43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great romance by a writer who makes history come alive, December 30, 1999
In 1648, negotiations between King Charles and Parliament seem to be going nowhere when the monarch fled to the Isle of Wight. The leading Parliamentarians are forced to follow and set up households on the isle. Among them is Lord Granville who relocated his family from Yorkshire to Wight to continue bargaining with the King.
His bookworm and scholarly daughter Olivia Granville slips while reading and walking near the edge of a cliff. She suddenly steps into nothingness. When she awakens Olivia is onboard a pirate's ship Wind Dancer. The captain Anthony is actually a royal supporter. As Olivia and Anthony begin to fall in love, his loyalty is tested by his need for her, especially since her father leads the opposition.
THE LEAST LIKELY BRIDE, The third tale in Jane Feather's "Bride" trilogy (see THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE and THE HOSTAGE BRIDE) is a wonderful conclusion to a warm series. The story line is filled with action as "noble," Drake-like pirates and "odious" land-based wreckers cause havoc on the nearby seas. However, as with the first two novels, the intriguing lead characters drive the strong story line even with the King and Parliament serving as a fabulous and authentic backdrop. Ms. Feather's seventeenth century historical romance is another winner that will send the audience seeking the first two books.
Harriet Klausner
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44 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very Disappointing! Not worthy of a last book in the series, January 9, 2000
I have read each of these books and was REALLY looking forward to this one based on what I read in The Accidental Bride. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the releases.
While I liked the story between the hero and the heroine, I often found Olivia acting completely out of what has been her established character. I won't spoil the book by giving it away-but she goes WAAAYY far afield. Anthony was a totally wonderful hero, with dashing good looks and a pirate's sense of danger. But more often than not a felt I was reading a Regency novel that had simply been picked up and moved back a couple of centuries. Nothing about the still somewhat elaborate clothing of the Reformation era, or the highly Puritan overtones of the time. No Great Halls or large fireplaces; but a lot of "Exactly so"'s.
Personally, I like my Romance novels to end with a Happily Ever After scenario. This one definitely doesn't. Not even shakily so. And since as I mentioned above, it is the last book of the trilogy-the story is fini.
I'm sure it will be well read as the other two books were enjoyable and people will want to know how it ends. But be prepared for it not to end pleasantly.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The worst of the three, March 27, 2006
This review is from: The Least Likely Bride (Mass Market Paperback)
I had such high hopes for Olivia! I read all three books in a span of about two weeks (this one being the last).
Olivia's character had such great possibility! Too bad it was wasted on quick fixes in the name of "enthrallment" (Olivia's excuse for all of her actions in this book). After swearing off men, Olivia's circumstances wind her up in the care of a pirate, Anthony. There is the immediate connection that generally takes place with all romance stories, but this one doesn't quite work for me.
Anthony, because of some psychic ability that they don't elaborate on or use to its fullest potential to develop the story, realizes (while Olivia is unconscious) that he is meant for this woman. No development of love or attraction, just that he "knows" she is the one. I guess I could live with that if that was the only problem with this book.
Olivia on the other hand, without this knowledge, gives up her entire way of life for a moment of satisfaction in the name of "enthrallment." For example, after only knowing Anthony for about 20 minutes, she decides she is also a pirate, jumps on board a ship he is robbing and helps him steal. Then she becomes obsessed with the guy, without any real reason. She lies to her family, betrays her father (Cato from the previous story) and abandons any dignity she might still have.
I was really disappointed in Olivia. The way she treated her father and abused his trust is sad. She never once gave information to her father about Anthony, but every chance she got she betrayed her father and his plans to Anthony. A father who believed he was speaking his opinion and thoughts to a daughter he could trust. She basically became a spy in her own household. Something the book never actually addresses.
The sad thing is, when she finally confronts her father on this, he is the one who has to give in. She accepts no responsibility for her betrayal, because she is "in love." And Cato just accepts this a little too easily for me. Especially since he was in the right and she in the wrong.
Jane Feather does an excellent job with writing descriptions and placing you in the time period. I just wish she gave more thought to developing her characters and their motivations.
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