[.ca] The Bridal Season (ISBN 0440236711)

From Amazon.com:
Music hall performer Letty Potts is the original sow's ear who turns herself into a silk purse. Burned out of her rooming house by her unscrupulous ex-boyfriend Nick Sparkle, Letty needs to get out of London--and fast. Opportunity presents itself in the form of a train ticket to Little Bidewell discarded by Lady Agatha Whyte, society wedding planner. Upon her arrival, Letty is mistaken for Lady Agatha by the Bigglesworth family who have hired her to make their daughter's wedding the event of the decade. Never one to let good fortune slip by her, Letty utilizes her acting talent to pass as a duke's daughter forced to earn a living as a wedding coordinator. Thoroughly enmeshed in prewedding preparations, Letty finds herself unable to hurt the Bigglesworths who have welcomed her--as Lady Agatha--so graciously and who need her so much. However, when it turns out that the Bigglesworths' neighbor, the oh-so-handsome, unquestionably honorable, and all too eligible Sir Elliot March, is also the local magistrate, Letty figures it's time to get out of Dodge, uh, Little Bidewell. The larcenous Letty is utterly astonished by her overwhelming attraction to the serious--and seriously sexy--Elliot. He, too, seems completely astounded by Letty's natural sensuality, which leaves Elliot prone to behave in a most ungentlemanly manner. To further complicate matters, who should appear in Little Bidewell but the notorious Nick Sparkle, who believes Letty's working a con and wants in on the take. When the jig is up and Letty must face the music, it is left to Elliot to investigate and possibly prosecute the woman he has fallen in love with and wants to marry. Will two such different people, from such disparate places in society, be able to close the gap that exists everywhere but in their hearts? Read Connie Brockway's delicious frolic of a novel, The Bridal Season, to find out! --Alison Trinkle

Very nice:
Letty Potts has decided to begin a new and better life, and is therefore trying to escape Nick, her fellow in crime. But she has neither money nor a place to run to before she stumbles across Lady Agatha and watch her run away with her french suitor. Left behind is Agatha's luggage and train ticket to Little Bidewell. Arriving in the small town, she's mistaken for the lady and Letty plays along awaiting an opportunity to run away. She's to arrange a grand wedding for a local girl and Letty is soon intrigued by the idea of helping these nice people. But, a family friend and the local magistrate, Elliot March, suspects something is wrong with Agatha-character. I really enjoyed reading this book, although a few details irritated me. First of all, Elliot is too weak and soft. He's very sweet but it doesn't fit well with his military background and present occupation. I believe that he should have been more like Jack Seward in "All through the night". Also, the other characters are so occupied with making a couple of Letty and Elliot that it doesn't seem natural. Actually it's like sweets with sugar on. I'm really missing the edge from "All through the night". Further, a trial in any book of this genre is boring. They simply does not fit and seem to exist only to fill up vacant space. Still, it is a very nice read and I particularly enjoy the way Letty "forces" the very controlled Elliot to start feeling, and to loose his control.

This Book Has Everything:
A saucy heroine, a mouthwatering hero, a charming community, fun and wit and passion, this one has it all. Letty and Elliot are both immediately likable and delightfully original. Letty, raised as music hall performer, seeks to escape her increasingly nefarious boyfriend and finds a ticket to a tiny town called Little Bidewell, where she is mistaken for the eccentric Lady Agatha, duke's daughter-cum-wedding planner extraordinaire. Letty, whose luck had just run out, can't resist such an Opportunity and gets swept up in what begins as a rather benign deception. Soon, however, she becomes entangled in the lives of the charming Little Bidewell residents, including the sexy, chivalrous Sir Elliot. Elliot is neither rogue nor rake, but a true gentleman; however, don't be put off if you thought only bad boys could be sexy! He's one of Brockwell's most irresistable creations! The story is chock full of Brockway's delightfully witty dialogue, and there are many humorous moments, but what begins as an undeniable, potent attraction between Letty and Elliot becomes a heart-wrenching and most romantic unrequited (almost) love. If you're open to something a little different but still demand great, passionate romance, try this one! I doubt you'll be disappointed!

Flawed but entertaining; 3 & 1/2 stars:
Letty is a delightful character, so much fun. Elliot is a sweet man; it's rather pleasant to have a hero who is simply a nice man. And Catherine is a selfish little..... Intriging and funny with just a hint of heartache and danger. The first love scene is a disappointment; it's more about hurt and anger than anything else. Very romantic ending, even if it seems a little out of character for Elliot. My first Connie Brockway book. Good enough to try more from her, but not the best I've read.

Entertaining and Thought Provocative:
As usual, Connie Brockway is in top form: wonderful characters, sexy, witty writing, fast-paced and insightful. The Bridal Season is both very entertaining and thought provocative. The hero, Sir Elliot March, is not only handsome, sensual and utterly appealing but also very principled and faced with a real moral dilemma which he resolves well. Our colorful heroine Letty Potts is a delight to watch as she charms everyone while transforming into a better person through confronting her own dilemma. For intelligent entertainment that's impossible to put down, try The Bridal Season, along with all of Connie's previous work.

A Witty and Fun Romance:
Connie Brockway- "The Bridal Season" A+ This is a Victorian read and reminded me a bit of Lisa Kleypas, not quite as sensuous, but a VERY good story. Likeable characters. I couldn't see how she was going to pull off everything without scandal for the HEA, but she did it and made me believe in it! I'll be looking for more of her books; she's on my to buy list now for sure!