The Butterfly Bride by Vanessa Riley Published by Entangled: Amara on October 22, 2018
Pages: 401
Buy on Amazon, Amazon Australia, Available with KU Subscription, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks
Goodreads
Frederica Burghley wants to be married by Yuletide. Or else her father will set her up with one of his friends. The bonbon-loving illegitimate daughter of the duke wants to choose her own husband. Advertising in the newspaper seems like the way to go. But a sinister response, with threats against her life, leads her to enlist the help of her very handsome, dear friend Jasper Fitzwilliam, Lord Hartwell.
A father and widower, Jasper is not only tasked with keeping Frederica safe but also with helping his vibrant friend choose a suitable husband. The more he tries to keep the ever-surprising woman alive and find her a good match, the more Jasper realizes he cares for her. The two friends risk their lives for each other, so they should be able to risk their feelings for a chance at a deep and true love together. But he's not looking for marriage and she's not looking for convenience.
I received The Butterfly Bride for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is my first read from Vanessa Riley. As I haven’t read the other two books in the series, I didn’t see these characters develop into whom they were at the beginning of this novel. I did not see that as a deterrent in my enjoyment of the novel in any way.
Frederica Burghley is the illegitimate daughter of a duke and his late mistress. Since Frederica is illegitimate and of mixed race, she fears for her chance at finding love. While she is very fond of the handsome father of three and widower, Jasper Fitzwilliam, Lord Hartwell, she doesn’t see how a future can be possible for them. Surprisingly, Jasper can’t either. Not because of her race or his lack of tender feelings, but because he’s just not quite ready yet. Frederica is determined to marry by Christmas and won’t be convinced otherwise.
I instantly fell in love with the world Vanessa Riley has created for these complex and dynamic characters to live in. Nothing was easy about this love story and the journey Jasper and Frederica have to make to discover their futures were to be lived together. I would keep a tissue or two on hand as you read the trials and triumphs toward happily ever after. When the final page is read, you will be glad you made the journey there with these characters.
If you haven’t already read the first two books in the series, check them out, because I know I will!
About Vanessa Riley
The Regency era (early 1800s) has always been a magnetizing draw for Vanessa Riley. Even as she completed her doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, she made time for Jane Austen or any other work depicting these genteel societies of old. Now she is bringing the flavor of diverse peoples to these stories, returning these old souls to this vivid canvas for all the world to read. Vanessa is the author of “The Bargain”, A Port Elizabeth, South African Regency serial and Regency novels: Unmasked Heart, Madeline’s Protector, and Swept Away. She lives in Atlanta with her military man hubby and precocious child. You can catch her writing from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey tea.
Leave a Reply