What do you think?
Rate this book
His Chosen Bride
When it comes to love...
With his dashing good looks and looming bankruptcy, Nathan Cantrell is Sir Harlan's answer to one of his three problems: three unwed daughters. And he's not above a little blackmail to bring about a satisfying end to his dilemma. So Nathan must choose between ruin - or marriage to Violet, the willowy widow, Sophy, the high-spirited schoolgirl...or Abigail, the bookworm. Nathan despairs of his options - until a morning swim finds him besotted by the captivating beauty of a most unlikely water nymph...
...Experience is the best teacher
Certainly Abigail had no idea the Adonis she encountered in the pond would turn out to be her father's guest, whose knowing eyes and sensual smile make her weak. Nonetheless, she has more important things to attend to behind closed doors - for Abigail lives a secret life as London's premier author of Gothic romance. Surely the woman who lives vicariously through romance in her novels has no neeed for the real thing. Then again, research is always beneficial, especially since happy endings are the most crucial aspect of any good love story...
With his dashing good looks and looming bankruptcy, Nathan Cantrell is Sir Harlan's answer to one of his three problems: three unwed daughters. And he's not above a little blackmail to bring about a satisfying end to his dilemma. So Nathan must choose between ruin - or marriage to Violet, the willowy widow, Sophy, the high-spirited schoolgirl...or Abigail, the bookworm. Nathan despairs of his options - until a morning swim finds him besotted by the captivating beauty of a most unlikely water nymph...
...Experience is the best teacher
Certainly Abigail had no idea the Adonis she encountered in the pond would turn out to be her father's guest, whose knowing eyes and sensual smile make her weak. Nonetheless, she has more important things to attend to behind closed doors - for Abigail lives a secret life as London's premier author of Gothic romance. Surely the woman who lives vicariously through romance in her novels has no neeed for the real thing. Then again, research is always beneficial, especially since happy endings are the most crucial aspect of any good love story...
349 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 2, 2019
Fun if leisurely and occasionally eye-rolling read. There's a great meet, and strong forces to both keep the couple apart and force them together. The heroine as a Gothic author is a nice touch, and the integration of this character aspect into the story - eventually becoming key to the plot in several ways - is impressive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
Moderately interesting historical romance. The story is mediocre, the heroine is jumping to (the wrong) conclusions too many times and the hero is somehow halfhearted in his decisions and hapless with regard to their execution and desired outcome. Every character in this book seemed to be self-centered and unfortunate in life. Very strange
July 7, 2012
When Nathan Cantrell returns home from war, he finds that his deceased father has all of his property mortgaged and his neighbor, Sir Harlan could call in the debt and take everything in a month's time. When Nathan goes to speak to Sir Harlan, he takes a quick stop at a local pond to cool off from the summer's heat and surprises a local girl who had the same idea. He can't get her wit and humor off his mind, even when he meets Sir Harlan, who makes him an offer: marry one of his daughters and not only will the debt be cancelled but a substantial dowry will come with her.
At first Nathan is disgusted at the thought, but in needing to support his brother, Freddie and to make his dream of a wool factory he meets with the daughters only to discover his "water sprite" is none other than middle daughter Abigail.
The advancing story slows slightly but is still readable until the night of the ball when Nathan bumbles his proposal to Abigail and afterwards she discovers her father's blackmail. She feels betrayed by everyone and decides to take her secret funds by being a gothic writer and seek shelter at her aunts home in London.
From this point in the book on, it was a hard read for me. Abigail became so overly wishy and boring. Where was her backbone? How could the characters who have such strong feeling for each other have the absolute worst communication problem?
And Nathan? He did have a lot of good points. Determined but not over the top demanding. Thoughtful, considerate, knew what he wanted, but let a lot of stumbling blocks get in the way. He fought for her, yes, but is it with the strength that most die hard people who read romance can really sink their teeth into?
Yes, in the end everything worked out into happily ever after I just wish the process would have kept my excitement towards reading that "final page" going.
At first Nathan is disgusted at the thought, but in needing to support his brother, Freddie and to make his dream of a wool factory he meets with the daughters only to discover his "water sprite" is none other than middle daughter Abigail.
The advancing story slows slightly but is still readable until the night of the ball when Nathan bumbles his proposal to Abigail and afterwards she discovers her father's blackmail. She feels betrayed by everyone and decides to take her secret funds by being a gothic writer and seek shelter at her aunts home in London.
From this point in the book on, it was a hard read for me. Abigail became so overly wishy and boring. Where was her backbone? How could the characters who have such strong feeling for each other have the absolute worst communication problem?
And Nathan? He did have a lot of good points. Determined but not over the top demanding. Thoughtful, considerate, knew what he wanted, but let a lot of stumbling blocks get in the way. He fought for her, yes, but is it with the strength that most die hard people who read romance can really sink their teeth into?
Yes, in the end everything worked out into happily ever after I just wish the process would have kept my excitement towards reading that "final page" going.
October 30, 2008
the heroine in this book was so annoying. she kept pretending she didn't want the guy even when he was pleading and apologizing. he went out of his way to try to make things right and she was just so immature about it. ugh.
July 11, 2018
Le début est prometteur mais cela ne dure pas. Je n'ai pas sauté de pages mais j'aurais dû ! Il y a bien quelques passages cocasses mais ils sont trop rares. Il n'y a aucune aventure et encore moins de passion, et les héros ne sont pas très intéressants.
September 28, 2011
Hateful heroine
July 25, 2012
Interesting historical romance(wondering if its apart of series since there seemed some questionable history on some of the characters).
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews