The Wedding (Lairds' Fiancées, #2) in Happily Ever After Cafe

Oct 30, 2008 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hero-redeems-himself, angsty-read, medieval, scottish, favorites, captive-kidnapped, laughed-myself-silly-while-reading, owned-copy, forced-bride, all-things-summer-challenge

The Wedding managed to make its way up into the ranks of Garwood books that earned a five star rating. Why? Because this book took me from laughing hysterically, to being angry enough for my blood pressure to shoot up (or so my throbbing temples testified to), to being so sad I wanted to cry. Also, it's just darn entertaining.

I've read many, many romance novels in my thirty-some years, and Julie Garwood has a way of writing singular heroines, like no other author. On first glance, they seem too The Wedding managed to make its way up into the ranks of Garwood books that earned a five star rating. Why? Because this book took me from laughing hysterically, to being angry enough for my blood pressure to shoot up (or so my throbbing temples testified to), to being so sad I wanted to cry. Also, it's just darn entertaining.

I've read many, many romance novels in my thirty-some years, and Julie Garwood has a way of writing singular heroines, like no other author. On first glance, they seem too sweet to be believed. But, their sweetness is completely genuine. Her heroines are so kind and loving, that you'd have to be a big jerk to hate them. As for me, I love them. Brenna certainly was no different. The poor girl. She really went through the wringer in this book, and Connor contributed significantly to her suffering. At times, I did want to take a frying pan to his thick skull. Of course, I realize that he's emotionally stunted from the tragedy of his father's betrayal and death, and the murder of most of his clan. His deathbed promise to his father was what drove him, and marriage was only a secondary concern. He's a hard man, and it took him sometime to realize that his husband skills needed improvement. You cannot put wives away on shelves to gather dust until you want to play with them, man! Thankfully, love conquers all.

This was a very good book, and I didn't want to put it down. Brenna won my heart, and I was very glad that Connor got a clue. I loved the secondary cast of characters, such as Connor's men Quinlan and Crispin, and his people, Father Sinclair, her family, and of course, Laird Alec and Lady Jamie. I'm not sure if medieval Scotland in any way resembles this book, but I almost want to go there just to enjoy the ambience (despite the lack of indoor plumbing).

I don't have it in me to write a long review right now, so this will have to suffice. How does Ms. Garwood do it? Write such brilliant comedy, but scenes that are ripe with emotional anguish? Those diametrically opposed tones shouldn't go together, but she manages it. Although some parts wrenched at my heart at what poor Brenna went through, I felt that things worked out very well. I know that Connor will never, ever take her for granted again. He'll realize just how precious the love he has with Brenna, and how that was more important than the vengeance his father swore him to. She snuck her way into his heart, just like she did mine.

Darn! I wish I had time to go back and read all her historicals again! ...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Wendy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, historical-romance, re-read, books-i-own, favourites

My star rating:

Plot: 4.5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World: 4/5 (Historical Scotland)
Romance: 5/5

Enjoyment level: 5++++/5 stars!

Julie Garwood writes some of the best historical romances I have ever read (and I have read a tonne). Whenever I have read a book that threatens to put me in a slump (usually because they are meh) then I will try and pick up this author's historical romances.

The plot, the characters, the romance (yummy!), the dialogue, the secondary relationships all are superb. I wi ...more

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Feb 15, 2008 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kidnapped-captured-stolen, scots-highlanders, married-couple, enemies-to-lovers, aristocracy-royalty, medieval-dark-ages, virgin-heroine, vengeance-revenge, klutzy-accident-prone, quirky-unconventional

The Wedding is the second book in Julie Garwood's Lairds' Fiancees series. Lady Brenna is on her way to meet her future husband when she is taken by Connor MacAlister. Connor is a man bent on avenging his father and taking his enemy's bride is one step.

Another delightful story as only Ms Garwood can write. While it isn't my favorite book by this author, it's still good enough that I have it on my keeper shelf and have read it numerous times. ...more

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Apr 30, 2009 Kelly rated it it was ok

I had high hopes because I loved the Bride by Julie Garwood. This was such a let down not nearly as good. I kept waiting for it to get better but it never got to me the way the Bride did.

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