The Accidental Countess

Playful Brides, Book 2

By: Valerie Bowman

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

For seven long years, Lady Cassandra Monroe has waited for the man of her dreams to return from the war. Unfortunately, he happens to be engaged to her flighty cousin. When he mistakes Cass for Patience Bunbury, a fictitious friend her cousin has invented to escape social obligations - even with her future husband - Cass thinks this is her chance.

After defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, Captain Julian Swift is not quite ready to settle down and enter into his unwanted arranged marriage. Patience Bunbury is witty, independent, passionate, and, unbeknownst to him, the cousin of his current fiancée. When the truth about Cass comes out, will he surrender his heart to a woman who really is too good to be true?

©2014 Valerie Bowman (P)2014 Tantor

Honorable War Hero Even When Impassioned

I just finished listening to The Accidental Countess, the 2nd book in the Playful Brides series written by Valerie Bowman and narrated by Allison Larkin. There is a lot of misunderstanding between the two main characters, who have been corresponding with each other for seven years. Through their letters, both have fallen in love with the other. But, each feels that the other is either betrothed or in love with someone else. I really enjoyed the three best friends and their banter is what I imagine Jane Austen and her sister and friend might have enjoyed. :) I can't wait for the next Playdul Bride story!

Helps to know it’s a nod to “all’s well that ends well”

I found this series much easier to not scream at the antics of Lucy and Cass if I kept in mind that it’s an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well”. Bear that in mind and it is much easier to not yell at Lucy while driving (or wherever you listen).

And it does end well. I really like some of these characters. This second book in the series is the weakest of the three I read but I still really enjoyed the payoff. Plus the fact that we don’t instantly fade out once things start going well. I enjoyed getting to stick with the characters long enough to be happy for them for a bit.

Fun, light and enjoyable

Cass had waited years for the man she loved from afar. She wrote to him everyday. More so than his very own betrothed. She fell in love with the man as a child. She watched him through the eyes of a woman. She finally gets to see him after him coming so close to death. She so close but so far. The role she has taken on has allowed her to be more than the prim and proper lady she was raised to be. She takes that chance at love and regrets very little.

Julian had come home from a war that almost took his life. He returns to a betrothed that wants nothing to do with him and an intriguing young lady before him. A house party was the last thing on his mind, but if it will get him the chance to do his deed and see more of the lovely young lady he will go.

This story had good solid characters and a fun, lighthearted house party to enjoy.

Alison Larkin does a good job with the accent, diction, pitch and tone of the various characters. There was no issue distinguishing the characters both male and female or the individuals.

A Lot Going On in Book 2 of Series

Book 2 of Playful Brides series. I liked Book 1 more, but this one was also good.

Lucy Upton (the heroine from Book 1) is up to her meddlesome ways again in this book. The story focuses on one of her best friends, Cass, this time, who has to pretend to be the non-existent Patience Bunbury in order to be in close proximity to the man she loves before he marries her cousin, Penn. Lucy and Jane (another best friend) also decide to go by different names, too.

The charade gets a bit more complicated as more and more guests arrive at the house party in the country, like Penn, Cass's older brother, and eventually Cass's parents. I thought I was going to get an anxiety attack while anticipating the moment when the truth was finally going to be revealed. I was even growing impatient while listening to Chapter 1, because Penn took such a long time to explain why she had invited Cass and Lucy over for tea and why she needed Cass's help. Nevertheless, the first half of the book was a lot fun to listen to. It was after the truth came out that I felt the book kind of dragged a little. There are a few misunderstandings and lack of communication.

I liked the narrator. She was the same one for Book 1, but I didn't like that she made Lucy sound a little older this time around. I wish she could have narrated Book 3. If you plan to buy Book 3, be sure to listen to the audio sample first. The narrator for Book 3 is a bit too slow and soft that I had to increase the speed to 1.25x.

Too ridiculous

Good lord, this was silly. I thought the concocted story that the ladies carried out was ludicrous. They aren't middle school kids!!

The story improved somewhat when the secret was revealed.

Narration was okay.