Customer Reviews

The Husband Trap: A Novel

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There were parts of this book which I really enjoyed. Other parts I did not like very much. I think I would have been satisfied to give it a 4 star rating if the author had just resisted the temptation to give us one last shot at the good twin/bad twin scenario. As it was, my chubby little finger hovered longingly over the 2 for a rating. I finally made myself give it a 3 because the entire middle of the book was quite good for me.

I didn't care much for the beginning because of the good twin (Violet) forever being willing to give in to the bad twin (Jeannette). It was a pattern established over their entire lives. Understandably, if this had not been the case and Violet had not taken Jeannette's place at the last minute, there would not have been a story. I know the good twin married Adrian for many reasons; yes, she was in love with him, no, she did not want to cause her family any social disgrace, but I didn't like her being such a totally weak personality. All through the entire book she remained weak, even in the face of the evidence of her own abilities and strengths. I got tired of reading how she thought Jeannette would have responded to a given situation and then Violet did not seem to respond in that way but rather in her own personal way. Why did the author continue to bring up Jeannette's way of doing things and then have Violet do it differently? I got irritated and peeved reading about it.

I liked the middle of the book where Violet began to be her own person and handle situations in her own way and be successful. She overcame many years of self doubt in order to make the lives of each person she came in contact with better. Adrian was pleased with her, comfortable with her, enjoying being with her. It was romantic to see them interact with one another. Then came the tragedy of the letter from a lover being found. Obviously Violet could not confess the truth without revealing the whole truth. Would this not have been a great time for this author to have brought these two people fully together? No, we needed more situations to occur in order to extend the book. It extended, presumably, in order to give Adrian time to realize his love for Violet while he searched for her. Why, why, why did Violet insist on remaining "Jeannette" after Adrian found her and told her that he loved her, Violet? And then to allow the evil twin to talk her into changing places AGAIN in order to test Adrian's ability to tell them apart was too much. I didn't like it. I thought it was unnecessary fill. And it just made Violet turn back into a spineless, wimpy jelly. Then, poof, it ended. Why? At least give us a glimpse into the future of these two to let us know that everything truly turned out fine (and stayed that way).

There is an excerpt in the back of this book for THE WIFE TRAP, Jeannette's story. Do you seriously think I am going to want to read more about one of the most selfish, arrogant, self centered, coniving women I've ever read about? How does this author intend to redeem Jeannette's obvious experiences with multiple men? Will there be an attempt at redemption or will she be brazen, willful, modern? For me, none of those things could possibly make me like her. I made myself finish THE HUSBAND TRAP. I will never even begin another one.

Violet Brantford has just married the man she loves. Unfortunately he believes he has married Violet's sister Jeannette. Jeanette decided minutes before her wedding to Adrian Winter that she would not marry him. Jeannette and Violet are identical twins so pulling off the ruse is easy; keeping it up will prove far more difficult though. Jeannette and Violet have very different personalities. Jeannette is spoiled and difficult and Violet is shy and quiet. Violet agrees to the ruse so that her family is not shamed but mostly because she is in love with Adrian.

Adrian senses a change in `Jeannette' on their wedding day. He thinks she is acting more like her twin sister Violet, rather than the girl he has come to know. He has had his doubts about marrying Jeannette because of her often spoiled demeanor and the rumors of her indiscretions, but he continues with the marriage more out of a sense of duty than pleasure.

As their marriage progresses, Adrian is surprised and pleased with his wife and Violet is falling more deeply in love with her passionate and caring husband. Adrian's brother Christopher 'Kit' arrives and before long he discovers what Violet is hiding. Kit agrees to keep Violet's secret and in turn he becomes her confidant.

Soon, Adrian discovers the ruse and predictably, he is furious. Violet is devastated by Adrian's anger. When Adrian has time to sort out what has transpired will he leave Violet or will he realize that she is the one he wanted all along?

The anticipation of when and how Adrian would find out about Violet and Jeannette's trickery in The Husband Trap kept me on the edge of my seat. Violet is delightful. She is kind, intelligent, and beautiful. Adrian is just as wonderful. He is a good man who is charming and handsome as well. Adrian and Violet make a lovely couple. Adrian's brother Kit is a handsome devil who gets himself into mischief often, but Jeannette is not a very nice person. Jeanette is selfish and a snob and I am curious to see if she can be redeemed. The Husband Trap however, is a wonderful story full of passion, romance and scandalous deceit.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

when i initially read the synopsis for this story i was skeptical if the author would be able to pull it off. i mean, twin switching places? sounded corny, but i decided to give it a chance, and i'm glad i did!

janette violet brantford is a twin. an overshadowed twin. while she enjoys reading books and saving helpless animals, her sister, the vivacious and selfish jeanette loves fashion, gossip, and attending balls...all traits that have made her THE success of the season.

so it would stand to reason that jeanette would attract the attention of the duke of raeburn. considered to be the most handsome and sought after bachelor in england, he is immediately smitten with jeanette and asks for her hand in marriage. she accepts. however, jeanette realizes she doesn't want to marry the duke and doesn't care a wit about ditching him at the alter. when she tells her sister janette (violet) about her plans, violet tries to dissuade her, but can't. jeanette tells violet to marry him instead if she's so concerned with the possibility of scandal.

violet has been in love with the duke (adrian) since she first laid eyes on him, so after a moment's hesitation she decides to go through with it.

the story begins with violet at the alter on the wedding day. she's saying her vows and freaking out because she's afraid adrian will immediately notice the switch and call her on it. that moment doesn't occur. instead, he's pleasantly surprised that the selfish attitude his bride displayed during their engagement has been subdued and he's grateful for the changes. he attributes it to the effects of marriage.

this was a beautiful love story. it's obvious from the very beginning that adrian and violet share many of the same interests and the chemistry is combustible. the author is skilled in her writing of the intimate scenes. they exhibit passion and emotion and skillfully draw the reader into the minds and bodies of the two leads.

there was no mystery plot here. the main conflict involved violet's guilt at duping adrian and her growing fear that she will be discovered. she also grapples with having to pretend to be her more outgoing and vivacious sister, a difficult task for the normally reticient and bookish violet.

them falling in love happens relatively conflict free until adrian suspects violet is having an affair. then her plan begins to unravel beneath the weight of a series of misunderstandings.

the character of violet was likable, although her insecurities and fear of asserting herself became aggravating traits towards the end of the book. also, adrian's character was sketchy at best because the author didn't give the reader nearly as much time inside of his mind as she did with violet.

adrian, despite the blatant proof before him that he was married to the woman who exhibits totally opposite behavior to the woman he was engaged to, doesn't figure out the plan until late. i had to wonder at his intelligence and awareness of her as a result.

i still enjoyed the story because of the passion and tenderness rendered between them. the ending was a bit unbelievable, but considering the premise, there was really no way for the situation to be resolved happily without some fantasy thrown in.

i definitely recommend this book. anyone who enjoys reading a story full of passionate intimacy and a love story absent of conflict (for the most part), will love it!

You can guess that the outgoing, popular, flighty twin decides at the last minute not to marry her fiancee (with whom her bookish twin is secretly in love) and convinces her twin to switch places with her at the last minute. While in modern days it is hard to believe that a man couldn't guess the difference, but given the strict "dating rules" of the time period this is probably not an unreasonable plot.

The author has several unique and often amusing plot twists that keep these two love birds from accepting their fate. Overall, a well written book and an entertaining read.

While Tracy Anne Warren's "The Husband Trap" did revolve around a much used plot premise (twins who trade places at the altar) with few variations, her take on the plot had one slight difference that and went a long way towards making "The Husband Trap" enjoyable and readable.

Jeanette Violet Brantford fell in love with Adrian Winter (the Duke of Raeburn) almost as soon as she met him. Unfortunately for her, the handsome duke was not similarly taken with her, choosing to court her more fashionable and flamboyant twin, Jeanette Rose, instead. Used to be overlooked and discounted by everyone, Violet taught herself to put a brave face on things and to move on. But when Rose suddenly decides, on her wedding day, that she cannot and will not marry Adrian, shy Violet finds herself in a position that she had never envisioned possible: trading places with her twin in order to marry the man she's in love with so that she can advert a scandal. Will Violet be able to pull off this masquerade? To have to pretend to be her twin (whom she's nothing like) day in and day out? Soon however, Violet learns that there are worst things than having to constantly remembering to behave like her sister, like being desperately in love with a man who thinks she's someone else...

What makes "The Husband Trap" a little different from other books with similar plots is that from the very first page, we know that Violet is very much in love in Adrian and sees this charade, much as she deplores it, as her only chance of being with him. Because of this, the reader is able to fully appreciate how difficult it is for the quieter, more thoughtful and more intellectual twin to behave like her demanding and spoilt socialite sister. And we're also able to appreciate why it is that Violet feels those flashes of pain everytime it hits home that her husband cannot tell the difference between her and her twin -- that he hasn't truly acknowledged to himself that the young girl he courted and the one he married are actually quite different personalities. I think that author did a really good job of presenting things from Violet's point-of-view. Unfortunately, because of this, the author's portrayal of Adrian suffers somewhat. Her portrayal of her hero was not so well done: Adrian comes across at first as a little self complaisant (his choice of wife turned out rather well and he cannot help but congratulate himself continually on his wise choice), while about halfway into the book he transforms into a jealous angry spouse because he thinks that Violet is playing him false. The scene where the two consummate the marriage made for truly uncomfortable and not very romantic reading (only a very young girl so totally in love with her husband would have forgiven him his actions); and really, the man notes the small differences that he notices in his wife and puts it down as "settling down into marriage?" Adrian, for all that he's supposed to be a very intelligent man is not very observant one -- which probably explains his cold, intense anger when it finally dawns on him that he's married the wrong twin. Fortunately, Adrian does redeem himself by coming to his senses in the last few chapters of the book, thus making the happily ever-after ending a credible and worthwhile one. All in all, "The Husband Trap" was a good read. And much as I didn't like the character of Violet's twin, Rose, at all, I'm rather looking forward to reading "The Wife Trap," sure that Tracy Anne Warren has another treat in store for me.

Sweet shy bespectacled bluestocking Jannette Violet Brantford is horrified when her flighty and shallow identical twin sister, Jeannette Rose, decides not to marry Adrien Winter, Duke of Raeburn, on the morning of their wedding! No wedding would mean shame and shocking distress to Violet's family. Her father and brother have already spent the marriage settlement bequeathed on them by His Grace, and the social ruin if he was left at the altar would be appalling! Soft-hearted Violet, already in love with Adrien, takes Jeannette's place and marries him, and no-one realizes, not even Adrien! Oh, he thanks his lucky stars that his wife seems - nicer - than he thought, and she wraps the adoring servants and his brother round her little finger. But over time Adrien realizes she's harbouring a secret, and thinks - with grim despair and mounting anger - she has another man. Oh, the tangled web of the deception! This charming debut is wonderfully romantic - yet you read it with trepidation, waiting for the truth to come out! Which does happen, of course, in a spectacular, black moment. But wait. We have our HEA ending, and reading it is such a pleasure.

this book was a bar of chocolate candy. It was so romantic and had almost every element that I enjoy in a romance. Usually the twin swap gets tired but this book was a "can't-put-down-until-I'm-finished kind. Loved it! I can hardly wait for the other two.

What's a girl to do when her twin sister is about to marry the man she's loved for years and the bride decides to back out of the marriage two hours before the ceremony begins? Janette "Violet" is struck with just such a problem and rather than allow her sister, Jeanette Rose, to disgrace the family and Adrian, the Duke of Raeburn by calling off the wedding in front of a thousand wedding guests, Violet stands beside Adrian at the altar and takes wedding vows meant for her sister.

Shy, retired, bookish Violet has loved Adrian since she first laid eyes on him, but he was drawn to her equally beautiful, but more extroverted, and selfish sister. Living a lie that she knows can implode on her at any moment, Violet still rejoices in her new found life and intimate caresses given by her husband. Drawing on strength she didn't know she had and observation of how her sister would act in certain circumstances, Violet manages to fool her husband, his staff and the Ton.

Adrian can't believe his luck in his choice of a bride. He knew Jeanette was self-absorbed and pouty, but the wife who captures his attention and lust is not the woman he thought her to be. The new Duchess is kind, sweet, even-tempered and understanding. And she responds to his kisses and caresses better than he could have imagined. Marriage, he decides, has done the flighty Jeanette good. He soon finds himself falling in love with his wife, something he never, ever planned to do.

Violet lives on a thin tightrope, fearful she will be discovered, fearful of how Adrian will react when he learns the truth. Soon, her identity is discovered, but by a friend, not a foe. Yet, her troubles don't stop there. Violet knows that one wrong move, one misstep, will cause her house of cards to fall and when it finally does, will her love be enough to save her marriage?

Tracy Anne Warren has weaved a wonderful story of love, deceit and passion in The Husband Trap. This a great story of the underdog winning and love conquering all. You'll be rooting for the lovely Violet and hoping Adrian will realize that, in the end, she loves him above all else and that is why she deceived him so. A must read for the Summer.

The historical romance genre appears to be on the upswing once again. And for those who love historical romance, its return will be a delight.

Tracy Anne Warren's The Husband Trap is a delightful romp into love, conflict, deception and misunderstanding.

Violet Brantford always loved Adrian Winter, but it is her identical twin sister who is to marry him. But two hours before their wedding, Jeannette refuses to go through with the ceremony. Jeannette convinces Violet to take her place. It's a simple plan really. Violet will become Jeannette and live her life--and Jeannette will live her sister's life.

And so, without Adrian Winter's, (the Duke of Raeburn) knowledge, it is Violet who stands beside him and vows to love and honor him forever.

Violet marries the man of her dreams but is unable to proclaim her true identity. Adrian believes he's married Jeannette, yet finds his wife quite different from the woman he courted. Will the twins' plan work? Will Adrian discover the deception? If found out, the scandal will destroy the Brantford family, so Violet must be very careful.

Armchair Interviews says: If you enjoy historical romance, Tracy Anne Warren writes a delightful story with interesting characters and a plot that is believable. We think you'll enjoy The Husband Trap.

So frequently we see people fall into the same mistakes as their parents that it makes you thrill to see someone decide to not make the mistakes of their parents... Of course, that often doesn't turn out well either.

I read someone's post recently that they didn't enjoy this book because they couldn't get past the hero but I thoroughly enjoyed him. He is everything I anticipate a duke from the 1800's would be - snotty, arrogant, and blind. I've met heroes that I liked much less ones that quite literally make me seethe. Adrian? Besides he was no more arrogant than a Hott man ;).