REVIEW: Christmas Bride’s Stand-In Groom by Sophie Pembroke

Christmas Bride’s Stand-In Groom by Sophie Pembroke: Millie and Charlie have known each other since they were very young. He lived in a large estate home and Millie’s mother worked there. Mille and her mum lived in a small cottage on the grounds. Even though Millie and Charlie had very different lives, they became best friends. When Charlie went away to school he brought one of his fellow classmates, Giles, home for the holidays. Millie and Giles were jealous of each other because they each want to be Charlie’s best friend.

Millie grows up and makes a life for herself. She does spend time with her now widowed mum and Charlie’s family.
Charlie and Millie decide they should get married. They are best friends and Charlie will need to produce an heir to keep his family line going. Charlie’s family is ecstatic. They say they will pay all expenses for the wedding and help plan it. Of course, Charlie wants Giles for his best man. Giles has been best man at quite a few wedding in the past year.’

Charlie suddenly announces after an urgent phone call, that he will have to go to Scotland for a couple months and leaves all the wedding plans to Millie with Giles help as best man. Millie figures that Giles will not be much help. She is totally shocked when Giles really gets into all the nitty gritty of what goes into a big wedding.
Since Millie and Giles spend so much time together, it is inevitable that they are drawn together. Distance can make the heart grow fonder for someone else. I know that personally from my younger years. Will Millie be able to go through with the big day with Charlie?

I had to admire Millie. She was smart and confident. She had been raised well by parents who loved her deeply and accepted by the family they worked for. The more I read about Giles, the more I grew to like him. He is truly caring with a tender heart. It was amazing he didn’t balk at all the duties he was asked to do. As the reader learns more about his background he becomes admirable in many ways. Charlie made a poor choice to go away during all the big plans for his wedding. He had always been a good friend to both Millie and Giles and was kind and caring with his family.

For me as an American, I always enjoy novels set in the UK. There is a different culture that is intriguing. There is still a class system, especially in Britain, but the characters in this book are more accepting of others.

This is another delightful tale from Sophie Pembroke. I have loved everything I had read by her so far. This is the perfect tale to escape into.
 

Book Info:

Publication: November 26, 2024 | Harlequin Romance | Blame It On The Mistletoe #1

In the first installment of the Blame It on the Mistletoe duet, a bride begins to question her upcoming marriage of convenience when wedding planning with the best man sparks real feelings.

SOMEONE BORROWED, SOMEONE NEW…?

Conveniently marrying her best friend will give florist Millie the child she craves. Yet when her husband-to-be is called away on business, best man Giles comes to the rescue… Giles doesn’t believe in marriage. He’s learned the hard way that women only want his wealth. But this pre-Christmas rehearsal isn’t real, so he’ll happily step in for practice “I dos.” Trouble is, there’s nothing fake about the connection between this bride and her stand-in groom… With the big day looming, dare they speak now and find forever—together?