The Bride

Synopsis: The Bride is the first in a two-part series of medieval romances by Julie Garwood. Jamie (aka: the Bride), a young Englishwoman, is forced into an arranged marriage to Highland laird Alec Kincaid. Alec has little use for a wife, but is honor-bound by his king to marry the girl. He's a stubborn lord used to giving orders and not getting any lip; she's an independent woman used to managing a household and thinking for herself. They spend 3/4 of the book arguing (and making up afterward), until the end when the real conflict surfaces.

When I write it out like that, it doesn't sound like much of a book, but honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The interaction between Jaimie and Alec is engaging and I found myself hanging on their show more every conversation and waiting to see what they would do next. Garwood's style is easy to follow and the dialogue is downright hilarious at times. I didn't really care all that much about the "plot" of the story, and I don't think the author does either. The romance and the interaction between the hero and heroine are what drives this story.

I mostly read historical regency romance, but I've read a number of medieval romances as well. I'm not such a big fan of medieval romances, though. It seems like so many medieval romances have a lot of scenes where the hero dominates the heroine in most every aspect of their relationship. Even if the heroine is depicted as "spirited" and strong-willed, it seems like she's always having to "learn a lesson" in respecting the hero's dominance. Sometimes, there are even a few quasi-rape scenes in these novels, which TOTALLY puts me off. I know that it was totally a male-dominated society back then, but I still like my romances with a little more give and take on BOTH sides - and a respect for each other's bodies.

The Bride didn't fall into that pitfall though. Alec doesn't ever try to dominate Jaimie physically (although he does occasionally want to throttle her for her outrageous behavior). Both the hero and the heroine spend a good deal of time overcoming their difficulties in communicating and their assumptions about what the other is feeling/thinking. I hope that the second book in this series, The Wedding, will be just as good. show less

Loved this and wished there was more. Jamie is a legit rock star heroine, and I adore her and everything she does. It took me longer to warm to Alec (Jamie definitely understood his ways better than I did), yet he grew on me too. Lots of great humor and action and love; this is going into my Scotland romance 101 syllabus.

Review If I read this outside of a book club/book of the month, I may have enjoyed it. I may have read it for the joy of reading, and that would be that. Garwood has a nice style, unpretentious and funny.

But I read this for a book of the month w/ the Historical Romance group, and so I noticed things. First, let me say I wouldn't have gotten through the first sex scene in all likelihood. By that point, Jamie is trying to open up and get to know Alec and Alec gives her nothing. When the scene is set, Jamie has just decided her new husband may be sweet and gentle after all-maybe she'll kiss him.

That is not how it goes. To me, it read as non-consensual and really out of place. At this point, we don't really understand any bit of Alec, and show more his predominant characteristic are that he is a Scotsman and a warrior. WE know there's attraction between the two of them but we have so much of Jamie's inner thoughts, we also know she's not willing. She verbalizes it "moaning" plenty of times and there's no discussion or hesitation because obviously this man knows what she needs and wants. It was not acceptable to me as a reader, and I felt betrayed by Alec. I read a lot of old skool with this dynamic, and I always cringe through it, while I can do dubious or non-consensual sex, some of these older romances the sex feels as wedged in as the mystery plot did here and does not serve character, relationship, or motivation.

So the mystery plot, that was also inelegant, out of place and silly. Worse here, the person who killed Helena and wants to harm Jamie is portrayed as developmentally delayed in some way, and is the only such person in the novel. If I hadn't been over the book by then, my disappointment would've registered. Unfortunately I saw that coming too.

And finally, while Jamie carried the first 1/3-1/2 of the book for me, it became clear extremely quickly that she was the Maryest Sue I've ever read. There is nothing she can't do-shoot an arrow standing on horseback, charm a king, diagnose and treat an infant's milk intolerance, save a child from a boar attack, and unite warring clans. it was too much, and I always need something more.

I'm glad to have read this - I actually don't know if I've read Garwood before. Her writing is fun, but her plots and characters based on this book leave little to recommend. show less

No no no. If a girl says "no" she means "no". Sorry I'm so spoiled that I want my romantic heroes to entertain the idea of consent.

And then his repetitive "she is just my property" bs on top of that. Pfff how did she fall for this guy??

I know we are lucky to be living in modern times. Never take women's rights for granted ladies!!

This is the worst kind of storytelling -- cliched, head-hopping, main characters always set to 11, supporting characters not really fleshed out. The h/h spend the entire book purposefully misunderstanding each other, screaming at each other, and having a lot of cliched but unmemorable sex. There's no real tension -- despite what Garwood wants you to think with all the damned shouting -- because there's no POV -- you always know what every character is thinking. Nothing is withheld. Nothing here to recommend a female hero who is presented as the most capable member of her household, but meets the hero and suddenly can't do anything right except make the male hero angry, which seems to equal turned-on. The whole story seems to take place show more in a few days, in which many improbable little scenarios arise and are resolved, much shouting, huffing and puffing occur, and yet everything turns out ok. And the main characters, if it seems like you've met them before, you have. Nothing about them is presented as unique: Tiny, beautiful spunk and big, lusty hunk. The one subplot that may have differentiated this book is not adequately fleshed out. Not recommended. -cg show less

What can I say? I like my heroines smart and sassy and my men strong and bossy. I like fire in my relationships. Shut up.

I may have found another guilty pleasure book. This time, it's not pirates like you would expect, but a Highlander. Not an immortal one, but a Laird. A sexy, brooding Laird used to getting his own way from everyone. Enter the arranged marriage of a young English woman. She's spirited, doesn't take his rank seriously, and sparks ensure. Good stuff!

This book hit all of the right notes for me. Historical? Check. Overbearing, bossy man? Check. Smart, mostly fearless, independent woman? Check. Happily Ever After? Of course! I wouldn't read it otherwise. Can't wait to read book 2.

I read this book decades ago [this is the first book in Lairds' Fiancées series] and thought to revisit it once more but in audio.tb jg o Let me say this up front. My love of romance started with Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood so I'm a huge fan. However, sometimes what has been written and read decades ago, can be quite different from reading it today. I'm so happy to report that this story was even better today than years ago. I loved everything about it, especially Rosalyn Landor. She made the words written come alive. Her accent was spot on, be it English or Scotts.

As for characters, all were three dimensional and complex, especially the heroine, Jamie. Her sweetness and lovability was contagious. You can't help but like this show more self-deprecating and self-sacrificing character. She was adorable.

On the other hand, I had some doubts about Alec. At the start of the story we see a lot of arrogance, but as the story develops, we get to know him better and to like him more. He was strong yet caring of his clan and especially of his English wife. Wonderful Alpha male with some sensitive beta hero characteristics.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and funny medieval romance. The author made me believe in these two and their story. I was vested in them but the mystery within made me a bit antsy. Thank God it all worked out!

Years after it's written, this story still stands strong. Highly recommending!

Melanie for b2b show less