Customer Reviews

Wedding of the Season: Abandoned at the Altar

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I pre-ordered this book after I read the rave reviews it received from RR. I'm so glad I did! It appears that the negative ratings and reviews below are written by people who did not finish the book, which was a huge mistake! The characters are well developed, the plot is unpredictable and fast paced, and the romance is really great! I go through historical romance novels like kleenex, and I rarely review the books I've purchased on amazon, but I was very dismayed by the couple of negative reviews I read. This book is great! I've read books that I just couldn't finish, and believe me this book is not one of them. I love that the book is set in the 1900's, because I rarely find any historical romance novels that take place after around 1860. The time period and setting of the book make it pleasantly original. I also greatly enjoyed the batter and sexual tension from the two main characters that starts right from the beginning. So many books depict characters' dislike for one another turn into love; however, this book involves two characters already in-love with each other trying to convince themselves they hate the other. The book still contains all of the fun mushy stuff that makes a great romance novel- including a very satisfying ending!

Based on the (quite horrible) cover and blurb I was expecting Wedding of the Season to be a regency romance, well imagine my shock when in the scene where the heroine is introduced to us she's driving a car and wearing trousers! Yes, I warn you: make no mistakes this historical romance is set in the beginning of the 20th century, around 1904: Beatrix is a modern young woman of 25: she wears trousers, drives a car and shock: she has even smoked a couple of cigarettes!

I don't think I've ever read a historical romance novel set around this time: it was either regency or World War historicals for me. It was an interesting epoque and if you want to imagine the athmosphere of the novel and what to expect, I would say picture an episode of Hercule Poirot (played by David Suchet): the women's independence and rebellion against the conservative roles and the whole "holidaying at a summer house with friends" reminded me of that.

What sets Wedding of the Season apart from the other historical romances I have read so far (besides the timeframe) is how realistic the difficulties and obstacles were: Will is an adventure seeking duke: he has dreamt of ancient civilisations since he was a boy and he's right where he always wanted to be: on an excavation in Egypt, he is passionate about archeology, history and discovery. Meanwhile Beatrix likes her life the way her ancestors have lived theirs: she wants to stay in England, get married and raise her children in the countryside where she grew up. Tradition, history and responsibility are important to her and this is where and how she wants to live her life. It seems their two dreams cannot be reconciled and I was amazed at the realistic description and approach Laura Lee Guhrke took when presenting their dilemma in detail through the novel.

Wedding of the Season is not the usual fairy tale historical romance where the alpha male scoundrel/gentleman hero sweeps the heroine off her feet (literally) and they live happily ever after. In this book the problems are realistic and the doubts and concerns of the hero and the heroine are real: one can easily understand both point of view and see that they want two very different things from life. (Although their camaraderie, love and friendship and all their memories from their shared childhood made this realisation even more bittersweet.)

I was looking forward to the ending of the novel with bated breath because I was curious to see how Laura Lee Guhrke would resolve souch a dilemma (since it is a historical romance I had no doubts there would be a happy ending): I was hoping that after portraying such a modern and progressive heroine she wouldn't ruin everything with having Beatrix abandon her idea of happiness and the life she wanted and sacrifice everything just to join Will on his way to realising his dreams. And I have to say overall I'm happy with the way she ended the story.

Verdict: Wedding of the Season is an intelligent and realistic historical romance set in an interesting time: at the dawn of women awakening to their freedom and claiming their independence. If you are tired of classical regency historicals or if you just want something else, try Wedding of the Season.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Cover: 4/10 (this cover not only does not give a good idea about what the story is about, it downright misleads the reader. This is not a regency romance but a more modern historical romance set at the beginning of the 20th century. And I just hate that blue and rose together, it looks ughly..ugh.)


The Abandoned at the Altar series:

Book #1 Wedding of the Season
Book#2 Scandal of the Year

I usually don't leave reviews for books, but many of my book purchases are based on the reviews that are posted. Unlike the previous reviewer, I actually read this book-not just the first 130 pages and the last chapter-and really enjoyed it.

Will and Beatrix have loved each other since childhood and were engaged to be married. Will has always been interested in archeology, so when he is offered a chance to go on an archeological expedition weeks before his wedding, he jumps at the chance assuming that Beatrix will be thrilled to join him. Beatrix, who has been raised by an overbearing father, craves excitement and adventure, but fears following through. She gives Will an ultimatum-stay in England or the marriage is off. Will is hurt that Beatrix would force him to stay even though she knows that it is his lifelong dream to make an archeological discovery. They both say hurtful things to each other and Will leaves for Egypt.

Six years later, Beatrix is engaged to someone else and Will returns to England to seek financing for his archeological dig since he has used up all of his inheritance searching for King Tut's Tomb. He and Beatrix re-connect and find that the love is still there, but the obstacles that kept them apart six years ago are still issues that are keeping them apart now. Are they older and wiser to overcome these challenges and take advantage of their second chance at love?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yes, the heroine was jilted. And yes, the hero didn't quite suffer long enough for jilting her, but he did still love her-never stopped loving her and they did come to a satisfying compromise in the end. I definitely recommend this book. Please do not be discouraged by the other review and give this book a chance!

I had very low expectations after reading the reviews on here, I was pleasantly suprised how much I liked the book! I can't wait to read it again! Some of the reviews said that the Hero did not seem like he regretted his decision, but all throughout the book there is evidence that he regretted his decision,and that he still loved the heroine! This book was one of my favorite by this author and it is a keeper for me!

I decided to round my 3.5-star opinion of this book to 4 mostly to counterbalance some very negative reviews that seemed a tad unfair to me. For many, the criticism of the book is the actions of the hero. For me, it's the slowness of the second half of the book, with all the talk, talk, talk of H and h over the same old issues they've had for years, without getting to any resolution, until a very last-minute action on the part of the heroine.

6 years prior, a very young Wm. Mallory (23 at the time), who had a very real, serious, longtime interest in archeology and Egyptology, was given the opportunity to act on this by going to a dig in Egypt. Unfortunately, he was suddenly surprised with this offer just 2 weeks before his wedding to Beatrix Danbury, his love since childhood. He tells her about this, fully expecting that she would be more than happy to accompany him, but she says 'no way'. They discuss the problem for days, neither one giving an inch, so the wedding is called off.

Well, call me unromantic, but I'm with William all the way on this. In his place, I would have done the same. It was the chance of a lifetime, for goodness' sake. Beatrix should have been more understanding. Both parties were to blame for the wedding's cancelation. He did not exactly 'dump' or 'ditch' her any more than she 'rejected' him. So I'm OK with the break-up 6 years earlier. Both parties were probably too immature to marry at the time anyway. My problem is that 6 years later, neither one seems to have matured all that much. Their physical attraction is as great as ever, but their ability to compromise is still nonexistent. So, as I said before, in the second half of the book we have endless discussion of the same old issue.

By that time I didn't care too much what happened. So you might ask me why I gave this book the rounded up 4 stars. Several reasons: 1) They did try to resolve the differences and didn't annoy me by jumping into bed with each other too soon. 2) Two secondary characters: Aidan, Beatrix's fiance, and Julia, her best friend. You can just tell that Aidan will make a great hero of his own book and as for Julia, who doesn't like a cigarette-smoking, Daimler-driving female in 1901? 3) The time period. It's the Edwardian Era. Although not my favorite in English history, it's a good change of pace after reading too many Regencies or Victorians. 4) The writing was quite competent. It did not deserve a 1-star rating just because of a dislike of the hero.

I loved Guhrke's early books, but the past two or three have just been repeats of her earlier books, basically. Since my past enjoyment was so great, though, I still had hopes for her newest book, "Wedding of the Season," which I tried to read last night. Unfortunately, I succeed for 130 pages. That's it for Guhrke, for me. So, this review is based on those 130 pages and the final chapter.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Although some readers like a novel of a heroine pursuing the hero, I am not one of them. If the hero jilts the heroine, I want him to feel terrible, to realize fully what he has lost. I do not want a perhaps more realistic portrayal that both people needed to change. The public humiliation for the woman is so great, especially in the past, that it demands a greater intensity of regret by the hero than her suffering. I do not want to read of a heroine's lifelong pursuit of the hero, beginning in near infancy, his jilting her, and his returned mainly to borrow funds to explore Egyptian tombs and only incidentally, to see her. I don't care that he's pursuing King Tut's tomb and that we know that in less than twenty years, Carter will discover it. Instead of envisioning an enduring love between them, I envisioned him either grousing for the rest of his life that in a moment of madness, he had abandoned his chance at greatness or her withering away in the Egyptian heat and dust, enduring complaining martyrdom.

STORY BRIEF:
Will and Beatrix have been in love since childhood and were engaged to be married. Then Will got an offer to join a famous archaeologist in Egypt. This was his dream. He wanted Beatrix to go with him, but she refused, so the wedding was called off. Six years later, Beatrix is engaged to Aidan. Will has used up his inheritance and returns to England to look for a sponsor for his work. He is searching for King Tut's tomb. Marshall invites a group of friends to his summer home in Devonshire for a few weeks. Will attends because he hopes to ask Marshall to be his sponsor. Beatrix and Aidan also attend. While there, Will and Beatrix realize they are still in love with each other. Beatrix doesn't want to admit it.

Beatrix's father influenced her to be caution and avoid risk. He wanted her to stay close to him forever. After he died, Beatrix's cousin Julia brought Beatrix out of her shell by teaching her to smoke and to drive. Julia even gave her a car. After that, Beatrix met and became engaged to Aidan who was similar to her father - cautious and conservative.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
A theme of the book is Beatrix wanting to travel and go on adventures but afraid of taking risks. It's an ok idea but felt too long and drawn out when trying to tell a full length story about it. There was too much pondering repetition. There is a scene with Beatrix probably in her teens. Will and others jump off a cliff into the ocean, a 30 foot dive. Beatrix wanted to do it but backed out and claimed she preferred to admire the view from above. This scene is discussed and pondered several times during the book. Most of the book seems to be about Beatrix figuring out what she wants in life, who does she love, and will she take risks. There wasn't much plot. The characters didn't intrigue me.

Another part of the story is that they love each other but they each want something else more. She claims she wants a home, children, and to stay in England. He wants his archaeological career. And when he returns it's not for her, it's for money for his work. So it's weak on passion.

Her last minute change of mind and actions annoyed me. Instead of suspense, I felt anxiety over someone being too late for something.

DATA:
Story length: 360 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 2. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 16. Setting: 1896 and 1901 England. Copyright: 2011. Genre: historical romance.

As a child, Beatrix Danbury tagged along with Will Mallory on all his many adventures. Beatrix and Will always loved each other and eventually planned to marry, but the adventure of a lifetime took Will to Egypt right before their wedding, ending their engagement. Six years later, Will is back and Beatrix is marrying another man, but their connection and attraction is still there. Nothing has changed between them, not even the love they have for each other, but is love enough to keep them together this time?

Wedding of the Season is more than an angst-filled love story where Beatrix and Will break up then make up. My heart went out to both of them. They each had to make hard choices knowing full well that their hearts would be broken in the process. Will had dreams bigger and brighter than most, but by the end he fulfills so much more than he dared hope for. Beatrix is in a position most women of her time find themselves in, trapped by society and obligation. Six years apart only makes the sparks fly brighter between them. At a time when most people marry for money or title, rarely for love, Beatrix and Will could have it all, if they could just meet in the middle. Penned with realism, excellent characterization, and tons of emotion, Wedding of the Season is a timeless tale full of charm and poignancy.


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

(This was originally posted on Book Lovers Inc)

Wedding of the Season is the first book I read from this author. I'm seriously asking myself 'Why didn't I read her books before?'. (I'm already adding more of her books to my TBR pile) I devoured this book in no time. It was a real pleasure to read. This is the first book in the Abandoned at the Altar series and the 2nd book comes out in February.
I don't often pay attention to the dates mentioned in the books I'm reading, and after reading the first chapter I had to go back to the prologue to see when the story was taking place. I'm used to reading historical romances set in the 19th century, and when the heroine first appears driving a car and wearing Turkish trousers I was VERY surprised. So yes, this book is set at the very beginning of the 20th century, this was unexpected but it brought something new to the story.

Beatrix has been abandoned by her fiancé, Will, 2 weeks before the wedding. She hasn't even been abandoned for another woman...no, her fiancé left her to go to Egypt to search for Tutankhamen's tomb! She was of course devastated and 6 years later she finally decided she was over this heartbreak. Beatrix is going to get married this time to Aidan, another Duke. I really like Beatrix, from the very first scene, she makes quite an appearance, driving like a madwoman on the country road. She's changed a lot since Will left her, she's no longer this naive young girl pining for him. With the help of her cousin Julia she's become more independent and have more fun. She was trapped in a life society and her father chose for her, she thought she had to act like she did to be how they wanted her to be. She never really did what she wanted herself. When Will decides to come back in England after all these years in Egypt, the Beatrix he meets is not the one he left. She doesn't even help him when he fell from his horse who's been frightened by her car.

Will is a Duke but he doesn't feel he deserves his good fortune in life. He wants to do something in his life and doesn't want to be an idle Lord going from country parties to balls. He wants adventure. When he asked Beatrix to come with him to Egypt he never thought she would say no. After all these years, he's back in England to find a sponsor, but he is also aware that Beatrix is going to get married to another man in 2 months. I like Will, he is sweet and passionate. I understand why he needed to leave but he still loves her and he thinks she won't be happy with Aidan. Beatrix is afraid Will is back to ruin her wedding day. This engagement with Aidan was the sensible thing to do. Aidan is reliable, nice, very good looking, he's a Duke...but he is so different from Beatrix. Aidan's idea of a perfect honeymoon is a tour of his estates, while Beatrix dreams of going to Florence. She loves to drive her car and he finds it terrifying. He will be a good husband , but a very boring one.

The story flows very easily, I couldn't stop reading once I started. I loved the witty dialogs and the interactions between the hero/heroine. This book made me feel good and that's really something I appreciate. I was very happy with the ending, it didn't end exactly as I thought it would and I found it perfect. The last chapter was so romantic I had tears in my eyes. Will is a wonderful hero, I was surprised at how he turned out.

I'm very happy that the next book, Scandal of the Year is about a character we met in this book. I felt very bad for him and I think he deserves his HEA too. Wedding of the Season is a beautiful historical romance that will make you feel good inside. It's cute, smexy and funny, with characters so real they could be you. You don't want to miss this book.



I give Wedding of the Season 5 Bookies

4.5 stars. I finished this yesterday and really enjoyed. It is set in 1902(ish?), and I loved the more modern take on historical England. Women are becoming more independent (smoking, driving and showing some ankle!), aristocracy is losing power to commercialism, and the rules of society are quickly being rewritten to allow people more personal freedoms. Music, fashion, and even transportation are all evolving, and I thought LLG did a great job bringing many of these elements into this story.

At age 23 William Mallory, heir to the Duke of Sunderland, had his life all planned out for him and handed on a silver platter - a title, money, a beautiful fiance...etc., but instead chose to follow a once in a life time opportunity and left for Egypt in hopes of unearthing King Tut's tomb. His fiance Beatrix (Trix) Danbury, dutiful daughter to a neighboring Earl, refused to go with him and live in such a horrid climate, and therefor gives him an ultimatum. He chooses Egypt, and now 6-years later has comes back to England to find financial support to continue his archaeological digs.

Will and Trix are now older, wiser and living the lives they thought they wanted. Newly engaged to the Duke of Trathen, Trix has finally gotten over the love of her life leaving his ducal duties behind to pursue his dreams, and is now ready for the comfortable (but passionless) companionship her upcoming marriage will provide. And then she see's Will riding his horse on the side of the road, and nothing is the same again.

While both Will and Trix felt they made the right decision 6-years ago, spending time together again reveals the deep passion they once shared is far from gone. Six years ago they were so focused on their own desires that the other person's desires were dismissed without any real consideration.

The chemistry between Will and Trix was so believable, and the way they slowly reveal their past hurt and accept their own part in it while learning to see the situation through each others eyes was well done. While I did get frustrated with Trix for taking so long to finally lighten up, her strict background made her actions believable. And now for Will to win Trix back, he has to prove his love and take on the monumental task of winning back her trust.

If you are looking for a regency historical with a simpering, doe-eyed virginal heroine and a dominate alpha-male hero, this isn't that book. This is a more modern historical that addresses issues of conflict where both the hero or heroine made many mistakes. It was such an enjoyable read and I recommend it to LLG fans. I can't wait for the next in the series.