REVIEW: First Season / Bride to Be by Jane Ashford

In First Season / Bride to Be by Jane Ashford, we have the distinct pleasure of reading two reissued full length novels all in one special edition. First Season was the oldest, having been written in 1983! And Bride to Be, the second offering here, was originally released in 1999.
 
Both books certainly have stood up to the test of time and were pleasantly entertaining historicals. What follows is a breakdown of the stories and the tidbits that set them apart.
 

First Season by Jane Ashford:

Lady Anabel Wyndham was widowed three years ago. Since then, her three children as well as neighbor and close friend Christopher Hanford have kept her occupied, allowing her to heal. Anabel grudgingly accepts her mother’s invitation to leave the countryside and stay in London for the upcoming Season, having never before done so. But she is soon swept up in having to choose between the attention of known rake Sir Charles Norbury, and Christopher. Anabel must sort out her feelings for the two handsome men with no one to help her make such an important decision for the first time in her life.

‘…Norbury continued to fascinate her. His polished manners, sardonic opinions of the world of fashion, and aura of barely controlled passions attracted her despite whatever firm resolves she made.’

This Regency was a love triangle as you may have guessed. I thought the characters were all well-defined, including the secondary characters, such as her cousin Georgina who carried her own portion of the plot. Anabel’s children provided some comic relief and drama, sometimes proving to almost be a distraction from the romance brewing between the main characters. Her daughter Susan’s cat Daisy was also a riot and added some lighthearted fun to the mix.

I fell for Christopher right away. He was a reliable, down-to-earth, kind man who had stood by Anabel for years, with his affection for her slowly growing. I was pretty certain right away that Norbury was exactly the rake the ton made him out to be. Let’s just say he was not my favorite character. And Anabel herself, well, I liked her tenderness toward people but I felt like she was rather selfish for most of the book. She almost ignored her children while going to parties and meeting with Norbury. Plus she was so wishy washy about making a decision that it became frustrating. I realize times were very different then, but it was a tad much.
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Bride to Be by Jane Ashford:

Miss Emily Crane had a rather unconventional upbringing with her artistic parents leaving her to her own devices. So when her aunt takes her under her wing in London to prepare for her first Season, she feels rather unprepared and overwhelmed. But spotting Lord Richard Sheldon, the man whom she saved after he was being attacked by thugs near her family home, has brought a bright spot to her time in London. When scandal follows them at the same time as new threats being made on Richard’s life, Emily and he become engaged, using the arrangement to draw out the criminals.

She was transfixed by the joy and excitement in Richard’s face. “What is it?”
“You. You are the most amazing creature.”
The light in his hazel eyes shook her.

This was my favorite of the two. It was a rather quirky, suspenseful historical that had me laughing as well as trying to figure out who was after Richard. I got a kick out of Emily’s parents.They were so carefree and completely true to themselves, not caring at all what society thought. I loved that! Emily was smart and levelheaded which was in contrast to her parents, but it worked. I thought it was realistic that when Emily tried fitting into society by playing down her intelligence, Richard was not impressed in the least. I adored that he was intrigued by her quick thinking and candid opinions. This was also the steamier of the two books, with a couple of love scenes included, as opposed to none in First Season.
Rating: 4 Stars
 
 
Overall, I think both books will appeal to readers who enjoy stories centering around London society and the much talked about scandals during the Regency time period. There was a decidedly different tone to each of them, but I think that will only offer readers more choices when checking this out.

Book Info:

Publication: October 6th 2015 | by Sourcebooks Casablanca |

Two classic Regency romances by beloved bestselling author Jane Ashford celebrate the adventures of a London Season

FIRST SEASON
Widowed Lady Anabel Wyndham was married right out of the schoolroom and has never before experienced the delights of a London Season. She’s dazzled by the attention of the fascinating Sir Charles Norbury, a man whose touch seems to melt her very soul, but a notorious rake. She’s drawn to handsome friend-of-the-family Christopher Hanford and the comfort and serenity he offers. But how does one choose between two such charming suitors? Anabel is finding that love is so much more dangerous the second time around.

BRIDE TO BE
Emily Crane is the toast of the ton-and she couldn’t find it more tedious. Until she encounters the darkly sensual stranger whose life she once saved and the London Season becomes infinitely more exciting. Recently returned from the wilds of South America, Lord Richard Sheldon has only contempt for tiresome London chits, but he finds himself stunningly intrigued by the dauntless Emily Crane. When the two become embroiled in a budding scandal and are forced into an engagement, they discover a passion more dangerous than any killer…

Praise for The Bride Insists:
“Another perfectly delightful Regency romance…remarkably executed.” -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Ashford captures readers with her keen knowledge of the era and deft writing.” -RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Fabulous…well-written, great characters.” -Fresh Fiction