The acclaimed, award-winning author of The Bridal Season returns to the elegant drawing rooms and sprawling country estates of Victorian England...in the captivating tale of a woman who must prove she can keep an irresistible nobleman’s most scandalous secret--without losing her heart ...
Evelyn Whyte has never forgotten the night she first met Justin Powell--or the shocking indiscretion that left the raffish military hero eternally in her debt. Now, desperate to save her aunt’s foundering nuptial planning enterprise, she’s ready to call in her IOU. All she needs is Justin’s scenic ancestral home, where she’s determined to show the world that even a woman innocent in the ways of love can turn a simple wedding into the social event of the season.
Ten years earlier, Evie single-handedly saved him from scandal-wagging tongues, and Justin never reneges on a favor. Now, unaware of the daring double life he conceals behind a cloak of amiable gentility, Evie and her wedding party descend on North Cross Abbey, where her curiosity and forthright manner could imperil them both. Pursued by enemy agents amid a whirl of festivities, Justin vows to keep Evie safe. But who will protect him from the charms of this alluring woman--and the promise of a matchless love worth any risk? |
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 glory of nobility tarnished somewhat in late Victorian era |
| Review Date: May 16, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Kotori, Australia |
Upon reading a book of this caliber, I regret all the 5 stars which have gone before -
Squandering spangles upon novels which have been less decorated that I might fully impress upon you, the reader, this tomes glorious worth!!
Young Evie encounters Justin first at her parents houseparty, launching her older sister. Enterprising lass that she is, upon bumping into him emerging from an older (married) ladies room she strikes a deal of silence which will leave him in her debt.
She makes other unfortunate entrances also at this houseparty, and overhears some unkind ladies disparging her looks to the extent that she feels she must be terribly ugly - golem like in fact. This instance shapes her to the point that when she seeks out Justin 10 years later, Evie has entirely lost interest in her appearance and dresses in most a most utilitarian style.
Calling upon the old IOU, Evie requests usage of Justins ancestral home, in order to host a wedding for a client. (Various strategems are imployed here, to make this necessary - Evie has taken on the family business which pads their modest income).
In a well employed change from the much travelled theme of Regency England, the story is set in late Victorian times, where the glory of nobility has tarnished somewhat and the chaperonage is not quite as strict.
Justin is soon revealed as a secret agent, and there are all sorts of comings and goings in the night which add to the atmosphere and create many an interesting byline.
The delightfully entertaining exchanges between our leads make for delicious banter, whilst the tender love making scenes ought to be an inspiration to all writers. Without being crude, the author graciously depicts wonderfully sensual moments and brings sizzle AND the butterflies to the scenes which for once I find ENHANCE the book rather than bringing the romance down.
The first Connie Brockway novel I have read, and most certainly not the last, I felt it held up to the standards set by Eloisa James, possibly surpassed a Stephanie Laurens, and was a delightful successor to Patricia Veryan and Loretta Chase.
Having most recently read Jo Beverleys My Lady Notorious which had a promising beginning only to sink a great deal with salicious raunchiness midway, Bridal Favors swims and sizzles through challenges which others fail.
kotori 2005
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Excellence times two
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| Review Date: September 11, 2002 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I'm delighted that Connie Brockway continues the excellence of THE BRIDAL SEASON in this second installment of the ill-fated Whyte's Wedding Planning Agency. With the same sharp, droll humor and insightful attention to social detail she exhibited in that earlier work, Brockway brings to life little over-compensating, domineering Evie and her perfect foil, Justin. The story races along involving a really decent little mystery, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, and enormous physical as well as intellectual magnetism between the leads. A fun, fun read and well worth the effort of seeking out. |
they don't give out those RITA awards for nothing...
|
| Review Date: February 24, 2006 |
| Reviewer: mlle. x, California |
I just read "Bridal Favors" back to back with "McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One" - and frankly, I am amazed that the same person wrote them both. McClairen's Isle was so dark and intense; Bridal Favors is full of light and air and cheer. Brockway writes both sorts with, apparently, equal aplomb.
I totally adored Justin and Evelyn. They both stand out as individuals; Justin's glib tongue is endlessly amusing and Evelyn's determination and practicality are so poignantly woven in with her desire to please and vulnerability. They're both fundamentally good people, too, also independent and responsible.
The ensemble is just delightful. Beverly the butler, Merry the dressmaker, Stow the spymaster...there's so much quirk and wit and froth, but at the same time, the plot is never thin and Justin is a pretty believable spy.
This was a *fun* read - I smiled and laughed all through. I have to say, I am quite impressed by Brockway. I think I'm going to have to read all her other books now, too. |
The sort of book you wish you could read every day
|
| Review Date: September 5, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Meredith Teskie, AZ |
Over on one of the review sites they asked if Connie Brockway can
write such wonderful, witty dialogue and a action packed story AND have it be a great romance, too, why can't Hollywood? I agree completely. This book was wonderful! You could *see* and *hear* everything happening. In fact, you almost felt like you were at a great movie while you were reading it because everything swept you up and totally immersed you into that world. Sexy sexy sexy hero and a really fun heroine . Run out and grab this book if you want to smile. |
FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!!!!
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| Review Date: April 24, 2003 |
| Reviewer: M. I., Old Bridge, NJ United States |
| Oh did I LOOOOVE this book!! The story was fun and the setting as well, but what really got me were the characters...especially Justin!! He was so unbelievably adorable, sexy as hell and appealingly rumpled!! I just wanted to eat him up!! I loved witnessing his and Evie's exhanges..all of their delightful bantering!! This book had some fantastic dialogue..Im telling you this is going on my keepers list for sure...Girls, DONT PASS THIS ONE UP!!! |
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Review by Kotori for Bridal Favors
Rating:
Upon reading a book of this caliber, I regret all the 5 stars which have gone before –
Squandering spangles upon novels which have been less decorated that I might fully impress upon you, the reader, this tomes glorious worth!!
Young Evie encounters Justin first at her parents houseparty, launching her older sister. Enterprising lass that she is, upon bumping into him emerging from an older (married) ladies room she strikes a deal of silence which will leave him in her debt.
She makes other unfortunate entrances also at this houseparty, and overhears some unkind ladies disparging her looks to the extent that she feels she must be terribly ugly – golem like in fact. This instance shapes her to the point that when she seeks out Justin 10 years later, Evie has entirely lost interest in her appearance and dresses in most a most utilitarian style.
Calling upon the old IOU, Evie requests usage of Justins ancestral home, in order to host a wedding for a client. (Various strategems are imployed here, to make this necessary – Evie has taken on the family business which pads their modest income).
In a well employed change from the much travelled theme of Regency England, the story is set in late Victorian times, where the glory of nobility has tarnished somewhat and the chaperonage is not quite as strict.
Justin is soon revealed as a secret agent, and there are all sorts of comings and goings in the night which add to the atmosphere and create many an interesting byline.
The delightfully entertaining exchanges between our leads make for delicious banter, whilst the tender love making scenes ought to be an inspiration to all writers. Without being crude, the author graciously depicts wonderfully sensual moments and brings sizzle AND the butterflies to the scenes which for once I find ENHANCE the book rather than bringing the romance down.
The first Connie Brockway novel I have read, and most certainly not the last, I felt it held up to the standards set by Eloisa James, possibly surpassed a Stephanie Laurens, and was a delightful successor to Patricia Veryan and Loretta Chase.
Having most recently read Jo Beverleys My Lady Notorious which had a promising beginning only to sink a great deal with salicious raunchiness midway, Bridal Favors swims and sizzles through challenges which others fail.
kotori 2005
Review by mlle. x for Bridal Favors
Rating:
I just read “Bridal Favors” back to back with “McClairen’s Isle: The Passionate One” – and frankly, I am amazed that the same person wrote them both. McClairen’s Isle was so dark and intense; Bridal Favors is full of light and air and cheer. Brockway writes both sorts with, apparently, equal aplomb.
I totally adored Justin and Evelyn. They both stand out as individuals; Justin’s glib tongue is endlessly amusing and Evelyn’s determination and practicality are so poignantly woven in with her desire to please and vulnerability. They’re both fundamentally good people, too, also independent and responsible.
The ensemble is just delightful. Beverly the butler, Merry the dressmaker, Stow the spymaster…there’s so much quirk and wit and froth, but at the same time, the plot is never thin and Justin is a pretty believable spy.
This was a *fun* read – I smiled and laughed all through. I have to say, I am quite impressed by Brockway. I think I’m going to have to read all her other books now, too.
Review by for Bridal Favors
Rating:
While I enjoyed this book and liked the characters of Evie and Justin well-enough, it probably won’t end up on my keeper-shelf. I liked the spoof on espionage that seems to be a staple of historical romances right now and the characters were likable. I suppose what was missing was passion. There was never any doubt that the two characters were going to get together and I didn’t quite buy that Evie was an ugly-duckling or all-consumed with failure. This book is certainly better than many I have read lately and if you are looking for a nice, gentle read this one is for you.
Review by Desmond Chan for Bridal Favors
Rating:
Justin Powell never reneges on a favor – and this fact proved propitious to wedding planner Evelyn Cummings Whyte who stumbled upon him walking out of Mrs. Underhill’s bedroom covertly a decade later. Evie who now steers the business after her aunt’s elopement has a client who requested the use of Justin’s ancestral abbey for her conjugal venue. She desperately needs this opportunity to prove herself to the public. Unknown to her, the sedate Justin with his guise as an ornithologist is a British spy who is instructed by his mentor Beverly to expect the arrival of a diabolical machine stolen from other countries. What both of them did not expect was a even greater hoax to make Justin the bait….Amidst the deluge of romance novels today with similar espionage plot, Bridal Favors prominently stands out refreshingly with its well-executed twists. Yet what makes Bridal Favors such an explosion of sheer joy and bliss is Ms. Brockway’s creation of a subdued and complexed hero with intellectuals and her charmingly vulnerable Evie who despite her average looks fascinates with her ingenuous mix of innocence and wits. The couple evokes tender feelings and chaste romance that has long faded away from the explicit romance nowadays we have come to expect.This frothy enchanting tale under the magnificent ensemble of secondary characters like Lady Boughton, the fashion consultant Merry and the cantankerous Beverly is whimisical with Ms. Brockway’s wry humour. Though some parts of the espionage plot comes out occasionally too clever for me to hook on, it is partly because I am swept away languorously by the oddball pair to their march up the altars.
Review by for Bridal Favors
Rating:
I’m delighted that Connie Brockway continues the excellence of THE BRIDAL SEASON in this second installment of the ill-fated Whyte’s Wedding Planning Agency. With the same sharp, droll humor and insightful attention to social detail she exhibited in that earlier work, Brockway brings to life little over-compensating, domineering Evie and her perfect foil, Justin. The story races along involving a really decent little mystery, a wonderful cast of supporting characters, and enormous physical as well as intellectual magnetism between the leads. A fun, fun read and well worth the effort of seeking out.
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