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iskanderjonesiv's review
A convenient proposal...
Makes a scandalous match!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Knocking on Owen Harrington's door, impoverished and desperate Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London's most eligible catch will recognize her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And he's in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen's shock proposal allows Phoebe to fulfill her life's ambition to open a restaurant...but his heated kisses tempt her to hope for a new dream—marriage, for real!
Penniless Brides of Convenient miniseries
Book 1 — The Earl's Countess of Convenience
Book 2 — A Wife Worth Investing In
Book 3 and 4 — coming soon!
"The book opens up like a succession of Russian dolls, revealing more and more about the protagonists in all guises. And this is Kaye's strength as a writer: setting up a plot and characters shrouded in mystery, and...
Makes a scandalous match!
Part of Penniless Brides of Convenience: Knocking on Owen Harrington's door, impoverished and desperate Miss Phoebe Brannagh wonders if London's most eligible catch will recognize her. But injured and reclusive, Owen is no longer a carefree man. And he's in urgent need of a convenient wife! Owen's shock proposal allows Phoebe to fulfill her life's ambition to open a restaurant...but his heated kisses tempt her to hope for a new dream—marriage, for real!
Penniless Brides of Convenient miniseries
Book 1 — The Earl's Countess of Convenience
Book 2 — A Wife Worth Investing In
Book 3 and 4 — coming soon!
"The book opens up like a succession of Russian dolls, revealing more and more about the protagonists in all guises. And this is Kaye's strength as a writer: setting up a plot and characters shrouded in mystery, and...
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book. This is the second in a series about three sisters and their aunt. We met Phoebe in the first book, The Earl's Countess ofConvenience, as the younger sister who loves to cook. In this book, Phoebe has gone against the advice and wishes of her sisters and moved to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. We first see her at a café where she is waiting for that chef, who is also her lover and trying to fend off some unwanted advances. She is rescued by a fellow Englishman, who joins her for a drink and conversation while she waits. Owen is traveling, taking time for himself before honoring a commitment made for him by his late father. He's a lighthearted and charming young man who looks forward to the adventure ahead of him.
I liked that first meeting between Phoebe and Owen. Both are full of hopes and dreams for their futures, and they share that enthusiasm with each other. Owen is a little envious of Phoebe's knowledge of what she wants, as he feels he is just drifting through his adventure. Before they part, they make plans to meet again in two years to see how well they have succeeded in their goals.
Oh, the changes that two years can bring. Phoebe discovered that her chef and lover was not the man she thought he was. He used and abused her, crushing her dreams before leaving her destitute. Determined not to return to her sisters as a failure, Phoebe returned to London, showing up at Owen's townhouse. He hadn't shown up at their planned two-year meeting, and Phoebe can only hope that he remembers her. But Owen is no longer the carefree young man she met in Paris. A tragic accident has left him with physical and mental scars, barely able to walk and haunted by what he experienced.
Phoebe's arrival is like a breath of fresh air and hope to the now reclusive Owen. I loved seeing him perk up and make an effort to see her and listen to her story. Owen wants to help her, but Phoebe won't accept charity. As Owen needs help extricating himself from an awkward situation, he proposes a marriage of convenience with Phoebe. It will be business only, as Owen has no intention of inflicting his broken mind and body on anyone. I loved seeing Owen start to come back to life as he helps Phoebe make and carry out her plans for her restaurant. There are many beautiful scenes of them as they work together to make her dream a reality. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and feelings began to change. I loved the way that Owen supported Phoebe, listening to her, and taking her seriously. The events in Paris did a number on Phoebe's confidence in herself, and Owen works hard to rebuild her belief in herself. Meanwhile, Phoebe's presence and faith in him motivates Owen to take charge of his recovery. I loved seeing the changes in him as his health improves, and his feelings for Phoebe grow stronger. But Owen is still haunted by what happened to him, and the mental anguish causes him to push her away. I ached for Phoebe, whose feelings for Owen ran deep, but she loved him enough to let him heal in his own way. I loved the ending and Owen's heartfelt exposure of his feelings and fears, and Phoebe's growth into a woman strong enough to love him as he is.
I liked that first meeting between Phoebe and Owen. Both are full of hopes and dreams for their futures, and they share that enthusiasm with each other. Owen is a little envious of Phoebe's knowledge of what she wants, as he feels he is just drifting through his adventure. Before they part, they make plans to meet again in two years to see how well they have succeeded in their goals.
Oh, the changes that two years can bring. Phoebe discovered that her chef and lover was not the man she thought he was. He used and abused her, crushing her dreams before leaving her destitute. Determined not to return to her sisters as a failure, Phoebe returned to London, showing up at Owen's townhouse. He hadn't shown up at their planned two-year meeting, and Phoebe can only hope that he remembers her. But Owen is no longer the carefree young man she met in Paris. A tragic accident has left him with physical and mental scars, barely able to walk and haunted by what he experienced.
Phoebe's arrival is like a breath of fresh air and hope to the now reclusive Owen. I loved seeing him perk up and make an effort to see her and listen to her story. Owen wants to help her, but Phoebe won't accept charity. As Owen needs help extricating himself from an awkward situation, he proposes a marriage of convenience with Phoebe. It will be business only, as Owen has no intention of inflicting his broken mind and body on anyone. I loved seeing Owen start to come back to life as he helps Phoebe make and carry out her plans for her restaurant. There are many beautiful scenes of them as they work together to make her dream a reality. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, and feelings began to change. I loved the way that Owen supported Phoebe, listening to her, and taking her seriously. The events in Paris did a number on Phoebe's confidence in herself, and Owen works hard to rebuild her belief in herself. Meanwhile, Phoebe's presence and faith in him motivates Owen to take charge of his recovery. I loved seeing the changes in him as his health improves, and his feelings for Phoebe grow stronger. But Owen is still haunted by what happened to him, and the mental anguish causes him to push her away. I ached for Phoebe, whose feelings for Owen ran deep, but she loved him enough to let him heal in his own way. I loved the ending and Owen's heartfelt exposure of his feelings and fears, and Phoebe's growth into a woman strong enough to love him as he is.
emmalb1984's review
5.0
Phoebe Brannagh meets Owen Harrington by chance one evening at the Procope Cafe in Paris and they make a pact to meet in the same place in two years time when, hopefully, Phoebe will have realised her dream of running her own restaurant. Unfortunately for both, life has other plans and it is a very much changed Phoebe who finds herself destitute and knocking on the door of Owen’s London town house after her fails to meet her at the Procope as planned.
In introducing Phoebe and Owen in their happy, carefree lives at their first meeting, Marguerite Kaye cleverly sets the scene for what follows as the Phoebe and Owen we meet two years later are anything but happy; Phoebe is reluctant to go home to her family and admit the truth of what has happened to her dreams, and Owen has become a recluse whilst recovering from the physical and mental scars of an accident he can barely remember. Luckily for Phoebe, Owen still believes in her restaurant dream and offers her a marriage in name only in order that he can invest in her and help Phoebe rediscover her lost confidence. What it most interesting here, in a prime example of the strong writing in this book is that, we are aware from the moment Phoebe arrives at Owen’s house what has happened to her since that first meeting at the Procope, whereas the past two years of Owen’s life remain something of a mystery and we are not told exactly what happened to him until much later in the story.
The well created and strongly written lead characters give the reader at attachment to them as a couple, and watching Phoebe and Owen build a solid friendship which leads to a slow burning romance you really do being to root for them to overcome their hesitancy and aim for the happy ending that they both deserve. Phoebe’s support of Owen as he battles his demons to reclaim his physical health is a delightful part of the plot development, but there are also several emotionally charged moments as Owen struggles with the nightmares and flashbacks which will eventually reveal how he was injured. Indeed, these scene are extremely well written and fit into the story well, and you really do feel for Owen as he struggles to accept his love for Phoebe while believing he cannot allow himself to be happy due to his state of mind (there is a heartbreaking scene that takes place at Christmas which really hits home on this point, but it would spoil the story to say more).
As is usual for Marguerite Kaye, the London and Paris backdrops are excellently described, and it is nice that Owen and Phoebe’s tour of London takes in some of the less fashionable areas of the city as they tour the markets in the early hours. The description of real restaurants and chefs of the period also adds an air of authenticity to the setting.
Without spoiling the plot, Phoebe and Owen’s story essentially goes full circle as events force Owen to consider how much he is prepared to fight for his happy ending, and there is a nice symmetry to closing chapter which neatly echoes Phoebe and Owen’s second meeting as the plot heads towards its end.
Congratulations to Marguerite Kaye on her landmark 50th book which is another excellent story with strong, likeable characters and a romantic and emotional plot line.
Thank you to Marguerite Kaye for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In introducing Phoebe and Owen in their happy, carefree lives at their first meeting, Marguerite Kaye cleverly sets the scene for what follows as the Phoebe and Owen we meet two years later are anything but happy; Phoebe is reluctant to go home to her family and admit the truth of what has happened to her dreams, and Owen has become a recluse whilst recovering from the physical and mental scars of an accident he can barely remember. Luckily for Phoebe, Owen still believes in her restaurant dream and offers her a marriage in name only in order that he can invest in her and help Phoebe rediscover her lost confidence. What it most interesting here, in a prime example of the strong writing in this book is that, we are aware from the moment Phoebe arrives at Owen’s house what has happened to her since that first meeting at the Procope, whereas the past two years of Owen’s life remain something of a mystery and we are not told exactly what happened to him until much later in the story.
The well created and strongly written lead characters give the reader at attachment to them as a couple, and watching Phoebe and Owen build a solid friendship which leads to a slow burning romance you really do being to root for them to overcome their hesitancy and aim for the happy ending that they both deserve. Phoebe’s support of Owen as he battles his demons to reclaim his physical health is a delightful part of the plot development, but there are also several emotionally charged moments as Owen struggles with the nightmares and flashbacks which will eventually reveal how he was injured. Indeed, these scene are extremely well written and fit into the story well, and you really do feel for Owen as he struggles to accept his love for Phoebe while believing he cannot allow himself to be happy due to his state of mind (there is a heartbreaking scene that takes place at Christmas which really hits home on this point, but it would spoil the story to say more).
As is usual for Marguerite Kaye, the London and Paris backdrops are excellently described, and it is nice that Owen and Phoebe’s tour of London takes in some of the less fashionable areas of the city as they tour the markets in the early hours. The description of real restaurants and chefs of the period also adds an air of authenticity to the setting.
Without spoiling the plot, Phoebe and Owen’s story essentially goes full circle as events force Owen to consider how much he is prepared to fight for his happy ending, and there is a nice symmetry to closing chapter which neatly echoes Phoebe and Owen’s second meeting as the plot heads towards its end.
Congratulations to Marguerite Kaye on her landmark 50th book which is another excellent story with strong, likeable characters and a romantic and emotional plot line.
Thank you to Marguerite Kaye for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
keribopps's review
5.0
Another brilliant read from marguerite kaye and to top it off her 50th book published! What an amazing accomplishment.
This is book 2 in the penniless brides of convenience series. Book 1 is the earls countess of convenience, which I also recommend.
I loved phoebe brannagh, when you first start reading her story she is full off passion. It isn't easy for her to follow her dreams of being a chef, especially being a woman. However she is managing to achieve this in Paris. This is where she first meets the charming Owen Harrington. They both hit it off and there is an intent attraction and connection between them. They both enjoy a drink together before going their separate ways.
Unfortunately for them both non of their plans quite go the way they had hoped. A few years after they first meet phoebe turns up on owens door step seeking his help. Both now very changed people. Phoebe has lost everything after being taken advantage of by the chef she had been working with. Then we have are poor Owen who after an accident has been left physically and mentally scarred. Owen being our lovely Knight in shinning armer offers phoebe a marriage of convenience to help her achieve her dreams.
This is such a heartwarming story. The was phoebe brings Owen back to life and gives him a purpose is beautiful. I just really loved these two as a couple and couldn't wait to read on and see how their relationship developed.
Marguerite truly did an amazing job with this book. When I read the first book I was unsure if I would like this one as much, safe to say this might be my new favourite.
I definitely recommend this book. Her books are always well researched and she has an amazing writing style that always draws you in.
This is book 2 in the penniless brides of convenience series. Book 1 is the earls countess of convenience, which I also recommend.
I loved phoebe brannagh, when you first start reading her story she is full off passion. It isn't easy for her to follow her dreams of being a chef, especially being a woman. However she is managing to achieve this in Paris. This is where she first meets the charming Owen Harrington. They both hit it off and there is an intent attraction and connection between them. They both enjoy a drink together before going their separate ways.
Unfortunately for them both non of their plans quite go the way they had hoped. A few years after they first meet phoebe turns up on owens door step seeking his help. Both now very changed people. Phoebe has lost everything after being taken advantage of by the chef she had been working with. Then we have are poor Owen who after an accident has been left physically and mentally scarred. Owen being our lovely Knight in shinning armer offers phoebe a marriage of convenience to help her achieve her dreams.
This is such a heartwarming story. The was phoebe brings Owen back to life and gives him a purpose is beautiful. I just really loved these two as a couple and couldn't wait to read on and see how their relationship developed.
Marguerite truly did an amazing job with this book. When I read the first book I was unsure if I would like this one as much, safe to say this might be my new favourite.
I definitely recommend this book. Her books are always well researched and she has an amazing writing style that always draws you in.
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