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fannypza's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed it. I found the pacing to be good throughout the story, the tropey plot lines well executed, and I liked how the relationship developed without some dragged out misunderstanding or complication towards the end.
I was disappointed with the fourth book in the series, which I read first, and underwhelmed by the first book, so either I'm getting used to the world and the author's way of writing and will enjoy the third as well, or this was an exception in a series I wanted to like.
I was disappointed with the fourth book in the series, which I read first, and underwhelmed by the first book, so either I'm getting used to the world and the author's way of writing and will enjoy the third as well, or this was an exception in a series I wanted to like.
kimmerp's review against another edition
4.0
Much better than Book #1. Nice plot, good reveals, and believable attraction. Well done.
emilyflo's review against another edition
4.0
I still really liked this book, but personally I thought it was a bit less enjoyable than the first because almost the whole time was spent with Freddy and Damaris (I know I know, they’re the main characters so big surprise). I just thought that one of the biggest appeals for the first book was the sisters and Lady Bea, so yeah :/ Still really really enjoyed it though. Freddy and Damaris are very likable and I’m not complaining.
Only one nitpick is how at the end Freddy was all like Damaris was the one for me, when I first saw her… I guess I don’t really believe in love at first sight, so I would much rather have preferred if they just learned to love each other over spending nearly every morning together. Seriously, what’s wrong with that? As much as I know this whole book (this whole genre really) is wish fulfillment, I don’t really find it that romantic for a guy to have fallen for me within an instant of meeting me. I would find it a little creepy, tbh.
Only one nitpick is how at the end Freddy was all like Damaris was the one for me, when I first saw her… I guess I don’t really believe in love at first sight, so I would much rather have preferred if they just learned to love each other over spending nearly every morning together. Seriously, what’s wrong with that? As much as I know this whole book (this whole genre really) is wish fulfillment, I don’t really find it that romantic for a guy to have fallen for me within an instant of meeting me. I would find it a little creepy, tbh.
romancelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
❤❤❤❤❤❤
I loved this SO MUCH!! Please be mine, Freddy Hyphen-Hyphen!!
Compared to the first book, this one focused solely on the main characters, and I couldn't be happier about it!
We all knew that there was more to Damaris from the first book. Ms. Gracie did a phenomenal job showing us Damaris's past and why she had an abhorrence of marriage. The men in her past are absolute scum.
As for my dear Freddy, there was much more to him than I expected. I particularly loved how Ms. Gracie managed to tell us both Freddy's and Damaris's stories. She showed us how and why these two were meant to be. They completed each other. They helped each other heal and took comfort in each other's company. Damaris helped Freddy and Freddy helped Damaris. I absolutely loved their relationship. I felt the exact same way that Damaris felt about Freddy.
Freddy is now one of my favourite heroes. He's ranked at the top.
I'm excited to read Jane's story, although I never would've thought to pair her with a spy! That should be interesting.
Edit: I noticed that there were a few differences between this book and the first one, mostly the descriptions of Freddy and his family. In the first book, Freddy's mom sounded like a Mrs. Bennet and apparently Freddy had 3 sisters. I'm guessing the author changed her mind about that for the second book.
I loved this SO MUCH!! Please be mine, Freddy Hyphen-Hyphen!!
Compared to the first book, this one focused solely on the main characters, and I couldn't be happier about it!
We all knew that there was more to Damaris from the first book. Ms. Gracie did a phenomenal job showing us Damaris's past and why she had an abhorrence of marriage. The men in her past are absolute scum.
As for my dear Freddy, there was much more to him than I expected. I particularly loved how Ms. Gracie managed to tell us both Freddy's and Damaris's stories. She showed us how and why these two were meant to be. They completed each other. They helped each other heal and took comfort in each other's company. Damaris helped Freddy and Freddy helped Damaris. I absolutely loved their relationship. I felt the exact same way that Damaris felt about Freddy.
Freddy is now one of my favourite heroes. He's ranked at the top.
I'm excited to read Jane's story, although I never would've thought to pair her with a spy! That should be interesting.
Edit: I noticed that there were a few differences between this book and the first one, mostly the descriptions of Freddy and his family. In the first book, Freddy's mom sounded like a Mrs. Bennet and apparently Freddy had 3 sisters. I'm guessing the author changed her mind about that for the second book.
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
I have a thing about historical romance. I love historical fiction and I love romance, so why is it that I don’t read a lot of historical romance? Historical romance is a subgenre that just hasn’t worked for me in the past – either I find the historical details lacking or the plot sacrificed for period detail. I’ve dared to hope that it’s been because I just haven’t found the right author yet. Happily, by reading The Winter Bride, I can say that Anne Gracie writes everything I want in a historical romance – wit, charm and just a hint of naughtiness. She writes like I think Jane Austen would if she was a modern novelist. I thoroughly enjoyed The Winter Bride and I look forward to devouring Anne Gracie’s novels and then fan girling her at the RWA conference in August!
The Winter Bride is the second in the Chance sisters quartet (book three is due later in 2015), each book focusing on the romantic entanglements of four girls (who are not all sisters) taken in by a rich woman and presented to society. I haven’t yet read the first book in the series (The Autumn Bride) and I didn’t have any difficulty in picking up the story. The only spoiler you are likely to find is who marries Abby, but if you’ve read the blurb, you will likely have guessed that. The Winter Bride focuses on Damaris, a woman some might describe as headstrong, but she has reasons for wanting her independence. Damaris doesn’t want to be married and is prepared to work in secret to obtain the little cottage in the country where she can live peacefully, alone. But Freddy Monkton-Coombes has been entrusted to look after the three Chance girls while good friend Max is on his honeymoon, and despite his fear of ‘muffins’, he will take it seriously and do his best. Fortunately for Freddy, none of the girls are muffins (girls looking snare a man in marriage by whatever means possible) and he finds himself admiring Damaris. He then puts a proposition to her – fake an engagement to stop his mother throwing a muffin party at the family estate. But things turn rather dramatic and the pair end up being compromised…
I can’t put into words how much I loved this story. It’s historical romance, but with a cheekiness that puts it above and beyond other books I’ve read in the genre. Everything is historically accurate, but there’s a freshness that enchants the modern reader. I love how Anne Gracie does this – it seems like her characters could step into my world with ease. The attraction and wit between Damaris and Freddy is also brilliantly done – they spar with a crackle of electricity radiating through the page. I knew that they were going to get together but the journey was so wonderful, I was happy for numerous obstacles to be thrown in their path. Freddy was revealed early on to be so much more than a careless rake that I instantly warmed to him.
The story isn’t all acerbic jocularity though. Damaris has had a horrible time in returning to England from China, where her father was a missionary. The way Gracie revealed what happened to Damaris in stages made me feel even more for her, as just when you think things can’t get any worse, something else is revealed. The last reveal culminates in a cross-England race to find the culprit and punish him, with Damaris and Abby in close pursuit. It makes for a wonderful read. But there’s still more to be revealed after that and the story finishes with a moving tearjerker, which was quite fast in revealing the truth but a lovely closure.
I’ll definitely be hunting down Anne Gracie’s other books. I think I’ve found my historical romance crack here!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The Winter Bride is the second in the Chance sisters quartet (book three is due later in 2015), each book focusing on the romantic entanglements of four girls (who are not all sisters) taken in by a rich woman and presented to society. I haven’t yet read the first book in the series (The Autumn Bride) and I didn’t have any difficulty in picking up the story. The only spoiler you are likely to find is who marries Abby, but if you’ve read the blurb, you will likely have guessed that. The Winter Bride focuses on Damaris, a woman some might describe as headstrong, but she has reasons for wanting her independence. Damaris doesn’t want to be married and is prepared to work in secret to obtain the little cottage in the country where she can live peacefully, alone. But Freddy Monkton-Coombes has been entrusted to look after the three Chance girls while good friend Max is on his honeymoon, and despite his fear of ‘muffins’, he will take it seriously and do his best. Fortunately for Freddy, none of the girls are muffins (girls looking snare a man in marriage by whatever means possible) and he finds himself admiring Damaris. He then puts a proposition to her – fake an engagement to stop his mother throwing a muffin party at the family estate. But things turn rather dramatic and the pair end up being compromised…
I can’t put into words how much I loved this story. It’s historical romance, but with a cheekiness that puts it above and beyond other books I’ve read in the genre. Everything is historically accurate, but there’s a freshness that enchants the modern reader. I love how Anne Gracie does this – it seems like her characters could step into my world with ease. The attraction and wit between Damaris and Freddy is also brilliantly done – they spar with a crackle of electricity radiating through the page. I knew that they were going to get together but the journey was so wonderful, I was happy for numerous obstacles to be thrown in their path. Freddy was revealed early on to be so much more than a careless rake that I instantly warmed to him.
The story isn’t all acerbic jocularity though. Damaris has had a horrible time in returning to England from China, where her father was a missionary. The way Gracie revealed what happened to Damaris in stages made me feel even more for her, as just when you think things can’t get any worse, something else is revealed. The last reveal culminates in a cross-England race to find the culprit and punish him, with Damaris and Abby in close pursuit. It makes for a wonderful read. But there’s still more to be revealed after that and the story finishes with a moving tearjerker, which was quite fast in revealing the truth but a lovely closure.
I’ll definitely be hunting down Anne Gracie’s other books. I think I’ve found my historical romance crack here!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
bethandhertea's review against another edition
5.0
On a whim I started this one in audio, then quickly sat down and read the rest with some tea. It was perfect reading weather today, what's a girl to do? :D
This is one of my favourite romances! Even better, the book blurb makes it seem like it will be one of my most hated tropes, but instead it is nothing at all like that. It just takes me to a happy place and just stays there. :)
This is one of my favourite romances! Even better, the book blurb makes it seem like it will be one of my most hated tropes, but instead it is nothing at all like that. It just takes me to a happy place and just stays there. :)
jlrmac's review against another edition
2.0
Good for a light romance to pass the time. A bit predictable and fanciful.
readingpenguin's review against another edition
5.0
Best of 2019, #12
Looking back, both the hero and heroine in this book are fantastically well written. What really helped it stand out and make the list, though, was Freddie. I love a quipy hero, I love a rake who has reasons for his rakishness. And I think his secret past, once revealed, is heartbreaking and perfectly explains why he is the way he is.
I also just have to recommend this series for it's solid female friendship and found family vibes. Start with The Autumn Bride, you'll regret nothing.
~
4.25 Stars
While this didn't necessarily do anything truly outstanding, it did tick all of my personal boxes and happened to be what I was in the mood for. I love a rake with a heart of gold. I love a plucky, hardworking heroine. I love a pretend engagement. Good chemistry, good dialogue, and a decent relationship arc.
Looking back, both the hero and heroine in this book are fantastically well written. What really helped it stand out and make the list, though, was Freddie. I love a quipy hero, I love a rake who has reasons for his rakishness. And I think his secret past, once revealed, is heartbreaking and perfectly explains why he is the way he is.
I also just have to recommend this series for it's solid female friendship and found family vibes. Start with The Autumn Bride, you'll regret nothing.
~
4.25 Stars
While this didn't necessarily do anything truly outstanding, it did tick all of my personal boxes and happened to be what I was in the mood for. I love a rake with a heart of gold. I love a plucky, hardworking heroine. I love a pretend engagement. Good chemistry, good dialogue, and a decent relationship arc.