Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie. Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?
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"With beautifully rendered characters, lush sensuality, and a riveting story line, this well-told tale puts a refreshing spin on both the hidden identity and classic reunion plots and gets Haymore's new series off to a delightful start."--Library Journal
Book Description
Rising star Jennifer Haymore's latest sensual historical romance launches a new series for the Forever list.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By britgirl
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The story begins with twin sisters Meg and Serena Donovan on board a ship home. Meg is on her way to marry her sweetheart, Captain William Langley. Serena, however, is in disgrace, after being caught with Jonathan Dane, the son of the Earl of Stratford. She'd hoped Jonathan had loved her enough to stand up to the gossip, but he'd coldly dismissed her. On their way, a storm brews on the ship, and Meg is tossed overboard, never to be seen again. Knowing Serena will never be accepted into society again, her mother tells Serena to lie and say Serena was the one who actually died. Her mother has also kept up correspondence with Langley, impersonating Meg, so Langley marries her, thus making prospective matches available to her other daughter, Phoebe, who is a teenager.
Serena aka Meg isn't happy with the lie, but realises she doesn't have much choice, as she wants to be accepted again, but doesn't want to hurt Langley. She begins to regret her lie, when she discovers he's still friends with Jonathan Dane, who's now the new Earl of Stratford. As Meg, she says Serena would be hurt, but Langley disagrees, saying he's a changed man. But the more she sees Stratford, the more she struggles to pretend to be her sister.
In the past six years since Jonathan had cruelly dismissed Serena, he's truly regretted his actions. His father had implored him to leave her or face being cut off. Since learning of Serena's 'death,' his life went downhill. He practically stuck two fingers up at his father, began drinking, gambling and womanising. Rumours start he even has a child with someone. He then tells his father before he dies he'll never marry, hating him for making him get rid of Serena.
But when Jonathan sees Meg, he struggles to believe it's actually her. He remembers some of Serena's habits, and when he spots Meg doing them, he confronts her. When he discovers Meg is actually Serena, he vows to make her his. But Serena is hesistant, as she doesn't want to hurt Langley, nor be hurt by Jonathan again. Over time, Jonathan begins to win her trust again, even helping her when Phoebe runs off with a former rake. But Serena realises she must make a decision whether to admit the truth or continue her lie.
Overall, the book was amazing. This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I long to read the next one in the series.
Serena aka Meg isn't happy with the lie, but realises she doesn't have much choice, as she wants to be accepted again, but doesn't want to hurt Langley. She begins to regret her lie, when she discovers he's still friends with Jonathan Dane, who's now the new Earl of Stratford. As Meg, she says Serena would be hurt, but Langley disagrees, saying he's a changed man. But the more she sees Stratford, the more she struggles to pretend to be her sister.
In the past six years since Jonathan had cruelly dismissed Serena, he's truly regretted his actions. His father had implored him to leave her or face being cut off. Since learning of Serena's 'death,' his life went downhill. He practically stuck two fingers up at his father, began drinking, gambling and womanising. Rumours start he even has a child with someone. He then tells his father before he dies he'll never marry, hating him for making him get rid of Serena.
But when Jonathan sees Meg, he struggles to believe it's actually her. He remembers some of Serena's habits, and when he spots Meg doing them, he confronts her. When he discovers Meg is actually Serena, he vows to make her his. But Serena is hesistant, as she doesn't want to hurt Langley, nor be hurt by Jonathan again. Over time, Jonathan begins to win her trust again, even helping her when Phoebe runs off with a former rake. But Serena realises she must make a decision whether to admit the truth or continue her lie.
Overall, the book was amazing. This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I long to read the next one in the series.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
18 of 23 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
disagree entirely!!
15 Aug 2011
By cindy
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book was soooooo disappointing to me with a story line so far fetched that I eventually skimmer through the last few chapters.
I absolutely loathed this hero.
He correctly labels himself a 'coward' after dismissing and distroying the reputation of his 'love' and then spends the next six years further debasing himself bedding anything in a skirt. This so called 'hero' didn't discriminate either....bedding everything from virgins, barmaids, hookers and married women...(maybe even trousers)...after all he couldn't keep it in his pants...yet he carried no STD's and never fathered a child. Riiiighttttt!!!! ..and we are expected to find something redeeming in his character. What exactly was there to 'love' about his character? What was there to admire about him? He had no honor or integrity and suffered a severe case of immaturity and selfishness right up to the end of the book.
Honestly.....I am so tired of authors telling the same sad story of the 'hero' drinking, gambling and whoring his way through women....and the fact that the heroine never even questions whether he might carry disease is just way to over the top! I ask you....what woman wants to be with a man that has bedded a dozen women never mind hundreds...(as the authors would have you believe.)
This book is headed for the garbage bin....what a terrible waste of time and money!
I absolutely loathed this hero.
He correctly labels himself a 'coward' after dismissing and distroying the reputation of his 'love' and then spends the next six years further debasing himself bedding anything in a skirt. This so called 'hero' didn't discriminate either....bedding everything from virgins, barmaids, hookers and married women...(maybe even trousers)...after all he couldn't keep it in his pants...yet he carried no STD's and never fathered a child. Riiiighttttt!!!! ..and we are expected to find something redeeming in his character. What exactly was there to 'love' about his character? What was there to admire about him? He had no honor or integrity and suffered a severe case of immaturity and selfishness right up to the end of the book.
Honestly.....I am so tired of authors telling the same sad story of the 'hero' drinking, gambling and whoring his way through women....and the fact that the heroine never even questions whether he might carry disease is just way to over the top! I ask you....what woman wants to be with a man that has bedded a dozen women never mind hundreds...(as the authors would have you believe.)
This book is headed for the garbage bin....what a terrible waste of time and money!
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very, very good
28 July 2011
By Jen
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
What a surprising gem this book turned out to be. It wrapped me up from the very beginning and I didn't want to put it down until it was over.
At just 18, Serena Donovan fell in love during her first season in London. But Jonathan was above her station. When the two of them were caught in the midst of a tryst, she was ruined in the eyes of society. And Jonathan turned his back on her. She was forced to set sail for her home in Anguila, with her twin sister Meg at her side. During a storm at sea, Meg went overboard and was never found.
Six years later, Serena discovers that her mother informed London society that it was she, not her sister, who died in that tragic accident. What's more, her mother has been corresponding with Will, the man Meg had been in love with. Will has believed he has been writing to Meg all this time and has now asked her to return to London to wed. Serena's mother insists that Serena go in Meg's place. If she marries Will, she can restore honor to the family and help finance a future for her younger sisters.
When Serena arrives in London, she comes face to face with Jonathan again. He's the only one who seems to recognize her for who she really is. Of course, this takes time to come out in the open. In the interim, Serena does her best to stay away from the man who broke her heart so completely all those years ago. But it's a losing battle.
There was so much raw emotion in this book. Serena's anguish over her past is palpable. She is such a sympathetic character, because you can see how trusting and in love she once was. Her shattered self esteem is crushed even more as she is forced to sublimate herself to take on her "good" sister's persona. But she does it for her family... for her remaining sisters who would have no future otherwise. She struggles with the lies she must tell and fights her own heart to stay away from Jonathan... even after he reveals that he knows who she is. And even though it would be easy to hate Jonathan for all he put Serena through, you can see the depth of his grief at her loss --and the honesty in his love for her now.
It was really very good and makes me want to find more from Jennifer Haymore. Almost 5 stars.
At just 18, Serena Donovan fell in love during her first season in London. But Jonathan was above her station. When the two of them were caught in the midst of a tryst, she was ruined in the eyes of society. And Jonathan turned his back on her. She was forced to set sail for her home in Anguila, with her twin sister Meg at her side. During a storm at sea, Meg went overboard and was never found.
Six years later, Serena discovers that her mother informed London society that it was she, not her sister, who died in that tragic accident. What's more, her mother has been corresponding with Will, the man Meg had been in love with. Will has believed he has been writing to Meg all this time and has now asked her to return to London to wed. Serena's mother insists that Serena go in Meg's place. If she marries Will, she can restore honor to the family and help finance a future for her younger sisters.
When Serena arrives in London, she comes face to face with Jonathan again. He's the only one who seems to recognize her for who she really is. Of course, this takes time to come out in the open. In the interim, Serena does her best to stay away from the man who broke her heart so completely all those years ago. But it's a losing battle.
There was so much raw emotion in this book. Serena's anguish over her past is palpable. She is such a sympathetic character, because you can see how trusting and in love she once was. Her shattered self esteem is crushed even more as she is forced to sublimate herself to take on her "good" sister's persona. But she does it for her family... for her remaining sisters who would have no future otherwise. She struggles with the lies she must tell and fights her own heart to stay away from Jonathan... even after he reveals that he knows who she is. And even though it would be easy to hate Jonathan for all he put Serena through, you can see the depth of his grief at her loss --and the honesty in his love for her now.
It was really very good and makes me want to find more from Jennifer Haymore. Almost 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Confessions of an Improper Bride is a beautiful and enticing romance..."
25 Jun 2012
By M. Nix
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Serena Donovan's first trip to London was six years ago. One season among London's ton had her falling in love and promptly getting her heart broken. She was forced to leave London under a cloud of disgrace. Unfortunately, her life was about to get more dire as Serena was forced to watch her beloved twin Meg fall overboard on their way home to Antigua.
Now Serena is back in London posing as her twin sister Meg. Serena's mother is hoping to restore the family name by marrying her off to a titled man as Meg. The only problem with this scenario is the one man that left Serena heartbroken seems to know the secret that she's keeping.
Jonathan Dane has one regret; he let the woman he loved be disgraced and that led to her death. Jonathan let his family tell him what to do all those years ago and the woman he loved died because of it. Jonathan has vowed to bring disgrace to his family name as vengeance against his loss. However, when Meg Donovan comes back to London to marry his friend, Jonathan cannot escape the feeling that Meg is truly his Serena. And if that's true Jonathan will do whatever possible to win the heart of the woman he loves and make her his forever.
Confessions of an Improper Bride is a beautiful and enticing romance. Serena is quite the complex character. She led with her heart once and was destroyed. Now she is determined to do the right thing for her family regardless of her feelings. Her struggle with her feelings regarding taking on the identity of her deceased twin Meg is a powerful plot. I can't get enough of Jonathan. Of course, I was deeply upset with him for the decision he made the first time around with Serena but he does his best to correct past wrongs here. The depth of his feelings for Serena is what makes this story so compelling. Jonathan is unwilling to watch the woman he loves leave him again. And there is something so romantic about the fact that he can see through Serena's disguise as Meg. He truly knows his lover. Confessions of an Improper Bride is a wonderful start to what is sure to be a lovely historical series featuring strong female characters.
Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed
Now Serena is back in London posing as her twin sister Meg. Serena's mother is hoping to restore the family name by marrying her off to a titled man as Meg. The only problem with this scenario is the one man that left Serena heartbroken seems to know the secret that she's keeping.
Jonathan Dane has one regret; he let the woman he loved be disgraced and that led to her death. Jonathan let his family tell him what to do all those years ago and the woman he loved died because of it. Jonathan has vowed to bring disgrace to his family name as vengeance against his loss. However, when Meg Donovan comes back to London to marry his friend, Jonathan cannot escape the feeling that Meg is truly his Serena. And if that's true Jonathan will do whatever possible to win the heart of the woman he loves and make her his forever.
Confessions of an Improper Bride is a beautiful and enticing romance. Serena is quite the complex character. She led with her heart once and was destroyed. Now she is determined to do the right thing for her family regardless of her feelings. Her struggle with her feelings regarding taking on the identity of her deceased twin Meg is a powerful plot. I can't get enough of Jonathan. Of course, I was deeply upset with him for the decision he made the first time around with Serena but he does his best to correct past wrongs here. The depth of his feelings for Serena is what makes this story so compelling. Jonathan is unwilling to watch the woman he loves leave him again. And there is something so romantic about the fact that he can see through Serena's disguise as Meg. He truly knows his lover. Confessions of an Improper Bride is a wonderful start to what is sure to be a lovely historical series featuring strong female characters.
Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed
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