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成り行きで婚約を申し込んだ弱気貧乏令嬢ですが、何故か次期公爵様に溺愛されて囚われています@COMIC #1
Trapped By His Love: The Duke's Unexpected Bride, Volume 1
When her engagement to her childhood bully is announced, Alice Coleman — the gentle-hearted and serious daughter of an impoverished noble family — is utterly aghast. In a desperate bid to find someone to stand in as an alternate fiancé, she blurts out a proposal… to the wealthy, high ranking son of a Duke, Arthur Grindelbard.
And to her shock, he accepts.
Despite the strange beginning of their engagement, Arthur is an adoring fiancé to Alice, eager to spoil her with luxurious gifts and earn her affection. But behind his charming smile and solicitous attention lies a deeper intent and focus, hints of a man who has had his eye upon Alice for far longer than he cares to admit…
And to her shock, he accepts.
Despite the strange beginning of their engagement, Arthur is an adoring fiancé to Alice, eager to spoil her with luxurious gifts and earn her affection. But behind his charming smile and solicitous attention lies a deeper intent and focus, hints of a man who has had his eye upon Alice for far longer than he cares to admit…
164 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2022
34 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 22, 2024
Very stalker with the MC H and the childhood bully loving her isn’t believable. Obsessed with? Yes. Loves her? No. Not with what he said to her.
2, well at least her fiancée is crazy about her but it’s not the … healthiest love, stars.
2, well at least her fiancée is crazy about her but it’s not the … healthiest love, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
I must have lost all my sense of whimsy recently because the only thing I felt whilst reading this was an intense sense of irritation.
The protagonist was so immensely dull and a dime a dozen that I could not for the life of me figure out why not one but TWO desirable and high-ranking men wanted to marry her. She doesn’t have a high-rank, she doesn’t have a unique look, she doesn’t have a personality. This was a major problem that sank this manhwa.
The male love interest also had no personality beyond obsessing over the protagonist. He was like a caricature or the embodiment of voyeurism.
The storyline was like every other fake regency-esque manhwa, so if you’ve read any other (like I have), then don’t worry, you’ve basically read this one too! Don’t bother to waste your time like I did. There are much better ways to waste your time out there.
The protagonist was so immensely dull and a dime a dozen that I could not for the life of me figure out why not one but TWO desirable and high-ranking men wanted to marry her. She doesn’t have a high-rank, she doesn’t have a unique look, she doesn’t have a personality. This was a major problem that sank this manhwa.
The male love interest also had no personality beyond obsessing over the protagonist. He was like a caricature or the embodiment of voyeurism.
The storyline was like every other fake regency-esque manhwa, so if you’ve read any other (like I have), then don’t worry, you’ve basically read this one too! Don’t bother to waste your time like I did. There are much better ways to waste your time out there.
April 11, 2025
FIRST IMPRESSION VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/8k5iOQVyKJs
Listen, I do NOT think stalking is acceptable in real life and is something that should not ever be considered "romantic."
HOWEVER!
With this FICTIONAL series, I'm all here for the yandere vibes of our Duke! I think I can overlook the stalking and the obsession he has with Alice because of how horribly Alice has been treated by the other guy, who was downright awful and the biggest fool ever!
I don't know how he could think that 1.) verbally abusing Alice was okay growing up, and 2.) that she somehow loved him at any given point. Like dude, seriously??
As someone who had been verbally abused as a teen, nothing about his actions, later on, made me feel an ounce of compassion or pity for him because he dug that grave and can rot in it for all I care. I hope we don't see his face again, but I'm sure he'll pop up. I just hope he doesn't come back in Alice's face having the audacity to try and convince her she belongs to him because heck no she does NOT!
Speaking of Alice, I liked her a lot! She isn't an over-compelling heroine, but my heart really goes out to her and how all the nasty things she's been told have made her feel worthless and without value. Seeing our yandere duke genuinely speak words of love to her really played a role in me wanting to read more because I want her to see that she DOES have value and realize what she was told was never true in the first place.
So all-in-all, could this series be considered problematic? Sure, because stalking (and verbal abuse) is never okay. Am I still going to keep reading despite some of those problematic issues? Yes, because I want Alice to find happiness and live a better life in the present than she did in the past.
Cheers to hoping that happens!
Listen, I do NOT think stalking is acceptable in real life and is something that should not ever be considered "romantic."
HOWEVER!
With this FICTIONAL series, I'm all here for the yandere vibes of our Duke! I think I can overlook the stalking and the obsession he has with Alice because of how horribly Alice has been treated by the other guy, who was downright awful and the biggest fool ever!
I don't know how he could think that 1.) verbally abusing Alice was okay growing up, and 2.) that she somehow loved him at any given point. Like dude, seriously??
As someone who had been verbally abused as a teen, nothing about his actions, later on, made me feel an ounce of compassion or pity for him because he dug that grave and can rot in it for all I care. I hope we don't see his face again, but I'm sure he'll pop up. I just hope he doesn't come back in Alice's face having the audacity to try and convince her she belongs to him because heck no she does NOT!
Speaking of Alice, I liked her a lot! She isn't an over-compelling heroine, but my heart really goes out to her and how all the nasty things she's been told have made her feel worthless and without value. Seeing our yandere duke genuinely speak words of love to her really played a role in me wanting to read more because I want her to see that she DOES have value and realize what she was told was never true in the first place.
So all-in-all, could this series be considered problematic? Sure, because stalking (and verbal abuse) is never okay. Am I still going to keep reading despite some of those problematic issues? Yes, because I want Alice to find happiness and live a better life in the present than she did in the past.
Cheers to hoping that happens!
August 26, 2025
Based on other's reviews I am the problem. I love that he is some stalker that is in love with her and not in a dark romancey way. I love a simp, yandere guy. I am all in at this point. and I think she has two dudes obsessed with her, the other guy is a bully but also obsessed... living my dream on page life.
November 19, 2024
the art is bad. the story is okay! i'll see how it goes
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June 10, 2025
Likely purchasing this for the library's manga collection. Seems cute and sweet.
December 1, 2025
Kind of boring...
I'm not really sure what's going on with this story. This volume never gets into the reason behind why the Duke heir is in love with Alice. Just a series of random events colliding into a romance. There's no depth to the story, it feels very slice of lifey without anything particularly interesting going on. The antagonist gets very little screen time and is just downright confusing. And there's absolutely no time spent making the love feel believable. The only thing that tempts me to get another volume is because I still don't know why he's in love with her. But I don't think I'm curious enough to buy another volume because this one was just so boring...
I'm not really sure what's going on with this story. This volume never gets into the reason behind why the Duke heir is in love with Alice. Just a series of random events colliding into a romance. There's no depth to the story, it feels very slice of lifey without anything particularly interesting going on. The antagonist gets very little screen time and is just downright confusing. And there's absolutely no time spent making the love feel believable. The only thing that tempts me to get another volume is because I still don't know why he's in love with her. But I don't think I'm curious enough to buy another volume because this one was just so boring...
November 19, 2024
Zufällig bin ich beim Stöbern auf diesen Manga aufmerksam geworden. Erst war ich mir nicht sicher, was ich von einer solchen Storyline erwarten sollte. Eine junge Frau, die versucht einer ungewollten Ehe mit ihrem Sandkasten-Tormentor zu entgehen und dabei "zufällig" jemand anderem einen Heiratsantrag macht.
Doch die junge Protagonistin ist sehr unschuldig und ahnt nicht, in welche Verwicklungen sie sich damit stürzt. Zumal in diesem Zusammenhang sie nicht über Konsequenzen nachdenkt. Sie ist schon sehr naiv. Auch ahnt sie nicht, warum ihr "Heiratskandidat" ihren Antrag wirklich angenommen hat. Warum er so wirklich auf sie fixiert ist, wird einem noch nicht ganz klar. Das bleibt noch etwas verschwommen im Dunkeln.
Dennoch ist ihr neuer Verlobter wesentlich sympathischer und nicht halb so gemein wie ihr Kindheitsfeind. Es war im Übrigen eine Überraschung für mich, dass es hier in diesem ersten Band nicht mehr Drama gab. Aber es riecht förmlich nach mehr Drama in zukünftigen Bänden. Ich bin gespannt.
Der Zeichenstil war nicht schlecht. An einigen Stellen noch etwas unsauber, aber ansonsten ganz nett anzusehen. Da habe ich tatsächlich schon schlimmere, unsaubere Zeichenstile gesehen als diesen hier.
Ein interessanter und vielversprechender Auftakt zu einer neuen Reihe, in den ich so einige Erwartungen stecke. Aber ich fürchte, ich kann mir so einiges an Drama selbst zusammenreimen, was wahrscheinlich in Zukunft auf einen als Leser zukommen wird.
Doch die junge Protagonistin ist sehr unschuldig und ahnt nicht, in welche Verwicklungen sie sich damit stürzt. Zumal in diesem Zusammenhang sie nicht über Konsequenzen nachdenkt. Sie ist schon sehr naiv. Auch ahnt sie nicht, warum ihr "Heiratskandidat" ihren Antrag wirklich angenommen hat. Warum er so wirklich auf sie fixiert ist, wird einem noch nicht ganz klar. Das bleibt noch etwas verschwommen im Dunkeln.
Dennoch ist ihr neuer Verlobter wesentlich sympathischer und nicht halb so gemein wie ihr Kindheitsfeind. Es war im Übrigen eine Überraschung für mich, dass es hier in diesem ersten Band nicht mehr Drama gab. Aber es riecht förmlich nach mehr Drama in zukünftigen Bänden. Ich bin gespannt.
Der Zeichenstil war nicht schlecht. An einigen Stellen noch etwas unsauber, aber ansonsten ganz nett anzusehen. Da habe ich tatsächlich schon schlimmere, unsaubere Zeichenstile gesehen als diesen hier.
Ein interessanter und vielversprechender Auftakt zu einer neuen Reihe, in den ich so einige Erwartungen stecke. Aber ich fürchte, ich kann mir so einiges an Drama selbst zusammenreimen, was wahrscheinlich in Zukunft auf einen als Leser zukommen wird.
November 21, 2025
Are there any cliché scenes or concepts? (If yes, does the author add something unique to them?)
This manga does not reinvent the wheel but just refines it. There is the typical male lead that is obsessed with the female lead because of some sort of event in their past that the main character does not remember. There is a rival love interest of the male lead who dislikes the female lead and gets in her face about it. The male lead is perfect in every way and the female lead comes from a poorer and lesser background. Basically this manga includes all your typical romance cliches.
What style of graphic novel is this?
It’s in the Japanese manga style (you need to read the book from right to left).
Is the comic colored, or is it in black and white?
This comic is in a B&W tone.
What is your opinion on the artwork?
I thought the overall artwork was stunning for its genre. Although, I have to admit that some of the feet and legs looked a little weird.
How is the typesetting? Is the comic easy to read?
The fonts were great, and it was easy to read.
Is this comic a part of a series?
Yes it is, and I’m not sure if I’m going to pick up the next volume.
This manga does not reinvent the wheel but just refines it. There is the typical male lead that is obsessed with the female lead because of some sort of event in their past that the main character does not remember. There is a rival love interest of the male lead who dislikes the female lead and gets in her face about it. The male lead is perfect in every way and the female lead comes from a poorer and lesser background. Basically this manga includes all your typical romance cliches.
What style of graphic novel is this?
It’s in the Japanese manga style (you need to read the book from right to left).
Is the comic colored, or is it in black and white?
This comic is in a B&W tone.
What is your opinion on the artwork?
I thought the overall artwork was stunning for its genre. Although, I have to admit that some of the feet and legs looked a little weird.
How is the typesetting? Is the comic easy to read?
The fonts were great, and it was easy to read.
Is this comic a part of a series?
Yes it is, and I’m not sure if I’m going to pick up the next volume.
September 23, 2025
Alice is a gentle and timid girl, who thinks her lot in life is to follow her family's example and obey traditions to marry Gray, the son of a higher-ranking family that her family historical is indebted to. Alice would rather not accept this fate though as she fears it will be a loveless match and doesn't want a life under Gray's thumb. This is of very little surprise as the story unfolds and we see firsthand how they tend to interact together. It also proves that Gray is an idiot, though not without his own faults and misconceptions.
As luck would have it, Alice's desperate bid to replace her fate with a different engagement falls on none other than Arthur Grindelbard. As the son of a duke, he's perhaps one of the few options that out-ranks Gray's proposal. Arthur seems to have his own secret agenda, but everyone does seem to adore Alice. She's a bit naive and too innocent at times, but genuinely does seem to mean well. If anything, it makes her more real that she's not perfect and realizes at least some of her own flaws while striving to do and be better. Hopefully that ambition won't be misplaced.
As luck would have it, Alice's desperate bid to replace her fate with a different engagement falls on none other than Arthur Grindelbard. As the son of a duke, he's perhaps one of the few options that out-ranks Gray's proposal. Arthur seems to have his own secret agenda, but everyone does seem to adore Alice. She's a bit naive and too innocent at times, but genuinely does seem to mean well. If anything, it makes her more real that she's not perfect and realizes at least some of her own flaws while striving to do and be better. Hopefully that ambition won't be misplaced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
I knew there was a genre of manga that reimagined European history, but this was my first time reading one.
The story's premise is interesting, with Alice being so desperate not to be married to her bully that she proposes to the first guy she sees, which ends up being Arthur, who not only accepts but behaves as if he had long been in love with Alice.
Unfortunately, from then on, Alice shows no spine, and the story never gives us a reason why Arthur had never made a move or spoken to her before, even though everyone around him seems to know about his crush.
The rest of the book is just the two of them going on a sequence of cute dates, with him being slightly creepy to her instead of taking care of her bully, and then the book ends abruptly. It felt like this was only half a story, and the characters, particularly Arthur, had barely any depth. This would have made much more sense if he had been painfully shy and people had confused that with aloofness, and he and her opened up to each other.
Thank you to Edelweiss, TokyoPop and LoveLove for this DRC.
The story's premise is interesting, with Alice being so desperate not to be married to her bully that she proposes to the first guy she sees, which ends up being Arthur, who not only accepts but behaves as if he had long been in love with Alice.
Unfortunately, from then on, Alice shows no spine, and the story never gives us a reason why Arthur had never made a move or spoken to her before, even though everyone around him seems to know about his crush.
The rest of the book is just the two of them going on a sequence of cute dates, with him being slightly creepy to her instead of taking care of her bully, and then the book ends abruptly. It felt like this was only half a story, and the characters, particularly Arthur, had barely any depth. This would have made much more sense if he had been painfully shy and people had confused that with aloofness, and he and her opened up to each other.
Thank you to Edelweiss, TokyoPop and LoveLove for this DRC.
December 8, 2025
This is cute, but very predictable. It hits all the usual romantic notes of the prince character (despite being a Duke's son) being besotted and devoted, the MC being shy and unassuming (with low self-esteem because she's been bullied by her childhood friend), and then a whirlwind courtship where the prince makes her feel special and safe.
But I like the way the story justifies the prince's enduring love for Alice; it's not just because she's beautiful and everyone likes her. The backstory reveals that she was instrumental to the prince at a really difficult time in his life. It makes total sense that he would remain obsessed with her for life.
The antagonists are equally predictable- a spoilt bully character who is actually in love with Alice but emotionally stunted, and a villainess former-fiance who hates Alice for ruining her chances with the Prince.
But I like the way the story justifies the prince's enduring love for Alice; it's not just because she's beautiful and everyone likes her. The backstory reveals that she was instrumental to the prince at a really difficult time in his life. It makes total sense that he would remain obsessed with her for life.
The antagonists are equally predictable- a spoilt bully character who is actually in love with Alice but emotionally stunted, and a villainess former-fiance who hates Alice for ruining her chances with the Prince.
July 11, 2025
This was such a darling read.
It reminded me of Sense and Sensibility, because Alice is anxious, struggles with confidence and has been (ugh rejected by others) but she avoids bad situations when she realizes she is not a victim, but a survivor.
Arthur is also a great Colonel Brandon; he is kind, reassuring, protective and thankfully, he doesn’t run into a scary love triangle mess with the other guy (ugh he gave me the creeps)
Best quotes: “He’s the kindest, nicest man I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t think you have to be truly amazing to know you are loved.”
CC: (content considerations) people pleasing, bullying, some creepy threatening stuff, and some gossiping (like around high school, college level)
It reminded me of Sense and Sensibility, because Alice is anxious, struggles with confidence and has been (ugh rejected by others) but she avoids bad situations when she realizes she is not a victim, but a survivor.
Arthur is also a great Colonel Brandon; he is kind, reassuring, protective and thankfully, he doesn’t run into a scary love triangle mess with the other guy (ugh he gave me the creeps)
Best quotes: “He’s the kindest, nicest man I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t think you have to be truly amazing to know you are loved.”
CC: (content considerations) people pleasing, bullying, some creepy threatening stuff, and some gossiping (like around high school, college level)
January 25, 2025
Story and artwork are mediocre. Gray is an idiot, Alice is annoyingly slow, and Chloe is just annoying.
It feels very clumsy, and as per usual using the background of European aristocratic families without any depth makes it eye rolling. Ok, you matter on and on about how there’s a difference in stations because Alice is “only” an earl’s daughter, then they’re going on dates, he gives her rides home, they go on a trip…all very modern notions of romance, not at all normal for a historical setting.
The artwork has weird proportions and inconsistent faces. It’s not bad, it’s just mediocre and needs more practice.
It feels very clumsy, and as per usual using the background of European aristocratic families without any depth makes it eye rolling. Ok, you matter on and on about how there’s a difference in stations because Alice is “only” an earl’s daughter, then they’re going on dates, he gives her rides home, they go on a trip…all very modern notions of romance, not at all normal for a historical setting.
The artwork has weird proportions and inconsistent faces. It’s not bad, it’s just mediocre and needs more practice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
I feel like a large chuck of backstory that we're supposed to know is missing.
Every powerful male character wants to marry/control/be with Alice because she reminds them of someone... presumably someone who had great powers and could do wonderful things, but that person (or what they did) isn't ever described, and we're left with a protagonist who has no clue why other people react to her oddly, but the Duke keeps dropping asides that make me feel like I'm missing part of the story.
And that's not even taking into account the awful way relationships are portrayed... just because she was treated abysmally by one guy, doesn't negate the totally creepy actions of the other...
Every powerful male character wants to marry/control/be with Alice because she reminds them of someone... presumably someone who had great powers and could do wonderful things, but that person (or what they did) isn't ever described, and we're left with a protagonist who has no clue why other people react to her oddly, but the Duke keeps dropping asides that make me feel like I'm missing part of the story.
And that's not even taking into account the awful way relationships are portrayed... just because she was treated abysmally by one guy, doesn't negate the totally creepy actions of the other...
April 23, 2025
I give it 3.5 stars. It's precious and sweet, so it's hard not to like it. I just wish we got more depth to their backgrounds. I could have used more snippets with Gray being questionable or Arthur openly elated (with friends or family) that it's her. I didn't really get a strong sense of his actual feelings until one of the bonus strips at the end.
July 9, 2025
A love triangle romance, where the FMC does not realize that she is in a love triangle. In the second volume, we get to see the back stories of both male characters and get to understand (no necessarily condone) their behaviors towards the heroine. It is nothing too original, but I like the story and pacing, I will continue to read this if/when more volumes come out.
November 18, 2025
It is only the first volume so it could get better, but I've seen enough. This isn't the story for me. I like the premise and I've definitely read a similar plot line before and liked Unfortunately, this missed the mark. The pacing is rough and I don't feel the connection or tension between the new couple.
The ending was rushed and way too soon. Didn't feel genuine.
The ending was rushed and way too soon. Didn't feel genuine.
November 21, 2024
No, no, no, no. That was bad. That was weird. That was 1 part stalker-ish and one part abusive for both of the male characters. The vibes were not it. I did not like the setting. The tropes were too heavy handed, my eyes were glossing over. Just no.
December 6, 2024
It was cute
I sort of feel sorry for the girl, the childhood friend who expressed his feeling through abuse and the boy who was able to get the girl he loves. I have no clue how this will continue but I can't wait to read more!
I sort of feel sorry for the girl, the childhood friend who expressed his feeling through abuse and the boy who was able to get the girl he loves. I have no clue how this will continue but I can't wait to read more!
September 1, 2025
There's something missing contextually in the first volume. I hope that there would be answers in the next volume. It's difficult to go into a manga story blind because it's all dialogue and we're not privy to the character's inner thoughts most of the time.
April 1, 2025
This is super fast paced, like wow. I hope in the next volume it dives more into all the characters' pasts so we can see their motivations.
May 13, 2025
3 ⭐
It was sweet and kinda nice. It was completely unrealistic and somewhat worrying at times but in a classic shoujo manner so...Well, it was still nice.
It was sweet and kinda nice. It was completely unrealistic and somewhat worrying at times but in a classic shoujo manner so...Well, it was still nice.
July 31, 2025
Really enjoyed this first volume!
October 2, 2025
Kinda boring but not egregiously bad.
November 9, 2025
I keep getting sucked in by these pretty covers & the stories are just garbage that make zero sense.
December 27, 2025
Strong strong yandere vibes here, but mostly it's just classic manga weirdo-ness so far *Shrug*. Not my favorite at all, but perfectly readable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews