Books › The Sherbrooke Bride
The Sherbrooke Bride
First published 1992 · 510 pages
A spirited, chaotic romp through historical England featuring a marriage of convenience, a grumpy earl, and a meddlesome ghost.
What it feels like
Reading this classic historical romance feels like stepping into a delightfully chaotic, slightly campy Regency romp. The pace is brisk and dialogue-heavy, pulling you through a maze of stubborn misunderstandings, theatrical banter, and the beloved wrong bride trope. There is a distinct nineties romance flavor here, unapologetically melodramatic, with a grumpy, duty-bound hero and a heroine whose long-harbored crush fuels her spirited defiance. The atmosphere is cozy yet crackling with romantic tension, further enlivened by the quirky addition of a resident ghost who adds a touch of gothic whimsy to the marital drama. It is a perfect comfort read for those who love their historicals packed with humor, high emotion, and a hard-won, passionate happily-ever-after.
- Mood
- spirited
- chaotic
- cozy
- passionate
- Tone
- playful
- melodramatic
- humorous
- wry
- romantic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the wrong bride · unrequited love · duty versus desire · supernatural meddling · marriage of convenience
- The writing
- Breezy and dialogue-driven, leaning into theatrical banter and unapologetic nineties romance melodrama.
- The arc
- Moves from the sting of unrequited longing and comedic frustration to a deeply satisfying, passionate mutual devotion.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave classic, trope-heavy historical romances with grumpy heroes, spirited heroines, and a dash of wacky charm.
Content notes
- dubious consent
- patriarchal attitudes
- mild supernatural elements
About the book
Douglas Sherbrooke, Earl of Northcliffe, is a man besieged. He must have an heir. Thus, he must first provide himself with the requisite bride. Alexandra Chambers, youngest daughter of the Duke of Beresford, has loved Douglas Sherbrooke since she was fifteen. Unfortunately, it is her sister, the incomparable Melissande, he wishes to wed.
But life never ladles out what one expects, and Douglas finds himself wed to the wrong sister. If having an unwanted wife isn't enough, he is also plagued by The Virgin Bride, a ghost that is reputedly seen in the countess's bedchamber. Does the willowy phantom really appear to Douglas? Does she speak to him?
Description from Open Library.
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