A seaman and a seamstress who grew up together might expect to find love with each other, but when circumstances change, their happiness and their lives may be the forfeit.

WHAT THE GROOM WANTS is the latest in Jade Lee's Bridal Favors series, set around a lady's dress shop. Wendy Drew sews the gowns, but she's also moonlighting in a gaming club, to pay off her brother's debts. Radley Lyncott sailed away to make his fortune, and he's about to be made captain of his own ship, when a death in his family forces him to give up the sea. Wendy and Radley have always been drawn to each other, but Wendy can't believe they have a future together, especially now, when she's hiding a dark secret that stems from their youth.

Author Jade Lee has done a masterful job of portraying the class structure and the nuances within each level. Her vivid descriptions make it easy to picture the varied locales, from the lowest alley to the most stately homes. This novel wraps up a complex plot that's woven throughout the series, but that said, I have only read one of the previous books, and I believe this one can also stand on its own.

I don't want to give too much away, but I did run into a couple of occasions where, if I'd been in the room with Wendy, I'd have given her a good hard shake for not telling Radley all the facts of her situation. At times her strong actions don't seem to jibe with her seeming helplessness. I found the whole ending to be a little too neat. Overall, though, I enjoyed the characters and the dark thrills of the plot, and I look forward to whatever Lee writes next.