Tempting the Bride

By: Sherry Thomas

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

In this new masterpiece of historical romance from the acclaimed Sherry Thomas, a headstrong beauty is rescued by the notorious rake she has always despised....

Helena Fitzhugh understands perfectly well that she would be ruined should her secret love affair be discovered. So when a rendezvous goes wrong and she is about to be caught in the act, it is with the greatest reluctance that she accepts help from David Hillsborough, Viscount Hastings, and elopes with him to save her reputation. Helena has despised David since they were children - the notorious rake has tormented her all her life. David, on the other hand, has always loved Helena, but his pride will never let him admit the secrets of his heart. A carriage accident the day after their elopement, however, robs Helena of her memory - the slate is wiped clean. At last David dares to reveal his love, and she finds him both fascinating and desirable. But what will happen when her memory returns and she realizes she has fallen for a man she has sworn never to trust?

©2012 Sherry Thomas (P)2013 Recorded Books

Great writing and narration

Fantastic writing and narration. However, I spent more than half of the book annoyed by Helena and frustrated with David that’s why I can't give it the full marks. Great use of the amnesia device.

Look at me

Great book. How to get one to see that she is the love for now and forever. Having indurated an awful accident leaving her badly hurt and unconscious,he tells her they are married and that he loves her.

Not my favourite

Still beautifully written and intelligent story but main characters are so unlikeable (especially Helena) and constant war between them is tiring, their banter is not light hearted or humorous but viscous and always aimed to cut to the bone.

Sherry Thomas is very intelligent writer but in this case it worked against her, she gave her characters too much depth and too many mistakes and agony to overcome all of it and still be believable without succumbing to the ridiculous.

The plot and characters just didn’t work for me ...

Ok so this one is actually the best of the series!

Hastings and Helena’s story is too great for words. I didn’t think this story could top Millie’s and Fitz’s story but I was pleasantly surprised. Couldn’t put it down but also didn’t want it to end.

Lovely enemies to lovers story

Setting: London 1896
Genre: Romance
Despite his having married 6 months after they met, Helena has been in love with Andrew Martin for years. And in spite of his marriage, they maintain a close friendship. Very close. Her family, worried that she may ruin herself thus, dragged her out of the country (see: Beguiling the Beauty) then, upon their return, sets a watch on her. Until the day she gets away to meet Andrew at a hotel. Unbeknownst to her, David Hillsborough, Viscount Hastings has gleaned that it is a trap set by Andrew’s sister-in-law and he goes to save her reputation. David is Helena’s twin brother’s best friend so she has known, and hated him, for half her life. So it is with great reluctance that she allows him to claim they are married when Andrew’s s-i-l shows up, after shoving Andrew into the en-suite bathroom. David has loved Helena since he met her, but has hidden it by disparaging her over the years. Anyway... a couple of days later Helena gets in a pedestrian vs. horse cart accident and 3 days later wakes with the past 13-14 years wiped from her memory. The memory loss allows David a fresh start. So the rest of the book is about the relationship that is slowly developing between Helena and David. But what happens when she remembers how things really were, and what she gave up?
As with every Sherry Thomas novel I have read, this left me quite satisfied. Her prose is well written and her characters are fully fleshed out. If I have one complaint about this book (and really, it’s the only thing to complain about) it is the switches in point of view. It wasn’t as bad in this novel as the previous ones, but it means you have to read the entire trilogy to get the backstory on all the characters.
I am quite pleased with Jenny Sterlin’s narration. She gives each character a unique voice, differentiates well between genders and ages, and is consistent throughout.

A Jewel

This book is a treasure of wit, heart, substance, and elegance. Wonderful narration crowns a story of vulnerable characters in a tightly woven plot. Highly recommend.

Pure delight

I love the writing and the narration was perfect! I don't believe there is a better novelist writing in this genre today.

I couldn't stop listening

I couldn't pull the headphones out of my ears. It was funny, charming, sad and exhilarating. The hero and heroine are so human they could exist today. I liked that the heroine was a strong self sufficent woman and the hero was equal measure of proud and vain. Together they struggle to find happiness together. Can't wait to read another book by Ms. Thomas, I was thoroughly pleased.

Outstanding performance!

Any additional comments?

Jenny Sterlin delivered an outstanding performance narrating this unique story. Her voice expressed outrage, tenderness, compassion, understanding, and confusion as she brought life to the various characters.

Was the hero a bit too good to be true? Perhaps -- but the author gifted him weakness as well as strength and I liked him very much indeed. His devotion to his little girl was wonderful.

I thought Helena had a lot to learn about people. I would have actually liked David to have found someone else to love.

My Favorite

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is Sherry Thomas at her best, witty, funny, romantic with a smartly written story and most emotional mature hero. Having just finished listening to this book for the second time, I can honestly say this is my favorite romance novel. Jenny Sterlin did an outstanding narration. You won't be disappointed.