His Yankee Bride

by Rose Gordon

[kimbacaffeinate]

ARC received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published Caffeinated Book Reviewer
I have always been drawn to tales that take place in early American history and Rose Gordon takes us on a tale to Charleston and introduces us to the funniest heroine I have ever met and the poor English chap she sets her sights on. His Yankee Bride was a delightful, hilarious romance that is sure to entertain. I did not real the first book in this series, but each book contains a new couple.

The tale begins when we meet John Banks the third son of a Baron, who does not want to enter the military or be a barrister so he decides to become a clergyman. At only nineteen he is feeling restless and his brother encourages him to travel before settling down. Carolina Ellis is the daughter of an Indigo plantation owner and is visiting Charleston with her mother in the hopes of finding a husband. She finds the men of Charleston to be boring and life as a plantation wife does not appeal to her. When John arrives at a large social event dressed like a British drifter she is immediately drawn to him and sets her sights on him. John has already decided he wants a meek and modest wife and Carolina is anything but! The tale that unfolds was hilarious as Carolina relentlessly pursues John.

Carolina is unique, sweet, bold and downright hilarious in her pursuit of John. I almost felt sorry for this young, naïve man. The interaction between them had me giggling as Carolina sought the advice of her friend, brother and the slave who treats her better than her opinionated mother. Gordon skillfully weaved in characters of the period with their opinions and southern ways them feel both original and fleshed out.

While the tale focuses on Carolina’s pursuit of John, the author gives us a strong sense of the political climate, life on a plantation in the south and slavery. The tale has a delightful pace as the romance slowly builds and we get a few steamy scenes. The romance itself felt genuine even with Carolina’s outlandish comments to John. She tell him he wants to marry her he just doesn’t know it! John admits he is attracted to her but not as a vicar’s wife. There is a little heat, a little scandal and a whole lot of laughter. What works regarding Carolina is that she is genuine, has a pure heart and you cannot help but embrace her. I quickly consumed this and enjoyed myself immensely