A romantic romp
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More fan-fiction romance than historical novel, this is a romp of a romantic novel, with the shotgun marriage of Duval Harlington to the mysterious French widow Edmée to satisfy the inheritance conditions of Duval’s father. Recently returned from the Bastille, Duval is a grump with a past that won’t let go, his former mistress (now married) doing her darndest to break up Duval from his new wife, a stranger to everyone including Duval. For her part, Edmée is a closed book (pun very much intended when you get round to reading the novel), her secrets threatening to overturn the escape from France and her own past that she has engineered. Of course, you know what happens at the end of a romance novel and this is no different, but the twists and turns are enough to keep you turning the pages.

The speech is more modern than historical, as far from Dumas as you could possibly get and yet still stay within the bounds of historical fiction. The characters are not much more than they appear to be, so so-far-so-standard for the genre. The narration very much centres on Duval and Edmée but the reader doesn’t get any foresight into what brought the pair of them to the points in their lives where they were, saving all of that information for the last fifth of the book, where it has no narrative heft. Sometimes other voices intrude the narration, but the MCs are missing from the plot so it doesn’t feel like you’ve entered into a different world and indeed a different novel. However, the helter skelter but entertaining plot contributes to a rounded ending.

Duval, Lord Harlington, returns to England from La Force prison in France to find his father dead. He has just two days to find a wife or risk losing his estate to his long lost cousin, Mr Carson. In desperate circumstances, he chances upon a wife sale, where he buys emigre Edmee for ten guineas. Intrigued by this downtrodden but elusive woman, it doesn’t take him long to fall in love with her. However, scandal stalks the couple right from the off, threatening the couple’s happiness and the future of the Muchmore Estate.

The Bride Stone is a Revolutionary Romantic mystery. I loved the setting and description in this novel. The references to the estate, wigs and gowns, in particular, reminded me of Bridgerton. The historical backdrop of the French Revolution gives it a grittier feel.

I liked the resilience of Duval and Edmee characters. I liked the softness of Duval’s juxtaposed with Edmee’s diamond in the rough vibe. I also liked Aunt Harriet and her relationship with them both. I enjoyed the pace and tone and found it very readable. I liked that chapters were short and divided into even shorter sections. The only thing I didn’t like was that I think it was a little predictable.

One for fans of historical fiction and romance alike.

Duval Hurlington returns home from France to find his father dead and his inheritance hanging in the balance
He must marry within 2 days - meet Edmeé, the widow that he buys as his wife
Loved it, the tension is electric - kidnap, murder and a bit of romance - it’s got it all
Thanks @the-sally-gardner @headofzeus & @netgalley for the tense, thrilling read

A race against time, a loveless marriage and an unreasonable father's post-grave demands all build to up to a thrilling plot, loveable characters and a story so well told it's hard to put down and a real shame when it ends.
You will love the plot twists and turns, the convincing settings and the whole host of believable characters that help build this into a masterful story.
I really enjoyed reading The Bride Stone, it kept my interest and I loved the intrigue. The story has a slight Bridgerton feel to it, but it was a more gritty tale. I would recommend picking this one up and finding a quiet corner to enjoy it.

Duval Harlington arrives in London in 1796 after years in prison in France to find out his father is dead and as a condition to inherit his title and property, Duval must marry within a year of his death. He has two days left to do it. After finding out old flames are already married he ends up buying a widow from a wife sale. (Apparently there were wife sales. It was cheaper to sell your wife than divorce!). Edmee Hyde is French and the widow of a parson, Samuel Hyde. She’s covered in bruises and clearly has a mysterious past.
I loved this book from the start! Great historical fiction with a bit of mystery, feminism and romance.
A great read.

What a roller coaster of emotions I went through when I was reading this novel! I love Sally Gardner's writing and this did not disappoint.

It started out as a historical novel, set after the French Revolution. The pace is extremely fast in the opening chapters as you follow Duval Harlington home as he is about to be disinherited. At this point in the novel, I felt totally caught up in the action and couldn't put it down. However, following a swift marriage to a stranger, the pace slowed and Duval escapes back to London, which is where some of his back story is developed and, to some extent, Edmee's, too. The novel seems to morph into a love story at this point until Edmee's strange disappearance when this returns more to a thriller/mystery type genre as Ducal moves heaven and earth to discover her whereabouts.

Edmee's story is heartbreaking and compelling. You really cannot tell whether this novel will have a happy ending. I absolutely loved getting to know these two complex characters who life had treated very badly at times. Duval also has a strong elderly aunt who is an absolute delight to meet.

I honestly don't know how to review this satisfactorily as there were so many different elements that I enjoyed: romance, mystery, history and heartbreak! Read it and love it!

The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner is a page turning romance mystery set in England in the aftermath of the French Revolution. On his release from a renowned French Prison, Duval Harrington reaches English soil to find out his estranged father has died, that he himself has been assumed dead and the inheritance of his estate is about to default to an unsavoury distant relation.

Harrington’s only hope of inheriting is to fulfil his father’s wish that he marries - but with only 48 hours to do that and get to his country estate, and his mind still filled with the terrors of the Revolution, can he, does he want to, and what if that’s just the start of the story?

This was a fast paced but well characterised tale - part mystery, part thriller and part romance. Both Harrington and the mysterious Edmée are both coming to terms with the aftermath of the French Revolution and what they did to survive - the secrets they kept and the hardships they endured. It’s a tale of acceptance and growth but still feels pacy as the secrets start to unravel. I devoured this book in two sittings - perfect for a sunny park or a sun lounger.

Thank you to @headofzeus and the author for sending me an advanced #gifted copy to review - The Bride Stone is out now!

Thank you Head Of Zeus (Bloomsbury) for the ARC.

It is rare for me to get obsessed with a book from the first page but this is what happened here. Gothic, suspenseful, fully absorbs the reader and is excellently written. I liked it so much I bought my own copy from Bloomsbury website.

I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a unique historical mystery. I will be looking into Sally Gardner's backlist for sure.

Duval Harlington returns to England from France after being incarcerated during the latter years of the Revolution. On his return he discovers that, on his father’s death, he has now inherited the dukedom and the family estate of Muchmore. However, one of the terms of his late father’s will is that Duval must marry or lose the estate and with only hours before the deadline the race is on to find a bride. When he encounters a wife sale in a nearby village it seems like the only solution, and so, paying ten guineas, Duval chooses a young widow, Edmée Hyde, an enigmatic young woman, who has more than enough tragic secrets of her own. Together they take the path to their destiny.

What then follows is a fascinating story of two troubled young people, the traumas they have each suffered, and the secrets which they carry within them, all of which are explored in a compassionate love story which despite the many twists, turns and obstacles which come their way shows that the human spirit remains strong. Beautifully written, with a lyricism which belies its strength, there is much to enjoy in a story which is strong on historical detail, high in compassion and rich with scandal and intrigue. There are villains and champions, characters who make your blood boil and also those whose strength and kindness shines through the worst of human nature.

It is a story to be treasured.

Absolutely loved this book with it's combination of mystery, adventure and romance

Duval returns to England after a long absence having been caught up in the French revolution, only to find that his father has passed away.

Under the terms of his will, Duval must marry within a set period of time. As if that's not difficult with no potential partner on the horizon, he finds that he literally has about 48 hours left of the grace period before he has to forfeit his inheritance.

Just as Duval is about to run out of time, he comes across Edmee who finds herself in straitened circumstances which makes her the perfect solution to his problems.

However, Edmee has a dark and difficult past and there are persons who will stop at nothing to prevent her relationship with Duval flourishing and him claiming his inheritance.

Cracking read.

I was really looking forward to reading this book. The description really attracted me and as I have read many of Sally Gardner's children's books to my daughter I was interested to see how the jump to adult fiction would work out. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing. The story was fast moving and beautifully written with some great characters. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a great read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to a great novel.

As I started to write this review I checked my notebook to refresh my memory: all that I had written was DuVal and Edmee, a sure sign that I had been engrossed in the story!
DuVal, having just been released from a Paris prison learns that his father died nearly one year ago.under the terms of the will, in order to claim his inheritance he must be married and the marriage take place at the Hall within a year of his fathers death. With only days to find a suitable bride, confirmed bachelor DuVal has a momentous decision to make.
Edmee has had a troubled life which we learn about over the course of the book. She is an inspirational character, reinventing herself in order to survive and taking chances when appropriate.

The Bride Stone was not initially a priority on my reading list, but the overwhelmingly positive response from early reviewers piqued my curiosity. Regrettably, that decision has proven perplexing. Having attempted to read the novel myself, I find it difficult to reconcile the effusive praise with the actual content. The characters are underdeveloped to the point of being indistinguishable, their motivations and inner lives barely sketched. The prose itself often feels like a preliminary draft, with scenes ending abruptly just as they approach narrative or emotional significance. There is a notable absence of the depth and cohesion typically expected from polished fiction. While the premise holds promise, the novel falters considerably in its execution. As an entry in the historical romance genre, The Bride Stone aspires to the conventions of its category but fails to meet even the baseline set by more competent works.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book: much of it was too anachronistic for me, both language and behaviour. But it also covered some more serious themes than I expected. All in all, not for me but I can see how most people would fall in love with it.

Wow this was amazing. Set during the French Revolution with dual timelines. Absolutely beautifully written and exciting fast moving plot and the romance was beautiful. Highly recommend if you want a rich historical fiction book

I loved this book from the start, so utterly romantic and compelling with a lovely tone that makes you hope everything will be alright in the end, and if it isn't alright leaves you hoping that it isn't the end!

A race against time, a loveless marriage and an unreasonable father's post-grave demands all build to up to a thrilling plot, loveable characters and a story so well told it's hard to put down and a real shame when it ends.

Duval Harlington, back from captivity in the French Revolution, must find a bride quickly to meet the terms of his late father's will. When in desperation he buys a bride at a wife sale, is Edmee really the humble parson's wife that she seems? And will their hasty bargain end up in a love match before the meddling relation set to inherit Duval's estate wins out in the end?

You will love the plot twists and turns, the convincing settings and the whole host of believable characters that help build this into a masterful story.

I loved the French Revolution setting to this novel, it isn't a period that I know a lot about and this was wonderfully informative without being didcatic.
While the initial conditions of the will which are the catalyst are incredibly far fetched the rest of the book works within this parameter. I did like all of the 'good' characters and didn't find that the baddies were too pantomime in appearance. The local to me setting of Norfolk/Suffolk was also a bonus.

I've mostly come across Gardner as a children's or YA author and thought at times this book was verging towards this market but on the whole thsi was a great read.

I was sent a copy of The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner to read and review by NetGalley. This is a very readable historical novel written by the author of The Weather Woman, which I loved. There is a great cast of characters as expected, with plenty of twists within the story. I did find it a little predictable in places and it has to be said it is a very romantic tale. That said, I did enjoy it and read it in just a few days. I would probably class it as an historical beach read – if there is such a genre!

Historical fiction at its finest. This felt so emotionally charged between the couple despite them marrying at a moment's notice and not really knowing each other- and thats without the scandal that soon ensues.

This moved at a pace to keep me hooked and entertained throughout. Characters I loved to hate, some I was rooting for, and things I wanted, no needed answers to.

Great time period, and superb characterisation. Glorious.

The Bride Stone has a gripping opening. Duval Harrington arrives back in England after three years in a French jail to find that his father has died and he must marry within 3 days or lose his inheritance. He is sure that he has no chance of marrying anyone within that time but then discovers a Wife Sale. He does manage to purchase a wife for the princely sum of 10 guineas but his problems still aren’t over.
I was gripped by the opening to this novel as Duval goes from hope to despair and back to hope again. I found myself really invested in the marriage between him and Edmee and the growing romance between them. I really wanted them to succeed despite all of the opposition to them. I also loved the setting at the end of the French revolution when French emigres were often seen as suspicious and the historical detail is excellent.
The book fell down for me on the secondary characters who nearly all felt very 2D and didn’t have a lot of depth. The only two who came alive for me were the Bow Street Runner who is called in to investigate the mystery and Mrs Dent who goes out to rescue women and children from the type of situation that Edmee found herself in. The inheritance grabbing cousin, Carson in particular feels a bit like a pantomime villain although to be fair, Duval himself notes that his cousin seems to have come out of a bad play.
Despite this, it was still a very readable story which I found hard to put down. I don’t think it’s quite as good as the author’s previous book The Weather Woman but a good read nonetheless.
My thinks as always to Net Galley and the publishers Head of Zeus, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.