Now that she’s seen her three nieces—daughters of the Duke of Faraday—successfully married off, Mrs. Penelope “Penny” Parker finds herself adrift. But the lovely widow is not without purpose for long. Wealthy bachelor David Cavanaugh is in desperate need of a pretend wife—and he’s convinced that Penny would be perfect for the role. Risking scandal and her good reputation, Penny agrees to accompany David to the country and play the part of his blushing bride in order to make his grandmother’s final days more restful. She vows to do anything to appear part of a loving couple—even if that means going along with David’s seven-year ruse about his fictional family. But Penny and David’s game of make-believe starts feeling all too real. Has Penny found a match of her very own? Or will she and David be parted forever once the curtain comes down on their show of romance?
A gentleman who has been lying to his grandmother about having a family, decides to take a fictitious wife and children to visit the old lady on her death bed. To do this he needs to borrow his god-children and a young widow, Mrs Parker. All in good fun. The tale begins in 1817 London; amazingly there is not a single remark about the recent Napoleonic Wars which had devastated the continent and increased taxes and war deaths.
“Now muzzle it already" is not appropriate period dialogue; might get away with the muzzle but not the already which is a modern Americanism. Gentlemen didn't tend to drink madeira, which was considered a woman's drink as sweet sherry wasn't loved by men. Of course, some men would drink it. "Gran asked my wife and I to visit" - appalling English, which the upper class would not have used. “Who did you wed" - the same. "I shall be able to visit with the children," another modern Americanism. "I would like to visit with Mrs. Cavanaugh." Ditto. "anxious to have her visit with the children now.” Stop this visit with-ing. "water flowing in the creek," Creek is an American word. There are other American words scattered through the tale but that's repeated and looks awful. "seat of the buckskins" Should be breeches. Why would an English gentleman be wearing American frontier clothing, especially with a jacket and cravat? At the same time we find "her Limerick-gloved hand" referring to gloves which were very thin, made of unborn calfskin. So some research was indeed involved. “I am widowed. My husband passed." Another modern Americanism.
This story hinged upon a fake marriage and birth of children, but the upper crust would have announced these issues in the Times so the grandmother would have expected to see the announcements. Many pages have one or more words in italics, which is too many. No need for most of them to be italicised. I regret finding so many niggles to spoil my reading of good-humoured, family-friendly Regency romance. Other readers may not give a fig, if so, enjoy the merry romp.
Its been a very challenging year ... and my posts to Goodreads have definitely suffered. The Elaborate Hoax was among my choices for 2017.
Pulling off a 'fake' marriage with 3 children to the husband's dying mother? In turn of the century England ...that's scandal and some.
Penelope Parker risks her good reputation ... for a man of 'passing' acquaintance. Why? This read chronicles the answer .. and sets the stage for a 'pleasant' read with a cup of Earl Grey.
This effort from Shirley Marks earned my 2 thumbs up!
E-Galley provided by publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
I finished reading this over the weekend and while I enjoyed the amusement factor I had a lot of issues. So, the romantic interest, David Cavanaugh’s grandmother is on her deathbed, and has been often until he buoys her spirits by giving her what she wants – him married, then him married with a family.
It’s like a situation comedy or an old movie from the 1970s or 80s.
The plot ignores important points that would be considered immediately:
The ton is a small world and the scandal isn’t going to stay in the country (it’s not Las Vegas). When Penny becomes known to be David’s wife – there’s no way out of the ruse. The fact that this wouldn’t have been seen ahead of time, and that the ruse didn’t come with an offer of marriage is just silly. Regardless of any other consideration, this was over-riding, and like seeing your parents having sex, it cannot be undone.
Also the the poor grandmother wasn’t allowed to eat anything but broth for at least a week, suffers from an undisclosed illness.Even during the Regency they would have given it some name.
And, that the couple depends on two borrowed children to keep a secret is essentially ridiculous. Have you ever found two children under seven able to keep a secret about their identity and parentage; who wouldn’t slip-up?
Other considerations were a mind-numbingly slow pace and a questionably unwarranted overturn in both love interests feelings toward each other made this book hard to finish.
Won a Kindle version in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the sponsor of the giveaway for the free book.
The plot sounded fun, and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, I got through the first few chapters and then couldn't take it anymore.
And here begins my rant... The plot was thinner than most faux-Austen novels. How could the Heroine's family possibly think it a good (let alone appropriate) idea for her to pretend to be married to and travel unchaperoned with the Hero? How could none of them not be concerned about the scandal that this convoluted hoax would generate in any semblance of real life?!? I'm guessing the publishers were too distracted by the vast number of 'by Joves', 'zounds' and such similar expressions to notice the utter lack of believable plot or likeable characters. As another reviewer mentioned, the 'hero' throws a tantrum (including literally throwing ceramic figures out the window) because the birds outside woke him early. Then there was the writing, which was hard to follow at best and downright painful at worst. I kept finding myself mentally rewriting sentences to make them clearer and more likely to come from a human being. And don't get me started on all the italized words.
I jumped to the end and skimmed the final chapter. Here is the culmination of the story,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received this book from the goodreads-first-reads-free giveaway. I was so excited to read this book but once I started it, I found David's character to be unbelievable. The fact that he made up a fictional family was ok, but for him to throw literally a tantrum because birds are chirping in the country seemed so very childish and unrealistic. I just couldn't understand what would prompt Penny's interest in him as he seemed to be acting worse than a teenager. I'm sorry but this was the most unromantic novel I've ever read.
Title: An Elaborate Hoax: A Charming Tale of Pretense and Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Shirley Marks' "An Elaborate Hoax" presents an engaging premise of deception turned into romance. Set against the backdrop of regency England, the story follows Mrs. Penelope Parker, a widow with a newfound sense of purpose when she agrees to play the role of a pretend wife for wealthy bachelor David Cavanaugh.
The narrative unfolds smoothly, with enough twists and turns to keep readers intrigued. The author adeptly captures the tension between Penny and David as they navigate the complexities of their arrangement, risking scandal and reputation for the sake of a grandmother's comfort. Marks excels in portraying the societal pressures and expectations of the era, adding depth to the characters' motivations and decisions.
However, while the premise is promising, the execution occasionally falls short. The pacing feels uneven at times, with certain plot points rushed while others linger unnecessarily. Additionally, some character developments seem predictable, lacking the depth and complexity that could elevate the story to greater heights.
Despite these shortcomings, "An Elaborate Hoax" remains an enjoyable read, offering moments of charm and wit amidst the elaborate charade. Fans of historical romance will appreciate the chemistry between Penny and David, rooting for their happily ever after even as the facade threatens to crumble. While not without its flaws, Marks' novel delivers a satisfying blend of deception and romance, making it worth a read for those seeking a light-hearted escape into the world of regency England.
While this book IS a romance, it didn't feel like one for much of the book. Instead, it was more humorous, focusing on Mr. Cavanaugh's charade with Penny, rather than his romance with Penny. It wasn't until the end when it began to focus more on the romance, but even then, it was pretty much everyone saying the two should be together, and not really on one or the other trying to seduce the other. Thus, it was completely clean, and very enjoyable. It'd even be fine for teens. I'd recommend it, for sure. Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I just can't get past the first two chapters. Why is this so difficult to read? There is no clear setting of a scene, it's unclear which character is speaking to whom when suddenly the next line is a sentence spoken by someone who is just entering the room.
Mr. David Cavanaugh has a problem. His Grandmother has been on her death-bed several times; she wanted him married with heirs before she died. He invented a family, then she miraculously recovered. He kept up the ruse to keep her healthy and happy. On her death-bed again, David must produce his family. Mrs. Penny Parker is just what he needs, along with his niece and nephew as his children. This begins the tale of David and Penny.
David's idea of caring for his grandmother is writing to her not providing his companionship. David is rather dense when it comes to women and their emotions or how to deal with either. Ms. Marks portrayed him as rather out of touch, in his words, he never seemed to do the right thing. Is David correct, are his grandmothers servants ease-dropping on their every word? Did everyone really believe his hoax family really existed? Mrs. Penny Parker takes on the task of moving David from standing back and watching life; to becoming involved in the everyday world of family life. As with many gentlemen of his time period, they did not take part in the raising of the child, or everyday family life. Ms Marks portrayed Penny's impatience with David very well. I wanted to shake him at times which I am sure was Ms. Walker intention.
The berry picking episode was very funny, David was really out of his element, as well as the donkey adventure. I howled out loud it was so funny, David was not at home in the outdoors! Penny and David danced around their attraction. The pacing was good with this book. I found David's enlightenment to family and life paced well and very funny. David's road to happy ever after was a little rocky.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys regency romance. I received this book from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
I have to admit Shirley Marks underwhelmed me with An Elaborate Hoax. On a positive note, her style read like a Jane Austen novel, which in itself is a good thing. Unfortunately, it reminded me of one of my least favorite title of hers being that it was rather long-winded, mundane, and so very boring. Yes, it was a huge disappointment since Marks’ previous book (The Duke Dilemma) in the Gentlemen of Worth series was so much more entertaining.
Caught in a lie that he had been perpetrating for several years to appease his ill and last-remaining relative, confirmed bachelor David had to finally present his make-believe family before said relative died. So he begged a widow friend to pose as his wife and borrowed his godchildren, which further tightened the snare he had created. Okay, it was a little far-fetched but love could still blossom in even this weird 'marriage of convenience', right? However, I barely felt even the tiniest spark of tender feelings between the two. I waited, read some more, suffered through tedious side characters and party planning, convinced that the romance was going to kick in, but it never did.
If you prefer your Regencies filled with everyday minutiae and squeaky clean with hardly a hand held and still believe there is a grand passion in there somewhere, then include this on your to-read list. Otherwise, you would do much better to re-read your least favorite title by Austen. Two stars.
[I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]
David Cavenagh has to "fake it 'till he makes it" as he and a family friend create a hoax to allay his grandmother's fears that he will die alone, with no wife and no heirs. Over the years, he's placated her with stories of a wife and two children, while he continues to be the single man known all over London.
As he recieves word of his Gran's soon demise, his fabrication is made real as he "borrows" his Godchildren's aunt and they head to The Willows, his family estate, as they believe she is on death's doorstep reported by Gran's staff and her lawyer.
Their ruse wins her over, although some have ecked out the story. But is it really a ruse?
This was surprising good. I love the characters. It is truely a character driven, fairly modern twist on a regency genre book. Ms. Marks is a consumate storyteller and deserves the praise this book has engendered.
This book was my least favorite so far in the series, and that is put in a very polite manner. The end is depressing, Penny has been persuaded into a relationship with a man that is unpleasant, bad tempered and not worth her interest. Did I mention dishonest and immature? And speaking of interest, who shares none of her hobbies or values. They don't even wish to live in the same spot, she prefers country life, whereas he can't stand the country life and prefers the town. This is not a romantic outcome, but a forced bond that is destined to leave our heroine unhappy. I wish she would have stood up for herself, as we saw it in the previous books of this series. This is not a love story. This is not how love looks or feels. In real life, this would be destined for divorce. There is need of vindication for Penny. All the previous books left me wanting more. I wish I hadn't touched this last book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was lucky to have won a free copy from goodreads.com. I had not read anything by this author before, particularly the previous four books in this series. As a stand alone, past history and relationships were referred to too briefly to be understood, so after reading the book, I still do not know who had the three sisters and brother and what happened to David's brothers. Aside from that, the book reminded me a lot of Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas. David has been lying to his grandmother for 10 years about being married and then having children. When he thinks she is on her death bed, he convinces Penny to pretend to be his wife and "borrows" his godchildren to be his children. No hot sexy romance here but a very pleasant and at times humorous Regency romance.
I enjoyed this story. Shirley has come up with a fun different story line. Fun for us anyhow. David has a single life and likes being alone. However he gets letters from his Gran to visit her. He has always found a way not to go there. Spoiler. Finally he finds a woman who will help him go to Gran to visit. Spoilers. It was really fun to watch them help Gran get healthy again. In the meantime they get a bit close to each other. Spoiler. This is well written and the whole story flows smoothly. Watch for the ending. Spoiler. Please give this a chance! I have this book for an honest review for NetGalley.
A gentle, sweet Regency Romance that Jane Austen would approve. David has not wanted to get married, so when his Grandmother was supposedly dying he lied to make her happy and made up a wife. She recovered to his joy but then the falsehood had to continue. Years passed and the lie grew until he is forced to produce his 'wife' and comes up with a ingenious idea. And so springs forth this story. Shirley Marks has done it again, a excellent historically correct romance that gives a true flavor of the period.
An Elaborate Hoax David Cavanaugh finds himself in need of a wife and children. His gran is on her deathbed and she is expecting him to come home with his family He talks his friends into letting him borrow his godchildren and is able to convience Penny Parker a young widow to be his wife. This is a delightful and enjoyble read. Their HEA is sweet and slow to bloom as they try to decieve his gran and everyone else. Copy provided by Netgalley
I enjoyed this cute historical romance about a couple who pretend to be married to comfort his dying grandmother. Penny Parker agrees to act as David Cavanaugh's wife and bring along her niece and nephew to be "their children" in order to visit David's grandmother before she dies. As usually happens in these stories, complications abound and things go somewhat awry before everything works out.
This is a low spice story that is easy to read and a nice summer break.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. And I am so glad I did. What a delightful story! Lies, children and Victorian manners. What a great combination. I kept waiting for the children to slip up. The whole hoax hit my funny bone. What a tangled web we weave kept popping in my head.
I enjoyed this book. Well written, well thought out, enjoyed the characters. Would read this author again. Happy I won the book on Goodreads giveaways.
While the premise is cute, the execution was a little boring. What could have been a romantic story just turned into a factual recounting of what happened and why.