Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a charming & heart-warming romance novel, August 5, 2003
This review is from: Barely A Bride (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
The first in a new series that revolves around a few titled gentlemen (the Free Fellows League) who have all taken an oath to put off marrying as long as possible, not fall in love and to never, ever be at the beck and call of any woman, "Barely a Bride" proved to be a surprisingly enjoyable read. I cannot tell you why -- the storyline was a rather plain one with few frills (no jealous ex-mistresses vowing revenge, no murder/spy subplot, no secondary romantic subplot) and with no unexpected twists -- but I found myself being rather charmed with this simple little romance novel and have no problem with recommending it as a worthwhile read. Griffin Abernathy (the seventeenth Viscount Abernathy) needs to find a wife as soon as possible: he's about to the posted to the Peninsula, however when his father (the Earl of Weymouth) discovers that his only son and heir is about to risk life and limb (and the family name), he issues an ultimatum -- get married at once and try to beget an heir or give up the commission. And so Griffin has taken to haunting London's drawing rooms in hope of finding a lady he can tolerate being married to. And he thinks he's found just the lady when he spies the Season's reigning Incomparable, Lady Alyssa Carrollton. Fortunately for Griffin, in Lady Allysa he's struck gold. Lady Alyssa is a clever and serious-minded young lady who wants nothing to do with husband-hunting; she'd rather garden. But Lady Alyssa's mother has other plans -- she wants Alyssa to make THE MATCH of the Season. So that when Griffin tracks Alyssa down and proposes that they marry each other so that they each may achieve what they desire, Alyssa agrees to his scheme. But neither counted on the passion (and love) that would spring between them during their brief time together. Will these tender emotions survive their inevitable separation when Griffin rides off to join his regiment? Alyssa knows how she feels about Griffin, but she's not so sure about her husband... "Barely a Bride" may not be to everyone's taste. The authour has chosen to tell her story in as straightforward a manner as possible. And while I do like this novel, I have to own that the book could have been a little more evenly paced. More than half the novel is taken up how Griffin manages to win Alyssa's heart and approval, their wedding and their very brief and passionate honeymoon; a healthy segment is also spent on how the pair copes with their separation. The last quarter of the novel deals with how a battle weary and emotionally scarred Griffin returns home, his attempts to cope and his realization of his true feelings for Alyssa. The trouble with "Barely a Bride" was that the last bit had a rather rushed feeling to it -- suddenly all is resolved. Given the somewhat sedate pace at which the novel was unfolding until then, this sudden picking up of pace gave things a rather unbalanced feel. On the plus side however, "Barely a Bride" proved to be a rather intelligent and sweet love story about two likable people (Griffin, unlike most run-of-the-mill romance heroes, was NOT a quick to judge woman-hating jerk; and Alyssa was intelligent, compassionate and really, really nice), who marry for convenience but who discover something rather precious in their union. I'm still at a loss to explain why I liked it so very, very much ... perhaps I was just in the right mood to appreciate this gem of a romance novel.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
By the end of the book I was truly in tears!, June 14, 2005
This review is from: Barely A Bride (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
For me this book began a little light hearted, with the main character Griffin Abernathy, a freefellow, swearing at an early age with 2 other childhood friends to put country before any woman's affections, and never to marry. Unless one is forced to marry, which Griffin finds himself forced to marry by his father's demand before he goes off to war. Griffin an only child, to 2 wonderful loving parents, has little over 2 weeks to find a wife. He settles on a beautifuly unique young lady, Alyssa, and fortunately she is very taken with him. Since she believes marriage will give her, her independence from a quirky irritating family she is thrilled with the arrangements Griffin sets forth, and the couple marries 3 days before Griffin goes off to fight Napoleon. I love the advise that Griffin's father gives his son, about romance, and making memories for his bride and also for himself. For me this is where the book really picks up in intensity - Griffin and Alyssa may only had 3 days but I dare say they made the most of them! The really clicked as a couple and by the time Griffin went off he regretted that he had to leave his wife. I don't think he quite knew he was in love, but Alyssa truly knew. For the next 14 months they wrote, and shared their lives but not really their feelings. And when Griffin is finally injured and comes home a broken man, although a hero, the story really becomes quite and emotional one! I think my only criticizm of the book, would be it needed to be about 40 pages longer - this part of the story was heart wrenching and you just know there was so much healing that needed to be done by Alyssa to bring Griffin back from his turmoil of the war. Alyssa was one of my more favorite heroines, she was so honest and true and just went for what she wanted in a loving, kind way. Griffin might never have wanted a wife, but when he chose he found himself a perfect one!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful simple love story, February 15, 2005
This review is from: Barely A Bride (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
Griffin and Alyssa are a wonderful couple whom you immediately fall in love with. I've read the entire series by Rebecca Hagan Lee and they are all excellent simple regency romances. There are no convoluted plots, the sensualness is not overblown, and the two characters are simply two charming people that come together to save each other.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
