Customer Reviews

The Accidental Bride (A Zebra Holiday Regency Romance)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Honestly, I debated whether to use the 'heroine is plain looking' title for my review. Ms. Rabe mentioned this fact throughout the story way too much. Yes, it is a regency romance and readers of this genre know that in about 75% of the stories by any author the heroine is beautiful. I actually felt sorry for this character a third of the way in because everyone constantly reminded her of this. I rated the story 'OK' because the author never made me think she was.

Emily Vane (no pun intended) is the older step-sister of Elyza Vane, who is a beauty on the outside but shallow and conceited on the inside. Too bad it takes the majority of the story for Charles Trevor, Emily's 'accidental' fiancee, to figure this out about Elyza.

I couldn't figure out why Emily still wanted Charles who was portrayed as both superficial and dim-witted for the majority of the story. This nobleman couldn't figure out why he thought it was OK to continually pursue Elyza but didn't care for another man looking at Emily. I just finished reading "A Memorable Christmas" by Ms. Rabe in A CHRISTMAS TREASURE anthology and liked that story even less. THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE is the fourth book and probably last one that I have read by this author, that I have not cared for.

This book had potential. Perhaps if the chemistry was better. Maybe if there were some humorous moments. Regency romances can be very dry if you are not used to the type of writing most stories encompass. I am sorry this one was not better-written.

Book Description
LOVE'S MISCHIEVOUS MIX-UP...

Poor, plain Emily Vane! Her spoiled step-sister Elyza got the beauty in the family and all the beaux. Now she had manipulated Emily into secretly exchanging costumes with her at a masked soiree so she could slip away unnoticed to a forbidden rendezvous, while wallflower Emily dreamed of being Elyza, the bell of the ball.

It was so naughty a plan for such a nice girl ... as was flirting with Charles Trevor. Emily hadn't meant to encourage the handsome suitor. Or to kiss him. Certainly, she never intended to become engaged. But Charles had long been smitten by the "beautiful" Vane sister. And now, alas, quite by accident, he had proposed to the plain one!

Honor-bound, Emily's groom was headed the altar like a man condemned. Should she set him free? Or could she devise a most ingenious scheme to capture his heart before their June wedding day ... and make the wrong bride the right choice after all?!

***The author adds to the storyline by allowing the handsome rake to see who of the two sisters is the "real" diamond. Who will get the beautiful Vane sister in the end with so many suitors vying for Eliza's hand? Having a handsome Earl (who is a notorious rake) and a confused future Viscount thrown into the confusion the real question is who -- if anyone -- will appreciate and marry poor, plain Emily?

This quick read is a light pleasant bit of fluff that will suit anyone looking for a story where a plain, shy, sweet heroine gets the handsome hero. This is not for anyone looking for a complex, drawn-out, or spicy story; but is a nice, relaxing, pleasant read.

A pleasant read. The spoiled stepsister, the plain heroine, the rake and the hero slowly recognizing that he won the prize.
like