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Pam & Penny Howard #4
Double Wedding
Graduation seems far away to Pam and Penny, as they start their second year of college, especially since their marriages are postponed until their fiances' graduations. But college days are crowded days and many things happen to shorten the waiting. Then sooner than Pam and Penny ever dreamed possible, it's commencement time... will a double wedding follow?
188 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1959
About the author
Rosamond du Jardin
33 books62 followersRosamond du Jardin, née Neal, first wrote humorous verse and short stories for newspaper syndicates, then went on to sell approximately a hundred stories to such magazines as Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, McCall's and many other publications, abroad as well as in the United States. She also wrote five novels for adults before her first novel for teenagers, Practically Seventeen, which was published in 1949.
She was married to Victor Du Jardin on October 28, 1925. They had three children, Jacqueline Neal, Victor Junior, and Judith Carol, with whom she would later co-author Junior Year Abroad.
In addition to writing, Mrs. Du Jardin frequently spoke at schools, and students enjoyed meeting in person the creator of some of their favorite stories. Mrs. Du Jardin enjoyed her school visits, too, because she liked and respected teenagers as individuals and firmly believed that they are interesting, normal and dependable people.
Born in the small town of Fairland, Illinois, Rosamond du Jardin was two years old when her family moved to Chicago. She lived there and in the Chicago suburbs for the rest of her life.
She was married to Victor Du Jardin on October 28, 1925. They had three children, Jacqueline Neal, Victor Junior, and Judith Carol, with whom she would later co-author Junior Year Abroad.
In addition to writing, Mrs. Du Jardin frequently spoke at schools, and students enjoyed meeting in person the creator of some of their favorite stories. Mrs. Du Jardin enjoyed her school visits, too, because she liked and respected teenagers as individuals and firmly believed that they are interesting, normal and dependable people.
Born in the small town of Fairland, Illinois, Rosamond du Jardin was two years old when her family moved to Chicago. She lived there and in the Chicago suburbs for the rest of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 21, 2024
The last of the Pam & Penny books, and perhaps my second favorite title of the series (Showboat Summer is my favorite). The gang finishes their college years with plans to marry soon after. In this last book Pam really experiences highs and lows. The spoiled Geneva from Showboat Summer has now become one of Pam's best friends and highly depends on Pam to help her gain some confidence. Geneva is drawn to another version of the "bad boy." Pam knows from past experience that he is not the right boyfriend for Geneva and tries to help. Author du Jardin shows that even spoiled rich people are human beings too. Early on in the series Pam's early boyfriend was Randy, a wealthy young man who was certainly not a jerk.
Pam is also deeply disappointed that Jeff decides to not finish college because of his increased responsibilities at home as a farmer. That means even less time for them to spend together although Pam does visit him during the summer,
There is finally some time to highlight Penny although it's ultimately not a deep situation. Mike has been keeping a secret from her and Penny fears the worst. It all turns out okay though. Penny was always the sensible, unselfish and studious twin who just needed some confidence. Once she got the confidence there was little character left to improve so the focus then turned to Pam who needed a lot of improvement by comparison. Double Wedding finally completes Pam's arc to becoming a more mature young adult.
The wedding planning itself was actually kept to a minimum--I wouldn't have minded reading a bit more of their decision making on the details. But it all ends happily as the double wedding takes place and we get one last look at the happy couples as the ceremony begins.
Pam is also deeply disappointed that Jeff decides to not finish college because of his increased responsibilities at home as a farmer. That means even less time for them to spend together although Pam does visit him during the summer,
There is finally some time to highlight Penny although it's ultimately not a deep situation. Mike has been keeping a secret from her and Penny fears the worst. It all turns out okay though. Penny was always the sensible, unselfish and studious twin who just needed some confidence. Once she got the confidence there was little character left to improve so the focus then turned to Pam who needed a lot of improvement by comparison. Double Wedding finally completes Pam's arc to becoming a more mature young adult.
The wedding planning itself was actually kept to a minimum--I wouldn't have minded reading a bit more of their decision making on the details. But it all ends happily as the double wedding takes place and we get one last look at the happy couples as the ceremony begins.
July 15, 2019
"Double Wedding" is the 4th and last Pam and Penny Howard twins books. I probably liked it the least of the whole series. While it brings the series to a conclusion in a logical way, it's too rushed, and the girls agonize way too much over their getting married- which happens at the very end after we have quickly covered several years of college. I don't know if the readers even in the 50s would have understood all the angst if they hadn't gone through the waiting period to marry someone. I would have preferred this book to be all about the twins at college and then the next book, which would be #5, to start with the double wedding. This book ends with "Dearly beloved we are gathered here....." forever leaving the reader wondering: was married life as great as the twins thought it would be? What did Penny's home look like in Indiana? That is, IF Mike took the teaching job. Did the twins have a difficult time being so far apart? Did Pam fit in on the farm? What happened next???
October 4, 2025
3.5🌟 I was super excited about this last book in the series, but I have to say that it was my least favorite. I still love Rosamond du Jardin's writing, but one of the situations involving Penny and Mike towards the end of the book made me feel a little sour.
I know that this book was written in another time, but Mike's unapologetic actions/decision really irritated me and it made the ending much less lovely.
The one thing I did like about Double Wedding was that you get to see how much Pam matures from the first book to the last. Since they started the series from Penny's point of view, I wish that the author had two books of Penny and two books of Pam. It's strange that the story is from Pam's viewpoint for 2, 3 and 4. But, the sisters are really wonderful to read about as they grow older.
Overall, this series was so charming and I'm sure I will read them all again. I can't wait to try some of the other series that Rosamond du Jardin has written. Definitely worth a try!
I know that this book was written in another time, but Mike's unapologetic actions/decision really irritated me and it made the ending much less lovely.
The one thing I did like about Double Wedding was that you get to see how much Pam matures from the first book to the last. Since they started the series from Penny's point of view, I wish that the author had two books of Penny and two books of Pam. It's strange that the story is from Pam's viewpoint for 2, 3 and 4. But, the sisters are really wonderful to read about as they grow older.
Overall, this series was so charming and I'm sure I will read them all again. I can't wait to try some of the other series that Rosamond du Jardin has written. Definitely worth a try!
September 3, 2014
3.5 stars
My least favorite of this series, if only because the twins are completely marriage-obsessed to the exclusion of all (and I do mean all) else. Pam was a lot more likeable in the last few, though. Penny? Eh, not so much. I imagine she and Mike will be divorced within five years.
Case in point: Mike has been keeping a secret from Penny their whole senior year. The secret is stressing him and he continually breaks dates and generally treats Penny like shit. And, when she finally calls him on his bullshit, does he apologize? Act remorseful? Nope, the asshat gets *mad* at Penny because she ruined the surprise (which is stupid, btw). You see, she's "interfering" and "suspicious." And Penny *let's him get away with this behavior*. Mike, you suck.
My least favorite of this series, if only because the twins are completely marriage-obsessed to the exclusion of all (and I do mean all) else. Pam was a lot more likeable in the last few, though. Penny? Eh, not so much. I imagine she and Mike will be divorced within five years.
Case in point: Mike has been keeping a secret from Penny their whole senior year. The secret is stressing him and he continually breaks dates and generally treats Penny like shit. And, when she finally calls him on his bullshit, does he apologize? Act remorseful? Nope, the asshat gets *mad* at Penny because she ruined the surprise (which is stupid, btw). You see, she's "interfering" and "suspicious." And Penny *let's him get away with this behavior*. Mike, you suck.
May 4, 2009
This is my least favorite of the series. It flies through three years of the twins' college life in a 127 small pages, and is a bit too preachy and has a bit too much of the "preparation for being a good wife" theme. I realize it was published in 1959, but other authors (my hero Anne Emery, Sally Watson, etc.) were doing better stuff even then.
Still, I'm glad I completed the series and saw my namesake and her twin off to their lives of happily ever after.
Still, I'm glad I completed the series and saw my namesake and her twin off to their lives of happily ever after.
February 25, 2025
College flies by in this one, but it was nice to see the interiors of Pam and Penny's romantic relationships, especially when they got challenging for different reasons. Du Jardin creates a tug of war in my reading experience: sometimes I get frustrated because I want to see more, instead of having a scene summarized, or I balk at the conformist ways promoted. However, she also plants nuggets of wisdom here and there that are so clarifying!
February 6, 2026
Here we are at the grand finale of the series; Double Wedding! and I was very much looking forwards to reading this, so imagine my disappointment that said double wedding is right at the end of the book and is basically crumbs!
Gone, my hope that the book would be heavy on the planning and build-up for the wedding, perhaps even a little look at post wedding life? I weep.
Ok dramatics aside, I know it's not fair to rate a book on what you made up in your head it would be So I give it 3 stars cause honestly, what is in here is a little bit boring.
Not a bad time by any means, I like the characters and the setting but the plot felt just a touch repetitive and rushed, the girls are back at college for their final 2 years and they are pretty over it, all they really want to do is go get married.
Pam is suffering extra as her man had to drop out of college to go run the family farm, so they're seeing a lot less of eachother but surely I, the reader, was suffering most? (joke)
Gen's plot was probably the most enjoyable part of the book and I was glad with how that wrapped up atleast.
Finally, Mike is such a dweeb. He spends the final year of college lying to Penny about what he's doing in his free time and cancelling dates on her and then when she finally calls him out on it, thinking he doesn't want to marry her anymore, he's forced to reveal his great big secret and Penny ends up apologising! I was fuming honestly.
I was back on forth on him throughout the series and we've ended on a firmly back moment.
Gone, my hope that the book would be heavy on the planning and build-up for the wedding, perhaps even a little look at post wedding life? I weep.
Ok dramatics aside, I know it's not fair to rate a book on what you made up in your head it would be So I give it 3 stars cause honestly, what is in here is a little bit boring.
Not a bad time by any means, I like the characters and the setting but the plot felt just a touch repetitive and rushed, the girls are back at college for their final 2 years and they are pretty over it, all they really want to do is go get married.
Pam is suffering extra as her man had to drop out of college to go run the family farm, so they're seeing a lot less of eachother but surely I, the reader, was suffering most? (joke)
Gen's plot was probably the most enjoyable part of the book and I was glad with how that wrapped up atleast.
Finally, Mike is such a dweeb. He spends the final year of college lying to Penny about what he's doing in his free time and cancelling dates on her and then when she finally calls him out on it, thinking he doesn't want to marry her anymore, he's forced to reveal his great big secret and Penny ends up apologising! I was fuming honestly.
I was back on forth on him throughout the series and we've ended on a firmly back moment.
February 26, 2018
This was the last of the Pam and Penny books. I've grown to like Pam almost as much as I do Penny which is saying a lot. It was rather astonishing that the author was able to cover three years in this book without making it seem dull or rushed.
There were many good life lessons taught in this story! It really felt full with bits of wisdom tucked away to think about. Lessons from the importance of being willing to give up something good, for something better, of realizing that learning shouldn't stop just because you are "done" with school. Money is helpful, but not the most important thing. Talking things over instead of jumping to conclusions can save a lot of trouble and tears. And so many others
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was because of one use of the Lord's name in vain. And the fact that there were a few "gees" and "darns." This is not a Christian book. I couldn't help but think just how much more powerful this story would be if it were Christian.
Favorite quote:
Their rugs were worn, but books crowded the shelves and spilled over.
There were many good life lessons taught in this story! It really felt full with bits of wisdom tucked away to think about. Lessons from the importance of being willing to give up something good, for something better, of realizing that learning shouldn't stop just because you are "done" with school. Money is helpful, but not the most important thing. Talking things over instead of jumping to conclusions can save a lot of trouble and tears. And so many others
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was because of one use of the Lord's name in vain. And the fact that there were a few "gees" and "darns." This is not a Christian book. I couldn't help but think just how much more powerful this story would be if it were Christian.
Favorite quote:
Their rugs were worn, but books crowded the shelves and spilled over.
June 2, 2018
The last of the Pam and Penny series rushes through 3 years of college with many ups and downs. Pam really comes to be her own person in this one, becoming a thoughtful, caring, generous person instead of the slightly selfish and somewhat shallow person she was in her teens. The twins spend much of the time planning their futures as wives which is both sweet for its time, and sad from a more modern perspective. While at one point the author seems to condemn the idea of college being a husband hunting ground, it seems that graduating and marrying soon after is considered the norm with the idea that the twins making a stab at a career of their own being ignored. Still, I enjoyed this book and especially the conversations between the twins and their respective husbands-to-be.
September 6, 2023
4.5 ⭐️'s. Which one would ask these questions: seniors in college in 1950 or today?
-What is an education?
-Can we really change things?
-Must we go along with the crowd?
-What are we here for?
-What good can we accomplish?
Answer? “No one knew the answers.“ All these questions are in this book from the 1950s. I still see relevance today. Thanks for the journey yet again, Pam & Penny. I'll come back to you again when I need to. 🧡💜💛
-What is an education?
-Can we really change things?
-Must we go along with the crowd?
-What are we here for?
-What good can we accomplish?
Answer? “No one knew the answers.“ All these questions are in this book from the 1950s. I still see relevance today. Thanks for the journey yet again, Pam & Penny. I'll come back to you again when I need to. 🧡💜💛
December 6, 2017
Fun read from my youth.
February 7, 2023
The series as a whole has held up, but this is definitely the weakest. By far…
September 23, 2023
Needed more Penny
At least Pam was more mature, and
the journey was fun!
At least Pam was more mature, and
the journey was fun!
March 23, 2024
The weakest of this quartet of books but still enjoyable.
February 6, 2026
I adored this sweet romance in the 80's during High School and love just as much now.
July 11, 2021
I loved these old 'malt shop' books when I was in junior high. This series in particular, about a set of twins, was one of my favorites. Of course they are very dated - especially this last book which took the protagonists through their last three years of college with barely a mention of their majors, let alone any indication that they might ever work for a living.
May 7, 2016
Too much obsession with marriage and too much 1950s things that made me squirm. I prefer her others books to this one. She gets quite preachy in spots. And the girls really did end up with the dullest guys.
November 1, 2016
Read this as a young girl and then to my daughters. Was excited to find it online to buy! Such a simple, wholesome story. Penny and Pam Howard, who are twins and getting ready to marry the loves of their lives.
December 8, 2010
Less charming than the first, and I didn't like Penny quite as much, but still really digging this author.
August 27, 2016
Read this entire series as an adult - thank goodness to Image Cascade for republishing!
October 4, 2019
A fairly satisfying end to an inevitable conclusion for these two! Enough conflict to keep your interest, staying true to the tone of the other books in this series.
I enjoyed all four books!
I enjoyed all four books!
May 7, 2022
A blast from the past! Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews