What do you think?
Rate this book
Penniless Brides of Convenience #2
A Wife Worth Investing In
A convenient proposal…
Makes a scandalous match!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Knocking on Owen Harrington’s door, impoverished and desperate, Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London’s most eligible catch will recognise her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And he’s in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen’s shock proposal allows Phoebe to fulfil her life’s ambition to open a restaurant…but his heated kisses tempt her to hope for a new dream – marriage, for real!
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2019
About the author
Marguerite Kaye
251 books347 followersMarguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.
Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
Join her on Instagram
Follow her on TikTok
Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
Join her on Instagram
Follow her on TikTok
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 30, 2019
A Wife Worth Investing In is the second book in the Penniless Brides of Convenience series by Marguerite Kaye. It is also a fabulous milestone for the author as this book is the 50th she has had published by Harlequin/Mills & Boon!!
Before I say anything else about it I am going to admit that this is the first book in a long time that has literally brought me to tears. To make me that emotional, for me, is the sign of a superb book. Despite crying, the story does have a happy ending which the tears beforehand made even more special.
Wealthy Owen Harrington and Miss Phoebe Brannagh met once before when they both had firm plans in their minds about where life would take them. They enjoyed a drink and conversation before going their separate ways. Owen gave Phoebe his calling card and told her she could call on him if ever she felt the need.
Not many years later with things not going to plan for either of them, Phoebe turns up on Owen's doorstep needing his help. Much to his staff's amazement, the now much changed and reclusive Owen agrees to see her. After a heartfelt conversation between them both, he suggests that a marriage of convenience would help them both out with the predicaments they find themselves in. Phoebe agrees and life then becomes a whirlwind of new experiences and emotions for them both. They both start to realise that they could be falling in love with each other, but both have reasons to fight the attraction and keep their feelings hidden.
Can their marriage of convenience turn into a real marriage? You will have to read the book to find out...
There is so much that I could tell you about this story, so many scenes worthy of a mention but I don't want to give any spoilers. As you read each page and the story comes to life you will be glad I didn't say anything. You have to experience Phoebe and Owen's trials and tribulations, their romance, and their feelings first hand so that you aren't pre-warned, or biased by anything I might say. Just know that I loved every moment of this story and wholeheartedly recommend it.
Before I say anything else about it I am going to admit that this is the first book in a long time that has literally brought me to tears. To make me that emotional, for me, is the sign of a superb book. Despite crying, the story does have a happy ending which the tears beforehand made even more special.
Wealthy Owen Harrington and Miss Phoebe Brannagh met once before when they both had firm plans in their minds about where life would take them. They enjoyed a drink and conversation before going their separate ways. Owen gave Phoebe his calling card and told her she could call on him if ever she felt the need.
Not many years later with things not going to plan for either of them, Phoebe turns up on Owen's doorstep needing his help. Much to his staff's amazement, the now much changed and reclusive Owen agrees to see her. After a heartfelt conversation between them both, he suggests that a marriage of convenience would help them both out with the predicaments they find themselves in. Phoebe agrees and life then becomes a whirlwind of new experiences and emotions for them both. They both start to realise that they could be falling in love with each other, but both have reasons to fight the attraction and keep their feelings hidden.
Can their marriage of convenience turn into a real marriage? You will have to read the book to find out...
There is so much that I could tell you about this story, so many scenes worthy of a mention but I don't want to give any spoilers. As you read each page and the story comes to life you will be glad I didn't say anything. You have to experience Phoebe and Owen's trials and tribulations, their romance, and their feelings first hand so that you aren't pre-warned, or biased by anything I might say. Just know that I loved every moment of this story and wholeheartedly recommend it.
October 20, 2019
Beginning in Paris we are taken on a trip to understand and change the formal dining situation just after the Napoleonic Wars. In Paris men and women frequently dined together in cafes but not so in London. The upper classes ate in one another's homes but not together in public. Hence all those private rooms taken to eat in inns while travelling. Gentlemen dined at clubs in town but if a lady was present the assumption would be that she was a courtesan. So it's odd that we find a scandalous scene of a gentleman dining with his wife!
The characters are, as usual with Marguerite Kaye, quite individual and at some disadvantage. They are young but mature with histories and careers; they want to be successful and have personal obstacles blocking them. I love this approach and the stories which result. This is a mature romance.
The reason I am not giving a better rating is that much of the story occurs as lengthy conversations and the character list (who actually appear and speak) is short. This is part of a series and other principals from the series are referenced but don't appear. Other readers may not mind. I enjoyed the visit to Covent Garden. As the author researches so thoroughly I was surprised to find a butler referred to as "the eponymous Mr Bremner." Nothing is named for the butler in the story. Eponymous means that the person, etc. has something called after them, so the poem Jason and the Argonauts would contain the eponymous hero, Jason. Maybe an editing misprint?
I have also reviewed this book for Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
The characters are, as usual with Marguerite Kaye, quite individual and at some disadvantage. They are young but mature with histories and careers; they want to be successful and have personal obstacles blocking them. I love this approach and the stories which result. This is a mature romance.
The reason I am not giving a better rating is that much of the story occurs as lengthy conversations and the character list (who actually appear and speak) is short. This is part of a series and other principals from the series are referenced but don't appear. Other readers may not mind. I enjoyed the visit to Covent Garden. As the author researches so thoroughly I was surprised to find a butler referred to as "the eponymous Mr Bremner." Nothing is named for the butler in the story. Eponymous means that the person, etc. has something called after them, so the poem Jason and the Argonauts would contain the eponymous hero, Jason. Maybe an editing misprint?
I have also reviewed this book for Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
January 16, 2024
Not Marguerites best.
May 28, 2019
I have been waiting – not, so patiently – for this book since I closed the last page of the previous, and I can say without a doubt that this was well worth the wait. This book is gorgeous in every way, shape and form. This book is a testament to just how brilliant Marguerite Kaye is, she is the queen of the marriage of convenience trope. Honestly, there are very few authors who can nail this trope as perfectly as Ms Kaye can.
A Wife Worth Investing In, is the second book in the gorgeous Penniless Bride of Convenience series. This series is connected with three sisters, each sister is as different as the next yet each share a passion for their chosen hobby, which as you will see in this book Phoebe’s turns into a career. As with the previous you can read this as apart of the series, but it can very easily as a stand-a-lone. Another reason to celebrate is that this gorgeous book is also Ms Kaye’s 50th book with Mills and Boon/Harlequin, which is an astonishing achievement. Congratulations Marguerite. I have seriously got some back reading to do, I am making it my mission to read them all.
The story opens, two years previously in a little café in Paris where; aspiring Chef, Phoebe wants nothing more the to open her own restaurant, she is an accomplished cook in her own right and has a great passion for sharing her food with others and really accomplishing something for herself. But, this is the Regency era and it is not as easy for a woman. Which is why she is training in Paris under an acclaimed Chef, it is while she is waiting for her chef and lover that she meets by chance; rakish, charming, handsome and wandering Owen. A man she is instantly attracted to, but not just for his sinful good looks but she sees a kindred spirit in him, a man who actually sees and listens to her as herself. Owen is fascinated with the young woman, he sees so much passion in her a passion that he wishes he had for something, instead of a constant recklessness that sees him living on the edge. Owen and Phoebe make quite the impression on one and other that they agree to meet each other again in the same café two years to the day, to see how they are fairing.
Two years later, and Phoebe and Owen are as changed as they can be. Phoebe is destitute, she has lost everything which includes her self respect, her confidence, her passion and the little light behind her eyes that makes her Phoebe. She has fell on hard times, yet even though she has nothing she refuses to go back home to her sister and aunt, she turns to the one persons she hopes can help her.
Owen is also a shell of the man we first meet, after he left her in that café a terrible, life changing accident. He is in constant pain, unable to walk properly and has turned into a recluse. Yet, he is still the gentleman she knew him to be and as soon as he hears of her plight, it is like she has given him a new lease of life and he is soon planning how t help her. As well as helping himself, as he is in need of a wife and she is in need of security. Perfect, he proposes; they both get what they need. Her the ability to open her restaurant and him the wife his rank states he must have, all very practical and proper.
But, we all know that in historical romances and especially Marguerite Kaye’s book nothing will stay practical and proper, especially once our two start seeing the other as something other then a means to improve their circumstances and delve into their feelings for one and other.
There are some really loving and tender moments between Phoebe and Owen, they are both scarred, both their scars more than skin deep. They have both been through the mill, they have both suffered in more ways than and now need to find happiness – even though neither of them think that they deserve to be happy. I love how they bring each other out of their shells its so subtle and real.
They have a real connection right from the moment they meet in that cafe, and I love how Ms Kaye has built that up from a budding friendship which had a lot of mutual attraction then through difficulties they must both face once married to where they end up, it written with such understated longing and passion, its quite breath taking really.
This is a brilliant story, a real master class of romance writing, its mesmerising and dazzling, honestly its perfect!
For me I saw more as second chance romance too as that is essentially what both Owen and Phoebe have in one another, they have that second chance to have happiness. The journey they go on to their happily ever after is an emotional ride, there are many ups and down for these two and that is just with their personal issues that they must face. I do love them though, Owen is the hero that you need to love, you want to hug him you want to love him and you feel every emotion and every painful step right down in your heart 0 that is how excellent the writing is.
Marguerite you has stolen my breathe away with this, I am absolute awe.
May 29, 2019
A Wife Worth Investing In is the second book in author Marguerite Kaye’s “Penniless Brides of Convenience” series and her 50th book with Harlequin/Mills & Boon. Congratulations to Ms. Kaye on a fabulous accomplishment! This story focuses on Phoebe one of the twin sisters that we met in the first book in this series. Although this is second of a four book series, you could easily read this story as a stand-alone. But I highly recommend you read the previous book! :-)
Phoebe Brannagh in the last book was known for her love of cooking. In this story, Phoebe has left to Paris to fulfill her dream of being a chef. She spends two long years working hard to move up in a male-dominated world, only to end up working with a chef who takes advantage of her and crushes her dreams.
Owen Harrington is a new character to us. He’s a young man visiting Paris and avoiding the commitment his late father had made on his behalf. Although he plans on honoring it, he plans on taking two years to be alone and do as he pleases, excited by the endless possibilities to explore.
I really liked Phoebe and Owen from their first meeting in a Paris Café. They both are starting on a new chapter in their lives and excited for all the possibilities that await them. Phoebe’s zest for life has Owen captivated and admiring her attitude and both are drawn to each other. But circumstances at the time have them going their separate ways, agreeing to meet up in two years time to compare how far they succeeded in their dreams.
Our story then skips forward to two years later. After losing everything, Phoebe is back in London desperate to stand on her own two feet again. She decides to visit Owen in London since he didn’t show up at the scheduled meeting in Paris, hoping that at least he succeeded where she failed. But Owen is not the man he was in Paris. An accident has left him physically and mentally scarred. When Phoebe ends up on Owen’s doorstep with her broken dreams in tatters, he offers a marriage of convenience, to benefit them both and to help her accomplish her dream.
Oh my, be still my beating heart, Owen was just a fabulous hero! He’s given up on himself and truly is just a shell of a man. Helping Phoebe gives him a purpose in his life again. As these two try to get Phoebe’s business up and running and Owen starts to come back to life, ignoring their feeling towards each other become more and more difficult. Phoebe is a vibrant, funny & determined young woman, but yet there’s also a vulnerable, insecure side she doesn’t show to anyone. I liked these two as a couple and was rooting for them to admit their true feeling for each other. Owen’s health was a major issue to deal with as he recovers mentally and physically. I think Ms. Kaye did a fabulous job of handling Owen’s illness. It’s not an easy subject to tackle, but it was done extremely well and I applaud her for not sugar coating over it and making it just magically disappear. Ms. Kaye took me by surprise with Phoebe & Owen’s story, not what I was expecting at all. Their romance didn't have a straight and easy path but seeing this couple together, I’m so glad their paths crossed and true love won out! This was such a fabulous story from a wonderful author & I can’t recommend it enough!
Phoebe Brannagh in the last book was known for her love of cooking. In this story, Phoebe has left to Paris to fulfill her dream of being a chef. She spends two long years working hard to move up in a male-dominated world, only to end up working with a chef who takes advantage of her and crushes her dreams.
Owen Harrington is a new character to us. He’s a young man visiting Paris and avoiding the commitment his late father had made on his behalf. Although he plans on honoring it, he plans on taking two years to be alone and do as he pleases, excited by the endless possibilities to explore.
I really liked Phoebe and Owen from their first meeting in a Paris Café. They both are starting on a new chapter in their lives and excited for all the possibilities that await them. Phoebe’s zest for life has Owen captivated and admiring her attitude and both are drawn to each other. But circumstances at the time have them going their separate ways, agreeing to meet up in two years time to compare how far they succeeded in their dreams.
Our story then skips forward to two years later. After losing everything, Phoebe is back in London desperate to stand on her own two feet again. She decides to visit Owen in London since he didn’t show up at the scheduled meeting in Paris, hoping that at least he succeeded where she failed. But Owen is not the man he was in Paris. An accident has left him physically and mentally scarred. When Phoebe ends up on Owen’s doorstep with her broken dreams in tatters, he offers a marriage of convenience, to benefit them both and to help her accomplish her dream.
Oh my, be still my beating heart, Owen was just a fabulous hero! He’s given up on himself and truly is just a shell of a man. Helping Phoebe gives him a purpose in his life again. As these two try to get Phoebe’s business up and running and Owen starts to come back to life, ignoring their feeling towards each other become more and more difficult. Phoebe is a vibrant, funny & determined young woman, but yet there’s also a vulnerable, insecure side she doesn’t show to anyone. I liked these two as a couple and was rooting for them to admit their true feeling for each other. Owen’s health was a major issue to deal with as he recovers mentally and physically. I think Ms. Kaye did a fabulous job of handling Owen’s illness. It’s not an easy subject to tackle, but it was done extremely well and I applaud her for not sugar coating over it and making it just magically disappear. Ms. Kaye took me by surprise with Phoebe & Owen’s story, not what I was expecting at all. Their romance didn't have a straight and easy path but seeing this couple together, I’m so glad their paths crossed and true love won out! This was such a fabulous story from a wonderful author & I can’t recommend it enough!
July 3, 2019
A Wife Worth Investing In is an historical romance.
It opens with a Paris setting from 1828. Phoebe Brannagh has been studying under top chef Pascal Solignac. The only woman in his kitchens, she has dreams of opening her own restaurant. One evening she meets Owen Harrington, a young Englishman who is searching for his life purpose.
The pair agree to meet again in two years, when they will report back about their successes. Much happens in that time, and Owen does not make the rendezvous, while Phoebe’s own circumstances have changed dramatically. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-eTw
It opens with a Paris setting from 1828. Phoebe Brannagh has been studying under top chef Pascal Solignac. The only woman in his kitchens, she has dreams of opening her own restaurant. One evening she meets Owen Harrington, a young Englishman who is searching for his life purpose.
The pair agree to meet again in two years, when they will report back about their successes. Much happens in that time, and Owen does not make the rendezvous, while Phoebe’s own circumstances have changed dramatically. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-eTw
May 27, 2019
This book tells the story of Owen & Phoebe two years after their first meeting in Paris. It is a story of the growth and redemption of two disillusioned people. An Affair to Remember was always one of my favorite movies, but I have always wanted more. Now the answers appear. The happy ending was not clear sailing. It takes hard work on both Owen & Phoebe to get there. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2019
4.5 stars
This is the second book in the Penniless Wives of Convenience. We meet Phoebe in book one but you don’t have to have read that book to enjoy this one. I was looking forward to Phoebe’s book and because she’s vivacious and enthusiastic I thought that the story would be quite light. I was wrong. The story is much darker than I had anticipated, though still riveting. Phoebe meets Owen at a café in Paris and they both are at a stage of life of starting something new and exciting. They agree to meet up in a years’ time. The story then becomes meatier (perhaps I use this word as I’m thinking of Phoebe’s Venison casserole!).
Phoebe, in my opinion has suffered from gas lighting, Owen is a recluse and enduring PTSD. The book is a chronical of how they each grow as people. The jeopardy was so keenly written that I really wondered if there was going to be a HEA.
I might have liked a bit more of Phoebe’s recipes as I know it’s one of the author’s keen interests but the book was a smorgasbord of emotions for me and I think you’ll enjoy it as well.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and hope like me you enjoyed the story.
This is the second book in the Penniless Wives of Convenience. We meet Phoebe in book one but you don’t have to have read that book to enjoy this one. I was looking forward to Phoebe’s book and because she’s vivacious and enthusiastic I thought that the story would be quite light. I was wrong. The story is much darker than I had anticipated, though still riveting. Phoebe meets Owen at a café in Paris and they both are at a stage of life of starting something new and exciting. They agree to meet up in a years’ time. The story then becomes meatier (perhaps I use this word as I’m thinking of Phoebe’s Venison casserole!).
Phoebe, in my opinion has suffered from gas lighting, Owen is a recluse and enduring PTSD. The book is a chronical of how they each grow as people. The jeopardy was so keenly written that I really wondered if there was going to be a HEA.
I might have liked a bit more of Phoebe’s recipes as I know it’s one of the author’s keen interests but the book was a smorgasbord of emotions for me and I think you’ll enjoy it as well.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and hope like me you enjoyed the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2019
Good book. This is the second in a series about three sisters and their aunt. We met Phoebe in the first book, The Earl's Countess ofConvenience, as the younger sister who loves to cook. In this book, Phoebe has gone against the advice and wishes of her sisters and moved to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. We first see her at a café where she is waiting for that chef, who is also her lover and trying to fend off some unwanted advances. She is rescued by a fellow Englishman, who joins her for a drink and conversation while she waits. Owen is traveling, taking time for himself before honoring a commitment made for him by his late father. He's a lighthearted and charming young man who looks forward to the adventure ahead of him.
I liked that first meeting between Phoebe and Owen. Both are full of hopes and dreams for their futures, and they share that enthusiasm with each other. Owen is a little envious of Phoebe's knowledge of what she wants, as he feels he is just drifting through his adventure. Before they part, they make plans to meet again in two years to see how well they have succeeded in their goals.
Oh, the changes that two years can bring. Phoebe discovered that her chef and lover was not the man she thought he was. He used and abused her, crushing her dreams before leaving her destitute. Determined not to return to her sisters as a failure, Phoebe returned to London, showing up at Owen's townhouse. He hadn't shown up at their planned two-year meeting, and Phoebe can only hope that he remembers her. But Owen is no longer the carefree young man she met in Paris. A tragic accident has left him with physical and mental scars, barely able to walk and haunted by what he experienced.
Phoebe's arrival is like a breath of fresh air and hope to the now reclusive Owen. I loved seeing him perk up and make an effort to see her and listen to her story. Owen wants to help her, but Phoebe won't accept charity. As Owen needs help extricating himself from an awkward situation, he proposes a marriage of convenience with Phoebe. It will be business only, as Owen has no intention of inflicting his broken mind and body on anyone. I loved seeing Owen start to come back to life as he helps Phoebe make and carry out her plans for her restaurant. There are many beautiful scenes of them as they work together to make her dream a reality. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and feelings began to change. I loved the way that Owen supported Phoebe, listening to her, and taking her seriously. The events in Paris did a number on Phoebe's confidence in herself, and Owen works hard to rebuild her belief in herself. Meanwhile, Phoebe's presence and faith in him motivates Owen to take charge of his recovery. I loved seeing the changes in him as his health improves, and his feelings for Phoebe grow stronger. But Owen is still haunted by what happened to him, and the mental anguish causes him to push her away. I ached for Phoebe, whose feelings for Owen ran deep, but she loved him enough to let him heal in his own way. I loved the ending and Owen's heartfelt exposure of his feelings and fears, and Phoebe's growth into a woman strong enough to love him as he is.
I liked that first meeting between Phoebe and Owen. Both are full of hopes and dreams for their futures, and they share that enthusiasm with each other. Owen is a little envious of Phoebe's knowledge of what she wants, as he feels he is just drifting through his adventure. Before they part, they make plans to meet again in two years to see how well they have succeeded in their goals.
Oh, the changes that two years can bring. Phoebe discovered that her chef and lover was not the man she thought he was. He used and abused her, crushing her dreams before leaving her destitute. Determined not to return to her sisters as a failure, Phoebe returned to London, showing up at Owen's townhouse. He hadn't shown up at their planned two-year meeting, and Phoebe can only hope that he remembers her. But Owen is no longer the carefree young man she met in Paris. A tragic accident has left him with physical and mental scars, barely able to walk and haunted by what he experienced.
Phoebe's arrival is like a breath of fresh air and hope to the now reclusive Owen. I loved seeing him perk up and make an effort to see her and listen to her story. Owen wants to help her, but Phoebe won't accept charity. As Owen needs help extricating himself from an awkward situation, he proposes a marriage of convenience with Phoebe. It will be business only, as Owen has no intention of inflicting his broken mind and body on anyone. I loved seeing Owen start to come back to life as he helps Phoebe make and carry out her plans for her restaurant. There are many beautiful scenes of them as they work together to make her dream a reality. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and feelings began to change. I loved the way that Owen supported Phoebe, listening to her, and taking her seriously. The events in Paris did a number on Phoebe's confidence in herself, and Owen works hard to rebuild her belief in herself. Meanwhile, Phoebe's presence and faith in him motivates Owen to take charge of his recovery. I loved seeing the changes in him as his health improves, and his feelings for Phoebe grow stronger. But Owen is still haunted by what happened to him, and the mental anguish causes him to push her away. I ached for Phoebe, whose feelings for Owen ran deep, but she loved him enough to let him heal in his own way. I loved the ending and Owen's heartfelt exposure of his feelings and fears, and Phoebe's growth into a woman strong enough to love him as he is.
May 21, 2019
3.5 stars - a welcome return to form for Ms. Kaye!
One of the nice things about ordering directly from Harlequin is being able to get books before their street date. It is always worth it to get my hands on an auto-buy author, and its a special treat when I enjoy the book as much as I did this one!
Phoebe Brannagh, an aspiring chef, and Owen Harrington, a restless wanderer, have a chance encounter in a Parisian cafe, sharing a spark of interest. They agree to meet there again two years later, but Owen doesn't show up. Phoebe's life has turned upside down in the meanwhile, and she has nothing to lose, so she decides to seek him out in London.
As it turns out, both of their lives have changed irrevocably in the two years since their first meeting: Phoebe has lost all of her money and her dream of being a chef, and Owen suffered a horrible accident that left him with an injured hip, scars all over his body, and a deep depression that's threatening to become outright despair. He's closed himself off from the world, but he agrees to see her, much to everyone's surprise (including his own).
They share their stories with each other, and come up with a plan to help each other. Owen is willing to back Phoebe's dream of cooking professionally by investing in a restaurant for her, but she doesn't want to take his money (or have the implication that she is his kept woman), so he offers her a second choice: marry him, instead. A marriage of convenience, for he has more or less lost his will to live, much less be a proper husband. Phoebe, recently betrayed by a lover, is only too happy to accept his terms.
They marry, and set about putting together her dream restaurant. They visit the markets together, and scour properties, and discuss her ideas and likes and dislikes. Owen puts himself into a new training regime to regain his physical strength, and as he does so, he realizes that more than his physicality is returning: his emotions are, too, and that are a double-edged sword. He is falling in love with his wife, but he is also starting to remember the accident that he'd otherwise blocked from his memory.
I loved Owen 😍 He is a beautiful, complicated soul who is healing from a horror few people ever face. He'd given up on ever regaining full use of his leg; bored with the exercises his doctors had recommended, he decided instead to take up gymnastics again. He'd learned these exercises as a teen, and he was far more interested in doing them than anything else in order to regain his strength. I found the idea of a gymnast hero very appealing, I must say 😍 😍 😍
As he falls in love with Phoebe and indulges in their passion, he begins to remember more about the accident that left him physically and emotionally scarred in the first place. He experiences classic symptoms of PTSD, and it's not pretty. When the memories come back altogether, he has something of a breakdown. I thought this was portrayed very nicely - I felt so much sympathy for him and what he was dealing with, and I found his road to redemption very sensible.
I had a harder time liking Phoebe. Owen sees her as brave and kind and selfless, but I rather had a different idea of her, personally: I found her incredibly insecure and self-absorbed. While Owen is suffering with the return of his memories (which, granted, he kept to himself), she thinks its because he doesn't love her like she loves him. Not that she's told him that she loves him, but she thinks its obvious - and just as obvious that he doesn't return her feelings.
I hate this, when characters are bound and determined to believe the worst about someone just because they don't put into words what they convey with actions. These two loved each other, and it was obvious from their behavior towards each other. Her blindness to that, and her piteous self-absorption (after all, how could anything he's dealing with have absolutely nothing to do with her??) made me want to throttle her at times. I found her very immature next to Owen, and sometimes had a hard time understanding what he saw in her. Yes, she was brave for going to Paris in the first place, and brave in trying to stand on her own two feet, but otherwise I found none of her actions brave. She also labors under the deluded belief that her sisters are hyper-critical of her, and she distances herself from them for the entire novel, so when she is left all alone. That was of her own doing, and I felt no sympathy for her.
Still - for a book where I didn't particularly care for the heroine, I still really enjoyed the story. It was fun to read about the world of restaurants and famous chefs and food, and think about how different it was back then as compared to today. I loved that Owen was so encouraging to Phoebe, believing in her when she could barely believe in herself, and always knowing she'd make a success of things. But that we could all have such a person in our lives =)
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, about Phoebe's twin sister Estelle. The two are estranged in this book and I'm curious to see Estelle's side of that story, as well as her own romance 💖
One of the nice things about ordering directly from Harlequin is being able to get books before their street date. It is always worth it to get my hands on an auto-buy author, and its a special treat when I enjoy the book as much as I did this one!
Phoebe Brannagh, an aspiring chef, and Owen Harrington, a restless wanderer, have a chance encounter in a Parisian cafe, sharing a spark of interest. They agree to meet there again two years later, but Owen doesn't show up. Phoebe's life has turned upside down in the meanwhile, and she has nothing to lose, so she decides to seek him out in London.
As it turns out, both of their lives have changed irrevocably in the two years since their first meeting: Phoebe has lost all of her money and her dream of being a chef, and Owen suffered a horrible accident that left him with an injured hip, scars all over his body, and a deep depression that's threatening to become outright despair. He's closed himself off from the world, but he agrees to see her, much to everyone's surprise (including his own).
They share their stories with each other, and come up with a plan to help each other. Owen is willing to back Phoebe's dream of cooking professionally by investing in a restaurant for her, but she doesn't want to take his money (or have the implication that she is his kept woman), so he offers her a second choice: marry him, instead. A marriage of convenience, for he has more or less lost his will to live, much less be a proper husband. Phoebe, recently betrayed by a lover, is only too happy to accept his terms.
They marry, and set about putting together her dream restaurant. They visit the markets together, and scour properties, and discuss her ideas and likes and dislikes. Owen puts himself into a new training regime to regain his physical strength, and as he does so, he realizes that more than his physicality is returning: his emotions are, too, and that are a double-edged sword. He is falling in love with his wife, but he is also starting to remember the accident that he'd otherwise blocked from his memory.
I loved Owen 😍 He is a beautiful, complicated soul who is healing from a horror few people ever face. He'd given up on ever regaining full use of his leg; bored with the exercises his doctors had recommended, he decided instead to take up gymnastics again. He'd learned these exercises as a teen, and he was far more interested in doing them than anything else in order to regain his strength. I found the idea of a gymnast hero very appealing, I must say 😍 😍 😍
As he falls in love with Phoebe and indulges in their passion, he begins to remember more about the accident that left him physically and emotionally scarred in the first place. He experiences classic symptoms of PTSD, and it's not pretty. When the memories come back altogether, he has something of a breakdown. I thought this was portrayed very nicely - I felt so much sympathy for him and what he was dealing with, and I found his road to redemption very sensible.
I had a harder time liking Phoebe. Owen sees her as brave and kind and selfless, but I rather had a different idea of her, personally: I found her incredibly insecure and self-absorbed. While Owen is suffering with the return of his memories (which, granted, he kept to himself), she thinks its because he doesn't love her like she loves him. Not that she's told him that she loves him, but she thinks its obvious - and just as obvious that he doesn't return her feelings.
I hate this, when characters are bound and determined to believe the worst about someone just because they don't put into words what they convey with actions. These two loved each other, and it was obvious from their behavior towards each other. Her blindness to that, and her piteous self-absorption (after all, how could anything he's dealing with have absolutely nothing to do with her??) made me want to throttle her at times. I found her very immature next to Owen, and sometimes had a hard time understanding what he saw in her. Yes, she was brave for going to Paris in the first place, and brave in trying to stand on her own two feet, but otherwise I found none of her actions brave. She also labors under the deluded belief that her sisters are hyper-critical of her, and she distances herself from them for the entire novel, so when she is left all alone. That was of her own doing, and I felt no sympathy for her.
Still - for a book where I didn't particularly care for the heroine, I still really enjoyed the story. It was fun to read about the world of restaurants and famous chefs and food, and think about how different it was back then as compared to today. I loved that Owen was so encouraging to Phoebe, believing in her when she could barely believe in herself, and always knowing she'd make a success of things. But that we could all have such a person in our lives =)
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, about Phoebe's twin sister Estelle. The two are estranged in this book and I'm curious to see Estelle's side of that story, as well as her own romance 💖
June 17, 2019
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-VE
Phoebe Brannagh and Owen Harrington meet under somewhat unusual circumstances in a café in Paris. She is waiting for her lover, and is approached by two men who won’t leave her alone. Owen comes to her rescue, then joins her to share some wine while she waits. They share their stories – Phoebe dreams of being a chef/partner in her own restaurant with her love, while Owen is trying to find himself before he settles down to his arranged marriage. They impulsively agree to meet at the same spot two years from now, to see how their dreams and futures unfolded.
Fate hasn’t been kind to Phoebe and Owen. Phoebe has lost her fortune, her career, and her love, all due to his duplicity. She goes to the café on the appointed date, but Owen doesn’t show. Eager to see him, hoping that he fared much better than she, Phoebe travels to his English home to call on him. Owen had been in a tragic accident shortly after meeting Phoebe two years ago, and it left him injured physically and mentally. The once athletic young man has become a recluse, staying at home, avoiding people, and making money hand over fist – his only pastime. At first he refuses to see Phoebe, but he relents, curious about the woman he never forgot.
Phoebe’s tale of betrayal by her lover touches Owen. He’s sad to see the vibrant woman he remembers now unsure and beaten down – just as she’s shocked to see the young, handsome, charming man she met now looking older, in pain, and distant. Still, Owen wants to help Phoebe achieve her dreams, and wants to finance a restaurant for her here in England. When she refuses his help, Owen proposes a marriage of convenience, telling Phoebe that it will benefit both of them. She’ll get her restaurant along with his financial know-how, and he will be free of his obligations to marry Olivia, the woman his father arranged for him to wed. Owen makes it clear that he has no interest in intimacy since his accident, and that it would be a true marriage in name only.
Phoebe and Owen quietly marry, and Owen finds that he’s feeling more alive than he has since his accident. He begins to exercise vigorously, and soon begins to greatly improve his physical condition. He’s willing and able to escort Phoebe on her excursions to view property and check food suppliers, all the while enjoying every minute. She’s regaining some of her joy in life, and healing from the heartbreak she suffered. Both feel a purpose in life, as well as a deepening affection for each other. Comforting touches become embraces, which lead to kisses, which lead to Owen feeling desire he never thought to feel again. They decide to forego their agreement of a convenient marriage, and indulge in the great physical pull they are experiencing. A beautiful love is developing until a tragic remnant of Owen’s accident resurfaces, causing them to part.
A WIFE WORTH INVESTING IN is Marguerite Kaye’s fiftieth book, and is one hundred percent amazing! Right from the start, I loved the relationship between Phoebe and Owen as they met as strangers. Their first meeting shows them as vibrant and full of life, and their second meeting two years later is heartbreaking. I love how they tried to support each other while dealing with their own pain, and how unselfishly they acted in their willingness to make the other happy, and never passed judgment. The mystery of Owen’s accident is skillfully written, and kept secret until late in the book, building up anticipation to learn what really happened. The romance is the true star of the story, though, with so many poignant and loving scenes to offset the painful and heartbreaking ones. A WIFE WORTH INVESTING IN is a truly captivating and beautifully written romance which has memorable characters and touched all my emotions. I fell in love with Phoebe and Owen, and they will become a definite part of my keeper shelf, as this is a book I will want to read again and again.
Phoebe Brannagh and Owen Harrington meet under somewhat unusual circumstances in a café in Paris. She is waiting for her lover, and is approached by two men who won’t leave her alone. Owen comes to her rescue, then joins her to share some wine while she waits. They share their stories – Phoebe dreams of being a chef/partner in her own restaurant with her love, while Owen is trying to find himself before he settles down to his arranged marriage. They impulsively agree to meet at the same spot two years from now, to see how their dreams and futures unfolded.
Fate hasn’t been kind to Phoebe and Owen. Phoebe has lost her fortune, her career, and her love, all due to his duplicity. She goes to the café on the appointed date, but Owen doesn’t show. Eager to see him, hoping that he fared much better than she, Phoebe travels to his English home to call on him. Owen had been in a tragic accident shortly after meeting Phoebe two years ago, and it left him injured physically and mentally. The once athletic young man has become a recluse, staying at home, avoiding people, and making money hand over fist – his only pastime. At first he refuses to see Phoebe, but he relents, curious about the woman he never forgot.
Phoebe’s tale of betrayal by her lover touches Owen. He’s sad to see the vibrant woman he remembers now unsure and beaten down – just as she’s shocked to see the young, handsome, charming man she met now looking older, in pain, and distant. Still, Owen wants to help Phoebe achieve her dreams, and wants to finance a restaurant for her here in England. When she refuses his help, Owen proposes a marriage of convenience, telling Phoebe that it will benefit both of them. She’ll get her restaurant along with his financial know-how, and he will be free of his obligations to marry Olivia, the woman his father arranged for him to wed. Owen makes it clear that he has no interest in intimacy since his accident, and that it would be a true marriage in name only.
Phoebe and Owen quietly marry, and Owen finds that he’s feeling more alive than he has since his accident. He begins to exercise vigorously, and soon begins to greatly improve his physical condition. He’s willing and able to escort Phoebe on her excursions to view property and check food suppliers, all the while enjoying every minute. She’s regaining some of her joy in life, and healing from the heartbreak she suffered. Both feel a purpose in life, as well as a deepening affection for each other. Comforting touches become embraces, which lead to kisses, which lead to Owen feeling desire he never thought to feel again. They decide to forego their agreement of a convenient marriage, and indulge in the great physical pull they are experiencing. A beautiful love is developing until a tragic remnant of Owen’s accident resurfaces, causing them to part.
A WIFE WORTH INVESTING IN is Marguerite Kaye’s fiftieth book, and is one hundred percent amazing! Right from the start, I loved the relationship between Phoebe and Owen as they met as strangers. Their first meeting shows them as vibrant and full of life, and their second meeting two years later is heartbreaking. I love how they tried to support each other while dealing with their own pain, and how unselfishly they acted in their willingness to make the other happy, and never passed judgment. The mystery of Owen’s accident is skillfully written, and kept secret until late in the book, building up anticipation to learn what really happened. The romance is the true star of the story, though, with so many poignant and loving scenes to offset the painful and heartbreaking ones. A WIFE WORTH INVESTING IN is a truly captivating and beautifully written romance which has memorable characters and touched all my emotions. I fell in love with Phoebe and Owen, and they will become a definite part of my keeper shelf, as this is a book I will want to read again and again.
May 27, 2019
Phoebe Brannagh meets Owen Harrington by chance one evening at the Procope Cafe in Paris and they make a pact to meet in the same place in two years time when, hopefully, Phoebe will have realised her dream of running her own restaurant. Unfortunately for both, life has other plans and it is a very much changed Phoebe who finds herself destitute and knocking on the door of Owen’s London town house after her fails to meet her at the Procope as planned.
In introducing Phoebe and Owen in their happy, carefree lives at their first meeting, Marguerite Kaye cleverly sets the scene for what follows as the Phoebe and Owen we meet two years later are anything but happy; Phoebe is reluctant to go home to her family and admit the truth of what has happened to her dreams, and Owen has become a recluse whilst recovering from the physical and mental scars of an accident he can barely remember. Luckily for Phoebe, Owen still believes in her restaurant dream and offers her a marriage in name only in order that he can invest in her and help Phoebe rediscover her lost confidence. What it most interesting here, in a prime example of the strong writing in this book is that, we are aware from the moment Phoebe arrives at Owen’s house what has happened to her since that first meeting at the Procope, whereas the past two years of Owen’s life remain something of a mystery and we are not told exactly what happened to him until much later in the story.
The well created and strongly written lead characters give the reader at attachment to them as a couple, and watching Phoebe and Owen build a solid friendship which leads to a slow burning romance you really do being to root for them to overcome their hesitancy and aim for the happy ending that they both deserve. Phoebe’s support of Owen as he battles his demons to reclaim his physical health is a delightful part of the plot development, but there are also several emotionally charged moments as Owen struggles with the nightmares and flashbacks which will eventually reveal how he was injured. Indeed, these scene are extremely well written and fit into the story well, and you really do feel for Owen as he struggles to accept his love for Phoebe while believing he cannot allow himself to be happy due to his state of mind (there is a heartbreaking scene that takes place at Christmas which really hits home on this point, but it would spoil the story to say more).
As is usual for Marguerite Kaye, the London and Paris backdrops are excellently described, and it is nice that Owen and Phoebe’s tour of London takes in some of the less fashionable areas of the city as they tour the markets in the early hours. The description of real restaurants and chefs of the period also adds an air of authenticity to the setting.
Without spoiling the plot, Phoebe and Owen’s story essentially goes full circle as events force Owen to consider how much he is prepared to fight for his happy ending, and there is a nice symmetry to closing chapter which neatly echoes Phoebe and Owen’s second meeting as the plot heads towards its end.
Congratulations to Marguerite Kaye on her landmark 50th book which is another excellent story with strong, likeable characters and a romantic and emotional plot line.
Thank you to Marguerite Kaye for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In introducing Phoebe and Owen in their happy, carefree lives at their first meeting, Marguerite Kaye cleverly sets the scene for what follows as the Phoebe and Owen we meet two years later are anything but happy; Phoebe is reluctant to go home to her family and admit the truth of what has happened to her dreams, and Owen has become a recluse whilst recovering from the physical and mental scars of an accident he can barely remember. Luckily for Phoebe, Owen still believes in her restaurant dream and offers her a marriage in name only in order that he can invest in her and help Phoebe rediscover her lost confidence. What it most interesting here, in a prime example of the strong writing in this book is that, we are aware from the moment Phoebe arrives at Owen’s house what has happened to her since that first meeting at the Procope, whereas the past two years of Owen’s life remain something of a mystery and we are not told exactly what happened to him until much later in the story.
The well created and strongly written lead characters give the reader at attachment to them as a couple, and watching Phoebe and Owen build a solid friendship which leads to a slow burning romance you really do being to root for them to overcome their hesitancy and aim for the happy ending that they both deserve. Phoebe’s support of Owen as he battles his demons to reclaim his physical health is a delightful part of the plot development, but there are also several emotionally charged moments as Owen struggles with the nightmares and flashbacks which will eventually reveal how he was injured. Indeed, these scene are extremely well written and fit into the story well, and you really do feel for Owen as he struggles to accept his love for Phoebe while believing he cannot allow himself to be happy due to his state of mind (there is a heartbreaking scene that takes place at Christmas which really hits home on this point, but it would spoil the story to say more).
As is usual for Marguerite Kaye, the London and Paris backdrops are excellently described, and it is nice that Owen and Phoebe’s tour of London takes in some of the less fashionable areas of the city as they tour the markets in the early hours. The description of real restaurants and chefs of the period also adds an air of authenticity to the setting.
Without spoiling the plot, Phoebe and Owen’s story essentially goes full circle as events force Owen to consider how much he is prepared to fight for his happy ending, and there is a nice symmetry to closing chapter which neatly echoes Phoebe and Owen’s second meeting as the plot heads towards its end.
Congratulations to Marguerite Kaye on her landmark 50th book which is another excellent story with strong, likeable characters and a romantic and emotional plot line.
Thank you to Marguerite Kaye for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2019
Paris - 1828
Owen Harrington, age 26, is enjoying his time in Paris. While taking in a late night walk, he steps into a bar for a drink. Seeing a lovely, well dressed young woman being harassed by two men. He steps in saying he is the woman’s beau. The men then leave. Thanking him for rescuing her, Owen joins her for a drink. It turns out she is Irish and her name is Phoebe Brannagh. She is waiting for Monsieur Pascal Solignac, a celebrated chef at La Grande Taverne de Londres. His cooking is considered to be the best in Paris. Phoebe works at the restaurant in the patisserie station and is proud to be he only female in the brigade because she is passionate about her work. Her sister, Eloise, is the Countess of Fearnoch and Phoebe has a twin sister named Estelle. All three sisters were cared for by their Aunt Kate, Lady Elmswood, after they lost their parents and brother. Now, Phoebe’s dream is to work side-by-side with Pascal and hopefully buy the restaurant using funds left to her by her father.
Owen is a very wealthy young man who has yet to find a purpose for his life. Phoebe tells him it is essential that he find his purpose. They agree to meet up in two years time and see what he has learned about himself.
Two years later after waiting for Owen to show up, Phoebe thinks he has forgotten their agreement. She travels to London and visits his town home. He is now broken in body and unhappy in life. He had had an accident that left him with a limp, scars, and in pain. Phoebe’s plan had not gone as planned either. Pascal had taken her money and discarded her. Now, she is asking Owen knows of someone who needs a cook. Owen is happy to see her and they end up getting married. He encourages her to continue with her dream of owning and running her own restaurant. She is thrilled and they are happy together, but there are still some medical problems that Owen has and he won’t talk about it. Phoebe is so worried and wonders if she should scrap the restaurant plans. Will there be some way she can get her husband to trust her and open up to her about the devils he is facing and can help him heal?
Oh yes! Marguerite Kaye has done it. Paris and food. It just doesn’t get any better than this. I happen to know that the author is an excellent cook so I know that this was a fun book for her to write. I’m hoping that one day she will write that cookbook I’m waiting for. But back to this lovely book. I really cared for Owen and Phoebe. They both have big hearts and generous souls. I hope many readers will read about their story and enjoy it as much as I did.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Owen Harrington, age 26, is enjoying his time in Paris. While taking in a late night walk, he steps into a bar for a drink. Seeing a lovely, well dressed young woman being harassed by two men. He steps in saying he is the woman’s beau. The men then leave. Thanking him for rescuing her, Owen joins her for a drink. It turns out she is Irish and her name is Phoebe Brannagh. She is waiting for Monsieur Pascal Solignac, a celebrated chef at La Grande Taverne de Londres. His cooking is considered to be the best in Paris. Phoebe works at the restaurant in the patisserie station and is proud to be he only female in the brigade because she is passionate about her work. Her sister, Eloise, is the Countess of Fearnoch and Phoebe has a twin sister named Estelle. All three sisters were cared for by their Aunt Kate, Lady Elmswood, after they lost their parents and brother. Now, Phoebe’s dream is to work side-by-side with Pascal and hopefully buy the restaurant using funds left to her by her father.
Owen is a very wealthy young man who has yet to find a purpose for his life. Phoebe tells him it is essential that he find his purpose. They agree to meet up in two years time and see what he has learned about himself.
Two years later after waiting for Owen to show up, Phoebe thinks he has forgotten their agreement. She travels to London and visits his town home. He is now broken in body and unhappy in life. He had had an accident that left him with a limp, scars, and in pain. Phoebe’s plan had not gone as planned either. Pascal had taken her money and discarded her. Now, she is asking Owen knows of someone who needs a cook. Owen is happy to see her and they end up getting married. He encourages her to continue with her dream of owning and running her own restaurant. She is thrilled and they are happy together, but there are still some medical problems that Owen has and he won’t talk about it. Phoebe is so worried and wonders if she should scrap the restaurant plans. Will there be some way she can get her husband to trust her and open up to her about the devils he is facing and can help him heal?
Oh yes! Marguerite Kaye has done it. Paris and food. It just doesn’t get any better than this. I happen to know that the author is an excellent cook so I know that this was a fun book for her to write. I’m hoping that one day she will write that cookbook I’m waiting for. But back to this lovely book. I really cared for Owen and Phoebe. They both have big hearts and generous souls. I hope many readers will read about their story and enjoy it as much as I did.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 9, 2019
Another brilliant read from marguerite kaye and to top it off her 50th book published! What an amazing accomplishment.
This is book 2 in the penniless brides of convenience series. Book 1 is the earls countess of convenience, which I also recommend.
I loved phoebe brannagh, when you first start reading her story she is full off passion. It isn't easy for her to follow her dreams of being a chef, especially being a woman. However she is managing to achieve this in Paris. This is where she first meets the charming Owen Harrington. They both hit it off and there is an intent attraction and connection between them. They both enjoy a drink together before going their separate ways.
Unfortunately for them both non of their plans quite go the way they had hoped. A few years after they first meet phoebe turns up on owens door step seeking his help. Both now very changed people. Phoebe has lost everything after being taken advantage of by the chef she had been working with. Then we have are poor Owen who after an accident has been left physically and mentally scarred. Owen being our lovely Knight in shinning armer offers phoebe a marriage of convenience to help her achieve her dreams.
This is such a heartwarming story. The was phoebe brings Owen back to life and gives him a purpose is beautiful. I just really loved these two as a couple and couldn't wait to read on and see how their relationship developed.
Marguerite truly did an amazing job with this book. When I read the first book I was unsure if I would like this one as much, safe to say this might be my new favourite.
I definitely recommend this book. Her books are always well researched and she has an amazing writing style that always draws you in.
This is book 2 in the penniless brides of convenience series. Book 1 is the earls countess of convenience, which I also recommend.
I loved phoebe brannagh, when you first start reading her story she is full off passion. It isn't easy for her to follow her dreams of being a chef, especially being a woman. However she is managing to achieve this in Paris. This is where she first meets the charming Owen Harrington. They both hit it off and there is an intent attraction and connection between them. They both enjoy a drink together before going their separate ways.
Unfortunately for them both non of their plans quite go the way they had hoped. A few years after they first meet phoebe turns up on owens door step seeking his help. Both now very changed people. Phoebe has lost everything after being taken advantage of by the chef she had been working with. Then we have are poor Owen who after an accident has been left physically and mentally scarred. Owen being our lovely Knight in shinning armer offers phoebe a marriage of convenience to help her achieve her dreams.
This is such a heartwarming story. The was phoebe brings Owen back to life and gives him a purpose is beautiful. I just really loved these two as a couple and couldn't wait to read on and see how their relationship developed.
Marguerite truly did an amazing job with this book. When I read the first book I was unsure if I would like this one as much, safe to say this might be my new favourite.
I definitely recommend this book. Her books are always well researched and she has an amazing writing style that always draws you in.
May 25, 2019
A Wife Worth Investing In is the second book in the Penniless Brides of Convenience series, and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Phoebe Brannagh meets Owen Harrington in Paris by chance and after a lengthy but momentous conversation, they part ways, only to meet two years later under very different circumstances. The preceding years have had deep impacts on both Owen and Phoebe and after a brief reunion, they decide to enter a marriage of convenience.
After this, we begin to see changes in both characters; something that made putting the book down difficult for me! I was kept hooked by the ‘what will happen next’ question, throughout. Phoebe and Owen both address their insecurities and face them head on whilst supporting each other and along the way, they discover how much they love one another. The journey of self-discovery and love for these two was emotional, gripping and thoroughly satisfying. At one point I wasn’t sure at all whether they would get their happy ending but Ms Kaye didn’t disappoint and the ending was beautiful.
Phoebe Brannagh meets Owen Harrington in Paris by chance and after a lengthy but momentous conversation, they part ways, only to meet two years later under very different circumstances. The preceding years have had deep impacts on both Owen and Phoebe and after a brief reunion, they decide to enter a marriage of convenience.
After this, we begin to see changes in both characters; something that made putting the book down difficult for me! I was kept hooked by the ‘what will happen next’ question, throughout. Phoebe and Owen both address their insecurities and face them head on whilst supporting each other and along the way, they discover how much they love one another. The journey of self-discovery and love for these two was emotional, gripping and thoroughly satisfying. At one point I wasn’t sure at all whether they would get their happy ending but Ms Kaye didn’t disappoint and the ending was beautiful.
September 30, 2019
One night in Paris, Owen Harrington walked into the upper room of a Paris cafe and saw the charming Phoebe Branngh sitting at a table studying her recipes. Their mutual attraction was mutual but Owen had places to go. Two years later, a desperate Phoebe shows up at Owen's home in London for help. But Owen has changed due to a near-fatal accident in France and has withdrawn from society. Phoebe wanted to open a restaurant in London and asked for his help; something women weren't supposed to do then. Phoebe proposes a marriage of convenience but as time goes on, their attraction grows. Will they find true love? Will Phoebe's restaurant be a success?
I read this book, one of many, for the author in return for a honest review. It had everything that made a good book great. The story line wasn't the usual one which made it better.
My apologies to the author for taking so long to read. I broke my wrist and even now, holding a book or newspaper is difficult.
I read this book, one of many, for the author in return for a honest review. It had everything that made a good book great. The story line wasn't the usual one which made it better.
My apologies to the author for taking so long to read. I broke my wrist and even now, holding a book or newspaper is difficult.
August 13, 2019
One night in a cafe in Paris, two people both on the cusp of beginning a grand adventure meet by chance. Phoebe is about to leap into her dream of owning her own restaurant, in association with an acclaimed French chef, also her lover. Owen has just left London and is about to commence a grand adventure, trying to work out what he wants from life. They share a few hours of conversation over a jug of wine, each intrigued by the other but two ships passing in the night.
Two years later, when Owen doesn’t come to the meeting they’d scheduled to discuss if they’d achieved their dreams, Phoebe can’t help but want to seek him out. At least one of them might have… because her dreams had turned sour very fast indeed. She finds Owen in London, though, and he’s a far cry from the supremely healthy, energetic young man she met in Paris. Injured in a fire in Marseilles just weeks after their first meeting, he’s now a lonely recluse suffering from a severe case of PTSD.
Distraught to see that Phoebe’s dreams failed just as dismally as his own, Owen determines to offer her a second chance. The only way he can convince her to accept his backing is as a partnership, though - a marriage partnership, because he has a fiancee he needs to let off the hook gracefully.
In 1830, there were no Parisien-style cafes in London, certainly not where men and women could sit down to eat together. Phoebe’s dream of not only opening one, but of being the head chef in an age where it certainly wasn’t a suitable occupation for a woman, makes Owen’s proposal the only chance she has. Owen’s trauma isn’t just physical, though, and Phoebe doesn’t know how to help him get past the demons haunting him, even though they fall quite quickly in love.
There’s so much wonderful historical detail about the restaurant trade in both Paris and London at the time, and the inherent unfairness about the way Phoebe is swindled will have you seeing red. Owen’s situation is very different, and he’s in need of a different kind of aid altogether, that being therapy, both physical and psychological, for what he’s been through. The author treats his PTSD with sympathy and care, showing both how it affects him and how his efforts to work through it turn out. What I particularly liked was there was no magical fix or Love Cures All solution; it takes time, confronting his trauma and learning how to manage his symptoms, and even at the end of the book it’s made clear that the trauma will always be with him even though he’s learned to manage the worst of his symptoms. It’s possibly the best treatment of PTSD I’ve ever seen done in a historical romance, and for this plus the lovely romance between Owen and Phoebe, I’m delighted to give this story five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
Two years later, when Owen doesn’t come to the meeting they’d scheduled to discuss if they’d achieved their dreams, Phoebe can’t help but want to seek him out. At least one of them might have… because her dreams had turned sour very fast indeed. She finds Owen in London, though, and he’s a far cry from the supremely healthy, energetic young man she met in Paris. Injured in a fire in Marseilles just weeks after their first meeting, he’s now a lonely recluse suffering from a severe case of PTSD.
Distraught to see that Phoebe’s dreams failed just as dismally as his own, Owen determines to offer her a second chance. The only way he can convince her to accept his backing is as a partnership, though - a marriage partnership, because he has a fiancee he needs to let off the hook gracefully.
In 1830, there were no Parisien-style cafes in London, certainly not where men and women could sit down to eat together. Phoebe’s dream of not only opening one, but of being the head chef in an age where it certainly wasn’t a suitable occupation for a woman, makes Owen’s proposal the only chance she has. Owen’s trauma isn’t just physical, though, and Phoebe doesn’t know how to help him get past the demons haunting him, even though they fall quite quickly in love.
There’s so much wonderful historical detail about the restaurant trade in both Paris and London at the time, and the inherent unfairness about the way Phoebe is swindled will have you seeing red. Owen’s situation is very different, and he’s in need of a different kind of aid altogether, that being therapy, both physical and psychological, for what he’s been through. The author treats his PTSD with sympathy and care, showing both how it affects him and how his efforts to work through it turn out. What I particularly liked was there was no magical fix or Love Cures All solution; it takes time, confronting his trauma and learning how to manage his symptoms, and even at the end of the book it’s made clear that the trauma will always be with him even though he’s learned to manage the worst of his symptoms. It’s possibly the best treatment of PTSD I’ve ever seen done in a historical romance, and for this plus the lovely romance between Owen and Phoebe, I’m delighted to give this story five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
June 20, 2021
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review via the author. This book was such a mixed bag for me I’m still mulling over what I feel about the story. I think the conclusion made it more of a three and a half to four star read due to the emotional ending.
My issues were with the hero and heroine. Owen, now a recluse is something of a friend to Phoebe when she was in Paris though they still don’t know each other well. He is recovering at least in body from serious injuries and she is an aspiring chef who has to leave France after her former lover ruins her chances in that city.
It’s an odd idea for a book in some ways though I do appreciate creative ways at looking at overlooked interests in a popular time period for historical romance. I suppose I’m just not that interested in making food and I couldn’t really appreciate Phoebe’s choices and immaturity in jumping into everything in France without seeing any, even bodily, danger and leaving the three women she professes to love most.
Owen was a puzzle in different ways. He wanted to travel but while doing this got hurt. But we spend so much of the book having no idea how or why and then are presented with a rapid recovery and extremely rapid decline without really understanding the causes. His physical injuries were explained in some ways but I still don’t feel I really understood whether the lasting effects were PTSD or seizures perhaps from a head injury or both. I felt a bit like I was at a tennis match at some points in the latter stages of the book looking from both hero to heroine to try and understand quite where they were going.
I did for the most part enjoy this story. It did feel quite divorced from Eloise’s opening book though she, Estelle and Kate were all referred to. Also I did not feel that the opening of the restaurant really contributed much to the story as Phoebe had already become a chef and Owen had already agreed to finance it. The emotional intensity at the end really saved the story and I did like the hero and heroine as a couple by the close.
This volume was not as interesting for me as the first but I look forward to Estelle’s story which I believe to be next.
My issues were with the hero and heroine. Owen, now a recluse is something of a friend to Phoebe when she was in Paris though they still don’t know each other well. He is recovering at least in body from serious injuries and she is an aspiring chef who has to leave France after her former lover ruins her chances in that city.
It’s an odd idea for a book in some ways though I do appreciate creative ways at looking at overlooked interests in a popular time period for historical romance. I suppose I’m just not that interested in making food and I couldn’t really appreciate Phoebe’s choices and immaturity in jumping into everything in France without seeing any, even bodily, danger and leaving the three women she professes to love most.
Owen was a puzzle in different ways. He wanted to travel but while doing this got hurt. But we spend so much of the book having no idea how or why and then are presented with a rapid recovery and extremely rapid decline without really understanding the causes. His physical injuries were explained in some ways but I still don’t feel I really understood whether the lasting effects were PTSD or seizures perhaps from a head injury or both. I felt a bit like I was at a tennis match at some points in the latter stages of the book looking from both hero to heroine to try and understand quite where they were going.
I did for the most part enjoy this story. It did feel quite divorced from Eloise’s opening book though she, Estelle and Kate were all referred to. Also I did not feel that the opening of the restaurant really contributed much to the story as Phoebe had already become a chef and Owen had already agreed to finance it. The emotional intensity at the end really saved the story and I did like the hero and heroine as a couple by the close.
This volume was not as interesting for me as the first but I look forward to Estelle’s story which I believe to be next.
July 8, 2019
It felt very modern to me, yet it is obviously well researched by an experienced writer. So guess I just didn't enjoy the writing style which was storytelling via dialogue. They were both boring and self absorbed people. I prefer at least one character to have some confidence or personal beliefs - they two were so full of self doubt. I lost interest in them and their story as it was all TOLD to the reader.
Read
August 11, 2019A convenient proposal...
Makes a scandalous match!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Knocking on Owen Harrington's door, impoverished and desperate Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London's most eligible catch will recognize her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And he's in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen's shock proposal allows Phoebe to fulfill her life's ambition to open a restaurant...but his heated kisses tempt her to hope for a new dream—marriage, for real!
Penniless Brides of Convenient miniseries
Book 1 — The Earl's Countess of Convenience
Book 2 — A Wife Worth Investing In
Book 3 and 4 — coming soon!
"The book opens up like a succession of Russian dolls, revealing more and more about the protagonists in all guises. And this is Kaye's strength as a writer: setting up a plot and characters shrouded in mystery, and...
Makes a scandalous match!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Knocking on Owen Harrington's door, impoverished and desperate Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London's most eligible catch will recognize her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And he's in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen's shock proposal allows Phoebe to fulfill her life's ambition to open a restaurant...but his heated kisses tempt her to hope for a new dream—marriage, for real!
Penniless Brides of Convenient miniseries
Book 1 — The Earl's Countess of Convenience
Book 2 — A Wife Worth Investing In
Book 3 and 4 — coming soon!
"The book opens up like a succession of Russian dolls, revealing more and more about the protagonists in all guises. And this is Kaye's strength as a writer: setting up a plot and characters shrouded in mystery, and...
October 10, 2022
K in my A-Z romance read-a-thon.
Two very lovely people with their own troubles enter into a marriage of convenience - and spend most of the book being utterly wonderful to each other, supportive, understanding, mature and so damn sweet. Then there is the dreaded '80% conflict' that I hated as it felt so contrived, and the ending was just... meh... a quick turnaround from the necessary conflict and normal loving service is resumed. Meeehhh. Lost a star for the ending but all in all a sweet romance read.
Two very lovely people with their own troubles enter into a marriage of convenience - and spend most of the book being utterly wonderful to each other, supportive, understanding, mature and so damn sweet. Then there is the dreaded '80% conflict' that I hated as it felt so contrived, and the ending was just... meh... a quick turnaround from the necessary conflict and normal loving service is resumed. Meeehhh. Lost a star for the ending but all in all a sweet romance read.
June 23, 2024
Marguerite Kaye's "A Wife Worth Investing In" is the second book in the Penniless Brides of Convenience series. It follows Miss Phoebe Brannagh, who, in her desperation, seeks out London’s most eligible bachelor, Owen Harrington. Once carefree, Owen is now reclusive and in need of a convenient wife. His unexpected proposal gives Phoebe the chance to achieve her dream of opening a restaurant, but his passionate kisses make her yearn for a true marriage. This historical romance offers a heartwarming tale of love and ambition, with richly developed characters and a captivating plot.
November 20, 2021
This book had many things going on, but at the same time I felt that they were not flowing together.
Her passion for being a chef, the many repeated references to her past and how her confidence was torn down, their marriage of convenience, him recovering from a horrific accident and then having some psychotic break downs and then leaving her alone to run her cafe and coming back a year later and not really feeling any different.
…it was too much.
Her passion for being a chef, the many repeated references to her past and how her confidence was torn down, their marriage of convenience, him recovering from a horrific accident and then having some psychotic break downs and then leaving her alone to run her cafe and coming back a year later and not really feeling any different.
…it was too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2024
I like the prose and the dialogue. Some scenes were nice, especially the scene in his home gymnasium. But overall the story felt limp and lacked tension. I don’t know anything about 19th century restaurants and female chefs but whatever because this is a wallpaper historical anyway. But honestly the restaurant stuff was boring.
Read
June 1, 2019Categories
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
Penniless Brides of Convenience
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
Penniless Brides of Convenience
June 10, 2023
I loved so much the trope but sometimes I believe that this book could be a way better
September 17, 2024
This is my first Marguerite Kaye and I really like the way she writes! This book ultimately was mid for me because I found it a tad long and the tension didn't totally work for me, but I will definitely be reading more of her backlist.
September 17, 2019
Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/a-w...
I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5 on Goodreads.
http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/a-w...
I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5 on Goodreads.
December 17, 2022
Najlepsza inwestycja pana Harringtona
Read
May 20, 2019Categories
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
Penniless Brides of Convenience
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
Penniless Brides of Convenience
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews