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Forgotten Princesses #3
How to Lose a Bride in One Night
He saved her life...
When Annalise Hadley is tossed over the side of her honeymoon barge, the newly-minted duchess knows she's been left for dead -- for her husband's only interest is in her vast dowry, not her muddied lineage. However, she didn't count on a savior. Especially not an honorable, sinfully intriguing earl who will tempt her to risk everything—again.
Now he will seduce her heart and soul
A man with his own demons, Owen Crawford, the reclusive Earl of McDowell, is enchanted by the mysterious, courageous woman he rescued. He will help her heal, teach her to protect herself, and then send her away—so that she’ll never see he’s far from the hero she believes him to be.
But days and nights alone prove that some secrets are meant to be discovered...some desires are too powerful to resist…and some wounds can only be healed by love.
When Annalise Hadley is tossed over the side of her honeymoon barge, the newly-minted duchess knows she's been left for dead -- for her husband's only interest is in her vast dowry, not her muddied lineage. However, she didn't count on a savior. Especially not an honorable, sinfully intriguing earl who will tempt her to risk everything—again.
Now he will seduce her heart and soul
A man with his own demons, Owen Crawford, the reclusive Earl of McDowell, is enchanted by the mysterious, courageous woman he rescued. He will help her heal, teach her to protect herself, and then send her away—so that she’ll never see he’s far from the hero she believes him to be.
But days and nights alone prove that some secrets are meant to be discovered...some desires are too powerful to resist…and some wounds can only be healed by love.
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 15, 2013
324 people are currently reading
2009 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Jordan
83 books9,001 followersPseudonym:
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
November 20, 2015
How to Lose a Bride in One Night is the third book in Sophie Jordan's Forgotten Princesses series. It's an entertaining, unique story, but at times felt flat and predictable. I'm normally a fan of Ms. Jordan's writing, and while it didn't WOW me, I did enjoy this installment.
A copy of this book was provided by Avon Books.
August 18, 2016
If you're in the mood for some mildly steamy brain candy, then this is a decent book to pick up. I flew through it in a couple hours, from 11:30 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. (because I'm dumb).
The title is misleading. It only refers to the initial scene.
Annalise is the illegitimate daughter of a Duke, who provided her with a dowry large enough to get her married to another Duke............ who then proceeded to attempt her murder on their wedding night. That's what happened in the first couple chapters that set the book in motion.
Annalise, half drowned and injured, then ends up on the bank of the river her husband dumped her into. Owen Crawford finds her and takes her into his custody to help heal her.
No, this is not a guide on how to lose your bride in one night. If that's what you were looking for, then I'd advise looking somewhere else. Also if you are having marital difficulties, I would advise you against taking the route Annalise's husband did.
So fluffy book, however, the part that irked me was when Owen was touching Annalise in her sleep.
Like, no no, you ain't got no consent bruh! Sure you hooked up the night before but THAT MEANS NOTHING!
Anyways, other than that, I was left with no long-lasting impressions. It was enjoyable.
The title is misleading. It only refers to the initial scene.
Annalise is the illegitimate daughter of a Duke, who provided her with a dowry large enough to get her married to another Duke............ who then proceeded to attempt her murder on their wedding night. That's what happened in the first couple chapters that set the book in motion.
Annalise, half drowned and injured, then ends up on the bank of the river her husband dumped her into. Owen Crawford finds her and takes her into his custody to help heal her.
No, this is not a guide on how to lose your bride in one night. If that's what you were looking for, then I'd advise looking somewhere else. Also if you are having marital difficulties, I would advise you against taking the route Annalise's husband did.
So fluffy book, however, the part that irked me was when Owen was touching Annalise in her sleep.
Like, no no, you ain't got no consent bruh! Sure you hooked up the night before but THAT MEANS NOTHING!
Anyways, other than that, I was left with no long-lasting impressions. It was enjoyable.
December 27, 2022
Omg. Finally a 5 star read! The curse has finally been broken! 🎉😭
This was exciting and so fun. The couple, the premise, the angst. Loved it. I can't believe this is a Sophie Jordan book. Sophie Jordan books and I don't really get along and I almost gave this out a few times unread. So glad I didn't. The heroine Annalise is nearly murdered by her shiny new husband the Duke of Bloodingsworth, who attempts to kill her on their honeymoon boat and throws her overboard. In comes our hero Owen, who finds her washed up ashore, unconscious with a broken leg and near death. He rescues her and with the help of some gypsies nurses her back to health. Their scenes in the Gypsy camp while Anna recovers from her broken leg were a nice change of scenery. I found the set up of this story so intriguing and very different. A newly married heroine who is the bastard daughter of an Earl and has a limp leg. Now why a wealthy powerful Duke wanted to marry a "low born" girl for her big dowry when money isn't an issue for him and he could have anyone else he wanted is never explained and didn't really make sense but I let it go. SJ loves her contrived plot points so you have to just go with it.
I found stoic Owen so endearing and adorable. He's so blunt, awkward and gruff with his words but he's really a big teddy bear who goes to great lengths to look after Annalise and teach her ways to physically defend herself against men. He's always so worried about her and makes sure she's ok in every scenario and I found that so adorable. The yearning is what really did me in. The yearning between the both of them just made this story for me. Have I mentioned I love slow burn? Annalise fakes amnesia in fear of having to go back to her husband who is a very powerful Duke and Owen senses she's hiding her real identity from him so it just made for great tension. His background as a sharp shooter assassin while he served in India also played nicely in here as well. Both of them are dealing with serious PTSD and trying to keep each other at arms length but so fascinated with each other. I found it really sweet. This didn't feel like a Jordan book since she usually goes for a lot of silly conflict and her MC's battling it out till the very end with not enough emotion underneath it. Her books in general for me lack the emotional appeal I'm looking for but here she did a fairly good job with the angst. And for once a heroine with depth! I loved Annalise's combination of determination and naivete. Her expressive eyes and how she wore her heart on her sleeve was very endearing. Owen in turn gave me shades of a dark brooding Lisa Kleypas hero which is probably why I loved him so much.
I do wish this had an epilogue, the last chapter felt very rushed. And the number of typos in this I have to say was shocking since it's an Avon book. Especially when you keep catching mistakes in the dialogue, which was pretty cringe. Not sure what happened there but this definitely needed a better editor. But other than that, great read! :)
This was exciting and so fun. The couple, the premise, the angst. Loved it. I can't believe this is a Sophie Jordan book. Sophie Jordan books and I don't really get along and I almost gave this out a few times unread. So glad I didn't. The heroine Annalise is nearly murdered by her shiny new husband the Duke of Bloodingsworth, who attempts to kill her on their honeymoon boat and throws her overboard. In comes our hero Owen, who finds her washed up ashore, unconscious with a broken leg and near death. He rescues her and with the help of some gypsies nurses her back to health. Their scenes in the Gypsy camp while Anna recovers from her broken leg were a nice change of scenery. I found the set up of this story so intriguing and very different. A newly married heroine who is the bastard daughter of an Earl and has a limp leg. Now why a wealthy powerful Duke wanted to marry a "low born" girl for her big dowry when money isn't an issue for him and he could have anyone else he wanted is never explained and didn't really make sense but I let it go. SJ loves her contrived plot points so you have to just go with it.
I found stoic Owen so endearing and adorable. He's so blunt, awkward and gruff with his words but he's really a big teddy bear who goes to great lengths to look after Annalise and teach her ways to physically defend herself against men. He's always so worried about her and makes sure she's ok in every scenario and I found that so adorable. The yearning is what really did me in. The yearning between the both of them just made this story for me. Have I mentioned I love slow burn? Annalise fakes amnesia in fear of having to go back to her husband who is a very powerful Duke and Owen senses she's hiding her real identity from him so it just made for great tension. His background as a sharp shooter assassin while he served in India also played nicely in here as well. Both of them are dealing with serious PTSD and trying to keep each other at arms length but so fascinated with each other. I found it really sweet. This didn't feel like a Jordan book since she usually goes for a lot of silly conflict and her MC's battling it out till the very end with not enough emotion underneath it. Her books in general for me lack the emotional appeal I'm looking for but here she did a fairly good job with the angst. And for once a heroine with depth! I loved Annalise's combination of determination and naivete. Her expressive eyes and how she wore her heart on her sleeve was very endearing. Owen in turn gave me shades of a dark brooding Lisa Kleypas hero which is probably why I loved him so much.
I do wish this had an epilogue, the last chapter felt very rushed. And the number of typos in this I have to say was shocking since it's an Avon book. Especially when you keep catching mistakes in the dialogue, which was pretty cringe. Not sure what happened there but this definitely needed a better editor. But other than that, great read! :)
August 9, 2020
read my review at Got Fiction? books
3.5
This is the third novel in the Forgotten princesses series and what starts out as a dream wedding quickly becomes a nightmare. Annalise’s new husband tries to kill her. He very nearly succeeds. Her perfect duke turns out to be a money-grubbing man who only pretended to like her for her dowry. While she is fighting wedding night jitters, he is preparing to kill her.
Owen finds Annalise facedown and battered on the riverbank after she’s been tossed overboard on her wedding night. He doesn’t know why, but there’s a pull for him to help her and to stay with her. She isn’t going to make it much longer, so when Owen sees horses on the road, he begs them to pull over and help them. It turns out to be a band of gypsies who are willing to help Annalise heal.
This is where the book is the slowest. There are easily 5 weeks or so where literally nothing happens but Owen brooding and Annalise denying she knows who she is.
Annalise is afraid to let anyone know who she really is because technically that person would be within their rights to return her to her husband. At first she really is out of it for a while, just recovering. But once she’s alert enough to talk, she fakes amnesia.
I get that, really I do, but it dragged on too long. I’m talking until the last quarter of the book too long.
Owen meanwhile has his own demons to deal with. Recently back from India and not quite the same man he was before, he found his childhood crush married to his brother. A love match. With a baby on the way. Luckily he realized he’s very happy for them early on, and it’s not so much that he wishes he were married to her, it’s more of they have something unattainable for him, in his opinion. He wants what they have together.
The lovely girl Anna who he fished out of the river never leaves his thoughts. She’s broken her leg and can’t remember who she is, but he finds he can’t leave her. He has random fits of jealousy that he’s never felt before, and he sleeps in the same caravan car as she does. It’s obvious to everyone but Owen that he’s falling for Annalise.
Once she’s able to leave the gypsy camp, he takes her to his house, and this is where it picked up for me. the ending however felt super rushed, and really it felt off. There’s a scene where she surprises her husband at a dinner party and shows up alive. Yet no one is happy to see her, and her husband is already courting the woman he really wanted. And this girl’s father is just fine with that. What, he didn’t have to go into mourning? I thought the minimum was 6 months? I could be wrong, but it felt odd. I felt the girl’s father should have taken issue with that.
SPOILER
The plot was really interesting, and a different take on the beginning of a romance novel. I didn’t even mind that Annalise and Owen were together while she was married (adultery is usually a dealbreaker for me, no matter what), but I think that’s because we know from the get-go that her husband is the villain of the piece and she won’t possibly end up with him. I did enjoy the story, I just felt that the majority of the plot revolved around Annalise’s pretense of amnesia, when her husband trying to kill her was a much better source of conflict. The ending was good, if rushed.
Final verdict: It’s a different plot than I’ve seen before, and it’s a good read, even if a few things bugged me.
***ARC courtesy of Avon Books and Avon Addicts
3.5
This is the third novel in the Forgotten princesses series and what starts out as a dream wedding quickly becomes a nightmare. Annalise’s new husband tries to kill her. He very nearly succeeds. Her perfect duke turns out to be a money-grubbing man who only pretended to like her for her dowry. While she is fighting wedding night jitters, he is preparing to kill her.
Owen finds Annalise facedown and battered on the riverbank after she’s been tossed overboard on her wedding night. He doesn’t know why, but there’s a pull for him to help her and to stay with her. She isn’t going to make it much longer, so when Owen sees horses on the road, he begs them to pull over and help them. It turns out to be a band of gypsies who are willing to help Annalise heal.
This is where the book is the slowest. There are easily 5 weeks or so where literally nothing happens but Owen brooding and Annalise denying she knows who she is.
Annalise is afraid to let anyone know who she really is because technically that person would be within their rights to return her to her husband. At first she really is out of it for a while, just recovering. But once she’s alert enough to talk, she fakes amnesia.
I get that, really I do, but it dragged on too long. I’m talking until the last quarter of the book too long.
Owen meanwhile has his own demons to deal with. Recently back from India and not quite the same man he was before, he found his childhood crush married to his brother. A love match. With a baby on the way. Luckily he realized he’s very happy for them early on, and it’s not so much that he wishes he were married to her, it’s more of they have something unattainable for him, in his opinion. He wants what they have together.
The lovely girl Anna who he fished out of the river never leaves his thoughts. She’s broken her leg and can’t remember who she is, but he finds he can’t leave her. He has random fits of jealousy that he’s never felt before, and he sleeps in the same caravan car as she does. It’s obvious to everyone but Owen that he’s falling for Annalise.
Once she’s able to leave the gypsy camp, he takes her to his house, and this is where it picked up for me. the ending however felt super rushed, and really it felt off. There’s a scene where she surprises her husband at a dinner party and shows up alive. Yet no one is happy to see her, and her husband is already courting the woman he really wanted. And this girl’s father is just fine with that. What, he didn’t have to go into mourning? I thought the minimum was 6 months? I could be wrong, but it felt odd. I felt the girl’s father should have taken issue with that.
SPOILER
The plot was really interesting, and a different take on the beginning of a romance novel. I didn’t even mind that Annalise and Owen were together while she was married (adultery is usually a dealbreaker for me, no matter what), but I think that’s because we know from the get-go that her husband is the villain of the piece and she won’t possibly end up with him. I did enjoy the story, I just felt that the majority of the plot revolved around Annalise’s pretense of amnesia, when her husband trying to kill her was a much better source of conflict. The ending was good, if rushed.
Final verdict: It’s a different plot than I’ve seen before, and it’s a good read, even if a few things bugged me.
***ARC courtesy of Avon Books and Avon Addicts
March 31, 2014
Anna(lise) marries this Duke thinking she's going to get her Happy Ever After. Until he, you know, attempts to smother her with a pillow and then tosses her overboard. Enter Owen, a veteran Earl, who rescues her and houses her while she recuperates. I guess they fall in love? And then she finally (even though there's no reason to wait so long??) confesses about being MARRIED and stuff happens.
1. I really, really hated the fact that Annalise's limp is ~miraculously healed. Like, the idea that heroines with limps are somehow lessened? That they need to be fixed? That people who are not able-bodied aren't worth a love story? Fuck that noise.
2. Owen's overreaction to her marriage! Her hesitancy in telling them! Silly drama llamas!
3. That all said, Jordan's writing is decent; there were several turns of phrase that were really lovely, and it's for that reason that I'm giving this book 2 stars instead of 1.
4. What the fuck was that climax? Joanna inadvertently shoots her maybe-lover and...the hero and heroine skip off to their happy ever after? What the what? That is not how to end a story. Absolutely I understand that Bloodhorne (or what ever the hell his name was) deserved Punishment, but
a) having a barely-secondary character shoot him?? REALLY?
b) I'm sorry, but Annalise wouldn't be able to marry Owen right off the snap like that because MOURNING PERIOD, HELLO.
c) Even if she didn't want to wait out the mourning period, there's still the fact that she's RETURNING FROM THE DEAD; on the night she shows up from the dead, her husband gets SHOT IN THE HEAD; and add to that a rushed marriage to another man? That is a SCANDAL SOUP. THAT IS A SOUP MADE ENTIRELY OUT OF SCANDAL AND DRAMA AND GOSSIP. And yeah, Owen would probably be all "Whatevs, no big, I shot dudes in the head for years; gossip don't bother me" but what about her sisters / father / etc. etc.? IT'S NOT THAT EASY. SORRY TO SAY.
d) He stayed away for three days and that's all the resolution we get? COME AGAIN??
1. I really, really hated the fact that Annalise's limp is ~miraculously healed. Like, the idea that heroines with limps are somehow lessened? That they need to be fixed? That people who are not able-bodied aren't worth a love story? Fuck that noise.
2. Owen's overreaction to her marriage! Her hesitancy in telling them! Silly drama llamas!
3. That all said, Jordan's writing is decent; there were several turns of phrase that were really lovely, and it's for that reason that I'm giving this book 2 stars instead of 1.
4. What the fuck was that climax? Joanna inadvertently shoots her maybe-lover and...the hero and heroine skip off to their happy ever after? What the what? That is not how to end a story. Absolutely I understand that Bloodhorne (or what ever the hell his name was) deserved Punishment, but
a) having a barely-secondary character shoot him?? REALLY?
b) I'm sorry, but Annalise wouldn't be able to marry Owen right off the snap like that because MOURNING PERIOD, HELLO.
c) Even if she didn't want to wait out the mourning period, there's still the fact that she's RETURNING FROM THE DEAD; on the night she shows up from the dead, her husband gets SHOT IN THE HEAD; and add to that a rushed marriage to another man? That is a SCANDAL SOUP. THAT IS A SOUP MADE ENTIRELY OUT OF SCANDAL AND DRAMA AND GOSSIP. And yeah, Owen would probably be all "Whatevs, no big, I shot dudes in the head for years; gossip don't bother me" but what about her sisters / father / etc. etc.? IT'S NOT THAT EASY. SORRY TO SAY.
d) He stayed away for three days and that's all the resolution we get? COME AGAIN??
February 13, 2016
This book was not bad.
It just was not particularly good.
I always tend to rate Sophie Jordan better because her stories always read very well. This one is no exception. It is no hardship to sink into her story. It just happens. Her words draw you in. So even if I end up feeling that this book is just one big nothing, I am more likely to rate it better than other books of similar caliber, which I had to, however, try to finish.
So this book went by quickly for me. Sophie Jordan does this magic with you. You start reading and just go on and on. It is not hard to put down the book but it is just as easily to continue. So before I realize it, the book was over. All in all, less than 2 hours.
I really must repeat that my 2 stars rating does not mean that the book was bad. It means the book gave me a 2 star feeling, which roughly translates into "It was ok". And this book was just that, ok.
It is not a particularly angsty book. Owen and Annalise had ok chemistry, even though I must say the passion happened kind of all in a sudden. Annalise's Duke of a husband died way too conveniently. And everything and everyone just acted admirably and cordially so that Owen and Annalise could have a HEA.
It is a readable book but the entire time I was just reading a story. There was little emotion involved. I might as well be reading a journal article on aerospace. Good for a quick timepass.
It just was not particularly good.
I always tend to rate Sophie Jordan better because her stories always read very well. This one is no exception. It is no hardship to sink into her story. It just happens. Her words draw you in. So even if I end up feeling that this book is just one big nothing, I am more likely to rate it better than other books of similar caliber, which I had to, however, try to finish.
So this book went by quickly for me. Sophie Jordan does this magic with you. You start reading and just go on and on. It is not hard to put down the book but it is just as easily to continue. So before I realize it, the book was over. All in all, less than 2 hours.
I really must repeat that my 2 stars rating does not mean that the book was bad. It means the book gave me a 2 star feeling, which roughly translates into "It was ok". And this book was just that, ok.
It is not a particularly angsty book. Owen and Annalise had ok chemistry, even though I must say the passion happened kind of all in a sudden. Annalise's Duke of a husband died way too conveniently. And everything and everyone just acted admirably and cordially so that Owen and Annalise could have a HEA.
It is a readable book but the entire time I was just reading a story. There was little emotion involved. I might as well be reading a journal article on aerospace. Good for a quick timepass.
April 27, 2018
How to Lose a Bride in One Night
4.5 Stars
Left for dead by her murderous new husband, Annalise Hadley is saved by a complete stranger. Owen Crawford, the tormented Earl of McDowell feels honor bound to care for the young women until she is recovered. But Anna's courage and passion slowly work their magic, and Owen realizes that she is the only one who can ease his tortured soul.
After the disappointment of the 2nd book in the series (the first is fantastic), my expectations for this final installment were lower. Not only does it lives up to these expectations, but it exceeds them on all accounts - the characters, the romance and the storyline.
Annalise is a wonderful heroine. Her strength and resilience in the aftermath of her despicable husband's vicious attack are inspiring and her ability to see beyond Owen's reticence to the damaged yet honorable man beneath is admirable.
As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I have a huge thing for tortured heroes and Owen is no exception. A former sharpshooter during the Sepoy uprising, Owen is suffering from PTSD and views himself as unworthy of life and love. Nevertheless, Owen's nobility is evident from beginning to end as he not only saves Annalise's life, but provides her with the environment necessary for her spirit to thrive.
Annalise and Owen's chemistry is tangible. Their verbal sparring and the slow burn of their romance is captivating.
Although the dreaded secret keeping trope is key to the plot, it never results in the annoying angst that often accompanies it as Owen suspects that Annalise has a past that she is afraid to speak of, and is willing to wait for her to trust him enough to reveal it.
One or two issues do mar an otherwise perfect romance. The resolution to the homicidal husband plot thread is rather contrived and not as satisfying as it could have been. Moreover, the book is in dire need of an epilogue. Nevertheless, How to Lose A Bride in One Night is an wonderful story of two lost and lonely people who find each other, and I am looking forward to reading more of Sophie Jordan's works.
4.5 Stars
Left for dead by her murderous new husband, Annalise Hadley is saved by a complete stranger. Owen Crawford, the tormented Earl of McDowell feels honor bound to care for the young women until she is recovered. But Anna's courage and passion slowly work their magic, and Owen realizes that she is the only one who can ease his tortured soul.
After the disappointment of the 2nd book in the series (the first is fantastic), my expectations for this final installment were lower. Not only does it lives up to these expectations, but it exceeds them on all accounts - the characters, the romance and the storyline.
Annalise is a wonderful heroine. Her strength and resilience in the aftermath of her despicable husband's vicious attack are inspiring and her ability to see beyond Owen's reticence to the damaged yet honorable man beneath is admirable.
As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I have a huge thing for tortured heroes and Owen is no exception. A former sharpshooter during the Sepoy uprising, Owen is suffering from PTSD and views himself as unworthy of life and love. Nevertheless, Owen's nobility is evident from beginning to end as he not only saves Annalise's life, but provides her with the environment necessary for her spirit to thrive.
Annalise and Owen's chemistry is tangible. Their verbal sparring and the slow burn of their romance is captivating.
Although the dreaded secret keeping trope is key to the plot, it never results in the annoying angst that often accompanies it as Owen suspects that Annalise has a past that she is afraid to speak of, and is willing to wait for her to trust him enough to reveal it.
One or two issues do mar an otherwise perfect romance. The resolution to the homicidal husband plot thread is rather contrived and not as satisfying as it could have been. Moreover, the book is in dire need of an epilogue. Nevertheless, How to Lose A Bride in One Night is an wonderful story of two lost and lonely people who find each other, and I am looking forward to reading more of Sophie Jordan's works.
October 22, 2013
More like 2.5 stars. Maybe. It was entertaining, but the plot was entirely too contrived. Like ridiculously:
And I think Annalise had the moistest lips on the planet. Kindle search showed "moistened" was used nineteen times, all of them referring to her lips. It seemed like more. Knocked me out of the story every time.
And I think Annalise had the moistest lips on the planet. Kindle search showed "moistened" was used nineteen times, all of them referring to her lips. It seemed like more. Knocked me out of the story every time.
August 20, 2015
This was the last book in the Forgotten Princesses series. While it was good, I think the first book in this series was best. In this story, there was a lot of potential, but not all of it came to fruition. There are secrets galore and I got frustrated on numerous occasions because it was clear a simple conversation would have cleared a number of things up. Of the three books (and novella), this tale had the most drama and some of it was a bit overblown.
Overall though, it was still a quick read. Owen is a changed man from the war and Annalise is also deeply wounded due to being almost-murdered by her husband of a day and a lifetime in poverty. These two connected on an emotional level, but there was a lot that was never explored. Most of the book takes place while Annalise recovers from her injuries.
Annalise's husband was suitably nasty and the ending was conveniently clean. Not a great read, but still an entertaining way to end the series.
Overall though, it was still a quick read. Owen is a changed man from the war and Annalise is also deeply wounded due to being almost-murdered by her husband of a day and a lifetime in poverty. These two connected on an emotional level, but there was a lot that was never explored. Most of the book takes place while Annalise recovers from her injuries.
Annalise's husband was suitably nasty and the ending was conveniently clean. Not a great read, but still an entertaining way to end the series.
August 10, 2015
I was in the mood for some fluffy brain candy. I've been hitting the paranormal stuff pretty hard & historical romances are usually good 'in betweeners'. This was quick & entertaining. I was bugged by the same thing Kate mentioned. MC has a limp & her new husband looks at her with disgust. He calls her a cow as he hefts her body into the river. Fast forward. MC rebroke her leg & this time it was set properly. She also dropped some weight during the recovery process. She runs into her murderous husband & he suddenly regrets not jumping her bones before his murder attempt. Take away the limp & a few pounds...POOF! She's a hottie. I really think she could've still been attractive with a limp. It wasn't like she had a mole the shape of Texas covering half her face. Other than that, this was standard romantical fare :-)
August 28, 2013
Sophie Jordan's The Forgotten Princesses series features the illegitimate daughters of wealthy Jack Hadley, and Annalise is the "princess" this time. I find this novel to be weaker amongst the others in the series, but that could be due to the lack of much concrete action in the story (as opposed to tremendous tension and suspense). Nonetheless, Owen and Annalise are captivating characters and their romance is passionate, thrilling, and enchanting.
Annalise has lived a hard life working as a seamstress before she met her rich father. But despite her new wealth and betrothal to the Duke of Bloodsworth (what a forbidding name!), Annalise still felt herself to be a crippled ugly duckling, undeserving of her new fortunes. Her fears were further confirmed when her husband attempted to murder her on their wedding night, after which she was rescued and helped by Owen Crawford, the Earl of McDowell. As Annalise and Owen get to know each other and fall in love, Annalise began to put Owen before herself, attempting to sacrifice herself for his happiness. The recovery period for Annalise's injuries took the majority of the book; her journey from stranger to friends and finally lovers with Owen creating a poignant and gripping romance in the midst of internal conflicts. While the tribulations within the story are not so much due to plot, this is ultimately a character-driven novel where inner demons are battled and hidden courage found.
Annalise and Owen are truly wonderful characters with their own dynamics and troubles. Throughout this book, Annalise has grown out of her timidity into a strong and self-assured person, willing to fight for her love. Owen had come back from war a changed man; he lost her previous joyfulness and became solemn and taciturn, choosing to remain a shadowed beast and believing himself undeserving of Annalise's love. The transformation these two experiences - Annalise helping Owen reconcile with his brother and he teaching Annalise to defend herself - is the best part of this novel.
While the story's resolution seems a bit too fortuitous, the storytelling and character complexity place Sophie Jordan among the ranks of my favorite authors.
All in all, this book is a must-read for anyone loving some ample character growth mixed with a dash of adventure and intrigue!
Plot: 7/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Structure: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Annalise has lived a hard life working as a seamstress before she met her rich father. But despite her new wealth and betrothal to the Duke of Bloodsworth (what a forbidding name!), Annalise still felt herself to be a crippled ugly duckling, undeserving of her new fortunes. Her fears were further confirmed when her husband attempted to murder her on their wedding night, after which she was rescued and helped by Owen Crawford, the Earl of McDowell. As Annalise and Owen get to know each other and fall in love, Annalise began to put Owen before herself, attempting to sacrifice herself for his happiness. The recovery period for Annalise's injuries took the majority of the book; her journey from stranger to friends and finally lovers with Owen creating a poignant and gripping romance in the midst of internal conflicts. While the tribulations within the story are not so much due to plot, this is ultimately a character-driven novel where inner demons are battled and hidden courage found.
Annalise and Owen are truly wonderful characters with their own dynamics and troubles. Throughout this book, Annalise has grown out of her timidity into a strong and self-assured person, willing to fight for her love. Owen had come back from war a changed man; he lost her previous joyfulness and became solemn and taciturn, choosing to remain a shadowed beast and believing himself undeserving of Annalise's love. The transformation these two experiences - Annalise helping Owen reconcile with his brother and he teaching Annalise to defend herself - is the best part of this novel.
While the story's resolution seems a bit too fortuitous, the storytelling and character complexity place Sophie Jordan among the ranks of my favorite authors.
All in all, this book is a must-read for anyone loving some ample character growth mixed with a dash of adventure and intrigue!
Plot: 7/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Structure: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
July 27, 2013
I love books that start with a unique beginning and the newest from Sophie Jordan certainly does that! Annalise Hadley thinks she has struck gold, not only has she been reunited with her wealthy father and found she has sisters, but she is marrying a duke. A duke who seems to care for her in spite of her limp and normal features. However on her honeymoon barge the horrible truth comes out about her duke as he tries to kill her and she is thrown overboard. Unconscious, she washes up on shore and is found by the reclusive Earl of McDowell, Owen Crawford. An unconscious woman is not what Owen wants to deal with but something about her grabs him and he know he can not let her die. With the help of some gypsies Annalise starts to heal on the outside but her emotions are quite strained. Unwilling to trust another man, she decides to keep the truth about herself from Owen but after a time, her past comes back to haunt her and she must decide if Owen is worth the risk of the truth. Owen is battling his own inner demons following his turn as a solider and Anna seems to heal him but will the truth of her past shatter the bond they have created?
This story grabbed me from the beginning and never let go! Annalise grew up not knowing her father and suddenly she is thrown into a whirlwind and she handles it well but she is used to being alone in her solitude. Owen shows her that she can be stronger and smarter with knowledge and skills to protect her from anything bad happening to her again. Annalise also helps Owen see that he needs to honor his past by living and helping him move forward from the horrors of war. I also really enjoyed watching this relationship slowly develop. We get to see each part and how all those parts fit together to become whole and complete. The only thing I wished that would have been different is when Annalise finally told Owen the truth. Secret keeping always is hard for me to accept and I think it would have suited Annalise better if she had explained the truth sooner, especially after her past catches up to her. Overall though, this is a enjoyable romance with a dash of intrigue with forgiveness, love and heat. Well done. 4 stars.
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
This story grabbed me from the beginning and never let go! Annalise grew up not knowing her father and suddenly she is thrown into a whirlwind and she handles it well but she is used to being alone in her solitude. Owen shows her that she can be stronger and smarter with knowledge and skills to protect her from anything bad happening to her again. Annalise also helps Owen see that he needs to honor his past by living and helping him move forward from the horrors of war. I also really enjoyed watching this relationship slowly develop. We get to see each part and how all those parts fit together to become whole and complete. The only thing I wished that would have been different is when Annalise finally told Owen the truth. Secret keeping always is hard for me to accept and I think it would have suited Annalise better if she had explained the truth sooner, especially after her past catches up to her. Overall though, this is a enjoyable romance with a dash of intrigue with forgiveness, love and heat. Well done. 4 stars.
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
July 17, 2013
I recently discovered Sophie Jordan over the past few months, and have really loved her books that I have read so far. This newer series of hers, has been so far, inspirational. There is such emotion that is played out throughout this one. I read the first one not too long ago, so I was thrilled to have a chance to read this one though Avon and Edelweiss. This story brings out a unique tale of a woman that has had the shock of her life, and has to learn to rely on a stranger for help. When her husband on their wedding trip, tries to kill her and dumps her in the river, she barely survives, and with a broken leg, spends weeks with Owen Crawford. Owen is a army man, and has done many things that he regrets. He finds that Anna is a beautiful and engaging woman, too much temptation for him. Owen at first tries to resist her charms, but before long he sucumbs to a passion that sweeps them both away. Anna has a big secret that she must keep from Owen, in order to survive. She must never let her husband know that she is alive, or her life could be in danger again, and she might not survive the next time. I found this story to be a engaging story that was well worth the read. With some suspense, and intense drama at times, a few gypsy's thrown into the mix, and a villian that is bound to put chills down your spine. I found my attention captivated once more by Sophie Jordan. There hasn't been one book by this author that I haven't liked, and I have to say that "How to lose a bride in one night" went way beyond what I expected from Jordan. This couple may seem normal on the surface, but in the end they became very endearing especially in the end. A wonderful and sweet tale set in the Regency Era that is bound to curl your whole body. You are in for one hell of a find!!! Guaranteed for pure enjoyment.
August 11, 2013
I am a bit meh about this book. I loved Owen but Annalise not so much. I think it was more to do with how the story happened than anything though.
I didn't enjoy that Annalise was just so useless. The first half of the book set her up to learn to defend herself and look after herself and then the story just never went there. I wanted her to kick butt and completely outsmart her horrid husband the duke but the final fight scene just left her doing nothing in a corner. Hopeless!
I also didn't enjoy that Annalise never had her family come through for her, and that they are never mentioned after the first chapter when her wedding occurs. I kept expecting her sisters to come back into the story and it just never happens.
Overall I was just disappointed that the story ended up going nowhere much when it had such potential.
I didn't enjoy that Annalise was just so useless. The first half of the book set her up to learn to defend herself and look after herself and then the story just never went there. I wanted her to kick butt and completely outsmart her horrid husband the duke but the final fight scene just left her doing nothing in a corner. Hopeless!
I also didn't enjoy that Annalise never had her family come through for her, and that they are never mentioned after the first chapter when her wedding occurs. I kept expecting her sisters to come back into the story and it just never happens.
Overall I was just disappointed that the story ended up going nowhere much when it had such potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2013
This just might be my favorite of all of Sophie Jordan's historicals. She's crafted a really fresh, unique story with all the emotion and complexity of character her readers expect. Annalise was truly a wonderful heroine. She wasn't the typical spitfire. I liked that she had REAL self-esteem issues to work through. What a sweet and wonderful book. Definitely recommend.
February 1, 2018
Page 52 and I'm already over Owen's inner monologue of "I was in the war and killed people so I don't deserve to be happy ever again".
December 4, 2013
I do not read historical romances typically but was eager to read this after I saw it featured on the author's newsletter.
The title was quite catching and the story goes like this: Annalise Hadley is the bastard child of Jack Hadley, a wealthy man in London. After years of living in poverty, her father finds her and boosts her into a life she could only imagine. She is soon married to Duke Bloodsworth, who is in line for the throne. On their wedding night, he smothers her and throws her off their honeymoon barge, not caring if she lives or dies. The truth is revealed: he married her for her huge dowry. Annalise is rescued by Owen McDowell, an Earl. He is scarred by war but for some reason *eye roll coming* he cannot bear to part with her. Soon, their lives are entwined and they fall in love awww but can she trust him?
Jeez, this sounds like one of those fairy tale stories. The image on the inside of the front cover is steamy however it is so misleading. It portrays an image of a big muscled man and a scantily clad woman in an indecent position. This ALWAYS appears in historical romances. I wish novels would not have these pictures as it does nothing but feed into people's desires for this type of romance and is totally unrealistic.
I have to say that Annalise was not the run of the mill damsel-in-distress. She has imperfections and shocker! she is a virgin! In that era, virginity was something to be treasured and not thrown around. She has the mindset of an innocent young girl. As this is an adult romance, I was struggling with how old she was. There were times where I assumed she could have been in her early twenties perhaps? I always had the feeling that she was not an adult. Oh and when she threw herself at Owen because she just wanted to feel wanted by someone was stupid. That scene when he discovers her in a bath tub was also well not very tension filled even when I knew it was suppose to be. How many times has this been used? Guy/girl discovers naked guy/girl in undress or bathing and awkward sexual tension filled moments ensue?
I had the image in my head that Owen was in his thirties? He seemed old and at times the way he treated Annalise was as if she was way younger than him in terms of both age and experience. I will praise him for being very honourable. He respects her as in he did not take advantage of her even when she was practically begging him for sex. However, he is possessive. He got angry when another man carried her around when she was injured when he himself refused.
The.freaking.logic.of.this?!
He also wants to be the only one who carries her. It might have been sweet had they been a couple but he expressed no desire to make her his for that better half of the book (but he secretly wants her *eye roll*) and she was married. Life sucks. I hated how he kept bashing himself even though he was really kind, he taught her how to defend herself and shoot which was really cool as men in these times do not believe that women need to know these skills.
The words and slang used was a little hard to understand however, after a while I got it. The higher class was well portrayed and hierarchy is obvious. Duke Bloodsworth was a terrible excuse of a man, I was happy to see him go. He was so sick and argh, I was so annoyed at how his position allowed him to do anything and the law would favour him because of his connections and family name. I loved that the gypsies were also included inside!
Gosh, I wanted to love this novel but it's standard felt like a Mills and Boon novel. I have read good ones and bad ones, this gears towards bad, sadly. The starting was so promising!
The love scenes were just unbelievable. Annalise is a virgin and well she seemed like she knew what she was doing in those scenes. And of course, the tension filled close quarters scenes.
There must be countless in this books where:
Owen and Annalise are close,
They look at each others lips,
Annalise blushes for the hundredth time, "he might kiss me...oh please oh please" is what is going on in her head
And BLAM! he either leaves or kisses her.
This is the reason why I do not read historical romances often or at all. They tend to disappoint and are barely entertaining.
The title was quite catching and the story goes like this: Annalise Hadley is the bastard child of Jack Hadley, a wealthy man in London. After years of living in poverty, her father finds her and boosts her into a life she could only imagine. She is soon married to Duke Bloodsworth, who is in line for the throne. On their wedding night, he smothers her and throws her off their honeymoon barge, not caring if she lives or dies. The truth is revealed: he married her for her huge dowry. Annalise is rescued by Owen McDowell, an Earl. He is scarred by war but for some reason *eye roll coming* he cannot bear to part with her. Soon, their lives are entwined and they fall in love awww but can she trust him?
Jeez, this sounds like one of those fairy tale stories. The image on the inside of the front cover is steamy however it is so misleading. It portrays an image of a big muscled man and a scantily clad woman in an indecent position. This ALWAYS appears in historical romances. I wish novels would not have these pictures as it does nothing but feed into people's desires for this type of romance and is totally unrealistic.
I have to say that Annalise was not the run of the mill damsel-in-distress. She has imperfections and shocker! she is a virgin! In that era, virginity was something to be treasured and not thrown around. She has the mindset of an innocent young girl. As this is an adult romance, I was struggling with how old she was. There were times where I assumed she could have been in her early twenties perhaps? I always had the feeling that she was not an adult. Oh and when she threw herself at Owen because she just wanted to feel wanted by someone was stupid. That scene when he discovers her in a bath tub was also well not very tension filled even when I knew it was suppose to be. How many times has this been used? Guy/girl discovers naked guy/girl in undress or bathing and awkward sexual tension filled moments ensue?
I had the image in my head that Owen was in his thirties? He seemed old and at times the way he treated Annalise was as if she was way younger than him in terms of both age and experience. I will praise him for being very honourable. He respects her as in he did not take advantage of her even when she was practically begging him for sex. However, he is possessive. He got angry when another man carried her around when she was injured when he himself refused.
The.freaking.logic.of.this?!
He also wants to be the only one who carries her. It might have been sweet had they been a couple but he expressed no desire to make her his for that better half of the book (but he secretly wants her *eye roll*) and she was married. Life sucks. I hated how he kept bashing himself even though he was really kind, he taught her how to defend herself and shoot which was really cool as men in these times do not believe that women need to know these skills.
The words and slang used was a little hard to understand however, after a while I got it. The higher class was well portrayed and hierarchy is obvious. Duke Bloodsworth was a terrible excuse of a man, I was happy to see him go. He was so sick and argh, I was so annoyed at how his position allowed him to do anything and the law would favour him because of his connections and family name. I loved that the gypsies were also included inside!
Gosh, I wanted to love this novel but it's standard felt like a Mills and Boon novel. I have read good ones and bad ones, this gears towards bad, sadly. The starting was so promising!
The love scenes were just unbelievable. Annalise is a virgin and well she seemed like she knew what she was doing in those scenes. And of course, the tension filled close quarters scenes.
There must be countless in this books where:
Owen and Annalise are close,
They look at each others lips,
Annalise blushes for the hundredth time, "he might kiss me...oh please oh please" is what is going on in her head
And BLAM! he either leaves or kisses her.
This is the reason why I do not read historical romances often or at all. They tend to disappoint and are barely entertaining.
August 21, 2013
Annalise has never been the kind of woman who turned heads. She grew up the daughter of single woman in difficult financial circumstances. She is a bit pudgy; she has a limp from a childhood injury; and she could use a little work on her self esteem. But her life seemed to turn around when her long lost father came back into her life. Yes, she was still illegitimate and her aforementioned problems were still there, but a big dowry can go a long way to changing a girl’s prospects. As the story begins, Annalise has just been wed to a duke and she is ready to start her new life… when her new husband tries to kill her on her wedding night and throws her body in the river.
She very nearly died and she likely wouldn’t have made it, if Owen did not find her clinging to life in the water. Owen has recently returned from the war in India. He feels the heavy burden of all the lives he took and just wants to drown in anonymity and solitude. But he can’t ignore the dying woman he found in the middle of nowhere. Her leg is broken and she is unconscious with fever, so he brings her to a nearby band of gypsies for help. Once they lend aid, he ends up taking her back to his home.
Anna is afraid to tell the truth of who she is and what happened to her. After all, someone could return her to her murderous husband… So she fakes amnesia as her leg mends. And though her brief marriage makes her afraid to ever trust a man again, she can’t help but fall for Owen. He’s so powerful and protective –and broken in his own ways. Not to mention, he looks at her with a heat that no man ever has.
I liked the romance between Anna and Owen. There is some solid sexual tension that follows them throughout the book. Plus, I am always a sucker for a good tortured hero. Owen doesn’t see himself worthy or even capable of love after all he has done as a soldier. But Anna’s blend of strength and vulnerability breaks down his walls. I believed in his internal struggle. And as much as I am usually loathe to secrets and lies between a hero and heroine, I understand why Anna kept her circumstances to herself. She’s had it rough.
The story was a little predictable and the ending, convenient. But I didn’t really mind. I enjoyed the journey. The pacing was good and the love story satisfied.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by Avon
She very nearly died and she likely wouldn’t have made it, if Owen did not find her clinging to life in the water. Owen has recently returned from the war in India. He feels the heavy burden of all the lives he took and just wants to drown in anonymity and solitude. But he can’t ignore the dying woman he found in the middle of nowhere. Her leg is broken and she is unconscious with fever, so he brings her to a nearby band of gypsies for help. Once they lend aid, he ends up taking her back to his home.
Anna is afraid to tell the truth of who she is and what happened to her. After all, someone could return her to her murderous husband… So she fakes amnesia as her leg mends. And though her brief marriage makes her afraid to ever trust a man again, she can’t help but fall for Owen. He’s so powerful and protective –and broken in his own ways. Not to mention, he looks at her with a heat that no man ever has.
I liked the romance between Anna and Owen. There is some solid sexual tension that follows them throughout the book. Plus, I am always a sucker for a good tortured hero. Owen doesn’t see himself worthy or even capable of love after all he has done as a soldier. But Anna’s blend of strength and vulnerability breaks down his walls. I believed in his internal struggle. And as much as I am usually loathe to secrets and lies between a hero and heroine, I understand why Anna kept her circumstances to herself. She’s had it rough.
The story was a little predictable and the ending, convenient. But I didn’t really mind. I enjoyed the journey. The pacing was good and the love story satisfied.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by Avon
December 22, 2013
1.5 out of 5 stars.
Nothing disappoints me more than when a promising premise evolves to nothing. I had been intrigued by How to Lose a Bride in One Night because I thought it would offer something different. After all, in the beginning of the story, Annalise is just married to a man who is revealed to hate her and to have only been after her large dowry; he was so opposed to the idea of her and a marriage to her that he attempts to murder her on their wedding night and disposes of her body in a river. That was a bang of an opener, and it left me excited to see where the story would go from there. With her husband already revealed to be such a villain I thought this story would have some action in it, along with the expected romance as Annalise and her rescuer fall in love.
Instead, nothing really happened once the initial chapters and the murder attempt against Annalise’s life had occurred. The hero of the tale, Owen, was a trained assassin in India during the war, yet he is not allowed to do much of anything (besides brood over how the war has left him undeserving of love) due to Annalise’s refusal to be truthful with him. I wish she had told him what happened to her so he could have sprung into action (because it was clear he would have) to push the story into one of more adventure and redemption. This could and should have been a book to go there!
The ending of this book was also so ridiculous and anti-climatic that I rolled my eyes multiple times in the final pages. First of all, the justice served to Annalise's husband was rushed and flat. Then, the reader already knows the hero and heroine would fall in love, but, unfortunately, the two became less interesting, and suddenly nauseating, as they came closer and closer to revealing their feelings to one another. The tension to get to the endgame was more interesting than their “love.”
Nothing disappoints me more than when a promising premise evolves to nothing. I had been intrigued by How to Lose a Bride in One Night because I thought it would offer something different. After all, in the beginning of the story, Annalise is just married to a man who is revealed to hate her and to have only been after her large dowry; he was so opposed to the idea of her and a marriage to her that he attempts to murder her on their wedding night and disposes of her body in a river. That was a bang of an opener, and it left me excited to see where the story would go from there. With her husband already revealed to be such a villain I thought this story would have some action in it, along with the expected romance as Annalise and her rescuer fall in love.
Instead, nothing really happened once the initial chapters and the murder attempt against Annalise’s life had occurred. The hero of the tale, Owen, was a trained assassin in India during the war, yet he is not allowed to do much of anything (besides brood over how the war has left him undeserving of love) due to Annalise’s refusal to be truthful with him. I wish she had told him what happened to her so he could have sprung into action (because it was clear he would have) to push the story into one of more adventure and redemption. This could and should have been a book to go there!
The ending of this book was also so ridiculous and anti-climatic that I rolled my eyes multiple times in the final pages. First of all, the justice served to Annalise's husband was rushed and flat. Then, the reader already knows the hero and heroine would fall in love, but, unfortunately, the two became less interesting, and suddenly nauseating, as they came closer and closer to revealing their feelings to one another. The tension to get to the endgame was more interesting than their “love.”
January 12, 2015
We meet Annalise on her wedding day. She is nervous, but sure that her groom is a dream come true. Unfortunately nightmares are closer to the truth as he tosses her over the side of the wedding barge that night! She is rescued by Owen Crawford, a man struggling to deal with the demons of war. Can saving Annalise mean saving himself? And what about the fact that she's still technically married?
There were a few things I couldn't let go off enough to REALLY enjoy this story. The author doesn't linger on the love between husband and wife for obvious reasons, but we are led to assume Annalise loves the man she marries. I can understand it would quickly turn to hate, but it's as if it was never there at all.
I don't understand how the duke could possibly think to explain away Annalise's disappearance, especially with the scratches she inflicts on his face. This is never really explained.
Annalise is married when she falls in love with Owen and when they sleep together. Call me a prude but I disapprove of that.
When the duke dies, there seems no question of who did it, yet I would have expected more explanations required for the killing of a duke.
Sometimes things happened a little too conveniently for the characters, like Owen not noticing Annalise on the street talking to the duke (come on, really?) long enough for the duke and Annalise to say everything they needed to. *disbelief*
This eBook made me feel disappointed with the author. I have read this author before and been pleased. Please don't judge this author on this one book - despite my misgivings over this book, I will be giving her another chance.
There were a few things I couldn't let go off enough to REALLY enjoy this story. The author doesn't linger on the love between husband and wife for obvious reasons, but we are led to assume Annalise loves the man she marries. I can understand it would quickly turn to hate, but it's as if it was never there at all.
I don't understand how the duke could possibly think to explain away Annalise's disappearance, especially with the scratches she inflicts on his face. This is never really explained.
Annalise is married when she falls in love with Owen and when they sleep together. Call me a prude but I disapprove of that.
When the duke dies, there seems no question of who did it, yet I would have expected more explanations required for the killing of a duke.
Sometimes things happened a little too conveniently for the characters, like Owen not noticing Annalise on the street talking to the duke (come on, really?) long enough for the duke and Annalise to say everything they needed to. *disbelief*
This eBook made me feel disappointed with the author. I have read this author before and been pleased. Please don't judge this author on this one book - despite my misgivings over this book, I will be giving her another chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2014
Annelise Hadley has fulfilled her natural father's wishes—she's married a duke. No one was more surprised than she was when he chose her, despite her gimpy leg and not-so-inspiring appearance. Even with her dowry she never thought she had a chance of becoming the Duchess of Bloodworth.
She goes to her wedding night a little nervous, but confident that her husband cares for her. That is, until he does his best to murder her.
Beaten, broken, and almost drowned, she washes up on a river shore, where Owen Crawford, Earl of McDowell finds her. Owen is newly returned from India, where he was basically a tracker/assassin. The work pretty much gutted him, so when he returned to find that the woman he had planned to marry is already wed to his brother, he didn't care. He'll never marry. He just wants to find a hole and crawl in. But here's this half-dead girl who needs help.
And when the duke discovers he isn't quite a widower yet, well, he's keen to fix that—and maybe fix Owen, too.
The story kept me turning pages—in fact I finished it in a day. I was also glad to see Owen's story, and Annelise proves to be one of the more complex heroines in the series. The resolution was a wee bit too neat for my tastes, but it was, on the whole, a great read. 4 stars.
She goes to her wedding night a little nervous, but confident that her husband cares for her. That is, until he does his best to murder her.
Beaten, broken, and almost drowned, she washes up on a river shore, where Owen Crawford, Earl of McDowell finds her. Owen is newly returned from India, where he was basically a tracker/assassin. The work pretty much gutted him, so when he returned to find that the woman he had planned to marry is already wed to his brother, he didn't care. He'll never marry. He just wants to find a hole and crawl in. But here's this half-dead girl who needs help.
And when the duke discovers he isn't quite a widower yet, well, he's keen to fix that—and maybe fix Owen, too.
The story kept me turning pages—in fact I finished it in a day. I was also glad to see Owen's story, and Annelise proves to be one of the more complex heroines in the series. The resolution was a wee bit too neat for my tastes, but it was, on the whole, a great read. 4 stars.
July 3, 2015
I feel so sad that this is the end of the series.
I can't express my feelings towards the people in these books. . YES people I wrote it right because for me they are, I was so caught up in the plot it felt as if I was living the book not just reading it.
I honestly feel like crying that it's over. I haven't enjoyed my reading as much for a long time.
This is my first series for thus amazing author and no need to say that I became a huge fan.
Thank you miss Jordan for reminding me why I started reading HR.
Gonna dig the next series^_^
I can't express my feelings towards the people in these books. . YES people I wrote it right because for me they are, I was so caught up in the plot it felt as if I was living the book not just reading it.
I honestly feel like crying that it's over. I haven't enjoyed my reading as much for a long time.
This is my first series for thus amazing author and no need to say that I became a huge fan.
Thank you miss Jordan for reminding me why I started reading HR.
Gonna dig the next series^_^
August 15, 2013
A great read - beautifully written. I have always avoided historical, but this was great - and made me rethink my reading choices.
July 26, 2020
I liked Owen, the hero. He's a decent guy with a good heart. He's got issues, based on a difficult past, but holds to his own code of right and wrong. Based on his moral compass, when he finds an injured woman washed up along the riverbank, he feels compelled to help her.
Annalise, on the other hand, is everything I used to make fun of in historical romance heroines. Been a while since I've encountered a main character so petulant, so annoying, and so misguided. One minute she's getting all tingly over how Owen scoops eggs onto his plate (seriously), the next minute she's being so ungrateful for all his help. Then she's plotting for him to walk in on her naked, only to throw him out when he tries to be honorable. It is a CONSTANT back and forth, up and down, push and pull, and it's frustrating.
The only reason I finished the book was because I wanted to see the bad guy get his comeuppance. The evil husband who tossed her off the honeymoon barge was still out there and I wanted to know what happened to him. Without spoilers, I'll say that this major subplot is all but ignored until the very end, employs several much-too-handy coincidences, and was entirely unsatisfying.
Annalise, on the other hand, is everything I used to make fun of in historical romance heroines. Been a while since I've encountered a main character so petulant, so annoying, and so misguided. One minute she's getting all tingly over how Owen scoops eggs onto his plate (seriously), the next minute she's being so ungrateful for all his help. Then she's plotting for him to walk in on her naked, only to throw him out when he tries to be honorable. It is a CONSTANT back and forth, up and down, push and pull, and it's frustrating.
The only reason I finished the book was because I wanted to see the bad guy get his comeuppance. The evil husband who tossed her off the honeymoon barge was still out there and I wanted to know what happened to him. Without spoilers, I'll say that this major subplot is all but ignored until the very end, employs several much-too-handy coincidences, and was entirely unsatisfying.
June 8, 2021
annalise has lived a tough life. when she thought that her marriage would bring her love and happiness, annalise discovered that her husband just wanted her vast dowry and was thrown into the river to drown.
saved by a mysterious young man, annalise kept her past a secret by feigning amnesia. as she recovers from her trauma and the injuries sustained that night, it seemed inevitable that owen caught her attention even though he's mostly brooding and sully.
although he had only planned for annalise to stay with him until she's fully healed, owen couldn't seem to let this courageous woman go. annalise intrigued him. however, because of the horror that he had seen in war and haunted by things he had done as a soldier, adamant that he could never provide any woman any sort of feelings, owen pushed annalise away.
this is a combination of main characters that i enjoy reading about. i liked that annalise, despite everything, was still so strong and determined. while scared of what may come, annalise knew what she had to do. as for owen, from him believing that he didn't deserve love to finding someone who he could love was fantastic.
saved by a mysterious young man, annalise kept her past a secret by feigning amnesia. as she recovers from her trauma and the injuries sustained that night, it seemed inevitable that owen caught her attention even though he's mostly brooding and sully.
although he had only planned for annalise to stay with him until she's fully healed, owen couldn't seem to let this courageous woman go. annalise intrigued him. however, because of the horror that he had seen in war and haunted by things he had done as a soldier, adamant that he could never provide any woman any sort of feelings, owen pushed annalise away.
this is a combination of main characters that i enjoy reading about. i liked that annalise, despite everything, was still so strong and determined. while scared of what may come, annalise knew what she had to do. as for owen, from him believing that he didn't deserve love to finding someone who he could love was fantastic.
September 28, 2013
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/08/review-...
Favorite Quote: “Life had not shown her a string of honorable men.”
When Annalise Hadley marries the man of her dreams, she never imagines he would attempt to kill her on their honeymoon. Tossed overboard and left for dead, Annalise manages to make it to shore before collapsing. Rescue comes in the form of a recluse hero whose secrets bind him tightly to the shadows.
Owen Crawford, The Earl of McDowell, home from the war, doesn’t want any responsibility in his life but Annalise intrigues him with her incredible courage and strength. He agrees to help her heal and teach her never to be a victim again…then he will send her away before she discovers just how unheroic he really is.
Loss and regret are a powerful mixture but sometimes when the right man and woman meet…the past can be forgiven and the future explored if they are both willing to take the chance.
How To Lose A Bride In One Night is the final installment of Sophie Jordan’s Forgotten Princesses series. More emotionally weighted and melancholy than the first two of the series, this story focuses on the marriage of the last daughter, Annalise Hadley. The illegitimate daughter of the infamous gambling den owner, Jack Hadley, Annalise agrees to marry the man her estranged father has chosen for her. With her physical deformity, Annalise is considered lucky to even be marrying, much less a handsome Duke. As Annalise prepares for her wedding night aboard the barge her and her husband are honeymooning on, she is shocked when her husband attacks her, attempting to choke the life from her. She falls unconsciousness and awakens when he tosses her overboard. Struggling against the rivers raging currents, Annalise is injured and falls unconscious again, only to awaken in the arms of a stunningly handsome man.
Owen Crawford has just returned from war. The traumatic memories combined with discovering the woman he loved has married his brother, he buries himself in the countryside, effectively divorcing society. Unsure what to do with the injured woman he finds, he takes her to a gypsy caravan and bargains for healing. Unable to get any information from Annalise concerning her name or reasons she was in the river, Owen decides to take her to his estate to complete her healing.
I wish I could say this story blew me away me, but I cannot. An interesting premise and intriguing plot elements never seemed to quite gain a foothold and expand. A deliciously decorated package that when opened, lacks substance. I found the energy and exuberance that ran through the first two books in this series was missing here. This story moves slow and steady; focusing singularly on our protagonists and their respective journeys. A familiar often told story that revolves around a tortured hero and heroine. Both are rather mild mannered in their outward appearance, only giving in to their turbulent emotions in their own thoughts and internal dialogue. If that energy and emotion had released into the open earlier, I would have enjoyed the story more. It was if I was reading two stories-one for each character-that just happened to exist in the same book. It was just all so…polite. I never connected to either of them and found them both boring at times.
Both Annalise and Owen have strong emotional barriers that not only kept them at arms length with each other but also from the reader. Annalise has known nothing but heartbreak from men-starting with her absent father. Her trust is extremely limited. Owen has scars from his time in the war and hurt from losing the woman he thought he loved. It’s compounded by the fact his brother married her and now they are expecting a child. Annalise seeks to be more than just a victim in life while Owen seeks forgiveness and redemption.
A majority of the book is spent with Owen and Annalise in seclusion, fighting their attraction for one another and keeping close hold to their secrets. I could understand Annalise’s fears, in the beginning, that kept her from confiding in Owen. Her husband just tried to kill her. Should Owen know the truth, he could legitimately return her, as she is legally her husband’s property. I did feel that with the time they spent together, she should have realized that had she told him the truth of the matter, he would never had returned her to her husband. What I didn’t understand is why she never attempted to contact her sisters or her father for protection. I was hard pressed to believe that they would have forced her return to her husband after she told her story, even if she had only known them for a year. The romance develops slowly, a tedious tug of war as Owen and Annalise admit to attraction and then run from the attraction. It’s only towards the end that they open up to one another and the chemistry is finally felt. I enjoyed the love scenes; tasteful yet steamy.
The climax of the story, Annalise’s confrontation of her murderous husband, is resolved in a chapter and fell into the unbelieveable realm.There were just too many non sequiturs. Even though she has only been missing a few months, her husband isn’t in mourning and is already pressing suit to another woman. How is that possible? Even as a Duke, society would have frowned upon that. The woman in question would have been gossiped about terribly. I was shocked she and her father had no qualms about it. They were both actually upset that Annalise returned from the dead and ruined their plans. I was also somewhat put out we don’t really get any scenes with her family after she returned from the dead. A few lines is all. Of course we get our happily ever after but even then, we are only given a sliver of the emotional scene.
Overall, I felt the story was weak, poorly executed, and I couldn’t relate well to the hero and heroine.
Rating: D
Favorite Quote: “Life had not shown her a string of honorable men.”
When Annalise Hadley marries the man of her dreams, she never imagines he would attempt to kill her on their honeymoon. Tossed overboard and left for dead, Annalise manages to make it to shore before collapsing. Rescue comes in the form of a recluse hero whose secrets bind him tightly to the shadows.
Owen Crawford, The Earl of McDowell, home from the war, doesn’t want any responsibility in his life but Annalise intrigues him with her incredible courage and strength. He agrees to help her heal and teach her never to be a victim again…then he will send her away before she discovers just how unheroic he really is.
Loss and regret are a powerful mixture but sometimes when the right man and woman meet…the past can be forgiven and the future explored if they are both willing to take the chance.
How To Lose A Bride In One Night is the final installment of Sophie Jordan’s Forgotten Princesses series. More emotionally weighted and melancholy than the first two of the series, this story focuses on the marriage of the last daughter, Annalise Hadley. The illegitimate daughter of the infamous gambling den owner, Jack Hadley, Annalise agrees to marry the man her estranged father has chosen for her. With her physical deformity, Annalise is considered lucky to even be marrying, much less a handsome Duke. As Annalise prepares for her wedding night aboard the barge her and her husband are honeymooning on, she is shocked when her husband attacks her, attempting to choke the life from her. She falls unconsciousness and awakens when he tosses her overboard. Struggling against the rivers raging currents, Annalise is injured and falls unconscious again, only to awaken in the arms of a stunningly handsome man.
Owen Crawford has just returned from war. The traumatic memories combined with discovering the woman he loved has married his brother, he buries himself in the countryside, effectively divorcing society. Unsure what to do with the injured woman he finds, he takes her to a gypsy caravan and bargains for healing. Unable to get any information from Annalise concerning her name or reasons she was in the river, Owen decides to take her to his estate to complete her healing.
I wish I could say this story blew me away me, but I cannot. An interesting premise and intriguing plot elements never seemed to quite gain a foothold and expand. A deliciously decorated package that when opened, lacks substance. I found the energy and exuberance that ran through the first two books in this series was missing here. This story moves slow and steady; focusing singularly on our protagonists and their respective journeys. A familiar often told story that revolves around a tortured hero and heroine. Both are rather mild mannered in their outward appearance, only giving in to their turbulent emotions in their own thoughts and internal dialogue. If that energy and emotion had released into the open earlier, I would have enjoyed the story more. It was if I was reading two stories-one for each character-that just happened to exist in the same book. It was just all so…polite. I never connected to either of them and found them both boring at times.
Both Annalise and Owen have strong emotional barriers that not only kept them at arms length with each other but also from the reader. Annalise has known nothing but heartbreak from men-starting with her absent father. Her trust is extremely limited. Owen has scars from his time in the war and hurt from losing the woman he thought he loved. It’s compounded by the fact his brother married her and now they are expecting a child. Annalise seeks to be more than just a victim in life while Owen seeks forgiveness and redemption.
A majority of the book is spent with Owen and Annalise in seclusion, fighting their attraction for one another and keeping close hold to their secrets. I could understand Annalise’s fears, in the beginning, that kept her from confiding in Owen. Her husband just tried to kill her. Should Owen know the truth, he could legitimately return her, as she is legally her husband’s property. I did feel that with the time they spent together, she should have realized that had she told him the truth of the matter, he would never had returned her to her husband. What I didn’t understand is why she never attempted to contact her sisters or her father for protection. I was hard pressed to believe that they would have forced her return to her husband after she told her story, even if she had only known them for a year. The romance develops slowly, a tedious tug of war as Owen and Annalise admit to attraction and then run from the attraction. It’s only towards the end that they open up to one another and the chemistry is finally felt. I enjoyed the love scenes; tasteful yet steamy.
The climax of the story, Annalise’s confrontation of her murderous husband, is resolved in a chapter and fell into the unbelieveable realm.There were just too many non sequiturs. Even though she has only been missing a few months, her husband isn’t in mourning and is already pressing suit to another woman. How is that possible? Even as a Duke, society would have frowned upon that. The woman in question would have been gossiped about terribly. I was shocked she and her father had no qualms about it. They were both actually upset that Annalise returned from the dead and ruined their plans. I was also somewhat put out we don’t really get any scenes with her family after she returned from the dead. A few lines is all. Of course we get our happily ever after but even then, we are only given a sliver of the emotional scene.
Overall, I felt the story was weak, poorly executed, and I couldn’t relate well to the hero and heroine.
Rating: D
May 11, 2019
Dear lord, this book would have been about two chapters long if these characters had actually spoken to reach other like real adults.
February 20, 2020
Excellent read 2-19-2020
January 29, 2021
Not my favorite in this series. I didn't feel like the heroine was consistent in her actions throughout the story. Still going to read this author because I normally really like her books
June 17, 2022
Well, that was an unbearable read. I’m sorry I ever picked this thing up.
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