Pub. Date: February 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Paperback, 464pp
Series: PENNY NICHOLS Series
ISBN: 0451229088
In A Rather Charming Invitiation, the third novel in the Penny Nichols series by author C.A. Belmond, heiress Penny Nichols and her fiancee Jeremy Laidley are making preparations and the plannings for their wedding. Suddenly a relative of Penny's French side of family appears on their London townhouse doorstep, and they need to return her to her parents in Mougins, France. There, her Aunt Leonora and Uncle Phillipe offer the loan of an ancient bridal tapestry and their chateau for their wedding vows.
There is still a bit confusion of where the wedding will take place; In France (Penny's family insists) or England?(Jeremy's family won't have it anywhere but there)
Penny, who always loves to research historical and antique items, starts researching the history of the bridal tapestry, who has been told was owned by one of the French kings.
And that is the start of mysterious and strange events; suddenly the bridal tapestry is missing, and this leads to a few events that get the wedding of Penny & Jeremy in danger. And even more danger is in view when they discover that Penny is followed by a strange men. They hire a private investigator to help them find the tapestry back, who stole it and why. But
they have to hurry, because the clock is ticking the time off for their wedding day..and all in a background of the most fabulous places in Europe: London, the South of France, Monaco and Paris.
I absolutely loved this A Rather Charming Invitation. I have read and reviewed the two previous books (reviews can be found here and here), so I was rather excited when I received this brand new third book in the series for review.
The title says it all: The story and style of writing of the book are very charming and inviting, and très elegant. (to say it in the style of the French characters)
As a read, it is just like Penny and Jeremy take you with them on all their adventures, crisscross through the most fabulous places in Europe, and as if you are also a guest in the French Chateau of Penny's aunt and uncle. The author really describes everything very detailistic, you really smell the lavender flower perfume that the family is in business of, and you really are given a grand tour in a classical French chateau, with view on the Mediterranean.
The story is both exciting (because of the mystery and sleuthing) and relaxing (because of the South of France atmosphere). I can't name anything I disliked about this book.
A Rather Charming Invitation is just a perfect contemporary mix of a romantic holiday and a vintage classic movie. And the end makes you really curious for what's coming next..
