Oh, Brad Pitt, the object of my fantasies is a masterpiece in need of my loving. And then reality hits; the most that I can hope for is, well, my husband, but what if? What if I, or any of us, had a chance with the object of our fantasies? What if it didn't matter that we were nobodies on the block, just normal everyday people that could reel in the individual of our fantasies and be so amazing they couldnÕt help but fall head over heels in love with us? In Catherine Coulter's regency romance The Sherbrooke Bride, the first novel in her bride series, she explores the idea of an ordinary heroine who manages to ensnare the hero of her desires. Okay, so she has to trick him into marriage first, but that's a minor detail.

Douglas Sherbrooke, the Earl of Northcliffe and quite a specimen of good looks and breeding, needs an heir. Only the most beautiful woman in England, Melissande Chambers, will do as his wife. Therefore, Douglas makes Melissande's father an offer of marriage that he can't refuse. Lord Chambers doesn't refuse, but Douglas is called away on official duty for England's service against Napoleon the same week he is to wed his betrothed. Douglas instead sends his trusted cousin Tony to wed Melissande by proxy. While he is away on a secret mission in France, Douglas imagines returning a hero to his new wife and begetting an heir.

Alexandra Chambers, Melissande's plain younger sister, developed an infatuation for Douglas Sherbrooke the first time she laid eyes on him when she was but a girl. Although he was busy courting her sister, Melissande, whose beauty was unrivaled in all of England, Alexandra couldn't help but long for the most dashing man in England for herself. Several years later, Alexandra's heart is broken when Douglas offers for her sister's hand in marriage, devastating her own fantasies of being his wife. But Alexandra, her father, and Douglas forgot to consider Melissande's willful temper; her betrothal wasn't about to exist without her approval.

What ensues is a tumultuous ride as Alexandra becomes all that Douglas needs and desires, while Douglas becomes more than an infatuation for Alexandra, but a human being with flaws that she realizes she loves. Mix in Douglas' mother who makes your mother-in-law seem like Saint Theresa, Douglas' sister, Sinjun, who can't help but interfere, and Melissande who must always be the center of attention. Catherine Coulter takes you on a ride of pleasure and entertainment as she unfolds the story of Douglas and Alexandra.

Catherine Coulter has written an entertaining story with intriguing characters whose flaws make them endearing. The narrative is easy to read and follow, the dialogue quick and plausible, and the interpretation of the situation fun and at times witty. While I have read other regency stories that I liked better, I would rate Catherine CoulterÕs The Sherbrooke Bride as a book I am glad I read. After reading the story, my fantasy about Brad Pitt got even better.

Reviewed by Maci Walker
© 2004