BRIDE BY MISTAKE is another book from Anne Gracie's Devil
Riders series. Each book in the series features a war
changed soldier and the woman that brings him back to life.
Gracie delivers each book with a punch making them not quite
the traditional historical romance. There are times when you
cry, times when you laugh, and times when you are laughing
through your tears. BRIDE BY MISTAKE held every one of those
qualities and more. I simply adored both characters.
Isabella and Luke were both strong in their own ways, but
where Luke was hardened by the war Isabella remained
somewhat naïve from being in the convent all that time.
Watching their relationship grow from virtually nothing into
the love that it became was a treasure that I am glad I
didn't miss out on.
Isabella has a hero he saved her once eight years ago and in
her heart she knows that he will return to save her once
more. Isabella found herself married and hidden in a convent
all on the same day, but her hero has never returned. The
war is over and he has never returned for her. The only
thing she was given was a letter requesting an annulment
from vows taken that long ago day. That annulment will only
happen over her dead body! How dare he not even come and ask
her in person; how dare he not even come! What happened to
the man she once knew because the man that finally comes is
not the man she has dreamed of every night, every day, and
every dream for the last eight long years.
During the war so many people died -- the young, the old,
the rich, the poor, the soldier, and the slave. Watching his
friend die before his eyes, Luke needed to save just one
person, even if he had to marry her to see her safe.
Assuming that his marriage to a thirteen year old girl would
be annulled upon his return Luke is shocked to find that his
request has been denied. Now as Lord Ripton Luke has enough
responsibilities without adding the burden of a wife he can
hardly remember. Expecting the docile naïve girl that he
left at the convent Luke is shocked to find that his wife is
headstrong, determined, and not afraid to speak her mind.
Surprisingly, Luke finds himself drawn to his wife in ways
he thought he would never feel again.
BRIDE BY MISTAKE is a story for every romance reader. Gracie
has a way
with writing that makes the pages fly by. I was involved
with the story, I had to know what happened next, what was
going to happen next, and if these two were ever going to
get it together. Not only do we get to know the characters,
but we get to watch them grow and find out just who they are
or rather who they have become. The way Gracie has written
them the characters become more lifelike as I connected to
them on a more personal level. BRIDE BY MISTAKE was
touching and endearing. It was filled with humor and had
that real to life quality that Gracie's books do. BRIDE BY
MISTAKE is truly a treasure for the heart.
At the age of thirteen, in the middle of a war, Isabella was
saved from a forced marriage to a man she hated when
handsome young English Lieutenant Luke Ripton married her.
Lieutenant Ripton, tall, dark, and as beautiful as an
archangel. He placed her in a convent school, and left.
She waited -- like a princess in a tower dreaming of her
prince -- for eight years. Now those dreams have withered
and Bella is taking charge of her life...