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Sherbrooke Brides #7
Pendragon
The seventh title in New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter's Brides series.Meggie Sherbrooke, newly married to Thomas Malcombe, the earl of Lancaster, finds her new home in Pendragon, a castle on the southeastern coast of Ireland. The ancient dwelling, full of eccentric people, charms Meggie—in a fashion that could lead to disaster.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 19, 2014
3.5*
This very much reminded me of Julie Garwood's style, especially where the ditzy heroine was concerned, but less sweet and with a couple of darker edges in some points of the plot. I know I have been complaining a bit, but I actually liked it and I would have liked it more had the heroine been more mature than childish, and had she not loved another man for 2/3 of the book. She may have been devoted to her husband, but all her 'Jeremy said this' and 'Jeremy would do that' did not make her particularly endearing. However, the hero was yummy, besotted and his pain and love for her very deep and emotional. Besides a single scene of slightly rough sex (which was right after he learns that his wife loves another man), he was sweet and tender and loving her even though he knew she loved someone else, which made me ache for him and want to hug him:)
It could have been better but I enjoyed reading it anyway.
This very much reminded me of Julie Garwood's style, especially where the ditzy heroine was concerned, but less sweet and with a couple of darker edges in some points of the plot. I know I have been complaining a bit, but I actually liked it and I would have liked it more had the heroine been more mature than childish, and had she not loved another man for 2/3 of the book. She may have been devoted to her husband, but all her 'Jeremy said this' and 'Jeremy would do that' did not make her particularly endearing. However, the hero was yummy, besotted and his pain and love for her very deep and emotional. Besides a single scene of slightly rough sex (which was right after he learns that his wife loves another man), he was sweet and tender and loving her even though he knew she loved someone else, which made me ache for him and want to hug him:)
It could have been better but I enjoyed reading it anyway.
June 13, 2018
I know some readers thought the cat races were a little too silly but I thought they were great lol. Racing cats? Brilliant.
The heroine was pretty slow on the uptake and I wanted to strangle her for most of the book but she finally came around.
The hero was adorable and the mystery/suspense aspect was fun too.
The heroine was pretty slow on the uptake and I wanted to strangle her for most of the book but she finally came around.
The hero was adorable and the mystery/suspense aspect was fun too.
January 8, 2011
Meggie is kind of annoying in this story. The oldest of Tyson's brood she's in love with Jeremy but decides to Thomas. I liked Thomas and could have done w/o Meggie and her whining. Rebound lovers rarely work it out. I'm surprised Thomas stuck with her. I'd have booted her out. Still, it all resolved in a happily ever after. So far, my least favourite Bride book.
April 15, 2022
So…the cat races were fun.
April 8, 2015
Horrible book. Had to force myself to finish to see what the mystery was. Meggie got on my last nerve. Did the girl NEVER shut up??? Her thoughts tended to go from one thing to another, must of been some ADD going on with her. Thomas was ok. He didn't carry his jealousy well at all. I also got tired of seeing on every page that she was the vicar's daughter. I mean come on already the reader knows this, we don't need to be reminded every page. There love scenes were boring, no romance at all. Then they chat about them later like school kids, uggg. The cat racing bored me to death, I skimmed those parts. Just dumb. The ending fell flat, leaving off with more cat racing. This was the first book out of the series I read and I will not pick up another.
August 8, 2020
I just could not get in to this book. I hoped after the first few chapters it would pick up but it never did...and I’m glad the cat racing wasn’t prominent throughout the whole book because that just was not enjoyable (to me). The storyline, based on the synopsis, had great potential but it just really fell flat. I personally could not feel the emotion within the writing, couldn’t feel the connection between the characters, the anger, the fright, nothing, it was just words on a page. And, I couldn’t hardly stand the main female character, she was too naive, too childish in her words and actions.
September 19, 2019
I love when a book series follows the generations because you get to see the children you formerly read about grown up and having their own adventure and happily ever after. I really enjoyed the precocious Meggy's story.
August 29, 2012
Ms. Coulter, you lost me at the cat racing. Honestly, I can't take a story seriously that uses the phrase "cat whisperer."
April 11, 2017
I originally gave this 4 stars but after reading again I think it's more of a 2 1/2 star book. I had a hard time finishing it this time. The heroine really got on my nerves.
August 22, 2017
both of these people are annoying af
May 9, 2019
Very much enjoyed Meggie and Thomas's story.
August 9, 2019
Love the Bride series, Can't put them down and when I'm done i want more.
March 16, 2019
Meggie Sherbrooke, first met in The Scottish Bride, is now of a marriageable age. She meets a sort of cousin she had adored when young and is in raptures until she finds out that Jeremy is betrothed. She cuts her first Season short, heads home, meets a likeable young man and marries somewhat on the rebound. Thomas Malcombe, Lord Lancaster, takes her off to a neglected castle in Ireland where mysterious persons try to kill her.
Thomas did not plan to marry any time soon, but he is captivated by Meggie’s humor and personality. He is devastated when, just after the wedding, he learns about Jeremy and thinks that Meggie still loves him. That misunderstanding and the attempted murders provide more than a challenge to a relationship. Meggie and Thomas’s journey to the eventual HEA suitably rounds out the story. The reader also learns several training tips on cat racing. Recommended.
Readalikes:
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss – The Elusive Flame; Judith McNaught – Until You; Stephanie Laurens – The Elusive Bride; Sabrina Jeffries – Wed Him Before You Bed Him; Julie Garwood – Shadow Music; Linda Lael Miller – Shotgun Bride; Johanna Lindsey – Marriage Most Scandalous; Julia Quinn – To Sir Philip, With Love; Adriana Trigiani – Lucia, Lucia.
Pace: Fast
Characters: Well-developed within genre stereotypes; likeable
Story: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Funny; steamy
Frame: England, Ireland; 1823
Thomas did not plan to marry any time soon, but he is captivated by Meggie’s humor and personality. He is devastated when, just after the wedding, he learns about Jeremy and thinks that Meggie still loves him. That misunderstanding and the attempted murders provide more than a challenge to a relationship. Meggie and Thomas’s journey to the eventual HEA suitably rounds out the story. The reader also learns several training tips on cat racing. Recommended.
Readalikes:
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss – The Elusive Flame; Judith McNaught – Until You; Stephanie Laurens – The Elusive Bride; Sabrina Jeffries – Wed Him Before You Bed Him; Julie Garwood – Shadow Music; Linda Lael Miller – Shotgun Bride; Johanna Lindsey – Marriage Most Scandalous; Julia Quinn – To Sir Philip, With Love; Adriana Trigiani – Lucia, Lucia.
Pace: Fast
Characters: Well-developed within genre stereotypes; likeable
Story: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Funny; steamy
Frame: England, Ireland; 1823
July 15, 2022
Another one where I liked both hero and heroine.
For some reason I noticed more anachronisms in this one than the rest, particularly in the dialogue. I let gnarly slide as maybe meant by the original definition, but there's no redeeming the time one character tells another, "You’ve a very smart mouth." That use of the phrase "smart mouth" only goes back to the 1970s, meaning I'm old enough to remember when it was first used -- as is Coulter, of course, so she really should have known better.
For some reason I noticed more anachronisms in this one than the rest, particularly in the dialogue. I let gnarly slide as maybe meant by the original definition, but there's no redeeming the time one character tells another, "You’ve a very smart mouth." That use of the phrase "smart mouth" only goes back to the 1970s, meaning I'm old enough to remember when it was first used -- as is Coulter, of course, so she really should have known better.
October 1, 2021
Pendragon
I can't believe I've had this book and completely missed it. I love the Sherbrooke series and this is another of the next generation where Meggie, Tyson's daughter has married and become an almost victim of a killer. Everything works out, the killer is caught and Meggie starts cat racing at Pendragon.
I can't believe I've had this book and completely missed it. I love the Sherbrooke series and this is another of the next generation where Meggie, Tyson's daughter has married and become an almost victim of a killer. Everything works out, the killer is caught and Meggie starts cat racing at Pendragon.
October 5, 2018
Usually love the characters in this series. Even loved Maggie in previous books but not so much in this one. Good murder mystery and the main hero, Thomas, was enjoyable. Cat racing seemed far fetched but maybe the races truly happened long ago.
July 18, 2017
Good book, except for first and last chapters.
August 21, 2023
Great book
This was a great read book she is one of my favorite authors. Love the bride books now on to book 8
This was a great read book she is one of my favorite authors. Love the bride books now on to book 8
March 2, 2024
Writing was choppy and heroine was a little too bright and childish to be believable. I found myself speed reading to get to the end.
September 18, 2023
This book is by Catherine Coulter.
I strongly suggest you read this series in order or you will be a little lost.
Maggie Sherbrooke is having her first season and Jeremy, her almost cousin who is actually her aunt’s much younger brother, shows up and she is immediately reminded of the crush she had on him when she was 13 and he was in his early 20’s. She is thrilled. Unfortunately, when he shows up to go on his ride with her, he brings along his fiancé. Maggie is not amused.
Then she meets Thomas. Thomas is about 5 yrs older than Maggie. When he meets her, she is attending to her younger brother after church and he is smitten. Shortly after they marry.
Thomas is obsessed with having Maggie fall in love with him and gets extremely agitated whenever Jeremy shows up. Maggie is a little slow to realize what a catch she has.
Thomas takes Maggie to his home in Scotland. On the way they stop in at an inn where a murder has taken place. It remains unsolved.
All does not go well at Pendragon. Thomas’ mother is not enamoured with Maggie. William, Thomas’ half brother, gets a second girl pregnant. William’s mother makes excuses for him. Both women are unique, and not in a good way.
The girl William impregnates goes missing. There are attempts on Maggie’s life. And everyone is suspect.
So you’ve got romance and intrigue. Unfortunately, you also have detailed descriptions of cat races which is why I knocked off a star. That was not my idea of an epilogue or an introduction for that matter.
I strongly suggest you read this series in order or you will be a little lost.
Maggie Sherbrooke is having her first season and Jeremy, her almost cousin who is actually her aunt’s much younger brother, shows up and she is immediately reminded of the crush she had on him when she was 13 and he was in his early 20’s. She is thrilled. Unfortunately, when he shows up to go on his ride with her, he brings along his fiancé. Maggie is not amused.
Then she meets Thomas. Thomas is about 5 yrs older than Maggie. When he meets her, she is attending to her younger brother after church and he is smitten. Shortly after they marry.
Thomas is obsessed with having Maggie fall in love with him and gets extremely agitated whenever Jeremy shows up. Maggie is a little slow to realize what a catch she has.
Thomas takes Maggie to his home in Scotland. On the way they stop in at an inn where a murder has taken place. It remains unsolved.
All does not go well at Pendragon. Thomas’ mother is not enamoured with Maggie. William, Thomas’ half brother, gets a second girl pregnant. William’s mother makes excuses for him. Both women are unique, and not in a good way.
The girl William impregnates goes missing. There are attempts on Maggie’s life. And everyone is suspect.
So you’ve got romance and intrigue. Unfortunately, you also have detailed descriptions of cat races which is why I knocked off a star. That was not my idea of an epilogue or an introduction for that matter.
July 19, 2014
This week I'm lying in bed being sick and reading this series. While reading it I felt everything that happened in Pendragon castle sounded familiar. IDK. May be I read it in my teens, but I honestly don't remember. Mb I read smth with the similar plot, or it was used in some fan fiction I read over the years.
Anyway! I liked this story and I love crazy Sherbrooke family even their next generation :) It was funny to read about Tyson being so manly and so in love with his second wife after reading about him in the first book where he is so awkward around his first love. I wonder if he married her in the end and she was Maggie's mother or if he got over her like his brothers predicted. I think there is book in which he meets his second wife. We'll see if there is any mention of the first one.
Anyway! I liked this story and I love crazy Sherbrooke family even their next generation :) It was funny to read about Tyson being so manly and so in love with his second wife after reading about him in the first book where he is so awkward around his first love. I wonder if he married her in the end and she was Maggie's mother or if he got over her like his brothers predicted. I think there is book in which he meets his second wife. We'll see if there is any mention of the first one.
November 16, 2014
3.5 rating
One can only hope that when they love so deeply that the feeling is returned. With doubt imbedded after over hearing a conversation you have to wonder why they married int he first place. Misguided, angry and under a death threat from nowhere is causes concerns. One girl missing an another one taken int he middle of the night from right under their noses. Is it the mother, the Aunt or the brother-in-law? Can they figure out the motive and catch the person responsible in time or will it cost them all dearly? Lots of wit, menace and a mystery that needs to come full circle. Thoroughly enjoyed and a good read.
One can only hope that when they love so deeply that the feeling is returned. With doubt imbedded after over hearing a conversation you have to wonder why they married int he first place. Misguided, angry and under a death threat from nowhere is causes concerns. One girl missing an another one taken int he middle of the night from right under their noses. Is it the mother, the Aunt or the brother-in-law? Can they figure out the motive and catch the person responsible in time or will it cost them all dearly? Lots of wit, menace and a mystery that needs to come full circle. Thoroughly enjoyed and a good read.
December 4, 2010
I liked Meggie and Thomas' story. I could see the moment he fell in love with her.
I like that regardless how bad Thomas was acting because he overheard that she was still in love with Jeremy, she did not pout but got drunk on champagne with the hotel owner.
She didn't play the victim, she stayed true to character, and confronted him straight on that he was acting strange. I have to say they handled their misunderstandings better in this story than most that I have read.
I would have given it 5 stars except the mystery felt random to the story.
I like that regardless how bad Thomas was acting because he overheard that she was still in love with Jeremy, she did not pout but got drunk on champagne with the hotel owner.
She didn't play the victim, she stayed true to character, and confronted him straight on that he was acting strange. I have to say they handled their misunderstandings better in this story than most that I have read.
I would have given it 5 stars except the mystery felt random to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2011
I really like all of the books in the Sherbrooke series. I love Catherine Coulter's writing. This book was a slow start for me. I plodded through the first half. I was not sure where this story was taking me. I found myself skipping through some of the dialog and descriptive text. Finally, at about the half way point things picked up and caught my attention. The love story also included a mystery and a little bit of suspense...enough to keep me reading. It was a close call. The second half saved the story. If you think you can hang in there, the second half is worth it.
July 11, 2011
Pendragon
This Brides series book continues in the same, ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh ….........virgin bride scared and PO'd on their wedding night after husband can't restrain himself and slams on in. She is not quite as bad as the others and lets him have another go and on and on they go.
I did like the cat racing. That is something I would like to have seen. (Always said we owned race cats, named after NASCAR drivers my kids liked.)
It's kind of fun watching the next generation of the family come of age.
This Brides series book continues in the same, ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh ….........virgin bride scared and PO'd on their wedding night after husband can't restrain himself and slams on in. She is not quite as bad as the others and lets him have another go and on and on they go.
I did like the cat racing. That is something I would like to have seen. (Always said we owned race cats, named after NASCAR drivers my kids liked.)
It's kind of fun watching the next generation of the family come of age.
December 14, 2013
An entertaining read. It contained all the major elements-- humor, romance, suspense, mystery-- a little bit of everything. My favorite element was the humor. This book made me LOL-- a lot. One of Meggie's (the lead female character) hobbies is CAT racing. LOL I kid you not. There is one scene toward the end of the book where they forgot to tie up the dog (chuckle) who (of course) came charging out onto the racetrack in the middle of a race. The dog was barking and grinning and having a grand old time motivating the cats to run faster. LOL :)
Read
November 8, 2016after having her heart broken by a man she has love for most of her life, her almost cousin, a boy her uncle has rescued and raise with his own kids. Meggie Sherbrooke, marries Thomas Malcombe, the earl of Lancaster, finds her new home in Pendragon, a castle on the southeastern coast of Ireland. as she falls in love with her new home she stills morn for her list love and it tears Thomas apart and swears he will make her love him as he does her. only someone is trying to kill her and ends up kidnapping her
November 30, 2007
Any book that starts and ends with detailed descriptions of cat racing is destined to be interesting at least. Catherine Coulter is wildly inventive which makes all her books unique and fun to read. It is particularly fun to follow different generations and branches of one family throughout history. This is just one of many books about the Sherbrookes that I would recommend to someone who needs some fun brain candy.
June 9, 2009
Starting off with a cat race and then moving to a broken heard and a romance that's slightly wrong-footed it's a fun read. The characters are fun and interesting and the mystery kept me guessing what was going to happen next.
That being said there was very little sense of place, England and Ireland were not all that different and the travel really didn't add anything to the situation, still fun though.
Readable fluff.
That being said there was very little sense of place, England and Ireland were not all that different and the travel really didn't add anything to the situation, still fun though.
Readable fluff.
November 11, 2012
3.5 stars
Meggie Sherbrooke, at her first season falls head over heels for her almost cousin Jeremy. He is already engage and completely in love with his bride. Meggie is heartbroken. Then she meets Thomas and they click. They get married and he stumbles upon the fact that she is not completely over another man. Chaos ensues.
I liked it. Meggie was spirited and just a little oblivious. I liked Thomas. The Jeremy thing got a little old so I was grateful when it went away.
Meggie Sherbrooke, at her first season falls head over heels for her almost cousin Jeremy. He is already engage and completely in love with his bride. Meggie is heartbroken. Then she meets Thomas and they click. They get married and he stumbles upon the fact that she is not completely over another man. Chaos ensues.
I liked it. Meggie was spirited and just a little oblivious. I liked Thomas. The Jeremy thing got a little old so I was grateful when it went away.
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