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Once Upon a Wedding #5
The Next Best Bride
When her twin sister breaks off her engagement with Rand Mallon, Helena Fenster, who has secretly been in love with Rand for years, is stunned when he proposes to her, and when a passionate indiscretion leads to a hasty marriage, Helena vows to prove to her new husband that she and her sister are nothing alike. Original.
318 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
115 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Kelly McClymer
53 books202 followersUSA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 9, 2017
This book was all over the place. I still don't understand how the relationship between the hero and heroine turned into love. There is no communication between them and just mounds of secrets. It got to the point where I just skimmed so I could get to the end to see if I could figure out what the hell was going on.
July 21, 2017
Honestly this felt like mostly just a lot of sex scenes strung together by an absurd plot that didn't even make that much sense...
March 5, 2014
Better than the last couple. This actually was a good fun ride. It is your typical marriage for convenience. I actually enjoyed watching the characters love grow.
October 29, 2016
A good read with a few flaws
There is a lot to like about this book and a few things to dislike. I liked the characterization of Rand, a deeply troubled man who feels the pressure to marry and produce an heir at the threatening behest of his autocratic, deeply oppressive, near maniacal grandfather.
When his chosen bride backs out, he chooses her twin sister, Helena. Helena is a good deal more reserved than her sister, but is determined to make her unusual bargain with Rand become a true marriage. I liked Helena's character but found her a bit to pliable and too ready to forgive Rand some of his contemptible behavior. Yes, Rand offers reasons for his behavior but in my opinion it happen more often than necessary.
There is a plot twist near the end that did surprise me a bit and seemed a little far-fetched. The final resolution to the gnarly situation facing Rand and Helena was a shade too convenient for my taste. Other than the few things I've mentioned this was a good book overall.
The novel does have a fairly high degree of sensuality in the sex scenes, but the author eschewed the anatomical, 'Tab A fits into Slot C' approach to describing them. Sex is initially the only way Rand and Helena can connect with one another and some of the scenes are beautifully written, if a bit too frequent.
There is a lot to like about this book and a few things to dislike. I liked the characterization of Rand, a deeply troubled man who feels the pressure to marry and produce an heir at the threatening behest of his autocratic, deeply oppressive, near maniacal grandfather.
When his chosen bride backs out, he chooses her twin sister, Helena. Helena is a good deal more reserved than her sister, but is determined to make her unusual bargain with Rand become a true marriage. I liked Helena's character but found her a bit to pliable and too ready to forgive Rand some of his contemptible behavior. Yes, Rand offers reasons for his behavior but in my opinion it happen more often than necessary.
There is a plot twist near the end that did surprise me a bit and seemed a little far-fetched. The final resolution to the gnarly situation facing Rand and Helena was a shade too convenient for my taste. Other than the few things I've mentioned this was a good book overall.
The novel does have a fairly high degree of sensuality in the sex scenes, but the author eschewed the anatomical, 'Tab A fits into Slot C' approach to describing them. Sex is initially the only way Rand and Helena can connect with one another and some of the scenes are beautifully written, if a bit too frequent.
July 5, 2019
A good romantic tale.
I really liked this book. It had a good romantic twist. The hero truly was, and she turned out a good strong woman. They were meant for each other and found their happy aver-after. I recommend this book as I did enjoy it. Thank you, Jack.
I really liked this book. It had a good romantic twist. The hero truly was, and she turned out a good strong woman. They were meant for each other and found their happy aver-after. I recommend this book as I did enjoy it. Thank you, Jack.
July 11, 2019
Heartwarming
One never knows where evil lurks in everyday events. A man broken and the need for a wife and heir who marries in agreement after an heir they can go separate ways. Well the best laid plans off go awry
One never knows where evil lurks in everyday events. A man broken and the need for a wife and heir who marries in agreement after an heir they can go separate ways. Well the best laid plans off go awry
March 10, 2019
I couldn't finish this book. The hero was too obnoxious for my teste.
December 19, 2019
All the right stuff.
June 22, 2014
If its possible to love and hate a character than Rand is the perfect example of it. Stubborn as hell as well as stupid. I thought the book was missing something. It has plenty of drama but not enough when it comes to Rand and Helena. The problems focus on Rands family and their past.
Whilst Rand was always hurting Helena with the fact that he was a man whore, with lots of bastard sons, Helena never hurt him as deeply. I think the author should have included a man maybe her lover or someone new, into Helena's life so to make Ran. Jealous. Seriously most of the time I just wanted to punch Rand for being unable to keep it in his pants and being a dumb man whore.
But oh well at the end everything was solved.
Whilst Rand was always hurting Helena with the fact that he was a man whore, with lots of bastard sons, Helena never hurt him as deeply. I think the author should have included a man maybe her lover or someone new, into Helena's life so to make Ran. Jealous. Seriously most of the time I just wanted to punch Rand for being unable to keep it in his pants and being a dumb man whore.
But oh well at the end everything was solved.
October 20, 2016
Loved it!
When I first started reading this book, I have to admit I was getting rather annoyed with Rand for his attitude about love. As I got farther into the story, I started to realize that there was more behind Rand's reasons for thinking himself incapable of love. When the truth finally came out about his life , my heart went out to him. I also felt Helena's heartbreak when she confessed her love to Rand and he rejected her. Throughout the book, I waited anxiously for Rand and Helena's happily ever after and I was more than satisfied when it finally came. Awesome story!
When I first started reading this book, I have to admit I was getting rather annoyed with Rand for his attitude about love. As I got farther into the story, I started to realize that there was more behind Rand's reasons for thinking himself incapable of love. When the truth finally came out about his life , my heart went out to him. I also felt Helena's heartbreak when she confessed her love to Rand and he rejected her. Throughout the book, I waited anxiously for Rand and Helena's happily ever after and I was more than satisfied when it finally came. Awesome story!
October 8, 2014
The storyline was enjoyable with emotional ups and downs. However, I was slightly disappointed in the writing. There were a few occasions where I felt the transitions could have been smoother as I found myself going back and re-reading previous paragraphs to see if I did missed any segues at these points. Other than that the book was enjoyable and I would recommend it to others with similar tastes.
October 24, 2016
Interesting story
I enjoyed this book. I liked how the hero thought he'd be in a no strings attached relationship. He re as lily thought he could obtain a wife and his life would stay the same. You and I both know that wasn't going to work. I appreciated the story line and would read more books by this author.
I enjoyed this book. I liked how the hero thought he'd be in a no strings attached relationship. He re as lily thought he could obtain a wife and his life would stay the same. You and I both know that wasn't going to work. I appreciated the story line and would read more books by this author.
April 26, 2015
Just one thing to keep in mind while reading this book...the grandfather is really a sadistic SOB. I think if you keep that in mind, the book will make much more sense.
This is the second time I've read this. Probably won't be my last either.
This is the second time I've read this. Probably won't be my last either.
January 12, 2017
This was a cute story.
I enjoyed this story, it had romance, a bit of sex and a touch of danger to add to the mix. It should not be read by a young audience but it is a very good read.
I enjoyed this story, it had romance, a bit of sex and a touch of danger to add to the mix. It should not be read by a young audience but it is a very good read.
March 12, 2013
This book was really amazing. It is the forth book in the series and I love that all the books in the series has a good romance and a good plot!
January 7, 2014
I liked this book and I liked how Rand and Hellenia fell in love.
February 2, 2014
***1/2
Three and a half stars.......review to come.
Three and a half stars.......review to come.
August 11, 2016
This was, by far, the best book in this series so far. I loved it, and the ending was so sweetly perfect!
November 26, 2016
It has some good parts but the story feels all over the place to me and the ending hurried.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews