Prudence takes center stage in the second bok of the Duncan Sisters Novels. Thier controversial newspaper is being sued, and it is upto Prudence to save it. She faces many challenges: first, she must defend thier case while staying anonymous. Second, she must proove that her father has been tricked by the very same person who is suing them,and third she must find a way to keep her relationship with thier barister as professional as possible...a very easy thing to do considering he is arrogant and high-handed, but also a very hard thing to do considering he is handsome and challenges Prue in a way she had never been before. It is not necessary to read the first book, but would be beneficial to learn more about the other characters such as Constance and Max. ( )

"The Bride Hunt is a romance in the vaguest sense. It is the romance of a deep love and affection between three society sisters. The alleged romance between the hero and heroine is considerably less interesting and less believable."

http://romancepicayune.blogspot.com/2... ( )

I've read a good number of Jane Feather's books and this is not my favorite, though it is worth reading; if I had to do it over, I would have gotten it from the library and not bought it, since I don't think it will be on my reread shelf. It is the second in the Duncan Sisters Trilogy, but was actually the last one that I read; I don't remember what I thought about the first book, THE BACHELOR LIST, (I have ready a lot historical romances) but I greatly enjoyed the third, THE WEDDING GAME.

Setting: England, 1906
Sensuality rating: 5 (a couple kissing scenes, one love scene, all were well-paced within the story and authentic)

PROS:
(1) The chemistry between the hero (Sir Gideon Malvern) and the heroine (Honorable Prudence Duncan) was good; their personalities clashed immediately, but it is fun to watch their relationship develop and I think they were a good pairing
(2) Constance, Prudence, and Chastity (the three Duncan sisters) are endearing and their affection for each other is always evident; they care for one another and for their father, and they really come across as three sisters whom you would enjoy being friends with
(3) Of course, the hero is important and I have to say I liked Gideon, despite his somewhat-authoritarian know-it-all attitude; he has a good heart, his relationship with his daughter is endearing, and seeing him vulnerable at times is irresistible!
(4) As mentioned above, Gideon has a daughter (9-year-old Sarah) who lives with him and not his ex-wife (remember, early 1900s so although divorce is not at all common, it's not completely unheard of); he comes off as a good father, he cares for Sarah greatly and doesn't have an oppressive view of women's roles (Sarah attends a very good school, her governess talks to her about women's suffrage, etc.).
(5) THE BRIDE HUNT is a quick read and doesn't bog you down or grow tedious; the story is fast-paced, entertaining, and I became attached to the characters.

CONS:
First, there were NO major issues, but there's always something you can say, so ...
(1) The fact that the sisters keep Lord Duncan in the dark about the family finances annoys me: he's a grown man, so I really think they should tell him the truth, have him face facts, and not just try to stay one step ahead. We hear many times that this is what Lady Duncan would have done (their mother passed away) and would want them to do, but I was bothered.
(2) Also regarding Lord Duncan, I was annoyed he is shown to consistently support Lord Barclay. The story is that Lord Barclay has raped women working in his household and when they get pregnant he throws them out with nothing - if this were true, I doubt he is pleasant in all other ways, so how does Lord Duncan not see his "friend" is a horrible person? Also, how do the sisters not get annoyed that their father is friends with a rapist? This was inconsistent, and the only reason they were made to continue being friends was because it was necessary for the plot later on (can't say more).

(Written July 12, 2007 on Amazon.com) ( )

This is the second book in the Victorian era series about three sisters who must be ingenius to support themselves and their father. They publish a gossipy news letter and form a lonely hearts type operation. The middle sister Prudence is the center of this story. She is the most practical unemotional rational and pragmatic of the three. They sisters have offended a powerful earl who sues them. Prudence determines to hire the very best barrister, Sir Gideon Malvern to represent them. The story moves along at a good pace, however, they seem to falll in bed a little too quickly to be plausible given the character traits attributed to Prudence. all in all a good read.

Fun if a bit light victorian romance about some very free spirited sisters who have taken over the editorship of a newspaper from their mother. When it's sued for libel they have to find a barrister willing to take them on and help them deal with it without exposing them to the public, particularly when one of the witnesses for the prosecution is their father. As part of the deal they offer to find a bride for the barrister, but is he interesting in the people they have to offer. ( )