Review: A return to Lucy and Galen
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 28, 2013
It seems like just the other day that I was reviewing an Entangled Brazen book by Christine Bell - probably because it was. Just last month, Bell released the first book in the Love Match series, Dirty Trick, but this month, she returns to her Dare Me series to with the new novella, Down the Aisle. Readers first met protagonists, Lacey and Galen, in Down for the Count, after Lacey's first disastrous attempt at a wedding. Down the Aisle picks up shortly after, tackling the emotionally intense issue concerning the couple's efforts to start a family.All of the previous Brazen books have a guaranteed HEA, wrapping each story up so there's no doubt as to the future of each couple, so it was a nice surprise to see Down the Aisle return to a couple that readers are already familiar with and give them a follow up story. Down the Aisle is almost like an extended epilogue for Lacey and Galen, chronicling the weeks leading up to their wedding.Even before Lacey and Galen walk down the aisle, they are faced with difficult challenges that would test any relationship. Their struggles are heartbreaking, watching hope turn into despair and happiness to sorrow, but the strong connection between them holds the story together. Even with all the wedding drama and surrounding chaos, Bell finds time to include a few steamy romantic encounters, which help to remind readers exactly why Lacey and Galen are a perfect match, with Galen's strong, steady presence complementing Lacey's current fragile state.Even for a decent-sized novella, Down the Aisle seemed to fly by, flowing smoothly from start to finish. In a short amount of time, the narrative manages to serve a dual purpose, providing closure for one couple as well as introducing a new possible love match for an upcoming book in the series. The addition of two new characters into the circle of friends ensures that the series will continue and, from the brief interactions between the pair, the upcoming book promises to be especially juicy.