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Foolish Bride

(Forever Brides #2)

A.S. Fenichel (Goodreads Author)

3.83 · Rating details · 86 ratings · 55 reviews

Sadly ever after . . . unless some dreams really do come true?

Elinor Burkenstock never believed in fairy tales. Sure, she’s always been a fool for love—what woman isn’t? But Elinor knows the difference between fiction and truth. Daydreams and reality. True love and false promises. . . . Until the unthinkable happens, and Elinor’s engagement is suddenly terminated and no ...more

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ebook, 1, 288 pages

Published March 28th 2017 by Lyrical Press

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· 86 ratings · 55 reviews

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Start your review of Foolish Bride (Forever Brides, #2)

Mar 25, 2017 Caz rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance-regency, disappointing, arc, aar, why-so-many-4-5-star-reviews, romance-1800-1850

I gave this a D at AAR. I read crap like this so you don't have to.

I’ve seen A.S Fenichel’s name around and am aware of her as an author of historical romance, but haven’t yet got around to reading any of her books, so I nabbed a copy Foolish Bride to see if I might find myself another new(ish) author to trust. But, and to quote Han Solo – “Sometimes, I amaze even myself” with my foolish optimism, because, dear reader, this is a book even a Wookie wouldn’t touch at the end of a ten-foot pole.

The I gave this a D at AAR. I read crap like this so you don't have to.

I’ve seen A.S Fenichel’s name around and am aware of her as an author of historical romance, but haven’t yet got around to reading any of her books, so I nabbed a copy Foolish Bride to see if I might find myself another new(ish) author to trust. But, and to quote Han Solo – “Sometimes, I amaze even myself” with my foolish optimism, because, dear reader, this is a book even a Wookie wouldn’t touch at the end of a ten-foot pole.

The plot is tissue-paper thin, the two central characters are immature, woefully underdeveloped and not at all engaging and the writing is unsophisticated and wooden as well as being far too modern in tone and littered with errors and historical inaccuracies. But before I get to those, here’s the woefully flimsy plot. Sir Michael Rollins and his fiancée, Lady Elinor Burkenstock (which makes me think of shoes), are engaged to be married and their big day is almost upon them. But although he is a knight, Michael is pockets to let, thanks to the irresponsibility of his predecessors and he insists that he must be ‘worthy’ of Elinor before he can marry her. She’s not badly off – her father has recently been granted an earldom – but Michael is proud and doesn’t want to live off his wife. However, he has one last job he must do – which she thinks is to do with commerce, but it quickly becomes clear he’s a spy – and urges her to be patient for the next month while he is away.

Sadly, their reunion is destined not to be, when, a month later, Elinor’s father tells her he’s calling off the wedding. He won’t tell her why, leaving it to her mother to explain that it’s because Michael can no longer give her children. It seems he has sustained an injury of some sort – which is never disclosed, but surely he wasn’t shot in the nads? – which has rendered him impotent. I couldn’t help asking – as, to her credit, did Elinor – how anyone could possibly know such a thing, but there you go; Michael is not prepared to saddle the woman he loves with a man who is no longer whole. They part in anger – but can’t forget each other. And as a side note, we never find out if that final mission made him ‘worthy’ of Elinor or not.

Then the Duke of Middleton (whose first name is Preston – and I’m sorry but all I see is the cyberdog from Wallace and Gromit) starts to take an interest in Elinor – to her mother’s delight – but even though he’s kind, handsome and very personable, Elinor is still in love with Michael. Yet she thinks she might have to marry Middleton after all, because she’s got to marry someone and it’ll get her mother off her case. But – hang on – Michael is a duke now, so surely she can marry him and keep her parents happy? But no. Michael determined not to approach Elinor until he knows if his wedding tackle will ever work again, and she is determined to keep her distance because he’s been such a dickhead to her.

Most of the book consists of Elinor being angry at Michael whenever she sees him, and then moping about how much she wuvs him and wants him back. But having a sensible conversation and thrashing everything out never occurs to them; if it had, I’d have been spared just under three hours of wince-inducing reading.

Fortunately – our lovebirds reconcile somewhere around the middle of the book. Unfortunately – with half a book to go, there’s more craptasticness ahead. Kidnapping. Attempted Murder. Lies. Insanity. At this point the book changes direction and becomes a ‘heroine-in-peril’ story, but I’d lost interest well before then. Had either of the two protagonists been remotely well-drawn or intriguing, I might have maintained at least some level of interest, but they were pretty pathetic and I couldn’t find it in me to give a toss about either of them.

The list of inaccuracies I found is longer than the plot synopsis, so I’m only going to list a few of them here. For one thing, the timeline of the story is all over the place. Michael leaves to go on one last mission, implying that England and France are still at war, yet the war is never mentioned. When he is recovering from his injury and is able to get up, he walks with a pronounced limp and is in pain. Yet not many pages later he’s at a ball asking Elinor to dance. Then his limp returns. Then it disappears. It seems his manly parts are okay after all but he gets a terrible headache whenever he gets an erection (which gives a whole new meaning to ‘not tonight, love, I’ve got a headache’, doesn’t it?). But wait – Elinor’s vagina must be magic, because once he shags her, he doesn’t get the headaches again!

Then there is the party at which one lady plays pieces by Chopin. Who was born in 1810 and who would have been ten at the end of the Regency era. I know he was a genius, but I don’t think he’d written much or had it published by the age of ten. And I really hope that the ‘canopies’ served to the guests at one particular party were caught by the proof-reader, otherwise there would have been several bad cases of indigestion the following morning.

There’s plenty of non-period language and an overall modern feel to the prose, which is workmanlike at best. People say they are ‘okay’ (a word which is thought to have originated in the US in the 1840s) and we’re told, for instance that someone must have “kissed as much ass as a courtesan”. I never knew courtesans liked kissing donkeys (or stupid people), which is what ‘ass’ means in the UK in 2017 just as it did in 1817 (or whenever in the Regency the book is set). At around the 25% mark on my Kindle, I was ready to DNF when the hero – a knight – is informed that he is to receive a dukedom for services rendered to the crown, which is rather a big step up – but that wasn’t the reason my brain baulked at reading any more. No, that was because the information was given to him by a police Inspector. WHAT?! For one thing, this book being set in the Regency period, there was no such thing as a police force and so that rank did not exist. But for another – becoming a duke requires a hell of a lot of legalese and paperwork, as well as being a big rise in status. Surely the king – the next highest rank – or his representative should have told Michael about it, rather than one of his mates telling him, “oh, and by the way…”? These things aren’t hard to find out, which makes such errors all the more unforgivable. Or, in this case, Foolish
There is more, but I think that’s enough for this review. It’s obvious I’m not going to recommend Foolish Bride; I read books like this so you don’t have to. Give it a wide berth and spend your hard-earned cash on something good instead. ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-netgalley, trt, series, 4-5-star, 2017-read

4.5 Stars
'Foolish Bride' by A.S. Fenichel is book Two in the "Forever Brides' series. This is the story of Sir Michael Rollins and Elinor Burkenstock. I have read the previous book but feel this can be a standalone book. Michael and Elinor where engaged to be married. Michael has been trying to earn more money to be more 'worthy' of Elinor. But when he is injured her father who is now become an Earl chooses to end their engagement. Michael is hurt at first but knows that since he has been told ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Foolish Bride 4.5 Stars'Foolish Bride' by A.S. Fenichel is book Two in the "Forever Brides' series. This is the story of Sir Michael Rollins and Elinor Burkenstock. I have read the previous book but feel this can be a standalone book. Michael and Elinor where engaged to be married. Michael has been trying to earn more money to be more 'worthy' of Elinor. But when he is injured her father who is now become an Earl chooses to end their engagement. Michael is hurt at first but knows that since he ...more

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Feb 24, 2018 Maria Dimitrova rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-smut, booktasters

Review copy received through BookTasters in exchange for an honest review.

Foolish Bride is a typical historical romance novel with all the trappings of the genre. This makes it quite predictable. This predictability of the genre is why I tend to turn to it at times of great stress, it makes these books ideal comfort reads.

Lady Elinor is the MC of the book and she's very easy to like and sympathise with. Her plight makes me once again feel grateful to be born in this age. Though some of her ...more

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Jun 01, 2017 Tracy rated it really liked it

Shelves: sexy, liked-it, second-chance, feels, sweet, angsty, 2017, omgreads, historical, 3point5

Foolish Bride is the story of Elinor and Michael. Michael is attempting to prove he is worthy of Elinor when he is injured. The injury causes Elinor's family to call off the wedding and Elinor is left devastated and confused.

The characters were very likeable and the storyline is unique. I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, and the romance. The supporting characters could be a bit overwhelming at times. Elinor was a very strong, independent heroine. Michael is ready to prove he is worthy of Elinor. ...more

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Jan 26, 2017 Amanda Richardson rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars. I really, really liked “Foolish Bride” by A.S. Fenichel. Elinor has loved Michael for a very long time and is very much looking forward to their wedding in a month. She waited for him for a year for him to be an acceptable suitor for her father. She knows they will have a happy marriage and a happy life.

Elinor is devastated, confused and heartbroken when her father abruptly calls her in to his office to tell her she will no longer be marrying Michael. The worst part is that no one ...more

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Feb 04, 2017 A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog rated it it was amazing

The Foolish Bride was an amazing read! It made me mad in spots; it made me cry and laugh. It is a historical romance that can be read as a standalone.

The romance between Lady Elinore and the Duke of Kerurghe through out the book was priceless. But the way her father stepped in between them was ruthless. It made the book exciting to read and hard to put down. The characters were very well developed. I loved the characters and the storyline.

This is the first book have read of A.S. Fenichel. I ...more

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Mar 20, 2017 Hannah rated it really liked it

ARC REVIEW

The second of A.S. Fenchel's Forever Bride series Foolish Bride takes up where the first one left with the continuation of Elinor and Michael lover story. In the first book we met Elinor and Michael a star-crossed romance who had some issues as a side story. In the first book we see Elinor as a sweet young woman with a gentle disposition but as the book goes on and she realizes that she is going to stop trying to please everyone she shows her family and friends she is quick witted and ARC REVIEW

The second of A.S. Fenchel's Forever Bride series Foolish Bride takes up where the first one left with the continuation of Elinor and Michael lover story. In the first book we met Elinor and Michael a star-crossed romance who had some issues as a side story. In the first book we see Elinor as a sweet young woman with a gentle disposition but as the book goes on and she realizes that she is going to stop trying to please everyone she shows her family and friends she is quick witted and has quite a temper. Michael was a bit of a let down he was to broody and a little bit pitiful, thank goodness Elinor is there.

Michael inherited a failing estate and he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't marrying Elinor for her dowry and prove to Elinor and her Parents he was worthy of her. Michael was a soldier who started to work for the home office but during his last mission he was gravely injured and the rumors that he was less than a man because of them gave Elinor's father cause to break the engagment. Elinor fought tooth and nail against her father because of this so she snuck out to talk to Michael herself but Michael angry at himself for getting injured and his body failing him but also because Elinor's father said she agreed to cancel the wedding and even when she shows up to confront him to ask if this is what he really wants he turns her away.

Elinor gets angry at everyone even her closest friends and even when that anger has passed she is still angry with Michael and her parents. Elinor decides to attend her best friend's house party and while there she again a man her mother foisted on her Middleton. Even though she is still mad at Michael she still loves him but still unsure of their future together she strikes up a friendship with Middleton, who soon becomes smitten with her. Michael now faced with the prospect of losing Elinor forever has to convince Elinor he does and always will love her.

Overall, this was a really sweet book. I'm not one for love triangles but this barely registers as one. A.S Fenichel does well with the character development and the active setting. The romance was nice but out of all of it I loved Elinor and seeing the change she went through and how Michael just ended up loving her even more for it. ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Janice Hougland rated it it was amazing

I really “got into” this story and felt it deeply. My only problem is the title because I do not think Elinor was a foolish bride at all. On the contrary, I think she was very, very smart (albeit perhaps unwittingly). I liked her strength in fighting the foolish system of parental involvement in pairing brides with bridegrooms and the foolish, tonnish gossip which guided the rules for women and men during the Regency era. At first I had less admiration for the hero, Michael, for his following ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Molly rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this story. I loved the Elinor and Michael's story. This story is about Elinor whose engagement is suddenly terminated and she has no idea why. Michael is injured during the war but he doesn't want ti trap her in marriage.

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Mar 09, 2017 Barbara rated it it was amazing

I received a free book and voluntarily chose to review it. A book well worth reading. Almost everyone thinks Elinor is foolish for wanting to marry an injured man, but she is my strong woman in this book. In fact, I think she is a lot stronger than her exfiance. I love how she changes from a mild mannered young woman into who she really is. She is strong minded and eventually she shows that side of herself.

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Apr 03, 2017 Shannan rated it it was amazing

All of the characters I loved from Tainted Bride are back and some had surprises I wasn't expecting. This was Elinor's tale and she's not the foolish young miss from Sophia's story anymore. As readers of book one, we already knew much of her simple, airheaded displays were just acts but there's a core of steel in her I wouldn't have guessed.
Michael Rollins.....our erstwhile hero. Honestly there's a goodly portion in which he's more the fool and/or the villain considering all he put Elinor ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Elaine Wilson rated it really liked it

Loaned to me, via Booktasters, in exchange for an honest review.
For fans of Regency romance and authors like Johanna Lyndsey, this is an enjoyable read.
It has love, loss, betrayal, intrigue, a love rival, kidnapping and, of course, the heroic rescue.

I enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained and there was a good bond between the characters. Elinor, Sophia and Dory, make up the strong friendship of the females. Michael, Daniel, Thomas and Marcus, make up the formidable group of males.
A tragic ...more

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Aug 13, 2017 Courtney Hagel-Swinson rated it really liked it

A solid 4.5 for me! This was a delightful, although at times frustrating, historical romance. I enjoyed it most because it was different from any historical I've read. Most stories have the hero and heroine falling in love with each other as the story progresses. In Foolish Bride, Michael and Elinor are completely in love with each other from the very beginning but an unfortunate injury and meddling parents get in the way. What was so interesting was that because of these circumstances Michael ...more

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Apr 09, 2017 `Candle rated it really liked it

For those who prefer christian or clean romance then this may not be for you. It is explicit but not erotic; however, I consider it tastefully done. You meet characters from an earlier novel but this can be a stand alone yet has added significance if you read the series in order. I felt Sir Michael Rollins was the foolish one and not Elinor. She has a lot of integrity and remains faithful to him and their love regardless of what mysterious injuries he may have. Sir Michael, on the other hand, ...more

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Mar 21, 2017 Lillian Cummings rated it really liked it

Would you ever give up on love? Elinor can't wait to marry Michael, they will be so happy together but it isn't to be. Her father breaks off their engagement just before the wedding and they are both heartbroken but Elinor can't understand why Michael has given up? Michael knows that he has to recover and hopefully win her back but the way back won't be easy.
Elinor knows that she must move on but she loves him so much and she just wants to see him once more and then move forward, but she ...more

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Oct 27, 2017 Jan Goodard rated it really liked it

Foolish Bride is book two in the Forever Brides series. After reading the first part of the book I thought the title should have been Foolish Bride and Groom. Both Elinor and Michael made errors in their relationship with neither willing to trust the other and the love they shared. The first half of the book was rather slow reading, however it really picked up in the second half. I like a story that is more than a romance tale. This one adds danger and a dastardly villain to the equation making ...more

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Nov 24, 2017 Carmen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: copy-in-exchange-for-honest-review

I was surprised that Rolf Burkenstock had changed his opinion about Michael Rollins; there were also events that I found appeared quite formal. It was interesting that Michael's brothers have better things to talk about than what higher society considered important back then. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Apr 08, 2017 Gillian Smith added it

A nice story full of twists and turns.. Elinor has always been known as a quiet good girl, little did we know that there was more behind the woman, it is only following her broken engagement that she starts to let everyone see who she really is.. a lovely story of love, new beginnings and finding oneself...

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Mar 21, 2017 Jarylynn Schlegel rated it it was amazing

The story was a love story between Elinor and Michael and about the ups and downs couples encounter. I love the strength Elinor finds to become the woman she is and appreciate that although many others have an opinion, she follows what is best for her. This can definitely be a stand alone as I have not read the book prior and the story held my attention from beginning to the end

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Mar 18, 2017 Kerry Pruett rated it it was amazing

What a heart warming story of true love. Elinor and Michael reach out and grab your heart as you journey with them to conquering all obstacles in their way of being together. Their story will make you believe that true love can conquer all.

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Aug 22, 2017 Samantha Paniagua rated it liked it

I sincerely thought this was just another book, and it was. Since the beginning I loved the idea of a love story because I like when you can learn about history, while you read and interesting love story... but at first, The book trapped me and I can't even stopped reading, then I felt nothing but angry, because the characters are so immature and (for me) Elinor is just another spoiled girl who can't get what she wants, so she refused to move on. I mean, I like this book just for a quick reading ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Pam rated it it was amazing

I loved the book. It flowed easy and was hard to put down. Elinor and Michael ' s story kept me enthralled while I was reading and I was able to have my escape I was searching for. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

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Feb 07, 2017 Krystal rated it really liked it

Although this is part two in a series, you do not need to have read the first in order for this story to make sense. You will not feel as though you are missing anything by not reading it, and if you have read the first, you will be happy to see Daniel and Sophia make an appearance in this story.

I really enjoyed Michael and Elinor's story. It is rare to have a love story that is not only a love match, but where the couple manages to find their way back to each other despite some pretty big ...more

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Mar 04, 2017 Aud rated it it was amazing

Just finished reading this book, and, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Lots of surprise ‘twists and turns’ which kept me guessing will there be a ‘happy ever after’ ending. And who will the principles be in that ending. If you want my vote… you should read this book. If you are looking for more details about the story and how it was put together.. read some of the other reviews. I give this book a 5-star rating. Hope you enjoy A.S. Fenichel's Foolish Bride (Forever Brides) story as much as I did. ...more

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Feb 28, 2017 Jessica Woods rated it really liked it

Fast flowing and entertaining, the Foolish Bride read almost like two books in one. If I could divide this book into halves and rate it, I would give the beginning five stars and the ending four. The first half of this novel ensnared me with an original tale of the romance between two lovers whose life keeps getting in the way. The back and forth between the two characters inspired giggles and the urge to bop the hero upside the head. The story weaves a sweet romance between Michael, too proud ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Lesley rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc

3.5 stars. I enjoyed Michael and Elinor's story - an interesting twist on why the couple was separated. Incredibly sweet - I had a hard time putting it down. To me, the story dragged in a couple of places, but I would definitely recommend it to any historical romance lovers.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley.

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Jan 22, 2017 Janet rated it really liked it

Elinor Burkenstock is in love with her fiancé Michael Rollins but he undertakes one more mission . Then the unthinkable happens, and Elinor’s engagement is suddenly terminated and no one, least of all her fiancé, will tell her why.

Sir Michael Rollins’s war-hero days seem far behind him when, on his last mission before his wedding to the love of his life Elinor, he gets shot and his injuries leave him a broken man & he’s told he’s unlikely to have children. He wants nothing more than to ...more

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Feb 02, 2017 Jen Spencer rated it really liked it

This is not a genre I read. I am not a "bodice ripper" fan, but this was not bad. I might even read the first book from this series.

I think fans of the genre will love this book. It is well written. The English cast system is explored a bit. What English Lady doesn't want to marry a duke?

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Jul 13, 2017 Maria Rivas-mc rated it liked it

I enjoyed ‘Foolish Bride’ and finished it overnight. The Prologue starts off in the middle of a conversation and immediately introduces the H and h, neither of whom – from their conversation – was appealing, a bit on the wimpy side. Elinor Burkenstock grew on me after a while, especially her propensity for list-making. Having not read the first book, I hadn't met the 'old' Elinor so couldn't relate to the constant references to her changed manner. Nevertheless, her increasing assertiveness ...more

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About A.S. Fenichel

A.S. Fenichel

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A.S. Fenichel (Andie) gave up a successful IT career in New York City to pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She's never looked back.

Andrea adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a ...more