The Bride Hunt (Mass Market Paperback)

by Jane Feather (Author)
Key Phrases: bride hunt, The Bride Hunt, Jane Feather, Sir Gideon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The second entry in Feather's Matchmaker trilogy (following The Bachelor List) is a charming romp through 19th-century London featuring the Duncan sisters, who are trying to hold their family together financially by running a matchmaking service and producing the suffragist scandal sheet The Mayfair Lady. When the paper is sued for libel, Prudence Duncan enlists the help of fierce barrister Sir Gideon Malvern. Gideon is convinced their case is hopeless, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for stubborn, strong-willed Prue. Because she can't afford his fees, Gideon agrees to argue the case if she finds him a suitable bride, but before long, Gideon finds himself as involved with Prue as he is with the Mayfair Lady case. Readers may be surprised by the setting, which is unusual for historical romances; here the automobile and the telephone have already been invented. One amusing scene centers on a drive to the country, which takes three hours in Gideon's car (moving at its top speed of 20 miles an hour). Though this is Prue's story, both Constance and Chastity ably carry their portions of the novel, which will ensure that readers snap up the other two books in the series (each focusing on a sister and conveniently appearing in consecutive months).
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
The second installment in Feather's trilogy about the Duncan sisters focuses on Prudence, the most practical of the three. The paper that the sisters publish to maintain their aristocratic lifestyle in early twentieth-century London is being sued for libel by the very man who caused their economic downturn, and Prudence has approached the best lawyer their nonexistent funds can buy. Tenacious barrister Sir Gideon Malvern almost refuses the case until he decides that Prudence herself is a challenge worth taking. She sees Gideon as a disagreeable means to win the suit and offers to find him a bride in exchange for his services. Amused, he agrees. While Prudence tries to figure out what kind of woman will interest the divorced father of a 10-year-old daughter, Gideon tries to discern what kind of woman Prudence really is behind her prim facade. Interesting characters keep the sensual story lively, proving once again why Feather is so very popular. Readers will eagerly anticipate the adventures of the third Duncan sister. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055358619X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553586190
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #260,803 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Jane Feather is no Jane Austen, October 10, 2006

By	SNG (Chicago) - See all my reviews

There were three story lines in this book, and none of them were very interesting. The story of the three sisters' relationship to each other and their matchmaking service had the potential to be amusing (as a similar story was done so well in Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice), but instead was lifeless and plodding. The second story about the civil suit and trial was trite and unrealistic. And the third story, the romance between Gideon and Prudence, suffered from a lack of development. They didn't spend much time together as a couple because Prudence was always with her sisters or working on the newspaper or trial.

Altogether, this book put me off Jane Feather. I doubt that I'll try another one of Feather's books anytime soon, if at all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good and worth a read, but not the best (of the series or from Jane Feather), July 12, 2007

By	Philippa J. (Maryland, United States) - See all my reviews

I've read a good number of Jane Feather's books and this is not my favorite, though it is worth reading; if I had to do it over, I would have gotten it from the library and not bought it, since I don't think it will be on my reread shelf. It is the second in the Duncan Sisters Trilogy, but was actually the last one that I read; I don't remember what I thought about the first book, The Bachelor List, (I have ready a lot historical romances) but I greatly enjoyed the third, The Wedding Game.

Setting: England, 1906
Sensuality rating: 5 (a couple kissing scenes, one love scene, all were well-paced within the story and authentic)

PROS:
(1) The chemistry between the hero (Sir Gideon Malvern) and the heroine (Honorable Prudence Duncan) was good; their personalities clashed immediately, but it is fun to watch their relationship develop and I think they were a good pairing
(2) Constance, Prudence, and Chastity (the three Duncan sisters) are endearing and their affection for each other is always evident; they care for one another and for their father, and they really come across as three sisters whom you would enjoy being friends with
(3) Of course, the hero is important and I have to say I liked Gideon, despite his somewhat-authoritarian know-it-all attitude; he has a good heart, his relationship with his daughter is endearing, and seeing him vulnerable at times is irresistible!
(4) As mentioned above, Gideon has a daughter (9-year-old Sarah) who lives with him and not his ex-wife (remember, early 1900s so although divorce is not at all common, it's not completely unheard of); he comes off as a good father, he cares for Sarah greatly and doesn't have an oppressive view of women's roles (Sarah attends a very good school, her governess talks to her about women's suffrage, etc.).
(5) The Bride Hunt is a quick read and doesn't bog you down or grow tedious; the story is fast-paced, entertaining, and I became attached to the characters.

CONS:
First, there were NO major issues, but there's always something you can say, so ...
(1) The fact that the sisters keep Lord Duncan in the dark about the family finances annoys me: he's a grown man, so I really think they should tell him the truth, have him face facts, and not just try to stay one step ahead. We hear many times that this is what Lady Duncan would have done (their mother passed away) and would want them to do, but I was bothered.
(2) Also regarding Lord Duncan, I was annoyed he is shown to consistently support Lord Barclay. The story is that Lord Barclay has raped women working in his household and when they get pregnant he throws them out with nothing - if this were true, I doubt he is pleasant in all other ways, so how does Lord Duncan not see his "friend" is a horrible person? Also, how do the sisters not get annoyed that their father is friends with a rapist? This was inconsistent, and the only reason they were made to continue being friends was because it was necessary for the plot later on (can't say more).

2.0 out of 5 stars Cure for insomnia, December 27, 2006

By	Gemma "bookworm" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

From the back cover:

No sooner had the Duncan sisters' Personals serice turned a profit than their controversial newspaper, THE MAYFAIR LADY, offended a powerful earl--who is now determined to ruin them with a lawsuit. In dire need of counsel, the women turn to England's most-sought-after young barrister...

Sir Gideaon Malvern is notorious for his aggressive style--and his love of a challenge. Spirited Prudence, with her beauty unsuccessfully hidden behind spectacles and frumpy clothes, provides him with exactly that. But how in the world will the Duncan sisters be able to afford Gideon's fee? Prudence proposes a barter: Gideon defends their case; they find him a bride. It's an exchange of services even this most cynical, single barrister can't refuse.

And my review:

I was wary of trying Jane Feather again, as I'd been thoroughly bored by one of her books (THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE) years before. But when I saw this at the thrift store for only 50 cents, I decided to give this author another try, since most writers have at least one "bomb" in their career, and I try not to write them off my list after only one unsatisfying book.

But THE BRIDE HUNT was so boring! I actually found myself distracted from the book by my husband's video game. Yes, it was that unengaging! I couldn't even get to page 50. Nothing really seemed to happen. I felt like a lot of this book was "catch-up" for those who hadn't read the first book in the trilogy (I hadn't), and the characters all seemed flat to me. None of them seemed real, and I just didn't really care about them. And though the threat of a lawsuit and financial ruin loomed, it just didn't have the "oomph" of good characters to back it up. The back cover blurb says that Prudence is "spirited". I didn't see any indication of that. She was pretty "blah" to me. And the hero didn't do much more for me, either.

Jane Feather obviously has a big following; I just won't be counted among that number.