Veena’s review of Engaged at the Chatsfield (The Chatsfield, Book 0.5) by Melanie Milburne
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 01 May 14
So I read the first book in the series and couldn’t resist picking this one up as well. The concept is very cute. Intimidated by her friends, Juliet pretends to be engaged, only to find one very fake, very gorgeous fiancée behind her shoulder, glowering at her for the tall tales she can’t stop spinning.
Juliet went to school with these beautiful, entitled women and was always a butt of ridicule for them. Why she would then subject herself to further torture by attending a bachelorette party with them is beyond my understanding, but she does, and, lo and behold, the first catty remark has her hiding behind a fake fiancée and purchasing a fake ring for her finger to match.
Marcus Bainbridge, gorgeous best friend to her brother, has been having impure thoughts about his best friend’s sister and suffers a pang when he runs into her outside the hotel sporting an engagement ring. Once he finds out that the ring supposedly belongs to him and they’re ensconced in a suite courtesy of the romantic hotel staff, he needs to replace the fake diamond with one that would be worthy of something he would buy.
Is the very fake engagement real now? Well, not quite, but it’s on its way there. When I originally read the blurb, I thought it would be cute and funny, but, as it turns out, I think the book is too short for the author to develop the story and characters more fully.
Grade: C
Summary:
A whisper, a rumor, a scandal!
Glitz, luxury and decadence—Juliet Montague should be having the time of her life. Her friend’s hen party is being held at the extravagant Chatsfield Hotel, London, but when she is surrounded by perfect, ultra-stylish women, each with rings on their fingers, a fake fiancé seems her only defense.
Until that very same fake fiancé arrives at the party! Now she must persuade Marcus Bainbridge, her older brother’s gorgeous best friend, not to give the game away. But as the charade deepens, will the lines between what’s real and what’s fantasy start to blur?
Other books in this series:
