2nd Opinion review: The Bride Prize and Book Blog Walkers: Weekly Check-in 9/5/14

This challenge is organized by Felicia over at the Geeky Blogger's Book Blog

Saturday 1 hour walk
Sunday - 40 min bike
Monday -  5 km bike and 30 min walk
Tuesday - 10 km bike
Wednesday - 30 min walk and 5 km bike
Thursday - 5 km bike and 40 min walk
Friday  5 km bike and 30 min walk

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And now to a 2nd opinion review. Carole reviewed this book on my blog here, and then I read it and wanted to review it too ;)

It's 1839, and Lord Eglinton's tournament in Scotland is the most anticipated event of the year: He and some of his noble friends will don medieval armor and joust like knights of old. Does this mean a revival of true chivalry? Miss Florence Marsh thinks it might. Or is the tournament mere tomfoolery and the greatest folly of the century? Mr. Robert Beaton thinks it is. But when Flo and Robbie meet at Eglinton Park, they'll soon learn that a dash of romance can make the greatest differences look rather small and that true love might find you in the most unlikely place. If only Robbie wasn't working for that scandalous new magazine Allan's Miscellany! If only Flo's father didn't detest the periodical press! And if only they had remembered to bring an umbrella!

My thoughts:

I have to agree with Carole R who has been reviewing Schwab's books on my blog (and her own) that these books are dang cute. So freaking cute. You just get happy by reading :)

It's a short novella. Florence, our heroine goes to Scotland with her dad to watch quite the show. There she meets Robert and with a glance, and with a laugh and smirk they start to talk to each other. And then talk some more. It's not insta love. They just really find each other's company pleasant. She is witty, he is funny, she is smart, he is an artist. And they decide to give this a chance, because you never know if you do not decide to get to know one another better.

So...cute? Yes. They way they talked, that was it. They just talked and laughed but it was so natural. They were quite adorable together, and they will fit each other well.

Conclusion:

I'd totally read more. Light, fun and most of all cute!

Paperback, Special Edition for the LoveLetter Convention 2014, 72 pages
Published May 15th 2014 by Sandra Schwab (first published May 10th 2014)
Allan's Miscellany #1
Historical romance
Own

Carole Reviews: The Bride Prize - Sandra Schwab

Author: Sandra Schwab

Title: The Bride Prize (Allan's Miscellany 1839 #1)

Genre: Historical Romance, Short Story

Pages: ebook

First Published: May 2014

Where I Got It: On my shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

"It's 1839, and Lord Eglinton's tournament in Scotland is the most anticipated event of the year: he and some of his noble friends will don medieval armor and joust like knights of old.

Does this mean a revival of true chivalry? Miss Florence Marsh thinks it might.

Or is the tournament mere tomfoolery and the greatest folly of the century? Mr. Robert Beaton thinks it is."

Like earlier stated I was given this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Sandra Schwab strikes again with her new series!! I am assuming all of them are short stories (like about 80 pages or so) like this one. I haven't read them yet. However, I believe they all follow a man who works for the Allan's Miscellany, which is a paper that is a little controversial, because they are writers of the people and they look down on higher society. So some people are not fans of them. LIKE Miss Florence's padre. Oh dear. 

This one was sooooooo cute. It was cute, simple, but so much fun. Even though it is a short story everything is presented wonderfully. I feel like I am there watching the rich pretending to be knights. Sandra, even in 80 pages, still manages to bring not only the world to life, but the characters as well. Sometimes in short stories the writers tend to write their characters flat and very 2D. It happens if one doesn't fine the right balance. I loved Robbie and his pal Mac. Mac is a grumpy guy, but he's adorable and I hope he is one the main men in one of the other stories (I haven't checked yet). He deserves love to make him less cynical about the world around him.

The only thing I didn't like was how easily Robbie won over Flo's dad. Flo's dad hates the paper and hates the fact that Robbie hates the higher society (since Flo and the family are pretty much higher up - lower First class). Granted, Robbie did defend himself well and make a nice passionate speech, but still Flo's dad gave in too easy for me. Yes, yes, it is a short story, so things happen quickly. 

In the end, I really liked this story. It was fun, quick, simple, and quite lovely. I loved the couple! Flo is super adorable and Robbie is drool-worthy. I prefer Mr. Grumpy (Mac), though. Hopefully Mac is in one of the stories. If one loves Historical Romance, but also doesn't mind short stories pick this one up. Out of five stars, I shall grant this one 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Robbie, Flo, and Mac

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Flo's aunt.