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rlbooks8 's review for:
At the Bride Hunt Ball
by Olivia Parker
I've wanted a house party historical for a while and just hadn't been able to find one that quite worked, but this hit the spot! It's not perfect, there are some editing snafus and formatting where there's no break between scene changes. I still got pulled in and spent my afternoon rooting for Gabriel (H) and Madelyn (h). They have a hilarious first meeting at a party thrown to announce which ladies will attend the Duke's (Gabriel) house party in an effort to secure a wife for his younger brother, since the Duke never plans on marrying. Madelyn literally runs from the room trying to dodge getting her own invitation. It's that sort of scandalously different behavior and quirky situations she finds herself in that she exhibits throughout the book. Despite Gabriel's intention never to marry, he inexorably is swept away by this imperfect, but perfect for him, future bride. Written in third person, dual POV (which changes within the text without label). Sort of ow drama in that some of the other potential brides decide to pursue the Duke, but nothing comes of it and sort of om drama in that a prior suitor of the h's also attends the house party and shows interest, but also tries to help her. H is not a virgin and small details shared about his history, h is a virgin.
Madelyn is at the house party to watch over a friend, who's in love with Gabriel's brother, and also because she's being pressured to pursue the Duke by her stepmother. Madelyn is clumsy, outspoken, and a sweetheart. Sometimes she was a bit naive or needed to ask more questions, but she was so likable. Madelyn also has low self-esteem because of her stepmother and my heart hurt for how she was treated and also some of the times Gabriel inadvertently hurt her, esp when he adored her as she was. Gabriel is aloof and a perfectionist and immediately smitten with Madelyn, which I loved. He both fought not to cross lines and pursued her aggressively. Between them there is some push/pull and there are some misassumptions and miscommunications at times, but this is a light, quick read. It's a slow burn that does also include steamy times. I also really liked that each of their feelings for the other developed even with their initial plans not to.
Madelyn's stepmother was horrid and I did wish that there was a comeuppance for her. Gabriel's sister was lovely and so was Madelyn's best friend. His brother was immature but funny. I ended up liking Madelyn's former suitor and wanted him to get his own HEA (maybe he does in another book in the series). There are also the other "bridal hunt" attendees who were mostly ladies who thought they were better than others, although I wouldn't call them mean girls.
Madelyn and Gabriel do share their feelings and get on the same page with their romance, with a third act breakup and bit of help along the way, and their HEA was a good one. The last chapter is an extended epilogue a few years down the road and I loved that it had a lightened up Gabriel along with showing them happy and in love.
Madelyn is at the house party to watch over a friend, who's in love with Gabriel's brother, and also because she's being pressured to pursue the Duke by her stepmother. Madelyn is clumsy, outspoken, and a sweetheart. Sometimes she was a bit naive or needed to ask more questions, but she was so likable. Madelyn also has low self-esteem because of her stepmother and my heart hurt for how she was treated and also some of the times Gabriel inadvertently hurt her, esp when he adored her as she was. Gabriel is aloof and a perfectionist and immediately smitten with Madelyn, which I loved. He both fought not to cross lines and pursued her aggressively. Between them there is some push/pull and there are some misassumptions and miscommunications at times, but this is a light, quick read. It's a slow burn that does also include steamy times. I also really liked that each of their feelings for the other developed even with their initial plans not to.
Madelyn's stepmother was horrid and I did wish that there was a comeuppance for her. Gabriel's sister was lovely and so was Madelyn's best friend. His brother was immature but funny. I ended up liking Madelyn's former suitor and wanted him to get his own HEA (maybe he does in another book in the series). There are also the other "bridal hunt" attendees who were mostly ladies who thought they were better than others, although I wouldn't call them mean girls.
Madelyn and Gabriel do share their feelings and get on the same page with their romance, with a third act breakup and bit of help along the way, and their HEA was a good one. The last chapter is an extended epilogue a few years down the road and I loved that it had a lightened up Gabriel along with showing them happy and in love.