The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is a historical romance novel by Julia Quinn, published in 2017. It is the second book in the Rokesbys series, a prequel to the popular Bridgerton series.
The novel is set in the late 18th century, a few decades before the events of the Bridgerton series, and it introduces readers to an earlier generation of the Bridgerton family.
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With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie . . .
When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is – even if he does not recall her face – and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbour back in England.
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself – completely – to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs Rokesby.
About the Author
As a bestselling seller, Julia Quinn is best known for her historical romance novels. Julia Quinn has written numerous popular romance series, including the Bridgerton books series, the Smythe-Smith Quartet, and the Bevelstoke series.
Julia Quinn books have garnered numerous awards and accolades within the romance genre. The books focusing on the Bridgerton siblings have been adapted into a popular Netflix series aptly named Bridgerton, which premiered in 2020.
What to read next
If you enjoyed this book, I’d suggest reading the rest of the Rokesby’s series. The next book in the series is titled The Other Miss Bridgerton.
If you’re looking for a new series to try, I’d recommend the Agents of the Crown series, also by Julia Quinn.
