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.
An honest love...
Radley Lyncott has been in love with Wendy Drew as long as
he can remember. When he went to sea, she was too young to
court. Now that he's returned to take up his Welsh title, he
is appalled to find that debt has ruined the Drew family,
and—even worse—Wendy is being courted by another man.
Or a dangerous attraction?
Family comes first for seamstress Wendy Drew, who is forced
to settle her brother's debt by working nights at a
notorious gambling den. But her double-life hasn't gone
unnoticed—she has captivated none other than Demon Damon, a
nefarious rake who understands Wendy's darkest desires and
is hell bent on luring her into his arms.