by Cathy Maxwell
Series: The Brides of Wishmore #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of WishmoreWhat happens when a bride says no? He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publically jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.What happens when the heart says yes? He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass.And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?
The Bride Says No is the first book in the Brides of Wishmore series by Cathy Maxwell. I have read a few of Maxwell’s earlier works and enjoyed them. The Bride Says No is the story of two sisters and while it visits some familiar tropes I consumed this in a single afternoon and rather enjoyed the escape. Mini review: a heartwarming forbidden romance, with growth, love and lessons set against a small Scotland village during the Regency Era.
The Bride Says No takes place in the Scotland village of Loch Tay and features two sisters. When Lady Aileen comes of age their father, a drinker and gambler brings her to London to arrange a marriage to fill his coffers. Filled with hope of love and happy days Lady Aileen soon finds herself divorced and disgraced. She is now living in Loch Tay. Her younger sister Tara is in London and will wed, Blake Stephens, the bastard son of a Duke. Imagine Aileen’s surprise when Tara shows up at home declaring she doesn’t want to marry him. Her father and the rejected groom soon appear and let’s just say the countryside is no longer quiet. Aileen finds herself attracted to her sister’s betrothed, Tara is interesting in someone else, and their father only cares about lining his pockets….oh the game is afoot.
Maxwell has given us a hero and heroine to adore. Both have seen hardship and overcome making them independent. They both believe love is a thing best kept in fairy tales. Aileen is strong, kind, protective, and her story will touch you. Blake known as the Bastard by those of the ton is wedding because his father expects him to, and Tara’s good breeding will help secure his place in society. Blake is a strong character and a self-made businessman. He has overcome adversity and yet he isn’t jaded but honorable and sensitive to others. Tara is at times exactly how you would expect the baby of the family to act. She is beautiful, a romantic and perhaps a little naïve and selfish. Of all of the characters, she undergoes the most growth and my feelings for her changed as she transformed. Their father is a jackanapes and all the worst attributes of men in this period he possesses. Villagers and other side characters add to the storyline. Even Blake’s valet was an interesting character who made me giggle.
The Bride Says No embraces a few tropes including arrangements, forbidden romance and the auctioning off daughter bit, but Maxwell made them her own. She gave me characters that I could connect with as she added obstacles towards our HEA. The romance was sweet, maybe a little fast, but she made it feel genuine, and the romantic gestures were sweet. The delicate balance between love and sisterhood was addressed making me comfortable and accepting in a situation that might otherwise have made me throw my shoe in their general direction. We see how the towns dynamics work, and deal with two complicated romances and five hearts. The tale wrapped up nicely and even had a few giggles. There is an epilogue which set the stage for book two and left me anxious.
Fans of fast-paced regency romances set in the Scottish countryside will enjoy The Bride Says No. The next book, The Bride Says Maybe will release February 25, 2014 and the final book, The Groom Says Yes will release in September. I look forward to reading them.
Three and half cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Michelle
I like the summary as it sounds kinda cute. I’m putting this on my TBR list! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was a fun romp Michelle..enjoy!
Dani
Hmmm…. Sounds cute. I may just pick this one up! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was a fun one Dani 🙂
Lindy
Scotland and the Regency era sound like an intriguing setting. I like books that can take me to other times and places. This story sounds very entreating, and I love all the tropes you mentioned are in this story. I love genuine and sweet romances, characters that you can connect to, and when you see a lot of character growth in a story. Wonderful Review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
This was a fun one Lindy, and Regency is one of my favorites.
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds cute enough. I like the idea of a girl saying no to a proposal in the past.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo it is so much more complicated then that…and sadly so
Lindsay
The dress on the cover is gorgeous! I love the cover and would read this book just because of that! lol Im on the hunt for a light romance since I have been in dystopian world lately ..lol This looks like a good one! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This is a fantastic in-between read and agree the cover is fun and makes me smile!
A Voracious Reader
I’ve never read this author. I think this one is a good palce to start. Great review, Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was such fun Carol and a one you could consume on a cold afternoon!
Christy
Sounds like a Regency Era Jerry Springer show. Only better. And classier. lol! Sounds fun. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
bwahaha…it was a fun romp!
Pamela D
This sounds like a fun read. I love all the tropes in this romance!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun read Pam!
Heidi
I got to the bottom and did a double take when I saw that half cup rating… I guess it must be your illness. It does sound like a pleasant read and the characters are likable! Feel better!
kimbacaffeinate
No, I wrote this last month. It leaned a little heavy on one to many tropes but I certainly enjoyed it. Three’s are a solid read for me.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I don’t mind it having some of the same tropes as long as I get my HEA. 🙂 That is, after all, the main reason I read these. This sounds like a book I would end up enjoying it more than I thought.
kimbacaffeinate
This is the perfect afternoon escape read Melissa 🙂
Jenea
It sounds like a sweet romance. Glad you enjoyed it.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Jenea it was delightful escape.
aurian
Lovely review, I will have to start reading her books again someday.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Aurian, I am looking forward to book two 🙂
Lily B
I don’t mind Troppes 😀 forbidden romance, arrangments. Yes please for me! I don’t think I have read anything by Maxwell yet thought.
kimbacaffeinate
enjoy Lily it was a fun, fast romp!
Andrea
Oh! I love the historicals that feature this trope. It’s been so long since I’ve read one. I’ll put this on my to-read list. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Andrea this was fun and well paced!
brandileigh2003
Despite the tropes, I like the sound of the romances and think that I would like reading about them
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Brandi, it was enjoyable and I look forward to book two.
Jenny
Oooo I like the setup of this one Kim! Yes, it’s a bit familiar, but I never get tired of arranged marriages or forbidden romance! Plus, Scotland. I want to read anything set in Scotland so this is definitely going on my list. Love how fast the books in this series are coming out as well, hardly any time to have to wait!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, there was nothing new, but it was fun to read!
Sharlene Wegner
Thanks for the review! Putting this on my list.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Sharlene this was a fun one 🙂
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
I have this one. I love Cathy so I am looking forward to reading it. The sister thing is usually not my favorite troupe but it sounds like it worked (mostly) for this story 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Felicia it is a fun, fast read!
Nick
This sounds like a really sweet story. I always love these romances where the guy proposes to the wrong girl and ends up falling for the sister. 😉
Also, the younger sister sounds like she really grows throughout the book.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun and keeping track of who liked whom etc was a blast 🙂
Mary
Oh, this sounds pretty darned good! A frothy romance…with a hot bastard son of a duke! Always nice. The romance between the two sounds like fun, too.
kimbacaffeinate
yes..a hot duke makes me weak in the knees..LOL
Tanja
I have to say that this title is really interesting one and it makes me wanna see what’s this book about. Anyhow I love the sound of it and I for some reason I’m in mood for historical reads these days. I might give it a try. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This one was fun with lots happening in the “love” department 🙂
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
Oh whoops! I first read this for: The Birdie Says No O_O I have weird eyes, haha. This sounds like a fun book despite some trite elements the author used!
Lovely review! <33
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe…thanks Melanie 🙂
blodeuedd
I am actually not so sure about this one…hm
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun romp my friend 🙂
kindlemom1
I love that you easily connected with the characters and that there was a lot of growth from them, those are two of my musts for a good read.
kimbacaffeinate
This was a feel good read Ali, thanks 🙂