Die ganze Londoner Gesellschaft rätselt über die überstürzte Hochzeit zwischen der hübschen Abigail Nash und dem vermögenden Jasper Brigston. Auch sein Bruder Morgan, der Marques of Brigston, wird nicht schlau aus dem Paar. Sollte eine frischgebackene Braut nicht viel mehr strahlen? Als Jasper durch einen tragischen Umstand stirbt, scheint auch der letzte Funke Freude in der ehemals so lebensfrohen Abby erloschen.
Morgan kümmert sich fortan aufopfernd um seine Schwägerin. Und zwischen den beiden entwickeln sich Gefühle, die nicht sein dürfen. Denn das Gesetz verbietet ihnen die Heirat …
„Lady Abigail und der ehrenwerte Marques“ ist der zweite Teil der romantischen Regency-Reihe von USA-Today-Bestsellerautorin Rachael Anderson.
A USA Today bestselling author of clean romance, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Rachael’s books always captivate me, I have a hard time putting them down! I had to wait until after the holidays were over to dive into this one because I didn’t want any interruptions! As usual, I fell in love with the characters and setting.
I decided to just jump into this one without reading the synopsis first (I've been doing that more and more lately and really enjoy it), just going off the title I was wondering how this story was going to come about. I was glued to the pages as this story unfolded and these character jumped off the pages and really came to life for me. I liked Abby and Morgan. I don't want to give too much away, it's better to just read and enjoy. One of the many things I love about Rachael's books is the obvious time and effort she puts into them. Her writing is always on point, character's are unique and well developed and the story always sucks me in and keeps me turning the pages.
Content Romance: Clean Language: None Violence: Mild Series: Serendipity, Book Two: Can stand on its own
'My Brother's Bride' is the second book in the Serendipity series and having read the first one I was really happy to review this one. Though some of the major characters in the first story make an appearance, this could very well be read as a standalone. Just like the former novel, this one too deals with the nuances of love. It may strike unexpectedly, sometimes it may almost seem unattainable. Abigail or Abby as she likes to be called is a delightful figure full of vitality and one would really can't grasp how she ended up marrying the rake, Jasper. But these initial impressions soon evaporate once the true nature of both is revealed. Jasper's death is one of the saddest in the book and Anderson has put down all her charm to adequately present the grief that haunted the Brigston household. The way Morgan opens his heart in front of his brother's gravestone is one of the beautiful imageries that has remained me with me throughout the reading of this book. Slowly and steadily, Abby and Morgan develop an intimate relationship filled with banter and fun and it was lovely to watch the sweet but forbidden romance blooming. The only dark cloud that disturbed me was the reference to the sexual assault which had shaken me completely. The story thereafter was tinged with a certain gloom that I was not able to shake off, even after the characters have decided to face the consequences bravely. Altogether a sweet romance that will fill you with joy even with the slight taste of bitterness. Another unforgettable story that reminds you that nothing can stand the way of true love.
This book officially releases tomorrow but it showed up on Amazon over the weekend. I had company in town but as soon as I was able to head to bed last night I started reading it. If I wasn't exhausted from the holiday weekend I would have stayed up to read all of it. Instead, I did the responsible thing and went to bed by midnight and waited until I got home from work today to finish it.
My to-read list is long but Rachael is one author I always bump to the top and put all other books on hold for. She never disappoints so it's no surprise that this is another top-notch offering from Rachael.
I loved these characters and cheered for them as they overcame obstacles and circumstances that tried to keep them apart. My Brother's Bride is an awesome and needed addition to the clean romance genre. So many authors pump out books so fast that often I find the quality of their work is lacking. Since I read for entertainment I'm able to forgive a lot and typically just overlook the shortcomings that are prevalent with so many books in this genre. Thankfully that is not the case with Rachael's books. I'm grateful for the time she takes to ensure she offers her readers quality books with original storylines that won't disappoint.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to read this heartwarming romance!
I got a third in and really should have stopped sooner. It takes forever for this story to get going. I mean, the stuff from the cover copy just barely happened and then we get this huge exposition dump and Abby's really sad story (not sarcasm, truly tragic) but I can't help feeling that all the characters . . . okay, the two main characters . . . are puppets in a play built by modern moralists who are certain that all rapists get off by claiming "she asked for it", no true woman could possibly resent the baby resulting from her rape, and that all true men are happy to raise the offspring of rapists as their own. Noble viewpoints (those last, I mean), to be sure, but without qualm or quandary or hesitation because that's just what you do? Frankly, it'd be a far more interesting story if it included the doubt and struggle and wrestling with the moral and emotional and spiritual fallout. But no, these are all rote characters with obvious moral underpinnings dictated by a thoroughly idealized (and modern) understanding where strong ambiguities aren't ambiguous at all.
Which, for me, sapped what little might have been interesting about the story and made it a sermon delivered in a particularly boring monotone by some pasty dude with a sloppy comb-over.
I absolutely love and adore Rachael Anderson's books. She's an author that is an "instant buy" author for me. I get so excited every time I see that she has a new book coming out. This Serendipity series is quickly becoming a favorite for me. I love the Regency time period. The manners, the dresses, the parties, the country estates, the carriage rides, the gentlemen, the courting. I love it! Now, I will clarify, that as much as I love reading about it, I probably (scratch that-no probably at all) wouldn't want to live during that time. But I can most definitely loving adore it all from afar and through research and reading about it in fiction novels and watch period dramas.
Abby was a character whom I adored from the beginning. The bright personality combined with the quiet sorrow in her eyes drew me right in from the first introduction of her character. There was so much happening in this book, but as the reader it takes time to read have the truth be revealed. But please trust me when I say that it is all worth it!
Morgan (or Brigston) is the beginning narrator for the book and I loved watching so much of the story unfold through his eyes. He's had a lot put on his shoulders through life and sorrows. When he meets his brother's new bride, the one he eloped with, Morgan knows that his life will never be the same. What was their reasoning behind eloping? Is she a schemer and using this marriage to get what she wants? What can he do to protect his brother?
When everything he thoughts, changes and sorrow hits his family again, Morgan must learn what matters most. When Abby continues to bring joy, light and hope back into his life can he find a way to show her how much he cares for her? Or will all the laws of the land hold him back from what his heart truly desires?
I don't want to spoil anything for this book, but there are so many things that I want to tell you about these two characters. I loved their relationship. Their friendship was so great! There are several other characters in this book that are essential in helping Morgan and Abby's relationship develop. Morgan was a perfect gentleman. I loved his quiet and gentle ways of doing great acts for Abby and for the other people in his life.
From the first page to the final page, I loved every minute of my time reading this book. I had several moments of laughing with the characters, at the characters and aching and sorrowing with them as well. This book is not just about friendship, love and the characters' lives. There is depth, sorrow, pain, hope, healing and peace woven into the story as well. If you're a clean romance lover, this one is sure to bring many moments of happy reading enjoyment into your life. If you haven't read the first book, that's ok. The main character and sisters from the first book make several appearances but the author does a great job of introducing them during their first appearance in a way that you know the basic information and allows this book to be a stand alone. But, with as much as I loved this book, book one, My Sister's Intended is my favorite of the two!
Content: Clean.
I received a review copy but have also purchased my own copy. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Rachael Anderson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I devoured this book because I didn't want to stop reading. This is the second book in the author's Serendipity series, My Sister's Intended being the first, but each can be read as a standalone.
Abigail (Abby) Nash has had an unusual upbringing. Her mother died while giving birth to her, her father was gone more than he was home, her great-aunt tasked with being her guardian was a tad too elderly to do a proper job, so Abby isn't your usual proper young lady. Not to say she's crase or uncouth in public, but she does things proper ladies don't do such as take off their shoes and stockings to put their feet in a stream, or take a stick to some cows to make them move out of the road. I loved the imagery that story provided.
Jasper is the younger son who is a bit of a rake. Showering blond, blue-eyed, women with posies and attention until he tires of them. He's always professed that he didn't want to settle down, so what possessed him to run away to Gretna Green and marry Miss Abigail Nash, a young woman he barely knows? We eventually find out that Jasper wasn't as much of a rake as he seemed to be. In fact he could be quite the upstanding gentleman.
Morgan is the Marquess of Brigston and the more serious of the brothers. When Parliament isn't in session he's busy taking care of the affairs associated with the family's estate and holdings. His mother wants him to marry but he hasn't found the woman he would want to settle down with.
The story of these three individuals develops slowly (but not too slowly), so we really get to know the characters. I love the effect Abby has on Morgan. How she gets him to lighten up somewhat and he no longer spends all day in his study with his clerk on the household finances. One of my favorite scenes was when he and Abby played badminton (shuttlecock) in the ballroom--and it was his idea!! I loved their playful back and forth banter. Morgan is a caring man--he took it upon himself to make sure Abby was provided for, because she and Jasper didn't have a marriage contract and she was left penniless when he died. Abby hasn't had the easiest life but she deals with it showing courage and holding her head high. I loved Abby's friends Prudence, Knave, and Sophia who are wonderfully supportive of her. They truly are great friends.
I learned some things about the marriage laws during this time that I didn't know before, and I couldn't wait to find out how our main characters would be able to find their happy ever after with the law in place.
I received a complimentary copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This was a sweet story. I little different then I expected. It had a different story line then other Regency books. Who knew there was ever a law forbidding a sister and brother in law to marry. In other countries if the husband died it was a law he had to marry his sister in law to take care of her. Both are not smart laws. This is a sweet romance that took a bit of story telling to get going but it was good. I enjoyed this story and took my time reading it. I enjoy Anderson's books. They are always unique. This story had talk of a Rape. It was not detailed and it was handled well, but not with lightness. I was a little worried to read this, sometimes a rape is not taken as seriously in these books as it is and gets brushed aside. The author did and good job without making this a depressing heavy book.
I loved this sweet Regency romance and the way the two main characters began as brother and sister-in-law, developed a friendship, and began to rely on each other during a difficult and grief-filled time in their lives. The dynamics of the family were interesting and the story kept moving forward as things shifted and changed between Abby and Morgan. I loved how gentle their romance was! There is a bit of a mystery why Jasper (the younger brother) and Abby eloped in the first place, and the layers are revealed slowly, increasing the anticipation and revealing new difficulties for the future. This author is a skilled storyteller and I was glued to the pages until the very end. Highly recommend!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I love Regency books written by Rachael Anderson. She has a knack for writing a book that is thoughtful and contains humor.
As a reader, I wondered along with his family members why a young man who loves living the single life, who loves being a rake and not looking at getting married anytime soon, would suddenly run off to Gretna Green and marry a woman he barely knows? The answers come a bit at a time. As the truth is revealed I realized that he is not the rake he portrays, but a man of character. Unfortunately, (or fortunately for the progression of this book), he doesn't stick around for long. His time in the story is cut short by an unfortunate accident.
The older brother decides to take care of the widow and her unborn child. The result is a fantastic love story full of banter and great dialogue. This is a book that calls to be read. You don't want to put it down but discover how the couple will overcome the law that forbids them to marry. You won't want to miss this second installment of the Serendipity Series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
There is content that could be sensitive to victims of sexual assault.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own,
I thought the series was unusual where there is death first but I looked up the meaning of serendipity and it fits: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. Where the first relationship ends not happily but a better one is found because of the people around it. In this book, Morgan (the first born) falls in love with his deceased brother’s wife. She also finds herself falling in love with him. She never thought that would be possible after the circumstances that brought her to this family in the first place.
But at this particular time, the law states that you can not marry your siblings spouse because they are, in the eyes of the law, your sibling now. Stupid law!! Anyway, I didn’t think it would be possible with every turn of events because nothing, NOTHING, was going there way. Secrets, laws, heirs, propriety, and the ton made things worse. Nothing is as miserable as finding the one person you love, get along with, and who gets you and find that it you can never be together. Well, when there is a will, there is a way, I suppose.
I loved Morgan and Abby’s characters. They made me laugh often! They are both competitive and good sports! They both have a dry sense of humor. I loved their family and friends. I also liked seeing more of the characters from the first book.
If you like books with impossible situations, books that make you laugh, sports, trees, beach, running your toes in the sand, honest people, good friends, balls (as in the dancing ones), horseback on a beach (cause that is what I would love to do), widowers, and of course finding that one person who totally gets you and whom you can talk to about anything then this might be a book for you!
I love a good Regency, and especially enjoy a story that deals with sordid events in a tasteful way. Have you ever wondered exactly why a couple might venture to Gretna Green to elope? My first thought is for less than ideal reasons, but things aren't always as they seem, as the reader comes to discover.
When Abby shows up with Brigston's brother, I wasn't sure how the story was going to match the title in an appropriate way, but it does. Just trust me on that.
Abby is a beautiful and sweet girl, but has an uncouth streak, thanks to her becoming motherless at birth. She's somewhat shocking to her prim and proper mother-in-law, but is a very likable character. I loved seeing the brief appearances of her friends, characters from the previous book.
Brigston seems so serious, yet he has a soft heart. I really enjoyed watching him relax and loosen up, especially when it comes to this new addition to the family.
I'm a rule follower, but I loved seeing some of the strict and senseless rules discarded as these characters come to know the bonds of family and loyalty in a spirit of the law versus a letter of the law type of situation.
The romance is sweet and tender, as it gently blossoms into something more, with the perfect balance of angst and hope. I'm hoping there will be more books forthcoming with these delightful characters.
Content: mild mention of an act of violence; death; mild romance with a vague situation
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Friends, it's always a good day when I get to read a new book by Rachael Anderson. I've been reading her books since the very beginning and I love the way she has ventured out from contemporary romance into a new genre, regency, and made her place in it. I am loving these regency romances so much. I don't really think it's a genre thing though. Rachael Anderson just writes in a way that I love. Her books are so easy to settle in with and they just feel good to me.
I thought this story was perfectly paced. The knowledge of the characters came bit by bit, just enough to keep my interest and curiosity peaked but giving me plenty of time to really settle in and get to know them more intimately so they felt like friends. I loved the growing awareness between Abigail and Brigston and how gentle Brigston was with all things Abby related. Abby is definitely someone who could use a bit of gentleness.
I loved this book. 💚
Content: kissing, mention of a rape with some general details.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Abby first appeared in book 1 of this series and it was a delight to read her story.
In the beginning she's recently newly married to Lord Jasper and everything is apparently going well. There's a hint of a mystery surrounding their marriage, but we don't get to find out what that is until her new husband dies in an accident.
Morgan, Jasper's brother, is worried about her being widowed and with child, and very generously provides means for her to be taken care of. But Abby has a strong moral compass and confesses to him the truth behind her union to Jasper.
I loved seeing how Abby and Morgan came closer, first as friends, and then something more, and how conflicted they were with the truth of their feelings against the law of the time. It kept me reading to see how they'd solve the problem.
I love Rachael Anderson's books. My Brother's Bride was particularly touching because it dealt with a series issue. This topic you don't see often in regency books, but the author handled it well. I loved Abby. She is a sweet and thoughtful character. I loved how she interacted with the brother's mother. After Jasper's death, I loved the tender moment of Abby telling the story of her childhood love of rainbows. Jasper was also an added surprise, and what an honorable man. Even though his role in the book was short, he made an impact. Morgan was also a fantastic character. I loved how he and Abby interacted. There was a certain scene in the kitchen between Morgan and Abby where I was laughing out loud. The pacing and plot of this book are perfectly laid out. Just the right things would happen at just the right time.
I won't typically pick up a regency read, but Anderson changed that for me when she started writing her regency series. I remember when I finished her first one I thought to myself how amazing it was that an author that writes such fun contemporary reads can write even better regency. I am certainly not familiar with all of the details of the era, but I love how Anderson sucks you in from the first page, giving you plenty of insight into the workings of the London ton and still delivering a toecurling romance that has you hurting to put the book down. Although I had my own launch in the week I read this, I found time in between my hectic shedule to still read this beauty. Honestly, I wish I could have just sat down and soaked this one up in one sitting. Once again a real winner. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Miss Abigail Nash ("Abby") is not living the life she had expected. Quickly and unexpectedly married to Lord Jasper, the charming younger brother of the Marquess of Brigston, she is just as quickly and unexpectedly widowed. With a baby on the way.
Morgan Campbell, the Marquess of Brigston, doesn't think highly of a young woman who would go off and elope with a handsome, impetuous, foolish man such as his younger brother. But the more time he spends with her and the more he learns about her, the more he realizes that he has mis-judged her - and his brother.
Morgan and Abby have a huge obstacle: The Marriage Act forbids them to marry. They are legally considered brother and sister since she was married to his brother, even though it was so briefly. I really liked Morgan and Abby and I was really cheering for them to find a way past their obstacles!
Lord Knave and his wife, Prudence, from the previous book in this series, "My Sister's Intended" make quite a few appearances in this book. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this book, but you will probably want to.
Rachael Anderson’s books are always must reads for me! I love her characters, her plots and the romance in each and everyone of her books. Something really great about this one was that I learned a bit more about some of the laws in England during this time period that I didn’t know before.
This book features Morgan, the Marquess of Brigston. Eventually I’m going to figure out all of the crazy titles that are found in this era, but alas, I haven’t yet. I had to like Morgan. He goes out of his way to take care of his brother, Jasper’s widow. I also really liked the way it was obvious that he cared about his brother and wished that things had turned out differently for both of them. He hated the distance that was between them.
And then there was Abby. The reader realizes that there’s something a bit wrong with Abby’s marriage from the beginning, but doesn’t know what for a little while into the story. I loved Abby. Her strength and courage are amazing. I loved watching her make her way through the life she’d been given. And watching her confront her greatest fear near the end was probably my favorite part.
The plot includes the law that I learned about from this book. Did you know that brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were not allowed by law to marry? I found that a bit strange, because even in old Bible times there were marriages like this. I’m going to have to do a bit of research on this and see why and how it came about. Because I’m curious like that!
I loved this whole book, from the beginning to the ending! It’s all amazing!
Handlung: Mit "Lady Abigail und der ehrenwerte Marquess" ging Ende Oktober die neue Regency-Romance-Reihe von Rachael Anderson in die zweite Runde. Nachdem "Lady Prudence und der verwegene Lord" mich und meine liebste Buddyreadpartnerin Sofia von @SofiasworldofBooks gut unterhalten hat, mussten wir natürlich auch die Fortsetzung um Lady Abigail als Buddyread lesen, beziehungsweise hören. Mit der Verwendung typischer Regency Tropes, der wenig überraschenden Handlung und dem eher langsamen Einstieg ist der Roman nicht mein liebster in diesem Genre, konnte mich aber alles in allem dennoch gut unterhalten. Schreibstil: Das liegt vor allem daran, dass Rachael Anderson, welche in den USA Bestsellerautorin ist, von der ich bisher aber noch nie etwas gehört hatte, hier sprachlich eine sehr gute Balance zwischen modernem, lockeren Esprit und historischer Glaubwürdigkeit findet. Einige Szenen lesen sich zwar etwas überspitzt und beinahe albern, da dies aber wunderbar zu den auf die Spitze getriebenen Figuren passt, finde ich das eher unterhaltsam als kritikwürdig. Obwohl auf der reinen Handlungsebene nicht mehr passiert als einige Unternehmungen der beiden Hauptfiguren, einige Unterhaltungen und ein wenig nacherzähltes Drama, fließen die 300 Seiten also nur so dahin und garantieren ein kurzweiliges Lesevergnügen! Figuren: Eine nette Abwechslung fand ich auch, dass die Autorin ihren Auftaktband nicht wie gewohnt mitten in der Londoner Ballsaison ablaufen lässt, sondern für die Annäherung von Abigail und Lord Brigston den abgelegen Landsitz der Familie ihres Ehemannes wählt. Vor allem Abigail ist mir im Laufe der Geschichte sehr ans Herz gewachsen. Jung, spritzig, humorvoll und Romantikerin durch und durch ist sie eine der Hauptstützen der Handlung sowie der Atmosphäre und sorgt für viel Trubel und amüsante Wordgefechte mit Lord Brigston. Etwas schade ist, dass die Figuren aus Band 1, die spritzige Prudence, ihr "verwegener Lord" Knave und ihre Schwester Sophia nur wenige Auftritte haben. Dadurch kann man diesen Band 2 aber auch gut unabhängig als Standalone lesen.
DAS URTEIL:
"Lady Abigail und der ehrenwerte Marquess" ist eine unterhaltsame Geschichte, die man in null Komma nichts weglesen kann. Viel Neues und Außergewöhnliches liefert der Roman zwar nicht, insgesamt hat mir Band 2 aber sowohl inhaltlich als auch sprachlich so gut gefallen wie Band 1.
This was ok. The characters were a bit bland but they were kind of cute together even if their relationship was rushed. This book might have gotten 3 stars, except for one pretty big fault. Basically, a huge portion of this story is devoted to sexual assault/rape. Both the after effects of it, and the prosecution of the rapist. And it was handled terribly.
The author in no way victim-blamed Abby, but this was not the book to discuss such a serious topic. You can't just introduce something like that and not deal with it properly! It would be one thing if it was briefly mentioned to explain how Abby got pregnant (though I think that would still be a terrible plot device) but it's a whole other thing to have a focus of the book be on Abby's recovery from the incident and how she deals with the fact that her child was a product of rape. This is a romance novel, so generally you expect things to be light and fluffy. The author clearly wanted to keep that type of tone so all the discussions surrounding the assault were brief, superficial, and out of place. The book made it seem like recovery from such a traumatic incident was relatively brief, that there is only one proper way to react to it, and veered into love-cures-all territory. The topic was dealt with terribly and honestly should have been completely cut from the story.
All in all, this was much worse than the previous book. I still plan to read the next book, however, since I'll probably enjoy it, provided that the author steers away from serious topics.
A bit too bittersweet/sad for my taste, but I loved the writing and the characters. It is not a light novel - it deals with , but I enjoyed it. It was a bit unrealistic towards the end but I didn't mind that.
I was excited to read Rachael Anderson's new book My Brother's Bride. I enjoyed her last regency and was looking forward to a continuation.
Abby has had a rough childhood without a mother and a mostly absent father. Her close friend offers to help launch her into society (Lady Knave from the last book) and Abby is looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the wonderful Season she anticipated twists into a terrible nightmare that Abby fears she can't recover from. A darling of the ton, Lord Jasper come to the rescue and he gives her the protection of his name by hastily marrying. They retreat to the family seat, where Jasper's brother, the Marquess of Brigston is residing with his mother. Abby is anxious to fit in with the family, but things take a complicated turn when she finds herself increasing and Jasper is suddenly killed in an accident. If that isn't enough of an emotional roller-coaster, Abby and the Marquess begin to spend time together as they grieve, and their feelings turn into something more---but the law prevents them from being together. I admit, I was beginning to wonder if there would be a happily-ever-after and with as much as this couple goes through, I really wanted that!
I thought the author did a wonderful job painting the characters with a three-dimensional brush. Readers will sympathize with Abby and all she goes through and root for Morgan to find a way to be with her. The setting is also well-done. My only complaint is that there are quite a few homonym mistakes--site when it should be sight, reigns when it should be reins, things like that. But this is a sweet book full of emotions that will pull the reader right along with the characters.
This was grittier than anything I've read by this author. Mild spoiler as to what I'm referring- . Because of this it isn't as light as some of her books.
If you are a stickler for historic accuracy I'm not sure the book would be the ideal fit. Partly what we get of the hero and or heroine is the way we would wish someone to act rather than how they likely would act at that time. However, I do think a lot of background attitudes and laws are likely factual. At any rate, I enjoy books that give me overly progressive main characters versus completely realistic for the period types so it was fine for me.
Another great read by Rachael Anderson! I had been looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint. The emotions felt real, the chemistry felt strong, and the author even managed to surprise me a time or two. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to come together, but she pulled it off perfectly.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT Miss Abigail Nash is no stranger to loneliness. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father's business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-luster guardian at best. When her dear friends offer to launch her into London society, her life takes a turn for the better. An instant success, with suitors, social engagements, and offers aplenty, it seems Abby will at last settle into the life of her dreams. But appearances aren't always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments. Just months into her marriage with a proclaimed darling of the ton, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless, and increasing. Even more precarious are the feelings she’s developing for a man she shouldn’t love, a man the law prohibits her from marrying—her late husband’s brother, the Marquess of Brigston.
MY TAKE Having just read Serendipity #1, I anticipated another lighthearted romance. This tale is much darker. It also has a bittersweetness that even as I write this makes my eyes sting. What a good man Abby married. She didn't have a chance to get to know Jasper very well before she loses him to an accident, but I love that even with him gone his presence is still felt.
I enjoyed the growing relationship between Abby and Jasper's older brother Morgan. This was the fun in the story that could otherwise have been a little dismal.
The conflict of not being allowed to marry because they are considered "brother and sister" even though they shared no blood is a great one and something I was aware of because of having read another book that touched on this issue. I find it ironic that this real law was in place that prevented unrelated people from marrying yet first cousins could wed.
I thought I had a resolution figured out, but Anderson took it another direction that was better.
Rachael Anderson always writes the most lovely Regency romances and My Brother's Bride was no exception. This book had such a unique premise—one I've never read before—a premise that was slowly revealed as the story unfolded, along with the mystery concerning the true nature of Abby's circumstances. The story was perfectly paced and the romance incredibly sweet and tender, full of enough angst to keep it interesting but primarily being one of hope and love.
I adored both Abby and Morgan—from Abby's bright and sweet personality, kind heart, and hopeful perseverance to Morgan's goodness, honor, and wonderful personality. Their relationship was incredibly genuine, full of trust and fun banter, and founded on friendship before it deepened into love. I loved how Morgan helped Abby heal and she herself brought light back into his life. I enjoyed watching them overcome their seemingly hopeless circumstances (the Marriage Act forbidding a match between brother and sister-in-law) for them to achieve their happily ever after. They were truly adorable together.
Despite the story containing moments of sorrow, it's ultimately one of healing and peace. I loved the message of hope woven throughout the story as Abby found joy despite being the victim of a terrible situation. The symbolism of rainbows following rain was incredibly fitting and beautiful as well. Overall, My Brother's Bride was a lovely story from a talented author. I can’t wait for Sophie to get her happy ending in Book Three.
Morgan, the Marquess of Brigston, is shocked when his carefree and unattached younger brother shows up with a wife, whom he has eloped with. Miss Abigail Nash, now Lady Jasper, has grown up lonely, and has decided to make the most of her unanticipated marriage to Jasper, when he meets with an accident, and she finds herself a widow. But as she learns to move forward with her life, and gets to know her new mother-in-law and brother-in-law, she begins to feel at home. She also begins to have feelings for Morgan, which will only lead to sadness, because even if he returns her feelings, it is illegal to marry her brother-in-law.
A sweet and clean romance, but it also deals with some sad and tragic things. I really enjoyed it, and I am excited to read the third book in the series.
This book was a sweet regency romance, with an interesting plot and loveable characters. I really loved the protagonist Abby- despite the difficulties in her life she continues to be kind and giving. It was nice to see characters from the first book in the series as well. I felt that some of the emotions portrayed by Abby were a bit unrealistic though- as much as I appreciated her ability to be positive, it didn’t seem realistic for her to be so after the circumstances she had dealt with. After a very traumatic event I wouldn’t have expected her to remain the same as she has always been. Still a good book though, and I’m excited for more in the series.
Romance, clean; Period; series but stand alone read Abby and Brighton's story was more of a 3.5 for me as a reader. It was sweetly written, and their interactions, thoughts, worries, and emotions well-described. Nice addition to this series. Nice to see that love could conquer all, even with the societal restrictions of the time. Heartfelt emotions, characters with honest, hurting hearts, detailed, beautiful setting, with a compelling backstory made this a perfect period read. I should say too, I love the cover! That alone sucked me in!