Annabel grew up with not much money, but when her father lands a gold mine, but then dies suddenly she has a fortune in her possession. All Annabel has ever wanted for her life was to get married and have a family, and she has a chance to have a good life in England, to land a title and she knows he isn't the type to demand her heart on a platter, just her money. Annabel only wants to be happy, but doesn't need love in her life, at least that is what she thought until Christian, the Duke of Scarborough came into her life. Christian, has just become the Duke of Scarborough when his older brother passes away suddenly, after losing most of everything they had to gambling. Christian has been gambling most of his life, but unlike his brother, he knows the game well, and has the greatest luck to have never lost a fortune to it. When Annabel's uncle comes to him with a proposition, if he can convince her to cancel the wedding, he will give Christian half a million, which is enough to start to rebuild what his brother lost in a card game. What Christian didn't expect was to find love or a woman that would break the ice around the walls of his heart.I was really excited to get my hands on this newest addition to Laura Lee Guhrke's books. I have just loved every one of her stories, they always capture my attention from the beginning. Even though this wasn't my favorite of hers, I still enjoyed it quite a bit, and before I knew it I was done with it, so it did fly by pretty quick, and was a easy engaging read. Set in the early 1900's which is a bit different from her other books, but I liked the era she chooses which is the Edwardian Era, which is a later era than she usually does. However I found I enjoyed the set of the scene in the beginning. It starts out in New York City, then progresses onto a ship headed for England, and it only gets better. There was a instant chemistry between this couple that I found sizzling yet tender at times as well. There was enough steam to fog your windows in the classic way that Guhrke writes her books. The story line was fun and definitely had some shocks that will fire up your nervous system. Christian is handsome, total rake, and doesn't deny it, he is proud of it except for the fact that he hides who he really is behind that facade. Christian has certain vulnerabilites that just sung to me in a real way, my heart just broke for him, he won me over almost instantly. Annabel is very spirited and knows what she wants, she also has certain weaknesses at well, that only appealed to me. I did find her a bit over the top at times, but overall I tended to like her. She definitely stirs things up and I liked how she puts Christian off kilter in such a delightful way that was very amusing at various times throughout the story.Overall I found Trouble At The Wedding, a great additon to a full of life series that just steals your breath away. Charming characters, sensual chemistry, endearing set of cirumstances and a plot that will take you on a adventure that spans from New York to London. A breath of fresh air and I couldn't help but adore this story. A WINNER in my book!Favorite Quote I'm not talking about love. I'm talking about something else, a feeling I'd wager my life Rumsford has never given you.""What feeling is that?"He let go of her arms and cupped her face in his hands. "This one," he said, and he kissed her. Good read. The story takes a while to get going.Can't say I sympathized with either character all that much. The heroine is a rich, social climber who was born a poor white trash from MS (her words not mine). She inherited a fortune and seeks to marry a title to gain social acceptance for herself and her family. Too many times I felt like mumbling, "poor little rich girl." All that money and instead of using it to help the poor people like she used to be, she moves away to find other rich people to accpet her. The old money people in New York snub her new money family. (With her manners, she probably insulted them and didn't notice).The hero, a duke, recenlty inherited his title and a bankrupt estate he needs to put to rights. He's in American seeking business and investment opportunities. When he was younger, he married an different American heiress he did not love. After the wedding, he went on living as if he was single. While he was away, his wife killed herself. He takes full blame for her unhappiness, thinks he cannot be a good husband and never plans to marry again, especially not for money.Spoilers follow.I enjoyed when the heroine knocks the hero cold with an upper-cut he absolutely deserved. And her revenge against an old lover who refused to marry her was perfect.This heroine takes my least favorite romance novel cliche scene to new heights - the "I can't marry him because I love him" scene. She waits until the day of her wedding, when she's standing at the altar, when the priest says, "If anyone knows of any reason why these two cannot be joined..." She announces to everyone that she can't marry the hero because she loves him (and he doesn't love her in return). Well, now that was a variation I'd never thought of. Wait until the wedding day!
What do You think about Campanadas De Boda (2013)?
All I will say is Laura Lee Guhrke sure didn't disappoint me with this book! What a great romance.
—shay
Probably my favorite from this series so far.
—Ritamach