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 haven’t had a single disappointment from the first Winter Renshaw book I read. There is always a little twist somewhere along they way that throws you from what you are expecting. Such a great read, childhood friends/enemies to lovers.
This was an entertaining read with theme of a royal marrying the commoner. Julian and Emelie meet and hit it off as their parents summer vacation together at the same time. They were always together and they experienced a few ‘firsts’ together. However, they made a pact with one another that they would never marry. Eight years later Julien is on Emelie’s doorstep asking her to break that pact. At this point we get to learn more of the past between these two characters and if they have a shot at a future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is just a sweet, heartbreaking, angst filled story about two children who grew up together, each being the other’s first love and having it end abruptly. But as time goes on and they grow, Julian needs a favor and in his mind and heart, only Emelie can do it. If you’ve read any of Winter Renshaw’s books, then you know her writing style. The story flows, the characters are developed and relatable and the plot will take you through the twists and turns until you reach the Happily Ever After. Stay tuned though, this one ends with a twist.
This is my new favorite story by this author. Loved the characters, loved the story, loved the emotional depth.
When I first started the book I thought it would be a typical Prince needs a wife then they fall in love, but this story has a twist that grabbed me. I loved that there was history between them that they were typical teasing like siblings do, then when truth comes out one more twist that brings this HEA to a different conclusion. Girl gets guy this time, and the fairytale doesnt always mean a castle. Great characters and a fast paced read, it was fun.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emelie and Julian had a falling out as teenagers, and now years later he appears to convince her to marry him as he is a Prince that needs a wife. This is a beautifully written story which has complex characters and plot, as well as being heartbreaking, emotional, romantic, and with twists and love. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and cannot wait to read more from this gifted author, whose work I always highly recommend for all readers.
Another awesome book by Winter Renshaw, when i saw this book i didn’t even read the synopsis i just knew it was going to be a great book and i was not disappointed.
One thing i loved about this book was how fast paced it was and got straight into the story, and then we found out things along the way, this caused me to practically read the book in one sitting.
I really loved the story line of this book and i loved the whole Royal family theme as we always dream to be a princess but i really loved how Emilie took this in her stride even if she didn’t like it.
Julian was a good character and mysterious sometimes i wasn’t sure if he was just saying the right things, but when you find out what happened in their past it makes all the more interesting.
Again loved loved loved this book great story, i laughed, i was entertained and i would recommend this to anyone looking for a romantic fantastic written story.
3 1/2 stars
Personally, I really wanted to like this story. The blurb was promising and the story had elements of The Swan Princess and Princess Diaries 2 that I love. But I just couldn’t completely lose myself in the story. Emelie seemed like the great female protagonist. She was down to earth and comfortable in her own skin. But when around Julian, she seemed to just melt into this puddle. Sometimes this is a good thing but for someone that hated Julian for eight years, it surprised me how easily she forgave his transgressions. After promising to not withhold secrets, Julian tends to do whatever suits his needs. He had some redeeming qualities but went about things the wrong way. So much drama could have been spared if the two of them had spoken openly. Each time the story took a turn, I thought I would become more engrossed in the story but it shifted once more and I found it difficult to approve of the decisions taken by the characters. I did like the epilogue. It was slightly unexpected and yet expected in a way. While I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the story, I would still recommend others to give it a chance. There are some good scenes and sweet moments to enjoy.
The Marriage Pact is a wonderfully entertaining stand alone story by Winter Rensahw. I really loved the royal storyline. Royalty has always fascinated me, and daydreaming about princes and tiaras was always a favourite pastime of mine. This story was like my wish was granted. Not very many authors can captivate me but Winter Renshaw had me spellbound with her cheeky, sassy and intelligent characters. The story never lacked heart or tension, the lady and her prince were, quite simply, regally mesmirising. I was unable to put it down and read this tantalising tale in one session. 5 stars.
This really is a love/hate relationship between Emelie and Julian! Both their families spent the summer holidays together every year. Julian use to play pranks on her, she loved him, and their parents thought they would end up together!
On their last summer together something happened, which left them both feeling betrayed by the other. They made a pact that they would never marry each other!
Eight years have past and Julian turns up and asks Emelie to marry him, he has his reasons and she has hers for agreeing through with it.
The month leading up to the wedding is both fun, romantic, and filled with truths and honesty! But things don’t always go to plan and people once again get hurt. Can they both make sacrifices, put the last behind them and move on or is it too late?
I have always been a fan of Winter Renshaw! The synopsis intrigued me – who doesn’t want to marry a prince? With the hype surrounding Harry and Megan, I was ready for this book! Julian and Emelie have been childhood friends who spent the summers in North Carolina. Julian’s family seeked normalcy which is why they enjoyed their summers outside of Chamont. When Emelie turns 16, things shift between her and Julian and they become more than friends. Before Emelie knows it, Julian leaves her with a broken heart after that one summer.
Fast forward 8 years, Julian is at Emelie’s front doorstep asking for her hand in marriage. King Lionel, Julian’s father, is mentally breaking down and being married would be a requirement for Julian to take his place as king. Julian has his own agenda as his friendship with Emelie was long obliterated since the last time they saw each other.
I really wanted to love this book, however, it fell short. Julian repeatedly spoke about “that person” and what had happened between him and Emelie. I suppose I expected something bigger than what actually happened. I liked Emelie’s character, however, I was quite put off by Julian’s agenda and motives.
Overall, this book was a quick and easy read with very little drama. Although it wasn’t my favorite book by Winter Renshaw, it won’t stop me from reading her books as she is an amazing storyteller!
Winter Renshaw’s books have seemed fun, romantic and interesting since I started reading her, with heroines who are innocent but at the same time strong and with heroes who fall in love very quickly and do whatever it takes to make their woman happy.
Julian is not the exception to the rule, but this time I can’t say the same about Emelie.
This is a story that I have read and enjoyed, but not as much as I tend to like Renshaw’s books, it has missed something, that touch of genius that she usually puts in them.
It’s well written, it follows the thread of the plot very well but there are no great surprises, I really wanted to love it but it has not been like that, I repeat, I enjoyed it, that’s for sure, it’s a beautiful and sweet story, an easy-to-read book and you end up in one sitting, but for what Renshaw has had us used to (at least with the books that she has released out since last year) this story has missed something, what? I do not know exactly how to put it in words but it needed something more to be able to say that I loved it.
Maybe it was that everything was going very fast, maybe it was that everything is narrated very superficial, maybe it was that there were dialogues / situations that didn’t feel credible or that they had no reason to be, or maybe it is just that we should not like all the books of an author
It is a novel to read at the airport or while sunbathing around a pool.
I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next one.
Emilie is a school teacher and she enjoys the life she has. Julian is a Prince and needs to get married because of his father’s crazy behavior. The only person he wants to marry is Emilie so he shows up at her door step and breaks a promise he made to her when they were younger. Emilie is stunned when she sees Julian but nothing could prepared her for him asking her to marry him. She reminds him that he promised to never ask her that question and he told her if it wasn’t of great importance he wouldn’t but he needs her help. After talking to her family she reluctantly agrees to help him. Its only after they start spending time together that they realize that they have been mad and hating each other for wrong reasons. They have been people keeping them apart with secrets and lies that need to be dealt with. Will Julian be able to show Emilie he can be trusted with her heart?
This is an amazing story about a couple getting a second chance at love. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I wanted to like this book and I did for a while. Towards the end through the characters fell a little flat and the story dragged a bit. I felt like the secondary characters and the distractor story arc never really got resolved and the overall ending didn’t feel genuine based on the background laid out in the earlier chapters. I like this author and look forward to another book by her despite not loving this one.
This is a get fun read that kept me engaged until the very last page Is it relatable no is it a little far fetched you bet but sometime that is what you want to read this is definitely a modern day fairy tale
This is the story of Emilie and Julian they grew up together as their families always spent the summers together he was the boy that tormented her but he was also the one she gave her virginity to he then broke her heart when he walked away Now years later she is a teacher when Julian suddenly knocks on her door in the early hours of the morning This prince needs a wife and he is the only one he trusts but is their too much hatred between them for it to work. Will they make a go of their arrangement because after all it is a fine line between hatred and love. Do they have any chance together when others are working against them You will have to read to see if they will get their HEA
Huh. That. Was. Awesome.
Winter Renshaw took a Royal bloodline, a North Carolina Family with one family-oriented leading lady, wrapped them up in a second chance enemy to lovers pact of broken hearts, vows, and crowns. Creating a world all for Julian and Emilie to work through years of pent up aggression, tension, botch some plans and throw a Kingdom off balance!
Unquie, witty with intriguing characters, drama’d plot twists and a sweet savvy feel; The Marriage Pact was a surprising outside the norm read- I appreciated and enjoyed!
4.5 Stars!
Sometimes a second chance needs a second chance too
Emelie never wanted to see him again after their disastrous summer fling when they were teens. He still loves her but he also still has issue with her. So it’s a huge surprise to find herself caught up with Julien, Prince Julien, again. So much delicious drama, passion, tenderness, groveling…so much goodness! Everything I want in a royal romance! Paris, castles, extravagance, wicked witches, crazy kings, all sorts of goodness! Floved, floved, floved!! Emelie is smart, beautiful, elegant, and wonderful! Strong and independent. Julien is gorgeous, arrogant, intelligent, caring, and demanding…even commanding. Together they are perfect…even if it takes a few tries. I love their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The recent English royal weddings were the obvious inspiration for this book – a prince marrying a commoner. Throw in a second chance romance and a haters to lovers trope it promised to be an engrossing read. However, for me, it fell short. Emelie and Julian have a history since their families spent summers together when they were children. Despite having a crush on each other, they ended up parting in anger from a misunderstanding due to a mutual friend’s behavior. The constant rehashing from Emelie over the rebuff from Julian was tedious so that I ended up skimming a lot of the book. And even though they figure out the past misunderstanding and realize that neither were at fault, Emelie is instantly suspicious of Julian when he doesn’t immediately confide a change in circumstances. Not that Julian was perfect either! And despite his atrocious behavior many summers ago, I didn’t feel the mutual friend and his actions were satisfactorily dealt with.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I must admit, I’m a huge fan of winter Renshaw’s books. This was a bit of a different plot and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it. She did what she always does to me…she sucked me right in. Don’t we all have a fascination with royalty? Didn’t we all want to be a princess?
You will love these characters and the island of Chamot. I could keep going on and on, but I don’t want to give all the good stuff away!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet story of Julian and Emelie. I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them. Definitely did not see the twist come on why 8 years ago things went south for them! I am so glad that he came to her when he wanted a wife. Because these two belonged together. The ending was awesome!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.