ARC REVIEW Foolish Bride by A.S. Fenichel

The second of A.S. Fenchel's Forever Bride series Foolish Bride takes up where the first one left with the continuation of Elinor and Michael lover story. In the first book we met Elinor and Michael a star-crossed romance who had some issues as a side story. In the first book we see Elinor as a sweet young woman with a gentle disposition but as the book goes on and she realizes that she is going to stop trying to please everyone she shows her family and friends she is quick witted and has quite a temper. Michael was a bit of a let down he was to broody and a little bit pitiful, thank goodness Elinor is there.

Michael inherited a failing estate and he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't marrying Elinor for her dowry and prove to Elinor and her Parents he was worthy of her. Michael was a soldier who started to work for the home office but during his last mission he was gravely injured and the rumors that he was less than a man because of them gave Elinor's father cause to break the engagment. Elinor fought tooth and nail against her father because of this so she snuck out to talk to Michael herself but Michael angry at himself for getting injured and his body failing him but also because Elinor's father said she agreed to cancel the wedding and even when she shows up to confront him to ask if this is what he really wants he turns her away.

Elinor gets angry at everyone even her closest friends and even when that anger has passed she is still angry with Michael and her parents. Elinor decides to attend her best friend's house party and while there she again a man her mother foisted on her Middleton. Even though she is still mad at Michael she still loves him but still unsure of their future together she strikes up a friendship with Middleton, who soon becomes smitten with her. Michael now faced with the prospect of losing Elinor forever has to convince Elinor he does and always will love her.

Overall, this was a really sweet book. I'm not one for love triangles but this barely registers as one. A.S Fenichel does well with the character development and the active setting. The romance was nice but out of all of it I loved Elinor and seeing the change she went through and how Michael just ended up loving her even more for it.