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Millworth Manor #4
The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding
The bride and groom cordially request your presence for a wedding at Millworth Manor. . .
Guests will include Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the finest families in England.
Introductions shall be followed by light conversation, dancing, flirtation, arguing, reconciliation, and an impulsive kiss that both parties are quite certain they will never repeat.
Until they do.
A mutually beneficial fake engagement will be accompanied by all manner of very real complications, scandalous revelations, nefarious schemes, and one inescapable conclusion:
That true love--unlike the perfect wedding--is impossible to plan. . .
Guests will include Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the finest families in England.
Introductions shall be followed by light conversation, dancing, flirtation, arguing, reconciliation, and an impulsive kiss that both parties are quite certain they will never repeat.
Until they do.
A mutually beneficial fake engagement will be accompanied by all manner of very real complications, scandalous revelations, nefarious schemes, and one inescapable conclusion:
That true love--unlike the perfect wedding--is impossible to plan. . .
390 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
107 people are currently reading
1163 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
64 books1,323 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
October 8, 2020
“O aventură pasională” este povestea intensă, emoționantă și plină de răsturnări de situație a lui Jack și Teddy.
Oare cum este să descoperi la vârsta de 30 de ani că toată viața ta a fost o minciună? Asta i se întâmplă lui Jack care descoperă brusc că tatăl pe care-l credea mort este cât se poate de viu, că mama și bunicul lui știau dar au preferat să-i ascundă aceste fapte. Ba mai mult, află că este pe jumătate englez și moștenitorul unui conte.
Odată ajuns în Anglia, unde-și cunoaște familia din partea tatălui, viața lui Jack - un bancher până nu cu mult înainte, este complet dată peste cap.
Iar întâlnirea cu Theodosia, fiică de conte, este un moment aparte.
De aici acțiunea se precipită, cei doi având parte de situații amuzante, momente pline de umor și tensiune. Observăm cum devin prieteni, cum iubirea înflorește în sufletele lor, cum se aruncă cu capul înainte în anumite situații din care pot ieși răniți. Dar asta nu-i împiedică să riște.
O lectură care îmbină umorul cu tensiunea, romantismul și pasiunea cu încăpățânarea și suferința.
Dacă au sau nu o șansă de a atinge fericirea, împreună sau separat, rămâne de văzut...
Oare cum este să descoperi la vârsta de 30 de ani că toată viața ta a fost o minciună? Asta i se întâmplă lui Jack care descoperă brusc că tatăl pe care-l credea mort este cât se poate de viu, că mama și bunicul lui știau dar au preferat să-i ascundă aceste fapte. Ba mai mult, află că este pe jumătate englez și moștenitorul unui conte.
Odată ajuns în Anglia, unde-și cunoaște familia din partea tatălui, viața lui Jack - un bancher până nu cu mult înainte, este complet dată peste cap.
Iar întâlnirea cu Theodosia, fiică de conte, este un moment aparte.
De aici acțiunea se precipită, cei doi având parte de situații amuzante, momente pline de umor și tensiune. Observăm cum devin prieteni, cum iubirea înflorește în sufletele lor, cum se aruncă cu capul înainte în anumite situații din care pot ieși răniți. Dar asta nu-i împiedică să riște.
O lectură care îmbină umorul cu tensiunea, romantismul și pasiunea cu încăpățânarea și suferința.
Dacă au sau nu o șansă de a atinge fericirea, împreună sau separat, rămâne de văzut...
December 20, 2014
The ending of this book just killed me (and my rating). For a main character to make such a monumental error in judgement in the final moments just marginalized everything I read before it. The epilogue only barely makes amends to the reader; however it wasn't enough to save what had already been a very arduous read. Long winded conversations (with very little actually communicated), drawn out pages of self introspection and a relationship that seemed terribly one sided. Teddy's determination to make herself an independent woman was a poor attempt to infuse Feminism into the story. I had similar problems with an earlier book in this series where the heroine confused independence with stubbornness. This is supposed to be romance, and yet to these women they equate Love with surrender of their ideals. True love should be in finding the one person who will support and nurture those ideals. I think Jack was that man for Teddy and yet she wouldn't trust him with that role. I appreciate the author using the social upheavals of the late Victorian age to create women characters with something to say, but she has to remember this is still Romance. We need to know that the heroine will love just as passionately as she feels for whatever else is in her life. If not, then the Heroes are only getting half of a love affair and the reader is getting half of a HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2014
I don't get too excited about this author's writing, but it was a nice read. The banter was fun and it reminded me of something along the lines of Oscar Wilde as far as situational comedy. It's up the alley of a historical romance fan who likes a light, banter-filled read.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
January 4, 2015
This novel is the fourth book in Victoria Alexander's "Millworth Manor" series.
This novel focuses on Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the elite families in England.
Jackson ventures to England to meet his newly discovered family and also meets Teddy at the wedding of his cousin. They dance and the rest is history. Their adventure is witty and the back and forth banter between the two is, at times, hilarious.
However, I have come to expect a passionate story from Victoria Alexander and found it lacking in this novel. The last two chapters had me extremely upset but the epilogue saved the day!
This novel focuses on Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the elite families in England.
Jackson ventures to England to meet his newly discovered family and also meets Teddy at the wedding of his cousin. They dance and the rest is history. Their adventure is witty and the back and forth banter between the two is, at times, hilarious.
However, I have come to expect a passionate story from Victoria Alexander and found it lacking in this novel. The last two chapters had me extremely upset but the epilogue saved the day!
March 9, 2017
There is nothing more disappointing than a book that has two engaging leads and a promising setup that completely botches the ending.
I think the problem is that Ms. Alexander failed to set up a decent conflict between the two characters earlier in the book, and by conflict, I mean a believable reason these two wouldn't marry and live happily ever after. Conflict does not equal a series of plot points that get thrown at our leads in order to complicate their lives. First there was the distant cousin that led to the faux engagement, then it was his fiance, then it was her fiancee, and then for some reason, there was this ridiculous public proposal where the hero, despite knowing Teddy's plans all along, wants her to give up her plans.
I was reading those final pages thinking what the hell am I reading because this Jack isn't someone I've met in the previous 200 or so pages. My Jack was a stodgy banker learning to give in to his more impulsive side. And yes, travel seemed to be part of it but it wasn't until he made his grand plan (and demand that Teddy drop her life and accompany him) that it was clear he wanted to do it as a lifestyle. I kept reading that final confrontation thinking he wasn't serious--he was playing some sort of joke or had some sort of plan that gave them both what they wanted.
And to have Teddy trying to be self-reliant (which is a lovely idea) only to have to her realize it in six months off page and chase down the hero? Let me get this straight. She lets him go to fulfill her dreams, and then manages it in five minutes? And then gives it up anyway? What the hell am I even reading right now?
Honestly. There was no need for all this crazy plot points and for this particular major character conflict to only show up in th last five pages. Have them wrestling over this for some time -- have Jack's father plan a grand expedition, that Jack wants to go on, but is torn because he really does love Teddy and doesn't want to leave her. Have that be the heart of your book -- not this parade of engagements and significant others. Insanity.
And it's so annoying because I was so enjoying Jack and Teddy. Oy.
I think the problem is that Ms. Alexander failed to set up a decent conflict between the two characters earlier in the book, and by conflict, I mean a believable reason these two wouldn't marry and live happily ever after. Conflict does not equal a series of plot points that get thrown at our leads in order to complicate their lives. First there was the distant cousin that led to the faux engagement, then it was his fiance, then it was her fiancee, and then for some reason, there was this ridiculous public proposal where the hero, despite knowing Teddy's plans all along, wants her to give up her plans.
I was reading those final pages thinking what the hell am I reading because this Jack isn't someone I've met in the previous 200 or so pages. My Jack was a stodgy banker learning to give in to his more impulsive side. And yes, travel seemed to be part of it but it wasn't until he made his grand plan (and demand that Teddy drop her life and accompany him) that it was clear he wanted to do it as a lifestyle. I kept reading that final confrontation thinking he wasn't serious--he was playing some sort of joke or had some sort of plan that gave them both what they wanted.
And to have Teddy trying to be self-reliant (which is a lovely idea) only to have to her realize it in six months off page and chase down the hero? Let me get this straight. She lets him go to fulfill her dreams, and then manages it in five minutes? And then gives it up anyway? What the hell am I even reading right now?
Honestly. There was no need for all this crazy plot points and for this particular major character conflict to only show up in th last five pages. Have them wrestling over this for some time -- have Jack's father plan a grand expedition, that Jack wants to go on, but is torn because he really does love Teddy and doesn't want to leave her. Have that be the heart of your book -- not this parade of engagements and significant others. Insanity.
And it's so annoying because I was so enjoying Jack and Teddy. Oy.
October 2, 2014
When you read the first 10% of a book and you get the feeling that exactly nothing really happens because there is only endless talking without a lot of wit, you have to stop reading the book because it isn’t worth your time.
That’s exactly what happened to me with this one – which sounded so promising. I mean the title could have meant everything: “The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding” by Victoria Alexander. I haven’t read anything by her before and I am open for good (to me new) writers but well she doesn’t seem to fit my profile.
The book has 400 pages and I do not even want to think about how long I would have tortured myself before there would have been some action – action in any way.
The story starts … well … a family in the US, regency era, has a small dinner party when a man arrives who is the husband of the lady of the house. She hasn’t seen him for 30 years, since 1 week after their wedding back in India when she was 18. Her parents wanted their wedding annulled but back in the US she was already heavy with child so there was no way to get it annulled. She never told anything about this man to her son and her husband didn’t know anything about the fact that he is still married nor that he has a 30 year old son. *yawn* Lots of arguments.
The son’s finance tells him, when his father wants him to leave for England with him to attend a family wedding, that he shall go with him because of his mother’s betrayal. *yawn* And he wants to.
Maybe the storyline would have gotten better later on but I tortured myself through those pages and they weren’t worth my time. Maybe I will give it another try when I run out of reading material which eventually will never ever happen.
So I do not know about Teddy Winslow and all those things you can read on GoodReads about the book because I was too bored before they arrived in England at all.
1* star
That’s exactly what happened to me with this one – which sounded so promising. I mean the title could have meant everything: “The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding” by Victoria Alexander. I haven’t read anything by her before and I am open for good (to me new) writers but well she doesn’t seem to fit my profile.
The book has 400 pages and I do not even want to think about how long I would have tortured myself before there would have been some action – action in any way.
The story starts … well … a family in the US, regency era, has a small dinner party when a man arrives who is the husband of the lady of the house. She hasn’t seen him for 30 years, since 1 week after their wedding back in India when she was 18. Her parents wanted their wedding annulled but back in the US she was already heavy with child so there was no way to get it annulled. She never told anything about this man to her son and her husband didn’t know anything about the fact that he is still married nor that he has a 30 year old son. *yawn* Lots of arguments.
The son’s finance tells him, when his father wants him to leave for England with him to attend a family wedding, that he shall go with him because of his mother’s betrayal. *yawn* And he wants to.
Maybe the storyline would have gotten better later on but I tortured myself through those pages and they weren’t worth my time. Maybe I will give it another try when I run out of reading material which eventually will never ever happen.
So I do not know about Teddy Winslow and all those things you can read on GoodReads about the book because I was too bored before they arrived in England at all.
1* star
October 8, 2019
Reviewed by Jen
Book provided by the author
Victoria Alexander is one of my favorite historical romance authors. She's a go-to author when I'm in a reading slump since I know I'll be entertained and enjoy every minute of it. So when I got my hands on a copy of The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding , I knew I was going on a wild ride.
The book starts of with a bang when Jack learns that his father is not dead and is part of an old aristocratic English family. So, he decides to postpone an expected engagement and sail off to England to get to know his father and the family he didn't know he had. While there here attends a wedding of a cousin and meets Teddy, the wedding planner. Teddy's family has fallen on hard times and to keep up appearances she "works" as an event planner for her friends. The two are instantly drawn to each other and thus the adventure begins.
I really enjoyed this tale. Ms. Alexander created unique and interesting characters and together they just work. The twists and turns over the course of the story kept me turning the pages because I just had to know what was going to happen next. In the end it was a thoroughly satisfying read and I find that I need to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
Book provided by the author
Victoria Alexander is one of my favorite historical romance authors. She's a go-to author when I'm in a reading slump since I know I'll be entertained and enjoy every minute of it. So when I got my hands on a copy of The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding , I knew I was going on a wild ride.
The book starts of with a bang when Jack learns that his father is not dead and is part of an old aristocratic English family. So, he decides to postpone an expected engagement and sail off to England to get to know his father and the family he didn't know he had. While there here attends a wedding of a cousin and meets Teddy, the wedding planner. Teddy's family has fallen on hard times and to keep up appearances she "works" as an event planner for her friends. The two are instantly drawn to each other and thus the adventure begins.
I really enjoyed this tale. Ms. Alexander created unique and interesting characters and together they just work. The twists and turns over the course of the story kept me turning the pages because I just had to know what was going to happen next. In the end it was a thoroughly satisfying read and I find that I need to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
April 18, 2015
As is usually the case with a Victoria Alexander book, this was a fun story. Jackson and Teddy are very different people, but those differences balance each other well, if they will just allow it to happen.
Jackson has grown up in New York City with his mother and grandfather. He has become vice president of the family bank and is set to announce his engagement to the young lady who he has grown up with. He is content with his life. All that changes when his father shows up at his family home. Jack always thought his father was dead. His mother certainly hadn't told him otherwise. Not only is he alive, Jack's father hadn't known that Jack existed. Jack is equally stunned to discover that on his father's side of the family, he is the heir to a title and estate in England. Now he feels that his entire life has been a lie and he isn't sure who he is anymore. He does know that he wants to get to know his father, so he leaves his New York life behind and heads to England. He and Lucy have decided that their potential engagement will not occur as they are better friends than potential mates.
Teddy and her mother are good friends to the Channing family. Since the death of Teddy's father, they have made their way as the Victorian version of event planners. Teddy is running the wedding of Camille Channing when she meets a handsome and mysterious guest at the reception. Though they haven't been introduced, he asks her to dance. There is some heavy duty flirting going on between them, ending with a kiss that curls her toes, and still no idea who he is.
Finding out who he is pushes some buttons of Teddy's, who feels as though he lied to her by omission. She had been engaged to a man who through his lies had ended up being the ruin of her family, before he died. She knows she's overreacting, but can't seem to help it. Meanwhile, Jack felt like he and Teddy had made a real connection and he wants to pursue it.
I loved seeing Jack change from the sober banker in New York to the man who is pursuing the things he wants instead of what is expected of him. Being exposed to the somewhat zany Channing family gives him the motivation to transform who he is. It turns out that he has quite a sense of humor and no problem using it with Teddy. He also discovers that he has a bit of a protective streak when it comes to her, and steps in to rescue her from an unwanted proposal by claiming her for himself.
Teddy is very independent, and for the last several years has been using their event planning to pay off her father's debts. She has decided that marriage isn't for her, though she has yet to get that point across to her mother. She intends to take their "hobby" of event planning and turn it into an actual business. She feels a need to prove to herself that she can stand on her own feet and not depend on a man to take care of her.
The "engagement" between Jack and Teddy starts out as something that will give her time to get her plans in order, and give Jack time to make up his mind what he wants to do with his future. By spending time together, Teddy helps Jack get acclimated to English society. He discovers that the dreams he had when he was younger are still alive, and that now he has the opportunity to make them happen. He also wants Teddy to be part of that future, but he has to convince her.
Teddy is one very stubborn woman. She has her goal in her sights and nothing is going to distract her from it. The time she spends with Jack makes her realize that what she had felt for her former fiance was not truly love. But she's afraid that giving in to her feelings for Jack will cause her to lose the person she is finally becoming, so she continues to push him away. Walking away from everything he offers her tears her apart, but she feels it is necessary. I wanted to shake her for hurting Jack like that, but she does come through in the end, and both are stronger for the separation. I enjoyed seeing her chase him down and then have to do a bit of grovelling.
There is a bit of intrigue/conflict when part of Teddy's past rears its ugly head. Once again, her stubborn independence has her trying to deal with it on her own, but fortunately her friend Dee steps in a rats her out to Jack. Once again he gets to play the part of hero, but also shows his banker's abilities while doing it. I loved seeing Teddy's fascination with this side of Jack. Naturally, all ends up as it should.
As always in one of Victoria Alexander's books, the interactions among characters are fun. I loved Lucy, Jack's non-fiancee. Her snarky little comments during Jack's father's reappearance were really funny and to the point. She seems to have a much clearer picture of their relationship than Jack does, at least until he gets some distance between them. Her appearance again later in the book is just as much fun. I'm really looking forward to her story. I really enjoyed seeing the various members of the Channing family again. Their immediate acceptance of Jack was great, and their comments on how his appearance is just typical for their family made him feel a little better. His cousins' husbands have a great scene where they try to explain women, especially their women, to Jack. Of course, some of the best ones occur between Jack and Teddy. I loved seeing him call her on her attitude toward him, especially at the beginning. He loves her spirit and isn't shy about telling her so. I also liked seeing Teddy give Jack the occasional kick when he lets his insecurities get the better of him. I especially liked her bit when she saw him at the Explorer's Club. She does occasionally get wound up, and Jack has a unique way of calming her down.
Jackson has grown up in New York City with his mother and grandfather. He has become vice president of the family bank and is set to announce his engagement to the young lady who he has grown up with. He is content with his life. All that changes when his father shows up at his family home. Jack always thought his father was dead. His mother certainly hadn't told him otherwise. Not only is he alive, Jack's father hadn't known that Jack existed. Jack is equally stunned to discover that on his father's side of the family, he is the heir to a title and estate in England. Now he feels that his entire life has been a lie and he isn't sure who he is anymore. He does know that he wants to get to know his father, so he leaves his New York life behind and heads to England. He and Lucy have decided that their potential engagement will not occur as they are better friends than potential mates.
Teddy and her mother are good friends to the Channing family. Since the death of Teddy's father, they have made their way as the Victorian version of event planners. Teddy is running the wedding of Camille Channing when she meets a handsome and mysterious guest at the reception. Though they haven't been introduced, he asks her to dance. There is some heavy duty flirting going on between them, ending with a kiss that curls her toes, and still no idea who he is.
Finding out who he is pushes some buttons of Teddy's, who feels as though he lied to her by omission. She had been engaged to a man who through his lies had ended up being the ruin of her family, before he died. She knows she's overreacting, but can't seem to help it. Meanwhile, Jack felt like he and Teddy had made a real connection and he wants to pursue it.
I loved seeing Jack change from the sober banker in New York to the man who is pursuing the things he wants instead of what is expected of him. Being exposed to the somewhat zany Channing family gives him the motivation to transform who he is. It turns out that he has quite a sense of humor and no problem using it with Teddy. He also discovers that he has a bit of a protective streak when it comes to her, and steps in to rescue her from an unwanted proposal by claiming her for himself.
Teddy is very independent, and for the last several years has been using their event planning to pay off her father's debts. She has decided that marriage isn't for her, though she has yet to get that point across to her mother. She intends to take their "hobby" of event planning and turn it into an actual business. She feels a need to prove to herself that she can stand on her own feet and not depend on a man to take care of her.
The "engagement" between Jack and Teddy starts out as something that will give her time to get her plans in order, and give Jack time to make up his mind what he wants to do with his future. By spending time together, Teddy helps Jack get acclimated to English society. He discovers that the dreams he had when he was younger are still alive, and that now he has the opportunity to make them happen. He also wants Teddy to be part of that future, but he has to convince her.
Teddy is one very stubborn woman. She has her goal in her sights and nothing is going to distract her from it. The time she spends with Jack makes her realize that what she had felt for her former fiance was not truly love. But she's afraid that giving in to her feelings for Jack will cause her to lose the person she is finally becoming, so she continues to push him away. Walking away from everything he offers her tears her apart, but she feels it is necessary. I wanted to shake her for hurting Jack like that, but she does come through in the end, and both are stronger for the separation. I enjoyed seeing her chase him down and then have to do a bit of grovelling.
There is a bit of intrigue/conflict when part of Teddy's past rears its ugly head. Once again, her stubborn independence has her trying to deal with it on her own, but fortunately her friend Dee steps in a rats her out to Jack. Once again he gets to play the part of hero, but also shows his banker's abilities while doing it. I loved seeing Teddy's fascination with this side of Jack. Naturally, all ends up as it should.
As always in one of Victoria Alexander's books, the interactions among characters are fun. I loved Lucy, Jack's non-fiancee. Her snarky little comments during Jack's father's reappearance were really funny and to the point. She seems to have a much clearer picture of their relationship than Jack does, at least until he gets some distance between them. Her appearance again later in the book is just as much fun. I'm really looking forward to her story. I really enjoyed seeing the various members of the Channing family again. Their immediate acceptance of Jack was great, and their comments on how his appearance is just typical for their family made him feel a little better. His cousins' husbands have a great scene where they try to explain women, especially their women, to Jack. Of course, some of the best ones occur between Jack and Teddy. I loved seeing him call her on her attitude toward him, especially at the beginning. He loves her spirit and isn't shy about telling her so. I also liked seeing Teddy give Jack the occasional kick when he lets his insecurities get the better of him. I especially liked her bit when she saw him at the Explorer's Club. She does occasionally get wound up, and Jack has a unique way of calming her down.
December 8, 2014
"Mother the word that means the world to me."
Let me get this off of my chest. I had problems with this book - it took forevvvvver to read. If my Nook was as cheap as a paperback it might have hit the wall. Besides the hamster-on-a-wheel plotline, there was another matter that I found irritating and it has to do with "possessive" words or the lack thereof. There are three mothers in this story - three. Every single time those three mothers are thought about it is always "mother did this, "or" mother went there, "or" mother wore a hat, "or" mother kicked a horse." It is never "her" mother did this or "his" mother went there or "Teddy's" mother kicked a horse. Let me repeat, there are three mothers in this book! I had to read down through the paragraph/page/conversation to figure out which mother was being referenced. There are also fathers in the book, but only one has any children in the story so I could keep track of him.
Normally I love Victoria Alexander books. I love her sense of humor. Granted, there is a lot of 21st century vernacular in them, but that doesn't mean they aren't funny. Sadly to say the humorous moments in The Shocking Secret of the Guest at the Wedding were overshadowed by the lack of emotion from any of the characters in the book. I'm not sure what went wrong because at first glance this book should have worked.
Our hero, Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, a New York City banker finds out that his father isn't dead. Poor Jackson. For all of his 32 years he has been told that his father died before he was born. His mother and grandfather raised him - his life is all organized - he has a sort of fiancé - he's got a career - he's content. However, standing in the same room with him is his father - the one he thought was dead. To say his life is about to be disrupted is an understatement. It seems his mother has been keeping a secret; not only from him but from the man who is his father, Basil Channing. Needless to say Jackson and Basil are a little POed with Jackson's mother. Anyway, Jackson and Basil decide they want to get to know each other. They decide to go back to Basil's home in England, learn about each other and give Jackson the opportunity to become acquainted with the cousins he never knew he had.
In England is the Channing family, and they are also oblivious to the fact that Basil was married and fathered a child. They are also in the middle of planning a wedding with the help of our heroine, Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow. Teddy is a wedding planner. Now, I had my doubts that a woman in that time period could be a wedding planner but I glossed over that. Anyway, Teddy is one of those stunning, long-legged, red-headed, lush heroines who instantly brings down stodgy heroes when they enter the room - and that's what happens in this book. That is also the only spark I could find in the book. I kept reading, plowing on, waiting for a connection, a spark - any kind of life springing off of these pages - but nothing happened.
Remember all those times we want our heroine and hero to talk to each other? Well Jackson and Teddy talk, they discuss, they plan, they harangue, they drone on and on and on. They have a pretend engagement - they love each other - Jackson wants to make it a real engagement - Teddy wants to be a professional, she can never marry - he loves her, he knows she loves him, she doesn't want him to know she loves him, she will be sad when he leaves on his adventure because she loves him. He talks to his father, she talks to her friends, her mother talks to her, his mother talks to his father. And let's not forget the Teddy's dead fiancé who shows up alive and well and in the mood for blackmail - which he has to talk about.
I never had a sense of any connection between Teddy and Jackson. They were just flat unexciting characters and Teddy was irritating in her "I want a career instead of a marriage with a man I love and who loves me" routine. I also never figured out what happened to drive Jackson's parent's apart; other than Basil wanting adventure, it was never fully explained. It also would have been nice if we had been able to see just how Basil and his wife were able to settle their differences. And, these were not just minor differences, these involved keeping a child from his father for 32 years.
Jackson is a beta hero and I usually love beta guys, but in this case he was more of a weenie than anything else. Maybe that could have been some of the problem. He just wasn't that dynamic. He was just all right, and heroes need to be more than just all right, even if they are beta guys. The sensual chemistry between the pair was also missing. There are a few kisses and then some bed romping but it all seemed lackluster.
Sorry to say I can't recommend this book. Much to my surprise, it was a pretty bland offering from Ms. Alexander. Because of how much I love most of Ms. Alexander's books, this was a big disappointment. I'm not giving up on her; she's one of my auto-reads. It's just that this was a tedious read for me.
KaysBlog
Let me get this off of my chest. I had problems with this book - it took forevvvvver to read. If my Nook was as cheap as a paperback it might have hit the wall. Besides the hamster-on-a-wheel plotline, there was another matter that I found irritating and it has to do with "possessive" words or the lack thereof. There are three mothers in this story - three. Every single time those three mothers are thought about it is always "mother did this, "or" mother went there, "or" mother wore a hat, "or" mother kicked a horse." It is never "her" mother did this or "his" mother went there or "Teddy's" mother kicked a horse. Let me repeat, there are three mothers in this book! I had to read down through the paragraph/page/conversation to figure out which mother was being referenced. There are also fathers in the book, but only one has any children in the story so I could keep track of him.
Normally I love Victoria Alexander books. I love her sense of humor. Granted, there is a lot of 21st century vernacular in them, but that doesn't mean they aren't funny. Sadly to say the humorous moments in The Shocking Secret of the Guest at the Wedding were overshadowed by the lack of emotion from any of the characters in the book. I'm not sure what went wrong because at first glance this book should have worked.
Our hero, Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, a New York City banker finds out that his father isn't dead. Poor Jackson. For all of his 32 years he has been told that his father died before he was born. His mother and grandfather raised him - his life is all organized - he has a sort of fiancé - he's got a career - he's content. However, standing in the same room with him is his father - the one he thought was dead. To say his life is about to be disrupted is an understatement. It seems his mother has been keeping a secret; not only from him but from the man who is his father, Basil Channing. Needless to say Jackson and Basil are a little POed with Jackson's mother. Anyway, Jackson and Basil decide they want to get to know each other. They decide to go back to Basil's home in England, learn about each other and give Jackson the opportunity to become acquainted with the cousins he never knew he had.
In England is the Channing family, and they are also oblivious to the fact that Basil was married and fathered a child. They are also in the middle of planning a wedding with the help of our heroine, Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow. Teddy is a wedding planner. Now, I had my doubts that a woman in that time period could be a wedding planner but I glossed over that. Anyway, Teddy is one of those stunning, long-legged, red-headed, lush heroines who instantly brings down stodgy heroes when they enter the room - and that's what happens in this book. That is also the only spark I could find in the book. I kept reading, plowing on, waiting for a connection, a spark - any kind of life springing off of these pages - but nothing happened.
Remember all those times we want our heroine and hero to talk to each other? Well Jackson and Teddy talk, they discuss, they plan, they harangue, they drone on and on and on. They have a pretend engagement - they love each other - Jackson wants to make it a real engagement - Teddy wants to be a professional, she can never marry - he loves her, he knows she loves him, she doesn't want him to know she loves him, she will be sad when he leaves on his adventure because she loves him. He talks to his father, she talks to her friends, her mother talks to her, his mother talks to his father. And let's not forget the Teddy's dead fiancé who shows up alive and well and in the mood for blackmail - which he has to talk about.
I never had a sense of any connection between Teddy and Jackson. They were just flat unexciting characters and Teddy was irritating in her "I want a career instead of a marriage with a man I love and who loves me" routine. I also never figured out what happened to drive Jackson's parent's apart; other than Basil wanting adventure, it was never fully explained. It also would have been nice if we had been able to see just how Basil and his wife were able to settle their differences. And, these were not just minor differences, these involved keeping a child from his father for 32 years.
Jackson is a beta hero and I usually love beta guys, but in this case he was more of a weenie than anything else. Maybe that could have been some of the problem. He just wasn't that dynamic. He was just all right, and heroes need to be more than just all right, even if they are beta guys. The sensual chemistry between the pair was also missing. There are a few kisses and then some bed romping but it all seemed lackluster.
Sorry to say I can't recommend this book. Much to my surprise, it was a pretty bland offering from Ms. Alexander. Because of how much I love most of Ms. Alexander's books, this was a big disappointment. I'm not giving up on her; she's one of my auto-reads. It's just that this was a tedious read for me.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2014
"The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding" by Victoria Alexander
I received an ARC of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. The release date for this book is set for 10/28/14.
The story is set in 1887 and moves from the opulence of Fifth Avenue in New York City to the decadence and refinement of the grand estates located in the English countryside.
Jackson Quincey Graham is the Vice President of a prestigious banking facility in New York. He is set to announce his engagement to the granddaughter of another of the bank's founding families, just as their families had planned since the two were born. He considers his life predictable and comfortable. He has very few surprises in his life.
So, when his supposedly deceased father shows up at a dinner party at his family home, Jackson is completely taken aback. He had thought his father had died before he was born.
Even more shocking, Jackson is informed that he is the heir to both a title and a grand estate in England.
Deciding to travel to England to meet his long lost family and to get to know his father, Jackson defers announcing his engagement. He is shocked to realize that he does not really love his intended fiancé, even though he likes and respects her greatly. However, love is not a necessary factor in a marriage for the upper class of American society.
Lady Theodosia Winslow is the daughter of the Countess of Sallwick. They organize weddings and other soirees, charging exorbitant prices for their services. It is at the wedding of Jackson's cousin that the two meet for the first time.
What follows is a tale of adventure, romance, intrigue and difficult life decisions.
The only thing I did not like about this story was the overuse of people "returning from the dead." While Jack's father shows up after 30 years of his son believing he was dead, there is also Nigel whose daughters had thought he was dead (although their mother knew differently.) One person is okay, two people is pushing it, but when a third person "returns from the dead" it seems ridiculous. That plot line is definitely overused in this story.
However, I did enjoy how Theodosia (Teddy) was portrayed. Historical fiction rarely has independent women as their heroines. All too often the women are portrayed as having no ambitions other than to marry well.
I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. A good book is an escape from reality and that is exactly what this book has achieved.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars based purely on escapism. It is fun and enjoyable read.
Readers who enjoy historical romance will enjoy this book.
I received an ARC of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. The release date for this book is set for 10/28/14.
The story is set in 1887 and moves from the opulence of Fifth Avenue in New York City to the decadence and refinement of the grand estates located in the English countryside.
Jackson Quincey Graham is the Vice President of a prestigious banking facility in New York. He is set to announce his engagement to the granddaughter of another of the bank's founding families, just as their families had planned since the two were born. He considers his life predictable and comfortable. He has very few surprises in his life.
So, when his supposedly deceased father shows up at a dinner party at his family home, Jackson is completely taken aback. He had thought his father had died before he was born.
Even more shocking, Jackson is informed that he is the heir to both a title and a grand estate in England.
Deciding to travel to England to meet his long lost family and to get to know his father, Jackson defers announcing his engagement. He is shocked to realize that he does not really love his intended fiancé, even though he likes and respects her greatly. However, love is not a necessary factor in a marriage for the upper class of American society.
Lady Theodosia Winslow is the daughter of the Countess of Sallwick. They organize weddings and other soirees, charging exorbitant prices for their services. It is at the wedding of Jackson's cousin that the two meet for the first time.
What follows is a tale of adventure, romance, intrigue and difficult life decisions.
The only thing I did not like about this story was the overuse of people "returning from the dead." While Jack's father shows up after 30 years of his son believing he was dead, there is also Nigel whose daughters had thought he was dead (although their mother knew differently.) One person is okay, two people is pushing it, but when a third person "returns from the dead" it seems ridiculous. That plot line is definitely overused in this story.
However, I did enjoy how Theodosia (Teddy) was portrayed. Historical fiction rarely has independent women as their heroines. All too often the women are portrayed as having no ambitions other than to marry well.
I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. A good book is an escape from reality and that is exactly what this book has achieved.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars based purely on escapism. It is fun and enjoyable read.
Readers who enjoy historical romance will enjoy this book.
November 5, 2014
I've really enjoyed Alexander's books in the past, but this one was SUPER slow moving, and I never really felt like I totally connected to the characters. It was very... blah.
C
Full review to be posted at www.thebookpushers.com
C
Full review to be posted at www.thebookpushers.com
February 19, 2017
I love this series. The heroines are brilliant and independent and feisty. And the heroes are swoon worthy, and idiots and lovely....it's all a great mix. Sparks of chemistry in a regents sitting room.
November 1, 2014
Imagine if your whole life you thought one of your parents was deceased and then one day they showed up, alive and well? What if that same parent told you that you were in line to inherit not only a fortune, but a title? Seems perfect, too good to be true, but you know what they say, if it seems to good to be true...
American banker in the late 1800s was a safe, if boring existence, but when Jackson’s life takes a sudden lurching turn that leads him to England, a family, trouble, and love, he has to decide to lend his heart and change his life in a real way.
While I liked this historical romance, borrowed from Netgalley.com for the low price of an honest review, I found it overlong. This could have been resolved with a hundred pages less and a lot more interest from me. I’ve noticed this trend in books, especially from the bigger name authors, these lengthy tomes. I don’t know the reason, but my theories include but are not limited to:
1. They charge so much for the books that they think people want a large number of pages to feel it’s worth the inflated price tag. Sort of the theory with food and movies, give us more to match the price. Got an idea, charge us less and give us less, we don’t need this many pages or walking scenes or fries.
2. When authors become stars, editors don’t know how to tell them to cut some of the long droning descriptions, cough cough, J.K. Rowling, cough cough, Stephen King.
3. Maybe big name authors get it written into their contracts that they get to ramble on with little or no regard to how their readers will feel.
This is a good book that could have been a great book with some editing.
American banker in the late 1800s was a safe, if boring existence, but when Jackson’s life takes a sudden lurching turn that leads him to England, a family, trouble, and love, he has to decide to lend his heart and change his life in a real way.
While I liked this historical romance, borrowed from Netgalley.com for the low price of an honest review, I found it overlong. This could have been resolved with a hundred pages less and a lot more interest from me. I’ve noticed this trend in books, especially from the bigger name authors, these lengthy tomes. I don’t know the reason, but my theories include but are not limited to:
1. They charge so much for the books that they think people want a large number of pages to feel it’s worth the inflated price tag. Sort of the theory with food and movies, give us more to match the price. Got an idea, charge us less and give us less, we don’t need this many pages or walking scenes or fries.
2. When authors become stars, editors don’t know how to tell them to cut some of the long droning descriptions, cough cough, J.K. Rowling, cough cough, Stephen King.
3. Maybe big name authors get it written into their contracts that they get to ramble on with little or no regard to how their readers will feel.
This is a good book that could have been a great book with some editing.
November 22, 2014
The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding is a delightful and fun historical romance. Victoria Alexander's books are fantastic and funny with honorable heros and strong-willed heroines. Jack is a banker who lives in America with his mother and grandfather until he finds out that his father is alive and an Englishman, he is angry with his mother for deceiving him for 30 years and travels with his father to England to meet his new family.
Teddy is a beautiful strong-willed party planner who is the best friend of Jack's cousin. she is working hard to pay off her father's debts and become a successful business woman and doesn't want to get married. Their story with a fake engagement is fun and enjoyable with witty dialogue. The ending was a surprise and well written ( of course I wanted to shake the heroine for her stubbornness). Thank you Victoria Alexander for another great book
Teddy is a beautiful strong-willed party planner who is the best friend of Jack's cousin. she is working hard to pay off her father's debts and become a successful business woman and doesn't want to get married. Their story with a fake engagement is fun and enjoyable with witty dialogue. The ending was a surprise and well written ( of course I wanted to shake the heroine for her stubbornness). Thank you Victoria Alexander for another great book
November 2, 2014
Another great adventure from Victoria Alexander. I have all her books and they are keepers. Jack and Teddy are great characters that think they know the way their lives are going until they meet each other. Victoria writing is witty, I laughed out loud a number of times. Her love scenes are very tasteful and sexy, not too graphic, which is good for me. Her plots are exciting, passionate and very well paced. This one has kind of a surprise ending which I really appreciated. Do not miss this book or any written by Victoria Alexander.
Want to read
October 1, 2014I am excited and grateful to be a goodreads winner. Thank you. :)
December 8, 2014
Almost your typical historical romance. The end surprised me so not quite so typical. Good strong heroine.
March 11, 2021
must have read this during binge of series but had confused or forgotten the plot amongst the other titles. Did remember the dead fiancee so knew have read previously. Certainly enjoyed this story, and the significant changes in the characters, all for the better. it was hard to imagine a wife and husband separated for three decades trying to get back together. The gulf between NYC and London was stressed just enough to allow Jack to escape his own boring banking. The humor was so appreciated. As others did not like the last two chapters, especially the ending. The one steam scene was lacking in so many ways, except for the banter through the sex, thought that was entirely characteristic. Always loved Millworth at Xmas. So at the least there was as usual a happy ending. could not picture 'Betty' and that murkiness made it difficult to bring this character to life which was a disappointment considering Basil was so central to the plot. Think the you win ending was also insufficient. They should have flung themselves onto the cot, but hey, I am not the writer. This series was read several years ago but obviously the characters from the other titles and those adventures kept popping into my head. Must mean enjoyed them.
June 16, 2017
There was a lot more conversation than I would have wanted in this book, but overall it was an acceptable read, until the end. It was quite a chaste "romance" novel, way more focused on creating character identity than on arousal. The fake engagement premise plot was pretty dumb, but I suspended disbelief for the sake of the plot. The end of the book, however, unnecessarily reversed all of the character shaping that had been done and made the hero Jack uncharacteristically old-fashioned and the heroine Teddy oddly weak-willed. I'm disappointed they get back together at the end--they build this lovely relationship throughout the book and she needs to work if she is to remain single, but then at the prospect of their marriage, he suddenly says she can't work anymore even though she's stated she wants to. There's no "set time span" when it comes to wanting to work for her own personal goals, she says, which I agree with, yet shortly afterwards, after he's left her, she realizes work's not for her anymore and she comes crawling back to him! It was really infuriating.
April 14, 2023
The bride and groom cordially request your presence for a wedding at Millworth Manor. . .
Guests will include Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the finest families in England.
Introductions shall be followed by light conversation, dancing, flirtation, arguing, reconciliation, and an impulsive kiss that both parties are quite certain they will never repeat.
Until they do.
A mutually beneficial fake engagement will be accompanied by all manner of very real complications, scandalous revelations, nefarious schemes, and one inescapable conclusion:
That true love--unlike the perfect wedding--is impossible to plan. .
An enjoyable read of will they or won't they get their act together! It has an interesting ending of how all the families turn out in the end and the ending is a bit rushed. If you enjoy a bit of romance in your life, enjoy this!
Guests will include Jackson Quincy Graham Channing, New York City banker, and Lady Theodosia "Teddy" Winslow, wedding planner to the finest families in England.
Introductions shall be followed by light conversation, dancing, flirtation, arguing, reconciliation, and an impulsive kiss that both parties are quite certain they will never repeat.
Until they do.
A mutually beneficial fake engagement will be accompanied by all manner of very real complications, scandalous revelations, nefarious schemes, and one inescapable conclusion:
That true love--unlike the perfect wedding--is impossible to plan. .
An enjoyable read of will they or won't they get their act together! It has an interesting ending of how all the families turn out in the end and the ending is a bit rushed. If you enjoy a bit of romance in your life, enjoy this!
February 15, 2018
This is my first book from this author and I really enjoyed her writing style and the story.
It would be a 4 stars if not by the fact that the heroine decides to leave the hero just because she needs to prove to herself that she can run an event planning business on her own.
I’m totally in favor of independent woman and so forth, but to let the love of your life go away for that reason is the most absurd plot I’ve ever encountered.
It made me hate the heroine so very much that it took all the joy I had reading the book up to that point.
Why not tell him she would have him if he would agree that she would continue her business? Who in sane conscience would abdicate true love for that reason?
Anyways, I intend to read other books from this author and I liked very much the hero Jack and the side characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2019
Well, at least the sub-standard writing is balanced by the overwhelming hatred of women! 🙄
"When you find the woman you want, let nothing stop you" the father says.
"Even the woman herself?"
"Especially not her"
Or words to that effect. Mmm love me some rape culture!!
Don't read this terrible book. The writing is stilted and boring. The women are all hateful in one form or another. The men are good but bland. The romance is forced and unbelievable.
The relationships are toxic. The male protagonist's maternal grandfather did a hateful thing. Don't worry, he and everyone else blame the mother! And only her. Because, women right?
The one thing that shines in this book is the knowledge that internalised misogyny is real.
"When you find the woman you want, let nothing stop you" the father says.
"Even the woman herself?"
"Especially not her"
Or words to that effect. Mmm love me some rape culture!!
Don't read this terrible book. The writing is stilted and boring. The women are all hateful in one form or another. The men are good but bland. The romance is forced and unbelievable.
The relationships are toxic. The male protagonist's maternal grandfather did a hateful thing. Don't worry, he and everyone else blame the mother! And only her. Because, women right?
The one thing that shines in this book is the knowledge that internalised misogyny is real.
Read
May 2, 2021Another good book. The banter between the two character is great so funny. This is Jack and Theodosia story.
Jack is a bank in NY and always thought his father was dead till he showed up one day and his whole life changed. We didn't know who he was or what he wanted.
Theodosia (teddy) was trying to make things better after her father died and left them in debt. she was determine to pay off his debts and make a living for her and her mother. Than all changes with her when she meets Jack and her dead fiancé shows up alive.
The adventure begins here at a Wedding and continues with up and downs as the discovery who they are and friendship grows and answers are found
Jack is a bank in NY and always thought his father was dead till he showed up one day and his whole life changed. We didn't know who he was or what he wanted.
Theodosia (teddy) was trying to make things better after her father died and left them in debt. she was determine to pay off his debts and make a living for her and her mother. Than all changes with her when she meets Jack and her dead fiancé shows up alive.
The adventure begins here at a Wedding and continues with up and downs as the discovery who they are and friendship grows and answers are found
June 7, 2017
I liked the characters and their story, worth 3 stars. However, book seemed to be somewhat 'formulaic'. We have angry, argumentative heroine and a hero that loves angry, argumentative women. There is also someone who was dead, but not really. Of course, lots of filler so H/H could argue and make-up. Last but not least: one sex scene was worked in, needed or not. On to the next book in the series, which I am thinking is the last?
April 27, 2019
Adventures
Another wonderful book in the Millworth family. I am highly entertained by the twists and turns of this family. A fun new member appears and fits in perfectly. With some very unexpected twists and turns....as usual love wind the day. Do take the time to read this, it does stand alone, but is so much more fun if you have first read "What Happens at Christmas" and the other books that follow , you will have a better understanding of the "players." Happy reading !
Another wonderful book in the Millworth family. I am highly entertained by the twists and turns of this family. A fun new member appears and fits in perfectly. With some very unexpected twists and turns....as usual love wind the day. Do take the time to read this, it does stand alone, but is so much more fun if you have first read "What Happens at Christmas" and the other books that follow , you will have a better understanding of the "players." Happy reading !
Read
January 29, 2020I loved the beginning of the book, but lost the momentum of the story. The book ended up dragging for me, and I started skimming until the end. However, the book picked up towards the conclusion of the story, and I remembered why I enjoy reading her books.
There was a uniqueness to the main hero in the story -- he's a banker, doesn't really pretend to be anything else, and only discovers all of the skills that the profession has allowed through the story and the heroine.
There was a uniqueness to the main hero in the story -- he's a banker, doesn't really pretend to be anything else, and only discovers all of the skills that the profession has allowed through the story and the heroine.
June 3, 2025
Note: I read this book for a work assignment, and would not have read it for pleasure.
I never expect much from romance novels since it's really not my genre, but this one surprised me! I would guess the other books in the series are equally well written. Starting the story off from the perspective of the male protagonist was interesting, and I appreciate the subversion of a couple of other romance tropes. Overall, this was pretty good!
I never expect much from romance novels since it's really not my genre, but this one surprised me! I would guess the other books in the series are equally well written. Starting the story off from the perspective of the male protagonist was interesting, and I appreciate the subversion of a couple of other romance tropes. Overall, this was pretty good!
July 23, 2017
This is a cute, fun romance with mild secrets and deceptions. The characters are a bit stubborn and argumentative as seems to occur in this series, but they are likeable overall and the story is full of the warmth of extended family.
March 25, 2018
Guy finds out his father is still alive and he is the heir to a fortune.
Meets girl they pretend to be engaged and eventually fall in love.
mindless romance because sometimes you need to read mindless stuff.
Meets girl they pretend to be engaged and eventually fall in love.
mindless romance because sometimes you need to read mindless stuff.
August 28, 2018
Lady Theodosia/Teddy Winslow and Mr. Jackson/Jack Channing share their ups and downs throughout this book but never do they fail to engage the reader so for me this 4th book did redeem the series as I hoped it could.
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