Bridemaker by Rexanne Becnel
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(Mass Market Paperback)
- Pub. Date: October 2002
- 344pp
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: October 2002
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press
- Format: Mass Market Paperback, 344pp
- ISBN-13: 9780312983116
- ISBN: 0312983115
Synopsis
She's called "the Bridemaker", but Hester Poitevant prefers to think of herself as the gentle facilitator of marital union. Hester's popular Mayfair Academy has helped teach many the awkward society miss how to find her way to the altar with the eligible bachelor of her choice. But while her students flirt and mingle, Hester possesses as a prim widow--rather than reveal herself as the never-been married beauty she truly is...
He made his fortune in America. Now the dashing, scandalously sired Adrian Hawke is in London, determined to fight off the season's most wily debutants. Adrian isn't fooled by Hester's thin disguise--for she possess the soft, womanly curves no somber gown can hide. The question is, why does she dress like a schoolmarm when she could easily make a better match than any of her student? Adrian vows to reveal Hester's most precious secrets. But what he discovers is a woman with a past more complicated than he could ever imagine--and whose beauty is not just skin-deep...
Publishers Weekly
With this sparkling romance between a highly regarded widow and a thoroughly charming rake, Becnel (The Troublemaker, etc.) breathes life into the rigid Regency-era romance genre. Hester Poitevant, mistress of the popular Mayfair Academy, has developed a reputation for transforming shy, awkward girls into good marriage material. Known as the Bridemaker, she hides behind her widow's weeds and ugly spectacles in order to appear respectable without outshining her students and their paying mamas. The disguise also ensures that no man will look twice at her and threaten her hard-earned independence. But when her favorite student sets her sights on Adrian Hawke, a rich but untitled American, Hester confronts the unconventional rogue and, to her horror, begins to fall for him. Though Adrian is initially put off by Hester's standoffish demeanor, he senses the feisty widow is concealing more than just a fine body, and he's willing to use whatever means necessary, even seduction, to uncover her secrets. The protagonists' ideals are at times too modern for the period, but Hester's spirited personality and Adrian's devil-may-care attitude will appeal to a broad readership. Playful in tone and rich in character, this book is fun, breezy entertainment. (Nov.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Customer Reviews
warm Regency romanceby harstan
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October 04, 2002: Mothers of young ladies, who did not take during their first season turn to THE BRIDEMAKER, widow Hester Poitvant to perform miracles. Hester always seems to succeed regardless of the physical, emotional, or mental handicap of her client though sometimes the overbearing parent can be cause for alarm. Her current class includes reticent and overweight Dulcie Bennett, whose mother and brother are obnoxious. Dulcie finds American businessman Adrian Hawke quite attractive, but her family snubs him as being born on the wrong side of the sheets. Hester knows he is using Dulcie to get at her brother and begs Adrian to not hurt her student who she cares for way beyond a fee. Adrian misinterprets Hester?s pleading, feeling she thinks he is beneath her. As he tries to uncover the secrets of Hester, Adrian falls in love. However she cannot afford love with anyone as her mother has a reputation that makes Hester beneath Adrian. THE BRIDEMAKER is a warm Regency romance starring two delightful lead characters who ?inherit? baggage way beyond their years. The story line is loaded with joy as Adrian begins to peel the rose. Each time he thinks he has completed his mission, a new petal needs unwrapping including the identity of the late husband who know one recalls meeting. Dulcie is a fine person who proves that nature protects the kindhearted from the nasty though her mother and brother are more caricature snobs than family. Rexanne Becnel makes reading fun with this tale and her other pleasant ?Maker? novels. Harriet Klausner
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