His Perfect Bride

Perfect #1

by Jenn Langston

Richard Carrack received the title of Marquis of Stonemede upon his father’s death six months ago. Knowing of the duties associated with the title, he decides to marry and spend the remainder of his days tending to the estate. His requirements for his bride are simple; he wishes her to be obedient and calm-spirited. When circumstances place him in the path of Lady Brianna Denton, whose wild ways make her an unsuitable candidate, he lies about his identity to discourage her from pursuing him for his title.

Brianna Denton knows what she wants out of life. She wishes to marry an untitled lord and live the remainder of her days in the country with no obligations. Only then can she spend her free time painting. When she meets Mr. Richard, she decides he would make the perfect husband. Little does she know, her boldness puts her in a position where she must decide between what she always thought she wanted and what her heart is telling her.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Amazon, Ebooks, Regency Romance

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2013

About the author

Jenn Langston is a writer and a lover of historical romances. She developed her love of reading romance novels at a very young age. What began as the simple joy of reading developed into a passion to write.
She lives in the beloved state of Texas where she was born and raised. With her husband, three beautiful children, and three cats, she has a full house. There is never a dull moment, but always time to read and write.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Richard and Brianna are both looking for particular character traits in a marriage partner, neither ends up with what they thought they wanted.

I used to devour historical romance, now I dabble and the reason for that is because I've grown impatient with the strictures of a society that placed/s women as possessions but judging by the reviews particularly regarding Brianna's character I thought this just might be different. I should have known better.

In the beginning I loved Brianna, she had a mind of her own until she fell in love with Richard and decided she wanted him more than she wanted to be her independent life loving self. Richard was determined to squash her willful ways, determined to bend her to his will (his words), to make her worthy of being his Marchioness without embarrassing him or his family. How many times when he faced off with her and bellowed did I want her to stand up to him and tell him to stuff off but alas as with most romances love knows no end to the crap a woman in love will put up with. Nearing the very end I began to get a bit nervous. Richard was still his demanding self (all for her own good of course) and sadly Brianna had bowed to his will then he did a complete about face and all was again well in the world of historical romance.

I liked the writing though and would have loved this story if Brianna had kept true to her character.

[Emmly Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story by a wonderful new author.

With the typical male ego, Richard believes he can mold his preferred lady into his persona of the perfect wife. This may have been true for most women of the time period; however, he chose Brianna to be his bride. Brianna is anything but the usual young woman. With strong opinions of she wants out of life, she is not afraid of unconventional tactics to achieve her goals.

I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys stories set in historical England.

[Sorcha]

I was trawling through my e-reader, looking for my next read, and decided that perhaps I should look at some of the books I've had for a while. This has been in the background for a while, and on further digging, seems to be one I picked up in 2013 from Amazon. Unfortunately, it turned out to be what I believe to be the first DNF of the year.

I have read my fair share of inappropriately forward Regency women (landed/titled or no), who take their lives into their own hands, and end up with equally matched men (frequently titled and landed) who meet or best them at their own game. Neither of the two characters here were up to par however - Brianna thinks she knows what she wants, but see-saws between wanting Richard or not. Richard thinks that by playing a waiting game and marrying Brianna, he can tame her into the bride he thinks he wants. A couple of sex scenes later (not particularly raunchy by today's standards), and with practically no post-coital regrets on either side later (she wipes away her lack of virginity with nary a glance backwards), shows she has as little respect for her imagined future husband as he does for his possible future bride.

Anyway, I get to 50% of the way through, and I'm asked "what are you reading? Is it any good?". The latter question made me put it away with a "nah, it's awful". No, it wasn't awful, but not a book I wanted to finish or rave about. So sorry, no idea how it ends - could be fabulous, though I suspect not

[Xiamera · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was reading I took off two stars. The first star was Richard's inexplicable aversion to courting Brianna after numerous occasions where he was proven wrong about her trying to trap him. The second star was taken for Richard's abrupt turn around when Brianna was no longer the aggressor. I love the inherent silliness of these type of historical romances and I liked this one pretty much. The side story with the club, I glossed over to be honest because it just wasn't that interesting to me and the interference from an irate 'gentleman' seemed a bit forced. All in all, I wouldn't mind reading the next book.

[Melanie Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid debut. Brianna is one of those characters who you just enjoy spending time with. She’s smart and self-possessed, and her artistic sensibility adds depth. This mistaken identity story brings her and Richard both to the point that they have to really delve deep to figure out if their carefully laid plans or their impulsive hearts will win in the end. They both have some learning to do and compromises to make, but Brianna and Richard make a good team, in the end. This is a sweet and romantic novel and the start of a series about a group of dynamic, intriguing men.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying people and storyline, but what really irritated me was how much effort was put into Brianna's supposed need to paint, passages about how she sees things in a "glorious palette" like a painting... but you never actually see her doing it. No evidence in the way of paintings. Certainly, if her control freak of a man wanted to entice her to marry him, why didn't he create the perfect studio at his estate? Just not a developed plot, considering how much space was devoted to talking about it.

[Patricia Dicenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was reluctant to read this book. I am typically not a romance reader. This author had me hooked in the second chapter. She created a wonderful story line that was entertaining and appealing. I enjoyed all the main characters, and was especially impressed with Brianna. The story had real substance and just enough emotion.

[Sometime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Hero is 30 years old and our Heroine is 18. Most of this book I kept wondering why he was bothering with such a young twit. She couldn't make up her mind about what she wanted. I kept hoping he would move on and find someone with enough maturity to know her own mind. I skimmed thru most of the book. Wouldn't recommend.

[Kim Gasparini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inconsistencies abound in the book, unrelated plot lines that became simply irritating, and a complete and utter asshole for a romantic lead. I give it no stars, and if I hadn't gotten the kindle download as a free book, I would be seriously irritated.

[Karen Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be a bit ridiculous. Unfortunately, I'm going to read the next book in the series.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Briana doesn't fit the mold. She is an earl's daughter who only wants to marry an untitled gentleman and paint. Mr. Richard seems ideal, but he is actually the Earl of StoneMede. The characters are interesting, and I enjoyed seeing Grace, Brianna's younger 14-year-old sister, who is one of the two protagonists in To Catch a Duke. The story has many twists and turns but much is predictable in this genre. The villians will be caught...though somehow I missed the death of the main one (as mentioned in the next book Perfect Game). The hero and heroine will finally come to terms, and stop being so dense. I enjoyed reading it!

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been good

I'm an artist. This time period had revolutionary painters and sculptors. A discussion of light and color in the classic style vs the emerging "new" styles would have been awesome. A trip to a London art gallery of the period would have been cool. Instead we get an idiot girl who gets browbeaten by her husband. Do I have much hope for the rest of the series not really. If you are going to pick a passion and time period how about researching what someone could actually love.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brianna Denton was headstrong, determined and knew what she wanted out of life. She wanted her husband to have nothing to do with the peerage. She finds the man she wants in one Richard Carrack (Mr. Richard or Marquis of Stonemaede). This was fun and entertaining watching how each one did the dance of what they wanted and what they didn't want. Richard found a woman but then she turns out to be all that he does not wish for in a wife. But then he finds that she was everything he wanted.

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was just okay. I didn't think the characters were very well-developed, and I had a hard time connecting with them. The choices they made were not realistic for the moral standards of the time. The "historical" part of this fiction seemed very weak. I also found the ending a little rushed and unrealistic.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Perfect Bride

The love story of Richard and Brianne. Brianne is the daughter of an Earl and she want to find a husband who has no title. She just want a simple life. Richard is a Marquis of Stonemede and he is looking for wife but she must be the perfect woman. Then he met Brianne. She is everything but perfect. Will their live work out? Great story.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard and Brianna each have the perfect spouse figured out in their heads. What happens when they meet is a comedy as they try to make each other fit into the mold they have created. But the sparks between them overrides ideals.
An enjoyable story.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

His perfect Bride

This was amazing I enjoyed this book very much so exciting with lots of drama and I am looking forward for the next book your characters are amazing.Thank you for a great read

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Toni Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved It!

Fun characters and great plot. Will they have a "happy ever after"? Keeps you guessing 'til the end. Loved Breanne and Richard.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have you ever come across an acronym somewhere and wondered what it meant? And upon learning the meaning, waited for the perfect opportunity to use it for the first time? Well, when I first joined GR, I saw the acronym TSTL a lot, and I kept trying to figure out what it meant using context. I refused to google it. When I finally realized what it meant (just recently), I couldn't fathom using it, because it seemed sort of extreme and maybe a little harsh (not judging anyone who uses it, btw). And that brings us to today and this book. I can officially use it for the first time and say that the h of this story was TSTL. Seriously. She was an idiot.

I thought for sure that this story was going to be about a man, the woman he's interested in, and a hidden identity. Their relationship begins with lies of omission and then the lie gets drawn out until a big ole plot twist at the end of the story. Then the MCs decide they love each other and decide to live HEA. Unfortunately, when the h finds out his real identity and decides that he's not appropriate husband material for her, she starts trying to push other women his way. She was so inflexible in her views of the world and her opinions of what life would be like as the H's wife that she cut off her nose to spite her face.

The H wasn't too much better. He wanted a meek and obedient wife and was convinced that he could tame the h and her wild ways. Needless to say, I found him arrogant and unlikable.

The writing was also very hard to read. The dialogue was stilted and there was too much telling not enough showing. Between the writing, the feeling of historical inaccuracy (I'm not entirely sure, but it didn't seem right to me), the H who just has to be irresistible, and the inane h, I had a hard time finishing this book. It felt very amateurish and I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series.

I do feel the need to mention that I enjoyed the story told from more than one pov and that there was absolutely no ow/om drama. The H was solely focused on he h after meeting her. It's unfortunate that the h, and the whole plot really, were so silly.

[Crazychriss889 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve mentioned that one before… I love regency romances and the propriety theme in them. And
because of that I was disappointed by this novel.

Seriously, I loved the characters (apart from their impropriety). The Marquis was just so determined in finding an obedient wife and I loved that he had like the best friends ever, that he didn’t really care about society’s opinion – at least not when it came to his friends.
I love that he doesn’t know everything and that he makes mistakes but I also like that he fixes them brilliantly.

I loved Brianna as well. She is 18 so I think it was perfectly understandable that she was still naïve and had no idea what really happened when you do you-know-what. I loved that she always stood up to Richard, that she tried to have her own way and didn’t want to be submissive.

The plot in itself was round. I really had the feeling that it was a perfect ending. Sure, I would have liked some sort of epilogue but that’s normally not done with regency novels. Plus, here I’m sure we’ll get again a glimpse in the following novels since this is a series.
And then there was a glimpse of His Perfect Game and gosh, I’M soooo looking forward to that one!!

The writing style was simply perfect.

I had to give three stars because I was really not in tune with this whole 'let's-do-that-before-we-are-married-who-cares' thingy. Not cool and not appropriate for that time.

[Mimi Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if your mother hires a governess for you and you catch the new employee having an indiscretion with the footman? Perfect setup for blackmail or at least that’s what Lady Brianna decides. Say you didn’t want your mother to choose a titled husband for you, and instead, you were looking for a plain man who could give you the country-style living you so greatly yearn for – to ride your horses and paint to your heart’s content. With the help of the governess who now is in your power, you set out to find that man. Due to circumstances that happen during a stolen kiss on the terrace, you mistake the Marquis of Stonemeade for plain Richard Carrick. The same man searching for a wife and whose needs are simple. An obedient woman to wed! This story moved along so well that I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see if they both did get what they thought they wanted. I’ll let you read the book and see for yourself.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was quite nice, even thoug it was pretty predictable. I really enjoyed the main characters, specially Brianna's attitude tomard social expectations which turned into pretty entertaining situations. On the other hand, I really found her quite annoying at times and positively naive to the point of ridiculousness, nevertheless she and Richard do make a good couple. Even though there was enough length in this book, I felt that character development was quite lackig in some parts, especially Brianna's since I was hoping she learned more through the book but by the end of it she seemed as naive as the beginning.

By the end of the book, everything was solved too quickly, just one chapter, as well as the characters feelings towards each other. So, even if I did like, some situations did felt kind of surreal. I also hoped for a more fulfilling epilogue.

Overall a funny and enjoyable read. Kind of ludicrous at times, but entertaining.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this appears to be Ms. Langston's first novel, I want to cut her some slack. I did finish the book which says a lot for me because on a lazy day, I sometimes read a couple of books and usually don't like to totally waste my time. The characters were okay but could have been so much more. This book did hold my interest somewhat, but I could have put it down at any time and not felt the least bit regretful. However, this writer has great potential and I hope she continues to write. I understand there is an upcoming book about Greyson and Abigail. Greyson's character is an interesting one and I might give this author another try.

If you want to read a more complete review, please take a look at: Nothing Regency About This Book - amtmcm
amtmcm's review states almost exactly the way I felt about the book.
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[MaryD · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I hated the scene where the governess & the footman ........ while Brianna watched from a hiding place. That really jarred me!

Then, I really disliked Richard & Brianna marrying though neither was the right person for the other. Brianna wanted someone who would give her freedom to be herself and Richard wanted someone to control and "mold" into his own ideal of a woman.

Personally, Richard's realization of what he was doing to his wife was a little too pat. It did hit me emotionally, but he was well on his way to being the controlling kind of person that Abigail's father probably started of being in "His Perfect Game", and I thought Brianna was too quick to forgive him.

That said, it kept me reading way past my bedtime.

[Kyra Dunst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard and Brianna both know exactly what they want in a spouse. As Marquis, Richard is looking for an obedient and pliable wife. Lady Brianna doesn't want to marry a titled lord since he will demand much of her time. After an impromptu introduction, where Richard's status isn't obvious, Brianna has set her sights on him as a suitable match. Despite Richard knowing Brianna is nothing like what he considers suitable, he cannot get Brianna out of his head. The resulting courtship is sweet and full of twists. I would definitely read more from this author.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-Reader Romantic Suspense

Lady Brianna Denton parents her to find a suitable husband. She has been difficult to raise as she is very self determined in what she feels her husband should possess - no title. At a ball she meets a Mr. Richard whom likes very much. However she doesn't know he is The Marquis of Stonemede. This not just a romance but it includes dangerous situations & suspense. Very good read.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenn Langston is such a wonderful writer. I loved this book. Richard knows his duty upon inheriting the title after us father died, he's looking for a quite and obedient wife. But low and behold life throws him Brianna who is far from what he is looking for. Awe, this a wonderful book with twists and turns!!!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story by a wonderful new author. This is a solid debut. Brianna is one of those characters who you just enjoy spending time with. I loved this book. great story line, enjoyed the whole story and the way it was written. I am a big reader of Romance stories so this author had me hooked at it being a romance.

[Elizabeth Sintes · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Perfect Bride

Oh yes we sure struggled through this book to see if Brianna would ever marry her gentleman she was playing games with. Yes we knew they loved each other but circumstance and the ways of Court life it sure took a long and exhausting time. I enjoyed the read but it kind of left me flat.