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A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time #2
His Contrary Bride
Sabrina Chester has been a servant at Lady Davies Academy for Young Ladies for the past four years. Until her father’s death, which left her destitute, she had been one of the affluent students. Sabrina is rescued from her plight by Marius Parker, who finds himself stranded in the last place he wishes to ever be. Upon learning her identity, Marius is convinced treachery is afoot. He is acquainted with the uncle and cousin of Lady Sabrina and both are wealthy, affluent gentlemen of society. Marius couldn’t begin to understand why they had left Sabrina in this state of servitude. When he discovers that her father hadn’t been a victim of war, but a victim of murder, Marius determines the only way he can keep Sabrina safe is to marry her. Unfortunately, Sabrina doesn’t necessarily agree that this is the best option.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2011
25 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Jane Charles
176 books390 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan, loves wine tastings, and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and husband. She is currently writing her next book while planning her dream trip to Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 26, 2017
Barely made 3 stars..
Let’s go back to me being shallow. I’ve told all of you that before. Not interested in the way real people look in real life, I only want a beautiful hero and heroine. Sooo, the heroine is full-figured or plump or something like that. But worse was the hero. He’s 20-something with a bump on his nose and a “receding hairline.” Really? A “receding hairline?” WTH? I don’t even know right now if I will even finish this book, or even read anything else by Jane Charles. I just can’t unsee those words. I don’t want to read about a hero with his "hair receding."
I liked Sabrina, and the way she didn’t let those other girls’ treatment of her get her down. I liked how she just took off walking to London by herself, no matter how far it is. And I liked Marius picking her up on her way and after hearing her story he knew something was wrong. However, I can’t finish this book. There can be no “receding hairline” for me. That is toooo real and I read to get out of the real world. I stopped reading at 46%. I couldn’t get their descriptions out of my mind.
I don’t know if there was sex but I’m assuming there was since there was explicit sex in the last book. But no swearing.
As to the narrator: He still stinks at the women’s voices and he still reads without emotions. He does a great job at the men’s voices but that’s not all there is to narrating a book.
Let’s go back to me being shallow. I’ve told all of you that before. Not interested in the way real people look in real life, I only want a beautiful hero and heroine. Sooo, the heroine is full-figured or plump or something like that. But worse was the hero. He’s 20-something with a bump on his nose and a “receding hairline.” Really? A “receding hairline?” WTH? I don’t even know right now if I will even finish this book, or even read anything else by Jane Charles. I just can’t unsee those words. I don’t want to read about a hero with his "hair receding."
I liked Sabrina, and the way she didn’t let those other girls’ treatment of her get her down. I liked how she just took off walking to London by herself, no matter how far it is. And I liked Marius picking her up on her way and after hearing her story he knew something was wrong. However, I can’t finish this book. There can be no “receding hairline” for me. That is toooo real and I read to get out of the real world. I stopped reading at 46%. I couldn’t get their descriptions out of my mind.
I don’t know if there was sex but I’m assuming there was since there was explicit sex in the last book. But no swearing.
As to the narrator: He still stinks at the women’s voices and he still reads without emotions. He does a great job at the men’s voices but that’s not all there is to narrating a book.
February 9, 2013
Characterization in Regency romances, is for me, critical. I love forward thinking heroines, and shy, vulnerable heroines; and cheeky, hoyendish heroines - but whatever their character type, they have to be drawn within the constraints of the society, attitudes and behaviours of the time.
This heroine was so smothered in the constraints of the Regency period, I couldn't believe in her.
She was just too everything in the face of nastiness, servitude, etc - but when the hero steps in to help her out and put her life to rights, she becomes this ungracious, ungrateful shrew.
By the time she's abducted by the villain, I am almost ready to cheer! Marius (the hero) deserved better than this childish piece of baggage.
This heroine was so smothered in the constraints of the Regency period, I couldn't believe in her.
She was just too everything in the face of nastiness, servitude, etc - but when the hero steps in to help her out and put her life to rights, she becomes this ungracious, ungrateful shrew.
By the time she's abducted by the villain, I am almost ready to cheer! Marius (the hero) deserved better than this childish piece of baggage.
March 26, 2013
Enjoyable short novel based on the Cinderella legend. I admit I am a sucker for fairy tale characters. Plus the heroine is named Sabrina. Great name. (I have an adorable great niece named Sabrina. And she is a princess!)
Sabrina is at a girls' academy and has a change of fortune not unlike the heroine in A Little Princess. She has to run away due to a lewd order given to her by the headmistress and she is rescued on the road to London by none other than our hero, Marius Parker.
Loved the mistletoe scenes!
Sabrina is at a girls' academy and has a change of fortune not unlike the heroine in A Little Princess. She has to run away due to a lewd order given to her by the headmistress and she is rescued on the road to London by none other than our hero, Marius Parker.
Loved the mistletoe scenes!
March 19, 2013
To tell the truth the first few chapters of this book reminded me of The Little Princess. This was a excellent book, despite the simple plot. The only thing I have against it is as with the other books by Jane Charles, are the secondary couples. We know about Phoebe and Taylor from the first book in this series, but I want to read about the other two couples.
June 8, 2015
She does it again!
This story is a true "Cinderella" tale. The heroine, though cousin of a peer, is locked away at her finishing school where she is the maid to her classmates. That's how she met the hero. I would say more but I don't want to ruin the story for other potential readers. This book is a must read for all Regency romance fans.
This story is a true "Cinderella" tale. The heroine, though cousin of a peer, is locked away at her finishing school where she is the maid to her classmates. That's how she met the hero. I would say more but I don't want to ruin the story for other potential readers. This book is a must read for all Regency romance fans.
August 8, 2015
I don't see the audio book listed for this one, but that's the one I read or listened to. Still love this narrator when he uses the British accent like he does in these regency stories. This author still used the word pants though.
January 5, 2025
Jan 2024
This book in the series is better than book 1. It flows better and the characters are more convincing as is the plot however again there remained grey areas that really did need expanding
This book in the series is better than book 1. It flows better and the characters are more convincing as is the plot however again there remained grey areas that really did need expanding
July 10, 2013
I enjoyed this book even more than the first. I find that what I like about this series is that it is some what of an adventure as well as a romance.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews