💍 Book Review: The Bridal Strain: Emily & Colin’s Wedding by Tasha Alexander (Kindle Edition)
A charming interlude in the Lady Emily series, this short story offers fans a long-awaited glimpse into the wedding of Emily Ashton and Colin Hargreaves—full of wit, warmth, and a touch of post-mystery serenity.
🧠 Overview
Originally published in 2009, The Bridal Strain is a 3,000-word short story (approx. 27 pages) by Tasha Alexander, nestled between A Fatal Waltz and Tears of Pearl in the Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries series. After surviving a harrowing investigation in Vienna, Lady Emily and Colin retreat to her villa on Santorini, where they finally prepare to marry.
This story is a romantic vignette, not a mystery, and serves as a sweet narrative bridge for longtime readers who missed seeing the couple’s wedding in the main novels.
💞 Highlights
- 🏛️ Setting: The Greek island of Santorini provides a picturesque backdrop for the wedding, adding a sense of calm and beauty
- 💬 Character chemistry: Emily and Colin’s banter and affection are on full display, reinforcing why fans love their dynamic
- ✍️ Bonus content: The Kindle edition includes two short essays by Alexander on writing historical fiction, offering insight into her creative process
- 📚 Series continuity: Bridges the emotional gap between books 3 and 4, enriching the overall arc of the Lady Emily series
“Lady Emily Ashton accepted Colin Hargreaves’s proposal only after a significant amount of wooing, but what rational woman would refuse a man who deeds to her all the books in his library?” — The Bridal Strain description
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.74/5 from over 1,200 ratings
- 📖 Readers appreciate the story’s romantic tone, light humor, and sense of closure
- 🧾 Some note that it’s a brief indulgence, not essential to the mystery plotlines, but a delightful treat for fans
- 💬 “A sweet, satisfying glimpse into Emily and Colin’s relationship. Not a mystery, but a lovely pause in their journey.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Very short format: At 3,000 words, it’s a quick read—best viewed as a bonus rather than a standalone story
- 📚 Not a mystery: Unlike most Lady Emily books, this is purely romantic and character-driven
- 🧾 Best for existing fans: New readers may not fully appreciate the emotional payoff without prior context
🏁 Final Verdict
The Bridal Strain is a gentle, romantic interlude that rewards fans of the Lady Emily series with a long-awaited moment of joy. Tasha Alexander’s elegant prose and character warmth make this short story a lovely companion piece—perfect for readers who’ve followed Emily and Colin through danger and intrigue and want to see love win, quietly and beautifully.
