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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
4.5/5
In this book we follow missing Rokesby brother, Edward, as he awakens from a coma to find he is ‘married’ to his best friend Thomas’ sister, Cecelia Harcourt, and the pair spend their time living together in the Devil’s Inn as she finds any way she can to get information on finding her missing brother whilst Edward works to regain a semblance of the memories he has lost from the past few months. Time goes on and no matter how much Cecelia wants to tell Edward the truth she cannot bring herself to do so, not even when they end up sleeping together for the first time. The duo soon find out that the Colonel has been lying to them and that Thomas has been dead, and buried, for a while which leads Cecelia to spiral now knowing she has no one and nothing left for her and she does not want to trap Edward into anything. At the same time, Edward is regaining his memories and now knows that they were never actually engaged and wants to wait for her to tell him which eventually she does. Through a letter. Before she leaves on the Rhiannon boat to Ireland. Too ashamed and probably scared to tell him face to face in fear of what she has done to him, to both of them. Thomas reads the letter and immediately gets a transfer so he can go back home, only just making it onto the ship before it’s departure where the two have an initially harshly tense but soon emotional conversation revolving everything that has happened and how sorry each of them are. Along with how much they both love one another, and have since long before they met. The book ends with the two marrying on the ship back, making it legal and official upon their return to England, where they return to the Rokesby house to learn of Billie’s marriage to George and the cliffhanger of a humorous story revolving Andrew.
Okay so I devoured this book and I just could not put it down for reasons I honestly can’t explain. I loved both Cecelia and Edward although I wished she had told him the truth sooner and not at the very end of the book as I think it could have taken an interesting step in that direction as well. Other than that I did have fun reading this book (and at the revelation of Thomas’ death I did ball my eyes out, and again when Edward read the letter he had left for him) and the significance of the miniatures the siblings had of one another made my heart truly melt.
In this book we follow missing Rokesby brother, Edward, as he awakens from a coma to find he is ‘married’ to his best friend Thomas’ sister, Cecelia Harcourt, and the pair spend their time living together in the Devil’s Inn as she finds any way she can to get information on finding her missing brother whilst Edward works to regain a semblance of the memories he has lost from the past few months. Time goes on and no matter how much Cecelia wants to tell Edward the truth she cannot bring herself to do so, not even when they end up sleeping together for the first time. The duo soon find out that the Colonel has been lying to them and that Thomas has been dead, and buried, for a while which leads Cecelia to spiral now knowing she has no one and nothing left for her and she does not want to trap Edward into anything. At the same time, Edward is regaining his memories and now knows that they were never actually engaged and wants to wait for her to tell him which eventually she does. Through a letter. Before she leaves on the Rhiannon boat to Ireland. Too ashamed and probably scared to tell him face to face in fear of what she has done to him, to both of them. Thomas reads the letter and immediately gets a transfer so he can go back home, only just making it onto the ship before it’s departure where the two have an initially harshly tense but soon emotional conversation revolving everything that has happened and how sorry each of them are. Along with how much they both love one another, and have since long before they met. The book ends with the two marrying on the ship back, making it legal and official upon their return to England, where they return to the Rokesby house to learn of Billie’s marriage to George and the cliffhanger of a humorous story revolving Andrew.
Okay so I devoured this book and I just could not put it down for reasons I honestly can’t explain. I loved both Cecelia and Edward although I wished she had told him the truth sooner and not at the very end of the book as I think it could have taken an interesting step in that direction as well. Other than that I did have fun reading this book (and at the revelation of Thomas’ death I did ball my eyes out, and again when Edward read the letter he had left for him) and the significance of the miniatures the siblings had of one another made my heart truly melt.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Ok listen… I really enjoyed this book. I did not enjoy some aspects, including all the lying and miscommunication - that gave me so much anxiety but I really did enjoy how moving and caring these two were. Despite all the untruths - they really took care of each other and that made this such a beautiful story
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Death of parent
could've been shorter if she just told him the truth when they were at the other pub. also, what was with the use of the n-word??
Not very many authors are capable of blending sensitive romance with courageous adventure. Julia Quinn transitions between the two with a smoothness and clarity that appeals to readers like me who are fans of both. The Girl With the Make - Believe Husband exudes classic romance while squeezing in a few modern day subjects. With a strong sense of female empowerment Cecilia sets out in search of answers and ends up facing more than she could have imagined. Edward holds the key to all she seeks, if he can forgive her in the end.