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Dollar Brides
Newport, Rhode Island – 1899
What if you are one of the richest daughters in America, and your parents sell you to an unknown English Lord to gain a title for the family?
When Amelia Schermerhorn Astor’s best friend is sold to the elderly Englishman, Lord Suffolk, Amelia vows to stop this appalling form of slavery. No more Dollar Brides.
Amelia’s seen too many of these nightmare negotiations where wealthy fathers treat their daughters as negotiable objects much like they play the stock market. Amelia risks her entire future and fights the system.
After committing a grave mistake during a business trip to England, Bracebridge Brighton III has a choice. The Duke of Richmond gives Brace three options to right the wrong. Circumstances forbid Brace from taking the first two, so he must accept the third ... return to Newport and procure a Dollar Bride for the deceitful Duke.
After a highly unorthodox meeting with Amelia, Brace falls in love with the feisty crusader. When Amelia discovers Brace’s mission, she cuts him from her life.
When they clash again will both forfeit their once-in-a-lifetime love?
What if you are one of the richest daughters in America, and your parents sell you to an unknown English Lord to gain a title for the family?
When Amelia Schermerhorn Astor’s best friend is sold to the elderly Englishman, Lord Suffolk, Amelia vows to stop this appalling form of slavery. No more Dollar Brides.
Amelia’s seen too many of these nightmare negotiations where wealthy fathers treat their daughters as negotiable objects much like they play the stock market. Amelia risks her entire future and fights the system.
After committing a grave mistake during a business trip to England, Bracebridge Brighton III has a choice. The Duke of Richmond gives Brace three options to right the wrong. Circumstances forbid Brace from taking the first two, so he must accept the third ... return to Newport and procure a Dollar Bride for the deceitful Duke.
After a highly unorthodox meeting with Amelia, Brace falls in love with the feisty crusader. When Amelia discovers Brace’s mission, she cuts him from her life.
When they clash again will both forfeit their once-in-a-lifetime love?
- GenresChristian Romance
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2021
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 24, 2021
Dollar Brides by Anne Greene is an entertaining tale. I thought it was well-written with great characters. The author really brought the characters to life. Amelia was delightful. She is a smart, spunky woman who is a woman of faith. Amelia has no interest in being a Dollar Bride. I enjoyed learning more about Dollar Brides. Titled English men marrying wealthy American heiresses. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Newport, Rhode Island with its opulent mansions. I thought the author captured the time period. I enjoyed the historical tidbits in the story. There is humor as well. I love a story that can make me laugh. Dollar Brides has drama, romance, humor, Christian values, and history. I can always count on Anne Greene to provide a clean, Christian romance that is enjoyable to read. Dollar brides is a sweet story with darling dogs, overeager grooms, indomitable mothers, and a determined daughter.
November 9, 2021
This historical fiction novella is a delight! The setting of Newport, RI is so beautifully described that I could picture the ocean and how the dogs looked running on the beach. The opulence of the mansions sounds incredible, and the characters come alive through the author’s expert storytelling. Underlying all is the faith of some of the characters and how they live their love of the Lord each day.
The central theme is a practice in which American heiresses are referred to as Dollar Princesses or Dollar Brides. While I had heard a little about how it worked, I appreciated how the author gave the background of the practice and how it came to popularity. She designed a fascinating story woven around dollar brides who will be, or have been, sent to England to marry once-wealthy, titled men. There was no place for love or affection; the marriage was primarily a business transaction.
Amelia would never have to worry about being a dollar bride; her parents had passed away, and she was raising her younger sister. Amelia had grown up playing with a variety of girls. Some are among the wealthy, while others are domestic servants. One of her dearest friends, however, had was a dollar bride not long ago and sent a letter about how dreadful the marriage and rejection by the British was. The parents of another friend were about to make a similar transaction, and Amelia determined to try to stop her parents from doing so.
Amelia didn’t want to marry, as she planned to join the women’s suffrage movement. Women under the thumb of their father or husband had no freedom, and that life was not for her. Then she met Brace and began to think there was something to this whole love thing. Until she found he was on the opposite side of an issue that is dear to her heart.
I enjoyed Amelia, her sister Beth and friends, and Brace, and liked Amelia and Beth the best. They are interesting and industrious with strong Christian values. Amelia had hobbies or concerns other than frocks, parties, and beaus, and was not embarrassed to be a young woman of faith who followed current events rather than fashion and parties. I was astounded at some of the things that were considered improper then, such as talking with someone of the opposite sex without an introduction. Some of her “friends” were not women I would have spent time with due to the games they played when competing for a man.
This is the perfect story to spend an afternoon or evening with for those who appreciate Christian historical fiction of the Gilded Age. To me, it includes the perfect blend of history, drama, conflict, and romance. The end is very satisfactory with loose ends tied up. I highly recommend it!
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novella, and this is my honest review.
The central theme is a practice in which American heiresses are referred to as Dollar Princesses or Dollar Brides. While I had heard a little about how it worked, I appreciated how the author gave the background of the practice and how it came to popularity. She designed a fascinating story woven around dollar brides who will be, or have been, sent to England to marry once-wealthy, titled men. There was no place for love or affection; the marriage was primarily a business transaction.
Amelia would never have to worry about being a dollar bride; her parents had passed away, and she was raising her younger sister. Amelia had grown up playing with a variety of girls. Some are among the wealthy, while others are domestic servants. One of her dearest friends, however, had was a dollar bride not long ago and sent a letter about how dreadful the marriage and rejection by the British was. The parents of another friend were about to make a similar transaction, and Amelia determined to try to stop her parents from doing so.
Amelia didn’t want to marry, as she planned to join the women’s suffrage movement. Women under the thumb of their father or husband had no freedom, and that life was not for her. Then she met Brace and began to think there was something to this whole love thing. Until she found he was on the opposite side of an issue that is dear to her heart.
I enjoyed Amelia, her sister Beth and friends, and Brace, and liked Amelia and Beth the best. They are interesting and industrious with strong Christian values. Amelia had hobbies or concerns other than frocks, parties, and beaus, and was not embarrassed to be a young woman of faith who followed current events rather than fashion and parties. I was astounded at some of the things that were considered improper then, such as talking with someone of the opposite sex without an introduction. Some of her “friends” were not women I would have spent time with due to the games they played when competing for a man.
This is the perfect story to spend an afternoon or evening with for those who appreciate Christian historical fiction of the Gilded Age. To me, it includes the perfect blend of history, drama, conflict, and romance. The end is very satisfactory with loose ends tied up. I highly recommend it!
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novella, and this is my honest review.
May 5, 2025
Good read but would liked to have seen book go longer. I really enjoyed reading this book and what a dollar bride is and what happens when they refuse I loved the story line & plot
I learned a lot from reading this book but at the same time what happens when a Bride does things her own way and what happens when deception and love enter the picture, very well written
I do highly recommend and will read again
Please Note I received a paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I learned a lot from reading this book but at the same time what happens when a Bride does things her own way and what happens when deception and love enter the picture, very well written
I do highly recommend and will read again
Please Note I received a paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
November 24, 2021
DOLLAR BRIDES by Anne Greene is the exceptional story of Amelia Schermerhorn Astor and Bracebridge Brighton III in Newport, Rhode Island in the year 1899.
Amelia is determined to fight the practice of the rich selling their daughters off, known as Dollar Brides, in order to obtain a royal title for the family - a practice she considers an appalling form of slavery.
Bracebridge “Brace” Brighton III made the mistake of being caught by the Duke of Richmond in a compromising situation while on a business trip to England. The consequence were being given three options. The least offensive of the three was to for him to find a Dollar Bride for the Duke back in Newport.
Amelia and Brace meet in the most unconventional way when Brace is coming out of the water in his skin tight swim pants and Amelia finds herself on the beach during a time when the red flag was posted showing it’s off limits to women. There seemed to be an immediate attraction between them both.
An invitation to the Vanderbilt’s party, eventually leads to the formal introduction Amelia spoke of on the beach. When she finds out that Gertrude Vanderbilt is to become one of the Dollar Brides while she’s in love with Peter, Amelia’s second cousin, she tried to console Peter and find a way to save Gertrude from having to follow that horrible path. Will a talk to her mother do any good?
Why did Hillary “match up” Amelia with Brace for the horseback ride if she had her eye on Brace for herself and she knows Amelia is NOT looking for a husband? She enjoyed her freedom to much to give it up and be under the control of any man. Will her declaration to remain free make her a challenge and heighten Brace’s desire to follow his heart? Will finding out about how the Duke is trying to trap Brace have Amelia offering her help? Is it possible that she could be feeling deep feelings for this man? Will it only backfire when Hillary makes sure all the facts of why he is in Newport come to light? Will it dispel any hope for any future plans?
Will a birthday party for Amelia turn into a trap? Or will she chance scandal and rejection from society to stand her ground? Will her knight come to her rescue?
Anne Greene tells a wonderful story of going against the grain while doing what is right and following your heart within the pages of DOLLAR BRIDES. She gives us a glimpse of life in 1899 and some of the hardships of women of that time. Even then, through faith, there were women willing to fight the norm, to help a friend and to dream to true love. DOLLAR BRIDES is a wonderful novella that will have you believing in happily ever after even when everything seems to be stacked against it. 5 stars!
Amelia is determined to fight the practice of the rich selling their daughters off, known as Dollar Brides, in order to obtain a royal title for the family - a practice she considers an appalling form of slavery.
Bracebridge “Brace” Brighton III made the mistake of being caught by the Duke of Richmond in a compromising situation while on a business trip to England. The consequence were being given three options. The least offensive of the three was to for him to find a Dollar Bride for the Duke back in Newport.
Amelia and Brace meet in the most unconventional way when Brace is coming out of the water in his skin tight swim pants and Amelia finds herself on the beach during a time when the red flag was posted showing it’s off limits to women. There seemed to be an immediate attraction between them both.
An invitation to the Vanderbilt’s party, eventually leads to the formal introduction Amelia spoke of on the beach. When she finds out that Gertrude Vanderbilt is to become one of the Dollar Brides while she’s in love with Peter, Amelia’s second cousin, she tried to console Peter and find a way to save Gertrude from having to follow that horrible path. Will a talk to her mother do any good?
Why did Hillary “match up” Amelia with Brace for the horseback ride if she had her eye on Brace for herself and she knows Amelia is NOT looking for a husband? She enjoyed her freedom to much to give it up and be under the control of any man. Will her declaration to remain free make her a challenge and heighten Brace’s desire to follow his heart? Will finding out about how the Duke is trying to trap Brace have Amelia offering her help? Is it possible that she could be feeling deep feelings for this man? Will it only backfire when Hillary makes sure all the facts of why he is in Newport come to light? Will it dispel any hope for any future plans?
Will a birthday party for Amelia turn into a trap? Or will she chance scandal and rejection from society to stand her ground? Will her knight come to her rescue?
Anne Greene tells a wonderful story of going against the grain while doing what is right and following your heart within the pages of DOLLAR BRIDES. She gives us a glimpse of life in 1899 and some of the hardships of women of that time. Even then, through faith, there were women willing to fight the norm, to help a friend and to dream to true love. DOLLAR BRIDES is a wonderful novella that will have you believing in happily ever after even when everything seems to be stacked against it. 5 stars!
August 2, 2021
Dollar Brides by Anne Greene
Loved to learn about what a dollar bride is, never heard that phrase before.
1899 Love how this story starts, In Newport, RI on the beach and she's got 3 dogs to keep her company as they go frolicking in the ocean water.
Red flag was up but 15 minutes early which means all women keep away. The men with their birthday suits will have the ocean to themselves.
Ms. Astor runs into a different problem. A man in his swimming trunks coming out of the water while they both end up tangled with the leashes.
Today it's a local beach for us and no flags. They meet at other events and she gets upset and refuses to see him further.
They are introduced officially and love the idea of the ride and picnic, high society style.
What Mrs. Vanderbilt wants, she gets, even sending her daughter to England to wed and get a title along with her dowry while she learns others have divorced the forced marriages.
She also tries her hand in match making in Newport.
Like how it ends, didn't see it happening like that. Love learning all the new phrases and about that time in our history.
Discussion questions are listed at the end along with the authors note and her works.
Have visited some of the cottages along Ocean Avenue and they are breathtaking.
Loved to learn about what a dollar bride is, never heard that phrase before.
1899 Love how this story starts, In Newport, RI on the beach and she's got 3 dogs to keep her company as they go frolicking in the ocean water.
Red flag was up but 15 minutes early which means all women keep away. The men with their birthday suits will have the ocean to themselves.
Ms. Astor runs into a different problem. A man in his swimming trunks coming out of the water while they both end up tangled with the leashes.
Today it's a local beach for us and no flags. They meet at other events and she gets upset and refuses to see him further.
They are introduced officially and love the idea of the ride and picnic, high society style.
What Mrs. Vanderbilt wants, she gets, even sending her daughter to England to wed and get a title along with her dowry while she learns others have divorced the forced marriages.
She also tries her hand in match making in Newport.
Like how it ends, didn't see it happening like that. Love learning all the new phrases and about that time in our history.
Discussion questions are listed at the end along with the authors note and her works.
Have visited some of the cottages along Ocean Avenue and they are breathtaking.
December 14, 2021
This was a very interesting story set in 1899 Newport, Rhode Island. It’s based on true history which makes for a much better telling through fiction. I looked up dollar brides, they were a real thing, and the accounts I read about called them dollar princesses. Both means the same thing. I can’t imagine a mother, rich or not, “selling” her daughter to a stranger in England just for an aristocratic title. Amelia, the main female character, is all for women’s rights. She’s unusual in her time period and stands up for her rights and doesn’t want any man telling her what to do. Then she meets Brace. She fights the niggling of attraction she feels for him. After all she has better things to do and a younger sister to raise.
I still have a hard time with the rules and etiquette of this time period. (Only seven years later my grandmother was born.) Caught with a man alone, even fully clothed, was cause for a scandal and a quick marriage.
Amelia and Brace have a story to tell and I throughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
I still have a hard time with the rules and etiquette of this time period. (Only seven years later my grandmother was born.) Caught with a man alone, even fully clothed, was cause for a scandal and a quick marriage.
Amelia and Brace have a story to tell and I throughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
September 26, 2021
Amelia Astor is not from the aristocracy Astors. No, she is a lowly relation. But she has found out that her dear friend has been "bought" by a man with a title, for the wealth her family can offer.
So begins this wonderful novella. I loved the cover, and the story is so intriguing. This historical fiction takes place in 1899. Mothers "sell" their daughters to English Lords and ship them across the ocean. All for a title in the family to bring the Americans up in society. Amelia is determined to fight for the young ladies caught in this trap.
Bracebridge Brighton III has an usual first encounter with Amelia. But he has a mission that could cut Amelia off by means a grave mistake he made.
Anne Greene always writes the most interesting stories. Always clean and wholesome. Dollar Brides is no different. I love her vivid descriptions of places the two visit. And does the romance between Amelia and Brace bloom? I think you will enjoy reading it to find out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
So begins this wonderful novella. I loved the cover, and the story is so intriguing. This historical fiction takes place in 1899. Mothers "sell" their daughters to English Lords and ship them across the ocean. All for a title in the family to bring the Americans up in society. Amelia is determined to fight for the young ladies caught in this trap.
Bracebridge Brighton III has an usual first encounter with Amelia. But he has a mission that could cut Amelia off by means a grave mistake he made.
Anne Greene always writes the most interesting stories. Always clean and wholesome. Dollar Brides is no different. I love her vivid descriptions of places the two visit. And does the romance between Amelia and Brace bloom? I think you will enjoy reading it to find out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 26, 2021
Award-winning author, Anne Greene, does know how to write historical fiction. Dollar Brides is a sweet romance set in New England during the late 1800s when wealthy parents were 'selling' their daughters to English peers to gain a title in the family. It is a quick read. Insomnia had me awake one night. I picked up the book and read it in one sitting. Amelia is bound and determined to save her friend from becoming a dollar bride. I like her spunk and conviction. And then there was her decision to never marry. Would meeting Brace make Amelia waver? A light romance with historical tidbits about the Dollar Bride practice, something I'd not heard of before. I always enjoy this author's books and readers who enjoy historical romance will not want to miss Dollar Brides. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
September 17, 2021
Dollar Brides, by Anne Greene, is a historical fiction story that takes place in Rhode Island in 1899. This is a fun short story to read and to learn a little bit about the Dollar Brides process in our history. This story has quite a few characters and in the beginning I had a little trouble keeping them straight. I admire Amelia’s strength as she fights for the young women who’s parents sell their daughters to English royalty to get a title. I also admire her for standing her ground with being pressured to marry a man she does not love. This is a sweet little romance that can easily be read in a sitting that also gives a little bit of history.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, this is my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, this is my honest review.
November 9, 2021
Amelia was left her Grandmother's house in the wealthiest of playgrounds, Newport RI. The law allows the husband to control his wife and her assets. Some of the wealthy families are "selling" their daughters to English nobility to gain a title. Amelia is horrified and does not want to relinquish any of the rights she has as a single woman. She's rebuffed man after man, until a stranger intrigues her.
But he's got a secret and she's still not interested in a husband.
This interesting , clean, romance is suitable for young adults and older readers. It covers a bit of history and touches on women's struggles to gain their rights as citizens of this country.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. This is my honest review.
But he's got a secret and she's still not interested in a husband.
This interesting , clean, romance is suitable for young adults and older readers. It covers a bit of history and touches on women's struggles to gain their rights as citizens of this country.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. This is my honest review.
September 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Not only because of the great story, but because I learned about a time in history that I was not aware of. Amelia’s best friend had been married off as a dollar bride and was miserable, so Amelia set out to do away with this practice. Brace was indebted to a Duke and the way he could redeem himself was to find the Duke a dollar bride. They were a very unlikely pair. I loved the way Brace accepted Amelia the way she was and how Amelia learned forgiveness. I would recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my honest opinion.
September 24, 2021
Delightful shorter book about aristocracy in New England in 1899. It’s fascinating learning about Americans wanting British titles in their families to help the feel accepted in turn of the century society for the wealthy. Thank you, for the strong female character (Amelia) and how she teaches her younger sister the true way of living in that kind of society. How to fear God and not man. This is a wonderful story to take you back in time.
This was a free book to me in exchange for my honest review.
This was a free book to me in exchange for my honest review.
August 25, 2021
I always love an Anne Greene book. Not only are the characters well developed but she researches the facts she uses in her story. This story is based on what I always considered one of the most ridiculous and odious parts of the upper class, the using of daughters are bargaining chips. This book addresses the offering a daughter and her dowry for an English title. I love Amelia’s championship of her friends, even to their powerful mamas.
September 22, 2021
I had never heard the term Dollar Brides, but Anne Greene did an amazing job of telling about them. The story is set in the late 1800's in Newport, RI. Amelia is determined to save women from the practice of mating them to British royalty in order to bring that royal tie to the American family. The short story is well written and full of history. This author is a real historian. I do recommend this book.
I was given a copy of the book by the author, but this review is my own opinion.
I was given a copy of the book by the author, but this review is my own opinion.
November 23, 2021
A fictional story taken from true events during the 19th century, where daughters of the wealthy, along with a sizeable amount of money, were traded to the English nobility for a title. Ms. Greene did an excellent job of portraying that period of time along with a love story.
*I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
*I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 23, 2022
I enjoyed the book. I had learned about the American Wealthy women being pressured to marry Englishmen with titles mostly through Downton Abbey and a few other books. Thankful that some refused to do this and chose love instead. This book fit the bill for what I needed now. Both parties let their faith and morals guide them.
October 16, 2025
Another sweet read from Anne Greene. I have enjoyed all of her books that I have read. I especially enjoy her strong women characters and her historical fiction books. I was unfamiliar with Dollar Brides and enjoyed learning about them. I also enjoyed learning more about the prominent families of Newport, RI. I look forward to exploring more of her books.
September 17, 2021
Amelia is dedicated to never get married. She would soon be single,than forced to marry someone she doesn’t love. Will she ever found her true love? I loved the characters!!! There is humor, surprises, and romance. I absolutely loved it!!!!!
October 2, 2021
I loved this story! An usual story about a part of history I had not known about before. Great story with strong characters Brace and Amelia. Perfect book for those who love historical fiction, and one I’ll be telling my friends about.
November 6, 2021
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Such an interesting book!! Reading about the dollar brides of 1899 and the famous and wealthy families involved is my kind of history. Definitely recommend.
October 24, 2021
informative, witty and very interesting read! Filled with wonderful complex characters. A page turner and a must read!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews