Have you ever dreamed of your perfect man? A living, breathing male who embodies all the characteristics that would make him a perfect mate? Better yet, the dream man actually exists in real time? Of course, what it all comes down to is: is your dream wishful thinking or an actual glimpse into the future? That’s what Deidre Darlington wonders in Jane Toomb’s newest novel, A Most Unsuitable Bride.

Deidre Darlington flourishes in East Sussex, raised by her grandmother after her mother’s death. Sometimes she is a bit more than her grandmother can handle with her headstrong ways and a tendency to say whatever she is thinking. Deidre is sometimes troubled by cryptic visions of future events, but she keeps them to herself, knowing talk would only upset her grandmother and her chances of marrying well. She does want to marry well. All her needs are met in her country home, except for her yearning to be loved. She’s aware her grandmother loves her in her way, but her father stays in London, seldom visits, and never invites her to the city. Until the letter comes, inviting her to the city to live with his new wife and two daughters. At first, Deirdre furiously refuses to go. Now she will have to share her father with three more females. The thought is unbearable until she finds out that her neighbor Clive Shadbourne will visit before her London trip. Not only that, her father’s letter promised that Clive has excellent news for her.

The tall, dark haired Clive is to visit. Deidre is delirious because it all fits her dream. It would happen sometime after his arrival; Clive would take her in his arms and confess his love. True, he always treated her like a younger sister because he was six years older, but things were about to change. After all, Deidre has loved Clive as far back as she could remember. Deidre’s daydream comes crashing down when Clive arrives and admits he joined the Army. Instead of them being together, he is leaving for Spain as soon as he arrives in London. Deidre is devastated. How can this be? Although she never tells her grandmother, she has great faith in her visions—the wedding was so real. Her beloved is going into danger and there does not seem to be a thing she can do to stop him. As if things couldn’t get worse, Clive announces he is going to marry Phoebe, Deidre new and beautiful stepsister.

Shattered, Deidre decides to go with a brave front, although she would like to kick something or someone, preferably the unseen Phoebe. Obviously, no one knew of her great love for Clive, especially Clive. Grandmother believes father has sent for her so she can have a season in London. The petty Phoebe who is determined to cut the proud beauty down to size spoils her welcome to London. The older, more beautiful Phoebe browbeats her younger sister, Alcida. This cements an immediate bond between Deidre and Alcida. Deidre is determined to defend herself and Alcida against the viper tongued Phoebe. Her campaign to shelter her new sister may keep her thoughts off her most recent vision of battlefield horrors. She is equally determined to want the best for Clive, so if Phoebe is his choice—then so be it.

Deidre is a contradiction of sorts. The spirited beauty who lets every thought pop out of her mouth while in the country, becomes “too nice” in the company of Phoebe, fawning over the proud beauty. The beautiful, blonde Phoebe is shallow, vicious, and disloyal—it makes you wonder about Clive’s intelligence in picking this bride. Deidre’s father is odd, indeed, in the fact he spreads insulting talk about his own daughter to his new wife and stepdaughters before Deidre arrives. Such a thoughtless father would never have sent for his daughter in the first place. The mechanics are good and the plot workable, but the actual characters hurt the story. Everyone is just too much. Phoebe is too evil. Clive is too emotionless. Alcida is too accepting of her bad treatment. The grandmother is a bit too doom and gloom. As for Deidre, she is too conflicted. If she really loved Clive, then she would fight for him. She would have put her feelings out there before she knew about Phoebe. As a heroine, she is vanilla and not the spicy cinnamon I believe she was intended to be.
The book moves rapidly through the familiar world of London’s Upper Two Thousand. It has the potential of being a better story than it actually is. For people who like their romances to be a ride in the park—with moments of light dialogue with the standard denizens of the regency set-- A Most Unsuitable Bride is the book for you!

Reviewed by Morgan
Copyright © November 2006