I have to admit: I do like a good regency romance and Dorothy Mack’s The Substitute Bride pretty much ticked all the boxes for me. It’s a well-worn storyline, that of the young woman engaged as governess to the children of an aristocrat following the death of his wife. In this case Angelica knows Giles from way back and is expecting a greater level of kindness from him than turns out to be the case — and although, despite this, her feelings towards him grow well beyond respect for an employer (I did say the story was well worn) there’s an obstacle in addition to his seemingly cold heart — his formidable fiancee.

I’m always careful to avoid spoilers but I really don’t need to, because there are no surprises. In a sense that doesn’t matter. In a romance we all expect a happy ending and it’s the telling of the story that differentiates between one such tale and another.

I enjoyed The Substitute Bride, though I confess I found it a bit slow in places. It wasn’t until after I’d finished it that I realised why. It’s reprint of an older title, first published in 1977. It seems to me that modern Regency romances have a little more zip about them and maybe a little more joy. (The incomparable Georgette Heyer is an exception, of course.) Maybe it’s me: maybe it’s a personal preference; but the book did feel a little dated.

That said, it did what it said on the tin and delivered a Regency romance, well-written and readable. I’m not sure Dorothy Mack will be the person I turn to when I’m looking for my next Regency read, but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.

Thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I'm afraid I couldn't get into the story. I love historical fiction but the main character annoyed me. It's taken me such a long time to review this book as I just haven't wanted to pick it up once I've put it down. It is a well-written book and the premise is interesting but personal preference has led me to rate this 2 stars. It just wasn't a book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I mostly enjoyed reading this book. There were times, I wanted to scream, "talk to each other". So many of the understandings they had were because they didn't know how to communicate with one another. For the most part, I enjoyed the book, though.

Giles was a Viscount. He had met Angelia when she was 13 years old and he had rescued her from a fall into the lake. Angelica have loved him from that moment. Now, at 23 years old, she was hired as Giles' daughter's governess and companion to his sister, Lydia until his upcoming marriage.

Giles was cold and unapproachable but at times, Angelica saw whims a kind and personable man. When his fiancé' eloped off with another man, he asked Angelica to marry him. At first she resisted, even though she wanted to be his wife, because she didn't want to be a substitute bride. There were so many misunderstandings between these two that I wasn't sure I would find a happy ending. In fact, I got to about 97% of the book before I got my answer.

This book is a clean Regency romance with a spirited and prideful heroine and a dark and brooding hero. I didn't like how Giles interacted with Angelica most of the time but looking back on regency male characters, that seemed to be the norm in a lot of the romances. I liked the inclusion of some wonderful secondary characters in the book, like Jenny, the daughter, and Lydia, the sister.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

This is my first time reading an older historical romance. I was surprised to be entertained and not at all bored with the story. I wanted more from the hero's point of view, and the conflict between the hero and heroine could have been solved with an honest talk, of course, but the way the book is written, I could believe they were too proud and reserved to really communicate.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed this historical romance fiction. This was a great novel to curl up and read with a cup of hot cocoa. Great writing to elecit a connection with the characters.

This book had a great premise, but once the substitute became the fiancée, the book went downhill very fast for me. While there is a HEA, they way they get there could have been much better and not so rushed.

This was a tame Regency romance that was enjoyable. I liked the plot and it was well written. It is very nice to escape with a book like this occasionally.
Many thanks to Sapere Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having read previous, somewhat negative reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with this story.
Although there were a couple of scenes toward the end of the story that portrayed a hint of violence, I in no way found this story to have excessive abuse or dark connotations.
I found Angelica and Giles to be relate-able characters. Although he is a good man, Giles comes across as a cold, unfeeling man, but as you read further you come to realize there are reasons for the way that he portrays himself publicly . Both Giles and Angelina come to have feelings for the other, but are afraid to show it in case they are not returned. This causes for much confusion and misunderstanding.
Jenny and Lydia are exceptional secondary characters and allow for much enjoyment of their antics.
Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read and would recommend to all my fellow Regency fans.
In closing, I would like to give thanks to Dorothy Mack, Sapere Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this engaging story in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was quite predictable what would happen but the story kept me reading. The characters were interesting and fun especially Jenny. I do recommend that the book is read.

Totally enjoyed this story. Giles is a good man, though hurt inside. Angelica has left her world and become a governess. I won't tell you the story, just start reading. It's delightful tale that will touch your heart.

The Substitute Bride is a very well written Regency romance. Good plot and well developed characters. If you enjoy reading Regency era books I recommend this book. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I’ve only started reading historical romance this year, and I wish I had found it much sooner. However, I’ve found some books can be very weak in setting a 19th century plot, and are too short to have an enjoyable plot. THIS book aces all of that.

While I had to google some things mid-reading and squirmed at the idea of turtle soup (still can’t believe that’s actually a thing), it really felt like the author knew this era inside out. And the length was a perfect amount to allow the plot to play out.

The characters were extremely likeable and the main two were somewhat reminiscent of Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester. Jenny was absolutely adorable and I loved the chemistry Angelica had with the family.

As I’m used to books with each chapter devoted to a single POV, it was a little jarring to read the POV changing so frequently, but I eventually got used to this and found it helped the flow of the book.

I’ll be sure to read the rest of Dorothy Mack’s books, this was fantastic.

Neither main character is very relatable, and this is a very paint-by-numbers Regency romance. It was originally published in the 70's, and it shows. On the part of the "hero" there is too much broodiness, drama, and aggressive behavior for no good reason.

I love a cold hero who is redeemed by love, but the hero in this book is unredeemable. Initially, it seems like things are going well, but the last few chapters take a turn for the dark, and the hero's abuse begins to turn to the physical. By the end of the book, the heroine is broken down and not the bright, sparkling woman she was in the beginning.

This is a rerelease of a book first published in 1977. If you are a fan of older historical romances, then this is a book for you. The language is formal and strictly follows the rules of the Regency era. The characters fit the time period, but I just didn't like it. 

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a truly good read this was. I love a brooding lord and this one was no exception, I wondered how long it would take for them to get get together and how it would take place, it was a real page turner. I loved the way relationships were formed along the between the governess and child and also between the staff. It was truly a heartwarming read. Angelica is a such a kind sole and remembers Giles Kindness to her as a child. Giles has become frosty and aloof and engage to a beautiful Lady who is totally opposite of Angelica.
Is a wonderful tale that unravels before your eyes, and I love how relationships are forged along the way. A very good read and very well written.

Like many romances, The Substitute Bride by Dorothy Mack articulated the feelings of many readers.

A light read with good pacing and excellent characterization. Definitely atmospheric, everything is wonderfully described and didn't disappoint that slowly takes a turn into fake engagement territory.

The novel tells the story of where we hear the private thoughts of more characters which definitely gives a wider range of viewpoints, allowing me to visualize the moments and paint in some of the finer details of what surrounded the scenes and setting real, flawed characters.

The setting is historical with old-fashioned beliefs but the sensibilities are not. Angelica is the main character, she's sheltered and sweet yet she’s perceptive of the thoughts and feelings of everyone around her. Especially, Lord Giles Weston, he is the only thing that matters to Angel and selflessly more about his reputation in the eyes of London's commute and them discovering how well they fit together.

Every romance has a happy ending after all this book feels rich and realistic, and the romance develops with sincerity.


This book is just a lovely place to spend a few hours while you read it with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

The first 80% of this story was entertaining. I enjoyed the character development and the growth of the relationships. I could understand the hero's volatile nature as I learned more of his history. I admired the heroine's resolve, accepted her reasons for not speaking up, and felt for her as she faced certain disappointments and challenges. There were the typical misunderstandings due to miscommunication, but they were only mildly aggravating. There was a natural progression of friendship and an ease of companionship building, and I was hopeful that a cheerful resolution would occur at any moment. Then the story took a decidedly dark turn. A volatile mood and reluctance to confess feelings morphed into physical violence on more than one occasion and immobilizing fear to address it directly. It was confusing, to say the least. It felt like drama for the sake of drama and was never satisfactorily explained, if that's even possible. It was almost like reading about completely different characters, their behavior changed so drastically. The conclusion was intended to wrap it up in a bow, but it left me feeling puzzled and disappointed in both main characters.

Upon the marriage of her cousin Billy to Charlotte, Angelica finds herself at a bit of a loss. Usually the mistress of the house she no longer has that responsibility. She makes the decision to seek employment as a governess and luckily finds herself appointed to a child named Jenny who had unfortunately lost her mother.

Lord Desmond is engaged to be married again but in the meantime Angelica takes on additional duties of escorting his young sister out in society.

Angelica can't help but notice the upcoming marriage doesn't appear to be a love match, whilst herself she has adored Lord Desmond since she was a child when he rescued her from a lake.

He doesn't seem as fun and cheerful as he was then and Angelica hopes to see his good nature return.

Things take an unexpected turn when his engagement is called off just as Angelica faces the truth that she can't live there with another woman. Will it be a happy ending for all?

The first thing I'll say about this is what an absolute pleasure to read!

From the elegance of the writing to the descriptions of the clothing and the decor I was immersed in this book from beginning to end.

It reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice so if you're a fan of those you'll love this!

The characters are well written and you can picture them from the description.

This really is a beautiful piece of writing and the first I've read by this author but I will surely be reading more.

It’s not the worst book I’ve read but I didn’t really enjoy it. I am sorry to be critical - but this is sadly no Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen or even a Tessa Dare!! I found the language stiff and stilted, and the story trite and stereotypical. I was really quite bored.
I love JA for her descriptive prose and insightful observations into the society with which she was so familiar. I expect the language to reflect her times because that’s when she lived. I love Georgette Heyer for her impeccable research, fantastic characterisation, great plots her wit and humour and her delightful heroes and heroines. Her ability to reflect the era whilst still writing in comprehensible and fast flowing terms shows a level of skill with language not often found elsewhere. I love Tessa Dare (despite her occasional historical inaccuracies and anachronisms), because she writes such fabulously entertaining, romantic and sexy stories with interesting heroes and heroines and her books are full of intelligent dialogue and witty repartee which makes me laugh out loud. I find her to be one of the few writers who can really write good, erotic love scenes. This book failed to entertain me and I was not particularly drawn to the characters. I received this copy from NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well most other people will tell you the story I am not going to repeat something a good author has already written. This book brings forth so many emotions and on so many levels. We’re dealing with a man who does not want to admit his feelings. He’s put a mask on him so that no one will know what he’s thinking. In the meantime we’re also dealing with a young woman With had a crush on this man for years. You knew how it had to end but I was surprised how quickly they brought the end around. And then the real surprise follows. We have Villain s in this book. The main character is his own villain. We have love in this book. And we have a tremendous twist in this book I am not going to tell you what it is because it would not be the surprise that it is With the exception of a few draggy spots this is a good book