A Belated Bride

Rogues #2

by Karen Hawkins

She'd Never Marry Him!
The last man Arabella Hadley ever wishes to see again is Lucien Deveraux, the handsome, dissolute Duke of Wexford -- who broke her innocent heart years ago and disappeared to London. So when she finds an unconscious man on her deserted country road and sees that it's Lucien, she's tempted to leave him there. But even more appalling than his presence is the brazen kiss he plants on her shocked lips and her response! So it would be totally insane to take him home to recover -- wouldn't it? Except For One Small Thing...
Lucien dares not reveal why he's returned to his country estate -- or why he abandoned the strong-willed beauty years ago. Especially since Arabella clearly has secrets of her own. But when her scheming, marriage-minded aunts successfully compromise them, the two are forced to become man and wife. Which makes it ever harder for both to battle the passion that never disappeared...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Fiction

374 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 9, 2001

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
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Reviews

[Insh · Rating 3 out of 5]

so i wanted to write a serious review on this book
but everytime i tried this quote from the book kept popping up
and honestly i think its way better than a full review

Heaven was here, between her thighs.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly this book addresses the question, can the jerk who ruined our 16 year old heroine and then dumped her to marry an heiress plausibly become hero material? And the answer is a firm, no, he certainly cannot. You know, I think I could have tolerated the story slightly more had the author not attempted to mitigate the hero's despicable actions by claiming he only did it for his sister and managed not to use a single pound of his wife's dowry to restore the family coffers. Oh my gosh, ladies, ladies, if he starts off by putting literally everyone else's best interest ahead of yours you need to run - away.

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me 1 month to finish this book. My mother says I am a "bookeater" because I am a fast reader. The fact that it took me so long to finish the book says a lot about this book.

I don't know what wasn't working for me. I don't think it is written poorly. I do not mind the so-called "second change romances" all that much (though admittedly I am no fan.) The hero was ok, a handsome and rick duke, what is wrong with that? The heroin is ok too. I hate a shrew of a heroin and she is not one of those heroins who think throwing fits shows characters and strength. The plot is not so bad, albeit not great either. I just cannot get into the story. I cannot put my finger on anything in particular that I really did not like. I just do not like the story and do not care what happens to the lead characters. OK the guy left after sharing a passionate night. OK the girl has sufferred humiliation and self-doubt. OK now he is rich and can right the old wrongs. OK she is now shouldering all the family responsibilities plus a handicapped brother. You see what I mean? I am just not impressed by anything in this story and cannot find anything or anyone that I felt oh man I liked that in this book.

I can only conclude that it is the writing style. Everyone has different tastes in writing styles and Ms. Hawkins' style does not speak to me. It is as if she was talking in a foreign language which I am not 100% fluent in and have to focus to understand what she is saying. And with characters that I could not make connections with......that spells a not so great reading experience.

I do not want to discourage anyone from reading this book. I have read worse really. Just to give you some refenrences:

Writers whose styles I respond well to, for example:

Elizabeth Hoyt, Teresa Mederois, Lisa Kleypas

Writers whose style I cannot stomach, for example:

Grace Burrows, Lynsay Sands, Eloisa James

[Tammy Walton Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to have to learn that when a book is "re-issued" 10 years after publication, with a foreward by the author that she "re-worked" the HEA to make it EVEN HAPPIER!!! that I should seek out the original. Too much sugar makes one feel ill, you know. I'm off to find some crackers to settle my stomach, lol.

[Sunshine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this story because he comes
out quite a bit in the first book and he sounded
interesting.

Minor spoiler...Not really you find out within
the first couple of pages.

I hated the H, he was a mega asshole douche bag.
So, our so called hero sleeps with Arabella when she
was 16 years old and then abandons her to get
married with another girl, because she was a heiress.
If I remember correctly, because it has been a while
since i read this story, the H does end up caring for
his wife eventually. So, he moved on with his life and
guess what in typical HR fashion, Arabella stayed single
and untouched until this asshole came back.

There is no groveling, begging, or any form of retribution.
He knew if he slept with her she was "damaged goods" and
yet he didn't care. Despite the fact that he knew
he had to marry another woman for money. Asshole!!!

[Maureen Feeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems I have done it again, just unknowingly started reading a series out of order.AAARGH.

This is an enjoyable read but I found my attention wavering from time to time as it does drag slightly in places. But in saying that the amusing secondary characters of the aunts, the endearing crippled brother, the spoiled sister-in-law and even the villains are all well put-together. It was a romantic and amusing read at the same time, and I have to read the rest of the series now!

[Reading Fanatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many, many years ago...I won’t say how many because I don't want to date myself. LOL It's one of those books that I have never forgotten. In recent years, I found myself thinking about this book over and over, but not being able to remember the title or the author, I wasn't able to find it. Finally a few days ago, I thought to post a comment in the HR discussions section on Amazon. Within a day a wonderful fellow reader not only provided me with the title of the book, she also posted a link to the product page. At the time the kindle version was .99 cents so I quickly grabbed myself a copy--although truthfully I would have happily paid a lot more for it. I immediately started to reread the book and, oh my goodness, it was a most sublime reading experience. Beautifully written, the story that unfolds is romantic, fun, lighthearted, and completely enthralling. Furthermore, the characters are all so wonderfully drawn that they seemed to fairly come alive within the pages of the book!

Lucien and Arabella (Bella) were sweethearts as young adults--Bella was 16, Lucien 20. As the heir to a dukedom, Lucien was a little bit of a rakehell, spoiled, and well aware of his worth. A sweet romance blossomed between the future duke and Bella who, despite being the daughter of a gentleman, is not a member of the aristocracy. This didn’t deter Lucien from falling in love with her; however, and after he takes Bella’s innocence, Lucien is intent on making the beautiful young miss his future duchess. Unfortunately, on that fortuitous day when the two become lovers, Lucien receives some unwelcome news; his father has died, and Lucien is now the new duke. Lucien leaves abruptly without word to Bella. After his father’s funeral Lucien is given further bad news; his family is in financial ruins. Left with the responsibility of a young sister of only eight, and hundreds of tenants and servants all of whom are reliant on him for their livelihood, it is Lucien’s only choice to marry an heiress. Even knowing this Lucien is still intent on marrying his beloved Bella—he calls her Bella mia, so sweet! Unfortunately, due to the interference of others Lucien ends up marrying his heiress and Bella is left to believe that the man of her dreams; the man to whom she gave her most precious gift, didn’t believe her good enough to be his duchess.

Fast forward ten years later, which is where the story begins. The action in the book starts on the very first page, when Bella’s coach man, driving like a madman, frightens Lucien’s horse causing the animal to bolt and unseat Lucien, knocking him unconscious. When Bella realizes that it is Lucien who is lying unconscious in the middle of the road, she is tempted to leave him to the tender mercies of the night. LOL Nonetheless, reason prevails and Bella ends up taking Lucien home to her two widowed aunts so they can nurse him back to health and have him on his way ASAP. Unfortunately for Bella when her aunts first lay eyes on Lucien they form plans of their own. The result is a family conspiracy of epic proportions, one whose goal is to see Bella and Lucien married. LOL These two sweet faced, manipulating females undertake all sorts of questionable tactics to keep Lucien at Rosemont. Soon Bella’s brother seems to have joined the conspirators when he insists of Lucien’s staying at Rosemont, not as a patient, but as his guest.

Lucien realizes that his behavior ten years ago was unforgivable—at the very least he should have presented himself in person and tried to explain the situation to Bella—thus he believes that there is no possibility of a future between them. At first all Lucien wants is to help Bella, by relieving her of the burden of some of the major concerns with which she is inundated; Bella takes care of the estate, her aunts, and her brother, Robert, who is wheelchair bound. In the ten years since she’s seen Lucien, Bella’s family has experienced a change in circumstances and is now financially strapped. The more time Lucien spends with Bella, the more convinced he becomes that he wants her by his side forever. But winning back his ladylove is no easy undertaking. If Lucien wants Bella back in his life as his duchess, he will have to use every trick in the book, including deceit and trickery! LOL I loved how single-minded Lucien is in his determination to win back his Bella. Sigh! Intrigue is added to the plot by way of a smuggling operation. Lucien is in Yorkshire on an assignment for the Home Office; Bella is the head of her own smuggling ring—yes, a lady smuggler! LOL

This is one book that I know I’ll be rereading again—and probably in the near future. I’m so happy that I was able to find it. It’s just as fantastic as I remembered. FYI, this is not a clean romance. There are a couple of love scenes, which are fairly graphic, although not, IMO, overly so. Furthermore, no crude language is use. Happy reading!

[Yessenia Andaverde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is slow. It takes days for something to happen. Yeah, it is full of interactions between Arabella and Lucien, but they are basically the same: Arabella is doing something, Lucien arrives all charming and seductive, Arabella is rude but Lucien does not care, he kisses her, she kisses her back, Lucien backs up and Bella is angry. It's the same pattern over and over again all over the book.
The aunts were supposed to be charming but I did not like them either. Jane was to meddling and Emma too dumb.
Robert was alright, but I could not stand Liza and her constant crying. Every time she got in problems, she got out of them by crying.

Also, in the plot it states they would get married. It makes it sound as if this would happen at the beginning or middle of the book, not that it was almost at the end. It's misleading.

Not a book I would read twice.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2nd in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I don't remember if I read the first book, that's how much theses books stay with me! This was a reread for me. Copyright 2008. My book is from that date. KH admits she tweeked the end of the story for this republication.
The trope is separated for years & years, in this case 10. The heroine was 16 & the male lead was 20. They were in love, but apparently there was very little supervision of the heroine to stop her from ruin. There's of course a reason why the male lead never came back, but it's eye rolling. He also never writes to tell her what's going on.
It takes MUCH too long to get to get them to have a conversation about anything. Lack of communication is the worst trope IMO.

So, this was definitely a 3 star read right up to the end of chapter 19 when the male lead & the heroine's aunt conspire to make the heroine HAVE to marry him. Hmmmmm.
The end of chapter 19 has the male lead forcing a stop on a COLD December evening because it's going to rain on them. Or sleet or whatever. This is a ramshackle cottage with half the roof gone. It's December. It's sleeting. The male lead just HAS to say "You are soaking wet. We must get you out of those clothes." This is a direct quote!! It's cold, you're wet & uncomfortable, but suddenly overcome by passion so having naked sex on a dirty cot by a small fire on a wet, cold December night is all right by you?!?!
No.

Basically ruined it for me.

[Eli Dhios · Rating 2 out of 5]

lento y despelotado.

[Darbella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucien and Arabella story. Was so upset with the hero at first. grrrr Loved some of the side characters.

[Tonileg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arabella Hadley should have married her first love years ago, but he abandoned her four years ago and married someone else. So when Bella literally runs into him with her carriage in the middle of the night, she hesitates taking him home with her.
Lucien Devereaux, Duke of Wexford loves Bella, but he had to marry someone else. He is on a mission for the crown and government in Yorkshire and had had hopes to get through his childhood summer home anonymously because he wants to avoid Bella.
They have two kisses within minutes of their sudden reunion. So there is definitely chemistry. There aren't a lot of seduction scenes because Bella is stubborn and walks away from Lucien any time she even sniffs a bit of smelly sexy thoughts which means that she is almost constantly walking away.
There is a smuggling mystery going on in the background of the story and I really was convinced that it was Aunt Jane, but any of the ladies in the Hadley family is capable of being the ringleader in a smuggle band. They are feisty sassy stubborn smart ladies which is unusual for this type of historical romance. No woman in this story is going to be an easy push-over doormat. So needless to say, I enjoyed the story and although the never say the 'words', they do find love and acceptance with each other.
379 pages and historical English romance with a touch of mystery and second-chances/marriage-then-comes-love plot
3 stars

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual it was another wonderful book to read, however I find myself bored at times reading this book. Regardless, the secondary characters were awesome and I kinda knew who Robert Hadley (Bella's brother) would end up long before she came in to the picture. It was a cute, romantic scene between Robert and his ladylove, Liza, and the way they bickered was just a prelude to their bubbling (IMO) feelings for one another. Suffice to say, Lucien and Bella's story were also cute and romantic; when Lucien was wooing Bella back and him actually taking on manual labour for the sake of proving to her that his title don't mean much and he can still lend a hand when needed was just nice. The aunts were crazy as well. Very meddlesome, but then again they wanted to marry-off their niece, but at the same time they were adorable and was only after what was best for their family. But it was a happy ending overall for everybody.

[Evelyn Rivera]

I have to admit that for the first half of the book I wanted to forget about it and choose another book. The story was some how slow at the started but them it took a faster pace with better twist, laughter, and romance making the end more enjoyable.

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh Karen Hawkins, you disappointed me.....

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Belated Bride, by Karen Hawkins, came to me from a used book store. They were going out of business and I grabbed up as many books as my cash supply would allow. This story has turned out to be one of my all time favorites. It's a 2008 re-issue of the story with a reworked ending. I have no idea what the original ending was like but this one explains more detail on what happened between the 2 lovers 10 years ago. Life was not kind but Karma got them together again. 2nd chance love stories can be iffy, too harsh a break-up can color my feeling for the pair later on. A Belated Bride walked a fine line with me. At least it wasn't a cheating story, thank goodness.

Lucian and Arabella are meant to be together, you know it from the start. So much passion, quite often cloaked as anger but still passionate anger. This story answered my questions about the Duke of Wexford from the pervious book, The Abduction of Julia. It's a stand-alone but I was curious about him & his backstory. Arabella has been backhanded by life for years. She's managed to carry on for the sake of her family, she's a caregiver type personality. I liked her, understood her motivations. Her 2 aunts are remarkable, funny, wise, prudish, sweet ladies. One gambles and one drinks, loved them. I think you'll have an enjoyable time with Lucian and Arabella's journey. I, once again, have to ask...what happened to Edmund Valmont? He's the hapless fribble friend in both books and what a hoot. I think he deserved his own story.

#KarenHawkins #ABelatedBride #AvonBooks #HarperCollinsPublishers

[Sashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about Arabella Hadley and Lucien Devereaux. Both of them were in love when young and at a point they were enjoying more then they should. However due to family situations Lucien had to return to London and he left without a word. After being left in such a way Arabella was hurt and compromised making her reputation ruin. Then after 10 years they met back in unfortunate event whereby Arabella carriage will cause Lucien to met in accident. Forced to look after him she will bring back him to Rosemont her home. From there the story will progress and eventually situations will make Lucien to come up with an idea to make Arabella as his wife. Spicing up this story will be the interference of the matchmaking Aunty Jane and Aunty Emma and also brother Robert. At the end it is a match that made in heaven.

I throughly enjoy this book and reading it made a smile plastered on my face the whole time. The way it was written was truly captivating and I am damn sure anyone who reads the book will like the strong characters of Arabella and Lucien. It definitely a good read.

[LadyAileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finalmente sposa è il secondo volume della serie Rogue ma possono essere letti anche singolarmente (a collegarli sono i personaggi apparsi in altri romanzi come secondari che poi diventano protagonisti).
Tutto inizia quando Arabella trova ferito Lucien duca di Wexford, l’uomo che anni prima l’aveva sedotta e abbandonata. Decide di portarlo a casa e curarlo ma deve fare attenzione perché nasconde un segreto. Ma anche Lucien, non è in quella zona per caso…
Sinceramente non so che cosa pensare di questa storia. Non è un brutto libro ma nemmeno uno che lascia il segno.
L’autrice ha cercato di arricchire la trama aggiungendo anche un mistero legato alle attività illegali di Arabella ma niente di particolarmente articolato.
Mi piacciono i romanzi rosa che si basano sulle seconde possibilità ma questa storia non mi ha conquistato come avevo sperato.
Le parti più divertenti sono quelle che vedono protagoniste le due zie impiccione e il fantasma ma per il resto, una prima parte che fatica a ingranare, i personaggi che mi hanno lasciata indifferente e un mistero non abbastanza coinvolgente.
Una volta letto te lo sei già dimenticato.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this so much better than the first in the series,which I didn't realize was her debut book. This book has better characters and a way better plot. The Duke from the first book, Lucien is our hero, and I liked him as much here as I did before. There are many humorous scenes that had me laughing out loud, and unlike the first book there is nary a giggling girl.
Our heroine, Arabella is a very independent woman trying to save her home after her father dies in debt and her brother comes home from Waterloo psychologically impaired.
It turns out 10 years before Lucien 20, and Arabella, 16 had a tempestuous affair that ended badly. Fortunately, we discover why when Lucien is sent to Yorkshire to find a traitor and is injured, and Arabella finds him.
There are smugglers, spies, a surprise villain, 2 delightful aunts, and more. I quite enjoyed it and am about to embark on the last book in the trilogy which brings back the villain from book one, who I hope redeems himself.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, what a tangled web can be woven by keeping secrets! At the age of 16, Arabella Hadley had fallen in love with Lucien Devereaux. He had fallen in love with her but before he could propose, his father died, leaving him in debt and her father told him he was not to marry Arabella. Now he has returned doing spy work for the Home Office. He realizes he still loves her but she has a great deal of pride.

Karen Hawkins has done a great job in weaving the story lines together and the two aunts bring comic relief to the story.

[Iza Soares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5 of 7

I fucking love second chance history! I only have to complain that idk I would like to know Lucien better before. I don't know, but I was so ready to love him and I feel like I didn't have that chance.

But must say, I loved that her father was the one who convinced him that both would be unhappy. I always need good reasons for the first chance haven't work, and I think it was a good one

[Kasumi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitivamente esta autora no es para mi. En sí la historia parece entretenida y los personajes lo suficientemente interesantes, pero no he conseguido empatizar con ninguno de ellos. Solo un poco con el protagonista y, en principio, era el más complicado de todos, ya que había abandonado a la protagonista hacía años. Sin embargo ha sido el personaje más desarrollado. El resto, sencillamente, excentricos o, simplemente, insoportables la mayor parte del tiempo.

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarà che mi piace dare una taglio netto e che sulle mie decisioni non ritorno, ma questa storia che si basa su fatti accaduti un decennio prima mi ha preso poco. Karen è abbastanza brava nel raccontare, ma la sfumatura di giallo mi è piaciuta ancora meno (gusto personale). Non mi pare che sia un libro da rileggere, ma a tratti è stato molto piacevole, quindi assegno un giudizio medio.

[Sandra Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never caught this book when it first was issued, but it is ok. I have now and I Loved it. I haven't laughed so much in a long time. The Busy body aunts drove me nuts, but I loved them. Lucian, I could have shot him a few times, but he did well in the end. Now I have to find the rest of them.......

[Jacqueline Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admittedly skimmed to finish this one. It was so very boring to me. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the hero and heroine and they seemed to spend so much time talking to everyone but each other. I was pretty salty at the hero for what he did years ago and never got past it. Call me crazy but I like my romance novel heroes valiant, brave, and not full of excuses.

[Mary23nm · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Belated Bride started out great. I am not sure why, but the story just dragged on for me.
Normally I read a book in one day, maybe two to three days if I am really busy. This book took me seven days to finish and I am so glad it is done.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have wished for more anger on Arabella's part. She seemed to hold some anger in the beginning but it quickly faded and it just seemed like she gave herself up too easily. This wouldn't be the reaction of a woman who had been ruined and left for 10 years. A lot more anger would be present.

[penelopewanders]

Lovers to enemies to lovers? I successfully guessed the identity of the bad guy, although I am wondering about a certain smarmy suitor...
Another case of miscommunication or lack of openness creating more trouble than necessary, but still a fun and entertaining vacation read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent plot but painfully idiotic women throughout!

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

February 15, 2017

A belated bride is a straightforward novel but lacks the romantic fizz of a romance novel. Unfortunately, it falls quite flat upon reading.