I very much enjoyed Sally Gardner’s ‘The Weather Woman’ with its combination of memorable characters and Regency details. It was both charming and beguiling. Sadly, with the exception of the beautiful cover, in comparison ‘The Bride Stone’ disappoints.

Set in 1796, towards the end of the French Revolution, Duval Harlington returns to England from captivity in a French prison. No sooner does he learn that his father has died than he also understands that to inherit the family seat of Muchmore, he must marry immediately or lose his inheritance. An impossible instruction, it seems. However, just in time, he discovers a wife sale (not the first time this device has been used in fiction) and pays for his bride, Edmée, herself recently escaped from France.

From then on, it’s a struggle for the unusual couple as they are pitted against society’s expectations – and each other’s. An intriguing plot with plenty of opportunities for character development and historical detail. So why does this not hold a candle to Gardner’s previous novel?

In short, whilst a number of the characters are two dimensional, it’s the author’s writing style that grates with me in ‘The Bride Stone’. Whilst I am sure that others will decide that I am being pedantic, I found myself becoming increasingly exasperated. For example, there’s a good deal of description about clothing which feels unnecessarily detailed. Duval is described as wearing ‘a frock coat in a steel grey, an elegant waistcoat of golden yellow embroidered with flowers, and breeches made of black velvet that went down to black silk stockings and shoes.’ A bit too Bridgerton for me! We also read that one character is ‘…certain he’d caught a glimpse of Veldt and a woman, but of that he couldn’t be sure.’ That’s plain irritating! Perhaps the novel just needs a more effective edit.

My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Originally published on the 22nd May edition of The Bookish Drop newsletter

I rarely delve into the world of historical novels, mainly because I don't want to confront just how little I actually know of the pre-21st-century world. Still, my reservations about The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner evaporated before I’d even finished the first chapter.

In 1796, amid the French Revolution, The Bride Stone follows Duval Harlington, fresh out of prison and back in London, to discover his despicable father has passed away. Rather than settle into life as the new Lord of the Muchmore estate, Duval is forced to find a wife within hours thanks to a small stipulation in his late father's will: he must be married or lose everything. After a dystopian meet-cute at a wife sale, Duval finds an eligible spouse in widow Edmée and honours his father's demands from beyond the grave. But marrying in haste is only the beginning of Duval's troubles.

The Bride Stone gives Vanity Fair and Bridgerton vibes but with a wonderfully gothic twist. I raced through the book within a day and wondered how I'd not read any of Gardner's work sooner. Although I'm new to the genre, I suspect this delicious historical romance will be one of the books of the summer.

You will have to wait until July 31st to get your hands on a copy of The Bride Stone, but you can read Gardner’s prior work The Weather Woman now.

A scandalous love story starting off with a marriage of convienience, draped in mystery and set during the french revolution. This is my best way of describing this novel. I giggled, I was sad, I pitied and I celebrated with the characters. I loved every moment and it was my favorite read of the month. I absolutely loved Duval and Edmée's relationship
4.4 star read for me.

The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner is set in 1796 and tells the story of Duval Harlington, recently freed from a French prison, who must marry to claim his late father’s estate, Muchmore House. At a market, he unexpectedly bids for a young widow, Edmée Hyde, in a wife sale. Their marriage, born of necessity, soon reveals dark secrets that put their lives in danger.

This book is a thoroughly entertaining and fast-paced read, full of twists that kept me guessing throughout. It also carries the air of a mystery thriller, which added an extra layer of excitement. The characters are vividly drawn — I particularly enjoyed the dashing Duval and the enigmatic Edmée, whose chemistry had me rooting for them all the way.

Overall, it was a gripping and enjoyable story that balanced romance, suspense, and historical detail with skill.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Sally Gardner is a fantastic writer who I've admired for years. This is her second adult novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When Duval is released from prison he finds that his father has died and that he must marry within two days to fulfil the conditions of his will in order inherit his estate. In desperation Duval acquires a wife through a wife sale who is bruised and clearly abused and so the story begins to unfold. It is historical fiction but part mystery part love story. It is so perfectly plotted, with a brilliant cast of secondary characters, and the writing is so well crafted.

Wow I loved this one. We follow Duval Harlington, recently freed from a French prison. The year is 1796, our guy was prisoner during the revolution, he goes back in London and is informed that his father had died and left his inheritance with the condition that Duval must marry or everything goes to some unknown cousin. And Duval has only two days and seven hours to find a wife, marry her, and keep his estate. Here comes Edmée Hyde, the wife Duval buys on the wife market.

In this book we have romance, mentioned miscarriage, domestic violence, rape, kidnapping, mystery, secrets, and many interesting facts of the time period. I ate it up. The pace was fast, the writing suited the time period in the book which just grabs and brings the reader back in time to enjoy the writing even more. I’d say the book feels like a romance novel in the first half where we get to know our characters and their growing romance. Then we have the second half where new characters are introduced and it’s more of a mystery novel where the secrets are revealed and we learn who Edmée is and her past.

It is my first book from Sally Gardner, and I loved it! Despite the heavy topic in the book, I’d say it’s not hard heavy read. In fact, it feels light and enjoyable. I believe the way it’s written, the characters are the heart of the book too!

Thank you, NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sharing this ARC with me!

What a magnificent, rip roaring page turner of a novel. A totally immersive read, eloquently written with an intriguing plot which unravels at a galloping pace in a variety of revelatory directions.

Gardner’s characterisation is excellent, portraying of a wealth of classical heroes/heroines versus villains, which were most entertaining. Whilst the ‘love story’ of our two main characters Edmée and Duval, was classically romantic, teetering on cheesy at times, it worked well with this style of old fashioned story telling. I also greatly enjoyed the historical setting, (despite being rather horrified reading in the epilogue that the last wife sale in England was as late as 1930!) with the backdrop of the French Revolution versus high society London and ‘the ton’ of wealthy countryside landowners, there was plenty to keep the historical fiction lover more than happy.

This is the first book by Sally Gardner that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be my last. Big thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

This was a very solid piece of historical fiction, and I really enjoyed it. It reminded me in tone of Victorian classics that were originally published in episodes—Vanity Fair comes to mind. I especially appreciated the nod to this “old school” style of storytelling.

The novel follows Duval, a British aristocrat who returns to England from France after being imprisoned for three years during the French Revolution. Due to the urgent terms of his father’s will, Duval is under pressure to marry quickly or risk losing his inheritance. Desperate, he chooses to participate in a wife sale and ends up marrying a young French widow, Edmée. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that both Duval and Edmée - especially Edmée - harbor many secrets that gradually come to light.

The historical context was particularly fascinating to me, as someone who enjoys reading about the French Revolution and the surrounding period in European history. I wasn’t aware of the phenomenon of wife sales, but it added a unique and disturbing element to the story.

Structurally, the book felt somewhat like two novels in one: the first half focused on the growing relationship between Duval and Edmée, while the second shifted toward a mystery. This episodic feel contributed to the charm and old-fashioned atmosphere. The pacing was brisk throughout, making it a very engaging read.

I found the main characters, Duval and Edmée, well-developed and complex. Their relationship felt believable, even though the style leaned toward classic romantic storytelling. The secondary characters were more one-dimensional—falling into either villainous or virtuous roles—but this didn’t detract much from my enjoyment, as it suited the overall tone of the novel.
The ending was satisfying, well-plotted, and even a bit surprising.

All in all, I really liked this book and would gladly read more from this author. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted historical fiction novel with strong old-school vibes.

This book started so well, it had a real atmosphere of 'The Quincunx' about it and a totally absorbing plot. The plot remained involving throughout but unfortunately everything else became rather rushed and superficial. By the end, I had trouble believing in any of it. A real shame, but I would like to read more by this author.

This novel was so much fun !! I was not so sure at the beginning that it would grab me as it first appeared a bit strange. However, I enjoyed the plot (surprising as well...), and I just loved the funny side of it! The characters fitted perfectly well , and I also enjoyed the dialogues. A light and entertaining novel!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Such a fun opening. A race against time, and weather to find a wife, and marry her in a specific location or loose your inheritance.
There's a lot of things going on in this book, with characters with interesting back stories.
There's gossip a plenty, history and romance.
Honestly ticks a lot of boxes.
Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyable.

Set in Georgian England during the Napoleonic wars and the French revolution, author Sally Gardner creates a glorious cast of characters and a twisty plot that leaves her readers wanting the central characters, Duval and Edmee to make it alive and in love by the end of the story. Although the story encompasses the brutality and oppression of women (starting with that as their husband’s chattel, they can be sold at a wife market) the story champions resilience, acceptance and kindness over social status. This is undeniably a romance but with enough peril, historical detail and atmosphere to be gripping.

The Bride Stone is a thoroughly engaging historical novel brimming with intrigue, romance, and unexpected twists. Set in 1796, it sweeps the reader into a world of high stakes and hidden secrets as Duval Harlington races against time to secure his inheritance. Gardner’s writing is elegant and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the tension of Duval’s predicament and the mystery surrounding Edmée, his enigmatic bride. The characters are richly drawn, and the plot moves at a satisfying pace, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish.

The Bride Stone by Sally Gardner
Having read The Weather Woman by the same author I was very much looking forward to this novel. The premise of the story is based on the wife sales which used to take place as the poor did not have enough money in order to be able to divorce.
It is set in 1796 and the main character is Duval Harlington who has just been released from the infamous La Force prison in France. On his arrival in France he learns that there was a codicil in his late father’s will which means that he has to be married in 2 days or the entire estate goes to a distant cousin. He has arrived in snow so travelling anywhere is difficult. He is encouraged to attend a horse sale and learns that a wife sale is also about to take place. This seems to be the answer to his problems but Duval and his wife are both harbouring secrets which are gradually revealed.
The writer’s evocation of late Georgian London and the customs of the time is beautifully conjured. I found that the comparison drawn between the life of the French Emigres and those who are currently attempting to cross the Channel in small boats appalling. How history repeats itself.
I will be recommending this book to my various book groups and look forward to listening to the author at The Essex Book Festival. Many thanks to the author, Head of Zeus and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

I was utterly captivated from the first page of The Bride Stone. It’s 1796 and following Duval Harlington’s release from a French prison, he is on the final stage of an arduous return journey to London. He has survived the French Revolution - the Terror, the massacres and the guillotine - but upon his arrival into the capital he discovers that he must marry within two days and seven hours to inherit his late father’s estate. As Duval raced against time to find a bride, I raced through this novel to find out what would happen!

The historical events described in this novel were fascinating. I was horrified to discover in the author’s note that the last wife sale in England took place as late as the 1930s. This was a depraved practice in which women were treated like chattels.

The Bride Stone was a compelling novel and the narrative remained tight, though after reading the opening chapters I had expected that Duval's time in France would form a key part of the plot. Duval initially supported the Revolution and I would have been interested to learn more about his political views and how he reconciled those views with his title and inheritance. It was actually the romance plot line which came to the fore as Duval explored his capacity to love.

The two main characters in this novel were well-developed, but I thought that the presentation of many of the other characters seemed binary – they were generally depicted as either wholly good or wholly bad. For example, the portrayal of Duval’s rival for the estate, the diabolical Ralph Carson, seemed one-dimensional and his character did not appear to have any redeeming qualities.

These minor drawbacks did not spoil my enjoyment of the novel. It was a great story and a solid four stars. Thank you so much to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1796 and a marriage of convenience takes place so that Duval can inherit the Muchmore estate from his late father. The novel explores the relationship that develops between Duval and Edmee after Duval buys her at a wife sale. There's romance, mystery and suspense throughout this piece of historical fiction as secrets and hidden pasts are revealed.

My thoughts

I loved this book. I was drawn in from the start and remained captivated throughout. I loved the setting, the plot, the characters, the themes and found myself wanting to stay in that world a little longer after finishing the book. This was a great read and I would highly recommend it. I will be adding Sally Gardner's novel The Weather Woman to my TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley, Head of Zeus, Apollo and Sally Gardner for this e-ARC.

Austen meets Dumas, an eighteenth century romp with the French Revolution aftermath bringing emigres across the channel, and returning our dashing hero back from an almost sticky end in jail. His father leaves him an impossible task, to marry or loose his inheritance. There are drawing room dramas, balls and a lot of dashing about and wearing out the horses. This has everything you’d want from a costume drama, and there are lots of details of costume, not surprisingly the author being into costume design. I feel that some of the characterisation is less detailed, for example the aunt’s story could have been fleshed out a bit. There is a list of stock characters here, not least the avaricious villains and put upon victims, but for all that, it was a jolly good read, and the writing was good.

Marriage of convenience, tick. Rogue heir with a ticking clock to inherit, tick. Wife sale…. Tick.

Duval is returning to England after a stint in prison in France during the French Revolution. Having originally gone to Paris to train to be a Doctor against his father’s wishes he is hit with the news that not only has his father died, but he’s left with only 2 days to get married in order to inherit according to the will. Not wanting to lose Muckmore Estate the race is on.

He finds Edmee at a Wife Sale (actually did use to happen as divorces were impossible for the lower classes), and together they rush to Muckmore to marry before the will’s lawyer.

It’s a book of two halves really, there’s secrets aplenty, traumatic pasts, and then boom! in comes a mystery and a Bow Street Runner (early police officer) to investigate that I was not expecting at all. It really increased the stakes and kept me turning the pages. I’ve never read anything by Gardner previous to this so I’m not sure if this is her usual style but I certainly enjoyed it. It was a delightful twist to what was otherwise a very nice, but typical historical fiction novel.

I’ll absolutely be checking out more of Gardner’s work in the future. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy.

Wow. I loved this. Vanity Fair meets Laura Shepard-Robinson: Romance, tragedy, scandal, murder, revolution, emigres, all in one story!

Set in 1796, Duval is returning to England after being imprisoned in France during the revolution. When he docks, he’s informed that to inherit his deceased father’s estate he must marry in 2 days time. His resolution is to buy a wife at a wife sale. His new wife Edmee though has many secrets of her own, and the marriage is even more for her convenience than his. What unfolds is a slow burn romance, scandal after scandal, murder and kidnap plots and even the Bow St Runners.

This had me gripped all the way through & I loved both Duval and Edmee and their love story. I also enjoyed the very vivid and often comedic cast of other characters and thought that the author painted a remarkable portrait of late Georgian London. I was fascinated by the details of the experience of emigres who escaped the Terror and horrified to learn that British men could sell their wives! Although it had a very gripping fast paced plot, it was well
balanced with excellent character development and well researched historical details.

A heartwarming ending where the good overcame the bad and every one got their just desserts. My only hope is that the BBC immediately turns this into a period drama!

Off to buy all her other novels!

Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the copy to review.

Duval Harrington is in a hurry. Having just been released from prison in France during the revolution, he must reach his late father’s estate before the following evening in order to claim his inheritance but not only that, the Will states that he must be married! The story that follows is an interesting one but I felt it was on ‘fast forward’ for most of the time! The characters were all there; the wife to be with her intriguing history, the long distance relative who felt his claim was a just one, the detective who becomes embroiled in the dastardly deeds plus Duval himself of course, all of whom I wanted to know more about. They had no depth, no meat on their bones. The plot was a good one and characters were all there waiting in the wings but…..in my very humble opinion, I felt the author was in too much of a hurry to get Duval’s inheritance sorted! .