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Royal Wedding Invitations #2
Best Made Plans
When his sister Hope announces that she is going to marry a prince, Max is taken aback to discover that the royal wedding will take place not in stylish San Michele, but at their run-down family home, Hasebury Hall. Now Max has to fix up the manor, let royal and security officials have the run of the place… and find a suitable woman to placate a Crown Princess with an obsession over protocol.
Chef Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, is in charge of catering the royal wedding and has quickly taken over Max’s kitchen – not to mention the rest of his life. As a bridesmaid, Flora will be going to the official announcement of the royal engagement in San Michele too. Max is single, she’s single: why don’t they go together and keep the Crown Princess off Hope’s back?
Max has too much Mr. Rochester about him for Flora’s tastes and she’ll be returning to London very soon to reboot her career. Still, what harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
Chef Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, is in charge of catering the royal wedding and has quickly taken over Max’s kitchen – not to mention the rest of his life. As a bridesmaid, Flora will be going to the official announcement of the royal engagement in San Michele too. Max is single, she’s single: why don’t they go together and keep the Crown Princess off Hope’s back?
Max has too much Mr. Rochester about him for Flora’s tastes and she’ll be returning to London very soon to reboot her career. Still, what harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2017
902 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Hart
484 books137 followersAfter a haphazard career spent working and travelling around the world, I stumbled into romance writing as a way to fund a PhD. My first book, A Sweeter Prejudice, came out in 1991, and since then I've written a further 59 books, some of which have won awards in the US and the UK.
I live in York, a historic city in the north of England, and waste the best part of my days planning trips away or on Facebook and Twitter, both of which mean that I end up writing late into the night. As well as romance, I write 'time slips' as Pamela Hartshorne, and am a freelance project editor and occasional writing tutor.
In May 2013 I will publishing the Jessica Hart Vintage Collection of five of my early books from the 90s.
For news of forthcoming books and exclusive offers, do sign up for my newsletter: email jessica@jessicahart.co.uk or come and find me on Facebook.
I live in York, a historic city in the north of England, and waste the best part of my days planning trips away or on Facebook and Twitter, both of which mean that I end up writing late into the night. As well as romance, I write 'time slips' as Pamela Hartshorne, and am a freelance project editor and occasional writing tutor.
In May 2013 I will publishing the Jessica Hart Vintage Collection of five of my early books from the 90s.
For news of forthcoming books and exclusive offers, do sign up for my newsletter: email jessica@jessicahart.co.uk or come and find me on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 23, 2017
Max has done his best to hold onto his family's home since his father was taken off to prison but he never expected his sister to want to return and have her wedding there. Holding a wedding at the rundown estate may not have been too big of a deal except Max's sister, Hope, has fallen in love with a prince and it will be a royal wedding. Now he's frantically making improvements to his home while turning over the property to royal and security officials as the day of the wedding approaches.
Also finding herself at Hasebury Hall is Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, as she takes over the job of being in charge of the catering for the upcoming royal wedding. Flora used to have the biggest crush on Max when they were all kids with her heart breaking when he'd married. These days however Max is divorced and perfectly single but Flora knows she will never be his type.
When Max and Flora are told that their royal wedding invitations are to include a plus one with the Crown Princess expecting them to bring a someone to keep the numbers of males and females even they come up with the plan to be each other's fake dates. Pretending to be a couple just for the short trip shouldn't be that big of a deal but when a practice kiss makes sparks fly they find there may be more to this fake date.
The Baronet's Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart is the second book in the contemporary romance Royal Wedding Invitations series. Each book in the series is by a different author with a different couple featured. The story however starts in the first book when Hope and Jacob met with Jacob being a prince setting them up for a royal wedding and now this second books spins off to another couple coming together as the royal wedding is planned so it would be best to start at the beginning of the series but it is possible to understand this as a standalone if need be.
I'm kind of a sucker for a fake relationship growing into something more which is the premise behind Max and Flora's story in this installment of the series. The two have known each other forever with Flora being Max's younger sister's friend but now as adults Max sees Flora is no longer that little girl he remembers. When Flora jokingly says they should pretend to be together when they are pressured to have dates for the wedding it leads to so much more. With nice characters and a fun setting this one was a great addition to the series and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Also finding herself at Hasebury Hall is Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, as she takes over the job of being in charge of the catering for the upcoming royal wedding. Flora used to have the biggest crush on Max when they were all kids with her heart breaking when he'd married. These days however Max is divorced and perfectly single but Flora knows she will never be his type.
When Max and Flora are told that their royal wedding invitations are to include a plus one with the Crown Princess expecting them to bring a someone to keep the numbers of males and females even they come up with the plan to be each other's fake dates. Pretending to be a couple just for the short trip shouldn't be that big of a deal but when a practice kiss makes sparks fly they find there may be more to this fake date.
The Baronet's Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart is the second book in the contemporary romance Royal Wedding Invitations series. Each book in the series is by a different author with a different couple featured. The story however starts in the first book when Hope and Jacob met with Jacob being a prince setting them up for a royal wedding and now this second books spins off to another couple coming together as the royal wedding is planned so it would be best to start at the beginning of the series but it is possible to understand this as a standalone if need be.
I'm kind of a sucker for a fake relationship growing into something more which is the premise behind Max and Flora's story in this installment of the series. The two have known each other forever with Flora being Max's younger sister's friend but now as adults Max sees Flora is no longer that little girl he remembers. When Flora jokingly says they should pretend to be together when they are pressured to have dates for the wedding it leads to so much more. With nice characters and a fun setting this one was a great addition to the series and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
October 24, 2017
3.5 Let's Pretend Stars
* * * 1/2
Oh this ought to be good...We have Max, the brother of Hope, who is marrying a Prince, for goodness sake! Instead of being like any other soon to be princess and enjoy the location of the castle for the affair...
Noooo, Hope wants to get married at her childhood home. That would be fine if the estate wasn't in such shabby condition due the father's past larcenist actions. Now Max has to bring the location up to Royal snuff. He also has been told he must bring a plus one to complete his invitation requirements.
Hope's best friend, Flora is not only catering the wedding ... she is also a bridesmaid. She also has received that nasty directive of having a mandatory plus one.
Max sees problem solved with the both of them filling that role for each other...and so it goes....
A beautiful location... lingering looks... some lips touching and OOPS...
What is supposed to be real and what is pretend becomes a blur...
An arc was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2
Oh this ought to be good...We have Max, the brother of Hope, who is marrying a Prince, for goodness sake! Instead of being like any other soon to be princess and enjoy the location of the castle for the affair...
Noooo, Hope wants to get married at her childhood home. That would be fine if the estate wasn't in such shabby condition due the father's past larcenist actions. Now Max has to bring the location up to Royal snuff. He also has been told he must bring a plus one to complete his invitation requirements.
Hope's best friend, Flora is not only catering the wedding ... she is also a bridesmaid. She also has received that nasty directive of having a mandatory plus one.
Max sees problem solved with the both of them filling that role for each other...and so it goes....
A beautiful location... lingering looks... some lips touching and OOPS...
What is supposed to be real and what is pretend becomes a blur...
An arc was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
August 13, 2018
That was a good free pick. A charming, a bit funny, believable (when you forget about a princess in the background etc.) love story.
Rather short, so there wasn't much place for a good fiction but it was precisely what one searches from time to time for a nice day. But it was easy to predict: a grumpy hero and a lively heroine - it is almost always a good start.
Rather short, so there wasn't much place for a good fiction but it was precisely what one searches from time to time for a nice day. But it was easy to predict: a grumpy hero and a lively heroine - it is almost always a good start.
October 19, 2017
I am really enjoying this series and this is Hope’s brother Max’s story, and I loved getting to know a bit grumpy Max and seeing him come around and start smiling with the ever happy best friend of Hope’s Flora Deare this is truly a happy story, a story of love and joy.
Max is shocked when his beloved sister tells him she is marrying a Prince and that she wants the wedding at home in the little village church and the reception at the country estate Hasebury Hall. Max has been through a lot in his life, a father who caused a scandal that Max had to work so hard to keep the estate in the family his marriage broke up and he spends weekends with his children but now Flora has taken over the kitchen in the hall to plan for the wedding and she is turning Sir Max’s world upside down.
Flora had a secret crush on Max when she was fifteen and was devastated when he married but she got on with her life she was bought up by her grandparents in the village as her mother was always off on some trip or other she has always dreamed of opening up her own restaurant and is thrilled to be the chef at Hope’s wedding but this brings her close to Max and the sparks fly.
I love Flora she is such a beautiful fun person always positive and so straight up with the serious Max but it doesn’t take too long before these two cannot leave each other alone they open up so much they talk, tell each other things that they have not told other people and fall in love in a magical fairy tale, I highly recommend this story I was smiling at the end and am very much looking forward to the rest in the series.
Max is shocked when his beloved sister tells him she is marrying a Prince and that she wants the wedding at home in the little village church and the reception at the country estate Hasebury Hall. Max has been through a lot in his life, a father who caused a scandal that Max had to work so hard to keep the estate in the family his marriage broke up and he spends weekends with his children but now Flora has taken over the kitchen in the hall to plan for the wedding and she is turning Sir Max’s world upside down.
Flora had a secret crush on Max when she was fifteen and was devastated when he married but she got on with her life she was bought up by her grandparents in the village as her mother was always off on some trip or other she has always dreamed of opening up her own restaurant and is thrilled to be the chef at Hope’s wedding but this brings her close to Max and the sparks fly.
I love Flora she is such a beautiful fun person always positive and so straight up with the serious Max but it doesn’t take too long before these two cannot leave each other alone they open up so much they talk, tell each other things that they have not told other people and fall in love in a magical fairy tale, I highly recommend this story I was smiling at the end and am very much looking forward to the rest in the series.
November 27, 2017
A perfect comfort read for me. I fell right into this story. I loved the realistic characters with real life problems (yes, the series centers around a royal wedding but there's no over-the-top Drama Llama here). There's an ex-wife who isn't evil. Two kids who aren't plot moppets. And a romantic couple who actually talk to each other. No, it's not flashy - but that's what makes it brilliant. A lovely closed-door romance. I know Hart if focusing on her Pamela Hartsthorne historical fiction these days, but I selfishly hope she has more romances in her. A B+ on my personal rating scale.
October 20, 2017
A copy was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I didn't particularly enjoy this romance. It was dragged down by a conflict that didn't feel very strong or realistic, an intense lack of communication between all the characters, and a plot that mostly meandered. Plus, I found the heroine's conviction that the hero would never be attracted to her because she was fat very annoying. It was like the story assumed that of course a reader would go along with this assumption, despite the fact that there was literally no reason to think it was true. I find this kind of assumptive fat antagonism irritating and wearying.
The highlights of the story were the moments when the heroine was cooking or thinking about cooking, the bits with the cat and the dogs, the moments with the hero's children (though I wanted more of this, especially between the children and the heroine), and the dowager princess. I also liked the moments when the hero showed a sweet side underneath his grumpiness, but I wanted more of them, and a deeper characterization for him in general. I couldn't really tell why she wanted to be with him, which made it hard for me to root for them as a couple.
The royal wedding bits were all build-up, but no actual wedding, which honestly felt like a let down. I presume the wedding will be in the rather clumsily set up next book in the series. It seems like this isn't the book for the modern royalty stuff, that book 1 in the series might be better. I didn't find the fake relationship aspect of this story particularly satisfying; it needed more chemistry and more pressure on them to act like a couple.
Trigger Warnings:
I didn't particularly enjoy this romance. It was dragged down by a conflict that didn't feel very strong or realistic, an intense lack of communication between all the characters, and a plot that mostly meandered. Plus, I found the heroine's conviction that the hero would never be attracted to her because she was fat very annoying. It was like the story assumed that of course a reader would go along with this assumption, despite the fact that there was literally no reason to think it was true. I find this kind of assumptive fat antagonism irritating and wearying.
The highlights of the story were the moments when the heroine was cooking or thinking about cooking, the bits with the cat and the dogs, the moments with the hero's children (though I wanted more of this, especially between the children and the heroine), and the dowager princess. I also liked the moments when the hero showed a sweet side underneath his grumpiness, but I wanted more of them, and a deeper characterization for him in general. I couldn't really tell why she wanted to be with him, which made it hard for me to root for them as a couple.
The royal wedding bits were all build-up, but no actual wedding, which honestly felt like a let down. I presume the wedding will be in the rather clumsily set up next book in the series. It seems like this isn't the book for the modern royalty stuff, that book 1 in the series might be better. I didn't find the fake relationship aspect of this story particularly satisfying; it needed more chemistry and more pressure on them to act like a couple.
Trigger Warnings:
December 24, 2020
Three and a half stars.
This is the second in a series of four books written by different authors centring around the marriage of an English woman called Hope Kennard to Jonas Reval, the Prince of a small country called San Michele. Max is Hope's older brother and owner of Hasebury Hall in Wiltshire, since he inherited the property he has done his best to extricate the family from the financial difficulties caused by their profligate/criminal father. He's just about solvent but the announcement that his sister wants to get married in the local church and have the reception at Hasebury Hall has thrown a spanner in the works. Max will do anything for his little sister but this is going to stretch him financially and socially.
Flora Deare is a renowned chef, particularly of pastries and one of Hope's best friends, usually based in London she came home to look after her grandparents until they died, running her cake business from their cramped kitchen. She has been chosen to cater the royal wedding and to facilitate matters she has moved her business into the Hall's spacious kitchens. Flora has always had a crush on Max but a curly-haired, curvaceous chef can't compare to the cool, leggy, ex-models like his wife that Max is used to date.
Max is a harassed, somewhat grumpy, single dad (can you say that if the children generally live with the mother?), drawn against his will to the effervescent Flora, distributor of real coffee and creator of delicious cakes, who lights up his gloomy Hall.
Flora feels like a frumpy, short, troll compared with the procession of sophisticated women that Max's ex-wife sets him up with, but she can't help but feel a frisson of something every time they get close.
When Hope tells Max he must have a plus-one for the wedding and pre-wedding celebrations in San Michele what could be simpler than going with Flora? And faking a relationship to satisfy Jonas' uptight sister-in-law isn't difficult? But with Max set on living in Wiltshire and Flora determined to return to London can this opposites-attract romance get off the ground?
I had a Kindle full of NetGalley ARCs to be read, plus loads of other books but after Saturday afternoon's announcement of London going into Tier 4 COVID restrictions (effectively cancelling my plans for Christmas Dinner with my parents), I was looking for something comforting, something gentle and life-affirming, and this was just the ticket.
Recommended if you are looking for a opposites-attract romance set in a picturesque village, with a royal wedding thrown in.
This is the second in a series of four books written by different authors centring around the marriage of an English woman called Hope Kennard to Jonas Reval, the Prince of a small country called San Michele. Max is Hope's older brother and owner of Hasebury Hall in Wiltshire, since he inherited the property he has done his best to extricate the family from the financial difficulties caused by their profligate/criminal father. He's just about solvent but the announcement that his sister wants to get married in the local church and have the reception at Hasebury Hall has thrown a spanner in the works. Max will do anything for his little sister but this is going to stretch him financially and socially.
Flora Deare is a renowned chef, particularly of pastries and one of Hope's best friends, usually based in London she came home to look after her grandparents until they died, running her cake business from their cramped kitchen. She has been chosen to cater the royal wedding and to facilitate matters she has moved her business into the Hall's spacious kitchens. Flora has always had a crush on Max but a curly-haired, curvaceous chef can't compare to the cool, leggy, ex-models like his wife that Max is used to date.
Max is a harassed, somewhat grumpy, single dad (can you say that if the children generally live with the mother?), drawn against his will to the effervescent Flora, distributor of real coffee and creator of delicious cakes, who lights up his gloomy Hall.
Flora feels like a frumpy, short, troll compared with the procession of sophisticated women that Max's ex-wife sets him up with, but she can't help but feel a frisson of something every time they get close.
When Hope tells Max he must have a plus-one for the wedding and pre-wedding celebrations in San Michele what could be simpler than going with Flora? And faking a relationship to satisfy Jonas' uptight sister-in-law isn't difficult? But with Max set on living in Wiltshire and Flora determined to return to London can this opposites-attract romance get off the ground?
I had a Kindle full of NetGalley ARCs to be read, plus loads of other books but after Saturday afternoon's announcement of London going into Tier 4 COVID restrictions (effectively cancelling my plans for Christmas Dinner with my parents), I was looking for something comforting, something gentle and life-affirming, and this was just the ticket.
Recommended if you are looking for a opposites-attract romance set in a picturesque village, with a royal wedding thrown in.
October 6, 2017
New Author for me and also a new serie.
I believe it is the second one.
but it did not hinder the enjoyement.
I really liked this one.
It is not sugary sweet,only the pastries Flora bakes and makes.
It is a nice,fun story ,for me not a heavy romance with steamy scene`s.
Max and Flora a old-semi friends,who come to an arrangement.
She needs his kitchen in his mansion,in order to bake and cater.
She has plans and dreams and they do not include a old teenage crush.
on the older brother from her best friend.
She sees herself not as relationship material.
Only thing she needs is a kitchen and a plan.
Max is also not busy with relationships,He is in need off money and
is really busy with his landscaping bussiness.He is divorced after a semi-forced.
wedding and is a father off two.
Max and Flora a friends only.
than a crown-princes,seatings,a sister in need.
and off we go.
I found The Baronet`s Prince,an easy to read,enjoyable and fun book.
Not a great romance with sexy and steamy times,with a grand H.E.A
therefore was it a bit to simple and not enough chemisty.
More a friends with benefits,what may become more.
but fun al the same,it was well written and I am looking forward
too the next one in this serie.
Arc was provided by netgalley
I believe it is the second one.
but it did not hinder the enjoyement.
I really liked this one.
It is not sugary sweet,only the pastries Flora bakes and makes.
It is a nice,fun story ,for me not a heavy romance with steamy scene`s.
Max and Flora a old-semi friends,who come to an arrangement.
She needs his kitchen in his mansion,in order to bake and cater.
She has plans and dreams and they do not include a old teenage crush.
on the older brother from her best friend.
She sees herself not as relationship material.
Only thing she needs is a kitchen and a plan.
Max is also not busy with relationships,He is in need off money and
is really busy with his landscaping bussiness.He is divorced after a semi-forced.
wedding and is a father off two.
Max and Flora a friends only.
than a crown-princes,seatings,a sister in need.
and off we go.
I found The Baronet`s Prince,an easy to read,enjoyable and fun book.
Not a great romance with sexy and steamy times,with a grand H.E.A
therefore was it a bit to simple and not enough chemisty.
More a friends with benefits,what may become more.
but fun al the same,it was well written and I am looking forward
too the next one in this serie.
Arc was provided by netgalley
November 14, 2017
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review**
Flora is one of Hope's best friends and we met her in the previous book and Max is Hope's rather grumpy brother, but then we can forgive him that with what he has been through.
Pushed together because of Hope's wedding and because Flora needs kitchen space they soon also find that they need a plus one for the wedding so decide that they should go as a couple to avoid matchmaking.
As with the first book in the series this is a clean yet sweet book in which our characters have overcome much to find their happiness.
Flora is one of Hope's best friends and we met her in the previous book and Max is Hope's rather grumpy brother, but then we can forgive him that with what he has been through.
Pushed together because of Hope's wedding and because Flora needs kitchen space they soon also find that they need a plus one for the wedding so decide that they should go as a couple to avoid matchmaking.
As with the first book in the series this is a clean yet sweet book in which our characters have overcome much to find their happiness.
April 8, 2018
I adored Max. This was one of those light and frothy 'feel-good' romances that just works. A realistic plot, characters who are believable and 'human' and a love story that develops over time.
My only regret is that the rest of the books in this series are not written by this author, otherwise I would have bought them all straight away!
Four and a half stars rounded up because it made me smile.
My only regret is that the rest of the books in this series are not written by this author, otherwise I would have bought them all straight away!
Four and a half stars rounded up because it made me smile.
May 5, 2020
A lovely cozy romantic fiction to curl up to for an afternoon. Slight plotholes but nothing too egregious. I wish it had more depth, that's the only thing that held me back.
My Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
September 13, 2023
This was really very cute! I realized a few pages in that I had read book #3 in the series a few years ago (they're all by different authors). I liked both the hero and heroine here. They both have a lot of baggage, real pain in their pasts, but end up being completely likeable, delightful characters. I'm now going in search of the other books in the series.
Want to read
March 23, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/23/2018)!💝
October 16, 2017
This was a truly fun book to read. Max is shocked when he finds out his sister Hope plans on having her wedding at the family manor. The place is in no way ready to hold a royal wedding. So it sets out to get things repaired and updated but an obstacle is thrown in his way when his sister agrees to let the chef who will be catering the wedding practice in his kitchen. Ignoring Chef Flora proves to be very difficult and really does he want to??
This is a very well done story and I loved Max and Flora. I definitely recommend this one!
This is a very well done story and I loved Max and Flora. I definitely recommend this one!
April 1, 2018
Ok but could be better
I can't say I got attached to any of the characters. Can't say the story was captivating either. It had a good premise but lacked consistency and good editing.
I can't say I got attached to any of the characters. Can't say the story was captivating either. It had a good premise but lacked consistency and good editing.
November 10, 2017
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart
When his sister Hope announces that she is going to marry a prince, Max is taken aback to discover that the royal wedding will take place not in stylish San Michele, but at their run-down family home, Hasebury Hall. Now Max has to fix up the manor, let royal and security officials have the run of the place… and find a suitable woman to placate a Crown Princess with an obsession over protocol.
Chef Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, is in charge of catering the royal wedding and has quickly taken over Max’s kitchen – not to mention the rest of his life. As a bridesmaid, Flora will be going to the official announcement of the royal engagement in San Michele too. Max is single, she’s single: why don’t they go together and keep the Crown Princess off Hope’s back?
Max has too much Mr. Rochester about him for Flora’s tastes and she’ll be returning to London very soon to reboot her career. Still, what harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
this is Flora Deare and Max Kennard's story.
And in the middle of it all stood Flora Deare, unpacking a complicated-looking machine from a box. “I know it looks bad,” she said soothingly, “but I’ll only be here until June. Seven months, and all this will be gone, I promise.”
“How long did you say you were moving in for?”
Max Kennard dumped the last box on the table and looked around him in dismay.
The kitchen had been built at the back of the Tudor house by his great-great-grandfather, Sir Ralph Kennard, who had conveniently married an American heiress and proceeded to spend all her money on improving Hasebury Hall so that she could entertain in the style to which he fully intended to become accustomed.
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart is a wonderful well written 4 star book.
I highly recommend reading.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Jessica's Books with Tule:
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement
Royal Wedding Invitations
Royal Wedding Invitations
A lord’s daughter from Wiltshire is marrying into European royalty and the wedding is
set to take place in her pretty Wiltshire village, in the manor house she grew up in. Each hero/heroine is providing a wedding service– catering, PR, security. They aim to make the Wiltshire royal wedding an unforgettable one. Love finds each of them along the way.
Book 1
The Prince’s Bride
by Sophie Weston
Book 2
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement
by Jessica Hart
Book 3
The Bridesmaid’s Royal Bodyguard
by Liz Fielding
Book 4
The Best Man’s Bride
by Anne McAllister
When his sister Hope announces that she is going to marry a prince, Max is taken aback to discover that the royal wedding will take place not in stylish San Michele, but at their run-down family home, Hasebury Hall. Now Max has to fix up the manor, let royal and security officials have the run of the place… and find a suitable woman to placate a Crown Princess with an obsession over protocol.
Chef Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, is in charge of catering the royal wedding and has quickly taken over Max’s kitchen – not to mention the rest of his life. As a bridesmaid, Flora will be going to the official announcement of the royal engagement in San Michele too. Max is single, she’s single: why don’t they go together and keep the Crown Princess off Hope’s back?
Max has too much Mr. Rochester about him for Flora’s tastes and she’ll be returning to London very soon to reboot her career. Still, what harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
this is Flora Deare and Max Kennard's story.
And in the middle of it all stood Flora Deare, unpacking a complicated-looking machine from a box. “I know it looks bad,” she said soothingly, “but I’ll only be here until June. Seven months, and all this will be gone, I promise.”
“How long did you say you were moving in for?”
Max Kennard dumped the last box on the table and looked around him in dismay.
The kitchen had been built at the back of the Tudor house by his great-great-grandfather, Sir Ralph Kennard, who had conveniently married an American heiress and proceeded to spend all her money on improving Hasebury Hall so that she could entertain in the style to which he fully intended to become accustomed.
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart is a wonderful well written 4 star book.
I highly recommend reading.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Jessica's Books with Tule:
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement
Royal Wedding Invitations
Royal Wedding Invitations
A lord’s daughter from Wiltshire is marrying into European royalty and the wedding is
set to take place in her pretty Wiltshire village, in the manor house she grew up in. Each hero/heroine is providing a wedding service– catering, PR, security. They aim to make the Wiltshire royal wedding an unforgettable one. Love finds each of them along the way.
Book 1
The Prince’s Bride
by Sophie Weston
Book 2
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement
by Jessica Hart
Book 3
The Bridesmaid’s Royal Bodyguard
by Liz Fielding
Book 4
The Best Man’s Bride
by Anne McAllister
October 23, 2017
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
In the first story of this series, The Prince’s Bride, we met a secondary character the Crown Princess who is… shall we say politely a stickler for proper protocol – and getting her own way. Now she’s up to her old tricks trying to butt into Hope’s wedding plans. She’s finding she cannot control the wedding, but she can control the pre-wedding activities held in her country. When she insists that everyone attending has a plus one to keep the numbers even she inadvertently sets the stage for a romance while unexpected, most definitely intriguing to Max, the bride’s brother and Flora, one of the bride’s best friends. It might have started as a silly suggestion made in fun over the Crown Princess’ antics… but maybe pretend can turn into forever for two people who really deserve a happy ever after..
I enjoyed this romance very much. While Max may come off as grumpy, there are reasons for his attitude, and a very strong and caring man beneath his gruff surface. Flora has set her own path doing what she loves. Neither was particularly looking for romance but slowly what started out as a fun experience became a chance at happiness – if they’d be willing to take that risk.
If you enjoy the pretend couple that turns into much more plot, then you’ll enjoy The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement. There were a couple issues that were a bit of a hiccup for me, but they didn’t take away from the story one bit… just my own buttons, I’d guess you’d say. If you’re in the mood for a bit of a fairy tale romance, an interesting plot, engaging secondary characters and a couple that you’ll be cheering on from the start – then this is a story you’d enjoy.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
In the first story of this series, The Prince’s Bride, we met a secondary character the Crown Princess who is… shall we say politely a stickler for proper protocol – and getting her own way. Now she’s up to her old tricks trying to butt into Hope’s wedding plans. She’s finding she cannot control the wedding, but she can control the pre-wedding activities held in her country. When she insists that everyone attending has a plus one to keep the numbers even she inadvertently sets the stage for a romance while unexpected, most definitely intriguing to Max, the bride’s brother and Flora, one of the bride’s best friends. It might have started as a silly suggestion made in fun over the Crown Princess’ antics… but maybe pretend can turn into forever for two people who really deserve a happy ever after..
I enjoyed this romance very much. While Max may come off as grumpy, there are reasons for his attitude, and a very strong and caring man beneath his gruff surface. Flora has set her own path doing what she loves. Neither was particularly looking for romance but slowly what started out as a fun experience became a chance at happiness – if they’d be willing to take that risk.
If you enjoy the pretend couple that turns into much more plot, then you’ll enjoy The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement. There were a couple issues that were a bit of a hiccup for me, but they didn’t take away from the story one bit… just my own buttons, I’d guess you’d say. If you’re in the mood for a bit of a fairy tale romance, an interesting plot, engaging secondary characters and a couple that you’ll be cheering on from the start – then this is a story you’d enjoy.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
November 24, 2025
3.5 Stars. This is the second book in a series, the couple from the previous novel does appear briefly in this one, but Flora and Max are very much the focus so it should be easy enough to read as a standalone.
I felt like this had some unnecessary tropes. Flora and Max already had legit reasons to be around each other, she’s good friends with his sister, she’s catering the sister’s wedding, and she’s borrowing Max’s kitchen for seven months for her side business, they didn’t need to fake date or share a room/bed to frequently cross-paths. And if fake dating did have to happen, I wish there had been a stronger reason behind it than just the need to fill out a boy-girl seating chart.
The fake dating and the sharing a room/bed felt a bit forced, and since most of that occurred during the “royal” segments of the story, maybe that’s why I much more preferred Flora and Max in the village, their interractions in his kitchen and in her cottage were so much more natural and engaging, and easily rate as all my favorite moments of the novel.
I also appreciated the timeline of this story, that it takes place over months rather than a few days, it’s so much easier to buy in when love takes a bit of time rather than happening overnight. I less appreciated a sad moment that happens (keeping it vague to avoid spoilers), that’s kind of the last thing I want to read about at the moment given something that I’m going through, so it wasn’t ideal timing, it did make sense that the story would go that way though, and there was a lovely gesture included so that helped lift things back up a bit.
I felt like this had some unnecessary tropes. Flora and Max already had legit reasons to be around each other, she’s good friends with his sister, she’s catering the sister’s wedding, and she’s borrowing Max’s kitchen for seven months for her side business, they didn’t need to fake date or share a room/bed to frequently cross-paths. And if fake dating did have to happen, I wish there had been a stronger reason behind it than just the need to fill out a boy-girl seating chart.
The fake dating and the sharing a room/bed felt a bit forced, and since most of that occurred during the “royal” segments of the story, maybe that’s why I much more preferred Flora and Max in the village, their interractions in his kitchen and in her cottage were so much more natural and engaging, and easily rate as all my favorite moments of the novel.
I also appreciated the timeline of this story, that it takes place over months rather than a few days, it’s so much easier to buy in when love takes a bit of time rather than happening overnight. I less appreciated a sad moment that happens (keeping it vague to avoid spoilers), that’s kind of the last thing I want to read about at the moment given something that I’m going through, so it wasn’t ideal timing, it did make sense that the story would go that way though, and there was a lovely gesture included so that helped lift things back up a bit.
October 9, 2017
Received an advance reader copy for an exchange of honest review
I always have soft spot for any story that Jessica Hart wrote, and this one is no exception. The story is very heart warming, especially since there's no crazy or clinging ex-wife/boyfriend (Max's wife is a constant present to his life due to the children that they got together but she's never too overbearing) or constant denial (well, there's denial but it doesn't last long). That's why I love the story and reading it page by page give me that warmth feeling because it feels like I'm watching the scene played in front of me rather than just reading it. Flora and Max are also delightful as characters, they're actually honest with themselves and no scars or past trauma could get them to be together. As far as I remember, they almost hardly fight because they understand each other very much and it's a good trait to a healthy relationship. Max's children are also wonderful, but it's too bad that the cat had to die. I wished that Sweety could last longer and maybe live together with Bella and Ted, just to antagonize them. All in all, it's a good-feel story, very simple and have little crazy plot, but it's still very enjoyable nonetheless
I always have soft spot for any story that Jessica Hart wrote, and this one is no exception. The story is very heart warming, especially since there's no crazy or clinging ex-wife/boyfriend (Max's wife is a constant present to his life due to the children that they got together but she's never too overbearing) or constant denial (well, there's denial but it doesn't last long). That's why I love the story and reading it page by page give me that warmth feeling because it feels like I'm watching the scene played in front of me rather than just reading it. Flora and Max are also delightful as characters, they're actually honest with themselves and no scars or past trauma could get them to be together. As far as I remember, they almost hardly fight because they understand each other very much and it's a good trait to a healthy relationship. Max's children are also wonderful, but it's too bad that the cat had to die. I wished that Sweety could last longer and maybe live together with Bella and Ted, just to antagonize them. All in all, it's a good-feel story, very simple and have little crazy plot, but it's still very enjoyable nonetheless
October 18, 2017
In the second installment of the Royal Wedding Invitations series, Hope is getting ready for her wedding and she has decided to have it at her family home, Hasebury Hall, instead of the palace in San Michele. This puts her brother Max on edge. He has a lot to do to get the manor worthy of a royal wedding.
Hope’s friend, Flora Deare, is doing the catering and she needs to use a big kitchen to practice in. So, Hope gave Flora permission to use the kitchen at the manor, even if it does annoy her newly single brother, Max. When Flora was younger, she used to have a crush on Max. The more time she spends with him now, that crush seems to be making a return.
When Max finds out the Crown Princess is having fits about the seating arrangements because he doesn’t have a date for the royal engagement announcement in San Michele, he decides to ask Flora to be his date. They both have to be there anyway. Why not pretend to be a couple? But will they be able to remember this is only to appease the Crown Princess or will they realize they just might be a perfect couple after all?
I am really enjoying this series so far. The author did a good job writing this book and keeping my attention from start to finish.
Hope’s friend, Flora Deare, is doing the catering and she needs to use a big kitchen to practice in. So, Hope gave Flora permission to use the kitchen at the manor, even if it does annoy her newly single brother, Max. When Flora was younger, she used to have a crush on Max. The more time she spends with him now, that crush seems to be making a return.
When Max finds out the Crown Princess is having fits about the seating arrangements because he doesn’t have a date for the royal engagement announcement in San Michele, he decides to ask Flora to be his date. They both have to be there anyway. Why not pretend to be a couple? But will they be able to remember this is only to appease the Crown Princess or will they realize they just might be a perfect couple after all?
I am really enjoying this series so far. The author did a good job writing this book and keeping my attention from start to finish.
December 14, 2017
I loved this story so much! Book two in the multi-author Royal Wedding series, The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement is a lovely warm story that had me involved and caring straight away. It can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series.
Impoverished baronet Max Kennard of Hasebury Hall and chef Flora Deare seem at first glance to be impossibly mismatched. He is a man of simple tastes, happy to get by on instant coffee and microwaved dinners while Flora is a culinary perfectionist. Despite their differences, the chemistry between these two is electric. Watching their relationship develop was an absolute pleasure.
I also loved the animals in this story - Max’s dogs Bella and Ted, and Flora’s cantankerous and elderly cat Sweetie, who is the reason Flora is living in the village of Combe St Philip instead of London, where she dreams of opening a restaurant.
Despite having a royal theme, this is really a gentle contemporary love story. The well-paced plot kept me hooked and emotionally attached. I’d like to see more from author Jessica Hart.
Impoverished baronet Max Kennard of Hasebury Hall and chef Flora Deare seem at first glance to be impossibly mismatched. He is a man of simple tastes, happy to get by on instant coffee and microwaved dinners while Flora is a culinary perfectionist. Despite their differences, the chemistry between these two is electric. Watching their relationship develop was an absolute pleasure.
I also loved the animals in this story - Max’s dogs Bella and Ted, and Flora’s cantankerous and elderly cat Sweetie, who is the reason Flora is living in the village of Combe St Philip instead of London, where she dreams of opening a restaurant.
Despite having a royal theme, this is really a gentle contemporary love story. The well-paced plot kept me hooked and emotionally attached. I’d like to see more from author Jessica Hart.
October 6, 2017
I read this book from cover to cover. I have read and enjoyed books by Jessica Hart before and this one was just as good,
Flora, a chef has been hired by her best friend Holly to prepare all the food for her upcoming wedding. Holly is marrying a prince and will be becoming a princess.
Flora agrees to the job on one condition that she get to practice cooking in the enormous kitchen of their family estate where Holly’s newly single brother Max lives. You will have to read the book because saying anything more would be giving out spoilers.
I received this advanced copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Flora, a chef has been hired by her best friend Holly to prepare all the food for her upcoming wedding. Holly is marrying a prince and will be becoming a princess.
Flora agrees to the job on one condition that she get to practice cooking in the enormous kitchen of their family estate where Holly’s newly single brother Max lives. You will have to read the book because saying anything more would be giving out spoilers.
I received this advanced copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2017
Royal Wedding Invitation Book 2, The Baronet's Wedding by Jessica Hart has direct ties to Book 1 in the series. Max is brother to Hope, Book 1. Hope puts Max in the hot spot by wanting her wedding to a Prince at the family farm. Flora is the catering chef and a bridesmaid for the wedding. She is a strong capable character who takes command of Max’s kitchen and his heart. This is a fun read with a little drama, a little angst and a little romance. Not too much of any of those so it is a little predictable but still entertaining story.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
November 5, 2017
This book is part of The Royal Wedding Invitation series along with The Prince's Bride by Sophie Weston, The Best Man's Bride by Anne McAllister, and The Bridesmaid's Royal Bodyguard by Liz Fielding.
It's a really sweet take on the stuffy, stodgy man falling for the vibrant, alive woman. Sir Max Kennard offers the use of his large estate kitchen to Flora Deare, best friend and cater for his sister's royal wedding. Max then begrudgingly permits Flora to move into his estate for convenience.
Neither of them expects to like the other much less feel something more. Fate is fickle and always has different ideas for everyone.
It's a really sweet take on the stuffy, stodgy man falling for the vibrant, alive woman. Sir Max Kennard offers the use of his large estate kitchen to Flora Deare, best friend and cater for his sister's royal wedding. Max then begrudgingly permits Flora to move into his estate for convenience.
Neither of them expects to like the other much less feel something more. Fate is fickle and always has different ideas for everyone.
April 15, 2018
This was a lovely book and a lot of fun! I caught myself laughing out loud or giggling through out the book! You couldn’t help but, love Flora, so sweet and always looking out for people. Of course you couldn’t help but, love Max, also! So grouchy, but helped Flora when she lost Sweetie, her Grandpa’s cat . He loved his kids, loved his dogs and probably even her cat!
She loved to cook, loved his fantasy kitchen and she liked being near him. A great story with castles and great smells of cakes baking, food cooking! A
lovely story which, I would definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
She loved to cook, loved his fantasy kitchen and she liked being near him. A great story with castles and great smells of cakes baking, food cooking! A
lovely story which, I would definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 2, 2020
Pleasantly surprised by this slow burn, opposites attract romance. There was a sweet quality to it. My negative would be that there was not enough actual interaction between the characters that went well as opposed to either hot or cold. Therefore the implied friendship that grew between our hero and heroine felt told rather than shown. But, overall, I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to.
I'm tempted to check out the others in the series but unsure how it will go with a different author telling each couple's story in different writing styles. There is clearly some overlap to all the stories and I'm very curious as to how they make that all work.
I'm tempted to check out the others in the series but unsure how it will go with a different author telling each couple's story in different writing styles. There is clearly some overlap to all the stories and I'm very curious as to how they make that all work.
December 19, 2017
The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement is the second book in the Royal Wedding Invitations series. Each story is by a different author and bits of them overflow, although they can each be read as a standalone. Max suddenly finds himself needing to make improvements to his rundown home in order to please his sister who plans to marry there. He's also expected to bring a date. Hope's friend, Flora, is catering the wedding and agrees to be Max's plus one. As they fake their way through the event, they find they aren't faking everything. This was an enjoyable story to read.
May 3, 2018
Flora and Max, who come from different worlds and social classes, come together for his sister’s wedding. Max, a Baron, gives Flora, a top London chef, the kitchen in his Manor to prepare for the wedding. While she prepares delicious cakes for the village, he soon finds himself under her spell and tries to keep his distance until he gives in to his feelings. This is a delightful story which I would suggest to other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2018
Friend to fiance
Flora had crush on Max since she was 15yrs old and he married someone else and broke her heart. Two kids and one divorce later they are thrown together due to his baby sister marrying a Prince and Flora is catering as well as being brides best friend. Fun to watch these two try to side step each other. Look forward to more from this series.
Flora had crush on Max since she was 15yrs old and he married someone else and broke her heart. Two kids and one divorce later they are thrown together due to his baby sister marrying a Prince and Flora is catering as well as being brides best friend. Fun to watch these two try to side step each other. Look forward to more from this series.
June 27, 2018
I received a copy from LibraryThing Early reviewers for an honest opinion. This is one of the sweetest love stories I have read in a long time and I really enjoyed it. It combined cooking, garden, castles and weddings. Both characters were likeable and authentic. I enjoyed how the story flowed and the ending was enjoyable.
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