Blushing Bride: A Steamy Historical Romance

by Annabelle Marin

Ivory "Ivy" Harrington has been in love with the handsome rancher, Brett Mayfield, since she was a little girl. Unfortunately, Brett sees her as his little sister's best friend and not a potential bride.

A barn dance leads to a romantic night between them which leaves Ivy pregnant with his baby. After a misunderstanding, she decides to leave.

Brett is furious when he finds out and will move heaven and earth in search of his family. Can Ivy and Brett have their happily ever after?

Audible Audio

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Annabelle Marin is a twenty-something romantic who lives in sunny California. When she isn't writing she enjoys daydreaming, watching way too much TV, and cuddling with her pets.
Her books are sweet erotic romances with domestic discipline. In her books you can expect: a spoonful of sweetness, a dash of sass, a cup of naughtiness, and an abundance of romance.
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Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINDING THEIR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

The story is well-written and keeps the pages turning. It will take place in Dover Springs, Wyoming. From the time Ivory ‘Ivy’ Harrington was thirteen, she was completely smitten with her best friend’s older brother, Brett Mayfield. She even told her mother that she was going to one day marry Brett.

“I don’t want to marry anyone else. I’m going to marry Brett Mayfield. One day, I’ll be Mrs. Mayfield and we will live happily ever after.”

Ivory ‘Ivy’ Harrington was a foundling, abandoned behind the lumber mill where Homer Harrington worked. Hearing a sound, he investigated and found the baby, which he brought home to his wife. They were a childless couple, and when no one came forward to claim the little girl, they legally adopted her. Because the Harrington’s when in their forties, and had wanted a child so badly all those years, they spoiled little Ivy.

From early on in life, Ivy Harrington and Irene Mayfield were the best of friends. Now, they are both twenty-two and neither one has courted, much less considered marriage. Ivy is still waiting on Brett, but he is so busy taking care of the Mayfield ranch since the death of his father. A barn dance will be held and Ivy is sure that Brett will be going with her—yet he plans to drop off Ivy and Irene, along with his mother to chaperone. He’ll return, dance with Ivy and they take things outside to talk—a declaration leads to more.

I really liked the story. I will admit that Ivy is a spoiled brat at times, stomping her foot when she isn’t getting her way, and most of that is because she was never disciplined by her parents. Brett is eight years her senior, and with the ranch, and the death of his father, he is so busy, he doesn’t have time for anything frivolous. Showing back up and dancing with Ivy makes her night, especially when they share feelings—and more. But what happens over the next several days turns her world upside down.

The story is full of angst, misunderstandings, and poor decisions. Rather than facing things like an adult, she runs away and no one can find her. Brett is beside himself, caught up in running the ranch and searching for Ivy. What happens when Ivy is located? How will Brett react? What about her friends and family?

The story does contain power exchange, and mildly explicit intimacy, before and after marriage.

Ivy: I know. And I’m sorry, Brett. I am really sorry for acting without thinking.
Brett: I know you are. But you are still getting punished.
Ivy: But, Brett, it was so long ago.
Brett: It doesn’t matter, sweetheart. Do you remember our conversation months ago, about what would happen anytime you disobeyed?
Ivy: You said I would get spanked. But, Brett, please. Everything worked out in the end.
Brett: But what if it hadn’t?

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply wonderful read, loved the characters and the story that held my attention in full
This was a simply wonderful read all about Ivory “Ivy” Harrington who has been so desperately in love with a banker Brett Mayfield since she had known him all those years ago when she had been only a little girl and she had loved him even then.
Then as they say there is always hope and so it seems that after a barn dance and they meet up again and romance takes them both by the hands and it leaves Ivy with a very special surprise all of her own but not just of her own making she decides that it would be best if she left.
Brett is absolutely beyond rage and sets out to bring the love of his life back into the safety of his arms and home with their very precious cargo, he will show her again and again how special she is to him.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
A simply wonderful read, loved the characters and the story that held my attention in full.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little misunderstanding - Ivy has loved Brett since she was a young girl. Her BFF's big brother still thinks of her as a child, until she beguiles him into her arms. Brett cares for Ivy, fully intending to marry her. One huge misunderstanding crushes Ivy's heart and she leaves home. She will not bring shame on her parents for her behavior, and she can't bear to see Brett with another. When he finally finds her, heavy with his child, his honor will have him wed her but his pride will keep him from her side. Their reunion is tense, the road to their HEA paved with sadness and distrust until she accepts the punishment he feels she deserves. A little steamy, with great characters who just needed to communicate the longings of their hearts to be happy. IMO Irene took her anger toward Ivy too far. There was no reason she should have been so incensed she treated Ivy that poorly. It's not like Ivy stole her lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[EM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blushing Bride was my favourite book to date that I have read in this genre (Historical Western, Power Exchange/Domestic Discipline). There was some steam and angst and I liked that while there was domestic discipline, it wasn't overpowering. There is a misunderstanding which results in Ivy and Brett being parted for sometime, however it was an integral part of the story, not just thrown in there for the sake of drama.

I really liked how despite everything, Ivy's parents (adoptive) loved and cared for her, from the start of her life (though, really, she was in fact spoiled by them). All the side characters were well written too and added to the story.

Overall, it was a very easy and enjoyable read for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy is a spoiled young woman. Brett is an older man so busy with his ranch that he has little time to court. Ivy tells Brett she loves him, and Brett realizes he has been waiting for Ivy to grow up. Then, there is a mixup of immense proportions. I still question whether Brett's little sister and Ivy's best friend, Irene, set up the misunderstanding. Anyways, Ivy gets into a snit and runs away from home until Brett finally finds her hugely pregnant with his child. He brings her back, they get married, and Ivy works on becoming a good wife. There are still misunderstandings, but things get sorted out so Brett and Ivy can have their HEA.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brett and Ivy. Shes loved him forever. Shes his little sister's best friend. There's a dance one night and when Brett dances with Ivy one thing leads to another and their feelings are revealed but Brett is too busy with his ranch to give into them. When Ivy finds out she's pregnant instead of telling him like an adult she runs away. and Bret is beside himself looking for her. Loved their story. Such an emotional journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: If you don't like books with spanking involved you should probably not read this book. She's been in love with her best friend's older brother for years but doesn't think that he will ever see her as more than that. He's been waiting for the spoiled, little brat to grow up so that he can finally make her his. A series of unfortunate circumstances makes for quite the story. This story sent my emotions everywhere and I read it from start to finish in one sitting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy has had a crush on her brother's friend since she was young. However, Brett only seems to see her as his friend's younger sister. Then they have a quick time together at a barn dance when Ivy is 22. She discovers that she is pregnant and decides to run away. But Brett doesn't intend to let his family run from him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Annabelle Marin; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She has written another good stand-alone book. The story is about Ivy & Brett; she’s been in love with him for a longtime, but he’s never thought of her as anything but his little sister’s best friend. They end up sleeping together after a barn dance; she ends up pregnant and takes off.

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivory knew that Brett was it for her but unsure of whether he saw her as his sister's best friend or a woman, she was determined to find out. A huge misunderstanding meant that Ivy left leaving a void in many lives. Thankfully it all works out but there is the past misunderstandings to clear up. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet historical romance taking place in a "ranch"/ countryside setting. Surprise pregnancy, the a misunderstanding. But in the end everything is resolved and it has a HEA ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is enjoyable and very sweet story.
It has some spice, angst and not so much domestic discipline.
Lovely characters, great supporting families.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.