Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected.....
Review: "The Accidental Bride" is a book that had fantastic potential, but I'm sorry to say it didnt quite live up to it. I absolutely loved the character of Phoebe..she was someone that I would love to have as a friend. I enjoyed Cato as well, however, I found myself wanting to shake him due to his sometimes maddening unresponsiveness. This book could have easily earned 4 stars from me, but I felt that there needed to be more emphasis on their relationship and not so much on the surrounding storyline...I also found it somewhat disturbing that Cato was Olivia's father....that would make Phoebe her stepmother... Anyways...not a bad book, but I wouldnt necessarily recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: A terrific read for feather fans
Review: As is the English custom in the 1640's, the widower Lord Cato Granville marries his sister-in-law Phoebe, following the death of his wife in an arranged marriage. Phoebe loves Cato, but he sees her as the source towards producing an heir. The clumsy Phoebe is the opposite of her elegant deceased older sister. When her friend persuades Phoebe to seduce her beloved, she sets out on her campaign and succeeds at least in bed.Cato is a key officer in Lord Cromwell's army. Brian, his stepson from Cato's first marriage, supports the monarch. He plans to destroy Cato through his spouse. As Cato journeys to Holland on a secret mission, Phoebe follows. Also in pursuit is Brian who plans to kill Cato in Holland. Somehow she must warn her beloved and pray that one day he will return her feelings. Best selling author Jane Feather is renowned for her exciting, authentic historical romances and her latest tale, THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE, will bring new accolades to her. With the Cromwell revolt in the background, the interesting second novel in the "Brides" series brings an era rarely seen in novels in vivid color to the audience. Fans will relish Phoebe's efforts to win the heart of the man she loves even as they enjoy the return of characters from the first book. Readers will anxiously await Olivia's tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable if a bit silly
Review: Despite assorted historical inaccuracies and an absurd subplot involving ungrounded accusations of witchcraft, this book is enjoyable. Feather writes with a good sense of humor and her heroine is very appealing. One of the best things about this book is that Phoebe isn't a classic beauty; she's dowdy, untidy and a bit on the plump side. Yet her intelligence, passion and sweetness shine through and win her husband's love. It's nice to read about a romance heroine who isn't stunningly gorgeous, because imperfect heroines are much more believable.
Rating: 
Summary: To wed or not to wed tug of war between Phoebe and Cato
Review: First there was Portia. Now it is Phoebe's turn in this the second of the "Brides" series. Jane Feather is at her best with these three unconventional young women who have vowed not to wed. Lady Phoebe Carleton has no desire to be wed, least of all to her deceased sister's husband to be a substitute to a dynastic marriage between two houses. She decided to run away. She didn't get too far when she was stopped by Cato, Marquis of Granville. Cato is amused by his eccentric bride-to-be. He soon comes to realize this awkward young woman with rumpled clothes, untidy hair, and fingers stained with ink from writing poetry is going to be a handful. Set during Cromwell's rise to power, with an interesting combination of real and fictional characters, this is delightful.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic heroine
Review: Heroine: plump, voluptuous
Rumpled, romantic Phoebe has the unenviable task of stepping into her late sister's place as wife to the handsome but cold Marquis of Granville, a man more concerned with the civil war outside his home than the battles going on within it. Phoebe falls in love with her husband and, desperate for him to notice her, turns to her dear friend Portia and stepdaughter Olivia for advice on how to make him love her. What worked for me: Bright but awkward; longing to be elegant but forever rumpled; Phoebe was just darling! She was uncomfortable with her generous proportions and hid them under shapeless and ill-fitting gowns which made her seem even larger and more ungainly. Fortunately her friends take her in hand and teach her to make the most of her voluptuous, womanly figure.
I enjoyed the camaraderie between Phoebe and the other girls (who incidentally also have books about them which round out the Brides trilogy) and I particularly enjoyed Phoebe's attempts to get Cato to fall for her. There was more than one delicious love scene to savor over the course of this book. What didn't work for me: Phoebe had three stepdaughters: Olivia who was also her best friend, and two by her late sister. The smallest girls never really factor into the story. Phoebe neither hates nor loves them, and it's nearly as though they don't even exist. (Though this is true of most aristocratic households.)
The villain in the story didn't feel threatening enough for me, being more of a weasel than a wolf. And the hero Cato felt a bit inaccessible to me. I would have enjoyed more passages from his point of view, particularly his thoughts on Phoebe and her changes.
The witchfinder scene didn't sit well with me either. One moment Phoebe was in grave danger from the worked up villagers who declared her a witch, and the next her troubles on that head have vanished into thin air on Cato's say-so. I think there would have been some bad feelings and grumbling after everything that took place. Overall: A fun read, and I think I may go looking for books 1 and 3 of the trilogy despite the fact that they don't fit in with my plus-size reading list. If you liked "The Accidental Bride" you might also enjoy "The Bride and the Beast", "The Fire-Flower", or "Suddenly You".
Rating:
Summary: BEST of the trio
Review: I agree that this was the best of the three, great read...
Rating:
Summary: The Accidental Bride
Review: I am currently reading the last book in the bride trilogy, The Unlikely Bride, and I had forgotten how it was that Phobe married Cato. I'm sure Cato turned out to be a fine man and not a tyrrant but now reading the last book it's beginning to portray him as such. I'm a little confused at this point but I'm sure that all will work out as I continue to read. I love all of the Jane Feather books I've read and look forward to many more.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable if a bit silly
Review: I don't know exactly why I picked up this book, but I never set it down. Not until the very last page had been read, re-read, and then devoured again. The twists are twisted, the characters loveable, the setting ideal...what more could the reader want? Plot? Oh... Buy this book and you'll never, ever be sorry. There is no better.
Rating:
Summary: Accidents are always the BEST read!
Review: I don't know exactly why I picked up this book, but I never set it down. Not until the very last page had been read, re-read, and then devoured again. The twists are twisted, the characters loveable, the setting ideal...what more could the reader want? Plot? Oh... Buy this book and you'll never, ever be sorry. There is no better.
Rating:
Summary: Feather does it again!
Review: I have just simply adored Feather's work since the bracelet series, and her latest trilogy is shaping up to be just as good. The Accidental Bride is funny and heart-warming, and the two main characters Phoebe and Cato were made for one another. If you have never read any of Feather's work I deeply recommend the Bride trilogy, and the Accidental Bride, because it will make you just grin after you have finished it. Great work Feather! Keep it up!!!
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