ARC Review: The Spring Bride by Anne Gracie

“…the historical romance genre is chock full of books with young beautiful debutantes falling in love, but I liked how Anne Gracie made this is a little bit different.” ~ Under the Covers

When Miss Jane Chance rescues a stray dog from a group of street boys, consequently plunging herself in danger as well, she never expected to be saved by a handsome gypsy. And she certainly never expected to become fascinated by him. Jane is determined to marry and marry well so she can provide to her children what was never given to her; a safe and secure home. Considering any connection with Zach would dash her dreams, but he holds secrets of his own and may not quite be who she thinks he is.

I am really enjoying this series, although to date the first book is still my favourite, each installment has had its charms. The Spring Bride, Jane’s book, was actually the one I was least looking forward to; the historical romance genre is chock full of books with young beautiful debutantes falling in love, but I liked how Anne Gracie made this is a little bit different.

I actually found myself really liking Jane and I imagine her very sensible attitude towards marriage, for it to provide safety and stability, is probably a far more accurate reason why women decided to marry at that point in time. We may all tut tut and be embarrassed by the behaviour of the ‘Mrs Bennetts’ of romance, but their worries about leaving daughters penniless and destitute once the men folk had passed were all too real. So I found Jane (from The Spring Bride, not Pride and Prejudice!) to be slightly refreshing.

However, this is a romance novel and it wouldn’t have been at all satisfying if Jane made entirely sensible choices and married someone rich and boring, so I loved seeing the conflict between her practical side and her passionate side as she continues to fall in love with entirely unsuitable Mr Black. Zach himself was just as you expect, handsome, charming and with secrets…I was a bit bored by him and I never really felt the connection with him where as I loved how surprised I was about Jane.

Another good book in the series, its cast of interesting side characters, Lady Bea in particular, makes each book warm and inviting. I am now really looking forward to the next book about the final sister, Daisy, it is the one I have been waiting for since book 1!