Abbreviations #0.2 | Forbidden + The Accidental Bride

Forbidden by Nicola Cornick

Series: The Scandalous Women of the Ton #6

Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: August 21, 2012

Source/Format: Netgalley (Thanks!) || e-galley

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the thoughts expressed in my review.]

As a lady's maid, Margery Mallon knows that entanglements with gentlemen of the ton are taboo. But when Henry Ward, otherwise known as Lord Wardeaux, appears in her life, the possibilities of a scandalous affair are suddenly endless. Henry has another goal in mind though - reuniting Margery with her grandfather, and her rightful inheritance by any means possible - even if it involves seduction and deception.

I’ve always drawn comfort from reading historical romances. Forbidden drew me back into the world of Regency England, complete with lords and ladies, heirs and heiresses, and, of course, dashing heroes, quirky heroines and their romantic escapades. 

When you read romances as often as I do, it’s fairly certain that plotlines are going to be very similar to one another. What truly makes a story stand out is if it has characters that you fall in love with or elements (like a pirate ship, or being a spy) that provide an element of surprise. Unfortunately for me, this was not the case with Forbidden. 

I did enjoy reading about Margery and Henry; their romance was sweet. However, this book felt fairly typical, what with the Cinderella plotline, the stubborn yet intelligent heroine and the brooding, proud hero with a heart of gold. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. 

The Accidental Bride by Christina Skye

Series: Summer Island #2

Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Source/Format: Netgalley (Thanks!) || e-galley

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the thoughts expressed in my review.]

When life (and her friends) force her to take a vacation in a beautiful mountain resort, Jilly O'Hara is stubborn and skeptical. There may be a lot going on in her life, but that doesn't mean she needs to take a time out. Little does she know that one small town, a particularly rugged man and a week of free time to do whatever she wants will change everything in her life. After all, love can find you in the places you least expect it to...

When reading adult contemporary romances, I get fairly bored unless I find something interesting about the story or character. I really liked Jilly and Walker, and I enjoyed their romance in The Accidental Bride. 

The summary on Goodreads is very misleading. While everything does happen (in a way), it happens much later on in the novel than I expected. I appreciated that because it allowed for a little bit of build-up in the relationship between Jilly and Walker. It plays out like a typical romance novel, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 

Other things I loved about this novel: Jilly’s lifelong friendships, the beautiful setting, Walker’s adorable dog and the people at the resort. There was definitely a small-town vibe going on in this book, which I loved since I’m from a fairly small town in the Philippines. 

As far as romances go, The Accidental Bride is a pretty decent contender.