When his sister Hope announces that she is going to marry a prince, Max is taken aback to discover that the royal wedding will take place not in stylish San Michele, but at their run-down family home, Hasebury Hall. Now Max has to fix up the manor, let royal and security officials have the run of the place… and find a suitable woman to placate a Crown Princess with an obsession over protocol. Chef Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, is in charge of catering the royal wedding and has quickly taken over Max’s kitchen – not to mention the rest of his life. As a bridesmaid, Flora will be going to the official announcement of the royal engagement in San Michele too. Max is single, she’s single: why don’t they go together and keep the Crown Princess off Hope’s back? Max has too much Mr. Rochester about him for Flora’s tastes and she’ll be returning to London very soon to reboot her career. Still, what harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
This is a quick and sweet story, if a bit predictable. Both characters are likable and the story flows nicely. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Jessica Hart is one of my all-time favourite romance writers and I was over the moon when, after a hiatus of almost five years, she announced her return to the genre with a funny, feel-good, poignant and absolutely wonderful read that once again proves that, when it comes to romantic fiction, she is truly the creme de la creme: The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement.

Chef Flora Deare had left the cosy and idyllic English village she had lived in for most of her life, to chase her dream of becoming a star in the culinary world. Alongside her former boyfriend, Flora had worked long hours, made endless sacrifices and spent day after day in a hot kitchen slaving away over a hot oven in order to be the best chef she could possibly be. Whilst she had enjoyed success professionally, personally she had suffered and when she discovered that her boyfriend was not the Prince Charming she had thought him to be, a distraught Flora had seen no other solution but to return home to her beloved grandparents and care for them in the last years of their life. The dream to have her own restaurant and to continue to climb up the culinary ladder has not left her, but she cannot leave her hometown until she fulfills the promise she had made to her grandfather – to take care of their old cat Sweetie until he goes to a better place. She might not be living in London anymore, but being home has enabled her to catch up with her best friend, Ally and her old – unrequited – crush, Max Kennard of Hasebury Hall…

The past couple of years have been tough on Max. He got divorced, has to cope with the challenges of being a single father and he has to find the money somewhere to restore Hasebury Hall to its former glory. As if life hasn’t thrown him enough curve balls in the last couple of years, his sister Hope has announced that she is getting married to a Prince and that rather than have the wedding in sunny San Michele, she wants to have a royal wedding at Hasebury Hall! Poor Max doesn’t know if he is coming or going – especially as Hope has engaged her best friend Flora to do the catering for the wedding. Flora is infuriatingly chirpy, annoyingly cheerful and always in a good mood and she is constantly getting on his nerves – so why can’t Max stop himself from wanting to kiss her senseless?

As brother of the bride, Max cannot possibly turn up at the royal wedding by himself as the Crown Princess who is absolutely obsessed with protocol would have a fit. Single Max needs to find a convenient girlfriend to keep the Crown Princess off his sister’s back and he needs one fast – and it just so happens that Flora is also currently unattached and looking for a date to take to the wedding. Being each other’s fake partner is the ideal solution to both of their problems. However, they hadn’t counted on their pretend kisses giving way to something that is very real…

Are Max and Flora ready to admit the truth about their feelings for one another? Will there soon be another wedding at Hasebury Hall? Or will Flora’s dreams of making it big in the London culinary world cost her the man she has come to love?

The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement is vintage Jessica Hart. This multi award-winning author and reader favourite has written an outstanding romance that will have readers laughing out loud on many an occasion as well as wiping away a tear or two. Flora is an absolutely wonderful heroine you will cheer for: she is funny, relatable, independent and the sort of heroine you’d love to have as a friend and Max is a gorgeous, brooding and handsome hero I couldn’t help but love.

A superb contemporary romance that ticks all the right boxes and is absolutely perfect in every way, The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement is another Jessica Hart novel that has got keeper written all over it! I know that Jessica Hart is now writing fantastic time slip novels as Pamela Hartshorne, but I do hope that there will be more outstanding contemporary romances in the not too distant future!

A Chance This Christmas is a lovely whimsical contemporary Christmas story. Set in the town of Yuletide, where Christmas is celebrated every day, this story is a fabulous reminder of what is important at Christmas.
The stars of the show are snow boarder Gavin Blake designer Rachel Chambers, who is home eight years after scandal caused her to flee the town. The Yuetide she returns to has lost a lot of the community spirit Rachel remembers - the focus in town seems to be on the financial return to be gained from the various Christmas themed activities and shops in the town at the expense of goodwill and community spirit.
I love the way author Joanne Rock weaves Rachel’s and Gavin’s love story into their work to revitalise their home town. This, for me, is what Christmas is all about.

Let's address the elephant in the room shall we? 2017 has been a crap year. Every morning sees me slowly gaining consciousness, grabbing my phone, checking the news, and immediately regretting that decision while wondering how on Earth people can be 1) this stupid 2) this ignorant and 3) such deplorable human beings. Needless to say, it has made reading for pleasure rather difficult. At a time when I desperately want to fall into a story? I can't. I simply can't. It takes me weeks to get through a category length novel. At this point, audio books are the only thing keeping me afloat while I'm aimlessly floating adrift at sea.

Which makes the return of Jessica Hart to romance a welcome respite. A couple years ago Hart put that pseudonym on the shelf to focus on her historical fiction novels written as Pamela Hartshorne. And since Hart was my absolute FAVORITE author working in the Harlequin Romance line? I'm not proud - I pouted. But she's been temporarily lured back by Tule Publishing and is part of a new continuity series centering around a royal wedding in the fictional country of San Michele. People, I fell into The Baronet's Wedding Engagement. It was comfort food. Like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes had a baby.

Flora Deare left her tiny English village of Combe St. Philip to train as a chef. She loves London, even had herself a steady boyfriend, and then her beloved grandmother died. Her grandparents basically raised her, and with her grandfather slipping into dementia, she puts her London life on hold and comes home to take care of him. Naturally her relationship goes kaput and with her grandfather recently passed, she's staying behind in Combe St. Philip to take care of his beloved cat, eventually sell the cottage, and she bakes amazing pastries for the local merchants to sell. Then wonder of wonders? Her best friend gets engaged to a Real. Life. Prince! Hope wants a "small" wedding at the family estate and she wants Flora to cater it. So she strikes a bargain with Hope's brother, Max Kennard. She'll cater the wedding at a cut rate, cook meals when he has his children, and in exchange she can use his huge kitchen for her catering business. Win, win.

Max Kennard is a man with a lot on his plate. His family, the pride of Combe St. Philip, took a tumble when his father was sent to prison over financial shenanigans. The family finances in ruins, it was up to Max to save the day, which meant selling everything not tied down in the hope of saving Hasebury Hall (which he did). But now his sister is marrying into royalty, wants the wedding at her family home and the place is looking a little worn around the edges. Never mind the fact that it's largely empty of furniture. The family scandal had a detrimental effect on his marriage, although his ex and he get on fairly well for the sake of their two children. He's a loner. A borderline recluse. He's a pinstripe suit to Flora's bright vibrancy. And naturally they are perfect for each other.

What we have here ladies and gents is a quiet romance where the characters spend a lot of time talking to each other - which may sound boring, but isn't. It's happy sigh wonderful. Max and Flora are both attracted to each other but recognize they have "nothing in common." Flora is the life of the party, a tall girl with a big personality so different from the willowy wisps that Max seems to favor. Max is still struggling under the weight of the family scandal and Flora seems well-adjusted on the surface, but is largely marking time and delaying grief over the death of her grandparents.

Inevitably what happens is that for the sake of satisfying a protocol driven future mother-in-law, Max and Flora pretend to be a couple to smooth things over for Hope. They're both going to be in San Michele anyway - so why not pretend to be a couple to get the Crown Princess off Hope's back about "seating arrangements."

There's nothing flashy here, it's simply a lovely story, lovingly written, about two nice people. The royal wedding provides a suitably romantic backdrop with the author taking readers through the English countryside and a fictional Mediterranean country (seriously, how romantic can you get?). The contrast in personalities play well off each other, and when Max finally admits his feelings to Flora it is One. Big. Happy. Romantic. Sigh.

The characters do consummate their relationship, but this is a lovely closed door romance with all the fairy-tale trappings a reader could want. Although book two in a series, it stands alone fairly well and I sunk right into this story desperately wanting to do nothing else but spend my time reading. A minor miracle given the dumpster fire of 2017. Now I'm off to pick up the other three books in the series.

Final Grade = B+

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review**

Flora is one of Hope's best friends and we met her in the previous book and Max is Hope's rather grumpy brother, but then we can forgive him that with what he has been through.

Pushed together because of Hope's wedding and because Flora needs kitchen space they soon also find that they need a plus one for the wedding so decide that they should go as a couple to avoid matchmaking.

As with the first book in the series this is a clean yet sweet book in which our characters have overcome much to find their happiness.

In the first story of this series, The Prince’s Bride, we met a secondary character the Crown Princess who is… shall we say politely a stickler for proper protocol – and getting her own way. Now she’s up to her old tricks trying to butt into Hope’s wedding plans. She’s finding she cannot control the wedding, but she can control the pre-wedding activities held in her country. When she insists that everyone attending has a plus one to keep the numbers even she inadvertently sets the stage for a romance while unexpected, most definitely intriguing to Max, the bride’s brother and Flora, one of the bride’s best friends. It might have started as a silly suggestion made in fun over the Crown Princess’ antics… but maybe pretend can turn into forever for two people who really deserve a happy ever after..

I enjoyed this romance very much. While Max may come off as grumpy, there are reasons for his attitude, and a very strong and caring man beneath his gruff surface. Flora has set her own path doing what she loves. Neither was particularly looking for romance but slowly what started out as a fun experience became a chance at happiness – if they’d be willing to take that risk.

If you enjoy the pretend couple that turns into much more plot, then you’ll enjoy The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement. There were a couple issues that were a bit of a hiccup for me, but they didn’t take away from the story one bit… just my own buttons, I’d guess you’d say. If you’re in the mood for a bit of a fairy tale romance, an interesting plot, engaging secondary characters and a couple that you’ll be cheering on from the start – then this is a story you’d enjoy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

3.5 Let's Pretend Stars
* * * 1/2
Oh this ought to be good...We have Max, the brother of Hope who is marrying a Prince, for goodness sake! Instead of being like any other soon to be princess and enjoy the location of the castle for the affair...

Noooo, Hope wants to get married at her childhood home. That would be fine if the estate wasn't in such shabby condition due the father's past larcenist actions. Now Max has to bring the location up to Royal snuff. He also has been told he must bring a plus one to complete his invitation requirements.

Hope's best friend, Flora is not only catering the wedding ... she is also a bridesmaid. She also has received that nasty directive of having a mandatory plus one.

Max sees problem solved with the both of them filling that role for each other...and so it goes....
A beautiful location... lingering looks... some lips touching and OOPS...
What is supposed to be real and what is pretend becomes a blur...

Max has done his best to hold onto his family’s home since his father was taken off to prison but he never expected his sister to want to return and have her wedding there. Holding a wedding at the rundown estate may not have been too big of a deal except Max’s sister, Hope, has fallen in love with a prince and it will be a royal wedding. Now he’s frantically making improvements to his home while turning over the property to royal and security officials as the day of the wedding approaches.

Also finding herself at Hasebury Hall is Flora Deare, Hope’s friend, as she takes over the job of being in charge of the catering for the upcoming royal wedding. Flora used to have the biggest crush on Max when they were all kids with her heart breaking when he’d married. These days however Max is divorced and perfectly single but Flora knows she will never be his type.

When Max and Flora are told that their royal wedding invitations are to include a plus one with the Crown Princess expecting them to bring a someone to keep the numbers of males and females even they come up with the plan to be each other’s fake dates. Pretending to be a couple just for the short trip shouldn’t be that big of a deal but when a practice kiss makes sparks fly they find there may be more to this fake date.

The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart is the second book in the contemporary romance Royal Wedding Invitations series. Each book in the series is by a different author with a different couple featured. The story however starts in the first book when Hope and Jacob met with Jacob being a prince setting them up for a royal wedding and now this second books spins off to another couple coming together as the royal wedding is planned so it would be best to start at the beginning of the series but it is possible to understand this as a standalone if need be.

I’m kind of a sucker for a fake relationship growing into something more which is the premise behind Max and Flora’s story in this installment of the series. The two have known each other forever with Flora being Max’s younger sister’s friend but now as adults Max sees Flora is no longer that little girl he remembers. When Flora jokingly says they should pretend to be together when they are pressured to have dates for the wedding it leads to so much more. With nice characters and a fun setting this one was a great addition to the series and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

In the second installment of the Royal Wedding Invitations series, Hope is getting ready for her wedding and she has decided to have it at her family home, Hasebury Hall, instead of the palace in San Michele. This puts her brother Max on edge. He has a lot to do to get the manor worthy of a royal wedding.

Hope’s friend, Flora Deare, is doing the catering and she needs to use a big kitchen to practice in. So, Hope gave Flora permission to use the kitchen at the manor, even if it does annoy her newly single brother, Max. When Flora was younger, she used to have a crush on Max. The more time she spends with him now, that crush seems to be making a return.

When Max finds out the Crown Princess is having fits about the seating arrangements because he doesn’t have a date for the royal engagement announcement in San Michele, he decides to ask Flora to be his date. They both have to be there anyway. Why not pretend to be a couple? But will they be able to remember this is only to appease the Crown Princess or will they realize they just might be a perfect couple after all?

I am really enjoying this series so far. The author did a good job writing this book and keeping my attention from start to finish.

I love the concept of this series. Same timeline and characters but each book by a different author. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Royal Wedding Invitation Book 2, The Baronet's Wedding by Jessica Hart has direct ties to Book 1 in the series. Max is brother to Hope, Book 1. Hope puts Max in the hot spot by wanting her wedding to a Prince at the family farm. Flora is the catering chef and a bridesmaid for the wedding. She is a strong capable character who takes command of Max’s kitchen and his heart. This is a fun read with a little drama, a little angst and a little romance. Not too much of any of those so it is a little predictable but still entertaining story.

This was a truly fun book to read. Max is shocked when he finds out his sister Hope plans on having her wedding at the family manor. The place is in no way ready to hold a royal wedding. So it sets out to get things repaired and updated but an obstacle is thrown in his way when his sister agrees to let the chef who will be catering the wedding practice in his kitchen. Ignoring Chef Flora proves to be very difficult and really does he want to??

This is a very well done story and I loved Max and Flora. I definitely recommend this one!

New Author for me and also a new serie.
I believe it is the second one.
but it did not hinder the enjoyement.
I really liked this one.
It is not sugary sweet,only the pastries Flora bakes and makes.
It is a nice,fun story ,for me not a heavy romance with steamy scene`s.
Max and Flora a old-semi friends,who come to an arrangement.
She needs his kitchen in his mansion,in order to bake and cater.
She has plans and dreams and they do not include a old teenage crush.
on the older brother from her best friend.
She sees herself not as relationship material.
Only thing she needs is a kitchen and a plan.
Max is also not busy with relationships,He is in need off money and
is really busy with his landscaping bussiness.He is divorced after a semi-forced.
wedding and is a father off two.
Max and Flora a friends only.
than a crown-princes,seatings,a sister in need.
and off we go.

I found The Baronet`s Prince,an easy to read,enjoyable and fun book.
Not a great romance with sexy and steamy times,with a grand H.E.A
therefore was it a bit to simple and not enough chemisty.
More a friends with benefits,what may become more.
but fun al the same,it was well written and I am looking forward
too the next one in this serie.