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225th out of 226 books
—
72 voters
The Fairy Tale Bride (Once Upon a Wedding #1)
by
Kelly McClymer (Goodreads Author)
The Fensters were like many other proper Victorian families—in every way but one. Ignorning the grim convention that one married for wealth and title, these spirited siblings followed their hearts...and vowed to wed only for love.
Happily-ever-after is all she ever wanted...
Even though society thinks her all but unmarriageable, Miranda Fenster still believes in true love. S...more
Happily-ever-after is all she ever wanted...
Even though society thinks her all but unmarriageable, Miranda Fenster still believes in true love. S...more
Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published
(first published October 1st 2000)
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I thought this was OK. The author definitely shows promise in terms of imagination and writing skill, but I felt at times that there were too many sub plots involved, plus too many repeat incidents of Simon, the Duke of Kerstone (our hero)wanting to teach our heroine (Miss Miranda Fenston)a valuable lesson about the danger of always thinking the best of people. That said, the writing did improve as the story progressed, although I believe it could have benefited from a bit more plot editing - to...more
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First in the Once Upon a Wedding historical romance series. This installment is set in England in 1832. The couple focus is on Miranda Fenster and Simon Watterly.
My Take
Cute idea, but never make me read this melodramatic claptrap again. Talk about taking liberties with the time period. The heir would never have been in the military. That was always the second son's career path with religion set aside for the third son. Oh, please. The almost-scandal "forces" Miranda's mother to remove her from S...more
My Take
Cute idea, but never make me read this melodramatic claptrap again. Talk about taking liberties with the time period. The heir would never have been in the military. That was always the second son's career path with religion set aside for the third son. Oh, please. The almost-scandal "forces" Miranda's mother to remove her from S...more
Miranda Fenster has always believed in fairy tales, even when her life has seemed far removed from them. Unable to secure a husband during the London season, Miranda returned home and ended up staying there. When her parents passed away, she and her twin brother Valentine had to take care of the numerous younger sisters and the entire estate. Valentine sinks into despair when his elopement goes awry, so Miranda takes it upon herself to make things right. Miranda's plans go awry though, and she f...more
2.5/3.0
Miranda is a young lady out for her first London season, made fun of because of her propensity to relate everything to one fairytale or another.
The Duke of Kerstone is smitten with her and plans on offering for her hand in marriage when he finds out some disturbing news and decides to go off to war instead.
Five years later the Duke returns, Miranda is still unmarried and he still wants her, but refuses to marry because he plans on giving up the dukedom. It turns out he's illegitimate (ser...more
Miranda is a young lady out for her first London season, made fun of because of her propensity to relate everything to one fairytale or another.
The Duke of Kerstone is smitten with her and plans on offering for her hand in marriage when he finds out some disturbing news and decides to go off to war instead.
Five years later the Duke returns, Miranda is still unmarried and he still wants her, but refuses to marry because he plans on giving up the dukedom. It turns out he's illegitimate (ser...more
How does a woman take care of her family (one twin brother and 5 younger sisters) after being orphaned and the brother left to the British Army? She does what she can to invest their money and finally tries to help her brother marry well (read: rich dowry). This is Miranda Fenster 's life and she didn't know that the Duke of Kerstone, Simon wanted to marry her when she was in her first season. Simon is back 5 years later and a different man because he has found out that he is really a bastard so...more
Although the plot was quite well thought through, unfortunately the writing didn't quite live up to it.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible writing, just mediocre.
I found that I become a bit annoyed with both the Hero and Heroine. He for his self-pity and her for her (it seemed) endless quoting of fairy tales.
As far as the jeopardy portion of the plot was concerned, the villain did come across as a little implausible.
All things considered a 3 star read. I wouldn't let me so-so review put you o...more
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible writing, just mediocre.
I found that I become a bit annoyed with both the Hero and Heroine. He for his self-pity and her for her (it seemed) endless quoting of fairy tales.
As far as the jeopardy portion of the plot was concerned, the villain did come across as a little implausible.
All things considered a 3 star read. I wouldn't let me so-so review put you o...more
I loved this story! I don't understand why so many females think it was predictable. I didn't think so, and I have been reading romance books for 20 years!
Miranda has such a good heart, so does Simon but he just can't get past his family secrets. I really enjoyed reading about the two of them and their miscommunications, secrets, and 'marriage'.
This book had so much raw emotion it, I found myself crying through most of it. I felt Miranda's heartbreak at not understanding why her husband would n...more
Miranda has such a good heart, so does Simon but he just can't get past his family secrets. I really enjoyed reading about the two of them and their miscommunications, secrets, and 'marriage'.
This book had so much raw emotion it, I found myself crying through most of it. I felt Miranda's heartbreak at not understanding why her husband would n...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I could not put this book down! A duke who learns his father is not the man he knew cannot bear to taint the noble blood lines with his impure lineage and plans instead to find a suitable heir, then fake his death and disappear from England. Only one thing can stop him: his feelings for a clever young woman who charms him with her wit, her intelligence, and her penchant for fairy tales. This was a delightful Victorian romance with charming characters, some very sweet moments, and lots of twists...more
I really liked this book.
I started getting into historical fiction earlier last year but then started reading more YA romance fictions.
Reading The Fairy Tale Bride just brought everything back.
My stomach was in knots hoping that the tension between Miranda and Simon would ease... I mean, they both love each other but Simon just can't fess up. ~sigh~
but yeah, there was a really good ending and happily ever after.
[How I felt when I finished reading.]
I started getting into historical fiction earlier last year but then started reading more YA romance fictions.
Reading The Fairy Tale Bride just brought everything back.
My stomach was in knots hoping that the tension between Miranda and Simon would ease... I mean, they both love each other but Simon just can't fess up. ~sigh~
but yeah, there was a really good ending and happily ever after.
[How I felt when I finished reading.]
Anyone girls who ever dreamed of marrying a duke? Maybe you have have romantic dreams that you are certain will come true one day. Well, this book is definitely for you! You will fall in love with Miranda and her story. It is unlike most fairy tales you will ever read. And it is historical romance that will keep you guessing.
I was quite intrigued by this story from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a poor girl who falls in love with a rich duke. But this duke, Simon, has a secret that keeps him fr...more
I was quite intrigued by this story from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a poor girl who falls in love with a rich duke. But this duke, Simon, has a secret that keeps him fr...more
I gave up half way through this book. By then I was way way over this grown woman's fixation with fairy tales and constantly referring to them when talking to the hero. Painfully immature. The constant belaboring the imminent end of hero's status as duke, and numerous veiled references to him being the previous duke's bastard, with no real clarification about that situation was also supremely tedious and tried my patience to the limit.
Ghastly experience, and one I won't be in a hurry to repeart...more
Ghastly experience, and one I won't be in a hurry to repeart...more
Although I am certain many readers will think otherwise, this book was a bit too predictable - even the ending. The title should tell the reader that he must suspend some realities in order to accept the story line as plausible. That was the part that I had difficulty doing. It was a fun read, but not necessary a compelling one. That being said, I would try another of Ms. McClymer's books before I passed judgment. This one just wasn't my preference.
This was a great book but I felt there was too much going on. I enjoyed Miranda a lot and I really liked how Simon tried so hard not to have feelings for her. I enjoyed the whole cabin scene and I thought Grimthorpe was a good villein. I felt the author rushed the ending. The whole storyline about Simon's father was a bit jumbled. I was glad Grimthorpe got what he deserved and I was happy that Simon chose to stay with Miranda!
This one took forever to finish as when I got into the story, it just wasn't interesting anymore. I found myself putting this down and picking up another book several times before I finally go through it. It wasn't a bad story...just got to be tedious.
I have to say overall, I did end up liking it...it was just painful in the middle to wade thru it
I have to say overall, I did end up liking it...it was just painful in the middle to wade thru it
Just okay for me. Simon was too annoying with his unbending attitude, and plan to divest himself of his title.
I thought Miranda was too understanding for too long. She did everything for her family and then took too much abuse off her cranky husband--even though during those times that was what women did. Still I like my heroines to have some spunk!
I thought Miranda was too understanding for too long. She did everything for her family and then took too much abuse off her cranky husband--even though during those times that was what women did. Still I like my heroines to have some spunk!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I guess when you read a book with fairy tale in the title you have to expect to hear versions of several fairy tales. Well it got old real quick and I am getting tired of those protagonists with silly and unreasonable firm stands that just don't make sense.
It was an entertaining read. Unfortunately, about 3/4 through, the plot gets over-complicated and stumbles upon itself. The ending feels rushed. Additionally, during the entire book, I was very bothered by the way the "hero" treated his mother.
You know what they say about a car wreck, where it's so awful you can't look away? This book is like a car wreck that you want to look away from it, but you have to stare at it because your boss is making you.
MISTAKE
MISTAKE
Difficult to read as the story didn't flow from event to event. The traditional fairytale references did not add anything to the story, but read as random information. A good premise for a story that just did not deliver.
I really enjoyed reading this. However, it ended rather abruptly. I had to read the last chapter and the last three pages several times to see if I missed something.
Good read, but cut short at the end.
Good read, but cut short at the end.
I found the characters enjoyable and that the plot flowed well. Miranda is an impulsive imaginative debutante, Simon is a Duke honor-bound to uphold his family name. Is it only their passion for each other that can bring about a happy ending.
Simon can't fall in love with Miranda because he is illegitimate. The book was totally ok, but the premise required the hero to be completely unreasonable, which made him pretty annoying.
Not a clean read! I am getting more and more hesitant at starting "free" books even after reading all the reviews. I better stick to the books those I trust have already read.
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$0.99 at Amazon. Some wonky formatting took away from my enjoyment, but other than that, pretty decent. 3/5, and for the price, why not?
Full review may follow.
Full review may follow.
Predictable regency book....
she is a ditz...... he is illegitimate and decides to give everything up..... blah blah blah
DON'T READ IT..... I BEG YOU
she is a ditz...... he is illegitimate and decides to give everything up..... blah blah blah
DON'T READ IT..... I BEG YOU
I liked this at 1st, but it just drags on. I was excited to know what would happen, but somewhere along the way I realized I didn't care anymore.
Apr 21, 2013
Cristina Contilli
added it
Un rosa classico... forse un po' datato come tipologia dei personaggi, anche se nel complesso scorrevole... dove tra inganni e promesse d'amore si viaggia verso il lieto fine...
A.true romance. Like Cinderella. I did enjoy this book. The romance was not over done. It was not sickly mooshy.
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Kelly McClymer has not escaped from college life since she moved into her freshman dorm at the tender age of 17. Studying, working, and living across the street from college students may have given her a warped view of growing up. Or maybe she was destined to be 17 forever.
More about Kelly McClymer...
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