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Title: A Rebellious Bride
ISBN: 0380817799
Author:
Brenda Hiatt
Publicate Date: 2002-04-01
Publish: 2002-04-01
List Price: $5.99
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.99
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
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1: Missed the mark
I'll admit, I went into the reading of this book with a bit of a jaundiced eye, as I'd been thoroughly bored by another of this author's books, "Innocent Passions". (Yes, I realize now that I read them out of order, but I didn't know that they were a part of a series when I read them.)
This was a book that had a lot of potential, but missed the mark. First off, I didn't really much care for the "Saint of the Seven Dials" plot line. I thought I would like a "Robin Hood" theme more, but it just didn't seem to quite click with me.
My biggest complaint was with the characters. I couldn't like Mr. Peverill, Quinn's father. There is matchmaking, and then there is don't-give-a-darn-what-you want, outright lying, I-know-better-than-you high-handedness. I think that he stepped over the line of matchmaker into horrible controlling, domineering behavior. His first, necessary lie to save Quinn's (and thus his family's reputation) was forgiveable. But his subsequent actions where he kept making it worse with more lies because he thought he knew better than Quinn and Marcus were not forgiveable.
I also felt that Quinn and Marcus were a little bit stupid. Because Quinn's father keeps lying to them, and telling each of them that the other is eager for the match, they both believe him. Which would be believable if he never gave them a change to speak to each other. Yet they spend time together, and it should be perfectly obvious that Quinn's father is lying through his teeth, and yet neither of them figure it out! Huh? If Marcus is supposed to be smart enough to break and enter and steal from his peers without getting caught, then how is he dense enough to not catch on to Mr. Peverill's game?
Quinn struck me as rather stupid as well, and for more than the reasons I just listed. Wandering around London alone is what got her into trouble in the first place. Yet she does it again without even a moment's hesitation. I wanted to smack her and tell her to grow the heck up and learn from her mistakes.
This is the second book I tried to read by this author that was a complete let-down. There will not be a third.
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2: A nice love story!
This couple - Marcus and Quinn - did not even know each other. And it always amazes me how in merry old England of years gone by so many women could be compromised for doing hardly anything. And this is what happened to Quinn and Marcus - but Quinn's father took advantage of this little misstep and announced Marcus and Quinn to be betrothed. They marry almost immidiately and what follows is really a very nice love story. I thought one of the more interesting aspects was that Quinn felt Marcus was very stodgey and reserved - which he certainly was not. This couple did not fight each other - but allowed a real love to develope while they were both fighting the inequities of the poor in different ways. I enjoyed this book very much!
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3: Rogue's Honors disappointing sequel
I loved Rogue's Honor and couldn't open this book quick enough. Would Marcus be able to follow in Luke's footsteps? Both the plot, characters, and writting could not. Quinn was okay, but she seemed like an American-version of Pearl. I started to wonder if Ms. Hiatt could write any other kind of female characters. Luke seemed to be the only developed male character in the series. Marcus just never seems to come alive and the romance between him and Quinn is tiring. I just couldn't get passed the repetitiveness of this series.
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4: A conventional read with a fun twist of love and humour
Lord Marcus Northrup inspired by his friend Luke the former Saint of Seven Dials decides to give meaning to his hedonistic existence by stealing from the rich to give to the poor. His first charitable attempt which has gone awry leads him to a betrothal with an American shipping heiress, Quinn Peverill. Quinn is indomitable and fiercely independent, refusing to submit to the watchful eyes of the ton in London - and much less to being manacled to a mercenary marriage to the stodgy Lord Marcus. Her reputation is threatened by gossipmongers that saw both of them together - unchaperoned. Lord Marcus finds his anonymity as the brigand conflicts with his marriage to the charming Quinn. Quinn takes in his pretense as a social pedigree and hides her philanthropic efforts to build a school for the poor and orphaned. Only one thing though - she needs the help of the Saint....A Rebellious Bride sparks no surprise - nor disappointment. It is a conventional plot that bridges two mismatched lovers together and twists it with double identity and gives a twist of love and humour. Although the plot is relatively slowed down by the clashing of the oddball couple, it is kept alive through wicked banters and hilarious ironies. Ms. Hiatt manages to steer the story with energized characters and humour.
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5: Embraces the sense and sensibilites of the 19th century
England is riddled with stuffy conventions and stultifying hypocrisy. After the freedom she enjoyed in Baltimore, Quinn Peverill is reluctant to temper her mindset and yes, her behavior, to that of a meek and mild debutante. As the daughter of a ship's captain and an English lady, Quinn has led a remarkably charmed life (where her intelligence has not only been appreciated, but has bettered the finances of her father's shipping company). To find herself amongst the aristocracy and their absurdly confining rules is far too constricting an experience for this free spirit to tolerate -- without kicking up a fuss, that is, and embroiling herself in a wholly unexpected scandal.Ms. Hiatt has talent to spare there is no doubt. A REBELLIOUS BRIDE is an historical romance that embraces the sense and sensibilities of the nineteenth century. Ms. Hiatt also pushes said boundaries with a passionate vibrancy: Quinn is a headstrong heroine who rebels against her so-called station in life by actively pursuing a social cause. Marcus is also a cut-above other heroes of this very popular time period. His rakish past pales in comparison to the good he is doing now. Indeed, until very recently Marcus's life has been a hollow shell. Quinn's father is overly manipulative, however. Hence, Quinn and Marcus's hasty betrothal and ensuing marriage are somewhat contrived. So, too, are various elements of the plot. Reckless heroines of the Regency period face a predictable fate, yes? What bothered me the most, however, (and dragged on far too long) was the secrecy shrouding parts of Quinn and Marcus's relationship. It's impossible to create a truly satisfying and intimate relationship while the hero and heroine are withholding very important pieces of themselves, I think. A reader is hanging in limbo for the majority of this novel, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Some incredibly sensual lovescenes and a sigh-inducing chemistry between Marcus and Quinn help to keep a reader's attention focused on the love story, rather than the elements that fall short of said reader's expectations. A REBELLIOUS BRIDE is the second novel in a trilogy, I believe, involving the Saint of Seven Dials. If Ms. Hiatt continues on this upward spiral, the best is yet to come. Her prose is smooth and flows with gratifying ease. Her plot is unembellished and her characters are remarkably likeable, if not always circumspect. All in all, there is very little to rebel against in this novel, and much to enjoy.
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