The Summer Bride
Chance Sisters, Book #4
By Anne Gracie
ISBN#9780425283806
Author’s website: http://www.annegracie.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Fiercely independent Daisy Chance has a dream—and it doesn’t involve marriage or babies (or being under any man’s thumb). Raised in poverty, she has a passion—and a talent—for making beautiful clothes. Daisy aims to become the finest dressmaker in London.
Dashing Irishman Patrick Flynn is wealthy and ambitious, and has entered society to find an aristocratic bride. Instead, he finds himself growing increasingly attracted to the headstrong, clever and outspoken Daisy. She’s wrong in every way—except the way she sets his heart racing.
However, when Flynn proposes marriage, Daisy refuses. She won’t give up her hard-won independence. Besides, she doesn’t want to join the fine ladies of society—she wants to dress them. She might, however, consider becoming Flynn’s secret mistress. . .
But Flynn wants a wife, not a mistress, and when Flynn sets his heart on something, nothing can stand in his way. . .
Review:
The Summer Bride is the fourth book in the Chance Sisters series and provides a satisfying conclusion to the lighthearted, Regency romance series.
Sometimes family is not born by formed by bonds far stronger than blood. Four down on their luck young women come together as sisters under the guidance and protection of their “aunt” Lady Beatrice. Three of the four have found happiness with the loves of their lives, but independent Daisy has no desire to find a husband or have children. She has big aspirations, and the talent, to design and make fine clothing for the well-to-do. Patrick Flynn is an ambitious, self-made Irishman from humble beginnings who loves nothing more than to egg on his dangerous pirate persona, but he has his sights set on finding the most appropriate, aristocratic wife of the Ton. No one is more surprised than he when he realizes that his perfect woman may be found in his spit-fire friend Daisy. Though they are definitely attracted to each other, they want very different things from life, and Daisy refuses his daily proposal of marriage. But Flynn is determined to get what he wants. Isn’t it funny when the perfect happily-ever-after is not what you thought you wanted at all.
I have enjoyed reading about the Chance sisters, and Daisy’s story provides a fitting end. I really like Daisy, her independence, willingness to make her own way, her desires, and dreams. I appreciate that she is flawed. Her limp and stubbornness make her more relatable and realistic. However, these same traits that I admire make me want to smack her at times. Flynn may be my favorite of the leading men in the series. Like Daisy, he has plenty of ambition and does not care much what other people think of him. He is dogged and charming, and his slightly dangerous “pirate” past is appealing. And, of course, best of all is his good heart.
Even though I enjoyed Flynn’s pursuit of Daisy, I did not feel there was much give and take. The tale could have been a bit more exciting had there been more cat-and-mouse interplay between Flynn and Daisy. The misunderstanding and turmoil couples so often experience as the norm in romance novels is missing here, so I felt there could have been more. I understand Ms. Gracie’s use of Daisy’s predicament (I won’t spoil it for you here) as a means to an end, but it feels like somewhat of a cop-out. However, that end is a happy one, and isn’t that what we all want in a romance? The Regency time period provides a luscious backdrop for the fashion and society etiquette details that are so important for the story to work.
The Summer Bride is light, entertaining reading. Even though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone romance. If you enjoy feisty characters who do not quite fit the societal mold and romance that is not too graphic, then this is the read for you.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
