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The Wedding (Lairds' Fiancées #2)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 10,502 ratings · 339 reviews

It's a classic plot: a marriage of convenience that lays the groundwork for true love.

1119. Journeying from England to Scotland to wed a highlander, Lady Brenna had resigned herself to the arranged match. But when a band of fierce, painted warriors captured her en route, she fearlessly met their demand to marry their leader -- the quick-tempered laird Connor MacAlister. S...more

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published January 1st 2003 by Pocket Books (first published January 1st 1996)

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Favorite Historical Romance Novels

27th out of 1,609 books — 2,742 voters

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Nov 19, 2012 Dina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, to-blog

So it happened... I found a book by Julie Garwood that I didn't love. Not that it was bad, it was just not up to par with the other Garwood books I've read.

The Wedding starts with 10-year-old Highlander Connor MacAlister promising his dying father to avenge his death by finding out and killing the ones who betrayed him. This promise basically defines Connor's whole life then and determines the course of his actions throughout the story. 16 years later, Connor's quest for revenge makes him steal...more So it happened... I found a book by Julie Garwood that I didn't love. Not that it was bad, it was just not up to par with the other Garwood books I've read.

The Wedding starts with 10-year-old Highlander Connor MacAlister promising his dying father to avenge his death by finding out and killing the ones who betrayed him. This promise basically defines Connor's whole life then and determines the course of his actions throughout the story. 16 years later, Connor's quest for revenge makes him steal away his enemy's bride, Lady Brenna, an Englishwoman who he met some years ago when he was a young lad and she was a child, and who innocently proposed to him back then. Connor isn't aware that Brenna is his enemy's bride when he sets out to claim her as his own bride, but he's more than satisfied now that he knows it.

What follows is one of the funniest wedding scenes I've ever read. It wasn't as good as the one in Ransom, but it was a blast and I giggled all the way through it. After they're properly married, Connor and Brenna start their journey back to his home, where he can drop her and keep working on his revenge against his father's killers. And that's where the story lost me...

I really enjoyed the 1st half of the book, and I could have bet it was going to be another winner to me. I was definitely starting to fall for Connor, the arrogant and gruff warrior who had - or seemed to have - a soft spot when it came to his new wife, even if he would have killed himself before he acknowledged it. I adored Brenna, the somewhat clueless young lady who was decided to make the best of a bad situation while trying to find a way out of it. And I loved Garwood's humorous writing, that had me smiling and laughing at the nonsense that came out of Connor's mouth and mind. I knew - or better, hoped - his cold and bossy behavior would start to change a bit as he got to spend more time with Brenna and build a true relationship with her, so I put up with him in the beginning. Unfortunately, that change never came...

I swear, I started to frown when Connor left Brenna to her own devices as soon as he arrived home, trusting her to follow him around. WTH, did he think she was like a pet? And when he "found" her - not that he'd ever admit he had "lost" her in the 1st place! -, he didn't appologize for having forgotten about her. No, he berated her for the grievance she'd put him through. What a charming man. Not!

Then, things got worse when Connor just up and went to fight some battle against one of his enemies next, leaving his newlywed wife Brenna to deal with his stepmother and his stepbrother alone. At that point, everything went down hill. Brenna, who I still liked by then, started to act like an idiot, failing to see what a b!tch Connor's stepmother was. Anyone, including the servants, could see that, but Brenna kept illuding herself into thinking the old woman was just "difficult". Naturally, no good came from Brenna's willingness to hide from the truth right before her eyes. She pretty much became a pushover, and that was so different from how she'd behaved in the 1st half of the story that I started to wonder if I was reading the same book.

As I finished the book, I was still trying to figure out why and how exactly Connor and Brenna fell in love with each other. They didn't know each other at all and kept misunderstanding their feelings and actions. Connor's constant refusal to talk and explain himself - he was Laird, why should he "waste" his time explaining his actions to his wife? - didn't help matters. He was so focused on avenging his father's death that I never felt he dedicated enough time to actually fall for Brenna. Okay, he was all mushy and head-over-hills in love with her by the end of the book, but I had a hard time buying it. I mean, this was the same man who'd left her alone at home right after their hasty wedding, wasn't it? As for Brenna, I also didn't understand why she fell for Connor considering how he'd basically neglected her most of the time and hadn't shown any glimpse of loving affection before the final pages.

All things considered, this was kind of a disappointing read. Like I said, it wasn't bad, but I had high expectations - which were reinfoced by the wonderful 1st half of the story - and they weren't met. But I don't regret reading it and I'm going to keep it, as I may feel in the mood to reread the 1st half in the future.
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Jul 22, 2011 Kristen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, cruel-hero, humorous, disliked-hero, julie-garwood, obstinate-annoying-heroine, 2-star, book-everyone-loved-but-me, frustrating-couple

2 stars

Looks like I'm one of the few who didn't enjoy this book. I had high hopes to start but ended up disappointed and frustrated for most of the books.

I found "The Wedding" frustrating, wearisome, and confusing at times. There were some funny and endearing parts, but those moments soon gave way to frustration again. I also had a devil of a time trying to connecting with these characters. I didn't hate the book but I certainly didn't like it either.

I'm not sure why this story didn't sit well w...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Autumn rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical romance readers.

Recommended to Autumn by: anja

Shelves: part-of-series, historical-romance, i-own, medieval

ohh.. It was a good read alright!! :)

I have to say that i favor the themes where couple is married from the start,and make it work out. It eliminates some nonsense, specially from historical.

This book is the second installment of the Laird series. I enjoyed the The Bride,but i felt this books was much more thorough, hence more satisfying ending.

I loved the way Garwood developed this characters;we had enough information on both of them from their childhood.which makes the plot a notch more deep....more ohh.. It was a good read alright!! :)

I have to say that i favor the themes where couple is married from the start,and make it work out. It eliminates some nonsense, specially from historical.

This book is the second installment of the Laird series. I enjoyed the The Bride,but i felt this books was much more thorough, hence more satisfying ending.

I loved the way Garwood developed this characters;we had enough information on both of them from their childhood.which makes the plot a notch more deep. Connor`s battered childhood explain so much about his lack of tactfulness. In some other book a character such as him would have made me annoyed,instead Connor had me laughing with the genuine lack of knowledge on interpreting emotions. As per Brenna, well...I liked Brenna,but i did have some issues with her.. she was fierce enough to face such an abrupt change of fate,but at the same time her insecurities made her seem like doormat. (that back and forth train of thought was the little speck in the story IMO).but she is very funny too.. so she is in my good list of heroines LOL

The plot was AMAZING! is one of those books that you can see how much thought and care it has been put into it. Its perhaps one of the very few books where i was so enchanted with the beginning.. it was sooo adorable!! little mischief running with the piglet, and what about their first meeting in the camp?? whoa i loved it!!!

I also had the opportunity to visit Jamie and Alec,since the bride had no epilogue. I had many good times laughing at the quips from both H/H to second characters.. you see, in this early settings is quite difficult to make a story that has humor yet remains genuine to its era. I never thought i would enjoy medieval books and this one proved me just plain wrong!

the ending was beautiful!! the real challenge of a relationship is finding a way to work it out to an everlasting commitment. to accept,understand and be able to incorporate the shortcomings into a happily ever after! for me it cant get more real and better than that!

ps: prologue and epilogue included in this story! thats hows done!!! (less)

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Feb 04, 2013 Karen Booklover rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenges, rlftci-bride-groom-wedding

It was a typical Julie Garwood book , bringing a big smile to your face and a few laughs while reading it , and a huge number of awws !! When the hero who of course arrogantly thinks he can get the heroine to submit to him and always listen to him , and the heroine decides that she will tame her husband and their struggles and fights and sweet moments together. And we read and think with our own secret smile , ah ! Fight all you want to but like all other heroes , evntually even you will fall in...more It was a typical Julie Garwood book , bringing a big smile to your face and a few laughs while reading it , and a huge number of awws !! When the hero who of course arrogantly thinks he can get the heroine to submit to him and always listen to him , and the heroine decides that she will tame her husband and their struggles and fights and sweet moments together. And we read and think with our own secret smile , ah ! Fight all you want to but like all other heroes , evntually even you will fall in love with her and treasure her ! And cheer everytime we get the beautiful amazing HEA.after a few troubles and misunderstandings toward the end of course .

And coming to this particular book , I loved Lady Breanna's and Connor's story :D I loved everytime connor said I will accomodate her one more time , no more and then went kept on doing it and when he secretly liked her kissing him spontaneously but tried to be all authoritative but she kept on doing it . I loved the way Breanna kept trying to adjust with having him as a husband and all her soft gestures , which eventually won him and also the way she voiced her opinion and always resisted him also.

But my absolute favorite part was towards the end when he proclaimed his love to her, , the converstion they had and also when she described her wedding.

He put his hands out in front of him so she could see the scars on his fingers and palms. "This is my inheritance. I can't remove these marks from me, and , and I can't change what I am "

She took hold of his hands and kissed each palm . "Your hands are beautiful, whenever you're overburdened or worried , you only have only to look at your hands to remember that you are a man of honor and courage, for that is what these scars represent."

Yes, I was afraid, but you weren't afraid, were you?"

He leaned close to her. "Yes, I was. Brenna, you scared the hell out of me. If I loved you, I became vulnerable. What would happen to me if you died? And then it was too late. I couldn't protect myself from you, but once I I realized I loved you, I felt reborn inside. One of us will surely die before the other, but the memories will sustain the one left behind"

" I'm never going to let you go . I know you deserve far more than I can ever give you . It dosent matter , though. You 're mine "

After the way they actually had her wedding , the way she described it was so so beautiful !!

We were married in one of God's most beautiful chapels. No expense was spared. There were flowers everywhere, and in every color imaginable. I entered the chapel under a canopy of green branches that were so fresh and new, dew still clung to them and sparkled like jewels against the flickering lights above. The scent of heather surrounded us while we pledged ourselves to one another. Both Connor and I were finely adorned in the most magnificent of robes, and when the ceremony was properly blessed, we attended our wedding feast."

Her eyes were misty with her recollection,

A must read book for anyone who loves a feel good book that leaves you with a smile on your face and happy throughout the day :D(less)

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Jan 15, 2013 Rowena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-read-in-2013, read-in-2013

Goodness, I've reread so many Julie Garwood books this month and all of them are such great favorites of mine that have fell off my radar. I've been reading books that I used to read twice a month and getting to know these characters all over again puts me in such a good mood and with the bad luck that I've been having, it's definitely a good thing.

This is my absolute favorite Julie Garwood novel and I'm bummed that I haven't read it in such a long time. Getting to know both Connor and Brenna ag...more Goodness, I've reread so many Julie Garwood books this month and all of them are such great favorites of mine that have fell off my radar. I've been reading books that I used to read twice a month and getting to know these characters all over again puts me in such a good mood and with the bad luck that I've been having, it's definitely a good thing.

This is my absolute favorite Julie Garwood novel and I'm bummed that I haven't read it in such a long time. Getting to know both Connor and Brenna again brought back so many memories of the times that I used to read it before.

Connor isn't an easy man to love. He was stubborn and he was bullheaded but I couldn't help falling for him anyway. Watching the transformation come over him as he fell in love with Brenna was just too cute. Seeing the things that he thought were important to him come second to his feelings for Brenna...watching him get to that realization made the entire book just that much better. Connor was a fantastic hero and one that will always be near and dear to my Julie Garwood loving heart.

Lady Brenna was a hoot to get to know. From the time she's a young lass of 4 running around chasing that little piglet and then when she goes about trying to secure herself a husband without her father's help to when Connor kidnaps her and they get to their wedding and then the way that she remembered their wedding to their wedding night to just about everything about her was a definite treat. She's a great JG heroine, one of the more memorable heroines in my opinion.

Together, Connor and Brenna were a great couple. One of the couples that I instantly think of when someone brings up Julie Garwood. Connor and Brenna complimented each other in so many different ways and their story was such an entertaining story. One of those stories that will get you.

The baddies in this book, Lady Euphemia, Raen and the pig MacNare were all equally distasteful and I'm glad that they all got their just desserts at the end. I thoroughly disliked all three of those jerks and was glad to see that Connor made sure they all paid for what they did to his loved ones. My favorite thing about a Garwood novel is that sense of justice being served at the end of each book. I can be a bloodthirsty wench sometimes and watching the bad guys get their asses handed to them never ceases to make me happy.

Overall, this story was great. A definite treat for anyone who is in the mood for a great historical novel featuring a flighty but well meaning heroine and a stubborn hero who needs the soft touch only a woman can bring into his life. Watching the adventure begin and continue throughout this book is enough to keep me coming back for more. You won't be disappointed!(less)

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Jul 17, 2012 Crista rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-star, adventure, historical, favorites, lol

The Bride followed by The Wedding are, in my opinion, Garwood's best work. If you are new to Garwood, these 2 books are a great place to start.

Julie Garwood is different than most of the romance authors that I read in the fact that I find myself loving her heroines even more than her heroes! I usually read romance novels for the larger than life men they ususally come with, but Garwood's Ladies steal the show.

In The Wedding, Brenna is one of those "show stealers". This character is so refreshi...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Lelyana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dream-hero, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ini buku 2 seri laird's Fianceee..yang menggemaskan, Highlander yang berhati lembut dan melting dengan heroine, tapi kadang juga pengen nabok seh sekali2 karena ke aroganan nya..untung di kedua seri ini, lead cewek nya hiperaktif dan tegar...

Beda dengan buku pertama yg banyak ketwa nya dan mendamba..selain ketwa dan mendamba, buku ini buat aku nangis, saat Connor merasa kehilangan Brena, sampai menjerit di hutan seperti binatang terluka... hicks aku pun ikut menangis

so, lets begin...

Skotland 1...more

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May 05, 2009 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: highlanders, medieval, romance-historical, favorites, read-own, read-in-2009

Another amazing book by Julie Garwood ! I really love her Historical Romance novels! The Wedding is the sequel to The Bride and tells of the amazing romance that develops between Breanna and Connor MacAlister. When Brenna was just a little girl Connor paid a visit to her home and she was captivated by him. She was always getting into mischief and when Connor saved her from an angry mother pig Breanna was determined to marry him one day so she asked Connor to marry her 3 times. Little did she kno...more

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Feb 08, 2013 TJ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Love, Love, LOVE this book! It is a completely personal thing, everyone has their opinion of which Julie Garwood historical touches perfection most closely. I'm just saying this one is it for me. So..... gushing fan-girl review (which may or may not help a single soul) to follow:

I LOVE Brenna, the heroine, in her, I have found my doppelganger. That is both weird and wonderfully amazing. I understand her personality, her choices, her humor and I love every single one of those things.

I LOVE Conn...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Kathleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, historical-rom

Julie Garwood is a favorite author, but this is my least favorite of all her books. I only read her historical fiction, not the line of contemporary romantic suspense which has led her astray ;-)

Some of my favorites are The Bride, The Gift, Honor's Splendor, Saving Grace, Ransom, The Secret.

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Mar 23, 2013 Limau Nipis rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, on-nook, wasting-my-time, historical-romance

OK, I admit it. A long time ago, I was a huge Julie Garwood's fan. She has been a big influence in my teenage life. I read her books all the time.

And I picked this one, just to rekindle my memory of her writings.

I guessed I have grown up. I cannot understand how I was once her fan. Her writings for this one is really slow paced, and the flow of her writings make me just want to throw away my Nook at some point. The plot is really unbelievable.

It has a promising start, but the plot just slide dow...more

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Jan 07, 2008 maricar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, julie-garwood, series

4 1/2 stars for the humor and everything else that's garwood.

first off, connor is the least hero that i like in garwood's historicals. besides having a low, almost nil sense of humor, he has hardly shown that usual unconscious affection towards his lady love that garwood grants her chieftain/warrior/delicious-to-the-kilt males. more often than not, he is rude and sometimes even indifferent to brenna.

brenna, fortunately, is a very likeable heroine. her idiosyncrasies are so adorable.

but what i...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Carmen Pacheco rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is actually a re-read for me, but since I read it backwards, I read The Bride first, I'm really looking forward to loving Connor again. He was "raised" by swoooooooooooooon-worthy Alec Kincaid after all!!!! ;)

Connor was more resistant than Alec, I know I shouldn't compare, but I enjoyed his journey. He's one of those "actions speak louder than words" guy...I'm married to one of those...gotta love 'em!!!

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Jan 21, 2013 Sara ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, historical, romance

It's been a while since I rated a romance novel 5 stars! This one was REALLY good! And that's saying something, considering it was medieval Scotland...

I think I liked this book more than other romances for a few different reasons. There was lots of head-butting between hero and heroine, which you see fairly often, with a strong heroine. It had these conversations between them that were so cleverly written... One of the things that annoys me about a lot of romance novels is that the main issue is...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Katie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-romance, romance

I wasn't thrilled with the first book in the series, so I'm not sure what possessed me to read the second one. I think I was holding out hope that a different heroine might make for a more enjoyable story, but it turned out that I felt like I was reading much the same book all over again, but with even weaker personalities. Unfortunately, I found that I didn't like Brenna as a heroine for many of the same reasons that I didn't like Jamie. What was supposed to be plucky and charming just kind of...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Anna D. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed the two books under the Laird’s Fiancés Series and wish Julie Garwood would have written more as I’ve gotten very fond of the world she has painted here and of the secondary characters that I would truly like to see again. Perhaps about Quinlan? He’s to be a laird soon… I can only hope JG revisits this series in the future.

In the first half of the book, I thought Julie Garwood rewrote the exact same story of The Bride with different names and a slight variation in the plot. The re...more I have enjoyed the two books under the Laird’s Fiancés Series and wish Julie Garwood would have written more as I’ve gotten very fond of the world she has painted here and of the secondary characters that I would truly like to see again. Perhaps about Quinlan? He’s to be a laird soon… I can only hope JG revisits this series in the future.

In the first half of the book, I thought Julie Garwood rewrote the exact same story of The Bride with different names and a slight variation in the plot. The reason being is that the characteristics, personality, and circumstances of the H/h were practically identical. Then we landed in Scotland, in Connor’s home, where things finally started to divert from the formula JG used in The Bride. I shifted in my seat and got myself ready for a different kind of adventure – only to find myself wishing that JG go back to formula used in The Bride! Connor turned into a bad alpha male and Brenna into a doormat. Thankfully Connor recovered (not very believably, however, but I’m nevertheless glad he did.)

When they arrived in Connor’s home this is what I thought of Connor:
Damnation Connor! Must you be such a man! Overbearing, unbending, and insensitive! Take some lessons on “Model Husband 101” from Alec!!! Or at the very least, listen to Quinlan and Crispin – how is it that these two men know Brenna better than Connor? I honestly didn’t get the feeling that Connor cared, loved, or even liked Brenna beyond the physical satisfaction she provided – at least not until the VERY END… and ANOTHER THING that bothered me is that he thought he was too rough in bed and that he hurts her, BUT 1) he does it again and again anyway! and 2) can’t he tell Brenna is enjoying their carnal lovemaking!?!

Thankfully, in the last 70 pages or so, Connor realized (but fighting it) how much he cares for Brenna and slowly starts to change. He had more patience, understanding, a sense of humor, and appreciation of Brenna that was allowing him to let go of what his father had told him about loving a woman being his cause of destruction. He eventually got to the point of accepting it and telling her. What a sweet moment that was. At the end, we know he’s becomes the perfect husband and father – just like Alec *sigh*

This is what I thought of Brenna:
Brenna change, and not for the better! She turned into a people pleaser – especially when it came to Euphemia. I know Euphemia deserves respect since she is Connor’s stepmother, but some people need to be taken down a notch. It’s really one thing to be nice and accommodating but quite another to be a doormat!! Where did her gumption go? Where’s was the “grit” Connor mentioned in the first half of the book? Did Connor even notice she lost it? Ugh..that made me so mad! What’s worse is that she didn’t really get it back in the end. She turned into a weeping, insecure weakling. Even after “the attack,” she still worried about being liked by Euphemia..What?! I do have to give her credit for fighting back against Raen though.

ANYWAY…after all my complaints about the H/h…I have to say that I did thoroughly enjoyed the book! LOL! No thanks to the H/h but to all the supporting players – Quinlan, Crispin, Alec, Jamie, and Father Sinclair. LOVE THEM! Their relationship and interaction with the H/h made the book a success for me.

If I could have another request – other than a third book in this series – it would be to have a more substantial epilogue. Can you tell I’m not ready to let this series go? Hahaha..
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Oct 23, 2012 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like Julie Garwood books, but I am torn because she seems to write the same characters over and over. I understand the constraints on gender roles present in the Middle Ages, but a little more variety would make her books more worth reading. The Wedding suffered from utilizing those stock characters excessively without enough variation to make me love them. Brenna can be charming and lovable just like the other heroines that Garwood writes. She's sweet, loving, and innocent, but she also tries...more I like Julie Garwood books, but I am torn because she seems to write the same characters over and over. I understand the constraints on gender roles present in the Middle Ages, but a little more variety would make her books more worth reading. The Wedding suffered from utilizing those stock characters excessively without enough variation to make me love them. Brenna can be charming and lovable just like the other heroines that Garwood writes. She's sweet, loving, and innocent, but she also tries to assert her will on her husband rather than behaving like a doormat. I appreciate these qualities in her, but there are times in this book when her behavior is not rational or understandable. I don't have to agree with her motivations to understand them, but there are times when there is no understanding why she behaves in certain ways. Conner is classic Garwood hero: tall, strong, alpha, a little overbearing. Conner is also really oblivious and misinterprets things throughout the story that make you want to shake your head at the very least. Overall I found the book a bit lukewarm.

I would recommend Honour's Splendour or even Ransom. The Wedding wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't worth rereading the way those two are.

Spoilers:

Things I found frustrating: When Brenna first encounters Connor, she is on her way to be married to a man that she has every reason to fear. She has resigned herself to the wedding, but she still nearly throws up when she thinks about her betrothed because of the horrible stories she has heard about him. Considering her rebellious behavior in the rest of the book and her strong character, her reluctance to marry Conner instead felt unreasonable to me. I felt like she should either emphatically resist or give in. Her reaction is just too middle ground. I wished that she would have proposed to Conner when she older as well, at least old enough to remember. Confounding Brenna's initial resistance is that she quickly and seemingly with no motivation starts trying to garner Conner's favor.

Also, Brenna's blind acceptance of everything her step-mother-in-law does and says seems inconsistent with her character and overblown. I would have expected at least a little more doubt and confusion on her part.

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Jun 19, 2012 Monika Pardon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: five-star, couldn-t-put-it-down, laugh-out-loud, read-more-than-once

This book made me laugh out loud! I originally read it back in 2002 when I borrowed it from my roommate since at that time, I wasn't a romance genre fan at the time. This book changed it simply because I love the way Connor and Brenna bantered. It was like reading fireworks, seeing them shoot off the page. The supporting characters were fabulous as well.

The Wedding stayed with me, even when I forgot the title and the author who wrote this fabulous story about Brenna who asked Connor to marry he...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-books, highlander

Conner MacAlister has promised to avenge his fathers death at the tender age of 10. His father told him never to give his heart away, never share his feelings and sends him to an enemy to be raised. Five year later Conner rescues a little girl Brenna from pigs. Brenna decides she will find her husband and asks Conner to merry him three time. Eleven years later Brenna is on her way to marry a man she has never met. Conner decides to steal the bride for himself, later it is shock to find the woman...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Jadaloves rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julie Garwood has a way of making fall in love with historical romance all over again. The Wedding was an enchanting tale of how indifference can sometimes turn into intrigue, and how the most cold and guarded person can be warmed by love. As the last act of revenge against his sworn enemy, Connor takes the bride intended for MacNare and weds her himself. Not knowing what he was in for, Connor finds his new wife entertaining at best, and a loveable nuisance at worst.

I really loved the story of B...more Julie Garwood has a way of making fall in love with historical romance all over again. The Wedding was an enchanting tale of how indifference can sometimes turn into intrigue, and how the most cold and guarded person can be warmed by love. As the last act of revenge against his sworn enemy, Connor takes the bride intended for MacNare and weds her himself. Not knowing what he was in for, Connor finds his new wife entertaining at best, and a loveable nuisance at worst.

I really loved the story of Brenna and Connor. They have an unusual, albeit charming, back story that connects them when Brenna was just a child and Connor a teenager. But the book opens with the story of a very young Connor at his father’s deathbed, promising his father to carry the hate for their enemies in his heart and to one day take revenge on the one’s who were responsible for his father’s death. I was hooked from the first word and couldn’t put the book down.

I really took a liking to Brenna. Though she was sometimes dizzy and forgetful, she was quite adorable and strong-willed. She was truly clever, and being wed to Connor she had to be, and she was very determined. Whenever Brenna got an idea in her head she did everything in her power to see it through. She has the patience of Job dealing with Connor, and a very easy-going, kind way about her.

Connor was a hard ass. But honestly, there was this softness lingering just under the surface throughout the whole book. As a highland warrior, Connor was brought up completely different than Brenna and showing affection and understanding is considered weak. Connor battles his need to comfort and love Brenna because of his upbringing. Connor is the true alpha male. Phenomenal leadership abilities, strong, and unyielding, except in Brenna’s case.

There were many misunderstandings between the two and I found myself wanting to throttle one or the other because they just wouldn’t communicate with each other. But overall I found the two together charming and amusing. Julie Garwood delivers again, and if you are a fan of historical romance, definitely give this one a try.

(less)

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Nov 23, 2012 Sari rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Suka dengan karakter Brenna di buku ini, jarang2 ada tokoh wanita yg berpikiran terbuka dan memandang hal dari sisi positif tapi tidak menjadi menyebalkan dan terlalu naif. Sama seperti Connor, gw pun sudah jatuh cinta dengan karakter Brenna sejak membaca insiden Brenna yang jatuh kedalam pelukan Connor ketika ingin membawa anak babi sebagai hewan peliharaannya. Ngakak abis gw bacanya, ga kebayang betapa menggemaskannya punya anak lucu seperti itu (walo merepotkan juga sudah pasti)

Suka dengan ka...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, romance, scottish, need-to-re-read

Reading Julia Garwood brings me back to my college years and early 20s when I first started reading romance novels (before taking a nearly 15 year break). Ms. Garwood was always a favorite back then because of her spunky and sassy heroines who usually helped redeem, reform or otherwise get in line some hot alpha males who just needed a good woman around them to bring out their inner kindness. I found this book in the clearance rack at a library in small town MN - I couldn’t resist esp. with the...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, books-i-own, lmao, love-the-protagonist, i-want-a-man-like-that

I actually liked this way more than 'The Bride'. It was crazy because I stayed up until five in the morning trying to finish it before finally having to go to sleep. 'The Wedding' had the same sort of scenario as the first book, but I felt like there was a much stronger plot this time around. The first book was full on romance with a random murder thing happening, which came off a bit weak. In this one, there was a more central plotline happening and an obstacle to overcome. For some reason, I m...more I actually liked this way more than 'The Bride'. It was crazy because I stayed up until five in the morning trying to finish it before finally having to go to sleep. 'The Wedding' had the same sort of scenario as the first book, but I felt like there was a much stronger plot this time around. The first book was full on romance with a random murder thing happening, which came off a bit weak. In this one, there was a more central plotline happening and an obstacle to overcome. For some reason, I must have read these two books and not remembered. Just like the last book, I got deja vu when I was reading. I knew from the start I'd read 'The Bride', but it wasn't until the last third of the book and Raen appeared that I realized I'd read this before.

Brenna was an amazing heroine. I loved her since the first chapter. She was absolutely adorable as a little girl and she was even better when it flashed forward ten years. She was hilarious and the things she said and did towards Connor made me laugh. Unlike Jamie in the last book, Brenna seemed a little less perfect and definitely more realistic of a person. I do agree though that she lost a bit of her spark in the second half of the book. I couldn't believe that she was letting the step-mother treat her so badly. The woman was terrible! I wanted Brenna to bitchslap the mother, but instead Brenna was so focused on winning Euphemia's approval.

Connor is a major reason that I liked this book more. While I liked Alec, I sometimes felt like he was too nice for my reading tastes. Connor was a alpha-male in every sense. The way he treated Brenna sometimes was annoying, but the man was so oblivious all the time that I felt I couldn't dislike him too much. However, I got pissed when they got married and arrived home. Connor just dumped her at the keep and mentioned that he'd drop in every month or so. I was like, 'Is he for real?!!'. I didn't blame Brenna for getting angry in that moment. Their relationship was fun to read about though. They had the prime example of a bickering couple. It was so entertaining to watch them fight. Plus, it was hilarious to get to see their differing thoughts post-fight. Each one was thinking they won and were like, 'well..I'll let him/her think I agree this time to spare their feelings'.

I know that a third book would end up feeling a little redundant, but I want to read another one. Too bad the author didn't continue the series. Because I'm kind of shipping Faith and Quinlan. I was like, 'NO! Why did they have to meet each other so late in the book?'. For some reason, I think that they'd be super cute together. The book ended with Faith leaving, but it was hinted that Quinlan was going to go back for her. So to make me feel better, I'll just pretend that Quinlan and Faith got hitched a week later haha.(less)

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Mar 18, 2011 Michelle Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, favorites, historical

Connor and Brenna MacAlister's book.

Brilliant. Love love loved this book. The worst part about this book is that I don't seem to see that there isa book 3! I just loved "The Bride" and now "The Wedding"

I think I love that both of these stories started out the beginning of each book with them getting married and THEN the story started. I just loved reading about them being married and them getting to know each other and falling in love. It was such a change (and pure joy) to read about them prac...more

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Dec 11, 2012 OceMei Belikova♥ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel-terjemahan, own, read-in-2012, historical-romance

Pertemuan Brenna dan Connor cukup menarik dan mengesankan untuk dibaca. Brenna mengajukan lamaran kepada Connor sewaktu ia masih anak-anak, tetapi karena berulang kali ditolak oleh Connor, Brenna yang masih kecil pun sudah melupakan semuanya. Ketika Brenna sudah dewasa, ia bahkan tak ingat siapa itu Connor, bagaimana tampangnya, dll. Tetapi Connor, dengan tujuan tertentu, mendatangi Brenna dan mengatakan bahwa ia akan menikahi wanita itu.

Aku cukup menyukai karakter Brenna dan Connor, tapi tidak...more Pertemuan Brenna dan Connor cukup menarik dan mengesankan untuk dibaca. Brenna mengajukan lamaran kepada Connor sewaktu ia masih anak-anak, tetapi karena berulang kali ditolak oleh Connor, Brenna yang masih kecil pun sudah melupakan semuanya. Ketika Brenna sudah dewasa, ia bahkan tak ingat siapa itu Connor, bagaimana tampangnya, dll. Tetapi Connor, dengan tujuan tertentu, mendatangi Brenna dan mengatakan bahwa ia akan menikahi wanita itu.

Aku cukup menyukai karakter Brenna dan Connor, tapi tidak sampai tergila-gila. Connor MacAlister adalah lelaki perkasa yang menuntut pembalasan dendam kepada pembunuh ayahnya. Sejak kecil, ia sudah dididik untuk menjadi lelaki keras dan mandiri. Kehilangan ibunya sejak kecil membuatnya kurang kasih sayang. Sehingga sewaktu ia beranjak dewasa dan menikah dengan Brenna, ia selalu terkaget-kaget dengan segala hal yang Brenna lakukan, seperti ketika ia pergi dari rumah, Brenna ingin Connor memberikan ciuman selamat jalan kepada istrinya, atau Brenna ingin menunggang kuda hitam yang sulit dikendalikan bahkan oleh kaum lelaki, etc.

"Laird itu memiliki senyum seperti beruang terluka yang siap menyerang."

Brenna di lain pihak adalah pribadi yang tangguh, bukan berarti ia jago bertarung, tapi Brenna memiliki hati selembut sutra dan tekad sekuat baja. Brenna Haynesworth adalah anak ke-7 dari 8 bersaudara. Ia memiliki ayah yang gila harta dan sering lupa dengan nama dan rupa anak sendiri. Untungnya ia memiliki ibu yang menyayangi semua anak-anaknya. Sedari kecil, Brenna adalah gadis yang tomboy. Jika kakak-kakaknya menyukai pelajaran tata krama atau merajut, Brenna malah menyukai babi dan hewan-hewan lainnya. Sejak kecil hingga dewasa ia memiliki cara pandang seperti laki-laki, tapi selalu menunjukkan keceriaannya kepada semua orang tanpa terkecuali. Meskipun hatinya sedih, ia selalu berusaha tersenyum dan tidak menujukkan kesedihannya.

Walau enggan mengakuinya, Brenna dan Connor saling mencintai. Dan menurutku karakter mereka berdua saling melengkapi satu sama lain. Sewaktu Connor keras, Brenna akan mengalah, sewaktu Brenna mengoceh, Connor akan sabar mendengar walaupun keinginan untuk mencekik istrinya selalu ada, dll.

"Kalau aku jadi gila, itu semua salahmu. Kau mendorongku hingga ke amabang batas, Connor."

Dibanding Connor, aku pribadi lebih menyukai sahabat-sahabat Connor yaitu Quilan dan Crispin. Mereka sama-sama menyukai istri laird mereka (dalam artian menyukai kepribadian Brenna yang ceria dan tangguh) dan Quilan selalu kebagian tugas untuk mengatakan hal-hal yang kurang menyenangkan untuk Brenna dengar. Dan bagi Quilan dan yang lain, melihat Brenna sedih terasa lebih sakit daripada siksaan fisik.

"Kenapa kau menangis?"
"Aku sedang memikirkan keluargaku."
"Aku keluargamu sekarang."(less)

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May 14, 2012 Milka Bago rated it 5 of 5 stars

To read more of my book reviews visit, Crawling Over The Pages

This is one of those books which can make you laugh out loud starting from the first chapter up to the end. It was very entertaining. I can't put it down and I stayed awake in the wee hours of the morning just to finish it. I love the characters. I love the plot though it's unlikely to happen. This is more thrilling than the first book. I don't know if Garwood wrote this book as a mockery to English people because it's as though the E...more To read more of my book reviews visit, Crawling Over The Pages

This is one of those books which can make you laugh out loud starting from the first chapter up to the end. It was very entertaining. I can't put it down and I stayed awake in the wee hours of the morning just to finish it. I love the characters. I love the plot though it's unlikely to happen. This is more thrilling than the first book. I don't know if Garwood wrote this book as a mockery to English people because it's as though the English were portrayed as weaklings. The story was a bit exxagerated but it was not annoying. It just made the book funnier and more appealing to the readers. I guess that was why readers loved it.

CONNOR MACALISTER. Though he was portrayed as a ruthless leader who lived to avenged his father's death, readers will see his personality transformation towards the end of this book. The real Connor resurfaced when he met Brenna. He began to care about other people's feelings and he began to know how to comfort Brenna when she's upset or sad. Brenna help him heal his wounds. She helped him let go of his past and accept what the future has layed for him. He began to love and believe in hope. He began to think less of war and think more of his family. I was happy that he finally found his home.

BRENNA HAYNESWORTH. She's probably one of the funniest female protagonist ever. I can't seem to stop laughing every time she does something foolish or when she's having a witty banter with Connor over some things she wants to do. When she was a kid and she saw Connor for the first time, she taught he was a God because he was really big. That was when she decided that she will marry him. So she proposed to him. Two of the proposals were rejected but Connor did not reply to the last proposal. The opportunity to use the proposal came when Connor came to know that she was to marry McNare. She's such a silly girl who wants too be accepted in Connor's world. She has a big appetite. She has this thing about thinking things through and subconsciously speaking what's on her mind without healing it. She also has this habit of misplacing her things. Plus, when she's angry she tends to say foul words and once she calms down, she forgets what she have already said. Her emotions changes easily and it should be annoying but it's difficult to get annoyed with her. I so love her!

QUINLAN. He's Connor's best friend. He voices his opinions confidently even though it's unsolicited. He's totally in it to amuse himself over Connor's distracted behavior towards Lady Brenna. The addition of Faith, Lady Brenna's youngest sibling, was brilliant. I hope there's a full length novel dedicated to them.

ALEC & JAMIE. I'm grateful that they are still included in this book. They're quite a pair and they set example to the newly weds. I like how Alec took Connor into his home and accepted and considered him as his brother. He gives pieces of advice to Connor and he keeps saying that he need not pretend to be not in love with his wife. It would be much easier if he just accepts that fact. Jamie is becoming more emotional and I'm glad that she became friends with Brenna. Their daughter Grace is quite an angel. She's like a cherub and she's very witty like her mom.

EUPHEMIA. I've always suspected that there is something fishy about this woman. But I never thought she would go that far. She's so ambitious. She's got the nerve to return after years of tormenting Connor. She has deeply wounded Connor's emotional state and she doesn't have the right to claim something which was not hers. I hated her more when she told Brenna to submit herself to Raen because he's Connor's brother and he deserves as much pleasure as him. Thanks to Lady Brenna, if not for her they might not have been able to protect their kingdom from their plot.

I know that this story is unrealistic and somehow inaccurate but I guess Garwood has a reason for this. It somehow gave the 'at home' feeling to me. It makes me feel relaxed and stressed free. I don't remember getting bored or tired because I can't put the book down. If The Bride made me laugh, this book made me laughed even more. It's imperfection made it perfect for me. It's one of these books written to give pleasure to its readers. The pleasure has been mine for reading your book. And I shall be happy to recommend it to all you readers. I love you Julie!(less)

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Jul 24, 2009 kari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009

Connor has grown up with nothing in his heart but vengeance to find out who betrayed his father, leading to his death when Connor was just a boy. He grew to be a warrior at the side of his adoptive brother Alec Kincaid (from The Bride).
Connor, learning his enemy is planning to wed a girl from England, arrives there first and steals the bride, Brenna, for himself and they are married the same day. He insists to her father's soldiers that she asked him to marry her which is true since she met him...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just imagine. It is the early 12th century in the Scottish Highlands and you've just had a row with your husband, your very new husband. He's taking off for an undefined amount of time and doesn't even bother to say goodbye. You whisper your adieu to him and you take your leave, heartbroken, feeling unwanted and alone. As you walk up the hill, you suddenly feel the ground shaking and others are rushing to get off the path in front of you. Before you can face the impending danger, you are plucked...more Just imagine. It is the early 12th century in the Scottish Highlands and you've just had a row with your husband, your very new husband. He's taking off for an undefined amount of time and doesn't even bother to say goodbye. You whisper your adieu to him and you take your leave, heartbroken, feeling unwanted and alone. As you walk up the hill, you suddenly feel the ground shaking and others are rushing to get off the path in front of you. Before you can face the impending danger, you are plucked from the ground and swept up onto your husband's horse, his hand tight around your waist as you gallop at a breakneck speed. At the top of the incline, he stops his stallion, stares into your eyes and whispers his farewell. And then he kisses you, long and hard.....a kiss both you and he will never forget. Just imagine. Your new husband has just swept you off your feet.

This is but one of my favourite parts in this enjoyable tale. Julie Garwood has a talent for shaping unforgettable characters. She lets you think their thoughts and feel their emotions until you believe you are there with them.....a secondary character yourself....a member of the clan. I really delighted in the heroine's character, Brenna. She was a sweet romantic at heart, yet she was strong, determined and out-spoken when she needed to be. Her quirky flaw of forgetting her personal belongings all over the place made her more real and endearing to me. Brenna was going to make her marriage work, and that was one outstanding feat, for Connor MacAlister is one formidable, unemotional Highlander. And the fact that he stole her as she was making her way to her wedding to another Highlander is no easy fact to get over. Connor's past has shaped his actions and his need for revenge is no secret. But he is an honourable man. Yet his English bride Brenna manages to tap upon his heart, little by little breaking down his hard exterior, reaching into his soul and releasing the love he has for her. Brenna makes Connor realize that loving someone does make him vulnerable, yet it doesn't make him less of a man. A great story and perfect read for the summer.(less)

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Apr 19, 2011 ErinReadsTooMuch rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am finding I really like Julie Garwood. This book is a historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland, which I love. The main heroine (Brenna) is very likable and smart, which is awesome. The main Hero (Connor) starts off as the typical emotionless warrior, but what is fun is watching how Brenna's emotionalism confuses him. He expects women to behave a certain way, and she doesn't, which is very confusing for a man who has had little to no emotionalism in his life. He knows honor and veng...more

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Jan 11, 2011 abi rafon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: r-historical, favorites, author-julie-garwood, owned, r-favorites, fav-historical-romance, r-historical-medieval

it was not a perfect five stars. its more of 4.8 or 4.9. does it make a sense because honestly i will not settled for four star. the book was a favorite of mine, though i admit im not fully satisfied.

on the first half of this book, i felt i was going nowhere waiting for connor to improve his behavior towards brenna. they said he's cruel. is he? no, he just misinterpreted what brenna needed. he seemed always lost in guessing his wife's feeling. and so he did what he think was right for her and en...more

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About Julie Garwood

Julie Murphy was born in 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to a large Irish family. At the age of six, Julie had her tonsils removed and complications from the surgery resulted in a long period of recuperation. She fell hopelessly behind in school and never caught up. "I was a slow, slow reader," Julie says. "I hated it." At the age of 11, her mother discovered her daughter's secret and promptly enrol...more

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Quotes from The Wedding

“She let him know how much she liked what he was doing by scoring his back with her nails and crying out with pleasure.
"Oh, God."
"Nay, lass. Connor.” — 112 people liked it

“Your trying to take them away from me, and I can't let you do that.I'm not ready to let go."
"Exactly what am I taking away?"
"My family."
"Brenna..."
She wouldn't let him continue. "You are trying to take them away, aren't you? And if you succeed, what will I have left?"
"Me.” — 48 people liked it

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