The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

This predates the Bridgerton books and deal with their neighbors, back in the olden days.

Cecilia goes alone to the Colonies to find her brother in the middle of a certain war. Instead she ends up caring for his friend Edward.

I liked Cecilia, she had lost her friend, her cousin was an ass and she set out alone. And sure telling people that she had married Edward was not the best thing to do. But it was the only way they would let her near him. And to continue, well it was the only way to learn of her brother.

And since they fall in love all is forgiven.

Eward was a cutie!

Good good. I am makin it short today

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true...

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby. 

Mass Market Paperback, 374 pages

Published May 30th 2017 by Avon

Series: Rokesbys #2

Historical romance

Own

Audio: The Other Miss Bridgerton - Julia Quinn

Audiobook, Unabridged 10h

Published November 20th 2018 by HarperAudio

Series: Rokesbys #3

Historical romance

Thank you Harper for this review copy

My Thoughts

I still have book 2 sitting in my shelf, but that is the good thing with his rom, you can read out of order.

Poppy was, well her name suits her. She was fun, insightful and wanted to know everything. Which lands her in trouble and she is kidnapped by pirates.

Ok privateers.

Nope, not even that. The captain is an agent of the crown, so sorry, no pirates!

Andrew is a Rokesby. His brother is married to Poppy's cousin. His family thinks he is out there being a normal captain and not secret agent man. But omg Andrew, why could you not tell her! I get that is should be a secret because he does carry secrets, but just tell her who you are! Men!

A lot of the book takes place on the ship where they slowly get to know each other. Because he really is a gentlemen even if he can not tell her the truth.

Then there is some danger, and a certain smexy scene that made me go all come on you two! Not there!

Something was a bit wrong though. It lacked that Quinn-ess. The funny wit. Maybe ship books are not for her. But then the thing is, not a lot to do on a ship.

Conclusion:
Cute. Banter. Two people that fit so well together.

Narrator.

Sorry, but Andrew did not sound that smexy. He sounded like some 60 year old. SO sad. I did like her Poppy voice, that fit really well.

But I do fear I have read too many Quinn books, because in my head this was not the Quinn narrator in my head. Which is my own voice ;) I wish I had gone the all Quinn as audio route

Blurb

He was in the wrong place... 

Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed…

He found her at the wrong time... 

Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he’s stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real—and his duty to the Crown means he's stuck with her.

Can two wrongs make the most perfect right? 

When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal—though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew’s secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart…? 

Because of Miss Bridgerton - Julia Quinn

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places... This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without... 

My thoughts:
I do like Quinn's books, they are sweet! 

Though to be honest, nope, I have not read all the Bridgerton books, as this is their aunt, it obviously takes places long before those books.

Anyway, this is about Billie Bridgerton. She helps her dad with the estate, she knows every tenant and animal, she wears breeches and hunt. And she knows that she might not be a proper miss, but she does not care.

George Rokesby watched Billie run wild with his younger brothers and sister when they were kids. He thinks she is a hoyden.

They do not care for each other.

Awww, I know right, the perfect start. She thinks he is boring, he thinks she is too wild. But all the other Rokesby's have left. These two end up together, they have actual conversations. And then the banter starts, you know you can never go wrong with banter, cos it will make them realise that they actually like each other.

A sweet story. I liked how their love for each other slowly dawned on them.

Cover
Not really fitting for the era, but I will take it

Mass Market Paperback, 375 pages
Published March 29th 2016 by Avon
Rokesbys #1
Historical romance
Own