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The Reluctant Bride
Would she hear her wedding bells by the sea? The Pemberton Arms would have long since crumbled but for the cockeyed opimism of Molly Hughes. She dreamed of a chance to restore the old seaside hotel, the only home she'd ever known. That chance was suddenly within her reach- depending on how she handled the good-looking insufferable Englishman who meant to sell off her beloved "Pem". These Americans! Nicholas was positively bowled over by their zest for life. Unfortunately, no amount of zest could save the ramshackle nightmare he'd inherited, chaming Molly Hughes notwithstanding. Before he weakened any further, he'd conclude his business and sail home- posthaste! But Molly had other plans for Nicholas.. which included a marriage proposition...
299 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1992
About the author
Barbara Bretton
128 books596 followersBarbara Bretton is the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of more than 40 books. She currently has over ten million copies in print around the world. Her works have been translated into twelve languages in over twenty countries.
Barbara has been featured in articles in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Romantic Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Herald News, Home News, Somerset Gazette,among others, and has been interviewed by Independent Network News Television, appeared on the Susan Stamberg Show on NPR, and been featured in an interview with Charles Osgood of WCBS, among others.
Her awards include both Reviewer's Choice and Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times; Gold and Silver certificates from Affaire de Coeur; the RWA Region 1 Golden Leaf; and several sales awards from Bookrak. Ms. Bretton was included in a recent edition of Contemporary Authors.
Barbara loves to spend as much time as possible in Maine with her husband, walking the rocky beaches and dreaming up plots for upcoming books.
Barbara has been featured in articles in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Romantic Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Herald News, Home News, Somerset Gazette,among others, and has been interviewed by Independent Network News Television, appeared on the Susan Stamberg Show on NPR, and been featured in an interview with Charles Osgood of WCBS, among others.
Her awards include both Reviewer's Choice and Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times; Gold and Silver certificates from Affaire de Coeur; the RWA Region 1 Golden Leaf; and several sales awards from Bookrak. Ms. Bretton was included in a recent edition of Contemporary Authors.
Barbara loves to spend as much time as possible in Maine with her husband, walking the rocky beaches and dreaming up plots for upcoming books.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 19, 2024
This book was a sweet surprise.
Nicholas becomes reluctant guardian of Molly and her rundown hotel when his stepfather dies. He has already decided to sell the hotel and put his ward in a convent school. But upon seeing Molly he knows she is too defiant and strong minded to be a cutout for a convent school. Also he is attracted to her. Molly is also attracted but is too innocent and naive.
Already the hotel is debt ridden. And in that Nicholas is all set to sell it. Both of them lock horns. The game changes when the only option for Molly is to get her inheritance. That’s not gonna happen till she is 21. She is only 18. Or she can marry and get her inheritance. So she tricks Nicholas into marrying him by putting both of them in compromising position. It was funny how she does that.
When Nicholas comes to know of how she used him for her inheritance, he takes her to his home and be his wife. Ofcourse he cautions her that there will be no love and only physical relationship.
But of course, they fall in love.
This was a sweet love story. No ow om drama.
Towards the end when Molly leaves Nicholas, it was a risky move. I think she should have at least she talked with him. Because she knows how his father committed suicide and she should known that he could have resorted to such option. He almost did drown himself in alcohol though. But luckily he comes across his father’s journal which Molly had already read. And he realises his mistake.
We have a HEA.
Nicholas becomes reluctant guardian of Molly and her rundown hotel when his stepfather dies. He has already decided to sell the hotel and put his ward in a convent school. But upon seeing Molly he knows she is too defiant and strong minded to be a cutout for a convent school. Also he is attracted to her. Molly is also attracted but is too innocent and naive.
Already the hotel is debt ridden. And in that Nicholas is all set to sell it. Both of them lock horns. The game changes when the only option for Molly is to get her inheritance. That’s not gonna happen till she is 21. She is only 18. Or she can marry and get her inheritance. So she tricks Nicholas into marrying him by putting both of them in compromising position. It was funny how she does that.
When Nicholas comes to know of how she used him for her inheritance, he takes her to his home and be his wife. Ofcourse he cautions her that there will be no love and only physical relationship.
But of course, they fall in love.
This was a sweet love story. No ow om drama.
Towards the end when Molly leaves Nicholas, it was a risky move. I think she should have at least she talked with him. Because she knows how his father committed suicide and she should known that he could have resorted to such option. He almost did drown himself in alcohol though. But luckily he comes across his father’s journal which Molly had already read. And he realises his mistake.
We have a HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2021
A satisfying romance from an expert. The only quibble I have is that one of the main characters keeps saying he has a title but never says what it is. Duke? Earl? Other than that the only thing that might have made it better is if it were longer!
May 30, 2016
Got this from a friend through a book-swapping arrangement we have going on. I would not normally have chosen it, I don't think, so YMMV, of course. If you are a fan of seduced virgins and jaded English heirs, you might enjoy it more than I did. As it is, I found the characters mostly likeable enough, but the story didn't particularly charm me. It passed an afternoon well enough, though.
ETA: I see this was a re-release of a 1992 romance, which makes perfect sense. For short historicals of that period, this is well at par, and even a bit better than some of its ilk, as the forced seduction is not as present and uncomfortable as one often saw in those days.
ETA: I see this was a re-release of a 1992 romance, which makes perfect sense. For short historicals of that period, this is well at par, and even a bit better than some of its ilk, as the forced seduction is not as present and uncomfortable as one often saw in those days.
March 14, 2012
This is the first time I have read anything by this author. This one's a keeper.
July 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this historical romance. I am definitely keeping this one.
August 30, 2015
Predictable, but enjoyable. Like her Charmed series better, but this was a quick brain candy kind of book.
June 30, 2019
This was cute for an afternoon read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews