The Importance of Being Married: A Novel [Paperback]

Gemma Townley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2008

Jessica Wild isn’t big on commitment. But after inheriting millions from Grace, a sweet old lady she met in her grandmother’s nursing home, the situation seems to have changed. To put an end to the many questions about her nonexistent love life, Jess had led Grace to believe she had a boyfriend-turned-fiancé-turned-husband: her glamorous boss, Anthony Milton. But Jess’s fantasy to keep Grace happy has backfired–Grace has passed away and left her fortune not to Jessica Wild but to Mrs. Jessica Milton.

Having weighed all legal options, Jess comes to the realization that there’s only one thing she can do: get Anthony to fall in love with her and pop the question for real. With help from her feisty best friend, Helen, Jess reluctantly learns the art of flirting, seduction, and playing hard to get. But just when it appears that Anthony is about to ask the (literal) million-dollar question, Jess finds herself wondering if it’s right to say “I do” for all the wrong reasons.

The first novel in Gemma Townley’s exciting new Wild trilogy, The Importance of Being Married introduces an irresistible heroine caught up in a scheme that could change her life forever.

“Gemma Townley writes with such charm and humor that it’s impossible not to get swept up in The Importance of Being Married. This sweet, funny novel takes on love and marriage from a whole new angle.”
–Holly Peterson, author of The Manny

“Is it really ‘Just as easy to marry for money’? Gemma Townley provides a how-to–as well as a hilarious and heartfelt answer. A fast-paced, fun read.”
–Lynn Schnurnberger, co-author of The Men I Didn’t Marry

“Warm, witty, and always entertaining, Gemma Townley leads us on a fun romp that pays homage to Mr. Wilde himself.”
–Alexandra Potter, author of Me and Mr. Darcy

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Townley (Little White Lies) misses the mark with this chronicle of the tangled web spun by Jessica Wild and her cohorts after Jessica unexpectedly inherits a fortune. After befriending Grace Hampton, a kindly woman at a nursing home, single workaholic Jessica fibs to her hopeful friend, saying she's dating—and eventually married to—advertising giant Anthony Milton. Upon Grace's death, Jessica discovers that she, or rather, Mrs. Milton, is the heir to Grace's vast fortune. A clause in the will states that she has 50 days to claim her newfound riches. Rather than admit her lie, Jessica decides to try and get Anthony to marry her. So begins a whisper-thin plot that involves a high-paid escort who teaches Jessica tricks (like pushing her cleavage out) and a matchmaker who advises Jessica to play hardball. After a couple of dates, Anthony caves, and the second half of the book is eaten up by wedding planning and Jessica's pining for Anthony's friend. A salvo of screwball surprises explode in the third act, but these only help sink the book. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Townley’s new novel is a takeoff on Oscar Wilde’s famous play The Importance of Being Earnest. Her heroine, Jessica Wild, has eschewed love for most of her life, but her grandmother’s friend, Grace, feels differently. As Grace continues to press Jessica about her love life, Jessica finds herself inventing a relationship just to please Grace, whom she’s grown very fond of. She tells Grace she’s dating her boss, the dashing Anthony Milton, and takes the charade so far that she tells Grace she and Anthony are married. When Grace dies, she leaves Jessica her fortune, but she bequeaths it to Mrs. Jessica Milton. Jessica has only 50 days to get her playboy boss to fall for her—and marry her. Her friends give her a makeover and help her find her inner flirt. Jessica is shocked when her new look and attitude draw Anthony’s attention, but even as her boss starts to fall for her, Jessica can’t help being drawn to another colleague, the more serious Max. Chick lit with a clever twist, Townley’s latest is a wild, fun ride. --Kristine Huntley

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345499808
• ISBN-13: 978-0345499806
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #913,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

GEMMA TOWNLEY is also the author of Little White Lies. She launched her writing career at the age of sixteen with a book review in Harpers & Queen. While at Reading University, Gemma, a singer, cellist, and bassist, found time to record two albums with her band, Blueboy, with which she toured the U.K., France, and Japan. After graduating, she worked on and contributed to a number of magazines, including Homes and Ideas, Pay Magazine, Expat Investor, and Company. She also wrote about music for style magazines including G-Spot and Second Generation. She later became an editor at Financial Management magazine.Gemma is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is studying for an MBA at Henley Management College. She lives in West London with her husband, Mark..

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I've Read Better, November 29, 2008

By 

Butterscotch (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Importance of Being Married: A Novel (Paperback)

This book was marginally interesting; it actually started out with a great female character and a realistic plot and then, somehow, got unrealistic very fast. Jessica Wild inherits an exorbitant amount of money, but she pretended to be married in order to get the money; she now has only 50 days to get married or lose the estate. Although the book was about marriage there was not much romance in this book (hardly any), and the story was plot-driven and not character-driven. That left the characters really undeveloped and one-dimensional and the plot, unfortunately, unbelievable. The beginning chapters were fun, but by the end of the book I didn't have much interest left in Jessica's life and troubles.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Annoying heroine but still fun read..., September 1, 2008

By 

kastarte2 "Kate" (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Importance of Being Married: A Novel (Paperback)

If you can over look a weak heroine who lets everybody in her life tell her what to do, then this is a fun read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, October 1, 2008

By 

Julia "Bookworm27" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Importance of Being Married: A Novel (Paperback)

It's very typical for me to take about a week to finish a book because I may not have the chance or desire to pick it up. I finished this in two days, in addition to having a 4 yr old running about, which is an accomplishment for me. It never once got boring. All the characters were great and I especially loved Max. He was so realistic I want him as my boyfriend!!! So this is going to be a trilogy? Can't wait to read the next!