Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Wedding Night

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT Sophie Jordan has created a regency romance that takes us beyond the rarified world of the ton in the story of two passionate people who have promised themselves never to love again.
Lady Meredith Brookshire finds herself a widow without ever truly having been a wife. She has an elderly aunt, a father suffering from dementia and a motley household of servants who depend on her. And they all may be destitute once the new earl, her husband's mysterious half brother, arrives. Her aunt convinces her that the only answer to their dilemma is for Meredith to pretend she's pregnant, an ironic situation given that her husband rejected her on their wedding night seven year ago without consummating the marriage. In nine months they plan to find a boy baby and their futures will be safe.
Nick Caulfield doesn't want to be an earl. He hated the father who turned his mother and Nick into the streets to fend for themselves. Nick has become rich as the owner of a gaming hell but he'll never forget that his mother died in poverty. When he arrives at the family estate, he's delighted to find that his brother's widow is expecting, thus relieving him of a title and responsibilities he doesn't want. But his sister-in-law is not what he expected and he's both drawn to her and protective of her and her unborn child.
Meredith had been prepared to dislike her husband's half brother who she expected to be as cold and cruel as the late earl. Instead she finds a kind, generous, incredibly attractive man who inadvertently gives her a glimpse of the pain inflicted on him by his father. She begins to feel guilty for deceiving him but she's in her lie too deep to back out.
When Nick demands that she find a husband before the end of the London season, he soon realizes that, although he doesn't trust her, he wants her in his own bed. Meredith is ready to enter into a loveless marriage, but first she longs to explore the passion she feels whenever she's with Nick.
ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT is a very satisfying story with richly developed characters and a well paced plot. Meredith and Nick both face real world practical problems which force them to make difficult decisions that challenge their sense of morality. Their attraction to each other is irresistible but the obstacles to their relationship go beyond pride and ego to deep seeded hurts that they both must be willing to face. The secondary characters are especially well drawn, enriching the story by providing interesting contrasts to the hero and heroine and occasionally a bit of humor. I think historical romance fans will be thoroughly delighted by Sophie Jordan's debut novel.

Once Upon a Wedding Night is a brilliant debut for Sophie Jordan. The characters are vibrant, the plot wonderful and the entire book a page turner. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a new historical and fresh voice!

As a note of rebuttal to comments made by MaryGrace Meloche, I strongly suggest that Ms. Meloche open her copy of OUAWN and read the date at the start of chapter one - the story begins in 1835 - the very year of the Marriage Act she noted. So, research speaking, Sophie Jordan DID NOT miss a beat - her story is plausible and very true to the times. There are documented cases (I know from doing my own geneaology research of husband's family) that brother in laws married the widows of their siblings - esp. in the case of this book's characters (which I remind you is a FICTIONAL work) where the widow had no children from the previous marriage.

So, I must say that reviewers should really consider their words carefully and the critism even more so- don't ax away at a book's flaws unless you know the facts!

Everyone Please don't miss this one!

I found this novel to be delightful. I wondered at the title until I realized that the entire story hinged on what didn't happen on one particular wedding night.

Lady Meredith Brookshire did stoop to deceipt in order to maintain her home and a way to care for her relatives and servants but at least she did have an outstanding motive. Some reviewers have criticized her for agreeing to the deception but I really don't know what else she could have done in the short time available to come up with a solution. I did get a tad irritated with her for never fully explaining to Nicholas just why she had come up with this scheme. At the points in the story where a full explanation would have cleared up a lot of problems she remained silent. Also, their passion was a fiery thing but I really would have liked to have seen their first sexual encounter take place some other time and place. She wasn't depicted as a brazen hussy but boy, she never said "No". The scene on the side of the road was also bothersome for me. Meredith just didn't seem to be the type of person who would act so impulsively and rashly in public. Maybe Ms Jordan will allow her characters in her next book to be a lot more "private".

Nicholas Caulfield was a man with a streak of resentment and suspicion a mile wide. He had to react to Meredith in the way he did, disbelieving almost everything she said, because that is the way he dealt with everyone. In his mind trusting someone was the same as being used by them as a fool. He believed that she was pregnant and even wanted to do something to make life easier for her and even provide medical care for her. Then to find out he had softened toward her and once again allowed himself to be duped came as a huge disappointment. He was a hard man but the author wanted him to be that way and it made it all the sweeter when he finally capitulated and acknowleged his love for Meredith.

As a debut novel I found it superb. As a 50th novel I would have found it superb. I just loved the character of Portia. Hopefully there will be a book for her and we will all get to catch up with Nicholas and Meredith at that time.

What a fabulous debut from a new author! I loved the heroine who felt so much responsibility for her family that she fell into a trap and had to work her way out. Great Story, very compelling, believable characters, and pure entertainment. Can't wait for the next book from this talented author.

Wow! This is one terrific romance that will appeal to every reader. If you love the darker, more emotional books you will absolutely love Once Upon A Wedding Night. Even if you usually prefer the lighter books--like me--this one will have you hooked from the start. It's like a secret baby book with no baby and a deliciously dark hero you'll want to step off of the page and into your arms. You will fall in love with all of the characters and be cheering for the happy ending you fear might never come. I can't wait for more from Sophie Jordan. She is a sure thing for my keeper shelf.

Lady Meredith Brookshire may be a virgin, but she's no shrinking violet. Married to a neglectful husband for seven years, she's now a widow who knows exactly what she wants and precisely what she doesn't--a man. The rightful heir to the Earl of Brookshire will likely send her packing, and a new husband will either keep her under his thumb or break her heart and hurt her pride just as surely as the last. The only male she is willing to welcome is a babe, who will eventually grow to become the rightful heir of Brookshire. The only trouble is that she's not pregnant. And so begins her deception. As a small boy, Nick Caulfield was banished from Oak Run with his mother, and he has lived a hard life on London streets, far from the privileged ballrooms of the ton. Nick has no use for his old life or the vagaries of fate that have made him an earl, and he is content that Meredith's child should inherit. His feelings for Meredith are somewhat more tumultuous: he is determined to dislike her simply for her connection to the family that abandoned him, and yet he can't help but grudgingly admire her. The emotional tug-of-war is driving him crazy, prompting his efforts to crack her composure just as thoroughly as she's cracked his. When Meredith's deception is revealed, Nick is furious, but he agrees to provide her with a Season so that she can find another husband and he will be free to relinquish guardianship. Two strong and stubborn wills immediately collide on subjects as varied as hair dye and acceptable flirtation techniques. And all the while, the pair can't keep their hands off each other. Meredith is discovering her own lust for a man she dislikes with a vengeance, and Nick sees in her a fiery, passionate nature that sparks his ire as easily as his desire. So as Meredith attempts to snare a husband before the Season's end, desperate to rid herself of Nick's oppressive and distractingly sexy presence, Nick conspires to thwart her at every turn, even going so far as to compromise her and then confess the deed during a suitor's proposal of marriage. Society's rules may compel them to marry, but in order for the match to be anything more than a scandal avoidance technique (with occasional bedroom visitations), the two must look to the future instead of the past, swallowing pride and squelching prejudice in order to find true love. In her eloquently penned debut, Sophie Jordan adds another level to Regency romance. This is not simply a story of a lady who must find a husband. It is a tender portrayal of two wounded individuals whose lives become more intricately woven with each meeting. The writing style is confident and sure, the prose, lush and seductive, and the dialogue, peppered with wit. Once Upon A Wedding Night is a divine debut, and Sophie Jordan is a wonderful discovery.

Lady Meredith Brookshire lives with her aunt and ailing father at Oak Run. Her negligent husband Edmund died leaving Meredith with nothing. Edmund's half brother Nicholas Caulfield has been located and should be taking over as the new Lord Brookshire. Meredith assumes Lord Nicholas will kick her and her family off the estate so she hatches a plan to trick him into letting her stay.

Nick wants nothing to do with his familial estate or becoming Lord Brookshire. He despised his father and Edmund. His arrival at Oak Run throws Meredith's emotions in turmoil. She expected Nick to be as cold and uncaring as Edmund but he appears to be neither.

The charade is up when Nick discovers Meredith's deceit. Nick decides to marry her off, but he quickly realizes that thoughts of Meredith with another man disturb him. He has no choice though, because he refuses to risk his heart.

One Upon A Wedding Night is a creatively written story. The plot twists kept me guessing and the angst had me constantly on edge. Nick and Meredith are both haunted by their pasts, but they find something very special in each other's arms. I adore them both. I wanted to throttle Nick for being so stubborn at times though, and yet, he managed to enthrall me and keep me rooting for him throughout the story. One Upon A Wedding Night is a wonderful, passionate romance.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I cannot believe this is Sophie Jordan's debut book...it was wonderful. I totally enjoyed reading it; I read it in one day.

I loved the chemistry between the hero and heroine, they sizzled when together. I loved Nic he was a total alpha male without being too cocky, he had a soft heart even though he didn't want to acknowledge it, he was hard without being cruel (that soft heart of his again). Meredith was awesome not wimpy or mushy (even though she had a few insecurities) she gave as good as she got, she stood up to Nic and did not let him push her around; I love their story and again I cannot believe this was SJ's debut novel...truly amazing.

The secondary characters are also good without taking over the book, Portia was a stand out for me I loved her, she has her own story in "Too Wicked to Tame" which I am sure most of you already know since my review is years late! :)

I recommend this book totally, it was a refreshing read.

I really loved this story! Ms. Jordan isn't afraid to write passion and emotion, and did so deftly here. Other reviewers have mentioned having difficulty with the heroine's lies, but truly -- while reading ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT I was able to immerse in the (fictional) story, to feel the true desperation of the heroine, and why she might do anything to preserve the wellbeing of the people she loved. I'm so looking forward to Ms. Jordan's next release.

Once Upon a Wedding Night is the story of Nick Caulfield and Meredith Brookshire. Meredith is the wife of Nick's late half brother Edmund. She is also a virgin. They are always virgins I've noticed. Meredith cares for her ailing father and maiden aunt as well as the staff of Oak Run. Upon Edmund's death, she fears being homeless. Thus begins the story.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I have never read anything by Sophie Jordan and while I'm not the biggest fan of historical romance, I do enjoy them on occasion. I did think it was well written and I found myself liking both Nick and Meredith, but the story was slow. Based on the title, I had assumed it would be more of a forced marriage type of story, and it wasn't.

My biggest complaints is that it seems to be two different stories mashed together. The first half of the book is all about Meredith and her life at Oak Run. The tenants, staff and her family are present in this part of the book. Then, there is the second half, after her deception is known. In this part of the book, Meredith's family all but disappears and new secondary characters are introduced. There was also much time spent on the social behaviors of the day.

I wish more had been done with the secondary characters. I liked Portia and desperately wanted to find out what happened with her. I also liked Nick's sidekick and had hoped that perhaps he and Portia would get together. I had also wished more had been done with Meredith's aunt.

Overall, this was a nice diversion, but it wasn't spectacular. The story moved slowly and there was nothing to keep the readers interest as it moved toward it's eventual and predictable end.