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Marriage by Contract #2
The Wrong Bride
One Shotgun Wedding + One Wrong Bride = One Big Mess
Duncan Archer doesn't do relationships. He prefers buying a date over buying dinner for a date.
One night in Paris, he is set up to believe that the daughter of a French mob boss is his paid date. When she ends up pregnant, there's no way out but marriage. First, Elsa is carrying his child. Second (or maybe first?), her father has a gun to his head.
Now, the eternal bachelor is expecting a baby, dealing with a violently criminal father-in-law, and coping with parents thrilled about becoming grandparents.
And his new bride? She's sweet, strong, and surprisingly captivating. He can't get enough of her both in and out of bed. She says she's in love with him. He's behaving like he's in love with her and he doesn't even know what that four-lettered word means. She's scaring the life out of him.
Old habits die hard and in his attempt to protect his heart, Duncan doesn't trust Elsa and does the one thing she begged him not to.
Too late, Duncan realizes that the wrong bride is actually the right wife. If he can't win Elsa's trust back, he could lose the two most important people in his life, his wife and their child.
The Wrong Bride is a billionaire, surprise pregnancy, marriage of convenience romance. It's a complete standalone and features:
✔️ Shotgun wedding
✔️ Marriage of convenience
✔️ Surprise pregnancy
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Billionaire romance
✔️ Mafia adjacent
✔️ Age-gap (10 years)
✔️ Set in Paris
✔️ No cheating
✔️ Complete standalone
Duncan Archer doesn't do relationships. He prefers buying a date over buying dinner for a date.
One night in Paris, he is set up to believe that the daughter of a French mob boss is his paid date. When she ends up pregnant, there's no way out but marriage. First, Elsa is carrying his child. Second (or maybe first?), her father has a gun to his head.
Now, the eternal bachelor is expecting a baby, dealing with a violently criminal father-in-law, and coping with parents thrilled about becoming grandparents.
And his new bride? She's sweet, strong, and surprisingly captivating. He can't get enough of her both in and out of bed. She says she's in love with him. He's behaving like he's in love with her and he doesn't even know what that four-lettered word means. She's scaring the life out of him.
Old habits die hard and in his attempt to protect his heart, Duncan doesn't trust Elsa and does the one thing she begged him not to.
Too late, Duncan realizes that the wrong bride is actually the right wife. If he can't win Elsa's trust back, he could lose the two most important people in his life, his wife and their child.
The Wrong Bride is a billionaire, surprise pregnancy, marriage of convenience romance. It's a complete standalone and features:
✔️ Shotgun wedding
✔️ Marriage of convenience
✔️ Surprise pregnancy
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Billionaire romance
✔️ Mafia adjacent
✔️ Age-gap (10 years)
✔️ Set in Paris
✔️ No cheating
✔️ Complete standalone
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2024
1487 people are currently reading
1024 people want to read
About the author
Maya Alden
53 books1,162 followersA top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.
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September 23, 2024DNF at 70%
Sooo I know I said I’ll never read Maya’s books again…. I lied.
This is the dumbest MMC like ever😭 this man is in his thirties and he’s so clueless it was a TURN OFF😭 .
“I don't know what the fuck it means to love a woman,”
“Elsa, I don't know what it means to be married.”
Whenever he fucks up he pulls the “I don’t know how to..” card😭 it was sooo annoying , like what do you actually KNOW ??.
And there was a scene where he let his agent friend scare her and he just stood there watching, mind you this is his PREGNANT WIFE.
“For Christ's sake, Elsa, I said I was sorry," I yelled.
"You need to work on your apology, Duncan."
I shook my head. This wasn't going to be my life. I wasn't going to be one of those men who fought with their wives; be part of a couple that bickered. Fuck no!
"You're lucky to get an apology, ma douce," I told her calmly, and her eyes filled with confusion. "I do what I want to do and when I want to do it. If you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine."
"You're seriously saying this to me?" she whispered.
"Yes. I'm not in the market for a nagging wife," I retorted coolly. "That's not the kind of marriage I want.”
Yeah maybe this will work for someone else I just don’t like this type of MMC.
Sooo I know I said I’ll never read Maya’s books again…. I lied.
This is the dumbest MMC like ever😭 this man is in his thirties and he’s so clueless it was a TURN OFF😭 .
“I don't know what the fuck it means to love a woman,”
“Elsa, I don't know what it means to be married.”
Whenever he fucks up he pulls the “I don’t know how to..” card😭 it was sooo annoying , like what do you actually KNOW ??.
And there was a scene where he let his agent friend scare her and he just stood there watching, mind you this is his PREGNANT WIFE.
“For Christ's sake, Elsa, I said I was sorry," I yelled.
"You need to work on your apology, Duncan."
I shook my head. This wasn't going to be my life. I wasn't going to be one of those men who fought with their wives; be part of a couple that bickered. Fuck no!
"You're lucky to get an apology, ma douce," I told her calmly, and her eyes filled with confusion. "I do what I want to do and when I want to do it. If you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine."
"You're seriously saying this to me?" she whispered.
"Yes. I'm not in the market for a nagging wife," I retorted coolly. "That's not the kind of marriage I want.”
Yeah maybe this will work for someone else I just don’t like this type of MMC.
January 30, 2025
I need to stop reading books with this title, I hate them all <3 The fmc was an actual doormat, LIKE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF. Meanwhile, the mmc was just an idiot, I would’ve left him so quick. He treated her like shit too many times, just for it all to be forgiven. No thanks.
October 3, 2024
"Boring! They have sex once, and she gets pregnant. She lies to him about who she really is, but apparently, that doesn't matter. And they're both totally fine with a shotgun wedding. I liked Duncan in the first book, but here... he's so dull, like he has no backbone. I was really looking forward to this book."
November 14, 2024
Let me preface these complaints by saying Alden is my favorite romance author currently. Her books are getting better and better. This book is VERY MUCH worth a read as this author’s storytelling is so talented.
Spoiler alert 🚨 (or personal note for me to remember the book)
The premise of this one is silly, but I’m an Alden fan so I have it 3.5 stars rounded up. There was very little angst and I found it a little boring, honestly.
Spoiler alert 🚨 (or personal note for me to remember the book)
The premise of this one is silly, but I’m an Alden fan so I have it 3.5 stars rounded up. There was very little angst and I found it a little boring, honestly.
September 22, 2024
This books needs a good editor! It feels sloppy and fast. Too many missing words. Too many wrong words used. Sentences that are incomplete and don’t make sense. The story line was boring and weird. I couldn’t take anything seriously. I did a lot of skimming toward the end because I just couldn’t make myself hold interest.
September 22, 2024
This was so boring what a waste of potential story.
September 22, 2024
These are my favourite type of guilty pleasure romance reads - drama, grovelling, a little danger. I love it. This is a shotgun wedding of convenience after an accidental pregnancy. The daughter of a mob boss, Elsa wants nothing to do with that world. Her solution? Get rid of her V card so she can’t be married off by her father. After one night with Duncan, her father forces him to marry her after learning about her pregnancy. So more like a marriage of inconvenience. There is so much push and pull, trust and commitment issues. It’s growing pains and grovelling. I enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down!
November 13, 2024
I enjoyed the first half of this book.
It’s a decent read just lacked the emotion on the betrayal and grovel like her other recent releases.
It’s a decent read just lacked the emotion on the betrayal and grovel like her other recent releases.
September 28, 2024
I liked the first one in series. This one was a lot of unsaid feelings and a lot of exaggerated love towards the h. I mean it was really OTT. She had a BFF guy who could kill for her and die for her, a BFF escort, a super mother in law, a perfect brother in law, a criminal friend who saw her as a sister. She was sooo amazing 🤣
I mean, i get it, as an author you will want your heroine to be loved but in real life no one is that perfect. It cel like a cult for the heroine. Dnf at 60% because I just couldn't stand how everyone enamored with her
I mean, i get it, as an author you will want your heroine to be loved but in real life no one is that perfect. It cel like a cult for the heroine. Dnf at 60% because I just couldn't stand how everyone enamored with her
September 21, 2024
My rating: 4 stars
What I loved: I absolutely love a good betrayal….. I mean who doesn’t ;) with redeeming H. I really liked Duncan(H). Yeah he messed up but him learning to love and be what Elsa(h) needed was sweet. The way Elsa stood up for herself was great especially making Duncan earn her trust back. Lastly, I’m glad Dom redeem himself.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how Elsa’s father just brushed off the attempt kidnapping. I felt that was odd especially what kind of man he was.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: h’s dad is a bad guy who is trying to marry her off. h refuses to marry the guy, decides to take her friends place as an escort. H hires her and h loses her v card. Three months later h finds out that she is pregnant. When she tells her father, he finds out who the father is and demands they get married. H agrees to marry if not the h’s father will kill him. H doesn’t do relationships (only escorts) and has a hard time trusting and opening up. They get married and H ignores the h. h wants a real marriage. When h cooks and asks the H to talk, H agrees to try and they have a great wedding night. The next day the H leaves and tells her he is away on business when in fact he is hiding at his hotel room. h finds out and goes back to her place. H’s brother talks some since into him and H goes to the h. H and h decide to make the marriage work and H moves in with the h. When a friend that the H help before tells the H that he believes the h got with the H because her father asked her too, he thinks he can’t trust her (the h’s father had been wanting to did business with the H’s family). When the father demands they have a party to announce they are married, they reluctantly agree. h asks H to promise to not leave her or use her like her father. H agrees. At the party the H leaves the h to socialize for work and the guy that her father promise the h to confronts her, making threats. One of h’s friends saves her and H doesn’t like that the h knows him. Again the H’s friend tells the H that the h is in with the dad and the friend, who is a weapon dealer. The friend doesn’t believe the H is the father. He tells the H that he needs the h to plant a bug in the friend’s house since she goes to visit the friend’s father. H tells the h to come to his office and lets his friend interrogate and threaten her if she doesn’t plant the bugs. h looks at the H but he doesn’t step in, H breaking his promise. h tells him no and tells the H she is done with the marriage and to stay away from her. The H’s friend realizes he was wrong and the H realizes that he messed up. H goes to the h to apologize and h said she is done. H, after being told by the h’s friend and brother that he is an idiot who is in love with his wife, decides to right his wrong and earn his wife’s trust back. After a few hiccups, h and H work things out and get their HEA.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed this book and I definitely will go back and read the brother’s book.
What I loved: I absolutely love a good betrayal….. I mean who doesn’t ;) with redeeming H. I really liked Duncan(H). Yeah he messed up but him learning to love and be what Elsa(h) needed was sweet. The way Elsa stood up for herself was great especially making Duncan earn her trust back. Lastly, I’m glad Dom redeem himself.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how Elsa’s father just brushed off the attempt kidnapping. I felt that was odd especially what kind of man he was.
***Major Spoilers/ Details/Triggers: h’s dad is a bad guy who is trying to marry her off. h refuses to marry the guy, decides to take her friends place as an escort. H hires her and h loses her v card. Three months later h finds out that she is pregnant. When she tells her father, he finds out who the father is and demands they get married. H agrees to marry if not the h’s father will kill him. H doesn’t do relationships (only escorts) and has a hard time trusting and opening up. They get married and H ignores the h. h wants a real marriage. When h cooks and asks the H to talk, H agrees to try and they have a great wedding night. The next day the H leaves and tells her he is away on business when in fact he is hiding at his hotel room. h finds out and goes back to her place. H’s brother talks some since into him and H goes to the h. H and h decide to make the marriage work and H moves in with the h. When a friend that the H help before tells the H that he believes the h got with the H because her father asked her too, he thinks he can’t trust her (the h’s father had been wanting to did business with the H’s family). When the father demands they have a party to announce they are married, they reluctantly agree. h asks H to promise to not leave her or use her like her father. H agrees. At the party the H leaves the h to socialize for work and the guy that her father promise the h to confronts her, making threats. One of h’s friends saves her and H doesn’t like that the h knows him. Again the H’s friend tells the H that the h is in with the dad and the friend, who is a weapon dealer. The friend doesn’t believe the H is the father. He tells the H that he needs the h to plant a bug in the friend’s house since she goes to visit the friend’s father. H tells the h to come to his office and lets his friend interrogate and threaten her if she doesn’t plant the bugs. h looks at the H but he doesn’t step in, H breaking his promise. h tells him no and tells the H she is done with the marriage and to stay away from her. The H’s friend realizes he was wrong and the H realizes that he messed up. H goes to the h to apologize and h said she is done. H, after being told by the h’s friend and brother that he is an idiot who is in love with his wife, decides to right his wrong and earn his wife’s trust back. After a few hiccups, h and H work things out and get their HEA.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed this book and I definitely will go back and read the brother’s book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
1/5🌟
Hace no mucho leí el primer libro sobre Damian y Emilia, y no me gustó cómo se manejó el asunto de la personalidad de la protagonista, una chica que permite que la lastimen y aún así perdona todo. Ahora tocó leer sobre Duncan y Elsa, que por cierto, odié a Duncan en el primer libro por cómo habló sobre Emilia. Y la verdad, no sé por qué esperaba algo diferente sobre él.
Es un tipo que se la vive con la bandera de "yo no sé amar" y busca justificar toda su basura con eso. Nada le costaba ser un poco más humano y cuadrar que solo necesitaba ser honesto y luchar para que pudiesen salir adelante como matrimonio.
Además, que flojera que Elsa sea tan contradictoria. Primero deja a Duncan porque él no puede protegerla como debe, pero ante la primera insinuación de peligro, ella solo cree que estará segura estando con él. Otro caso; ella corre peligro y Duncan le dice que no salga sin protección porque puede pasar algo malo y ella asegura que nada le pasará, acto seguido: se encuentra en peligro y lo primero que piensa es lo triste que está porque Duncan no aparece para salvarla. Duncan aparece y ella se enoja internamente porque Duncan es un tonto por ponerse en peligro. PUES QUIÉN TE ENTIENDE, LOCA.
Me sentí muy decepcionada por ambos libros, así que no leeré la historia de Dean cuando salga, igual ya imagino lo que pasará. Odio cuando la protagonista es una persona que se deja pisotear por el protagonista y aun así le perdona todo. Es la clase de amor más tóxico que se puede vivir. Y peor, que se justifique con que ella es tan dulce que sabe perdonar a todos. NO. No es demasiado dulce, solo es una estúpida. Y, en muchos momentos, el libro le sentí como una burla/broma por todas las cosas que se viven y por todas las ridiculeces que se dejan pasar.
TROPES:
💍AGE GAP
💍SURPRISE PREGNANCY
💍BILLIONAIRE
💍FORCED PROXIMITY
💍MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
💍NO CHEATING
Hace no mucho leí el primer libro sobre Damian y Emilia, y no me gustó cómo se manejó el asunto de la personalidad de la protagonista, una chica que permite que la lastimen y aún así perdona todo. Ahora tocó leer sobre Duncan y Elsa, que por cierto, odié a Duncan en el primer libro por cómo habló sobre Emilia. Y la verdad, no sé por qué esperaba algo diferente sobre él.
Es un tipo que se la vive con la bandera de "yo no sé amar" y busca justificar toda su basura con eso. Nada le costaba ser un poco más humano y cuadrar que solo necesitaba ser honesto y luchar para que pudiesen salir adelante como matrimonio.
Además, que flojera que Elsa sea tan contradictoria. Primero deja a Duncan porque él no puede protegerla como debe, pero ante la primera insinuación de peligro, ella solo cree que estará segura estando con él. Otro caso; ella corre peligro y Duncan le dice que no salga sin protección porque puede pasar algo malo y ella asegura que nada le pasará, acto seguido: se encuentra en peligro y lo primero que piensa es lo triste que está porque Duncan no aparece para salvarla. Duncan aparece y ella se enoja internamente porque Duncan es un tonto por ponerse en peligro. PUES QUIÉN TE ENTIENDE, LOCA.
Me sentí muy decepcionada por ambos libros, así que no leeré la historia de Dean cuando salga, igual ya imagino lo que pasará. Odio cuando la protagonista es una persona que se deja pisotear por el protagonista y aun así le perdona todo. Es la clase de amor más tóxico que se puede vivir. Y peor, que se justifique con que ella es tan dulce que sabe perdonar a todos. NO. No es demasiado dulce, solo es una estúpida. Y, en muchos momentos, el libro le sentí como una burla/broma por todas las cosas que se viven y por todas las ridiculeces que se dejan pasar.
TROPES:
💍AGE GAP
💍SURPRISE PREGNANCY
💍BILLIONAIRE
💍FORCED PROXIMITY
💍MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
💍NO CHEATING
March 9, 2025
2.25☆
Me gustó un poquito más que el anterior, pero no gente, que cringe.
De verdad le tenía más fe a Duncan😔
Me gustó un poquito más que el anterior, pero no gente, que cringe.
De verdad le tenía más fe a Duncan😔
October 30, 2024
duncan’s an ugly name … and he’s really stupid :( DNF @ 61%, i couldn’t do it no more
September 2, 2024
This was a fantastic read! I absolutely loved Elsa’s character. She was incredibly strong and knew her self-respect. I liked how she didn’t take any shit from anyone, cared deeply for the people she loved, craved love and family and simply wanted a peaceful life.
Duncan, the male lead, was a character we first met in Damian’s book, and I was thrilled to finally read his story. Elsa's father forced him to get married at gunpoint after she became pregnant, although he would have still married her since he liked her and she was pregnant, but struggled with his feelings due to his trust issues, and f up and did something that Elsa hated the most, especially knowing she was pregnant, and it made me so mad.. However, he did realized his mistake at that exact moment, and it became clear that he truly loved her.
Their relationship was filled with some ups and down but beautiful and cute moments too, making it a delightful read overall.
We were finally properly introduced to Dean, and I am very excited to read his book next. Additionally, two new amazing characters, Dom and Vincent, were introduced, and I am eagerly looking forward to their stories. One of the most iconic character in the book is def mother Marcella. I absolutely love her chaotic and badass nature!
Note: I received an ARC of this book. This does not affect my opinion or review.
Duncan, the male lead, was a character we first met in Damian’s book, and I was thrilled to finally read his story. Elsa's father forced him to get married at gunpoint after she became pregnant, although he would have still married her since he liked her and she was pregnant, but struggled with his feelings due to his trust issues, and f up and did something that Elsa hated the most, especially knowing she was pregnant, and it made me so mad.. However, he did realized his mistake at that exact moment, and it became clear that he truly loved her.
Their relationship was filled with some ups and down but beautiful and cute moments too, making it a delightful read overall.
We were finally properly introduced to Dean, and I am very excited to read his book next. Additionally, two new amazing characters, Dom and Vincent, were introduced, and I am eagerly looking forward to their stories. One of the most iconic character in the book is def mother Marcella. I absolutely love her chaotic and badass nature!
Note: I received an ARC of this book. This does not affect my opinion or review.
December 17, 2024
⭐️1
Yes, I'm embarrassed to say this, but here it is: I gave up on the book at 28% read. The insta love, the strange decisions, the construction of a shallow core/world, these were not the real reasons for my giving up. The lack of anguish yes.
The name of the book + synopsis makes you wait for a book with an extra dose of anguish and stomach discomfort. that didn't exist.
"you should have read more!" NO
Maya tried to put the anguish out, but trying is not synonymous with succeeding.
Am I weird for wanting anguish? perhaps. But I blame Maya for that, the other book "An Ugly Love" delivered delicious pain. I kind of expected the same from this one. So that it doesn't get weird for me, I leave my criticism to the main characters.
The MMC with that talk of "I don't know what to do", "I don't know how to love" might have worked, if the writer had written his insecurity correctly.The FMC. Very weak and without personality.
Yes, I'm embarrassed to say this, but here it is: I gave up on the book at 28% read. The insta love, the strange decisions, the construction of a shallow core/world, these were not the real reasons for my giving up. The lack of anguish yes.
The name of the book + synopsis makes you wait for a book with an extra dose of anguish and stomach discomfort. that didn't exist.
"you should have read more!" NO
Maya tried to put the anguish out, but trying is not synonymous with succeeding.
Am I weird for wanting anguish? perhaps. But I blame Maya for that, the other book "An Ugly Love" delivered delicious pain. I kind of expected the same from this one. So that it doesn't get weird for me, I leave my criticism to the main characters.
The MMC with that talk of "I don't know what to do", "I don't know how to love" might have worked, if the writer had written his insecurity correctly.The FMC. Very weak and without personality.
July 14, 2025
Honestly, Duncan needed to grovel way more. He was a complete asshole in this book, my girl didn’t deserved any of it. I think too many plot lines were made and therefore felt like an introduction to a new series of books (no idea if that’s the case, this author is new to me hahaha) this wasn’t bad per se, but it left me feeling like I didn’t know what I was actually reading most of the time (a contemporary romance, a Dark Romance, a Mafia Romance? All of the above? Hahahah) That epilogue and the bonus scene, were the light at the end of the tunnel! They were amazing and really beautiful.
I have zero interest on Dean’s book. Kind of felt like is going to be weird and not interesting enough. For some reason, he looks like a douchebag and an entitled man-child. But hey, maybe I’m wrong? We’ll see.
I have zero interest on Dean’s book. Kind of felt like is going to be weird and not interesting enough. For some reason, he looks like a douchebag and an entitled man-child. But hey, maybe I’m wrong? We’ll see.
November 12, 2024
Quick and entertaining
It was great fun getting to know Elsa and Duncan. Their relationship starts in a very unconventional manner, giving them a pretty rocky start. There are many similarities to Elise and Damian from book one.
Setting this story in France with many scenes in a bakery was a great choice. This book adds a criminal element not present in book one, but didn’t match the angst of the first book in my opinion.
When Duncan messes up, Elsa stands firm in her choices. To his credit, Duncan gives Elsa the space she needs and slowly makes amends. It was an enjoyable read without being as emotionally draining as the first book.
It was great fun getting to know Elsa and Duncan. Their relationship starts in a very unconventional manner, giving them a pretty rocky start. There are many similarities to Elise and Damian from book one.
Setting this story in France with many scenes in a bakery was a great choice. This book adds a criminal element not present in book one, but didn’t match the angst of the first book in my opinion.
When Duncan messes up, Elsa stands firm in her choices. To his credit, Duncan gives Elsa the space she needs and slowly makes amends. It was an enjoyable read without being as emotionally draining as the first book.
September 7, 2025
I just couldn't connect
I tried to really like it but it was just okay. Even with the mafia madness and the spy stuff and selling guns and chemicals and I just didn't love it. Elsa was a great character. The hero really loved her but it just didn't click for me. I will try and read this again. I was so looking forward to this story.
I tried to really like it but it was just okay. Even with the mafia madness and the spy stuff and selling guns and chemicals and I just didn't love it. Elsa was a great character. The hero really loved her but it just didn't click for me. I will try and read this again. I was so looking forward to this story.
September 21, 2024
You are going to love Elsa, Duncan you are going to want to kil. I’d like to point out it why we read these books so it is ok 😀.
If you have read the previous books, and I suggest you do they are amazing, you already know Duncan. Duncan does not do relationships just sex, so you can imagine his dismay when not only does he have to get married but he is also doing to be a father.
Elsa is sweet and caring until Duncan does the one thing she begged him not to do. She is strong confident and done with Duncan. Commence the grovel. This is a great addition to the series.
If you have read the previous books, and I suggest you do they are amazing, you already know Duncan. Duncan does not do relationships just sex, so you can imagine his dismay when not only does he have to get married but he is also doing to be a father.
Elsa is sweet and caring until Duncan does the one thing she begged him not to do. She is strong confident and done with Duncan. Commence the grovel. This is a great addition to the series.
July 30, 2025
3.5⭐️’s
"𝓐𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽, 𝓶𝓪 𝓭𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓼𝓴 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓽, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼."
Tropes:
💍Billionaire Romance
💍Marriage of Convenience
💍Surprise Pregnancy
💍Forced Proximity
⚠️Please check for triggers before proceeding to read⚠️
"𝓐𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽, 𝓶𝓪 𝓭𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓼𝓴 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓽, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼."
Tropes:
💍Billionaire Romance
💍Marriage of Convenience
💍Surprise Pregnancy
💍Forced Proximity
⚠️Please check for triggers before proceeding to read⚠️
October 26, 2024
2.5 stars
it was fine. i just got bored tbh
it was fine. i just got bored tbh
November 10, 2024
Duncan and Elsa🩷🩷
February 4, 2025
I read this in one day.
April 10, 2025
3.9 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 1, 2026
There was so much potential but I got very bored
September 4, 2024
I received the ARC of this book for an honest review.
What a amazing story, Maya is a wonderful author and her books always capture my attention.
This book was no different, I found Duncan a little different from her other male characters but not a bad one, Elsa is sweet and funny. Were there moments when you wanted to punch Duncan in the face? Yes. Often, but I like books like that.
The spice was so good! 🔥
Dom? 😾
Elsa? 🥰🥰
What a amazing story, Maya is a wonderful author and her books always capture my attention.
This book was no different, I found Duncan a little different from her other male characters but not a bad one, Elsa is sweet and funny. Were there moments when you wanted to punch Duncan in the face? Yes. Often, but I like books like that.
The spice was so good! 🔥
Dom? 😾
Elsa? 🥰🥰
September 21, 2024
I always look forward to Maya Alden's new books. She did it again. She writes characters you root for. There is a gut punch moment. Good amount of grovel and the right amount of heat. Duncan and Elsa's story had me staying up late to finish it in one night. Keep 'em coming Maya. I see this on my list of books to re-read whenever I'm in a book slump.
I received an ARC of this book. This does not affect my opinion or review.
I received an ARC of this book. This does not affect my opinion or review.
September 27, 2024
This book started out so well but ended up being such a disappointment. The H, Duncan, was an absolute a$$hole and the h, Elsa, was a spineless doormat.
1. Right from the start, Duncan used his “inexperience” with relationships to excuse his nasty attitude and treatment of the Elsa.
“You’re lucky to get an apology.”
“I do what I want to do and when I want to do it. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem, not mine.”
“I’m not in the market for a nagging wife.”
“Not one (a marriage) where you’re needy and clingy. You live your live and I live mine.”
“You have a problem with me. I can’t solve that for you.”
“We have an arrangement … or didn’t you forget that?”
After he said all those hurtful things to her, SHE came to HIM and tried to smooth things over.
2. After Duncan broke his word to Elsa and tried to use her to plant listening devices in Vincent’s apartment, Duncan said about Dom, “I almost lodged my fist in his face several times that afternoon when he ruined my marriage a week ago.” Seriously? Dom didn’t ruin your marriage, Dumba$$. You did that all on your own.
3. Yet another book where, instead of supporting the h when the H betrayed her, her friends thought they knew better and tried to force her to spend time with him.
4. I really hate it when, after the H betrays the h, she tries to take partial responsibility for his betrayal. Elsa said, “Maybe I should have checked with Duncan to make sure he understood I wanted a real marriage. Looking back on all the conversations I never had with him, I realized just how much I messed up too.”
5. After all the times that Duncan had betrayed Elsa, he barely apologized to her. All he had to do was come to her doctor’s appointment and cry a few tears and she had already forgiven him. She said, “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you, Duncan." and then she thought to herself "All lies!”
6. And then, of course, Elsa had a minor crisis with her pregnancy and allowed Duncan to move in with her, sleep in the same bed and bulldoze his way back into her life.
7. After everything Duncan had done and said, Elsa still felt guilty for being upset with him. “I wanted to give in, I really did … I knew it hurt him – I could see it – and I wished I could be more flexible, more forgiving.” “I hated that I didn’t trust him. Hated hurting him.”
8. Predictably, Elsa almost got kidnapped and everything was forgiven.
DNF
1. Right from the start, Duncan used his “inexperience” with relationships to excuse his nasty attitude and treatment of the Elsa.
“You’re lucky to get an apology.”
“I do what I want to do and when I want to do it. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem, not mine.”
“I’m not in the market for a nagging wife.”
“Not one (a marriage) where you’re needy and clingy. You live your live and I live mine.”
“You have a problem with me. I can’t solve that for you.”
“We have an arrangement … or didn’t you forget that?”
After he said all those hurtful things to her, SHE came to HIM and tried to smooth things over.
2. After Duncan broke his word to Elsa and tried to use her to plant listening devices in Vincent’s apartment, Duncan said about Dom, “I almost lodged my fist in his face several times that afternoon when he ruined my marriage a week ago.” Seriously? Dom didn’t ruin your marriage, Dumba$$. You did that all on your own.
3. Yet another book where, instead of supporting the h when the H betrayed her, her friends thought they knew better and tried to force her to spend time with him.
4. I really hate it when, after the H betrays the h, she tries to take partial responsibility for his betrayal. Elsa said, “Maybe I should have checked with Duncan to make sure he understood I wanted a real marriage. Looking back on all the conversations I never had with him, I realized just how much I messed up too.”
5. After all the times that Duncan had betrayed Elsa, he barely apologized to her. All he had to do was come to her doctor’s appointment and cry a few tears and she had already forgiven him. She said, “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you, Duncan." and then she thought to herself "All lies!”
6. And then, of course, Elsa had a minor crisis with her pregnancy and allowed Duncan to move in with her, sleep in the same bed and bulldoze his way back into her life.
7. After everything Duncan had done and said, Elsa still felt guilty for being upset with him. “I wanted to give in, I really did … I knew it hurt him – I could see it – and I wished I could be more flexible, more forgiving.” “I hated that I didn’t trust him. Hated hurting him.”
8. Predictably, Elsa almost got kidnapped and everything was forgiven.
DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
We learned in previous books that Duncan only has sex with prostitutes and has never been in a relationship. (We didn't find out why.)
Else's dad is in the Mafia. Else pretended to be the woman Duncan hired for sex so that she would no longer be marriageable to other mafioso. She doesn't want an arranged marriage. She ends up pregnant.
But her dad is delighted that she got pregnant by such a rich man. Her dad threatened Duncan's life to marry her, but she just thinks Duncan proposed to do the right thing. But because of the way Duncan treats her at first, she starts to suspect her father might have forced him.
We get sort of an explanation eventually about his lack of dating. He had a FWB end their situationship to date someone else more seriously. And that was enough to turn him off from ever actually dating. He wasn't even heartbroken because he didn't love his FWB in the first place. It's just that a relationship means drama, and a prostitute means no drama. That's it.
A lot of it is him being confused about having feelings for his wife. He moves out, and after a week, Else moves out of his apartment, too. His brother Dean shows up while she's waiting for her ride, and she agrees to go to dinner with Dean. Which obviously means she's not going to leave Duncan permanently, if she's willing to get to know his family. So there was ZERO angst.
* Her mother is from Martinique, and she is not supposed to look white. The cover art doesn't look like her.
* The words she can't remember how to say in English are all cognates and are exactly the same word, like "How do you say l'attention?" Um... attention.
* The main friend group is his sister-in-law Emelia from The Wrong Husband, and her BFF Moana who is a former sex worker Duncan used to fuck. They have all kinds of banter like, "I know how to make a woman come, you know that." And Moana will say, "You know how to use your dick, I should know." 🤢🤢🤢And they consider that completely platonic and appropriate conversation with a married man. Even Emelia is like 😂.
Else's dad is in the Mafia. Else pretended to be the woman Duncan hired for sex so that she would no longer be marriageable to other mafioso. She doesn't want an arranged marriage. She ends up pregnant.
But her dad is delighted that she got pregnant by such a rich man. Her dad threatened Duncan's life to marry her, but she just thinks Duncan proposed to do the right thing. But because of the way Duncan treats her at first, she starts to suspect her father might have forced him.
We get sort of an explanation eventually about his lack of dating. He had a FWB end their situationship to date someone else more seriously. And that was enough to turn him off from ever actually dating. He wasn't even heartbroken because he didn't love his FWB in the first place. It's just that a relationship means drama, and a prostitute means no drama. That's it.
A lot of it is him being confused about having feelings for his wife. He moves out, and after a week, Else moves out of his apartment, too. His brother Dean shows up while she's waiting for her ride, and she agrees to go to dinner with Dean. Which obviously means she's not going to leave Duncan permanently, if she's willing to get to know his family. So there was ZERO angst.
* Her mother is from Martinique, and she is not supposed to look white. The cover art doesn't look like her.
* The words she can't remember how to say in English are all cognates and are exactly the same word, like "How do you say l'attention?" Um... attention.
* The main friend group is his sister-in-law Emelia from The Wrong Husband, and her BFF Moana who is a former sex worker Duncan used to fuck. They have all kinds of banter like, "I know how to make a woman come, you know that." And Moana will say, "You know how to use your dick, I should know." 🤢🤢🤢And they consider that completely platonic and appropriate conversation with a married man. Even Emelia is like 😂.
November 13, 2024
dnf 82% enough is enough, could not connect with this
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