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Effingtons #1
The Wedding Bargain
SHE WANTED TO MARRY A HERO
Maximillian Wells, the Earl of Trent, couldn't believe his ears-or his eyes. Before him stood beautiful, unattainable Pandora Effington, the ton's most scandalous beauty. Max believed the fiery heiress would make a most satisfactory bride, and now she was making him a most tantalizing offer. If he wanted to take Pandora's hand--and the rest of her irresistible body--in marriage, he had to play a game of her devising--one he had no intention of losing ...
After seven glorious seasons, Pandora knew it was time to wed, but most of London's eligible bachelors left her cold. She longed for a true hero ... a man who would do anything in his power to win her love. Maximillian's very touch sent shivers down her spine and made her dream of long nights spent in his arms. But was he willing to risk everything to prove his love?
Maximillian Wells, the Earl of Trent, couldn't believe his ears-or his eyes. Before him stood beautiful, unattainable Pandora Effington, the ton's most scandalous beauty. Max believed the fiery heiress would make a most satisfactory bride, and now she was making him a most tantalizing offer. If he wanted to take Pandora's hand--and the rest of her irresistible body--in marriage, he had to play a game of her devising--one he had no intention of losing ...
After seven glorious seasons, Pandora knew it was time to wed, but most of London's eligible bachelors left her cold. She longed for a true hero ... a man who would do anything in his power to win her love. Maximillian's very touch sent shivers down her spine and made her dream of long nights spent in his arms. But was he willing to risk everything to prove his love?
371 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
169 people are currently reading
2217 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 169 reviews
April 19, 2012
I tried. I sincerely did. But really, could this story possibly be any more unoriginal and predictable?
So, let's make a list of all the clichés I've encountered so far:
1. Heroine = spinster.
2. Hero = rake/rogue/scoundrel.
3. Heroine = virgin.
4. Heroine has the most annoying habit of repeating everything Hero says, like a fuckin' parrot.
5. Hero has served in the military.
6. Heroine is determined to not let Hero get the best of her. Which basically means she makes long speeches about how much she loathes Hero, only to melt into his arms the second he touches her.
7. Hero has no idea why, but he finds himself "caring" about the Heroine more than he has any other woman.
8. With all evidence to the contrary, Hero still insists on believing that life with Heroine will be anything but boring because she's just so "adventurous" and "interesting".
9. Despite having slept with at least half the women in London, Hero still finds Heroine to be the most beautiful.
10. Heroine thinks she's in love with Hero after talking to him twice.
I am so done.
For more reviews, visit my blog.
So, let's make a list of all the clichés I've encountered so far:
1. Heroine = spinster.
2. Hero = rake/rogue/scoundrel.
3. Heroine = virgin.
4. Heroine has the most annoying habit of repeating everything Hero says, like a fuckin' parrot.
5. Hero has served in the military.
6. Heroine is determined to not let Hero get the best of her. Which basically means she makes long speeches about how much she loathes Hero, only to melt into his arms the second he touches her.
7. Hero has no idea why, but he finds himself "caring" about the Heroine more than he has any other woman.
8. With all evidence to the contrary, Hero still insists on believing that life with Heroine will be anything but boring because she's just so "adventurous" and "interesting".
9. Despite having slept with at least half the women in London, Hero still finds Heroine to be the most beautiful.
10. Heroine thinks she's in love with Hero after talking to him twice.
I am so done.
For more reviews, visit my blog.
May 7, 2021
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Het trouwspel - Candlelight Historische roman 663
Dit verhaal leest als een klucht en dat is helaas niet helemaal mijn ding . De romantiek was maar zozo en het leukst was eigenlijk om te lezen hoe op originele wijze de 12 opdrachten werden uitgevoerd .
Dit verhaal leest als een klucht en dat is helaas niet helemaal mijn ding . De romantiek was maar zozo en het leukst was eigenlijk om te lezen hoe op originele wijze de 12 opdrachten werden uitgevoerd .
February 28, 2024
The story had some good and some not so good.
I really enjoy some old school historical romance, I grew up reading Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, and most recently the very fantastic Lisa Kleypas. The authors of today often can’t provoke the same kind of feelings that I used to get from these books. I was hoping that this would be an author I really enjoy, but it was just so so. The story has very abrupt beginning, and there is just way too much miscommunication. The book is short enough, but most of it was useless back and forth. The writing is quite clever and the banter between the heroes is good. But it’s very senseless in a way. There were some good ideas but somewhat of a poor execution. And just way, way to much misunderstandings…
I really enjoy some old school historical romance, I grew up reading Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, and most recently the very fantastic Lisa Kleypas. The authors of today often can’t provoke the same kind of feelings that I used to get from these books. I was hoping that this would be an author I really enjoy, but it was just so so. The story has very abrupt beginning, and there is just way too much miscommunication. The book is short enough, but most of it was useless back and forth. The writing is quite clever and the banter between the heroes is good. But it’s very senseless in a way. There were some good ideas but somewhat of a poor execution. And just way, way to much misunderstandings…
November 15, 2014
4 1/2 stars for this one. What a great read. This is not my first Victoria Alexander but it is the first in this series for me. I am so looking forward to the next one (Yahoo I have them all!!). It is not an in-depth bodice-ripper. It is a nice light, funny romantic read.
Don't go looking for the deep and meaningfuls in this story cos you simply won't find it. But oh what a refreshing change to just simply have 2 people attracted to each other fall in love with a bit of the usual mis-steps along the way. I laughed out loud in places and lately that has been sadly missing from the books I have picked up.
It is by no means a 'memorable' book but it was a wonderful book just the same. Highly recommended for those in the mood for something fun and frivolous.
Don't go looking for the deep and meaningfuls in this story cos you simply won't find it. But oh what a refreshing change to just simply have 2 people attracted to each other fall in love with a bit of the usual mis-steps along the way. I laughed out loud in places and lately that has been sadly missing from the books I have picked up.
It is by no means a 'memorable' book but it was a wonderful book just the same. Highly recommended for those in the mood for something fun and frivolous.
April 30, 2015
Reviewed for THC Reviews
The Wedding Bargain is a fun, light-hearted, Regency romp that turned out to be a pretty entertaining read. The hero has a reputation as “a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel, and a beast.” The heroine has caught his eye, and knowing that he must marry soon to produce an heir, he's determined to do whatever it takes to have her. She has been dubbed the Hellion of Grosvenor Square, and while it's not a title she's entirely earned, she is a very spirited young lady who refuses to marry without love. The two strike up an amusing bargain in which she puts him to the test to determine whether or not he can truly be the hero she craves. She thinks the test she devises based on the Twelve Labors of Hercules will be virtually impossible for him to pass, but she didn't count on his ingenuity or her family and friends meddling to bring them together. It all made for a very amusing story. Prior to this I'd only read one novella by Victoria Alexander that was just OK for me, so I was very pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book.
Pandora's family is a bit eccentric, particularly her father and mother who are experts in Greek antiquities. As their only child, her father has bestowed a sizable income on her and she is also their heir, so she has really felt no pressing need to marry. Her parents have given her a great deal of latitude, and she sometimes pushes the envelope when it comes to flouting society's rules. Because of her slightly scandalous exploits, most of her peers call her the Hellion of Grosvenor Square. Pandora is in her seventh season, when most young ladies would be considered firmly on the shelf spinsters, but she simply thinks of herself as independent. If she ever marries at all, it will only be for love. When she believes Max may be pursuing her best friend with dishonorable intentions, she confronts him, and it leads to a verbal sparring match that she is surprised to find herself enjoying. From there, they share their vision of the ideal mate, but when Max declares that he meets her every desire, she's skeptical, so he dares her to put him to the test. Given Pandora's circumstances and her attitude toward marriage, I think it would have been easy for her to come off as either too cold or too cocky and vain, but thankfully, neither is the case. I thought that she was a pretty well-balanced heroine who was intelligent and competitive without being conceited. I was also pleased to see that she could be empathetic when the situation called for it. I think she really enjoyed matching wits with Max and was sometimes contrary simply because she loved playing the game. Pandora can also be a very stubborn young lady, who has a hard time admitting what's right in front of her face, namely that first, she's attracted to Max, and later, she's fallen in love with him. While perhaps, she skated a bit too close to the edge of annoying me with this trait, I really found it more funny than anything.
Max knows he must marry, but really wants nothing to do with the simpering misses who typically pursue him. He is certain life would be a complete bore with such a biddable wife, so he's looking for someone with more backbone and spirit. He's taken notice of Pandora before, but never quite so much as when she confronts him. He knows in an instant that life with her would never be dull, so he determines then and there to do whatever it takes to win her hand in marriage. After hearing her list of requirements for a husband, he points out that he meets every one. When it becomes apparent that what she's really looking for is a hero, he wants to prove to her that he can be that man. I love how dogged Max is in his pursuit of Pandora. He truly is willing to do just about anything, up to and including making a fool out of himself, to show her that he's the man for her. I found that quite romantic, as actions often speak louder than words. Max is determined to win the game, not just because he's competitive, but because he truly loves Pandora and wants to prove that he can be her hero. In reality, Max was already a war hero, having fought against Napoleon. I was glad to see the author take a step back from all the fun and games and allow the reader to see a bit of this side of him when he tells Pandora a little about his time in the war. I think it helped to build his characterization more, and overall, Max was a very admirable hero. I just wish he'd been a little more forthcoming with his declarations of love.
With The Wedding Bargain being the first in the fairly long Effington Family & Friends series, I was a bit surprised that there weren't many secondary characters with potential for their own books being introduced. There are Effingtons aplenty in the background, but most are a bit older and already attached, like Pandora's parents and aunts. The only Effington we get to meet who doesn't fall into those categories is Pandora's cousin, Gillian, who is a young widow. She becomes the heroine of the next book, The Husband List. Gillian is only in one scene, so I can't say that I got a really good feel for her character, but I do look forward to giving her book a try. The two characters who do play significant supporting roles are Max's best friend, Laurie, and Pandora's best friend, Cynthia. They share a rather sweet, secondary romance that was almost as much fun as Max and Pandora's.
The main thing that bothered me about The Wedding Bargain and that took away the star is that Max and Pandora are both quite stubborn about not revealing their feeling for one another. Even though Pandora comes to realize she wants to marry Max, she refuses to do so without love. Max is doing everything he can to show Pandora how much he loves her, but she still doesn't trust that he does, because he hasn't said the words. Because of this, she holds back from saying them too and keeps trying to sabotage his efforts to win the game. For Max's part, he's afraid to say the words for fear that Pandora doesn't return his affections. It's readily apparent that they both do love each other to distraction, so I didn't find their refusal to say the words until the final pages as gratingly annoying as I might have otherwise. However, their reasoning does get pretty convoluted at times, and occasionally, I found myself rolling my eyes, thinking “Would somebody just say it already?”
Otherwise, The Wedding Bargain was a pretty enjoyable read. It could perhaps be a bit dialog heavy at times, and I picked up on some repetitious words, phrases, and character actions. But these things didn't detract much from my overall satisfaction with the story. Another thing that kept Max and Pandora's refusal to say those three little words from becoming too irritating is that the sexual tension is done quite well. I could really feel their burgeoning attraction for one another, and I also loved their witty bantering. The game itself is quite amusing, adventurous, and creative too, so it kept me reading, wanting to know just how Max pulled off all these seemingly impossible tasks. All in all, it was an entertaining romp that I would recommend to readers who are looking for a historical romance that's lighter and more humorous.
The Wedding Bargain is a fun, light-hearted, Regency romp that turned out to be a pretty entertaining read. The hero has a reputation as “a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel, and a beast.” The heroine has caught his eye, and knowing that he must marry soon to produce an heir, he's determined to do whatever it takes to have her. She has been dubbed the Hellion of Grosvenor Square, and while it's not a title she's entirely earned, she is a very spirited young lady who refuses to marry without love. The two strike up an amusing bargain in which she puts him to the test to determine whether or not he can truly be the hero she craves. She thinks the test she devises based on the Twelve Labors of Hercules will be virtually impossible for him to pass, but she didn't count on his ingenuity or her family and friends meddling to bring them together. It all made for a very amusing story. Prior to this I'd only read one novella by Victoria Alexander that was just OK for me, so I was very pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book.
Pandora's family is a bit eccentric, particularly her father and mother who are experts in Greek antiquities. As their only child, her father has bestowed a sizable income on her and she is also their heir, so she has really felt no pressing need to marry. Her parents have given her a great deal of latitude, and she sometimes pushes the envelope when it comes to flouting society's rules. Because of her slightly scandalous exploits, most of her peers call her the Hellion of Grosvenor Square. Pandora is in her seventh season, when most young ladies would be considered firmly on the shelf spinsters, but she simply thinks of herself as independent. If she ever marries at all, it will only be for love. When she believes Max may be pursuing her best friend with dishonorable intentions, she confronts him, and it leads to a verbal sparring match that she is surprised to find herself enjoying. From there, they share their vision of the ideal mate, but when Max declares that he meets her every desire, she's skeptical, so he dares her to put him to the test. Given Pandora's circumstances and her attitude toward marriage, I think it would have been easy for her to come off as either too cold or too cocky and vain, but thankfully, neither is the case. I thought that she was a pretty well-balanced heroine who was intelligent and competitive without being conceited. I was also pleased to see that she could be empathetic when the situation called for it. I think she really enjoyed matching wits with Max and was sometimes contrary simply because she loved playing the game. Pandora can also be a very stubborn young lady, who has a hard time admitting what's right in front of her face, namely that first, she's attracted to Max, and later, she's fallen in love with him. While perhaps, she skated a bit too close to the edge of annoying me with this trait, I really found it more funny than anything.
Max knows he must marry, but really wants nothing to do with the simpering misses who typically pursue him. He is certain life would be a complete bore with such a biddable wife, so he's looking for someone with more backbone and spirit. He's taken notice of Pandora before, but never quite so much as when she confronts him. He knows in an instant that life with her would never be dull, so he determines then and there to do whatever it takes to win her hand in marriage. After hearing her list of requirements for a husband, he points out that he meets every one. When it becomes apparent that what she's really looking for is a hero, he wants to prove to her that he can be that man. I love how dogged Max is in his pursuit of Pandora. He truly is willing to do just about anything, up to and including making a fool out of himself, to show her that he's the man for her. I found that quite romantic, as actions often speak louder than words. Max is determined to win the game, not just because he's competitive, but because he truly loves Pandora and wants to prove that he can be her hero. In reality, Max was already a war hero, having fought against Napoleon. I was glad to see the author take a step back from all the fun and games and allow the reader to see a bit of this side of him when he tells Pandora a little about his time in the war. I think it helped to build his characterization more, and overall, Max was a very admirable hero. I just wish he'd been a little more forthcoming with his declarations of love.
With The Wedding Bargain being the first in the fairly long Effington Family & Friends series, I was a bit surprised that there weren't many secondary characters with potential for their own books being introduced. There are Effingtons aplenty in the background, but most are a bit older and already attached, like Pandora's parents and aunts. The only Effington we get to meet who doesn't fall into those categories is Pandora's cousin, Gillian, who is a young widow. She becomes the heroine of the next book, The Husband List. Gillian is only in one scene, so I can't say that I got a really good feel for her character, but I do look forward to giving her book a try. The two characters who do play significant supporting roles are Max's best friend, Laurie, and Pandora's best friend, Cynthia. They share a rather sweet, secondary romance that was almost as much fun as Max and Pandora's.
The main thing that bothered me about The Wedding Bargain and that took away the star is that Max and Pandora are both quite stubborn about not revealing their feeling for one another. Even though Pandora comes to realize she wants to marry Max, she refuses to do so without love. Max is doing everything he can to show Pandora how much he loves her, but she still doesn't trust that he does, because he hasn't said the words. Because of this, she holds back from saying them too and keeps trying to sabotage his efforts to win the game. For Max's part, he's afraid to say the words for fear that Pandora doesn't return his affections. It's readily apparent that they both do love each other to distraction, so I didn't find their refusal to say the words until the final pages as gratingly annoying as I might have otherwise. However, their reasoning does get pretty convoluted at times, and occasionally, I found myself rolling my eyes, thinking “Would somebody just say it already?”
Otherwise, The Wedding Bargain was a pretty enjoyable read. It could perhaps be a bit dialog heavy at times, and I picked up on some repetitious words, phrases, and character actions. But these things didn't detract much from my overall satisfaction with the story. Another thing that kept Max and Pandora's refusal to say those three little words from becoming too irritating is that the sexual tension is done quite well. I could really feel their burgeoning attraction for one another, and I also loved their witty bantering. The game itself is quite amusing, adventurous, and creative too, so it kept me reading, wanting to know just how Max pulled off all these seemingly impossible tasks. All in all, it was an entertaining romp that I would recommend to readers who are looking for a historical romance that's lighter and more humorous.
June 13, 2022
Dropping a star
Ending was a bit silly
Ending was a bit silly
August 29, 2022
got too repetitive around halfway into the book but overall it was suchhhh a cute story and i think i am in love with max
April 14, 2020
Ay karakterler tatlıydı ama konu yoktu resmen, gitmedi gitmedi bir türlü ilerlemedi. Absürt birçok olay da vardı. Bir ara sorun bende dedim ama sonra bir romana başladım, hopp ilerledi, rahatladım. Sorun bu kitaptaymış.
January 5, 2018
Max ve Pandora'nın ilişkisini okumak çok keyifliydi gerçekten . Yazarın dilini de çok sevdim, diğer kitaplarını mutlaka okuyacağım.
December 11, 2019
Sıkıldım ya😔
December 25, 2017
Beklediğimden çok daha eğlenceli çıktı kitapç
October 18, 2021
Pandora and Maximillian. Pandora's last name is Effington with the reputation of being the Hellion of Grosvenor Square. Max is the Earl of Trent who wants Pandora as his wife. They make a wager based on The Twelve Labors of Hercules.
Secondary romance--Cynthia and Laurie. Best friends of Dora and Max.
A fun story with humor and romance. Loved it.
Secondary romance--Cynthia and Laurie. Best friends of Dora and Max.
A fun story with humor and romance. Loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2013
I know I've read it, just don't remember any plot details. Actually, many of Victoria Alexander's books are like that: entertaining but not memorable. I would still probably read most any of her books, and might re-read them also (since they're not memorable).
June 9, 2021
I discovered this series reading the anthology 'The one that got away' a few months ago. I decided to read the whole series and here I am, first book finished and my opinion is that it has been a pleasant, entertaining and very fun read. Good omen for the rest of the series.
January 30, 2020
Pandora Effington est belle, riche et célibataire. Sa rencontre avec Maximilian Trent vient cependant ébranler ses certitudes. Lui est certain d'avoir trouvé chaussure à son pied, mais elle a une réputation de Diablesse à honorer. Ainsi, pour reculer sa demande en mariage, elle lui lance un défi : prouver qu'il est un Héros digne de ce nom et accomplir les 12 Travaux d'Hercule !
La demoiselle a de la ressource, mais le coquin est rusé comme un renard aussi. Bref. C'est sympa (très élégant et romanesque) mais que de verbiage ! On se croirait dans une pièce de théâtre. Le couple s'engage dans d'interminables joutes verbales, plus spirituelles que séductrices, d'où une sensation de ronronnement... Après mes récentes aventures écossaises, cette aventure m'est apparue un peu trop plate et futile.
La demoiselle a de la ressource, mais le coquin est rusé comme un renard aussi. Bref. C'est sympa (très élégant et romanesque) mais que de verbiage ! On se croirait dans une pièce de théâtre. Le couple s'engage dans d'interminables joutes verbales, plus spirituelles que séductrices, d'où une sensation de ronronnement... Après mes récentes aventures écossaises, cette aventure m'est apparue un peu trop plate et futile.
October 8, 2010
This was an okay read for me. A couple of times I laughed, a few times I rolled my eyes and at other times I thought can these two be any more stubborn? There was no real emotional connection I felt toward the two characters. To me it almost felt as if it were ALL a game to both Max and Pandora.
To sum it up: Max is infatuated with Pandora and Pandora may like Max a tiny bit. When Max ask for her hand in marriage she flatly turns him down. Instead a wager is placed between them, a test, Max must pass in order to marry Pandora. Throughout the book Max is accomplishing the twelve tasks set out in front of him. Pandora is forced to spend time with Max, which later she realizes she is indeed in love with Max. Also along the road Max realizes he too loves Pandora. Both are too stubborn to admit their love for one and another instead they keep referring to the stupid game that was established. Love is almost lost but rest assured the hero and heroine get their HEA.
At best this was a 2.5/5 rating. A light read that didn't grip any of the easy emotions that normally come out when I read a romance novel.
To sum it up: Max is infatuated with Pandora and Pandora may like Max a tiny bit. When Max ask for her hand in marriage she flatly turns him down. Instead a wager is placed between them, a test, Max must pass in order to marry Pandora. Throughout the book Max is accomplishing the twelve tasks set out in front of him. Pandora is forced to spend time with Max, which later she realizes she is indeed in love with Max. Also along the road Max realizes he too loves Pandora. Both are too stubborn to admit their love for one and another instead they keep referring to the stupid game that was established. Love is almost lost but rest assured the hero and heroine get their HEA.
At best this was a 2.5/5 rating. A light read that didn't grip any of the easy emotions that normally come out when I read a romance novel.
February 17, 2014
Ok, this book was not fun to read. I tried to enjoy it for 130 pages, but then I decided there are too many books out there waiting to be read to waste time with this one. Victoria Alexander books have a love/hate impact on me. I either adore them and keep them in my shelf forever or I cannot finish them. I think it has to do with the characters. Some of Alexander's characters are too self absorbed to love. That was the case here.
Pandora was a self important, selfish, bored debutante, and I didn't care if she got a happy ending...her pride was so ridiculous she didn't deserve one. The hero was also very shallow and I felt like I didn't know him at all except that he thought Pandora was pretty and had fire...with a man of his experience, this didn't seem like a big enough reason to make him give up all of his escapades to settle with our heroine.
The focus on mythology was really cool, but I could not get excited about it because I disliked the characters so much. Oh well...on to the next book!
Really, the book is not poorly written...it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Pandora was a self important, selfish, bored debutante, and I didn't care if she got a happy ending...her pride was so ridiculous she didn't deserve one. The hero was also very shallow and I felt like I didn't know him at all except that he thought Pandora was pretty and had fire...with a man of his experience, this didn't seem like a big enough reason to make him give up all of his escapades to settle with our heroine.
The focus on mythology was really cool, but I could not get excited about it because I disliked the characters so much. Oh well...on to the next book!
Really, the book is not poorly written...it just wasn't my cup of tea.
August 2, 2015
So this book came out in 1999 and I probably read it then, but it was on my shelf and it turns out I had 1 and 4. So I got 2 from the library and ordered 3 from Amazon. Here is the review of The Wedding Bargain number 1 in the Effington series that is now up to 11!! Pandora is in her 7th season and believes she doesn't want to marry. She is rich and independent and the Effingtons are well known eccentrics. But she hasn't met anyone like the Earl of Trent, who is ready to marry and wants to marry her. She sets up a bargain and gives him the list from the 12 labors of Hercules! He accepts the challenge and the game is on. We meet many of the Effington's who will turn up in later books. The theme is usually the same, the women want to marry for love, but it takes forever for someone to finally say it!!
September 10, 2015
This series has been on my TBR list forever, but for some reason I could not get into this romance. I had such trouble keeping track of what was going on, the characters weren't all that interesting to me and I almost didn't finish it. I didn't sympathize with the heroine at all, I thought she was petulant and childish to continue with the bargain while insisting she didn't want to get married to Trent! Yes, it was clever how he managed to complete the twelve tasks of Hercules, but I found it frustrating the way they both would not act on their feelings and kept playing these games, afraid to say what they really thought. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series (it's endless!) though I have liked other books by her.
3/5
3/5
September 11, 2011
Very cute story and a nice start to a series. I really liked the characters in this one, they were both
strong willed and determined but both were confused about their feelings of love. It was one of those
books that was easy to breeze right through. Lots of funny moments that brought a silly grin to my face
and plenty of sigh worthy moments that just sizzled. It was an enjoyable read, but not one that stood
out as something I would think about for a long.
June 13, 2018
Second time reading this marvellous book. I must say it is a little dated (1999), but its such a good story. I love Max and Pandora. I think this is one of the best Effington books, even though it is the first in the series. It is sometimes very hard to read a book you love so much, as with me, I can always remember the storyline, even though it may be years since I first read it.
Still a 5*
Still a 5*
April 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this book but I was more interested in Cynthia and Laurie than I was in Max and Pandora. Pandora got on my nerves, and Max wasn't very interesting.
November 11, 2017
Okumak için zorladım kendimi ama baktım gitmiyor , yarıda bıraktım
October 14, 2018
Evlilik Oyunu (Effingtons Serisi 1)
Victoria Alexander
İkinci kitaba göre ilk kitap daha iyiydi özelikle max
Kızımız evliliğe tamamen kapalı bir o kadar da haylaz
Ve oğlumuz tamamen kazanmaya alışık harika özelliklere sahip biri
Ama gelin görün ki kızımız Pandora o kdar inatçı ki ileri sürdüğü şeyle bu evliliği imkansız kılmak istiyor. Fakat istediği şeyin bu olduğundan emin değil. Ve max her zaman istediğini alan biri. İşte kitapta bunu okuyoruz eğlenceli atışmalı geldi bana özelikle ikinci karekterleri daha da çekici buldum keşke daha fazla yer verilseydi kitapta onlara.
Kısacası hoş bir kitap inatçı kızları seviyorsanız bu kitabı da seversiniz
Victoria Alexander
İkinci kitaba göre ilk kitap daha iyiydi özelikle max
Kızımız evliliğe tamamen kapalı bir o kadar da haylaz
Ve oğlumuz tamamen kazanmaya alışık harika özelliklere sahip biri
Ama gelin görün ki kızımız Pandora o kdar inatçı ki ileri sürdüğü şeyle bu evliliği imkansız kılmak istiyor. Fakat istediği şeyin bu olduğundan emin değil. Ve max her zaman istediğini alan biri. İşte kitapta bunu okuyoruz eğlenceli atışmalı geldi bana özelikle ikinci karekterleri daha da çekici buldum keşke daha fazla yer verilseydi kitapta onlara.
Kısacası hoş bir kitap inatçı kızları seviyorsanız bu kitabı da seversiniz
July 23, 2019
türünün bana uygun bir örneğiydi, bu kadını sakladığıma sevindim, çok iyi geldi
February 15, 2021
3 1/2 stars. The best in the series. I’m glad I read it. I wasn’t going to finish the series and here we are.
July 25, 2018
Alexander is read-more shelf for the pleasure of her persiflage, the mood of light shimmery air bubbles. Pandora Effington 24, her seventh season p42 early dubbed Hellion of Grosvenor Square by rejected suitor Viscount Lord Lawrence Bolton wagers "a rake, a rogue, and a scoundrel" p5 Maximillian Wells, Earl of Trent her hand for the Twelve Labors of Hercules, amid persiflage teasing banter and repartée. Her protegé Cynthia Weatherly 21, fourth season, asserts herself in defense of her best friend, and attracts the eye of Max's bon ami Laurie.
Clever interpretation and assistance from friends and relatives twist the rules to benefit both: Almack's Lady Jersey as Amazon Queen contributes her girdle; powerful duchess aunts as man-eating mares succumb to taming. By quarter through, "intoxicating and addictive" kisses p95, and entangled glances reveal both couples' mutual desire. "For the space of a heartbeat, she completely forgot how to breathe" p105 near the twit, "but a well-mannered twit" p200.
To defeat a lion, Laurie sends the pair in his coach to "The Lion and Serpent" tavern. Disguised as a boy, Dora provokes a bar fight, happily breaks three wine bottles over hard-headed adversaries and concedes the hydra exploit point as well p140. Of course neither have fallen in love before, are unsure of their own feelings, let alone their loves', and admit nothing when they do know.
"Love reeked" p231. Culmination yields "a whirlpool of desire" p285, but "she could not let him know" p295. Only a few pages are X-rated, thrusts past the "barrier of her maidenhead" p284.
In fiction "is this love" question confusion seems artificial, but in real life totally believable. Personally I never did get it right and marry, so three cheers for those that can. Hurrah for Happy Ever After. Where does one draw the line for spoilers when the ending is known from the start? Chapter titles #1 "Opening Gambit" Spring 1818 to #24 "The Spoils of Victory" deserve a Table of Contents to enjoy.
Typos: (Do later editions still have these typos?)
p120 "breech of our bargain" is "breach" http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/...
p340 "but he could he trust him with Pandora" has one "he" too many
Clever interpretation and assistance from friends and relatives twist the rules to benefit both: Almack's Lady Jersey as Amazon Queen contributes her girdle; powerful duchess aunts as man-eating mares succumb to taming. By quarter through, "intoxicating and addictive" kisses p95, and entangled glances reveal both couples' mutual desire. "For the space of a heartbeat, she completely forgot how to breathe" p105 near the twit, "but a well-mannered twit" p200.
To defeat a lion, Laurie sends the pair in his coach to "The Lion and Serpent" tavern. Disguised as a boy, Dora provokes a bar fight, happily breaks three wine bottles over hard-headed adversaries and concedes the hydra exploit point as well p140. Of course neither have fallen in love before, are unsure of their own feelings, let alone their loves', and admit nothing when they do know.
"Love reeked" p231. Culmination yields "a whirlpool of desire" p285, but "she could not let him know" p295. Only a few pages are X-rated, thrusts past the "barrier of her maidenhead" p284.
In fiction "is this love" question confusion seems artificial, but in real life totally believable. Personally I never did get it right and marry, so three cheers for those that can. Hurrah for Happy Ever After. Where does one draw the line for spoilers when the ending is known from the start? Chapter titles #1 "Opening Gambit" Spring 1818 to #24 "The Spoils of Victory" deserve a Table of Contents to enjoy.
Typos: (Do later editions still have these typos?)
p120 "breech of our bargain" is "breach" http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/...
p340 "but he could he trust him with Pandora" has one "he" too many
April 15, 2011
This is the first book I have read by Victoria. I seen she had 11 books on the same family and I so enjoy Johanna Lindsey that I thought they may be as enjoyable. And I was right.
The story takes place in the early 1800's England. Pandora Effington is known as the Hellion of Grosvenor Square. Pandora considers Maximillian Trent a rake, rogue, scoundrel and beast.
She has arranged to meet with him to see why he is leading her closest friend on, instead he turns it around to why she should be his mistress. She allows him to think she might. They are great with playing games with each other. In the end they make a bargain that had nothing to do with his so called attentions to Cynthia. If he can past a test of Pandora's choosing they will marry. Pandora is determined to win as she will only marry for love, thus why this is her 7th season and she is still single at age 24.
Pandora realizes that Max has tricked her into marrying him so she comes up with the 12 trials Hercules had to pass. It seems it should be a no win situation and Max will back out of the deal. He don't. He takes it on and digs into the greek myths to find how he can turn the trials to fit this age.
I like the way she lets other voices heard not only Max and Pandora but Cynthia and Laurie as well as others. It is well rounded writing and I can't wait to read the rest of the Effington series.
The story takes place in the early 1800's England. Pandora Effington is known as the Hellion of Grosvenor Square. Pandora considers Maximillian Trent a rake, rogue, scoundrel and beast.
She has arranged to meet with him to see why he is leading her closest friend on, instead he turns it around to why she should be his mistress. She allows him to think she might. They are great with playing games with each other. In the end they make a bargain that had nothing to do with his so called attentions to Cynthia. If he can past a test of Pandora's choosing they will marry. Pandora is determined to win as she will only marry for love, thus why this is her 7th season and she is still single at age 24.
Pandora realizes that Max has tricked her into marrying him so she comes up with the 12 trials Hercules had to pass. It seems it should be a no win situation and Max will back out of the deal. He don't. He takes it on and digs into the greek myths to find how he can turn the trials to fit this age.
I like the way she lets other voices heard not only Max and Pandora but Cynthia and Laurie as well as others. It is well rounded writing and I can't wait to read the rest of the Effington series.
June 22, 2022
Pandora has a nickname “The Hellion”. Max is considered a man who is shallow and a charmer. Max has decided he is attracted to Pandora and he sets out to engage her in a courtship. In order to challenge him, she sets up a game – Max must complete the mythological 12 tasks of Hercules. He comes up with ways to do exactly what is requited.
In reality, Pandora wants to marry for love and have a marriage as successful as her parents. Max likes Pandora, but he is not sure of the depth of his affections.
I have enjoyed many of Ms Alexander’s books. This one for me is just average.
I was not particularly fond of Pandora. Her best friend Cynthia, was much more interesting. I liked Max. He was determined and slowly recognized his true feelings for Pandora. I was amused at his best friend, Laurie. Or as Pandora sees him, The Twit.
There were parts of this book I absolutely loved. There was humor and affection and snappy dialog. But, much of it seemed to drag for me. Ms Alexander is talented and this is a good book, just not her best book.
In reality, Pandora wants to marry for love and have a marriage as successful as her parents. Max likes Pandora, but he is not sure of the depth of his affections.
I have enjoyed many of Ms Alexander’s books. This one for me is just average.
I was not particularly fond of Pandora. Her best friend Cynthia, was much more interesting. I liked Max. He was determined and slowly recognized his true feelings for Pandora. I was amused at his best friend, Laurie. Or as Pandora sees him, The Twit.
There were parts of this book I absolutely loved. There was humor and affection and snappy dialog. But, much of it seemed to drag for me. Ms Alexander is talented and this is a good book, just not her best book.
January 9, 2012
What's bad in a typical plot- the man being the scoundrel and the woman the virgin? That's the beauty in a HR, the fact that an author can create something good out of a simple main idea that is old...The same thing can be applied to why we keep watching new versions that appear in the film industry about fairytales or about old books-it's the same story, the other elements are different
I liked it...It wasn't the greatest HR I have ever read but not the worst...There were some things that were"meah" -I didn't quite enjoy the 12 challanges at the beginning but after that they made me laugh...Also the "runaway" drived me nuts, but I liked the rest and the characters' uncertainty about the other one's love
I liked it...It wasn't the greatest HR I have ever read but not the worst...There were some things that were"meah" -I didn't quite enjoy the 12 challanges at the beginning but after that they made me laugh...Also the "runaway" drived me nuts, but I liked the rest and the characters' uncertainty about the other one's love
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