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School For Heiresses #6
Wed Him Before You Bed Him
At eighteen, Charlotte Page made a life-altering mistake. She wronged a man in an impulsive act that she came to deeply regret, though it led her to her present life as Mrs. Charlotte Harris, owner of Mrs. Harris’s School for Young Ladies.
Unbeknownst to her, that man is now her anonymous benefactor, the mysterious “Cousin Michael.” His masquerade began as preparation for a devastating revenge, but became a labor of love. Now Charlotte desperately needs his help.
Can he save her from disaster as his real self without revealing the ugly secret behind his charade? Or will the mistakes of both their pasts tear them apart forever?
Unbeknownst to her, that man is now her anonymous benefactor, the mysterious “Cousin Michael.” His masquerade began as preparation for a devastating revenge, but became a labor of love. Now Charlotte desperately needs his help.
Can he save her from disaster as his real self without revealing the ugly secret behind his charade? Or will the mistakes of both their pasts tear them apart forever?
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2009
166 people are currently reading
2030 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
87 books4,795 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
She always dreams big.
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May 28, 2018
Wed Him Before You Bed Him is the sixth and final book in "The School for Heiresses" series and I have greatly been looking forward to it - and finally discovering Cousin Michael's identity!! - even though I haven't read all the other books in the series. I was not disappointed and found it absolutely delightful; I would recommend it to people even if they haven't read all - or any - of the other Heiress books (though reading them certainly makes this book more enjoyable since you have the mystery surrounding Cousin Michael building up).
He was NOT who I expected him to be - I was actually convinced that this person wasn't going to end up being the mysterious benefactor. However, although I experienced a few moments of disappointment, the feeling quickly disappeared and in the end I think Jeffries wrote an amazing hero and did a stellar job of recreating the H&H's past while making the flames between them 18 years later (when the story takes place) feel as strong as ever (if not stronger and more substantial) - basically I think her choice of Cousin Michael's alter ego ended up being perfect. She successfully combines two star-crossed lovers with a tumultuous past who are honest and upfront about their feelings, a secret identity hidden through a fourteen-year long correspondence, wonderful chemistry and great romance (many sigh-worthy moments), and a murder mystery for an absolutely delightful end to her Heiress series.
NOTE: Don't read further **if you don't want to know** who Cousin Michael is. If you do ... go ahead! (And bear with me, I know I wrote enough for an epic poem here).
THE HISTORY (our hero and heroine's past):
Jeffries gives us two chapters in the present day (when the story is set) and then flashes us back to when the H&H fell in love, almost got married, suffered heartbreak due to misunderstanding and *several* horrible twists of fate, and split up. It was very well done and greatly adds to the story - so much of what happens between them is defined by their shared history and getting several chapters of that makes them finally coming together and their romance that much sweeter and more enjoyable to read. So ...
Eighteen years ago, eighteen-year old Charlotte Page (now thirty-six-year old widow and headmistress Mrs. Charlotte Harris) and twenty-year old David Masters (now thirty-seven-year old widower and Viscount Kirkwood) were being pushed into a marriage by their manipulative fathers. At first, they were both dead-set against the match ... however when Charlotte and her parents visit David and his family at their country estate, the two young people find that perhaps their initial aversion was unwarranted. During the week-long visit, they come to know one another very well and slowly fall in love; everything looks to be going along perfectly and they seem to be headed in the direction of matrimonial bliss ...
However, shocker of shockers, everything does not occur as it should (I know, sit down and recover from the surprise I just sprung on you) and circumstances make it so that Charlotte and David part ways, each full of anger and hurt - which over the years turns to feelings of regret and loss - and never to speak to one another again for eighteen years (or so Charlotte thinks, lol). The whole debacle involves mistaken identity (Charlotte thinks she spies David diddling the maid), a letter written in haste and wrongly delivered (fate *would* have to make it so that Charlotte's scathing letter is delivered to a tabloid and not David's house), and severe public humiliation (David endures shame and criticism after he's cast in the role of "bad rakish arrogant peer" by society - the letter didn't have actual names in case it fell into the wrong hands, but people were able to figure out that he was the vilified male being written about). The result is an elopement and failed marriage for Charlotte (her father is so livid she elopes in a desperate attempt to escape him - he's a *horrible* bully) and feelings of anger and a need for revenge on the part of our hero, David.
THE STORY (how the reunion-romance unfolds):
Fourteen years ago, David set up the charade of "Cousin Michael" and lured Charlotte away from her teacher post with the promise of being headmistress of her own school ... all to carry out the revenge he felt she so richly deserved for his very public humiliation. He would let her get comfortable, set up an establishment, put down some roots, and then happily pull it all out from under her and leave her to suffer as he has.
But starting with the first letter from her thanking dear "Cousin Michael" for his generosity, David is drawn in and he finds himself embarking on a fourteen-year correspondence with a woman whom he once loved, was determined to ruin, and has now come to respect and treasure as a friend. The moment has come for him to finally reenter Charlotte's life (as himself), for although she hasn't heard from her mysterious benefactor for six months, her school is in danger because not only is a racecourse being planned for the property next door, but little does she know she has problems with her own school's property as well (David won the lease of the land for 15 years, but doesn't actually own it). David lost his wife to suicide six months ago and is now (somewhat) free to pursue the woman who has dominated his thoughts and remained an obsession (he's still in half-mourning).
Charlotte is confused at having to face him again and is extremely suspicious of his explanation and his motives; she finds it hard to believe that (vain and selfish) Sarah, his deceased wife and her former pupil, left a large amount of money to a school that she never seemed to have any fondness for. Charlotte has so many regrets over what happened between her and David all those years ago and still feels guilt over how she wronged him, albeit unknowingly and unintentionally. The attraction between them still burns as brightly as it ever did and Charlotte finds herself embarking on an affair with the man who has always retained a piece of her heart and whom she can't seem to resist.
And so the story goes - David, intensely wooing Charlotte so as to convince her to let him back into her life, all the while trying to hide his other persona of "Cousin Michael," and Charlotte, desperate to hang on to the independence she fought so hard for and the life she put so much work into building, while at the same time unable to deny her loneliness and continued longing for the man she first fell in love with so long ago.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Mrs. Charlotte Harris and David Masters, Viscount Kirkwood:
The hero and especially the heroine of this book are older than we usually see, however in this instance it was a nice change. There is so much history between the two - what happened defined the course of both their lives - and I think their maturity only enhanced the book and added depth to their relationship and emotions.
Charlotte is a strong, confident, kind, hard-working, forthright and extremely likable heroine. After having such a horrible father and then being married to a man she did not love who lost all her money and then died in a duel two years into their marriage, she never wants to depend on another man again. She has forged a life for herself and a successful career, teaching young women many of the subjects that often aren't thought necessary - or even desirable - for her gender, and though she at times feels lonely, Charlotte gains satisfaction from her work and the friends she has made.
David is a wonderful hero - intense, determined, kind, intelligent, teasing, passionate, responsible - and just perfect for Charlotte. He has many regrets about what happened so many years ago and has grown up and matured a lot since. Although his father completely ruined the family finances, he did what was necessary to make them successful again, making a marriage of convenience (he needs money, she wants a title) and using the money that comes with his (horrid) wife to make sound business investments and turn around the family fortunes. He feels tremendous guilt over his wife's suicide and he also feels guilty over the "Cousin Michael" deception and why it was first initiated. David longs for Charlotte - though that word isn't strong enough IMO - and is determined to get her back in his life with a single-minded intensity.
COMMENTS:
The chemistry between David and Charlotte literally leaps off the page, however there is also great depth to their relationship. Reading this book is like reading the story of two star-crossed lovers that you just KNOW are meant to be together, so you read voraciously through without putting the book down in order to get to the end and finally see them get their well-deserved HEA.
I normally don't like books that have misunderstandings and when you have stories where the H&H had a first-love together or an almost-marriage or whatever, the reason that the story is taking place so many years later is always because of some type of misunderstanding. However, this book was such a refreshing change in so many ways and although the story starts off with a big misunderstanding, the characters don't create more of them when they meet again (thank god!). I also appreciated that by the time all this is happening, both Charlotte and David have pretty much learned the truth about the other person's side of the story.
Charlotte and David are always open about their feelings and their past - there are no things left unsaid or secrets (well, the whole Cousin Michael thing, which yes, I'll grant you, is a big deal - but hello, that's what the whole plot is about so it's completely necessary!!). I loved that they were so honest about their regrets regarding how they treated each other; they both say exactly what the reader always thinks in cases like these - if only she had confronted him about what she thought she saw, if only he hadn't let his pride stop him from going to her, etc. Both of them have been hurt and are afraid to love again and trust another person - especially each other - with their hearts, however they are honest about their desire for each other, their affection, their confusion over feelings and emotions and where the relationship might be going, and so on. SUCH a nice change!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
READ THIS BOOK! I, along with most people from what the polls on Jeffries' website indicate, thought and hoped that the mysterious "Cousin Michael" was Lord Stoneville - and I'm still rooting for him to get his own book, and from suspicious goings-on in this book think he will soon - however I was not at all disappointed with David and think that Jeffries wrote a hero and heroine who were perfect for one another and really could not have been with any other person.
P.S.:
If you want to refresh your memory about (or read for the first time) the letter snippets between Charlotte and Cousin Michael that have appeared at the beginning of all the Heiress book chapters, they are posted on Sabrina Jeffries' website.
He was NOT who I expected him to be - I was actually convinced that this person wasn't going to end up being the mysterious benefactor. However, although I experienced a few moments of disappointment, the feeling quickly disappeared and in the end I think Jeffries wrote an amazing hero and did a stellar job of recreating the H&H's past while making the flames between them 18 years later (when the story takes place) feel as strong as ever (if not stronger and more substantial) - basically I think her choice of Cousin Michael's alter ego ended up being perfect. She successfully combines two star-crossed lovers with a tumultuous past who are honest and upfront about their feelings, a secret identity hidden through a fourteen-year long correspondence, wonderful chemistry and great romance (many sigh-worthy moments), and a murder mystery for an absolutely delightful end to her Heiress series.
NOTE: Don't read further **if you don't want to know** who Cousin Michael is. If you do ... go ahead! (And bear with me, I know I wrote enough for an epic poem here).
THE HISTORY (our hero and heroine's past):
Jeffries gives us two chapters in the present day (when the story is set) and then flashes us back to when the H&H fell in love, almost got married, suffered heartbreak due to misunderstanding and *several* horrible twists of fate, and split up. It was very well done and greatly adds to the story - so much of what happens between them is defined by their shared history and getting several chapters of that makes them finally coming together and their romance that much sweeter and more enjoyable to read. So ...
Eighteen years ago, eighteen-year old Charlotte Page (now thirty-six-year old widow and headmistress Mrs. Charlotte Harris) and twenty-year old David Masters (now thirty-seven-year old widower and Viscount Kirkwood) were being pushed into a marriage by their manipulative fathers. At first, they were both dead-set against the match ... however when Charlotte and her parents visit David and his family at their country estate, the two young people find that perhaps their initial aversion was unwarranted. During the week-long visit, they come to know one another very well and slowly fall in love; everything looks to be going along perfectly and they seem to be headed in the direction of matrimonial bliss ...
However, shocker of shockers, everything does not occur as it should (I know, sit down and recover from the surprise I just sprung on you) and circumstances make it so that Charlotte and David part ways, each full of anger and hurt - which over the years turns to feelings of regret and loss - and never to speak to one another again for eighteen years (or so Charlotte thinks, lol). The whole debacle involves mistaken identity (Charlotte thinks she spies David diddling the maid), a letter written in haste and wrongly delivered (fate *would* have to make it so that Charlotte's scathing letter is delivered to a tabloid and not David's house), and severe public humiliation (David endures shame and criticism after he's cast in the role of "bad rakish arrogant peer" by society - the letter didn't have actual names in case it fell into the wrong hands, but people were able to figure out that he was the vilified male being written about). The result is an elopement and failed marriage for Charlotte (her father is so livid she elopes in a desperate attempt to escape him - he's a *horrible* bully) and feelings of anger and a need for revenge on the part of our hero, David.
THE STORY (how the reunion-romance unfolds):
Fourteen years ago, David set up the charade of "Cousin Michael" and lured Charlotte away from her teacher post with the promise of being headmistress of her own school ... all to carry out the revenge he felt she so richly deserved for his very public humiliation. He would let her get comfortable, set up an establishment, put down some roots, and then happily pull it all out from under her and leave her to suffer as he has.
But starting with the first letter from her thanking dear "Cousin Michael" for his generosity, David is drawn in and he finds himself embarking on a fourteen-year correspondence with a woman whom he once loved, was determined to ruin, and has now come to respect and treasure as a friend. The moment has come for him to finally reenter Charlotte's life (as himself), for although she hasn't heard from her mysterious benefactor for six months, her school is in danger because not only is a racecourse being planned for the property next door, but little does she know she has problems with her own school's property as well (David won the lease of the land for 15 years, but doesn't actually own it). David lost his wife to suicide six months ago and is now (somewhat) free to pursue the woman who has dominated his thoughts and remained an obsession (he's still in half-mourning).
Charlotte is confused at having to face him again and is extremely suspicious of his explanation and his motives; she finds it hard to believe that (vain and selfish) Sarah, his deceased wife and her former pupil, left a large amount of money to a school that she never seemed to have any fondness for. Charlotte has so many regrets over what happened between her and David all those years ago and still feels guilt over how she wronged him, albeit unknowingly and unintentionally. The attraction between them still burns as brightly as it ever did and Charlotte finds herself embarking on an affair with the man who has always retained a piece of her heart and whom she can't seem to resist.
And so the story goes - David, intensely wooing Charlotte so as to convince her to let him back into her life, all the while trying to hide his other persona of "Cousin Michael," and Charlotte, desperate to hang on to the independence she fought so hard for and the life she put so much work into building, while at the same time unable to deny her loneliness and continued longing for the man she first fell in love with so long ago.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Mrs. Charlotte Harris and David Masters, Viscount Kirkwood:
The hero and especially the heroine of this book are older than we usually see, however in this instance it was a nice change. There is so much history between the two - what happened defined the course of both their lives - and I think their maturity only enhanced the book and added depth to their relationship and emotions.
Charlotte is a strong, confident, kind, hard-working, forthright and extremely likable heroine. After having such a horrible father and then being married to a man she did not love who lost all her money and then died in a duel two years into their marriage, she never wants to depend on another man again. She has forged a life for herself and a successful career, teaching young women many of the subjects that often aren't thought necessary - or even desirable - for her gender, and though she at times feels lonely, Charlotte gains satisfaction from her work and the friends she has made.
David is a wonderful hero - intense, determined, kind, intelligent, teasing, passionate, responsible - and just perfect for Charlotte. He has many regrets about what happened so many years ago and has grown up and matured a lot since. Although his father completely ruined the family finances, he did what was necessary to make them successful again, making a marriage of convenience (he needs money, she wants a title) and using the money that comes with his (horrid) wife to make sound business investments and turn around the family fortunes. He feels tremendous guilt over his wife's suicide and he also feels guilty over the "Cousin Michael" deception and why it was first initiated. David longs for Charlotte - though that word isn't strong enough IMO - and is determined to get her back in his life with a single-minded intensity.
COMMENTS:
The chemistry between David and Charlotte literally leaps off the page, however there is also great depth to their relationship. Reading this book is like reading the story of two star-crossed lovers that you just KNOW are meant to be together, so you read voraciously through without putting the book down in order to get to the end and finally see them get their well-deserved HEA.
I normally don't like books that have misunderstandings and when you have stories where the H&H had a first-love together or an almost-marriage or whatever, the reason that the story is taking place so many years later is always because of some type of misunderstanding. However, this book was such a refreshing change in so many ways and although the story starts off with a big misunderstanding, the characters don't create more of them when they meet again (thank god!). I also appreciated that by the time all this is happening, both Charlotte and David have pretty much learned the truth about the other person's side of the story.
Charlotte and David are always open about their feelings and their past - there are no things left unsaid or secrets (well, the whole Cousin Michael thing, which yes, I'll grant you, is a big deal - but hello, that's what the whole plot is about so it's completely necessary!!). I loved that they were so honest about their regrets regarding how they treated each other; they both say exactly what the reader always thinks in cases like these - if only she had confronted him about what she thought she saw, if only he hadn't let his pride stop him from going to her, etc. Both of them have been hurt and are afraid to love again and trust another person - especially each other - with their hearts, however they are honest about their desire for each other, their affection, their confusion over feelings and emotions and where the relationship might be going, and so on. SUCH a nice change!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
READ THIS BOOK! I, along with most people from what the polls on Jeffries' website indicate, thought and hoped that the mysterious "Cousin Michael" was Lord Stoneville - and I'm still rooting for him to get his own book, and from suspicious goings-on in this book think he will soon - however I was not at all disappointed with David and think that Jeffries wrote a hero and heroine who were perfect for one another and really could not have been with any other person.
P.S.:
If you want to refresh your memory about (or read for the first time) the letter snippets between Charlotte and Cousin Michael that have appeared at the beginning of all the Heiress book chapters, they are posted on Sabrina Jeffries' website.
May 27, 2023
Lacklustre ending to the series.
This book was all over the place and I couldn’t get engaged in it. It started off with time jumps and miscommunications- which I despise- and the whole secret of who cousin Michael is, that’s been withheld from us the entire series, was revealed in the first chapter. It was all very underwhelming. Add to that a murder mystery was introduced at the 70% mark, changing the trajectory of the book from them finding their way together, to them being impeded by him being a suspect in his wife’s murder. Just overall I didn’t enjoy this read. It sucks when it’s an author you like, and the writing style is so familiar and comforting but the story is crap. 😢
At least the narration was good.
This book was all over the place and I couldn’t get engaged in it. It started off with time jumps and miscommunications- which I despise- and the whole secret of who cousin Michael is, that’s been withheld from us the entire series, was revealed in the first chapter. It was all very underwhelming. Add to that a murder mystery was introduced at the 70% mark, changing the trajectory of the book from them finding their way together, to them being impeded by him being a suspect in his wife’s murder. Just overall I didn’t enjoy this read. It sucks when it’s an author you like, and the writing style is so familiar and comforting but the story is crap. 😢
At least the narration was good.
November 22, 2009
Mrs. Charlotte Harris, widow and owner of the girls' school featured in the "School for Heiresses" series, is disappointed to lose contact with her dear pen pal and benefactor, Cousin Michael. He was offended by her persistence on learning his identity and stopped answering her letters. Also troubling, is the reappearance of David Masters, Viscount of Kirkwood, into her life. David should want nothing to do with her after the scandal she caused for his family years ago when they were teenagers. On top of all of this, the future of her girls' school is in jeopardy and David may be the only one who can help.
The first part of "Wed Him Before You Bed Him" was fantastic, but the last 100 or so pages really dragged, as the romance was overshadowed by the mystery and all of the lies that had built up between the hero and heroine. The story is one of my favorite premises- childhood sweethearts who are reunited as adults. Jeffries spends a lot of time on the romance between the two leads when they are eighteen as a flashback. I really enjoyed this part of the book and I'm glad she gave so much time to this piece of the story instead of just skimming over or summarizing it. This background really made the intensity of their feelings for each other as adults seem more believable. The flashback was a really sweet, romantic, and innocent part of the story that I really enjoyed.
I liked David a lot more in the flashback scenes, he was much more open and innocent. The hard times he's lived through really harden his shell and make him seem a little gruff and jaded. Charlotte's character shows a lot of growth and she becomes a stronger woman as an adult.
I have read most of the "School for Heiresses" series and while this isn't my favorite one, it is good to finally be able to read Charlotte's story. Also, readers finally discover Cousin Michael's true identity. This is rewarding since a letter between Charlotte and Cousin Michael opens each chapter in the preceeding books.
The book is very much worth reading for the beginning two thirds, even if the ending is a bit disappointing. The flashback portion might be the best part!
Reviewed for my blog: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
The first part of "Wed Him Before You Bed Him" was fantastic, but the last 100 or so pages really dragged, as the romance was overshadowed by the mystery and all of the lies that had built up between the hero and heroine. The story is one of my favorite premises- childhood sweethearts who are reunited as adults. Jeffries spends a lot of time on the romance between the two leads when they are eighteen as a flashback. I really enjoyed this part of the book and I'm glad she gave so much time to this piece of the story instead of just skimming over or summarizing it. This background really made the intensity of their feelings for each other as adults seem more believable. The flashback was a really sweet, romantic, and innocent part of the story that I really enjoyed.
I liked David a lot more in the flashback scenes, he was much more open and innocent. The hard times he's lived through really harden his shell and make him seem a little gruff and jaded. Charlotte's character shows a lot of growth and she becomes a stronger woman as an adult.
I have read most of the "School for Heiresses" series and while this isn't my favorite one, it is good to finally be able to read Charlotte's story. Also, readers finally discover Cousin Michael's true identity. This is rewarding since a letter between Charlotte and Cousin Michael opens each chapter in the preceeding books.
The book is very much worth reading for the beginning two thirds, even if the ending is a bit disappointing. The flashback portion might be the best part!
Reviewed for my blog: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
December 10, 2016
Charlotte Harris, owner of Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies, is worried that no one will send their daughters to her school when a racecourse is built on the neighboring property. She doesn't have the money to purchase the property herself or move the school, and her benefactor, Cousin Michael, hasn't been heard from in months. Charlotte is shocked when David Masters shows up at her door. She and David were nearly engaged 18 years ago when a big misunderstanding broke her heart and a big mistake left David to public ridicule. David tells her about the money left to the school in his late wife's will. Charlotte finds it doubtful that Sarah would leave any money to the school. She also regrets her actions in the past and wants to make it up to David.
In the last book in the School for Heiresses series, we finally find out the identity of Cousin Michael. The highlight of the series have been the short notes at the beginning of each chapter between Charlotte and her unidentified benefactor known as Cousin Michael. Finding out who he is and why he did not want her to know his identity was worth the wait. My rating: 4 Stars.
In the last book in the School for Heiresses series, we finally find out the identity of Cousin Michael. The highlight of the series have been the short notes at the beginning of each chapter between Charlotte and her unidentified benefactor known as Cousin Michael. Finding out who he is and why he did not want her to know his identity was worth the wait. My rating: 4 Stars.
July 4, 2017
This is the first time I've read the series straight through, all in about 2 weeks, and I have to say, there are little things that stand out to me, now that I know what to look for!! The clues are there, but they are very very slight, in fact, if you don't pay attention to every little encounter with 'Cousin' Michael and his family, Charlotte Harris, you'll probably miss it! From the very first book when Charlotte has to talk to Lady Kirkwood about her relation Lucas Winter, Lady Kirkwood is very brittle to Charlotte, until the school headmistress opens up about a possible match for her son, a very wealthy young miss, who is desperately wanted by the Kirkwood clan. It's so slight as to brush it off as bad manners on Lady K, but now I know why!!
Charlotte Page grew up the daughter of a wealthy commoner, hoping to make a good match for her in exchange of political connections to the peerage. She was basically told to marry David Masters, heir to Viscount Kirkwood, even though they had not seen each other since they were children and he made fun of her. Not wanting to do what her father says, but threatened if she doesn't, Charlotte agrees to meet him, and ends up liking the grown up David. She's wary of his less than stellar reputation, but is willing to give him the benefit of the duobt, that is until she sees him having his way with the maid! Heartbroken that all his tender words have been a lie, she writes a horrible letter about his profligate ways and how it broke her heart, using nicknames for each other in case any one might come across it, somehow the letter ends up at the newspaper and is printed. Of course, the letter makes fun of his silly striped robe that everybody has seen, so everyone knows it's him. Fearing what her father might do to her in the wake of the scandal, Charlotte runs off with a Captain Harris and gets married. After a few years, her husband dies, leaving her in dire straits, and a mysterious 'Cousin' Michael becomes her benefactor, loaning her the money to get her dream of a school for young ladies off the ground.
David Masters' heart turned to ice the day the letter was published, and he never let it thaw in 18 years. Eventually he found out it his younger brother Giles who Charlotte had seen dally with the maid. Giles was wearing the silly striped robe after Charlotte had laughed at David in it, and he gave it to his brother. Of course, Charlotte did not know that then, but eventually learned it several years later herself. Neither did anything to solve anything between, instead they let their love die, and hatred fester. Which is why David initially loaned Charlotte the money under the false name. He was upset, thinking she had escaped the scandal unknown and unscathed, while he suffered for years from the fallout. The idea was to give her everything, then snatch it away and break her heart, leaving her humiliated. Except she wrote him a letter giving her sincere thanks. And another letter, and more and more, the correspondence between Charlotte and 'Cousin' Michael grew into a friendship, and David's vengeance died. Instead he wanted her to succeed.
Which why they meet up again 18 years later, when the land David has held the lien on for 15 years is about to be up, and Charlotte needs to move the school, only she doesn't know it. She has no idea who 'Cousin' Michael is, and David is determined to keep it that way. He just might succeed until he is accused of killing his late wife, and his alibi is meeting with the barrister who is the intermediary between Charlotte and Cousin Michael, but he can't admit that without angering Charlotte. Eventually everything works out, and they all live happily ever after!
I have liked Charlotte the entire series, but I can't say I picture her as a heroine I would like to read about. She seems a bit old for me in a regency era book. Thirty-six is fine for a contemporary book, but in a regency, 36 is practically in her dotage! Her constant vigilence for being an independent woman is a bit tiresome at times, but she is still a likable enough character for me.
Now David is a different matter! I really did enjoy him, maybe it's because he was willing to take on so much, all for the love a woman who had wronged him, but he couldn't not help her and want to be with her, and didn't want to hurt her. Granted his deception was wrong, but without it, Charlotte would be nowhere. He wasn't that great of a husband to his first wife, Sarah, but they knew they married each other for reasons other than love, and he tried to make the best of it. Ultimately her death was kind of sad for me, she really did want to stop fighting with her husband, so wasn't as bad as everyone thought, but she had to die for David and Charlotte to marry. It might have made an equally interesting story if Sarah had grown up, and they were to fall in love after all these years, but I guess people wanted to make Sarah the bad guy in all this.
I could go on and on about this series, but I believe you should read it for yourself and see what you think! It really is one of my favorites!
Charlotte Page grew up the daughter of a wealthy commoner, hoping to make a good match for her in exchange of political connections to the peerage. She was basically told to marry David Masters, heir to Viscount Kirkwood, even though they had not seen each other since they were children and he made fun of her. Not wanting to do what her father says, but threatened if she doesn't, Charlotte agrees to meet him, and ends up liking the grown up David. She's wary of his less than stellar reputation, but is willing to give him the benefit of the duobt, that is until she sees him having his way with the maid! Heartbroken that all his tender words have been a lie, she writes a horrible letter about his profligate ways and how it broke her heart, using nicknames for each other in case any one might come across it, somehow the letter ends up at the newspaper and is printed. Of course, the letter makes fun of his silly striped robe that everybody has seen, so everyone knows it's him. Fearing what her father might do to her in the wake of the scandal, Charlotte runs off with a Captain Harris and gets married. After a few years, her husband dies, leaving her in dire straits, and a mysterious 'Cousin' Michael becomes her benefactor, loaning her the money to get her dream of a school for young ladies off the ground.
David Masters' heart turned to ice the day the letter was published, and he never let it thaw in 18 years. Eventually he found out it his younger brother Giles who Charlotte had seen dally with the maid. Giles was wearing the silly striped robe after Charlotte had laughed at David in it, and he gave it to his brother. Of course, Charlotte did not know that then, but eventually learned it several years later herself. Neither did anything to solve anything between, instead they let their love die, and hatred fester. Which is why David initially loaned Charlotte the money under the false name. He was upset, thinking she had escaped the scandal unknown and unscathed, while he suffered for years from the fallout. The idea was to give her everything, then snatch it away and break her heart, leaving her humiliated. Except she wrote him a letter giving her sincere thanks. And another letter, and more and more, the correspondence between Charlotte and 'Cousin' Michael grew into a friendship, and David's vengeance died. Instead he wanted her to succeed.
Which why they meet up again 18 years later, when the land David has held the lien on for 15 years is about to be up, and Charlotte needs to move the school, only she doesn't know it. She has no idea who 'Cousin' Michael is, and David is determined to keep it that way. He just might succeed until he is accused of killing his late wife, and his alibi is meeting with the barrister who is the intermediary between Charlotte and Cousin Michael, but he can't admit that without angering Charlotte. Eventually everything works out, and they all live happily ever after!
I have liked Charlotte the entire series, but I can't say I picture her as a heroine I would like to read about. She seems a bit old for me in a regency era book. Thirty-six is fine for a contemporary book, but in a regency, 36 is practically in her dotage! Her constant vigilence for being an independent woman is a bit tiresome at times, but she is still a likable enough character for me.
Now David is a different matter! I really did enjoy him, maybe it's because he was willing to take on so much, all for the love a woman who had wronged him, but he couldn't not help her and want to be with her, and didn't want to hurt her. Granted his deception was wrong, but without it, Charlotte would be nowhere. He wasn't that great of a husband to his first wife, Sarah, but they knew they married each other for reasons other than love, and he tried to make the best of it. Ultimately her death was kind of sad for me, she really did want to stop fighting with her husband, so wasn't as bad as everyone thought, but she had to die for David and Charlotte to marry. It might have made an equally interesting story if Sarah had grown up, and they were to fall in love after all these years, but I guess people wanted to make Sarah the bad guy in all this.
I could go on and on about this series, but I believe you should read it for yourself and see what you think! It really is one of my favorites!
July 10, 2022
Omg this book was worth the wait.
I plucked this book out of the series after some friends recommended it and quickly realized I was missing something. It read like I was picking up the middle of a book? Then I realized it was the sixth book in a series and I was gonna have to start from the beginning.
And it was SO WORTH IT!
The only frustrating thing was when I was reading book four and thought, “Aw, this character should have his own book! Let me Google it and find out if he has his own.” Then when THIS BOOK SHOWED UP I realized I freaking spoiled Cousin Michael for myself. That was really sad.
But, beside that disappointment, I found myself really enjoying this book. Charlotte and our hero have some SIZZLING chemistry and omgggg eighteen long years apart!! Gah, these two had to go through a lot to be together and it was a little heartbreaking to read.
There’s some enemies to lovers, mystery, miscommunication, and childhood lovers tropes in here that made this book unputdownable.
Gah, I loved it.
Read this book, but read the whole series first. It’s worth it.
I plucked this book out of the series after some friends recommended it and quickly realized I was missing something. It read like I was picking up the middle of a book? Then I realized it was the sixth book in a series and I was gonna have to start from the beginning.
And it was SO WORTH IT!
The only frustrating thing was when I was reading book four and thought, “Aw, this character should have his own book! Let me Google it and find out if he has his own.” Then when THIS BOOK SHOWED UP I realized I freaking spoiled Cousin Michael for myself. That was really sad.
But, beside that disappointment, I found myself really enjoying this book. Charlotte and our hero have some SIZZLING chemistry and omgggg eighteen long years apart!! Gah, these two had to go through a lot to be together and it was a little heartbreaking to read.
There’s some enemies to lovers, mystery, miscommunication, and childhood lovers tropes in here that made this book unputdownable.
Gah, I loved it.
Read this book, but read the whole series first. It’s worth it.
February 8, 2018
Zadnja v seriji in dokaj zabavna,čeprav priznam ,da sem dejansko razočarana nad junakinjo a po drugi strani jo razumem zakj se oklepa svoje miselnosti in trme. Končno se razkrije identiteta bratranca Michaela,ki pa je v mojih očeh zelo pokončen in dober človek,kajti kljub maščevanju,ki bi ga razumel,če bi ga dejansko izpeljal se odloči ,da lahko gre preko tega in namesto tega ponudi pomoč! Simpatično branje za sprostitev.
January 18, 2020
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Terug in jouw hart - Candlelight Historische roman 882 .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van de achterkant kaft : De school van weduwe Charlotte Harris verkeert in financiele nood . Maar dan wordt er hulp aangeboden uit een wel héél onverwachte hoek , door David Masters , Charlotte's jeugdliefde die zij destijds tot op het bot vernederd heeft . Deze burggraaf Kirkwood beweert dat zijn onlangs overleden vrouw geld heeft nagelaten aan de school . Charlotte wantrouwt aanvankelijk zijn bedoelingen , maar David houdt voet bij stuk en bovendien is hun wederzijdse aantrekkingskracht nog steeds sterk .
Toch valt het verleden niet zomaar uit te vlakken , en staat de toekomst op losse schroeven als Davids beweegredenen om Charlotte te helpen duidelijk worden .
Een waardige afsluiter van deze leuke serie .
Verhaallijn overgenomen van de achterkant kaft : De school van weduwe Charlotte Harris verkeert in financiele nood . Maar dan wordt er hulp aangeboden uit een wel héél onverwachte hoek , door David Masters , Charlotte's jeugdliefde die zij destijds tot op het bot vernederd heeft . Deze burggraaf Kirkwood beweert dat zijn onlangs overleden vrouw geld heeft nagelaten aan de school . Charlotte wantrouwt aanvankelijk zijn bedoelingen , maar David houdt voet bij stuk en bovendien is hun wederzijdse aantrekkingskracht nog steeds sterk .
Toch valt het verleden niet zomaar uit te vlakken , en staat de toekomst op losse schroeven als Davids beweegredenen om Charlotte te helpen duidelijk worden .
Een waardige afsluiter van deze leuke serie .
January 4, 2014
Me ha gustado mucho, tanto Charlotte como "el primo Michael" me han encantado, su pasado me ha convencido, me ha parecido coherente.. Un libro donde lo importante son los personajes y sus sentimientos... y cuando, aparantemente, la historia da poco más de sí, la autora nos sorprende con otro "asunto" para poder alargar la historia.
No le doy las cinco porque he extrañado ese toque de humor que tanto me gusta en los diálogos de esta autora
Como lectora me hubiera gustado que el final fuera más extenso... depues de leer toda la saga... pero quizás todo ya estaba dicho y no era necesario, mal que me pese.
Para mí un broche final perfecto para las amantes de esta serie, con libros bastante desparejos, pero éste es de los buenos.
No le doy las cinco porque he extrañado ese toque de humor que tanto me gusta en los diálogos de esta autora
Como lectora me hubiera gustado que el final fuera más extenso... depues de leer toda la saga... pero quizás todo ya estaba dicho y no era necesario, mal que me pese.
Para mí un broche final perfecto para las amantes de esta serie, con libros bastante desparejos, pero éste es de los buenos.
April 28, 2018
Leído en Febrero 2015
Sinopsis:
La séptima y última novela de la serie Escuela de Señoritas nos cuenta la historia de Charlotte Harris, la querida directora de dicha escuela. Desde que empezó la serie los lectores se han preguntado acerca de la relación de Charlotte con su misterioso amigo por correspondencia “Primo Michael”. Ha llegado el momento de saber cuál es su verdadera identidad.
Cuando tenía dieciocho años Charlotte Page cometió un error que cambiaría toda su vida. Agravió a un hombre en un acto impulsivo que llegó a lamentar profundamente, aunque la condujo directamente a lo que ahora es: la señorita Harris. Y sin saberlo, ese hombre es ahora su anónimo benefactor, el misterioso Primo Michael.
Su mascarada comenzó como preparación a una terrible venganza, pero se fue transformando en algo muy agradable y ahora Charlotte necesita desesperadamente su ayuda.
¿Podrá salvarla del desastre sin revelar su secreto o conseguirán los errores de sus pasados separarlos para siempre?
Me gustó... llevaba esperando este libro para saber la historia de la directora y no me defraudó!
Sinopsis:
La séptima y última novela de la serie Escuela de Señoritas nos cuenta la historia de Charlotte Harris, la querida directora de dicha escuela. Desde que empezó la serie los lectores se han preguntado acerca de la relación de Charlotte con su misterioso amigo por correspondencia “Primo Michael”. Ha llegado el momento de saber cuál es su verdadera identidad.
Cuando tenía dieciocho años Charlotte Page cometió un error que cambiaría toda su vida. Agravió a un hombre en un acto impulsivo que llegó a lamentar profundamente, aunque la condujo directamente a lo que ahora es: la señorita Harris. Y sin saberlo, ese hombre es ahora su anónimo benefactor, el misterioso Primo Michael.
Su mascarada comenzó como preparación a una terrible venganza, pero se fue transformando en algo muy agradable y ahora Charlotte necesita desesperadamente su ayuda.
¿Podrá salvarla del desastre sin revelar su secreto o conseguirán los errores de sus pasados separarlos para siempre?
Me gustó... llevaba esperando este libro para saber la historia de la directora y no me defraudó!
April 23, 2017
Y E S!! F I N A L L Y!!
To say that I have been dying to read Charlotte's book is an understatement. A lot of my favourite tropes are included in this story: childhood sweethearts, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, mature hero and heroine with sizzling chemistry.
I'm excited to start the Hellions next! Poor Stoneville, having to sell his property because of his grandma lol.
To say that I have been dying to read Charlotte's book is an understatement. A lot of my favourite tropes are included in this story: childhood sweethearts, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, mature hero and heroine with sizzling chemistry.
I'm excited to start the Hellions next! Poor Stoneville, having to sell his property because of his grandma lol.
January 29, 2022
Wed Him Before You Bed Him
4.5 Stars
Series note: This is the last book in the series and readers are finally rewarded with the revelation of "Cousin Michael's" identity as well as the reason for his anonymity. While there are references to characters and events from previous books, it is actually only necessary to read book #1 to fully appreciate this one.
An excellent conclusion to the series.
Charlotte and David's second chances romance is very engaging. They have intense chemistry and their interactions, both physical and emotional, are incredible. The flashback scene detailing their initial relationship is seamlessly integrated within the story and provides significant insight into their character development. The only minor issue for me is the length of their separation - 18 years is a seriously long time!
The minor mystery revolving around the death of David's wife is compelling although it isn't difficult to guess the ultimate explanation.
All in all, a fantastic read and I look forward to continuing with the spin-off series - The Hellions of Halstead Hall with the first book focusing on David's friend, the disreputable Lord Stoneville.
4.5 Stars
Series note: This is the last book in the series and readers are finally rewarded with the revelation of "Cousin Michael's" identity as well as the reason for his anonymity. While there are references to characters and events from previous books, it is actually only necessary to read book #1 to fully appreciate this one.
An excellent conclusion to the series.
Charlotte and David's second chances romance is very engaging. They have intense chemistry and their interactions, both physical and emotional, are incredible. The flashback scene detailing their initial relationship is seamlessly integrated within the story and provides significant insight into their character development. The only minor issue for me is the length of their separation - 18 years is a seriously long time!
The minor mystery revolving around the death of David's wife is compelling although it isn't difficult to guess the ultimate explanation.
All in all, a fantastic read and I look forward to continuing with the spin-off series - The Hellions of Halstead Hall with the first book focusing on David's friend, the disreputable Lord Stoneville.
June 11, 2010
When a romance novel is one of a series, you look for the threads of the core romance, the one that ties it all together, and then you hope that this one is the absolute strongest of them all and you anticipate it greatly. This is the core romance of the School for Heiresses series.
I have a love/hate thing with Sabrina Jeffries as an author. She often writes plots and situations that are the very ones I enjoy, so I keep being drawn to them, and yet she tends to have a dynamic in the relationship that I dislike...the arrogant man who thinks he knows best and wants to control the woman no matter what the cost...common in alpha heroes, but Ms. Jeffries always seems to make it that YES the man DID know best! The woman WAS being stuck up/a coward/stubborn! I don't like that. The desire and lust always seems to control the woman. This really only came up in one scene in this book, but it did put a damper on an otherwise smoldering love scene.
Aside from that dynamic I dislike, this is a strong book and enjoyable, but slightly empty for me. I wanted more. It could have stood to be longer, the mystery at the end is too quickly introduced and too quickly finished. I would have enjoyed more denouement instead of a hasty epilogue. Mrs. Harris seemed so...generic for most of the book. I enjoyed her in many of the other books, she seem strong willed without being arrogant or "too stubborn for her own good", but in her own book in which she stars, she seems more bland and I don't feel we got much of her personality.
I have a love/hate thing with Sabrina Jeffries as an author. She often writes plots and situations that are the very ones I enjoy, so I keep being drawn to them, and yet she tends to have a dynamic in the relationship that I dislike...the arrogant man who thinks he knows best and wants to control the woman no matter what the cost...common in alpha heroes, but Ms. Jeffries always seems to make it that YES the man DID know best! The woman WAS being stuck up/a coward/stubborn! I don't like that. The desire and lust always seems to control the woman. This really only came up in one scene in this book, but it did put a damper on an otherwise smoldering love scene.
Aside from that dynamic I dislike, this is a strong book and enjoyable, but slightly empty for me. I wanted more. It could have stood to be longer, the mystery at the end is too quickly introduced and too quickly finished. I would have enjoyed more denouement instead of a hasty epilogue. Mrs. Harris seemed so...generic for most of the book. I enjoyed her in many of the other books, she seem strong willed without being arrogant or "too stubborn for her own good", but in her own book in which she stars, she seems more bland and I don't feel we got much of her personality.
January 29, 2015
I just couldn't forgive the Hero for all his years of asshatness. Not that Charlotte is blameless, but considering how unempowered women were back then, the bulk of the asshat glory falls to the Hero. Especially after knowing her for years, almost intimately, he could still be such an asshat.
I felt like I needed to power through it, but I don't think I would have finished it if it hadn't capped off an otherwise excellent series, because the whole story left a bad taste in my mouth.
It was OK I guess. Kinda like ending the fireworks with a fizzle though.
I read this a while ago and because I still felt badly about the Hero, I felt I needed to revisit it and take away stars. Sometimes after thought, I'll go back and add stars and sometimes, take them away.
I felt like I needed to power through it, but I don't think I would have finished it if it hadn't capped off an otherwise excellent series, because the whole story left a bad taste in my mouth.
It was OK I guess. Kinda like ending the fireworks with a fizzle though.
I read this a while ago and because I still felt badly about the Hero, I felt I needed to revisit it and take away stars. Sometimes after thought, I'll go back and add stars and sometimes, take them away.
February 21, 2014
I originally had this as 4 stars, because it's a good story and the characters are good and it's a culmination of a good series. But I recently reread it, and Charlotte made me want to rip her hair out. Her stupid hang up about control, and how she thought David wanted to control her all the time was so freaking annoying! I mean come on, I get you had a shitty home life but give me a break! You've seen plenty of other happy couples, even if you didn't have your own happy ending. And David has been nothing but awesome to you! The way she kept harping on this WRONG assumption made me think by the end that David could do better. That being said, this is probably one of SJ's best written books and the story was quite interesting.
May 6, 2022
I love Sabrina Jeffries, but didn’t care much for this series, as some of her others. Her female characters seemed to be very man-hating and suspicious, almost insecure. That theme continued with Charlotte. She was very unlikable throughout all the books and by the time I go this story, I didn’t care for her at all. As the heroine, she was irrational, self-righteous and emotionally immature. The misandry around the plot line made her out to be an angry, reactive shrew. Despite the deception, David was likable. I liked him… a flawed hero. Again, this entire series, the author made the females angry bitter women up until the end. Just ok for me.
October 23, 2018
Probably the best in the series imo! But alas, Sabrina Jefferies may be on my good list, but her writing style isn't 100% my type. Nevertheless, I would recommend this series
May 28, 2011
Kisah penutup yg sangat bagus untuk the School For Heiresses series.
disini kita bisa tau ttg siapa itu cousin michael sebenarnya.
masih ingat khan the famous cousin michael?? orang yg membantu charlotte harris selama ini tp kita tidak pernah tau spt apa orangnya.
bertahun2 mereka berhubungan hanya lewat surat.
David Masters, Lord Kirkwood, widowed charming & handsome.
masih ingat lord kirkwood?? dia sempat muncul di bbrp novel terutama di buku pertama.
yup lord kirkwood adl sepupu dari lucas winter, suami lady amelia.
lord kirkwood juga sahabat dari duke of foxmoore, suami luisa, viscount norcourt, suami madeline & lord stoneville. ber 4 mereka berteman sejak di eton. lord kirkwood juga adl suami silly sarah.
kematian sarah 6 bulan yg lalu masih meninggalkan luka dalam diri david tp kematian sarah juga membuka matanya untuk mendapatkan kembali cinta masa lalunya, lady charlotte page.
tp masa lalu mereka yg penuh salah paham membuat david harus berhati2 memilih segala tindakannya jika tidak ingin membuat mereka terpisah kembali karna kesalah pahaman yg dulu.
sarah adl salah 1 murid di skul tersebut jadi david memakai alasan sarah meninggalkan warisan kepada sekolah untuk membangun gedung baru tp dengan syarat david harus ikut berperan didalamnya.
sebenarnya sarah tidak meninggalkan apa2. itu adl uang david sendiri.
david ingin dengan uang itu dpt membantu charlotte memindahkan skul nya.
charlotte page harris. puteri seorang baron. janda captain harris.
ayah yg semena2, duka dimasa lalu & pernikahan yg ternyata tidak bahagia membuat charlotte memilih hidup sbg janda selama 15 tahun & menggantungkan segala harapan & impiannya di sekolah yg didirikannya atas bantuan cousin michael yg misterius.
namun akhir2 ini suratnya dengan cousin michael penuh pertengkaran yg berbuntut semua surat yg dikirimnya dikembalikan tanpa dibuka.
tp charlotte harus segera berbicara dgn cousin michael mengingat Mr. Pittchard (bener ga ya namanya??) pemilik properti yg bersebelahan dengan sekolah akan segera menjual propertinya.
harusnya cousin michael melakukan sesuatu mengingat sekolah ini adl properti milik cousin michael.
tiba2 saja masalah jadi rumit ditambah kedatangan tiba2 masa lalunya, david masters, lord kirkwood, orang yg pernah dicampakkannya bertahun2 yg lalu.
saat membaca korespondensi yg terjadi antara mrs. harris - cousin michael lewat buku2 pendahulu ini kita pasti bertanya2 siapa cousin michel? kenapa dia membantu mrs harris?? kenapa setiap masalah yg terjadi di kalangan atas london bisa diketahuinya?? & kenapa dia bisa mencari tau ttg rahasia yg paling disimpan sekalipun???
lalu sebenarnya siapa itu mrs. charlotte page harris?? kenapa putri seorang baron bisa menjadi seorang headmistress?? apa yg terjadi dimasa lalu mrs. harris sampai dia membangun sekolah untuk para2 gadis muda???
awal2 lord kirkwood disebut sebenarnya aq ga terlalu sreg pd orang ini.
secara tiap kali nongol dia selalu mengejar para heiress. pertama amelia lalu sarah.
apa dia segitu matrenya???
well, mari kita lihat.
david masters & charlotte page ternyata sejak masih berusia muda sudah ditunangkan oleh ke 2 ayah mereka yg sama2 brengseknya.
david & charlotte tumbuh besar bersama & tidak pernah saling akur jadi sempat tidak bertemu bertahun2 hingga saat mereka mau dijodohkan baru bertemu kembali.
david terpikat pd kecantikan & semangat charlotte. sedang charlotte terpikat oleh pesona david.
dari yg tadinya menolak pertunangan mereka akhirnya setuju untuk menuruti perjodohan tersebut yah mengingat mereka sudah mulai saling mencintai.
tp 1 yg disangsikan charlotte. charlotte tumbuh besar dengan ayah yg rake sedang david sendiri terkenal sbg seorang rakehell, apakah david bisa berubah.
saat tanpa sengaja melihat dari jendel david bersama molly, pelayan rumahnya, charlotte sakit hati & memutuskan menulis surat penuh ejekan & penghinaan pd david tp siapa sangka surat itu jatuh ketangan orang tak bertanggung jwb yg mempublikasikannya.
surat itulah awal dari perpecahan.
david sakit hati pd charlotte bgt pula charlotte, pdhal mereka hanya saling salah paham.
dipaksa menghadapi kondisi ancaman bakal dikurung seumur hidup membuat charlotte menerima pinangan capt. harris agar bisa bebas dari sang ayah.
kematian suaminya membuat charlotte bangkit & mulai membuka sekolah dengan bantuan cousin michael.
tp yg tidak diketahui charlotte sebenarnya cousin michael adl david.
david yg sakit hati & dipermalukan habis2an oleh surat charlotte ingin balas dendam karna itu dia membantu charlotte. tadinya dia akan membantu kemudian menjatuhkan charlotte.
tapi siapa sangka dari surat2an tersebut seluruh amarah david hilang apalagi dia tau alasan kemarahan charlotte.
akhirnya david meneruskan penyamarannya sbg cousin michael.
kesempatannya dengan charlotte memang tertutup tp michael tak pernah melupakan charlotte walaupun sudah menikah dengan sarah. pernikahan yg tak bahagia sama sekali.
tp sekarang david punya kesempatan.
dia bisa memperbaharui hubungannya kembali dengan charlotte.
well, siapa sangka mrs. harris yg ketat & disiplin itu ternyata juga wanita yg sangat passion.
uh panas boooo.......
hhhhhhhhhhhh baru aja bisa baikan masalah baru muncul.
david dituduh membunuh istrinya sarah.
wah parahnya lagi charlotte ikut terkait karna kisah asmara mereka.
bukan itu saja david baru tau selama ini sarah selalu meminta uang padanya ternyata untuk menolong hutang judi adiknya, richard. bahkan sarah menggadaikan jewel milik keluarga kirkwood.
dari giles, adiknya, david juga baru tau sarah ternyata memiliki hubungan gelap dengan footman mereka.
benar2 pernikahan yg sangat kacau.
sekarang charlotte tau semuanya ttg cousin michael dengan cara yg tidak diinginkan david tp bisakah charlotte memaafkannya?? apakah charlotte percaya bahwa david bisa dengan tega membunuh sarah demi memiliki harta sarah???
uh nooooo.....
well, awal seri ini terjadi di kediaman kirkwood
ending seri ini pun terjadi di kediaman kirkwood dengan para tokoh2 dari novel2 sebelumnya ditambah para anak2 mereka
wuihhh rame booo......
tp 1 yg masih menjadi ganjalanku gimana ya dengan lord stoneville???
dari 4 sahabat yg 3 sudah mapan dengan istri & keluarga mereka lalu bagaimana dengan lord stoneville??
hhhhhhhh ternyata dia punya series sendiri
hunting novel or ebooknya lagi nihhh >_<
disini kita bisa tau ttg siapa itu cousin michael sebenarnya.
masih ingat khan the famous cousin michael?? orang yg membantu charlotte harris selama ini tp kita tidak pernah tau spt apa orangnya.
bertahun2 mereka berhubungan hanya lewat surat.
David Masters, Lord Kirkwood, widowed charming & handsome.
masih ingat lord kirkwood?? dia sempat muncul di bbrp novel terutama di buku pertama.
yup lord kirkwood adl sepupu dari lucas winter, suami lady amelia.
lord kirkwood juga sahabat dari duke of foxmoore, suami luisa, viscount norcourt, suami madeline & lord stoneville. ber 4 mereka berteman sejak di eton. lord kirkwood juga adl suami silly sarah.
kematian sarah 6 bulan yg lalu masih meninggalkan luka dalam diri david tp kematian sarah juga membuka matanya untuk mendapatkan kembali cinta masa lalunya, lady charlotte page.
tp masa lalu mereka yg penuh salah paham membuat david harus berhati2 memilih segala tindakannya jika tidak ingin membuat mereka terpisah kembali karna kesalah pahaman yg dulu.
sarah adl salah 1 murid di skul tersebut jadi david memakai alasan sarah meninggalkan warisan kepada sekolah untuk membangun gedung baru tp dengan syarat david harus ikut berperan didalamnya.
sebenarnya sarah tidak meninggalkan apa2. itu adl uang david sendiri.
david ingin dengan uang itu dpt membantu charlotte memindahkan skul nya.
charlotte page harris. puteri seorang baron. janda captain harris.
ayah yg semena2, duka dimasa lalu & pernikahan yg ternyata tidak bahagia membuat charlotte memilih hidup sbg janda selama 15 tahun & menggantungkan segala harapan & impiannya di sekolah yg didirikannya atas bantuan cousin michael yg misterius.
namun akhir2 ini suratnya dengan cousin michael penuh pertengkaran yg berbuntut semua surat yg dikirimnya dikembalikan tanpa dibuka.
tp charlotte harus segera berbicara dgn cousin michael mengingat Mr. Pittchard (bener ga ya namanya??) pemilik properti yg bersebelahan dengan sekolah akan segera menjual propertinya.
harusnya cousin michael melakukan sesuatu mengingat sekolah ini adl properti milik cousin michael.
tiba2 saja masalah jadi rumit ditambah kedatangan tiba2 masa lalunya, david masters, lord kirkwood, orang yg pernah dicampakkannya bertahun2 yg lalu.
saat membaca korespondensi yg terjadi antara mrs. harris - cousin michael lewat buku2 pendahulu ini kita pasti bertanya2 siapa cousin michel? kenapa dia membantu mrs harris?? kenapa setiap masalah yg terjadi di kalangan atas london bisa diketahuinya?? & kenapa dia bisa mencari tau ttg rahasia yg paling disimpan sekalipun???
lalu sebenarnya siapa itu mrs. charlotte page harris?? kenapa putri seorang baron bisa menjadi seorang headmistress?? apa yg terjadi dimasa lalu mrs. harris sampai dia membangun sekolah untuk para2 gadis muda???
awal2 lord kirkwood disebut sebenarnya aq ga terlalu sreg pd orang ini.
secara tiap kali nongol dia selalu mengejar para heiress. pertama amelia lalu sarah.
apa dia segitu matrenya???
well, mari kita lihat.
david masters & charlotte page ternyata sejak masih berusia muda sudah ditunangkan oleh ke 2 ayah mereka yg sama2 brengseknya.
david & charlotte tumbuh besar bersama & tidak pernah saling akur jadi sempat tidak bertemu bertahun2 hingga saat mereka mau dijodohkan baru bertemu kembali.
david terpikat pd kecantikan & semangat charlotte. sedang charlotte terpikat oleh pesona david.
dari yg tadinya menolak pertunangan mereka akhirnya setuju untuk menuruti perjodohan tersebut yah mengingat mereka sudah mulai saling mencintai.
tp 1 yg disangsikan charlotte. charlotte tumbuh besar dengan ayah yg rake sedang david sendiri terkenal sbg seorang rakehell, apakah david bisa berubah.
saat tanpa sengaja melihat dari jendel david bersama molly, pelayan rumahnya, charlotte sakit hati & memutuskan menulis surat penuh ejekan & penghinaan pd david tp siapa sangka surat itu jatuh ketangan orang tak bertanggung jwb yg mempublikasikannya.
surat itulah awal dari perpecahan.
david sakit hati pd charlotte bgt pula charlotte, pdhal mereka hanya saling salah paham.
dipaksa menghadapi kondisi ancaman bakal dikurung seumur hidup membuat charlotte menerima pinangan capt. harris agar bisa bebas dari sang ayah.
kematian suaminya membuat charlotte bangkit & mulai membuka sekolah dengan bantuan cousin michael.
tp yg tidak diketahui charlotte sebenarnya cousin michael adl david.
david yg sakit hati & dipermalukan habis2an oleh surat charlotte ingin balas dendam karna itu dia membantu charlotte. tadinya dia akan membantu kemudian menjatuhkan charlotte.
tapi siapa sangka dari surat2an tersebut seluruh amarah david hilang apalagi dia tau alasan kemarahan charlotte.
akhirnya david meneruskan penyamarannya sbg cousin michael.
kesempatannya dengan charlotte memang tertutup tp michael tak pernah melupakan charlotte walaupun sudah menikah dengan sarah. pernikahan yg tak bahagia sama sekali.
tp sekarang david punya kesempatan.
dia bisa memperbaharui hubungannya kembali dengan charlotte.
well, siapa sangka mrs. harris yg ketat & disiplin itu ternyata juga wanita yg sangat passion.
uh panas boooo.......
hhhhhhhhhhhh baru aja bisa baikan masalah baru muncul.
david dituduh membunuh istrinya sarah.
wah parahnya lagi charlotte ikut terkait karna kisah asmara mereka.
bukan itu saja david baru tau selama ini sarah selalu meminta uang padanya ternyata untuk menolong hutang judi adiknya, richard. bahkan sarah menggadaikan jewel milik keluarga kirkwood.
dari giles, adiknya, david juga baru tau sarah ternyata memiliki hubungan gelap dengan footman mereka.
benar2 pernikahan yg sangat kacau.
sekarang charlotte tau semuanya ttg cousin michael dengan cara yg tidak diinginkan david tp bisakah charlotte memaafkannya?? apakah charlotte percaya bahwa david bisa dengan tega membunuh sarah demi memiliki harta sarah???
uh nooooo.....
well, awal seri ini terjadi di kediaman kirkwood
ending seri ini pun terjadi di kediaman kirkwood dengan para tokoh2 dari novel2 sebelumnya ditambah para anak2 mereka
wuihhh rame booo......
tp 1 yg masih menjadi ganjalanku gimana ya dengan lord stoneville???
dari 4 sahabat yg 3 sudah mapan dengan istri & keluarga mereka lalu bagaimana dengan lord stoneville??
hhhhhhhh ternyata dia punya series sendiri
hunting novel or ebooknya lagi nihhh >_<
August 14, 2023
If the timing is right, and it was for me in this case, I love love a MMC that falls first and falls hard. This book I remember enjoying long ago, but this reread made me fall in love.
David is just so ridiculous in how much he loves Charlotte but also tries to deny it because he doesn't want to get hurt. He's over the top but I love him for it. Young David and his insta love/attraction for Charlotte? Stinking adorable.
Charlotte is just great. I love how as an adult, she knows what she wants and she's not willing to compromise. She's a widow which allows her more freedom to be a woman and to not be forced into remarriage. Girl just wants to run her school and be loved and I love her the more for it.
This book comes in second in the series behind Lachlan and Venetia, which is just all around solid. Definitely a book I'll reread.
David is just so ridiculous in how much he loves Charlotte but also tries to deny it because he doesn't want to get hurt. He's over the top but I love him for it. Young David and his insta love/attraction for Charlotte? Stinking adorable.
Charlotte is just great. I love how as an adult, she knows what she wants and she's not willing to compromise. She's a widow which allows her more freedom to be a woman and to not be forced into remarriage. Girl just wants to run her school and be loved and I love her the more for it.
This book comes in second in the series behind Lachlan and Venetia, which is just all around solid. Definitely a book I'll reread.
February 6, 2018
A fitting Finale for this series. I enjoyed it very much. The story of Wed Him Before You Bed Him was good, I just wish it didn't rely on miscommunication and misinformation so much but I still quite enjoyed it. Also I would have liked more time devoted to Charlotte's reaction to the identity of "Cousin Michael". It felt like Ms. Jeffries just breezed over it. I appreciated the maturity of the couple and found both of them learned from their mistakes and were willing to admit it and fix things. I really liked that. And the relationship between David and Charlotte is passionate and moving and you really feel with them. All in all, this book is a romance worth reading.
December 21, 2015
There aren't enough words to describe what a wonderful read this was!
Short Synopsis
Charlotte and David were friends as kids but a silly remark by David, right before he went off to Eton, causes her a lot of ridicule from other kids. Now lets move straight to when she 18 and he's almost 20. Both their parents want them to marry each other but they're against it, believing each other to be as annoying now as they were as kids. But times change and so do they. Charlotte's grown up to be a vivacious beauty and David's a joyfully charming, handsome young man. Of course they start to like each other. But a tragic misunderstanding sprinkled with the old vices, pride and prejudice, cause the young lovers to rift apart.
Cut to 18 years later, and David re-enters Charlotte's life and the story continues from here.
My review
I am incapable of counting the number of happy sighs I am producing. It was a perfect romance.
The lead characters have known each other for long so we get a taste of a veritably sparking chemistry between them. Even the misunderstanding isn't dragged out. Clear cut confessions and discussions make for a fast paced and engaging story.
The best part of the romance was that both of them spar as equals. Often-times, romantic heroes appear to accommodate the heroine's whims and eccentricities and whatever fights they have, the hero's always shown as the clueless yet rational male and the woman shown as the emotional and alluring female. This book wasn't like that. The leads had real fights, real bones to chew on and jumping-in-your-face-real emotions. I can't praise this story enough.
Another thing that pleased me immensely was their physical description. Sabrina Jeffries keeps it realistic by describing them as sexy, but sexy for their age. The leads aren't some age defying miracles of beauty. They're real and they're hot. And the sex was incendiary!
So go, go, go, go! Pick it up and start reading!
Short Synopsis
Charlotte and David were friends as kids but a silly remark by David, right before he went off to Eton, causes her a lot of ridicule from other kids. Now lets move straight to when she 18 and he's almost 20. Both their parents want them to marry each other but they're against it, believing each other to be as annoying now as they were as kids. But times change and so do they. Charlotte's grown up to be a vivacious beauty and David's a joyfully charming, handsome young man. Of course they start to like each other. But a tragic misunderstanding sprinkled with the old vices, pride and prejudice, cause the young lovers to rift apart.
Cut to 18 years later, and David re-enters Charlotte's life and the story continues from here.
My review
I am incapable of counting the number of happy sighs I am producing. It was a perfect romance.
The lead characters have known each other for long so we get a taste of a veritably sparking chemistry between them. Even the misunderstanding isn't dragged out. Clear cut confessions and discussions make for a fast paced and engaging story.
The best part of the romance was that both of them spar as equals. Often-times, romantic heroes appear to accommodate the heroine's whims and eccentricities and whatever fights they have, the hero's always shown as the clueless yet rational male and the woman shown as the emotional and alluring female. This book wasn't like that. The leads had real fights, real bones to chew on and jumping-in-your-face-real emotions. I can't praise this story enough.
Another thing that pleased me immensely was their physical description. Sabrina Jeffries keeps it realistic by describing them as sexy, but sexy for their age. The leads aren't some age defying miracles of beauty. They're real and they're hot. And the sex was incendiary!
So go, go, go, go! Pick it up and start reading!
November 6, 2009
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I have only read one other book by Sabrina Jeffries and I assumed all her books were going to be like that one, not that it was bad, just lacking something!
In this book you can see where misunderstandings and lack of truthful communication can really end up hurting you and so many other people around you.
This story took me on a ride with my emotions. In the beginning I felt so sorry for Charlotte and David. They were being forced to marry, it was a match that would benefit both families. Although not uncommon in that age, it was still terrifying! Then, Charlotte and David realized that they actually got along very well and had a very passionate attraction toward each other. This marriage-to-be was not looking quite as bleak as they had first thought, and I was so happy for them. Until something happened that tore them and their families apart.
For the remainder of the book we see how one persons revenge for another turns from hate to love. But Charlotte and David have built so many walls around themselves it takes a very long time (18 years to be exact) for them to see it for themselves. It was heart-wrenching at times watching them come so close to happiness only to see them continue to mess it up!
This book has it all; passion, deceit, murder, more passion, suspense, some humor and even more passion!! I may actually go back and read all the other books in this series now. And I might be changing my first impression of Mrs. Jeffries.
In this book you can see where misunderstandings and lack of truthful communication can really end up hurting you and so many other people around you.
This story took me on a ride with my emotions. In the beginning I felt so sorry for Charlotte and David. They were being forced to marry, it was a match that would benefit both families. Although not uncommon in that age, it was still terrifying! Then, Charlotte and David realized that they actually got along very well and had a very passionate attraction toward each other. This marriage-to-be was not looking quite as bleak as they had first thought, and I was so happy for them. Until something happened that tore them and their families apart.
For the remainder of the book we see how one persons revenge for another turns from hate to love. But Charlotte and David have built so many walls around themselves it takes a very long time (18 years to be exact) for them to see it for themselves. It was heart-wrenching at times watching them come so close to happiness only to see them continue to mess it up!
This book has it all; passion, deceit, murder, more passion, suspense, some humor and even more passion!! I may actually go back and read all the other books in this series now. And I might be changing my first impression of Mrs. Jeffries.
November 30, 2014
Sabrina Jeffries always manages to kick ass.
There is something indescribable about this author's ability to create one fascinating backdrop to all of her stories. This is most especially true for Sabrina's School for Heiresses series. While having skipped around quite a bit in the series order, I still was able to find Wed Him Before You Bed Him to be, in a word, perfect.
The pacing of this particular book was the stuff of dreams! I'm not typically a fan of romances where the protagonists had a previous disastrous romantic entanglement. However, this is largely because writers of this particular kind of story always tell the romanticism after the fact, denying the reader the chance to delve into the emotionalism that takes place upon the characters initial interactions. Such was so, so not the case for this novel. Not only did Mrs. Jeffries time-jump backwards, allowing the reader to experience the back-story first hand, but telling was placed almost perfectly into the plot time-line.
Additionally, Wed Him Before You Bed Him has a true dramatic element, paired with strong romantic threads that make this book almost impossible to put down! I enjoyed the character-driven story, as well as the interplay among the entire cast of characters! Excellent book!
There is something indescribable about this author's ability to create one fascinating backdrop to all of her stories. This is most especially true for Sabrina's School for Heiresses series. While having skipped around quite a bit in the series order, I still was able to find Wed Him Before You Bed Him to be, in a word, perfect.
The pacing of this particular book was the stuff of dreams! I'm not typically a fan of romances where the protagonists had a previous disastrous romantic entanglement. However, this is largely because writers of this particular kind of story always tell the romanticism after the fact, denying the reader the chance to delve into the emotionalism that takes place upon the characters initial interactions. Such was so, so not the case for this novel. Not only did Mrs. Jeffries time-jump backwards, allowing the reader to experience the back-story first hand, but telling was placed almost perfectly into the plot time-line.
Additionally, Wed Him Before You Bed Him has a true dramatic element, paired with strong romantic threads that make this book almost impossible to put down! I enjoyed the character-driven story, as well as the interplay among the entire cast of characters! Excellent book!
June 17, 2018
Carino, ma sospetto finirà con gli altri della Jeffries che ho letto nella colonna "letto e dimenticato". E' tutto molto piacevole, sorprendentemente il rapporto tra i protagonisti, la sua evoluzione proprio, è molto più profondo di quanto ci si potrebbe aspettare, ma lo stile molto retrò non cattura l'attenzione. Temo che in parte sia dovuto alla traduzione, spesso disattenta con termini che non c'entrano niente con il contesto e cambi di genere. E cribbio, come dice sempre David (che sto ancora tentando di immaginare quale fosse il termine in originale per aver scelto cribbio!), con scelte decisamente obsolete.
Eppure è bello e, dagli accenni che se ne faceva nella serie successiva, ero proprio curiosa di leggerlo e non sono minimamente delusa.
Ora mi piacerebbe che questo percorso a ritroso nella pubblicazione ci permettesse di leggere anche i precedenti della serie, perché l'epilogo con quasi tutti i protagonisti dei precedenti che tornano da leggere così è un'agonia.
Eppure è bello e, dagli accenni che se ne faceva nella serie successiva, ero proprio curiosa di leggerlo e non sono minimamente delusa.
Ora mi piacerebbe che questo percorso a ritroso nella pubblicazione ci permettesse di leggere anche i precedenti della serie, perché l'epilogo con quasi tutti i protagonisti dei precedenti che tornano da leggere così è un'agonia.
July 6, 2009
Really good ending to the series, and I loved the wrap up to the 'cousin Michael' story. I liked him a lot. A bit of mystery was thrown in, but didn't dominate the story which was good. SJ is one of my fav historical authors, and I look forward to more by her. This may not be her best book, but I enjoyed it a lot. I was most surprised by how much I liked Charlotte in this book, as I really didn't care for her in previous books.
March 28, 2022
I finally feel like reading a book. It's a miracle. And of course the first book I turn to is historical romance, because it's my comfort genre.
More of a 3.5.
This is about Charlotte and David. Charlotte and David have a past romance where Charlotte wronged him, and David wants another shot with her. There is obviously references to other characters to the series, that maybe play out better if you're familiar with the series. This was my first read by Sabrina Jeffries, and I really enjoyed it. I just don't think I loved these characters and their reasoning for not being honest with each other was very confusing for me. But definitely would check out more books from this author. Maybe start with book 1 of a series instead.
More of a 3.5.
This is about Charlotte and David. Charlotte and David have a past romance where Charlotte wronged him, and David wants another shot with her. There is obviously references to other characters to the series, that maybe play out better if you're familiar with the series. This was my first read by Sabrina Jeffries, and I really enjoyed it. I just don't think I loved these characters and their reasoning for not being honest with each other was very confusing for me. But definitely would check out more books from this author. Maybe start with book 1 of a series instead.
Read
July 30, 2020love! cousin michael is a great guy. Have to admit, I wasn't expecting him! I loved the flashbacks to the past, they really made the story fleshed out. Also disappointed in myself that I think I've read all Sabrina Jeffries' series that are connected (the princes one, school for heiresses, hellions of halstead hall, the art of sinning one) in the exact wrong order, so I remember Stoneville and Giles Masters and Pinter from them being heroes in later books (which I read earlier). Whoops, guess I just have to reread everything! haha, no but this was really good! wasn't expecting Cousin Michael to be who he is, but I loved him and Charlotte together.
March 15, 2018
This is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I've been looking forward to Charlotte's story, but the whole thing was a bit of a muddled mess. The back-story takes up several chapters, then there's the insta-lust thing. There's a lot of emphasis on their parent's involvement at the beginning, then it's all sort of forgotten about. It just felt like a half written book to me.
May 25, 2018
We finally get to know who the mysterious Cousin Michael is after all this time. Charlotte and David are perfect for each other. Too bad it takes them so long to finally end up where they could have been 15 years earlier, although who knows if their relationship would have been as strong it they had gotten together before they both grew up some more.
February 15, 2018
((( 4,5 stars )))
I really like it. "Cousin Michael" stole my heart.
I really like it. "Cousin Michael" stole my heart.
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