Review & Giveaway: Confessions of an Improper Bride by Jennifer Haymore

Title: Confessions of an Improper Bride
{Donovan #1}
Author: Jennifer Haymore
Published Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 384, Paperback
Reviewed By: Vanessa :)
Reason for Reading: Blog Tour and Giveaway thanks to Hachette

TWICE TEMPTED
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?
Vanessa's Review {Yup, I'm writing a review. Please be kind! lol}:
Let me begin by saying that I DO NOT typically read Historical Romance books. I usually find them corny and way to damn cheesy if not raunchy as hell. So needless to say I was VERY pleasantly surprised when I picked this book up and just couldn't put it down! I was totally not expecting to love this book. I know I should have more faith in Jennifer Haymore since Isalys loves her but hey, I've been burned by Historical Romance authors before! I am now pleased to announce that I am a part of her fan club!

Confessions of an Improper Bride is the first book in the Donovan series. The prologue begins with the Donovan twins Serena and Meg, fleeing from England because Serena had ruined her reputation. She had fallen in love with the incredibly handsome Jonathan Dane who publicly denounced her after having had his way with her. While on the ship back home, Meg tries to comfort Serena and you are able to see how much they truly care for one another. Sadly, Meg gets thrown overboard never to return again. Once their mother hears of Meg’s death, she sends an obituary to England claiming that Serena was the one to perish on the ship! The mother, behind Serena’s back, continued corresponding with Meg’s boyfriend, William Langley, and after some time passes they get engaged. Serena, feeling guilty for having shamed her family, felt obligated to abide by her mother's wishes and took on Meg's persona. Six years later, Serena and her younger sister Phoebe are sent to England to introduce Phoebe into society. There, Serena begins her journey as Meg and pretends to love a man {William Langely} who doesn’t even know the real her. To add insult to injury, his best friend happens to be none other than Jonathan Dane himself! Throughout the story she must endure the pain of having to lie to everyone as well as silently suffer the loss of both her sister Meg and Jonathan's betrayal. Her story continually tugs at your heart and you find yourself wishing at least one thing could go right for her.


I truly enjoyed reading this book. I loved Serena’s character. She is strong willed, brave, and is an intelligent woman. I admired her for holding her ground and not giving in to temptation. Even though she was leading a life that wasn’t truly hers, she felt that she was doing what was right for her family and tried to make sure no one got hurt.

I appreciated the love scenes because they weren’t raunchy and disturbingly graphic. Jennifer Haymore took the time to build up the love and lust between the characters and then, when the time was right, they had their sensual moments. I also loved the twist at the end of the book that I did NOT see coming!

Overall I, a non-historical romance lover, thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!







Now onto the Giveaway!



Giveaway runs from
August 3 -  August10
{3 Copies available}

{Important: Please leave a comment on this post stating you filled out the form! Thank you!}

Rules:
• To enter the giveaway you must complete the form (linked above) and leave a comment indicating that you've completed the form.
• Books will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.
Note: It may take several weeks to receive your prize so please be patient!
• Winners will be drawn soon after the contest ends and posted thereafter.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!
♥ Feel free to contact Vanessa via email at twerd413[at]gmail[dot]com if you have any questions ♥

Good luck!


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33 comments:

  1. Jen D. @ Not Now...I'm Reading!August 3, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    You my friend did an excellent job with this review. Is this your official first one?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amanda @ On a Book BenderAugust 3, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the giveaway. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownAugust 3, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Loved the review! I've been wanting to read this.
    I've entered the giveaway! Thanks so much for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CrystalGBAugust 3, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Great giveaway. I love Jennifer's books. I filled out the form.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MikiHopeAugust 3, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Great Review!! I love Historical Romances and Suspense and Thrillers
    the back of boxes!!!

    Michele aka MikiHope
    www.mikishope.com
    MikiHope1@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. TanyaAugust 3, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    I too am not a Historical fan, but your review has my interest piqued. Thanks for the giveaway, I am entered!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Vanessa Book ♥ SoulmatesAugust 3, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    @JEn: It's official first one within like.. the last year. lol {Not that I wrote many before anyway} I'm a chicken shit!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vanessa Book ♥ SoulmatesAugust 3, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    @Gina @Miki @Tanya: Thank you! I don't normally write reviews so I'm glad you guys liked it :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. cheyAugust 3, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Great giveaway! I filled out the form.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownAugust 3, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Great review! Sounds like an awesome book.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Rose MayAugust 3, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I'm a fan of historical romance, but haven't read this book. I filled out the form!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jen D. @ Not Now...I'm Reading!August 3, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    @Vanessa -ell stop being one because you did great.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JaneAugust 3, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Great review. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara E.August 3, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    I enjoyed the review and can't wait to read Confessions of an Improper Bride. I filled out the form.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sara MAugust 3, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I filled out the form. :) I haven't read a Historical Romance that didn't have a paranormal twist, but this sounds like a great novel to start with.

    ReplyDelete
  16. elaing8August 3, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    great review.This sounds like a great book.
    I filled out the form

    ReplyDelete
  17. GinaAugust 3, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    would love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousAugust 4, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    Loved the review! This sounds really interesting and I can't wait to read it.
    I've entered the giveaway! Thanks so much for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  19. BLHmistressAugust 4, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    For not writing too many reviews you did awesome. and I love historical romances so I definitely would love to read this.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  20. EmmaAugust 4, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Filled out the form! Thanks for a chance to win this book.

    You're review was great. Makes me want to read it right now right now, not laters laters ;-)

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. MaureenAugust 4, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    I filled out the form. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AdriAugust 4, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    :) yay!!
    entered for the giveaway!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Book SoulmatesAugust 4, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Great job on your review, my friend!! See, I knew you could do it :D

    XoXo
    ♥Isalys

    ReplyDelete
  24. KaylaAugust 4, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Great giveaway. I've filled out the form!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Johanna R JochumAugust 4, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Great review! I'm a historical romance fan and this one sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win! I've filled out the form!

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cialina at Muggle-Born.netAugust 5, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Wow! I'm so glad to hear that you really enjoyed this one - especially as someone who doesn't usually read this genre! I'm now very excited to pick this one up. :)

    I filled out the form.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Thanks for the review and giveaway! I've filled the form.

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anita YanceyAugust 6, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Loved the review. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    I filled out the form.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  29. MLAugust 7, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    Great giveaway-thank you!

    I've entered the giveaway.

    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  30. JessicaRaexoxAugust 9, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Filled out the form! :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. UnknownAugust 9, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway. I filled out the form.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Carmen ShawAugust 14, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I filled out the form, thank you for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  33. divavixenqueenSeptember 9, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Sounds like a very good book.

    ReplyDelete

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