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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“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.”
Young love involving complete opposites, but there’s a missunderstanding… except they can’t let it go…
A sweet second chance romance.
This is a royal romance that take the characters through an emotional ride. Emelie and Julian have not seen each other for eight years. Their families use to summer together and they use to be friends. Julian needs to wed so he can take over as king. He has to get Emelie to agree to his plan. This has secrets, drama, twists and turns. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The Marriage Pact
By Winter Renshaw
Main Characters: Prince Julian and Emelie
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
This is the 1st book by Winter that I didn’t really connect with. I wanted to see a little more suspense into why these two hated each other for 8 years. I also found the time leading up to a royal marriage implausible. I will continue to read Winter’s books because she usually has fabulous stories.
This book was a sweet romantic story. It’s cute how the couple comes back together after all these years. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
I Love EVERYTHING BY Miss Renshaw. If you want drama and suspense with all the sizzle and heat attached to a story this is the author for you. She makes the characters come to life with a jolt to your system that you just can’t put her books down! This one was NO DIFFERNT! With this book you meet Julian and Emilie. They are NOT your typical couple. Miss Renshaw wrote her characters flawed but witty and with style so unique that you want to root for them and hope that they each get what they want and need from the other. This story DOES NOT disappoint. I love how she played with her style of writing and the way it flows throughout the book to seamlessly come together at the very end. The premise was not new but her spin on it was. A wonderful story and one that is going on my to reread list.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ADVANCED READING COPY form Hidden Gems Books.
This book is well-written with an element of mystery as the characters and plot unfold definitely keeps your interest.
Ms Renshaw’s writing is consistently great and always full of deep emotions and complex relationships. This book is certainly no exception. A great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emelia and Julian have had a volatile since they where teens now they are back together after years apart. Will things work out this time for them, that was the question I wanted answered. I liked Julian’s chose at the end. I enjoyed reading this book. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
When Emelie Belleseau was younger she made a pact with close family friend Julian for the two of them never to marry despite their parents believing they were the perfect couple. Then 8 years ago he broke her heart and she has not seen him since.
Prince Julian is the Duke of Montcroix and is the second in line for the Chamont throne. Lately his dad has been acting difficult and unfortunately Julian needs to marry before he can inherit the throne and he believes that Emelie would be the perfect king.
Prince Julian must convince Emelie to marry him but Emelie has her own set of rules and can the two come to an agreement in time? When past secrets are revealed can Emilie and Julian come to terms with everything and when Julian keeps one too many things from Emelie will there be a wedding?
This was such a good book with some great twists and turns that left me shocked and wanting so much more!!
I thought Emelie was a great character who had been very hurt and had her heart broken in the past by Julian and she was guarded because of it. I completely understood why she was upset over what happened and definitely sided with her. Yet when Julian approaches her she also realizes how it could help out her family which had lost so much with the death of her father.
I understood why Julian asked Emelie to marry him but then I was a little confused about his motive after we learn about his ex Princess Dayanara of Spain and then more about their past and the involvement of another individual as well. Yet as the book went on I realized how much Julian did really care about Emelie and I was confused about what had transpired in the past.
At a certain point events of the past are brought up and I was compeltey thrown for a loop with what was revealed and I was so mad!!! I understood why both Julian and Emelie thought what they did and I wanted revenge!!
The stuff near the end of the book with Julian’s dad threw me for another loop and I knew Julian was trying to talk to Emelie yet it wasn’t working which I knew was not going to end well. I was right and I was definitely disappointed!
I loved the advice Harrison gave Julian and I was so happy that he followed it!!
I was totally surprised with the ending but I loved it and was so happy for the way it all turned out!
I really wanted to enjoy this royal romance by this author, but there were a few things that got in the way. I feel there was not enough emphasis on Emelie and Julian’s getting to know each other again. She hates him for something he did eight years ago. He resents her for a different reason. But due to circumstances in Julian’s father’s kingdom he is forced to take action and marry. He needs to retire his father and take his place as king. He really does not give Emelie enough time to make a conscience decision. She is goaded by the fact that if she marries Julian, her mother and two sisters will be financially all set. Which currently is a worry after their father died. Also, Julian’s ex-girlfriend I did not think got her comeuppance for being such a b&tch and slimy Liam did not get his day in court for what he did to Emelie. I loved the chemistry between Emelie and Julian. Their passion was sizzling and hot. I even enjoyed their bantering back and forth. For some reason I just could not get into this story. I would read a little and put it down. I did that several times as it did not really hold my attention. I feel the overall story has potential and the plot could have used a few more twists and turns and some surprises.
Royal romances aren’t really my thing but I was intrigued by the description on this one. Prince Julian and Emelie are childhood friends until something tears them apart. They are estranged for eight years until Julian shows up on Emelie’s 24th birthday to propose marriage.
I really liked the first half of this book (probably a 4 star read). I thought it was an interesting premise and I liked the backstory of the main characters. But about mid way through, the book jumped the shark for me. The reveal of what really happened eight years prior to drive them apart did not seem very probable. And if that did happen, there needed to be a lot more processing. They put everything behind them quickly and it was insta-love.
I absolutely hated the way it ended. The resolution with Julian’s father seemed improbable. Then it was like Julian turned his back on his country and his family (which was counter to what the whole book was about).
I deleted this from my Kindle the minute I finished.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I found this one to be an enjoyable read. Julian (the Prince) and Emelie spent a lot of time together as kids due to their parents being friends. Parents being parents they often talked about Julian and Emelie getting together and so the 2 make a pact. A slight twist here as one would assume the marriage pact was to marry but it was to not marry each other. Unfortunately, Julian needs a favor, he needs to get married and quickly, and so his childhood friend has a dilemma. These two characters have wonderful chemistry as one would expect as they grew up together, and this results in some wonderful dialogue between the pair. It’s a nice story that’s well written and it’s one that is well worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the way this story started with the marriage pact negotiations with Emelie and Prince Julian. Their past history and messy drama was revealed early and I liked the way Julian reacted to the revelational information, supportive of Emelie with the news.
A very cute likeable couple whose budding love had gone awry as teenagers.
A fairytale ending that was hard to believe but satisfyingly Sweet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All this hype for a Royal wedding and the Prince thinks to call it off just because he withheld important information from Emelie, a promise broken. But really. Up until chapter 26 Prince Julian is using Emelie as a prawn, to get back at Princess of Spain, his ex girlfriend of 6 years. Liam, his was best friend but turned traitor that slept with his then girlfriend (caught red handed by Julian) and also took advantage of a then 16 year old Emelie with he was 18 (chapter 26 the truth is revealed). Now when Em reveals that night 8 years ago, and Julian witnessing that night by seeing Em and Liam leaving the same room, Julian knows he has blamed and hated the one girl he destroyed, now he fully intends to justify his wrongs. But what Em put Julian through, what Julian did to Liam and what Liam did to the Spain princess is more then I thought would happen…
Very nice . Well written.
This was not one of my favorites from this author. The writing was okay, but I didn’t really like Julian and Emelie together. I never really got the love between them, and they were both pretty immature to be in their 20’s. Emelie has a really bad habit of something not going her way, refusing to talk about it, and then running. Julian’s thing was keeping things from Emelie, and then letting her find out things the hard way. After Emelie runs home the last time, her conditions for being with Julian were unrealistic in my opinion. *Spolier* How you can ask an only child who started this whole marriage of convenience thing to save his family’s legacy, to walk away from it is beyond me. In the prologue, Emelie says she didn’t ask him to, but telling him it’s either his royalty or you is the same thing. Although I wasn’t a fan of this one, I will be looking for the next one from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
A fun, easy read about young love that turned to betrayal and a second chance that will either be a new beginning or an ending that will give them the closure they both need. A summer of love for two young people turned into the beginning of a hate that lasted 8 years. Until an opportunity presents itself and they are given a second chance. Even if it is under the guise of a five year commitment with contingencies! Accompany them on their journey from lazy summers spent in North Carolina, to castles and cottages befitting any royal worst their salt. A lovely story that obviously has a happily ever after, but I’m not spoiling any of it! You will just have to read it!
The Marriage Pact is a stand alone royal romance. Emelie and Julian haven’t seen each other in eight years, after a disastrous summer spent together, but now Julian is in Emelie’s doorstep, needing her to marry him. She can’t stand him, but when he offers her something she can’t refuse, and reluctantly agrees. Just as they start to get used to each other as adults, secrets, lies, and hidden agendas threaten to tear them apart again. Will this prince find a happily ever after with his reluctant princess?
This book is completely riveting! I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath through the first half of the book. The author did an amazing job at keeping what happened those long eight years ago in the dark and with every page turned, I kept hoping for more secrets to be told, more lies to be made, more connections to be found between the adult versions of Emelie and Julian. I really enjoyed that things never went quite how I was expecting, there’s a lot of twists and turns, including the ending! While it wasn’t my favorite ending, I did enjoy it and I think it works – I don’t want to give anything away! Emelie and Julian have a lot of bridges to cross, a lot of emotional turmoil from their past to untangle and overcome, and they both have a lot of trust to build together. Both characters are completely flawed, but fit those broken and missing pieces together perfectly. My heart hurt at times while reading this book, but it also rejoiced when you could see them connecting again, both as vulnerable people and as a passionate couple. This book completely captured my attention and heart and I loved reading it!
Oh what a whimsical, fabulous story!
The Marriage Pact is a modern day fairy tale with a twist.
This is the story of Emelie and Julian. They practically grew up together and heartbreak grew them apart.
Emelie is strong, she is brave and will do anything to help her family. She takes her role as the oldest daughter seriously. The twist in the story is heartbreaking and tragic and made me admire her all the more. She takes her responsibility and promises to Julian and does the best she can.
Julian is a prince, with the attitude and entitlement to match. He wants Emelie, but in what way? Read this story and find out!
Emelie & Julian’s chemistry is magical and so swoony!
You can feel the angst and romance come alive in the pages and I couldn’t put it down till the very end! This story is fast paced and it’s a true page turner!
Well done Ms. Renshaw!! I cannot wait to see what worlds you create next!!
WOW, this book had me hooked from the beginning, page after page. This second chance romance with hot chemistry, and heartwarming story line with twists and turns.Will Emelie and Julian be able to overcome their past and become one. Well I guess you will just have to get the book and buckle in for this hot second chance romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved diving into the fictitious land of Chamont and the handsome prince that lives there. Emelie grew up in North Carolina and her parents were friends with royalty. Every summer the King and Queen of Chamont and they son Julian would come to the US and stay with Emelie and her family. She hated Julian, he was a typical little boy who loved to prank Emelie. As they grew things started to change and by her 16th summer, his 18th their feelings for one another had definitely changed. When Emelie felt robbed of her innocence and jilted by Julian she hated him and has carried those harsh feeling for 8 years. When Julian shows up independently at her door late one night, all those feeling come rushing back. How dare he and he expects her to help him.
Julian has hated Emelie for 8 years. How dare she betray his love for her but now he has a way to not only help himself and his country but to also get revenge on her for how she ripped his young heart out all those years ago. Little does Julian know that what he and Emelie thought was actually far from the truth.
This is a great story of young love that broke apart but mends and comes back together. Their is underlying evil that has to be dealt with and hurts that have to be healed. I received an early copy to read and review and give my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and it was interesting from beginning to end for me. I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.