This is a well written book however I struggled to really get into it and connect with the characters. I don't mind a moody, grumpy hero a la Darcy but felt Giles was much too cold/harsh for me to be rooting for him and Angelica.

Not really sure how I feel about this one. I love a Regency romance, but I generally need my hero to have some redeeming qualities. He’s pretty much awful. And I like my heroines with a little more backbone. Regency life could be pretty bleak but that’s not what I want in my stories - it’s why I prefer fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love a good romance.This one had all the ingredients to make it a good one.The quiet surly older man,the young governess,an elopement....
Language was a bit formal but I realized this book was originally released in 1977.
Definitely a good read,sweet romantic book.
#netgalley #thesubstitutebride

This book was first published in 1977. It's a historical fiction written as if it were spoken in 1800 England. Story seemed a little harsh if male lead and female were so poor at communicating. Otherwise, HEA.

Following the marriage of her cousin with whom she has been living since childhood, Angelica takes a position as a governess of the daughter of Giles, a friend of said cousin, whom she had met one summer long before and remembered as a boy who was always laughing and kind. It is therefore a shock to find on meeting him again that as a widower he has grown stern and hard - and is soon to remarry, a beautiful woman who cares no more for him than he does for her. Over the few weeks before the wedding, Angelica not only falls in love with her charge, Jenny, but also finds herself falling in love with Giles. When his intended elopes with another man bare days before the wedding, he suggests that Angelica marry him instead - but purely as a marriage of convenience. Can she bring herself to marry a man whom she already loves with all her heart, but who will never love her? And is she truly correct that he will never love her?

I really enjoyed this - most of the way through. Then, a few chapters before the end, I ran into a couple of scenes that, if they had happened earlier, probably would have made me put the book down altogether instead of just skipping over them. To start with what I liked: I appreciated the way that the other members of the household were real people, not just cardboard cutouts supporting Giles and Angelica. Jenny and Lydia in particular really added to the story - and the description of the banister episode almost made me want to try sliding down one myself! So, yes, the writing was good and kept me interested, and the unfolding of the relationship felt relatively realistic. However...

Content warning: There were a couple of things I objected to about this book. The first was a bedroom scene, which, though it didn't seem very detailed as I tried to avoid it, was still more than I wanted. I can see why it was needed for the plot, but I won't be reading the book again. The second thing was the way that Giles treated Angelica on a couple of occasions - rather more roughly than I was comfortable with, at least borderline abuse I thought. Overall, though I enjoyed the writing and most of the story, I will probably be avoiding other books by the author in case of more of such issues. If such things don't bother you (and they really were fairly minor), this may be a book you would enjoy, because I certainly found it very readable.

Note that I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

i loved this book! The timelines make the pacing fast. The characters are so well drawn and the story is perfection!

Angelica and her mother lived with Angelica's father's family after his death.. Now only Angelica and her cousin Billy are left. He is recently married and his wife is chafing with another woman in their house, even a cousin. He recommends Angelica to a widowed friend, Lord Desmond, for a governess position. Angelica is hired to work with Lord Desmond's child, Jennifer, and also serve as chaperone for his sister Lydia's season in London for three weeks. Then he remarries. Lord Desmond's second marriage is one of convenience. His fiancé is absolutely self-absorbed. It is obvious they do not care for one another.

Angelica and Lord Desmond had met when she was thirteen, and she had a huge crush on him then. He had changed considerably since then. He had a sad, morose presence, and while he treated her courteously, she felt very much the servant. Preparations are underway for Lydia's debutante ball. Angelica realizes she is once again attracted to Lord Desmond, but thinks there is no hope for him to return is affection. When his fiancé elopes with another man, Lord Desmond asks Angelica to marry him on the day set for his wedding. It too is supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Angelica hopes that love with eventually grow between them. Can they find their way and reveal to one another the love that has developed?

The book is involving, with a dominant hero and a feisty but well-bred heroine. Ms. Mack is a good writer and keeps her reader's attention with the characters' wit and passion. This is a re-issue of a story from 1977 and it has aged well. There is some sex but it is "tasteful" rather than explicit. A romantic regency in the old style.

This was an engaging read. It was written in a way that was very true to the attitudes and sensibilities of the era. Angelica, is not a meek person and tends to say what she thinks. She did have a caring nature in regards to her pupil, Jenny and to Lydia, Giles’ younger sister. Giles, has changed from when Angelica first knew him, he was no longer the happy person he used to be. This was an absorbing read as they worked through their feelings for each other. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Substitute Bride was a great old-school read! We have an outspoken heroine, Angelica, who finds herself in need of a job due not getting along with her cousin's new wife. I loved the relationship she had with her cousin, Billy. It was more of a brother-sister relationship than that of cousins. He helps her find a job as a governess to a viscount who ten years ago had saved her from drowning when she was thirteen.
In the ten years that have passed since she last saw him, she finds a very different, cold man. Giles has a daughter, Jennifer, who needs a governess and a sister, Lydia, who needs a companion. Angelica is to fill those two roles in his household.
Since the moment Angelica walks into his house she brings in a little lightness to all of them. I enjoyed how outspoken Angelica was. She sometimes had a difficult time keeping her opinions and comments to herself. As time passes we can see how great an influence she has been to Gile's family. Even he begins to change and those smiles begin to bloom again. Sadly it is now Angelica whose good humor is affected when her feelings are in knots. Feelings that get overwhelming when she steps in as the substitute bride. I just loved the angst between these two. I know some of these feelings could be resolved by just talking about them, but the doubts and miscommunication add so much drama to the story. I love it!
Great story and highly recommended!
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.

3.5

After her cousin marries Angelica Wayne decides the to leave the only home she has known because she quite honestly admits that she can't happily relinquish control of the household to another women. She decides to take a post as a governess to a Viscount Giles Weston who she fell in love with when she was a child due to her and her cousin following him around. Upon arriving she is also asked to be chaperone to Giles' sister, Lydia, during her debut.
Giles is set to marry Lady Barbara more as a marriage of convenience rather than love, however when Lady Barbara elopes he asks Angelica to marry him (which was about 71% in according to my Kindle).

I liked all the characters besides Lady Barbara and the story was going well until after they got married and he tried to force himself on her. She has tears down her face so he stops and the next day he does seem to feel sorry but still. And even though obviously both of them do like each they are still "Does he?" "Does she?" which wasn't that annoying since it didn't last long.

The writing as quite good and it did seem to stick to Regency norms.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All these opinions are my own.

Another book that caught me by surprise. This was surprisingly one good book. Being a historical romance I expected some more “detail” but this kept itself a bit more modest maybe due to the fact the book was written all the way back 1977.

The story was very sweet and manage to tug and your heartstrings and although some stuff provided too hasty it was cute nonetheless. Fun read to pass time if you’re a historical romance buff.

Angelica Wayne, 23, and her widowed mother first came to live at Wroxham Court when Angelica was 5. William had taken her under his wing and looked out for her as if she was a younger sister. Angelica was given a season in London but just wanted to be back in the country where she has been happiest. Now, he is married to Charlotte who resents her presence in their home. Her mother has now passed away, and with no relatives, no dowry, and no means of support, she has decided to accept a position as a governess.

Lord Giles Weston is in need of a governess for his daughter Jenny, age 8, and in addition, will teach Italian to his sister who will soon have her first season. She will also accompany her to her events. Giles is a widower and soon to marry Lady Barbara Darlington. Angelica remembers the man when he visited Wroxham Court years ago when she was a small girl. She had a crush on him then. He was a happy man too. But when she meets him to interview for this job, she is surprised to find a man who appears to be angry and morose. She wonders what happened to the nice man he once was.

Angelica finds that Lady Barbara does not show affection for Giles and neither does he for her. Angelica has a good friendship with Lydia and Jenny likes her too. Before long, Angelica realizes that she has fallen in love with Giles and knows she cannot remain there and watch him and Lady Barbara together. When she tell Giles she must leave to care for an ailing family member, she learns that Lady Barbara has just married someone else. Angelica then agrees to help with cancelling the wedding plans, but Giles asks her to marry him to which she is hesitant. He wants a marriage of convenience and a marriage in name only. Reluctant to accept, she finally agrees. Now that she is to be a substitute bride, is there any way that they can have a happy marriage?

This was certainly a different plot. Angelica comes across as a delicate young lady but one who seems to know what she wants in life. I felt sorry for her, yet rather surprised that she would accept the way Giles treated her. I really liked Lydia and Jenny. Two well-written characters. I’m sure readers will enjoy this novel.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received a free copy of THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE by Dorothy Mack in exchange for an honest review. Angelica Wayne was allowed to run wild as a child, but she ended up running her cousin’s home. When he marries, Miss Wayne and her cousin-in-law both have trouble adjusting to their new roles. Miss Wayne acknowledges she has been struggling to relinquish control over the family residence, which had been causing confusion among the servants and undermining her cousin’s wife. To solve the problem, Miss Wayne decides to move out and take employment as a governess. Miss Wayne is delighted to have a chance to educate the daughter of the widowed Viscount Giles Weston and chaperone his sister during her debut season.

After Miss Wayne, as a child, spent a summer tagging along behind her older cousin and Viscount Weston, Miss Wayne fell head-over-heels into infatuation with the friendly young man. When Miss Wayne arrives at the Weston domicile, she finds Viscount Weston much changed; he’s no longer friendly; instead, he’s cold and bitter. Viscount Weston is also planning a business-like marriage of convenience with last season’s Incomparable, Lady Barbara Darlington. When Lady Barbara elopes with another man, Viscount Weston must find a substitute bride to save face with society. Viscount Weston decides and the entire household agrees that Miss Wayne would be ideal. Miss Wayne must determine whether her heart can survive a marriage where she has tender feelings for a spouse who is incapable of loving her.

I prefer the tamer Regency romances (i.e., those lacking tons of torrid sex), so I liked this book. I should note a trigger warning; the book contains a near-miss rape scenario. Otherwise, the sex scenes were discrete. The only negative was that; though there was a lot of effort put into the exposition, conflict, and rising action; the climax, falling action, and resolution were pretty brief.

#TheSubstituteBride #NetGalley

i really enjoyed this book! Angelica comes to Giles's household to be a governess to his daughter Jenny and companion to his sister Lydia and after his mildly obnoxious bride elopes with another man, Giles convinced Angelica to marry him, as the book blurb indicates. Angel is sweet and somewhat naive with a tendency to say exactly what she's thinking and Giles is brooding but deep down still shows glimpses of caring and humanity. I liked both of their characters for the most part, even though Giles deserved a slap or two for how he acted initially after they got married, and I think I liked most of the secondary characters even more. The plot itself was well written and the writing style flowed nicely.

I'm sometimes leery of indie publishers and self publishing because I've read some terrible grammar with laughable characters, but this book definitely isn't one of them and I'll certainly be looking for more books from Sapere Books if this is the quality they have! 3.5 rounded up to 4.