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pattyfgd's review
4.0
As an avid romance listener, I love this genre, especially when the story is so easy to relate to. Brynnde is arranged to marry older Mr. Dallwather. Unhappy with this plan, she knows she will have to find an alternate groom who conveniently comes to her. But is Garrick the answer? Their banter is fun and flirty, but is their attraction enough? In her quest to find her own way, Brynnde plays matchmaker to all around her, at the expense of her own happiness. Or is it? This fun, sweet romance will have you at the first chapter. Garrick is a man who has problems expressing himself, only to say things that come out wrong. He is endearing and easy to fall in love with. Brynnde is one who does not sit back and wait for things to happen, but does take matters into her own hands, much different from the typical historical, which leads the story into entertaining situations. But with all the actions, there are consequences which both families need to take into consideration. Langlinais has woven her story with that of friendship, family, and scandal sure to keep you pinned to your earbuds to see how it will all turn out.
Narrated by the talented Stevie Zimmerman, we are taken into the regency era. Her voice is one that I have come to associate with historical narration, she has the air of royalty in her voice. She paces the story perfectly and her array of voices is amazing. I hope M Pepper Langlinais continues with this family, it's one I look forward to getting to know better.
Narrated by the talented Stevie Zimmerman, we are taken into the regency era. Her voice is one that I have come to associate with historical narration, she has the air of royalty in her voice. She paces the story perfectly and her array of voices is amazing. I hope M Pepper Langlinais continues with this family, it's one I look forward to getting to know better.
sassysmutlover's review
4.0
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review
So many matches going on in this story make it very entertaining. This one is different because of how things played out with everyone from the start. You get to know and love all the characters throughout the story. I loved that I didn't see the scandal coming like it did and how it affected everyone around it. I loved how she got her name.
Brynnde had no wish to be married, but when given no choice she must decide. I loved that she wanted to make sure everyone was happy even when she was sick and facing marrying someone she didn't want.
Garrick didn't do something unless he wanted to. I loved how he had a habit of saying something and it comes out wrong. He will have your heart with how he takes care of her and listens to her.
So many matches going on in this story make it very entertaining. This one is different because of how things played out with everyone from the start. You get to know and love all the characters throughout the story. I loved that I didn't see the scandal coming like it did and how it affected everyone around it. I loved how she got her name.
Brynnde had no wish to be married, but when given no choice she must decide. I loved that she wanted to make sure everyone was happy even when she was sick and facing marrying someone she didn't want.
Garrick didn't do something unless he wanted to. I loved how he had a habit of saying something and it comes out wrong. He will have your heart with how he takes care of her and listens to her.
kai_raine's review
5.0
Brynnde by M. Pepper Langlinais is a regency romance about a young woman who is eligible for marriage, but knows that her appeal will far pale in comparison to that of her stuck-up younger sister Tessa. Nevertheless, Brynnde's personality ends up outshining Tessa's, winning her friendship as well as love.
This was a delightful read. Brynnde weaves together elements of regency romance that each strongly harken back to Jane Austen: mostly the titular character's match-making efforts that disregard herself, which are strongly evocative of Emma, but I also saw the missed opportunities of Persuasion and the intrafamilial tension of Pride and Prejudice. Added onto these elements is Brynnde's very modern character. She will not be sitting at home waiting for the men to do something—this heroine will be out there on her horse in men's clothes, doing her part.
But what really sold this to me was the sort of love being depicted. The major drawback of a regency romance is, typically, that two people must fall in love in a series of crowded or chaperoned settings, in very little time. In this book, Brynnde and her love interest Garrick find a comfortable friendship, wherein they can be themselves and at ease. When Brynnde complains to Garrick of a man her father's age who has asked her hand in marriage, Garrick proposes. Brynnde accepts, seeing this proposal as a practical decision rather than a romantic one. She and Garrick get along, and she has become good friends with his sisters. What more could she ask for?
The story truly kicks into action when the engagement is called off, thanks to some scandal involving Garrick's brother.
The slow realization that Brynnde goes through over the course of the book, realizing that perhaps the comfort and ease she feels might be love after all, was an absolute joy. This slow, easy, unassuming love is so rarely depicted in our stories at all, and I was beyond pleasantly surprised to find it here.
I highly recommend this book to fans Eva Ibbotson, fans of Jane Austen who would like to see her heroines a little more proactive, as well as anyone who just wants a pleasant romance to curl up with.
This was a delightful read. Brynnde weaves together elements of regency romance that each strongly harken back to Jane Austen: mostly the titular character's match-making efforts that disregard herself, which are strongly evocative of Emma, but I also saw the missed opportunities of Persuasion and the intrafamilial tension of Pride and Prejudice. Added onto these elements is Brynnde's very modern character. She will not be sitting at home waiting for the men to do something—this heroine will be out there on her horse in men's clothes, doing her part.
But what really sold this to me was the sort of love being depicted. The major drawback of a regency romance is, typically, that two people must fall in love in a series of crowded or chaperoned settings, in very little time. In this book, Brynnde and her love interest Garrick find a comfortable friendship, wherein they can be themselves and at ease. When Brynnde complains to Garrick of a man her father's age who has asked her hand in marriage, Garrick proposes. Brynnde accepts, seeing this proposal as a practical decision rather than a romantic one. She and Garrick get along, and she has become good friends with his sisters. What more could she ask for?
The story truly kicks into action when the engagement is called off, thanks to some scandal involving Garrick's brother.
The slow realization that Brynnde goes through over the course of the book, realizing that perhaps the comfort and ease she feels might be love after all, was an absolute joy. This slow, easy, unassuming love is so rarely depicted in our stories at all, and I was beyond pleasantly surprised to find it here.
I highly recommend this book to fans Eva Ibbotson, fans of Jane Austen who would like to see her heroines a little more proactive, as well as anyone who just wants a pleasant romance to curl up with.
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