While you were sleeping…
With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, … not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie…
I told everyone I was your wife
When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbor back in England.
If only it were true…
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
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A lovely retelling of the marriage of convenience/pretend marriage trope. Julia Quinn has done a beautiful job with the Bridgertons and this prequel is every bit as good.
One small point – I couldn’t understand why Lady Margaret didn’t inquire into Cecilia’s health when they were unable to attend the gathering. As his godmother and certainly a force in his life, for her to remain absent as long as she did felt off to me. In spite of that, I loved this story from start to finish. In fact, I fell in love with Rokesby, and I don’t have a lot of book boyfriends, so well done.
Another funny, swoony historical romance from Julia Quinn. I like that there’s a little more substance to her books than just will-they or won’t-they get together. There’s also more than just physical attraction between the characters. I’m not a huge history buff, so I’m okay with there not being a lot of historical content (if you’re a stickler for historical accuracy, this might not be the right book for you). This book was a bit steamier than the first couple of Quinn books I read, so be prepared.
Overall, it’s the kind of book I like — easy to read, funny, heartfelt, not too serious. I generally prefer a less steamy book, but it’s easy to flip past those pages. I’m sure I’ll read more by Julia Quinn.
Love Julia Quinn. This book varies from the more predictable story lines of books of this genre. Refreshing.
I always enjoy and usually love whatever Julia Quinn writes!. Great Entertainment
I was really enjoying this book, but I was getting annoyed. I believe that the “big secrets” in books should be revealed at least by the 50% mark. But once tragedy struck, I got so into the story that I didn’t care! There were tears…always the sign of a good story to me. But there were also laughs. I also liked that when Edward found out about the deception, he was mad; he was hurt and wanted to strike back. That made him more realistic and made me like him more. I love the way Julia Quinn makes me laugh and cry during the course of a single book.
I always enjoy Julia Quinn’s books. She has a gift for creating wonderful characters that you would love to know in real life. I often forget I’m reading she weaves her stories so well. While I’m not always a fan of plots that use deception as a key part of the story, this one kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for these to lovable characters to figure things out.
3.5 stars rounded up.
When her father dies suddenly and her brother is injured in battle in the Colonies, Cecilia Harcourt is left with few choices and in need of an escape from her lecherous cousin. She decides to journey to New York and nurse her beloved brother back to health. After much arduous searching with little cooperation from the British military, Cecilia finds her brother’s best friend, Captain Edward Rokesby, instead. He’s been unconscious for several days after a head injury and needs care and Cecilia is determined to stay by his side and make sure he gets it, even if it means telling everyone she’s his wife.
When Edward does wake, he’s beyond confused. He’s missing several months of his memory but surely, he wouldn’t have forgotten being married. He does know Cecilia Harcourt, even if she doesn’t resemble her miniature, from her letters and since everyone else refers to her as his wife it must be true.
Cecilia has come to love Edward fiercely and has risked everything for him, even knowing it will all fall apart when he regains his memory. But when the truth does come to light, Edward’s reaction may just surprise her.
This book was such an odd combination of darkness and light. There’s the tragedy and horror of war and grief, but also the beauty of a new romance and two hearts finding completion in each other. I really enjoyed Edward as a hero. He was so honorable and sweet with Cecilia, even when he knew she had lied to him. Their correspondence before the story was sweet, but I did wish there was a bit more communication between them and a less abrupt ending. I was definitely expecting more from the mystery elements here and I found the culmination very disappointing and not clearly explained so I’m holding out hope that maybe this will be teased out in a future book, even if that seems unlikely.
I enjoyed the sweetness of Edward here, I just wish Cecilia had been open with him sooner as the secret-keeping went on too long, especially for such a hasty wrap-up. I just wasn’t wholly satisfied with it as I still feel like we’re missing something about her brother and about the time Edward spent in Connecticut. But again, here’s hoping for more in another book. Overall, this was still a good story, a well-executed amnesia trope, and a sweet hero, I just wanted more time with the MCs together without the secrets between them.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-girl-with-make-believe-husband-by.html
Sedate and Bittersweet
This was a slow-moving romance. It was ok, but not what I hoped it would be. There was little excitement in the way events played out, and they actually took some of the sparkle out of the HEA.
Wow! Just wow! This has to be the best book I’ve read by Julia Quinn.
I’ve read quite a few Julia Quinn books by now, nearly the whole Bridgerton Series, some of the Smythe-Smith Quartet and the Rokesbys Series, and The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is by far my favourite now. This book is just everything. I knew from the synopsis that this book was about to be a roller-coaster ride, a book about amnesia and one person lying about their relationship, there is just meant to be drama. But damn I loved it so much. The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is just so heartfelt, passionate and deep, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cecilia and Edward. Their relationship so delicate and beautiful.
I do believe that you should read Because of Miss Bridgerton, the first book in the Rokesbys Series, before reading the second book, as it gives you a few details and background about the family I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. Even though The Girl with the Make-believe Husband can be read as a standalone, reading Because of Miss Bridgerton first made this reading experience so much more passionate and deeper. It is really a beautiful love story and I can only recommend this book for fans of historical romances… prepare yourself to be swooned.
Julia Quinn is the best
Well written: plot, characters,dialogue
A Sweet story
I will read anything that Julia Quinn writes! Love, love, love the Bridgertons and all of the other characters in their books. Tearjerkers, laugh out loud moments, and soooo romantic. I especially enjoyed this book because when Edward went missing, it had a devastating affect on his close knit family. Then comes this book, when Cecilia finds and saves him, bringing him back home to the family who loves him. Even if it does take a “While You Were Sleeping” path, it’s still so enjoyable. Ms. Quinn’s books are always so fun to read. I’ve read nearly all of the books about the Bridgertons, Rokesbys, and Smythe-Smiths without a disappointing moment. Read these books!!!
Such a wonderful book! Great story and characters! Julia Quinn is brilliant with word choice and realistic characters.
Delightful story with a tried and true plot but more clever than usual.
Read all her books. Easy to read and light for a evening read
I love every book from this author and it is one of a series. Totally worth the read.
all her books are great .
Love Julia Quinn
Any book by Julia Quinn is worth the time and money. One of the best authors in this genre.