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The Penhallow Dynasty #3
Nevesta si berie ženícha
Srdcu nerozkážu.
Katherine Brooková síce zdedí rozprávkové bohatstvo, ale nemá vhodné spoločenské postavenie. A to je niečo, s čím sa jej rodičia odmietajú zmieriť. V ich honbe za titulom je Katherine len bezvýznamný pešiak. Má jedinú úlohu, povedať áno tomu správnemu ženíchovi a splniť si povinnosť. Vtom však do jej života vtrhne šarmantný a príťažlivý kapitán Hugo Penhallow a Katherine zacíti príležitosť vymaniť sa spod tlaku rodičov.
Priezvisko Penhallow patrí k tým najváženejším v kraji. Ani dobrá povesť však nezachráni rodinu pred krachom, a tak je Hugo nútený zvážiť nečakaný návrh. Katherine mu ponúka svoje peniaze výmenou za jeho meno. No viac ako o manželstvo v pravom zmysle slova pôjde o obchodnú dohodu. A prečo nie? Hugo nebol nikdy zamilovaný, ani to neplánuje. Láska si však nájde cestu a prekvapí oboch, keď to budú najmenej čakať.
Katherine Brooková síce zdedí rozprávkové bohatstvo, ale nemá vhodné spoločenské postavenie. A to je niečo, s čím sa jej rodičia odmietajú zmieriť. V ich honbe za titulom je Katherine len bezvýznamný pešiak. Má jedinú úlohu, povedať áno tomu správnemu ženíchovi a splniť si povinnosť. Vtom však do jej života vtrhne šarmantný a príťažlivý kapitán Hugo Penhallow a Katherine zacíti príležitosť vymaniť sa spod tlaku rodičov.
Priezvisko Penhallow patrí k tým najváženejším v kraji. Ani dobrá povesť však nezachráni rodinu pred krachom, a tak je Hugo nútený zvážiť nečakaný návrh. Katherine mu ponúka svoje peniaze výmenou za jeho meno. No viac ako o manželstvo v pravom zmysle slova pôjde o obchodnú dohodu. A prečo nie? Hugo nebol nikdy zamilovaný, ani to neplánuje. Láska si však nájde cestu a prekvapí oboch, keď to budú najmenej čakať.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2018
99 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Berne
7 books967 followersLisa Berne is a bestselling author of historical romance whose witty, heartfelt, beautifully written books are published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pan Macmillan and in translation throughout the world. Says BRIDGERTON author Julia Quinn: Lisa is “one of the most exciting new historical writers in a long time.” To learn more about Lisa and her delight in all things bookish (as revealed in her blog), you are cordially invited to visit her website, www.LisaBerne.com, and to sign up for her newsletter, too, so that you’ll never miss a new release or giveaway!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 27, 2018
Review posted on Got Fiction?
I know, I know. 1 star. Guys, I never give 1 star to books. Buckle up. It's about to get bumpy.
In this book, Katherine is in a terrible position. Her parents have an obscene amount of money, but money can't buy class, isn't that the saying? Her parents have given her the best education money can buy, but she was caught making out with a teacher, he of course blamed her, and her poor young teenage heart learned that lust is bad (more on this later).
Her parents left her in that boarding school for a long time, so while they are terribly gauche and put on airs, she's very well-mannered. Her parents are trying to marry her off into the peerage so they can finally be accepted. Katherine has felt as if she's never had any control over her life at all, and she's been so smothered she's about to scream.
Hugo is the eldest in a family of eccentrics, I guess. His family is a house full of ninnies. I have no other word for them. They are all immature and ridiculous. His mother was so silly. Just silly. Not a lick of sense amongst them. He's constantly being described as a Greek god, and that was so pointless. Seriously. Once was enough. He's back from the sea, he's in the Navy I believe, and he's decided based on a letter from his mother, that he's going to propose to Katherine. They were neighbors in their youth and he remembers liking her well enough, she has money, he has one of the oldest names in England, so win-win.
Guys.
Katherine sees Hugo and instantly she feels lust. It's uncomfortable, especially as she desires nothing but control, and these feelings for Hugo are uncontrollable. However, she figures she'll ignore it or something. She asks him to marry her for her money, and she'll get freedom and control. They both get their wishes. But...
You know there's a but here, right?
Hugo is super laid back. He recognizes early on that Katherine seems to prize control, so he's okay with her taking over. However, she's just a horrible person. Once they get engaged, she goes to her parents, tells them she'll be getting married, then tells them her monetary demands and basically says peace out, folks. I'm leaving. It's an awkward scene for Hugo, but it shows that Katherine is just...immature and mean. This entire book felt as if everyone was much younger than they truly were.
Now, her parents are supposed to be just horrible, terrible, awful human beings. I saw two very rich middle class parents who wanted the best for their daughter. And yes, they are incredibly gauche and vulgar, and they want to ride Katherine's coattails all the way to London. I get it. They were bad parents. But they weren't evil. They weren't that bad. There's a comeuppance scene for them at the end, and it felt so wrong. Like, they weren't that bad, so why write that scene in. It's supposed to be freeing to Katherine, but yet again, she just comes off spoiled and immature and makes rash decisions.
SPOILERS
This is a terrible romance. It's more a book about Katherine finding herself, and I sure don't like who she is. It took 200 pages for me to DNF, and really I skipped to the end anyway, but Hugo is a side character, a foot note, a cardboard cutout of a hero. He is bland, he has very little in the way of page time, and he by 200 pages in is thinking (even if only for a split second) of hooking up with another woman, and I can't say that I blame him.
Katherine thinks she's acting polished and proper but really comes off constantly as stiff and priggish to everyone. At first, you don't blame her since her upbringing was absolutely horrid, but by 200 pages into a 300 page book, we should see some sort of change. At 2/3 of the way through this book, she should have at least an inkling of who she's becoming. But she's still horrible. And seriously, this far in, there should be a connection between the hero and heroine. This is a book about Katherine trying to figure out who she is now that she's achieved her goal of being free and in control. And Hugo is just along for the ride.
Avoid this book. It's really tedious. The characters are silly and behave much younger than their ages. It's not what I've come to expect from Avon books.
I'd also like to add that I decided to read the first book in this series immediately after to see if I'd have the same problems, and I did. This author is not for me, at all, in any shape way or form. I won't be reading her again.
***ARC courtesy of Avon
I know, I know. 1 star. Guys, I never give 1 star to books. Buckle up. It's about to get bumpy.
In this book, Katherine is in a terrible position. Her parents have an obscene amount of money, but money can't buy class, isn't that the saying? Her parents have given her the best education money can buy, but she was caught making out with a teacher, he of course blamed her, and her poor young teenage heart learned that lust is bad (more on this later).
Her parents left her in that boarding school for a long time, so while they are terribly gauche and put on airs, she's very well-mannered. Her parents are trying to marry her off into the peerage so they can finally be accepted. Katherine has felt as if she's never had any control over her life at all, and she's been so smothered she's about to scream.
Hugo is the eldest in a family of eccentrics, I guess. His family is a house full of ninnies. I have no other word for them. They are all immature and ridiculous. His mother was so silly. Just silly. Not a lick of sense amongst them. He's constantly being described as a Greek god, and that was so pointless. Seriously. Once was enough. He's back from the sea, he's in the Navy I believe, and he's decided based on a letter from his mother, that he's going to propose to Katherine. They were neighbors in their youth and he remembers liking her well enough, she has money, he has one of the oldest names in England, so win-win.
Guys.
Katherine sees Hugo and instantly she feels lust. It's uncomfortable, especially as she desires nothing but control, and these feelings for Hugo are uncontrollable. However, she figures she'll ignore it or something. She asks him to marry her for her money, and she'll get freedom and control. They both get their wishes. But...
You know there's a but here, right?
Hugo is super laid back. He recognizes early on that Katherine seems to prize control, so he's okay with her taking over. However, she's just a horrible person. Once they get engaged, she goes to her parents, tells them she'll be getting married, then tells them her monetary demands and basically says peace out, folks. I'm leaving. It's an awkward scene for Hugo, but it shows that Katherine is just...immature and mean. This entire book felt as if everyone was much younger than they truly were.
Now, her parents are supposed to be just horrible, terrible, awful human beings. I saw two very rich middle class parents who wanted the best for their daughter. And yes, they are incredibly gauche and vulgar, and they want to ride Katherine's coattails all the way to London. I get it. They were bad parents. But they weren't evil. They weren't that bad. There's a comeuppance scene for them at the end, and it felt so wrong. Like, they weren't that bad, so why write that scene in. It's supposed to be freeing to Katherine, but yet again, she just comes off spoiled and immature and makes rash decisions.
SPOILERS
This is a terrible romance. It's more a book about Katherine finding herself, and I sure don't like who she is. It took 200 pages for me to DNF, and really I skipped to the end anyway, but Hugo is a side character, a foot note, a cardboard cutout of a hero. He is bland, he has very little in the way of page time, and he by 200 pages in is thinking (even if only for a split second) of hooking up with another woman, and I can't say that I blame him.
Katherine thinks she's acting polished and proper but really comes off constantly as stiff and priggish to everyone. At first, you don't blame her since her upbringing was absolutely horrid, but by 200 pages into a 300 page book, we should see some sort of change. At 2/3 of the way through this book, she should have at least an inkling of who she's becoming. But she's still horrible. And seriously, this far in, there should be a connection between the hero and heroine. This is a book about Katherine trying to figure out who she is now that she's achieved her goal of being free and in control. And Hugo is just along for the ride.
Avoid this book. It's really tedious. The characters are silly and behave much younger than their ages. It's not what I've come to expect from Avon books.
I'd also like to add that I decided to read the first book in this series immediately after to see if I'd have the same problems, and I did. This author is not for me, at all, in any shape way or form. I won't be reading her again.
***ARC courtesy of Avon
September 13, 2022
It's a sweet romance and it started very strong. However, it does start to slow down once again in the middle. But I enjoyed how our heroine was super cold and prickly and his big family warms her up.
April 7, 2018
1.5 stars?
I loved the idea of a marriage contract slash childhood friends to more story. I was especially excited after seeing several high reviews already posted. Sadly this one was disappointing.
I didn’t like Katherine. She’s a spoiled brat and definitely acts like one. I understand that her home life is arguably horrible, but I would have thought it made her nicer towards people, not so hateful. Hugo has potential, but he’s so laid back and it came across as not caring about anything. Even when he talks about the things he’s passionate about, those feelings didn’t come across.
Plot wise, it felt like I was reading 5 different stories. Everything was disjointed and with so many characters and plot points and random POVs scattered about, the story didn’t flow. The chemistry was just okay, but I never saw the relationship go from friendship to love. Oh, and the random French words thrown about were quite annoying.
Overall, it had a lot of potential. I liked the synopsis and how Katherine wanted control of her situation. For me, it was a bit of a struggle to read and I’m not sure why I didn’t DNF. I will not be reading any others of the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved the idea of a marriage contract slash childhood friends to more story. I was especially excited after seeing several high reviews already posted. Sadly this one was disappointing.
I didn’t like Katherine. She’s a spoiled brat and definitely acts like one. I understand that her home life is arguably horrible, but I would have thought it made her nicer towards people, not so hateful. Hugo has potential, but he’s so laid back and it came across as not caring about anything. Even when he talks about the things he’s passionate about, those feelings didn’t come across.
Plot wise, it felt like I was reading 5 different stories. Everything was disjointed and with so many characters and plot points and random POVs scattered about, the story didn’t flow. The chemistry was just okay, but I never saw the relationship go from friendship to love. Oh, and the random French words thrown about were quite annoying.
Overall, it had a lot of potential. I liked the synopsis and how Katherine wanted control of her situation. For me, it was a bit of a struggle to read and I’m not sure why I didn’t DNF. I will not be reading any others of the series.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
April 15, 2018
Series: The Penhallow Dynasty #3
Publication Date: 4/24/18
World’s coldest heiress meets world’s most likable hero – how in the world can this ever work? It can, and it is lovely to see. This is a well written and well-plotted book with a lovable hero and a heroine you will love to hate – at least for a fair amount of the book.
Hugo Penhallow is a much-loved member of the prestigious Penhallow family. He’s not a peer, but his family name is so revered that he might as well be a duke. Hugo’s immediate family - mother, sister and three brothers - are impoverished. His father had spent his life on research rather than providing for his family and now things were getting really bad. Hugo, an army captain, was injured in the America’s (Canada) and had to leave the service. He had been sending a portion of his income to his mother and his cousin Gabriel had also granted Hugo's mother a stipend. Hugo thought that was enough to get by until he got home and saw the state of affairs. Hugo loved his family beyond reason. They were just a loving, caring, involved family – all of them – and Hugo couldn’t stand to see them impoverished. It was his responsibility to care for them. Before he’d arrived, he’d already decided to look up Katherine Brooke (a very wealthy heiress) who he remembered fondly from his childhood and ask for her hand in marriage. It would be a marriage of convenience only because he had never fallen in love and just assumed that he never would.
Katherine Brooke hardly remembers her childhood before her father inherited all of her grandfather’s wealth. She had closed all of that away. She had been a sweet, loving child who very much enjoyed her closest neighbors – the Penhallow family – especially Hugo. She was bereft when he went away to school and then into the army. Then, her grasping, greedy, social-climbing parents inherited all of her grandfather’s wealth - they moved into a newly built garish mansion and Katherine became a pawn. Katherine was constantly belittled by her parents, nothing she ever did was good enough – she had to be absolutely perfect in everything and perfect was defined by her parents. Then she was sent to the most gosh-awful school where they were probably worse than her parents. Some readers have written reviews saying she was spoiled. Well, I don’t see it. Yes, she was provided with clothes (which she hated), jewels (which she hated) and all the luxuries. The clothes and jewels weren’t of a style she would have preferred and she was denied any of the luxuries that were important to her. She was like a bird in a cage – lovely but denied all freedoms. Her parents were cold, boorish and very unloving – her only use to them was to provide them a social status when she married. All she wanted was to get away – to be alone – and she saw her chance when Hugo Penhallow called at her home.
After Hugo meets Katherine again, he wonders where the lovely little Kate he knew had gone. She had been replaced by a shrew. When she proposes to him, they strike a bargain that can only bring unhappiness to both of them. However – she needs her freedom and he needs her money so they strike the bargain made in hell.
Hugo doesn’t change throughout the book. He is always calm, caring, devoted to his family, happy, cheerful, etc. Katherine, however, is like a caterpillar coming out of its cocoon as a lovely butterfly. It takes her a while, it doesn’t happen overnight – and she has setbacks along the way, but, in the end, it is a lovely thing. It would have been nice to see a bit of temper from him on occasion - but then -- I guess that wouldn't have been what Katherine needed from him.
This wasn’t an ‘exciting’ book that kept you turning the pages to see what would happen next. There were no real villains (other than her parents) who were trying to create havoc. It also had surprisingly little angst - given Katherine's history. It was a slow and steady read with a constant growth to our heroine.
I particularly liked senor Rodrigo, the parrot. He was delightful and added a nice bit of humor. Another thing I liked was telling part of the story through the family letters. It was lovely to see the inner thoughts of the other family members – particularly the twin boys who were at school.
This book is part of a series, but can easily be read and understood as a stand-alone.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 4/24/18
World’s coldest heiress meets world’s most likable hero – how in the world can this ever work? It can, and it is lovely to see. This is a well written and well-plotted book with a lovable hero and a heroine you will love to hate – at least for a fair amount of the book.
Hugo Penhallow is a much-loved member of the prestigious Penhallow family. He’s not a peer, but his family name is so revered that he might as well be a duke. Hugo’s immediate family - mother, sister and three brothers - are impoverished. His father had spent his life on research rather than providing for his family and now things were getting really bad. Hugo, an army captain, was injured in the America’s (Canada) and had to leave the service. He had been sending a portion of his income to his mother and his cousin Gabriel had also granted Hugo's mother a stipend. Hugo thought that was enough to get by until he got home and saw the state of affairs. Hugo loved his family beyond reason. They were just a loving, caring, involved family – all of them – and Hugo couldn’t stand to see them impoverished. It was his responsibility to care for them. Before he’d arrived, he’d already decided to look up Katherine Brooke (a very wealthy heiress) who he remembered fondly from his childhood and ask for her hand in marriage. It would be a marriage of convenience only because he had never fallen in love and just assumed that he never would.
Katherine Brooke hardly remembers her childhood before her father inherited all of her grandfather’s wealth. She had closed all of that away. She had been a sweet, loving child who very much enjoyed her closest neighbors – the Penhallow family – especially Hugo. She was bereft when he went away to school and then into the army. Then, her grasping, greedy, social-climbing parents inherited all of her grandfather’s wealth - they moved into a newly built garish mansion and Katherine became a pawn. Katherine was constantly belittled by her parents, nothing she ever did was good enough – she had to be absolutely perfect in everything and perfect was defined by her parents. Then she was sent to the most gosh-awful school where they were probably worse than her parents. Some readers have written reviews saying she was spoiled. Well, I don’t see it. Yes, she was provided with clothes (which she hated), jewels (which she hated) and all the luxuries. The clothes and jewels weren’t of a style she would have preferred and she was denied any of the luxuries that were important to her. She was like a bird in a cage – lovely but denied all freedoms. Her parents were cold, boorish and very unloving – her only use to them was to provide them a social status when she married. All she wanted was to get away – to be alone – and she saw her chance when Hugo Penhallow called at her home.
After Hugo meets Katherine again, he wonders where the lovely little Kate he knew had gone. She had been replaced by a shrew. When she proposes to him, they strike a bargain that can only bring unhappiness to both of them. However – she needs her freedom and he needs her money so they strike the bargain made in hell.
Hugo doesn’t change throughout the book. He is always calm, caring, devoted to his family, happy, cheerful, etc. Katherine, however, is like a caterpillar coming out of its cocoon as a lovely butterfly. It takes her a while, it doesn’t happen overnight – and she has setbacks along the way, but, in the end, it is a lovely thing. It would have been nice to see a bit of temper from him on occasion - but then -- I guess that wouldn't have been what Katherine needed from him.
This wasn’t an ‘exciting’ book that kept you turning the pages to see what would happen next. There were no real villains (other than her parents) who were trying to create havoc. It also had surprisingly little angst - given Katherine's history. It was a slow and steady read with a constant growth to our heroine.
I particularly liked senor Rodrigo, the parrot. He was delightful and added a nice bit of humor. Another thing I liked was telling part of the story through the family letters. It was lovely to see the inner thoughts of the other family members – particularly the twin boys who were at school.
This book is part of a series, but can easily be read and understood as a stand-alone.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
April 22, 2018
The Bride Takes a Groom by Lisa Berne is book three in The Penhallow Dynasty series. This is the story of Katherine Brooke and Captain Hugo Penhallow. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you choose to do so.
Katherine and Hugo once where childhood friends and Katherine loved his family, but then he went off to school and into service. In addition, her father inherited money from the death of her grandfather which set off a chain of events that changed her life. Her family moved into another house, became distance and crew in addition they sent her off to school where she was surrounded by more cruelness. Now they plan to marry her off to a tittle and her life still won't be hers. Hugo was injured during his time in service and now returning home he finds that the money he has been sending back wasn't enough and that his family is in need.
Katherine and Hugo come to a understand that they will marry with both getting something out of it...for Katherine, her freedom and Hug will get her money to help his family. We watch as Katherine starts to become the person she should have been and not the person her cruel parents seem to turn her into.
Really enjoyed this book!
Katherine and Hugo once where childhood friends and Katherine loved his family, but then he went off to school and into service. In addition, her father inherited money from the death of her grandfather which set off a chain of events that changed her life. Her family moved into another house, became distance and crew in addition they sent her off to school where she was surrounded by more cruelness. Now they plan to marry her off to a tittle and her life still won't be hers. Hugo was injured during his time in service and now returning home he finds that the money he has been sending back wasn't enough and that his family is in need.
Katherine and Hugo come to a understand that they will marry with both getting something out of it...for Katherine, her freedom and Hug will get her money to help his family. We watch as Katherine starts to become the person she should have been and not the person her cruel parents seem to turn her into.
Really enjoyed this book!
April 16, 2018
The first half of this book was excellent which is why I gave it three stars. It went off the rails for the second half, however, and made it a much more tedious read in the end.
The plot in the blurb was resolved around the 40% mark. Part of what kept me reading up to that point was my curiosity as to whether Katherine became a better person or not. I was looking forward to watching Katherine and Hugo get to know each other again and fall in love. Somehow I felt robbed of that.
Katherine is beyond awful at the beginning. She’s a complete snob to everyone. But you know what? By the end I found myself liking her much more and realized she didn’t truly know who she was either. And I even kind of felt bad for judging her.
Hugo was crazy laid back throughout the entire book and very few things rattled him. And that’s about all I really learned about him. That, and the fact he loves his family.
A TON of stuff happened in this book. Unfortunately, this made it seem as if the author just threw a bunch of scenarios into a bowl and then randomly picked one as she went along. I praise her for trying a different formula than H and h meet, conflict happens, conflict resolves but I kind of prefer it. Especially when there are lots of small conflicts that only last a chapter or two before their resolution.
If you love letters written between characters, this book is for you. I happen to love this but there were just too many letters. I got to the point that I was skipping them completely.
Though this wasn’t really my cup of tea, I will still read Lisa Berne again.
*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The plot in the blurb was resolved around the 40% mark. Part of what kept me reading up to that point was my curiosity as to whether Katherine became a better person or not. I was looking forward to watching Katherine and Hugo get to know each other again and fall in love. Somehow I felt robbed of that.
Katherine is beyond awful at the beginning. She’s a complete snob to everyone. But you know what? By the end I found myself liking her much more and realized she didn’t truly know who she was either. And I even kind of felt bad for judging her.
Hugo was crazy laid back throughout the entire book and very few things rattled him. And that’s about all I really learned about him. That, and the fact he loves his family.
A TON of stuff happened in this book. Unfortunately, this made it seem as if the author just threw a bunch of scenarios into a bowl and then randomly picked one as she went along. I praise her for trying a different formula than H and h meet, conflict happens, conflict resolves but I kind of prefer it. Especially when there are lots of small conflicts that only last a chapter or two before their resolution.
If you love letters written between characters, this book is for you. I happen to love this but there were just too many letters. I got to the point that I was skipping them completely.
Though this wasn’t really my cup of tea, I will still read Lisa Berne again.
*I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2018
The Bride Takes a Groom is the third book in the Penhallow Dynasty series, and my first read by this author. Penhallow is an esteemed and revered name in London society, and the family bucks tradition by marrying for love and maintaining close relationships throughout the family lines. I really liked everyone in the family, even Aunt Henrietta, who is a reformed stuffy matron sort.
Captain Hugo Penhallow has been in America fighting a war for the past 10 years or so, and has returned home after being shot and breaking his leg. He rushes back home to see his mother and siblings, and finds all the love he missed while he was away. Unfortunately he also quickly realizes their dire financial situation, and he sets out to remedy their lack of resources right away. I liked that Hugo was an amiable and easy-going fellow - nothing ever seemed to ruffle his feathers. His dedication to his family and even his bratty bride was admirable. I would have liked to spend more time in Hugo's head, and wished that his character had been developed more once the story was established.
Katherine Brooke is an obscenely wealthy heiress to a family with common origins. Her parents are crass and ostentatious, and they are very strict as they have hung their hat on trading Katherine for a title and elevated social standing. When childhood friend Hugo comes back into her life, Katherine views it as the perfect business transaction to get out from under her parents' thumb. Unfortunately, Katherine acts extremely cold and high brow, and I absolutely hated the way she treated Hugo and his family for over half the book. She was such a brat and unlikable in every way. I admit that she was mostly redeemed by the end of the book, but that didn't start until very late, nearly 80% if I remember correctly.
The romance between these two was hot and cold, with more time on the cold and frustrating spectrum than I prefer. Hugo was definitely more committed and caring, and we didn't see the same side of Katherine until tragedy struck. Luckily, the Penhallows made up for Katherine's lack and really kept the plot advancing when I grew tired of Katherine's attitude. I particularly loved their penchant for collecting stray and homely animals, particularly Sir Rodrigo, the featherless parrot. He added a wonderfully light and humorous aspect to the story.
I did enjoy Berne's writing style and all of the other characters besides Katherine, so I will definitely continue reading her in the future. First I must go read the back list from the Penhallow Dynasty as I am just dying to know how the previous couples met and fell in love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Avon.
February 8, 2022
I read this bc ellas friends brother is the MODEL. Okay it’s worse than the other one maybe? I’m done with shitty romance novels the brain rot is real!!! It starts off bad and gets worse. I am so happy to be done with this :) good luck Ella
April 25, 2018
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
A spoiled heiress and a self-sacrificing hero were quite the fiery match in The Bride Takes a Groom, which was basically a friends to lovers *and* a marriage of convenience trope. After a very rocky beginning, this pair ended things on a wonderfully romantic note with a lovely HEA for all involved.
I’ll be honest: even though I loved Lisa Berne’s writing style and the overall storyline in this book, I struggled to get through the first half of it because of the heroine, Katherine. Trying to connect with her and make sense of her ever-changing moods was tough at times. I did end up truly liking her by the last third or so of the book thankfully. But Katherine came across as very spoiled, naive and coddled for the most part. Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
A spoiled heiress and a self-sacrificing hero were quite the fiery match in The Bride Takes a Groom, which was basically a friends to lovers *and* a marriage of convenience trope. After a very rocky beginning, this pair ended things on a wonderfully romantic note with a lovely HEA for all involved.
I’ll be honest: even though I loved Lisa Berne’s writing style and the overall storyline in this book, I struggled to get through the first half of it because of the heroine, Katherine. Trying to connect with her and make sense of her ever-changing moods was tough at times. I did end up truly liking her by the last third or so of the book thankfully. But Katherine came across as very spoiled, naive and coddled for the most part. Read More
March 19, 2019
This is a hard book to review. Lisa Berne shows excellent writing skills, but somehow the story just didn't fully engage my emotions. The premise was good; a nice twist on the marriage of convenience trope. My biggest complaint was the minimal amount of Hugo's point of view. I really liked him at the beginning, but the book failed to show the development of his feelings toward the heroine. As a result, Hugo seemed vague and indecisive. I felt sympathy for Katherine, but she went a long time with no real direction. That was a intentional part of the story, but it caused the book to not flow well. Their "I love you" reveal at the end of the book seemed anti-climatic.
All of this may seem like I didn't like the book. Not true. I actually enjoyed the book, but I feel that is could have been much stronger.
All of this may seem like I didn't like the book. Not true. I actually enjoyed the book, but I feel that is could have been much stronger.
May 22, 2018
Originally posted on Adria's Musings and Reviews (Blog post MAY have additional content such as playlists, interviews, giveaways, etc).
* A copy of this book was and provided by the publisher via NetGalley/Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? Katherine Brooke has it all, looks, wealth, and youth but she is still just a pawn in her parents’ ruthless plans to marry her off to the nobility. Enter childhood friend Hugo Penhallow. He has a name that is highly respected but his family is facing financial ruin and Katherine sees her chance to be free of her parent’s control. She’ll marry Hugo for his name and in return he gets her money. It’s the perfect business arrangement. Or is it?
Overall reaction to the book? The Bride Takes a Groom is one of those books where a reader will enjoy the plot for the most part but won’t particularly like the heroine and maybe even the hero. I fluctuated between “like” and ambivalence with the hero. I flat out disliked the heroine.
Hugo isn’t a bad hero; he was just so easy going that he sometimes slipped into the spineless category. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a spineless hero before. I have to say, I don’t like it. He just didn’t say or do much when it came to Katherine’s behavior. I kept waiting for him to just give up on her and find a better woman to build a life with! Ugh, his taste in women had me questioning his intelligence and his self-confidence. His love and patience with his family was what balanced out his more negative traits, making him an okay character in my eyes. I never really felt he was someone that was made for the spotlight; he had more of a secondary character feel to me.
But oh my word but Katherine was the real problem of the story. Super rich and super entitled she was just the worst. She may have had good intentions in some cases, like with her charitable causes but those were always overshadowed by her attitude towards Hugo and his family! Supposedly she and Hugo had been childhood friends but you wouldn’t know it by the way she behaved with him. Meanwhile he was all patience, warmth, and affection. I just couldn’t understand why this silly pea brained creature was someone who would even be considered a heroine when she was just so frustrating. I’d go as far as to say she was a giant PITA. I would have been happier had she dropped off the face of the earth, leaving Hugo to find someone more worthy of his kind nature.
Needless to say that the romance suffered greatly because of Katherine’s idiocy. I never felt their romance really went anywhere beyond lukewarm and that was because of Hugo’s overtures. I couldn’t cheer for these two as a couple because I just couldn’t stand Katherine. Everything suffered because of her.
The Bride Takes a Groom isn’t a terrible book though. I enjoyed Lisa Berne’s writing style but because of two lackluster characters, one being a brat in need of a good kick in the pants, I don’t think I got a really good idea of what this author is capable of. I did feel a little overwhelmed in the very beginning with all the chattering going on with the Penhallows. It felt like a character dump to me.
Click It or Skip It? Skip it. I am anxious to read the previous books in this series simply because I think this is just an unfortunate circumstance where the heroine was someone who should have been run over by a carriage.
* A copy of this book was and provided by the publisher via NetGalley/Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? Katherine Brooke has it all, looks, wealth, and youth but she is still just a pawn in her parents’ ruthless plans to marry her off to the nobility. Enter childhood friend Hugo Penhallow. He has a name that is highly respected but his family is facing financial ruin and Katherine sees her chance to be free of her parent’s control. She’ll marry Hugo for his name and in return he gets her money. It’s the perfect business arrangement. Or is it?
Overall reaction to the book? The Bride Takes a Groom is one of those books where a reader will enjoy the plot for the most part but won’t particularly like the heroine and maybe even the hero. I fluctuated between “like” and ambivalence with the hero. I flat out disliked the heroine.
Hugo isn’t a bad hero; he was just so easy going that he sometimes slipped into the spineless category. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a spineless hero before. I have to say, I don’t like it. He just didn’t say or do much when it came to Katherine’s behavior. I kept waiting for him to just give up on her and find a better woman to build a life with! Ugh, his taste in women had me questioning his intelligence and his self-confidence. His love and patience with his family was what balanced out his more negative traits, making him an okay character in my eyes. I never really felt he was someone that was made for the spotlight; he had more of a secondary character feel to me.
But oh my word but Katherine was the real problem of the story. Super rich and super entitled she was just the worst. She may have had good intentions in some cases, like with her charitable causes but those were always overshadowed by her attitude towards Hugo and his family! Supposedly she and Hugo had been childhood friends but you wouldn’t know it by the way she behaved with him. Meanwhile he was all patience, warmth, and affection. I just couldn’t understand why this silly pea brained creature was someone who would even be considered a heroine when she was just so frustrating. I’d go as far as to say she was a giant PITA. I would have been happier had she dropped off the face of the earth, leaving Hugo to find someone more worthy of his kind nature.
Needless to say that the romance suffered greatly because of Katherine’s idiocy. I never felt their romance really went anywhere beyond lukewarm and that was because of Hugo’s overtures. I couldn’t cheer for these two as a couple because I just couldn’t stand Katherine. Everything suffered because of her.
The Bride Takes a Groom isn’t a terrible book though. I enjoyed Lisa Berne’s writing style but because of two lackluster characters, one being a brat in need of a good kick in the pants, I don’t think I got a really good idea of what this author is capable of. I did feel a little overwhelmed in the very beginning with all the chattering going on with the Penhallows. It felt like a character dump to me.
Click It or Skip It? Skip it. I am anxious to read the previous books in this series simply because I think this is just an unfortunate circumstance where the heroine was someone who should have been run over by a carriage.
November 9, 2023
Eternalabyss - per RFS
.
Care Fenici, eccoci qui con un’altra opera regency, che riserva davvero molte sorprese.
In questo romanzo si affronta la vita di Hugo Penhallow, un altro membro della famiglia che ci era stata presentata precedentemente negli scorsi due volumi.
Il nostro protagonista, tuttavia, è un uomo che è stato in guerra, ha visto molte volte la morte in faccia e rappresenta una via d’uscita per la protagonista femminile, Katherine, che vede in lui non soltanto un biglietto di sola andata per la libertà, ma anche qualcosa di più.
Tra i due non nasce immediatamente una rosea relazione, difatti Katherine è costantemente oppressa dai suoi genitori, smaniosi di fare di lei una figlia perfetta e di cui potersi vantare, insomma alla loro altezza, mentre Hugo è intento a cercare di trovare un modo per non far andare in bancarotta la propria famiglia, che sta calando a picco.
Cosa potrà mai unire in matrimonio due persone tanto diverse? Ovviamente, la convenienza.
I soldi di lei riusciranno a risollevare i Penhallow mentre lei soddisferà i genitori sposando un uomo di nobile lignaggio: sembra tutto perfetto, tranne per il fatto che Katherine è fermamente convinta che nessuno sia in grado di amarla e Hugo non si sente fatto per l’amore.
I matrimoni di convenienza non ci sono nuovi, tuttavia devo ammettere che questo è stato creato con maestria, data la penna delicata dell’autrice.
I due protagonisti si conoscevano fin da bambini e questo è un dettaglio fondamentale poiché riesce a farci comprendere i caratteri diametralmente opposti dei due, da cosa sono scaturiti e soprattutto da ciò che hanno dovuto affrontare; a partire dalla chiusura in “collegio” di Katherine che l’ha segnata profondamente, soprattutto dopo la traumatica esperienza con il suo insegnante, fonte dei suoi traumi successivi.
Lei, a mio parere, è il personaggio che riceve più benefici da questa unione: vediamo come fin da bambina le sia mancato l’affetto di una famiglia e ritrovarsi catapultata in quella di Hugo, così affabile e numerosa, le ha fatto scoprire di essere degna di essere amata e accolta così com’è; infatti appaiono, seppur brevemente, anche i personaggi degli scorsi romanzi, tutti i Penhallow al completo.
Vivendo insieme i due riscoprono se stessi, la loro capacità di amare e di essere amati, e cosa più importante, che mi ha fatta ridere di gioia e liberazione, i genitori di Katherine vengono estromessi una volta per tutte e non potranno più esserle di ostacolo.
Lisa Berne è riuscita a creare un piccolo gioiellino, poiché in maniera semplice è riuscita a illustrare sentimenti così forti e contrastanti, la calma di Hugo è stata fondamentale perché lui rappresenta per Katherine la roccia a cui aggrapparsi, non poteva essere altrimenti.
Consiglio vivamente la lettura, un pomeriggio vola in un attimo mentre si vivono le avventure di questi due personaggi, che sono divertenti e focosi quanto basta.
.
Care Fenici, eccoci qui con un’altra opera regency, che riserva davvero molte sorprese.
In questo romanzo si affronta la vita di Hugo Penhallow, un altro membro della famiglia che ci era stata presentata precedentemente negli scorsi due volumi.
Il nostro protagonista, tuttavia, è un uomo che è stato in guerra, ha visto molte volte la morte in faccia e rappresenta una via d’uscita per la protagonista femminile, Katherine, che vede in lui non soltanto un biglietto di sola andata per la libertà, ma anche qualcosa di più.
Tra i due non nasce immediatamente una rosea relazione, difatti Katherine è costantemente oppressa dai suoi genitori, smaniosi di fare di lei una figlia perfetta e di cui potersi vantare, insomma alla loro altezza, mentre Hugo è intento a cercare di trovare un modo per non far andare in bancarotta la propria famiglia, che sta calando a picco.
Cosa potrà mai unire in matrimonio due persone tanto diverse? Ovviamente, la convenienza.
I soldi di lei riusciranno a risollevare i Penhallow mentre lei soddisferà i genitori sposando un uomo di nobile lignaggio: sembra tutto perfetto, tranne per il fatto che Katherine è fermamente convinta che nessuno sia in grado di amarla e Hugo non si sente fatto per l’amore.
I matrimoni di convenienza non ci sono nuovi, tuttavia devo ammettere che questo è stato creato con maestria, data la penna delicata dell’autrice.
I due protagonisti si conoscevano fin da bambini e questo è un dettaglio fondamentale poiché riesce a farci comprendere i caratteri diametralmente opposti dei due, da cosa sono scaturiti e soprattutto da ciò che hanno dovuto affrontare; a partire dalla chiusura in “collegio” di Katherine che l’ha segnata profondamente, soprattutto dopo la traumatica esperienza con il suo insegnante, fonte dei suoi traumi successivi.
Lei, a mio parere, è il personaggio che riceve più benefici da questa unione: vediamo come fin da bambina le sia mancato l’affetto di una famiglia e ritrovarsi catapultata in quella di Hugo, così affabile e numerosa, le ha fatto scoprire di essere degna di essere amata e accolta così com’è; infatti appaiono, seppur brevemente, anche i personaggi degli scorsi romanzi, tutti i Penhallow al completo.
Vivendo insieme i due riscoprono se stessi, la loro capacità di amare e di essere amati, e cosa più importante, che mi ha fatta ridere di gioia e liberazione, i genitori di Katherine vengono estromessi una volta per tutte e non potranno più esserle di ostacolo.
Lisa Berne è riuscita a creare un piccolo gioiellino, poiché in maniera semplice è riuscita a illustrare sentimenti così forti e contrastanti, la calma di Hugo è stata fondamentale perché lui rappresenta per Katherine la roccia a cui aggrapparsi, non poteva essere altrimenti.
Consiglio vivamente la lettura, un pomeriggio vola in un attimo mentre si vivono le avventure di questi due personaggi, che sono divertenti e focosi quanto basta.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2018
2.5 stars
I have to admit I really struggled with this book. I picked it up and put it down several times simply because the heroine really rubbed me the wrong way. Katherine has had a tough upbringing, there is no denying that. However, I have to say she is certainly lucky Hugo and his family are so kind hearted to give her a chance and believe there is something more beneath the surface. I'd have to say with a majority of other people she would have been dismissed as being a royal PITA because wow! Some of the things she says and does would have made me want to slap her. Yes, she has these random grand gestures of charity but still it took a good long while before I even found her tolerable. By the end she definitely made some strides towards likability but it was a little too late and she never endeared herself to me.
Hugo on the other hand was so congenial and took everything in stride that he almost came across as spineless. I wanted to cheer whenever he ever showed a hint of being disgruntled with Katherine's attitude, words and actions because I felt there is a fine line between being easy going and being a door mat.
The storyline itself seemed disjointed as well and a few times it felt like sub-plots were thrown in at random. I think if it had been a little more focused it would have been a enjoyable book because it could have focused more on developing the characters. Unfortunately this book just didn't hit the high notes for me.
I have to admit I really struggled with this book. I picked it up and put it down several times simply because the heroine really rubbed me the wrong way. Katherine has had a tough upbringing, there is no denying that. However, I have to say she is certainly lucky Hugo and his family are so kind hearted to give her a chance and believe there is something more beneath the surface. I'd have to say with a majority of other people she would have been dismissed as being a royal PITA because wow! Some of the things she says and does would have made me want to slap her. Yes, she has these random grand gestures of charity but still it took a good long while before I even found her tolerable. By the end she definitely made some strides towards likability but it was a little too late and she never endeared herself to me.
Hugo on the other hand was so congenial and took everything in stride that he almost came across as spineless. I wanted to cheer whenever he ever showed a hint of being disgruntled with Katherine's attitude, words and actions because I felt there is a fine line between being easy going and being a door mat.
The storyline itself seemed disjointed as well and a few times it felt like sub-plots were thrown in at random. I think if it had been a little more focused it would have been a enjoyable book because it could have focused more on developing the characters. Unfortunately this book just didn't hit the high notes for me.
December 19, 2023
Lovely surprise, with a rather quirky couple. He has a rich family life, but knows he must marry for money. He starts by seeing the disgustingly rich heroine. She knows she and her family are not accepted. She's very prickly and I liked how the very cautious H was kind to her and accepted her as she was. This helped her to reveal her talents and sweetness.
no-way-jose
June 8, 2025Note to self: A cold, snobbish heroine and an extremely laid-back and nothing ruffled his feathers hero, two of my least favorite types of MCs.
Series results: Loved book 1, Eh for book 2, and a big NO for book 3.
Series results: Loved book 1, Eh for book 2, and a big NO for book 3.
Read
June 20, 20182.5 stars? i did like it....but it didnt?
Read
May 2, 2021I don’t think I like books where the main character becomes a writer.
June 21, 2018
This is a book that will make you and cry. Two people, one broken in body the other broken in spirit. It starts out with action and ends with love and action. Well worth the read. This is my first time to read anything by Lisa Berne, I'll be looking forward to reading more of her work.
June 20, 2018
Lisa Berne has a unique style that didn't grate like some stream of bizarre conscience books can. I liked the relationship. Hugo was a man's man but not arrogant or autocratic in any way which I enjoyed. His family is just darling all the way around. I enjoyed this one and while I want to read the next one I don't think I'll go back and read the first two.
June 9, 2018
J'ai mis du temps à apprécier Katherine... mais au final, son personnage évolue tant que je suis admirative devant elle. ❤ Hugo m'a beaucoup plu, avec sa patience, son sourire, son attitude simple. ❤ Quoi que leur amour est venu trop soudainement à mon goût, j'ai aimé leur relation. Une fois la confiance installée, ils se soutiennent et s'aiment. ❤
April 28, 2018
The story ends with plenty of good fortune and luck. I was also wondering what happened to her family in the end although it didn't seem relevant. Overall, those parts are not that realistic but I'm a sucker for a happy ending and I will never complain about a too happy ending.
Bonus point for hero making sure about consent all the time. I like seeing that change in HR. No more of those "I know you want me and I will make you realize" heroes.
Bonus point for hero making sure about consent all the time. I like seeing that change in HR. No more of those "I know you want me and I will make you realize" heroes.
May 3, 2018
Have to admit that I almost didn’t finish this book. Katherine was very unlikable in the beginning, so much so that I thought there’d be no redemption for her. Thankfully that wasn’t the case. Though I don’t think having readers hate the heroine first thing is a great idea.
The book is enjoyable, however I could have done without the random French, as well as going to secondary characters’ pov.
The book is enjoyable, however I could have done without the random French, as well as going to secondary characters’ pov.
May 10, 2018
A really solid book, with a heroine who learns to love herself and becomes part of a family. Marriage of convenience between childhood friends, an heiress and a Captain.
Full review here: www.loveinpanels.com/prose/the-bride-...
Full review here: www.loveinpanels.com/prose/the-bride-...
February 17, 2023
Lisa Berne is one of the better romance novels authors. This book is not one of my faves, though. And its because of the main characters. They are difficult to be interested in - even though I like the male lead more than the female lead.
The two main characters engage in a marriage of convenience. He -because his family is high ranking, but poor with several younger siblings to support. Her because her parents, rich but common, are scheming to move up in high society and she is desperate to be indepentent of her terrible , uncaring and toxic parents.
The main female lead, Kathrine, is so caught up in her inner pain, that she is walled off. She treats her husband, Hugo, the main male lead, cold and appalling. She is hot and cold and has the nerve to ask him whats wrong with him, since he is so nice and respects her wishes, when she demands that they should not consumate their marriage untill she says so.
Her feelings are so over the place and she alienates her husband with her cold behaviour. I understand that former experiences have shaped her and that she is bitter because Hugo have married her for money. But at least he tries and have initially the intention that their relationsship could develop into something more- because they used to knew each others as children. But he is met with an aloof and cold wall. Even though I understand her and feel sorry for her, because she is so hurt and lonely, I cant sympatize with her behaviour. In her own pain, she does not care that she hurts Hugo even though he has never done any thing to hurt her. She is a very difficult person to like.
Hugo is totally different person than Kathrine and has a warm and loving relationsship with his family. He treats Kathrine with respect and kindness. He does not understand why she has changed her personality from when she was a child, or why she acts so confusing - hot one moment, cold the next. But he just accept her bad behaviour good naturely.
It is difficult to really know Hugo's personality. He is a happy- go lucky person. He is phlegmatic. He does not get upset and rolls with the punches. His polite and friendly behaviour towards Kathrine can be mistaken for indiffrence.
I would have liked if Hugo was a bit more assertive and forced Kathrine to communicate with him. They have a lovely and open communication after they finally consumate their marriage and Hugo is hopefull its a new beginning. But he makes the mistake to let her sleep late in the morning and go out riding and that allows Kathrine to remind her self that their marriage is a bussiness agreement (her words) and put her walls up again. Hugo is of course confused and wants to know what he did wrong and what happended to make her mood shift, but she just brushes him of. Again- he accepts to be brushed off - instead of telling her that her behaviour is uacceptabel and he does not deserves to be treated so cold and harsh. I would like him to shake Kathrine untill she sees sence.
That you have baggage from the past and is hurt is no excuse for bad behaviour. I think Kathrine gets away with to much and it takes her to long to realize that freedom and wealth does not make her more happy or less lonely. When she guards her heart, she is also hurting her self and others.
That is the reason why its difficult, as a reader to sympatize with the characters and to care what happens with them.
The two main characters engage in a marriage of convenience. He -because his family is high ranking, but poor with several younger siblings to support. Her because her parents, rich but common, are scheming to move up in high society and she is desperate to be indepentent of her terrible , uncaring and toxic parents.
The main female lead, Kathrine, is so caught up in her inner pain, that she is walled off. She treats her husband, Hugo, the main male lead, cold and appalling. She is hot and cold and has the nerve to ask him whats wrong with him, since he is so nice and respects her wishes, when she demands that they should not consumate their marriage untill she says so.
Her feelings are so over the place and she alienates her husband with her cold behaviour. I understand that former experiences have shaped her and that she is bitter because Hugo have married her for money. But at least he tries and have initially the intention that their relationsship could develop into something more- because they used to knew each others as children. But he is met with an aloof and cold wall. Even though I understand her and feel sorry for her, because she is so hurt and lonely, I cant sympatize with her behaviour. In her own pain, she does not care that she hurts Hugo even though he has never done any thing to hurt her. She is a very difficult person to like.
Hugo is totally different person than Kathrine and has a warm and loving relationsship with his family. He treats Kathrine with respect and kindness. He does not understand why she has changed her personality from when she was a child, or why she acts so confusing - hot one moment, cold the next. But he just accept her bad behaviour good naturely.
It is difficult to really know Hugo's personality. He is a happy- go lucky person. He is phlegmatic. He does not get upset and rolls with the punches. His polite and friendly behaviour towards Kathrine can be mistaken for indiffrence.
I would have liked if Hugo was a bit more assertive and forced Kathrine to communicate with him. They have a lovely and open communication after they finally consumate their marriage and Hugo is hopefull its a new beginning. But he makes the mistake to let her sleep late in the morning and go out riding and that allows Kathrine to remind her self that their marriage is a bussiness agreement (her words) and put her walls up again. Hugo is of course confused and wants to know what he did wrong and what happended to make her mood shift, but she just brushes him of. Again- he accepts to be brushed off - instead of telling her that her behaviour is uacceptabel and he does not deserves to be treated so cold and harsh. I would like him to shake Kathrine untill she sees sence.
That you have baggage from the past and is hurt is no excuse for bad behaviour. I think Kathrine gets away with to much and it takes her to long to realize that freedom and wealth does not make her more happy or less lonely. When she guards her heart, she is also hurting her self and others.
That is the reason why its difficult, as a reader to sympatize with the characters and to care what happens with them.
October 16, 2020
I'm not sure what my review will add, as my criticism seem to be pretty typical for readers of this book, the third in the Penhallow Dynasty series.
My expectations for this book were high, as the situation/tropes presented in the summary were right up my alley: childhood friends in a marriage of convenience, and I enjoyed the earlier books in the series. I also found Hugo to be an enjoyable and sympathetic character in the previous book. However, right off the bat, it's not exactly the presented situation: Hugo and Katherine knew each other for one summer as kids, when she was around 7-8, and he was around 12-13 (I couldn't decide if my timeline were off, or if the author loses track herself) and weren't particularly close. It's also never really stated why they were buds, when Hugo has several younger siblings that Katherine might have meshed with better. There's also the loose thread of how Katherine's parents are determined for her to be nothing less than a duchess, but somehow, a Penhallow (of any impoverished, untitled sort) is an even better coup than a duke. For some reason?
The characterization of the hero and heroine, while not totally unsympathetic (to me, ymmv as you see from the other reviews), is unsatisfying and doesn't really hang together. Katherine is presented as this extremely damaged, prickly individual, but really she just has gauche, embarrassing, rather indifferent parents. Hugo never develops at all from his previous characterization in the last book: easy-going, gregarious and family-focused. He basically decides that he has to marry an heiress to save his family, does (incredibly easily, lost opportunity for romance development there), and then seemingly decides that he will love and desire Katherine, since he's already married to her, anyway, and hasn't been getting regular sex while overseas as a soldier. Most of his softer emotions towards her are presented as a sort of condescending pity versus any romantic love or attraction. Hugo's sister is jealous of Katherine, but otherwise, his family just accepts her and doesn't seem to think much of her--a little resentment or even just plain awkwardness would be more realistic.
Katherine's motivations are presented as getting away from her parents/assuming control of her own life and having this vengeful Season, to compensate for feeling foolish during her previous one. Both these goals are accomplished with ease and varying levels of satisfaction on her part. In theory, you could ascribe her arc from defensive, lonely shrew at the beginning to a brief run as society darling to the sweet and modest wife, mother, and author as character growth, but it comes across at times as completely different characters. Hugo, on the other hand, is flat, simple, and shallow, if perfectly . . . fine.
When Katherine's situation (and thus to a certain extent Hugo and his family's) changes, everyone just kind of shrugs and moves on. Even though it was considered dire that he marry her? I know he has his own money at this point, but everyone involved is just very casual about this marriage as a whole.
I dunno. A disappointment based on the previous books, and my attraction to the premise. I also didn't enjoy Hugo's sister, so between the two, I haven't bothered to move on to the next book in the series.
My expectations for this book were high, as the situation/tropes presented in the summary were right up my alley: childhood friends in a marriage of convenience, and I enjoyed the earlier books in the series. I also found Hugo to be an enjoyable and sympathetic character in the previous book. However, right off the bat, it's not exactly the presented situation: Hugo and Katherine knew each other for one summer as kids, when she was around 7-8, and he was around 12-13 (I couldn't decide if my timeline were off, or if the author loses track herself) and weren't particularly close. It's also never really stated why they were buds, when Hugo has several younger siblings that Katherine might have meshed with better. There's also the loose thread of how Katherine's parents are determined for her to be nothing less than a duchess, but somehow, a Penhallow (of any impoverished, untitled sort) is an even better coup than a duke. For some reason?
The characterization of the hero and heroine, while not totally unsympathetic (to me, ymmv as you see from the other reviews), is unsatisfying and doesn't really hang together. Katherine is presented as this extremely damaged, prickly individual, but really she just has gauche, embarrassing, rather indifferent parents. Hugo never develops at all from his previous characterization in the last book: easy-going, gregarious and family-focused. He basically decides that he has to marry an heiress to save his family, does (incredibly easily, lost opportunity for romance development there), and then seemingly decides that he will love and desire Katherine, since he's already married to her, anyway, and hasn't been getting regular sex while overseas as a soldier. Most of his softer emotions towards her are presented as a sort of condescending pity versus any romantic love or attraction. Hugo's sister is jealous of Katherine, but otherwise, his family just accepts her and doesn't seem to think much of her--a little resentment or even just plain awkwardness would be more realistic.
Katherine's motivations are presented as getting away from her parents/assuming control of her own life and having this vengeful Season, to compensate for feeling foolish during her previous one. Both these goals are accomplished with ease and varying levels of satisfaction on her part. In theory, you could ascribe her arc from defensive, lonely shrew at the beginning to a brief run as society darling to the sweet and modest wife, mother, and author as character growth, but it comes across at times as completely different characters. Hugo, on the other hand, is flat, simple, and shallow, if perfectly . . . fine.
When Katherine's situation (and thus to a certain extent Hugo and his family's) changes, everyone just kind of shrugs and moves on. Even though it was considered dire that he marry her? I know he has his own money at this point, but everyone involved is just very casual about this marriage as a whole.
I dunno. A disappointment based on the previous books, and my attraction to the premise. I also didn't enjoy Hugo's sister, so between the two, I haven't bothered to move on to the next book in the series.
December 10, 2023
Il terzo libro della serie Penhallow di Lisa Berne ripropone il tanto noto espediente dell'historical romance del matrimonio di convenienza.
Hugo Penhallow e Katherine Brooke da ragazzi erano amici, ma percorrendo strade differenti si sono allontanati. Lei è diventata una ricca ereditiera mentre Hugo sta affrontando le difficoltà di una famiglia caduta in disgrazia. Lei ha bisogno del titolo nobiliare, lui del vile denaro. Ecco allora un patto impossibile da ignorare: un matrimonio che permetterà entrambi di ottenere quello che vogliono e cosa importa se in questa equazione l'amore non è presente? Eppure questo legame nato per i motivi più sbagliati potrebbe rivelarsi pieno di sorprese.
L'ereditiera prende marito è stata una lettura piacevole che però si è trascinata per qualche capitolo di troppo. Gli amanti del genere non disdegneranno sicuramente l'ambientazione e il modo in cui i protagonisti disegnano alla perfezione la loro epoca.
Katherine è un personaggio che potrebbe non incontrare facilmente le simpatie del pubblico. Bellissima, viziata, arrogante e superba, appare altera e altezzosa perchè in questo modo è stata educata per stare in società e trarne il meglio possibile. La famiglia di Katherine è davvero terribile e dopo aver ereditato una grande fortuna hanno concentrato tutti gli sforzi nell'impresa di far fare un buon matrimonio alla figlia. Sostanzialmente dei parvenu, hanno riempito la ragazza di astio, chiudendola in una prigione d'oro con gabbie spesse e soffocati, quando il desiderio di Katherine era quello di ricevere amorevoli attenzioni dai propri genitori.
Hugo è molto diverso. Legato alla sua famiglia da un solido affetto, si è sempre sacrificato per loro tanto che appena tornato dalla guerra, il suo unico pensiero è sollevare i suoi familiari dalla situazione di prostrazione in cui si trovano. Il pensiero di ritrovare l'amica Katherine non lo scoraggia, se non fosse che della persona che ricordava non c'è più niente. Ma rinunciare all'offerta prospettata sarebbe una follia quando entrambi potrebbero ottenere degli ovvi vantaggi, libertà e stabilità.
Dei due è Hugo è quello premuroso, accogliente e con una pazienza invidiabile. Il capitano non va mai allo scontro e rappresenta la perfetta contropartita per una protagonista poco affabile come Katherine. Questo ovviamente non crea una trama scoppiettante ma mi è piaciuto il percorso fatto dai personaggi, soprattutto la crescita e il cambiamento di rotta di Katherine.
La penna di Lisa Berne si conferma affidabile e precisa nel ritrarre l'epoca descritta, gli usi e i costumi di una società che aderiva a freddi e rigidi dettami in cui l'unica cosa che non trovava spazio erano i sentimenti.
Che altro dire se non che continuerà ancora a leggere i libri di questa serie perchè adoro la scrittura di Lisa Berne.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2023/1...
Hugo Penhallow e Katherine Brooke da ragazzi erano amici, ma percorrendo strade differenti si sono allontanati. Lei è diventata una ricca ereditiera mentre Hugo sta affrontando le difficoltà di una famiglia caduta in disgrazia. Lei ha bisogno del titolo nobiliare, lui del vile denaro. Ecco allora un patto impossibile da ignorare: un matrimonio che permetterà entrambi di ottenere quello che vogliono e cosa importa se in questa equazione l'amore non è presente? Eppure questo legame nato per i motivi più sbagliati potrebbe rivelarsi pieno di sorprese.
L'ereditiera prende marito è stata una lettura piacevole che però si è trascinata per qualche capitolo di troppo. Gli amanti del genere non disdegneranno sicuramente l'ambientazione e il modo in cui i protagonisti disegnano alla perfezione la loro epoca.
Katherine è un personaggio che potrebbe non incontrare facilmente le simpatie del pubblico. Bellissima, viziata, arrogante e superba, appare altera e altezzosa perchè in questo modo è stata educata per stare in società e trarne il meglio possibile. La famiglia di Katherine è davvero terribile e dopo aver ereditato una grande fortuna hanno concentrato tutti gli sforzi nell'impresa di far fare un buon matrimonio alla figlia. Sostanzialmente dei parvenu, hanno riempito la ragazza di astio, chiudendola in una prigione d'oro con gabbie spesse e soffocati, quando il desiderio di Katherine era quello di ricevere amorevoli attenzioni dai propri genitori.
Hugo è molto diverso. Legato alla sua famiglia da un solido affetto, si è sempre sacrificato per loro tanto che appena tornato dalla guerra, il suo unico pensiero è sollevare i suoi familiari dalla situazione di prostrazione in cui si trovano. Il pensiero di ritrovare l'amica Katherine non lo scoraggia, se non fosse che della persona che ricordava non c'è più niente. Ma rinunciare all'offerta prospettata sarebbe una follia quando entrambi potrebbero ottenere degli ovvi vantaggi, libertà e stabilità.
Dei due è Hugo è quello premuroso, accogliente e con una pazienza invidiabile. Il capitano non va mai allo scontro e rappresenta la perfetta contropartita per una protagonista poco affabile come Katherine. Questo ovviamente non crea una trama scoppiettante ma mi è piaciuto il percorso fatto dai personaggi, soprattutto la crescita e il cambiamento di rotta di Katherine.
La penna di Lisa Berne si conferma affidabile e precisa nel ritrarre l'epoca descritta, gli usi e i costumi di una società che aderiva a freddi e rigidi dettami in cui l'unica cosa che non trovava spazio erano i sentimenti.
Che altro dire se non che continuerà ancora a leggere i libri di questa serie perchè adoro la scrittura di Lisa Berne.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2023/1...
January 31, 2025
The Bride Takes a Groom – Lisa Berne
The Penhallow Dynasty Series, Book 3
Read: Aug 25, 2022
Official Summary:
Lisa Berne’s Penhallow Dynasty continues with a pair of star-crossed childhood friends who meet again years later—and find love where they least expect it...
Katherine Brooke may be a fabulously wealthy heiress, but she’s trapped, a pawn in her parents’ ruthless game to marry her into the nobility. Then Captain Hugo Penhallow—so charming, as handsome as a Greek god—comes into her life once more, and suddenly she sees a chance to be free.
As a Penhallow, his is one of the highest names in the land, but still his family is facing ruin. So Katherine boldly proposes an exchange: his name for her money. But only if Hugo understands it’s merely a practical arrangement, and that she’s not surrendering herself entirely.
Back from eight years in America and determined to give his younger siblings a better life, Hugo agrees. He’s never fallen in love, so why not? Yet neither of them guesses that this marriage will become far, far more than they ever dreamed of.
My Thoughts:
The author’s writing is truly lovely, and she brings this quirky couple to life with a refreshing twist. The story incorporates two of my favorite tropes: childhood friends-to-lovers and a marriage of convenience where feelings gradually develop. Hugo serves as the steady, calm, and caring presence in the story, always devoted to his family, while Katherine undergoes a slow but meaningful transformation, showing steady character growth throughout. Hugo, though rich in family bonds, is not wealthy, which leads him and Katherine to agree to a marriage of convenience. Katherine’s prickly nature is entirely understandable given her difficult childhood and past experiences, and Hugo’s sweetness, patience, and kindness create a safe space for her to flourish. His acceptance allows her to reveal her true self—someone who is kind, confident, and compassionate, unafraid to embrace her own talents and inner character. What I particularly loved about this story was the open communication and realistic expectations both characters maintained going into their marriage. This foundation helped eliminate unnecessary misunderstandings and added a refreshing level of maturity to their relationship. It’s a charming, heartwarming read that skillfully balances character development with an engaging storyline.
Rated: 3.0
The Penhallow Dynasty Series, Book 3
Read: Aug 25, 2022
Official Summary:
Lisa Berne’s Penhallow Dynasty continues with a pair of star-crossed childhood friends who meet again years later—and find love where they least expect it...
Katherine Brooke may be a fabulously wealthy heiress, but she’s trapped, a pawn in her parents’ ruthless game to marry her into the nobility. Then Captain Hugo Penhallow—so charming, as handsome as a Greek god—comes into her life once more, and suddenly she sees a chance to be free.
As a Penhallow, his is one of the highest names in the land, but still his family is facing ruin. So Katherine boldly proposes an exchange: his name for her money. But only if Hugo understands it’s merely a practical arrangement, and that she’s not surrendering herself entirely.
Back from eight years in America and determined to give his younger siblings a better life, Hugo agrees. He’s never fallen in love, so why not? Yet neither of them guesses that this marriage will become far, far more than they ever dreamed of.
My Thoughts:
The author’s writing is truly lovely, and she brings this quirky couple to life with a refreshing twist. The story incorporates two of my favorite tropes: childhood friends-to-lovers and a marriage of convenience where feelings gradually develop. Hugo serves as the steady, calm, and caring presence in the story, always devoted to his family, while Katherine undergoes a slow but meaningful transformation, showing steady character growth throughout. Hugo, though rich in family bonds, is not wealthy, which leads him and Katherine to agree to a marriage of convenience. Katherine’s prickly nature is entirely understandable given her difficult childhood and past experiences, and Hugo’s sweetness, patience, and kindness create a safe space for her to flourish. His acceptance allows her to reveal her true self—someone who is kind, confident, and compassionate, unafraid to embrace her own talents and inner character. What I particularly loved about this story was the open communication and realistic expectations both characters maintained going into their marriage. This foundation helped eliminate unnecessary misunderstandings and added a refreshing level of maturity to their relationship. It’s a charming, heartwarming read that skillfully balances character development with an engaging storyline.
Rated: 3.0
March 26, 2021
Like the other books in the series, the female lead (Katherine) is annoying cold, and traumatized by her childhood (trapped at boarding school) and after when she is on the marriage mart. To be fair, her parents are horrible, very wealthy, wanting to be included with the ton, but not having any standing. They have a maid who basically lives with Katherine 24/7.
Hugo, the extremely pleasant, good-natured, forward thinking, looks like a Greek God hero with the wonderful (but poor) family. He has just returned from being in the army in America. Upon his return, he realizes that his family is much worse off than he thought. Hugo had grown up with Katherine's family as neighbors before they became very wealthy and moved to the large estate nearby. During their time apart, Katherine has become miserable and cold, and does not want anyone to know she loves reading books and chocolate.
Hugo and his family are loving and wonderful. They marry and with the money he receives from her dowery (he wisely doesn't invest with his father in law) he puts the boys in school and l, the house is fixed up. There's also an amusing nearly featherless parrot names senor rodrigo.
One day K learns her parents have lost everything including her huge monthly portion. They go back to live in Hugo's family home. All this time K has been giving her possessions away, she knows that money and status (esp) isn't important to her. She ends up having a kind heart and helps people who were cruel to her before. Her horrible maid, comes to her after being beaten by the footman she ran off with. The girl who was cruel in school, she helps leave her cruel, brother (who has also become destitute) for a quiet life in Bath.
Hugo lands on his feet, and becomes a partner with a ship builder. Katherine becomes an author.There is a last bit of peril when Hugo rescues his sister, gwendolyn, when she falls into the ocean because she was foolishly climbing the rigging of the newly built ship. Hugo is nursed back to health. There are a bunch of letters to each other to round out the stories.
The next book is about Gwendolyn and the former neighbor Christopher beck.
Hugo, the extremely pleasant, good-natured, forward thinking, looks like a Greek God hero with the wonderful (but poor) family. He has just returned from being in the army in America. Upon his return, he realizes that his family is much worse off than he thought. Hugo had grown up with Katherine's family as neighbors before they became very wealthy and moved to the large estate nearby. During their time apart, Katherine has become miserable and cold, and does not want anyone to know she loves reading books and chocolate.
Hugo and his family are loving and wonderful. They marry and with the money he receives from her dowery (he wisely doesn't invest with his father in law) he puts the boys in school and l, the house is fixed up. There's also an amusing nearly featherless parrot names senor rodrigo.
One day K learns her parents have lost everything including her huge monthly portion. They go back to live in Hugo's family home. All this time K has been giving her possessions away, she knows that money and status (esp) isn't important to her. She ends up having a kind heart and helps people who were cruel to her before. Her horrible maid, comes to her after being beaten by the footman she ran off with. The girl who was cruel in school, she helps leave her cruel, brother (who has also become destitute) for a quiet life in Bath.
Hugo lands on his feet, and becomes a partner with a ship builder. Katherine becomes an author.There is a last bit of peril when Hugo rescues his sister, gwendolyn, when she falls into the ocean because she was foolishly climbing the rigging of the newly built ship. Hugo is nursed back to health. There are a bunch of letters to each other to round out the stories.
The next book is about Gwendolyn and the former neighbor Christopher beck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2018
I'm surprised to see this book got so many low ratings! I actually really liked it. It's definitely my favorite of all of the Penhallow books. As with all of Lisa Berne's books, the writing is really great. I thought that the plot moved along at a nice pace in this one. Also, I liked that the characters had some realistic flaws. My favorite historical romances are those in which the characters behave in a somewhat realistic manner (after all, people usually don't say and do exactly the right thing at exactly the right time in real life). I felt that this was the case here. Katherine's behavior wasn't perfect for a large portion of the book, but I wouldn't have expected anything else based on her upbringing. I could definitely see how much progress she made from the beginning to the end of the book, though. My only small complaint about this book is that Hugo's character wasn't as well fleshed out as Katherine's character.
February 12, 2025
The four stars are due to the narration, which deserves 5 stars on its own. This book might have annoyed me had I read it, but Moira Quirk's narration is so incredibly delightful I had a hard time pressing pause!
Overall, this is a light-hearted romantic comedy with a lot of laughs and some sighs.
Other reviewers have commented that Kate, the FMC, is a spoiled brat but this is a total misreading of the text. Kate was once told that her feelings and desires are bad and therefore she erected a wall around herself, trying to maintain an air of aloofness. The book is mostly her story and while her transformation is excellently written, it is also where the book falters. Hugo does not undergo a similar transformation, he is essentially the same as he is at the beginning - an amiable, easy-going, gorgeous man. Yes, he gets a career but it's not an essential change within himself.
Still, the audio narration pushes the book into 4 stars from 3.
Overall, this is a light-hearted romantic comedy with a lot of laughs and some sighs.
Other reviewers have commented that Kate, the FMC, is a spoiled brat but this is a total misreading of the text. Kate was once told that her feelings and desires are bad and therefore she erected a wall around herself, trying to maintain an air of aloofness. The book is mostly her story and while her transformation is excellently written, it is also where the book falters. Hugo does not undergo a similar transformation, he is essentially the same as he is at the beginning - an amiable, easy-going, gorgeous man. Yes, he gets a career but it's not an essential change within himself.
Still, the audio narration pushes the book into 4 stars from 3.
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