Official Review: Richard Berkeley's Bride by Cate Parke

Lovely_Ink · Post by **Lovely_Ink** » 22 Jun 2014, 19:43

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Richard Berkeley's Bride" by Cate Parke.]

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Richard Berkeley’s Bride is a historical romance set in Charleston, South Carolina during the 1760s. Thomas Berkeley and Lord Edward Campbell are friends who have found their wealth in various business holdings throughout South Carolina. From the time that their children were young it has been their plan that they should marry and merge the fortunes of the two families. Years later when their offspring, Richard and Alexandra, come together it is to fulfill the early plan of their fathers to marry and produce an heir to carry forth the Campbell name.

Richard Berkeley is a young man of great promise. A descendant of England’s noble class, he has been educated in the best of schools, and has made a name for himself in South Carolina as a shrewd businessman and lawyer mostly through his work managing his father’s and Lord Campbell’s affairs. When approached by the two older men about the betrothal to Alexandra, Richard is at first put off. Intrigued though by the promise of great wealth that would come from such a union, Richard agrees to meet with Alexandra before making a final decision to accept the marriage proposal. It is upon being reunited with Alexandra in London that Richard makes a decision that will change his life forever.

Alexandra is a beautiful young woman who has just completed her first season in London. Spoiled greatly by her English family she has been afforded the best education and material possessions that money can buy. Having been sent to England at an early age by her father, Alexandra has been away from South Carolina long enough to believe that her future lie securely in England. When summoned back to the states by her father, Alexandra is both appalled at the demand and frightened to find out what type of life she will have to look forward to.

Due to the circumstances surrounding their betrothal, Richard and Alexandra are left with very little time to court prior to their wedding day. The one thing that find to have in common is a fierce physical attraction to one another. Alexandra is a proper lady, unfamiliar with the intricacies of male/female relationships. Bound by propriety she finds that she must rely on Richard to help her navigate her attraction to him once they are married. Once their nuptials have been completed Alexandra learns quickly that sex is not the only thing that she has to rely on her husband to teach her about. Her return to South Carolina and reunion with her father have uncovered feelings and insecurities that she had not known she possessed. It is only through her relationship with Richard that she gains a confidant with whom she can learn to work through her feelings and become the wife that she has promised him to be.

Richard and Alexandra’s story goes beyond the boy meets girl, boy marries girl cookie cutter relationships that are bragged about in pleasant company. Together Richard and Alexandra must learn to work through their individual issues in order to have a successful marriage. It isn't easy for either of them and they find themselves in precarious circumstances where they will have to choose between the secrets they hide and the wonderful life that they could have together. Cate Parke has written a thoughtful novel about life and love in civilized culture. While flawed individually, Parke allows her characters space to decide whether or not they can be perfect together. This was a delightful read and I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

***
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Cate_Parke · Post by **Cate_Parke** » 30 Jun 2014, 13:25

Thank you so much for reading my first book. I couldn't be happier to see your wonderful review. I'm so very glad you liked it!
~Cate Parke

Lovely_Ink · Post by **Lovely_Ink** » 30 Jun 2014, 15:15

Cate_Parke wrote:Thank you so much for reading my first book. I couldn't be happier to see your wonderful review. I'm so very glad you liked it!
~Cate Parke

Congrats on your first book. It was my first historical romance review and I was quite pleased. I look forward to more of your work.