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Secret Brides #1.5
A Secret Proposal
After reading a scandalous pamphlet entitled SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, Miss Amelia Templeton cried off from her engagement. But her mother is set on seeing her daughter land a peer before the end of the Season. Amelia will do her duty. This time she has a list of the oldest, and most titled men in the ton who are looking for a wife. She'll marry one of them. But first she needs to get over her fear of a wedding night.
She enlists the help of Mr. Thaddeus Hammond, a mere mister who is riddled with scandal, but worse, he's her dead brother's closest friend. Thad has never told the story of what happened the night Amelia's brother died, but he did make her a promise. She issues him a scandalous proposal: spend the night with her to show her the real secrets of a wedding night.
She enlists the help of Mr. Thaddeus Hammond, a mere mister who is riddled with scandal, but worse, he's her dead brother's closest friend. Thad has never told the story of what happened the night Amelia's brother died, but he did make her a promise. She issues him a scandalous proposal: spend the night with her to show her the real secrets of a wedding night.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
25 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Bowman
66Ìýbooks1,291ÌýfollowersValerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance.
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers� Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at and sign-up for her newsletter at:
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers� Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at and sign-up for her newsletter at:
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 15, 2013
Originally posted on
I hope y'all had a nice day yesterday. If not, I'm sorry. Anyways. Yesterday I finished A Secret Proposal by Valerie Bowman. I must say I really enjoyed this story. So, here we go:
The last time we saw Amelia Templeton, she kind of was a little bit rude to Lily. Partly because Lily basically took away Colton from her. Yeah, I know not sporting, but always fair love and war, right?
Well, Amelia reemerge after a couple months and determination to find a husband with a fabulous title. Here are the lucky candidates:
Duke of Standford
Marquis of Bartholemen
Earl of Highland
By the way, all these eligible bachelors are old enough to be her grandfather. Oh boy, lucky girl. However, there is one other guy on the list Mr. Thaddeus Hammond, yet her mother would have a fit if she knew he was on the list. Oh dear. So, who is she going to pick a mother approve gentleman or the bad boy. Given the choice I'll the take the younger bad.
At first, I wasn't sure I would like this story. Here's why: I had a really hard time with Amelia in Secrets of a Wedding Night. At the beginning of the story, I just thought she was a silly young woman who was just after a title. Once I got more into the story, I got a chance to really see Amelia and who she really was. After awhile, I really liked her character, especially when she basically made an indecent proposal to Thaddeus. Thad is a fantastic hero. I loved him from the get go. Even though he casts himself as the black sheep of the family, he's really a decent guy. However, he carries the burdens of the past on his shoulders.
Overall, loved it. Love the dynamics of the story and how it all came together. I love how the past influenced future events and how it almost came to be a disaster for Amelia. Not only that I LOVE the title. Seriously, what pops into your mind when you read A Secret Proposal? I mean so many thoughts on what the title could mean. Yes, for a quick read FANTASTIC! Loved and you might too. If you are looking for a novella you might want to read A Secret Proposal.
I hope y'all had a nice day yesterday. If not, I'm sorry. Anyways. Yesterday I finished A Secret Proposal by Valerie Bowman. I must say I really enjoyed this story. So, here we go:
The last time we saw Amelia Templeton, she kind of was a little bit rude to Lily. Partly because Lily basically took away Colton from her. Yeah, I know not sporting, but always fair love and war, right?
Well, Amelia reemerge after a couple months and determination to find a husband with a fabulous title. Here are the lucky candidates:
Duke of Standford
Marquis of Bartholemen
Earl of Highland
By the way, all these eligible bachelors are old enough to be her grandfather. Oh boy, lucky girl. However, there is one other guy on the list Mr. Thaddeus Hammond, yet her mother would have a fit if she knew he was on the list. Oh dear. So, who is she going to pick a mother approve gentleman or the bad boy. Given the choice I'll the take the younger bad.
At first, I wasn't sure I would like this story. Here's why: I had a really hard time with Amelia in Secrets of a Wedding Night. At the beginning of the story, I just thought she was a silly young woman who was just after a title. Once I got more into the story, I got a chance to really see Amelia and who she really was. After awhile, I really liked her character, especially when she basically made an indecent proposal to Thaddeus. Thad is a fantastic hero. I loved him from the get go. Even though he casts himself as the black sheep of the family, he's really a decent guy. However, he carries the burdens of the past on his shoulders.
Overall, loved it. Love the dynamics of the story and how it all came together. I love how the past influenced future events and how it almost came to be a disaster for Amelia. Not only that I LOVE the title. Seriously, what pops into your mind when you read A Secret Proposal? I mean so many thoughts on what the title could mean. Yes, for a quick read FANTASTIC! Loved and you might too. If you are looking for a novella you might want to read A Secret Proposal.
Read
August 31, 2014I wrote this novella because I just couldn't leave poor Amelia hanging and I could NOT allow Lily to act so badly and not apologize and do right by her. Girl power!
March 27, 2013
It is such a pleasure and a relief when an author decides to give one of her secondary characters a second chance at love. In this short and definitely sweet and sensual novella, Valerie Bowman does just that. She revisits Amelia Templeton, a naïve girl of only eighteen that was engaged to the hero of her début novel ‘Secrets of a Wedding Night�. I, for one, was very happy she did because despite her behavior in that novel, I liked her.
We finally get a better picture as to Amy’s character and that of the environment in which she grew up in and many ......I am thankful for your jump to b2b to finish reading my review.....
Melanie for b2b
*Book bought from Amazon.
We finally get a better picture as to Amy’s character and that of the environment in which she grew up in and many ......I am thankful for your jump to b2b to finish reading my review.....
Melanie for b2b
*Book bought from Amazon.
April 16, 2013
YES. ME. THAT. SMILE.
Practically my reaction after reading the book.
February 5, 2013
Perfect quick read for a cold winter weekend! Really saucy and fun. I loved that you did not have to know the background of Amelia and Lily in order to enjoy this racy romp (though I do and highly recommend reading Secrets of a Wedding Night to find out)! Well executed, to the point and I don't feel like I was left hanging, as so many novella's can do. Enjoy!
February 9, 2013
Another fun bit of a romp from Ms. Bowman. I'm glad Amelia got her story and her man and that she was able to make amends with Lily and Devon.
February 26, 2013
Great story! This author did not disappoint me.
September 13, 2013
Valerie Bowman has quickly made it to my auto-read list. With this fun debut series, her stories make me smile and laugh. For my full review:
February 9, 2013
Characters were well-drawn and in keeping with the time - and for me that has become a HUGE plus in recent weeks; but there was something about the heroine that sort of left me ambivalent. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, I need to be able to see heroes and heroines as someone I would like to know and be friends with - for me, that is the acid test. I couldn't quite make that connection with this heroine.
I did feel for Thad, though.
This one is sufficiently different to the rest to warrant reading.
Read
August 9, 2024This is a short read!
It's also the perfect little story to read while making supper.
Amy plans to marry an old man with a title to make her mother happy, but she wants to know what a wedding night *should* be before condemning herself to such a fate. Fortunately, her late brother's friend is just the perfect candidate. . . and he owes her a favor.
It's also the perfect little story to read while making supper.
Amy plans to marry an old man with a title to make her mother happy, but she wants to know what a wedding night *should* be before condemning herself to such a fate. Fortunately, her late brother's friend is just the perfect candidate. . . and he owes her a favor.
November 5, 2013
The guy on the cover, took my breath away!! oh boy;) the chiselled jaw with a cleft in the chin! Yo mamma LOL!
February 27, 2013
Loved it Valerie, can't wait for the next one!
February 21, 2013
A great novella I really enjoyed this one
April 7, 2013
Short but good!
August 5, 2013
Awesome storyline. I did't care too much for Amelia in Secrets of a Wedding Night but, I grew to like her in this book. Great job, Valerie.
January 9, 2013
Loved this!
January 11, 2013
Great read. Review to come.
April 9, 2013
Great novella! Loved the couple and the story!
January 29, 2021
** 3 stars **
Like most other novellas, A Secret Proposal was short and with little fuss -- basically, just average.
(Also, I feel like they were maybe going somewhere with ? Or is that just me...?)
Like most other novellas, A Secret Proposal was short and with little fuss -- basically, just average.
(Also, I feel like they were maybe going somewhere with ? Or is that just me...?)
September 5, 2019
Book 1.5 in the Secret Brides series. Happy to have the Kindle to complete the entire series. This book takes on of the side characters from the Secrets of a Wedding Night and gives her her own story and happily ever after. Nicely done.
September 6, 2017
Good interlude between major stories in the series.
June 12, 2018
Blah
Boring. Predictable. Not even a little suspenseful. Read it in one night. Not worth the download. Skip her next time.
Boring. Predictable. Not even a little suspenseful. Read it in one night. Not worth the download. Skip her next time.
March 15, 2024
Too much melodrama.
April 17, 2013
My review for this short story somehow disappeared, so I'm writing a new one a few weeks and books after reading it.. I remember that I liked the story and the two heroes' relationship both at first and later when it turns romantic.
Amelia is the good girl who always does what her mother wants her to do in a vain effort to please her. Thad is her late brother's best friend and someone her mother accuses for his death. The two keep a letter correspondence for years before having to stop because of Amelia's engagement. After she cries off of her engagement, Amelia finds herself more desperate than ever to please her mother, so she makes a list of eligible titled (because of course her mother pushes for a title) gentlemen that are in the running for her next attempt at marriage. All of them are old enough to be her parents/grandparents and she's resigned to never finding out the truth about what the real secrets of a marriage night are, that so frightened her before, causing her to cry off in the first place. In a last attempt to uncover those secrets before resigning to her fate and marrying an old relic and becoming a martyr, she begs for her friend Thad's help.
To make a long story short, Thad's determination to not really give in to her request is weakening and the two fall in love.
Enjoyable story, like the previous book in the series.
Amelia is the good girl who always does what her mother wants her to do in a vain effort to please her. Thad is her late brother's best friend and someone her mother accuses for his death. The two keep a letter correspondence for years before having to stop because of Amelia's engagement. After she cries off of her engagement, Amelia finds herself more desperate than ever to please her mother, so she makes a list of eligible titled (because of course her mother pushes for a title) gentlemen that are in the running for her next attempt at marriage. All of them are old enough to be her parents/grandparents and she's resigned to never finding out the truth about what the real secrets of a marriage night are, that so frightened her before, causing her to cry off in the first place. In a last attempt to uncover those secrets before resigning to her fate and marrying an old relic and becoming a martyr, she begs for her friend Thad's help.
To make a long story short, Thad's determination to not really give in to her request is weakening and the two fall in love.
Enjoyable story, like the previous book in the series.
December 4, 2013
I found the story quite amusing and it's impressive how a short story came to tell the reader a lot.
We met Amelia Templeton in the first book and we'll read some "behind the scenes" of what happened when she cried off her engagement to the marquis. It's sad how she needed to be the one to be perfect and she always comes up short. Her parents are never satisfied with whatever she does and she's still under her mother's control.
Reuniting with Thad Hammond did wonders for her, and for him as well. He is Amelia's late brother's (Paul's) best friend and when she called him on his promise of "anything she needs", he was totally unprepared for her request.
It took a matchmaking couple to set the young lovers to rights and finally realize their mutual feelings. I liked the part where Amelia stood up to her mother and told her that she wanted to live her life for her self and not for her mother.
We met Amelia Templeton in the first book and we'll read some "behind the scenes" of what happened when she cried off her engagement to the marquis. It's sad how she needed to be the one to be perfect and she always comes up short. Her parents are never satisfied with whatever she does and she's still under her mother's control.
Reuniting with Thad Hammond did wonders for her, and for him as well. He is Amelia's late brother's (Paul's) best friend and when she called him on his promise of "anything she needs", he was totally unprepared for her request.
It took a matchmaking couple to set the young lovers to rights and finally realize their mutual feelings. I liked the part where Amelia stood up to her mother and told her that she wanted to live her life for her self and not for her mother.
July 26, 2016
Nice..
This was a cute story. I liked Thaddeus and Amelia/Amy but she was somewhat of a coward when it came to her mother. She was brave enough to go to Thad and ask him to take her to bed but wasn’t brave enough to tell her mother to go “F� herself? The mother was happy that Amelia was going to get a husband with a title even if it meant marrying someone as old as her grandfather? Wow, what a mother. Couldn’t stand that woman. Sooo, it was nice to know she finally told her mother off, and to accept Thad or have both of her children gone.
Overall, this was a very good story. I have read the Secret Brides Series by this author, as did my daughter, and we both loved them, so I was surprised to find this cute little gem as part of that series. And I might go ahead and read A Secret Affair, also part of the series.
Ms. Bowman writes good sexual tension and some wonderful sex scenes.
This was a cute story. I liked Thaddeus and Amelia/Amy but she was somewhat of a coward when it came to her mother. She was brave enough to go to Thad and ask him to take her to bed but wasn’t brave enough to tell her mother to go “F� herself? The mother was happy that Amelia was going to get a husband with a title even if it meant marrying someone as old as her grandfather? Wow, what a mother. Couldn’t stand that woman. Sooo, it was nice to know she finally told her mother off, and to accept Thad or have both of her children gone.
Overall, this was a very good story. I have read the Secret Brides Series by this author, as did my daughter, and we both loved them, so I was surprised to find this cute little gem as part of that series. And I might go ahead and read A Secret Affair, also part of the series.
Ms. Bowman writes good sexual tension and some wonderful sex scenes.
August 21, 2013
What happened to Miss Amelia Templeton after she broke off her engagement with the hero of ?
She realised she need an old husband, so that the old bloke could die quickly and then she can be free from her overbearing mother.
She need a lesson about the acts after marriage, and ask for the help of the deceased brother's best friend, Mr. Thaddeus Hammond.
This is a delightful novella and a quick read.
She realised she need an old husband, so that the old bloke could die quickly and then she can be free from her overbearing mother.
She need a lesson about the acts after marriage, and ask for the help of the deceased brother's best friend, Mr. Thaddeus Hammond.
This is a delightful novella and a quick read.
September 10, 2013
This tells the story of Amelia Templeton, the woman who cried off marriage from Colton in Secrets of a Wedding Night. Yearning to learn the real secrets of a wedding night, she turns to her late brother's best friend with a scandalous proposal.
It was nice to read Amelia's story -- I felt a little bad for her in Secrets of a Wedding Night. I have to say, just in general, I find it hard to adjust to the shorter romance novella style of novels. I prefer the richer, more in depth look at things a full length novel gives.
But overall, I enjoyed this story, short as it was.
It was nice to read Amelia's story -- I felt a little bad for her in Secrets of a Wedding Night. I have to say, just in general, I find it hard to adjust to the shorter romance novella style of novels. I prefer the richer, more in depth look at things a full length novel gives.
But overall, I enjoyed this story, short as it was.
July 11, 2013
Amelia was so scared of a wedding night she broke her engagement to a peer. Now her mother is forcing her into another engagement. She turns to her brother's best freind, the one who was responsible for his death, Thad. She asks him to give her a wedding night because she trusts him. Very predictable but worthwhile for the $$.
novella which follows Secrets of a Wedding Night
novella which follows Secrets of a Wedding Night
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