tell her) because it’s haunted. Mrs. Carpenter is reluctant but eventually allows them to stay. The twins amuse her with their antics. Before going to bed, she warns them about the ghost. She says she hasn’t seen it but she’s heard it. She’s been awakened by things falling and then there’s a high-pitched screaming noise. Every moning, she’s find things tipped over and things fallen to the floor. She goes to bed and says if they’re not there in the morning she’ll understand.
The twins hear something walking around in the dark in the room. Then they start hearing the noises. Susan turns on the light and it turns out to be five stray cats. They’re sneaking in through a hole in the wall. The next day the tell Mrs. Carpenter and she thanks them. She says she’ll keep the four cats and Susan says she’s going to ask her parents if they can have the fifth and she’ll name him Jonathan. Chris and Susan discover that there are two BJ’s. Romeo says his name is Robert Wilkins . Also kmown as BJ. Everyone calls him Bobby and his middle name is James. (Rhett) says his name is William. Everyone calls him Bill and his middle name is John. Chris sees Katy (as Wendy) and Wayne (Peter Pan) dancing together. She says her friend made sure she matched them but Connie comes over to them and apologizes to Chris saying she didn’t get a chance. It turns out Katy invited him.
My Thoughts
Sometimes things aren't what they seem to be seems to be the theme of this one. This is the first Pratt twins book I ever remember reading. The original covers are so much prettier than the newer, modern, editions of the twins in front of the mirror. And by the way, the book got it wrong. Their sweaters are powder blue, but their pants aren't black. They're pink.
Moving on, I appreciate the autumn setting (the crisp weather, the pumpkins, the Addam's family looking Victorian house, the apple cider) and the focus on my favorite holiday (Halloween) with the faux spooky ghost (haunted) premise. Even tho it didn't quite go in the direction of making this a super-natural story and wisely settled on a more realistic ending
There were 3 main parts to this book. The first was the Halloween Dance. I thought the Masquerade for Two thing was cute with the pairs. As well as the twins Scarlet O Hara and Juliet ideas (and dresses). Katie coincidently decides to ask Wayne to the dance and he returns her feelings. However, if Katie hadn't asked Wayne to the dance no matter what Chris did neither one of them probably would have ended up going to this thing because they're both introverts. Since Chris is a extravert she clearly doesn't understand this concept that sometimes it's not about not having a date. Iintroverts (some) just don't do well in social settings like this. Wayne tried to get this across to her but like a lot of extroverts she couldn't possibly believe that he just couldn't have fun and encourages him to go to another dance. It might have gotten a few more to attend that wouldn't have normally with the possibility of having a date, but again would the shy kid's really have wanted to open up to someone they didn't know. Or would it have made them feel MORE awkward?
The next part was about the BJ's. Which I liked the twist but it threw me a little bit when they both were so cool about explaining themselves. It made them come off a little bit jerkish. And I'm not sure if I bought that they just knew that the twins decided to switch their costumes. But we never hear about the BJ's again and by the next book the twins have new boy toys (as they do in every book). But I did like for once the twins got beat at their own game which NEVER happens in any of the other books.
The final part tied up pretty simply and logically and quickly. It felt like there was a lot of build up to the mystery of this "ghost" and it turns out to be cats. I actually forgot that Jonathan (the twin's cat who is mentioned in the rest of the series) was one of the cats that was in Cecilia's house doing the haunting. It was actually nice to see the twins for once doing something nice that didn't over step their bounds.
RATING: 71/2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2009
I found A Prudent Match a very interesting story, not something extraordinary but a solid story to spend an afternoon with.
Following a quick courtship of just two week Prudence and Baron William Ledbetter are married. He needs the money her dowry brings him and Prudence feels it’s time she marries as she is 22 and had been engaged for a few years to a gentleman who, after dying in India, had left her his fortune.
When the story opens, the marriage is already happening so we don’t really get to know them before that. We do however follow them as they start to know each other. Prudence does seem to have a bit of a temper and, what surprises William even more, she is very shy about her body and in fact pretends to be unwell on her wedding night just to avoid him.
Even if this is a marriage of convenience, William is determined to have a good relationship with his wife and after confronting her about her fears proposes a plan to help her overcome her fears. They will sleep together in the same bed but nothing will happen until she is used to him and decides to do it. I thought this was an interesting plot for traditional regency because there’s usually no sex, or very little of it, and this time sex was spoken of all the time as William tried to convince Prudence that it was a very normal thing and that their bodies reactions were just what they were supposed to be.
There was also a mystery subplot about why William’s late mother had left instructions for a huge organ to be bought for the local church and about who the young organist who looked so much like William was but the main story was about William and Prudence and their relationship.
Apart her fear of the bedchamber Prudence is quite a sensible woman and in fact she seems to be able to do everything from organizing a house party, delivering a baby and solving the mysteries, I previously mentioned. My only complaints with the story was that there didn’t seem to be a particular motive for her fears and it seemed just like a convenient excuse that they had met each other at her come out 4 years ago and been attracted to each other. At least it seemed unlikely to me that four years on William would have felt compelled to look for her and offer marriage.
Grade: 4/5
Following a quick courtship of just two week Prudence and Baron William Ledbetter are married. He needs the money her dowry brings him and Prudence feels it’s time she marries as she is 22 and had been engaged for a few years to a gentleman who, after dying in India, had left her his fortune.
When the story opens, the marriage is already happening so we don’t really get to know them before that. We do however follow them as they start to know each other. Prudence does seem to have a bit of a temper and, what surprises William even more, she is very shy about her body and in fact pretends to be unwell on her wedding night just to avoid him.
Even if this is a marriage of convenience, William is determined to have a good relationship with his wife and after confronting her about her fears proposes a plan to help her overcome her fears. They will sleep together in the same bed but nothing will happen until she is used to him and decides to do it. I thought this was an interesting plot for traditional regency because there’s usually no sex, or very little of it, and this time sex was spoken of all the time as William tried to convince Prudence that it was a very normal thing and that their bodies reactions were just what they were supposed to be.
There was also a mystery subplot about why William’s late mother had left instructions for a huge organ to be bought for the local church and about who the young organist who looked so much like William was but the main story was about William and Prudence and their relationship.
Apart her fear of the bedchamber Prudence is quite a sensible woman and in fact she seems to be able to do everything from organizing a house party, delivering a baby and solving the mysteries, I previously mentioned. My only complaints with the story was that there didn’t seem to be a particular motive for her fears and it seemed just like a convenient excuse that they had met each other at her come out 4 years ago and been attracted to each other. At least it seemed unlikely to me that four years on William would have felt compelled to look for her and offer marriage.
Grade: 4/5
August 31, 2012
I have problems with most marriage of convenience stories because a little bit of unselfish communication on behalf of one (or both) partners will almost always render the entire plot moot.
Several times in A Prudent Match did I fear this would happen...but it never did. The hero and heroine were refreshingly upfront and honest about the shortcomings so that the plot was driven by their coming to know one another through communication, rather than miscommunication. A refreshing change!
Several times in A Prudent Match did I fear this would happen...but it never did. The hero and heroine were refreshingly upfront and honest about the shortcomings so that the plot was driven by their coming to know one another through communication, rather than miscommunication. A refreshing change!
December 31, 2014
Enjoyed the gentle, emotional, and sensitive portrayal of the doubts, fears, and expectations of a regency couple embarking on a marriage of convenience. The mystery plot that unraveled in the second half of the book was not engaging and was a distraction from the unfolding personal and romantic relationship.
April 10, 2021
3.5 stars
Suspension of disbelief is definitely required but the characters are so endearing I didn’t mind. Much. Romeo & Juliet is *still* not a romance. Nor is Gone With the Wind for that matter.
Suspension of disbelief is definitely required but the characters are so endearing I didn’t mind. Much. Romeo & Juliet is *still* not a romance. Nor is Gone With the Wind for that matter.
July 15, 2021
Very nice more like a 3.5
This is the second book I’ve read by this author. The first one being, ‘The Lady Next Door’. I was a bit surprised because when I read that book, which I enjoyed very much is was a very clean read, with only a kiss between the couple at then end.
This one had a lot more physicality between the Hero and heroine. The heroine is a bit apprehensive about sleeping with her new husband, the Hero, since they married without knowing each other too well. So the Hero has to coax her into accepting his more and more passionate attentions… so yes it’s definitely a hotter read than the other book.
Its basically a marriage of convenience and the couple getting to know each other book, and not much more than that.
It was cute and satisfying.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author. The first one being, ‘The Lady Next Door’. I was a bit surprised because when I read that book, which I enjoyed very much is was a very clean read, with only a kiss between the couple at then end.
This one had a lot more physicality between the Hero and heroine. The heroine is a bit apprehensive about sleeping with her new husband, the Hero, since they married without knowing each other too well. So the Hero has to coax her into accepting his more and more passionate attentions… so yes it’s definitely a hotter read than the other book.
Its basically a marriage of convenience and the couple getting to know each other book, and not much more than that.
It was cute and satisfying.
December 19, 2018
The story starts with a wedding. Most of the rest of the book revolves around the newlyweds courtship as they married for convenience without knowing each other very well. Most of the courtship deals with the husband seducing his anxious new wife.
No violence, sex, mild language
No violence, sex, mild language
December 28, 2021
Long winded titillation and a dollop of angst. If only it were no more than a short story.
November 23, 2023
This was a mostly straightforward love story. I really liked it.
May 29, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up. This book is a somewhat unusual romance, as none of the characters are truly stupid, nor is there a major external conflict. In addition, their marriage is the start for the book rather than the end; while not unheard of, this is not common either. This books is about the journey of two people who are initially attracted to each other, but know almost nothing of importance about each other, finding their way to love within their marriage. While the time frame is compressed enough to stretch believability, it doesn't completely break it.
June 9, 2014
3 1/2 stars. A lovely marriage of convenience story.
May 6, 2016
A solid read that keeps you engrossed in the outcome. A touch of mystery combined with an impromptu wedding negotiated over an inheritance makes for a readable and enjoyable story.
Read
July 10, 2014I'm pretty sure B.J. ended up being twins, too.
April 5, 2015
I liked the slow progression of intimacy here. And I kinda like it that Prudence was a lot more practical (wise?) than Ledbetter.
August 12, 2016
first read 10/19/15; re-read July 2016
October 15, 2024
As someone else said it was ok. I disliked the heroine. She was as likeable as the other woman the hero avoids in other novels.
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