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A Previous Engagement
Tessa Monroe knows how to do exactly two things: climb her way up the corporate ladder and cheer up her best friend Christian Douglas, the main man in her life since paste was a snack. With the exception of a Ring Pop proposal and a pool-side kiss in college, not much has changed between them in 25 years. Now that they’re all grown up, the two friends find themselves headed down two different paths: Tessa looking for her dream job and Christian looking for his dream girl.
Luckily for Christian, Tessa knows just the girl who’ll mend his heart after a bad breakup. But when things between Christian and his new girl Savannah start to get serious, Tessa isn’t feeling the pride and happiness she expected… In fact, there’s something weird in her heart that she can’t quite name.
With no plans for romance or marriage, Tessa isn’t prepared to confront her true feelings for Christian. After all they’ve been through together, can she risk her heart, his happiness, and their friendship by telling him the truth? OR does she run away from the romance that began in the third grade?
Friendship and romance combine with messy results, but A Previous Engagement celebrates the humor of real-life love in a story that resonates as honest from beginning to end.
Luckily for Christian, Tessa knows just the girl who’ll mend his heart after a bad breakup. But when things between Christian and his new girl Savannah start to get serious, Tessa isn’t feeling the pride and happiness she expected… In fact, there’s something weird in her heart that she can’t quite name.
With no plans for romance or marriage, Tessa isn’t prepared to confront her true feelings for Christian. After all they’ve been through together, can she risk her heart, his happiness, and their friendship by telling him the truth? OR does she run away from the romance that began in the third grade?
Friendship and romance combine with messy results, but A Previous Engagement celebrates the humor of real-life love in a story that resonates as honest from beginning to end.
210 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2011
190 people are currently reading
1056 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Haddad
16 books103 followersStephanie Haddad’s earliest works featured unicorns and talking pumpkins who overcame adversity, evil, and the threat of being baked into pies. With age, her writing has evolved to more grown-up topics, like love and the complicated relationships between people. As a life-long lover of cheerful fiction, she strives to tackle real-world issues with wit, hope, and lots of humor. Her short stories have spanned many genres, but her full-length novels stay firmly planted in happy endings, via both romance and women’s fiction.
Stephanie joined the Romance Writers of America in 2009 to celebrate her addiction to perfect plot resolutions with other writers just like her. Combining a passion for the human condition with a penchant for the romantic, Stephanie strives to write every story as though it is a conversation shared between friends.
As she balances new motherhood, a freelance writing workload, and an independent publishing career, Stephanie continues her work on a planned three-book women’s fiction series, a collection of romantic urban fantasy short stories, and several single-title romances. She lives, loves, and writes near Boston, MA, the home of all of her novels.
Stephanie joined the Romance Writers of America in 2009 to celebrate her addiction to perfect plot resolutions with other writers just like her. Combining a passion for the human condition with a penchant for the romantic, Stephanie strives to write every story as though it is a conversation shared between friends.
As she balances new motherhood, a freelance writing workload, and an independent publishing career, Stephanie continues her work on a planned three-book women’s fiction series, a collection of romantic urban fantasy short stories, and several single-title romances. She lives, loves, and writes near Boston, MA, the home of all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
October 3, 2011
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ... Like many of us who yearn for somewhere over the rainbow, Tess Monroe discovers that happiness and her heart’s desire can be found in her own back yard.
This is a classic ‘boy next door’ story, romance in its purest form and I lapped it up unashamedly.
Although a tale as old as time itself, the author breathes life into her characters, and I practically experienced a New England Spring, and walked in the marbled halls of Prime Investments with Tess as she applied her talent for planning marketing strategies whilst learning how to deal with underlings in her new executive role.
Tess is determined to make a success of her career, especially as her romantic life is non-existent. Her best friends since schooldays Kendra (now a successful restaurant owner, wife and mother) and Christian (engaged, talented and sought after photographer) appear to be doing better in their personal life. So it is a shock when Marcy, Christian’s wife-to-be breaks off their engagement. Even more so when she cites the reason: Christian is too close to his old school friends, particularly Tess.
Feeling guilty at being the catalyst, telling herself the affection between her and Christian is platonic, Tess is on a mission to find Christian the perfect girlfriend. In any case, she tells herself she is a career girl, and has already accepted an even more executive role in Chicago. The fact that she promised to marry Christian ‘if no-one else came along’ when they were kids in the school playground – well that was just a childish game. The reader can see what Tess cannot. In a hundred different ways Christian silently proclaims his love for her.
Tess is very likeable: Always willing to help, albeit with disastrous results sometimes, considerate and willing to mentor her staff, courageous when facing down sexual advances from her boss. Yet I found myself wanting to shout at her – tell her to open her eyes and let go her pride and preconceived ideas and just kiss the man. When she finally does, she discovers Christian has the power to make her pulses race and set her skin on fire. But has Tess waited too long?
I wanted to find out so badly I read this story in one sitting.
The story is told by Tess in first person pov, beautifully framed by prologue and afterward in omnipresent pov. I enjoyed this book – the author has a gift for description, a light sure touch when it comes to humour and the bedroom scenes were handled with just the right mixture of decorum and passion.
This is a classic ‘boy next door’ story, romance in its purest form and I lapped it up unashamedly.
Although a tale as old as time itself, the author breathes life into her characters, and I practically experienced a New England Spring, and walked in the marbled halls of Prime Investments with Tess as she applied her talent for planning marketing strategies whilst learning how to deal with underlings in her new executive role.
Tess is determined to make a success of her career, especially as her romantic life is non-existent. Her best friends since schooldays Kendra (now a successful restaurant owner, wife and mother) and Christian (engaged, talented and sought after photographer) appear to be doing better in their personal life. So it is a shock when Marcy, Christian’s wife-to-be breaks off their engagement. Even more so when she cites the reason: Christian is too close to his old school friends, particularly Tess.
Feeling guilty at being the catalyst, telling herself the affection between her and Christian is platonic, Tess is on a mission to find Christian the perfect girlfriend. In any case, she tells herself she is a career girl, and has already accepted an even more executive role in Chicago. The fact that she promised to marry Christian ‘if no-one else came along’ when they were kids in the school playground – well that was just a childish game. The reader can see what Tess cannot. In a hundred different ways Christian silently proclaims his love for her.
Tess is very likeable: Always willing to help, albeit with disastrous results sometimes, considerate and willing to mentor her staff, courageous when facing down sexual advances from her boss. Yet I found myself wanting to shout at her – tell her to open her eyes and let go her pride and preconceived ideas and just kiss the man. When she finally does, she discovers Christian has the power to make her pulses race and set her skin on fire. But has Tess waited too long?
I wanted to find out so badly I read this story in one sitting.
The story is told by Tess in first person pov, beautifully framed by prologue and afterward in omnipresent pov. I enjoyed this book – the author has a gift for description, a light sure touch when it comes to humour and the bedroom scenes were handled with just the right mixture of decorum and passion.
February 5, 2012
A Previous Engagement is very typical, predictable chick lit. The reason that I can't give it more than two stars, is that there was really nothing at all unique or surprising in this story. In fact, the miscommunications that occurred to keep the two main characters, Tessa & Christian, apart, were so predictable that it wasn't even interesting. In fact, if Tessa & Christian had actually ever talked or acted like the almost 30 year old adults they were supposed to be, there would have been no story at all.
The book also seemed to have a lot of filler that served no purpose except to make this story long enough to publish as a novel. For example, one of the reasons given for Tessa being so career focused, was that she didn't want to end up like her mother. Well her mother was a very minor character, and if she was supposed to have been a bad mother, I didn't see it except for some random references throughout.
Tessa's lesbian sister was also introduced and could have been interesting, but her role in the book was completely marginalized.
Overall, this is just generic chick lit with no unique storyline or characters to make it stand out.
The book also seemed to have a lot of filler that served no purpose except to make this story long enough to publish as a novel. For example, one of the reasons given for Tessa being so career focused, was that she didn't want to end up like her mother. Well her mother was a very minor character, and if she was supposed to have been a bad mother, I didn't see it except for some random references throughout.
Tessa's lesbian sister was also introduced and could have been interesting, but her role in the book was completely marginalized.
Overall, this is just generic chick lit with no unique storyline or characters to make it stand out.
December 3, 2011
I've won this through Goodreads' First Reads Program. I really loved this book; I couldn't put it down! It was a great romance novel. I didn't like the fact that Tess needed a man in her life to be happy, but I was willing to go with it because, hey, it's a romance novel and that's what happens. By the end, I was just screaming for her to get together with Christian already, because it was so obvious that he loved her. I'd recommend this book for anyone! :)
January 14, 2020
Just Friends Forever?
Tessa & Christian meet in elementary school. Twenty some years later, they are still best friends. While Tessa is climbing the corporate ladder and trying to hook Christian up with girls, Christian knows Tess is the one for him. But does she realize it too late for another chance?
I enjoyed this book. I loved following the characters. A couple of words, and one semi-steemy scene, but no specific details. Overall, a very good read!
Tessa & Christian meet in elementary school. Twenty some years later, they are still best friends. While Tessa is climbing the corporate ladder and trying to hook Christian up with girls, Christian knows Tess is the one for him. But does she realize it too late for another chance?
I enjoyed this book. I loved following the characters. A couple of words, and one semi-steemy scene, but no specific details. Overall, a very good read!
September 28, 2011
Either because of my testicles or because I'm just that way, I avoid romances. They seem to only be possible when incredibly stupid people are the characters. The main character in A Previous Engagement (a clever title, by the way), fits the category perfectly. I thought the male paramour did as well until I was most of the way through the book. Then I realized he wasn't suffering from a series of major concussion, he was just overly sentimental and emotional for a man. Definitely not a man's man, but perhaps he fits with the modern metrosexual kind of guy that's become so popular. I prefer the 80's action movie hero kind of guy. Or The Duke.
One other thing bothered me - the book leaves the impression that it's unfavorable for a woman to have a successful career. The main character strives to do so, but she's not complete without a partner and family in her life. I find that a flawed lesson. Why should a person be required to have a family to be complete?
That's the bad, here comes the good.
The book was very well written. The main character amused me time and again (when she wasn't aggravating me by being oblivious), thanks to the author's skill with putting words together. I faintly remember one chapter starting with a sentence that was too long and made no sense, but I was able to move past it easily and find no other flaws. Coming from another writer, that's a major success.
I read the book in a matter of hours, another feather in Stephanie's hat. I abhor the genre yet she kept me reading. I wanted to reach in and strangle the characters because they seemed to be inexplicably stupid from the very beginning, but still I read on. I say 'inexplicably stupid' but that does not mean they are without precedent. Virtually any romance movie available or even some distant relatives of mine have displayed similar or near exact levels of ignorance and dumbassery. So yes, I thought they were dumb but it's a dumb that I've seen many times before in fiction and in fact.
For someone who enjoys the genre, I recommend the book highly.
One other thing bothered me - the book leaves the impression that it's unfavorable for a woman to have a successful career. The main character strives to do so, but she's not complete without a partner and family in her life. I find that a flawed lesson. Why should a person be required to have a family to be complete?
That's the bad, here comes the good.
The book was very well written. The main character amused me time and again (when she wasn't aggravating me by being oblivious), thanks to the author's skill with putting words together. I faintly remember one chapter starting with a sentence that was too long and made no sense, but I was able to move past it easily and find no other flaws. Coming from another writer, that's a major success.
I read the book in a matter of hours, another feather in Stephanie's hat. I abhor the genre yet she kept me reading. I wanted to reach in and strangle the characters because they seemed to be inexplicably stupid from the very beginning, but still I read on. I say 'inexplicably stupid' but that does not mean they are without precedent. Virtually any romance movie available or even some distant relatives of mine have displayed similar or near exact levels of ignorance and dumbassery. So yes, I thought they were dumb but it's a dumb that I've seen many times before in fiction and in fact.
For someone who enjoys the genre, I recommend the book highly.
February 2, 2012
I think I ultimately enjoyed this book so much because I could relate to it.
My best friend growing up was a boy. No one could understand how we could be friends and nothing more. It caused issues in many of our relationships, often times requiring one of us to fade into the background for the other persons happiness.
We, however, remained only friends through the years and are now both happily married to other people.
That doesn't stop me wondering what might have been. This book let me delve into the fantasy a bit, albeit in an over the top romantic way.
I enjoyed the fact that the book focused on these decisions, and sometimes sacrifices, we make in our lives. Tess, struggled with the decision of being a career woman or settling down. It took her a bit too long, in my opinion, to figure out that settling down wasn't the same as settling.
It was a cute story with a sweet love story. I read it in one day.
My best friend growing up was a boy. No one could understand how we could be friends and nothing more. It caused issues in many of our relationships, often times requiring one of us to fade into the background for the other persons happiness.
We, however, remained only friends through the years and are now both happily married to other people.
That doesn't stop me wondering what might have been. This book let me delve into the fantasy a bit, albeit in an over the top romantic way.
I enjoyed the fact that the book focused on these decisions, and sometimes sacrifices, we make in our lives. Tess, struggled with the decision of being a career woman or settling down. It took her a bit too long, in my opinion, to figure out that settling down wasn't the same as settling.
It was a cute story with a sweet love story. I read it in one day.
February 6, 2012
This book is awesome. Here is why: it is suppose to be a nice fun romance comedy. And that is exactly what you get. Are some of the plot obstacles typical to a romance comedy? Of course! There is a reason why they are typical, it is because they work. Tess is a flawed character which is exactly how I like them. Perfection is boring and I want nothing of it. The book is a perfect length. It gets you invested but does not drag on in mindless chatter just to please critics who want some deep meaning. Dear Stephanie, anyone who said negative nasty comments (I am not saying that people are not allowed to like this book, everyone is different and you can not please everyone; I am just talking to the really nasty people who write things just to be heard) can just go write their own book if they think they can do a better job than this delightful novel. Please ignore them and keep writing and keep publishing.
February 8, 2012
A cute and fun read - I read it in about 1.5 days. It was a catching story - that I couldn't put down and wanted to know what would happen. It was a little frustrating the obviousness of their feelings and their utter unawares. But this is what made me not want to put it down because I just wanted them to figure it out! I know this frustration first hand - I've been in a VERY similar situation - and by the time we figured it out it was too late for us - but although you may think its annoying and un-realistic - take it first hand from me - it happens - it is possible to be so wrapped up in other things that you don't understand your own feelings.
January 31, 2012
Book number 6 of the year. A previous engagement by Stephanie Haddad. I gotta be honest and say that the first thing that I noticed about this book was that it was for free on kindle, but what a great book, it's just fun and a good read really, there's a lot of romance and friendship all that things that make this book and excellent read for girls, I read it in about a day and a half and left me wanting to read other works by this author.
January 26, 2012
I absolutely loved this book!! It was such a nice light read and I really found myself sucked in. I loved how much the Tess and Christian showed their emotions and just how connected the two of them were. I found myself really feeling for the characters, more than I ever have before. I really want to check out more books from this author, I didn't want this one to end!
January 28, 2012
When i was reading this book it was like i was watching a romantic comedy type movie(which i personally loooove). It was so cute and made me want to keep reading all the time, wanting to know what was going to happen next. So if your into romantic books and even movies, this is definetly one you should read. =)
March 25, 2015
I was lucky and won this book as a giveaway here on goodreads. I'm so glad that I did cause I LOVED IT! After the first chapter I did not want to put it down! I loved all the characters and am sad that the book is over! I could have read on and on to find out what happens to them!
January 25, 2012
Quick easy read. Fun--predictable, but worth the time if you enjoy these types of romances/chick lit. I could dissect it a bit, but it's not worth it--it was a fun read--don't think it was meant to be a literary character study...
August 10, 2011
This book has great characters that you'll want to care about, but it's also clever and funny. It's a good balance of comedy and romance that even non-romance readers will enjoy.
December 11, 2011
Typical easy read, "girls" book... A quick read to pick up on the weekend to pass the time. Typical romantic ending! Found it on iBooks for free and decided to try it out on my iPod.
January 23, 2012
Cute fast light romantic read. Definitely one of the better free books I have grabbed off of Amazon.
January 27, 2012
A good book (that was free on Amazon!) about friends who have been in love with one another their whole lives, but are too afraid to come clean.
January 31, 2012
I am not huge on romance books but a surprisingly wonderful read, I still want to know more like whether she persued a case against her boss's advances. I was swept away loved it.
January 29, 2012
I just finished reading this one, and it was a fun and easy read. Some parts made me laugh out loud, and the dynamics of Christian, Tessa and Kendra is fantastic. A great read!
February 2, 2012
This is one of several free or almost free books I downloaded to my Kindle. It was a fun quick read. Fairly predictable but still lots of fun.. Not generally a fiction reader so I was suprised.
January 29, 2022
Overall, I did enjoy this book a lot. Tessa and Kristen had a great friendship and awesome chemistry. Christian was super sweet and I love how he was patient with Tessa. Also the fact that he is a photographer is really cool.
The romance was pretty good. I liked how the book spend over several of months and it was realistic to a good extent. Because most people who are friends and then fall in love don’t do it instantly. I also like the fact that Tessa was a workaholic and she had to work on cutting down her hours and realizing what was important. I also like how both characters are dedicated to the carriers but also realize to find something in between.
The kissing scenes and the emotional moments were really good. However, I felt that Christian really asked big questions and made major decisions too soon. I felt that the romance was quite rushed towards the last 75% of the book. Suddenly they are kissing and then there is more stuff that the pacing and make any sense.
I really enjoyed the side character style. Riley and Kendra really awesome together. I love the small family and Tessa’s best friend. Also the side drama was good it wasn’t too much.
I recommend this book and I suggest friends of to lovers will read this.
The romance was pretty good. I liked how the book spend over several of months and it was realistic to a good extent. Because most people who are friends and then fall in love don’t do it instantly. I also like the fact that Tessa was a workaholic and she had to work on cutting down her hours and realizing what was important. I also like how both characters are dedicated to the carriers but also realize to find something in between.
The kissing scenes and the emotional moments were really good. However, I felt that Christian really asked big questions and made major decisions too soon. I felt that the romance was quite rushed towards the last 75% of the book. Suddenly they are kissing and then there is more stuff that the pacing and make any sense.
I really enjoyed the side character style. Riley and Kendra really awesome together. I love the small family and Tessa’s best friend. Also the side drama was good it wasn’t too much.
I recommend this book and I suggest friends of to lovers will read this.
April 13, 2019
Mostly clean romance. It was funny.
However, I had issues with a couple things. First, the main character, Tess, didn't tell her friends she was moving away even though she was in a relationship, and she only had two weeks' notice for it. The fact that she was unable to act like a mature adult and disclose her promotion and impending move to her friends was really weird. I wondered about her mental health. Second, Christian moved in without even discussing it with her first. Just so weird. Third, Christian proposed to her publicly when they really needed that moment to be private. I was 80% of the way through the book and wanted to finish it even though the characters were stupid and crazy.
However, I had issues with a couple things. First, the main character, Tess, didn't tell her friends she was moving away even though she was in a relationship, and she only had two weeks' notice for it. The fact that she was unable to act like a mature adult and disclose her promotion and impending move to her friends was really weird. I wondered about her mental health. Second, Christian moved in without even discussing it with her first. Just so weird. Third, Christian proposed to her publicly when they really needed that moment to be private. I was 80% of the way through the book and wanted to finish it even though the characters were stupid and crazy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2019
The author's writing is relatively engaging, but I'm not a fan of this particular trope: one character is obviously in love with the other, but it gets dragged out through the whole book before they figure it out. (Seriously, it's nothing against Haddad -- I feel the same way about my favorite authors who use this story line.) I skimmed quite a bit because I enjoyed the author's writing and wanted to read more, I just would have liked to see something else happen beyond Christian pining for Tessa and Tessa being oblivious. I might pick up another of Haddad's books, though, because I like her writing style.
(PG-13 rating; not a Christian novel)
(PG-13 rating; not a Christian novel)
July 7, 2017
Vapid.
November 12, 2017
A fun read. The humor was genuine and the friendship between the characters was believable. I will be looking for more books by this author.
January 18, 2018
Classic love story
Kept me tuned in, some very cute moments, very typical chick flick book, few typos but no big deal there
Kept me tuned in, some very cute moments, very typical chick flick book, few typos but no big deal there
September 8, 2020
This book was interesting but kind of predictable. It was cute but I thought I was reading a beginners novel off of Webnovel.
January 4, 2022
A great read
Great story line! Hard to put down. Can definitely follow their story. Some suspense. Some parts leave you breathless. A great read.
Great story line! Hard to put down. Can definitely follow their story. Some suspense. Some parts leave you breathless. A great read.
February 8, 2024
Easy little read, a good pallette cleanser
October 27, 2024
Cute friends to lovers story
This was a quick read, our FMC takes quite a while to figure out that she’s in love with her longtime best friend.
This was a quick read, our FMC takes quite a while to figure out that she’s in love with her longtime best friend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews