ASIN: B00DB3621E
ISBN-13: 978-0062219268
Publisher: HarperCollins
Line: Avon
Release Date: Jan 28, 2014
Pages: 384
Digital Retail: 6.99
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Genre: Historical
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating:
New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore
What happens when a bride says no?
He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publically jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.
What happens when the heart says yes?
He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass.
And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?
Review
Blake Stephens is the illegitimate son of a duke, and has spent most of his life trying to prove his worth to his father. He even goes so far as to become engaged to the girl his father selected, not knowing that his father only wants the girl out of the reach of his other son and legitimate heir. When his fiancee, Tara, bolts before the wedding and flees back to her father's home in Scotland, Blake pursues.
Tara has decided that she has made a huge mistake and really loves the stablemaster at her father's home. They were sweethearts, and she broke his heart when she left to have a London season. Also at home is her sister, Aileen, who is living in disgrace. She married a brute who beat her, and in fear for her life, she allowed everyone to think she had committed adultery, so her husband would divorce her. He did divorce her, and she now lives outside society.
Aileen encourages Tara to resume her engagement, and marry Blake. She doesn't want to see her sister endure the same alienation she has. Then Blake arrives, determined to convince Tara to go forward with the marriage. He meets Aileen, and in a short amount of time, the two fall in love, and begin an affair.
I had a really hard time with this book on many levels. The love story is (supposedly) about Aileen and Blake, yet, so much of the story is about Tara - her selfish attempts to get her old love back (though he is now engaged to someone else,) her indecision about whether she will marry Blake, and her total disregard for the love that Blake and Aileen have for each other.
Then there is the matter of Aileen and Blake. They are supposedly so in love, and they are carrying on a torrid affair, yet when Aileen says she won't marry him unless Tara gives him up, he blindly goes along with her. When Tara decides to go forward with the wedding, Aileen and Blake are still sleeping together, right up until the night before the wedding. And they both show up at church, serenely going forward, knowing their time together is over. Their actions made me doubt their love for each other.
Because this is a romance, there is a happy ever after, but this book just didn't work for me. Unless you're a diehard fan of this author, I'd pass.
Reviewed by Rose