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Effingtons #11
Let It Be Love
When New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander created the Effingtons, she introduced an irresistible clan. Now, meet her most unforgettable hero yet . . .
Dashing Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, has had more than one lady willingly fall into his arms. But he's so delicious none has ever complained at their inevitable parting. And while Jonathon's no stranger to passion of the flesh, his heart has remained untouched. Until now . . .
At each Christmas Ball, Jonathon selects a delectable lady to share the pleasures of the evening—after all, it's a holiday tradition! But he is shocked to discover that his choice is replaced by an enchanting stranger who surprises him with a proposal of marriage. Beautiful Fiona Fairchild is desperate—only a wedding will save her sisters and her inheritance. But Jonathon has no interest in marriage, and what starts as a shocking proposal turns into a scandalous proposition that might ruin them both . . .
Dashing Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, has had more than one lady willingly fall into his arms. But he's so delicious none has ever complained at their inevitable parting. And while Jonathon's no stranger to passion of the flesh, his heart has remained untouched. Until now . . .
At each Christmas Ball, Jonathon selects a delectable lady to share the pleasures of the evening—after all, it's a holiday tradition! But he is shocked to discover that his choice is replaced by an enchanting stranger who surprises him with a proposal of marriage. Beautiful Fiona Fairchild is desperate—only a wedding will save her sisters and her inheritance. But Jonathon has no interest in marriage, and what starts as a shocking proposal turns into a scandalous proposition that might ruin them both . . .
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
99 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
64 books1,323 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 2, 2009
Same old, same old: enjoyable until the last 50 pages, when the dreaded last-minute-lovers-tiff-that-just-might-end-it-all saunters onto the scene:
HEROINE: You've LIED to me!
HERO: Yes, um, sorry, but I only did it 'cuz I loved you and I didn't know it yet.
HEROINE: I'm only an OBLIGATION to you!
HERO: No, not at all. I'm just, y'know, an idiot. Which I have, by the way, told you seventeen times in this novel. So you shouldn't be surprised, really.
HEROINE: I don't want to be an OBLIGATION, you dastard!
HERO: Uh...but I love you?
HEROINE: Get out! GET OUT!
HERO: *doesn't say anything about heroine's own flaws/overweening pride/compulsive fear/cold feet*
HEROINE: GET OUT!
HERO: *shuffles slump-shouldered away*
HEROINE: And DON'T COME BACK! At least, not until you've figured out some grand gesture to prove how perfect I am and how stupid you are.
HERO: *obligingly sets the stage for a married life of henpecked misery*
Why is it always the hero who's wrong? Why can't they both just be human beings from time to time, each imperfect in their own way, each willing to admit their flaws and forgive both one another and themselves? This sort of thing is what separates good romance novels from good bonfire material.
HEROINE: You've LIED to me!
HERO: Yes, um, sorry, but I only did it 'cuz I loved you and I didn't know it yet.
HEROINE: I'm only an OBLIGATION to you!
HERO: No, not at all. I'm just, y'know, an idiot. Which I have, by the way, told you seventeen times in this novel. So you shouldn't be surprised, really.
HEROINE: I don't want to be an OBLIGATION, you dastard!
HERO: Uh...but I love you?
HEROINE: Get out! GET OUT!
HERO: *doesn't say anything about heroine's own flaws/overweening pride/compulsive fear/cold feet*
HEROINE: GET OUT!
HERO: *shuffles slump-shouldered away*
HEROINE: And DON'T COME BACK! At least, not until you've figured out some grand gesture to prove how perfect I am and how stupid you are.
HERO: *obligingly sets the stage for a married life of henpecked misery*
Why is it always the hero who's wrong? Why can't they both just be human beings from time to time, each imperfect in their own way, each willing to admit their flaws and forgive both one another and themselves? This sort of thing is what separates good romance novels from good bonfire material.
August 24, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Quite different than the last and more engaging.
October 18, 2021
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Laat het liefde zijn - Candlelight Historische roman 610 .
In dit deel staat Jonathon Effington centraal , hij is de zoon van de Hertog van Roxborough die eerder in deze serie de liefde van zijn leven veroverde . In dit laatste deel van deze serie komen 4 vrienden van Jonathon hem regelmatig te hulp en deze 4 vrienden krijgen allemaal hun eigen liefdes verhaal in de volgende serie : Last Man Standing .
Ook dit deel is weer licht humoristisch geschreven maar er gebeurd te weinig om het een echt vlot verhaal te maken .
In dit deel staat Jonathon Effington centraal , hij is de zoon van de Hertog van Roxborough die eerder in deze serie de liefde van zijn leven veroverde . In dit laatste deel van deze serie komen 4 vrienden van Jonathon hem regelmatig te hulp en deze 4 vrienden krijgen allemaal hun eigen liefdes verhaal in de volgende serie : Last Man Standing .
Ook dit deel is weer licht humoristisch geschreven maar er gebeurd te weinig om het een echt vlot verhaal te maken .
December 8, 2012
If I weren't afraid of alcohol poisoning by the end of Chapter One, I would do a drinking game with this Author's books. The rules would be simple: every time a character murmured, muttered or spoke under their breath, take a shot. Since pretty much every page has one (or more) of those phrases I'd be trashed in no time.
That said, this was a decent enough story. Will continue reading her despite her over dependence on certain phrases.
That said, this was a decent enough story. Will continue reading her despite her over dependence on certain phrases.
June 28, 2021
Victorian era.
I did not care for the premise of this story. Fiona
the heroine was too bold. And I liked the hero
Jonathan's personality better as a 2ndary character
in A Little Bit Wicked (Last Man Standing #1). Jon
came across as weak and a bit of a whiner in 'his
story,' the opposite of his mature, decisive self in
his 2ndary role. Several friends in Let It Be Love
noted Jon's confidence. If he had that, it must have
been on vacay.
After awhile I lost interest in the MCs. The best aspect
of this story was how the ladies supported each other
IE Fiona, Lady Judith, & Aunt Edwina. This author can
do much better than this effort!
I did not care for the premise of this story. Fiona
the heroine was too bold. And I liked the hero
Jonathan's personality better as a 2ndary character
in A Little Bit Wicked (Last Man Standing #1). Jon
came across as weak and a bit of a whiner in 'his
story,' the opposite of his mature, decisive self in
his 2ndary role. Several friends in Let It Be Love
noted Jon's confidence. If he had that, it must have
been on vacay.
After awhile I lost interest in the MCs. The best aspect
of this story was how the ladies supported each other
IE Fiona, Lady Judith, & Aunt Edwina. This author can
do much better than this effort!
January 3, 2021
The parent’s story was much more captivating but not a bad end to the series even if I haven’t yet read all of them
January 31, 2018
Very mediocre offering. The writing was strong enough but the unappealing hero and the implausibility of several,plot points made for a weak overall read. In another tale about a dead father manipulating his daughter’s economic and marital from beyond the grave by making absurd demands in his will. Fiona must marry to ensure her inheritance and her sisters’ dowries. Deceased papa also contracted marriage of Fiona to the the son of a colleague. Desiring to avoid an arranged marriage and protect her funds, Fiona decides to offer herself in a marriage of convenience to Jonathan a young, ne’er do well Marquess. Fiona has been secretly smitten with Jonathan since she observed him and his amour de nuit in mid Christmas Eve tryst. Yes. Jonathan is famous for his decade long tradition of allowing one lucky lady to screw him in a library on Christmas Eve. Yay. Nothing says heartwarming holiday cheer like a traditional Christmas Eve screw. And just so we know how special it is, no Christmas Eve repeats are allowed. With this kind of reputation, is is hard to imagine finding Jonathan unappealing? This is just the beginning. Jonathan is an adult man with the emotional maturity of your average 13 year old. He is lacking in character and character development. He agrees to a marriage and then reneges. To redeem himself, Jonathan engages Fiona in a ridiculous scheme that involves him writing erotica, her illustrating his stories, and the subsequent publication of this masterpiece. Somehow, we are to believe that Fiona is so stupid she would actually believe that a fortune could be made from publishing one book. Give me a freaking break. Also, this is two decades into the reign of Victoria. Long gone were the hedonist day’s of Georgian society and the high living Regency period.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2021
3.5 stars. Fiona and Jonathon. A light hearted romance with a bold heroine and a hero that does not want to marry. Personally, I cringed when she fell instantly in love with him nine years ago as he was doing his annual sexy time with another woman in the library. I also cringed when he decided to continue that tradition (only with her now though each year) at the end of the story. For me, it was not romantic to be doing the deed where the ghosts of his past lovers lie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2010
This series started off so promising with Wedding Bargain. I thought it was funny and clever. And so I was looking forward to reading the series and purchased a few of them. Unfortunately, none of them have come up to par with the first and all have been a bit unexciting to read.
January 7, 2013
A pretty great Romance Novel. Just what I needed to escape the stresses of the holidays for a few hours. Funny in parts, silly in others, good characters, and just Christmasy enough without being completely cheesy. I think I'll read more by this author!
May 26, 2020
I normally do not like secret keeping as a plot device, but I didn't mind it too much in this book. Mostly because so much of the plot was absurd to begin with that the secret didn't seem so bad, at the beginning. Basically, according to her father's will Fiona has to marry otherwise her younger sisters do not get their dowry's. To that end, he has arranged a marriage for her with a man she has never met. She does not want to marry a stranger, so with the help of her cousin Oliver, she decides to ask Jonathon to marry her. Jonathon thinks this is a prank being played on him by Oliver and the rest of his friends, so he says yes. Then, when he discovers it's real he says no. But, because he feels guilty, he agrees to help her by writing a book with her, a naughty book. They will publish it anonymously, but here is where the secret comes in: he's only going to publish a handful and then in secret will provide her the money, saying it came from the sale of the books. Well, during the writing process they fall in love, which is exactly what Fiona wanted. He messes it up multiple times. But, with the help of her new friend Judith, also a friend of Jonathon's, she gets him to realize he loves her too. But, Judith accidentally lets the secret slip, Fiona finds out the truth and they break up. Her betrothed shows up and he's wonderful; tall, dark, handsome, and charming. He didn't want to get married, but agreed once he heard the stipulations of the will and they agreed to be married for a year and then dissolve it. Well, cousin Oliver introduces Daniel (betrothed) to Jonathon and friends and the develop a plan so that Jonathon can make a grand gesture and marry her, and Daniel will still get the money. Turns out he's really a stand up guy and Daniel becomes friends with everyone. Jonathon and Fiona get married. Oliver and the rest of the guys make a small "bet" about who will be the last one standing; and Daniel is included. I am looking forward to Oliver and Daniel's stories, as well as the stories about Fiona's sisters. I expect that there are still 3 sisters and not counting Oliver, 3 friends so it's possible that they all marry a sister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
I was looking for something light with amusing banter to perk up my mood in these dark days. This final entry in a series I have skipped around within (and, ironically, already read a book in the next series, featuring the character known as Whatshisname here) serves the purpose. However, the book runs a little long because the whole premise could have been solved much earlier by a dose of honesty on the part of the foolish males who take it upon themselves to 'save' one of their own from marriage and still 'do right' by the lady in question by concocting an outrageously complicated scheme. The idle rich young men clearly have too much time on their hands for drinking and scheming. Pleasant enough with a strong female lead.
February 21, 2024
Love will find a way.
A glimpse was all it took for Fiona. Jonathan and his friends were hilariously puzzled. Love, and women, had them baffled. I was swept away in the story immediately. The start of what would appear a new series. The turn of events was what kept me guessing and turning pages. The rules of the regency era has always fascinated me, this one definitely did that. The strong personalities was the cherry on top.
A glimpse was all it took for Fiona. Jonathan and his friends were hilariously puzzled. Love, and women, had them baffled. I was swept away in the story immediately. The start of what would appear a new series. The turn of events was what kept me guessing and turning pages. The rules of the regency era has always fascinated me, this one definitely did that. The strong personalities was the cherry on top.
September 3, 2025
Such a fun, funny, story of a young woman trying to save herself from an arranged marriage, by arranging one herself. If you read a number of historical romances, sure, some of the tropes were repeated, but Victoria Alexander's writing is enchanting and her characters are lots of fun. Even though this is book 11 in the series, it was the first one I read and I felt it read easily as a stand alone. Fun read!
June 29, 2017
It was indeed funny. I love Fiona. She knows what she wants.
February 16, 2018
Very funny dialogue
August 14, 2020
Love a bold heroine!
November 19, 2020
This one could have been really good, but it dragged on, and on, and on.
January 8, 2024
This book had charm and wit. It was a lighthearted romp.
July 26, 2024
2/5 stars
Flat. No emotion, no chemistry. Even the steamy scene felt cold. Slow burn to the max
Flat. No emotion, no chemistry. Even the steamy scene felt cold. Slow burn to the max
March 14, 2017
I really liked this romance novel, it was fun and exciting and most of all, the characters acted more like real people than in any other romance novel I’ve ever read. Most romance novels have a point at which you know the heroine is about to succumb to the hero for no real reason when if she had a brain, she wouldn’t. As I read this, that point came up and just as I’d sadly resigned myself to it, I turned the page to find her refusing him, giving sensible reasons, and going straight home. I was dumbstruck and yet this novel isn’t unromantic at all, it’s just that the character motivations for the things they do are actually smart.
November 6, 2023
„Die Braut des Marquess of Helmsley“ von Victoria Alexander ist der zweite Band ihrer amüsanten Effingtons Reihe.
Jonathon Effington, der Marquess of Helmsley, gehört zu den begehrtesten Junggesellen der Gesellschaft und ist dank seiner netten und charmanten Art überall beliebt. Doch sein Herz war in all seine Eskapaden niemals involviert und er hat auch nicht vor, demnächst sesshaft zu werden. Die Vorstellung von seiner Traumfrau scheint ziemlich absurd, aber die temperamentvolle Fiona Fairchild scheint alle seine Kriterien zu erfüllen. Deshalb hält es Jonathon auch für einen Streich seiner Freunde, als ihn Fiona allein in seiner Bibliothek abpasst und ihm einen Heiratsantrag macht. Als Jonathon bemerkt, dass dies ihr voller Ernst war, steckt er in Schwierigkeiten. Er bietet ihr einen Alternativplan für ihre finanziellen Sorgen an, aber dabei wird ihm schnell klar, dass er einer Ehe mit Fiona vielleicht doch nicht abgeneigt wäre. Leider sieht diese die Angelegenheit inzwischen anders.
Schon der erste Band war sehr humorvoll und unterhaltsam und hat mich mit seiner selbstbewussten Heldin begeistert. Und auch im zweiten Teil, den man völlig unabhängig lesen kann, spielt erneut eine starke Frau die Hauptrolle. Victoria Alexander hat einen leichten und lockeren Schreibstil und es macht Spaß, das Verlobungschaos der sympathischen Protagonisten zu verfolgen.
Fiona ist durch das Testament ihres Vaters in einer Zwangslage und muss für die Auszahlung ihres Erbes und das ihrer drei Schwestern unbedingt heiraten. Ihr Cousin verweist sie an seinen besten Freund Jonathon, aber dessen großspurige Behauptungen in feuchtfröhlicher Runde waren offensichtlich nicht ernstgemeint.
Jonathon ist es gewohnt, mit allem davonzukommen und seinen Willen durchzusetzen. Dabei investiert er jedoch nie echte Gefühle, so dass es zu keinen Dramen kommt. Fiona ist jedoch völlig anders und bei jeder ihrer Begegnungen dauert es nicht lange, bis die explosive Chemie aus dem Ruder läuft.
Die witzigen Schlagabtausche und die feurige Gefühlsachterbahn sorgen dafür, dass es trotz vielem Hin und Her nie langweilig wird. Fiona ist eine ungewöhnliche Heldin und gemeinsam mit Jonathon gibt sie ein tolles Paar ab.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung!
Jonathon Effington, der Marquess of Helmsley, gehört zu den begehrtesten Junggesellen der Gesellschaft und ist dank seiner netten und charmanten Art überall beliebt. Doch sein Herz war in all seine Eskapaden niemals involviert und er hat auch nicht vor, demnächst sesshaft zu werden. Die Vorstellung von seiner Traumfrau scheint ziemlich absurd, aber die temperamentvolle Fiona Fairchild scheint alle seine Kriterien zu erfüllen. Deshalb hält es Jonathon auch für einen Streich seiner Freunde, als ihn Fiona allein in seiner Bibliothek abpasst und ihm einen Heiratsantrag macht. Als Jonathon bemerkt, dass dies ihr voller Ernst war, steckt er in Schwierigkeiten. Er bietet ihr einen Alternativplan für ihre finanziellen Sorgen an, aber dabei wird ihm schnell klar, dass er einer Ehe mit Fiona vielleicht doch nicht abgeneigt wäre. Leider sieht diese die Angelegenheit inzwischen anders.
Schon der erste Band war sehr humorvoll und unterhaltsam und hat mich mit seiner selbstbewussten Heldin begeistert. Und auch im zweiten Teil, den man völlig unabhängig lesen kann, spielt erneut eine starke Frau die Hauptrolle. Victoria Alexander hat einen leichten und lockeren Schreibstil und es macht Spaß, das Verlobungschaos der sympathischen Protagonisten zu verfolgen.
Fiona ist durch das Testament ihres Vaters in einer Zwangslage und muss für die Auszahlung ihres Erbes und das ihrer drei Schwestern unbedingt heiraten. Ihr Cousin verweist sie an seinen besten Freund Jonathon, aber dessen großspurige Behauptungen in feuchtfröhlicher Runde waren offensichtlich nicht ernstgemeint.
Jonathon ist es gewohnt, mit allem davonzukommen und seinen Willen durchzusetzen. Dabei investiert er jedoch nie echte Gefühle, so dass es zu keinen Dramen kommt. Fiona ist jedoch völlig anders und bei jeder ihrer Begegnungen dauert es nicht lange, bis die explosive Chemie aus dem Ruder läuft.
Die witzigen Schlagabtausche und die feurige Gefühlsachterbahn sorgen dafür, dass es trotz vielem Hin und Her nie langweilig wird. Fiona ist eine ungewöhnliche Heldin und gemeinsam mit Jonathon gibt sie ein tolles Paar ab.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung!
October 10, 2015
Jonathan Effington has been saying that if he meets his perfect woman, stubborn, willful, beautiful and passionate, that he'd marry her on the spot. So it's a bit of a surprise to him when he encounters said perfect woman and she asks him to marry her. Thinking it a hoax, he says yes, but then begins to wonder if it wasn't serious and finds that all along, he's been lying to himself and that he's not ready for marriage. Fiona is less than happy when he revokes his acceptance because she has to marry before her dead father's arranged husband shows up and she has to marry him. She'd like to be financially set before he shows up so she can refuse him and that means either marriage to a man of her choice or coming into money some other way. Jonathan, feeling responsible now that he got her hopes up, agrees to help her out.
This book came down to a matter of preferences. It was a good, solid story and was, at times, enjoyable. Although I didn't care for the heroine's lack of modesty regarding her appearance - it walked the border between self-confidence and smug arrogance - I did like her. She was a woman who knew what she wanted (although she could change her mind in a heartbeat) and was not afraid to go after it. On the whole, she was a strong heroine and she deserved a better hero. For all that the Effington's churn out strong heroines, it seems they turn out foppish heroes. Here's a guy with no passion who is pretty much duller than a butter knife. He came across as quite bland. He becomes tongue tied and idiotic in the presence of his perfect lady, often saying the wrong thing, but in this case it isn't all that endearing (as would be the case with a geeky hero). He is in all other ways a confident, self-assured hero supposedly, but all we see is a guy who makes rather stupid and sometimes selfish decisions. I wasn't impressed with him. I actually liked it when the three teenage sisters put him in his place for his reneging on his promise. And perhaps the fact that they were able to make him feel sheepish is why I couldn't respect him. I'm not sure what the heroine saw in him except maybe a malleable husband.
This book came down to a matter of preferences. It was a good, solid story and was, at times, enjoyable. Although I didn't care for the heroine's lack of modesty regarding her appearance - it walked the border between self-confidence and smug arrogance - I did like her. She was a woman who knew what she wanted (although she could change her mind in a heartbeat) and was not afraid to go after it. On the whole, she was a strong heroine and she deserved a better hero. For all that the Effington's churn out strong heroines, it seems they turn out foppish heroes. Here's a guy with no passion who is pretty much duller than a butter knife. He came across as quite bland. He becomes tongue tied and idiotic in the presence of his perfect lady, often saying the wrong thing, but in this case it isn't all that endearing (as would be the case with a geeky hero). He is in all other ways a confident, self-assured hero supposedly, but all we see is a guy who makes rather stupid and sometimes selfish decisions. I wasn't impressed with him. I actually liked it when the three teenage sisters put him in his place for his reneging on his promise. And perhaps the fact that they were able to make him feel sheepish is why I couldn't respect him. I'm not sure what the heroine saw in him except maybe a malleable husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2008
I felt the need to open an easy romance after some of the heavier stuff I'd been reading lately, and on a whim, I picked this book up from the library.
Among a group of young bachelor's in England, Jonathon Effington is known for his annual Christmas Eve tryst, as well as his lack of desire to get married. That is, until he's propositioned by Fiona Fairchild, the cousin of his close friend, and a young woman in a dilemma over her father's will: she must marry if her dowry AND the dowries of her stepsisters are to be released from the estate.
Though he finds her intriguing, Jonathon maintains that he is not ready to be married. Determined to continue to help her though, he formulates a fake partenership in which he will write erotica and she will supply the drawings for which she has a talent. Keeping from her his true intentions, he puts them in a position of high sexual tension, flirtation, and the passion that his friend's maintain he's never had before.
If you're not a fan of romance novels, you obviously are not going to be a fan of this book, as it follows the basic romance formula: handsome man meets charming woman, and through many misunderstandings, prideful mistakes, a lot of kissing and fondling, and usually some other dramatic crises, they still end up together as soul mates.
Even though the formula is common and simple, it's still fun to read and this book attests to that. It's quick paced and witty, with banter between the characters that is hard not to enjoy. There were a few parts that made me laugh out loud. And as a romantic, I can still get that little flutter at the end of the book when the hero and heroine end up together.
A good book for romance lovers, but be warned if your a purist when it comes to book series, this is number 11 or 12 in a collection that centers around the same family. You don't have to have the previous knowledge of the other books though in order to enjoy this one.
Among a group of young bachelor's in England, Jonathon Effington is known for his annual Christmas Eve tryst, as well as his lack of desire to get married. That is, until he's propositioned by Fiona Fairchild, the cousin of his close friend, and a young woman in a dilemma over her father's will: she must marry if her dowry AND the dowries of her stepsisters are to be released from the estate.
Though he finds her intriguing, Jonathon maintains that he is not ready to be married. Determined to continue to help her though, he formulates a fake partenership in which he will write erotica and she will supply the drawings for which she has a talent. Keeping from her his true intentions, he puts them in a position of high sexual tension, flirtation, and the passion that his friend's maintain he's never had before.
If you're not a fan of romance novels, you obviously are not going to be a fan of this book, as it follows the basic romance formula: handsome man meets charming woman, and through many misunderstandings, prideful mistakes, a lot of kissing and fondling, and usually some other dramatic crises, they still end up together as soul mates.
Even though the formula is common and simple, it's still fun to read and this book attests to that. It's quick paced and witty, with banter between the characters that is hard not to enjoy. There were a few parts that made me laugh out loud. And as a romantic, I can still get that little flutter at the end of the book when the hero and heroine end up together.
A good book for romance lovers, but be warned if your a purist when it comes to book series, this is number 11 or 12 in a collection that centers around the same family. You don't have to have the previous knowledge of the other books though in order to enjoy this one.
March 9, 2010
Every year at the family Christmas Eve party, Jonathon Effington sets up an assignation. This year is different. This year, Fiona Fairchild has talked Jonathon's assignation into letting Fiona take her place. See, Fiona's father set up a will whereby, if Fiona doesn't marry, neither she nor her sisters will get their inheritance. An old romance trope, but it's okay. When Jonathon sees Fiona, he is immediately attracted to her, but he believes her to be an actress sent by his friends. When she proposes, he accepts thinking it is a hoax. However, he soon realizes that Fiona is actually the cousin of a good friend.
The next day, Jonathon rushes over to his friends house to rectify the error, but Fiona is not anxious to let him escape. She can't disappoint her sisters and she had also had a crush on Jonathon years ago so she thinks this might be fate. Both Jonathon and Fiona's cousin, Oliver, offer to pay the girls' dowries, but Fiona is not interested in being the poor relative.
Instead, Oliver and Jonathon come up with a plan to give Fiona money without her knowing that it comes from them. They will take her (nude but not really naughty) paintings, pair them with a story that Jonathon will create and tell Fiona that they are selling the book.
As they create the book together, Fiona and Jonathon (of course) fall in love. But Fiona finds out the plan and is offended... offended. She decides to marry the man that her father originally set her up with, create a business relationship that will last long enough to get her money, and then divorce him. But Jonathon manages to convince the prospective groom that Fiona and Jonathon should be the bride and groom. The two marry and live happily ever after.
The next day, Jonathon rushes over to his friends house to rectify the error, but Fiona is not anxious to let him escape. She can't disappoint her sisters and she had also had a crush on Jonathon years ago so she thinks this might be fate. Both Jonathon and Fiona's cousin, Oliver, offer to pay the girls' dowries, but Fiona is not interested in being the poor relative.
Instead, Oliver and Jonathon come up with a plan to give Fiona money without her knowing that it comes from them. They will take her (nude but not really naughty) paintings, pair them with a story that Jonathon will create and tell Fiona that they are selling the book.
As they create the book together, Fiona and Jonathon (of course) fall in love. But Fiona finds out the plan and is offended... offended. She decides to marry the man that her father originally set her up with, create a business relationship that will last long enough to get her money, and then divorce him. But Jonathon manages to convince the prospective groom that Fiona and Jonathon should be the bride and groom. The two marry and live happily ever after.
December 28, 2010
This really should have been the 2nd to last book in the Effington series, and should have followed “A Visit From Sir Nicholas” because both stories happened around the same time and involves Elizabeth’s brother, Jonathan. However, the reason that it was the last book is because Jonathan’s friends are involved in the series that follows (Last Man Standing) where they make a wager on who will be able to avoid marriage for the longest period of time.
I enjoyed this story and it was cute but not as much as Prince Alexai’s story. This one involved Fiona, whose fortune and dowry of her 3 sisters is contingent upon her marrying the American, “ Mr. Whatshisname” as per her father’s will (or any other acceptable man). Therefore, she heads back to England after an independent life in Italy to try to find a husband on her own before she has to do the inevitable and marry someone that she doesn’t know. Oliver, her cousin, is one of Jonathan’s good friends and thinks that they would be perfect for eachother as Jonathan has always said that when he meets the right woman (free-thinking and spirited) that he will marry her right on the spot. Of course, this is not the case. Fiona proposes to him, he thinks it’s a hoax, says yes, then reneges. But, he feels obliged to help her and they start to work together on an erotic book of sorts (her nude portraits and his words).
In the end, they end up together, Mr. “whatshisname” turns out to be quite dashing and helps out. So does Jonathan’s old mistress and friend, the widow which will appear in the next book, Judith. All in all, a nice read.
I enjoyed this story and it was cute but not as much as Prince Alexai’s story. This one involved Fiona, whose fortune and dowry of her 3 sisters is contingent upon her marrying the American, “ Mr. Whatshisname” as per her father’s will (or any other acceptable man). Therefore, she heads back to England after an independent life in Italy to try to find a husband on her own before she has to do the inevitable and marry someone that she doesn’t know. Oliver, her cousin, is one of Jonathan’s good friends and thinks that they would be perfect for eachother as Jonathan has always said that when he meets the right woman (free-thinking and spirited) that he will marry her right on the spot. Of course, this is not the case. Fiona proposes to him, he thinks it’s a hoax, says yes, then reneges. But, he feels obliged to help her and they start to work together on an erotic book of sorts (her nude portraits and his words).
In the end, they end up together, Mr. “whatshisname” turns out to be quite dashing and helps out. So does Jonathan’s old mistress and friend, the widow which will appear in the next book, Judith. All in all, a nice read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2015
While I enjoy that the heroes in Victoria Alexander's books tend to be emotional bumblers for the most part, I did not at any point believe that Jonathon read like a 32 year old Victorian man. This was complicated, as it usually is in Victoria Alexander's books, by a rational female character, in this case even moreso because Fiona was honest about her feelings hopes, and fears from the very get go (something which hasn't happened in any of the other Effington books I've read). I was glad, at least, that it wasn't a willful misunderstanding that provided conflict, that there was in fact a lie and some justified anger.
I also have to say, having read all 11 of the Effington books pretty much in a row, they are deeply, deeply derivative, repetitive, and formulaic. Which wasn't as frustrating as I expected it to be, but it is definitely noticeable. It makes me glad Victoria Alexander has taken such a long break from this world/these characters, even though there are so many background characters whose stories I want (she writes amazing background characters), and I have to wonder if they'll ever be written.
I also have to say, having read all 11 of the Effington books pretty much in a row, they are deeply, deeply derivative, repetitive, and formulaic. Which wasn't as frustrating as I expected it to be, but it is definitely noticeable. It makes me glad Victoria Alexander has taken such a long break from this world/these characters, even though there are so many background characters whose stories I want (she writes amazing background characters), and I have to wonder if they'll ever be written.
November 15, 2023
Ich glaube ich hab eine schwäche für Recency Romance entwickelt, aber ich liebe das Setting, die Charaktere, die Stimmung, da fühlt man sich direkt in die Zeit zurück versetzt.
In ihrer Verzweiflung macht Fiona dem begehrten Junggesellen Jonathon einen Heiratsantrag um weder einen Fremden heiraten zu müssen, noch von ihrer Familie abhängig zu sein. Doch Jonathon halt das alles nur für einen Scherz und nimmt seine Einwilligung schnell wieder zurück, als er merkt, dass es eben keiner ist. Bei dem Versuch der jungen Frau doch noch zu helfen kommen sich die beiden näher und bald findet Jonathon sich in einer verzwickten Situation wieder…
Ich mochte Fiona sehr gerne und fand sie sehr authentisch und nicht naiv. Auch die anderen Charaktere waren mir durchaus sympathisch und ich freue mich schon mehr von ihnen zu erfahren!
Den Spannungsbogen fand ich angemessen und auch die Länge des Buches fand ich gut. Der Schreibstil war flüssig und man ist nur so durch die Seiten geflogen.
An manchen Stellen war jedoch das Layout etwas verwirrend und deshalb wurde manchmal der Lesefluss unterbrochen. Alles in allem sind es trotzdem 4 von 5 Sternen.
In ihrer Verzweiflung macht Fiona dem begehrten Junggesellen Jonathon einen Heiratsantrag um weder einen Fremden heiraten zu müssen, noch von ihrer Familie abhängig zu sein. Doch Jonathon halt das alles nur für einen Scherz und nimmt seine Einwilligung schnell wieder zurück, als er merkt, dass es eben keiner ist. Bei dem Versuch der jungen Frau doch noch zu helfen kommen sich die beiden näher und bald findet Jonathon sich in einer verzwickten Situation wieder…
Ich mochte Fiona sehr gerne und fand sie sehr authentisch und nicht naiv. Auch die anderen Charaktere waren mir durchaus sympathisch und ich freue mich schon mehr von ihnen zu erfahren!
Den Spannungsbogen fand ich angemessen und auch die Länge des Buches fand ich gut. Der Schreibstil war flüssig und man ist nur so durch die Seiten geflogen.
An manchen Stellen war jedoch das Layout etwas verwirrend und deshalb wurde manchmal der Lesefluss unterbrochen. Alles in allem sind es trotzdem 4 von 5 Sternen.
August 27, 2018
Dashing Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, has had more than one lady willingly fall into his arms. But he's so delicious none has ever complained at their inevitable parting, And while Jonathon's no stranger to passion of the flesh his heart has remained untouched. Until now... At each Christmas Ball, Jonathon selects a delectable lady to share the pleasures of the evening-after all, it's holiday tradition! But he is shocked to discover that his choice is replaced by and enchanting stranger who surprises him with a proposal of marriage. Beautiful Fiona Fairchild is desperate-only a wedding will save her sisters and her inheritance. But Jonathon has no interest in marriage, and what starts as a shocking proposal turns into a scandalous proposition that might ruin them both.....
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