~ A French pirate of smoldering passions, Justin St. Briac will never marry. However, when his manipulative mother beckons him to her deathbed in Cornwall, he succumbs to her plea that he take a bride.~ Mouette Raveneau, once the toast of the London ton, has been ruined by her dead husband¿s crimes. With two adolescent sons and no means of support, she reluctantly takes refuge in Cornwall.A … Pretend Marriage¿To grant his mother¿s dying wish, Justin devises an elaborate charade. Her days are numbered, after all, and soon he¿ll return to his life of unfettered romantic conquests and adventure in France.But, what if his mother isn¿t really dying? And what if he begins to enjoy the very thing he¿s avoided his whole life?
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Nice easy to read romance. With an interesting twist.
I like it.
Great book
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
This gracefully and eloquently written Regency read/listen, with a humorous plot kept me entertained as it reunites a dysfunctional family. Justin St. Briac has a complex about his mother, whom he sees as one who made his childhood miserable with her games of leaving the family, making his father run after her to bring her home. Marriage is not for him, even though his brother has a happy marriage. He’s more suited to one-night stands and unattachment. At 48 he is a man the women look at when he enters a room.
He’s called back home, not having been there for many years. His mother is dying. He doesn’t know if he should trust her. Is she acting as she had been so many times in his youth? He feels a bit of compassion for her and tries to do the right thing when her dying wish is for Justin to find a wife.
Rather than argue the point, Justin cooks up a scheme – pulls Mouette Raveneau into the scheme by promising her lots of money she can’t refuse. Her financial circumstances are left in tatters from her previous marriage and now at 36, she must look out for herself and two sons.
She accepts this whole charade with the caveat he will not consummate the marriage and use physical touching only to convince his parents they are truly married. But quite a few people know it is all a farce.
In the process of furnishing his rented home (which Mouette is very good at), they spend lots of time together…with interesting results.
It’s always a pleasure to add children and animals to the mix of a good story. Children speak their minds and express that which many adults feel inappropriate. I enjoyed both boys’ growing relationship with Justin and the surprising reaction Justin has to them. The dog, Robinson, found on the road, becomes very much part of the family.
The rental becomes a home. The make-believe world created by this scheme is starting to feel for real. Justin decides it isn’t so bad – being a pirate does have its excitement, but holding Mouette in his arms has a bigger draw. How can he turn a make-believe marriage into a real one?
Tim Campbell narrates most of Cynthia Wright’s work. I’ve come to enjoy his French-accented English, his voice impersonations of the male characters with varying personalities. His deep voice and the way he uses it pull out every nuance of Wright’s work. Campbell excels in dog barking! Robinson has dialog, too. Enjoy!
This stories of the Raveneaus and the Beauvisage, sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, and sometimes dangerous, will fill all your senses, quickening your heart with moments of passion. I highly recommend her work. It’s classic!
Found it very interesting.
Wonderful
I was given an ARC of this novel for an honest review.
Book 5 of the Raveneau Family saga. Justin Raveneau, a handsome rake who prefers the single life but due to the pressure of his manipulative dying mother finds himself seeking someone who will pretend to be his wife. Mouette Brandret finds herself widow from a man who mistreated her, along with many betrayals, she finds herself nearly broke with two sons to raise on her own. Mouette returning to Cornwell and once again meets Justin who after speaking comes into a ‘business arrangement’ for her to be his pretend wife. However, it did not take long for them to realize that there was more to this arrangement.
Cythina Wright once again weaves a story of love, passion with many twist and turns. This novel–like all of her others in the series–leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Like all of her other novels in the series, this one stands on its own. The reader does not have to go to the first book to understand what is going on in this one, something I truly adore about all of her novels. You will not be disappointed reading this.
His Make-Believe Bride by Cynthia Wright continues the stories of the Raveneaus and the St. Briacs with the telling of Mouette’s and Justin’s love story. I loved that the characters were into the prime of their lives… proving you are never too old to find love – or in Justin’s case too old to be rerformed. Cynthia’s detailed characterizations and picturesque sites paint such a lovely picture that the reader is able to feel that she is a part of the whole story. Plus the story is all the more enjoyable with the return of many of our favorite characters from previous books. HMBB is a must read for all who have been reading and following these wonderful stories and characters through the years.
Really enjoyed this story.
This was a well-written version of the haunted rake tamed by love story. It took me a long time to warm to the characters, but I’m pleased I persisted with the story. Those who like a bit of arrogance with their heroes will enjoy it thoroughly.
This is the story of Justin and Mouette who are both French. He never wants to marry and she is a widow with two boys. His mother is dying and made him promise to marry before she dies. It was a quick read but be aware there are a few graphic sex scenes which is why I gave a rating of a 4 for too much detail.
Miss Wright is one of my favorite storytellers
Loved!
A well told story!
I have been simply itching to get into this book for months now and finally found a break in my ARC commitments to do so. Thanks goodness!
I simply loved everything about this book, the storyline, the wonderful characters, the emotions and actions of these characters, the conniving actions taken to fox others into doing ones bidding and the wanting to please parents – and then there is the ‘make believe wife’ part which was really clever.
Altogether, and wonderful and well-told story which I highly recommend.
It was novel that the characters were older, but the plot was too predictable for me and only got halfway.
I just finished “His Make-Believe Bride.” Reading the series in chronological order, this is by far my favorite! The icing is in the realistic depiction of the secondary characters, especially the children and the Corgi. Although the books can stand alone, there is additional fun in knowing the meaning of sideways looks when certain subjects are touched upon. There are many delightful small details in this novel, every page was worth savoring. I wish the story continued – sailing the family to Justin’s home in France, Mouette’s reaction to the abundance of riches, how the boys continue to bond with “Papa,” their reaction to his ship and their new home. Sequel please! Starting exactly where this one ends.
It will be worth your time to read this full series. The first novel “Silver Storm” is my second favorite. Bravo Cynthia!
I like Marie Force books. They have a bit of mystery and romance…
Fun, quick read.
I didn’t like this book because the story was just not interesting enough to keep my attention.