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Invertary #2
Goody Two Shoes
Take one American singer who doesn’t believe in falling in love…
Josh McInnes’ biological clock is ticking and he wants to get married—now. After 20 years singing soppy love songs, he knows that there is no such thing as romantic love. There’s only hormones and lust. At thirty-five, he’s tired of his playboy lifestyle. He wants a wife who isn’t interested in fame, money, or romance. A sensible wife, who values commitment. He wants a partnership, a friendship, and none of the craziness that goes with falling in love. As far as he can see, there’s only one way to get exactly what he wants—he needs an arranged marriage.
…add a Scottish librarian who has given up on ever falling in love…
Caroline Patterson terrifies men. With her no-nonsense attitude, and ice queen demeanour, she’s in control of everything—and everyone—around her. Her sensible shoes and grey skirt suits act like a force field, repelling male attention. At thirty-one, she can’t remember the last time she went on a date and is beginning to think she’ll never have a family of her own. When an American stranger approaches Caroline with a marriage proposal that resembles a business contract, she quickly accepts. She doesn’t expect romance. But she does expect to control each and every detail of their lives together. Because as life has taught her—if you aren’t in control, bad things happen.
…and you get romance Invertary style!
Josh and Caroline learn the hard way that falling in love isn’t something you can avoid. And it definitely isn’t something you can control. Their well laid plans are about to degenerate into chaos, as they fall in love the Scottish way.
Josh McInnes’ biological clock is ticking and he wants to get married—now. After 20 years singing soppy love songs, he knows that there is no such thing as romantic love. There’s only hormones and lust. At thirty-five, he’s tired of his playboy lifestyle. He wants a wife who isn’t interested in fame, money, or romance. A sensible wife, who values commitment. He wants a partnership, a friendship, and none of the craziness that goes with falling in love. As far as he can see, there’s only one way to get exactly what he wants—he needs an arranged marriage.
…add a Scottish librarian who has given up on ever falling in love…
Caroline Patterson terrifies men. With her no-nonsense attitude, and ice queen demeanour, she’s in control of everything—and everyone—around her. Her sensible shoes and grey skirt suits act like a force field, repelling male attention. At thirty-one, she can’t remember the last time she went on a date and is beginning to think she’ll never have a family of her own. When an American stranger approaches Caroline with a marriage proposal that resembles a business contract, she quickly accepts. She doesn’t expect romance. But she does expect to control each and every detail of their lives together. Because as life has taught her—if you aren’t in control, bad things happen.
…and you get romance Invertary style!
Josh and Caroline learn the hard way that falling in love isn’t something you can avoid. And it definitely isn’t something you can control. Their well laid plans are about to degenerate into chaos, as they fall in love the Scottish way.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
2119 people are currently reading
3432 people want to read
About the author
Janet Elizabeth Henderson
51 books713 followersJanet grew up in Scotland but now lives in New Zealand. Among other things, she’s been an artist, a teacher, a security guard at a castle, a magazine editor, and a cleaner in a drop in center for drug addicts (NOT the best job!). When she isn’t living in her head and writing about the people she finds there, she raises two kids, one husband, and several random animals. She survives on chocolate and caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
July 10, 2018
This is second in a series. I bounced off the first. I think I just got bored and never picked it up after the first bit. I didn't really feel that as a negative, even though Lake and Kirsty are prominent figures in this story.
This was . . . okay. I loved some of the clashes between the two main characters. I liked the background that set them in opposition, at least initially. But I find that most of what I liked was the theory and that the actualization of those bits felt flawed.
Caroline's background is the toughest to buy. She's all about control and managing things and that's fine. But it's such an extreme that it doesn't withstand examination. Nobody has that extreme, even absolute, an expectation without simple life driving them into the nut house. Life is chaos and Invertary is populated (to an extreme, I think) with colorful characters who almost personify random acts of mayhem. There's no way she has lived this long, this publicly involved, in that place without having her managed control generate life lessons telling her to lighten up.
Josh's background works alright, but the problem with him is how he gets his way all the time. It's charm and seduction and bull-headed, full-steam-ahead bulldozing activity and that might work sometimes. But it works far too often in situations where I just didn't buy it. And I particularly hated that his primary strategy for getting around Caroline was by kissing her silly. Or, rather, I hated that it worked every. single. time.
Add a couple of times where I felt like characters were coopted for a (stereo)typical romance beat and I sometimes struggled to keep going. It's a good thing the banter was good and their conflict was kind of fun.
So this ends up a squishy three stars. I don't regret the time and it turned out relatively well. I really wish Henderson had a better resistance to farce, but then, Invertary is kind of built around farce so that's my bad for harboring the expectation.
A note about Steamy: There is one full-on explicit sex scene and enough bits to add up to another. So this is approaching the middle of my steam tolerance. It doesn't help that a lot of farce is built into the secondary romance with Josh's parents (though I did love that the safe word was "dumbass" and that it was used in every single sentence after choosing it).
This was . . . okay. I loved some of the clashes between the two main characters. I liked the background that set them in opposition, at least initially. But I find that most of what I liked was the theory and that the actualization of those bits felt flawed.
Caroline's background is the toughest to buy. She's all about control and managing things and that's fine. But it's such an extreme that it doesn't withstand examination. Nobody has that extreme, even absolute, an expectation without simple life driving them into the nut house. Life is chaos and Invertary is populated (to an extreme, I think) with colorful characters who almost personify random acts of mayhem. There's no way she has lived this long, this publicly involved, in that place without having her managed control generate life lessons telling her to lighten up.
Josh's background works alright, but the problem with him is how he gets his way all the time. It's charm and seduction and bull-headed, full-steam-ahead bulldozing activity and that might work sometimes. But it works far too often in situations where I just didn't buy it. And I particularly hated that his primary strategy for getting around Caroline was by kissing her silly. Or, rather, I hated that it worked every. single. time.
Add a couple of times where I felt like characters were coopted for a (stereo)typical romance beat and I sometimes struggled to keep going. It's a good thing the banter was good and their conflict was kind of fun.
So this ends up a squishy three stars. I don't regret the time and it turned out relatively well. I really wish Henderson had a better resistance to farce, but then, Invertary is kind of built around farce so that's my bad for harboring the expectation.
A note about Steamy: There is one full-on explicit sex scene and enough bits to add up to another. So this is approaching the middle of my steam tolerance. It doesn't help that a lot of farce is built into the secondary romance with Josh's parents (though I did love that the safe word was "dumbass" and that it was used in every single sentence after choosing it).
October 18, 2022
It started of really well and then....
As with most of the love stories I choose to read, it started off well. For the first 30% of the book, I was feeling 'wow, I just found the book I needed to read'...
The good part:
1. It was funny.
2. The chemistry between the leads was really well described. The casual man and the uptight lass made for a cute pair. They were growing fond of each other and then it drifted off.
3. The parents' story was funny, specially all the effort Andrew puts to win Helen over.
I noticed a lot of small issues throughout the book.
1. In a lot of places, when the scene changed, there was no section break. It affected the continuity.
2. One of the subplot was to highlight the downside of being a celebrity and the paparazzi and what not. True, those were essential to the plot perhaps but I felt it was taken too far. I mean the Danny guy caused a havoc a million times... What on earth was the tough security guy, his team and the police had done? Each time, he would come back and cause more pain - less to the leads and more to the readers. I was almost putting down the book. I won't tolerate this further.
3. The threats that Caroline got repeatedly, was obviously from a certain character we meet earlier in the book. That was WAY TOO PREDICTABLE. Given that Caroline was so smart, I wondered why she hasn't figured it out. She does, when the culprit announces it in front of the world. Duh.
4. That brings me to the next problem. Caroline transitioned from a control-freak to a meek-lady almost so quickly, it was unbelievable.
5. Repetitive. Not just in terms of content, but vocabulary too. I stopped counting but a few phrases are used, more than once, in every chapter. And there are forty chapters. Imagine how much repetition was there.
As I said, I put it down for a DNF. But the next morning, I decided to finish. And it finished in a very very very predictable manner. But I was glad it is over.
As with most of the love stories I choose to read, it started off well. For the first 30% of the book, I was feeling 'wow, I just found the book I needed to read'...
The good part:
1. It was funny.
2. The chemistry between the leads was really well described. The casual man and the uptight lass made for a cute pair. They were growing fond of each other and then it drifted off.
3. The parents' story was funny, specially all the effort Andrew puts to win Helen over.
I noticed a lot of small issues throughout the book.
1. In a lot of places, when the scene changed, there was no section break. It affected the continuity.
2. One of the subplot was to highlight the downside of being a celebrity and the paparazzi and what not. True, those were essential to the plot perhaps but I felt it was taken too far. I mean the Danny guy caused a havoc a million times... What on earth was the tough security guy, his team and the police had done? Each time, he would come back and cause more pain - less to the leads and more to the readers. I was almost putting down the book. I won't tolerate this further.
3. The threats that Caroline got repeatedly, was obviously from a certain character we meet earlier in the book. That was WAY TOO PREDICTABLE. Given that Caroline was so smart, I wondered why she hasn't figured it out. She does, when the culprit announces it in front of the world. Duh.
4. That brings me to the next problem. Caroline transitioned from a control-freak to a meek-lady almost so quickly, it was unbelievable.
5. Repetitive. Not just in terms of content, but vocabulary too. I stopped counting but a few phrases are used, more than once, in every chapter. And there are forty chapters. Imagine how much repetition was there.
As I said, I put it down for a DNF. But the next morning, I decided to finish. And it finished in a very very very predictable manner. But I was glad it is over.
December 12, 2015
JEH is like a thinking man's (woman's) SEP.
I like SEP, I mean you don't read a dozen books by an author you don't like. But she also drives me insane. So often she promises great things....like a Ducati 959 Panigale
But you end up with a 1951 Vespa.
But Goody Two Shoes is great. It's like all the best parts of a SEP book with none of the things that drive me insane. A fun, light and entertaining read.
I like SEP, I mean you don't read a dozen books by an author you don't like. But she also drives me insane. So often she promises great things....like a Ducati 959 Panigale
But you end up with a 1951 Vespa.
But Goody Two Shoes is great. It's like all the best parts of a SEP book with none of the things that drive me insane. A fun, light and entertaining read.
June 30, 2017
I just loved it.
(I'll read other reviews and link the one that satisfies my thoughts)
I'll just say that reading about Caroline in Lingerie wars I was sure she was the kind of h I love and I wasn't mistaken. I loved everything about her, even her gray suits.
Josh surprised me, how laid back he was about almost everything but Caroline, if it was about her then he was intense.
Betty made small appearances but still managed to remind me she was my favorite in book one.
(I'll read other reviews and link the one that satisfies my thoughts)
I'll just say that reading about Caroline in Lingerie wars I was sure she was the kind of h I love and I wasn't mistaken. I loved everything about her, even her gray suits.
Josh surprised me, how laid back he was about almost everything but Caroline, if it was about her then he was intense.
Betty made small appearances but still managed to remind me she was my favorite in book one.
November 2, 2019
I read this as part of a reading challenge. It wouldn't have been one I would have chosen off my own back but I am really pleased I did.
I really enjoyed it and laughed out loud in so many places. It was fun, flowing and lighthearted.
A really enjoyable, quick read.
I really enjoyed it and laughed out loud in so many places. It was fun, flowing and lighthearted.
A really enjoyable, quick read.
May 11, 2015
★★★★★Goody Two Shoes(Invertary, Book 2) by Janet Elizabeth Henson
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
with Invertary.
I thought Lingerie Wars was funny and loved it, so I was very excited for book 2. It did not disappoint.
I just could not stop laughing.
Ms. Janet's writing style. I don't generally read romantic comedies, but her books are hilarious.
And Josh...
I haven't had any champagne tonight, lol.
Reading Order
Lingerie Wars (Invertary book 1)
Goody Two Shoes (Invertary book 2)
Magenta Mine (Invertary book 3)
expected 6.28.15 Calamity Jena (Invertary book 4)
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
with Invertary.
I thought Lingerie Wars was funny and loved it, so I was very excited for book 2. It did not disappoint.
I just could not stop laughing.
Ms. Janet's writing style. I don't generally read romantic comedies, but her books are hilarious.
And Josh...
I haven't had any champagne tonight, lol.
Reading Order
Lingerie Wars (Invertary book 1)
Goody Two Shoes (Invertary book 2)
Magenta Mine (Invertary book 3)
expected 6.28.15 Calamity Jena (Invertary book 4)
July 1, 2018
This is a highly underrated book. Cute resistant heroine and a patient and yummy hero. And rib tickling side characters. This one has all the ingredients for a fantastic read.
I seriously recommend this book to all of you who are reading my review. You’re going to have enjoyable time reading it.
I seriously recommend this book to all of you who are reading my review. You’re going to have enjoyable time reading it.
July 20, 2018
Hilarious, sweet, cheesy, fun read!!!
February 28, 2021
Mostly funny but made me shed some tears. Thus it was light and satisfying read for me.
August 4, 2019
Lovely story and charming characters.
“Two goody shoes” is the second book in the “Invertary” series, but can be all read as standalone.
The course of events gets the reader interested from the very beginning. Then at times, it seemed a bit unusual.
Caroline Patterson is a prim and proper librarian, who also runs the Community Center of Invertary, Scotland via the town council. Josh McInnes is a worldwide famous singer. He happens to buy a castle in Scotland. Mitch, Josh’s friend, and the manager is the one responsible for introducing Caroline to Josh. I liked the idea of an arranged wedding, I liked lots of the details and the twists typical for a romantic novel. Josh decides though that he doesn't want romance involved with their marriage. He only wants commitment through an arranged marriage, and he finds Caroline to be its perfect choice. The wedding is going to be in three weeks. Who would think that so many things can happen in so little time?
I was hoping for a happy ending and part of me was certain of it. Still, some things seemed a bit exaggerated. It is a romance novel and some sexual, sensual scenes are normal to be expected, but some of them seemed a bit too much. For example the time Josh, the main character had Caroline, his future bride-to-be, handcuffed to her bed. Caroline’s 'first time' was also a bit unrealistic. Still, in the end, I can say that I liked the idea of the story and its characters (with a bit of reservation regarding Josh’s parents).
“Two goody shoes” is the second book in the “Invertary” series, but can be all read as standalone.
The course of events gets the reader interested from the very beginning. Then at times, it seemed a bit unusual.
Caroline Patterson is a prim and proper librarian, who also runs the Community Center of Invertary, Scotland via the town council. Josh McInnes is a worldwide famous singer. He happens to buy a castle in Scotland. Mitch, Josh’s friend, and the manager is the one responsible for introducing Caroline to Josh. I liked the idea of an arranged wedding, I liked lots of the details and the twists typical for a romantic novel. Josh decides though that he doesn't want romance involved with their marriage. He only wants commitment through an arranged marriage, and he finds Caroline to be its perfect choice. The wedding is going to be in three weeks. Who would think that so many things can happen in so little time?
I was hoping for a happy ending and part of me was certain of it. Still, some things seemed a bit exaggerated. It is a romance novel and some sexual, sensual scenes are normal to be expected, but some of them seemed a bit too much. For example the time Josh, the main character had Caroline, his future bride-to-be, handcuffed to her bed. Caroline’s 'first time' was also a bit unrealistic. Still, in the end, I can say that I liked the idea of the story and its characters (with a bit of reservation regarding Josh’s parents).
July 11, 2019
I loved this rom-com, it had some laugh-out-loud moments that made me delighted. My favorite part of this book was when the heroine started to like herself. I thought this love story was very cute.
I recommend to those who like stories that are light and funny and for those who like very sweet romances.
I recommend to those who like stories that are light and funny and for those who like very sweet romances.
September 13, 2018
3.5 Stars
Goody Two Shoes is the story of an American singer who decides it is time for him to settle down and have a family. But he doesn’t want to wade through his obsessed fans to find someone who likes him rather than his celebrity persona. So he asks his friend to find him someone down-to-earth willing to get married in a hurry. He ends up with a sensible yet fiery Scottish librarian who is a force to be reckoned with. In an attempt to win her over, Josh buys the local castle which Caroline is trying to save. Of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and their budding romance is made more complicated by their friends and family, a village full of eccentric characters, and a plague of fans.
The plot is farfetched, but the story is entertaining. I like the celebrity aspect least of all. Actually, I almost didn’t read this because the main character is a celebrity. I’ve never understood why people moon over singers and actors, and I find obsessive fans to be creepy. That’s a personal hang-up, obviously. I didn’t enjoy the parts with the obsessed fans throwing themselves at Josh, and I felt sorry that Caroline’s life was thrown into absolute chaos just because she had the misfortune of being doggedly pursued by someone famous.
I should also note that this is the sequel, but it isn’t necessary to read these in order. Characters and events from the first book are mentioned, but the story does not build directly on its predecessor.
Despite all of that, Goody Two Shoes was fun and entertaining. It has a hilarious cast of supporting characters. They really made the story. Actually, there were times when I enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main ones. The love story itself was cute but generic. And their chemistry was middle of the road. But the story made me giggle quick a few times, and it was an enjoyable, light read.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 4 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars
Goody Two Shoes is the story of an American singer who decides it is time for him to settle down and have a family. But he doesn’t want to wade through his obsessed fans to find someone who likes him rather than his celebrity persona. So he asks his friend to find him someone down-to-earth willing to get married in a hurry. He ends up with a sensible yet fiery Scottish librarian who is a force to be reckoned with. In an attempt to win her over, Josh buys the local castle which Caroline is trying to save. Of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and their budding romance is made more complicated by their friends and family, a village full of eccentric characters, and a plague of fans.
The plot is farfetched, but the story is entertaining. I like the celebrity aspect least of all. Actually, I almost didn’t read this because the main character is a celebrity. I’ve never understood why people moon over singers and actors, and I find obsessive fans to be creepy. That’s a personal hang-up, obviously. I didn’t enjoy the parts with the obsessed fans throwing themselves at Josh, and I felt sorry that Caroline’s life was thrown into absolute chaos just because she had the misfortune of being doggedly pursued by someone famous.
I should also note that this is the sequel, but it isn’t necessary to read these in order. Characters and events from the first book are mentioned, but the story does not build directly on its predecessor.
Despite all of that, Goody Two Shoes was fun and entertaining. It has a hilarious cast of supporting characters. They really made the story. Actually, there were times when I enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main ones. The love story itself was cute but generic. And their chemistry was middle of the road. But the story made me giggle quick a few times, and it was an enjoyable, light read.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 4 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars
October 6, 2014
I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Janet Elizabeth Henderson. I discovered her great writing when I bought a book suggested by a Goodreads ad: Lingerie Wars. Lingerie Wars is hilarious, and if you have yet to read it, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.
I liked Lingerie Wars only a hair more than Goody Two Shoes, but Goody Two Shoes is a great book in its own right.
GTS is about Caroline, a Scottish control freak librarian who thinks she is doomed to live a romance-free life. Her practicality can get in the way of her relationships, but when she meets her match, Josh--who is a famous singer from the U.S.--she isn't prepared for the battle ahead.
When they make a business arrangement to get married, sure it seems a little weird at first, but they are both getting something out of it. So what's to go wrong, right?
Probably just about everything. Josh has a lot of patience and tolerance for his new controlling fiance, and Caroline can't believe Josh has the nerve to order her around--or simply ignore her orders.
Some old characters from Lingerie Wars make a fun return--Betty, the 80-something gossipy and bossy hen. Lake Benson, the hot ex-military Englishman. Ex-lingerie-model Kirsty Campbell, Lake's fiance and Caroline's best friend (one of the MCs of Lingerie Wars). And of course Dougal, the unofficial mayor of Invertary.
As the new couple deal with the complications of fame and fortune, each one learns something about the other and assumptions take a back seat.
I love the way Ms. Henderson's writing makes the story an easy read--which is hard to do. And I love the funny moments throughout, with just the right amount of sexy added in. The characters are great and well-developed, and I found myself rooting for Caroline and Josh.
What it boils down to is this: I loved this book and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romcom read with sexy tension. Also, I can't wait for book three in this series!
I liked Lingerie Wars only a hair more than Goody Two Shoes, but Goody Two Shoes is a great book in its own right.
GTS is about Caroline, a Scottish control freak librarian who thinks she is doomed to live a romance-free life. Her practicality can get in the way of her relationships, but when she meets her match, Josh--who is a famous singer from the U.S.--she isn't prepared for the battle ahead.
When they make a business arrangement to get married, sure it seems a little weird at first, but they are both getting something out of it. So what's to go wrong, right?
Probably just about everything. Josh has a lot of patience and tolerance for his new controlling fiance, and Caroline can't believe Josh has the nerve to order her around--or simply ignore her orders.
Some old characters from Lingerie Wars make a fun return--Betty, the 80-something gossipy and bossy hen. Lake Benson, the hot ex-military Englishman. Ex-lingerie-model Kirsty Campbell, Lake's fiance and Caroline's best friend (one of the MCs of Lingerie Wars). And of course Dougal, the unofficial mayor of Invertary.
As the new couple deal with the complications of fame and fortune, each one learns something about the other and assumptions take a back seat.
I love the way Ms. Henderson's writing makes the story an easy read--which is hard to do. And I love the funny moments throughout, with just the right amount of sexy added in. The characters are great and well-developed, and I found myself rooting for Caroline and Josh.
What it boils down to is this: I loved this book and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romcom read with sexy tension. Also, I can't wait for book three in this series!
June 7, 2015
1.5? Josh believes in commitment over romance so when he decides to get married, he asks his friend to arrange one for him and ends up proposing to the first woman he meets, a Scottish woman who feels very protective over the castle he just bought in her town. This was so not my book. I really truly genuinely disliked Josh deeply - for someone who was called so laidback, he was far more of a control freak than Caroline - he would call her what he liked, even after she protested, the marriage would happen on his timeline, the kissing and sex would happen on his timeline, their post-marriage lives would be at his discretion, and nothing she said ever really mattered. There were some really funny moments (especially with the vicar), but my blood pressure kept going up with Josh's scenes. I flipped to the end to see if the book was about him learning to be a real partner, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. Big disappointment, the plot idea was fun but I just couldn't bear the characters. I did like his friend/manager - I think I would have liked him paired with Caroline.
June 9, 2018
I was enjoying this for quite a bit... I thought it was cute and quirky and fun...until it started getting NOT. I felt like she was browbeaten the entire time. "Oh hey, the media doesn't like what you wear so as your 'friends' we want to change you" and then he handcuffs her to the bed against her will and offers her a bucket to relieve herself, etc... and then she magically loves him? Do women really appreciate being told they don't know what they want and a man to take away all their personal choice over their person? No, what could have been a cute little story ended up thoroughly disgusting me.
October 11, 2022
I love Invertary town! Those people... I want to live there. ;-)
What to say, like with Bad Boy I have had a wonderfully funny and lovely time.
Henderson's reminds me a bit of Penny Reid and Jennifer Crusie (as I mentioned in the other review). Yet, she has her own style. I could summarize her books as small-town romances with a bit of glamour (rich/famous people move in and do a bit of chaos). Much laughing, some sighing, alpha heroes when you need them, an independent heroine who needs some rescuing though (of course ;-) ), a love story based more on physical attraction than friendship.
With many writers such a combination goes bad (at least I found a few such cases, of course, it is a matter of taste). But Janet Elizabeth Henderson is a winner to me.
It's time to find more of her books, and start to read the series from the start.
What to say, like with Bad Boy I have had a wonderfully funny and lovely time.
Henderson's reminds me a bit of Penny Reid and Jennifer Crusie (as I mentioned in the other review). Yet, she has her own style. I could summarize her books as small-town romances with a bit of glamour (rich/famous people move in and do a bit of chaos). Much laughing, some sighing, alpha heroes when you need them, an independent heroine who needs some rescuing though (of course ;-) ), a love story based more on physical attraction than friendship.
With many writers such a combination goes bad (at least I found a few such cases, of course, it is a matter of taste). But Janet Elizabeth Henderson is a winner to me.
It's time to find more of her books, and start to read the series from the start.
October 16, 2021
This was a nice, fun read. I enjoyed myself. There were definitely a few annoyances but overall I had a pleasant time. I'm not usually a fan of reading two stories at once (in this case the main one with Josh and Caroline, and then the other with Andrew and Helen, Josh's parents), but I quite liked it in this instance.
Caroline's control issues triggered my control issues so that wasn't fun but it's not a real fault so who am I to say anything.
Caroline's control issues triggered my control issues so that wasn't fun but it's not a real fault so who am I to say anything.
July 23, 2019
A wedding arrangement? A guy who didn’t believe in love but in commitment and mutual respect? A control freak and a laid-back guy? Funny moments and characters that are easy to fall/root for? Uhm, yes! Sign me up, lol. I laughed and cried, dreamed about the book, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole story! 🤩💕
tried-the-sample-not-for-me
July 2, 201807/02: FREE on amazon.de!!!
June 16, 2018
3.5 stars
It was utterly ridiculous, but fun, and really sweet.
It was utterly ridiculous, but fun, and really sweet.
July 5, 2018
Oh. My. God. Where do I start?!
Let's start with the stupid setup: we have Josh McInnes - god of all men, apparently - who wanted to get married, so that he could have babies, etc, etc, etc. One look at Caroline, and he was all for proposing his marriage arrangement with her.
Then, we have this GOD OF A MAN railroading her every, single wish. Forget talking with her, and communicating. Nope. Communication between the both of them progressed thus: Caroline saying that she wanted things done one way; Josh looking at her and thinking that she's oh-so-cute for being such a bossy boots and not bothering to listen to a thing she was saying; and still manipulating things for his own way, either by touching her or kissing her. OR Caroline not giving a thought about paparazzi and just how much her life would change if she were to be involved with such a guy: he'd tell her about the dangers of being married or associated with a celebrity; in one ear and out the other for her. He'd tell her that he'd like her to keep her mobile phone with her; she full-on ignores him. Seriously, I rolled my eyes so often I think that I've got muscle strain now.
And don't get me started on the "kink" component of the book.
Also, Josh had no f-ing respect for Caroline at all. She told him that she didn't want to be called "baby". So what does he do? IGNORES HER! How is that respect??
Then Caroline was being chased by paparazzi, and harassed by someone who threatened her and humiliated her at every possible turn. She decides that it was a good idea to flee, and when cornered, she decides to NOT call the police. I DON'T GET IT!!!
The hero and heroine were both so bloody one-dimensional. He was hot, strong, bossy, sexy, blah. She was cold, rigid, controlling, melted like butter when he held her, blah. The only thing that helped things along were their physical interactions (though I got so fed up with the book, I didn't read the sex chapter. I just wanted it to be over).
Honestly, I was hate-reading a good portion of the book after the 30% mark or thereabouts. I have to admit that the resolution was super cute, but that did not make up for how much I really disliked this book.
(Apologies for the shouty caps. I was mad. And I don't like reading romance novels that make me angry, but this one caught me by surprise. I was expecting something cute and lighthearted, and instead I got something that sorely disappointed and angered me. And now I need to read something cute to dispel this anger before my head hits the pillow.)
Let's start with the stupid setup: we have Josh McInnes - god of all men, apparently - who wanted to get married, so that he could have babies, etc, etc, etc. One look at Caroline, and he was all for proposing his marriage arrangement with her.
Then, we have this GOD OF A MAN railroading her every, single wish. Forget talking with her, and communicating. Nope. Communication between the both of them progressed thus: Caroline saying that she wanted things done one way; Josh looking at her and thinking that she's oh-so-cute for being such a bossy boots and not bothering to listen to a thing she was saying; and still manipulating things for his own way, either by touching her or kissing her. OR Caroline not giving a thought about paparazzi and just how much her life would change if she were to be involved with such a guy: he'd tell her about the dangers of being married or associated with a celebrity; in one ear and out the other for her. He'd tell her that he'd like her to keep her mobile phone with her; she full-on ignores him. Seriously, I rolled my eyes so often I think that I've got muscle strain now.
And don't get me started on the "kink" component of the book.
Also, Josh had no f-ing respect for Caroline at all. She told him that she didn't want to be called "baby". So what does he do? IGNORES HER! How is that respect??
Then Caroline was being chased by paparazzi, and harassed by someone who threatened her and humiliated her at every possible turn. She decides that it was a good idea to flee, and when cornered, she decides to NOT call the police. I DON'T GET IT!!!
The hero and heroine were both so bloody one-dimensional. He was hot, strong, bossy, sexy, blah. She was cold, rigid, controlling, melted like butter when he held her, blah. The only thing that helped things along were their physical interactions (though I got so fed up with the book, I didn't read the sex chapter. I just wanted it to be over).
Honestly, I was hate-reading a good portion of the book after the 30% mark or thereabouts. I have to admit that the resolution was super cute, but that did not make up for how much I really disliked this book.
(Apologies for the shouty caps. I was mad. And I don't like reading romance novels that make me angry, but this one caught me by surprise. I was expecting something cute and lighthearted, and instead I got something that sorely disappointed and angered me. And now I need to read something cute to dispel this anger before my head hits the pillow.)
September 7, 2015
3 ½ stars. I enjoyed it. Had a few chuckles.
This is book 2 in the series. It wasn’t as good as book 1 “Lingerie Wars” but I still liked it. What I like about the author is fun and different personalities which provide natural humor and conflict as they interact.
Toward the end I was a little tired of Caroline putting herself down and thinking she wasn’t good enough for him. But I was still ok with the story.
Josh was a famous singer and didn’t want to choose a wife from the fans and surgery enhanced women who surrounded him. He asked his friend and business manager Mitch to find him a wife. The author didn’t “show” how Mitch or someone found Caroline. I did not like that - I wanted to know. The story begins with Josh showing up in Invertary and telling Caroline that he wants to marry her. From the beginning and during all of the book Josh appears to really like and desire her. I did not understand that. I wanted to be inside Josh to see what he liked about her and why.
THE SERIES:
Book 6 will be published in 2016. Each book is a stand alone romance about people living in the small town of Invertary in the northern Scotland Highlands. Main characters in one book have small roles in other books. My ratings are:
5 stars. Lingerie Wars Bk 1
3 ½ stars. Goody Two Shoes Bk 2
3 ½ stars. Magenta Mine Bk 3 (novella)
4 stars. Calamity Jena Bk 4
(not read) Bad Boy Bk 5
(not read) Caught Bk 6
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 4,737 (323 pages). Swearing language: mild plus s*** once. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Invertary, Scotland. Copyright: 2014. Genre: contemporary romance.
This is book 2 in the series. It wasn’t as good as book 1 “Lingerie Wars” but I still liked it. What I like about the author is fun and different personalities which provide natural humor and conflict as they interact.
Toward the end I was a little tired of Caroline putting herself down and thinking she wasn’t good enough for him. But I was still ok with the story.
Josh was a famous singer and didn’t want to choose a wife from the fans and surgery enhanced women who surrounded him. He asked his friend and business manager Mitch to find him a wife. The author didn’t “show” how Mitch or someone found Caroline. I did not like that - I wanted to know. The story begins with Josh showing up in Invertary and telling Caroline that he wants to marry her. From the beginning and during all of the book Josh appears to really like and desire her. I did not understand that. I wanted to be inside Josh to see what he liked about her and why.
THE SERIES:
Book 6 will be published in 2016. Each book is a stand alone romance about people living in the small town of Invertary in the northern Scotland Highlands. Main characters in one book have small roles in other books. My ratings are:
5 stars. Lingerie Wars Bk 1
3 ½ stars. Goody Two Shoes Bk 2
3 ½ stars. Magenta Mine Bk 3 (novella)
4 stars. Calamity Jena Bk 4
(not read) Bad Boy Bk 5
(not read) Caught Bk 6
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 4,737 (323 pages). Swearing language: mild plus s*** once. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day Invertary, Scotland. Copyright: 2014. Genre: contemporary romance.
June 24, 2018
Bleh. I was hoping for a cute arranged marriage rom com, and I got... I don't know, something else. Two people who didn't seem to like each other? A man who talks about how they need to compromise, but then just does whatever he wants anyway until she agrees with him? A woman who repeatedly sneaks out of the house to get away from him until she's suddenly in love with him? But not before he steals her bedroom door so she can't lock him out of her room, and later handcuffs her to her bed so she can't leave the house.
I like wacky small towns with a cast of funny characters, and this book has that, but I was constantly eye-rolling over the romance. There's a whole lot of "women actually want a man who will take charge and tell them what to do", and the female characters denounce this sentiment, but then just do whatever men want them to do.
At least it was free.
I like wacky small towns with a cast of funny characters, and this book has that, but I was constantly eye-rolling over the romance. There's a whole lot of "women actually want a man who will take charge and tell them what to do", and the female characters denounce this sentiment, but then just do whatever men want them to do.
At least it was free.
May 5, 2015
WARNING:Do NOT read this book in public. People will think you are crazy.
5+++
As soon as I finish this book I am moving to Invertary,Scotland. Thats how much I love this book. Janet Elizabeth Henderson just became my favourite author. I loved Josh, Caroline, Betty, the domino boys, Andrew, Helen and oh just about everyone and everything in this book. And it was so hilarious, I was rolling on the floor with laughter. I am kicking myself right now for not discovering this author earlier. You have just made a loyal fan out of me Janet Elizabeth Henderson and I can't wait to read more from you.
5+++
As soon as I finish this book I am moving to Invertary,Scotland. Thats how much I love this book. Janet Elizabeth Henderson just became my favourite author. I loved Josh, Caroline, Betty, the domino boys, Andrew, Helen and oh just about everyone and everything in this book. And it was so hilarious, I was rolling on the floor with laughter. I am kicking myself right now for not discovering this author earlier. You have just made a loyal fan out of me Janet Elizabeth Henderson and I can't wait to read more from you.
May 1, 2016
Taken from Goodreads: Take one American singer who doesn’t believe in falling in love add a Scottish librarian who has given up on ever falling in love…
Cute, just cute as can be. Read it in one day. Love the series.
Cute, just cute as can be. Read it in one day. Love the series.
June 21, 2018
Omg!
A big OMG! I can't stop paint with this book...So hilarious to a point the i can't contain myself,I'm actually LOL I'm the train. Obnoxiously wonderful characters too....I'm soo happy to have read this! Good job Janet!
A big OMG! I can't stop paint with this book...So hilarious to a point the i can't contain myself,I'm actually LOL I'm the train. Obnoxiously wonderful characters too....I'm soo happy to have read this! Good job Janet!
September 11, 2018
You know, I liked it! I did not know it was a 'romance' book but it was not chock block full of love scenes so it was tolerable!!! It was a quick, smart, humorous, fun read, just what I needed after the last couple of heavy books.
Caroline is a rigid 31 yr old living in Scotland. Josh is an american music star who decides he needs to get married so he gets his manager, Mitch to start looking for a sensible wife he can have a mutual relationship with. Romance not necessary. Josh meets Caroling in her small town and offer the agreement, she says yes and starts to plan the wedding for 3 weeks forward. The rest of the story is just fluff, kind of a little Janet Evanovich like, but enjoyable to read. I may even read another one for a break from the hard stuff!
I gave it 4 stars as I was surprised by it. I don't know if I could recomend it as it is not my style of book.
Caroline is a rigid 31 yr old living in Scotland. Josh is an american music star who decides he needs to get married so he gets his manager, Mitch to start looking for a sensible wife he can have a mutual relationship with. Romance not necessary. Josh meets Caroling in her small town and offer the agreement, she says yes and starts to plan the wedding for 3 weeks forward. The rest of the story is just fluff, kind of a little Janet Evanovich like, but enjoyable to read. I may even read another one for a break from the hard stuff!
I gave it 4 stars as I was surprised by it. I don't know if I could recomend it as it is not my style of book.
Read
July 4, 2018A couple of points in this book made me stop and think about dnf'ing
1. Weddings in Scotland don't work like that. Do your research:
FROM: I Want to Get Married in Scotland. How Do I Go About It? (all I did was Google it)
... You should also be aware that, whether you intend to have a civil marriage ceremony solemnised by a registrar or a religious/belief marriage ceremony solemnised by an approved celebrant, you must by law lodge marriage notice forms and the associated documents, and pay the statutory fee, to the registrar in whose district you intend to be married."
2. Dodi, Diana, Harrods. Was that REALLY necessary?? Not only was it tactless. but it was pretty tasteless as well.
Currently not rating.
1. Weddings in Scotland don't work like that. Do your research:
FROM: I Want to Get Married in Scotland. How Do I Go About It? (all I did was Google it)
... You should also be aware that, whether you intend to have a civil marriage ceremony solemnised by a registrar or a religious/belief marriage ceremony solemnised by an approved celebrant, you must by law lodge marriage notice forms and the associated documents, and pay the statutory fee, to the registrar in whose district you intend to be married."
2. Dodi, Diana, Harrods. Was that REALLY necessary?? Not only was it tactless. but it was pretty tasteless as well.
Currently not rating.
Read
May 8, 2019Shelving this for my own personal edification so I don't revisit it ...
The premise seemed super cute - but somehow I missed/ignored the part where the heroine is 31.
So I think it's a lot due to mood - but - I can't even think about it or my rage will rival the heat of the sun what with this "I'm 30/31 now but I haven't found my forever love so I'm too old for it to EVER HAPPEN so I guess I'll just DIE ALONE."
Like what the actual fuck. Are these books/that trope being written by 10 year olds?
>.> and yes I have read a few "must have baby by 30" etc books which I'm ALSO 😒 about ...
But for today ...
Fuck that shit.
The premise seemed super cute - but somehow I missed/ignored the part where the heroine is 31.
So I think it's a lot due to mood - but - I can't even think about it or my rage will rival the heat of the sun what with this "I'm 30/31 now but I haven't found my forever love so I'm too old for it to EVER HAPPEN so I guess I'll just DIE ALONE."
Like what the actual fuck. Are these books/that trope being written by 10 year olds?
>.> and yes I have read a few "must have baby by 30" etc books which I'm ALSO 😒 about ...
But for today ...
Fuck that shit.
August 18, 2019
A grudging round up from 2.5 stars.
Popular singer Josh wants to get married and start a family. Now. His longsuffering best friend/manager is tasked to find the wife, there's a Scottish castle that could be a great virtual character, and some interesting friends and town folk...sign me up for a fun rom-com confection of a summer read.
Not quite. While there are some cute scenes that kept this from being a DNF, the poorly written dialogue and frequent regression into practically adolescent descriptions of sex and relationship made this more of a slog than this kind of book should be. Josh's parents have a more engaging story than the main characters.
Popular singer Josh wants to get married and start a family. Now. His longsuffering best friend/manager is tasked to find the wife, there's a Scottish castle that could be a great virtual character, and some interesting friends and town folk...sign me up for a fun rom-com confection of a summer read.
Not quite. While there are some cute scenes that kept this from being a DNF, the poorly written dialogue and frequent regression into practically adolescent descriptions of sex and relationship made this more of a slog than this kind of book should be. Josh's parents have a more engaging story than the main characters.
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