You know, I liked the first 2 of the 'Blackwater Brides' series... but in spite of an interesting premise i just could not get into this one. I didn't like how the heroine was thieving from her cousin, and being uppity and superior about it. Sure she had motivation, but it ended up lessening her in my romance fiction readin' eyes. I kept thinking, 'Austen would have never approved...' but then that means I myself am being uppity and superior in opposition. I ended up skipping 1/3 of the book and reading the last chapter just to be done with it. Sorry Ms. Feather, will always read your books even if i didn't enjoy one of them. Jane Feather is a bestselling historical romance author. An Unsuitable Bride is her final offering in The Blackwater Brides series. The premise for the series is a roguish uncle who holds the family fortunes declares all three of his nephews must marry unsuitable woman to inherit. This stems from the family being so puritanical they refuse to accept the uncle’s love match because she was unsuitable. The Blackwaters may be very proper, but they are horrible with money. Enter the unsuitable brides to save the day.Alexandra Douglas didn’t start out as unsuitable. Maybe her parents argue more than most, and her father even divorced her mother. Still Alexandra thought everything would turn out as she originally planned with a healthy dowry for both her and her sister. The family lawyer informs her that due to her father’s unexpected death the girls are penniless and bastards too. Somehow, dear old dad forgot to mention that.Peregrine, is the last unmarried Blackwater male. The family is in dire straits if he doesn’t find some unsuitable girl. Maybe they might have to sell some of their estates, get rid of a few dozen servants or something. The boy is trying visiting brothels and theatres trying to pick a likely gel. Then he meets a woman disguised as someone else in an obvious criminal scheme. He’s found his bride in Alexandra.The woman won’t listen to him. Alexandra won’t listen to her sister, headmistress, or her old nurse either. It is hard to feel sorry for someone who thinks her way is the only way. Many things didn’t ring true about this story, but this was a major one. The chemistry between Alexandra and Perry didn’t work for me. Peregrine, our hero, is a lazy, sullen boy, not a man. He takes no care about the woman he professes to love, carelessly cavorting with her in public as if she were a whore. Then when she leaves, going into danger, he pouts about it. He waits, he moans, he feels sorry for himself. The woman has been in prison a week before he shows up.There are several issues with this story including introducing topics and characters that are never resolved. They just seem to disappear rather like Alexandra’s driving desire for revenge, and her mother. By the end of the book, I was disappointed because the questions remained unanswered.What puzzles me is Jane Feather used to be one of the giants of her craft, what happened? This is not the author, who created swoon-worthy romantic heroes. I am disappointed in this fine author, but I imagine others who didn’t expect as much as I did will be content. A few may wonder about the mother, the alleged hero, the motive, but then again, maybe not. To be fair, Jane Feather at her mediocre best is still better than most romance authors are. I hold to the belief she’ll be back to her usual form once again. I would not recommend An Unsuitable Bride, but if you started the series, I am sure you’ll want to finish it with this book.
Do You like book An Unsuitable Bride (2012)?
This book is a vapid whore.Now I need a palate-cleanser for my palate-cleanser.
—greeves
Good read. Strong female lead. Would read the author's other books - Leanne
—Tjack
This book was okay, but definitely the weakest of the trilogy IMO.
—David
I finished this, but don't ask me what the story is about.
—dvirsara
