Once Upon a Wedding Night (The Derrings, 1)

Lady Meredith Brookshire lives with her aunt and ailing father at Oak Run. Her negligent husband Edmund died leaving Meredith with nothing. Edmund's half brother Nicholas Caulfield has been located and should be taking over as the new Lord Brookshire. Meredith assumes Lord Nicholas will kick her and her family off the estate so she hatches a plan to trick him into letting her stay. Nick wants nothing to do with his familial estate or becoming Lord Brookshire. He despised his father and Edmund. His arrival at Oak Run throws Meredith's emotions in turmoil. She expected Nick to be as cold and uncaring as Edmund but he appears to be neither. The charade is up when Nick discovers Meredith's deceit. Nick decides to marry her off, but he quickly realizes that thoughts of Meredith with another man disturb him. He has no choice though, because he refuses to risk his heart. One Upon A Wedding Night is a creatively written story. The plot twists kept me guessing and the angst had me constantly on edge. Nick and Meredith are both haunted by their pasts, but they find something very special in each other's arms. I adore them both. I wanted to throttle Nick for being so stubborn at times though, and yet, he managed to enthrall me and keep me rooting for him throughout the story. One Upon A Wedding Night is a wonderful, passionate romance. Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I found this novel to be delightful. I wondered at the title until I realized that the entire story hinged on what didn't happen on one particular wedding night. Lady Meredith Brookshire did stoop to deceipt in order to maintain her home and a way to care for her relatives and servants but at least she did have an outstanding motive. Some reviewers have criticized her for agreeing to the deception but I really don't know what else she could have done in the short time available to come up with a solution. I did get a tad irritated with her for never fully explaining to Nicholas just why she had come up with this scheme. At the points in the story where a full explanation would have cleared up a lot of problems she remained silent. Also, their passion was a fiery thing but I really would have liked to have seen their first sexual encounter take place some other time and place. She wasn't depicted as a brazen hussy but boy, she never said "No". The scene on the side of the road was also bothersome for me. Meredith just didn't seem to be the type of person who would act so impulsively and rashly in public. Maybe Ms Jordan will allow her characters in her next book to be a lot more "private". Nicholas Caulfield was a man with a streak of resentment and suspicion a mile wide. He had to react to Meredith in the way he did, disbelieving almost everything she said, because that is the way he dealt with everyone. In his mind trusting someone was the same as being used by them as a fool. He believed that she was pregnant and even wanted to do something to make life easier for her and even provide medical care for her. Then to find out he had softened toward her and once again allowed himself to be duped came as a huge disappointment. He was a hard man but the author wanted him to be that way and it made it all the sweeter when he finally capitulated and acknowleged his love for Meredith. As a debut novel I found it superb. As a 50th novel I would have found it superb. I just loved the character of Portia. Hopefully there will be a book for her and we will all get to catch up with Nicholas and Meredith at that time.

What a fabulous debut from a new author! I loved the heroine who felt so much responsibility for her family that she fell into a trap and had to work her way out. Great Story, very compelling, believable characters, and pure entertainment. Can't wait for the next book from this talented author.

Once Upon a Wedding Night is a brilliant debut for Sophie Jordan. The characters are vibrant, the plot wonderful and the entire book a page turner. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a new historical and fresh voice! As a note of rebuttal to comments made by MaryGrace Meloche, I strongly suggest that Ms. Meloche open her copy of OUAWN and read the date at the start of chapter one - the story begins in 1835 - the very year of the Marriage Act she noted. So, research speaking, Sophie Jordan DID NOT miss a beat - her story is plausible and very true to the times. There are documented cases (I know from doing my own geneaology research of husband's family) that brother in laws married the widows of their siblings - esp. in the case of this book's characters (which I remind you is a FICTIONAL work) where the widow had no children from the previous marriage. So, I must say that reviewers should really consider their words carefully and the critism even more so- don't ax away at a book's flaws unless you know the facts! Everyone Please don't miss this one!

In ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT Sophie Jordan has created a regency romance that takes us beyond the rarified world of the ton in the story of two passionate people who have promised themselves never to love again. Lady Meredith Brookshire finds herself a widow without ever truly having been a wife. She has an elderly aunt, a father suffering from dementia and a motley household of servants who depend on her. And they all may be destitute once the new earl, her husband's mysterious half brother, arrives. Her aunt convinces her that the only answer to their dilemma is for Meredith to pretend she's pregnant, an ironic situation given that her husband rejected her on their wedding night seven year ago without consummating the marriage. In nine months they plan to find a boy baby and their futures will be safe. Nick Caulfield doesn't want to be an earl. He hated the father who turned his mother and Nick into the streets to fend for themselves. Nick has become rich as the owner of a gaming hell but he'll never forget that his mother died in poverty. When he arrives at the family estate, he's delighted to find that his brother's widow is expecting, thus relieving him of a title and responsibilities he doesn't want. But his sister-in-law is not what he expected and he's both drawn to her and protective of her and her unborn child. Meredith had been prepared to dislike her husband's half brother who she expected to be as cold and cruel as the late earl. Instead she finds a kind, generous, incredibly attractive man who inadvertently gives her a glimpse of the pain inflicted on him by his father. She begins to feel guilty for deceiving him but she's in her lie too deep to back out. When Nick demands that she find a husband before the end of the London season, he soon realizes that, although he doesn't trust her, he wants her in his own bed. Meredith is ready to enter into a loveless marriage, but first she longs to explore the passion she feels whenever she's with Nick. ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT is a very satisfying story with richly developed characters and a well paced plot. Meredith and Nick both face real world practical problems which force them to make difficult decisions that challenge their sense of morality. Their attraction to each other is irresistible but the obstacles to their relationship go beyond pride and ego to deep seeded hurts that they both must be willing to face. The secondary characters are especially well drawn, enriching the story by providing interesting contrasts to the hero and heroine and occasionally a bit of humor. I think historical romance fans will be thoroughly delighted by Sophie Jordan's debut novel.