Der Heiratsantrag

Almost #2

by Jane Feather

Die temperamentvolle und schöne Arabella Lacey steht vor einem Scherbenhaufen. Ihr Bruder hat beim Kartenspiel ihr gesamtes Hab und Gut verzockt – sie inklusive. Soll sie kampflos aufgeben und ihre Koffer packen, oder dem Handel zustimmen und den attraktiven Gewinner Jack Fortescu heiraten? Je näher sich die widerspenstige Braut und der charmante Schuft kommen, umso leidenschaftlicher fühlen sie sich zueinander hingezogen ...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regency, Marriage Of Convenience

446 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 1999

About the author

Jane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.

Reviews

[Farrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual, most historical romances are fairly similar but I still can't resist reading them. In Almost a Bride, Feather creates a story of a vengeful man (Jack Fortescu) who brings his enemy to suicide and then claims all of his property including his half-sister (Arabella Lacy). After some thought of fearing she'd lose her independence, Arabella agrees to marry Jack with the understanding that they were marrying for convenience and that neither expects the other for anything more but to keep their freedom of independence. Over time you watch the passions spark in overdrive and the compassion the other has for the other while trying their hardest "not to care" about the others supposed "actions". When Jack finally learns to allow someone to step up to carry an act out to save his lost sister you can't help but feel compassion for him and wonder for his wife's selfless act of love. The book was a page turner, often made me grin, made me want to jump up and "high five" or slap a character for their actions. The only thing I wanted to read more about that was lacking was the dispensing of Jack's mistress. I actually wanted some sort of "cat fight" between his wife and his old mistress and to know if Jack finally let her go financially.

[GingerOrange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t given a romance novel 4 stars in awhile. But I really enjoyed this one.

I have to say I liked Jack and Arabella’s characters. But more importantly, I liked them together. They were both so smart, driven, and independent. What’s more, there wasn’t any deceit in their story. The were honest with each other from the start and I appreciated that. I also greatly enjoyed the vulnerability and emotions between them towards the end.

Overall, pleasantly surprised. I’m happy to have stumbled upon this book.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Добрата стара Англия от края на 18-ти век. Стар ерген след победа на карти (и застреляла се в резултат на това жертва) среща в новоспечелено имение стара мома, запалена по орхидеите и кучетата. Героят е над 40, героинята - на 28 - направо са антики за любовен роман, но пък изключително зрели, разумни и решителни индивиди с неизменно чувство за хумор. Не допуснаха нито едно недоразумение, така често прилагана и изтъркана хватка в жанра. Такава откровеност чак е плашеща. Нищо чудно, че накрая се озоваха и в Париж от времето на терора. Проятно и тотално неангажиращо.

⭐️3,5 звезди⭐️

[Borders Broad · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*'s. Jane Feather's title, Almost A Bride, has nothing to do with the book whatsoever. As a romance tale, she fleshes out her main characters, Arabella and Jack Fortescu well in a tale of marrying for revenge resulting in love. The majority of mass market romances are not epic tales. I count myself lucky when an author is able to make a storyline enjoyable. The faults I found were more personal in taste. Though proper for the time, the Duke appears to much a dandy for me. The descriptions of his appearance, especially his side sword did not appeal to my alpha male loving self. This story is not so much a bodice ripper or seduction, but a steady tale of love by degrees, which I think may account for its low rating. In my opinion, it was worth a two day read.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first romance in quite awhile, just looking for something entertaining and remembered enjoying Jane Feather in the past. I went through several stages in this book. I started out really enjoying it and then I didn't so much. The French Revolution section near the end was interesting but the love story just kept getting bogged down for me. But I can't say that it didn't hold my attention.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5☆

[⋆☆☽ Kriss ☾☆⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first of many books I pilfered from the clearance shelf at a local used bookstore for only 50 cents. I didn't go into it with any particular expectations, but overall did find some worthwhile things in the pages.

Unlike a lot of more modern historical romances that mostly just use "historical" as a flavoring without much thought to immersion or being accurate, this book really committed to the immersion of the historical atmosphere. The language use, the behavior of the people, the clothing, the politics, the descriptions... it really did a good job at emanating late 18th century England and France, but without being too bloated on information dumps. There's no mistaking this novel as uncommitted to being historical, which I really enjoy.

Even Jack was a really accurate hero; 18th century men were the center of fashion, it wasn't really a woman's domain like we consider it now, so Jack's clothes being fancy and immaculate is how it was. I saw some other reviews call him a dandy but, that's not necessarily accurate when literally every nobleman was dressing in similar degrees because that was the fashion. You need think only of Versailles to get an idea the opulence and excess before the regency period went hard in the other direction for a while.

Sadly, however, the romance, while happily rather slow burn in that our leads interact a lot before love is all well and established, the realism in the relationship just didn't suit me too well. Arabella and Jack marry for convenience and the strained, horn-locking kind of way they live for a while was a bit depressing. Jack kept things from Arabella for no real reason, causing rifts, and at times Arabella was kind of a brat (anytime she got up in arms over her orchids I sighed, heavily). The book kind of ends without me truly feeling like they're in a loving, committed union because there wasn't time for more tender romance to be shown. We saw way more of their mutual lust than any sweetness, you know?

I also felt like the plot with Charlotte wasn't worked in amazing, nor did I think the daring rescue amounted to much. It mostly just felt like something Jack weaponized against Arabella until the last moment, even though she had absolutely no hand in anything.

I'll give it a solid 3 for how well the author does historical immersion in her fiction, but take away the stars for the romance not being especially powerful.

[S Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars I took away a half star because it didn’t leave me with warm fuzzies. They were both so strong and determined but I needed a little softness to counter the harshness of it all. It was such a well told story and had me up almost until morning. I enjoyed Feather’s work and I’m looking forward to another.

[Esther Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first, it was hard for me to enjoy the book. but later i tried to understand the view of the author. where she would lead her reader to the storyline. i tried to understand the two main characters ; Jack and Arabella. and the last i knew was i like the way Jane weaved the storyline. the way she combined the history of French Revolution and the aristocracy life in British was so compelling. and the obstinacy of Arabella was another good things in this book. meanwhile, the rigidity of Jack Fortescu was reasonable. for he got the bitterness from F. Lacey and the Terror Government in French which caused the brutal murder of his beloved Charlotte ( or so he thought at the time ). sometimes a man could easily changed because of loosing someone he loved.

i was emotional at the part of the seeking of Charlotte in French. the picture of the situation as the impact of the Terror Govenrment was hurtful for me ( i did google and read all the things about French Revolution and Terror Government ). honestly, i did really wish that Charlotte had a chance to have her life back and live happily ever after. but the destiny or the ones who made the destiny in this story ( Jane Feather ) had another point and rather let Charlotte gone.


about the less of expression of love story between Jack and Arabella which made this HR was a little bit different with the others.
( perhaps, that's make me give 4 stars only for this book,,, heheheh ) seriously, this book has a different way to steal my attention.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, intriguing, irritating and annoying historical romance. I have no idea why the author decided to put the Epilogue at the beginning of the book. Beginning with the ending might have worked with classic TV series such as Perry Mason and Colombo, but it doesn’t work with period romances in which the author builds the tension to a climactic happy ending.

My knowledge of the complexities of British aristrocracy comes from reading hundreds of historical romances and a couple of Wikipedia articles. All of these seem to agree on precedence and forms of address. For some reason Ms Feather ignores basic rules of title capitalisation and her characters aren’t sure whether to address a duke as ‘Duke’, ‘Sir’, or ‘Grace’.

Otherwise this tale of a haunted and traumatised duke winning the estates and possessions of his nemesis and then proposing marriage to the loser’s sister is tremendous fun. All the stock characters of an off-the-shelf HR are there: the moody, handsome, arrogant and mysterious hero and the intelligent, sharp-witted and eloquent heroine. A doting, loyal girlfriend and a bunch of drunken cronies.

For all the warts, I truly enjoyed this book. The change of scene from England to Paris in the aftermath of the bloody revolution was particularly well written.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

After Arabella Lacey is left homeless by the death of her wastrel brother, the man involved in his death sets his sights on obtaining Arabella as his wife along with the estates and money of her dead brother. Author Feather creates suffering characters who somehow manage to find happiness with each other after marrying without thought for love or romance. The middle of the book drags with too many details of court life and the end is even more depressing than needed. Not my favorite book by Jane Feather.

[Eugenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not interesting at all

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical saga of intrigue and romance with two very detailed character sketch for the hero and heroine.

Enjoyable one.

[Golden Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hesitated at first... my first book from the author isn't a good one that I DNF it.... but I love this one ^^

The beginning of the book actually bored me because of the slow flow and the heroine Arabella's never ending refusal of marriage.... I mean well at least she isn't jumping to the first proposal coming her way but it dragged the book and it last until chapter 10 and there are only 20+ chapters in the book so I feel that the author wasted many chapters just for the heroine's refusal...

Well from chapter 11 until the end it became interesting and I can't put it down anymore.... Ohhh I forgot to mention the Hero and heroine's bargain that since the hero has a mistress then the heroine asked that before she marry him that she should be allowed to have a lover after she is able to give him an heir.... (interesting the heroine is clever and a fighter) Tho I know rather; I have strong feeling that she won't do it no matter what she says even if her husband have won't stop having mistresses in the future....

Speaking of mistress; (sigh) (my head is beginning to throb) I HATE HER! I hate how she thought that she owns the hero; self conceited! I hate her desperation to get what she wants from the hero and her continuously asking for money... money .. money .... and se*... Se* ... Se*.... I can't understand the hero's loyalty to her that he still visits her on her house and giving her money despite his admission that she doesn't interest her anymore..... Can't he see that he is pushing his wife in to jealousy and that she might do something foolish in the end because he won't cut entirely his connection with his former mistress?! Ohhh How I wish the heroine did just that... not extreme but a little flirting here and there that would make the hero craze with jealousy (wooohoooo) but sadly it didn't happen haiztttt....

Then there's Charlotte .. awwww sooooo lovely reunion and sad at the same time... I can't help but cry.... I thought the heroine would lost the hero thank goodness he pull himself together and he has more brain that to do that rather than succumb to his lost and in the end L-O-V-E healed his broken pieces....

[Miriamgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m chewing over my review
I have read the bride hunt with enjoyment over and over and over as I fell in love with a barrister and the sister of that affair
Jane feather has a range of historical voice that has deep underpinning She captures faultlessly the dialogue, the fashion, the personalities of that period following the French terror dating to the decade of the 1790s
Adding to the enjoyment of the historic accuracy of the period I looked up, nearly everything mentioned from fabric, fashion ,architecture, fencing, Gallery to sailing packets
I encourage anyone reading this book to do the same
And for this she must be accorded highest marks
She begins this book with a forceful, overwhelming engagement of vengeance by the Duke of Saint Jules who drives Frederick Lacey to his self-inflicted death over a game of cards. It was masterly written.
As the narrative continues, the tension is well maintained, and the deepening affection is also well done
As the narrative goes so dark, so does the reader and though well done I do not like reading fiction about something that I am too familiar with as an historian
The death trope of the sister was a plague of the inevitable and set against a short epilogue of renewal of birth I found jarring
The Irish setters almost became annoying and the loss of a aplomb of the Duke during her quick birthing did not shine as a conclusion
So I am left in indecision as to a review
This will not be a reread, but on its merits, the stupid stars are accorded

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute masterpiece. I can think of a very small number of authors who write as masterfully as Jane Feather. I will say that while some slight minuscule aspects were not perfect, on the whole Arabella and Jack's story was perfectly written. I think my favorite thing about this story was that Arabella's love didn't change Jack, or vice versa. I feel that a lot of times the male protagonist turns into a complete teddy bear with his leading lady and if he starts out cold/calculating/manipulative/ect., he never ends that way and here that didn't happen and I for one appreciate that because I think it's slightly more realistic when dealing with a character who operates in extreme shades of gray and is all of those things (cold, calculating, ect.). And it didn't change Arabella either, or I should say it didn't change them much; no big personality makeovers because they fell in love, ya know?
A masterful 5 STAR read.

[Soleil · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

No me gustó demasiado, fue una lectura con escenas buenas aunque no contrarestaban las demás.

Reseña.

Arabella es la media hermana de Frederick quien ha perdido todo en las apuestas, sus casas, sus terrenos a su hermana y también su vida al suicidarse, pasado eso Jack nuevo dueño ha decido ir a buscar sus pertenencias ya que necesita a una persona, un peón para su venganza, y ella es perfecta, una solterona alejada a los estándares de la sociedad londinense para sellar el comienzo de todo pero nada le iba a decir que Arabella no quisiera ser su novia mucho menos su esposa, ella no deseaba un hombre y mucho menos uno que ni siquiera amara de manera que el deberá ir detrás de ella tentandola y pincandola hasta que ceda sin embargó talvez sea el quien caiga primero en esta danza llena de dolor e humillación

[Rositsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the book halfway. It was going well, but the second half of the book, when they went on a mission, was very grievous for me. This ruined my pleasure from the first pleasant and light part. If less attention had been paid to the mission, the book would have been one of my favorites, but ...

Книгата много ми хареса до половината. Вървеше добре, но втората половина на книгата, когато се отправят на мисия, за мен беше много тежка. Това ми развали удоволствието от първата приятна и лека част. Ако беше отделено по-малко внимание на мисията, книгата щеше да ми бъде една от любимите, но ...

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

FOR THOSE WHO NEED THIS INFO: The MMC is a duke.

No one mentions this, nor does the blurb. This is really important information for someone like me haha. I only like books with the peerage so I really sacrificed a part of myself when I read this, only to be pleasantly surprised by the fact that the dude was a duke. Just wanted to save some other soul who might have missed out, had they not realised there was a title in this.

The writing was okay - nothing to call home about but still great.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story of revenge, and love. Jack Fortescu, Duke of St. Jules, has won everything Frederick Lacey Earl of Dunston, has: his money, lavish mansion, and beautiful sister Arabella. Arabella has two choices: she can pack her bags or agree to marry the man who's taken over her house. This is a historical romance at its best.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read. I really appreciated that the heroine was strong and never wavered. She knows who she is from the start and her Duke never changes that. It wasn’t much in the way of angst. But I enjoyed it very much.

[Deana Smiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant read

I liked the characters and the story. Learned a bit about the revolution. I have already sought out more of Feather's books.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this, but the old time writing makes it hard to concentrate. :) My personal thoughts.

[Amanda]

I read the first 40 pages and had to stop. This is a pretty crazysauce romance, with a lot of revenge.

[Angelica Morado-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story! I have read other books by Jane Feather and have like all of them as the author makes the story and characters interesting and they are in keeping with the time period .

[Yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful storyline and characters are well written. it is a good read

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly well done story. The last few chapters felt very rushed and totally different than the rest.

[Alyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but a bit dull.

[Аделина Фотенлиева · Rating 3 out of 5]

Приятно четиво!

[Nicole alphAbet]

Summer pile