I was sixteen when I vowed I would never marry him. We shook on it. Pinky swore. Even put it in writing and all but signed our names in blood. It was the one and only thing we ever agreed on. To the world, he’s Prince Ian, Duke of Montcroix, second in line to the Chamont throne. Panty-melting accent. Royal charm. Hypnotic presence. Blindingly gorgeous. Laundry list of women all over the world who … women all over the world who would give their first born for the chance to marry him. Most eligible bachelor in the free world …
But to me, he’s nothing more than the son of my father’s best friend—the pesky blue-eyed boy who made it his mission to annoy the ever-loving hell out of me summer after summer as our families vacationed together, our parents oblivious to our mutual disdain as they joked about our “betrothal.”
He was also my first kiss.
And my first taste of heartbreak so cataclysmic it almost broke me.
I meant it with every fiber of my soul when I swore I’d never marry him.
But on the eve of my 24th birthday, His Royal Highness has the audacity to show up at my door after years of silence and make a demand that will forever change the trajectory of our lives: “We have to break our pact.”
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The plot is okay and I liked the characters well enough. The HEA has a surprising twist that I wasn’t expecting and I’m not sure how I felt about it. I didn’t feel like I really connected with the characters. I actually didn’t feel a connection between the characters either. Winter Renshaw is usually a five star read for me but this book just didn’t grab me emotionally like the others. Winter is an amazing writer but this book left me unmoved. I have no strong feelings about this book one way or the other. It was just an okay read for me.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
The cover is classy and beautiful! This is another great story written by Winter Renshaw. She never disappoints. I love this Royal Romance, enemies to lovers, and second chance to love. Julian and Emelie’s story is beautifully written, sweet and romantic. I like the unpredictable twists Winter Renshaw adds to her stories. I love the ending. I enjoyed reading this story, and recommend it.
I’m not really sure how to rate this book. I usually count on this author to write layered stories with characters that have a ton of chemistry. This book had all of these and the writing was smooth and flowing as usual but I just didn’t love some things that happened from a believability point of view. While I don’t want to give away the story, let’s just say that a couple of conversations between adults would have solved a lot of problems. That being said you have royals, second chance love, enemies to lovers all in one story. Dual POV gives us more backstory and there are twists and turns, lies and secrets and a lot of questions that keep the story moving along. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
A great well written second chance enemies to lovers romance. This engaging storyline is heartbreaking, lots of hurdles, twists and turns in a slow burn to sizziling romance. I was addicted as every page was turned on an emotional rollercoaster as they are forced to confront their past while also building a future. Likeable well developed characters with great chemistry. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Julian and Emelie were friends during childhood until he breaks her heart. Now Emelie hates him. They haven’t seen each other in years. She is surprised when Julian shows up on her doorstep wanting her to marry him to save his kingdom. This is a light hearted, good read.
I don’t think there’s anyone out there better than Ms. Renshaw in the friends-to-lovers-to enemies-to lovers trope. She’s done it again…I loved the fictional island of Chamont. Like, can we make this a real place?! Both Julian and Emelie were characters that portrayed believable and relatable traits; both had a deep sense of loyalty and protectiveness where their families were concerned and also both distrusting of others. Their chemistry was both subtle and overt making for an interesting and fun peek into their internal conflict. The backstory was given in bits and pieces providing enough clues to draw your own conclusions as to what happened in the past to create the current contentious relationship between Julian and Emelie. Ms. Renshaw does a fantastic job of keeping the story flowing and introducing the plot twists with finesse but enough angst to keep you invested and at the edge of your seats. I found myself rooting for them from the very get-go but also wanting to smack some sense into each of them when they withdrew into themselves in an effort to protect themselves. Very much enjoyed the book and hope to get some follow-up on where they are today.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wedding bells chime for the castle? Can Prince Julian and his Yank really pull it off?
June 26, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
4-4.5 stars
I really liked the majority of this romance, but was not won over by the resolution at the end. The pace, plot and romantic build-up were all fine and leads Emelie and Julian a lovely pair finely united and bound for an even more lovely future until a few chapters from the end. Then, I started to dislike heroine Emelie for her unrealistically high expectations and her impulsiveness. For a woman who loves to plan, she’s too prone to abandon ship, think the worst and pass the blame. A very demanding woman! The finale was a twist I definitely did not see coming.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
This was a really sweet second chance romance with royal tie ins. It wasn’t super hot with more fade to black sex scenes. It wasn’t a big issue for me at all though. For the most part the chemistry was there and I felt it. Emelie was very head strong and so was Julian. They were a great match. For me, this felt different from this authors other books (at-least the ones that I’ve read) and it wasn’t a bad thing. The banter was still amazing, the plot thought out and intriguing and the writing great.
I really do wish there was more closure in the epilogue. There was a pretty big issue in this book and it didn’t feel resolved for me. I mean how did it all pan out. Was there justice….. just left me a little sad that something that big, something that impacted these characters lives was just brushed off in half a paragraph in the epilogue. 4 stars #2OCCJD
A second chance romance that has just the right amount of surprises that made for an enjoyable read. I have read other books from this author and I find this newest release was more calm in the chemistry factor and heat level than her other books. Overall a good storyline with likable characters and the story was easy to read. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.
He was her first everything, but she’d never wanted to bring him up again, and her friends didn’t know about him. When he brings up the marriage pact, that they would never marry each other, but he let her know they had to break the pact.
Julian proposes that they marry, the marriage will benefit him, saving his monarchy from being overthrown and will benefit her in helping her family.
Julian basically lets her know the future of his kingdom is in her hands. Her family was happy, but now they are struggling, this would solve that, it would be for them, he will never have her heart again.
Julian knew that Emelie would agree, although she had conditions, but he lets her know he will treat her with respect, she knew him as a child, an adolescent, but not the man he’s become. Julian knows deep down Emelie knows he gave her an amazing offer, but she doesn’t know the real reason yet.
Their past is filled with lies and betrayals, but can they let go of the past and forgive each other before the five years is up and find their happiness even if it’s not what everyone wants.
Winter is a long-standing favorite of mine and I was excited to see this one through. Enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Loved the pursuit of Emelie by Julian. His intensity and persistence got him in the door, but many other obstacles plagued them. Not my favorite by Winter, but it still read well. There were a few moments that made you wonder the likelihood of those things occurring. I wasn’t a fan of the reasoning behind the pair not being together and then the lack of details concerning the resolution. Overall, if you love the idea of a Royal romance with some major angst vibes, this could be the one for you.
This book is superbly written. I love a second chance romance and this story pulled me in from the first page. It is very sweet, well-detailed, emotional, and will pull on your heart strings. The shocking twists and ups and downs add to the overall quality of the story making it an exceptional read. The characters are likeable; their chemistry is off the charts. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“I don’t know what it is about first loves, but even the briefest ones leave their marks and the tiniest, most microscopic part of you can’t un-love them, even if you can’t stand them.”
This was a mix of second chance romance with a big of marriage for convenience/bargain. The latter one is my favorite trope, and that’s why I picked this one up. Well that, and the fact that I read anything Winter puts out.
There are several reasons this one didn’t get 5 stars when her books usually get that rating from me. Several of the reasons I don’t want to say because they are spoilers. The other is that I this felt rushed for a Winter Renshaw book. Her books usually have more “meat” to them, they usually “show” what she is “telling us. This one did a lot of telling and not enough showing.
Even though I had a few issues with this book – I still enjoyed it a lot. I think if this one piqued your interest you should give it a shot. This could just be a case of “it’s me not you.”
“She’s both the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me— and the worst.”
what a different read that will have going through the love hate in this story. you will be glued to the story as it will drag you through this story.
For the past three months, I have been reading books from new to me authors. Trying other genres from new authors. I want to expose myself to many authors. Get out out my shell and try different writing. My experiment led me to The Marriage Pact by Winter Renshaw. I never read any books by Winter Renshaw but I decided to try one of her books. Godh, the writing, story and characters truly captured me. I read The Marriage Pact in one sitting. I didn’t want to let it go. The Marriage Pact is a sweet delight. The Marriage Pact is a light touch of romance that will light your heart up.
Mesmerizing writing. Memorable characters. The Marriage Pact is sweet filler of romance for a summer read. An unexpected plot with a drama and steam. I adored the premise of The Marriage Pact. A royal romance with a second chance romance and enemies to lovers trope that grabs you. A light hearted romance that gives you a warm and heartfelt tug. However, I lost connection with the second half of the story. The writing is amazing. Pulls you in. However, a lot was happening in the story that it lost spark.
The Marriage Pact will introduce you to Prince Julian and Emelie, a sweet and sexy couple with inviting chemistry. I really liked Julian and Emelie. There is angst. There is so much emotion between them that moves your soul. There is heat laided with passion. You will definitely like Julian and Emelie.
I liked The Marriage Pact. It was an okay read for me but it introduced me to Winter Renshaw. She writes impeccably so I am definitely going to check out some of her books.
Will Emelie accept Julian’s marriage offer
Winter writes great romances with characters who fight their attraction to one another despite the outside forces trying to part them. Prince Julian and Emelie grew up summering together at her parents’ summer house until the summer when Emelie was 16. Julian and Emelie were having a summer romance until they didn’t. Fast forward 8 years, Julian shows up on Emelie’s doorstep asking her to marry him to which Emelie says No. But Julian is patient for Emelie to come around after she finds out what he is offering her. When that summer’s details come to light and Julian’s father’s health changes, will Emelie and Julian survive? You have to read to find out and won’t want to put the book down.
Julian and Emelie have a complicated past. Friends since birth they were thrust together by their parents and expected to marry. That all came to a crashing halt the summer of Emelies 16th birthday. Thay is when their marriage pact came into existence. A pact that declared they would never marry so why is Julian on Emelies doorstep on her 24th birthday to ask just that? This book was good but maybe not great. These two were ripped apart by a vindictive third party in a way that if I was Emelie I would have been devastated. Emotions are king when you are a teenager and the events of that summer changed both of them irrevocably. So when they get a second chance 8 years later will they repeat old mistakes or finally get it right. The writing of this book was great and the characters were wonderful I just had so.e issues with the premise and conclusion to everything. Still a good read but harder to get into.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
** spoiler alert ** Emelie has had always believed that family came first. Julian is struggling to do what is right for his country. They made a vow to never marry, but he needs her help. Will Julian and Emelie be able to overcome their sorted past? Will they be able to move on to get their Happy Ever After?
I loved the fire and chemistry between these two. I really couldn’t fault either for what they thought happened years ago, but loved how the were determined to overcome it once they learned the truth. I did think at times Emelie jumped the gun to quick, but couldn’t fault her after what happened in the past. I loved how Julian was determined to do whatever it took to when his love back. Good read!
The Marriage Pact is a great read that took me along for the ride with the twists and turns. Emelie and Julian kept me pulled in with bits of emotion, great story telling, smooth read and able to keep me on my toes. I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and would love to touch base with them again. Maybe with Emelie’s sisters?? Definitely add this to your must read list.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Third time’s the charm with an unexpected twist
The Marriage Pact by Winter Renshaw is a well written book that flies by because I didn’t want to put it down. I really enjoyed the sense of urgency in the way it was written but without the element of danger. The urgency of this book is the matter of the heart.
I also enjoyed this book because of the plot. What I found to be the issue, at its very base level is communication. In the past as well as the present, lack of communication is the key with others feeding and nurturing the absence of knowledge because of it.
The icing on the cake so to speak, are the characters themselves. Julien and Emelie are wonderful together once that blasted communication is finally flowing.
Overall, a wonderfully well written second/third chance romance that is sweet, determined and captivating throughout with a few unexpected twists thrown in along with an adventurous HEA.
I read an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.