The Bashful Bride by Vanessa Riley – a Review

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Description:
A friend’s newspaper advertisement for a groom nets the most famous actor in London, Arthur Bex. Shy heiress Ester Croome proposes to elope with the handsome man, who she’s secretly loved for two years, in order to escape an impending engagement arranged by her overbearing family.

Trying to outlive the shadow of his villainous uncle, Bex needs to marry quickly—to a woman of good character. And smart, beautiful Ester fits the bill. But a harrowing trip to Gretna Green and dangerous abolition rallies prove to be a more treacherous stage than either imagined. Infatuation and a mutual love for Shakespeare might not be enough to bind a couple looking to outrun the chains and secrets of family and the past.

Review:

The Bashful Bride by Vanessa Riley begins with Ester finding out that her father, in order to further his business interests, has arranged her marriage to a known philanderer. Shocked down to her toes, she’s vowed to herself that she will not marry someone not of her own choosing.

Ester accompanies a friend to meet someone who has responded to her advertisement for a prospective groom. Once the two arrive, and see that the respondent is none other than Arthur Bex, actor extraordinaire, Ester’s friend makes it seem to Bex that Ester is the one who placed the ad. Ester discovers that Bex is an abolitionist and is immediately smitten. As they talk, he discovers her plight and the two of them decide to elope that very night.

What neither are prepared for are the repercussions of a white man marrying a Blackamoor woman. But, that’s not the only thing standing in the way of their happiness. Once Ester’s parents discover her deception, Ester is left heartbroken, wondering if she has not only shamed herself, but her family as well. However, when Ester discovers Bex’s past, she has no idea how to move forward. Feeling betrayed, she seeks the guidance of her friends and family, only to discover that things are not as they first appeared..………

The premise of The Bashful Bride is a good one. I liked the overall story. The first half of the book seemed to drag a bit, in my opinion. Some of the conversations between Ester and Bex were almost comical in the beginning and a little over the top. I also thought that there was too much waffling back and forth between the two main characters as to what they each wanted out of their relationship. With all of that said, once the two of them made their way back to London, the story became one that I loved. I really liked both of the main characters as well. The reader can see Ester growing and maturing as the story progressed, even though she was very naïve and sheltered in the beginning. Rex, however, took me a minute to like. Once his back story is revealed, you can see why he does some of the things he does. The secondary characters were engaging, but none more so that Ester’s parents. I’d love to read a prequel that told their story! Even though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. If you’re a fan of regency novels, I encourage you to give this one a try.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher