The Reluctant Bride

by Donna Hatch

Fleeing a looming marriage to a terrifying man, Abby meets a mysterious stranger who makes her a startling proposition that will either save her, or leave her mired in scandal.

Genres: Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Short Stories, Clean Romance

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2011

About the author

Multi-award-winning author of more than twenty best-selling Regency Historical Romances, Donna Hatch is a hopeful romantic and an adventurer at heart. Each book she writes is filled with wit and heart and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. Donna sings, plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Her family, including six children and two cats, recently left their native Arizona for the Pacific coast of the US. No matter where they live, she and her husband of over twenty years are proof that there truly is a happily ever after.

Reviews

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the opening scene, it really draws you into the story and makes you want to keep reading. Although it was short, it was a fun story. I do wish it was a full length novel, but with my hectic schedule it was nice to read a fun short story. I love the regency setting and of course I'm a sucker for HEA endings.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice and wonderful novella. Donna tHatch is a new to me author and did a lovely job with this short story.

4 Stars

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, I loved this short novella! Loved it!!! <3 I know sometimes when I read novellas I want more to the story. This one though for me was perfect! Yes I would love to see more about these characters but honestly it was such a sweet short story! The beginning started out almost feeling like it wasn't just starting. I felt an instant connection to the MC and the few short scenes had me laughing, smiling and swooning! *sigh*

I love Donna Hatch's books, I haven't been disappointed by one yet, wether it's a full length novel or one of her novellas! If you love a good HEA, loveable characters and an amazing clean romance you need to check out her books. I can tell you that you just might have a new author to add to your favorites list!

I downloaded a free copy of this novella from Smashwords.

Happy Reading!!!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/26/17 - Thought that I had read this before. Short and sweet and a little silly but great when you need a quick and romantic read.

10/4/13-
So sad this wasn't longer - a cute and clean read when you only have a few minutes to spare.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was so fun. I find myself loving everything by Mrs. Hatch and this short story was no different. Fast, fun, read.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance- Sweet and Clean
Language - Clean
Violence - None
Novella

I love Donna Hatch's books, and this short story was no different. It's a fast read, but enjoyable. While I did like it, I do wish the story had been longer.

[Daisy Daisy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean there’s short books and “short” books and this one definitely fallen into the latter category.
The h is a nincompoop who is running away from an arranged marriage as she has heard her future husband is deformed, mean to his servant, locks people in dungeons, sires illegitimate children and had red eyes and horns to name a few of his “sins”
She decides it’s a bright idea to hide in the luggage compartment on a stagecoach and when she’s caught at an inn and propositioned she’s rescued by a handsome but facially scarred man and they hit it off and fall in love within 10 seconds.
Anyway turns out he’s her betrothed and off he returns her home to marry her.
The h was a totally spoilt twit who judged the H before she met him and she’s lucky he didn’t take umbrage when she talked about how awful she thought he was. She just comes across as very immature and shallow.
I wanted to know way more about the H he seemed lovely. I wanted to know where he got his scar from whether he’s received a knock on the head recently for him to think the h was his soulmate oh well be happy he’s happy on this occasion

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love regency romance then you will love this sweet, short story.
Abby is betrothed to a terrible man and is running away so she doesn't have to marry him.
In her attempt to stow away she is saved by Will...a charming man...
But...
He is betrothed also...

I'll let you read the ending...
You can read it for FREE on Smashwords.com

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, only because I wish it were much longer!

This is a VERY short story. I read it in minutes, but it was perfectly wonderful escapist reading for the clean Regency romance addict in me.

I have now read almost everything Donna Hatch has written, and I'm dying for more.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw! So cute and sweet! I wish it was longer but it was so fun! A good one-sitting grinning-like-an-idiot-when-you're-done kind of short story.
Clean, sweet, and definitely a good first impression of the author! I'll definitely be reading something longer by her!

[Valerie Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha so after my last rant about novellas I feel stupid liking this one! It was prefect way to relax tonight since I haven't had time to read much lately. Really wish it was longer!!! I think will could have been an amazing character.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short! Good thing it was a free read. But it was sooo sweet!

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great short story, just wish it was longer.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet but forgettable romance. 40 pgs.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I SO wish this had been longer. I was drawn in from the beginning and was totally crushing on "Will" & then it ended. But for a short story it was great. :)

[Sometime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short to really have much happen. Sweet little story. Was OK

[Irène Wadowski uliasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dommage que ce fut si court et si prédictible. On reste un peu sur sa faim.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now, I didn't realize this was a short story when I started it, which may have biased me. But man was it short! I couldn't even remember the characters' names when I finished, it was so short. I wouldn't have minded an additional one to two thousand words simply to flesh it out a little--to make the characters feel more real, the connection between them more believable, their HEA more cheer-worthy, particularly since it definitely had the potential to be really funny and heartwarming. As it was, it ended and I was like, "Wait, where's the rest?" And not in a I-want-more kind of way but more a what-the-heck-just-happened kind of way.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely sweet and wonderful.
The only thing I really want to know now, is where did these rumors come from? They are like two opposite people. Or do people start these rumors solely based on a scar?
A short story such as this is just right for a lunch break, something in between work, to perk you up and make you endlessly happy. I just spent the most enjoyable half hour reading it.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stowing away into a mail coach compartment to escape an arranged marriage to a rumored scar~faced monster who beats his servants and got one of them with child, Abby was rescued from possible robbery and rape by a gallant stranger (with a facial scar) and his servant at an inn where the mail coach stopped and Abby was caught disembarking from her clandestine hideaway by the coachman. A pleasant touch of Serendipity.






















































































































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[Nikki Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly short book but really cute. It took less than half an hour to read but the characters are really fun. It leaves you wanting more. Its also clean, which is always an add bonus. I recommend this if you want something good to read but don't have time to get into an indepth book.

The cover on Amazon is different than the one on goodreads.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby is running from a arrangement marriage to a monster she just needs to get away. Will is travelling to meet his future wife something that he isn't looking forward to as he fears that she will be horrified by his face. A chance meeting between the two opens up new opportunities to them maybe they both can find what they are looking for? A good short read.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little regency novella proving one thing.. don’t believe in the gossip.

When Abigail flees from an arranged marriage after hearing many stories about her betrothed, little did she know that it would be the turning point for her.

A really sweet story, that ended way too soon

I received this as a complimentary copy and I am giving my honest review voluntarily

[Penney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too short.

I have just finished reading the Stranger she married, by Donna Hatch, and was very impressed by the twists and turns in that story. The reluctant bride, was a huge disappointment after reading the Stranger She Married. But l will try once more before looking to another author. If you get the chance read the Stranger She Married. Well worth the time and money.

[Ronda Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and entertaining read

Definitely recommend this ultra short and sweet read to everyone. Rumors abound about her betrothed so scared she takes off on an adventure to her Aunt's only fate has other ideas.

[Donna Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

I had given up on historical romance, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the other one of hers I recently read. I loved the characters, and the settings. Some I've read feel like the author is showing off research. This one flowed naturally.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regency short story

Even though this had a predictable ending, I enjoyed reading it very much. It was a short, sweet, clean read.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute short story.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story. Didn't take long to figure out the plot but it was sweet.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and predictable. A fun short story to read right before turning out the lights in order to forget about the day and foster pleasant dreams.