Review: A Night with the Bride by Kate McKinley
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2014
The third and final book in Kate McKinley's historical erotic novella series, By Invitation Only. This fun series takes place at a Regency house party set in 1813, where liaisons and intrigues are rampant. One of the things I’ve enjoyed in this series is how little snippets of drama and action from the other novellas make appearances in all the stories.This novella features a heroine who takes a dare: to kiss the ‘unseducible’ Duke of Somerset. He’s handsome and dashing but also quite reclusive and reserved. Gabriella, a tradesman’s daughter, is intrigued by him as well as determined to show her friends that she’s good enough for a duke.What starts out as merely a game, however, progresses quickly into something more serious. He warns her to stay away from him but she refuses to listen. As a result, she’s more drawn to him and discovering more about him. When she finds out a painful secret he holds, her desire to win a dare turns into something much more.I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book as I skimmed some lukewarm reviews before I read it, something I don’t usually do. While this installment isn’t my favorite in the series—I think the first one, A Duchess in the Dark has that honor—this story is still exceptionally well-written and its time and place firmly established. I enjoyed the intrigues and gossip, the house party activities of picnics and archery—and a very sensually-charged description of archery it is!—and the sweet and sexy romance between Nicholas and Gabriella.James, the house party’s host, once again makes an appearance as he drops words of wisdom in lovers’ ears to advance their matches, adding some sardonic humor to the story.A few typos mar the manuscript but not enough to detract from the story’s flow. The covers in this series are gorgeous and apt.Memorable moments:“Indeed, any mildly scandalous behavior was liable to brand a woman a harlot for life. Which was precisely what made it so exhilarating. In Gabriella’s well-ordered, strictly structured life, the threat of danger was thrilling.” (p17)“This was the trouble with sheer desperation. It made even the most horrible ideas seem brilliant.” (p23)“His tongue rolled over the words shaft and center seductively, wickedly, leaving her with no doubt of his meaning.” (p39)“'I accept you exactly as you are.'” (p48)Another wonderful reading experience by an author to watch.