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Don't Marry Thomas Clark
A feel-good romance. Sometimes true love can be found where you least expect it...Perfect for the fans of Mhairi McFarlene and Fiona Gibson.
Thomas Clark is a wealthy aristocrat. Sandy Price was the girl next door. They grew up spending their summer holidays on the same country estate, but Sandy couldn't stand Thomas and he hasn't crossed her mind since.
Years later, an unexpected turn of events brings Thomas back into her life.
At the reading of his Grandfathers will, Thomas is set to inherit everything on the one condition, he marries Sandy Price; otherwise the entire estate will go to charity. Thomas must find a way to make this happen.
Sandy is unemployed and trying to renovate a bistro with some friends. But at the last minute the bank withdraws its loan offer. So, when she receives a call from Thomas offering her an attractive proposal, she has no choice but to accept...
Thomas Clark is a wealthy aristocrat. Sandy Price was the girl next door. They grew up spending their summer holidays on the same country estate, but Sandy couldn't stand Thomas and he hasn't crossed her mind since.
Years later, an unexpected turn of events brings Thomas back into her life.
At the reading of his Grandfathers will, Thomas is set to inherit everything on the one condition, he marries Sandy Price; otherwise the entire estate will go to charity. Thomas must find a way to make this happen.
Sandy is unemployed and trying to renovate a bistro with some friends. But at the last minute the bank withdraws its loan offer. So, when she receives a call from Thomas offering her an attractive proposal, she has no choice but to accept...
256 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2016
125 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 2, 2018
Fairly entertaining book about two people who spent their childhood summers together hating each other. When Thomas Clark's grandfather dies, he states in his will that Thomas must marry Sandy Price or he'll lose his inheritance. Can two people who haven't seen each other in years and hate each other get married?
This is a classic hate to love story that was basic fun. It takes some time for the reader to find the chemistry between the two characters but it's definitely there. I liked the whole War of the Roses aspect. They're both stuck in this predicament where they must live under the same roof so why not make it as miserable as possible!
The editing of this book could use a bit of work and the beginning kept jumping narratives sloppily. I felt like I was reading this book and hitting the fast-forward button every so often. As you finally settle into a scene, it jumps to something days later. It's a cute enough book and I enjoyed it but it's nothing special that will have you thinking about it for days after.
This is a classic hate to love story that was basic fun. It takes some time for the reader to find the chemistry between the two characters but it's definitely there. I liked the whole War of the Roses aspect. They're both stuck in this predicament where they must live under the same roof so why not make it as miserable as possible!
The editing of this book could use a bit of work and the beginning kept jumping narratives sloppily. I felt like I was reading this book and hitting the fast-forward button every so often. As you finally settle into a scene, it jumps to something days later. It's a cute enough book and I enjoyed it but it's nothing special that will have you thinking about it for days after.
April 29, 2017
I was hoping for an funny, light read. The characters were not likable and the conflict was ridiculous. I just wanted to scream "Get over yourself!"
May 26, 2016
OMG XD
Ehm... Hi, my name is Celia Hayes and this is my book but this is not my profile. I'm Celia Hayes but... but I'm another Celia Hayes. Why my book is here? XD
OMG OMG
Ehm... Hi, my name is Celia Hayes and this is my book but this is not my profile. I'm Celia Hayes but... but I'm another Celia Hayes. Why my book is here? XD
OMG OMG
July 24, 2023
childhood friends to lovers, enimies to lovers, fake marriage
När dem var ygre åkte hon till hans farfars estate(typ solt). och dem har typ en halv romans.
När farfaran dör står det på hans arv att han och hon ska gifta sig och leva ett gemensamt liv. För att få tillgång till restende av arvet.
Hon ska öppna en bistro(typ försvinner i boken). Han jobbar konstant eller drar med henne på olika middagar, bjudningar för bra syfte. Hon har typ egentligen inte en anledning varför hon går med på giftermålet, de är typ att hon är bestämd för det och typ det första hon på riktigt gör.
Sättet hon stoppar varje gång hon pratar med en snubbe hon var intesarad av innan hon åkte i väg för att bo i typ slottet i sex månader. Var iriterande.(men dem var stela på sin ungefär dejt så.
Båttur till Irland(cute).
Hon lämnar honom vid altaret(trodde inte hon skulle göra det). Men kommer tillbaka till varanda, så allt gott.
🌺
När dem var ygre åkte hon till hans farfars estate(typ solt). och dem har typ en halv romans.
När farfaran dör står det på hans arv att han och hon ska gifta sig och leva ett gemensamt liv. För att få tillgång till restende av arvet.
Hon ska öppna en bistro(typ försvinner i boken). Han jobbar konstant eller drar med henne på olika middagar, bjudningar för bra syfte. Hon har typ egentligen inte en anledning varför hon går med på giftermålet, de är typ att hon är bestämd för det och typ det första hon på riktigt gör.
Sättet hon stoppar varje gång hon pratar med en snubbe hon var intesarad av innan hon åkte i väg för att bo i typ slottet i sex månader. Var iriterande.(men dem var stela på sin ungefär dejt så.
Båttur till Irland(cute).
Hon lämnar honom vid altaret(trodde inte hon skulle göra det). Men kommer tillbaka till varanda, så allt gott.
🌺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2016
I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thomas Clark is the main heir of his grandfather's will, but with the catch that he must marry a girl he knew from childhood, Sandy Price.
In general, yes, the premise is slightly ridiculous, and I don't think people are really thinking of realism when it comes to this kind of thing, but my main issue with this was that the story seems to fuel itself on nonsensical decisions made by the pair.
Thomas, almost immediately, seemingly finds a reasonable enough solution to the issue of the will, but for some inconceivable reason decides to make like difficult for himself by proceeding to approach Sandy and make an offer to her that complicates it. I'm not sure why the author put that clause in only to ignore it later in the story.
That's said, meet Sandy Price, the woman who...doesn't seem to like any other woman in the book. She had girlfriends she's going into this business venture with, but you barely hear from them throughout the course of the book and her mother seems to only appear as a cause of irritation for her. Attractive and thin women are, of course, bimbos and only succeeding because other reasons and she also deems one an 'anorexic Jennifer Lopez' and after having basically no contact or interaction with her, proceeds to imply she's an idiot, because...she's attractive and attracted to Thomas. This obviously shouldn't be applied to Sandy though, who a handful of different people insist is 'hot' (just in case you thought the bumbling unlucky in love girl wasn't *gasp* a secret hottie). She's not like other girls.
There seems to be very little chemistry between the characters to me and the progress of their relationship seems to drag at some points and other parts seem to show long periods of time happening in rushed paragraphs that jump around a lot. There were a couple of moments where with the jumps I completely lost the thread of the story.
The humour of the characters was fun at times and the exchanges at points were entertaining, even if the dialogue of Thomas and Sandy seemed to be in the same voice and sometimes it confused me with who was speaking when.
Overall probably a good beach read, but I wish the author had spent more time fleshing out the characters so they seemed more likable and the progress of their reintroduced relationship seemed more natural.
Thomas Clark is the main heir of his grandfather's will, but with the catch that he must marry a girl he knew from childhood, Sandy Price.
In general, yes, the premise is slightly ridiculous, and I don't think people are really thinking of realism when it comes to this kind of thing, but my main issue with this was that the story seems to fuel itself on nonsensical decisions made by the pair.
Thomas, almost immediately, seemingly finds a reasonable enough solution to the issue of the will, but for some inconceivable reason decides to make like difficult for himself by proceeding to approach Sandy and make an offer to her that complicates it. I'm not sure why the author put that clause in only to ignore it later in the story.
That's said, meet Sandy Price, the woman who...doesn't seem to like any other woman in the book. She had girlfriends she's going into this business venture with, but you barely hear from them throughout the course of the book and her mother seems to only appear as a cause of irritation for her. Attractive and thin women are, of course, bimbos and only succeeding because other reasons and she also deems one an 'anorexic Jennifer Lopez' and after having basically no contact or interaction with her, proceeds to imply she's an idiot, because...she's attractive and attracted to Thomas. This obviously shouldn't be applied to Sandy though, who a handful of different people insist is 'hot' (just in case you thought the bumbling unlucky in love girl wasn't *gasp* a secret hottie). She's not like other girls.
There seems to be very little chemistry between the characters to me and the progress of their relationship seems to drag at some points and other parts seem to show long periods of time happening in rushed paragraphs that jump around a lot. There were a couple of moments where with the jumps I completely lost the thread of the story.
The humour of the characters was fun at times and the exchanges at points were entertaining, even if the dialogue of Thomas and Sandy seemed to be in the same voice and sometimes it confused me with who was speaking when.
Overall probably a good beach read, but I wish the author had spent more time fleshing out the characters so they seemed more likable and the progress of their reintroduced relationship seemed more natural.
May 23, 2016
Don't Marry Thomas Clark, by Celia Hayes, is a feel good tale pitting everyday Sandy Price against childhood antagonist and wealthy aristocrat Thomas Clark, only heir of Sir Roger Aaron Clark. Thomas expected to inherit the bulk of his grandfather's extensive legacy, and did, but with a very well spelled out caveat. Thomas must marry, and he must marry the bane of his childhood, Sandy Price, or forfeit his legacy.
Thus begins the tumultuous story of how Sandy and Thomas become engaged. Even though Sandy had vowed to herself, and her diary, that she would never marry Thomas Clark, that is just what she is planning to do. Sandy, out of work, almost out of money, and having had the loan she had sought to open a new bistro with her friends revoked, feels compelled to follow along with Thomas's grand plan to escape the marriage clause.
With a delightful, yet somewhat predictable, ending, the fun of this novel is the humorous journey that the engaging characters take to the conclusion. A great summer beach read, I recommend this book.
Thus begins the tumultuous story of how Sandy and Thomas become engaged. Even though Sandy had vowed to herself, and her diary, that she would never marry Thomas Clark, that is just what she is planning to do. Sandy, out of work, almost out of money, and having had the loan she had sought to open a new bistro with her friends revoked, feels compelled to follow along with Thomas's grand plan to escape the marriage clause.
With a delightful, yet somewhat predictable, ending, the fun of this novel is the humorous journey that the engaging characters take to the conclusion. A great summer beach read, I recommend this book.
October 10, 2024
This book needs editing. Badly.
I like chicklit. I don't care if the plot is ridiculous, or if the characters are slightly superficial. I'm not looking for advanced literature. But this book feels like a first draft.
Many times during the first half of the book I wanted to give up, but I pushed through because I kind of liked the plot.
1. The timeline appears messed up.
From context, it seems Thomas and Sandy should be about the same age.
But then they talk about a kiss that took place when it is explicitly stated (albeit at different places in the book) that Thomas was 17 and Sandy was 14.
According to the rest of the book, this event happened during a very brief window as early adolescents when they didn’t completely dislike each other - so this must be before the diary entry of 2002, when they already dislike each other.
However, Thomas states in 2012 that this was "almost 10 years ago", so 2002 or later. If we follow this timeline, in 2012, he could be 27 at most. Yet it’s stated that he’s 32. Sandy could be 24 at most, which is also highly unlikely (she has a bachelor’s and master’s degree, so at least 5 years of higher education, followed by some work experience.
2. The character development: non-existent for side characters and barely there for the main characters.
People are mentioned left and right without any effort put into them. Some with barely any context and rarely to be heard of again: who is Jenny? Who is Jennifer? Is friend Jennifer the same person as Rufus' fling Jennifer? And wasn't Rufus dating Milly? What happened to Milly? At the end, the main character says "even though this time Rufus has taken Jennifer’s place. No, I can’t face going over all that again now, it’s all we've talked about for weeks" – and then the subject is just dropped. I'm sorry, what? That came out of nowhere, makes no sense, and then you're not even going to explain it? That bit should have just been left out; I have no idea who Jennifer is anyway.
Other characters show hints that they were put in to create some backstory for the main characters but without any relevant development. Clearly there are mommy issues, but this is not well worked out; the impact of the existence of the mother on the story is not thought out in any way. It’s like those are two completely separate things: you have Sandy, and you have her annoying mother, and neither actually has any influence on the other.
Then you have her friends: people she is starting a business with, so you would expect there to be a lot more contact. Rufus at least gets some attention (still underdeveloped). There’s a weird jealousy from Thomas towards the gardener which never gets pursued.
The grandmother – is she dead or alive?
And for the main characters, some things are just… weird. I’m not sure if we’re supposed to like either of them.
Thomas:
- Is he a nice person or not? Orphan child, clearly loved his grandfather, but then how he handles Sandy and the will is not just deceptive but kind of mean. I don’t like to use the term gaslighting but this guy’s very adept at it.
- There is also not enough build-up of any sexual tension to make me think Sandy implicitly consents to the way he approaches her intimately. It’s not quite predatorial but definitely on the brink.
Sandy:
- What is her deal with women? She appears to hate them all. Women are bitchy or bimbos just because they’re skinny? While at the same time, she is also skinny? This is the epitome of “I’m not like other girls”.
3. There are inconsistencies. There are storylines that are set in motion only to be completely dropped immediately afterwards.
Example: Sandy lies to her friends/business partners about obtaining the loan for the bistro. This is pretty significant to the plot, as her inability to obtain a loan and fear of disappointing her friends is her motivation to accept Thomas’ scheme. Clearly at some point she must then tell them the truth and the fact that she has obtained the money after all – but this is not laid out in the book. We have no idea how her friends find out. At one point, she lies about the loan. Next, everything with the bistro is sorted. What happens in between? Her main motivation to accept the scheme is half buried before the story has even really started.
And then she hardly ever seems to worry about the bistro afterwards. There’s some talk of wallpaper but that’s it? This is her dream, her entire reason for doing the crazy things she does, and then she’s just completely unconcerned about it?
And the grandfather who died was a count - wouldn't this make his heir, Thomas, the new count? I don't remember this being addressed anywhere?
4. The dialogue has potential. At times, it’s quite funny. It’s fast-paced, but sometimes I found it hard to follow who was saying what. Sandy and Thomas have very similar voices, especially when it’s banter (which constitutes about half of their dialogue). It feels more about getting witty banter in than about representing the actual and separate characters. I had to re-read several parts of dialogue to figure out who was speaking when. Also, sometimes it feels like the author is trying to hard to be witty and just continued on and on with the banter using any phrase that sort of fit into the dialogue, instead of just completely rethinking a scene when necessary.
5. Some scenes are unnecessary… and weird. Why is there a whole bit about her hugging a stuffed animal – which she uses for emotional support but then it never comes up again in the rest of the book? – and telling it a made-up version of the Rapunzel fairytale? It’s weird and it doesn’t appear to have any significance to the plot or to any character development.
6. The ending.
Actually I liked the ending. It wasn't a miraculous "forgive and forget everything within 5 seconds".
I like chicklit. I don't care if the plot is ridiculous, or if the characters are slightly superficial. I'm not looking for advanced literature. But this book feels like a first draft.
Many times during the first half of the book I wanted to give up, but I pushed through because I kind of liked the plot.
1. The timeline appears messed up.
From context, it seems Thomas and Sandy should be about the same age.
But then they talk about a kiss that took place when it is explicitly stated (albeit at different places in the book) that Thomas was 17 and Sandy was 14.
According to the rest of the book, this event happened during a very brief window as early adolescents when they didn’t completely dislike each other - so this must be before the diary entry of 2002, when they already dislike each other.
However, Thomas states in 2012 that this was "almost 10 years ago", so 2002 or later. If we follow this timeline, in 2012, he could be 27 at most. Yet it’s stated that he’s 32. Sandy could be 24 at most, which is also highly unlikely (she has a bachelor’s and master’s degree, so at least 5 years of higher education, followed by some work experience.
2. The character development: non-existent for side characters and barely there for the main characters.
People are mentioned left and right without any effort put into them. Some with barely any context and rarely to be heard of again: who is Jenny? Who is Jennifer? Is friend Jennifer the same person as Rufus' fling Jennifer? And wasn't Rufus dating Milly? What happened to Milly? At the end, the main character says "even though this time Rufus has taken Jennifer’s place. No, I can’t face going over all that again now, it’s all we've talked about for weeks" – and then the subject is just dropped. I'm sorry, what? That came out of nowhere, makes no sense, and then you're not even going to explain it? That bit should have just been left out; I have no idea who Jennifer is anyway.
Other characters show hints that they were put in to create some backstory for the main characters but without any relevant development. Clearly there are mommy issues, but this is not well worked out; the impact of the existence of the mother on the story is not thought out in any way. It’s like those are two completely separate things: you have Sandy, and you have her annoying mother, and neither actually has any influence on the other.
Then you have her friends: people she is starting a business with, so you would expect there to be a lot more contact. Rufus at least gets some attention (still underdeveloped). There’s a weird jealousy from Thomas towards the gardener which never gets pursued.
The grandmother – is she dead or alive?
And for the main characters, some things are just… weird. I’m not sure if we’re supposed to like either of them.
Thomas:
- Is he a nice person or not? Orphan child, clearly loved his grandfather, but then how he handles Sandy and the will is not just deceptive but kind of mean. I don’t like to use the term gaslighting but this guy’s very adept at it.
- There is also not enough build-up of any sexual tension to make me think Sandy implicitly consents to the way he approaches her intimately. It’s not quite predatorial but definitely on the brink.
Sandy:
- What is her deal with women? She appears to hate them all. Women are bitchy or bimbos just because they’re skinny? While at the same time, she is also skinny? This is the epitome of “I’m not like other girls”.
3. There are inconsistencies. There are storylines that are set in motion only to be completely dropped immediately afterwards.
Example: Sandy lies to her friends/business partners about obtaining the loan for the bistro. This is pretty significant to the plot, as her inability to obtain a loan and fear of disappointing her friends is her motivation to accept Thomas’ scheme. Clearly at some point she must then tell them the truth and the fact that she has obtained the money after all – but this is not laid out in the book. We have no idea how her friends find out. At one point, she lies about the loan. Next, everything with the bistro is sorted. What happens in between? Her main motivation to accept the scheme is half buried before the story has even really started.
And then she hardly ever seems to worry about the bistro afterwards. There’s some talk of wallpaper but that’s it? This is her dream, her entire reason for doing the crazy things she does, and then she’s just completely unconcerned about it?
And the grandfather who died was a count - wouldn't this make his heir, Thomas, the new count? I don't remember this being addressed anywhere?
4. The dialogue has potential. At times, it’s quite funny. It’s fast-paced, but sometimes I found it hard to follow who was saying what. Sandy and Thomas have very similar voices, especially when it’s banter (which constitutes about half of their dialogue). It feels more about getting witty banter in than about representing the actual and separate characters. I had to re-read several parts of dialogue to figure out who was speaking when. Also, sometimes it feels like the author is trying to hard to be witty and just continued on and on with the banter using any phrase that sort of fit into the dialogue, instead of just completely rethinking a scene when necessary.
5. Some scenes are unnecessary… and weird. Why is there a whole bit about her hugging a stuffed animal – which she uses for emotional support but then it never comes up again in the rest of the book? – and telling it a made-up version of the Rapunzel fairytale? It’s weird and it doesn’t appear to have any significance to the plot or to any character development.
6. The ending.
Actually I liked the ending. It wasn't a miraculous "forgive and forget everything within 5 seconds".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2021
All in all it is a sweet book but there are some definite issues. For one, the writing is very clunky at times. It wasn’t always the easiest to follow and would have definitely benefited from an editor.
I also found the romance to be on the problematic side. I love a good enemies to lovers trope, but they were enemies for over 60% of the book and the romance just seemed thrown in. It wasn’t a developed relationship where I could find where they fell for each other, instead they are bickering one page, sleeping together the next, and then the next page it’s somehow months later and they are still together but then not. This might sound like a confusing explanation, but I promise it is just as jarring as it is in the book.
I am also not a fan of the way masculinity is approached in this book. As part of their banter the h makes jokes about the H’s manhood and ability to satisfy. The H’s response to this is to “prove” his masculinity by kissing her when she says no and holding her against a bed. It ends up being consensual, but I don’t think that should take away from the icky beginning.
Ultimately I did enjoy the banter and antics of the main characters, but I wish the relationship was more developed.
I also found the romance to be on the problematic side. I love a good enemies to lovers trope, but they were enemies for over 60% of the book and the romance just seemed thrown in. It wasn’t a developed relationship where I could find where they fell for each other, instead they are bickering one page, sleeping together the next, and then the next page it’s somehow months later and they are still together but then not. This might sound like a confusing explanation, but I promise it is just as jarring as it is in the book.
I am also not a fan of the way masculinity is approached in this book. As part of their banter the h makes jokes about the H’s manhood and ability to satisfy. The H’s response to this is to “prove” his masculinity by kissing her when she says no and holding her against a bed. It ends up being consensual, but I don’t think that should take away from the icky beginning.
Ultimately I did enjoy the banter and antics of the main characters, but I wish the relationship was more developed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2017
Absolutely loved it. I loved this author's writing style AND humor...which is a huge deal! Finding an author with a compatible sense of humor is like finding a bosom friend or good therapist. It can be hit or miss - what's funny to one person just aggravates the shit out of another.
Even though the main character fits some of the tropes that can typically annoy me - for example, she doesn't know how attractive she is - I actually loved how the author used them here. The main character was feisty and largely unimpressed with the "person of interest" until the first *touch*. You know what touch I mean. That much anticipated, heated moment of slight physical contact that has the main characters momentarily disoriented. I love that moment and I love when authors give it to me with the right (for me) amount of lead-up and tension. Celia Hayes hit all the write notes for me with this book.
10/10 read again
Even though the main character fits some of the tropes that can typically annoy me - for example, she doesn't know how attractive she is - I actually loved how the author used them here. The main character was feisty and largely unimpressed with the "person of interest" until the first *touch*. You know what touch I mean. That much anticipated, heated moment of slight physical contact that has the main characters momentarily disoriented. I love that moment and I love when authors give it to me with the right (for me) amount of lead-up and tension. Celia Hayes hit all the write notes for me with this book.
10/10 read again
July 9, 2025
Hilarious premise. Id love to meet the grandfather that is so specific in naming which future wire his heir should have while also letting the deal be invalid if the partner is in coma or commited to a crime worth 2+ years.
I’m a bit annoyed that some interpretations of the rules changes over time. I had to dock a star from feeling gaslit with inconsistencies and the epilouge (without spoiling) would be unnecessary.
I loved the charachters though. They are so deserving of each other and the confusuon of childhood events is clear in both. I do love that in a childhood romance-fake girlfriend-setup-rival to lovers kinda book.
Thomas is a bit wishy washy as we mainly ser everything through our very biased Bridget Jones inspired charachter. Though be warned: this is open door. I was not prepared for that with how chilis the main was acting.
I’m a bit annoyed that some interpretations of the rules changes over time. I had to dock a star from feeling gaslit with inconsistencies and the epilouge (without spoiling) would be unnecessary.
I loved the charachters though. They are so deserving of each other and the confusuon of childhood events is clear in both. I do love that in a childhood romance-fake girlfriend-setup-rival to lovers kinda book.
Thomas is a bit wishy washy as we mainly ser everything through our very biased Bridget Jones inspired charachter. Though be warned: this is open door. I was not prepared for that with how chilis the main was acting.
July 17, 2018
I read the blurb of this book and it sounded really promising but it was a let down. Thomas and Sandy annoyed me at times. Thomas was so inconsiderate of Sandy's feeling, never taking the time to see her!
It wasn't shown how they finally fell for each other. It was just there. For the majority of the book, we only got Sandy's POV. At the end, in the epilogue, it states it's 10 years later and they're getting married cos they still had the all the stuff from their previous attempt, which confused me. There are loads of inconsistencies during this book. I just wish I never continued to read it but as always, I hope a book will get better.
It wasn't shown how they finally fell for each other. It was just there. For the majority of the book, we only got Sandy's POV. At the end, in the epilogue, it states it's 10 years later and they're getting married cos they still had the all the stuff from their previous attempt, which confused me. There are loads of inconsistencies during this book. I just wish I never continued to read it but as always, I hope a book will get better.
December 20, 2023
I really limped to the finish with this, but only because I was stuck on a flight with no way of downloading another book.
Classic enemies to lovers tale, but I really did feel like they should have been clearer from the start that something had happened in their youths. The editing wasn’t great and the lead female behaves in a completely unbelievable way. I couldn’t get behind her reasons or motives. I’ve never wanted book characters to just sit down and talk things out more. I get that communication can be bad in any relationship but this took the biscuit.
Classic enemies to lovers tale, but I really did feel like they should have been clearer from the start that something had happened in their youths. The editing wasn’t great and the lead female behaves in a completely unbelievable way. I couldn’t get behind her reasons or motives. I’ve never wanted book characters to just sit down and talk things out more. I get that communication can be bad in any relationship but this took the biscuit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2019
Too much telling
This story often became so convoluted and confusing it was really hard to follow at times. Too much time spent in the h's head. The story was told rather than shown and it suffers for it.
Also, I read chick lit type books to get AWAY from graphic sex and dumb, doormat heroines. This is the only time I've ever skimmed this type of story.
Good plot idea, decent writing, but this book is a mess. I wouldn't recommend it.
This story often became so convoluted and confusing it was really hard to follow at times. Too much time spent in the h's head. The story was told rather than shown and it suffers for it.
Also, I read chick lit type books to get AWAY from graphic sex and dumb, doormat heroines. This is the only time I've ever skimmed this type of story.
Good plot idea, decent writing, but this book is a mess. I wouldn't recommend it.
April 20, 2019
Sadly, couldn't get into this one. The characters were unsympathetic right off the bat, and the raggedy pacing doesn't help with making them any more attractive as I just couldn't settle into the book to get in the flow. The whole hate to love aspect sounded like fun, but it was hard seeing this hate turn to love, and the hate was sometimes so over the top that it made me cringe... Not the escapist rom-com I had hoped for, unfortunately.
May 13, 2017
I love a good 'enemies to lovers' story and this one did not disappoint. The tension between Sandy and Thomas was electrifying - both when they hated each other and after they'd fallen in love. I adored both characters, the plot had me intrigued and I could not put it down. Can't wait to read my next Celia Hayes.
December 29, 2017
I completely enjoyed this enemies to friends romance. The author did a fantastic job telling this tale. It was laugh out loud funny and the characters were likable and flawed just like the rest of us, well if you ignore the wealthy lifestyles they lead. I would recommend it for a fun, breezy read.
August 17, 2021
Sandy is kind of a mess and in debt. Her old childhood frenemy Thomas gets her financially solvent with a proposed fake engagement. Sandy manages to create a bit of havoc in both of their lives. This romance is a bit of a war between two people who have a lot of history together. It was an interesting look at how opposites attract.
March 4, 2017
What a great ride! This book was so fun. The author crafted the storyline with skill, drawing me in from the very first page. The main characters were well-drawn and believable, if not quite likeable to start with (well, Thomas, at least). Great example of how good chick lit can be.
August 2, 2020
The premise of this book is cute, but the pacing and flow is awkward, a number of continuity issues and the eBook version I read had at least a dozen typos. Possibly more of an editing problem than an author problem.
November 29, 2016
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The characters became more childish as it progressed and I found myself rolling my eyes often. I think the idea was great.
May 26, 2017
Great story
Absolutely loved reading this book. Great story line! Loved the characters of Thomas and Sandy and their story over the years
Absolutely loved reading this book. Great story line! Loved the characters of Thomas and Sandy and their story over the years
June 23, 2017
Juste génial ;)
November 30, 2017
Great read
A very enjoyable book. Well written and quite funny, I did laugh a few times. Look forward to reading more from this author.
A very enjoyable book. Well written and quite funny, I did laugh a few times. Look forward to reading more from this author.
March 19, 2020
Predictable but enjoyable ending. Was not crazy with the writing style.
October 17, 2020
A light-hearted easy read, sweet and fun.
April 23, 2023
I did enjoy it, but it wasn't that great. Too much hating and childishness but not in a fun way haha, and a too sudden change from hate to love eachother forever in my opinion.
November 14, 2024
Audiobook
March 5, 2017
Entertaining and quite funny but it got a little bit lost at the flip point and just about redeemed itself at the end.
May 15, 2016
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
What a good time I had reading this book. This book tells the story of Sandy Price, a woman who isn't very lucky in her life but tries to stay as positive as she can and Thomas Clark, an aristo who seems to be very difficult. Both Sandy and Thomas spent countless summers together thanks to the friendship between Sandy's parents and Thomas' grandfather. Even though they seem to not like eachother for most of the time, on their last summer together, they share a kiss, wish led to an eternity of animosity.
As Thomas's grandfather dies, the will stipulates that for him to inherit everything he must marry and he has to do it to none other than Sandy. The arrangement between the two of them leads to an interesting journey for both.
I think this book is hilarious. Although the first pages are a tad slow, as soon as Thomas and Sandy start to interact, there is a progression of one funny situation to another. I find Sandy stubborn and witty and Thomas has a very dry sense of humour, I guess tipical of a brit. Both of them together make sense, although they don't think the same. Sandy proves to have a heart of gold to get into the arrangement for the sake of her and her friend's future, and even though Thomas offers something that at the beginning seems very cold but he also didn't know how to do it in another way,
It is inevitable that both of them actually get involved in more ways than just an arrangement and they are the funniest together. Their last moments before the first wedding fiasco are adorable and I think that they are sweet enough, it doesn't feel that cheesy at all.
I think this is such an easy reading and it's very light, although it has a couple of rough moments on the last chapters, it never feels heavy, Sandy and Thomas always find a way to make you smile. I loved it.
What a good time I had reading this book. This book tells the story of Sandy Price, a woman who isn't very lucky in her life but tries to stay as positive as she can and Thomas Clark, an aristo who seems to be very difficult. Both Sandy and Thomas spent countless summers together thanks to the friendship between Sandy's parents and Thomas' grandfather. Even though they seem to not like eachother for most of the time, on their last summer together, they share a kiss, wish led to an eternity of animosity.
As Thomas's grandfather dies, the will stipulates that for him to inherit everything he must marry and he has to do it to none other than Sandy. The arrangement between the two of them leads to an interesting journey for both.
I think this book is hilarious. Although the first pages are a tad slow, as soon as Thomas and Sandy start to interact, there is a progression of one funny situation to another. I find Sandy stubborn and witty and Thomas has a very dry sense of humour, I guess tipical of a brit. Both of them together make sense, although they don't think the same. Sandy proves to have a heart of gold to get into the arrangement for the sake of her and her friend's future, and even though Thomas offers something that at the beginning seems very cold but he also didn't know how to do it in another way,
It is inevitable that both of them actually get involved in more ways than just an arrangement and they are the funniest together. Their last moments before the first wedding fiasco are adorable and I think that they are sweet enough, it doesn't feel that cheesy at all.
I think this is such an easy reading and it's very light, although it has a couple of rough moments on the last chapters, it never feels heavy, Sandy and Thomas always find a way to make you smile. I loved it.
August 8, 2016
Thomas Clark was Sandy’s personal nightmare . He lives in Canterbury and is the count’s grandson as his parents were killed in a car accident and his grandfather now raises Thomas. Thomas makes everything about himself look perfect. He even had fan clubs. Sandy swore she would never be a fan of Thomas. She also swore she would never marry Thomas. Then when she was fourteen Thomas kissed her . But her family had not gone back to Canterbury in a long time. Then the count died and iT was time TO read THE count’s will. Thomas as to be expected was the heir but there were stipulations it would be after he was married . He had two months to marry and he had to marry Sandy or everything would be given to charity. Thomas was not happy but there was no way to break the will. In marriage they must live together and share everything. Even though when Sandy was younger she had vowed never to marry Thomas she did agree to marry him now and they were engaged. Sandy was unemployed and had put up what money she had into getting a new Bristol and suddenly the bank stopped the loan Sandy thought she was getting to set up the business. The only way Sandy can get the money is through marriage to Thomas.
I thought this story was pretty funny and laughed out loud at times. I tickled me when Sandy was younger she would never for any reason marry Thomas and now they were engaged. The story was a little slow in the beginning but did pick up/ There were a few side issues that weren’t answered by the end of the story also. But that didn’t stop me from still enjoying the story as a whole. I like the ins and outs Thomas and Sandy went through and I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
I thought this story was pretty funny and laughed out loud at times. I tickled me when Sandy was younger she would never for any reason marry Thomas and now they were engaged. The story was a little slow in the beginning but did pick up/ There were a few side issues that weren’t answered by the end of the story also. But that didn’t stop me from still enjoying the story as a whole. I like the ins and outs Thomas and Sandy went through and I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
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