Ashton's Bride

This was a wonderfully sweet book. The TT plot concerns a modern day English professor and Civil War historian, who connects to the spirit of a Civil War officer through his letters. Her spirit is transported back into the body of the woman he loves as that woman dies. That woman wasn't a very nice one, so the heroine has to deal with the repercussions of a past that isn't hers, as well as the knowledge that her love will be shot by a sniper within the year. She decides to give him everything she can within that time.The book stands out from other TT for several reasons. One is the hero, who is as sweet and smart and warm and wonderful as you could want, thought he's also full of human doubts. Another is the heroine, who is smart and doesn't lose that when confronted with situations that would stun most people. Third, there are some emotional scenes in the book that moved me to tears. Last, O'Brien did a very good job depicting the time - the reader can feel what's happening along with the heroine.The end of the book did feel a little off, with some problems cropping up between the couple that just didn't feel right, but they solve them and get past it.I think the most moving thing to me about the book is the author's afterward, in which she tells us that Ashton is her ancestor, and she got to know him through his letters, much as the heroine does. We see that she's been presenting a fairly real picture of someone for whom she has come to care a great deal, and that makes the story all the more touching. I recommend this to anyone who likes better TT romances.

This book was my first romance novel and it got me hooked! I couldn't help but love this book, and I can guarantee that I will never forget it. Not only is this book sweet, but it won't make you blush like some other books I could name. It is definitely a romance novel to give to a friend who hasn't experienced this genre before.

It was good but not excellent. I have read other books that were much much better.