5
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The Bachelors by E.S. Carter
Romance
October 22, 2017
2-book, paperback
236
It is a well-known fact that a single man without a penny to his name must be in want of a rich wife.
Darcy, Bingham and Wick Austen are about to lose the family business.
Without a miracle or a substantial cash investment, Austen's—the bookstore chain that was established by their great-great-grandfather—will go into receivership.
A chance encounter at a charity ball with the attractive, single and filthy-rich Bennet sisters has Wick Austen convincing his brothers that the way to save their livelihoods rests at the Bennet's red-soled-shoe clad feet.
But these three women are far more than your average, simpering, society-loving heiresses.
Darcy isn't so sure about his youngest brother's plan, especially when the smart, feisty and ridiculously sexy Eliza Bennet shoots down his advances in a ball of flames, and accuses him of being a proud and egotistical jerk.
Meanwhile, Bingham meets the sweet and approachable Jane, and insta-love ensues, and Wick gets used up and spat out by the youngest and most flighty sister, Lydia.
Will the Austen bachelors secure a wife and save the family name or will they become the Bennet sister's latest conquests?
*Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, The Bachelors is a contemporary twist with added naughtiness*
“I knew it would be like that…Like I was tasting a thousand of our lives on my lips.”
Pride and Prejudice is one of my top ten favorite books of all time. In my opinion, Jane Austen created a set of perfect characters, wrapped up in a delicious plot, using some of the most notable dialogue, and complete with an unbeatable ending. Her talent is undeniable. Therefore, I am extremely critical and wary of any book claiming to be either, based on, or a spin-off, of the classic tale. But I have to admit, I knew, from the moment Ms. Carter provided us with hints of the story she was writing, that I would be reading her version. The cover alone had me intrigued. Vastly different than many of the romance covers we see these days- those ab-covered men, or sexy couples wrapped up in each other (not that I have a problem with scantily clad men…), the stunning colors, layout and print immediately caught my attention. Also, Ms. Carter posted some teasers of dialogue to be found within the book and I was entranced.
How can you not be left speechless by a line like this:
“Their bodies learned the feel of each other, not by making love, but by letting love make them.”
Remarkable. And when I finally got the chance to read the rest of The Bachelors, I was not disappointed.
The Austen brothers own a failing book shop. Wickham Austen is determined to do anything and everything possible in order to save the business. Eldest brother, Darcy, is not certain the venture is worthwhile. And Bingham is left trying to keep the peace between the two. While reading the paper, Wick discovers a charity benefit will be hosted by the Bennet sisters- Eliza, Jane and Lydia. Once he convinces his father to pay the entry fee, and his brothers to attend, he imagines it will be a matter of simply convincing the three sisters to fall for he and his siblings. Their wealth will in turn save his store. But sometimes you do get what you wish for and the best laid plans, well… you’ll have to read it for yourself to see how that old adage turns out.
What follows is the best combination of slow-burn, enemies to lovers, alpha hero, billionaire, fairytale, marriage of convenience, opposites attract, playboy, redemption, revenge, kinky, romance novels I’ve EVER read. There is literally something for everyone in this book. And the dialogue is to die for. There are these extraordinarily swoony lines, and then snappy and sarcastic retorts. Ms. Carter will have you laughing, gasping, fanning yourself and crying throughout the book. The only part I didn’t like? The words that said THE END.
