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Millionaires of Mayfair #2
A Simple Marriage
In the high-stakes game of Regency London’s marriage mart, Lady Pippa Ardeerton rolls the dice with a plan more audacious than wearing last season's gown: snagging a husband to bankroll her dream dress shop. Dispatching marriage proposals like invitations to a ball, Pippa aims for a match made in mercantile heaven, where love is optional, but silk is mandatory. Enter Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, her brother’s dashing best friend, who accidentally intercepts her matrimonial missives. Hugh, whose commitment to bachelorhood is as firm as his abs, finds himself entangled in Pippa’s quest for a Mr. Right Now, all while dodging his great-aunt's threats of disinheritance.
As Hugh dons the unlikely hat of Cupid, he discovers that Pippa’s kisses are more thrilling than any high society scandal. Suddenly, London's most eligible bachelor is questioning his resistance to matrimony, especially when the bride in question is as enticing as Pippa. With time ticking faster than the latest gossip, Pippa and Hugh must decide if their accidental alliance can turn into a love for the ages or if they’re destined to shop alone forever.
Will their hearts find a common thread, or will Pippa's dream shop end up as just another unfinished project? In this comedy of manners (and manors), finding love is the ultimate bargain.
As Hugh dons the unlikely hat of Cupid, he discovers that Pippa’s kisses are more thrilling than any high society scandal. Suddenly, London's most eligible bachelor is questioning his resistance to matrimony, especially when the bride in question is as enticing as Pippa. With time ticking faster than the latest gossip, Pippa and Hugh must decide if their accidental alliance can turn into a love for the ages or if they’re destined to shop alone forever.
Will their hearts find a common thread, or will Pippa's dream shop end up as just another unfinished project? In this comedy of manners (and manors), finding love is the ultimate bargain.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2024
50 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Janna MacGregor
30 books1,151 followersJanna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers.
Visit her at www.JannaMacGregor.com.
Twitter: @JannaMacGregor
Facebook: Janna MacGregor
Sign up for her newsletter at www.JannaMacGregor.com
Visit her at www.JannaMacGregor.com.
Twitter: @JannaMacGregor
Facebook: Janna MacGregor
Sign up for her newsletter at www.JannaMacGregor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 6, 2025
This is my 15th book by Janna MacGregor. I started reading her in 2020 and I really love her stories. She has good stories and great characters and the sex is pretty good.
I loved Pippa and Hugh. I loved this story. I loved their characters and their chemistry. Hugh just seemed like the perfect guy. A great "book boyfriend". I loved their families and all their interactions with each out. I love their friendships and how close everyone was. I loved how it was a strong woman character and yet the man abled her to shine. Such a great read. I loved it.
It took me 3 days to read because of the Independence Day holiday. I am adding this book to my favorite reads list for July 2024.
I loved Pippa and Hugh. I loved this story. I loved their characters and their chemistry. Hugh just seemed like the perfect guy. A great "book boyfriend". I loved their families and all their interactions with each out. I love their friendships and how close everyone was. I loved how it was a strong woman character and yet the man abled her to shine. Such a great read. I loved it.
It took me 3 days to read because of the Independence Day holiday. I am adding this book to my favorite reads list for July 2024.
June 23, 2024
4.5⭐️
The Aberdeen siblings are back in this time youngest sister, Pippa is on the hunt for a husband… not a husband-husband!
In order to receive her trust fund in time to purchase her friends dress shop that’s up for sale she must marry. But learning about love and marriage from her horrifically quarrelsome parents she decides to omit love completely from the package and find a wealthy partner who will allow her to access her funds. Already having source of prevented millionaires at her disposal with her brothers Millionaires Club, Pippa reaches out to five lucky suitors!
Too bad the only one who shows up is her brother’s best friend Lord Hugh Calthorpe, Marquess of Ravenscroft- and she didn’t even send him a letter!
Through a postal mishap, he receives all five letters! Accepting Pippa’s dilemma, Hugh decides to help and they team up together to suss out her husband candidates while she keeps company with his lonely great aunt and mother…
I really enjoyed how these two we’ve known each other and enjoyed each other‘s company fall in love while working toward a common goal. The attraction between Peppa and Hugh sparks off the page as they fight against love in an attempt to safeguard their hearts!
I also loved the family dynamics shown in the different families involved. There were so much love and support in the willingness to do whatever it takes to help these two Find Their way to each other and they’re happily ever after.
The romantic at the end was top notch, and I squealed with delight upon reading it! I can’t wait for the next installment and finally get their brother Pelham’s HEA!
Thanks to Author Janna MacGregor for my e-arc review copy.
The Aberdeen siblings are back in this time youngest sister, Pippa is on the hunt for a husband… not a husband-husband!
In order to receive her trust fund in time to purchase her friends dress shop that’s up for sale she must marry. But learning about love and marriage from her horrifically quarrelsome parents she decides to omit love completely from the package and find a wealthy partner who will allow her to access her funds. Already having source of prevented millionaires at her disposal with her brothers Millionaires Club, Pippa reaches out to five lucky suitors!
Too bad the only one who shows up is her brother’s best friend Lord Hugh Calthorpe, Marquess of Ravenscroft- and she didn’t even send him a letter!
Through a postal mishap, he receives all five letters! Accepting Pippa’s dilemma, Hugh decides to help and they team up together to suss out her husband candidates while she keeps company with his lonely great aunt and mother…
I really enjoyed how these two we’ve known each other and enjoyed each other‘s company fall in love while working toward a common goal. The attraction between Peppa and Hugh sparks off the page as they fight against love in an attempt to safeguard their hearts!
I also loved the family dynamics shown in the different families involved. There were so much love and support in the willingness to do whatever it takes to help these two Find Their way to each other and they’re happily ever after.
The romantic at the end was top notch, and I squealed with delight upon reading it! I can’t wait for the next installment and finally get their brother Pelham’s HEA!
Thanks to Author Janna MacGregor for my e-arc review copy.
June 13, 2024
A Simple Marriage. My fellow readers. Pippa and Hugh. What can I say about these two? I will say that I truly adore both of these characters.
They definitely made this book what it is, which brilliantly written beyond belief. From my interpretation of the story; one must learn to let people in. Allow yourself to experience happiness and joy. Don’t let fear define who you are. Challenge your fears and become the victor.
I say this more for Pippa than Hugh. Hugh I felt that he’s more of the softy in the book, which absolutely great. I had the opportunity to see his strong mannerisms and irresistible masculine, sultry side that turned Pippa’s furnace all the way up. I believe that Hugh had his loins were crying out to Pippa way before their meeting at his family home. I liked how the story moved easily and so light for me.
I didn’t need to stop to figure out the complex drama of what the writer was trying to point out to her readers. The writer simply gave us a story that was unequivocally fantastic entertainment. Either it was both families having their input about Hugh’s future or Pippa’s family trying force her to the alter. Both situations was to much for the main couple to handle, so it’s a wonder that they found each other and explored their passionate sides in the orangery. My fellow readers, that was a scene to enjoy. The book is wonderfully written. Hugh and Pippa’s love story is the best part of the book to read. I found the book to be really enjoyable. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#ASimpleMarriage #JannaMacGregor #Goodreads #Bookbub
They definitely made this book what it is, which brilliantly written beyond belief. From my interpretation of the story; one must learn to let people in. Allow yourself to experience happiness and joy. Don’t let fear define who you are. Challenge your fears and become the victor.
I say this more for Pippa than Hugh. Hugh I felt that he’s more of the softy in the book, which absolutely great. I had the opportunity to see his strong mannerisms and irresistible masculine, sultry side that turned Pippa’s furnace all the way up. I believe that Hugh had his loins were crying out to Pippa way before their meeting at his family home. I liked how the story moved easily and so light for me.
I didn’t need to stop to figure out the complex drama of what the writer was trying to point out to her readers. The writer simply gave us a story that was unequivocally fantastic entertainment. Either it was both families having their input about Hugh’s future or Pippa’s family trying force her to the alter. Both situations was to much for the main couple to handle, so it’s a wonder that they found each other and explored their passionate sides in the orangery. My fellow readers, that was a scene to enjoy. The book is wonderfully written. Hugh and Pippa’s love story is the best part of the book to read. I found the book to be really enjoyable. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#ASimpleMarriage #JannaMacGregor #Goodreads #Bookbub
June 19, 2024
Lady Pippa Ardeerton dreams of owning a dress shop but she won’t be able to access her trust fund for six years unless she marries. So she dispatches marriage proposals like invitations to a ball. Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquis of Ravenscroft, her brother Dane’s best friend, accidentally intercepts her matrimonial missives & finds himself entangled in Pippa’s quest for a Mr. Right whilst all the time avoiding his great aunt’s badgering him to marry.
Another absolute delight from the author. Pippa is a truly gifted dressmaker, Hugh is avoiding marriage as he saw how his mother barely survived his father’s death. The chemistry between them sizzled but both deny their growing feelings until another Lord shows an interest in Pippa & both have to really look at how they feel about each other. I also love Dane who is so protective of his sisters & not afraid to give them hugs & also Alice & her elbows! An engrossing, lovely romance with strong characters, witty banter & sizzling chemistry
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Another absolute delight from the author. Pippa is a truly gifted dressmaker, Hugh is avoiding marriage as he saw how his mother barely survived his father’s death. The chemistry between them sizzled but both deny their growing feelings until another Lord shows an interest in Pippa & both have to really look at how they feel about each other. I also love Dane who is so protective of his sisters & not afraid to give them hugs & also Alice & her elbows! An engrossing, lovely romance with strong characters, witty banter & sizzling chemistry
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
September 23, 2024
I mean, it was a nice reading, but it really dragged at some point, the happy ending could have been achieved with a good 100 pages less.
May 23, 2024
The second book in this charming series is about the youngest of the Ardeerton siblings, Lady Phillipa (Pippa) Ardeerton. Her life time dream, owning her own dress shop is within her grasp, if only her brother, Dane, would give her the money from her trust fund. But despite his own love of being a successful entrepreneur, he doesn't want her in trade, but happily married, like their sister Honoria. He doesn't realize that when he and Honoria were away at boarding school, Pippa had been subjected to abuse by their parents, so she really has no interest in marriage. In an age when the upper crust, shied away from work, Pippa has a talent and passion for dress making. So she comes up with her own scheme, to invite 5 of her brother's wealthiest clients to a meeting to discuss a possible marriage of connivance. However, all 5 letters end up being delivered by mistake to Hugh Calthorpe, Lord Ravenscroft, her brother Dane's best friend and their close neighbor. When he receives the letters, he returns them to her and makes her a deal; he will help her find a husband, who will agree to allow her to have her shop, if she will help him with his mother and aunt. Hugh is also afraid of marriage, but for the opposite reason that Pippa. While Pippa's parents had grown from madly in love to loathing, his parents had been devoted to each other, so when his father died, his mother was so devastated, her doctor was afraid she could die of a broken heart. So Hugh thinks the Pippa could help him get his mother and aunt to socialize again. His aunt on the other hand, thinks that Pippa would make the perfect bride for Hugh and schemes to make that happen. While everyone around them (except Dane and themselves) has seen for ages that they were drawn to each other, it takes a few stolen kisses, and the fear that they might end up with someone other than the love of their life for these two to wake up and smell the coffee.
Wonderful characters, delightful dialogue and an engaging plot, make this an enjoyable read. I read an advanced reader's copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased, honest and voluntary review.
Wonderful characters, delightful dialogue and an engaging plot, make this an enjoyable read. I read an advanced reader's copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased, honest and voluntary review.
June 2, 2024
This is the second book in the series but could be read as a standalone.
Lady Phillipa wants nothing more than to own her own dressmaking business. Her passion is designing and sewing. When her modiste wants to sell her shop, she asks her brother if he would release her trust fund. He doesn't want her to go into trade, so she decides she will marry someone who will allow her to work. She sends out letters to five of her brothers' friends, but they all get delivered to Hugh Calthorpe, Lord Ravenscroft.
Both Pippa and Hugh do not want to fall in love. She was treated horribly by her family growing up and Hugh saw how devastated his mother was when his father died.
He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream.
I loved the interaction between Pippa and Hugh and how they denied their feelings for each other.
There was wonderful dialogue and witty secondary characters.
This is a fabulously entertaining, feel-good read.
Lady Phillipa wants nothing more than to own her own dressmaking business. Her passion is designing and sewing. When her modiste wants to sell her shop, she asks her brother if he would release her trust fund. He doesn't want her to go into trade, so she decides she will marry someone who will allow her to work. She sends out letters to five of her brothers' friends, but they all get delivered to Hugh Calthorpe, Lord Ravenscroft.
Both Pippa and Hugh do not want to fall in love. She was treated horribly by her family growing up and Hugh saw how devastated his mother was when his father died.
He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream.
I loved the interaction between Pippa and Hugh and how they denied their feelings for each other.
There was wonderful dialogue and witty secondary characters.
This is a fabulously entertaining, feel-good read.
May 23, 2024
I loved this book. It’s a friends-to-lovers/brother’s best friend trope, neither of which are my favorite, but this was more than I expected.
Pippa has been designing and making her own gowns for years and sometimes makes them for friends. She’s accomplished and creative, so when a modiste shop comes up for sale, she wants it badly. The problem is that her brother won’t let her have her money without her being married first.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. She never had her sights set on marriage, but if that’s what it takes to get her shop, then so be it. She sends letters to five different men, asking to meet them at different times to discuss the possibility of marriage.
What she wasn’t counting on is all of the letters being delivered to the Marquess of Ravenscroft—Hugh—her friend but her brother’s best friend.
Hugh knew he should go to Pelham with the letters, so Pelham would know what his sister is up to, but he wanted to get his mother and great aunt back into society and what better way than to have them act a chaperones for Pippa? They strike a deal where she will help him with his mother and great aunt and he will introduce her to these men. Everybody wins.
As they spent time together, they began to see another side to each other and it was fire! The chemistry between Hugh and Pippa was off-the-charts. The quips and clever remarks by both made me laugh. Their clandestine meetings were smoking hot. There were even a few instances where I got teary eyed.
It was so obvious that they belonged together. Everybody knew it. Even they knew it, but why they held back was sad and it seemed neither of them could let go.
An amazing story.
Pippa has been designing and making her own gowns for years and sometimes makes them for friends. She’s accomplished and creative, so when a modiste shop comes up for sale, she wants it badly. The problem is that her brother won’t let her have her money without her being married first.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. She never had her sights set on marriage, but if that’s what it takes to get her shop, then so be it. She sends letters to five different men, asking to meet them at different times to discuss the possibility of marriage.
What she wasn’t counting on is all of the letters being delivered to the Marquess of Ravenscroft—Hugh—her friend but her brother’s best friend.
Hugh knew he should go to Pelham with the letters, so Pelham would know what his sister is up to, but he wanted to get his mother and great aunt back into society and what better way than to have them act a chaperones for Pippa? They strike a deal where she will help him with his mother and great aunt and he will introduce her to these men. Everybody wins.
As they spent time together, they began to see another side to each other and it was fire! The chemistry between Hugh and Pippa was off-the-charts. The quips and clever remarks by both made me laugh. Their clandestine meetings were smoking hot. There were even a few instances where I got teary eyed.
It was so obvious that they belonged together. Everybody knew it. Even they knew it, but why they held back was sad and it seemed neither of them could let go.
An amazing story.
May 16, 2024
This will leave you breathless with excitement for what's yet to come, while you're tingly at the beautiful romance that blossomed in this unputdownable book. There's just so much to adore in this series with all the tender dialogue, bruised hearts, and haunting pasts.
If friends to lovers romance where he falls first and is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero with a tinge of a love triangle makes you melt, run to preorder your copy right now! This is a sweet brother's best friend novel where the lady has dreams that she just can't let wither away, and of course, neither can our delectable Marquess!
From beginning to conclusion, I was absolutely invested and couldn't reach the happily ever after quickly enough. This is what swoony Regency romance is all about.
If friends to lovers romance where he falls first and is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero with a tinge of a love triangle makes you melt, run to preorder your copy right now! This is a sweet brother's best friend novel where the lady has dreams that she just can't let wither away, and of course, neither can our delectable Marquess!
From beginning to conclusion, I was absolutely invested and couldn't reach the happily ever after quickly enough. This is what swoony Regency romance is all about.
June 24, 2024
It’s always a good time for a Regency Romance, and Janna MacGregor is just the perfect author to provide a story that will grab you, enchant you, and leave you fully satisfied.
A Simple Marriage picks up where the first book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series, A Simple Seduction, left off. We’ve already met the Ardeerton family: the cruel father, the indifferent mother, the eldest sister Honoria who wasn’t really an Ardeerton and paid a high price for that, the brother Dane destined to be the future Duke of Pelham, and the youngest daughter Pippa. Dane was everything his parents were not. He was moral, sincere, loyal, dedicated and caring and took his responsibilities very seriously, doing everything he could to protect his sisters. But if you think as a “real” Ardeerton female and baby of the family that Pippa had it easy, you are very wrong.
A Simple Marriage open with Pippa doing something unheard of. Remember this is Regency England and the ton. If you are poor, yes, you have to contend with poverty and crime and disease. But if you are rich and titled you have to contend with rules, rules, rules and more rules, especially if you are a woman. Almost any man has some control over you. Your father or brother or some other relative gets to decide if and when you get “your” money – and then your husband gets to decide what to do with it. He can let you have a say but he can just as easily use it however he wants. You can’t be unchaperoned, you can’t touch. Society dictates what is allowed for both men and women, and there are harsh penalties for breaking the rules. One indiscretion and that cherished daughter can be tossed into the street. Pelham isn’t that rigid, but he is determined that Pippa be married, have the opportunity to have a family, to have a life none of them had as children. Of course he gets to approve the choice of husband. And Pippa’s desire to be a dressmaker would narrow her chances of attracting the right kind of man.
So Pippa takes matters into her own hand and sends a letter to five gentlemen who are members of her brother’s Millionaire’s Club, figuring they meet the basic requirements her brother has laid out, and asking them to consider marriage. Then she’ll get her money and be able to purchase the dress shop she wants. Her plan is contingent on finding the right husband – who would most definitely not be a husband-husband. “Husband” would be a good man, a companion, who wouldn’t object to having a businesswoman as a wife. “Husband-husband” would be the real thing and that would involve love and she wants no part of that. She had a front row seat to the example of marriage and so-called love with her parents and her heart isn’t part of her future plans.
Except – except – except: instead of the five letters going to the intended recipients, instead because communication is exchanged so often between households they erroneously go to one of her brother’s two best friends (not the one who swooped in and whisked Honoria away). They are all delivered to Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft. Handsome, dashing, caring, considerate but not on Pippa’s list of prospective grooms because he’s her brother’s friend – and maybe there is a teeny tiny spark there that would maybe someday somehow put him in the husband-husband category. Hugh isn’t interested in love and marriage either, but his reason is just the opposite of Pippa’s: his parents had a warm, loving, wonderful marriage and he has watched his mother barely survive his father’s loss. He is not about to put his heart out there to someday be crushed. But we’ll see, won’t we?
Once Hugh shows up at the first schedule Maybe Mr. Husband meeting and Pippa realizes she’s been found out A Simple Marriage isn’t so simple anymore. They come up with a plan to satisfy them both, but you know – plans. Author MacGregor does her usual fine job of cat and mouse, push and pull, will they or won’t they between Hugh and Pippa, provides an excellent supporting cast to cheer them on or thwart them and a plot that twists and turns and frustrates you just the right amount, and of course gives you an abundance of sweet, swoony, scorching scenes and tender moments to make you laugh and cry and hope.
Thanks to the author for including me as part of her review crew and providing an advance copy of A Simple Marriage. I have fallen in love with the Ardeerton family and can’t wait to see what’s up next for Pelham. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
A Simple Marriage picks up where the first book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series, A Simple Seduction, left off. We’ve already met the Ardeerton family: the cruel father, the indifferent mother, the eldest sister Honoria who wasn’t really an Ardeerton and paid a high price for that, the brother Dane destined to be the future Duke of Pelham, and the youngest daughter Pippa. Dane was everything his parents were not. He was moral, sincere, loyal, dedicated and caring and took his responsibilities very seriously, doing everything he could to protect his sisters. But if you think as a “real” Ardeerton female and baby of the family that Pippa had it easy, you are very wrong.
A Simple Marriage open with Pippa doing something unheard of. Remember this is Regency England and the ton. If you are poor, yes, you have to contend with poverty and crime and disease. But if you are rich and titled you have to contend with rules, rules, rules and more rules, especially if you are a woman. Almost any man has some control over you. Your father or brother or some other relative gets to decide if and when you get “your” money – and then your husband gets to decide what to do with it. He can let you have a say but he can just as easily use it however he wants. You can’t be unchaperoned, you can’t touch. Society dictates what is allowed for both men and women, and there are harsh penalties for breaking the rules. One indiscretion and that cherished daughter can be tossed into the street. Pelham isn’t that rigid, but he is determined that Pippa be married, have the opportunity to have a family, to have a life none of them had as children. Of course he gets to approve the choice of husband. And Pippa’s desire to be a dressmaker would narrow her chances of attracting the right kind of man.
So Pippa takes matters into her own hand and sends a letter to five gentlemen who are members of her brother’s Millionaire’s Club, figuring they meet the basic requirements her brother has laid out, and asking them to consider marriage. Then she’ll get her money and be able to purchase the dress shop she wants. Her plan is contingent on finding the right husband – who would most definitely not be a husband-husband. “Husband” would be a good man, a companion, who wouldn’t object to having a businesswoman as a wife. “Husband-husband” would be the real thing and that would involve love and she wants no part of that. She had a front row seat to the example of marriage and so-called love with her parents and her heart isn’t part of her future plans.
Except – except – except: instead of the five letters going to the intended recipients, instead because communication is exchanged so often between households they erroneously go to one of her brother’s two best friends (not the one who swooped in and whisked Honoria away). They are all delivered to Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft. Handsome, dashing, caring, considerate but not on Pippa’s list of prospective grooms because he’s her brother’s friend – and maybe there is a teeny tiny spark there that would maybe someday somehow put him in the husband-husband category. Hugh isn’t interested in love and marriage either, but his reason is just the opposite of Pippa’s: his parents had a warm, loving, wonderful marriage and he has watched his mother barely survive his father’s loss. He is not about to put his heart out there to someday be crushed. But we’ll see, won’t we?
Once Hugh shows up at the first schedule Maybe Mr. Husband meeting and Pippa realizes she’s been found out A Simple Marriage isn’t so simple anymore. They come up with a plan to satisfy them both, but you know – plans. Author MacGregor does her usual fine job of cat and mouse, push and pull, will they or won’t they between Hugh and Pippa, provides an excellent supporting cast to cheer them on or thwart them and a plot that twists and turns and frustrates you just the right amount, and of course gives you an abundance of sweet, swoony, scorching scenes and tender moments to make you laugh and cry and hope.
Thanks to the author for including me as part of her review crew and providing an advance copy of A Simple Marriage. I have fallen in love with the Ardeerton family and can’t wait to see what’s up next for Pelham. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
June 20, 2024
The moment I finished A Simple Seduction I was patiently (okay not so patiently) waiting for Pippa's HEA! And it is finally here!
Lady Pippa Ardeerton wants nothing more than to own her own modiste shop. The only catch, in order to bankroll such an enterprise she needs to wait until she comes of age (which is rather far off) or she marries. With the shop of her dreams up for sale Pippa decides to take matrimonial matters into her own hands and writes five letters to five eligible men belonging to her brother's club. She plans to meet them at the park and ask for one of their hands in holy matrimony. Yet when she is awaiting her first possible husband-to-be it is her brother's best friend who shows up one Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, who somehow came into possession of all her letters and hopes to step in and stop Pippa from a possible foolish match. Hugh instead offers to shepherd Pippa and facilitate her meeting the possible candidates, if she will help him in return by helping escort his mother and elderly aunt to ton functions. But what Hugh is unable to realize is how much he dislikes the possibility of Pippa being with anyone as his attraction to her grows from a spark to an all encompassing flame.
Ugh Janna MacGregor has my heart once again! I love how she writes characters from the MCs to the side characters, with A Simple Marriage having some of the very best. Oh my goodness Elderly Aunt Edith, LOVE that matchmaking woman. The moment she meets Pippa at the very beginning and hilariously congratulates Pippa and Hugh on their betrothal, throwing everything into chaos made me laugh at loud. I love so much that Janna MacGregor gave us the love stories of the Ardeerton siblings after Dane shows up in her previous series. It has just made my heart so full and fluttery to be able to see these wonderful characters get their HEAs.
Pippa, as with most of Janna's characters, has the juxtaposition of great strength warring with the trauma the character has experienced previously. Pippa feels so realistic in her struggles to do whatever she can to get the modiste shop and to create the life for herself that she has envisioned. And if she needs to get married to do that, she is doing whatever she can to find a husband (not a husband-husband) but a partner who can respect her life's goals and provide some companionship. Because to her, her experience with a love match in her parents turning into hatred and using it against Pippa as their child had her not wishing to contemplate such a match. Well that is until the handsome Hugh just wheedles his way under her barriers.
Goodness I love when a man falls hard and gets all piney and can't realize that what he is feeling is love until he is forced to by events where he might lose the person. All Hugh wants is to champion Pippa, to get her the modiste shop. To aid her in searching for a husband, although he was put out by the fact that he had not made her list of top five men to possible propose to from the Millionaire's of Mayfair club. That is until he finds himself beyond enamoured with Pippa for everything that she is, but his own experience with how love can break a person (his mother over the loss of his father) has him beyond wary of ever putting himself in a position where his heart could be shattered.
Janna MacGregor writes in such a way that captures me completely as a reader. She has the steam that keeps the pages turning and heartfelt moments between the characters. I love the brother's best friend trope that she has wielded throughout this book and the previous one and I love that we got to see Honoria and Marcus. There is just something about a Janna MacGregor novel which gives me all the feels that historical romance should provide and I am so grateful to have been able to have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I CANNOT WAIT FOR DANE'S STORY!!!
Lady Pippa Ardeerton wants nothing more than to own her own modiste shop. The only catch, in order to bankroll such an enterprise she needs to wait until she comes of age (which is rather far off) or she marries. With the shop of her dreams up for sale Pippa decides to take matrimonial matters into her own hands and writes five letters to five eligible men belonging to her brother's club. She plans to meet them at the park and ask for one of their hands in holy matrimony. Yet when she is awaiting her first possible husband-to-be it is her brother's best friend who shows up one Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, who somehow came into possession of all her letters and hopes to step in and stop Pippa from a possible foolish match. Hugh instead offers to shepherd Pippa and facilitate her meeting the possible candidates, if she will help him in return by helping escort his mother and elderly aunt to ton functions. But what Hugh is unable to realize is how much he dislikes the possibility of Pippa being with anyone as his attraction to her grows from a spark to an all encompassing flame.
Ugh Janna MacGregor has my heart once again! I love how she writes characters from the MCs to the side characters, with A Simple Marriage having some of the very best. Oh my goodness Elderly Aunt Edith, LOVE that matchmaking woman. The moment she meets Pippa at the very beginning and hilariously congratulates Pippa and Hugh on their betrothal, throwing everything into chaos made me laugh at loud. I love so much that Janna MacGregor gave us the love stories of the Ardeerton siblings after Dane shows up in her previous series. It has just made my heart so full and fluttery to be able to see these wonderful characters get their HEAs.
Pippa, as with most of Janna's characters, has the juxtaposition of great strength warring with the trauma the character has experienced previously. Pippa feels so realistic in her struggles to do whatever she can to get the modiste shop and to create the life for herself that she has envisioned. And if she needs to get married to do that, she is doing whatever she can to find a husband (not a husband-husband) but a partner who can respect her life's goals and provide some companionship. Because to her, her experience with a love match in her parents turning into hatred and using it against Pippa as their child had her not wishing to contemplate such a match. Well that is until the handsome Hugh just wheedles his way under her barriers.
Goodness I love when a man falls hard and gets all piney and can't realize that what he is feeling is love until he is forced to by events where he might lose the person. All Hugh wants is to champion Pippa, to get her the modiste shop. To aid her in searching for a husband, although he was put out by the fact that he had not made her list of top five men to possible propose to from the Millionaire's of Mayfair club. That is until he finds himself beyond enamoured with Pippa for everything that she is, but his own experience with how love can break a person (his mother over the loss of his father) has him beyond wary of ever putting himself in a position where his heart could be shattered.
Janna MacGregor writes in such a way that captures me completely as a reader. She has the steam that keeps the pages turning and heartfelt moments between the characters. I love the brother's best friend trope that she has wielded throughout this book and the previous one and I love that we got to see Honoria and Marcus. There is just something about a Janna MacGregor novel which gives me all the feels that historical romance should provide and I am so grateful to have been able to have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I CANNOT WAIT FOR DANE'S STORY!!!
June 16, 2024
A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second book in Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR. (This trilogy is loosely connected with Janna's THE WIDOW RULES books.) The story can standalone or read out-of-order. This is such a fun read---witty dialogue, great characters, romance, sizzle and more! Janna MacGregor always balances a great story with all of these traits. Speaking of characters, Hugh’s great Aunt Lady Edith is a riot
Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, has 2 sisters: Lady Honoria and Lady Phillipa "Pippa". (Honoria and Marcus from A Simple Marriage appear throughout the story.) Pippa dreams of owning a dress shop so she can make and sell the creations that she designs. Her friend is selling such shop. Dane could give her the money from her trust fund. But despite owning his own business, he doesn't want her in trade. He wants Pippa happily married, like their sister Honoria. A sister of a duke does NOT go into trade! Pelham will not give Pippa her trust money to buy the dress shop. However, if she marries, she can control her trust fund.
So Pippa decides to send 5 letters to 5 of her brother's clients -- eligible suitors--- asking them to marry her. She wants a "husband husband" and not a husband. (The difference is important to Pippa!) However, the plot thickens!
Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, is one of Pelham's best friends. He has no intention of ever marrying. When he accidentally receives Pippa’s 5 marriage invitations, he decides to intercept her. Hugh knows better than to entangle himself with his best friend’s sister! He agrees to help her IF she accompanies his mother and Great-Aunt Lady Edith at social events. Hugh realizes he feels more than just friendship towards Pippa, so he sabotages the 5 men she chose as future husbands.
The interactions and dialogue between Pippa and Hugh are fun. "Watching" them awake to the feelings they have for each other can be amusing!
Will Hugh willingly incur his friend’s wrath? Will his stance on marriage change? Neither Pippa nor Hugh really want to fall in love. He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream. The story demonstrates how the trials of childhood shape you as an adult. The pain in Pippa and Hugh's childhoods led them to not trust their own feelings. He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream. ---as he plays down every suitor on Pippa’s list.
I received an ARC of A Simple Marriage for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series!! NOTE: Watch the interaction between Grace and Pelham—-something definitely going on between the 2 of them. But what??? I hope the next book is about them!
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second book in Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR. (This trilogy is loosely connected with Janna's THE WIDOW RULES books.) The story can standalone or read out-of-order. This is such a fun read---witty dialogue, great characters, romance, sizzle and more! Janna MacGregor always balances a great story with all of these traits. Speaking of characters, Hugh’s great Aunt Lady Edith is a riot
Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, has 2 sisters: Lady Honoria and Lady Phillipa "Pippa". (Honoria and Marcus from A Simple Marriage appear throughout the story.) Pippa dreams of owning a dress shop so she can make and sell the creations that she designs. Her friend is selling such shop. Dane could give her the money from her trust fund. But despite owning his own business, he doesn't want her in trade. He wants Pippa happily married, like their sister Honoria. A sister of a duke does NOT go into trade! Pelham will not give Pippa her trust money to buy the dress shop. However, if she marries, she can control her trust fund.
So Pippa decides to send 5 letters to 5 of her brother's clients -- eligible suitors--- asking them to marry her. She wants a "husband husband" and not a husband. (The difference is important to Pippa!) However, the plot thickens!
Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, is one of Pelham's best friends. He has no intention of ever marrying. When he accidentally receives Pippa’s 5 marriage invitations, he decides to intercept her. Hugh knows better than to entangle himself with his best friend’s sister! He agrees to help her IF she accompanies his mother and Great-Aunt Lady Edith at social events. Hugh realizes he feels more than just friendship towards Pippa, so he sabotages the 5 men she chose as future husbands.
The interactions and dialogue between Pippa and Hugh are fun. "Watching" them awake to the feelings they have for each other can be amusing!
Will Hugh willingly incur his friend’s wrath? Will his stance on marriage change? Neither Pippa nor Hugh really want to fall in love. He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream. The story demonstrates how the trials of childhood shape you as an adult. The pain in Pippa and Hugh's childhoods led them to not trust their own feelings. He agrees to help her find a husband that will allow her to follow her dream. ---as he plays down every suitor on Pippa’s list.
I received an ARC of A Simple Marriage for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series!! NOTE: Watch the interaction between Grace and Pelham—-something definitely going on between the 2 of them. But what??? I hope the next book is about them!
June 9, 2024
This is the second book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series it features the Duke of Pelham's youngest sister Lady Phillipa (Pippa) Ardeerton who has the chance of her life to make her dream of owning a dress shop.Making and designing gowns is a vital part of her soul. Her brother refuses to give her trust fund so she makes a plan to find a man that will marry her and let her control her trust. The perfect candidates come from her brothers Millionaires Club. How could he refuse any of the men that he has personally chose to be in his club. The 5 letters are accidently delivered to Hugh Calthorpe the Marquess of Ravenscroft one of Pelhams best friends. Hugh shows up for the meeting and confronts her. He wants to protect her from ruin and they come up with a bargain, he helps her meet the men on her list and she helps him by going to society functions with him and his mother and great aunt Lady Edith, to show he is making an effort to do his duty. Lady Edith has given him a ultimatum to marry this year. Both Hugh and Pippa have good reason to be cautious about marriage and love, Pippa parents were abusive and his mothers grief after her husbands death was severe. They both are afraid of what love can do and want to protect themselves. But the more time they spend together the more attracted they are to each other. Their friendship grows stronger every day. They both fight the attraction but with each kiss the deeper they fall. With a mischievous matchmaking great aunt, her over protective brother and a beau that is competing with him to impress Pippa, will Hugh realize that love is worth the risk before it's to late? Will Pippa take that risk too? Will she find the family that she longs for? What will Pelham do when he realizes that another of his best friends is falling for his sister? This book will entertain you, pull on your heart strings and make your cheer for Hugh and Pippa, but most of all it will show you that love can overcome fear and you can never have to much family. I love this book and can't wait for the next one in this series.
May 23, 2024
Lady Phillipa “Pippa” Ardeerton is the youngest sister of a wealthy duke. She wants to purchase a particular dress shop. However, Pippa needs to marry to have access to her trust fund. She sends out invitations to the candidates on her list, only to learn they were intercepted by her brother’s best friend. Hugh Calthorpe agrees to help Pippa in her endeavor, but he elicits feelings best ignored. Will Pippa manage to achieve her dream? Or will Hugh introduce her to a new dream?
Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, has no intention of ever marrying. When he accidentally receives Pippa’s marriage invitations, he decides to intercept her. Hugh knows better than to entangle himself with his best friend’s sister. He agrees to help her if Pippa accompanies his mother and great-aunt at social events. Hugh realizes he feels more than just friendship towards her. Will Hugh willingly incur his friend’s wrath? Will his stance on marriage change?
I like how Pippa and Hugh are both scared of love and marriage. Pippa never had the best role models. I commiserate with all that she had to endure growing up in that environment. Hugh, on the other hand, had the best role models. His aversion comes from witnessing his mother’s deep grief of losing her love. What I adore the most is the closeness and protectiveness the Ardeerton siblings show to each other.
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second installment in Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR. This trilogy is loosely connected with the author’s THE WIDOW RULES books. The story can standalone or read out-of-order. Honoria and Marcus, the couple from A SIMPLE SEDUCTION, show up throughout the book. My favorite character is Hugh’s great-aunt. She made the story so entertaining.
It is now evident that Pelham’s heroine will be Grace. The author never once revealed what happened between the two. I guess she is saving it for their story.
Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, has no intention of ever marrying. When he accidentally receives Pippa’s marriage invitations, he decides to intercept her. Hugh knows better than to entangle himself with his best friend’s sister. He agrees to help her if Pippa accompanies his mother and great-aunt at social events. Hugh realizes he feels more than just friendship towards her. Will Hugh willingly incur his friend’s wrath? Will his stance on marriage change?
I like how Pippa and Hugh are both scared of love and marriage. Pippa never had the best role models. I commiserate with all that she had to endure growing up in that environment. Hugh, on the other hand, had the best role models. His aversion comes from witnessing his mother’s deep grief of losing her love. What I adore the most is the closeness and protectiveness the Ardeerton siblings show to each other.
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second installment in Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR. This trilogy is loosely connected with the author’s THE WIDOW RULES books. The story can standalone or read out-of-order. Honoria and Marcus, the couple from A SIMPLE SEDUCTION, show up throughout the book. My favorite character is Hugh’s great-aunt. She made the story so entertaining.
It is now evident that Pelham’s heroine will be Grace. The author never once revealed what happened between the two. I guess she is saving it for their story.
July 9, 2024
Lady Philipa “Pippa” Ardeerton loved fashion and had big dreams to purchase Mademoiselle Mignon’s dress shop. Pippa figured the only way she could do that would be to marry so she can get her trust fund, so she could purchase the dress shop. Pippa decides to send five letters to gentleman known and hand-picked by her own brother, the Duke of Pellham, for his own club. Pippa didn’t realize though who even received the letters though. All of the missives though were delivered to Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft. Hugh decides to help Pippa find the perfect husband for her. Unfortunately, every guy that Pippa thinks is perfect for the job Hugh always finds something wrong with them. As Hugh spends more and more time with Pippa, he can’t avoid the strong attraction he feels for her, yet his fear of marriage could ruin everything too.
Another great historical romance by Ms. Janna MacGregor that of course I was eager to read! Sure, it did take me a while to finish the book, but I think that was more my fault then anything. Of course, when I actually started it without many interruptions, I really didn’t want to finish it and relish every word and every interaction between Hugh and Pippa. Ms. MacGregor just knows how to tell an entrancing story with beautifully drawn-out characters. The book even had some laugh out loud moments and I even wanted to yell at Dane because he really does have the worst timing. Pippa the strong feisty independent heroine was smart and engaging that made her instantly likable. While Hugh was just perfect fodder for a fantastic book boyfriend, that I couldn’t help but fall for him too! I do hope there will be more books and Dane does need a book too. I anxiously await her next Regency with much anticipation as well!
Another great historical romance by Ms. Janna MacGregor that of course I was eager to read! Sure, it did take me a while to finish the book, but I think that was more my fault then anything. Of course, when I actually started it without many interruptions, I really didn’t want to finish it and relish every word and every interaction between Hugh and Pippa. Ms. MacGregor just knows how to tell an entrancing story with beautifully drawn-out characters. The book even had some laugh out loud moments and I even wanted to yell at Dane because he really does have the worst timing. Pippa the strong feisty independent heroine was smart and engaging that made her instantly likable. While Hugh was just perfect fodder for a fantastic book boyfriend, that I couldn’t help but fall for him too! I do hope there will be more books and Dane does need a book too. I anxiously await her next Regency with much anticipation as well!
June 12, 2024
The moment I cracked open the book, the story grabbed me by the collar and yanked me into its world. Meet our heroine, Lady Pippa Ardeerton, not just any duke's sister but a firecracker with dreams of ruling the roost of ruffles—her very own dress shop. Then there's our hero, the dashing Lord Hugh Calthorpe, Marquess of Ravenscroft, who's as committed to his bachelor status as he is to being easy on the eyes.
The author whisks us away to the bustling London marriage mart, where Pippa's got a plan sharper than a tailor's needle: snag a hubby to receive her inheritance to buy her dress shop. She's got her eye on a few good men and sends them proposals as casually as one would order tea. But, plot twist! The proposals land in Ravenscroft's unsuspecting hands. As Hugh aids Pippa's husband hunt, the sizzle and kisses begin, and Hugh finds her kisses more scandalous than society gossip. Cue the swooning and rooting for their happily ever after.
True to form, the author's pen dances across the page, a delightful mix of wit and heart. With vivid scenes and crafty narration, she hooks us line and sinker. Pippa's pluck and Hugh's reluctant allure are a match made in literary heaven. Each chapter unfurls like a blooming rose, adding layers to their love story and leaving us utterly charmed. I loved the second epilogue a year in the future to see how happy Hugh & Pippa were and to get a peek & tease into the happenings in the next book in the series - I can't wait to read it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The author whisks us away to the bustling London marriage mart, where Pippa's got a plan sharper than a tailor's needle: snag a hubby to receive her inheritance to buy her dress shop. She's got her eye on a few good men and sends them proposals as casually as one would order tea. But, plot twist! The proposals land in Ravenscroft's unsuspecting hands. As Hugh aids Pippa's husband hunt, the sizzle and kisses begin, and Hugh finds her kisses more scandalous than society gossip. Cue the swooning and rooting for their happily ever after.
True to form, the author's pen dances across the page, a delightful mix of wit and heart. With vivid scenes and crafty narration, she hooks us line and sinker. Pippa's pluck and Hugh's reluctant allure are a match made in literary heaven. Each chapter unfurls like a blooming rose, adding layers to their love story and leaving us utterly charmed. I loved the second epilogue a year in the future to see how happy Hugh & Pippa were and to get a peek & tease into the happenings in the next book in the series - I can't wait to read it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 28, 2024
✔ Sensual
✔ Captivating
✔ Friends to Lovers
✔ He falls first
✔ A Dressmaker
✔ A Duke
✔ Brothers Best Friend
✔ Family Obligations
✔ Secrets
✔ Meddling Family
☕🔥🔥🔥 A Spicy read best enjoyed with your favorite iced-beverage, a cozy chair, and maybe a fan.
A fear of desire, power, and control in a game of dreams and deception. Is it possible to find a love match in a sea of strangers? Five letters. Five potential suitors. Let the games begin!
Lady Pippa Ardeerton is bold, brave and willing to do anything to achieve her dream of owning her own modiste shop. Will her overprotective brother help her achieve her dreams or push her towards a path that jeopardizes her future?
Lord Hugh Calthorpe is happy living the life of a confirmed bachelor avoiding love and commitment. What will happen when he receives a mysterious letter from his best friend’s sister? Will he help Pippa in her quest for financial freedom or perhaps discover a solution for his own family demands?
This series has loveable characters ready to take you on an emotional journey with the perfect balance of witty dialogue, spice, and longing. many characters to fall in love with. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
If you’ve read historical romance from: Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Sophie Jordan, Lorraine Heath, Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, Cathy Maxwell, Stacy Reid, Eva Devon, Erin Langston, Sabrina Jeffires, Eva Leigh, OR want to dive into a friends to lovers where he falls first this is your next read.
I received an advance reader copy from Janna MacGregor for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✔ Captivating
✔ Friends to Lovers
✔ He falls first
✔ A Dressmaker
✔ A Duke
✔ Brothers Best Friend
✔ Family Obligations
✔ Secrets
✔ Meddling Family
☕🔥🔥🔥 A Spicy read best enjoyed with your favorite iced-beverage, a cozy chair, and maybe a fan.
A fear of desire, power, and control in a game of dreams and deception. Is it possible to find a love match in a sea of strangers? Five letters. Five potential suitors. Let the games begin!
Lady Pippa Ardeerton is bold, brave and willing to do anything to achieve her dream of owning her own modiste shop. Will her overprotective brother help her achieve her dreams or push her towards a path that jeopardizes her future?
Lord Hugh Calthorpe is happy living the life of a confirmed bachelor avoiding love and commitment. What will happen when he receives a mysterious letter from his best friend’s sister? Will he help Pippa in her quest for financial freedom or perhaps discover a solution for his own family demands?
This series has loveable characters ready to take you on an emotional journey with the perfect balance of witty dialogue, spice, and longing. many characters to fall in love with. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
If you’ve read historical romance from: Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Sophie Jordan, Lorraine Heath, Tessa Dare, Julia Quinn, Cathy Maxwell, Stacy Reid, Eva Devon, Erin Langston, Sabrina Jeffires, Eva Leigh, OR want to dive into a friends to lovers where he falls first this is your next read.
I received an advance reader copy from Janna MacGregor for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 29, 2024
A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor is the second book in a new series called the Millionaires of Mayfair. The series focuses on a family (brother, two sisters) and each novel follows one member to their happily ever after. This novel focuses on Lady Pippa Ardeerton, the youngest of the sisters. The Ardeerton children had difficult upbringing, plenty of money, but little to no love, but they had each other.
Pippa loved designing and sewing beautiful gowns that enhance every type of figure. She desperately wants to own her own business making gowns.She figured out a business plan. Her brother does not want her to join a “trade” as he feels that even with a brother who is a duke, she will be shunned. He wants her to find love and a family.
Pippa’s new bold plan will allow her to find a husband and purchase her friend’s shop. She sends out letters to select men to discuss a marriage with each of them, allowing her to marry someone who will let her use her trust to buy the business and run it.
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, was one of her brother’s best friends. Accidentally he received a series of letters that were not meant for him and read them. He immediately decided that he needs to save Pippa from herself and help her find her husband.
Hugh however finds himself drawn to Pippa in a way that he cannot explain. Pippa finds that she struggles with accepting his help, mostly because it was not helpful. Pippa’s need to produce gowns that are beautiful was an art form her brother couldn’t understand, but will Hugh help or hinder? A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor is a good read.
Pippa loved designing and sewing beautiful gowns that enhance every type of figure. She desperately wants to own her own business making gowns.She figured out a business plan. Her brother does not want her to join a “trade” as he feels that even with a brother who is a duke, she will be shunned. He wants her to find love and a family.
Pippa’s new bold plan will allow her to find a husband and purchase her friend’s shop. She sends out letters to select men to discuss a marriage with each of them, allowing her to marry someone who will let her use her trust to buy the business and run it.
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, was one of her brother’s best friends. Accidentally he received a series of letters that were not meant for him and read them. He immediately decided that he needs to save Pippa from herself and help her find her husband.
Hugh however finds himself drawn to Pippa in a way that he cannot explain. Pippa finds that she struggles with accepting his help, mostly because it was not helpful. Pippa’s need to produce gowns that are beautiful was an art form her brother couldn’t understand, but will Hugh help or hinder? A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor is a good read.
June 26, 2024
Pippa Ardeerton’s plan for a simple marriage turns out to be anything but when Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft decides to help with her scheme.
Although Pippa and Hugh are well aware of their responsibilities to make respectable and advantageous marriages, neither wants love to be part of the relationship. Coming from opposite ends of the spectrum, they both have valid reasons to avoid love. For one, watching the painful grief nearly destroy their remaining parent is enough to swear off the strong emotion. For the other, watching parents whose love turned to hate and the ensuing battles in the war between them was a cold reality and a potent lesson.
Pippa’s passion is dressmaking. She has a true gift for it, but the nobility is not to be in trade. Her only solution to purchase the dress shop she has her eye on is to access her trust fund. To do that, she must marry — preferably someone who will not interfere with her plans.
Hugh, best friend of Pippa’s brother, understands the obstacles in Pippa’s way. He offers his help.
The journey from there is a delight to watch. Pippa and Hugh both know their own minds. Pippa, especially, is constrained by societal dictates. As the pair grow closer, they must face their own difficult decisions about what they truly want and what sacrifices are worth living with to achieve their end goals.
“A Simple Marriage” is anything but simple. Its nuanced layers of personalities, societal dictates and desires blend together for a rich experience.
Although Pippa and Hugh are well aware of their responsibilities to make respectable and advantageous marriages, neither wants love to be part of the relationship. Coming from opposite ends of the spectrum, they both have valid reasons to avoid love. For one, watching the painful grief nearly destroy their remaining parent is enough to swear off the strong emotion. For the other, watching parents whose love turned to hate and the ensuing battles in the war between them was a cold reality and a potent lesson.
Pippa’s passion is dressmaking. She has a true gift for it, but the nobility is not to be in trade. Her only solution to purchase the dress shop she has her eye on is to access her trust fund. To do that, she must marry — preferably someone who will not interfere with her plans.
Hugh, best friend of Pippa’s brother, understands the obstacles in Pippa’s way. He offers his help.
The journey from there is a delight to watch. Pippa and Hugh both know their own minds. Pippa, especially, is constrained by societal dictates. As the pair grow closer, they must face their own difficult decisions about what they truly want and what sacrifices are worth living with to achieve their end goals.
“A Simple Marriage” is anything but simple. Its nuanced layers of personalities, societal dictates and desires blend together for a rich experience.
May 26, 2024
Lady Phillipa ‘Pippa’ Ardeerton dreams of owning a dress shop so she can make and sell the creations that she designs. Her brother Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham wants her to marry, have a family of her own and not go into a trade since she is the sister of a duke. Pelham will not give Pippa her trust money to buy the dress shop, so she decides to invite/interview several men to propose marriage to as long as they will go along with her plan. She is not interested in a love match she just needs a husband to be able to get her trust fund money.
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft is best friends with Pelham and knows Pippa is completely off limits. Hugh receives the marriage proposals by mistake that Pippa sent out and decides to meet her in the park to see why she is proposing to the men she has chosen. Hugh is not looking for marriage since he is content with being a bachelor nor does he want or believe in a love match. Hugh decides to help Pippa find a husband, but soon realizes he is starting to have feelings for her. Will they both get what they want in the end?
I really enjoyed reading Pippa and Hugh’s love story. It was emotional and fun with the secondary characters really adding to the entertainment of the book. I loved how they both overcame their reasons for not marrying for love and figured out they were perfect for each other. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft is best friends with Pelham and knows Pippa is completely off limits. Hugh receives the marriage proposals by mistake that Pippa sent out and decides to meet her in the park to see why she is proposing to the men she has chosen. Hugh is not looking for marriage since he is content with being a bachelor nor does he want or believe in a love match. Hugh decides to help Pippa find a husband, but soon realizes he is starting to have feelings for her. Will they both get what they want in the end?
I really enjoyed reading Pippa and Hugh’s love story. It was emotional and fun with the secondary characters really adding to the entertainment of the book. I loved how they both overcame their reasons for not marrying for love and figured out they were perfect for each other. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
June 25, 2024
I so very much enjoyed this second book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series! When we first met Pippa in Honoria's book, A Simple Seduction, I fell in love with her right away. She was such a good sister to Honoria, that I knew I was going to love her story, even before I knew what it was.
Once we truly get to know Pippa, her story was so different, and so much more than I ever imagined. Turns out, it's not always so glamorous to be a Duke's daughter. When Pippa reveals what it was really like for her growing up, my heart went out to her. And the fact that she kept so much of that hidden from her brother Pelham and Honoria and just dealt with it on her own.
Hugh really endeared himself to me in the first book with the way her took such great care of his mother and great-aunt. Hearing how his mother still suffers so much grief over 20 years later for Hugh's late father made me understand exactly why he was so averse to marrying.
Pippa really was a woman ahead of her time, with her forward thinking and her great desire to go into business and own a dress shop. And her plan to secure the funds needed to achieve that dream were very inventive and fun to read about!
I am a huge fan of friends to lovers stories and Pippa and Hugh's was a real delight! It is so fun to see the characters fight their feelings at every turn until it gets to a point where they just can't deny them anymore. So fun to read!
Janna really is one of my favorite authors to read about the regency era and this Millionaires of Mayfair series really quenches my thirst for reading about this period of time. All the Dukes, and Earls and Marquesses, I can't get enough!
I am so excited to read Pelham's story next, there were so many hints in this book about him and Lady Grace. It's going to be juicy; I can tell!
Once we truly get to know Pippa, her story was so different, and so much more than I ever imagined. Turns out, it's not always so glamorous to be a Duke's daughter. When Pippa reveals what it was really like for her growing up, my heart went out to her. And the fact that she kept so much of that hidden from her brother Pelham and Honoria and just dealt with it on her own.
Hugh really endeared himself to me in the first book with the way her took such great care of his mother and great-aunt. Hearing how his mother still suffers so much grief over 20 years later for Hugh's late father made me understand exactly why he was so averse to marrying.
Pippa really was a woman ahead of her time, with her forward thinking and her great desire to go into business and own a dress shop. And her plan to secure the funds needed to achieve that dream were very inventive and fun to read about!
I am a huge fan of friends to lovers stories and Pippa and Hugh's was a real delight! It is so fun to see the characters fight their feelings at every turn until it gets to a point where they just can't deny them anymore. So fun to read!
Janna really is one of my favorite authors to read about the regency era and this Millionaires of Mayfair series really quenches my thirst for reading about this period of time. All the Dukes, and Earls and Marquesses, I can't get enough!
I am so excited to read Pelham's story next, there were so many hints in this book about him and Lady Grace. It's going to be juicy; I can tell!
April 15, 2025
Pippa thinks surely any of the millionaires in her brothers club will do as a husband. She doesn't want any great passion. She just needs a husband who will agree to let her control her inheritance and run a dress shop. She is a talented seamstress, but it would be a scandal for a lady to be in trade so she needs someone who will agree to the deal. She sends out letters to five gentlemen to meet her to talk over the terms, but somehow Hugh ends up with all the letters. Since he's very curious about what she's up to, he shows up for the meeting. Fun banter and sizzling romance follow!
Of course, the problem is neither of them wants love. She watched her parents' love turn into hate, while his parents' great love almost destroyed his mother when his father died. Neither one wants to repeat those experiences. So Hugh decides he'll help her get to know some likely husband candidates and at least find her a decent man to propose to. It's a great idea, except their attraction for each other keeps getting in the way.
Hugh and Pippa have a great friendship, which leads to great chemistry. I love all the older characters too: his great aunt, his mother, and even the mother of one of Pippa's suitors are a wonderful addition to the story.
Of course, the problem is neither of them wants love. She watched her parents' love turn into hate, while his parents' great love almost destroyed his mother when his father died. Neither one wants to repeat those experiences. So Hugh decides he'll help her get to know some likely husband candidates and at least find her a decent man to propose to. It's a great idea, except their attraction for each other keeps getting in the way.
Hugh and Pippa have a great friendship, which leads to great chemistry. I love all the older characters too: his great aunt, his mother, and even the mother of one of Pippa's suitors are a wonderful addition to the story.
June 18, 2024
There is nothing simple about Janna MacGregor's A Simple Marriage. This story is absolutely fantastic with such beautiful emotional scenes, and the roller-coaster ride between Lady Phillipa ‘Pippa’ Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham's sister and Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, Pelham's best friend is phenomenal. This is the second book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series and just as wonderful if not better than the first. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book, and every book thereafter written by Janna MacGregor. One of the most fascinating things I found in this story was the showing of two kinds of marriage, one where one spouse loses the other and is in so much despair she has no wish to exist, and another marriage where each spouse despises the other and only exists to torment the other. Children are very observant and what they see in their parents marriage sometimes predestines what they expect from their own marriage. Hugh and Pippa's approach to matrimony, and their wanting to keep a distance from the emotional state of love is captivating.
June 23, 2024
All Pippa wants to do is own her own dress shop, but her overbearing duke of a brother won’t release her dowry. She plans to solicit a marriage of convenience to a gentleman her brother would likely approve of so she can get the money, but her brother’s best friend Hugh ends up intercepting the letters and her suitors. They bicker and argue and neither are interested in a marriage to each other, except for the fact that they’re attracted to each other. Actually, the attraction is why they don’t want to marry each other because Pippa is afraid that passion will lead to horrific arguments that she witnessed her parents having and Hugh is afraid that love will cause the immense grief that he witnessed his mother experiencing after his father died. Clearly, they’re both suffering from some generational trauma. Add in an overbearing brother/best friend, and we’ve got a recipe for forbidden romance. However, Hugh is very supportive of Pippa’s dress designing skill and business dreams, so he’s pretty much the perfect match for her.
June 24, 2024
This is the second book in a series, and you can certainly enjoy this story as a standalone but the characters are so appealing that you will want to know all their stories. Pippa is the younger sister of the Duke of Pelham, and her passion is creating original gowns. She has an opportunity to buy her own dress shop, but her brother is opposed to her going into trade. Pippa decides to marry for convenience so she can access her trust fund and buy her dress shop, so she launches her plan to find the right man to marry, someone who will not interfere in her desire for her dress shop. Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, is one of her brother’s best friends, and he learns by accident of her plans to find an eligible and biddable husband. He agrees to help her since he believes her original plan could only lead to disaster. Thus begins their partnership while their families add some complications. I thoroughly enjoyed Pippa and Hugh, who are both rather forward thinking for the times.
June 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. Both Pippa and Hugh were very engaging and a pleasure to get to know and watch them fall in love. Character development was well done and explanations about their past and why they were hesitant to marry and fall in love was dealt with very well. Pippa’s desire for a dress shop that became available became an obsession for her to get her brother, a Duke, to release her inheritance early and also not have to marry to receive it. I also loved the idea about the letters that Pippa sent out. What a wonderful idea and something very different that added an interesting touch to the story. Who would think of sending letters to prospective grooms asking them to marry her. Splendid idea. I also thought Hugh’s attention and protection of Pippa was wonderful and showed how much he did care about her, even though he had a hard time realizing exactly how he felt.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book about Dane and Grace and finding out what their background is and why they didn’t marry and why he calls her Governess all the time.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book about Dane and Grace and finding out what their background is and why they didn’t marry and why he calls her Governess all the time.
June 18, 2024
Extremely well written, just a fabulous story. Full of love, action, romance, drama, steam, twists, abuse, marriage of convenience, opposite attract, secrets, dreams and society. Pippa is a young sister of a Duke and hopes to open a dress shop. She does not want to marry after everything that happened to her when she was younger living with her parents. Hugh is a Marquess that does not to marry for his own reasons. His Mother and Aunt both want the opposite of his wishes and try to find him a wife. So when he receives 5 letters from Pippa, he decides to offer her a way to get her dress shop and help him. as they are together, the more their feelings start and increase between them. Great to read how they find each other. another fantastic storyline in this series. Can't wait for the next in this series. Would strongly recommend to everyone.
I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.
I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.
June 26, 2024
Four and a half stars
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second in Janna MacGregor's Millionaires of Mayfair series. Due to circumstances only somewhat within their control (which is to say, not a whole lot) Lady Pippa Ardeerton and Lord Hugh Calthorpe find themselves in a position to support each other, and work toward getting each other what they really want--freedom from being compelled to marry by determined relatives and the restrictions embraced by what was accepted to be polite society. Of course along the way, they discover that perhaps part of their true heart's desires might be standing at their side.
Janna MacGregor's writing is warmly satisfying and her characters and their emotions and motivations feel real and moving. This is a terrific addition to the series, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next.
A SIMPLE MARRIAGE is the second in Janna MacGregor's Millionaires of Mayfair series. Due to circumstances only somewhat within their control (which is to say, not a whole lot) Lady Pippa Ardeerton and Lord Hugh Calthorpe find themselves in a position to support each other, and work toward getting each other what they really want--freedom from being compelled to marry by determined relatives and the restrictions embraced by what was accepted to be polite society. Of course along the way, they discover that perhaps part of their true heart's desires might be standing at their side.
Janna MacGregor's writing is warmly satisfying and her characters and their emotions and motivations feel real and moving. This is a terrific addition to the series, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next.
June 26, 2024
Desperate to access her trust fund, Lady Pippa sends out five letters hoping to find a husband. At the appointed meeting time, the man who shows up is her brother's best friend Hugh, and he has all of the letters. Hugh offers to help her find a husband.
As they traverse the marriage mart, they develop feelings for one another, but Hugh doesn't want marriage, and Pippa doesn't want a husband to love, just a husband who's kind and will support her being in trade as a dressmaker.
Another man enters the fray, and suddenly Hugh is... jealous. Can he find a way to win Pippa's heart before she marries another? Will Pippa marry for love? Is the dress shop still available for Pippa's dreams to come true? The clock is ticking.
A wonderful story with lots of romance, banter, and clandestine kisses. Perfect for your summer reading pleasure.
As they traverse the marriage mart, they develop feelings for one another, but Hugh doesn't want marriage, and Pippa doesn't want a husband to love, just a husband who's kind and will support her being in trade as a dressmaker.
Another man enters the fray, and suddenly Hugh is... jealous. Can he find a way to win Pippa's heart before she marries another? Will Pippa marry for love? Is the dress shop still available for Pippa's dreams to come true? The clock is ticking.
A wonderful story with lots of romance, banter, and clandestine kisses. Perfect for your summer reading pleasure.
June 23, 2024
A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor, book two in her Millionaires of Mayfair series, is an amazing friends-to-lovers romance where he falls first and is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero with a hint of a love triangle as well as a brother's best friend trope where the lady has dreams that she refuses to let go; and the Marquess does not want to disappoint her. From beginning to conclusion, I was absolutely invested and couldn't reach the happily ever after quickly enough.
Lady Phillipa ‘Pippa’ Ardeerton has been designing and making her own gowns for years and sometimes makes them for friends. She’s dreamt of owning a dress shop so she can make and sell the creations that she designs. When a modiste shop comes up for sale, she wants it badly. Her brother Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham wants her to marry, have a family of her own, and not go into a trade, since she is the sister of a duke. Pelham will not give Pippa her trust money to buy the dress shop, so she decides to invite several men to propose marriage to as long as they will go along with her plan. She is not interested in a love match she just needs a husband to be able to get her trust fund money.
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft is best friends with Pelham and knows Pippa is completely off limits. Hugh mistakenly receives all of the marriage proposals sent out by Pippa and decides to meet her in the park to see why she is proposing to the men she has chosen. Hugh is not looking for marriage, content being a bachelor, not wanting a love match; as he is afraid to love after watching his mother’s grief upon his father’s death. Hugh decides to help Pippa find a husband, but soon afterwards, realizes he is starting to have feelings for her.
The way they worked together to get her shop is hilarious, touching, painful and fun. Hugh’s great Aunt Edith was such a mischief maker with her antics, and shenanigans; which were hysterical. Watching both Pippa and Hugh overcame their reasons for not marrying for love and figured out they were perfect for each other was perfect. I can’t wait for Dane’s story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Lady Phillipa ‘Pippa’ Ardeerton has been designing and making her own gowns for years and sometimes makes them for friends. She’s dreamt of owning a dress shop so she can make and sell the creations that she designs. When a modiste shop comes up for sale, she wants it badly. Her brother Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham wants her to marry, have a family of her own, and not go into a trade, since she is the sister of a duke. Pelham will not give Pippa her trust money to buy the dress shop, so she decides to invite several men to propose marriage to as long as they will go along with her plan. She is not interested in a love match she just needs a husband to be able to get her trust fund money.
Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft is best friends with Pelham and knows Pippa is completely off limits. Hugh mistakenly receives all of the marriage proposals sent out by Pippa and decides to meet her in the park to see why she is proposing to the men she has chosen. Hugh is not looking for marriage, content being a bachelor, not wanting a love match; as he is afraid to love after watching his mother’s grief upon his father’s death. Hugh decides to help Pippa find a husband, but soon afterwards, realizes he is starting to have feelings for her.
The way they worked together to get her shop is hilarious, touching, painful and fun. Hugh’s great Aunt Edith was such a mischief maker with her antics, and shenanigans; which were hysterical. Watching both Pippa and Hugh overcame their reasons for not marrying for love and figured out they were perfect for each other was perfect. I can’t wait for Dane’s story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
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