Smexy Books

Romance and Urban Fantasy Reviews

  • Review Request
  • Contact
    • Smexy Reviewers Profiles
    • New Reviewer Application
    • Contact
  • Advertising
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • By Genre
      • BDSM
      • Contemporary
      • Erotic
      • Fantasy
      • F/F
      • Historical Romance
      • Historical PNR
      • LGBTQ+
      • M/M Romance
      • New Adult
      • Urban Fantasy
      • Paranormal Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Romantic Suspense
      • Young Adult
    • By Letter Grade Rating
      • A Reviews
      • B Reviews
      • C Reviews
      • D Reviews
      • DNF Reviews
  • Features
    • New Releases
    • Smexy Deals!
    • Retro Review
    • Weekly Wrap-Up
    • Blog Tour
    • Scenic Sunday
    • To Be Read
    • Guest Post
    • Top Ten/Happy Friday
    • Smex Scene Sunday
  • The Psy/Changeling Channel
You are here: Home / C Review / Review: And Then Comes Marriage by Celeste Bradley

Review: And Then Comes Marriage by Celeste Bradley

September 16, 2013 by Tori 13 Comments

andthencomesmarriageAnd Then Come Marriage (Worthington #2) by Celeste Bradley
Historical Romance
Paperback, 352 pages
July 30, 2013
St Martin’s Paperbacks

Reviewed By Tori

Favorite Quote: “I know what it’s like to get it all wrong. To do nothing but harm when you meant only the best.”

Book two in Ms. Bradley’s Worthington series, And Then Comes Marriage, is the story of Pollux (Poll) and Castor (Cas) Worthington. Dubbed the Devilish Duo, these outrageous  twins use their looks, charm, and competitive nature to play games of the heart with women. When Poll meets the lovely rich widow Miranda Talbot, he seeks to set up a liaison as everyone knows widows are fair game. Poll and Miranda burgeoning friendship blossoms until Miranda is almost injured in an explosion and is rescued by Cas. Thinking he is Poll, Miranda gives him a passionate kiss in thanks and is shocked by the instant chemistry that explodes. When Miranda discovers the truth and seeks to dissolve her association with both, they beg the chance to court her with the better man winning her hand.

As Miranda, Poll, and Cas circle around each other, with each man determined to be the victor, they draw the straight laced Miranda out of her shell. Married at a young age to a much older and socially rigid man, Miranda was always the epitome of respectability. In his death, Miranda is finally free to be who she wants rather than what was required of her. When the twins antics set in motion a series of events that only serve to alienate Miranda from society, they find themselves for the first time ashamed of their past deeds and must make amends for their devious behavior.

I adored the first book in this series, When She Said I Do. A delightfully funny and erotically charged story, lightly twisted around a Beauty and the Beast theme. While I found this book also amusing and steamy with some plum love scenes, I didn’t get the same buzz from it. There is an underlying darkness to it as we witness the emerging relationship between the three protagonists and their individual issues which causes unnecessary conflict in the book. I would almost call this a coming of age story in that while Miranda is older than the twins (she’s thirty and they are twenty one), all three of them are emotionally immature. Though it starts as a game of sorts,  this becomes the first true romantic relationship for all three when their emotions enter the equation.

Miranda and Cas are well matched. Miranda watched her parents drama filled marriage crumble and disintegrate, leaving her an orphan disgraced by their scandal. Her loveless marriage reiterated what she felt growing up and she never wants to find herself under someone’s thumb again, at the mercy of their needs and desires. Cas was used by a conniving older woman who took advantage of his age and passionate nature. He likens himself to a puppet, dangling by strings and unable to control his own life. Both are content with their lives and their control over their lives but when they meet,  the passion explodes between them and they find themselves wanting to lose the very control they struggle to maintain.

“Kissing Miranda felt like flying, like falling, like spinning out of control and never wishing to land.”

Sensual love scenes with bits of erotica spice up this historical romance. Cas is a naughty, naughty boy whose desires manifest themselves in some interesting ways when he is around Miranda. Some mild dominance games eschew though neither truly want that sort of relationship. This is an exploration of feelings and desires; both seeking to bring the other joy and sexual respite.

When I am through with you, you will flaunt that lovely body like the jewel it is.

Interesting subplots and conflicts makes the story much more than a simple historical romance. Miranda has to deal with her intractable sister in law whose Puritan notions are offended by Miranda. Cas and Poll have been warned by the Regent himself to stop their scandalous ways or else. Vivacious secondary characters keep the story moving along at a steady pace though they do over shadow the protagonists at times. The Worthingtons hold a strong position in the story line and remain somewhat amusing pains in the butt. Still narcissistic, self absorbed, and nosy as ever;  they continue to cause mayhem wherever they go. Attie, the youngest Worthington and budding sociopath, still entertains and I liked that Miranda gave her the attention she was seeking. Various characters from When She said I Do appear, intent on trying to help Miranda and Cas on their journey to happily ever after. But as usual, they cause more harm than good.

More emotional and angsty than book one, there is still some humor within the story though not as much. I will admit that Cas and Poll disappointed me many times in here, especially towards the end when everything comes to light. I felt they both got off rather lightly. Their behavior was quite despicable and more groveling was necessary in my mind. Miranda’s pain broke my heart.

“Oh I thought I had hurt before. I was so very wrong.”

As with most romances, our hero and heroine have a hard journey towards their happily ever after. Love is tested but always triumphs in the end when our lovers finally admit their feelings and embrace the inevitable. Overall an enjoyable story with interesting characters though I missed the spark that the first book had.

Overall Rating:C+

Other Rec’s from Celeste Bradley

When She Said I Do

Goodreads l Author Website I Series Listing

Amazon l B&N

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: C Review, Celeste Bradley, Historical Romance, St. Martin's

Comments

  1. blodeuedd says

    September 16, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    I like the drama it promises…but still

    Loading...
    Reply
  2. aurian says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:16 am

    Great review Tori, but I don’t think I want to read this book.

    Loading...
    Reply
  3. Mohammed says

    March 14, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    This is way better than a brick & mortar esmhtlisatenb.

    Loading...
    Reply
  4. cheap life insurance for seniors says

    April 7, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    You write so honestly about this. Thanks for sharing!

    Loading...
    Reply
  5. mobile says

    April 8, 2014 at 5:01 am

    Holy shiznit, this is so cool thank you.

    Loading...
    Reply
  6. cheap auto insurance quotes says

    April 11, 2014 at 1:57 am

    If not for your writing this topic could be very convoluted and oblique.

    Loading...
    Reply
  7. cheap insurance says

    June 6, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    Apparently this is what the esteemed Willis was talkin’ ’bout.

    Loading...
    Reply
  8. agents sent says

    July 12, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I could watch Schindler’s List and still be happy after reading this.

    Loading...
    Reply
  9. sugary foods says

    August 3, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    IJWTS wow! Why can’t I think of things like that?

    Loading...
    Reply
  10. New York State cheap auto insurance says

    August 5, 2014 at 12:57 am

    Cool! That’s a clever way of looking at it!

    Loading...
    Reply
  11. reversible says

    September 27, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    It’s always a relief when someone with obvious expertise answers. Thanks!

    Loading...
    Reply
  12. law schools accredited online says

    November 15, 2014 at 12:03 am

    Hey, that’s the greatest! So with ll this brain power AWHFY?

    Loading...
    Reply
  13. levitra says

    November 22, 2014 at 11:24 am

    That’s a smart answer to a difficult question.

    Loading...
    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome to Smexy! If you are reader feel free to use our search feature to find a specific book or browse through our features to find Smexy Deals, New Releases, and book news!

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords,  Booksamillion, and Bookshop,org.

 

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

Angela

Melanie

Jen

Kate

Iby

Kate H.

Sign Up for Daily Emails


Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • New Releases- Week of July 21-25, 2025
    New Releases- Week of July 21-25, 2025
  • Smexy Deals- Deals for books by Synithia Williams, Suzanne Allain, J.R. Ward, and more!
    Smexy Deals- Deals for books by Synithia Williams, Suzanne Allain, J.R. Ward, and more!
  • Monday Morning Book News!
    Monday Morning Book News!
  • Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
    Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
  • Smexy Deals- Deals for books by Lindsey Kelk, Sarah Morgan, Anna Bradley, and more!
    Smexy Deals- Deals for books by Lindsey Kelk, Sarah Morgan, Anna Bradley, and more!
  • Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
    Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
  • Spotlight- Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
    Spotlight- Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
  • Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
    Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
  • Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
    Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
  • Review: Atonement Sky (Psy-Changeling Trinity #9) by Nalini Singh
    Review: Atonement Sky (Psy-Changeling Trinity #9) by Nalini Singh

Disclosure

The majority of the books reviewed at this site have been provided for free by publishers, authors, or other third parties like NetGalley or Edelweiss. Acceptance of a free copy does not guarantee a review or a positive review.

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Booksamillion.

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

 

Find Our Reviewers

Angela @fv-angela.bsky.social l Goodreads

Melanie @melonreads.bsky.social l  Goodreads

Jen .@thebooknista l Goodreads

Kate  @kateminasian l Goodreads

Iby Instagram l Goodreads

Kate H. @Naranjadia l Goodreads

Copyright © 2025 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d