'The Autumn Bride' by Anne Gracie follows the story of Abby Chantry and her sisters who are struggling to survive after a series of unfortunate events. When Abby decides to break into a mansion to steal something to help her ill sister, she discovers an elderly lady neglected by her servants. Together, Abby and the lady hatch a scheme that leads to the girls posing as nieces to stay with her. However, their plan is disrupted when Lady Beatrice's nephew, Max, arrives home and challenges their presence, leading to a battle of wills and instant attraction. The book weaves together elements of adventure, mystery, humor, and romance, while portraying strong heroines and a sense of found family.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, showcasing a mix of strength, compassion, and humor. Abigail is the strong protector, Max the honorable hero, and Lady Beatrice brings wit, while the side characters add depth and charm.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by engaging prose that includes witty dialogue, strong character arcs, humor, and heartfelt moments, making for a charming reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Abigail Chantry's desperate rescue of her sister from a brothel, which leads to the formation of a makeshift family with other girls. Their new life at Lady Beatrice's home complicates as romantic tensions and societal challenges arise.

Setting:

The setting is Regency England, effectively capturing the societal norms and class distinctions that frame the characters' struggles and development.

Pacing:

The pacing starts off moderate as character dynamics are established but speeds up later with engaging romance and conflict, maintaining reader interest.

She was running late. Abigail Chantry quickened her pace. Her half day off, and though it was damp and squally and cold outside, she’d taken herself off as usual to continue her explorations of London...

Notes:

Abigail Chantry is a governess who deeply loves children.

Her parents died when she was young, leaving her to care for her sister Jane.

Jane is kidnapped and held in a brothel, prompting Abigail to rescue her.

Along with Jane, Abigail rescues two other women, Damaris and Daisy, forming a sisterhood called the Chance Sisters.

Desperate to care for Jane when she falls ill, Abigail breaks into a mansion seeking valuables to sell.

Instead of valuables, Abigail finds Lady Beatrice, an elderly woman neglected by her staff.

Lady Beatrice allows the sisters to stay in her home, creating a sanctuary for them.

Max, Lady Beatrice's nephew, returns home to find the sisters and is initially suspicious of their intentions.

The book features themes of adventure, romance, and family dynamics among the Chance Sisters.

Max faces a personal dilemma as he is betrothed to another woman, which complicates his feelings for Abigail.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of abuse, kidnapping, and neglect.

Has Romance?

The Autumn Bride contains a high level of romantic elements, focusing primarily on the relationship between Abigail and Max.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Chosen as one of the best romances of 2013 by NPR and Library Journal From the beloved, award-winning Anne Gracie comes this brand-new series about four young women on the verge of destitution-until a daring act changes their fortune and transforms each of them into a glowing bride. For fans of Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn, and Stephanie Laurens... Governess Abigail Chantry will do anything to save her sister and two dearest friends from destitution, even if it means breaking into an empty mansion in the hope of finding something to sell. Instead of treasures, though, she finds the owner, Lady Beatrice Davenham, bedridden and neglected. Appalled, Abby rousts Lady Beatrice's predatory servants and-with Lady Beatrice's eager cooperation-the four young ladies become her "nieces," neatly eliminating the threat of disaster for all concerned! It's the perfect situation, until Lady Beatrice's dashing and arrogant nephew, Max, Lord Davenham, returns from the Orient-and discovers an impostor running his household... A romantic entanglement was never the plan for these stubborn, passionate opponents-but falling in love may be as inevitable as the falling of autumn leaves... *Mary Jo Putney

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1 comment(s)

katyana

Incredible

2 months

Re-read June 2017

I had spaced on this series, and never got the rest of the books as they came out. Glancing through my shelves to find something to read next, I saw this book and was like oh! So I re-read, to remember the details, before digging into the next.

This is a fun kind of Cinderella story. The romance happens fast - I'd love to have spent like double the time developing it, because right now it sort of just explodes into being - but it doesn't really detract from it. It is a sweet story, with wonderful, funny, fierce, loving, loyal characters.

And Lady Beatrice is the best.

What can you read after
The Autumn Bride?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Anne Gracie lives in Australia.

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The Autumn Bride

Anne Gracie

Book 1 in the series:Chance Sisters