Name: The Autumn Bride
Rating: 3.535714285714286 (14 reviews)
ISBN: 9780425259252

Anne Gracie

When governess Abigail Chantry, along with her sister and two friends, comes to the aid of Lady Beatrice Davenham, they are saved from destitution until Lady Beatrice's nephew Max returns to question their position in his aunt's household.

The Autumn Bride

Marriage-phobic Damaris Chance finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with the handsome rake Freddy Monkton-Coombes, she has no choice but to agree to wed him. Original. 50,000 first printing.

The Winter Bride

Lover of Romance 

Originally Posted On My Blog: my link text

Damaris Chance is one of the four chance sisters, practically adopted into this sisterhood. Damaris has a history, and has made some decisions, that has led her to not believing in love or marriage. She knows that life can never be a option for her. At first she refuses to take part of the season, just content to work on her pottery and be a companion. However her guardian, Lady Beatrice Davenham, has other plans for her. She convinces Damaris to enter into the season for fun and enjoyment and not take it seriously. Freddy Monkton Coombes, made a promise to his closest friend, to watch over the three sisters. Despite his reservations, he will keep the end of his deal with Max. When he meets Damaris, he is captivated, and proposes a fake engagement, since neither of them have any interest in marriage, and be able to have fun and relax with the season. But fate has other plans, will Freddy be able to to show the promise and devotion of true love and redemption?

The Winter Bride is the second book in the Chance Sisters series. For those of you who have yet to read this author or this series, this is the most latest series by Anne Gracie. This series is based on a sisterhood that forms between four women, and this story is Dameris' story. Now I just adored Damaris, and I can be picky toward my heroines...but Damaris was wonderful. There was so much I felt endearing about Damaris, and so easy to relate with. With each page, you are just on her side. You start to understand her strengths and weaknesses, and see the inner strength, and you come to admire her character. Damaris is a fighter, but more with what has happened in her past. She does have some inner demons...and this is where Freddy comes in. Freddy....oh sigh....I could kiss him!! He was such a perfect match for Damaris. He has that fighter spirit, and will protect those he cares about. He has been rejected by his parents who blame him for his brothers death. He hasn't had much of a easy life either, but is a fighter in making a life for himself. He is intelligent, charming, and tender. and romantic.

The story is the kind of love story you can relax into, and just enjoy. There isn't much at the edge of your seat suspense that is bound to give you a stroke. This story is sweet, romantic and will warm your heart. It does deal with some complex issues, but the way Anne Gracie weaves this story together, in a creation of a powerful tale, with strong characters that make you believe in the power of healing and true love. REMARKABLE!!

In this charming regency romance, a dog in need of rescue brings together a young debutante and a mysterious stranger--third in the Chance Sisters series. After a childhood riddled with poverty and hardship, Jane Chance intends to enter high society and make a good, safe, sensible marriage during the London Season. All goes according to plan until a dark, dangerous vagabond helps her rescue a dog. Zachary Black is all kinds of unsuitable--a former spy, now in disguise, he's wanted for murder. His instructions: to lie low until his name is cleared. But Zach has never followed the rules, and he wants Jane for his own, even if that means blazing his way into London society. Jane knows she shouldn't fall in love with an unreliable, albeit devastatingly attractive, rogue. But Zach is determined--and he's a man accustomed to getting what he wants.

The Spring Bride

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance


  

 
  
    Summary 
  
 
Jane Chance, is looking for security and a family. Unlike her sister, Jane isn't out looking for love, because love doesn't feed or clothe you or put a roof over your head. Jane is one of the Ton's most regal beauties, and at the beginning of the season she is made an offer from a man that is looking for a beautiful wife and he wants Jane and he has wealth. But all Jane can see, is a man that offers a safe harbor for herself and her children. While out on the town, giving children pennies so they can have food, she spies a dog being tortured and beaten and runs into a gypsy, a man that is handsome and charming with a wicked gleam in his eyes and she can't resist him. Zachary Black has returned back to England, after years of service to the crown. But he comes back learning, that he will need to clear his name before he can access any of his titled lands or wealth. But after his meetings with Jane in the park almost every day, he sees the kind of woman he would be honored to know more and even love. But his life is in turmoil, and when he learns that she is betrothed, he knows that his time is running out....and Jane will have to decide over security or the man of her heart?
 
  
    The Hero 
  
 
Zachary Black, is a spy and worked for the British Government in collecting information that helped save his country. For years he dedicated his life, risking it every day, for his country. But when he returns, he finds out that he has been accused of murder of his father's widow whom he helped escape and go into hiding. He knows that she is alive, and that its absurd that he could be hanged for a murder he never committed. With his father dead, Zachary is on the hunt for Cecily and all at the same time trying to court a woman that doesn't really want to be courted by a poor gypsy. Zachary is a hero I came to truly enjoy from beginning to end. Zachary is honorable and good, and loyal. He has a solid sense of humor, and respects those that protect and defend Jane even if its against him. I couldn't help but fall for his charisma, he is devilish in his charming nature and I just wanted more of him.
 
  
    The Heroine 
  
 
Jane Chance, is a woman that on the outside it may seem that she has had everything handed to her on a silver platter, but that is not the case. Jane and her sister grew up poor. Their parents fell in love, and went against the Ton and married for love. Their families disowned them, and refuses to help them. Jane and her sister lost their parents when they were kids, and had to fight to survive. Jane was rescued by a generous lady of the Ton, that adopted four women as her nieces and gave them a chance to make good matches for themselves. Jane takes the first offer given to her. Because the one thing she values above everything else, is a safe home but not just for herself. But for any future children she may have. She knows that love can develop over time. So she doesn't hold out for it. I loved that Jane holds onto her principles. She can be quite stubborn though, but she has reasons that you admire in the end. And I love how she fights in the end for what really matters and there is a moment toward the end of the story where we see her strength and fortitude and I wanted to cheer for her!! A fabulous heroine I couldn't help but admire and respect.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
The Spring Bride is the third book in the series. There were many things that I love about this one. The first aspect I grew instantly in love with, is the writing. Anne Gracie has the capability of gaining my interest immediately, and I just couldn't put this one down, no matter how hard I tried. I loved that. I couldn't help but just gravitate toward this pair and all the stress and drama that tends to come with them.

In the beginning of their relationship, its mostly getting to know each other, making each other laugh and developing a platonic bond, but there is chemistry, just one that they don't act on immediately. Than we have some secrets become revealed, which only adds to a bit of conflict to them fully coming together. Zachary has to clear his name and get his lands returned to him. Jane is betrothed and needs to decide which man she would take a risk on more. Zachary ups his game when it comes to Jane, he knows that he is running out of time, and goes out of his way to prove himself to her. But when the worst happen, and Jane will have to find Cicily herself, we see a personal growth in Jane's character we didn't see before.

What is most fun was seeing two other couples....one having been married for years and seeing their love stronger than ever and how it gets tested in unique ways. Then we see a hint of Daisy's story as well (I have a feeling that one is going to be a riot). We have some great involvement from the supporting characters. We also see a sweet reunion between the sisters and their grandmother. It broke my heart about their parents, but we also see some good things come out of their rough childhood. We see how Zachary is strong and didn't have the easiest when he was a child either. He was beaten often by his father, and understands Jane in ways that her betrothed never will.

This proved to be a truly remarkable romance that spun its way into my good graces with flair, drama and good chemistry and some barrels of laughs and giggles. Excited to see what Gracie has up for us next.
 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
This cover is so gorgeous and I love the spring feel to it. I love the elegance and grace it portrays. I wish I could just jump into all that lavender goodness!!
 
  
    Overall View 
  
 
The Spring Bride is a tantalizing story of passion, fighting for love and honor, and living to the fullest moments in life!!! BREATHTAKING!!

Abigail Chantry is a governess, and has a deep love for children. Her parents died when she was young, and she and her sister Jane were left to fend for themselves. One day while out on her half day off, she is approached by a young woman, where she learns that her sister Jane was kidnapped and has being held prisoner in a brothel, and soon to be sold as a sex slave. Soon three women join forces and escape the brothel, and Now along with Abigail and Jane they have adopted two other women who are like sisters to them. Abigail knows that she will lose her position, so she leaves along with the three other women and they try to save money to go to Bath and have a dress shop. However their money has run out, and her sister Jane is sick, and needs a doctor. So out of desperation, she goes into a mansion, thinking it empty, and hoping its full of something she can sell to save her sister. After she climbs through a dark window, a old woman's voice startles her, and she learns about this bedridden woman whose servants treat her horribly and they are practically killing her with their neglect. So she decides to help Lady Beatrice who offers her home as sanctuary to Abigail and the three women she has taken in. Then after a few weeks, Lady Beatrice's nephew, Max, returns and fireworks start to explode between Max and Abigail, and a burning passion begins...

I have always adored Anne Gracie, and I was first introduced to this author months ago, when I read a review for this book, and I knew I needed to try this author. So I have read a few of her other books so far, and loved every one of them. When I was able to get my hands on Autumn Bride, I was so excited. The Autumn Bride is the first in the series, and it sets the stage for the series. The beginning of the book we see the background of the story, how Abigail, Jane and her two friends become like sisters, Then we see the meeting between Abigail and Lady Beatrice. Lady Beatrice is a charming and witty character, and you can't help but feel for her situation. Max has been away for many years, trying to rebuild a fortune that was lost by his father, and works in trade now. When he receives a letter from his aunt's friend, he grows worried and heads back to England, not knowing what he will find. When Max and Abigail first meet, I felt like the windows were going to explode, there was such intensity to their first meeting, and even though Max doesn't know what Abigail's true plan is involving his aunt, but he means to get to the bottom of it despite how she stirs his senses.

The characters in this story were fantastically amazing. In the beginning we see more of the sub characters and the introduction to the role that they play in the story. Abigail is at the center for the most part, and you begin to admire her as the heroine of the story. Abigail is strong, and will do anything to save her sister. She has a compassionate nature, and is very protective, especially when Max comes onto the scene. Max even though he has been gone, he has been working for years to rebuild a fortune that was lost in order to save his aunt. When he returns to England, his concern is only for her welfare, and knows that soon he will have to marry a woman he is bethroted to and has been ever since he made a deal to save their finances when he was barely out of school. Max is tough and protective, and fierce at times, but I loved the way he is with Abigail and he is the type of heroes you can't help but love because of his honorable nature. The side characters were zesty and lively.

Overall I had quite a fun time reading The Autumn Bride, and the engtanglements involved, and seeing how Max and Abigail come together in the end. A charming tale of love, emotion, adventure and a sense of fun. ADORED IT!!

Matilda

Sara Piteira 

~"Delightful....A romantic winner." --Kirkus Four young women face a life of destitution—until a daring act changes their fortune and turns them each into a beautiful bride. In The Winter Bride, a compromising situation leads to an unexpected wedding and delicious temptation.... Damaris Chance’s unhappy past has turned her off the idea of marriage forever. But her guardian, Lady Beatrice Davenham, convinces her to make her coming out anyway—and have a season of carefree, uncomplicated fun. When Damaris finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with the handsome rake Freddy Monkton-Coombes, she has no choice but to agree to wed him—as long as it’s in name only. Her new husband seems to accept her terms, but Freddy has a plan of his own: to seduce his reluctant winter bride. Will Damaris’s secrets destroy her chance at true happiness? Or can Freddy help her cast off the shackles of the past, and yield to delicious temptation?

Karan Mann

Aurelia Dennis

Louise 

From the award-winning author of The Spring Bride comes the conclusion to the quartet about four sisters, four weddings, and a bride for every season... Fiercely independent Daisy Chance has a dream—and it doesn’t involve marriage or babies (or being under any man’s thumb). Raised in poverty, she has a passion—and a talent—for making beautiful clothes. Daisy aims to become the finest dressmaker in London. Dashing Irishman Patrick Flynn is wealthy and ambitious, and has entered society to find an aristocratic bride. Instead, he finds himself growing increasingly attracted to the headstrong, clever and outspoken Daisy. She’s wrong in every way—except the way she sets his heart racing. However, when Flynn proposes marriage, Daisy refuses. She won't give up her hard-won independence. Besides, she doesn't want to join the fine ladies of society—she wants to dress them. She might, however, consider becoming Flynn's secret mistress... But Flynn wants a wife, and when he sets his heart on something, nothing can stand in his way...

The Autumn Bride

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