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Rokesbys #2
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
While you were sleeping...
With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...
I told everyone I was your wife
When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.
If only it were true...
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
An unabridged recording (10 hours, 14 minutes).
With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...
I told everyone I was your wife
When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.
If only it were true...
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
An unabridged recording (10 hours, 14 minutes).
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 30, 2017
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22259 people want to read
About the author
Julia Quinn
194 books46.1k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,328 reviews
February 3, 2022
This came highly recommended but I wasn't quite as in love with it as I hoped. In fact, out of all the Rokesbys books, this was my least favorite.
In general, though, I've enjoyed this series of prequel Bridgerton books far more than the actual Bridgeton books.
The gist is that our heroine, Cecilia, crosses an ocean and lands on the shores of 'Merica in the middle of that war we had with the British back in the day. Why? Because her brother, a soldier in Her Majesty's Army, was injured and has gone missing. So she pretends to be married to her brother's unconscious best friend in order to find out what happened to him. Why? Because no one is willing to help her until she takes the Rokesby name. <--Edward is the son of an earl, btw
Of course, when he wakes up she plans to tell him. But then he has amnesia and can't remember the last few months, so... She just pretends they got married by proxy and he believes her.
Now, they had been communicating through notes that they wrote to each other in the communication with her brother, so it wasn't (for the time period) completely unbelievable.
And since he had formed a wartime crush on her because of the correspondence, and she was lovely in person, he was pretty content that he managed to bag this chick.
Her reasons (at first) aren't too bad. She's scared he'll denounce her and then she'll never be able to find out about her brother. This is a pretty fucking sympathetic reason to lie.
HOWEVER.
As time goes on and they get 'closer', she had way too many really good opportunities to come clean. The fact that she let it drag on till they slept together was just stupid. I mean, that was sort of the PERFECT time to mention that you were terrified for your sibling and made a stupid claim.
Everything about him said he was a great guy and would have understood.
In fact, her biggest worry is that he'll feel guilty for defiling her and marry her on the spot.
But they really like each other, so I'm not seeing the problem.
And I guess that's my problem with the book. I just couldn't get past the nonsense of it long enough to just enjoy the silly romance parts the way I wanted to.
And yet!
There was a whole adorable thing where he chased her down and hopped on a ship and they had a big romantic moment. Gah! That's the shit that keeps me coming back, baby.
Overall, this was a cute romance that (I thought) dragged a bit in the middle.
In general, though, I've enjoyed this series of prequel Bridgerton books far more than the actual Bridgeton books.
The gist is that our heroine, Cecilia, crosses an ocean and lands on the shores of 'Merica in the middle of that war we had with the British back in the day. Why? Because her brother, a soldier in Her Majesty's Army, was injured and has gone missing. So she pretends to be married to her brother's unconscious best friend in order to find out what happened to him. Why? Because no one is willing to help her until she takes the Rokesby name. <--Edward is the son of an earl, btw
Of course, when he wakes up she plans to tell him. But then he has amnesia and can't remember the last few months, so... She just pretends they got married by proxy and he believes her.
Now, they had been communicating through notes that they wrote to each other in the communication with her brother, so it wasn't (for the time period) completely unbelievable.
And since he had formed a wartime crush on her because of the correspondence, and she was lovely in person, he was pretty content that he managed to bag this chick.
Her reasons (at first) aren't too bad. She's scared he'll denounce her and then she'll never be able to find out about her brother. This is a pretty fucking sympathetic reason to lie.
HOWEVER.
As time goes on and they get 'closer', she had way too many really good opportunities to come clean. The fact that she let it drag on till they slept together was just stupid. I mean, that was sort of the PERFECT time to mention that you were terrified for your sibling and made a stupid claim.
Everything about him said he was a great guy and would have understood.
In fact, her biggest worry is that he'll feel guilty for defiling her and marry her on the spot.
But they really like each other, so I'm not seeing the problem.
And I guess that's my problem with the book. I just couldn't get past the nonsense of it long enough to just enjoy the silly romance parts the way I wanted to.
And yet!
There was a whole adorable thing where he chased her down and hopped on a ship and they had a big romantic moment. Gah! That's the shit that keeps me coming back, baby.
Overall, this was a cute romance that (I thought) dragged a bit in the middle.
May 22, 2019
I wish I could say the book was as good as its ending…
Should I base my rating on my feelings at the end of the book?
I could easily tell you that I finished The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband (geez, that’s a mouthful) with a big smile on my face. There’s even a chance I could say that the ending left me satisfied and excited for more. I’d even go as far as to say that that ending was a 5-star ending. Unfortunately, I can't rate a book on the ending alone. For most of this journey, I wanted to throttle the heroine. I could have easily reached into the book, dragged Miss Harcourt out by her hair and lectured her about honesty and growing a backbone. If only the hero hadn't taken a blow to the head. Seriously, I wanted better for him.
I won’t need to go on too much in this review because it’s pretty straight forward. This chickie’s father dies, and a slimy cousin wants to marry her. She decides to travel across the Atlantic to visit her injured brother who is stationed in New York with the Army. On arrival, turns out her brother is missing and his best friend is in the hospital. Now, this best friend is sort of her penpal. They won’t let her see him because she’s not family. Well, her answer to that was to make herself “family”. He wakes up, finds out he has a wee problem with his memory and is gobsmacked to find out he has a wife. What follows is a tale full of…
LIES, LIES…AND A FEW MORE LIES
The End
Ok, I admit, there’s a wee bit more to it than that but I seriously struggled to get past the LIES and it went on for most of the bloody story.
Miss Cecilia Harcourt - LIAR
Captain Edward Rokesby – Son of an Earl, handsome, strong, loyal and a devoted friend.
There are plenty of other things that I grew to admire about Edward but I can honestly say that I struggled to like Cecilia. She came across as weak, conniving and self-serving. Yes, she had her reasons and they weren’t all bad but, to me, her bad outweighed her good.
If this story, and my rating, could be based solely on Captain Rokeby, I would easily rate it 4 or 5 stars. With Miss Harcourt in the mix, I struggled...lordy how I struggled. As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the ending. I just wished that the truth had come out a lot earlier. I wanted to see them together together, not just with secrets and lies marring their happiness.
I am a huge fan of Julia Quinn and will always love her writing. Unfortunately, The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband just missed it by that much (think Maxwell Smart). Of course, this will not make me hesitate to read more of her books in the future.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
Should I base my rating on my feelings at the end of the book?
I could easily tell you that I finished The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband (geez, that’s a mouthful) with a big smile on my face. There’s even a chance I could say that the ending left me satisfied and excited for more. I’d even go as far as to say that that ending was a 5-star ending. Unfortunately, I can't rate a book on the ending alone. For most of this journey, I wanted to throttle the heroine. I could have easily reached into the book, dragged Miss Harcourt out by her hair and lectured her about honesty and growing a backbone. If only the hero hadn't taken a blow to the head. Seriously, I wanted better for him.
I won’t need to go on too much in this review because it’s pretty straight forward. This chickie’s father dies, and a slimy cousin wants to marry her. She decides to travel across the Atlantic to visit her injured brother who is stationed in New York with the Army. On arrival, turns out her brother is missing and his best friend is in the hospital. Now, this best friend is sort of her penpal. They won’t let her see him because she’s not family. Well, her answer to that was to make herself “family”. He wakes up, finds out he has a wee problem with his memory and is gobsmacked to find out he has a wife. What follows is a tale full of…
LIES, LIES…AND A FEW MORE LIES
The End
Ok, I admit, there’s a wee bit more to it than that but I seriously struggled to get past the LIES and it went on for most of the bloody story.
Miss Cecilia Harcourt - LIAR
Captain Edward Rokesby – Son of an Earl, handsome, strong, loyal and a devoted friend.
There are plenty of other things that I grew to admire about Edward but I can honestly say that I struggled to like Cecilia. She came across as weak, conniving and self-serving. Yes, she had her reasons and they weren’t all bad but, to me, her bad outweighed her good.
If this story, and my rating, could be based solely on Captain Rokeby, I would easily rate it 4 or 5 stars. With Miss Harcourt in the mix, I struggled...lordy how I struggled. As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the ending. I just wished that the truth had come out a lot earlier. I wanted to see them together together, not just with secrets and lies marring their happiness.
I am a huge fan of Julia Quinn and will always love her writing. Unfortunately, The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband just missed it by that much (think Maxwell Smart). Of course, this will not make me hesitate to read more of her books in the future.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
May 1, 2017
ARC provided by Edelweiss and publisher for an honest review.
I have enjoyed Julia Quinn's books in the past but have had problems with several of her stories having slow pacing and being on the dry/dull side. Unfortunately this one fell in the later camp. This story I found to be quite slow the first third to half of the book and not very engaging or intriguing enough of for me, sadly.
Cecilia Harcourt leaves the English colonies and heads to America in search of her brother. Her brother fought in the war and has gone missing. Cecilia has no luck finding her brother but does encounter his friend, Edward at a hospital lying in a bed, injured. She takes over his recovery but the only way to do that was to claim that she was his wife (her hope is he will have information about her brother). When Edward awakens we find that he has amnesia and cannot remember the last several months.
Throughout about one third to half of the book we read about how they live as man and wife. The inter dialogue of Cecilia's guilt and Edward's frustration of not remembering their relationship or why no strong feeling/emotions aren't present or prominent in his psyche. This was a very boring, dry and difficult beginning and had to force myself not to throw in the towel. I came very close to DNF. I liked the characters and found they both had depth, but the pacing and storyline needed more.
And about half way point things begin to pick up in pacing and plot. Edward regains his memory, he and Cecilia need to work through the lying and deception, and the mystery of her missing brother.
This was a sweet romance with a slow build. But I felt the beginning was too slow and needed more intrigue and better pacing. Sadly not one of my favorite reads of JQ.
I have enjoyed Julia Quinn's books in the past but have had problems with several of her stories having slow pacing and being on the dry/dull side. Unfortunately this one fell in the later camp. This story I found to be quite slow the first third to half of the book and not very engaging or intriguing enough of for me, sadly.
Cecilia Harcourt leaves the English colonies and heads to America in search of her brother. Her brother fought in the war and has gone missing. Cecilia has no luck finding her brother but does encounter his friend, Edward at a hospital lying in a bed, injured. She takes over his recovery but the only way to do that was to claim that she was his wife (her hope is he will have information about her brother). When Edward awakens we find that he has amnesia and cannot remember the last several months.
Throughout about one third to half of the book we read about how they live as man and wife. The inter dialogue of Cecilia's guilt and Edward's frustration of not remembering their relationship or why no strong feeling/emotions aren't present or prominent in his psyche. This was a very boring, dry and difficult beginning and had to force myself not to throw in the towel. I came very close to DNF. I liked the characters and found they both had depth, but the pacing and storyline needed more.
And about half way point things begin to pick up in pacing and plot. Edward regains his memory, he and Cecilia need to work through the lying and deception, and the mystery of her missing brother.
This was a sweet romance with a slow build. But I felt the beginning was too slow and needed more intrigue and better pacing. Sadly not one of my favorite reads of JQ.
August 16, 2021
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June 24, 2017
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband was a disappointment for me. In short, it was full of lies and short on joy.
I will be the first to admit that I love Julia Quinn novels. However, this series has been an enormous disappointment to me. I think I may need to take a break from Quinn novels for a while. I know this is an unpopular opinion since people love JQ and think her writing is light and funny. In most cases, it is. Some of her novels are on my favorites shelf forever. I even own two copies of It's In His Kiss! I feel a bit disloyal for saying this, but if I hadn't won this book in a giveaway and felt obligated to finish and write a review, I never would've gotten through it.
While the book is well-written (JQ has a knack for snappy dialogue), clean of typos, richer in details that typical JQ novels, and doesn't have anything offensive, I am still angry about this book and strongly disliked it. I cannot recommend this book. It goes against what I believe constitutes a romance novel, which is a story of how two people build a relationship based on trust, respect, and joy in each other.
So why the low rating? Some of these may be spoilerish so I am going to tag them as such:
With the lack of joy, numerous lies, and childish behavior on the part of Cecilia, I could not enjoy this, even though I love JQ. Unless there is one heck of a good story blurb for Andrew's book, I will not be reading it :(
Not recommended.
I will be the first to admit that I love Julia Quinn novels. However, this series has been an enormous disappointment to me. I think I may need to take a break from Quinn novels for a while. I know this is an unpopular opinion since people love JQ and think her writing is light and funny. In most cases, it is. Some of her novels are on my favorites shelf forever. I even own two copies of It's In His Kiss! I feel a bit disloyal for saying this, but if I hadn't won this book in a giveaway and felt obligated to finish and write a review, I never would've gotten through it.
While the book is well-written (JQ has a knack for snappy dialogue), clean of typos, richer in details that typical JQ novels, and doesn't have anything offensive, I am still angry about this book and strongly disliked it. I cannot recommend this book. It goes against what I believe constitutes a romance novel, which is a story of how two people build a relationship based on trust, respect, and joy in each other.
So why the low rating? Some of these may be spoilerish so I am going to tag them as such:
With the lack of joy, numerous lies, and childish behavior on the part of Cecilia, I could not enjoy this, even though I love JQ. Unless there is one heck of a good story blurb for Andrew's book, I will not be reading it :(
Not recommended.
Read
November 30, 2017I have to get back to this one someday when I get a print copy. My library only had an audible and I honestly don't know how y'all stand it! Someone else reading to me? They read too slow. They put on stupid voices and accents. They read wrong. And, then when there is some smut and some English chick is reading it aloud to me? The wrongness tripled.
I got about halfway through and it was okay-ish, but I didn't like that the heroine continued lying to the hero for so long. The dude was injured, left for dead, almost killed by shitty medieval medicinal practices, and in pain. You are making it worse by gaslighting him? Seriously, girl, that's pretty low.
Anyway, I'll read the rest of it someday....
Someday is a magical day.
I got about halfway through and it was okay-ish, but I didn't like that the heroine continued lying to the hero for so long. The dude was injured, left for dead, almost killed by shitty medieval medicinal practices, and in pain. You are making it worse by gaslighting him? Seriously, girl, that's pretty low.
Anyway, I'll read the rest of it someday....
Someday is a magical day.
July 14, 2024
3.5
When life gets crazy (especially at work), I gravitate to books that simply guarantee me a happy ending.
This delivered what is always promised!! And while it was more telling than showing, I loved the fake strangers marriage scheme. (Okay, Edward was a tad swoon worthy as well).
Thanks, Ms. Quinn… it was a delightful ending!!
(Reviewed 7/7/24)
When life gets crazy (especially at work), I gravitate to books that simply guarantee me a happy ending.
This delivered what is always promised!! And while it was more telling than showing, I loved the fake strangers marriage scheme. (Okay, Edward was a tad swoon worthy as well).
Thanks, Ms. Quinn… it was a delightful ending!!
(Reviewed 7/7/24)
May 25, 2017
Good gosh this book. THIS BOOK. I had a really lovely experience with it, and I can’t tell you how much I ended up loving The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband. It’s poignant, emotional, and heartbreaking in its utter gorgeousness. I’m not up to date with all of Julia Quinn’s books, but for me, this is the best story that she has ever crafted.
With any romance that involves amnesia and one person lying about the nature of their relationship, there’s this fear that it will lead to unnecessary drama and deceit. So of course, I was a little bit nervous going in, but I shouldn’t have doubted that Julia Quinn is a pro at what she does. She handled the plot so beautifully and tactfully, that despite the deceit, I only wished for the best for both these characters. Cecilia was a lovely character. She’s bold, brave, and truly sweet girl who wants nothing but the best for the people that she loves. She doesn’t set out with the intentions of lying to Edward, but her circumstances forced her to. It would have been very easy for her character to have to be seen as manipulative and reckless, but Julia Quinn wrote Cecilia’s character with multiple strokes. She was complex, layered, and most importantly, the author makes you understand her deceit. Throughout The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband, she battles with the guilt that she experiences over her lying, but she also slowly finds herself falling for Edward, and wanting just a few extra moments with him. My heart broke for her, and I wanted nothing more than for her to find the happily ever after she deserved.
Just as heartbreaking was Edward’s character. He wakes up with amnesia, but he doesn’t let that taint his whole life. He tries his best to find a way to recollect what exactly happened to him in Cecilia’s brother, but he also continues to live his life. I fell so hard for this man, and his kindness and his utter blinded devotion to Cecilia, despite the fact that he has no proof they were married. I was hopelessly in love with Edward’s character throughout most of this book, but his reaction to finding out about Cecilia’s deceit, was what had me melting into a puddle in happiness. His reaction was just so unexpected, but absolutely perfect.
Going in, I thought for sure that Cecilia’s lies would loom over the romance throughout the whole book, but Julia Quinn actually made me momentarily forget about it. It’s a truly beautiful romance that develops between the two, emotional, angsty, and totally packs a punch. I was honestly breathless at every romantic scene in The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband, and believe me there are lots and lots of those. The romance had so much soul to it, it was alive. We also get to see the nature of their relationship before Edward’s amnesia, that developed through Cecilia’s letters to her brother. The letters were funny and heart-warming and added an extra something to the story. There’s also a minor mystery plot-line pertaining to what happened to Edward and Cecilia’s brother. I honestly saw the resolution coming, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is one of the best books I’ve read in 2017. You can probably tell how enamored I was with this swoony and achy story. This is a book that I highly recommend to fans of historical romances. Trust me, you’ll be wowed!
June 23, 2017
This was a buddy read with a bunch of girls from the Historical Romance Book Club. Pretty much everyone rated this 3 to 4 stars, but honestly, this did not work for me. I disliked it about as much as The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy so if you liked that one, chances are you might enjoy this one, too. So, unpopular opinion alert: I did not like this book. It pains me to say this about something that comes from one of my all time favorite authors whose books I have re-read countless times because I usually adore them, it really does.
Ok so I kinda liked the beginning. It was cute, there was bantering, and to a point (!) I can emphasize with Cecilia. Her brother lost, presumed dead, she packs up her things and sets off to America in the middle of a war to get some answers. She soon realizes that no one will talk to a mere sister of a mere soldier, so she pretends she's her brother's best friend's wife. Once Edward wakes up from his coma, she's caught and just keeps lying because it's easier- and he can't remember anything. There was a LOT of fun bantering in the beginning, which was really adorable, and I laughed so hard at some of it. And I immediately fell in love with Edward (he's your typical Julia Quinn hero: a Good Guy, a sweet and funny guy with a mischievous streak a mile wide, and just an all-around sweetheart).
BUT. I am not okay with lying. Not in real life. Not with fictional characters. I get the initial lie, I understand how she thought it would be easier to just pretend, and how hard it would've been to admit to her lies, but the fact that she didn't tell him until the very end made me furious. She had SO many chances to tell him, but she never did. She prefers a violent attack of FOOD POISONING to telling the truth (self-induced of course; she knows she's allergic to strawberries, but because she doesn't want to be an adult and have an honest conversation, she runs out to buy some so she doesn't have to go to a ball with him where she would have to lie to even more people). And then there was the point where she decided to take off, syphon money off her expense money from him to buy herself a ticket home without a word. In her words:
She was already a liar. She might as well be a thief, too.
She's that kind of person. I'm sorry, but that's not someone I want to read about. I usually LOVE JQ's heroines because I can see myself in them, but this one I can just not understand. I know a lot of people think the letter she writes to Edward at the very end (because heaven forbid she should be a mature adult and face someone she has wronged and fess up...) makes up for behavior, but to me it just didn't. I don't buy their connection, and I honestly don't see them working out in the long run. I'm sorry. I guess Edward is just more forgiving than me. And speaking of my dear and precious Edward, I didn't like how he turned out. Because she lied to him, it's somehow ok for him to lie to her to instead of telling her an uncomfortable truth? Yeah. No. Not cool.
So to sum up. 2 stars because the first half was awesome. Well except for the lying. But the bantering, the writing, and the story deserve better than one star just because I loathed one of the main characters. And hey. I seem to be in the minority anyways, so. Who knows. This might be a classic case of "it really is just me".
Ok so I kinda liked the beginning. It was cute, there was bantering, and to a point (!) I can emphasize with Cecilia. Her brother lost, presumed dead, she packs up her things and sets off to America in the middle of a war to get some answers. She soon realizes that no one will talk to a mere sister of a mere soldier, so she pretends she's her brother's best friend's wife. Once Edward wakes up from his coma, she's caught and just keeps lying because it's easier- and he can't remember anything. There was a LOT of fun bantering in the beginning, which was really adorable, and I laughed so hard at some of it. And I immediately fell in love with Edward (he's your typical Julia Quinn hero: a Good Guy, a sweet and funny guy with a mischievous streak a mile wide, and just an all-around sweetheart).
BUT. I am not okay with lying. Not in real life. Not with fictional characters. I get the initial lie, I understand how she thought it would be easier to just pretend, and how hard it would've been to admit to her lies, but the fact that she didn't tell him until the very end made me furious. She had SO many chances to tell him, but she never did. She prefers a violent attack of FOOD POISONING to telling the truth (self-induced of course; she knows she's allergic to strawberries, but because she doesn't want to be an adult and have an honest conversation, she runs out to buy some so she doesn't have to go to a ball with him where she would have to lie to even more people). And then there was the point where she decided to take off, syphon money off her expense money from him to buy herself a ticket home without a word. In her words:
She was already a liar. She might as well be a thief, too.
She's that kind of person. I'm sorry, but that's not someone I want to read about. I usually LOVE JQ's heroines because I can see myself in them, but this one I can just not understand. I know a lot of people think the letter she writes to Edward at the very end (because heaven forbid she should be a mature adult and face someone she has wronged and fess up...) makes up for behavior, but to me it just didn't. I don't buy their connection, and I honestly don't see them working out in the long run. I'm sorry. I guess Edward is just more forgiving than me. And speaking of my dear and precious Edward, I didn't like how he turned out. Because she lied to him, it's somehow ok for him to lie to her to instead of telling her an uncomfortable truth? Yeah. No. Not cool.
So to sum up. 2 stars because the first half was awesome. Well except for the lying. But the bantering, the writing, and the story deserve better than one star just because I loathed one of the main characters. And hey. I seem to be in the minority anyways, so. Who knows. This might be a classic case of "it really is just me".
December 16, 2017
I was exasperated by the halfway point that the entire conflict revolved around Cecilia lying about being married to Edward. That never changed. Further, she never does come clean. And when Edward finds out, he goes all manipulative liar out of anger. In other words, there's no communication. No respect. And the only love expressed is the "I'm doing this for your own good" variety. So it's immature and selfish and they even go to extremes to get there.
It's a good thing the plot made sense to compensate. Oh wait! It didn't! The scene where we finally get exposition about what's going on I'm thinking "you have got to be kidding me." I kept waiting for Edward to freak right the crap out because . These are not small things and yet nobody seems to think it's any big deal and they just move on to more manipulation and lying to each other because hey, that's romantic. Or something. Oh, and did anyone else expect Edward's Godmother to play some kind of role in the story? Beyond dress acquisition and a nonsensical interview/threat session, I mean?
Honestly, I have no idea why I kept going. I was tempted to toss it when I made the update about Cecilia's idiocy. I'm trying to come up with an excuse to give this two stars and I have no idea why...
A note about Steamy: Possibly the only thing that worked for this story . . . oh who am I kidding. This didn't work, either. There are a couple explicit sex scenes and it's the middle of my steam tolerance and let's leave it at that.
It's a good thing the plot made sense to compensate. Oh wait! It didn't! The scene where we finally get exposition about what's going on I'm thinking "you have got to be kidding me." I kept waiting for Edward to freak right the crap out because . These are not small things and yet nobody seems to think it's any big deal and they just move on to more manipulation and lying to each other because hey, that's romantic. Or something. Oh, and did anyone else expect Edward's Godmother to play some kind of role in the story? Beyond dress acquisition and a nonsensical interview/threat session, I mean?
Honestly, I have no idea why I kept going. I was tempted to toss it when I made the update about Cecilia's idiocy. I'm trying to come up with an excuse to give this two stars and I have no idea why...
A note about Steamy: Possibly the only thing that worked for this story . . . oh who am I kidding. This didn't work, either. There are a couple explicit sex scenes and it's the middle of my steam tolerance and let's leave it at that.
June 6, 2017
While the mystery part about the spying wwas lame for me, I liked both the hero and the heroine. A little bit more the hero, though! :)
The heroine kept her lies too long, IMHO. She berates herself about that too, but she still find a 1000 excuses to not tell the truth until the very end! But she was sweet and a little bit naive, so I could forgive her.
The hero was better! He was honorable and in a difficult situation having lost his memory. Still he was ready to accept what the heroine told him and trust her (wrongly!). He didn't resist his love, but was really sweet with her.
All in all a nice romance! Not a 5 stars, but still good!
The heroine kept her lies too long, IMHO. She berates herself about that too, but she still find a 1000 excuses to not tell the truth until the very end! But she was sweet and a little bit naive, so I could forgive her.
The hero was better! He was honorable and in a difficult situation having lost his memory. Still he was ready to accept what the heroine told him and trust her (wrongly!). He didn't resist his love, but was really sweet with her.
All in all a nice romance! Not a 5 stars, but still good!
January 31, 2023
3.75 Stars
September 22, 2022
Edward Rokesby was seriously wounded in America during the War of Independence. When he wakes up in New York, he can't remember anything, not even his beautiful wife Cecilia, the sister of his comrade and best friend. Cecilia crosses the ocean to find her missing brother, but meets his best friend, Edward, in New York. To help him, she claims to be his wife, which benefits her. But this lie is harder than she expected. The two get closer and suddenly his memory comes back.....
It is a beautiful story about love and siblings. I admire Cecilia for her courage and strength and liked her immediately. Julia Quinn thrills me with this book as well, this time on a completely different continent. A small but nice change of pace.
It is a beautiful story about love and siblings. I admire Cecilia for her courage and strength and liked her immediately. Julia Quinn thrills me with this book as well, this time on a completely different continent. A small but nice change of pace.
June 6, 2021
No puedo darle menos de 5*, igual o soy muy objetiva con Julia Quinn. Pero solo ella consigue sacarme de mis crisis lectoras y ya por eso se merece las mil estrellas.
He adorado a Edward y Cecilia, y lo cuquis y adorables que fueron durante todo el libro, además que disfruto muchísimo de los libros que empiezan con un engaño o con algo falso y se convierte en REAL. 😍😍😍
He adorado a Edward y Cecilia, y lo cuquis y adorables que fueron durante todo el libro, además que disfruto muchísimo de los libros que empiezan con un engaño o con algo falso y se convierte en REAL. 😍😍😍
May 15, 2021
4,5🌟
Creo que este libro se merecía las 5 estrellas en Goodreads porque era el que justo necesitaba en este momento. Un libro que me hiciera desconectar, suspirar y lograra enamorarme de los personajes
Julia Quinn se va ganando de mi corazón poco a poco. Sus historias son sencillas y, aunque a veces hecho en falta algunas páginas más (porque crea contextos muy buenos e interesantes de los cuales yo sinceramente leería el doble) siempre logro meterme de lleno en la época y disfrutar con las relaciones que crea entre sus personajes
Este es uno de mis libros favoritos de ella. Creo que es porque se desarrolla en un contexto totalmente distinto a sus anteriores libros. Me ha gustado el conflicto bélico, toda esa tensión que rodeaba a los personajes por su situación y, sobre todo, sus protagonistas, los dos.
Edward me ha parecido noble y encantador y Cecilia, sensible e independiente, segura de si misma. La relación entre ellos me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo porque la he visto muy bonita y sana!!
La única pega?? Que no quería que terminase, ojalá hubiera podido leer más páginas de ellos, pero es una historia que me ha gustado mucho y que creo que he cogido en el mejor momento
Deseando leer la siguiente y, de nuevo, 100% recomendable a los fans incondicionales de la época como yo💚
Creo que este libro se merecía las 5 estrellas en Goodreads porque era el que justo necesitaba en este momento. Un libro que me hiciera desconectar, suspirar y lograra enamorarme de los personajes
Julia Quinn se va ganando de mi corazón poco a poco. Sus historias son sencillas y, aunque a veces hecho en falta algunas páginas más (porque crea contextos muy buenos e interesantes de los cuales yo sinceramente leería el doble) siempre logro meterme de lleno en la época y disfrutar con las relaciones que crea entre sus personajes
Este es uno de mis libros favoritos de ella. Creo que es porque se desarrolla en un contexto totalmente distinto a sus anteriores libros. Me ha gustado el conflicto bélico, toda esa tensión que rodeaba a los personajes por su situación y, sobre todo, sus protagonistas, los dos.
Edward me ha parecido noble y encantador y Cecilia, sensible e independiente, segura de si misma. La relación entre ellos me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo porque la he visto muy bonita y sana!!
La única pega?? Que no quería que terminase, ojalá hubiera podido leer más páginas de ellos, pero es una historia que me ha gustado mucho y que creo que he cogido en el mejor momento
Deseando leer la siguiente y, de nuevo, 100% recomendable a los fans incondicionales de la época como yo💚
May 11, 2023
Read: 5/11/23
3.5 stars
Another entertaining book by JQ!
Sidenote: I thought the book should have explored what happened to her brother. I thought there was a traitor in their midst.
3.5 stars
Another entertaining book by JQ!
Sidenote: I thought the book should have explored what happened to her brother. I thought there was a traitor in their midst.
June 18, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
The Girl with the Make Believe Husband is a story I will admit that I was nervous about, especially since I haven't read the first book in the series. But then I heard some great things about this one, and decided that I really needed to try it out. I will say that I really stuggled with this one pretty much the first half of the book. I just couldn't get interested in the story that much, but then once I hit between the 50-60%, then I was golden. So this rating that I have is really based on the latter half of the book for the most part or it would be a lower rating.
The story sets off when our heroine has come to the Colonies to find her injured brother, but when she learns her brothers closest friend, has been injured, she makes sure that he is alright, but she is forced to lie about who she really is. So she claims him as her husband. And before she realizes it, she keeps telling more lies and she is in too deep and falling in love with her not so real husband. But secrets have a way of catching up to us and burning us, but will Edward fight for her or let her go in the end...
The story begins very slowly in the first half, it isn't until Edward regains his memories from his amnesia, where he starts to figure things out, and realize the real truth. Our Heroine, Cecilia, is not what I wanted for this book but in some ways she did make it work. I will say I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending, not in the ways that I wanted to be. I feel like there is more about her brother that we don't know yet, I just felt a bit off about what happens in this book. The hero though, he was simply wonderful, I love how devoted he is to Cecilia. And he makes some of the most swoon worthy scenes happen, especially toward the end. I do think that this was not what I expected from this author, was the setting. I was completely blown away that she even went out for a Early American Era and was fantastic. It was so refreshing to see this author do something different from the typical regency setting. I will admit that the "secret" wasn't my favorite part of the story. Normally it doesn't bother me so much, but for some reason it kinda grated at me more than I expected it would. I think probably because Cecilia had many opportunities to come clean and didn't.
But Overall this was still a wonderful story here!!! I did have a blast with this setting, a amnesia hero, a reserved but determined heroine, a mystery and spy intrigue, a military dilemma and a love story that will bring tears to your eyes!!
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="38649"]
The Girl with the Make Believe Husband is a story I will admit that I was nervous about, especially since I haven't read the first book in the series. But then I heard some great things about this one, and decided that I really needed to try it out. I will say that I really stuggled with this one pretty much the first half of the book. I just couldn't get interested in the story that much, but then once I hit between the 50-60%, then I was golden. So this rating that I have is really based on the latter half of the book for the most part or it would be a lower rating.
The story sets off when our heroine has come to the Colonies to find her injured brother, but when she learns her brothers closest friend, has been injured, she makes sure that he is alright, but she is forced to lie about who she really is. So she claims him as her husband. And before she realizes it, she keeps telling more lies and she is in too deep and falling in love with her not so real husband. But secrets have a way of catching up to us and burning us, but will Edward fight for her or let her go in the end...
The story begins very slowly in the first half, it isn't until Edward regains his memories from his amnesia, where he starts to figure things out, and realize the real truth. Our Heroine, Cecilia, is not what I wanted for this book but in some ways she did make it work. I will say I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending, not in the ways that I wanted to be. I feel like there is more about her brother that we don't know yet, I just felt a bit off about what happens in this book. The hero though, he was simply wonderful, I love how devoted he is to Cecilia. And he makes some of the most swoon worthy scenes happen, especially toward the end. I do think that this was not what I expected from this author, was the setting. I was completely blown away that she even went out for a Early American Era and was fantastic. It was so refreshing to see this author do something different from the typical regency setting. I will admit that the "secret" wasn't my favorite part of the story. Normally it doesn't bother me so much, but for some reason it kinda grated at me more than I expected it would. I think probably because Cecilia had many opportunities to come clean and didn't.
But Overall this was still a wonderful story here!!! I did have a blast with this setting, a amnesia hero, a reserved but determined heroine, a mystery and spy intrigue, a military dilemma and a love story that will bring tears to your eyes!!
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="38649"]
June 11, 2021
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
Una novela de personajes, con poca acción y una ambientación bastante pobre, en mi opinión. Poco tiene de relevante dónde transcurre la historia, podría ser en cualquier otro conflicto.
Cecilia me ha gustado y Eduard también, tienen una relación bonita y, sobre todo, la interrelación entre ambos es placentera de leer, pero no he llegado a emocionarme en ningún momento y eso que penas no faltan.
Lo mejor, en mi opinión, esas cartas, breves, concisas en las que tan poco se dice y, a la vez, se dice tanto.
Creo que la autora ha sido demasiado directa, poco se sabe de los personajes y se centra totalmente en los sentimientos y cómo van evolucionando... o no, un final demasiado precipitado y una resolución final a la que me han faltado más fuegos artificiales o cañonazos, cualquiera de las dos opciones
Una novela de personajes, con poca acción y una ambientación bastante pobre, en mi opinión. Poco tiene de relevante dónde transcurre la historia, podría ser en cualquier otro conflicto.
Cecilia me ha gustado y Eduard también, tienen una relación bonita y, sobre todo, la interrelación entre ambos es placentera de leer, pero no he llegado a emocionarme en ningún momento y eso que penas no faltan.
Lo mejor, en mi opinión, esas cartas, breves, concisas en las que tan poco se dice y, a la vez, se dice tanto.
Creo que la autora ha sido demasiado directa, poco se sabe de los personajes y se centra totalmente en los sentimientos y cómo van evolucionando... o no, un final demasiado precipitado y una resolución final a la que me han faltado más fuegos artificiales o cañonazos, cualquiera de las dos opciones
May 12, 2021
Ha sido una historia supertierna💙.
Una de las primeras cosas que me ha gustado de esta historia ha sido que nos da una ambientación diferente a la mayoría de novelas de romance histórico que yo he leído hasta el momento: no tiene lugar en Londres, entre bailes y vestidos elegantes, sino que todo sucede en Estados Unidos durante la guerra.
Este contexto también permite que la historia cuente con un tono distinto, menos ligero (aunque la lectura es tan ágil como de costumbre) por las preocupaciones que tienen los personajes en una situación semejante. Parte de la trama es más seria de lo que suele ser, en todo lo que rodea a las circunstancias de la desaparición del hermano de Cecilia y a la pérdida de memoria de Edward.
Respecto a los personajes: Edward me encanta. Es recto, leal, honesto, buen amigo y buena persona en general. Qué mal me ha hecho sentir el pobre con la frustración que siente por haber perdido la memoria.
Cecilia a mí personalmente también me ha gustado. He leído reseñas de gente que la odia por lo mucho que llega a mentir, a todo el mundo pero sobre todo a Edward respecto al tema de que están casados. Sinceramente, la mentira habría que evitarla todo lo posible, pero yo entiendo a Cecilia. Es una mujer desesperada en una época en la que siendo soltera le es imposible conseguir lo que necesita (que es simplemente información sobre su hermano desaparecido en el frente, por amor de dios, un poco de humanidad). Que solo le hagan caso una vez todo el mundo cree que está casada con el hijo de un noble y capitán del ejército me parece muy rastrero y oportunista. Así que no, en un mundo ideal, la estrategia de Cecilia de fingir que se ha casado con Edward no sería aceptable, pero la situación y la época están lejos de ser aceptables. Además, a ella la persiguen los remordimientos a cada página, se ve claramente la culpa que siente por lo que está haciendo, pero se ve entre la espada y la pared y no se le ocurre otra cosa. No es como si engañara a Edward alegremente.
La relación entre ellos me ha parecido muy tierna y bonita. Sí que es cierto que si no proviniera de los mensajes que intercambiaban a través del hermano de ella antes de conocerse en persona quizás me hubiera parecido surgida un pelín de la nada, o basada solo en la atracción física. Pero los fragmentos de cartas al inicio de los capítulos y la descripción de lo que sentían al recibir las palabras del otro es una muy buena base para lo que pasa luego entre ellos.
Y bueno, tenemos una relación falsa y el maravilloso "solo hay una cama", dos clichés que me chiflan, así que yo encantada de la vida.
Una de las primeras cosas que me ha gustado de esta historia ha sido que nos da una ambientación diferente a la mayoría de novelas de romance histórico que yo he leído hasta el momento: no tiene lugar en Londres, entre bailes y vestidos elegantes, sino que todo sucede en Estados Unidos durante la guerra.
Este contexto también permite que la historia cuente con un tono distinto, menos ligero (aunque la lectura es tan ágil como de costumbre) por las preocupaciones que tienen los personajes en una situación semejante. Parte de la trama es más seria de lo que suele ser, en todo lo que rodea a las circunstancias de la desaparición del hermano de Cecilia y a la pérdida de memoria de Edward.
Respecto a los personajes: Edward me encanta. Es recto, leal, honesto, buen amigo y buena persona en general. Qué mal me ha hecho sentir el pobre con la frustración que siente por haber perdido la memoria.
Cecilia a mí personalmente también me ha gustado. He leído reseñas de gente que la odia por lo mucho que llega a mentir, a todo el mundo pero sobre todo a Edward respecto al tema de que están casados. Sinceramente, la mentira habría que evitarla todo lo posible, pero yo entiendo a Cecilia. Es una mujer desesperada en una época en la que siendo soltera le es imposible conseguir lo que necesita (que es simplemente información sobre su hermano desaparecido en el frente, por amor de dios, un poco de humanidad). Que solo le hagan caso una vez todo el mundo cree que está casada con el hijo de un noble y capitán del ejército me parece muy rastrero y oportunista. Así que no, en un mundo ideal, la estrategia de Cecilia de fingir que se ha casado con Edward no sería aceptable, pero la situación y la época están lejos de ser aceptables. Además, a ella la persiguen los remordimientos a cada página, se ve claramente la culpa que siente por lo que está haciendo, pero se ve entre la espada y la pared y no se le ocurre otra cosa. No es como si engañara a Edward alegremente.
La relación entre ellos me ha parecido muy tierna y bonita. Sí que es cierto que si no proviniera de los mensajes que intercambiaban a través del hermano de ella antes de conocerse en persona quizás me hubiera parecido surgida un pelín de la nada, o basada solo en la atracción física. Pero los fragmentos de cartas al inicio de los capítulos y la descripción de lo que sentían al recibir las palabras del otro es una muy buena base para lo que pasa luego entre ellos.
Y bueno, tenemos una relación falsa y el maravilloso "solo hay una cama", dos clichés que me chiflan, así que yo encantada de la vida.
July 30, 2017
2 Dissapointed Stars
A huge Dissapointment after Book 1 of this series :/
This book was mediocre at best :/ Nothing new or different about this read at all.
This story has been done a hindered times over in many other better ways.The plot moved forward slowly with barely tolerable,boring leads and heck of LIES from the heroine (which ends up causing unnecessary angst..in my opinion the hero would have definatly helped her out if she had just told him the truth Atleast 20% into the book).
Nothing special about the climax either.
Would not recommend.
A huge Dissapointment after Book 1 of this series :/
This book was mediocre at best :/ Nothing new or different about this read at all.
This story has been done a hindered times over in many other better ways.The plot moved forward slowly with barely tolerable,boring leads and heck of LIES from the heroine (which ends up causing unnecessary angst..in my opinion the hero would have definatly helped her out if she had just told him the truth Atleast 20% into the book).
Nothing special about the climax either.
Would not recommend.
November 14, 2021
4 Estrellitas. Debo decir que para ser diferente me ha gustado mucho, más de lo que esperaba, que confieso, no era mucho.
Éste segundo libro de los Rokesby es bastante distinto a lo que Julia Quinn nos tiene acostumbradas; es verdad que le falta ésa chispa, esa comicidad y esas escenas y situaciones tan suyas. Si lo pienso, no parece una novela escrita por ella. Pero a pesar de ése giro, a mí el libro me ha gustado.
"Un marido inventado" ocurre íntegramente en América, en concreto en la muy pequeña ciudad de Nueva York en 1779. Como sabemos, Edward Rokesby, al ser el segundón en el título, se alistó en el ejército. Y ahora se encuentra en América luchando en la Guerra de la Independencia. En una de sus misiones resultó herido de gravedad y casi dado por muerto, ahora está en un hospital improvisado en Nueva York, y un ángel lo ha cuidado y traído a la vida.
Cecilia Hartcourt es una joven británica de buena familia pero bajo linaje. Su hermano Thomas está en el ejército luchando en América y su padre acaba de fallecer, está sola y le ha llegado una carta sobre el estado de gravedad de su hermano. Ante la tentativa de su asqueroso primo, que se presenta en casa pensando que va a heredar, Cecilia guarda unas pertenencias en una bolsa y compra un pasaje en Liverpool para viajar a América y descubrir qué ha pasado con su hermano.
En Nueva York nadie sabe nada de Thomas, y ningún oficial quiere hablar con ella; hasta que descubre que Edward Rokesby, el mejor amigo de su hermano en el ejército, está herido en el hospital. Si alguien sabe qué fue de Thomas, tiene que ser Edward, pero también le ponen trabas a su permanencia en el hospital, hasta que en un ataque de impulsividad Cecilia dice que es su esposo.
El problema llegará cuando Edward de repente despierte, y se encuentre con Cecilia. Ella no querría llevar la farsa más allá, pero Edward no recuerda lo ocurrido en los últimos tres o cuatro meses, y delante de un oficial y un médico, Cecilia le dice que se casaron por poderes, alentado por su hermano. Edward no es quien para dudar de las palabras de la dama, nunca la había visto, pero siente que la conoce desde siempre, Thomas siempre le enseñaba y le leía las cartas de su hermana, y entre ellos se mandaban unas líneas. Ahora, por fín ha conocido a Cecilia y está satisfecho con lo que ha visto.
Poco a poco, Edward se recupera y a ambos, siendo marido y mujer les dan alojamiento en una posada. Cecilia se lamenta de seguir con su farsa, no quiere engañar a Edward, pero le necesita si quiere encontrar a su hermano.
De modo que el libro se desarrollará de ésa manera, ambos protagonistas intentando averiguar qué pasó con Thomas. Edward intentando recuperar la memoria, y Cecilia, reprochándose por la farsa. Pero como en toda historia romántica, el roce hace el cariño y los protagonistas están "casados". Edward no lamenta para nada estar casado con Cecilia, pero si le gustaría poder recordar a Thomas pidiéndole que se casara con su hermana.
No voy a decir mucho más, ni qué ocurre ni qué pasa con Thomas. Pero sí diré que aunque es una historia sin muchos giros o sobresaltos, a mí me ha gustado. No hay grandes conflictos, y el romance es bastante bonito, todo lo bonito que puede ser ante un engaño de semejante calibre, pero ha tenido algo. Los protagonistas gustan fácilmente y te haces a ellos, Edward es un amor como puede serlo cualquier hombre de Julia Quinn y Cecilia es perfecta para él.
Sin más, diré que pese a las malas críticas que están teniendo los Rokesby, a mí me están gustando, mas que las Smythe-Smith, que me parecieron terriblemente sosas. Y al menos en éste libro, ha habido algo más de contexto con la Guerra de la Independencia de por medio. Por último, espero no tardar mucho en leer el libro de Andrew, ya veremos qué nos espera del tercer hermano.
Éste segundo libro de los Rokesby es bastante distinto a lo que Julia Quinn nos tiene acostumbradas; es verdad que le falta ésa chispa, esa comicidad y esas escenas y situaciones tan suyas. Si lo pienso, no parece una novela escrita por ella. Pero a pesar de ése giro, a mí el libro me ha gustado.
"Un marido inventado" ocurre íntegramente en América, en concreto en la muy pequeña ciudad de Nueva York en 1779. Como sabemos, Edward Rokesby, al ser el segundón en el título, se alistó en el ejército. Y ahora se encuentra en América luchando en la Guerra de la Independencia. En una de sus misiones resultó herido de gravedad y casi dado por muerto, ahora está en un hospital improvisado en Nueva York, y un ángel lo ha cuidado y traído a la vida.
Cecilia Hartcourt es una joven británica de buena familia pero bajo linaje. Su hermano Thomas está en el ejército luchando en América y su padre acaba de fallecer, está sola y le ha llegado una carta sobre el estado de gravedad de su hermano. Ante la tentativa de su asqueroso primo, que se presenta en casa pensando que va a heredar, Cecilia guarda unas pertenencias en una bolsa y compra un pasaje en Liverpool para viajar a América y descubrir qué ha pasado con su hermano.
En Nueva York nadie sabe nada de Thomas, y ningún oficial quiere hablar con ella; hasta que descubre que Edward Rokesby, el mejor amigo de su hermano en el ejército, está herido en el hospital. Si alguien sabe qué fue de Thomas, tiene que ser Edward, pero también le ponen trabas a su permanencia en el hospital, hasta que en un ataque de impulsividad Cecilia dice que es su esposo.
El problema llegará cuando Edward de repente despierte, y se encuentre con Cecilia. Ella no querría llevar la farsa más allá, pero Edward no recuerda lo ocurrido en los últimos tres o cuatro meses, y delante de un oficial y un médico, Cecilia le dice que se casaron por poderes, alentado por su hermano. Edward no es quien para dudar de las palabras de la dama, nunca la había visto, pero siente que la conoce desde siempre, Thomas siempre le enseñaba y le leía las cartas de su hermana, y entre ellos se mandaban unas líneas. Ahora, por fín ha conocido a Cecilia y está satisfecho con lo que ha visto.
Poco a poco, Edward se recupera y a ambos, siendo marido y mujer les dan alojamiento en una posada. Cecilia se lamenta de seguir con su farsa, no quiere engañar a Edward, pero le necesita si quiere encontrar a su hermano.
De modo que el libro se desarrollará de ésa manera, ambos protagonistas intentando averiguar qué pasó con Thomas. Edward intentando recuperar la memoria, y Cecilia, reprochándose por la farsa. Pero como en toda historia romántica, el roce hace el cariño y los protagonistas están "casados". Edward no lamenta para nada estar casado con Cecilia, pero si le gustaría poder recordar a Thomas pidiéndole que se casara con su hermana.
No voy a decir mucho más, ni qué ocurre ni qué pasa con Thomas. Pero sí diré que aunque es una historia sin muchos giros o sobresaltos, a mí me ha gustado. No hay grandes conflictos, y el romance es bastante bonito, todo lo bonito que puede ser ante un engaño de semejante calibre, pero ha tenido algo. Los protagonistas gustan fácilmente y te haces a ellos, Edward es un amor como puede serlo cualquier hombre de Julia Quinn y Cecilia es perfecta para él.
Sin más, diré que pese a las malas críticas que están teniendo los Rokesby, a mí me están gustando, mas que las Smythe-Smith, que me parecieron terriblemente sosas. Y al menos en éste libro, ha habido algo más de contexto con la Guerra de la Independencia de por medio. Por último, espero no tardar mucho en leer el libro de Andrew, ya veremos qué nos espera del tercer hermano.
June 28, 2021
3/5
“Era Juana de arco. Era Boudica. Era todas las mujeres que habían luchado por proteger a su familia.
-Mi feroz guerrera.”
Un marido inventado, es , de momento, el que menos me ha gustado de la autora. Aun así, he pasado un rato agradable leyéndolo y la edición me parece una autentica preciosidad.
-Reseña completa: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
“Era Juana de arco. Era Boudica. Era todas las mujeres que habían luchado por proteger a su familia.
-Mi feroz guerrera.”
Un marido inventado, es , de momento, el que menos me ha gustado de la autora. Aun así, he pasado un rato agradable leyéndolo y la edición me parece una autentica preciosidad.
-Reseña completa: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
November 21, 2021
Edited to add steam stats 11/20/21:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Book takes place in 1779
Original review 8/18/18:
This book has a very sweet and gentlemanly hero! He is fighting the war in the colonies and becomes injured. When he awakens he finds he has a wife, but cannot recall months of his life.
The heroine gets a letter that her brother is injured in the war. Left in England with a scheming cousin trying to take advantage of her, she travels across the Atlantic. Instead of her brother, she finds his handsome friend unconscious in the hospital. She says she’s he’s wife to help him recover and to get information.
So I actually really disliked this book 😕 I really didn’t enjoy the heroine. I felt like she was scheming, lying and manipulative and even with repeated chances to redeem herself she chose not to. I cannot stand lying and she starts the lie in the beginning and just keeps it going, even eating something she’s allergic to so she can get out of something she doesn’t want to do.
I just feel like this poor hero deserves sooooo much better than what he gets. Fights in a war, retains serious wounds, wakes up with a lying psycho and makes the best of it.
If you love Julia Quinn you may enjoy this though. It has her classic humor spread throughout the beginning. Definite character disconnect for me though.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Book takes place in 1779
Original review 8/18/18:
This book has a very sweet and gentlemanly hero! He is fighting the war in the colonies and becomes injured. When he awakens he finds he has a wife, but cannot recall months of his life.
The heroine gets a letter that her brother is injured in the war. Left in England with a scheming cousin trying to take advantage of her, she travels across the Atlantic. Instead of her brother, she finds his handsome friend unconscious in the hospital. She says she’s he’s wife to help him recover and to get information.
So I actually really disliked this book 😕 I really didn’t enjoy the heroine. I felt like she was scheming, lying and manipulative and even with repeated chances to redeem herself she chose not to. I cannot stand lying and she starts the lie in the beginning and just keeps it going, even eating something she’s allergic to so she can get out of something she doesn’t want to do.
I just feel like this poor hero deserves sooooo much better than what he gets. Fights in a war, retains serious wounds, wakes up with a lying psycho and makes the best of it.
If you love Julia Quinn you may enjoy this though. It has her classic humor spread throughout the beginning. Definite character disconnect for me though.
May 30, 2017
'THE GIRL WITH THE MAKE-BELIEVE HUSBAND' by Julia Quinn is book Two in the "Rokesbys" series. This is the story of Cecilia Harcourt and Edward Rokesby. I have not yet read the previous book in this series so for me this was a standalone book.
Cecilia just has her brother for family other than a scheming cousin who is not a good family member at all. So Cecilia decided to go look for her brother who has been injured in battle. But she was unable to locate him but found his best friend Edward. Edward was in a hospital and they were not letting anyone near him but family so she claimed to be his wife. Edward's injury were so bad that he was not conscious. When he does wake up he doesn't remember to much by he does know Cecilia. Edward easily believes that they are married.
Anytime I see Ms. Quinn's name attached to a book I know that I will be getting a great story that will keep me entertained.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Cecilia just has her brother for family other than a scheming cousin who is not a good family member at all. So Cecilia decided to go look for her brother who has been injured in battle. But she was unable to locate him but found his best friend Edward. Edward was in a hospital and they were not letting anyone near him but family so she claimed to be his wife. Edward's injury were so bad that he was not conscious. When he does wake up he doesn't remember to much by he does know Cecilia. Edward easily believes that they are married.
Anytime I see Ms. Quinn's name attached to a book I know that I will be getting a great story that will keep me entertained.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
February 3, 2021
3.5 stars ✨
Forced proximity. Amnesia. Fake marriage. Oh what tangled webs we weave... I liked this story okay. A bit slow paced, and then the last 1/3 or 1/4 it picked up and got interesting. I did adore Edward Rokesby though and I loved how even though the marriage was fake (on part of the heroine lying), they still truly fell in love with each other.
Forced proximity. Amnesia. Fake marriage. Oh what tangled webs we weave... I liked this story okay. A bit slow paced, and then the last 1/3 or 1/4 it picked up and got interesting. I did adore Edward Rokesby though and I loved how even though the marriage was fake (on part of the heroine lying), they still truly fell in love with each other.
August 13, 2019
Review to come! But for now, suffice it to say that this author just writes such sweet, funny, swoony dialogue and delightful, clever and subtly insightful prose that I'd happily devour nearly anything she writes :)
March 21, 2017
(ARC provided by Edelweiss and publisher for honest review)
Unputdownable! I don't know how she keeps doing it, but JQ outdid herself one more time!
The main couple was lovely. Cecilia is such a relatable heroine. And Edward is the very definition of charming. They both had fantastic chemistry.
I loved how JQ made such a far-fetched story completely believable. There was no unnecessary drama and no forced conflict. I think Cecilia's actions were entirely justified and Edward's reactions were completely plausible. The development of the love story was very sweet and natural.
I never expected to like this book this much and I certainly didn't expect to love it even more than I did Because of Miss Bridgerton, so it was a fantastic surprise.
Unputdownable! I don't know how she keeps doing it, but JQ outdid herself one more time!
The main couple was lovely. Cecilia is such a relatable heroine. And Edward is the very definition of charming. They both had fantastic chemistry.
I loved how JQ made such a far-fetched story completely believable. There was no unnecessary drama and no forced conflict. I think Cecilia's actions were entirely justified and Edward's reactions were completely plausible. The development of the love story was very sweet and natural.
I never expected to like this book this much and I certainly didn't expect to love it even more than I did Because of Miss Bridgerton, so it was a fantastic surprise.
Want to read
November 19, 2016I can't wait for Edward's story!!
We have Kleypas' Devil in the Spring out in April followed by this in May. Springtime is going to be glorious!! (Sigh. But so far away.)
We have Kleypas' Devil in the Spring out in April followed by this in May. Springtime is going to be glorious!! (Sigh. But so far away.)
May 30, 2020
I liked this a lot better than the first one. I found a lot more to happen and there was a strong chemistry between our couple.
February 13, 2019
This is the story of Captain Edward Rokesby & Cecelia Harcourt (Book 2 in the Rokesby series)
Captain Edward Rokesby wakes in hospital with a head injury that has left him with no memories of the last three months. He finds out his best friend, Thomas Harcourt, is missing and somehow he's married the man's sister.
Cecilia never planned to deceive Edward. When she recklessly leaves home and travels to the warring Colonies, she thought she'd be close to her brother and be there to nurse him back to health. She never expected to find herself alone in a strange land with no leads on her suddenly missing brother. When she hears that Capt. Rokesby is injured she finally feels like she isn't so helpless. Unlike Thomas, Edward is someone in the here and now that needs her help. Except only family is allowed and that recklessness inside her makes one more appearance when she declares she's Mrs. Rokesby!
It was a teeny tiny lie but it quickly snowballs out of control.
What I liked/loved: The genuine relationship that develops between Cecilia and Edward. I loved reading about their friendship, their likes and dislikes and the time they spent together while they learned each other. I loved the slow burning tension that sparks between them and finally that sweet culmination of their love for each other was paced just right. Julia Quinn writes charming and endearing romance and Cecilia and Edward were no exception. Their story was sweet, like seriously cute with a sprinkle of adorable! I loved it!
What I didn't like:
I felt the ending was just a tad bit rushed. Don't get me wrong, I loved the ending and the family reunion at the very end left me with a huge smile on my face and I know I'll be re-reading this one in the near future just because I enjoyed it so much. But ... that being said, I think I would have felt more of the emotional upheaval if it had more page time.
Also
Memorable Moments:
I'm sappy and corny so I ate it up when Edward first lays eyes on Cecelia at hospital. He knows of her as they've become somewhat pen pals through her letters to Thomas but they've never met and this particular line kind of set the tone for this feel good romance:
Edward felt her hand tighten around his. Then she placed her other on top, her fingers resting lightly on his knuckles. It was the smallest sort of embrace, but Edward felt it down to his soul.
SAFETY
*** Re-read 2/13/2019 (Audio Version)
Still a really cute romance. I still really loved Edward and Cecilia. Thomas still made me cry and I'm still bummed JQ didn't miraculously resurrect him. His ending was heartbreaking!
Captain Edward Rokesby wakes in hospital with a head injury that has left him with no memories of the last three months. He finds out his best friend, Thomas Harcourt, is missing and somehow he's married the man's sister.
Cecilia never planned to deceive Edward. When she recklessly leaves home and travels to the warring Colonies, she thought she'd be close to her brother and be there to nurse him back to health. She never expected to find herself alone in a strange land with no leads on her suddenly missing brother. When she hears that Capt. Rokesby is injured she finally feels like she isn't so helpless. Unlike Thomas, Edward is someone in the here and now that needs her help. Except only family is allowed and that recklessness inside her makes one more appearance when she declares she's Mrs. Rokesby!
It was a teeny tiny lie but it quickly snowballs out of control.
What I liked/loved: The genuine relationship that develops between Cecilia and Edward. I loved reading about their friendship, their likes and dislikes and the time they spent together while they learned each other. I loved the slow burning tension that sparks between them and finally that sweet culmination of their love for each other was paced just right. Julia Quinn writes charming and endearing romance and Cecilia and Edward were no exception. Their story was sweet, like seriously cute with a sprinkle of adorable! I loved it!
What I didn't like:
I felt the ending was just a tad bit rushed. Don't get me wrong, I loved the ending and the family reunion at the very end left me with a huge smile on my face and I know I'll be re-reading this one in the near future just because I enjoyed it so much. But ... that being said, I think I would have felt more of the emotional upheaval if it had more page time.
Also
Memorable Moments:
I'm sappy and corny so I ate it up when Edward first lays eyes on Cecelia at hospital. He knows of her as they've become somewhat pen pals through her letters to Thomas but they've never met and this particular line kind of set the tone for this feel good romance:
Edward felt her hand tighten around his. Then she placed her other on top, her fingers resting lightly on his knuckles. It was the smallest sort of embrace, but Edward felt it down to his soul.
SAFETY
*** Re-read 2/13/2019 (Audio Version)
Still a really cute romance. I still really loved Edward and Cecilia. Thomas still made me cry and I'm still bummed JQ didn't miraculously resurrect him. His ending was heartbreaking!
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