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Beaufort Brides #2

Substitute Bride

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For more than two years, Rose has been the nanny for James Harwood's daughters. She adores the girls, but she tries to maintain a professional distance with James—no matter how attractive she finds him. However, when his engagement falls apart and he starts to look at her differently, Rose no longer sees him only as her boss. James isn't the kind of man to fall for his nanny, so he doesn't know why he can't stop thinking about her in very wrong ways. He's determined to resist, to keep his life simple and to find an appropriate substitute for his wife who died.

But with a manipulative ex-fiancée, two precocious daughters, Rose's interfering Southern grandmother, a short-lived fake engagement, and feelings that won't be denied, nothing remains simple for long.

178 pages, ebook

First published August 22, 2015

360 people are currently reading
672 people want to read

About the author

Noelle Adams

140 books2,684 followers
Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

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5 stars
522 (33%)
4 stars
513 (32%)
3 stars
409 (26%)
2 stars
101 (6%)
1 star
21 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,385 reviews899 followers
June 23, 2021
I love the boss/employee trope. Make the heroine the nanny, and I’m gobbling it down. Exactly as I did this book.


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I adored this couple! They were both pretty laid back and easy going. Although James had a lot more on his shoulders, once he recognized what he wanted he didn’t fight it. Through his thoughts, it’s obvious that what he feels for Rose is different, and better even, than what he felt for his wife. That’s always a deciding factor on how much I enjoy the deceased spouse story line.


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Rosie was perfect in every way, while being very real. I loved the relationship she had with the girls. And oh my gosh! The girls totally stole the show. They were adorable and this author presented them realistically making them more so because of their childish behaviors.


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When this story reaches its high point of conflict, I was a tad disappointed in the response from Rose, but the resulting action by James made it worth it. I love gestures that don’t quite work out the way they’re envisioned to go and with two adorable little girls, a nervous hero, and an interfering grandmother, this ending gesture was classic.

This is fast paced and can be read as a standalone within a short period of time.

Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Profile Image for Beanimous.
1,025 reviews15 followers
August 17, 2017
Sweet sweet romance with likable heroine and clueless hero.

Conflicts introduced through classic miscommunication.......yawn!

Not a particularly memorable book, but I like Ms Noelle Adams books for their predictability and sweetness. Because sometimes whips and chains are just too much on my aging sensitive soul.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,982 reviews4,321 followers
October 7, 2019
3.5 stars -- perfectly cute romance between a single dad and the kids' nanny, complete with the trademark Noelle Adams charm.
Profile Image for Bluestockings Read.
199 reviews198 followers
June 4, 2023
So, "widower+nanny" isn't usually my jam - but this had other issues. It lacked the logic & character motivation I usually expect from this author.

● MMC's fiancée flips out because she sees him innocently dancing with his nanny, so they break up. (She's an "evil OW" caricature.)
● MMC decides to immediately get fake-engaged to said nanny (Rose, the FMC). To quiet down the gossip about his breakup 🤨. Um... about as logical as putting out a fire with gasoline.
● James is just suddenly attracted to Rose one day - there's no impetus. Their sexual chemistry was good but the romance felt weak.
● I had many unanswered questions about their previous two years living together.
Chekov's ring: James buys Rose an engagement ring to wear, but she thinks it's his dead wife's. This upsets her, but she never says anything and ( spoilers) At the end, OMG the stress this one detail caused me 🫠.

While I found Substitute Bride somewhat frustrating, I'm giving it 3⭐, because it's still a good read. Noelle Adams' writing skill shines through, and the prose, dialogue, and decent, pragmatic characters she's known for were still well-crafted. The kids were cute too, I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️.

╭──────────༻⊰❁⊱༺──────────╮

        Beaufort Brides series:
 ⊰❁ Hired Bride ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25)
 ⊰❁ Substitute Bride ⭐⭐⭐ (3.25)
 ⊰❁ Accidental Bride ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75)

╰──────────༻⊰❁⊱༺──────────╯
1,116 reviews23 followers
August 26, 2015
Noelle Adams has quickly become a favorite of mine. Her characters are always down to earth and totally likeable, Rose and James being no different this time around. James was a single dad, his wife having died a couple of years ago. Rose was nanny to his two little girls. When the story begins, James is engaged to Genevieve although he's beginning to have second thoughts. She's always out with her friends, doesn't seem to want a relationship with his daughters, both of whom aren't fond of the woman, and he's finding out she isn't at all as sweet and caring as his first wife. He breaks up with her but she refuses to take no for an answer. As a result, he and Rose come up with the idea of a fake engagement between them in order to convince Genevieve that she and James are really through.

While Rose is determined not to get her hopes up, she's already got feelings for James and of course, she loves his girls. She'd love to make the engagement real but after her last failed relationship with a man, she's positive James couldn't possibly see her in that light.

This is just a simple love story between two people who are obviously suited to one another if they can just get their feelings figured out. Throw a couple of adorable children in the mix, along with a rather dotty old grandmother and Rose' s two sisters and you have a very engaging story. Really enjoyed it.
1,021 reviews16 followers
August 24, 2015
This is one of those stories you start reading and you're so engrossed you realize it's been a few hours and you're finished. This is the 2nd book and 2nd sister of the 3 Beaufort sisters. Although I liked the first book, this one was even better. Based on the beginning chapter, I thought it would be a standard outline for the plot. Instead, it took a different (and earlier) path which made it more enjoyable for me by not stretching out the drama. The hero and heroine were very likable as well as the supporting characters. It's told from both points of view so you understand their developing feelings and misunderstandings for a complicated nanny/employer situation. I liked there was a little less Grandmama this time. She's there, she's wise, she's still stiff and dower, but her role is strategically effective and entertaining. The pride makes an appearance as does one of Deanna's more interesting "suitors" from the first book, although indirectly. Overall, this book was fantastic and I'm excited for Kelly's story next.

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review (thank you!).
Profile Image for Sarahcophagus.
560 reviews25 followers
October 13, 2025
The evil ex was way too over the top. These two have negative communication skills.
Profile Image for Lynn.
1,298 reviews73 followers
Read
July 13, 2017
Forgot to mark this as read. It was a while ago so I can't remember it enough to review it, just marking it for my records.
Profile Image for Don ツ .
248 reviews37 followers
October 8, 2019
At first I was only going to scan thru the negotiated marriage, one of my favorites from this author. Then I got hooked to this series, ended up I read 5 of her books.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books89 followers
February 16, 2020
SubstItute Bride ~ Beaufort Brides ~ Book 2

Rose Beaufort works for James as a nanny for his two young daughters after the death of his two years ago. James thinks he wants a 'SubstItute Bride ' but figures out what he and his girls need is Rosie to become a permanent part of their family. Moving from nanny to wife was full of misunderstandings, lots of humor and a great romance.
Profile Image for Kristin.
100 reviews6 followers
June 26, 2021
I love this series! This is a re-read for me and now I want to read the rest in the series. I love the meddling grandma and her ridiculous Pride. I love how the main characters have this backstory without having to have it written in plain text on the page. It was easy to fall in step with where they were at and believable on how they came together.
Profile Image for Kame.
802 reviews38 followers
August 26, 2015
Rosie is a Nanny. She loves the two young girls in her care. A fun game of dress up reveals she may love their father too!

Rosie always dreamed of working with children and when family obligation required her get a job instead of attend college she found a Nanny job that allowed her to do both. I loved to see her care and concern with the girls. James is a widower who thinks remarrying is the best thing for his girls. I think he allowed too many people to have to much influence on his life and it didn't meld well with his successful businessman career for me.

I liked these two characters as a couple, just not the circumstances that brought them together. I would have enjoyed more of a slow fighting it build up. Their quick move to a relationship felt more like lust to me.

The characters outside this small family drove me crazy. Genevieve and James mother-in-law angered me every time on the page. Rosie's eccentric grandmother has also started to get on my nerves.

However I truly enjoy Noelle Adams writing style. It is a relaxing read. Rosie's sister Kelly the keeper of the estate and the one who generally cares for crazy grandma must be next and I can't wait to see her have an HEA because I think she deserves one - if not a vacation - real soon.

I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Emily (Mrs B's Books).
1,728 reviews83 followers
August 29, 2015
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is another brilliant book from the author.

Rose is a very loving nanny who very much adores the two little girls that she has been looking after for the last two years, and always does more than required in her job. However she has always know that the woman that her employer is to marry is not the right woman for either him or the kids.

James is a man looking for a woman to replace the whole where his dead wife was in both his and his girls lives, however he now regrets his current choice.

These is a specific moment in this book on which both party realise that actually they have feelings for the other and they both try to ignore it. Of course it doesn't work.

We get to see a little more of Deanna from book one, along with Kelly and Grandmama. Grandmama of course 'helps' along with the match between Rose and James and my heart just melted with the way the two little girls Jill and Julie were portrayed. I really loved them.

We also get to see a tiny little bit of Kelly and who we assume will be the man for her Peter Blake, another wealthy man from a good respectable family.

I really can't wait for the next book in the series.
47 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2015
Rose Beaufort works as nanny to the Harwoods and cannot help but feel attracted to her boss, James. After a scheme which makes her pretend to be his fiancé, they start to fall in love with each other but there's the problem of James' ex that doesn`t take no for an answer, along with Rose's own insecurities in the relationship department.

I quite liked this one by Adams as well, but it is very similar to Hired Bride, the first one in the series. In both of them, the main impediment for the couple being together is lack of communication. This is a used, well used plot device that I'm getting tired of reading. But I did love James`s daughters, though. Each had a clear personality and read like real kids, differently from a lot of books that I've seen that contained children.

I recommend for those who want a nice, easy read with likeable characters.
Profile Image for Ava.
1,028 reviews23 followers
January 4, 2016
I liked this one, I find it very cute, the little girls added some more cuteness in the whole book.
It was a romance novella, not cheesy and went with the theme. Fake/rich (not the billionaire stuff)/kind/scheming.
I enjoyed the introduction of Rose and her living condition and her job as a nanny. And then the situation, the drama in the plot. It was a nice development with a bit of steamy scenes (2 and 2 halves).
Now let wait for the last one, the youngest. I really find her far too young to be mix in the fake then marriage so I don't know how the author would make it work for me.
Profile Image for Helen.
220 reviews4 followers
August 26, 2015
Great #2 story of the Beaufort Bride series, Think I liked this one better than the first one.
The characters of Rosie and James are great and the girls Jill and Julie were lovely,
Grandmother is still co-ordinating her granddaughters lives with great success. If you enjoyed book 1 Then you must read this book. Looking forward to reading Kelly's story.
145 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2016
This was my favourite of the series. I think I’m a bit of a sucker for the hired nanny falling for the widowed father plot.
After reading several Noelle Adams books consecutively, I realise she’s not going to win awards for the diversity of her plots. However her modern marriage of convenience stories work for me
Profile Image for Roxy the Fury.
590 reviews
March 23, 2016
Cute book

I enjoyed reading this book. It was short and sweet. The characters were like able and refreshing. Not too much drama. Just enough to keep the story going. I would recommend.
Profile Image for Tia.
Author 10 books141 followers
May 22, 2016
Yet again, another simple story and I'm kind of frustrated. The books I've read previously by Noelle had a lot more emotion and we got to see the romance between the couple... this one didn't have that.
Profile Image for Kanoko.
294 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2015
Wasn't a fan of the premise, tbh. Nicely written but there wasn't a lot for me here.
Profile Image for MBR.
1,392 reviews364 followers
October 14, 2025
Substitute Bride by Noelle Adams had everything that could have made it a deeply emotional, slow-burn romance; widowed single father, devoted nanny, and a simmering forbidden attraction, but somehow the execution never quite matched its potential. Yet despite the promising premise, the story feels like it’s missing the spark that usually makes her understated writing sing.

Rose Beaufort has been nanny to James Harwood’s two young daughters for more than two years, quietly holding the family together since the death of his wife. She is patient, kind, and almost too self-contained; a caretaker in every sense, both to the children and to the man she has never allowed herself to want. James, for his part, is a man trapped between grief, obligation, and guilt. He is engaged to a woman who seems perfect on paper but whose manipulative charm barely hides her selfishness. When that engagement implodes and he begins to really see Rose, what unfolds is a push and pull between propriety and passion, duty and desire.

James is perhaps quite the emotionally restrained hero, controlled to the point of frustration. His attraction to Rose builds with the kind of quiet inevitability that should have made for exquisite tension. Yet even as he begins to unravel, the story somehow feels too neat, too muted. Rose, despite being the heart of the novel, is written with so much restraint as well that her emotions never quite land with the impact they should. She feels more like an observer of her own love story rather than its participant. And while the fake engagement and later emotional confessions promised the sort of angst I live for, the delivery feels like it stops short of what I needed.

What works, as always with Adams, is her delicate portrayal of care and connection. The scenes between Rose, James, and the girls are some of the most genuine parts of the novel, quiet moments of tenderness that feel deeply lived-in. The way Rose tucks the girls into bed or helps James manage his stress speaks more of love than the words either of them can say aloud. And when Adams allows the emotion to break through, when the control finally slips, the intimacy is beautiful, both sensual and real.

Still, for all its sweetness and emotional potential, Substitute Bride never fully takes flight. The chemistry simmers and the resolution comes too easily when it should have hurt a little more. By the end, you are left satisfied but not moved, and that feels like the greatest loss in a story that had all the makings of a quietly devastating romance.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy single-dad romances, nannies with hidden strength, and gentle domestic love stories with a touch of southern charm.

Final Verdict: Sweet and restrained, Substitute Bride delivers a soft love story that’s easy to read but misses the emotional punch Noelle Adams usually masters.

Rating = 3/5

For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Profile Image for Deanna.
1,083 reviews19 followers
December 8, 2019
Fake engagement

When a broken engagement doesn’t go to plan for James, Rose and her family come up with a plan. A fake engagement to stop all the rumours. After the dust has settled they can call things off and go back to normal. Yeah right, Rose is the nanny to his 2 adorable daughters who she loves more than anything. But when lines get crossed and beds shared how can things ever be the same again,

Will she let her insecurities get in the way of her happy ending? Will James finally see Rose for who she is or will she always be just the fill in for the hole left behind from when his wife died or is Rose more than he could ever hope for?

A really enjoyable love story, that will steam up your kindle like only Noelle can do.

I received this as a free gift and I am giving my honest review voluntarily
Profile Image for chelseaerinreads.
678 reviews15 followers
September 16, 2023
**3.5**

This book was entertaining! I loved the little girls, they were so sweet. I didn’t feel the biggest connection between the mc’s which was a little let down but I liked the story line and how it progressed. I loved the cheeky grandma stirring the pot.

- workplace romance
- forced proximity

🌶️ 2/5
Profile Image for Emily.
425 reviews9 followers
July 23, 2024
These two idiots deserve each other. I’m really not clear on the appeal of either one and their terrible communication should keep them busy forever. I am willing to suspend disbelief for a lot of things - cartoonishly two dimensional side characters, ridiculous plot justification. But the inability to have a simple conversation made this a dnf
58 reviews
June 4, 2019
Beaufort Lady wins again

Charming HEA story featuring another strong Southern gal. Can a nanny of two adoring girls claim the heart of their father? Of course we must have an evil, almost-to-be stepmother thrown in for intrigue. Now on to sister number three...
Profile Image for Patricia M Lewis.
260 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2019
Loved this!

I'm almost always generous with my reviews but if I enjoyed the story why not. I loved the family aspect and laughed at the Cruella type character. I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Naomi.
551 reviews
June 26, 2021
So good

This was excellent. I loved it. Rose was an awesome character, the story was beautiful, the other characters- like the girls, and Kelly and Grandmama were hilarious. So in love with this story!
730 reviews
May 7, 2023
The ex-girlfriend in this book is beyond annoying to the point of detracrting a bit from the plot instead of advancing it.

Rose and James are perfect for each other and Rose is already in love with Jill and Julie, so they are very much meant to be a family.

A very touching read.
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