The Wrong Bride

The 3 stars are for the DK crumbs... because the rest yikes

4/5⭐️ • 2.5/5🌶️

Okay, I didn’t know how I was going to feel jumping into this series but the first book has sold me. I’m exciting to read about all of these siblings. I loved the angst in this one. It’s something I don’t get very often and to have it here was so nice because it pained me to know what was going to happen next. There were parts where it did feel repetitive but overall I liked this first book and am excited to see what comes next.

this was so dramatic. a fucking mess 😭

Listen, I do enjoy a good drama in a book because it keeps you interested and entertained. The characters must not be, in the nicest possible way, foolish, or to switch their backbone on and off, and they must not take much too much BS. However, I believe the plot lacks excitement and is overly repetitious. This novel gave me whiplash in every way. So much excessive drama. It was entertaining in the sense that you couldn't take your eyes off a train catastrophe. Although the writing was rather cheesy, I will admit that I believe the author did a fantastic job of portraying Hannah as an extreme narcissist. I wish our Raven had another love interest so that she would have to work a little harder to overcome the Ares. Raven was too attentive to him and too available. To feel unique and learn how to be treated, she wanted another man to whisk her away to posh meals. Raven is deserving of so much more. Being the most paid model in the world, I expected her to have more self-confidence because she seemed so self-conscious. Her ongoing self-doubt made me uncomfortable. Ares made it seem like he was incredibly appreciative of Raven for sacrificing her life to wed him. He assured her that he would treat her with the deference that came with being his wife. As a result, when they saw Hannah again, the very first thing he did was declare IN FRONT OF RAVEN that he had never loved anyone else, that he would never love anyone else, and that he would never want anyone else. How does that treat Raven with respect? He then scheduled a private dinner for only Hannah and himself to "talk things through" as his next action. Ares was too frail and unsure of his true motivations in my opinion. I must admit that I truly enjoyed Raven's persona and hoped that she had made this guy work harder because she deserved so much more. Ares did care for her and was loyal to her, but I wanted him to feel concerned about the years of pain he had caused (and yes, undoubtedly because of his selective amnesia). Ares had some good moments, but they were eclipsed by his stupid ones. Am I the only one who saw the sister's narcissistic tendencies as early as chapter 2? How did the others fail to notice that? Why isn't she winning more prizes if she is truly such a brilliant actress?

beautiful in every aspect! A-lot of unexpected betrayal that have me screaming and hitting the pillow of anger🫠 Overall, i love this book!

[2.25 stars ⭐️.]

oh. my. god. i actually want to give myself an award for getting through this PAINFULLY horrible book. what the fuck? i wish i could give it zero stars. the female lead was SO irritating and selfish. and the way she kept victimizing herself? bitch youre the one in love with your sister’s boyfriend. if anything, hannah was the biggest victim here. yea her and that guy werent meant to be but oh my lord she was BETTER THAN THAT BOYFRIEND STEALING BITCH I HATE HER WITH ALL MY LIFE I HATE HER this book made me want to open Sylvia’s Bared to You and reread it because even THAT was better than this shit

I loved loved this book so much, but half of the characters got on my last nerves and wouldn’t let the poor girly catch a freaking break 🤦🏽‍♀️ overall I love it but I hated her sister so so much, and oh her mother was worse literally wanted to get inside the book and slap every one of them, but we love the father, he’s amazing 🫶🏽

I really, really liked this book. It honestly wasn’t what I was expecting and I loved their chemistry and communication.

I sure do love a book where the main characters communicate well with each other. And I’m a sucker for arranged marriage. This book was a fun ride. (Although the drama filled last quarter was a bit much for me, I did enjoy the end)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
The Wrong Bride is the first book in the "The Windsors" series. This series has been all over the community of late and I have been really curious about them. And I wondered if these were worth it, but when a good buddy reading friend adored this series, I knew that I had to take a chance on these and I am so happy that I decided to take a chance on "The Wrong Bride" because this book was everything and more. I had just come off of a DNF'd read and this book really pulled me in just right and what I truly needed for my reading to stay strong. The Wrong Bride has such beautiful pining, epic poignant emotion being displayed and true justice being delivered to the villains (in this case its the heroine's family) and the romance was chef's kiss and overall I left this book with such a satisfying chershire cat smile and when that happens then you just know that its a keeper.

First Line
"I can't believe that asshole," Sierra says as she storms into my office.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Ares Windsor
Billionaire and oldest of his family, powerful and capable and protective and possessive.

The Heroine: Raven
The youngest daughter, always sacrificing herself for her family, a professional model and fashion designer and been in love with Ares Windsor for years.

Summary
Raven feel in love with Ares Windsor, but when Ares catches the eye of Hannah (Raven's older sister) she lost any affection and love she could have had from Ares. And now Raven is forced to have to be on the sidelines while she watches them plan their wedding. But when Hannah chooses her career over a arranged marriage with the Windsor family, Raven is now forced to go into her sister's place and be his bride but knowing that she will always be his second choice. But there are secrets being kept from both Raven and Ares, and while Ares held affection for Hannah, Raven is his best friend and once he married her he knew he would be giving her heart to him. But for years Raven has been emotionally beaten down by her mother and sister and has a hard time trust in Ares' love. But Ares is determined to show Raven that he means business when it comes to loving her and will the steady rock that will carry them through the rough storms ahead...

What I Loved
The Wrong Bride was a book I was not even close to being ready for but was captivated all the way through. There was something so special about this book that just held my heart so immediately. I immediately loved both characters. I fell so hard for both Raven and Ares and their struggles in keeping their love strong. But they are both stubborn and I loved how they love in different ways. You know from the beginning that there is something off by the way Hannah and Raven's mother treat her. The father is kinda in the background throughout the whole book so hard to really make a firm judgment on his character. Raven is a heroine that you can easily get behind. Her character just comes alive in this book. I adored every single moment of it. I also was so in tune with her emotionally and my heart broke for her and how her family treats her. And she really has to find her own strength in facing up to them and their abusive nature. But she does. It takes time, so you need to be patient, but Ares is the perfect hero who is able to be the right mant hat she needs.

Ares is such a dreamboat. He comes from a family of wealth, prestige and yes power. But they aren't vindictive in how they use that power but do they use it sometimes to get back to those that deserve it?? HELL YES THEY DO! And I loved seeing it played out in this one. For Ares, there is a lot of confusion for him. Because he and Raven had a beginning that plays in his head like a dream but then Hannah manipulated the situation and you see how that really gets him mixed all up inside so it does take a while for him to get it all figured out but in the end he fights for the woman he loves. I love how devoted he continually he is for Raven and never gives up on what they have together. Ares is what I would call a alpha mellow in that he is protective and strong over his family and his woman but isn't an alphahole either. He is just the right type of alpha male that I love to read the most. I also enjoyed the way he ends up groveling even though he didn't really need to do one? but I still loved it even though it wasn't needed.

And the ending packed such a satisfying punch and true justice is served and I loved how the author wrapped everything up while also at the same time teasing us to get us ready for book 2!

What I Struggled With
Nothing really. I do think the heroine is a bit too harsh on the hero. But it wasn't enough to take away from my full enjoyment of the story.

Overall View
The Wrong Bride is a story that brings together heart filled emotion that delivers from beginning to end, it has strong sexy vibes, from the soul poignant emotion being delivered and so much heart it will tie you up in knots!

Favorite Quote(s)
“I just haven’t found a guy that can keep me captivated. I’m not willing to settle for anything short of complete devotion. I want epic love, and I’m willing to wait for it.”

“So long as it’s within my power, there’s nothing I won’t give you, Raven. No matter what you ask, it’s yours — and that includes me.”

Will you, Raven? Will you give me a chance?” My heart skips a beat as my eyes find his, nothing but sincerity in his gaze. “What does that mean, Ares?” He cups my face, his thumb brushing over my lip gently. “It means that I want more than just your body. I want a chance to prove that I truly do want it all with you, the past be damned. I want a chance to win your heart,” he whispers. “Because with each passing day, you’re stealing a little bit more of mine.”

“Let’s normalize walking away from toxic situations. You don’t have to stick it out when your mental health is taking a beating, just because that’s what everyone expects of you. It’s okay to reassess and decide whether or not a situation is still acceptable to you. You were never given a choice when it came to Ares, but you deserve one. Take your time, Raven. We’re all here for you, and regardless of your choice, you’ll never lose us. You will always be our little sister, just like Sierra is.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Alphamellow, Billionaire/Mr. Moneybags, Fashion Designer, Abused
Themes: Pining heroine, Book boyfriend, Family Bonds, Hearts/Touching, Hot Smexy Times, Taboo
Tropes: Unrequited Love, Arranged Marriage

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Almost if Never Enough by Ariana Grande, Nathan Sykes

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Tbh this one was kinda sad, I was hoping for a nice, funny, lighthearted read but nope it ripped my heart into shreds. Raven deserved so much more ! I still loved every minute of it though. It was chaotic and beautiful and basically had every inch of this book highlighted.

I cried so hard😅 But it is definitely one of my favourite books!

spicy spicy spicy

I don't get the beginning of this book. At all.

He had dreams of Raven FOR YEARS and he still was head over heals for Hannah? He married Raven and everything and he STILL seemed so unbelieveably deep in love with Hannah. It was painful, really.

》I take in his expression, the spark of hope that lights up his whole face. It hurts. It kills me that he so desperately wants to be with her, even now.《

35% in and he still wanted to find a way out and marry Hannah instead. I get the true love and everything but this book was supposed to be about Raven and Ares. Not about Ares's love for Hannah. WHAT WAS THAT?! I don't want to read about a man who's desperately trying to be with someone else. They planned their future for years while Raven was on the side line and once she got married to him she was pretty much still on the sideline. Fuck that.

WHY include these maybe feelings he always had and then make a 180 the next second where his whole life seems to spin around Hannah like she's his sun.

》This isn’t a battle worth fighting. Besides, Ares might be my husband for now, but he’ll end up being hers in the future. I can see it in his eyes. Even now, it’s her he’s imagining a future with. The promises he made me crumbled the second he laid eyes on her. They always have.《

It hurt even me. I was so sorry for Raven😭

》I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember, yet now I’m married to her sister. It feels like I’ve betrayed her in the worst way, and the last thing I want to do is lust after Raven too.《

WHAT IS THIS?😭 Every fucking quote up to 35% looked like this. It was unbearable.

And WHAT THE FUCK was wrong with her mother?! Hannah was treated like the queen of all queens and who'd break every second. They didn't think once about how Raven was literally forced to marry a man who didn't love her only to secure her own company she basically build from the ground up. The mother was infuriating. What is wrong with this family?!

》Pure agony spreads from my heart to the rest of my body, until my throat closes up. Why is it that no matter what I do, I’m never good enough?《

This book was so painful. My heart still aches for her.

It broke my heart.😭😭 And the worst part is that she didn't even blame them. She accepted it and just wished she had a different reality.😭 She killed me. I wanted her to be happy so badly.😭

》Why can’t I ever be anyone’s priority? What makes me so undeserving of that? Why can I never measure up against Hannah in my parents’ eyes? In Ares’s eyes? What is it that she’s got and I’ll never have? Why is my best never enough?《

I hate everyone in this book for ever letting her feel this way for even one second. Her dad was okay but it wasn't nearly enough. He could've tried to make it better for her. He should've.

And don't even get me started on that weird grandma. I liked her but then I stopped. She loved Raven but still chose to force her into a marriage. She was truely willing to ruin their lives if they hadn't gone through with it. What kind of person does that? I'm not convinced she would have let Raven have her company either way to be honest. She didn't strike me for the bluffing type. But then again, Granny was a mystery to me.

It was so weird, too, how Ares shifted so fast from being in love with Hannah one second and the next being in love with Raven. He whined about wanting Hannah for 40% of this book and then suddenly says that the minute he married Raven is heart was completely hers? Are you shitting me? No it was not. And understandably so. You can't fall out of love and in love in one second just because you're married. It made no sense. I even felt a little bit angry because it somehow invalidated my feelings as a reader haha

I was so angry at him the whole time and hurt for her just for him to say "Kidding! I always loved her." WTF? Why would he say all that and be in a five-year-long relationship and even get engaged when he wasn't actually in love with her? The only explanation is that men are dumb and this one is a particularly good proof of this.

I got so annoyed when he started drawing comparisons between his relationship with Hannah and his relationship with Raven. One, don't do that? It's so disrespectful to both women. Two, why the fuck did you stay with Hannah then if you didn't feel even remotely like you feel for your wife before you're even in a real relationship with her???

》"Maybe my heart isn’t quite there yet, and maybe it never will be, but everything else is yours. Only yours. So take what you want. Ask for anything you want. If it’s within my power, I’ll give it to you."《

He switches so fast. He never denied loving Hannah despite saying he never cared for her as much as he does for Raven but then he says he might never be able to love her. All the little peaks in Hannah's and his relationship were so weird and cold and it didn't feel like love at all but then he says he loved her for so long. It makes so little sense, it makes almost negative sense.

However, Raven and Ares's communication skills were top tier. They were so painfully honest with each other it was astounding. With Raven's insecurities I never would've guessed in a million years she would be this honest. It was so brave. And even tho he didn't make sense, at least he tried his best to be honest as well.

Once you're past the first third of the book everything gets so much better! I didn't like Ares at first (obviously haha) but he became my favorite! He was so in love with Raven and he tried so hard to make up for her years of hurting. I loved them!

I will never reread the beginning tho. I'd say suffering through it was worth it in the end because the book itself is great and I like the writing style but I won't ever put me through the agony at first again. That was truly unbearable. I wanted to smash his head in the ground.

》“I know I shouldn’t even be asking this of you, considering everything you’ve been through so far, everything you have yet to endure, but I’m not above begging. I can’t see a life without you, Raven. I’m begging you.”《

However, Hannah stayed terrible. She is selfish, annoying, manipulating, careless and narcisstic and Raven deserves a better sister. Even having no sister would be better than Hannah to be honest. My sisters would NEVER treat me like that. Hell, NO ONE I know would treat me like that.

Hannah was beyond disrespectful and belittled Raven every chance she got because she feelt threatened. If I were Raven, I would've cut her out of my live years prior. She was just as toxic as their mother was. I am sorry (not really tho haha) that she feels threatened by her own sister because that must be tough, but that's her issue to deal with and not Raven's fault nor problem.

》“You wouldn’t even exist if not for me. Mom and Dad only had you because we needed you for the stem cell transplant. You literally only exist to aid my life. Even our parents didn’t want you, Raven. Can’t you see?”《

She truly was a horrible person and I wanted to bitch fight her every second she got mentioned. I hate her with a passion that was only ever triggered by Charlotte from H2O

loved the book and concept but HATED the sister. i’ve never hated a character so much.

What a waste of time and a joke of a book. I’m still convinced this book was written as a troll. The entirety of the book is this:

1. Raven whines about feeling inferior to Hannah

2. Ares convinced her she’s his real love by fucking her

3. Hannah shows up to cause problems

Repeat steps one through three for the remaining 55 chapters because somehow this book had a million chapters and imagine my shock to realize the author allegedly has deleted scenes.. HOW?

Author was trying to go for soap opera, outlandish behavior but instead it gave stupidity and let’s get this foolishness over with.