There are three things you need to know about the Collins twins: 1) One is falling in love, 2) One is getting married, and 3) You’re all invited to the party.
Anna knows what she wants and she doesn’t hesitate to go after it. Adventure is her passion, and a wedding is just an excuse to gather with friends and family.
Colette loves “events,” and wants her sister to have the biggest and best. But Anna doesn’t care about how things look, and Colette cares too much, especially where Sterling Gray is concerned. Will this celebration tear the sisters apart? Or will it end in twin happily-ever-afters?
Code of Matrimony is book number 2.5 of the Cipher Security series, and can be read as a standalone, though the author doesn’t advise doing so.
APRIL WHITE has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.
Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy. Code of Conduct is an RWA Vivian Award finalist for romantic suspense, a Next Generation Award finalist for romance, and RONE Award finalist for suspense. And Death's Door is a Grand Prize winner of the Next Generation Award, and a Foreword Reviews Award finalist. More information and her blog can be found at www.aprilwhitebooks.com.
'He tugged me back, laughing, and I collided with his chest as he fastened his mouth on mine for a kiss that tasted like bubbles felt-effervescent and sparkly, with the sweet sharpness of a tomato and the warm spice of the man who held me. Kissing Darius was like dancing in the summer rain.'
This exquisite new release from author April White is a beautifully written, utterly charming and intimate romance novella, set in the world of Cipher Securities. This stunning little short managed to extract every glorious drop of humour, love and quirkiness from its characters, tying them all wonderfully together with warmth, devotion and a good dose of compassion and laughter.
If you've read Code of Honor, then you will certainly wish to immerse yourself in this darling short story, as it follows on from that amazing book. Here we get to see Anna and Darius cement their love and devotion to one another in a very intimate way, as well as mingle with a few familiar names and faces of the Smartypants and Penny Reid world. Not forgetting Anna's twin sister, Collette, and the ever enigmatic Sterling Gray. These two were a definite highlight for me. Self-contained, sweet but no less solid and intense in their love for one another. Watching them figure it out was an absolute treat.
Code of Matrimony is crafted with layers, sparkling and shining with writer April White's startlingly clever dialogue and imagery. April's intelligence, wit and ability to fuse so many different cultures, traditions and degrees of love into a story, particularly one of this size, is nothing short of genius. Her words flow and weave, seamlessly and effortlessly, creating a magnificent tapestry of familial love, stalwart friendships and unending love.
Code of Matrimony is so uplifting and joyful you can't help but grin, laugh and be overcome with that same effervescence Anna experiences throughout. This whole novella was a triumph of happiness from beginning to end. There's no possible way you can go in and read it and not come out the other side feeling something more.
What’s this?! Novella news, everyone. Code of Matrimony, a Cipher Security novella, from April White Books is now ALIVE all across the interwebs for FREE!
** BLURB ** There are three things you need to know about the Collins twins: 1) One is falling in love, 2) One is getting married, and 3) You’re all invited to the party.
Anna knows what she wants and she doesn’t hesitate to go after it. Adventure is her passion, and a wedding is just an excuse to gather with friends and family.
Colette loves “events,” and wants her sister to have the biggest and best. But Anna doesn’t care about how things look, and Colette cares too much, especially where Sterling Gray is concerned. Will this celebration tear the sisters apart? Or will it end in twin happily-ever-afters?
Code of Matrimony is book number 2.5 of the Cipher Security series, and can be read as a standalone, though the author doesn’t advise doing so.
I adored this short and sweet novella. It is complete on its own but connected to Code of Honor and best read after that one. It is a great reconnection with Anna and Darius while telling Colette and Sterling’s story with so much heart and humor. -5 Stars-
This was the icing on the cake. An adorable follow-up in the lives of the Collin twins Colette & Anna. Anna is still as crazy as ever with her T-Rex costume and we see why Colette is so reserved. I enjoyed it very much.
Oh, it was so nice to visit with Anna and Darius again, I adored these characters in Code of Honor. It was also fun to get a glimpse of Colette and Sterling. I won’t say much other than you should definitely read this short story if you read Code of Honor and you are moving on the Code of Ethics as well as everything April White writes is pure gold!!
This novella has been such a treat! I was able to read this serial-style through the Smartypants Romance Patreon and I loved every entry. Not only did we get bonus story for Darius and Anna, but we had the chance to know Sterling and Colette a little better as well. What a great surprise from one of my all time favorite authors.
It's not often a a short read leaves me feeling satisfied with the storyline, however Code of Matrimony did just that. I loved reading more about the main characters from Code of Honour (Cipher Security book 2), and that's the reason I did love this so much, because being already familiar with the characters I enjoyed spending more time with them.......AND some other favourite characters made appearances, which is always a bonus.
Anna is her normal, hilarious self, completely unfiltered and quirky, and just so perfectly matched for Darius. I liked Colette and Sterling as a couple much more than I was expecting to. Loved the little pieces of herself that Colette shared with Sterling as she opened up more, her love for her twin shines through in Code of Matrimony.
Anna is about to get married to Darius, but even though she wants her sister, Colette to be involved, she still wants a simple wedding at her parents' home. However, Anna wants her sister to be happy too, and Colette is nervous about having Sterling Gray meet their free spirited mother on her own turf.
Code of Matrimony is a short novella that details the wedding of Anna and Darius as well as the growing relationship between Colette and Sterling. There are no great revelations or important or exciting story lines. It is just a simple story about a wedding. Overall, Code of Matrimony is a sweet story with little substance.
If a story was ever able to give me the feelings of a smile and a warm hug all rolled into one, it would be this one! What a TREAT this was. I’ve been in such a funk lately and I adore this series. This was just what I needed to lose myself easily to a quick tale that had me smile from page one until the end. How on earth did so much transpire in just a few short chapters? Well, it did! And it left me wanting more. More from this series, more smart connective women making their tribe, and more of Collette and Sterling!
I loved EVERYTHING about this novella! The first two books in the series are exceptional novels and this novella is seriously enhanced if you've read both of them. Especially, Code of Honor.
For someone who's highest percentage love language is gifts, the wedding gift given to the couple at the beginning of their wedding, was seriously touching. I'll admit, it made me cry. If anyone ever gave me anything like that, I'd cry all over them!
I loved that Collette for her HEA and that Sterling Gray turned out to be a really great man.
There's two brief sex, one for each sister. They're both sexy but appropriately short the length of this novella.
I'm about to go start the next book in the series and I can't wait!
This is a short little novella of Anna getting married. Love Anna and her broken filter.
This also features her sister and her relationship with Sterling from Anna’s book. I was hoping her sister would get her own book. We only get a tiny peek of her and her HFN ending.
It’s been a long time since I read Code of Honor, and I kept meaning to pick up this novella. I mean, it’s a wedding between Anna and Darius (giving them the ultimate happily ever after). But it’s also about her twin finding her own partner and fairy tale ending. It might have taken me a little while to get to this, but now that I’ve dived back into the SmartyPants Romance world, and Cipher Security, I’m trying to remember why I left in the first place.
So far in my readings of April White and the Cipher Security series, I’ve liked that the point of view is from between the two main leads. Yet, since this novella deals with two couples, it has three different points of view. It was fun to read the same storyline and flicker between the different perspectives. It was also nice to see that each of the characters have ulterior motives for throwing a party. Yet, all three (Darius, Anna and Colette) are motives which are inspired by their love for one another.
Although I loved finding out that Colette gets her own happily ever after moment, my favourite aspect of this was the wedding of Anna and Darius. Namely, the gift that they are given from all of their loved ones. It literally bought a tear to my eye, the idea of everyone sharing something from their lives and themselves. And then sharing these stories. It has got to be the single coolest gift and idea that I’ve read in a long while.
I was in the mood for a quick read and so I finally decided to read Code of Matrimony and I loved this book. Readers, of my blog, will know that I am a big fan of what I call Geek Chick Lit, those books that feature quirky characters - the socially awkward females. I think the reason I love them is that I see myself often in the characters as I often find myself as the awkward one and I also have a lot of random facts running through my head. Like the characters in this book, I also found someone in my life who loves me for me - quirks and all and stands by me and my moments like tonight I was very indecisive about what I wanted to eat for dinner and we finally got there in the end. Slightly off-topic there, but back to the book. Code of Matrimony is a quick read and features the upcoming nuptials between Anna and Darius whom we met in the first book of this series. We also have another blossoming relationship between Anna's twin sister Colette and billionaire Sterling Gray whom we also met in the first book when the twins were hired to steal a painting back for their family. Code of Matrimony by April White is part of the Smartypants Romance and is based on the world of Penny Reid's Knitting in the City series which means this book features Quinn, Janie, and Kat. Fans of Penny Reid's and Julie Moffat's books will love Code of Matrimony by April White.
Great characters in a space where I want to live . . . .
Code of Matrimony is some closure on the twins from Code of Honor and Code of Conduct, books 2 and 1 in Cipher Security. Anna and Colette are shopping for gowns for Anna’s upcoming wedding to Darius, and Colette has unfinished communication with Sterling, all of which gets sorted one way or another, and a set up for Code of Ethics comes at the very end. As vague as I can be without compromising the story.
What makes April’s writing so good and the characters so beloved, is her complete dedication to brilliance, seeming as if every word is chosen specifically to put you in their space - an appreciation for the intellect of the reader. Of course, who wouldn’t want to live in the worlds of Darius (living off his own boat) or Sterling (what with his mansion and private jets), but it’s the special minds of Collette and Anna that are the special treat - Anna’s directness and Collette’s subtleties (which she must drop if she’s to further her relationship with Sterling), and the men who love their idiosyncrasies that make this novella special. The best thing about this book? The sneak peek into Code of Ethics, and the fact that it is only a couple of weeks away. . . . Enjoy.
This was a fun further insight into the characters that were introduced in the previous book Code of Honour. Just 7 chapters easy to read, including a sneak peek into the third book in the series Code of Ethics. Being involved briefly in planning a wedding without the stress of planning a wedding and deciding on the "costumes" which in the end are perfect for the players.
I love that the main characters are strong independent women but are all so varied in the way they express that strengths in their creativity, organisational abilities or just the way they communicate with others. These are the sort of people you'd want to associate with, well at least I would.
This is a lovely little Segway into the workings of the author's creative mind I feel and lovely intro the next book, as stated earlier with the 1st chapter of the next book, which I am looking forward to.
My take away quote from this one is "The best way to stop caring what other people think is to Marie Kondo (Japanese organizing consultant) my decisions. Does it speak to my heart? Does it spark joy? Even better if you're happy too." Then rawk on.
Anna and Colette might be identical twins but not in personality. Anna is an all-action adrenaline junkie, socially inept, prone to blurting out everything she's thinking, happiest in flat shoes and jeans. Colette is sophisticated and elegant, measured, and easily mistaken for a model.
Anna is getting married to Darius (see Code of Honor, a small beach affair with a few friends and family at her parents' home in Rockport, Massachusetts.
Colette is dating the millionaire Sterling Gray, which is a bit awkward because she only got close to him originally to distract him while Anna broke into his father's vault and stole a painting which belonged to their mother. They've got over that but their relationship is still very formal, very polite, they only see each other once a week. Despite that Colette really likes him, but is he ready to meet her bohemian (swims naked in the sea every day) mother and spend time in close company with her zany sister? She might love them both but they don't strike her as the sort of people Sterling would want to spend time with. Colette aims to avoid the awkwardness by not inviting Sterling to Rockport but instead hosting a dazzling engagement party in the city for Anna and Darius, which is much more to Sterling's taste.
Ahh. Anna and Darius, their assortment of fabulous Pennyverse Cipher Security friends, (hi, Dan and Kat!), and the progression of their epic love story. It was so fun to revisit these amazing characters! I love their love and their connection, their relationship shorthand as well as their humor, (and the swoony bits don't hurt either)! If you fell in love with these guys in Code of Honor, you'll surely want to come back for this short and quick read. Some insight into Colette's relationship too, and happy and satisfying ending for all. What else could you ask for, while the world outside is literally and figuratively on fire, and all you want is some happiness, quiet and a good feeling that carries you through? As with all the things April White writes, her smart characters are the draw, and with actual laugh out loud moments between the sweet and sexy you'd find it hard to find a quicker fix! Read it.
I love that April White decided there were things that needed to happen before book 3 and chose to have them happen on the page. (Paraphrasing) Much like the twins, Anna and Collette, this is a conversation that is best experienced outside one’s head without filters. Here we get to experience new layers of relationships as they happen/as people become aware of things growing and changing. SO many lovely calls back to previous stories and many favorite characters make an appearance too. A true love letter.
Delightful! I'm always greedy for more story after the book has ended. Always. Well, April loves us and has gifted us this novella revolving around wedding planning for Anna and Darius. Colette wants to give Anna the ceremony she wants while working her for a more formal event where she can introduce Sterling to their parents. I wasn't sold on Sterling before, but I am now. There are so many special moments shared in this story and I loved all of it!
Anna and Darius’ wedding day is imminent! Colette and Sterling need to assess and address their feelings and I hope that April White considers this my formal petition for more Colette and Sterling content. This novella is both fulfilling and teasing and chock full of warm fuzzies.
What a great story April White has written, all about the wedding of Anna and Darius, previously introduced in the Code books. We also see some more sparks between twin sister Colette and the previously (maybe?) bad guy (but not really) Sterling. So if you enjoyed April's previous Code books, you'll want to grab this one too.
This was that extra story I didn't know I wanted about some characters I loved. While I'm glad I got a little more of Sterling and Collette's story, I do wish theirs had had a little bit more. Otherwise, I loved how this showed so many different viewpoints without feeling too complex.
A quick novella that follows Code of Honor in which Darius and Anna are planning their wedding and Colette and Sterling (Anna's twin and the rich pseudo-villain from CoH) get their HEA. It's very spicy for a novella and free for a limited time on Kindle.
April White has such a great talent for creating characters that come alive on the page. Code of Matrimony brings even more depth to her characters and leaves me wanting more!