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Two Houses
Todd is a bully and a posh bully at that. He has never had to work for a girl's affections before and does not know how to.
Using his tough guy act to woo Carmel Edwards makes him fall flat on his face.
Carmel hates Todd until a dance at The Venue Nightclub changes everything . Now, she's falling more in love every day, but he's getting pulled away.
Todd's father is planning for his eldest to take up residence at 10 Downing Street. First, by marrying the daughter of a prominent local MP and eventually as Prime Minister. When Todd's interest in Carmel threatens those plans, his father uses emotional blackmail to get Todd to toe the line.
Todd has a choice, his political future, his inheritance and his little brother's happiness, or Carmel, the girl he loves.
He can't have both.
Using his tough guy act to woo Carmel Edwards makes him fall flat on his face.
Carmel hates Todd until a dance at The Venue Nightclub changes everything . Now, she's falling more in love every day, but he's getting pulled away.
Todd's father is planning for his eldest to take up residence at 10 Downing Street. First, by marrying the daughter of a prominent local MP and eventually as Prime Minister. When Todd's interest in Carmel threatens those plans, his father uses emotional blackmail to get Todd to toe the line.
Todd has a choice, his political future, his inheritance and his little brother's happiness, or Carmel, the girl he loves.
He can't have both.
126 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2023
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 26, 2024
Great read! The love story was sweet and engaging, and the main characters were well developed and likable. When we are first introduced to Todd, he’s a bonafide bully. He makes several misguided attempts to get the girl of his dreams, Carmel, to notice him, but his bizarre behavior only leads to her being afraid of him. Todd begins to change for the better, and Carmel finds herself falling in love with him. But Todd and Carmel aren’t the only two young people whose love is blossoming. So too is the love between Todd’s younger brother, Jessie, and Carmel’s younger sister, Penny. All seems to be going well for both couples, until Todd’s ambitious and narrow minded father, Todd Steadman Sr., steps in. He forbids both of his sons from pursuing relationships with Carmel and Penny, girls that he considers “trash.” His plans for his son Todd include marriage to the spoiled, rich socialite, Tammy, and Todd’s love for financially strapped Carmel simply isn’t a consideration. Things are rocky between Todd and Carmel, and Jessie and Penny for awhile, but thanks to a legal loop hole involving the Steadman name and Todd and Jessie’s mother, Norika, Todd’s father is forced to abandon his hold over his son’s futures. A happy ending prevails. One of things I appreciated most about this book was that it wasn’t only a passionate love story about two couples. It was also a heartwarming story about the loyalty that exists between older and younger siblings. We rarely see that powerful familial dynamic in a romance novel, and this book was all the better for its inclusion. Five stars.
March 18, 2024
Given this story has unfolded during each generation, even before the writing of Romeo and Juliet, Two Houses has taken this time in everyone’s life and made it all the more poignant and introspective. Told from the viewpoint of each character, in the capable hands of M.G. Cobbett, makes it an intimate read from start to finish.
Todd Steadman II and younger brother Jessie live in the neighborhood of Hawthorn Hill. Their father is chief constable in Beswick Stanton. It is the first day of school at Verona College and we immediately learn that Todd has broken off with his girlfriend Tamara Lewis, also “affectionately” known as Tampon Lewis.
Recognized for his bullying, Todd directs his attentions on Carmel Edwards. Boys used to pull girl’s pigtails when they were interested in dating her, but Todd chooses the fine art of bullying to pave the way to a date. He may not always get what he wants. His father has big plans for him including who he will marry. And he goes to absurd lengths to insure it happens; even controlling the boys’ cell SIM cards.
“I have warned their single mother that she is to keep her trash away from you or face the consequences. Last warning. I won’t have it.” – Todd Steadman, Sr.
The “trash” are Carmel and Penny.
For Jessie, the artistic one, he must live with the knowledge he is his father’s least favourite son and maybe isn’t loved by him at all.
Carmel and her sister Penny live – as we have come to call in the US – on the wrong side of the tracks. Their mother is raising them alone and Carmel has taken it upon herself to help out her mother with meals and housekeeping duties and works part-time at a petrol station. The sisters’ relationship of support and love is beautiful reading.
As the story unfolds, the boys’ mother Norika Fujimoto, who lives in Japan tries to intervene, but will she be successful? Read these soulful pages to find out if anyone gets their happy ending. You won’t want to stop turning pages.
Todd Steadman II and younger brother Jessie live in the neighborhood of Hawthorn Hill. Their father is chief constable in Beswick Stanton. It is the first day of school at Verona College and we immediately learn that Todd has broken off with his girlfriend Tamara Lewis, also “affectionately” known as Tampon Lewis.
Recognized for his bullying, Todd directs his attentions on Carmel Edwards. Boys used to pull girl’s pigtails when they were interested in dating her, but Todd chooses the fine art of bullying to pave the way to a date. He may not always get what he wants. His father has big plans for him including who he will marry. And he goes to absurd lengths to insure it happens; even controlling the boys’ cell SIM cards.
“I have warned their single mother that she is to keep her trash away from you or face the consequences. Last warning. I won’t have it.” – Todd Steadman, Sr.
The “trash” are Carmel and Penny.
For Jessie, the artistic one, he must live with the knowledge he is his father’s least favourite son and maybe isn’t loved by him at all.
Carmel and her sister Penny live – as we have come to call in the US – on the wrong side of the tracks. Their mother is raising them alone and Carmel has taken it upon herself to help out her mother with meals and housekeeping duties and works part-time at a petrol station. The sisters’ relationship of support and love is beautiful reading.
As the story unfolds, the boys’ mother Norika Fujimoto, who lives in Japan tries to intervene, but will she be successful? Read these soulful pages to find out if anyone gets their happy ending. You won’t want to stop turning pages.
October 8, 2024
Two Houses is based on one of the oldest romance tropes - bad, rich boy and good, poor girl! Yet the author M G Cobbett makes this story her own, and gives it rich, distinctive tones. The story is exciting, page-turning and leaves you rooting for Todd and Carmel, the protagonists.
Todd likes Carmel but he can't seem to tell her instead he ends up coming off as a bully. Carmel is terrified of him and kind of hates him. Misunderstandings clear a bit when Todd's younger brother Jessie and Carmel's little sister Penny fall in love. Their romance clears the path somewhat for Todd and Carmel. Once Carmel sees Todd's heart and understands him better she can't but help but reciprocate his feelings. But luck is not on their side because Todd's father is ambitious and he wants Todd to marry a rich girl whose father has political ambitions. He does everything he can to keep Todd away from Carmel and he even succeeds. But despite all the roadblocks Carmel and Todd fall in love even though they know they are destined to be star crossed lovers.
One can't help who you fall in love with. In the end will love triumph or will ambition and ruthlessness win?
Todd likes Carmel but he can't seem to tell her instead he ends up coming off as a bully. Carmel is terrified of him and kind of hates him. Misunderstandings clear a bit when Todd's younger brother Jessie and Carmel's little sister Penny fall in love. Their romance clears the path somewhat for Todd and Carmel. Once Carmel sees Todd's heart and understands him better she can't but help but reciprocate his feelings. But luck is not on their side because Todd's father is ambitious and he wants Todd to marry a rich girl whose father has political ambitions. He does everything he can to keep Todd away from Carmel and he even succeeds. But despite all the roadblocks Carmel and Todd fall in love even though they know they are destined to be star crossed lovers.
One can't help who you fall in love with. In the end will love triumph or will ambition and ruthlessness win?
August 11, 2023
What can I say, I couldn't put this book down and now eagerly await the 2nd in the series , left me wanting to know the story of them all. Well written, excuted so precise , flowed well ,Cannot recommend this book highly enough.
I don't want to give anything away as I feel you need to buy it to appreciate it , but all I'm going to say is I'm so glad Todd came to his senses and told aka tampon where to go, carmel is a genuine person and very down to earth. I was gutted when I finished the book , I'm having withdrawals, the book makes you believe you are in the story, a part of it , love love love it
I don't want to give anything away as I feel you need to buy it to appreciate it , but all I'm going to say is I'm so glad Todd came to his senses and told aka tampon where to go, carmel is a genuine person and very down to earth. I was gutted when I finished the book , I'm having withdrawals, the book makes you believe you are in the story, a part of it , love love love it
August 15, 2023
This is a delightful romance that held my interest. The characters are well developed and engaging. The author shows a mastery in fine tuning emotions, especially those of true love and unrequited love. The feelings that evolved between Carmel and Todd kept me anxious to read each new chapter. The true love of the youthful 'Romeo and Juliet' characters, namely Jessie and Penny, went from heartbreaking to breathtaking. This novel is a keeper that will stay in my active library to reread from time to time.
March 7, 2024
This is a very engrossing and poignant young adult/ teen novella. The cast of characters is engaging; the setting is very vivid--especially the scenes at the college. But what is most appealing is the structure: each chapter is told from a different character's point of view, which is especially effective in depicting the different social stations of the characters. The story is well plotted as well; I found myself hurriedly reading through the last fifteen or so pages to find out what would become of Carmel and her sister. Overall, a highly recommended, poignantly engaging teen romance.
June 6, 2024
It is an unusual romance that captivates the imagination and presents as a modern version of some of Shakespeare's greatest star-crossed lovers, but with a uniqueness that veers away from those of the Bard.
Beguiling characters that demonstrate the best and worst that can be found in humans. Cheering on the heroine in this novel is easy; accepting the road she chooses is fraught with indecision by this reader. But Carmel is playing, as the saying goes, is playing the "Long Game".
An intoxicating read from beginning to end.
Beguiling characters that demonstrate the best and worst that can be found in humans. Cheering on the heroine in this novel is easy; accepting the road she chooses is fraught with indecision by this reader. But Carmel is playing, as the saying goes, is playing the "Long Game".
An intoxicating read from beginning to end.
December 31, 2025
Sweet and Satisfying
I picked this up looking for a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling and Cobbett delivered exactly that — the class divide, the family drama, the forbidden romance. Todd and Carmel's dynamic kept me turning pages, and I found myself genuinely rooting for both couples to find their way through the obstacles.
The sibling bonds on both sides added a layer I wasn't expecting, and the ending left me with a smile. A cozy read for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers romance with a classic foundation.
I picked this up looking for a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling and Cobbett delivered exactly that — the class divide, the family drama, the forbidden romance. Todd and Carmel's dynamic kept me turning pages, and I found myself genuinely rooting for both couples to find their way through the obstacles.
The sibling bonds on both sides added a layer I wasn't expecting, and the ending left me with a smile. A cozy read for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers romance with a classic foundation.
October 16, 2024
What a sweet romance between two young people. I liked the characters and felt for their struggles, kept apart by old ideas and prejudices. Two Houses is an thoroughly enjoyable read.
(Just a note in case readers are at first confused in the way when I started reading: College in the characters' country seems equivalent to high school or prep school, perhaps, in some nations.)
I highly recommend this book.
(Just a note in case readers are at first confused in the way when I started reading: College in the characters' country seems equivalent to high school or prep school, perhaps, in some nations.)
I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2025
A jarring blend of cast forbidden love and enemy to lover troupe, driven by familiar protectionism leads to an unpredictable twist that rewards the two set of siblings with the love of their lives and revenge on an unscrupulous overbearing parentage.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews