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Bridal Favors #3
What the Bride Wore
Jade Lee's hot Bridal Favors series is set in a daring, high-energy Regency world where deep longings, secret scandals, and the competition for social stature are all set against the glittering weddings of the season.
Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, finally has the funds he always pretended to have, and what he wants now is a woman. That woman is Lady Irene Knopp, who spends her days helping debutantes plan their weddings. A recent widow, Irene longs for love again, but she's afraid to risk her heart, especially to the notorious Grant Benton.
Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, finally has the funds he always pretended to have, and what he wants now is a woman. That woman is Lady Irene Knopp, who spends her days helping debutantes plan their weddings. A recent widow, Irene longs for love again, but she's afraid to risk her heart, especially to the notorious Grant Benton.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
24 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Jade Lee
100 books2,966 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Kathy Lyons.
A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.
To find all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com! And find out where you can meet her at: http://jadeleeauthor.com/appearances
A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.
To find all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com! And find out where you can meet her at: http://jadeleeauthor.com/appearances
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
August 4, 2013
Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, has spent the past five years working at his mill earning enough money to buy back the land his father so foolishly sold. He has told no one what he is doing, not his mother or his brother as he is a bit ashamed of what he is doing...laboring. Yet when he goes to by back the land, the improvements on the land prove to be to great and force the price out of his reach. Despondent, he crawls back into himself with the only bright spot being the woman he met earlier, a purchaser for a dress shop of his fabrics, Lady Irene Knopp. Widowed years ago, she has found happiness in working and having a purpose for each day and she sees that Grant needs to find this same solace. Together they find happiness but Grant is reluctant to let go of his fears. When someone attempts to kill them, he must push past them to find who this person is and why they want to harm Irene or himself. Will Grant be able to let go of his past indiscretions and find peace with Irene and will Irene be able to trust her heart again to someone as reckless as Grant?
This is book three in Jade Lee's Bridal Favors series but it worked well as a standalone though I do recommend reading the novella, Winning a Bride as it shows more of the depth of anger between Grant and his brother and how much needs to be repaired between them. This was a very lovely story of finding oneself and growing into a true, deep love. Irene was the perfect woman to show Grant how to be focused and move past the sadness in life. She found a way, by becoming a purchaser and she helps him find his own way past all the mistakes of his youth. However, Irene feels she can never be a countess as she wants to continue her work so she has her own reservations of becoming to involved with Grant. The suspense portion of this book was well done and not overly dramatic which I appreciated with more of the focus on the romance and rebuilding of Grant's family. Irene and Grant's mutual attraction leads to some very steamy bedroom scenes that added a nice dose of spice to a somewhat slow moving storyline for me. Other than the slowness, it was quite enjoyable and is set up perfectly for the final book in this series and I can't wait to dive into it! Jade Lee always delivers a satisfying romance with the perfect dose of steam. 3 1/2 stars
eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley
This is book three in Jade Lee's Bridal Favors series but it worked well as a standalone though I do recommend reading the novella, Winning a Bride as it shows more of the depth of anger between Grant and his brother and how much needs to be repaired between them. This was a very lovely story of finding oneself and growing into a true, deep love. Irene was the perfect woman to show Grant how to be focused and move past the sadness in life. She found a way, by becoming a purchaser and she helps him find his own way past all the mistakes of his youth. However, Irene feels she can never be a countess as she wants to continue her work so she has her own reservations of becoming to involved with Grant. The suspense portion of this book was well done and not overly dramatic which I appreciated with more of the focus on the romance and rebuilding of Grant's family. Irene and Grant's mutual attraction leads to some very steamy bedroom scenes that added a nice dose of spice to a somewhat slow moving storyline for me. Other than the slowness, it was quite enjoyable and is set up perfectly for the final book in this series and I can't wait to dive into it! Jade Lee always delivers a satisfying romance with the perfect dose of steam. 3 1/2 stars
eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley
April 8, 2018
liked it well enough! The heroine's reasons for not wanting to marry him didn't make sense. It seemed like the author was just trying to create drama/lengthen the plot but it was just redundant and unnecessary. Otherwise it was sweet. I liked the hero and heroine otherwise. I really like this unique perspective on social class differences and beliefs
So many regency/Victorian era novels are only focused on aristocrats, and this did a very good job presenting the perspective of the aristocrat on working class people, and it was surprisingly deep and extensive. I really love these types of historical novels where the mc's work, or they are a reformed lackadaisical rake or lazy gambler, and they learn the hard ways of the middle class. It gives them perspective and even sometimes changes their outlook on the bubble of a world that is the "Ton"/ I could tell the author did her research and I very much appreciated that.
So many regency/Victorian era novels are only focused on aristocrats, and this did a very good job presenting the perspective of the aristocrat on working class people, and it was surprisingly deep and extensive. I really love these types of historical novels where the mc's work, or they are a reformed lackadaisical rake or lazy gambler, and they learn the hard ways of the middle class. It gives them perspective and even sometimes changes their outlook on the bubble of a world that is the "Ton"/ I could tell the author did her research and I very much appreciated that.
October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Allison
Book provided by NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: What the Bride Wore is the hot new historical romance from author Jade Lee. At times poignant, wickedly funny, and sometimes just wicked, it was a fast read and I did not want to put it down.
Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, has been hiding away for five long years, doing the worst thing he could imagine: toiling away at a mill like a common laborer. His father, the gambler, sold the family’s home and land and bought a mill in the country, then fled, never to be seen again. So “Mr. Grant” he becomes, hiding the fact he is a disposed Earl, and he’s been making a go at the mill, working his fingers to the bone, trying to raise the funds to buy his family’s home back and take his place as the Earl of Crowle.
Grant meets Irene Knoppe, a beautiful woman clinging to her widow’s weeds upon his return to London, and is drawn to her. But Irene is reluctant to move on after being a widow for three years, even as she begins to fall for Grant.
Both the hero and heroine have great character arcs as each learn to embrace who they have become, as well as let go of what used to matter to them in order to find love. Grant has to learn that while he sees himself as a common laborer, what he has done is tremendous. He develops a very good work ethic and the fact that he takes a floundering mill and turns it into one of the best mills in the country—in fact, the angora fabrics are highly sought after by the ton.
Irene has to learn that she can still love the husband she lost, but she’s still a young, vibrant woman, with plenty of love to share with someone else. She’s a loyal friend, but she needs to let go and learn to live and love again.
Told from the points of view of both Grant and Irene, it was interesting as Grant keeps hearing a voice in his head, a really snarky conscience, which he thinks is his ‘madness’.
I really enjoyed this book, and this look at what happens when the elite from the ton find themselves without ready funds. It’s a wonderful love story, and I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Book provided by NetGalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: What the Bride Wore is the hot new historical romance from author Jade Lee. At times poignant, wickedly funny, and sometimes just wicked, it was a fast read and I did not want to put it down.
Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, has been hiding away for five long years, doing the worst thing he could imagine: toiling away at a mill like a common laborer. His father, the gambler, sold the family’s home and land and bought a mill in the country, then fled, never to be seen again. So “Mr. Grant” he becomes, hiding the fact he is a disposed Earl, and he’s been making a go at the mill, working his fingers to the bone, trying to raise the funds to buy his family’s home back and take his place as the Earl of Crowle.
Grant meets Irene Knoppe, a beautiful woman clinging to her widow’s weeds upon his return to London, and is drawn to her. But Irene is reluctant to move on after being a widow for three years, even as she begins to fall for Grant.
Both the hero and heroine have great character arcs as each learn to embrace who they have become, as well as let go of what used to matter to them in order to find love. Grant has to learn that while he sees himself as a common laborer, what he has done is tremendous. He develops a very good work ethic and the fact that he takes a floundering mill and turns it into one of the best mills in the country—in fact, the angora fabrics are highly sought after by the ton.
Irene has to learn that she can still love the husband she lost, but she’s still a young, vibrant woman, with plenty of love to share with someone else. She’s a loyal friend, but she needs to let go and learn to live and love again.
Told from the points of view of both Grant and Irene, it was interesting as Grant keeps hearing a voice in his head, a really snarky conscience, which he thinks is his ‘madness’.
I really enjoyed this book, and this look at what happens when the elite from the ton find themselves without ready funds. It’s a wonderful love story, and I can’t wait to read more in this series.
April 27, 2017
Good story line
I gave it two stars...the story was good. I guess I'm just a romantic at heart and could do without all the sex. That's the 'actual' sex..oh well! I did like the characters. 😊
I gave it two stars...the story was good. I guess I'm just a romantic at heart and could do without all the sex. That's the 'actual' sex..oh well! I did like the characters. 😊
February 12, 2015
A thoroughly entertaining tale of a rogue trying to do the right thing. And it takes a strong woman to teach him that being himself was the right thing all along.
September 4, 2013
Grant Benton, the Earl of Crowle, has been working in trade, in order to restore the lands, which his father lost. Because he is responsible for some of the problems his family faces, Grant has no contact with his family, while he works to restore the family fortunes. Grant calls himself Mr. Grant and takes on the persona of a tradesman. Grant meets Lady Irene Knopp, buyer for a dress shop, when he makes the last transaction for his needed money. Unfortunately, Grant learns, because of the many improvements that have been made to the land, he can't afford it. Disappointed, Grant decides to return to his aristocratic life and he meets Irene, whom he can't stop thinking about. When Grant and Irene are attacked, Grant makes it his purpose to investigate the attack and protect Irene.
WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a very entertaining historical romance with wonderfully eccentric characters and a nice mystery. Ms. Lee has a way with words, and I found myself enthralled from the very beginning. Grant is not the ordinary hero, but this reader couldn't help rooting for him. Grant has been fighting the voice in his head, which he calls his "madness" for a very long time and has worked himself to the bone for five long years, only to have the rug pulled out from under him. Luckily, Grant finds a new purpose in helping Irene, which helps keep him from his former dissolute ways. Grant isn't a perfect hero, but his foibles make him all the more lovable. Irene is a widow, who fell into a decline when her husband died. It is only after she is offered the position as purchaser, that she snaps out of her stupor. Irene is hesitant about giving her heart, and she refuses to stop working, because it gives her a sense of purpose. Irene doubts, that Grant and she can be married, because of societal expectations. There are some great secondary characters, as well. I particularly liked Mr. Morrison, a Bow Street Runner, who is a brilliant detective, but whose social graces could use some work.
All in all, WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a keeper for me, which I highly recommend. I will be reading Ms. Lee's backlist and looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a very entertaining historical romance with wonderfully eccentric characters and a nice mystery. Ms. Lee has a way with words, and I found myself enthralled from the very beginning. Grant is not the ordinary hero, but this reader couldn't help rooting for him. Grant has been fighting the voice in his head, which he calls his "madness" for a very long time and has worked himself to the bone for five long years, only to have the rug pulled out from under him. Luckily, Grant finds a new purpose in helping Irene, which helps keep him from his former dissolute ways. Grant isn't a perfect hero, but his foibles make him all the more lovable. Irene is a widow, who fell into a decline when her husband died. It is only after she is offered the position as purchaser, that she snaps out of her stupor. Irene is hesitant about giving her heart, and she refuses to stop working, because it gives her a sense of purpose. Irene doubts, that Grant and she can be married, because of societal expectations. There are some great secondary characters, as well. I particularly liked Mr. Morrison, a Bow Street Runner, who is a brilliant detective, but whose social graces could use some work.
All in all, WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a keeper for me, which I highly recommend. I will be reading Ms. Lee's backlist and looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 24, 2013
I loved this story; perhaps because I could relate to both Grant and Irene's depression and the need to have a reason to get up in the morning. Grant is a complicated character, after the novella you would have thought him a dandy, a rake or worse, but in this book you realize he is none of those, and Irene sees it, too. On the other hand, Irene's life has not been easy, a wastrel father, husband who died. She has too found depression a deep well to climb out of. I would have liked Grant to find a little more to sustain him, but I am thinking he will definitely find more in the next book. This series is a bit more intertwined than most; it is almost as though the story keeps moving even when no book is being read. Can't wait for the next.
August 16, 2013
It took me almost three weeks to read this and had I not had it on review I wouldn't have finished.
The blurb is entirely misleading as is the title. Overstuffed plot and I really couldn't muster a lot of care for the characters. Terrible Epilogue.
The blurb is entirely misleading as is the title. Overstuffed plot and I really couldn't muster a lot of care for the characters. Terrible Epilogue.
November 6, 2013
I enjoyed the story, seems familiar but I can't recall what book... It felt long and tended to drag out in many parts but there was a lot of back story and side story given.
March 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it happily! Of the three books of Lee's that I've read so far, I most enjoyed this one. Romance, some angst, great dialogue.
October 30, 2018
Grant Benton or Lord Crowle has been missing from the ton for 5 years. He has secretly been working his trash off at a Mill that he and his friend purchased.
"Got distracted into my amusements, but that is inevitable for a young busk about town. I was never as good a gambler as my father. I just didn't have the knack for numbers that he did. It was father who saw the mill, Robert who made me work. It was a stupidity, and I got exactly what I deserved."
It has come to the day when he will purchase back the Crowle land that he lost in cards. But everything goes wrong and he isn't able to purchase the land back from Lord Lawton. Instead, his younger brother, who is not titled, has recently become engaged to the Earl's daughter. He will inherit the land that Grant threw away. This adds to the tensions between brothers. Grant and his brother Will had a falling out and have not spoken in 5 years.
Mrs. Knopp is a widow working in the local sewing shop. She attends the ball that her good friend and boss puts on. Mrs. Knopp or Irene, meets Grant there. They strike up a friendship and band together to help Wendy. On the walk home, Irene and Grant are attacked by a strange man with a knife. Grant is cut by the knife and helps Grant into the hotel that he is staying at.
From there the book goes into solving the mystery of the attack. I lost interest in the characters and no longer cared about the mystery to the story from this point.
The story starts out okay. It was a bit different to find out that the two main characters are titled but both work as commoners. A major no, no in the ton. However, this wasn't as much of a concern in this book. Grant is mentioned to hide it but I don't think this was enough to explain this strange part of the plot.
The two characters spend the night together as virtual strangers. I felt this was too fast and although a widow, highly unlikely that the she would just go to bed with him. For the author to throw them together like this...so fast...for me, the book just took a major dive. I really didn't care about anything else after that. The book became very boring and what was the point?
Later on, Grant refers to his inner voice as his madness. This later comes out as a mental condition he suffered from for many years. But, since meeting Irene, he's cured!! It's a miracle. What?
After the two discover their Lurve for each other, Grant demands that they marry and Irene refuses him. "And yet, he was still furious at her dismissal of their relationship. She did not intend to marry him. That's what she'd said in the park to his mother. And that idea infuriated him."
Overall, this book is quite strange. The two leads get together way too early in the book. Then the author sets up the mystery of who is trying to kill Irene, or is it Grant? We don't know. Boring. There's a bit of friendship between the two but not attraction. Their relationship felt more like "I'm lonely so here's my body" type of relationship. Not, I really care for you and I want to share everything I have with you. The title makes zero sense to me. I don't see the connection between bridal favors and this story. The story wasn't very good either way. Wendy seems to disappear after the reader first meets her. We learn that she is in some trouble with a bad man but then nothing else from her. The books epilogue is full of Wendy and it ends with a cliff hanger. I won't be continuing on to find out what happens. I really don't care. I cannot recommend this book.
Content: No clean, hard to skip through the love scenes, mild language like ass.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Got distracted into my amusements, but that is inevitable for a young busk about town. I was never as good a gambler as my father. I just didn't have the knack for numbers that he did. It was father who saw the mill, Robert who made me work. It was a stupidity, and I got exactly what I deserved."
It has come to the day when he will purchase back the Crowle land that he lost in cards. But everything goes wrong and he isn't able to purchase the land back from Lord Lawton. Instead, his younger brother, who is not titled, has recently become engaged to the Earl's daughter. He will inherit the land that Grant threw away. This adds to the tensions between brothers. Grant and his brother Will had a falling out and have not spoken in 5 years.
Mrs. Knopp is a widow working in the local sewing shop. She attends the ball that her good friend and boss puts on. Mrs. Knopp or Irene, meets Grant there. They strike up a friendship and band together to help Wendy. On the walk home, Irene and Grant are attacked by a strange man with a knife. Grant is cut by the knife and helps Grant into the hotel that he is staying at.
From there the book goes into solving the mystery of the attack. I lost interest in the characters and no longer cared about the mystery to the story from this point.
The story starts out okay. It was a bit different to find out that the two main characters are titled but both work as commoners. A major no, no in the ton. However, this wasn't as much of a concern in this book. Grant is mentioned to hide it but I don't think this was enough to explain this strange part of the plot.
The two characters spend the night together as virtual strangers. I felt this was too fast and although a widow, highly unlikely that the she would just go to bed with him. For the author to throw them together like this...so fast...for me, the book just took a major dive. I really didn't care about anything else after that. The book became very boring and what was the point?
Later on, Grant refers to his inner voice as his madness. This later comes out as a mental condition he suffered from for many years. But, since meeting Irene, he's cured!! It's a miracle. What?
After the two discover their Lurve for each other, Grant demands that they marry and Irene refuses him. "And yet, he was still furious at her dismissal of their relationship. She did not intend to marry him. That's what she'd said in the park to his mother. And that idea infuriated him."
Overall, this book is quite strange. The two leads get together way too early in the book. Then the author sets up the mystery of who is trying to kill Irene, or is it Grant? We don't know. Boring. There's a bit of friendship between the two but not attraction. Their relationship felt more like "I'm lonely so here's my body" type of relationship. Not, I really care for you and I want to share everything I have with you. The title makes zero sense to me. I don't see the connection between bridal favors and this story. The story wasn't very good either way. Wendy seems to disappear after the reader first meets her. We learn that she is in some trouble with a bad man but then nothing else from her. The books epilogue is full of Wendy and it ends with a cliff hanger. I won't be continuing on to find out what happens. I really don't care. I cannot recommend this book.
Content: No clean, hard to skip through the love scenes, mild language like ass.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
September Readathon
Another book conference swag snag. And lol ugh, yet another Regency series title that isn't clearly marked, drops you into characters you "should" know, but is decently readable as a standalone. Did I mention I'm weary of those (and know I have a few more on my pile still)? Sigh.
The dropping in with the hero's antics tipped me off that I was reading something already established, but I pushed on and got the gist and it was fine.
Lee has light and pleasant prose. Things move along quickly, not hurried so it's rushed off-page, but there's not much lingering either. Worthy characters pulled to the inner circles, foibles to get past, but the villain / dark moments don't have much depth. It's an easy read.
I like the idea of this book better than the whole thing. The heroine prevaricated and fretted and doubted way, way too much, and strung the hero (and the story) along too far. I wasn't sure about the mystery either, but we obviously needed it from the previous book and to carry into the sequel.
In the book I liked how the characters and story confronted class and class distinctions, including that the hero's shame (or at least anxiety for it not to be known, and used against him) over his working years. And how the heroine stepped down for a first love. Then how that leads to them having certain understandings of each others' experiences and attitudes -- made them distinct from a lot of Regency without the bluestocking or devil may care for society lord.
But I appreciate a romantic/character arc where both are made better by one another, and this has a lot of that. Both went through dark times in bad places and help lift one another out of that. Along with an embittered, wounded, and then improved by the hard lessons (well learned) of life hero, who makes himself worthy of a decent heroine. I say decent because I like her start and her finish, but her soggy waffle middle was exasperating. Sure have doubts, but not the same one on repeat for the majority of the book; at least allow them to evolve as the relationship deepens.
The hero and his brother's relationship was maybe the most interesting and nuanced, and I understand it's covered in the novella (it's at the margins in this story). But I'm not sure I'll track that down.
The epilogue hits a strange, almost sour note, when appended to the entire book that came before. But when considered the stinger to get you into the next book, it works well enough. Although for me, not enough to search out #4.
Another book conference swag snag. And lol ugh, yet another Regency series title that isn't clearly marked, drops you into characters you "should" know, but is decently readable as a standalone. Did I mention I'm weary of those (and know I have a few more on my pile still)? Sigh.
The dropping in with the hero's antics tipped me off that I was reading something already established, but I pushed on and got the gist and it was fine.
Lee has light and pleasant prose. Things move along quickly, not hurried so it's rushed off-page, but there's not much lingering either. Worthy characters pulled to the inner circles, foibles to get past, but the villain / dark moments don't have much depth. It's an easy read.
I like the idea of this book better than the whole thing. The heroine prevaricated and fretted and doubted way, way too much, and strung the hero (and the story) along too far. I wasn't sure about the mystery either, but we obviously needed it from the previous book and to carry into the sequel.
In the book I liked how the characters and story confronted class and class distinctions, including that the hero's shame (or at least anxiety for it not to be known, and used against him) over his working years. And how the heroine stepped down for a first love. Then how that leads to them having certain understandings of each others' experiences and attitudes -- made them distinct from a lot of Regency without the bluestocking or devil may care for society lord.
But I appreciate a romantic/character arc where both are made better by one another, and this has a lot of that. Both went through dark times in bad places and help lift one another out of that. Along with an embittered, wounded, and then improved by the hard lessons (well learned) of life hero, who makes himself worthy of a decent heroine. I say decent because I like her start and her finish, but her soggy waffle middle was exasperating. Sure have doubts, but not the same one on repeat for the majority of the book; at least allow them to evolve as the relationship deepens.
The hero and his brother's relationship was maybe the most interesting and nuanced, and I understand it's covered in the novella (it's at the margins in this story). But I'm not sure I'll track that down.
The epilogue hits a strange, almost sour note, when appended to the entire book that came before. But when considered the stinger to get you into the next book, it works well enough. Although for me, not enough to search out #4.
July 26, 2014
I have to say I've been waiting to read Grant's book ever since I've read his younger brother's, Will's novella, Winning a Bride.
That book was great and I couldn't wait to read Grant's. So here we are with Grant's and well, it was okay.
In Winning a Bride we got to see Will's point of view of how he saw his older brother Grant and it wasn't a great view of him. He was portrayed as a lazy, no good rouge, who was just like their father and grandfather throwing and wasting their money away on women and gambling halls.
Even though I saw that side of Grant through Will's eyes I didn't dislike him but felt bad and knew something was up with Grant's disappearance.
Onto the book.
We first see Grant before he left Yorkshire that one fateful day on his sister's wedding day. And of course on the very same day he burned down their barn and got cut from his brother Will (we learned about this a bit in Will's novella).
I new from that very first moment that I would love and adore Grant. He touched my heart and I pained for him dearly. His dear sister had to marry herself off to help the family with their father's spending. And Will damned himself for being unable to prevent his sister from marrying a man old enough to be their father. After the wedding Will decided to try to get some quick cash to pay off the debts but instead burned down the barn.
I felt so bad for him and knew that he was just trying his best to protect and afford for his family. But when Will came and started putting Grant down I really wanted to smack the back of Will's head and put him straight! Didn't he know that Grant was trying be a good brother and help the family as best he could!? Gosh I was so angry with Will!
But anyways, When we next saw Grant, five years has past and he was ready to buy their family land back from the Lawtons (whom we met in Will's novella). Sadly it didn't happen.
Grant had become a mill owner (against his best wishes) and had saved as much and more so he can to buy back the land and it had come to naught. The land had become valuable due to the repairs and canal Will had added to the land, so now the land exceeded what Grant hoped to have paid. But he did meet the widowed Mrs. Irene Knopp who he sold his valuable cloths to from his mill to buy back his land.
After failing to buy the land back he lost hope but then tried to find a way to wed Lawton's daughter, whom the land was placed into her dowry. He then found out that she was to be marry. And to no other than his Brother!
I know! I was still sock even though I read Will's novella already and knew they were to wed but still. It really pained me seeing Grant find out that way and that the land he worked so hard for was to be given to his brother. But at least it was back into Crowle's hands, right?
And so Grant let if off, for a bit. And so there was Irene. Grant decided he had to keep his gentleman background, title, and past a secret from her if he wanted to be in her company.
Irene has secrets of her own. She's a Lady, daughter of a gentleman who has also lost coins due to gambling. But now she's a widow of a sailor working at her friend's modist shop as a purchaser of fabrics and the likes. She loves her job but fears that if people found out she is the daughter of a gentleman gambler she would bring the shop down. But meeting Grant brought on a whole new world and disordered her life and emotions. He's so different and she doesn't know what to think or do when she is pulled into his life.
I really liked Irene when I met her. She was strong, smart, and knew what she was talking about and still looked good and kept a man on his toes to what will come out next from her mouth and from her mind. But no, it didn't stay that way.
As the story progressed she started to fall out of it and became vulnerable. I guess that's her true image and I thought it was nice seeing that side of her but I didn't quite like or enjoyed it. It worked well with how the story was going even if I wanted her to still be that strong woman from the beginning but she just kept on becoming a lady I didn't like. Her thoughts weren't what I expected from her, especially her thoughts of Grant. She couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to be with him but she wanted to keep on sleeping with him. And yet she didn't want to have the name of being his mistress! I rolled my eyes~
And then there were those times where she would push him away for dumb reasons and her thoughts weren't nice about him and I just wanted to slap her. Gosh Grant deserved better.
The relationship between Grant and Irene was nice but it felt.....I don't know! Long and short at the same time. Or slow? All the problems were just Irene's fault. She couldn't make up her mind when Grant had already made up his, which I really liked. He knew what he wanted and was patient enough to wait for Irene to realize it. If she were to go with her heart the first time and stop having thoughts and fears, I would have been finish with the book sooner and the book would have been shorter.
I really thought her clueless when he told her a secret of his and she placed it on a pedestal as a fault (in her mind) and feared that it will passed along to their children (if that ever happened!). She used that as stepping stone to decide if she wanted to be with him. Yeah! How low does she think of him to use that against him and marriage!
Anyways I lost interest in the story sadly. I really wanted the story to stay focus on Grant and his progress in the mill and around his family but sadly it didn't stay that way. It moved to a mystery story around a murder plot.
Though it did work for a time and brought Grant's brother and his past into the story, after that it just went blah for me.
I kind of saw it useless afterwards; after he mended his relationship with his brother and told them of his past five years and the mill, there was just nothing after that. And what happen to the mill? Did Grant go back to it and started working again or did he just leave it to his men and lived the life he can have once again? So frustrated....
I love you Jade but, you lost the story for me when it changed into a mystery plot. I hope I'm not too harsh but I just wanted to be honest with my review.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgallery.
That book was great and I couldn't wait to read Grant's. So here we are with Grant's and well, it was okay.
In Winning a Bride we got to see Will's point of view of how he saw his older brother Grant and it wasn't a great view of him. He was portrayed as a lazy, no good rouge, who was just like their father and grandfather throwing and wasting their money away on women and gambling halls.
Even though I saw that side of Grant through Will's eyes I didn't dislike him but felt bad and knew something was up with Grant's disappearance.
Onto the book.
We first see Grant before he left Yorkshire that one fateful day on his sister's wedding day. And of course on the very same day he burned down their barn and got cut from his brother Will (we learned about this a bit in Will's novella).
I new from that very first moment that I would love and adore Grant. He touched my heart and I pained for him dearly. His dear sister had to marry herself off to help the family with their father's spending. And Will damned himself for being unable to prevent his sister from marrying a man old enough to be their father. After the wedding Will decided to try to get some quick cash to pay off the debts but instead burned down the barn.
I felt so bad for him and knew that he was just trying his best to protect and afford for his family. But when Will came and started putting Grant down I really wanted to smack the back of Will's head and put him straight! Didn't he know that Grant was trying be a good brother and help the family as best he could!? Gosh I was so angry with Will!
But anyways, When we next saw Grant, five years has past and he was ready to buy their family land back from the Lawtons (whom we met in Will's novella). Sadly it didn't happen.
Grant had become a mill owner (against his best wishes) and had saved as much and more so he can to buy back the land and it had come to naught. The land had become valuable due to the repairs and canal Will had added to the land, so now the land exceeded what Grant hoped to have paid. But he did meet the widowed Mrs. Irene Knopp who he sold his valuable cloths to from his mill to buy back his land.
After failing to buy the land back he lost hope but then tried to find a way to wed Lawton's daughter, whom the land was placed into her dowry. He then found out that she was to be marry. And to no other than his Brother!
I know! I was still sock even though I read Will's novella already and knew they were to wed but still. It really pained me seeing Grant find out that way and that the land he worked so hard for was to be given to his brother. But at least it was back into Crowle's hands, right?
And so Grant let if off, for a bit. And so there was Irene. Grant decided he had to keep his gentleman background, title, and past a secret from her if he wanted to be in her company.
Irene has secrets of her own. She's a Lady, daughter of a gentleman who has also lost coins due to gambling. But now she's a widow of a sailor working at her friend's modist shop as a purchaser of fabrics and the likes. She loves her job but fears that if people found out she is the daughter of a gentleman gambler she would bring the shop down. But meeting Grant brought on a whole new world and disordered her life and emotions. He's so different and she doesn't know what to think or do when she is pulled into his life.
I really liked Irene when I met her. She was strong, smart, and knew what she was talking about and still looked good and kept a man on his toes to what will come out next from her mouth and from her mind. But no, it didn't stay that way.
As the story progressed she started to fall out of it and became vulnerable. I guess that's her true image and I thought it was nice seeing that side of her but I didn't quite like or enjoyed it. It worked well with how the story was going even if I wanted her to still be that strong woman from the beginning but she just kept on becoming a lady I didn't like. Her thoughts weren't what I expected from her, especially her thoughts of Grant. She couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to be with him but she wanted to keep on sleeping with him. And yet she didn't want to have the name of being his mistress! I rolled my eyes~
And then there were those times where she would push him away for dumb reasons and her thoughts weren't nice about him and I just wanted to slap her. Gosh Grant deserved better.
The relationship between Grant and Irene was nice but it felt.....I don't know! Long and short at the same time. Or slow? All the problems were just Irene's fault. She couldn't make up her mind when Grant had already made up his, which I really liked. He knew what he wanted and was patient enough to wait for Irene to realize it. If she were to go with her heart the first time and stop having thoughts and fears, I would have been finish with the book sooner and the book would have been shorter.
I really thought her clueless when he told her a secret of his and she placed it on a pedestal as a fault (in her mind) and feared that it will passed along to their children (if that ever happened!). She used that as stepping stone to decide if she wanted to be with him. Yeah! How low does she think of him to use that against him and marriage!
Anyways I lost interest in the story sadly. I really wanted the story to stay focus on Grant and his progress in the mill and around his family but sadly it didn't stay that way. It moved to a mystery story around a murder plot.
Though it did work for a time and brought Grant's brother and his past into the story, after that it just went blah for me.
I kind of saw it useless afterwards; after he mended his relationship with his brother and told them of his past five years and the mill, there was just nothing after that. And what happen to the mill? Did Grant go back to it and started working again or did he just leave it to his men and lived the life he can have once again? So frustrated....
I love you Jade but, you lost the story for me when it changed into a mystery plot. I hope I'm not too harsh but I just wanted to be honest with my review.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgallery.
October 29, 2021
Francine and Anthony were minor characters in the second book in this series, and because I quite liked her (sorry--Anthony didn't even make an impression), I was pleased to read their story. Lee did an excellent job of describing Francine's experiences and feelings about her life and I felt a great deal of sympathy and affection for her. Anthony was a little harder to like and I thought he acted fairly irresponsibly regarding the effects of his actions on his family, but it didn't impinge on the story too much. I hadn't expected to like Francine's mother at all and expected her father to be more indulgent, based on what was said about them in the previous book, but her mother was actually quite lovely and her father not nearly as indulgent. The scene near the end when Francine and Anthony reveal their relationship to her parents was hilarious and one of my favourite scenes in the 3 books of this series. Again, Lee's extremely contemporary depiction of attitudes toward premarital sex negatively affected the spirit of the book (to my mind), but there was not enough of it to prevent me from enjoying the book as a whole.
July 7, 2017
I started reading the next book in the series, then felt like maybe I was missing something, so I went back and read this one. Still didn't realize that there were FOUR books in the series. Thankfully, this one stood on its own fairly well, but it still wasn't really to my liking.
I'm glad I didn't waste more time trying to get back into the fourth book, as the character I thought would be the more interesting love interest turns out to be the "bad guy" for the series. What a shame.
I'm glad I didn't waste more time trying to get back into the fourth book, as the character I thought would be the more interesting love interest turns out to be the "bad guy" for the series. What a shame.
March 23, 2020
Although I enjoyed this book, Grant's constant embarrassment at working to pull himself out of debt and the misunderstandings that develop from his "secret" were just beyond my comprehension. I know it was the times and the ton were not to work, but sometimes you just have to flout the rules and take pride in your accomplishments. The same with lady Irene.
January 26, 2020
This was overall a good story. I liked aspects of both Irene and Grant. However, there were some plot elements I just didn't enjoy and the epilogue was extremely frustrating. I would be open to reading other stories by Jade Lee, though.
January 11, 2025
What the Bride Wore by Jade Lee was a romance of the Regency period. It is #3 of 4 books of the Bridal Favors series where all the four women who work at the bridal shop find their husbands by one way or another.
December 23, 2018
I remember thinking this was funny, but I read it back in August and it's end of December now, so um, I guess I liked it. Probly just need something to jog my memory.
January 16, 2022
The title is misleading and has nothing to do with the plot.
August 27, 2023
Couldn’t finish this book. It was just too slow and I didn’t t really love the characters.
December 17, 2025
DNF
Boring. Lost interest and never went back, got to 17%
Boring. Lost interest and never went back, got to 17%
October 8, 2023
Fun read.
August 5, 2013
3.5 stars
Grant, Earl of Crowle, grew up under the shadow of his father’s bad decisions that left the family with little money. His decisions haven’t been much better. When his sister gets married he attempts a wager to help pay for the wedding that ends with disastrous reproductions. On top of that he discovers his father has purchased a mill and gambled their family land away. A friend urges him to run the mill in order to buy back his land. Five years later he has almost all the money he needs when he ends up selling the fabric (from the mill) to Irene Knopp, a woman he can’t get out of his head. He meets her again at a party and this time he cannot leave her side.
When the couple leaves a party they’re attacked on the street. Grant is concerned that the attacker is after Irene. This sense of danger is part of the driving force that keeps What the Bride Wore moving. The romance here is sweet with some steamy scenes. It’s the third book in Lee’s Bridal Favors series. Each book has had a different hero and heroine that centers around a dress shop.
The story switches between Irene and Grant. Grant is by far the more interesting of the two. He believes he is crazy, having a voice in his head. He suffers from feeling the shame of working hard labor in a mill to survive. Of course his hard work is something Irene’s attracted to. There is a theme of acceptance of one’s self throughout the novel. My only issue with this is, instead of coming to a conclusion for himself, he needs others to do it for him first. He isn’t the only character guilty of this. He might be less guilty of it than his female counterpart.
Irene is another bag of trouble. She grew up a lot like Grant, though she married below her station. Her husband died leaving her so depressed she didn’t feel like getting up again until she was given a job as a purchaser of fabric. This has helped her move forward over the years, and helped her find herself. Grant threatens this when she falls head over heels for him. She is frightened that in giving into him she would have to change herself. Again the theme of acceptance comes up here, and like Grant she needs the acceptance of others first which made me shake my head. To make it worse sees people (not always) as one dimensional, not giving them a chance to be more than one thing.
I haven’t mentioned the ‘danger’ again. Admits all this worrying about acceptance and getting together someone is trying to kill our hero or heroine. Everyone comes together to protect Irene, to her annoyance. By 90 percent of the book I was wondering when the ‘danger’ would appear again. Then I realized it wasn’t as much a driving force as I believed, which was a disappointing. The danger, that seems on the horizon takes a very long time, and doesn’t meet this reader’s anticipation.
Despite my misgivings there is still a lot in the What the Bride Wore to enjoy. I usually don’t enjoy stories set in this time period, mainly because of how women are viewed and treated among society. This makes it hard to identify with the female characters. Usually I just think, “I’m so glad I didn’t grow up then, that sounds awful.” Irene and her host of friends on the other hand are business women, and pretty independent considering the time. They are easier to identify with than other heroines in other Historical Romances.
On a whole this is a sweet romance. It’s also a pretty fast read. The danger that pops up doesn’t take a center stage. Instead the story is centered on the main characters’ emotional states which can get a little frustrating, especially Grant worrying that he is crazy or worried when his symptoms go away. I enjoyed the two together, Grant perhaps more than Irene whose depression when it does pop up didn’t seem authentic. While it does have something (the dress shop) that makes it stand out, it doesn’t do enough to make the plot jump out of the pages.
- Beth
Grant, Earl of Crowle, grew up under the shadow of his father’s bad decisions that left the family with little money. His decisions haven’t been much better. When his sister gets married he attempts a wager to help pay for the wedding that ends with disastrous reproductions. On top of that he discovers his father has purchased a mill and gambled their family land away. A friend urges him to run the mill in order to buy back his land. Five years later he has almost all the money he needs when he ends up selling the fabric (from the mill) to Irene Knopp, a woman he can’t get out of his head. He meets her again at a party and this time he cannot leave her side.
When the couple leaves a party they’re attacked on the street. Grant is concerned that the attacker is after Irene. This sense of danger is part of the driving force that keeps What the Bride Wore moving. The romance here is sweet with some steamy scenes. It’s the third book in Lee’s Bridal Favors series. Each book has had a different hero and heroine that centers around a dress shop.
The story switches between Irene and Grant. Grant is by far the more interesting of the two. He believes he is crazy, having a voice in his head. He suffers from feeling the shame of working hard labor in a mill to survive. Of course his hard work is something Irene’s attracted to. There is a theme of acceptance of one’s self throughout the novel. My only issue with this is, instead of coming to a conclusion for himself, he needs others to do it for him first. He isn’t the only character guilty of this. He might be less guilty of it than his female counterpart.
Irene is another bag of trouble. She grew up a lot like Grant, though she married below her station. Her husband died leaving her so depressed she didn’t feel like getting up again until she was given a job as a purchaser of fabric. This has helped her move forward over the years, and helped her find herself. Grant threatens this when she falls head over heels for him. She is frightened that in giving into him she would have to change herself. Again the theme of acceptance comes up here, and like Grant she needs the acceptance of others first which made me shake my head. To make it worse sees people (not always) as one dimensional, not giving them a chance to be more than one thing.
I haven’t mentioned the ‘danger’ again. Admits all this worrying about acceptance and getting together someone is trying to kill our hero or heroine. Everyone comes together to protect Irene, to her annoyance. By 90 percent of the book I was wondering when the ‘danger’ would appear again. Then I realized it wasn’t as much a driving force as I believed, which was a disappointing. The danger, that seems on the horizon takes a very long time, and doesn’t meet this reader’s anticipation.
Despite my misgivings there is still a lot in the What the Bride Wore to enjoy. I usually don’t enjoy stories set in this time period, mainly because of how women are viewed and treated among society. This makes it hard to identify with the female characters. Usually I just think, “I’m so glad I didn’t grow up then, that sounds awful.” Irene and her host of friends on the other hand are business women, and pretty independent considering the time. They are easier to identify with than other heroines in other Historical Romances.
On a whole this is a sweet romance. It’s also a pretty fast read. The danger that pops up doesn’t take a center stage. Instead the story is centered on the main characters’ emotional states which can get a little frustrating, especially Grant worrying that he is crazy or worried when his symptoms go away. I enjoyed the two together, Grant perhaps more than Irene whose depression when it does pop up didn’t seem authentic. While it does have something (the dress shop) that makes it stand out, it doesn’t do enough to make the plot jump out of the pages.
- Beth
August 9, 2013
What the Bride Wore by Jade Lee is the third book in the Bridal Favors series. I did not read the first two books and feel this works easily as a standalone. I enjoyed this romance which was filled suspense and heat. It appears that each of the tales deal with female friends and their individual love stories. Three word review: sweet, original and suspenseful.
The tale begins when we meet Grant Benton, the Earl of Crowle. Thanks to his father the family has fallen on hard times and they are forced to sell off their un-entailed land. Determined to buy the land back he goes into trade, and here he meets Lady Irene Knopp. Their attraction to each other draws them together like moths to the flame. The tale that unfolds is filled with suspense and danger. As secrets are revealed we have to hope these two can find their happily ever after. I consumed this in two sittings and found myself caught up in this clever tale.
Grant is an aristocrat through and through and while he succeeds at his trade, he struggles emotionally. He feels shame, fears becoming his father and often hears a voice in his head. He has one set back after the other, and clearly wears his heart on his sleeve. Swoon-worthy and likeable he was the perfect hero to this tale. Lady Irene Knopp was a complicated creature. She has a brilliant business mind, and is compassionate and witty. While she is not a raving beauty her eyes twinkle with merriment and she blushes quite easily giving her a glow. She tends to speak with authority and seems to know her own mind although she has a tendency to over think things. . Her flaws are quickly revealed as Lee peels back her layers and often Irene behaved like a child and I wanted to slap her. I enjoyed their banter and Irene’s dominance in the bedroom. The romance felt genuine and I was rooting for them even as I wanted to throttle them along the way. Irene’s friends are delightful and I would like to revisit book one and two for their romances.
What the Bride Wore offered something different from the standard troupes in this genre and I found it refreshing. Someone means to do them harm causing danger and this thread was suspenseful as Grant uncovered clues and tried to protect Irene. The romance took center stage and the complexity of the characters made things interesting and unpredictable. They both felt genuine and each made the other a stronger person. Lee delivers some heat and more than one tete-a-tete. The scenes are fairly detailed and parts heated the pages as they curled my toes but there were moments that felt awkward and silly. They were written in such a way that I found myself giggling, and snorting as tears of laughter rolled down my face. This did not affect my feelings towards the couple and to be quite honest it has entertained me long after I closed the book. I find myself giggling when I think about those scenes. I would so love to hear it on audio! The mystery and suspect turned out to be quite interesting with a twist at the end that set up the next book in the series. Overall this was a fun, fast paced read that left me feeling entertained.
Fans of heated romance with a touch of mystery and suspense will enjoy What the Bride Wore and the Bridal Favors series. I do plan to pick up the other books in this series.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The tale begins when we meet Grant Benton, the Earl of Crowle. Thanks to his father the family has fallen on hard times and they are forced to sell off their un-entailed land. Determined to buy the land back he goes into trade, and here he meets Lady Irene Knopp. Their attraction to each other draws them together like moths to the flame. The tale that unfolds is filled with suspense and danger. As secrets are revealed we have to hope these two can find their happily ever after. I consumed this in two sittings and found myself caught up in this clever tale.
Grant is an aristocrat through and through and while he succeeds at his trade, he struggles emotionally. He feels shame, fears becoming his father and often hears a voice in his head. He has one set back after the other, and clearly wears his heart on his sleeve. Swoon-worthy and likeable he was the perfect hero to this tale. Lady Irene Knopp was a complicated creature. She has a brilliant business mind, and is compassionate and witty. While she is not a raving beauty her eyes twinkle with merriment and she blushes quite easily giving her a glow. She tends to speak with authority and seems to know her own mind although she has a tendency to over think things. . Her flaws are quickly revealed as Lee peels back her layers and often Irene behaved like a child and I wanted to slap her. I enjoyed their banter and Irene’s dominance in the bedroom. The romance felt genuine and I was rooting for them even as I wanted to throttle them along the way. Irene’s friends are delightful and I would like to revisit book one and two for their romances.
What the Bride Wore offered something different from the standard troupes in this genre and I found it refreshing. Someone means to do them harm causing danger and this thread was suspenseful as Grant uncovered clues and tried to protect Irene. The romance took center stage and the complexity of the characters made things interesting and unpredictable. They both felt genuine and each made the other a stronger person. Lee delivers some heat and more than one tete-a-tete. The scenes are fairly detailed and parts heated the pages as they curled my toes but there were moments that felt awkward and silly. They were written in such a way that I found myself giggling, and snorting as tears of laughter rolled down my face. This did not affect my feelings towards the couple and to be quite honest it has entertained me long after I closed the book. I find myself giggling when I think about those scenes. I would so love to hear it on audio! The mystery and suspect turned out to be quite interesting with a twist at the end that set up the next book in the series. Overall this was a fun, fast paced read that left me feeling entertained.
Fans of heated romance with a touch of mystery and suspense will enjoy What the Bride Wore and the Bridal Favors series. I do plan to pick up the other books in this series.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
July 4, 2013
After reading William's story in Winning a Bride, we move on to his brother, Grant. With thrills, romance, madness, and secrets, What the Bride Wore was a fantastic read. Lovely!
This book didn't fall into many cliches. With a widowed heroine who owns a clothing shop and a aristocratic hero who has been masquerading as a textile owner, things were different than a usual regency romance. And, I really liked that about this book.
Irene was an okay heroine. I liked her, but I didn't love her character. On one hand, she is an independent woman who is very clever and intelligent. On the other hand, for such an intelligent woman, she was prone to fits of immaturity. She's a widow, a working woman, with a sharp eye for business. Yet, she could act childish sometimes. Not excessively, but enough that I got a little annoyed with her. I wanted to shake some sense (or maybe just some maturity) into her. Overall, though, she was a good character.
Grant, however, was a perfectly flawed hero. He was an absolute idiot in his youth. He has strains of insanity in the form of a disembodies voice that he always hears. For some baffling reason, he is too ashamed to tell him family what he has been doing for the past several years. But, regardless of all that, he was still a good man. At his heart, he is a gentleman who cares about his family and would sacrifice his pride to take care of them. And he can be so sweet when he wanted to be. I thought he was a brilliant hero, one that I adored.
The romance was heated. Since both the hero and the heroine are experienced, they aren't shy about their desire for each other. With the sparks constantly flying between them, we get enough spice to keep things interesting, plus a little more. And, they were also a sweet couple. I loved that Grant knew early on that Irene was the woman for him and didn't wast a minute in trying to win her. Overall, a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced. There were thrills and a mystery of who was behind the danger. I was hooked the entire way through. And the ending was a perfect wrap up for the couple, while leaving a hook for the next book.
What the Bride Wore was a wonderful historical romance! Lovers of the genre, you should give this book a try.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy!
This book didn't fall into many cliches. With a widowed heroine who owns a clothing shop and a aristocratic hero who has been masquerading as a textile owner, things were different than a usual regency romance. And, I really liked that about this book.
Irene was an okay heroine. I liked her, but I didn't love her character. On one hand, she is an independent woman who is very clever and intelligent. On the other hand, for such an intelligent woman, she was prone to fits of immaturity. She's a widow, a working woman, with a sharp eye for business. Yet, she could act childish sometimes. Not excessively, but enough that I got a little annoyed with her. I wanted to shake some sense (or maybe just some maturity) into her. Overall, though, she was a good character.
Grant, however, was a perfectly flawed hero. He was an absolute idiot in his youth. He has strains of insanity in the form of a disembodies voice that he always hears. For some baffling reason, he is too ashamed to tell him family what he has been doing for the past several years. But, regardless of all that, he was still a good man. At his heart, he is a gentleman who cares about his family and would sacrifice his pride to take care of them. And he can be so sweet when he wanted to be. I thought he was a brilliant hero, one that I adored.
The romance was heated. Since both the hero and the heroine are experienced, they aren't shy about their desire for each other. With the sparks constantly flying between them, we get enough spice to keep things interesting, plus a little more. And, they were also a sweet couple. I loved that Grant knew early on that Irene was the woman for him and didn't wast a minute in trying to win her. Overall, a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced. There were thrills and a mystery of who was behind the danger. I was hooked the entire way through. And the ending was a perfect wrap up for the couple, while leaving a hook for the next book.
What the Bride Wore was a wonderful historical romance! Lovers of the genre, you should give this book a try.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy!
August 7, 2013
Ok, first things first I have to admit I have a huge sticking point with this book. Grant, our hero, is ever so slightly insane. Grant hears voices, yes they're often humorous, but call me old fashioned I've never found someone who hears voices sexy. Maybe that's just me. However, other than that minor flaw, Grant is a perfect historical hero.
With his father's actions resulting in the sale of ancestral Crowle lands, Grant vows (with a little persuasion) to work to get them back, to do so he leaves behind his title and begins to run a textile mill. Grant's pride doesn't allow for him to let his family know what he is doing, or even gain any satisfaction out of working - something which he views as beneath his station. G
Irene, our widowed heroine, is intelligent and shrewd, which makes a delightful change from the usual historical ingenue. On learning Grant's true origins Irene is wary, not beliving the life of the aristocracy to be one for her. For himself, Grant cannot wait to leave behind the toil of his manufactoring ways and once again embrace the life of a nobleman. What transpires throughout the novel is a delightful compromise which allows for a deeper connection between the reader and the characters as both sides of the argument are made clear and sympathetic.
Grant and Irene make for an intersting and enjoyable couple, I feel that the more level playing field between the two makes their relationship much more satsifying. The couple also share quite a strong sexual chemistry and with our heroine being a widow and our hero considered a bit of a rake the sex scenes are a little spicer than usual.
Finally, in my opinion the plot does suffer from an omnipresent 'danger' that never really seems to surface or come to fruition, something which I feel Lee could definitely have utilised more.
Fans of the series will be delighted to see Will, Grant's brother, back, as well as an exploration of the events in Winning a Bride from Grant's point of view.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
With his father's actions resulting in the sale of ancestral Crowle lands, Grant vows (with a little persuasion) to work to get them back, to do so he leaves behind his title and begins to run a textile mill. Grant's pride doesn't allow for him to let his family know what he is doing, or even gain any satisfaction out of working - something which he views as beneath his station. G
Irene, our widowed heroine, is intelligent and shrewd, which makes a delightful change from the usual historical ingenue. On learning Grant's true origins Irene is wary, not beliving the life of the aristocracy to be one for her. For himself, Grant cannot wait to leave behind the toil of his manufactoring ways and once again embrace the life of a nobleman. What transpires throughout the novel is a delightful compromise which allows for a deeper connection between the reader and the characters as both sides of the argument are made clear and sympathetic.
Grant and Irene make for an intersting and enjoyable couple, I feel that the more level playing field between the two makes their relationship much more satsifying. The couple also share quite a strong sexual chemistry and with our heroine being a widow and our hero considered a bit of a rake the sex scenes are a little spicer than usual.
Finally, in my opinion the plot does suffer from an omnipresent 'danger' that never really seems to surface or come to fruition, something which I feel Lee could definitely have utilised more.
Fans of the series will be delighted to see Will, Grant's brother, back, as well as an exploration of the events in Winning a Bride from Grant's point of view.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
August 13, 2017
What the Bride Wore continues the Bridal Favors series from Jade Lee. It is a delightful and unique series that surrounds the workers and customers of the Bridal Favors dress shop. This third installment deals with the shop’s fabric buyer, widow Irene Knopp. Her love interest is Grant Benton, the Earl of Crowle, the mysterious missing brother introduced in the novella, Winning the Bride. While What the Bride Wore can be read as a stand-alone, your enjoyment of the story would be greatly enhanced by reading the previous books and novellas in the series. There are quite a few recurring characters in this one.
Grant Benton has left behind his old life and his identity in order to build the money needed to reclaim the family estate by running a fabric mill. Irene enters his life just as he discovers that he will not be able to purchase the estate. Irene is actually a lady, the daughter of an earl, who lost the husband she loved and finds purpose in her job as a buyer. The attraction between the two is immediate, but many things get in the way, including their insecurities and the possibility that someone wants to murder Irene. Can these two damaged souls get past the issues that surround them and discover that they really are made for each other?
I really enjoyed What the Bride Wore. Lee likes to delve deeply into her characters’ minds, making the reader feel that they really know them. I understood what made Grant and Irene confused about their goals and feelings. It was great fun to become reacquainted with characters from the previous books. The on-going story line of character Wendy Drew was further developed, leading to her story in the next book (I hope!). There was a good degree of action and the steamy scenes were hot, sensitive and loving. What the Bride Wore has all of the components of a good Regency romance. My advice is to be sure to read the entire series – each one is really good and they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
Grant Benton has left behind his old life and his identity in order to build the money needed to reclaim the family estate by running a fabric mill. Irene enters his life just as he discovers that he will not be able to purchase the estate. Irene is actually a lady, the daughter of an earl, who lost the husband she loved and finds purpose in her job as a buyer. The attraction between the two is immediate, but many things get in the way, including their insecurities and the possibility that someone wants to murder Irene. Can these two damaged souls get past the issues that surround them and discover that they really are made for each other?
I really enjoyed What the Bride Wore. Lee likes to delve deeply into her characters’ minds, making the reader feel that they really know them. I understood what made Grant and Irene confused about their goals and feelings. It was great fun to become reacquainted with characters from the previous books. The on-going story line of character Wendy Drew was further developed, leading to her story in the next book (I hope!). There was a good degree of action and the steamy scenes were hot, sensitive and loving. What the Bride Wore has all of the components of a good Regency romance. My advice is to be sure to read the entire series – each one is really good and they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
July 23, 2013
WHAT THE BRIDE WORE by Jade Lee is an exciting,fast paced Regency Historical Romance. #3 in the "Bridal Favors",but can be read as a stand alone. This is the story of Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, the oldest brother to William Benton,from "Winning a Bride". Filled with secrets, misunderstandings,passion,restoring a families fortune,and the power of love. When Grant meets Lady Irene Knopp,he finds himself and his home is with her. Lady Irene Knopp loves her work as a dressmaker buyer,with her friends,who own a dressmaker shop,dressing the beauties of society. While Grant, has made a fortune as a mill owner, he also loves to design fabric. Unfortunately, he has worked for years to regain the money to purchase his family's estate back,which he learns he is unable too. His brother has it now. He has had no contact with his family for years,because of his disgrace and embarrassment over working in trade. A haunting tale of overcoming your past to make a future,and finding true love at last. With sensuality, a swift-moving plot and engaging characters you can not go wrong. But do be warned both Lady Irene and Grant are stubborn,charismatic,and determined to have their way. Loved this story! Once again Jade Lee has created a story with realistic characters, realistic circumstances and passionate desires. If you enjoy historical romance, the desire for more, passion and just a plain great read than you don't want to miss picking up "What the Bride Wore". Ms. Lee is a wonderful storyteller. I can not wait to see what she has in store for her readers next. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
August 2, 2013
To gear up for reading What the Bride Wore I did a glom of the previous three books in the Bridal Favors series. In the stories Wedded in Scandal and Wedded in Sin I loved meeting very independent women who were comfortable in their middle-class existence and met all of life’s challenges head on. In the short story Winning a Bride the tone began shifting a bit, with the heroes having a few more challenges to overcome before finding their happiness. While the binding thread of this series remains the women who work at A Lady’s Favor bridal boutique, for me What the Bride Wore was all about its hero Grant Benton.
We are first introduced to a rather irresponsible Grant who finds amusement and income by fleecing the local nobility through wagers on inane things. When his latest trick accidentally burns down the family barn, Grant reaches such an emotional low that he begins to believe that the voice of reason in his head is actually speaking to him as if another consciousness. It is only by the greater irresponsibility of Grant’s father that he is given the chance at salvation for himself and his family’s fortunes. Flash forward five years and Grant is now the owner and manager of a successful textile mill, producing fabrics of such rich designs he knows the women of London will clamor for them. A large sale to the fashionable A Lady’s Favor boutique will end Grant’s tenure as a tradesman and he can finally meet the terms to buy back his family’s lands and begin rebuilding the Crowle earldom into a respectable title.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
We are first introduced to a rather irresponsible Grant who finds amusement and income by fleecing the local nobility through wagers on inane things. When his latest trick accidentally burns down the family barn, Grant reaches such an emotional low that he begins to believe that the voice of reason in his head is actually speaking to him as if another consciousness. It is only by the greater irresponsibility of Grant’s father that he is given the chance at salvation for himself and his family’s fortunes. Flash forward five years and Grant is now the owner and manager of a successful textile mill, producing fabrics of such rich designs he knows the women of London will clamor for them. A large sale to the fashionable A Lady’s Favor boutique will end Grant’s tenure as a tradesman and he can finally meet the terms to buy back his family’s lands and begin rebuilding the Crowle earldom into a respectable title.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
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