BelEdit Book Reviews
The Bride Stone is a charming and fast-paced novel that blends romance and mystery while creating an immersive sense of place in late 18th-century England. The story kicks off with Duval Harlington, freshly released from a French prison, racing against time to marry and secure his inheritance. Under pressure, he impulsively decides to purchase a bride, Edmée, at a wife sale.
This rare, but real, custom is the foundation for the story. Duval’s purchase of Edmée is a pivotal event that sets the scene for this atmospheric novel, emphasising that the stakes are high for both Duval and Edmée.
I do love when historical fiction teaches me esoteric details about social history. In The Bride Stone, the shocking wife sale sent me straight to the internet to learn more. (Gardner gives some details about its history in an interesting Afterword). The more well-known historical backdrop of the French revolution creates a sense of the era. Some of the darker themes, such as domestic abuse and societal oppression of women, add a feeling of perennial relevance.]
Gardner’s writing is vivid and engaging. From the opening lines of The Bride Stone, as Duval steps off the boat from France, at dawn on an icy February morning, I felt myself sucked into the story… And I’ll forgive an author all manner of other infelicities if this can be achieved! When I open the book randomly now, there are sentences that feel rather flat, but I had no consciousness of any flatness while immersed in the story.
The pacing is brisk, with twists and reveals that keep the pages turning. The romance, namely the growing relationship between Duval and Edmée, feels genuine and compelling, while the mystery keeps up the intrigue. That said, there are also plenty of lighter moments that keep the story flowing nicely.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction with suspense and a good dash of romance, The Bride Stone is a very satisfying read. It’s perhaps more romance than historical, but it’s undeniably entertaining.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book. And they are written by me, not AI.
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