Giveaway and Review: "Confessions of an Improper Bride"

"Confessions of an Improper Bride"
by Jennifer Haymore

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: Aug 1, 2011

Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from goodreads.com:
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?

My Review:

My favorite thing about Jennifer Haymore is that she really knows how to write about overwhelming, all-consuming love. Her characters are always over the moon for each other, which is exactly what I want in a historical romance. At the same time, her writing is never sappy and the love story always feel real.

The plot was new and different for me. I liked the tangled web created by Serena masquerading as her sister. The almost love triangle or even love square was intriguing.But it was so sad that Serena's sister Meg had been lost at sea which was what set the whole plot in motion. I liked the situation with Meg/Serena's fiance, Will, and I thought it was tied up well in the end without being too easy.

Jonathan did some very bad things but I can honestly say he redeemed himself in my opinion. I don't say that often about romance heroes, I'm not so fast to forgive them But Jonathan really showed Serena he was sorry and that he had changed, instead of just telling her.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. I sincerely hope we get to see more of Serena and Jonathan as the older and wiser couple in her sisters' stories. And I hope Meg gets to have her own story somehow.


Main Characters: 5/5 
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5


Bottom Line:  Two strong leads, a captivating romance, and a great start to a new series!



GIVEAWAY RULES:
Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • US and Canada only
  • No PO Boxes please
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by Hachette, it is the publisher's responsibility to mail out the prizes. Please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery.
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Thurs August 18
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!  

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27 comments

  1. Karen CAugust 5, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    I really like the blurb for this book and have it on my TBR list - sounds like a really good read.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Audrey August 5, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    Thanks for the great giveaway! I'm a GFC follower as audreyclair.
    twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. BlodeueddAugust 5, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    Poor Meg, she must be alive!

    But yes the whole Will situation, I can't see him for her, cos then I'd get upset

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jenn of Frequent Reader, Infrequent BloggerAugust 5, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    It sounds like a really interesting book. How did the sister end up lost at sea? Now was Jonathan the one she was supposed to marry after all?

    Great giveaway. Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/jdonnelly14/status/99420967696207872

    jennlovesed14 at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    enjoying the reviews on this book...can not wait to read

    GFC Follower seachele71
    seachele71@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I'm so glad you liked it!!
    I do love the sound of this book and I hope I can like it when I get my paws on it - because I read one of her earlier books and I wasn't too impressed.

    Also, love the cover, it's very Romance Novel but in the best of ways.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    This book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I'm a follower
    jenalang(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. In Julie's OpinionAugust 5, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    I would really love to read this book! It sounds so good! Thanks for a chance to win a copy:)
    jwitt33 at live dot com
    GFC follower

    ReplyDelete
  9. winnieAugust 5, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Thanks for your views on this book! I am really liking the sound of it and would love to read it to see how this second chance at love plays out! Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC follower

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara E.August 5, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    I enjoyed reading your review. Confessions of an improper Bride sounds fantastic and I'm looking forward to reading it.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownAugust 5, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Great review and I'm glad the hero redeemed himself. thanks for the giveaway
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. KatieAugust 5, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    looks like a fun book! thanks for the giveaway!
    katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. June M.August 5, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I would love to win this book. It sounds like a great story. From what I have read about the story so far, I too hope that her sister Meg gets a story in the future.

    GFC follower: June M
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    Tweet link: http://twitter.com/#!/JuneAnnM/status/99651437021241344

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cialina at Muggle-Born.netAugust 5, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Wow! I've been seeing a ton of great reviews for this one. I think I may have to give it a shot. I was quite a bit turned off by the title and cover but I guess I shouldn't let that stop me from reading it! Thanks for the review.

    books[a]muggle-born.net
    I'm a GFC follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. LilMissMollyAugust 7, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    This books looks and sounds so good. I'd love to read it. Thanks for the interview!
    lvsgund at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. elaing8August 7, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Great review.Everyone who's been reviewing this book loves it.I can't wait to read it.

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/100246575653195776

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  17. ♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡August 8, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    I tweeted your giveaway

    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Carol L.August 10, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Thanks for the opportunity to win. I love Jennifer's books and look forward to the start of her new series. GFC follower under Lucky47.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  19. nfmgirlAugust 12, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Thank you for the giveaway! Please count me in. Thank you!

    I follow: nfmgirl

    Blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-08-07-11.html

    Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/nfmgirl/status/102028645966688256

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  20. JoniAugust 12, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Great review of an interesting book. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

    o2oole(at)verizon(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lin RyalsAugust 13, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!! smithlinda60(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. fdigsbyAugust 14, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    gfc follower

    I would love to win!

    felecia@twinoaksfl.org

    ReplyDelete
  23. Literary ChanteuseAugust 15, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Sounds like a good one! Count me in!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    I love the cover of this book. It strikes a cord for me.
    The story line is interesting. Ms Haymore's stories always offer interesting characters and plots that have enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. I look forward to this series.

    I am a GFC Follower, librarypat.

    librarytpat AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jessica (Peace Love Books)August 15, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks so much for this giveaway!! This books sounds awesome! Great review!

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  26. Texas Book LoverAugust 16, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    I am a GFC follower! Thanks for the chance!

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. CHRISTIESeptember 3, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I really enjoyed this one too :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!

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