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The Changeling Bride
Modern-day Elle is tired of the dating scene and of being single and poor. When a strange old woman gives her a coupon for a free husband, she half-jokingly redeems it, and finds herself swept back in time and into the life of Eleanor Moore, a wealthy heiress engaged to the impoverished Earl of Allsbrook. She quickly learns the truth of the old adage that you should be careful what you wish for… you just might get it.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 1999
8 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Cach
48 books203 followersLisa Cach grew up in a farm near Portland, Oregon, a place she loves although she'd always trying to leave it. Wanderlust has led her to sail the Sargasso Sea, teach English in Japan, and trek the leech-infested jungles of Borneo. She has degrees in both English and psychology, two subjects that were fun to learn about but that guaranteed her low-paying jobs. Her father, she admits, may have been right about the MBA.
Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".
Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 30, 2012
When I picked this up I was kinda curious... I don't usually read the fantasy-romance. I have never picked up a romance containing vampires, aliens, ghosts or time travel. I did read Jude Deveraux's Wishes and wasn't too fond of it. But I have to say that this book was better than I was expecting.
The heroine gets thrown back in time to marry an earl. Needless to say, she is constantly worrying about how to handle certain bodily functions, i.e. 'Where to go to the bathroom?' and 'what the hell do I do when I get my period?' At first I was a little discomforted by this. Normally someone talking about peeing in a pot takes my mind off the whole Romance aspect of the story. but I can't really hold it against the author, if I were thrust back in time I would definitely not know where to take a piss.
There was, however, a severe lack of relationship between the hero and heroine. She is just constantly thinking that she will get to go home and he is just thinking that this bitch be crazy. When they finally admit that they had feelings for each other, I was kind of like...What the hell? Where did this come from? SHeesh.
There were a lot of problems left unreconciled by the end, and I was kinda disappointed to not see their conclusions..
Overall though,I am not sorry I read this book. It was very enjoyable.
January 13, 2022
I read this for this first time about ten years ago, and I recently reread this, wondering if it held up. I was so happy to see that it did. It's a charming, heartwarming, down to earth time travel romance about a modern (well, late '90s) woman named Elle taken back to 1792 by... fairies. Yes, this all sounds potentially very cringe but I thought it was handled very well, and the themes of fairies and folklore and midsummer magic were worked in a really cohesive and satisfying way. It's never cutesy or twee. It's charming, romantic, lush and descriptive without being tedious.
I also enjoyed the relationship with Henry, the nobleman she finds herself married to in a marriage of convenience. There's no stupid misunderstandings, and even though they argue at first, they both grow to like and respect each other. The romance slowly blossoms, turning from distrust to slowly missing each other to a genuine honest emotional connection, and it was so nice to see. I put down the book with a happy sigh, which isn't what I usually do these days.
Also: the sex is HOT! Without it getting in the way of the plot! And there was just enough angst and humor to leaven everything and keep everything balanced. Cach is such a talented author-- I really need to read more of her work.
The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is because some of the historical stuff was off. For the most part, the period details were well done. I really appreciated how down-to-earth it was compared to 90% of the other time travel romances out there, with issues of peeing and periods addressed, but Elle's behavior, given that she was a countess, was so bizarre-- rolling around on the floor, playing with her dog? running off into the woods in her nightgown?-- I'm surprised there wasn't more blowback.
And then there was annoying goofs like women wearing wigs (they did not), and stays being described as literal torture devices (they were not), and the author having no idea that the War of the First Coalition (aka the French Revolutionary Wars) had started in April 1792 and war with England and other nations was not just something Napoleon dreamed up because he wanted to unite his country. (This is a point made by Elle when discussing a potential "young and charismatic leader" of future France, and the hero of course thinks she makes an intelligent argument. My eyes rolled so hard they almost fell out of my head.)
Anyway, with all this said, I still recommend this book for fans of time travel romance. It's almost as good as A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, and I don't say that lightly!
I also enjoyed the relationship with Henry, the nobleman she finds herself married to in a marriage of convenience. There's no stupid misunderstandings, and even though they argue at first, they both grow to like and respect each other. The romance slowly blossoms, turning from distrust to slowly missing each other to a genuine honest emotional connection, and it was so nice to see. I put down the book with a happy sigh, which isn't what I usually do these days.
Also: the sex is HOT! Without it getting in the way of the plot! And there was just enough angst and humor to leaven everything and keep everything balanced. Cach is such a talented author-- I really need to read more of her work.
The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is because some of the historical stuff was off. For the most part, the period details were well done. I really appreciated how down-to-earth it was compared to 90% of the other time travel romances out there, with issues of peeing and periods addressed, but Elle's behavior, given that she was a countess, was so bizarre-- rolling around on the floor, playing with her dog? running off into the woods in her nightgown?-- I'm surprised there wasn't more blowback.
And then there was annoying goofs like women wearing wigs (they did not), and stays being described as literal torture devices (they were not), and the author having no idea that the War of the First Coalition (aka the French Revolutionary Wars) had started in April 1792 and war with England and other nations was not just something Napoleon dreamed up because he wanted to unite his country. (This is a point made by Elle when discussing a potential "young and charismatic leader" of future France, and the hero of course thinks she makes an intelligent argument. My eyes rolled so hard they almost fell out of my head.)
Anyway, with all this said, I still recommend this book for fans of time travel romance. It's almost as good as A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, and I don't say that lightly!
February 25, 2010
WAS I READING THE SAME BOOK ??
After seeing all the great ratings and knowing I was the only one that didn't like it' I was tempted to leave a 2* and not make any comment but thought it would be better to be honest and leave my opinion.
Nothing worked for me in this book.
First we have time travel by fairy dust and a free husband coupon! This combination might have worked if the book was witty and humorus but it was neither.
Then we have our Heroine Elle, I just couldn't like her.,there was no chemistry or believable passion between her and Henry. She spent the entire book wanting to go home and seemed indifferent to Henry and then suddenly she is upset cause he dosn't love her?
The saving grace in this book is Henry,(I liked him even though I found his quick acceptance of her previous lovers unbelievable)
If this book is meant to be a humorous light read, then all the above points should have fitted in quite well, but I found no humour whatsoever.I knew when I found myself wondering how the decorating of Henry's home was going,that I couldn't care less about the H/H
Try Julia Quinn or some of Lindsay Sands if you want light funny silly 5* reads' at least you will laugh.
After seeing all the great ratings and knowing I was the only one that didn't like it' I was tempted to leave a 2* and not make any comment but thought it would be better to be honest and leave my opinion.
Nothing worked for me in this book.
First we have time travel by fairy dust and a free husband coupon! This combination might have worked if the book was witty and humorus but it was neither.
Then we have our Heroine Elle, I just couldn't like her.,there was no chemistry or believable passion between her and Henry. She spent the entire book wanting to go home and seemed indifferent to Henry and then suddenly she is upset cause he dosn't love her?
The saving grace in this book is Henry,(I liked him even though I found his quick acceptance of her previous lovers unbelievable)
If this book is meant to be a humorous light read, then all the above points should have fitted in quite well, but I found no humour whatsoever.I knew when I found myself wondering how the decorating of Henry's home was going,that I couldn't care less about the H/H
Try Julia Quinn or some of Lindsay Sands if you want light funny silly 5* reads' at least you will laugh.
August 20, 2014
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book! In fact, it was hard to put down at all! If you enjoying mixing fantasy with history and time travel, then this is the book for you! Fairies were just the beginning of some mischief for Elle, a girl from the future, transported into 1799 England, taking the place of a girl who looks like her to marry an Earl, Henry. I found humor in the way she detested the clothing of the time, corsets, powdered wigs, etc., and also how she incorporated her lack of skill of the past ways of life, with what we normally take for granted in the future, such as simple contraceptives and indoor plumbing. Witty, sweet and full of humorous scenes had me turning the pages! Well done!
June 19, 2013
Nice little story. A fairy tale with a bit of time travel and a romance.
The romance part was a bit lacking for me. I'd have liked to get a better insight into the kind of person the hero was. Still a decent enough romance with some hotness in the bedroom :P
What I liked was the refreshing take on time-travel. Not that I've read a lot of books with time travel, but this was the first one in which the woman thrown back in time actually worries about having to go to the toilet and periods without modern comfort. She occasionally makes a fool of herself but also saves the day with her knowledge.
The romance part was a bit lacking for me. I'd have liked to get a better insight into the kind of person the hero was. Still a decent enough romance with some hotness in the bedroom :P
What I liked was the refreshing take on time-travel. Not that I've read a lot of books with time travel, but this was the first one in which the woman thrown back in time actually worries about having to go to the toilet and periods without modern comfort. She occasionally makes a fool of herself but also saves the day with her knowledge.
June 24, 2008
A unique premise for a romance novel - time-traveling as a result of fairy magic to take the place of someone else. It was cute and I like how she had the balls to leave him at the end when he was being an ass and how he traveled forward through time to win her back. I also liked the sub-story with the great-grandmother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2012
A top notch time travel tale. Really enjoyed it.
October 7, 2017
Loved It
Yes it's a fantasy, Never happen in the real world, But this Author has a way of making you forget that, feels like just maybe....It could happen! What a great escape!
Yes it's a fantasy, Never happen in the real world, But this Author has a way of making you forget that, feels like just maybe....It could happen! What a great escape!
May 31, 2020
This book felt more like a fantasy romance that just happened to be set in England 1790 than a time travel historical romance. I wasn't sure if I had already read this, and I still am not 100% sure if I did. I think maybe I only previewed the book sometime in the past. Well, now I am adding it, so I won't be doubting if I've read it in the future lol.
The whole fairy element, changeling bride component to the time travel was interesting and the plot had a lot of potential. Elle annoyed me how she didn't want to have sex with him yet was strongly attracted to him and her attempts at making primitive birth control. I mean maybe I should be sympathetic, if I was in an arrange marriage to a strange man, I probably wouldn't be wanting to have his kids either! But she asked for this in her wish! She seemed to want a husband & kids...
Also, I don't think they would be installing modern day toilets and showers in 1790...maybe a modern woman in 1890 doing that I could more readily believe, but not 1890.
And yes, I would have liked this book better if the romance was better & more developed, but it was still a cute, enjoyable read. Also I loved how the great grandmother was Lady Annalise!
The whole fairy element, changeling bride component to the time travel was interesting and the plot had a lot of potential. Elle annoyed me how she didn't want to have sex with him yet was strongly attracted to him and her attempts at making primitive birth control. I mean maybe I should be sympathetic, if I was in an arrange marriage to a strange man, I probably wouldn't be wanting to have his kids either! But she asked for this in her wish! She seemed to want a husband & kids...
Also, I don't think they would be installing modern day toilets and showers in 1790...maybe a modern woman in 1890 doing that I could more readily believe, but not 1890.
And yes, I would have liked this book better if the romance was better & more developed, but it was still a cute, enjoyable read. Also I loved how the great grandmother was Lady Annalise!
May 28, 2017
In order to procure the cash necessary to rebuild his estate, the Earl of Allsbrook decided to barter his title and his future: he would marry the willful daughter of a wealthy merchant. True, she was pleasing in form and face, and she had an eye for fashion. Still, deep in his heart, Henry wished to marry for love.
As a modern woman, Wilhemina March was leery of the importance her brother put upon marriage. She certainly never dreamt of being wedded to an earl in Georgian England or of a fairy debt that might give her just such an opportunity. But suddenly, after one midsummer night's prayer and a sweet kiss in a long ago time and a faraway place, Elle saw that the much ado was about something after all.
As a modern woman, Wilhemina March was leery of the importance her brother put upon marriage. She certainly never dreamt of being wedded to an earl in Georgian England or of a fairy debt that might give her just such an opportunity. But suddenly, after one midsummer night's prayer and a sweet kiss in a long ago time and a faraway place, Elle saw that the much ado was about something after all.
May 5, 2017
Historical Romance about faries and time travel. What a great read it was. Def recommend!
June 29, 2023
I have no words to explain this book other than ✨FABULOUS✨
July 22, 2025
No está mal. Entretenida, con un poco de emoción y con final feliz. No se puede pedir más para una lectura de verano.
September 7, 2014
This book was a sweet surprise. I was doubtful but it fulfilled all my expectations . This story was more realistic you see I have lots of books historic and fantasy with the same time travel situation. So what I found different from the other book was the heroine in this book has realistic reactions. Which in most books doesn't necessarily happen the heroine just behave a bit hysterical initially at the start then its fine. But in this book Elle was smart she was scared but she pretended and never gave but her reactions were continues .
http://media1.santabanta.com/full1/Gl...
http://ind.ccio.co/02/xC/d9/110479615...
This book his really good not so much steamy but its still great.
The only reason I only gave the book 4stars is that have et not found a book were the hero has expressed his passion. I mean after the I don't like her but now I do and all confusion we get the sudden realisation of I love you. Then please forgive me but where is the passion. In time travel we understand the hero and heroine feelings. The heroine is always deeply in love and I know some have sex but that's sexual . What about passionate expression of feelings, deep , love ?.
http://media1.santabanta.com/full1/Gl...
http://ind.ccio.co/02/xC/d9/110479615...
This book his really good not so much steamy but its still great.
The only reason I only gave the book 4stars is that have et not found a book were the hero has expressed his passion. I mean after the I don't like her but now I do and all confusion we get the sudden realisation of I love you. Then please forgive me but where is the passion. In time travel we understand the hero and heroine feelings. The heroine is always deeply in love and I know some have sex but that's sexual . What about passionate expression of feelings, deep , love ?.
September 26, 2012
Two people, from two very different centuries, are about to be brought together.
Wilhelmina March, more commonly known as Elle, is a modern girl tired of her brother's attempts at matchmaking. When she helps a old, homeless woman, she is given a voucher for 'one free husband'. Thinking it a joke, she redeems it, asking for a man who will be polite, have a big house and not expect her to dote on him.
Henry, the earl of Allsbrook, is about to be married to a wealthy merchant's daughter for the money she will bring him to repair his estates. He expects a woman who will know her place as his countess and trouble him as little as possible.
I saw this reviewed on the All About Romance website, where the reviewer praised the book saying that it considered the sort of things a modern heroine would be worrying about if she found herself in Georgian England (or anywhere else in the past for that matter). She worries about the big things like birth control and what to do at "that time of the month" as well as the little things like the pain of wearing a corset and the inevitable growth of her armpit hair.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 27 September 2012]
Wilhelmina March, more commonly known as Elle, is a modern girl tired of her brother's attempts at matchmaking. When she helps a old, homeless woman, she is given a voucher for 'one free husband'. Thinking it a joke, she redeems it, asking for a man who will be polite, have a big house and not expect her to dote on him.
Henry, the earl of Allsbrook, is about to be married to a wealthy merchant's daughter for the money she will bring him to repair his estates. He expects a woman who will know her place as his countess and trouble him as little as possible.
I saw this reviewed on the All About Romance website, where the reviewer praised the book saying that it considered the sort of things a modern heroine would be worrying about if she found herself in Georgian England (or anywhere else in the past for that matter). She worries about the big things like birth control and what to do at "that time of the month" as well as the little things like the pain of wearing a corset and the inevitable growth of her armpit hair.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 27 September 2012]
June 3, 2014
Rating: 2.5 stars
This book was very different from any other time-travel romance I've read. I'm still not sure what to make of it.
The story really revolves around the heroine (and her flatulent dog - BTW was that supposed to be humorous?) and how she adapts to life two centuries ago. So although there is some bedroom action the romance isn't developed as much as I would have wished.
Many of the other characters (e.g. the sister, the maid, the boy-fairy) are 1-dimensional. I'm still not sure what the point of the subplot about the sister's romance was... to portray her as shallow? To make the heroine even more discombobulated?
All that aside, it was an original spin of the time-travel plot, and was a light, pleasant read.
This book was very different from any other time-travel romance I've read. I'm still not sure what to make of it.
The story really revolves around the heroine (and her flatulent dog - BTW was that supposed to be humorous?) and how she adapts to life two centuries ago. So although there is some bedroom action the romance isn't developed as much as I would have wished.
Many of the other characters (e.g. the sister, the maid, the boy-fairy) are 1-dimensional. I'm still not sure what the point of the subplot about the sister's romance was... to portray her as shallow? To make the heroine even more discombobulated?
All that aside, it was an original spin of the time-travel plot, and was a light, pleasant read.
September 25, 2010
Very nice story. This is a good romance novel. There are faeries and time travel.
STORY BRIEF:
henry's fiance Eleanor in the 1790s dies of influenza and faeries bring Elle from 1999 to replace her. (We learn later why the faeries were involved.) Eleanor was selfish and spoiled. Henry had only met her briefly because he was marrying her for her wealth. Eleanor's father forced her to marry Henry for his title. Elle comes along and is a wonderful person with cautions and fears. She knows she time traveled, but Henry and Eleanor's family all believe her to be Eleanor with amnesia.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day Portland, Oregon and 1790s England. Copyright 1999. Genre: paranormal and time travel romance.
STORY BRIEF:
henry's fiance Eleanor in the 1790s dies of influenza and faeries bring Elle from 1999 to replace her. (We learn later why the faeries were involved.) Eleanor was selfish and spoiled. Henry had only met her briefly because he was marrying her for her wealth. Eleanor's father forced her to marry Henry for his title. Elle comes along and is a wonderful person with cautions and fears. She knows she time traveled, but Henry and Eleanor's family all believe her to be Eleanor with amnesia.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: current day Portland, Oregon and 1790s England. Copyright 1999. Genre: paranormal and time travel romance.
August 10, 2012
I don't think I can say I've ever read a romance novel before reading this. It was sort of silly and fun and harmless. It had steamy bits, humor, and some faerie mischief, with very little of the sort of junk my feminist-self expected to be offended by. Sort of like the book-equivalent of an ice cream sandwich: yummy, not particularly nutritious, but not as bad for you as some people make it out to be.
April 30, 2012
One of the best books I've read since Amanda Scott's 'Secret Clan Series'. I enjoyed how the author mixed in fairy lore with the book and how everything played out. I loved to see in the end how she was able to send word to her brother that while "dead" at that point she did no in-fact die in a landslide but rather had lived and had a husband and children.
July 18, 2013
This was a cute little book. As for whatever niggles one might have with logic, if one can accept time travel (which shold be evident from the back copy that this is what it is), one shouldn't flinch at how it's accomplished.
June 10, 2015
(Romance 1999) I haven't read these "Timeswept Romance" books before - the premise is a modern day woman swept back into another time and finding the love of her life and a quite robust sex life as well. Quick read, some humor and a happy ending. What more could one want for a quick read?
November 21, 2011
TT cont 2 past. Grt premise, stry, chrctrs, twists, endg wndrfl!
August 13, 2012
Another "I'm on the plane and need SOMETHING to pass the time book." It was... cute. I don't think it was nearly as hilarious as some of the reviewers on Amazon seemed to think...
March 2, 2013
Good story.
February 2, 2016
Nicely written with realistic problems of a modern girl transported into the 18th cent.
March 19, 2016
Silly in some ways, insightful in others, a light easy read not to be taken too seriously, Henry had formidable patience with Elle
September 18, 2019
Fun read! I read this years ago and find myself reading it again and again, maybe once a year. Lots of emotion and great writing.
June 15, 2023
Another below average time travel novel where the heroine confesses that she is from the future and the hero plans to put her in a mental institution (what did she think he is going to do ?)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews