Customer Reviews

Claiming the Forbidden Bride (Harlequin Historical)

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

 

 

I have loved all of Gayle Wilson's historical romances and was very excited to see she had written a new one. The writing is good but the plot kind of unlikley and it lacked her usual emotional intensity. I just couldn't get too excited about the romance of Rhys and Nadya. He is a younger son recently returned from the Peninsular wars and she is a Romany healer. Her mysterious half brother who is half Romany but was the son of an English aristo keeps popping up in a brooding and threatening way with some unresolved mystery in his background which makes me think this is the beginning of a series. Just OK.

Before this new release, Gayle Wilson hadn't, I believe, written an historical romance since her 2001 ANNE'S PERFECT HUSBAND. That book and HIS SECRET DUCHESS from 1997 are very good HRs. This new one is well written but there's something missing. Although the H and h are worthy people, I couldn't feel the love and attraction I like in a romance. (Maybe the H isn't alpha enough for my taste?) In addition I guess I'm not that fond of romances that have so many social class obstacles in their way. This class difference and growing romance between a beautiful Romany and an injured English gentleman soldier back from the Peninsula is depicted realistically and they both struggle to fight the attraction but end up together anyway for our HEA. Although the resolution of their differences is not as pat and unrealistic as in some other HRs with a similar theme, it was still too easy IMO.

As for the rest of the story, the heroine has a resentful, sullen illegitimate half-brother (English father, shared Romany mother) and his mysterious doings are alluded to but we never find out much at all about them. There is also a mysterious attempt on our h's life which is never resolved. I don't mind a series of books (and it seems as if the half-brother will have his own) but I like the problems within each individual story to have a bit of a wrap-up. The only wrap-up we got was the marriage of H and h.

Finally, the waiting has come to an end. Gayle Wilson hasn't written a romantic historical since 2002. Although I enjoy the other genres she creates, her historicals are incomparable. CLAIMING THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE is no exception.

Rhys Morgan fought many battles during his time in the Peninsular War but none have prepared him for the one he would face when he returned to England. Because of suffering severe wounds during the war, Rhys' soldiering days are over. However, he is determined to prove himself still useful and not be a burden to his family. So he sets off to pursue his future only to find himself once again wounded and in need of a healer. He's never seen a woman more beautiful that Nadya Argentari, his Romany savior. After meeting her, Rhys knows he can't let her go. Is Nadya just what he needs to find purpose in life again? Or will she be the beginning of a battle he never imagined fighting? Will he be able to overcome the biggest conflict of them all, the English ton?

Nadya Argentari spends most of her time healing others. So when the handsome Rhys Morgan finds himself in need of her help she doesn't hesitate to give it. Especially since his injuries were sustained because of saving her daughter. After spending so much time caring for him, it's no surprise she fell in love. But she also knows she can't let him get too close because a match between the two of them would never be accepted. Besides, she has seen what loving an Englishman can do to a Gypsy woman. Does she really want to take the chance of letting that happen to her? Can she leave well enough alone and let him return home without telling him how she feels? Could they ever find a way to be together without conflict?

Gayle Wilson created two amazing characters that were perfect for each other. The passion simmering between the two of them was enough to keep me up late at night wanting to find out how the story would end. Rhys and Nadya's passion ignited from the first and never waned. I felt the connection from the beginning of the book and that is what ultimately drew me in. I loved reading this historical. If you haven't read a Gayle Wilson book you are truly missing out. She is an incredible writer. I can't wait to get my hands on her next historical. I only hope she doesn't make us wait another eight years this time.

Noveltalk Reviewer by Dyan Hunter reviewed on 10/5/2010.

I really enjoyed this story of a romance between an English lord and gypsy healer. Up until the end, the story was a realistic depiction of a doomed love affair, never likely to work because of class differences. What eventually spoiled the book for me was the very convenient 'happy ever after' ending which wrapped up all the loose ends, but wasn't very realistic in the context of the story Wilson was telling. The other problem with this story is that it is an episode in a series (although it is supposed to be a story standing on its own) and this makes it a little disjointed...for example, we never know who is trying to kill Nadya, and why. All this being said, it is a lovely romance to put you in a good mood.

I agree that in some ways this book was maybe not her best historical work, but still very much everything I love in a Gayle Wilson book. I am so excited to see that she is writing anything historical again that I just loved the book. I am a fan of the scarred or disabled hero, and this one though not focusing on the hero's injuries still had enough. I do think there were parts that were not completely answered, so maybe another book is in the works to expand on that. Keep them coming Gayle. Thanks again.