ARC REVIEW Desperate Bride by A.S. Fenichel

Desperate Bride is book three in A.S. Fenichel's Forever Brides series. While I like the author and the other two books in the series this one was kind of depressing for me. I'm not partial to books the make me feel depressed.

In this one we have Dorothea and Thomas. In the previous books Dory has always come across as straightforward, levelheaded, and so absorbed into her music. In this book we see a more insecure side. Thomas is utterly devoted to Dory and she's too oblivious to realize why. Normally I get a kick out of oblivious characters but in this case Dory being oblivious is way to hurtful to Thomas and Thomas doesn't handle that well. The lack of communication gets annoying as well, how can you love someone if you don't trust them enough to talk to them about things like feelings and to confide in them about stuff so you are not assuming and doing what you think is right for the both of you but it's not.

Dory needs to get married before her father signs a contract for her to marry someone else. Dory has avoided marriage because she's always been told that once she does she will have to give up her music so when her father basically sells her to settle his debts Dory runs to the only person she can think of that wouldn't take away her music if they married, Thomas Wheel. Thomas has been in love with Dory since he first heard her play. He never pursued it because she was too high above him in status, he never thought he would have a chance. When Dory first asked he said no because of it but after seeing the way the man treated her he arranged it so they could run off and get married before the contract is signed. On the journey up to Scotland they agree that they can be friends in the marriage, and even though Dory is scared to death she's willing to be a wife in every sense. Thomas wants to make sure she knows she can change her mind at any moment. They get married and soon after there is a misunderstanding that leads to a series of misunderstanding that doesn't end until their friends intervene but that's only after Thomas' life is threatened by Dory's worthless father and the Lord who lost Dory as a bride.

Overall, least favorite book of the series. I hope Anthony gets his story next. 

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.

ARC REVIEW Tainted Bride by A.S. Fenichel

I love books like this, books that I know have been a labor of love and healing for the author. It's a very emotional and heartfelt story and knowing that so much of the author's self is put into makes it so much better. In her acknowledgements in the beginning of the book she says this book was part of a healing process, you can tell the emotion behind the hurt and the tragedy was palpable. The writing was beautifully done, the character development was clear and well done. Lady Daphne is a great supporting character, she was exactly what Sophia needed. Dorothea was another great supporting character outspoken, straightforward and fearless and the voice of reason when Sophia needed it the most. Sophia and Daniel are perfect for each other it's plain as day but the process of them realizing it is a difficult one but so sweet of an outcome.

Sophia was foisted on to her great aunt so she could have a season in London after an event that ruined her first season in Philadelphia three years ago. Sophia has resigned herself to never get married she plans to just go through the motions to appease Aunt Daphne but she won't marry. Even after meeting the dashing Daniel Fallon the Earl of Marlton who makes her stomach go aflutter she can not allow herself to love him. Daniel had no immediate plans to marry but just after one night, one ball Daniel can think of noone else but Sophia. Daniel has reservations, he feels like he can't trust himself after what happened last time, and he won't be taken for a fool this time. When the villain from Sophia's past who ruined her shows up in London, Sophia is scared and shocked especially when a rumor about her not being innocent comes out in the paper. Daniel can't help but believe what he heard but something about how Sophia acts doesn't ring true about the rumor. Sophia tells Daniel the truth about what happened three years ago and why she can never marry. Daniel does the unexpected and proposes and after some convincing that Sophia can stand the touch of a man as long as it was done in love Sophia agrees. But it's only the beginning, tragedy strikes and Sophia falls into a bout of depression. Daniel is trying to find out the way to ruin the blackguard who ruined his Sophie and deal with his distraught wife until Daniel disappears.

Overall, it was a great story. Sophia learns that friends and family can help you get through whatever tragedy may happen and love heals.