At The Bride Hunt Ball (originale 2008; edizione 2008)

Enjoyable story, especially for a debut author...once you get past the cover. Once again, I'm grateful you don't really see it much when reading an ebook. ;-) I liked both the main and secondary characters; especially poor, misguided Charlotte, who spent much of the novel in a blur (because of course, no guy makes passes at a girl who wears glasses--thank goodness she wised up at the end, though it made for some amusing scenes and comments in the meantime). It was a fun read, and I'll be checking the library's Overdrive for the second and third in the series soon. ( )

Not a bad Regency, but not very memorable either. Handsome and brooding Duke of Wolverest doesn't want to marry, so he names his younger rakish brother heir to the dukedom - and holds a ball to find a bride for him out of a select few young women lucky enough to pass muster. Sort of a Regency "The Bachelor". Madelyn, a klutzy beauty is an unwilling participant. The last thing the Duke thought would happen was that he'd fall in love with her. I enjoyed their first meeting and ensuing crazy non-courtship. Fun book with some sizzling moments between the two, but their misunderstanding toward the ending was predictable and trying, but as in all romances - it all ends well eventually. ( )

At the Bride Hunt Ball is Olivia Parker's debut novel, and the first of a series. When I first looked at the cover, I figured it was from the 80s or 90s...imagine my surprise to see it is only a couple of years old! Cheesy romance covers never die, my friends.

The story is a good one. Gabriel, a Duke and determined bachelor, decides to hold a massive house party full of eligible women (handpicked by him, of course) so that his younger brother can choose a bride and continue the family line for him. There are all kinds of events for the women to show off their skills (from tea parties to archery) and even interviews with Gabriel! Madelyn Haywood is one of the ladies, pushed to succeed by her crazy social-climbing stepmother. She thinks the whole thing is ridiculous and that Gabriel's brother is a fop - and of course, she is completely correct on both counts. The entire ordeal is absolutely hilarious. Catfight like its 1899, people.

Too bad she can't quite convince herself that Gabriel is completely ridiculous too. Cue fireworks and super hot chemistry.

Seriously, I couldn't get enough of the interactions between Madelyn and Gabriel...but I couldn't get enough scenes with everyone else either! Most of the side characters are so caught up into the whole bride hunt ball scheme that you can't help but laugh at how ridiculous they are. Then, some, like Gabriel's brother and Madelyn's step-mother you just want to slap.

The plot is hilarious (admittedly I might've found it even funnier than the author intended) and the characters are great. I loved the chemistry between the MCs and the way they interacted with everyone else as well. Definitely a historical romance worth picking up!

So - don't let the horrendously cheestastic and old fashioned cover put you off. If you're a fan of historical romance, get a copy of this and enjoy the story! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series (which is already released). The plot looks equally ridiculous so I know I'll have a good time. ( )

A bit predictable at times but a very good read. Loved the heroine. ( )

A debut novel by Olivia Parker inspired by pop-culture's "The Bachelor". She included interesting characters and humerous situations. A very good read. ( )