The Reluctant Bride

by Joan Smith

Elizabeth Braden, known as Lizzie, was settling happily into spinsterhood (she claimed she never wanted to marry anyway) when two things happened. Her carriage smashed into that of Sir Edmund Blount, and someone stole her diamonds. Between Lizzie and Sir Edmund it was hate at first sight. He was an irascible tyrant and she was a spirited nag. But for reasons not even understood, Sir Edmund undertook to find Lizzie's stolen necklace—and found he was also looking for her heart.

Genres: Regency, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency Romance, British Literature, Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Joan Smith is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and the Ontario College of Education. She has taught French and English in high school and English in college. When she began writing, her interest in Jane Austen and Lord Byron led to her first choice of genre, the Regency, which she especially liked for its wit and humor.
Her favorite travel destination is England, where she researches her books. Her hobbies are gardening, painting, sculpture and reading. She is married and has three children. A prolific writer, she is currently working on Regencies and various mysteries at her home in Georgetown, Ontario.
She is also known as Jennie Gallant

Reviews

[Lyuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Smith is a traditional regency writer who I always turn to if I need a comfort reading. Her stories are entertaining, with witty dialog and very good writing. Reluctant Bride is no exception. Miss Elizabeth Braden(Lizzie) and her aunt Maisie are struggling to keep up a rundown and mismanaged estate while Lizzie's brother is at Oxford. The mortgage payment is coming and the only solution Lizzie sees is to sell her mother's "Queen Elizabeth" diamond necklace. Her uncle, the historian, had always wanted it for his antics collection. Their journey to the uncle's home was interrupted when their carriage was overrun by Sir Edmund Blount. Their bad lack continued as the necklace disappeared while they're waiting for carriage repair. Sir Edmund offered a help to find the necklace but his arrogant, highhanded attitude really set Lizzie up. What follows is a delightful and entertaining battle of sexes. The story is written from Lizzie's POV which maybe not for some readers liking.

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best kinds of the two main heroes and the best kind of sparing between them. Additionally, enjoyable supporting characters. Pure pleasure.

Of course, if you know Joan Smith's novels, you know they lack Heyer's language and her "permeation of the era". Yet, Smith's books are enough accurate to satisfy me.

Not 5 stars, because instead of some wise message (that I found in the best novels by the author) there was a mystery/adventure. It was entertaining, and comparing it to the whole genre - definitely 5 stars deserving, but compared to Joan Smith's romances I give it 4-4.5 stars.

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jolly, unpretentious Regency HR, with a H & h both determined never to marry. Uhhuh. Good quality dialogue -
“I would make a perfectly wretched wife, Edmund. I am a nagging, foul-tempered harpy, who would keep you under cat’s paw.”
“That is exactly the sort of lady I require. A watering pot would not suit me. I recognized you for an arch-shrew when you advised me to find a strong-willed woman, provide her with a club, and marry her. I considered it just one step shy of a proposal when you said it. Shall we go shopping for a club now?”
A strong whiff of Georgette Heyer's H & h from The Talisman Ring, and a similarly down-played romance (though entertaining).
I did find it period-inappropriate (in an otherwise glaring-anachronism-free book) that Lizzie was prepared to call Edmund out on his habit of finding ladies of the night as bedwarmers when he travelled. And it made my C21st sensibility wonder about STDs in a way Joan Smith probably didn't intend. But that aside, this was an hour's good fun.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book spends relatively little time on "romantic" scenes between the two leads, but they are together quite a bit, building a relationship over the course of hunting down some purloined diamonds. The interaction between them is often quite prickly, as the heroine can be overbearing and the hero can be surly, but there's nevertheless something quite amusing and enjoyable about them, and they are evenly matched.

The book is told in first-person, which I know some people can't stand, but (as with many other Joan Smith books) the voice of the heroine is very engaging, and the first person narrative adds to the comedy quite often.

[Shadow Jubilee · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 - 2 stars

I'm really disappointed. I had thoroughly expected to enjoy this book. I had already been interested in checking out this author's works since I was looking for clean romances so after reading the review by Jayne at DearAuthor.com, I went ahead with the purchase. I found the quote she'd added quite charming, and was keen to see this spirited interaction between the two main characters in action for myself.

So I was extremely puzzled when I read chapter after chapter and I simply could not feel anything for it. I didn't feel any spark in Lizzie's and Edmund's initial interaction. I wasn't sure I liked the first person POV although it didn't bother me too much. I guess what did bother me was the fact that even though I should have felt more immersed into Lizzie's character due to the first person POV, I actually felt distanced from her. The pacing seemed a bit off although I wasn't sure whether it was because I was basically reading the words and not engaging with the text or whether it was something else.

I got the sense that the author was trying to imitate the style of Georgette Heyer, but it felt nowhere up to par. I was greatly disappointed because the book didn't meet my expectations; hence, the 1.5 stars. I was also unable to engage with the text - and I was very willing to do so! Whether it was because of this disengagement or not, I thought the plot rather silly, Edmund hotheaded, and Lizzie irritatingly unaware.

I had purchased two other books by this author at the same time as this. I hope I enjoy those better.

Read because: Jayne's from DearAuthor.com review

[Saby Reads All Day]

DNFd at 20 percent. Joan Smith is one of my go-tos when I crave a Traditional Regency fix, but this one failed to grab me right from the start. I can't really explain what was wrong lol, but the characters, banter, plot, everything seemed boring.

[Claire S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually dislike first person narration but this is the second book by Joan Smith written in this manner that I've really enjoyed (Valerie being the other one). I think one thing that accounts for it is that the writing is humorous and the heroine is practical and can be self-deprecating. There's no self-pity and long discourses of pining for someone and how unworthy of love they are. This is definitely not your typical romance with lots of glances and touches. These are two people coming together under unusual circumstances and slowly learning to trust each other and like each other for all their faults. The h is definitely the highlight, which is of course the reason why this book worked for me (considering it's told from her point of view). Even though we don't know what the H is thinking, it's clear by his responses (physical and verbal) that he's growing to love the h. This is something that Joan Smith does very well. The only part I didn't like was the whole subject of the H engaging light skirts while out of town. Even though he does not actually goes through with it, the first time is only because the h accidently interrupts them. And, yes, I know that this was common at the time, but it doesn't mean I enjoy reading about it. As a reader, it cheapens the H and his relationship with the h. Otherwise, although not life altering, this was an amusing, clean, and well-written book.

[Amy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story of a stubborn lady, a man determined to avoid marriage, a badly trained pug dog, a jewel thief, a carriage accident, and a few eccentric relatives. Not quite laugh out loud funny but certainly amusing. The ending was a good fit with the characters and left me feeling satisfied with the story.
Violence, no sex, mild language, references to prostitution, alcoholism, and unkind animal treatment

[SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Good entertaining read. But romance was secondary to mystery. Reluctance of the bride make us wonder if they will truly have a happy married life. Felt that heroine’s heart was not much affected compared to hero.

[Ernestina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing what it says in the title - no, really, there is absolutely no reason for the book to be called Reluctant bride (well yes, the main heroine feels comfortable in her spinsterhood and does not plan to be married, which is a characteristic that is shared among about 80% of regency romance heroines). The plot is very silly, of course, the writing not bad but certainly not superb and the surprises are non-existent.

[Saikhnaa Ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

My newly acquired guilty pleasure - historical romance! it's so much better, simpler and relaxing reads compared with contemporary fictions or thrillers, sci-fi that i tend to read mostly. The main characters either filthy rich or dirt poor, they don't do much other that dresses, riding, drinking tea. After finishing one of those books, you don't want to read anything serious involving real life problems.

[Seema Khan Peerzada · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine read. If someone can enlighten me how the title is suitable, I'd be at peace with it! ;p

I was going to settle for 2*'s, but then it had quite some witty banter and was intriguing enough to let me finish. I had a hard time liking the hero. I mean was good, but the raw meat thing was bit eicky for my taste.

But overall was entertaining enough.

[Elen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seriously entertaining read. In my conscience I can't give this over four stars, but this is one of those comfortable, reliable, suitably romantic, hilarious reads.

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was just okay.

A madcap romp, chasing after the heroine’s stolen necklace.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this story was particularly Heyer-esque, with a comedy of errors surrounding a stolen necklace. I found the love interests quirks a little odd... especially his predilection for barely cooked meat. I thought might turn out to be a hint that he's a werewolf, but no, it's just a fun little quirk. Strange. I still enjoyed it, but this isn't my favorite of this author's.

[MaryCade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore a book with a grizzly-bear of a hero and a lady that can stand toe-2-toe with him. Also a story that has me laughing out loud. And pugs. There’s also an irascible pug. It’s a keeper.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Pauline Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the book for anyone who is a stickler for historical language or plot plausibility. It is, however, wildly funny, and although I rolled my eyes at something or other on every third page, along would come another laugh out loud moment, and so I just kept on reading. It’s outrageously silly, but it doesn’t matter a bit.

Here’s the premise (such as it is): Lizzie Bladen and her Aunt Maisie are struggling to keep their heads above water at their impoverished and heavily mortgaged family home, while Lizzie’s younger brother Jeremy is away at Oxford. Lizzie decides she’ll have to sell her dowry, a historic and valuable diamond necklace. On route to her uncle, who has offered to buy it, their carriage is overturned by a fast-driving baronet, Sir Edmund Blount, and in the confusion the necklace is stolen. Lizzie and Edmund are at odds instantly, but he chivalrously decides to help them recover the necklace, and thereby sets in train a glorious sequence of ever more unlikely escapades as they chase around the country in pursuit of a wall-eyed man in a green coat who is the chief suspect.

So far, so promising, but the real fly in the ointment for me was that the book I read immediately before this was another Joan Smith effort, called Love’s Way. And here’s the kicker - its plot is almost identical to this one. The heroine (and her aunt!) are in dire financial straits, thrown together with an antagonistic hero with whom the heroine feuds in melodramatic fashion throughout the book. And although this book at least has some indication that the hero is actually falling for the heroine, she never admits to it, and (just like the previous book) there’s no romantic ending just a shrug and I-suppose-we’d-better-get-married air of resignation. So although I enjoyed the whole thing quite a lot, it was rather spoilt for me by the repetition.

There is one element of the story that I found very funny, but purists might take exception to. Sir Edmund, having been a contented bachelor for a number of years, and having no intention ever to marry, has developed the habit of seeking out female company of a certain type when he’s travelling. He doesn’t stray from the moral code when he’s at home where he’s a respectable figure and wants to keep his reputation, but when he’s away from home he likes a bit of how’s-your-father. This leads to some very funny moments when he’s trying to arrange something, or is actually about to embark upon it, when Lizzie interrupts. Naturally, he gets quite cross about this.

In fact, Edmund’s moods are one of the most entertaining aspects of the book, for they veer about quite dramatically in response to whatever is going forward, and whether he sees it as positive or negative, and although Aunt Maisie soon sees what he’s about, Lizzie never does, and fails to notice that Edmund’s moods are increasingly concerned with her attitude to him.

It’s all great fun, despite being ridiculously implausible, but the sense of deja vu keeps it to four stars for me.

[Abra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like these better. I guess, as cheap as they are, I will not be buying more, as the plots seem quite similar: a woman who is not fascinated by fashion and furbelows meets a gentleman or lord who is curmudgeonly if not outright misogynistic, verbal sparks fly, will they? won't they? marriage. It's so STRANGE compared to how interesting her mysteries are. And the add-some-mystery-to-the-romance plot ones... also not great. Sigh.

[Erica Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a regency. I've read other Joan Smith books and liked them so I thought I'd try this one. I liked Lizzie; she was a strong heroine with no intention of letting herself be run over by anyone. I didn't care for Sir Edmund for much of the book. I'm not even sure I liked him at the end. The mystery of the missing diamonds added to the story line, but the romance between the characters wasn't as developed as it could have been (or as much as I would have liked).

[Flo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delicious Regency Adventure

This was much better the 2nd time I read it. Of course, I remembered nothing at all so Lizzie and her aunt Maisie's adventures beginning the day they left home when a speeding carriage overturns their own vehicle. It is the moment an expensive diamond necklace is lost and Sir Edmund appears. The story never slows down until the happy end. A perfect Regency.

[Li · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay but not particularly memorable read. Liked the slight ambiguity around the hero and mystery elements.

[Seema · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wild goose chase ..hardly any romance

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of her other books much better. This one seemed overly forced and obvious.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the greatest, but once you get past the beginning, vastly amusing.