I really enjoy Jane Feather’s books but this one just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t feel any connection to the leads and had to force myself to finish it.

2.5 stars

This was slow going and the main characters really rubbed me the wrong way through most of this. Ariadne was selfish and immature while Ivor was a bit overbearing. The narrator did a great job though ;)

I have own and have read many a Jane Feather book in the past, and even now! And while I have loved most of her books, I have struggled with Trapped at the Altar.

I have always thought it was important for the reader to have some affection for the lead characters, but sadly I did not. I found Ari character annoying and Ivors character boarish, the story was lacking, and I’m just disappointed that this is a Jane Feather’s book. This is one I certainly won’t read again.

Ari and Ivor have been friends since they were children but Ari is not happy when she is ordered by her family to marry Ivor to secure her family’s security and standing with the King. Ari believes she is in love with another man and has no qualms about telling Ivor her heart belongs to another. Ivor accepts his responsibility to the family and marries Ari but believes her feelings will change and he will win her heart.

I found this story very interesting in that Ari is not a virginal maiden. She has given her body and heart to another man; a man she is not married to. Very taboo in this historical setting, as marriages are contracts and the bride’s purity is an important part of the arrangement. I found it interesting that Ivor goes through with the marriage despite knowing Ari has given herself to another and he keeps that secret between them. I really admired that as this story could have had a completely different outcome.

The only real problem I had with this story is with Ari. She is self-centered and selfish in the beginning. She appears to be a little fickle in how quickly she gets over Gabriel and realizes she loves Ivor. I enjoyed watching her squirm a little bit when Gabriel appears in London and she is filled with anxiety how she will address the situation. It is resolved not how I thought it would, but, again, Ivor deserves the credit for doing the right thing. I liked Ari, but she needed to do a lot of growing up and with Ivor, she is well on her way.

My Final Verdict: Though Ari starts off as very immature and headstrong, she develops into a proper noblewoman doing what her family expects of her. I thought Ivor was an excellent character and I liked that he accepts the challenge of marriage to Ari and winning her love and doesn’t look back. Fans of historical romances will enjoy the backdrop of the court of King Charles II.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Trapped At The Altar from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I tried reading this book two times, and just could not get into it. I was bored, and I didn't relate or empathize with the characters at all.

-Did Not Finish

A love triangle.
Ariadne loved Gabriel and believed that she could marry him. Until the time of the death of her grandfather, she finds out that an agreement between the two families would force her to marry Ivor Chalfont.

Ivor knew of Ari's crush for Gabriel, and at first he understood the even accepted. But as Ivor had a crush on Ari for a long time, he wanted to make sure that when she was his wife she would act sober.

In many moments Ari acts like a spoiled girl, which makes the story tiresome.
Gabriel was a annoying romantic, and his personality (a weak man) did not interest me.
Ari, as it was said, could be the heroine who thinks she is in love someone else but is mistaken and later finds herself in love with her own husband, but this didn't happen anytime soon, the pace is too slow to reach that part.
And Ivor, who is the best character among the 3, gets stuck with a wife who is slow to realize that he would be the best choice for her.

The plot was so interesting in the blurb, but as the story goes on, becomes tiresome.
Too bad. I loved the cover.

After reading the first few pages, I realized I would not be interested in this book after all.