Though Bernard wishes to use Annabelle to propel his family up the social ladder, his son does not wish to marry her, preferring instead to live the wild, single life he is accustomed to. With this, Bernard serves his son an ultimatum: marry Annabelle, or make do without family funds. Having no choice, Reginald consents, and enters into a hostile engagement in which the prospective bride and groom are openly antagonistic, each one resenting the other for their current state of affairs while their respective fathers revel in their suffering.
So begins an intoxicating tale rife with dark secrets, deception, and the trials of love - a story in which very little is as it seems.
©2009 Mary Balogh; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
"Wonderful romance with a twist"
I am a long-time Mary Balogh fan and have been getting a little tired of her stories of late. However, this book reminded me of why she is so great. Wonderful romance with a twist. The narrator did take a little getting used to, but I quickly got passed that and would happily listen to Anne Flosnik again. Well worth the purchase price and four of my happiest hours spent this Christmas...
Audio-fiction ADDICT !
"Short and sweet :)"
Loved it! Short and sweet with unexpected turns . Loved the mail characters . I would really reccomand it :)
"Short and Sweet"
This is a lovely little tale. Good narration. I'm glad Balaogh did not embellish this with a lot of uncecessary details.
"One of my favorite Balogh books"
Not so much. Though the narrator wasn't awful, she definitely is not one of my favorites.
I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns.
Oh... just didn't much care for her style.
The ending.
It's one of those stories I enjoyed as much, if not more, the second time around.
"Loved it!"
A great listen! I am a Mary Balogh fan and this book is everything I expect from this author and more. The characters have depth as does the story - so much so I listened to it twice in close succession and enjoyed my second listen every bit as much as the first.
"Really enjoyed this book"
Great story line. Kept you interested the whole time. Loved the extra twists in the story. Good narration. Great book.
"Surprise!"
I thought it was going to be a sugary, brainless story... the kind I listen to because they reduce stress. I did not expect the plot twist. I didn't see it coming... but you might since you're reading this. I enjoyed the story.
"Almost too short but most enjoyable."
I like the narrator and the story was never boring.
Reginald and Annabelle are the main characters and they were delightful.
I like flashbacks and there were plenty.
I don't like short stories and I am glad this one went a little beyond so that I did not pass it by. However, it appears to be the dying to become a real novel.
"Mary did well"
It did not fit the normal historical story line.
I actually really like the way she narrates. I feel she fits the genre really well.
I just love the twist.
"Crips and Sweet"
Definitely worth the listen. With a new twist on a "happily every after" type romance story, this book quickly became one I was glad I purchased. I can honestly say I was very pleasantly surprised and found myself smiling throughout most of the book, and then at the end I wanted to listen again. Two thumbs up.