Book Review: Engaged at the Chatsfield by Melanie Milburne



Engaged at the Chatsfield by Melanie Milburne
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Publisher: Harlequin Books

Summary: A whisper, a rumor, a scandal!

Glitz, luxury and decadence—Juliet Montague should be having the time of her life. Her friend's hen party is being held at the extravagant Chatsfield Hotel, London, but when she is surrounded by perfect, ultra-stylish women, each with rings on their fingers, a fake fiancé seems her only defense.

Until that very same fake fiancé arrives at the party! Now she must persuade Marcus Bainbridge, her older brother's gorgeous best friend, not to give the game away. But as the charade deepens, will the lines between what's real and what's fantasy start to blur?
Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!  

This was just okay and mostly that's owing to the main character, Juliet. Even in romance, I need a heroine that I can root for & even if not like, care about. Juliet was far too lacking in self-confidence, awareness and general self-esteem for me to cheer for her plight. The premise of Juliet telling the women at the hen party she's attending that she's engaged to the highley desireable Marcus was fine but it became very quickly irritating after meeting these women. None of them is actually a friend to Juliet and she herself knows that she's only been invited because of her actor brother being the flavor of the moment, so why she's so keen to impress these women is beyond me. The lengths she goes to to fit in is nothing short of middle school and I just didn't like, identify with or find it compelling. Thankfully, it's a short story and as the HEA was required, I have no quarrel with it. For what it is, it's fine. I did enjoy the setting of the hotel and while I'm no longer terribly eager to continue with the series (because I will not endure another main character in the vein of Juliet), I may give another in the series a read. For the right price. If you want a quick read & you're in the mood for standard romantic tropes, go for it.


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