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Royal Bride
To a continent in turmoil, Prince Augustus of Jura is the battle-hardened war hero who saved his tiny nation from the clutches of Napoleon. His next challenge is to find an English wife with the political connections he needs to keep his country safe. When the object of his pursuit runs off with his cousin, Augustus turns to the woman's younger sister, Charity Beaufort. Yet the strong-willed Charity is resistant to being a state pawn, even as duty demands her betrothal to the mysterious prince. Swept into a dazzling world of palaces and court intrigue, Charity suddenly finds herself awakening to new passions in her husband's arms. But for Charity this royal marriage of convenience will not be enough --- unless she can win her dazzling husband's heart and soul.
408 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
16 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Joan Wolf
102 books369 followersJoan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 19, 2026
HAIKU BOOK REVIEW: Royal Bride, by Joan Wolf.
Cheating husband's mom
asks that he be forgiven,
Spineless bride agrees.
Cheating husband's mom
asks that he be forgiven,
Spineless bride agrees.
December 25, 2017
Loved the beginning but does get a bit boring in the end.
March 10, 2010
This is different from what I usually read, but I gave it a shot. Unfortunately, I just couldn't accept the absolutely flawless Prince; he was too good to be true (although he did turn to a mistress soon after his marriage). There was virtually no tension in this book, until the last 40 pages, but even then, there was no doubting the outcome. It was okay.
March 4, 2023
Much More Than a Romance
This book has so much more finely-crafted and has vastly more substance than the typical love story. The plot is so credible and well-integrated with history that it feels like it could have happened. There are suspense and adventure elements that would make it an interesting movie. Augustus is a man of integrity, courage, and intelligence, and Charity’s journey from open-hearted, hero-worshipping teenager to capable, wise and insightful partner is believable.
The plot, locations and peripheral characters are well-fleshed out, but not tediously so. It seems like a lot of research, time and care went into this book.
The author has a finely-honed writing style in many of her books—characters with integrity, intelligent dialogue, unique stories, an absence of lazy and illogical plot devices, and no bad grammar or vocabulary choices. As good a writer as Joan Wolf is, this one really stands out as much more than a romance, and something special.
This book has so much more finely-crafted and has vastly more substance than the typical love story. The plot is so credible and well-integrated with history that it feels like it could have happened. There are suspense and adventure elements that would make it an interesting movie. Augustus is a man of integrity, courage, and intelligence, and Charity’s journey from open-hearted, hero-worshipping teenager to capable, wise and insightful partner is believable.
The plot, locations and peripheral characters are well-fleshed out, but not tediously so. It seems like a lot of research, time and care went into this book.
The author has a finely-honed writing style in many of her books—characters with integrity, intelligent dialogue, unique stories, an absence of lazy and illogical plot devices, and no bad grammar or vocabulary choices. As good a writer as Joan Wolf is, this one really stands out as much more than a romance, and something special.
March 31, 2009
about a young woman who marries a royal price of a country beset by intrigue and betrayel, her love for him, and their eventual happiness amid greed, betrayel, intrigue, and how it is eventually resolved
July 18, 2012
It would have gotten a 3 stars if wasnt the Eva situation. I hate cheaters.
March 4, 2015
The prince was too perfect,she could have found something else to make him seem less perfect. Why did she make him a cheater? Sucked all the enjoyment out of the book.
December 9, 2016
I can't tolerate cheating,and after cheating the hero sends his devil mom to clean up his mess.Apparently the hero is supposed to be a cool ,collected and calm leader!
April 25, 2025
Ci sono alcuni romanzi 'storici' di JW che sono, per i miei gusti, assolutamente 'no': vicende anacronistiche, con protagonisti irritanti. Alcuni non li ho terminati; altri li ho resi dopo una breve scorsa.
Ci sono altri romanzi di JW che (come questo) sono decisamente 'sì': l'ambientazione storica estremamente curata, i personaggi attraenti e credibili, la trama avvincente. Ed è forse vero che il regno di Jura, la scena del romanzo, sa un po' troppo di operetta... ma non più del Granducato di Grimmburg, il rutilante sfondo di 'Altezza Reale' di Mann.
Ci sono altri romanzi di JW che (come questo) sono decisamente 'sì': l'ambientazione storica estremamente curata, i personaggi attraenti e credibili, la trama avvincente. Ed è forse vero che il regno di Jura, la scena del romanzo, sa un po' troppo di operetta... ma non più del Granducato di Grimmburg, il rutilante sfondo di 'Altezza Reale' di Mann.
September 6, 2023
Typowy romans historyczny, z irytującymi bohaterami.
February 13, 2016
In order to maintain his country's independence, Prince Augustus of Jura sets up a treaty with Great Britain and cements it by arranging a marriage to a British wife. Charity has grown up on stories of Prince Gus and is eager to meet him when he comes to marry her sister, Lydia. Lydia is everything a princess should be, while Charity is an immature seventeen year old. During the weeks/months before the wedding, Augustus and Charity become good friends. But when Lydia runs off with Augustus's cousin, Charity has to step up to take her place. But Augustus doesn't know what to do with a child for a wife at first. And Augustus also has to deal with outside threats to his reign and to his family.
First the writing. As intelligently written as this book was, it felt unemotional. The story was told in a rather cut and dry manner. So much so that I barely felt any anger at the fact that our honorable hero who decides to wait for his wife to be ready for consummating their marriage, decides to take up with his mistress instead of asking her if she's ready. There were moments when I felt his guilt, especially once he got caught, but on the whole such an angsty thing was barely twinge-worthy. The heroine, supposedly devastated, barely registered as so. And that's the other thing - Augustus. In so many ways he was a decent hero - he was quiet and serious, intelligent, respectful and not an ass. And yet, the man neglects his bride-to-be because he doesn't like her (at least he takes some of the blame when she elopes with the man he kept foisting her off on), he cheats on his wife, he sends his mother to explain to her why he did (instead of being a man and doing it himself) and repeatedly indicates that he's glad his wife is young enough that he can mold her into the wife he wants. These things made it difficult to like him a lot. I liked Charity and how her youth and innocence conflicted with her emotional and mental maturity. The political plot behind the romance was also very intelligently designed, and unusual for a romance novel as well.
First the writing. As intelligently written as this book was, it felt unemotional. The story was told in a rather cut and dry manner. So much so that I barely felt any anger at the fact that our honorable hero who decides to wait for his wife to be ready for consummating their marriage, decides to take up with his mistress instead of asking her if she's ready. There were moments when I felt his guilt, especially once he got caught, but on the whole such an angsty thing was barely twinge-worthy. The heroine, supposedly devastated, barely registered as so. And that's the other thing - Augustus. In so many ways he was a decent hero - he was quiet and serious, intelligent, respectful and not an ass. And yet, the man neglects his bride-to-be because he doesn't like her (at least he takes some of the blame when she elopes with the man he kept foisting her off on), he cheats on his wife, he sends his mother to explain to her why he did (instead of being a man and doing it himself) and repeatedly indicates that he's glad his wife is young enough that he can mold her into the wife he wants. These things made it difficult to like him a lot. I liked Charity and how her youth and innocence conflicted with her emotional and mental maturity. The political plot behind the romance was also very intelligently designed, and unusual for a romance novel as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2011
Yes, except for the Eva scenario as likely as it would be in that situation, I really enjoy this very slow marriage-of-necessity to lovers story interspersed with thoughts about how a small principality would survive after the Napoleonic Wars in any meaningful and independent way. I smell traces of Monaco in Jura - and there was a lovely homage to dressage riding, with Lipizzans even!
Although I had the impression that the author's horse knowledge doesn't come up to Judith Tarr levels (not every author has a herd of Lipizzans to fall back on for experience) in the escape scenario into the snow-covered mountains.
The side characters, especially the prince's mother and Charity's grandmother were interesting and their own people as well - even those two poor soldiers who were almost trapped into an assassination plot for all the little screen-time they had.
This is more about two people who are married to each other trying to serve and save their small country than anything and it was just fine as is. And Augustus was probably one of the most realistic males in love - when he's happy he doesn't worry about it and he sure doesn't remember to say the words, heh ^^.
The real growth happened inside Charity (which, considering it usually is all about the man angst in many contemporary romances, was a very nice change). And she does change, without having to give up her idealism much.
Although I had the impression that the author's horse knowledge doesn't come up to Judith Tarr levels (not every author has a herd of Lipizzans to fall back on for experience) in the escape scenario into the snow-covered mountains.
The side characters, especially the prince's mother and Charity's grandmother were interesting and their own people as well - even those two poor soldiers who were almost trapped into an assassination plot for all the little screen-time they had.
This is more about two people who are married to each other trying to serve and save their small country than anything and it was just fine as is. And Augustus was probably one of the most realistic males in love - when he's happy he doesn't worry about it and he sure doesn't remember to say the words, heh ^^.
The real growth happened inside Charity (which, considering it usually is all about the man angst in many contemporary romances, was a very nice change). And she does change, without having to give up her idealism much.
November 26, 2019
Prince Augustus of Jura has fought hard for the past ten years against Napoleon. Then he had to fight to keep his country independent from Austria at the Treaty of Vienna. To keep it free, he decides to ally the country through a treaty and marriage to England. He asks his great aunt who also married an Englishman to find a bride. She suggest her older granddaughter Lydia. The engagement proceeds but Lydia is more comfortable with Gus' cousin Franz and Gus with the younger sister Charity. When Lydia and Franz elope, Gus and Charity marry instead, and are much better suited. They have their fair share of problems including an attempted coup by Franz, but all works out for the best in the end.
July 22, 2016
Royal Bride reads a little differently than your typical historical romance. In tone and detail, it feels much more like a historical novel- even with the fictitious country of Jura thrown in. The court formality, the way royal family follows protocol, even among themselves, and the emphasis on diplomacy and geographical tensions ( here with Austria) gives the reader the feeling of being in a different place in time.
The romance starts as a friendship between two quite likable characters who knowingly enter a favorable alliance. So really, it is a muted love story, but a lovely one. It is easy to see how harmonious their personalities are as well as understand the physical attraction they have. The romantic tension comes from misunderstandings based on their ages and roles. Anyone hooked on tempestuous love stories will find this dull, but I loved the contrast of outer serenity with quiet inner tension.
The romance starts as a friendship between two quite likable characters who knowingly enter a favorable alliance. So really, it is a muted love story, but a lovely one. It is easy to see how harmonious their personalities are as well as understand the physical attraction they have. The romantic tension comes from misunderstandings based on their ages and roles. Anyone hooked on tempestuous love stories will find this dull, but I loved the contrast of outer serenity with quiet inner tension.
August 20, 2008
I can't believe the person who wrote this book is the same author that wrote The Road to Avalon and Born of the Sun. The basic story concept had possibilities, but the storyline is poorly written and executed and falls flat to this reader. It's almost like a 12 year old wrote this and not an experienced author.
January 8, 2013
I really like Joan Wolf's portrayal of feelings and this is just another example of an awesome take on a well loved genre. Read the synopsis and if it sounds at all good to you read it because you will love it.
March 28, 2023
Great Story
Thoroughly entertaining, though I had a few eye rolls at some aspects. Some if the phraseology was far too 20th century to ring true, and the handling of the affair was far too glib.
I do recommend reading it though.
Thoroughly entertaining, though I had a few eye rolls at some aspects. Some if the phraseology was far too 20th century to ring true, and the handling of the affair was far too glib.
I do recommend reading it though.
February 9, 2009
Better than expected.
April 21, 2018
read update version by the author re-title The English Bride
November 26, 2013
Royal bride is an historical book from my own point of view. I love charity and her ways. The prince couldn’t have gotten a more suitable bride.
November 8, 2020
Still one of my favorite romance reads :)
April 20, 2015
Cute read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews