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Chance Sisters #3
Spomladanska nevesta
V tej očarljivi regentski romanci izpod peresa priljubljene Anne Gracie mlado debitantko in skrivnostnega neznanca združi pes, ki se znajde v neusmiljenih rokah uličnih postopačev. Za ljubitelje Mary Balogh in Madeline Hunter.
Jane Chantry namerava kmalu vstopiti v visoko družbo. Potem ko sta jo v otroštvu pestila revščina in gorje, se želi dobro, varno in pametno poročiti. Vse ji gre kot po maslu, potem pa ji zapeljiv in nevaren klatež pomaga rešiti psa. Zachary Black ne bi mogel biti manj primeren zanjo – je nekdanji vohun, ki je trenutno pod krinko, saj ga iščejo zaradi umora. Dobil je navodila, da se mora skrivati, dokler si ne opere imena. Zach pa pravil nikoli ni upošteval in Jane Chance želi zase.
Če to pomeni, da si mora v preobleki utreti pot v londonsko petično družbo, bo to tudi naredil. Jane se zaveda, da se ne bi smela zaljubiti v nezanesljivega in pogubno privlačnega malopridneža, a kaj, ko je Zach trdno odločen … in vajen vselej dobiti, kar želi.
Jane Chantry namerava kmalu vstopiti v visoko družbo. Potem ko sta jo v otroštvu pestila revščina in gorje, se želi dobro, varno in pametno poročiti. Vse ji gre kot po maslu, potem pa ji zapeljiv in nevaren klatež pomaga rešiti psa. Zachary Black ne bi mogel biti manj primeren zanjo – je nekdanji vohun, ki je trenutno pod krinko, saj ga iščejo zaradi umora. Dobil je navodila, da se mora skrivati, dokler si ne opere imena. Zach pa pravil nikoli ni upošteval in Jane Chance želi zase.
Če to pomeni, da si mora v preobleki utreti pot v londonsko petično družbo, bo to tudi naredil. Jane se zaveda, da se ne bi smela zaljubiti v nezanesljivega in pogubno privlačnega malopridneža, a kaj, ko je Zach trdno odločen … in vajen vselej dobiti, kar želi.
448 pages
First published June 2, 2015
201 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Anne Gracie
95 books1,533 followersI've always loved stories. Family legend has it that I used to spend hours playing in the sand pit, with a dog on either side of me and Rocka the horse leaning over me, his head just touching my shoulder, while I told them stories. I have to say, dogs and horses are great audiences, apart from their tendency to drool occasionally. But people are even nicer.
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
November 29, 2015
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Jane Chance, is looking for security and a family. Unlike her sister, Jane isn't out looking for love, because love doesn't feed or clothe you or put a roof over your head. Jane is one of the Ton's most regal beauties, and at the beginning of the season she is made an offer from a man that is looking for a beautiful wife and he wants Jane and he has wealth. But all Jane can see, is a man that offers a safe harbor for herself and her children. While out on the town, giving children pennies so they can have food, she spies a dog being tortured and beaten and runs into a gypsy, a man that is handsome and charming with a wicked gleam in his eyes and she can't resist him. Zachary Black has returned back to England, after years of service to the crown. But he comes back learning, that he will need to clear his name before he can access any of his titled lands or wealth. But after his meetings with Jane in the park almost every day, he sees the kind of woman he would be honored to know more and even love. But his life is in turmoil, and when he learns that she is betrothed, he knows that his time is running out....and Jane will have to decide over security or the man of her heart?
The Hero
Zachary Black, is a spy and worked for the British Government in collecting information that helped save his country. For years he dedicated his life, risking it every day, for his country. But when he returns, he finds out that he has been accused of murder of his father's widow whom he helped escape and go into hiding. He knows that she is alive, and that its absurd that he could be hanged for a murder he never committed. With his father dead, Zachary is on the hunt for Cecily and all at the same time trying to court a woman that doesn't really want to be courted by a poor gypsy. Zachary is a hero I came to truly enjoy from beginning to end. Zachary is honorable and good, and loyal. He has a solid sense of humor, and respects those that protect and defend Jane even if its against him. I couldn't help but fall for his charisma, he is devilish in his charming nature and I just wanted more of him.
The Heroine
Jane Chance, is a woman that on the outside it may seem that she has had everything handed to her on a silver platter, but that is not the case. Jane and her sister grew up poor. Their parents fell in love, and went against the Ton and married for love. Their families disowned them, and refuses to help them. Jane and her sister lost their parents when they were kids, and had to fight to survive. Jane was rescued by a generous lady of the Ton, that adopted four women as her nieces and gave them a chance to make good matches for themselves. Jane takes the first offer given to her. Because the one thing she values above everything else, is a safe home but not just for herself. But for any future children she may have. She knows that love can develop over time. So she doesn't hold out for it. I loved that Jane holds onto her principles. She can be quite stubborn though, but she has reasons that you admire in the end. And I love how she fights in the end for what really matters and there is a moment toward the end of the story where we see her strength and fortitude and I wanted to cheer for her!! A fabulous heroine I couldn't help but admire and respect.
Plot and Story Line
The Spring Bride is the third book in the series. There were many things that I love about this one. The first aspect I grew instantly in love with, is the writing. Anne Gracie has the capability of gaining my interest immediately, and I just couldn't put this one down, no matter how hard I tried. I loved that. I couldn't help but just gravitate toward this pair and all the stress and drama that tends to come with them.
In the beginning of their relationship, its mostly getting to know each other, making each other laugh and developing a platonic bond, but there is chemistry, just one that they don't act on immediately. Than we have some secrets become revealed, which only adds to a bit of conflict to them fully coming together. Zachary has to clear his name and get his lands returned to him. Jane is betrothed and needs to decide which man she would take a risk on more. Zachary ups his game when it comes to Jane, he knows that he is running out of time, and goes out of his way to prove himself to her. But when the worst happen, and Jane will have to find Cicily herself, we see a personal growth in Jane's character we didn't see before.
What is most fun was seeing two other couples....one having been married for years and seeing their love stronger than ever and how it gets tested in unique ways. Then we see a hint of Daisy's story as well (I have a feeling that one is going to be a riot). We have some great involvement from the supporting characters. We also see a sweet reunion between the sisters and their grandmother. It broke my heart about their parents, but we also see some good things come out of their rough childhood. We see how Zachary is strong and didn't have the easiest when he was a child either. He was beaten often by his father, and understands Jane in ways that her betrothed never will.
This proved to be a truly remarkable romance that spun its way into my good graces with flair, drama and good chemistry and some barrels of laughs and giggles. Excited to see what Gracie has up for us next.
The Cover
This cover is so gorgeous and I love the spring feel to it. I love the elegance and grace it portrays. I wish I could just jump into all that lavender goodness!!
Overall View
The Spring Bride is a tantalizing story of passion, fighting for love and honor, and living to the fullest moments in life!!! BREATHTAKING!!
Summary
Jane Chance, is looking for security and a family. Unlike her sister, Jane isn't out looking for love, because love doesn't feed or clothe you or put a roof over your head. Jane is one of the Ton's most regal beauties, and at the beginning of the season she is made an offer from a man that is looking for a beautiful wife and he wants Jane and he has wealth. But all Jane can see, is a man that offers a safe harbor for herself and her children. While out on the town, giving children pennies so they can have food, she spies a dog being tortured and beaten and runs into a gypsy, a man that is handsome and charming with a wicked gleam in his eyes and she can't resist him. Zachary Black has returned back to England, after years of service to the crown. But he comes back learning, that he will need to clear his name before he can access any of his titled lands or wealth. But after his meetings with Jane in the park almost every day, he sees the kind of woman he would be honored to know more and even love. But his life is in turmoil, and when he learns that she is betrothed, he knows that his time is running out....and Jane will have to decide over security or the man of her heart?
The Hero
Zachary Black, is a spy and worked for the British Government in collecting information that helped save his country. For years he dedicated his life, risking it every day, for his country. But when he returns, he finds out that he has been accused of murder of his father's widow whom he helped escape and go into hiding. He knows that she is alive, and that its absurd that he could be hanged for a murder he never committed. With his father dead, Zachary is on the hunt for Cecily and all at the same time trying to court a woman that doesn't really want to be courted by a poor gypsy. Zachary is a hero I came to truly enjoy from beginning to end. Zachary is honorable and good, and loyal. He has a solid sense of humor, and respects those that protect and defend Jane even if its against him. I couldn't help but fall for his charisma, he is devilish in his charming nature and I just wanted more of him.
The Heroine
Jane Chance, is a woman that on the outside it may seem that she has had everything handed to her on a silver platter, but that is not the case. Jane and her sister grew up poor. Their parents fell in love, and went against the Ton and married for love. Their families disowned them, and refuses to help them. Jane and her sister lost their parents when they were kids, and had to fight to survive. Jane was rescued by a generous lady of the Ton, that adopted four women as her nieces and gave them a chance to make good matches for themselves. Jane takes the first offer given to her. Because the one thing she values above everything else, is a safe home but not just for herself. But for any future children she may have. She knows that love can develop over time. So she doesn't hold out for it. I loved that Jane holds onto her principles. She can be quite stubborn though, but she has reasons that you admire in the end. And I love how she fights in the end for what really matters and there is a moment toward the end of the story where we see her strength and fortitude and I wanted to cheer for her!! A fabulous heroine I couldn't help but admire and respect.
Plot and Story Line
The Spring Bride is the third book in the series. There were many things that I love about this one. The first aspect I grew instantly in love with, is the writing. Anne Gracie has the capability of gaining my interest immediately, and I just couldn't put this one down, no matter how hard I tried. I loved that. I couldn't help but just gravitate toward this pair and all the stress and drama that tends to come with them.
In the beginning of their relationship, its mostly getting to know each other, making each other laugh and developing a platonic bond, but there is chemistry, just one that they don't act on immediately. Than we have some secrets become revealed, which only adds to a bit of conflict to them fully coming together. Zachary has to clear his name and get his lands returned to him. Jane is betrothed and needs to decide which man she would take a risk on more. Zachary ups his game when it comes to Jane, he knows that he is running out of time, and goes out of his way to prove himself to her. But when the worst happen, and Jane will have to find Cicily herself, we see a personal growth in Jane's character we didn't see before.
What is most fun was seeing two other couples....one having been married for years and seeing their love stronger than ever and how it gets tested in unique ways. Then we see a hint of Daisy's story as well (I have a feeling that one is going to be a riot). We have some great involvement from the supporting characters. We also see a sweet reunion between the sisters and their grandmother. It broke my heart about their parents, but we also see some good things come out of their rough childhood. We see how Zachary is strong and didn't have the easiest when he was a child either. He was beaten often by his father, and understands Jane in ways that her betrothed never will.
This proved to be a truly remarkable romance that spun its way into my good graces with flair, drama and good chemistry and some barrels of laughs and giggles. Excited to see what Gracie has up for us next.
The Cover
This cover is so gorgeous and I love the spring feel to it. I love the elegance and grace it portrays. I wish I could just jump into all that lavender goodness!!
Overall View
The Spring Bride is a tantalizing story of passion, fighting for love and honor, and living to the fullest moments in life!!! BREATHTAKING!!
December 14, 2024
Unfortunately I have jumped in at book three in the Chance Sisters series although I do not believe this affected my enjoyment of this story. I just like to read a good series in order!
The Spring Bride takes place in 1817 and features Jane, one of four sisters. She wants to marry someone who will give her safety and security, and is betrothed to a suitable man when Zach comes into the picture. His only desire is to marry Jane but safety and security are definitely not his best attributes.
There is a lot of humour in the story especially the banter between Zach and his friend Gil. All of the characters are enjoyable so I will certainly be looking out for the rest of the series - starting at #1 of course.
The Spring Bride takes place in 1817 and features Jane, one of four sisters. She wants to marry someone who will give her safety and security, and is betrothed to a suitable man when Zach comes into the picture. His only desire is to marry Jane but safety and security are definitely not his best attributes.
There is a lot of humour in the story especially the banter between Zach and his friend Gil. All of the characters are enjoyable so I will certainly be looking out for the rest of the series - starting at #1 of course.
September 17, 2019
The Spring Bride is the 3rd in the Chance Sisters series by Aussie author Anne Gracie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Historical romance, it is set in London in 1817. Jane, Abby’s younger sister is now eighteen and set to come out into London society. She remembered back to her childhood, to a time of poverty, of hunger, fear and sadness. Jane and Abby’s mother had died when Jane was only six and twelve-year-old Abby had taken over her care. The years were harsh until they met Lady Beatrice and she took both Abby and Jane into her home, along with Damaris and Daisy.
Zachary Black had only returned to England for a short time, but what he learned meant he needed to remain, at least for a time. When he rescued a young woman along with a mangy dog from street thugs, Zach’s world changed. While he needed to clear his name, he attempted to get to know this young woman. Jane Chance had captivated him, but she knew he wasn’t at all suitable for what she wanted…
Jane and Zachary’s story is filled with intrigue, mystery and romance, set in early 1800s England. The characters have depth – they are easy to know and like. I loved Lady Beatrice with her mischievous but steely demeanor; Abby was a caring and loving older sister (her story is book #1), while I haven’t read Damaris or Daisy’s stories yet. The Spring Bride is a thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author for my signed copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
Zachary Black had only returned to England for a short time, but what he learned meant he needed to remain, at least for a time. When he rescued a young woman along with a mangy dog from street thugs, Zach’s world changed. While he needed to clear his name, he attempted to get to know this young woman. Jane Chance had captivated him, but she knew he wasn’t at all suitable for what she wanted…
Jane and Zachary’s story is filled with intrigue, mystery and romance, set in early 1800s England. The characters have depth – they are easy to know and like. I loved Lady Beatrice with her mischievous but steely demeanor; Abby was a caring and loving older sister (her story is book #1), while I haven’t read Damaris or Daisy’s stories yet. The Spring Bride is a thoroughly enjoyable read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author for my signed copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2015
Audiobook. Decent post-war romance, set in London 1817. One sex scene, no violence, minimal swearing. It was good to see Aunt Beatrice and the four Chance sisters again, with plenty of Max and Freddie. The mutt described in the synopsis played a starring role for a while but then he faded into the background. The murder charge somehow never felt like an honest theat.
This book was the weakest of the series, so far. It was pleasant but predictable, and emotionally I felt little connection. Yet still I'm planning to read book 4 when it's published — Daisy's story. I liked the first two books in the series.
I loved Gracie's other series, especially The Perfect Rake and The Perfect Waltz. These two series are similar in many ways, with orphaned or abused youth, animals, "great dame" adoptive aunts, and cast-off servants.
Narrator Allison Larkin was great, but she needs to learn how to say "laudanum" if she plans to read historic novels. Also, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are annoying. They interrupt the flow of the story, in audio format. I skip quotes when reading.
This book was the weakest of the series, so far. It was pleasant but predictable, and emotionally I felt little connection. Yet still I'm planning to read book 4 when it's published — Daisy's story. I liked the first two books in the series.
I loved Gracie's other series, especially The Perfect Rake and The Perfect Waltz. These two series are similar in many ways, with orphaned or abused youth, animals, "great dame" adoptive aunts, and cast-off servants.
Narrator Allison Larkin was great, but she needs to learn how to say "laudanum" if she plans to read historic novels. Also, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are annoying. They interrupt the flow of the story, in audio format. I skip quotes when reading.
January 22, 2016
3.5 Stars
The reason why it took me months after reading to write a review, despite my great excitement for the book (and my overall adoration for Anne Gracie's writing), is that it fell flat of my expectations. This is a love-at-first-sight story, and really the hero set out to slowly seduce the heroine the entire time because he couldn't help it. I just want there to be more to the attraction between Jane and Zach like in the previous books of the series...and there wasn't.
Jane is a lovely, wonderful girl, as she always was in the series, but I just wanted her to be with someone who truly appreciates her, enough that he would willingly let her be happy with marrying wealth for security and children, and have that self-sacrificing act convince her of his love. That didn't happen. What did occur was a guy who can't let go of the beautiful girl he saved by chance, and doggedly tried to be with her every day afterwards, even when she is already betrothed to another. *sigh* I found his behavior more rakish and irresponsible than anyone else's, and moreover, he hasn't even settled his own affairs (weak mystery here) nor even living his true identity when he decides to take Jane for his own! My opinion is that Jane deserved better.
I still have high hopes for The Summer Bride, because I truly do adore everything Gracie has written (with varying degrees of affection), so perhaps Daisy and her love will prove to be something more than just basic human attraction.
The reason why it took me months after reading to write a review, despite my great excitement for the book (and my overall adoration for Anne Gracie's writing), is that it fell flat of my expectations. This is a love-at-first-sight story, and really the hero set out to slowly seduce the heroine the entire time because he couldn't help it. I just want there to be more to the attraction between Jane and Zach like in the previous books of the series...and there wasn't.
Jane is a lovely, wonderful girl, as she always was in the series, but I just wanted her to be with someone who truly appreciates her, enough that he would willingly let her be happy with marrying wealth for security and children, and have that self-sacrificing act convince her of his love. That didn't happen. What did occur was a guy who can't let go of the beautiful girl he saved by chance, and doggedly tried to be with her every day afterwards, even when she is already betrothed to another. *sigh* I found his behavior more rakish and irresponsible than anyone else's, and moreover, he hasn't even settled his own affairs (weak mystery here) nor even living his true identity when he decides to take Jane for his own! My opinion is that Jane deserved better.
I still have high hopes for The Summer Bride, because I truly do adore everything Gracie has written (with varying degrees of affection), so perhaps Daisy and her love will prove to be something more than just basic human attraction.
December 15, 2017
*** 3.5 Stars!!! ***
This was the third instalment in this series! I did enjoy the story, but was disappointed with the fact that the main couple didn’t get together until the very end. My biggest complaint with this series is the lack of “together time” for all of the main couples. The sex as well only comes at the very end, and it’s a brief encounter!
I do enjoy the story line though, and I’m committed to seeing it through to the end! The fourth and final instalment is next and it includes the pirate, Flynn!!! I am super hopeful that this will make for a very entertaining story!!! Away I go!!!
This was the third instalment in this series! I did enjoy the story, but was disappointed with the fact that the main couple didn’t get together until the very end. My biggest complaint with this series is the lack of “together time” for all of the main couples. The sex as well only comes at the very end, and it’s a brief encounter!
I do enjoy the story line though, and I’m committed to seeing it through to the end! The fourth and final instalment is next and it includes the pirate, Flynn!!! I am super hopeful that this will make for a very entertaining story!!! Away I go!!!
July 19, 2017
Jane Chance née Chantry will not marry for love unless love comes with several zeroes and a castle. Adam George Zachery Aston-Black, Earl of Wainfleet, is only in town for a few days before he returns to spying and lying and ... stuff. They have a meetcute over a dog and SPARKS! MILD BONERS! FLIRTING IN PARKS! Eventually Jane realizes that love > millions of pounds / a castle (I'm not convinced), and Zach confesses he's not a sloppy clerk who lives in the park!!!
1. This was underwhelming. Jane's realization that she'd rather be with the man she loves rather than a man with money is uneven, and as Katie mentioned, the definition of "safety" can mean many things t many people. Having it so easily dissolve once the required page count had been met felt really lazy.
2. The premise of the murder plot was also ridiculous. I refuse to waste any words on it because I was required to already give so much of my time suspending my disbelief in the trees so bears didn't get to it.
3. Jane was—somewhat annoying. The book opens with her stubbornly refusing to discuss her reasons for choosing a marriage of convenience with the women who have proven their kinship again and again and again. This falsely constructed separation really goads my goat. So I was annoyed with her for refusing to talk to her sisters, and THEN, I got my most favorite of plot points with the LONG LOST GRANDMOTHER RETURNING TO EXPLAIN THEIR POVERTY AND DESTITUTION AS A CHILD WAS ALL A BIG MISTAKE.
My goat is now on fire.
4. I LIKED ZACH. Caveat: his decision to "grow up" was also underdeveloped like whoa, but I felt it came from a more organic place. I loved his goofy, flirty in-disguise persona, and I liked how he decided early and evenly that Jane was his long-term goal. It's just nice to have a hero that has his head screwed in the right direction.
His surrounding drama was ridiculous but then I can't have everything I want or I would be too smug.
5. Last minute sexings are not sexy. They're hurried and wasteful. Spend your page time fixing your messy plot instead of getting everyone naked if you're going to wait until the last 25 pages to so. :\
6. DISAPPOINTING. This entire series seems to be about women who do not want to get married, but their reasons are not fully developed, nor do they actually hold any water when examined because they can't if you want us to believe in a HEA.
1. This was underwhelming. Jane's realization that she'd rather be with the man she loves rather than a man with money is uneven, and as Katie mentioned, the definition of "safety" can mean many things t many people. Having it so easily dissolve once the required page count had been met felt really lazy.
2. The premise of the murder plot was also ridiculous. I refuse to waste any words on it because I was required to already give so much of my time suspending my disbelief in the trees so bears didn't get to it.
3. Jane was—somewhat annoying. The book opens with her stubbornly refusing to discuss her reasons for choosing a marriage of convenience with the women who have proven their kinship again and again and again. This falsely constructed separation really goads my goat. So I was annoyed with her for refusing to talk to her sisters, and THEN, I got my most favorite of plot points with the LONG LOST GRANDMOTHER RETURNING TO EXPLAIN THEIR POVERTY AND DESTITUTION AS A CHILD WAS ALL A BIG MISTAKE.
My goat is now on fire.
4. I LIKED ZACH. Caveat: his decision to "grow up" was also underdeveloped like whoa, but I felt it came from a more organic place. I loved his goofy, flirty in-disguise persona, and I liked how he decided early and evenly that Jane was his long-term goal. It's just nice to have a hero that has his head screwed in the right direction.
His surrounding drama was ridiculous but then I can't have everything I want or I would be too smug.
5. Last minute sexings are not sexy. They're hurried and wasteful. Spend your page time fixing your messy plot instead of getting everyone naked if you're going to wait until the last 25 pages to so. :\
6. DISAPPOINTING. This entire series seems to be about women who do not want to get married, but their reasons are not fully developed, nor do they actually hold any water when examined because they can't if you want us to believe in a HEA.
March 8, 2025
2.5 stars
For me, Anne Gracie is dependably a 4-star and sometimes 5-star author. But this book rubbed me every kind of way wrong.
The MMC, Zachary Black, has reported in to his English spymaster, delivered important documents, and intends to return to his foreign assignment when he’s informed his cousin has scheduled a hearing to have him declared dead so that he can inherit the title and estates Zachary is heir to. Zachary left home at the age of 16 to escape an abusive father and hasn’t given much thought to his home since then, but he despises his cousin so he decides to claim his birthright before leaving. Not so fast: Zachary then finds out he’s wanted for the murder of his stepmother, the very stepmother who escaped with him the night he left, also because of his father’s abuse. Zachary doesn’t take the charges seriously, since he knows his stepmother is alive and has been writing him throughout the years, but he needs to find her and get the murder charge cleared before he can announce that he’s alive.
Jane Chance is cursed with beauty; men have hunted her her whole life because of it. She is also ruthlessly determined to marry for money, so when her beauty catches the eye of a wealthy lord who collects beautiful things, she jumps at the chance to put his big diamond on her finger. Lest the reader mistake Jane for a hard, cynical gold digger, the author has her running into an alley to save a filthy, ugly mongrel dog from ruffians kicking it, only to have the ruffians turn on her. Zachary witnesses the altercation and jumps in to save her.
He’s instantly smitten and pursues Jane. Jane’s heart beats faster around Zachery but she’s chosen the life she wants and isn’t tempted to change her mind. The dog gets a bath, joins Jane’s household, gets walked a few times, and then the author forgets it exists. The middle section of the book drags as Zach falls for Jane and Jane refuses to fall for Zach while her fiancé wipes his feet on her. Exactly at the 2/3rds point, this book loses me for good when Jane passionately kisses Zach and is discovered by her fiancé, who wants to call the banns immediately.
”Women are faithless by nature, beautiful ones even worse. Not surprised other men want you. My job is to make sure I get to you first. After you’ve given me an heir, you can do what you like, as long as you’re discreet about it. Until then, missy”—he gave her a hard look—“I protect what’s mine.”
And Jane immediately agrees. And I immediately decided she deserves what she’s signing up for. She isn’t living in poverty. Her sisters have married wealthy men even if she wasn’t secure in Aunt Beatrice’s household. She will never know cold or hunger again, and at 18, beautiful and popular, she would have many other options even if Zach weren’t around. She is choosing to sell herself to this odious man and I washed my hands of her.
The last third of the book was messy, didn’t make sense in places, abounded with romance clichés, and included a scene where a miraculously enlightened Jane delivered a diatribe on how little value material possessions mattered without love. I could have sworn I heard the swell of violins in the background in spite of feeling a little nauseous over the hypocrisy.
If a reader doesn’t like the heroine of a romance novel, it’s game over. I didn’t like Jane.
For me, Anne Gracie is dependably a 4-star and sometimes 5-star author. But this book rubbed me every kind of way wrong.
The MMC, Zachary Black, has reported in to his English spymaster, delivered important documents, and intends to return to his foreign assignment when he’s informed his cousin has scheduled a hearing to have him declared dead so that he can inherit the title and estates Zachary is heir to. Zachary left home at the age of 16 to escape an abusive father and hasn’t given much thought to his home since then, but he despises his cousin so he decides to claim his birthright before leaving. Not so fast: Zachary then finds out he’s wanted for the murder of his stepmother, the very stepmother who escaped with him the night he left, also because of his father’s abuse. Zachary doesn’t take the charges seriously, since he knows his stepmother is alive and has been writing him throughout the years, but he needs to find her and get the murder charge cleared before he can announce that he’s alive.
Jane Chance is cursed with beauty; men have hunted her her whole life because of it. She is also ruthlessly determined to marry for money, so when her beauty catches the eye of a wealthy lord who collects beautiful things, she jumps at the chance to put his big diamond on her finger. Lest the reader mistake Jane for a hard, cynical gold digger, the author has her running into an alley to save a filthy, ugly mongrel dog from ruffians kicking it, only to have the ruffians turn on her. Zachary witnesses the altercation and jumps in to save her.
He’s instantly smitten and pursues Jane. Jane’s heart beats faster around Zachery but she’s chosen the life she wants and isn’t tempted to change her mind. The dog gets a bath, joins Jane’s household, gets walked a few times, and then the author forgets it exists. The middle section of the book drags as Zach falls for Jane and Jane refuses to fall for Zach while her fiancé wipes his feet on her. Exactly at the 2/3rds point, this book loses me for good when Jane passionately kisses Zach and is discovered by her fiancé, who wants to call the banns immediately.
”Women are faithless by nature, beautiful ones even worse. Not surprised other men want you. My job is to make sure I get to you first. After you’ve given me an heir, you can do what you like, as long as you’re discreet about it. Until then, missy”—he gave her a hard look—“I protect what’s mine.”
And Jane immediately agrees. And I immediately decided she deserves what she’s signing up for. She isn’t living in poverty. Her sisters have married wealthy men even if she wasn’t secure in Aunt Beatrice’s household. She will never know cold or hunger again, and at 18, beautiful and popular, she would have many other options even if Zach weren’t around. She is choosing to sell herself to this odious man and I washed my hands of her.
The last third of the book was messy, didn’t make sense in places, abounded with romance clichés, and included a scene where a miraculously enlightened Jane delivered a diatribe on how little value material possessions mattered without love. I could have sworn I heard the swell of violins in the background in spite of feeling a little nauseous over the hypocrisy.
If a reader doesn’t like the heroine of a romance novel, it’s game over. I didn’t like Jane.
February 9, 2018
I didn’t really like this one so I’ll just give a quick rundown of what I did and didn’t enjoy.
I really didn’t understand why the MCs loved each other. They hardly knew one another. It seemed like lust more than anything else. And the fact that the h was betrothed to someone else but still kissed the H anyway? Not cool, Jane. Not cool. Also, I could have done without all the references to the H’s past. The author makes a point of saying that he was really choosy when it came to his bed partners, but then she’d drop mentions of a widow, and “the women he’d lain with”, etc. and then I was confused. Was he a rake or not? Because rakes are boring and gross.
Also, the plot of this book felt underdeveloped. The spy angle, the murder mystery, the “growing up” as it were, and the romance all needed more fleshing out. There have been books that have skillfully handled more than one plot line, but I think I would have enjoyed this more had there be more focus on one aspect instead of on multiple.
I liked the engaging writing, the dual povs, and the fact that there was only one intimate scene, but the substance of this story left me feeling underwhelmed. This is probably my least favorite of the series...well, tied with the second book.
I really didn’t understand why the MCs loved each other. They hardly knew one another. It seemed like lust more than anything else. And the fact that the h was betrothed to someone else but still kissed the H anyway? Not cool, Jane. Not cool. Also, I could have done without all the references to the H’s past. The author makes a point of saying that he was really choosy when it came to his bed partners, but then she’d drop mentions of a widow, and “the women he’d lain with”, etc. and then I was confused. Was he a rake or not? Because rakes are boring and gross.
Also, the plot of this book felt underdeveloped. The spy angle, the murder mystery, the “growing up” as it were, and the romance all needed more fleshing out. There have been books that have skillfully handled more than one plot line, but I think I would have enjoyed this more had there be more focus on one aspect instead of on multiple.
I liked the engaging writing, the dual povs, and the fact that there was only one intimate scene, but the substance of this story left me feeling underwhelmed. This is probably my least favorite of the series...well, tied with the second book.
June 29, 2015
This is the third in the quartet of books about the Chance sisters, two of whom are actually sisters (Abby and Jane), the other two being young women to whom they are not related but with whom they share a strong bond forged by hardship and tragedy.
The heroine of The Spring Bride is Jane Chance, the younger of the two sisters. She is eighteen, beautiful and on the verge of her come out into society, something to which she has been very much looking forward. But even though she is likely to have her pick of suitors once the season begins, Jane accepts an offer from Lord Cambury, a rather dull and unprepossessing young man who is enthralled by her extraordinary beauty and talks of “adding her to his collection” of beautiful things. Her sisters are surprised by her decision, and try to dissuade her, but Jane won't be deterred. She never again wants to endure the fear and deprivation she experienced as a child after she and Abby lost their parents, and to her, marriage is all about safety and security. She is quite happy to make a marriage of convenience and trust that, with luck, love will follow. Her sisters Abby and Damaris, who have both recently married and are blissfully happy, are sceptical, but Jane’s mind is made up.
Until, that is, she is assisted in her rescue of a mangy dog by a tall, dark, handsome gypsy, whose remarkable grey-green eyes she is unable to forget.
Zachary Black is not, in fact a gypsy, but he’s rather a shady character nonetheless. Having left his home and his abusive father over a decade ago, he has worked as an agent for the British government for the last eight years, travelling all around Europe and living a nomadic existence. The death of his father – the Earl of Wainfleet – has prompted his return to England, because Zach’s cousin has instigated legal proceedings to have him declared dead. Confident that his re-appearance will quickly dispense with his cousin’s lawsuit, Zach fully expects to be on his way back to Europe in a matter of weeks, but he isn’t prepared for the news that his resurrection could lead to his actual demise – because he is wanted for the murder of his young stepmother.
Even so, he decides to remain in England until both situations are resolved… and so that he can pursue his acquaintance with the lovely Jane Chance.
I enjoyed the story very much, although my favourite book of the series so far is the previous one, The Winter Bride. But this one has much to recommend it, not least of which is the way Ms Gracie develops the central romance. So many historical romances these days rely of a surfeit of completely unlikely and anachronistic sex scenes, using those in lieu of the evolution of an actual relationship between the protagonists. But in The Spring Bride, the author writes a real romance which is tender, but by no means lacking in heat, yet which takes place in a realistic manner given the period at which the book is set. It was very difficult for young, unmarried men and women to meet in private, and here, the majority of the meetings between Jane and Zach take place in public situations, when all they are really able to do is TALK to each other. And talking to each other is, of course, the best way for them to get to know one another, and for the reader to get to know them and follow the progress of their romance.
Both characters have to make serious re-adjustments to their outlooks on life; Jane has to realise that perhaps a life devoid of love or, at the very least, genuine affection, is not for her, and Zach must admit that perhaps it’s time to leave behind his life full of disguise and subterfuge and grow up and into his responsibilities.
The Spring Bride is an enjoyable, easy read that’s very well-written and suffused with humour and affection. I did find it a little “lightweight” when compared to the other two books, but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment, and I’m eagerly looking forward to tough-as-nails Daisy’s book, which will be the final one in the set.
The heroine of The Spring Bride is Jane Chance, the younger of the two sisters. She is eighteen, beautiful and on the verge of her come out into society, something to which she has been very much looking forward. But even though she is likely to have her pick of suitors once the season begins, Jane accepts an offer from Lord Cambury, a rather dull and unprepossessing young man who is enthralled by her extraordinary beauty and talks of “adding her to his collection” of beautiful things. Her sisters are surprised by her decision, and try to dissuade her, but Jane won't be deterred. She never again wants to endure the fear and deprivation she experienced as a child after she and Abby lost their parents, and to her, marriage is all about safety and security. She is quite happy to make a marriage of convenience and trust that, with luck, love will follow. Her sisters Abby and Damaris, who have both recently married and are blissfully happy, are sceptical, but Jane’s mind is made up.
Until, that is, she is assisted in her rescue of a mangy dog by a tall, dark, handsome gypsy, whose remarkable grey-green eyes she is unable to forget.
Zachary Black is not, in fact a gypsy, but he’s rather a shady character nonetheless. Having left his home and his abusive father over a decade ago, he has worked as an agent for the British government for the last eight years, travelling all around Europe and living a nomadic existence. The death of his father – the Earl of Wainfleet – has prompted his return to England, because Zach’s cousin has instigated legal proceedings to have him declared dead. Confident that his re-appearance will quickly dispense with his cousin’s lawsuit, Zach fully expects to be on his way back to Europe in a matter of weeks, but he isn’t prepared for the news that his resurrection could lead to his actual demise – because he is wanted for the murder of his young stepmother.
Even so, he decides to remain in England until both situations are resolved… and so that he can pursue his acquaintance with the lovely Jane Chance.
I enjoyed the story very much, although my favourite book of the series so far is the previous one, The Winter Bride. But this one has much to recommend it, not least of which is the way Ms Gracie develops the central romance. So many historical romances these days rely of a surfeit of completely unlikely and anachronistic sex scenes, using those in lieu of the evolution of an actual relationship between the protagonists. But in The Spring Bride, the author writes a real romance which is tender, but by no means lacking in heat, yet which takes place in a realistic manner given the period at which the book is set. It was very difficult for young, unmarried men and women to meet in private, and here, the majority of the meetings between Jane and Zach take place in public situations, when all they are really able to do is TALK to each other. And talking to each other is, of course, the best way for them to get to know one another, and for the reader to get to know them and follow the progress of their romance.
Both characters have to make serious re-adjustments to their outlooks on life; Jane has to realise that perhaps a life devoid of love or, at the very least, genuine affection, is not for her, and Zach must admit that perhaps it’s time to leave behind his life full of disguise and subterfuge and grow up and into his responsibilities.
The Spring Bride is an enjoyable, easy read that’s very well-written and suffused with humour and affection. I did find it a little “lightweight” when compared to the other two books, but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment, and I’m eagerly looking forward to tough-as-nails Daisy’s book, which will be the final one in the set.
March 20, 2017
ARC provided by publisher.
The Spring Bride is the third installment in Anne Gracie’s Chance Sisters series, and while this book can stand alone, the other books in this story are worth reading. I can’t imagine why you’d want to miss out. The hilarity and graveness of these stories is balanced perfectly, and I’m enjoying every moment.
This book felt like an adventure from the beginning to the end. I love how Jane, who desperately wants to be so prim and proper, can’t help but flirt with the lines of propriety as far as spending time with Zach goes. She’s unable to resist him, but she’s completely unaware of that fact. I adored their entire relationship from how they met to how Jane became the knight in shining armor she’d spent her life looking for. (Though for Jane, it was more like a knight with a healthy bank account.) Theirs was a friendship that blossomed, and I adored watching it happen. Jane’s insecurities were deep and came from a very real place, and I appreciated how authentically this was done. She knew she didn’t have a lot of choices, but she was taking fate into her own hands (at least, she thought so,) by choosing what she felt she needed most in her life.
There was so much that made this book fun:
*Daisy being the voice of reason for Jane was so unexpected. But she was Jane’s champion in this story, standing by her friend no matter what was going on.
*Zach’s persistence – while Jane was betrothed to another man, Zach was appalled that she was relying on her pretty face, and angry on her behalf that she’d been made to make a match based on that alone.
*The masquerade ball – I love a masquerade ball. No matter how improbable it is that you wouldn’t recognize the person behind the mask (though that wasn’t the case here,) masquerade balls are so thrilling to read about, especially when it coincides with a couple’s first kiss!
*Of course, Zach’s introduction to Lady Beatrice. Lady B is so much fun. You always think you know her motives, but she surprises you in the end and leaves you chuckling, wondering how she was able to pull the wool over your eyes. I couldn’t wait for them to meet. You just knew it was going to be hilarious.
*Zach’s friend, Gil. Zach was moved to do things he’d never even considered before, and Gil spent the entire book being entertained by Zach’s predicaments, and he was very outspoken about it.
*How open Zach was to his feelings for Jane. There’s no tug of war here. From the beginning, Zach is able to recognize how special Jane is, and he never runs from his feelings. I just love a decisive hero, and Zach was a man who knew exactly what he wanted.
*Abby and Jane finally get some closure with their family. I won’t say more than that for fear of spoiling, but I like that the girls are finally able to move on from that.
The Spring Bride was more than a love story – this was a story about Jane discovering that sometimes what you want isn’t what you need, and what you need isn’t want you want, and Zach realizing you can come home again. As this series has progressed, I’ve enjoyed each book more and more. I am so excited to read the final installment with Daisy and Flynn’s story in The Summer Bride!
Narration: Like the previous books in the series, I listened to some of this one. (I went back and forth between audio and print,) and I adore the narrator for this series. Alison Larkin does a wonderful job, and I’m glad she’s narrating the entire series!
This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
The Spring Bride is the third installment in Anne Gracie’s Chance Sisters series, and while this book can stand alone, the other books in this story are worth reading. I can’t imagine why you’d want to miss out. The hilarity and graveness of these stories is balanced perfectly, and I’m enjoying every moment.
This book felt like an adventure from the beginning to the end. I love how Jane, who desperately wants to be so prim and proper, can’t help but flirt with the lines of propriety as far as spending time with Zach goes. She’s unable to resist him, but she’s completely unaware of that fact. I adored their entire relationship from how they met to how Jane became the knight in shining armor she’d spent her life looking for. (Though for Jane, it was more like a knight with a healthy bank account.) Theirs was a friendship that blossomed, and I adored watching it happen. Jane’s insecurities were deep and came from a very real place, and I appreciated how authentically this was done. She knew she didn’t have a lot of choices, but she was taking fate into her own hands (at least, she thought so,) by choosing what she felt she needed most in her life.
There was so much that made this book fun:
*Daisy being the voice of reason for Jane was so unexpected. But she was Jane’s champion in this story, standing by her friend no matter what was going on.
*Zach’s persistence – while Jane was betrothed to another man, Zach was appalled that she was relying on her pretty face, and angry on her behalf that she’d been made to make a match based on that alone.
*The masquerade ball – I love a masquerade ball. No matter how improbable it is that you wouldn’t recognize the person behind the mask (though that wasn’t the case here,) masquerade balls are so thrilling to read about, especially when it coincides with a couple’s first kiss!
*Of course, Zach’s introduction to Lady Beatrice. Lady B is so much fun. You always think you know her motives, but she surprises you in the end and leaves you chuckling, wondering how she was able to pull the wool over your eyes. I couldn’t wait for them to meet. You just knew it was going to be hilarious.
*Zach’s friend, Gil. Zach was moved to do things he’d never even considered before, and Gil spent the entire book being entertained by Zach’s predicaments, and he was very outspoken about it.
*How open Zach was to his feelings for Jane. There’s no tug of war here. From the beginning, Zach is able to recognize how special Jane is, and he never runs from his feelings. I just love a decisive hero, and Zach was a man who knew exactly what he wanted.
*Abby and Jane finally get some closure with their family. I won’t say more than that for fear of spoiling, but I like that the girls are finally able to move on from that.
The Spring Bride was more than a love story – this was a story about Jane discovering that sometimes what you want isn’t what you need, and what you need isn’t want you want, and Zach realizing you can come home again. As this series has progressed, I’ve enjoyed each book more and more. I am so excited to read the final installment with Daisy and Flynn’s story in The Summer Bride!
Narration: Like the previous books in the series, I listened to some of this one. (I went back and forth between audio and print,) and I adore the narrator for this series. Alison Larkin does a wonderful job, and I’m glad she’s narrating the entire series!
This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
February 28, 2025
5 ⭐️s
Book #3 in the Chance Sisters series.
Exquisitely beautiful!
Book #3 in the Chance Sisters series.
Exquisitely beautiful!
August 12, 2018
3.0 "Weak Hero Stars"
My least favorite of the series so far. I didn't care for the hero at all. He was beautiful and sexy but not very savvy for a spy.
My least favorite of the series so far. I didn't care for the hero at all. He was beautiful and sexy but not very savvy for a spy.
April 17, 2015
Anne Gracie writes the sort of historical romance I think “wallpaper romance” writers try to achieve – and rarely do. She is a favourite of mine even though her books are much more light-hearted than I usually like, and this is largely because she works dark themes and emotion into her more humorous stories.
What she does best – and what next to no historical romance authors do these days – is write an actual romance. And there’s an actual plot. And both hero and heroine have their own story arcs. And nobody is having sex in a friend’s spare room. And there are real friendships and family relationships. And she basically does everything right that so many authors (because their publishers are demanding it) are doing wrong.
I really enjoy this series, and this is the third of four books. They work as standalones, but are much better read in order.
I love books with beautiful heroines. The Plain Jane book has been done to death and is starting to seem really hypocritical when all of the heroes are dashing and gorgeous and perfect, and male beauty is made such a priority. I love that Jane’s beauty brought her other issues.
I liked that our hero (who goes by a number of names!) actually took the time to fall in love, even though he wanted her from the outset. A relationship was established. The characters acted normal, instead of like sex maniacs with no thought for unwanted pregnancy. And Jane was uncertain when she got married. Unlike 99.9% of historical romance heroines these days, she didn’t come to her marriage with anachronistic knowledge of everything to do with sex.
Jane does fall in love while promised to another man, so it will be up to the reader to decide if what she did was right or wrong. I thought Gracie did just enough for me to forgive her for it.
There is also a mystery here, and I liked the way all the little bits and pieces came together at the end.
The light-hearted tone of the story allows for a little bit of room to play with class rules and behaviours without making the story too anachronistic. I don’t really notice when something is a little bit outlandish.
This is definitely one of the best historical romance series around at the moment.
Oh, and the US cover for this book is ALL WRONG! Is that tanned brunette seriously supposed to be the pale, blond beauty who is the heroine?! Here's the much better Australian cover:
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
What she does best – and what next to no historical romance authors do these days – is write an actual romance. And there’s an actual plot. And both hero and heroine have their own story arcs. And nobody is having sex in a friend’s spare room. And there are real friendships and family relationships. And she basically does everything right that so many authors (because their publishers are demanding it) are doing wrong.
I really enjoy this series, and this is the third of four books. They work as standalones, but are much better read in order.
I love books with beautiful heroines. The Plain Jane book has been done to death and is starting to seem really hypocritical when all of the heroes are dashing and gorgeous and perfect, and male beauty is made such a priority. I love that Jane’s beauty brought her other issues.
I liked that our hero (who goes by a number of names!) actually took the time to fall in love, even though he wanted her from the outset. A relationship was established. The characters acted normal, instead of like sex maniacs with no thought for unwanted pregnancy. And Jane was uncertain when she got married. Unlike 99.9% of historical romance heroines these days, she didn’t come to her marriage with anachronistic knowledge of everything to do with sex.
Jane does fall in love while promised to another man, so it will be up to the reader to decide if what she did was right or wrong. I thought Gracie did just enough for me to forgive her for it.
There is also a mystery here, and I liked the way all the little bits and pieces came together at the end.
The light-hearted tone of the story allows for a little bit of room to play with class rules and behaviours without making the story too anachronistic. I don’t really notice when something is a little bit outlandish.
This is definitely one of the best historical romance series around at the moment.
Oh, and the US cover for this book is ALL WRONG! Is that tanned brunette seriously supposed to be the pale, blond beauty who is the heroine?! Here's the much better Australian cover:
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
May 28, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up. Listened to audiobook
I did not expect to like this one so much. Jane had been my least favorite sister so far, the most immature it seemed. Both MCs start out rather immature, meeting by accident. Jane accepts the proposal of a rich gentleman early on in the book for the security, even though her first season has not started yet and her family advises waiting. Instead she decides to side with her younger self, who would not make the mistake her mother's mistake. She is just an immature young woman who thinks she needs to know all the answers and really wants to be independent, a very relatable perspective, in my opinion.
Zachary is a very charming and endearing hero. He's a bit of a rascal, very fun. He is back in England for the first time in years and is mixed up with several court-related issues. Terrible time to meet his true love, but he does and, just to complicate matters, she is betrothed. He must fight his legal battles and convince a girl who believes him entirely unsuitable and an irrational choice to choose him.
The attraction between MCs was believable, and the way they each matured is very well done. All in all, a very good read.
I did not expect to like this one so much. Jane had been my least favorite sister so far, the most immature it seemed. Both MCs start out rather immature, meeting by accident. Jane accepts the proposal of a rich gentleman early on in the book for the security, even though her first season has not started yet and her family advises waiting. Instead she decides to side with her younger self, who would not make the mistake her mother's mistake. She is just an immature young woman who thinks she needs to know all the answers and really wants to be independent, a very relatable perspective, in my opinion.
Zachary is a very charming and endearing hero. He's a bit of a rascal, very fun. He is back in England for the first time in years and is mixed up with several court-related issues. Terrible time to meet his true love, but he does and, just to complicate matters, she is betrothed. He must fight his legal battles and convince a girl who believes him entirely unsuitable and an irrational choice to choose him.
The attraction between MCs was believable, and the way they each matured is very well done. All in all, a very good read.
August 6, 2025
This was a huge miss for me. It left me with a bad taste in my mouth. The beginning was nice, the hero is the funny type, you know? But the thing is, when you can't take anything seriously, what kind of husband will you be?
I don't believe they fell in love. At all. The hero couldn't take no for an answer and his insistence felt quite horrible. It felt like our heeoine would gladly forget the hero ever existed in the first place.
Very unconvincing and disappointing. One other thing is that when the heroine becomes the Knight in shining armor, the hero becomes so weak that we lose the respect and admiration we might have gathered for him. This book was badly done. She deserved better.
I don't believe they fell in love. At all. The hero couldn't take no for an answer and his insistence felt quite horrible. It felt like our heeoine would gladly forget the hero ever existed in the first place.
Very unconvincing and disappointing. One other thing is that when the heroine becomes the Knight in shining armor, the hero becomes so weak that we lose the respect and admiration we might have gathered for him. This book was badly done. She deserved better.
October 25, 2020
Джейн Чантри/Чанс и Адам/Зак Остиб-Блек, граф на Уинфлийт
След като родителите на Джейн , отказват да изпълнят волята на аристократичните си семейства, и сключват брак, те са обезнаследени и прогонени от домовете си. Двамата, заедно с двете си дъщери живеят труден живот, и след смъртта им, Джейн и Аби остават сами на произвола на съдбата. От този ден нататък, Джейн си поставя една цел. Да използва красотата си, за да се омъжи за богат мъж, който да й даде богатството и сигурността, които е нямала като дете, за да е сигурна, че нейните деца няма да живеят в страх, студ и глад, като нея и сестра й. Кълне се, че няма да прави грешката на родителите си и да избере любовта, пред сигурността. Затова, още преди дебюта си, когато най-богатият и взискателен ерген в Лондон й предлага брак, тя приема на драго сърце. Без дори да подозира, че в живота й ще влети един наперен циганин, готов на всичко, за да я накара да промени решението си.
Зак Блек е шпионин. Още на 16 години, той бяга от дома на тираничният си баща, английски лорд, спасявайки себе си и мащехата си от непрестанните побои на баща му. Съгласявайки се да работи като шпионин за Английските власти, той пътува из света, отказвайки да се върне в родината, докато не научава за смъртта на баща му. Решен само да посети за кратко своя най-добър приятел и началник, Зак с удивление научава, че братовчед му, се опитва да присвои титлата и наследството му, твърдейки, че Зак е мъртъв. Младият мъж, е готов да се справи с това, докато не се изправя пред нова спънка. Всички вярват, че преди години, когато е избягал с мащехата си, той я е убил, и сега, ако иска да получи титлата и наследството си, преди това трябва да изчисти името си. Дегизиран като циганин той не бърза особено за никъде, докато не среща Джейн Чанс. Тя е най-прелестното създание за него, и той е готов да вложи целият си чар, за да я покори, веднъж щом името му бъде изчистено, но научавайки за годежа й, Зак осъзнава, че няма никакво време за губене, и ако иска да не изпусне шанса си с Джейн, трябва да действа на мига.
Истината е, че книгата не ми бе толкова интересна като първите две. С непрестанния си инат, и начина по който Джейн пренебрегваше чувствата си, решена да встъпи в един брак в който любовта място няма, откровено ме дразнеше. Факта, че годеника й, я желаеше само, защото колекционира красиви неща и, че тя ще е поредния красив трофей в колекцията му, сякаш никак не тревожеха Джейн. Тя се бе вманиачила да сключи брак по сметка до такава степен, че на моменти можех да си я представя като кон с капаци и с тапи в ушите. Да не казвам, че ми идеше да й зашлевя един цигански, като седнеше да се моли на годеника й да не я зарязва. Много ирационално действаше. От една страна, бе супер откровена и му казваше всичко, какво се е случило, какво си е мислила. От друга страна, щом той я заплашеше, започваше да му се моли, все едно ако не я вземе край с живота й. Все пак, сестра й е маркиза, има баба, има самопровъзгласила се леля, няма начин отново да се озове в такова положение на безпаричие, че да няма какво да яде и да живее в страх. Дори другите да я зарежат, Аби никога не би позволила сестра й да страда, затова всичките страхове на Джейн бяха някак нелогични и неоснователни.
Зак от друга страна, се държеше някак лекомислено, малко наивно. Беше много на място, когато Джейн му каза, че му е време да порасне и за щастие от там нататък малко се постегна. И макар да беше интересен и колоритен герой, не успяха да видя особена дълбочина в него. Не можах да вникна в това какъв е характера му и какво го е направило такъв какъвто бе. При Джейн нещата бяха по-добре описани, и макар да ме дразнеше разбирах мотивите й. Докато Зак беше като един хлапак, дето нямаше нужда от никаква мотивация или причина, която да насочва действията му в дадена посока.
В книгата като цяло липсваха приключения. Случващото се не бе особено интересно или вълнуващо. Чак към края живна малко, но иначе не се отличаваше с кой знае какви запомнящи се моменти. Става за убиване на времето, но мен лично не ме грабна, не ми беше супер интересна не съм сигурна, дали след 2 седмици като се замисля, ще мога да си спомня за какво иде реч. Някак ми беше недостатъчна.
След като родителите на Джейн , отказват да изпълнят волята на аристократичните си семейства, и сключват брак, те са обезнаследени и прогонени от домовете си. Двамата, заедно с двете си дъщери живеят труден живот, и след смъртта им, Джейн и Аби остават сами на произвола на съдбата. От този ден нататък, Джейн си поставя една цел. Да използва красотата си, за да се омъжи за богат мъж, който да й даде богатството и сигурността, които е нямала като дете, за да е сигурна, че нейните деца няма да живеят в страх, студ и глад, като нея и сестра й. Кълне се, че няма да прави грешката на родителите си и да избере любовта, пред сигурността. Затова, още преди дебюта си, когато най-богатият и взискателен ерген в Лондон й предлага брак, тя приема на драго сърце. Без дори да подозира, че в живота й ще влети един наперен циганин, готов на всичко, за да я накара да промени решението си.
Зак Блек е шпионин. Още на 16 години, той бяга от дома на тираничният си баща, английски лорд, спасявайки себе си и мащехата си от непрестанните побои на баща му. Съгласявайки се да работи като шпионин за Английските власти, той пътува из света, отказвайки да се върне в родината, докато не научава за смъртта на баща му. Решен само да посети за кратко своя най-добър приятел и началник, Зак с удивление научава, че братовчед му, се опитва да присвои титлата и наследството му, твърдейки, че Зак е мъртъв. Младият мъж, е готов да се справи с това, докато не се изправя пред нова спънка. Всички вярват, че преди години, когато е избягал с мащехата си, той я е убил, и сега, ако иска да получи титлата и наследството си, преди това трябва да изчисти името си. Дегизиран като циганин той не бърза особено за никъде, докато не среща Джейн Чанс. Тя е най-прелестното създание за него, и той е готов да вложи целият си чар, за да я покори, веднъж щом името му бъде изчистено, но научавайки за годежа й, Зак осъзнава, че няма никакво време за губене, и ако иска да не изпусне шанса си с Джейн, трябва да действа на мига.
Истината е, че книгата не ми бе толкова интересна като първите две. С непрестанния си инат, и начина по който Джейн пренебрегваше чувствата си, решена да встъпи в един брак в който любовта място няма, откровено ме дразнеше. Факта, че годеника й, я желаеше само, защото колекционира красиви неща и, че тя ще е поредния красив трофей в колекцията му, сякаш никак не тревожеха Джейн. Тя се бе вманиачила да сключи брак по сметка до такава степен, че на моменти можех да си я представя като кон с капаци и с тапи в ушите. Да не казвам, че ми идеше да й зашлевя един цигански, като седнеше да се моли на годеника й да не я зарязва. Много ирационално действаше. От една страна, бе супер откровена и му казваше всичко, какво се е случило, какво си е мислила. От друга страна, щом той я заплашеше, започваше да му се моли, все едно ако не я вземе край с живота й. Все пак, сестра й е маркиза, има баба, има самопровъзгласила се леля, няма начин отново да се озове в такова положение на безпаричие, че да няма какво да яде и да живее в страх. Дори другите да я зарежат, Аби никога не би позволила сестра й да страда, затова всичките страхове на Джейн бяха някак нелогични и неоснователни.
Зак от друга страна, се държеше някак лекомислено, малко наивно. Беше много на място, когато Джейн му каза, че му е време да порасне и за щастие от там нататък малко се постегна. И макар да беше интересен и колоритен герой, не успяха да видя особена дълбочина в него. Не можах да вникна в това какъв е характера му и какво го е направило такъв какъвто бе. При Джейн нещата бяха по-добре описани, и макар да ме дразнеше разбирах мотивите й. Докато Зак беше като един хлапак, дето нямаше нужда от никаква мотивация или причина, която да насочва действията му в дадена посока.
В книгата като цяло липсваха приключения. Случващото се не бе особено интересно или вълнуващо. Чак към края живна малко, но иначе не се отличаваше с кой знае какви запомнящи се моменти. Става за убиване на времето, но мен лично не ме грабна, не ми беше супер интересна не съм сигурна, дали след 2 седмици като се замисля, ще мога да си спомня за какво иде реч. Някак ми беше недостатъчна.
June 26, 2015
I love the previous books and I was waiting for Jane's book and now that I've read it I'm a little bit disappointed...
This is not a bad book, but it is not an excellent one.
Mostly because the heroine was too stubborn and the hero was to insistent...
Jane was trying to convince herself too hard that she was not in love, meanwhile Zach fell in love too quickly.
Still I enjoyed Ms. Gracie's writing style and Aunt Bea's character was excellent as usual. What I wanted Aunt Bea to do was to slap Jane and Zach and tell them to stop being stupid each one in their own way!
This is not a bad book, but it is not an excellent one.
Mostly because the heroine was too stubborn and the hero was to insistent...
Jane was trying to convince herself too hard that she was not in love, meanwhile Zach fell in love too quickly.
Still I enjoyed Ms. Gracie's writing style and Aunt Bea's character was excellent as usual. What I wanted Aunt Bea to do was to slap Jane and Zach and tell them to stop being stupid each one in their own way!
May 16, 2018
Jane's parents were from the gentry, but eloped and married against their parent's will. As a result, both were estranged from their respective families and had a very hard time making a living. Young Jane and her sister Abigail had a simple and hard infancy turned even worse once their parents died and their grandparents refused to acknowledge them.
As told in the previous books of the series, the two sisters and two other friends were destituted in the streets and ended up rescuing and, simultaneosly, being rescued by an old lady (Lady Beatrice) and moving in with her.
Due to the hardships she encountered in her life, Jane was determined to make a convenient marriage to a peer of the realm, with means to provide for her and her offspring. She is scared of love and passion because she saw what good those kind of feelings did to her parents.
I loved Jane very much. She is not a silly girl, she has her priorities straight and she doesn't loose time pitying herself.
When a not so good looking but honorable and rich Viscount proposes marriage, she accepts and hopes that, with time, regard and affection will grow between them.
What she was not counting was on a gipsy God to come and save her from some rufians, rescue the dog she was trying to save and capture her heart.
But Zack is a gipsy, he has no home, no money or prospects and she just cannot have him.
Zack is not really a gipsy, his life is a mess at the moment, but he has to have her...
Lovely story...
As told in the previous books of the series, the two sisters and two other friends were destituted in the streets and ended up rescuing and, simultaneosly, being rescued by an old lady (Lady Beatrice) and moving in with her.
Due to the hardships she encountered in her life, Jane was determined to make a convenient marriage to a peer of the realm, with means to provide for her and her offspring. She is scared of love and passion because she saw what good those kind of feelings did to her parents.
I loved Jane very much. She is not a silly girl, she has her priorities straight and she doesn't loose time pitying herself.
When a not so good looking but honorable and rich Viscount proposes marriage, she accepts and hopes that, with time, regard and affection will grow between them.
What she was not counting was on a gipsy God to come and save her from some rufians, rescue the dog she was trying to save and capture her heart.
But Zack is a gipsy, he has no home, no money or prospects and she just cannot have him.
Zack is not really a gipsy, his life is a mess at the moment, but he has to have her...
Lovely story...
dnf
December 14, 2017I give up. 33% and I'm mad bored. So yeah.
October 17, 2021
“My dearest Jane Chance—Chantry—Chancelotto, whoever—you are the love of my life. I don’t deserve you, but I do adore you, and I will spend my life trying to make you happy.”
“I met you and everything changed.”
**Synopsis:**
When Zachary sees a lady head down a grungy alley, he knows the stupid woman is going to need saving. What he doesn’t expect to see is the gently bred lady kneeing a guy in the balls and saving a mangy dog.
~ “A dog? You risked your life for a dog?” He sounded incredulous.
“They were torturing it.”
“And that justifies risking your life, does it?”
“I didn’t think,” she admitted. “I just heard a dog yelping in pain and those horrid beasts laughing so evilly, and . . . I . . . I just had to stop them.”
Jane is none to happy about her reaction to the dashing Gypsy that comes to her rescue. After all, she is betrothed and plans to live a life surrounded by protection and safety (which is more important than love anyway). No way, no how does she need her heart to be ensnared by a dangerous, highly unsafe Gypsy.
~ “A chance-met gypsy in a small side alley. Rough. Tough. Intimidating. He’d handled those boys with a casual violence that ought to have horrified her.
Instead, it had thrilled her.
She ought to be repelled by him.
She wasn’t. Far from it. Something about him drew her in some strange way. The thought sparked a warning deep within her.”
This little run in changes the course of everyone’s lives and all begin to realize things aren’t always what they appear to be. Jane soon learns the dashing hero may not be a gypsy like he claims. Zachary learns Jane may not be as gently bred and innocent as he thinks. And everyone begins to realize the mangy dog (aka Ceasar, aka Rose Petal) might be quite beautiful after all. 🐶
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
* * I adore the butler and it’s rather funny how he has conformed to his role over the last three books.
* * the secondary cast of characters add color to the story.
* * the reunion with the grandmother was sweet
* * i really liked Jane’s “break-up” conversation with Lord Comb-it-up. It was consistent with her sweet, caring nature
* * Truths were uncovered little by little, which kept me turning pages to discover the full picture. I liked that not everything was revealed all at once, but rather crumbs along the way.
* * Lady Davenham up to her usual shenanigans. 🙂
* * Good ole Ceasar / RosePetal was the reason the H/h met in the first place and was a big part of the beginning of the story. However, this sweet little animal faded into the background and I would have liked to see this little dog continue to be woven through the couple’s story.
* * the couples from the previous books made several appearances in this story. The series continues to build relationships among the various characters and I like that they are not forgotten once their respective book is done.
* * as with other books, there is something a little lacking in the connection between the H/h. I liked them, but this isn’t a steamy series so the chemistry misses the mark just a little.
* * I did appreciate that Zack didn’t have the typical “I’m not going to admit to my feelings” syndrome. He knew he had feelings for Jane and wanted a life with her so he did what he could to make that happen.
* * now that two of the sisters are married and out of the house, it was nice to see the relationship between Jane and Daisy flourish a bit more. Daisy didn’t always agree, but she always offered support and I felt like it was the first time we really were able to see a slightly softer side of her.
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: abusive parent (in the past, off page)
- Setting: London 1817
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: Book three brings a new love couple, but you definitely need to read the prior books first.
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: historical
- Who is the Hero? Zachary Black (age: 28).
Zachary (aka Adam Aston-Black, Lord Wainfleet) left his abusive father’s home twelve years ago and has been a British spy for almost a decade. He’s risked his life for his country, but is tired and weary. When he returns to London, he finds that his cousin is attempting to declare him dead so he can have the title and the lands. Also, it appears he has been accused of murder. The charges are false, but he still has to lay low and stay a bit disguised until he can clear his name.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: handsome, heroic, a tasty eyeful, growing weary of the life he has been living, tired, lonely, rescuer of women
* H likable? Yes.
- Who is the Heroine? Jane Chance (age: 18).
Jane (aka Jane Chantry) grew up poor because her parents were disinherited when they went against their parent’s matches and married each other for love. When her parents died, she and her sister Abby were left with nothing and sent to the Pillbury Home for the Daughters of Distressed Gentlewomen orphanage. Growing up in the orphanage wasn’t easy and ultimately Jane was drugged and sent to a brothel to be sold to the highest bidder. Fortunately Jane’s sister rescued her and they ultimately found a benefactor willing to care for the girls.
All Jane wants for her future is a safe home for herself and her future children. She’s sworn not to put her future children through the same thing she went through, so above all else she will marry for protection, not love.
~ “Trust in love? Hope to be lucky in love?
Mama and Papa had—and look where that had ended; Papa in his desperation shot as a highwayman, Mama coughing her lungs out with consumption and their children left destitute and alone, aged twelve and six.”
~ “I think it’s more sensible to choose a man for what he can offer, instead of trusting to luck to fall in love with the right kind of man. Trusting to love is like a leaf trusting the wind to blow it to safety. You never know where you might end up. So I don’t plan to fall in love at all.”
Therefore, to secure protection, Jane accepts the first marriage offer she receives from a respectable man named Lord Cambury (aka Lord Comb-it-up). And although he doesn’t create butterflies in her stomach, she’s content knowing she will be safe.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: impulsive, always caring for stray animals, soft-hearted, brave, sensible, survivor
* h likable? Yes.
- h virgin? Yes
- First time they kiss: 66%
- First time they sleep together: 94%
- Safe sex? as is common with historical romance, no protection used
- First time they say I Love You 94%
- steamy? not really
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Jane finally believed Zachary’s story around 73%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? i chuckled a few times
- Did I swoon🥰? not really
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? a little bit later
- Recommend? it’s not very steamy, but I am enjoying the series.
**Quotes**
“If dogs are in fashion this season, they must be an accessory and thus chosen with as much care as a hat or a pair of shoes.”
“What a pity he’s losing his hair, but never mind, what are hats for?”
“She hesitated, then, “It is Miss Chance.”
“Mischance?” Zach smiled. “I wouldn’t say that. Quite a fortuitous meeting, if you ask me.”
“Ah, but William, I’m not your run-of-the-mill riffraff,” Zach said, enjoying himself hugely. “I’m the riffraff that saved Miss Jane from a group of thugs, when her footman was worrying about parcels.”
“I met you and everything changed.”
**Synopsis:**
When Zachary sees a lady head down a grungy alley, he knows the stupid woman is going to need saving. What he doesn’t expect to see is the gently bred lady kneeing a guy in the balls and saving a mangy dog.
~ “A dog? You risked your life for a dog?” He sounded incredulous.
“They were torturing it.”
“And that justifies risking your life, does it?”
“I didn’t think,” she admitted. “I just heard a dog yelping in pain and those horrid beasts laughing so evilly, and . . . I . . . I just had to stop them.”
Jane is none to happy about her reaction to the dashing Gypsy that comes to her rescue. After all, she is betrothed and plans to live a life surrounded by protection and safety (which is more important than love anyway). No way, no how does she need her heart to be ensnared by a dangerous, highly unsafe Gypsy.
~ “A chance-met gypsy in a small side alley. Rough. Tough. Intimidating. He’d handled those boys with a casual violence that ought to have horrified her.
Instead, it had thrilled her.
She ought to be repelled by him.
She wasn’t. Far from it. Something about him drew her in some strange way. The thought sparked a warning deep within her.”
This little run in changes the course of everyone’s lives and all begin to realize things aren’t always what they appear to be. Jane soon learns the dashing hero may not be a gypsy like he claims. Zachary learns Jane may not be as gently bred and innocent as he thinks. And everyone begins to realize the mangy dog (aka Ceasar, aka Rose Petal) might be quite beautiful after all. 🐶
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
* * I adore the butler and it’s rather funny how he has conformed to his role over the last three books.
* * the secondary cast of characters add color to the story.
* * the reunion with the grandmother was sweet
* * i really liked Jane’s “break-up” conversation with Lord Comb-it-up. It was consistent with her sweet, caring nature
* * Truths were uncovered little by little, which kept me turning pages to discover the full picture. I liked that not everything was revealed all at once, but rather crumbs along the way.
* * Lady Davenham up to her usual shenanigans. 🙂
* * Good ole Ceasar / RosePetal was the reason the H/h met in the first place and was a big part of the beginning of the story. However, this sweet little animal faded into the background and I would have liked to see this little dog continue to be woven through the couple’s story.
* * the couples from the previous books made several appearances in this story. The series continues to build relationships among the various characters and I like that they are not forgotten once their respective book is done.
* * as with other books, there is something a little lacking in the connection between the H/h. I liked them, but this isn’t a steamy series so the chemistry misses the mark just a little.
* * I did appreciate that Zack didn’t have the typical “I’m not going to admit to my feelings” syndrome. He knew he had feelings for Jane and wanted a life with her so he did what he could to make that happen.
* * now that two of the sisters are married and out of the house, it was nice to see the relationship between Jane and Daisy flourish a bit more. Daisy didn’t always agree, but she always offered support and I felt like it was the first time we really were able to see a slightly softer side of her.
**Overview:**
- Content Warning: abusive parent (in the past, off page)
- Setting: London 1817
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: Book three brings a new love couple, but you definitely need to read the prior books first.
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: historical
- Who is the Hero? Zachary Black (age: 28).
Zachary (aka Adam Aston-Black, Lord Wainfleet) left his abusive father’s home twelve years ago and has been a British spy for almost a decade. He’s risked his life for his country, but is tired and weary. When he returns to London, he finds that his cousin is attempting to declare him dead so he can have the title and the lands. Also, it appears he has been accused of murder. The charges are false, but he still has to lay low and stay a bit disguised until he can clear his name.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: handsome, heroic, a tasty eyeful, growing weary of the life he has been living, tired, lonely, rescuer of women
* H likable? Yes.
- Who is the Heroine? Jane Chance (age: 18).
Jane (aka Jane Chantry) grew up poor because her parents were disinherited when they went against their parent’s matches and married each other for love. When her parents died, she and her sister Abby were left with nothing and sent to the Pillbury Home for the Daughters of Distressed Gentlewomen orphanage. Growing up in the orphanage wasn’t easy and ultimately Jane was drugged and sent to a brothel to be sold to the highest bidder. Fortunately Jane’s sister rescued her and they ultimately found a benefactor willing to care for the girls.
All Jane wants for her future is a safe home for herself and her future children. She’s sworn not to put her future children through the same thing she went through, so above all else she will marry for protection, not love.
~ “Trust in love? Hope to be lucky in love?
Mama and Papa had—and look where that had ended; Papa in his desperation shot as a highwayman, Mama coughing her lungs out with consumption and their children left destitute and alone, aged twelve and six.”
~ “I think it’s more sensible to choose a man for what he can offer, instead of trusting to luck to fall in love with the right kind of man. Trusting to love is like a leaf trusting the wind to blow it to safety. You never know where you might end up. So I don’t plan to fall in love at all.”
Therefore, to secure protection, Jane accepts the first marriage offer she receives from a respectable man named Lord Cambury (aka Lord Comb-it-up). And although he doesn’t create butterflies in her stomach, she’s content knowing she will be safe.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: impulsive, always caring for stray animals, soft-hearted, brave, sensible, survivor
* h likable? Yes.
- h virgin? Yes
- First time they kiss: 66%
- First time they sleep together: 94%
- Safe sex? as is common with historical romance, no protection used
- First time they say I Love You 94%
- steamy? not really
- OW/OM drama? No
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Jane finally believed Zachary’s story around 73%
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? i chuckled a few times
- Did I swoon🥰? not really
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? a little bit later
- Recommend? it’s not very steamy, but I am enjoying the series.
**Quotes**
“If dogs are in fashion this season, they must be an accessory and thus chosen with as much care as a hat or a pair of shoes.”
“What a pity he’s losing his hair, but never mind, what are hats for?”
“She hesitated, then, “It is Miss Chance.”
“Mischance?” Zach smiled. “I wouldn’t say that. Quite a fortuitous meeting, if you ask me.”
“Ah, but William, I’m not your run-of-the-mill riffraff,” Zach said, enjoying himself hugely. “I’m the riffraff that saved Miss Jane from a group of thugs, when her footman was worrying about parcels.”
December 21, 2015
Well, that was fun. And exactly what I didn't expect but probably should have. We've seen Jane's conflict coming for a couple books, now, so it's no surprise she was going be on the prowl for a "safe" marriage and would actively avoid anything smacking of passion. So Jane was expected, but Zach was very much not—and in a lot of really nice ways.
By now you know what you're getting in the series so I won't rehash much. The part that struck me most this time around is how Gracie has set each of these girls up to be the hero, literally saving their man at some point. It's a bit more explicit this time, but it has been active from the start. I've really enjoyed that aspect and have been wondering how she'd make that happen for Jane (who is kind, but not much of a self-starter). It turns out I needn't have worried and this was a lot of fun as a result.
So yeah, I enjoyed it as a solid four plus stars. I was by far more engaged by Zach (who is awesome!), but Jane wasn't as boring as I had feared she would be. This is a better endorsement than it appears at first because Gracie pulled it off without altering her fundamental soft-heartedness, showing her core of steel that we suspected might exist from the start. I enjoyed seeing that come to the fore, particularly as it did so in the service of Zach teh Awesome (did I mention that he's awesome?). I can't quite bump this to five stars (Jane does squish around in some minor ways that were minorly annoying), but the four is solid, I think.
A note about Steamy: Like the first, the single explicit sex scene felt tacked on at the end. Completely unnecessary and a bit of an emotional stutter.
By now you know what you're getting in the series so I won't rehash much. The part that struck me most this time around is how Gracie has set each of these girls up to be the hero, literally saving their man at some point. It's a bit more explicit this time, but it has been active from the start. I've really enjoyed that aspect and have been wondering how she'd make that happen for Jane (who is kind, but not much of a self-starter). It turns out I needn't have worried and this was a lot of fun as a result.
So yeah, I enjoyed it as a solid four plus stars. I was by far more engaged by Zach (who is awesome!), but Jane wasn't as boring as I had feared she would be. This is a better endorsement than it appears at first because Gracie pulled it off without altering her fundamental soft-heartedness, showing her core of steel that we suspected might exist from the start. I enjoyed seeing that come to the fore, particularly as it did so in the service of Zach teh Awesome (did I mention that he's awesome?). I can't quite bump this to five stars (Jane does squish around in some minor ways that were minorly annoying), but the four is solid, I think.
A note about Steamy: Like the first, the single explicit sex scene felt tacked on at the end. Completely unnecessary and a bit of an emotional stutter.
May 23, 2021
The Spring Bride
2 Stars
In one word - predictable. In fact, it is possible to read the beginning and the end and skip the middle entirely because there is nothing in this book that hasn't been done before.
Jane Chantry is the most beautiful woman in the world and men can't keep their hands off her - literally. She is also sweet, charming, and dedicated to taking in strays of both the human and animal variety. In short, she is a complete Mary Sue.
Zachary (whose other name is an important plot twist, so I will refrain) has an insipid and lackadaisical attitude toward life that is annoying in the extreme, and his covert operative in disguise persona is so ridiculous it amazes me that the French never sussed him out.
To top it all off, Jane and Zach have zero chemistry and the sex scene at the end is awkward and mechanical rather than sensual and intimate.
Overall, this is a disappointing addition to an otherwise engaging series. Daisy and Patrick's book is next and it will hopefully be an improvement.
2 Stars
In one word - predictable. In fact, it is possible to read the beginning and the end and skip the middle entirely because there is nothing in this book that hasn't been done before.
Jane Chantry is the most beautiful woman in the world and men can't keep their hands off her - literally. She is also sweet, charming, and dedicated to taking in strays of both the human and animal variety. In short, she is a complete Mary Sue.
Zachary (whose other name is an important plot twist, so I will refrain) has an insipid and lackadaisical attitude toward life that is annoying in the extreme, and his covert operative in disguise persona is so ridiculous it amazes me that the French never sussed him out.
To top it all off, Jane and Zach have zero chemistry and the sex scene at the end is awkward and mechanical rather than sensual and intimate.
Overall, this is a disappointing addition to an otherwise engaging series. Daisy and Patrick's book is next and it will hopefully be an improvement.
September 29, 2018
3.5. Enjoyable. Lacking a little in depth but engaging all the same. I really liked the male lead, he was charismatic. Heroine not so much.
June 28, 2015
I mostly enjoyed this, more than I remember enjoying the last in the series, but I ended up getting kind of frustrated in the end. I was ready for it to be over before it was. Which is not an unusual complaint for me, but in this case it's because characters acted stupid to prolong the plot.
Also,
I am not sure I'm completely on board with how the premise was handled. Jane wanting to get married for safety seems way practical for the era. But I felt like the book missed out that there are different kinds of safety. It seemed clear that she wouldn't really be safe with Lord Canbury. (Really, I was kind of into the idea of her marrying a "safe" guy and then oh noooo falling in love and this doesn't feel safe at all! But that wasn't this story.)
I'm going to finish out the series, but then I probably won't seek out more by Gracie.
Also,
I am not sure I'm completely on board with how the premise was handled. Jane wanting to get married for safety seems way practical for the era. But I felt like the book missed out that there are different kinds of safety. It seemed clear that she wouldn't really be safe with Lord Canbury. (Really, I was kind of into the idea of her marrying a "safe" guy and then oh noooo falling in love and this doesn't feel safe at all! But that wasn't this story.)
I'm going to finish out the series, but then I probably won't seek out more by Gracie.
November 3, 2015
I have enjoyed this series, but I found it hard to connect with Jane. She is considered the true beauty of the group but unlike her sister or her parents, she didn’t want love. She wanted security. She came off very mercenary and a bit stupid.
Jane comes off as stupid in this story because she accepted the first proposal she gets. Yes, he was very rich, but he was an ass, selecting Jane because she was outstandingly beautiful. Lord Cambury was a short, fat, balding man who only loves very beautiful things. He rambled on and on about how he waited to select someone who was extraordinarily beautiful enough for him and only Jane would do. What happens when Jane begins to age or gets a little heavy after having children? What will he think of her then? Also, those children would be half Lord Cambury so there is no guaranty that they would be attractive at all.
Jane hadn’t even started the season and could have found a man of good fortune who wasn’t such an ass. She has barely met many eligible men and maybe if she waited to attend at least one big dance she could have found a younger more attractive man who she could talk with and who had a decent inheritance and she wouldn’t have to worry about being poor again.
After accepting a proposal from Cambury, Jane meets Zachery Black. Zachery left England about a decade before to become a spy for the British government. He only returned to settle up an estate matter since his cousin as trying to have him declared dead and steal his inheritance. Zach is still wearing his traveling disguise as a gypsy when he meets Jane. At first he is enjoying having fun with Jane telling her stories about his life as a gypsy while he gives her servant William apoplexy because his Lady keeps talking to this dirty gypsy. Zach starts to meet Jane each morning in the park while she walks her ugly dog which she rescued. A dog which you know Lord Cambury will not allow her to keep since he is so ugly.
When Zach finally realizes he wants a chance to marry Jane, she doesn’t believe his story that he was a titled Lord and that he left England to be a spy. She now just saw him as a liar, as well as a poor gypsy. Jane had nothing against the fact that he was a gypsy. She had a problem with his being poor.
When Lord Cambury catches Zach kissing Jane at a party, he decides he needs to rush the wedding. He feels if she wants to have affairs after she delivered him an heir, all he asked was for her to be discrete, but he wanted to have first crack at her so he knows the kid would be his. Hey, ugly man, you will know whether or not those kids are yours.
Even hearing Lord Cambury declare how much of a sham their marriage will be and how he’ll expect her to jump every time he says so, and knowing a real attraction to Zachery, she agrees to rush the marriage to Cambury.
By this point I am losing all respect for Jane. She won’t give Zach any benefit of the doubt no matter what information he provides to her. And she is going through with a marriage to Cambury who is just a horrible person. He’s not a villain. He is just an asshole! She has also been to a few balls by this point. There was no one a little more tolerable than Cambury? Probably not, since Zachery was the one making her heart flutter.
My favorite character is Lady Beatrice and not even Lady Beatrice was sitting Jane down to give her the low down on how long and painful life can be with such an awful husband. Jane and Abby meet their grandmother at one of the parties. This is the mother’s mother who disowned them and left them impoverished. We will learn that she was unaware that her daughter wrote her letters, pleading for assistance and begging them to take in Abby and Jane when their parents got sick. Her awful husband was holding a grudge and hid this from her. Even she didn’t sit Jane down and tell her the facts of what life will be like married to someone like Cambury.
THOUGHTS:
The writing is good and I really like the characters in this series, especially Lady Beatrice. But I just had such a hard time connecting with Jane. Zachery was a much better character although there is some question about whether his decision to return to his work or stay in England and marry Jane had more to do with her beauty and less to do with her sparking personality. What could he think of a woman who wouldn’t believe anything important he told her and who was willing to throw away their connection to marry an ugly, blowhard just because he has an actual castle.
I also get cranky when something is focused on in a story to the point you are think it’s important and waiting for more and nothing ever comes of it again. Here Jane goes off telling the story of her childhood, just after her parents died, and Abby had to go off to work. Jane had to hide in her room since several times people tried to abduct her since she was such a striking child. She goes on about how the landlord came to her door trying to break it down, and how some man was with him offering him money for Jane and how she barely escaped. I thought we would see this kidnapper show up again. Would he be Cambury? Would he be Zachery’s inheritance stealing cousin? Would the cousin turn out to be Cambury? None of the above. Nothing was ever said again about kidnapping. The cousin barely makes an appearance in the story at all after all the “My cousin in trying to steal my money.” “My cousin is trying to have me declared dead.”
Autumn Bride and Winter Bride were much more enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing Daisy fall in love. She doesn’t believe she deserves a future as good as the other girls and doesn’t let herself dream of anything more than her future shop where she will be responsible for herself. I want to see her finally swept off her feet.
Jane comes off as stupid in this story because she accepted the first proposal she gets. Yes, he was very rich, but he was an ass, selecting Jane because she was outstandingly beautiful. Lord Cambury was a short, fat, balding man who only loves very beautiful things. He rambled on and on about how he waited to select someone who was extraordinarily beautiful enough for him and only Jane would do. What happens when Jane begins to age or gets a little heavy after having children? What will he think of her then? Also, those children would be half Lord Cambury so there is no guaranty that they would be attractive at all.
Jane hadn’t even started the season and could have found a man of good fortune who wasn’t such an ass. She has barely met many eligible men and maybe if she waited to attend at least one big dance she could have found a younger more attractive man who she could talk with and who had a decent inheritance and she wouldn’t have to worry about being poor again.
After accepting a proposal from Cambury, Jane meets Zachery Black. Zachery left England about a decade before to become a spy for the British government. He only returned to settle up an estate matter since his cousin as trying to have him declared dead and steal his inheritance. Zach is still wearing his traveling disguise as a gypsy when he meets Jane. At first he is enjoying having fun with Jane telling her stories about his life as a gypsy while he gives her servant William apoplexy because his Lady keeps talking to this dirty gypsy. Zach starts to meet Jane each morning in the park while she walks her ugly dog which she rescued. A dog which you know Lord Cambury will not allow her to keep since he is so ugly.
When Zach finally realizes he wants a chance to marry Jane, she doesn’t believe his story that he was a titled Lord and that he left England to be a spy. She now just saw him as a liar, as well as a poor gypsy. Jane had nothing against the fact that he was a gypsy. She had a problem with his being poor.
When Lord Cambury catches Zach kissing Jane at a party, he decides he needs to rush the wedding. He feels if she wants to have affairs after she delivered him an heir, all he asked was for her to be discrete, but he wanted to have first crack at her so he knows the kid would be his. Hey, ugly man, you will know whether or not those kids are yours.
Even hearing Lord Cambury declare how much of a sham their marriage will be and how he’ll expect her to jump every time he says so, and knowing a real attraction to Zachery, she agrees to rush the marriage to Cambury.
By this point I am losing all respect for Jane. She won’t give Zach any benefit of the doubt no matter what information he provides to her. And she is going through with a marriage to Cambury who is just a horrible person. He’s not a villain. He is just an asshole! She has also been to a few balls by this point. There was no one a little more tolerable than Cambury? Probably not, since Zachery was the one making her heart flutter.
My favorite character is Lady Beatrice and not even Lady Beatrice was sitting Jane down to give her the low down on how long and painful life can be with such an awful husband. Jane and Abby meet their grandmother at one of the parties. This is the mother’s mother who disowned them and left them impoverished. We will learn that she was unaware that her daughter wrote her letters, pleading for assistance and begging them to take in Abby and Jane when their parents got sick. Her awful husband was holding a grudge and hid this from her. Even she didn’t sit Jane down and tell her the facts of what life will be like married to someone like Cambury.
THOUGHTS:
The writing is good and I really like the characters in this series, especially Lady Beatrice. But I just had such a hard time connecting with Jane. Zachery was a much better character although there is some question about whether his decision to return to his work or stay in England and marry Jane had more to do with her beauty and less to do with her sparking personality. What could he think of a woman who wouldn’t believe anything important he told her and who was willing to throw away their connection to marry an ugly, blowhard just because he has an actual castle.
I also get cranky when something is focused on in a story to the point you are think it’s important and waiting for more and nothing ever comes of it again. Here Jane goes off telling the story of her childhood, just after her parents died, and Abby had to go off to work. Jane had to hide in her room since several times people tried to abduct her since she was such a striking child. She goes on about how the landlord came to her door trying to break it down, and how some man was with him offering him money for Jane and how she barely escaped. I thought we would see this kidnapper show up again. Would he be Cambury? Would he be Zachery’s inheritance stealing cousin? Would the cousin turn out to be Cambury? None of the above. Nothing was ever said again about kidnapping. The cousin barely makes an appearance in the story at all after all the “My cousin in trying to steal my money.” “My cousin is trying to have me declared dead.”
Autumn Bride and Winter Bride were much more enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing Daisy fall in love. She doesn’t believe she deserves a future as good as the other girls and doesn’t let herself dream of anything more than her future shop where she will be responsible for herself. I want to see her finally swept off her feet.
February 5, 2018
A volte leggi il libro giusto al momento giusto.
In un periodo triste, questa lettura ha avuto l'incredibile pregio di riuscire a distrarmi per qualche piacevole ora di lettura.
Non ho letto i libri precedenti, ma la storia è comprensibile e godibile nonostante le mancate letture, in quanto la scrittrice sa come aggiornare discretamente il lettore sugli avvenimenti principali dei libri precedenti.
La storia mi è piaciuta molto, ma soprattutto mi è piaciuta la protagonista, determinata e forte, ma allo stesso tempo molto fragile.
Lo stile della scrittrice è molto semplice e scorrevole e ho decisamente apprezzato che all'inizio di ogni capitolo ci fosse una citazione dei libri di Jane Austen (tranne in un capipolo dove compariva una canzoncina su uno zingaro).
Una bella lettura.
In un periodo triste, questa lettura ha avuto l'incredibile pregio di riuscire a distrarmi per qualche piacevole ora di lettura.
Non ho letto i libri precedenti, ma la storia è comprensibile e godibile nonostante le mancate letture, in quanto la scrittrice sa come aggiornare discretamente il lettore sugli avvenimenti principali dei libri precedenti.
La storia mi è piaciuta molto, ma soprattutto mi è piaciuta la protagonista, determinata e forte, ma allo stesso tempo molto fragile.
Lo stile della scrittrice è molto semplice e scorrevole e ho decisamente apprezzato che all'inizio di ogni capitolo ci fosse una citazione dei libri di Jane Austen (tranne in un capipolo dove compariva una canzoncina su uno zingaro).
Una bella lettura.
November 7, 2015
This one is the weakest of this author’s novels I’ve read so far. Like her other books, it is a regency romance. The heroes are the most interesting. Jane, beautiful and headstrong, had a childhood riddled with poverty. Now, at eighteen, she is making her come-out and she makes the decision to marry for money. Love doesn’t conquer all in her opinion. Her parents loved each other, and both died in squalor, leaving Jane at six and her older sister Abbie at twelve to fend for themselves, without a penny to their names.
Kindhearted but sensible, Jane is determined that nothing like that will ever happen to her children. Love is transitory, and she doesn’t want it. She wants security, stability, and her own home, so her children would never suffer from hunger and cold as she did. Marriage of convenience is what she wants, and she almost gets it, when the dashing, disheveled hero Zachary Black appears on her horizon. And steals her heart, no matter how much she resisted the foolish notion of love.
Zachary has been a spy for the British government for the last eight years, living in the shadows, courting danger, but now his father is dead, and his cousin wants to declare him dead too and inherit his father’s estate. Zachary must come out of the shadows to claim his inheritance. There is only one problem: he is wanted for murder. He should be lying low, waiting for his friends to clear him of the false murder charges – he didn’t kill anyone, of course – but after meeting Jane, he can’t hide. He knows he must have her.
Despite the fascinating protagonists, the plot moved with the speed of a snail. For the first half of the book, nothing happened. Jane and Zach met in the park a few times. They talked. They contemplated. They pondered their meetings, the meaning of love, Jane’s dog and each other, while the page count mounted. Only after half the pages were already gone, the story started moving, and events started happening towards the happy ending.
It was okay but faintly disappointing, especially compared with her other novels I’ve read. It was also the latest of this author’s books. I already ordered several of her earlier books from Book Depository. I hope they will be better.
Kindhearted but sensible, Jane is determined that nothing like that will ever happen to her children. Love is transitory, and she doesn’t want it. She wants security, stability, and her own home, so her children would never suffer from hunger and cold as she did. Marriage of convenience is what she wants, and she almost gets it, when the dashing, disheveled hero Zachary Black appears on her horizon. And steals her heart, no matter how much she resisted the foolish notion of love.
Zachary has been a spy for the British government for the last eight years, living in the shadows, courting danger, but now his father is dead, and his cousin wants to declare him dead too and inherit his father’s estate. Zachary must come out of the shadows to claim his inheritance. There is only one problem: he is wanted for murder. He should be lying low, waiting for his friends to clear him of the false murder charges – he didn’t kill anyone, of course – but after meeting Jane, he can’t hide. He knows he must have her.
Despite the fascinating protagonists, the plot moved with the speed of a snail. For the first half of the book, nothing happened. Jane and Zach met in the park a few times. They talked. They contemplated. They pondered their meetings, the meaning of love, Jane’s dog and each other, while the page count mounted. Only after half the pages were already gone, the story started moving, and events started happening towards the happy ending.
It was okay but faintly disappointing, especially compared with her other novels I’ve read. It was also the latest of this author’s books. I already ordered several of her earlier books from Book Depository. I hope they will be better.
May 15, 2015
I am loving this series and this is such an awesome story this is Jane's story and this one will have you reaching for tissues and also smiling and laughing out loud as Jane meets her man although she doesn't realize that yet of course Zachery is a gypsy and when Jane goes to save a dog and Zachery goes to save Jane this starts them on their journey to the best HEA. Jane has been through so much as a child and is determined to not follow in her parents footsteps and marry for love she needs to feel safe and warm and believes that love will grow so when a wealthy lord who collects all things beautiful offers for Jane she gladly accepts his proposal confident that she and any children they have will always be safe and warm but Zachery has other ideas but of course he needs to sort some things out in his life as well having been away from England for many years and thought dead although he has been working for the government but now he is home he must clear his name and take his proper place in society and win Jane over and convince her that her wealthy lord only wants her because she is beautiful and for no other reason . Their banter and meetings will honestly have you laughing out loud and also in tears as they fall in love in such a wonderful way with the dog that started it all Caesar or Rose Petal as Zachery calls him adding so much to the story. MS Gracie writes magical stories that bring the characters to life so as you feel so much a part of the story, this is the third instalment in the Chance Sisters series in my opinion they are must reads and this one is so good you will not want to put it down. Thank you MS Gracie for hours of reading pleasure this is a must read.
November 3, 2015
Didn't finish this one - nothing objectionable in the story, but it didn't grab my interest and I just couldn't be bothered to pick it up again about halfway through. The quotes at the head of each chapter, mostly from Jane Austen, were more interesting than the book.
Hoping that the last book in the series, which looks like it will feature Flynn, an roguish Irishman with a diamond earring in one ear, and Daisy, the brilliant but cynical seamstress of the four Chance 'sisters', will be better.
Hoping that the last book in the series, which looks like it will feature Flynn, an roguish Irishman with a diamond earring in one ear, and Daisy, the brilliant but cynical seamstress of the four Chance 'sisters', will be better.
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