I highly recommend to those who enjoy historical romance or fiction. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Rating 4
Linda C.

DNF

I had a hard time getting into this book, so I will not be reviewing this title at the moment. Thank you for the opportunity to read the title early.

A friend's newspaper advertisement for a groom nets the most famous actor in London, Arthur Bex. Shy heiress Ester Croome proposes to elope with the handsome man, who she's secretly loved for two years, in order to escape an impending engagement arranged by her overbearing family.
This was a pretty good book that I really enjoyed. I liked the story and both main characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

i love the beginning of this story and had been waiting to read it since I fell in love with book 1. The middle fell flat to me and I found myself skipping a few pages. To be honest it was hard for me to get back into the story but i kept reading. I thought Ester and Author made a good pair. I wished we could have seen a bit of the spunk Ester had in Book 1 so it would not feel so forced in this story.

The Bashful Bride by Vanessa Riley is Book 2 of the Advertisements for Love series.

Ms. Riley is a new-to-me author and I really enjoyed this sweet and clean historical romance that comes about during the anti-slavery movement. While I enjoyed the story, I did find a lot of lag and drag, as well as I felt there were so many “forced” moments within the story in order to make it work. I, along with most readers, like it when the story flows and does so efficiently without the feeling that the author forced matters to happen in order to achieve their end goal. I feel that with some extra time put into the story this could be a 5 star read.

An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

Ester Croome was an heiress who was a Blackamoor or at least part of african descent. She had been secretly in love with Arthur Bex for two years. Arthur was a successful author who had dark hair and blue eyes and was a different race from Ester. Ester's parents had been very successful in the textile industry in London at the time and her father had arranged Ester's marriage to a known philanderer. Ester was determined not to marry Charles Jordan but in order to escape the arrangement, she would have to find a husband, elope and make it fast because her father wanted her married by the end of the month when she turned 21.

Through a twist of fate, Ester became the equivalent of a mail order bride, only it was done through the newspaper and the groom was none other than Arthur Bex. While they were wildly attracted to one another, the difference in race presented a possibly insurmountable problem because of the times in which they lived. Also, Arthur had a secret that could destroy him and anyone associated with him. Would they be able to form a lasting relationship or were they doomed from the start?

This was a clean and well written book. This author is new to me but I enjoyed her portrayal of the story. I was given an arc copy to read by NetGalley and I offer a review without restraint.

So here's the thing. I read the first book in this series, The Bittersweet Bride, and liked the writing but found the plot too melodramatic for me and in a trope that I don't care for (secret baby). So I came to this one hoping that the melodrama would be dialled back a bit and that with a trope that I like (marriage of convenience) that I could really sit back and enjoy the romance. Unfortunately, I found the Bashful Bride was more melodramatic than it's predecessor and that the dialogue just wasn't as good.

But, I did like the plot and the idea behind the story. I'm really interested in new stories and new perspectives on the genre - and this definitely has this. The back story for both characters is well thought out and well researched and makes for an emotional journey. I really wanted to like it more. I'll keep an eye out for more from Vanessa Riley - but maybe wait a couple of books before I check back in on her again.

This was a light heartened historical romance romp set in England with a solid heroine, and rather more Young Adult YA then adult.

The books in this series are stand alone, but I found that I believe more enjoyable when read in order. Vanessa Riley brings to life a time period and culture from a time period that is rarely written about. She does so in this beautiful tale of love, where people are willing to do anything for another person's care and devotion. 

However, there are also forced marriages, evil uncles, and controlling parents to add to the mix, along with racial prejudices. This novel is both entertaining and educational, all wrapped in a well written package. Check this one out! 


This was obtained through Netgalley. The opinions contained herein are my own.

In a time where blacks and whites were separated and life was not easy, Ester Croome finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her. Only she is not satisfied with that she wants to chose her own husband one who will stick with her and not wander. Through a newspaper ad she has met the man of her dreams Arthur Bex Actor and abolitionist. As his secrets are deep she is going to have to be forgiving in order for them to make it.
This story pulled history with fiction and was true to form. It was an interesting read, bit I felt there were some slow spots in the book.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I did really enjoy this a great deal. The story was well done and I loved the romance that grew between the two. The only thing I wasn’t over the moon about was how horrible her parents treated her. Overall a pretty good read.

This is the second book I read by this author and I was not disappointed. This was a sweet and tender romance, with suspense. Loved the dialogue and characters

Received in exchange for a honest review.

There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t love Bex. He was not what I expected. Kind, caring, trying to atone for the sins of his family but also believing passionately in a cause and putting himself out there for it. When he decides he wants a wife he puts a ad in the paper. Little did he know what that ad would bring him.

Ester. She is quiet and loyal to her parents. She isn’t really living in reality alot. You see this as her and Bex journey to Gretna Green and they return as well. She doesn’t have the luxuries she did when with her parents. She is a loyal friend and kind but stubborn and to set in her ways.When she feels wronged watch out as Bex finds out. She almost blows off love and the love of an amazing man because of her stubbornness and what she perceives as a wrong. So glad her mom set her straight.

Upon meeting Ester, Bex is intrigued. He loves her passion and kindness. The situation isn’t ideal but they learn about one another on the trip to Gretna Green. They fall in love and we see Bex wanting to open up completely about his past but is afraid to. He is afraid she will do as others and walk away. His past is painful and sad but you see that he was a very brave young man and should be proud of what he did despite the consequences to himself and his family. He took his past and used it to help others and this was something Ester could not understand. her love was with limits because of her fear he would be hurt.

I love how they don’t have an instant love but begin as strangers and find out about one another along the way. They become friends first and fall in love from there. We see the man that Bex is and he is a man that can stand proud. Even when him and Ester aren’t on solid ground he shows us his character’s strength when he goes into that building. This also has us see Ester’s feelings and what really matters for them and that is love.

The story is a nice slow build of emotions and friendship between our two main characters. One has alot of growing up to do and it is her mother that helps her see that and show her the way. Bex helps her grow and love but her mother helps her mature. A wonderful tale of love, family, honor and friendship.

The Bashful Bride (Advertisements for Love #2)
by Vanessa Riley

I have pivoted back and forth like a seesaw on what to rate this at. I have finally went to four stars instead of the three I was going to do. Why? It is a read that will stay with you in your mind. One that the characters the biracial relationship as well as the historical overtures through out the book itself. The writer is a very talented author that is able to capture and hold her audience. I would not say this should be a historical romance more like a historical reading. While there are elements of romance there is also what I call a lot of reverb.... going over same ground to much. Even with those things , I was pulled into the story and learned to look at things in a different manner for those times. I enjoyed the read and would read it again. This review is my own and done on a voluntary basis. I was given the ARC through netgalley.

This is book two in the ‘Advertisements for Love’ series, and I have to say that this one is so far my favourite. It’s thrilling, real and romantic with such a swoon-worthy hero!

Ester Croome has been told by her parent’s in no uncertain terms that she is going to marry a womanizing lothario, who just by chance is the heir to a great business and whose marriage to Ester’s father would mean both families would become an awfully lot more well off. But, Ester has been in love with another man for two years, since she sat next to the brilliantly handsome actor; Arthur Bex. She doesn’t want to settle down into an unloving marriage like her parent’s, she wants to do more her dream has always been to become an actress along Mr Bex.

Ester in a unhappy and unhealthy household, she is being walked over by her bullying father and mousy mother. She is being controlled and manipulated by her father, underneath that unhappy and somewhat forlorn persona, I think that she has real fire. She has a passionate, caring and considerate nature and when she is with Arthur her true self shines through.

When her best friend Frederica places an advertisement in the paper for a husband, she begins writing to the man who has answered when the day comes for Frederica and ‘Mystery Man’ to meet, thing’s don’t go to plan as Frederica’s ‘man’ is actually Arthur Bex and he is under the assumption that Ester is the woman he has been writing to. To say that Ester is excited to be talking to her idol is an understatement, she sees this as her perfect opportunity to finally be rid of her of commanding and manipulative parent’s, she goes against her nature and does something so unexpected; She proposes to elope with Arthur.

London actor Author Bex is trying to move out of the shadow of his family history, an history that Arthur is deeply ashamed of having in his families’ past, and now because of it he is trying to make amends. To do so and make the changes to help, he needs a wife. Which is when he answered the advertisement, little did he realize that he wouldn’t only find himself a woman who he relates to and wants to help in his campaign for abolition, but he also finds his soul mate.

Arthur is a good man, he has a passionate and caring soul who fights for what he believes in, he believes in justice and rights and freedom. He isn’t your regular hero, I found him to be really quirky he has a great personality fun as well as serious, he is a principled and moral man. He is guilt ridden though for his family history and especially his evil uncle, which explains why he fights so hard for and why he is so serious.

This series is getting better and better and I am looking forward to seeing where Riley takes it and what comes next. The Bashful Bride is an emotional story that will tug at your heartstrings, it takes you on a real journey. Riley has put her heart and soul into this, you can feel the emotion through her words, and how deeply personal this story is. It’s raw, intriguing and beautifully written.

A wonderful addition to this lovely series.

The Bashful Bridge has a fascinating premise and an intriguing look on historical events. I always enjoy learning something in a fiction book and Ms. Riley accomplished that. Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with Ester Croome and it made the story line tough to get through. I thought Arthur Bex made a fantastic hero and I loved how his past effected his future. I also loved how Ester's family responded once they knew the truth.

I just finished this book and I'M STRESSED-

This is so hard to review.

First of all, this book opened wonderfully. I love how Bex and Ester met, and it was adorable how Ester couldn't string a coherent sentence in Bex's presence because she's been crushing on him for two years. I even enjoyed the horrible road trip these two made to Scotland in order to elope. The banter is great, and Bex is really the hero of my heart, he charmed both me and Ester.

The only thing that didn't work for me turned out to be Ester, and since she's, well, the /heroine/, it really affected my enjoyment. I can't pinpoint exactly when it went wrong for me, because I truly adored her in the beginning. She was innocent and sweet, but also stubborn and determined to escape what would have been a horrible arranged marriage.

But Ester also had this one-track mind of how things should be and if anything didn't go her way (read: Bex and his abolitionist efforts) then BYE. Her persistence in trying to get Bex to abandon the cause he had devoted his life to didn't really sit well for me.

And then there was her reaction to Bex and his Past. I was a bit stressed when Bex didn't tell Ester about the truth of his past upfront because I knew it was going to be a source of conflict and I wasn't looking forward to it. But after what happened post-confession, I understood a bit of Bex's hesitation to open up about his past. It was a MAJOR conflict and there wasn't enough pages to deal with the aftermath, IMO, and in the end, I was left to wonder if Bex would be better off without her. Because really, she made him miserable and still the poor guy jumped through hoops to win her back, and she wouldn't even give him the chance to properly explain himself.

Overall, I came for the romance and I was disappointed that it didn't work out for me, but I liked Vanessa Riley's writing and I'm still going to check out her other works. This book just unfortunately didn't do it for me.

Last but not at all least, I read an absolutely charming historical by Vanessa Riley, The Bashful Bride. This turned out to be the second in a series about black women in Regency London advertising for husbands.

Heiress Ester Croome has to elope as quickly as possible, to avoid the marriage her father has arranged for her. So when her friend’s newspaper advertisement for a husband brings in Ester’s favorite actor, Arthur Bex, Ester seizes the opportunity to run away with him to Gretna Green. But Bex is hiding dark secrets about his past, which threaten his happy future with Ester.

The Bashful Bride is an immensely sweet romance, most of which is taken up by the road trip that takes Ester and Bex to Gretna Green to be married. I was slightly frustrated with all of Ester’s going back and forth on whether she really wanted to run away with Bex or not, and would have liked to see her pick a side and stick with it. However, I absolutely love that Riley explores abolitionism and the challenges a black woman would face in and outside of London. Even something as simple as getting a room for the night is nearly impossible for Ester and Bex together. If you love historicals (and don’t mind “closed-door” romances) but wish they featured more characters of color, Vanessa Riley is an author to check out! I’m looking forward to read more of the books in this series.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration.)

the bashful bride is not your standard regency fare. picking up the stories of london's 'blackamoor' population in the early nineteenth century, riley gives voice to people whose stories haven't been written. based on historical fact, you can see the meticulous research that builds the regency world her characters inhabit.

the story here is simple, ester croome is about to be married off by her father to a man she considers to be abhorrent. she doesn't like the way he treats women and knows that he is a philanderer even before they are to be married. when she accidentally runs into arthur bex, an actor who's golden voice she is in love with, he's leading an abolitionist meeting and planning to meet his possible future wife. he'd been exchanging letters via an advertisement, not knowing this was ester's friend. but ester is in more dire need of a husband that frederica, so arthur and ester decide to elope.

the drive to gretna greene and the prejudices they face on their journey are intricately detailed. arthur treats ester honorably, respectfully, he doesn't see the color of her skin first, he sees the person she is. and he is halfway in love with her. but he's also holding back secrets. he's not just plain arthur bex, he's also oliver arthur bexeley, nephew of a slave trader. given his abolitionist leanings, he doesn't want the truth about his past to be revealed. from the age of 6 he lived aboard his uncle's boat, and when he discovered his uncle throwing black men overboard to defraud his insurance, he turned on his uncle and testified against him. guaranteeing that he would be hung for his crimes. it's not a pretty story and is based on real events.

and these details are what make the book so fascinating to read. arthur is a complex, interesting character. i wish ester had been a little more interesting. i would have liked her to have a richer inner voice because it felt like there was too much black and white in her world and not enough shades of gray. i just found her stances to be so unyielding, big on ultimatums when a softer touch might have solved the problems she encounters in a more satisfying manner.

**the bashful bride will publish on may 28, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

Ester Croome is the heiress who doesn't want to marry her father's choice. Bex is a famous stage actor that Ester has been infatuated with for two years. They run away to Gretna Green to try to solve their problems, but of course it's not that easy. This is a sweet romance that carefully deals with the real issues of racism, the abolition of slavery, and issues of class. I was often surprised by Ester having both awareness of her race and possible issues that might arise outside of her social and economic circle, and then her surprise when confronted with it. Bex, too, was both realistic and idealistic. It is this idealism that plants the hope. I appreciate reading historical romance that deals with more facets of the time period, I enjoyed it and will look for more by Vanessa Riley.