The Infamous Bride

Once Upon a Wedding #4

by Kelly McClymer

Notorious flirt Juliet Fenster meets her match in stoic American financier Romeo Hopkins, a man who is oblivious to her charms, when she tells her family that she will have Romeo at her feet in a month, but instead finds herself married to him due to a very scandalous kiss. Original.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Kelly McClymer writes fairytale-inspired romances set in Victorian England (although a few characters escape to the United States), fairytale fantasy, and mom-inspired mystery.

Kelly shares her characters’ family values: she grew up with three younger sisters and has successfully raised three children of her own. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Kelly’s first published writing was for her high school newspaper and she’s been writing fiction in many forms ever since. While she explores many genres including historical romance, mystery, young adult, and fantasy, her stories share common themes: developing inner strength, the power of love in all it’s forms, triumph of good over evil, and the strength of family connection.

Reviews

[Pontiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite book in this series so far. Interestingly, I actually disliked Juliet for the first part of the book, as she tried to find out if a suitor she had was going to ask her to marry hm, even though she didn't want him. She also ridiculed RJ for being American, and tried to see his sister, Susannah, under false pretences to suit her schemes.

But, she comes around to working with RJ on a Shakespearean play, and they begin to draw close. RJ is cold and doesn't show his feelings, as his father demands of him. But, as they act together in Romeo and Juliet, RJ lets down his guard and they both fall under a spell of love.

The ensuing scandal, marriage, and move to America, all give them both much to endure as a couple, and they build their trust just as others try to thwart them and society treats Juliet harshly.

Great characters and some deadly chapters. Really well done.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began reading this series without realizing I had read this particular book before. I wondered why I had given it only 3 stars, now I remember why. The actual romance between RJ and Juliet is non-existent in the last half of the book. As a matter of fact we rarely even see or hear from RJ in the last half. I did like the ending, it was sweet and RJ finally came to his senses. But the substance was lacking in the rest of the book. Of course that isn't stopping me from picking up the next book in the series.

[Rachel (BAVR)]

I couldn't do it. This uninspired, trite nonsense managed to make SHAKESPEARE boring. :/

[Eugenea Pollock · Rating 3 out of 5]

If R.J. had not been such a stereotypical, cold, spineless businessman, I might have rated this higher. But he was, so I didn’t. The Romeo-Juliet parallel was clever and well done, but even that could not make up for overdoing the crass commercialism in the Hopkins family.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another romance with a cover only loosely connected to the book's plot, and i just don't know how to describe this one as anything other than... sketchy. Started out good, nice twist on the same old plot, spurned woman wants revenge ect... but then the storyline after the middle just kind of falls apart into 2diamentional ...feh. But I did actually finish it, which i cant say for some of the other romances i've read lately. I will say this, if there is a murder subplot lurking in the wings, the reader shouldn't have to trip over it on the way to the end of the book.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did a great job of using an already familiar play of Romeo and Juliet as a backdrop to the story of R.J. Hopkins and Juliet Fenster. Both who were named after those characters. However, that is until the twist ruined it. The twist that was not needed, provided nothing, and was unresolved, caused the ending to fall flat. It pulled me out of the story and killed the story's momentum.
The only thing right that twist did was turn this love story into a tragedy just like the play of Romeo and Juliet.

[Karen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, some people didn't. If you don't know already, I don't give spoilers...this allows the reader to make their own minds up over a story. Give it a try and see what you think...I liked the characters, the story line.

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!!

[Elizabeth Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a good book, I was just wondering will Miranda and the Duke ever have children. I liked the book a lot and I can read it again.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come