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Reviews
At The Billionaire's Wedding by Maya Rodale, Miranda Neville, Katharine Ashe, Caroline Linden
jackiehorne's review
4.0
3.5 Caroline Linden gave a talk at our local RWA chapter meeting this month, focused on writing novellas. I'm usually not a big fan of the form, often coming away from them feeling like they're just underdeveloped novels, written more for marketing than for artistic purposes. But I had picked up this collection at a recent conference, and after hearing Caroline speak, I decided to give it a try.
And it didn't disappoint. The joint theme (of romances developing around the staging of another couple's wedding) worked well to make the collection as a whole cohere, and the relationships that developed between each of the couples in the first three stories were portrayed in enough detail to make them feel plausible, not just the insta-lust kind of romance. Of this group of writers, I'm usually the biggest fan of Miranda Neville, but I found myself enjoying the stories by Ashe and Linden even more. Rodale's entry was my least favorite. Surprising, since all of the authors write primarily historical, and this is a collection set in contemporary times, the stories felt timely and their characters convincing. I'm guessing we'll be seeing more contemporaries from all of these authors in the near future.
And it didn't disappoint. The joint theme (of romances developing around the staging of another couple's wedding) worked well to make the collection as a whole cohere, and the relationships that developed between each of the couples in the first three stories were portrayed in enough detail to make them feel plausible, not just the insta-lust kind of romance. Of this group of writers, I'm usually the biggest fan of Miranda Neville, but I found myself enjoying the stories by Ashe and Linden even more. Rodale's entry was my least favorite. Surprising, since all of the authors write primarily historical, and this is a collection set in contemporary times, the stories felt timely and their characters convincing. I'm guessing we'll be seeing more contemporaries from all of these authors in the near future.
algae429's review
3.0
Cute, for what it was. I like Archer's story best, Roxanna's seemed like it was almost too contrived in order to bring plotlines together and the characters suffered for it.
joanav's review
4.0
I’ve received an eARC at no cost to the authors.
It’s been a while since I’ve read contemporary romances, so I was a bit afraid of how this was going to go. But in the end, I had no reason to be afraid. The titles of each novella were so funny that I couldn’t help but giggle and imagine how much fun I would have while reading them.
Out of the four authors, I had already read two of them: Caroline Linden and Katharine Ashe. The other two are authors I have been meaning to read but hadn’t had the chance yet – what a great way to start my love for their books!
I really liked how everything fitted together, how the wedding of Duke and Jane was kept together by everyone, not just being the line tying every story but actively being a part of each novella and its characters.
The first one was my least favourite story (maybe a 3/3.5 stars?), but the rest were all strong 4 star stories. All had delectable characters, a touch of true love and happy endings, some with a bit of trouble in the middle, others just fitting together almost perfectly. Just what I needed and was promised by this anthology.
It was very enjoyable and entertaining and I laughed out loud several times, and felt emotionally connected to the characters which made me love the book even more. I recommend it to all the fans of happy endings and especially to those incurable romantics, like me.
It’s been a while since I’ve read contemporary romances, so I was a bit afraid of how this was going to go. But in the end, I had no reason to be afraid. The titles of each novella were so funny that I couldn’t help but giggle and imagine how much fun I would have while reading them.
Out of the four authors, I had already read two of them: Caroline Linden and Katharine Ashe. The other two are authors I have been meaning to read but hadn’t had the chance yet – what a great way to start my love for their books!
I really liked how everything fitted together, how the wedding of Duke and Jane was kept together by everyone, not just being the line tying every story but actively being a part of each novella and its characters.
The first one was my least favourite story (maybe a 3/3.5 stars?), but the rest were all strong 4 star stories. All had delectable characters, a touch of true love and happy endings, some with a bit of trouble in the middle, others just fitting together almost perfectly. Just what I needed and was promised by this anthology.
It was very enjoyable and entertaining and I laughed out loud several times, and felt emotionally connected to the characters which made me love the book even more. I recommend it to all the fans of happy endings and especially to those incurable romantics, like me.
b303tilly's review
4.0
These were cute stories but the r star rating is entirely due to the third one, wherein a librarian is wooed via books. And notes in books. So great.
ctsquirrel's review
4.0
"The Best Laid Planner" by Miranda Neville
3.5/5
"Will You Be My Wi-Fi?" by Caroline Linden
4/5
"The Day It Rained Books" by Katharine Ashe
3.5/5
Enjoyed the parallels to P & P, like the gazebo in the rain, but the story as a whole didn't click.
"That Moment When You Fall In Love" by Maya Rodale
3/5
4/5 overall because I like this concept and it was executed really well. Makes me want to read the previous book [b:At the Duke's Wedding|18046127|At the Duke's Wedding (A romance anthology)|Caroline Linden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370637823s/18046127.jpg|25325576]
3.5/5
"Will You Be My Wi-Fi?" by Caroline Linden
4/5
"The Day It Rained Books" by Katharine Ashe
3.5/5
Enjoyed the parallels to P & P, like the gazebo in the rain, but the story as a whole didn't click.
"That Moment When You Fall In Love" by Maya Rodale
3/5
4/5 overall because I like this concept and it was executed really well. Makes me want to read the previous book [b:At the Duke's Wedding|18046127|At the Duke's Wedding (A romance anthology)|Caroline Linden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370637823s/18046127.jpg|25325576]
ssejig's review
3.0
Duke Austen, internet billionaire, and Jayne Sparks, romance writer, are getting married. Except the castle that they're supposed to get married in has burned down. They've found a last minute replacment, but will the wedding go off as planned?
The Best Laid Planner by Miranda Neville
It's up to planner Arwen Kilpatrick to head overseas and see whether or not Brampton House is going to be up to snuff. She encounters a man she takes to be the caretaker. Of course, he's not. A familiar trope but done okay. Three stars.
Will you be my Wi-fi? by Caroline Linden
Archer Quinn needs the internet. And not just the hopelessly slow download that everyone else is using up the hill. He tracks a faint signal to a nearby cottage where Natalie Corcoran is trying to write a cookbook (and avoid family drama). As they spend some time together, they start to find out just how much they have in common. I wouldn't quite give it the A- that Amanda from Smart Bitches gave it, but a solid three stars.
The Day it Rained Books by Katharine Ashe
Hot librarian (not really, according to the story she works in a library, which is also made plain in the story is a difference worth noting) is running a bookmobile but doesn't know that the mysterious benefactor of said bookmobile is the hot stranger who she sees in the park each Friday. Nor does she realize that he is the one footing the bill so she can go to her best friend's wedding. Creep stalker = true love? At least he realizes he's being creepy. Two and a half stars.
That Moment when You Fall in Love by Maya Rodale
This story was just a little too smug for me. We're constantly reminded that Maya Rodale wrote the book that brought Duke and Jayne together and Jayne's supposedly written a book that was actually written by Rodale... oh, and her pen name is Maya Rodale.
Supposedly this story is about a writer for Jezebel and her boss but it was fairly disjointed and never really came together. Two stars.
The Best Laid Planner by Miranda Neville
It's up to planner Arwen Kilpatrick to head overseas and see whether or not Brampton House is going to be up to snuff. She encounters a man she takes to be the caretaker. Of course, he's not. A familiar trope but done okay. Three stars.
Will you be my Wi-fi? by Caroline Linden
Archer Quinn needs the internet. And not just the hopelessly slow download that everyone else is using up the hill. He tracks a faint signal to a nearby cottage where Natalie Corcoran is trying to write a cookbook (and avoid family drama). As they spend some time together, they start to find out just how much they have in common. I wouldn't quite give it the A- that Amanda from Smart Bitches gave it, but a solid three stars.
The Day it Rained Books by Katharine Ashe
Hot librarian (not really, according to the story she works in a library, which is also made plain in the story is a difference worth noting) is running a bookmobile but doesn't know that the mysterious benefactor of said bookmobile is the hot stranger who she sees in the park each Friday. Nor does she realize that he is the one footing the bill so she can go to her best friend's wedding. Creep stalker = true love? At least he realizes he's being creepy. Two and a half stars.
That Moment when You Fall in Love by Maya Rodale
This story was just a little too smug for me. We're constantly reminded that Maya Rodale wrote the book that brought Duke and Jayne together and Jayne's supposedly written a book that was actually written by Rodale... oh, and her pen name is Maya Rodale.
Supposedly this story is about a writer for Jezebel and her boss but it was fairly disjointed and never really came together. Two stars.
shell74's review
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
‘He was handy at fixing things and great at sex, but there was a whole lot more to life than those two admirable skills. Unfortunately.’
I have to say that this was a very well-planned, clever anthology. And, of course, it was extraordinarily well written as well. I loved that each new novella was not only about a couple attending the wedding, but also built the story, piece by piece, explaining the events as we went along until we got to the big day.
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‘He was handy at fixing things and great at sex, but there was a whole lot more to life than those two admirable skills. Unfortunately.’
I have to say that this was a very well-planned, clever anthology. And, of course, it was extraordinarily well written as well. I loved that each new novella was not only about a couple attending the wedding, but also built the story, piece by piece, explaining the events as we went along until we got to the big day.
Read More
freereverie's review
4.0
Pretty damn cute- a series of four slightly interconnected love stories that happen at the wedding of tech billionaire Duke Austen and his romance novel writing bride-to-be Jane (yes, her name is going to be Jane Austen, and yes she *is* excited about it).
All of the stories are adorable in their own way (one has a librarian!), but Will You Be My Wi-Fi was probably my favorite- lawyer Archer needs access to a decent internet connection in the middle of nowhere and stumbles upon wifi signal of the adjoining cottage which just so happens to also have chef Natalie working on a cookbook. Lots and lots of delicious food descriptions, made only better by the great chemistry between these two, and an adorable cat. I'm always there for an adorable cat and tasty food times. This one made me wish Cuisine du Jude was real and that I could manage to get a table.
All in all, a couple of fun short little romances.
All of the stories are adorable in their own way (one has a librarian!), but Will You Be My Wi-Fi was probably my favorite- lawyer Archer needs access to a decent internet connection in the middle of nowhere and stumbles upon wifi signal of the adjoining cottage which just so happens to also have chef Natalie working on a cookbook. Lots and lots of delicious food descriptions, made only better by the great chemistry between these two, and an adorable cat. I'm always there for an adorable cat and tasty food times. This one made me wish Cuisine du Jude was real and that I could manage to get a table.
All in all, a couple of fun short little romances.
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