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The Jilted Bride: A Romance Story
When I show up to the tiny island off Redbeard Cove for my wedding day, I'm so early it's just me and the big, quiet rose gardener. I always need a little time to breathe, and his gorgeous garden is the perfect place to do it.
But when I discover my groom's here early too—along with his hairdresser...in a broom closet—I have nowhere to run. In desperation, I beg the gardener to take me somewhere I can breathe.
As it turns out, the gardener's got a sanctuary on the other side of the island. It's got roses, endless air, and a view of the sparkling sea.
But most of all, it's got him—a man I didn't know I'd met once before. A man who's big and rough, but has the most tender hands I've ever known.
I ask him to help me forget. But I think this moment might be one I'll remember forever.
Could being the jilted bride be the thing that breaks me? Or will it end up giving me the greatest gift of my life—a love where I can finally breathe?
The Jilted Bride is a short, achingly sweet standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Claire Wilder. A knight in shining armor, runaway bride + virgin hero, forced proximity romance. The story is loosely connected to Claire's Redbeard Cove series and can be read at any time. There are no spoilers for that series, which starts with Here & There.
But when I discover my groom's here early too—along with his hairdresser...in a broom closet—I have nowhere to run. In desperation, I beg the gardener to take me somewhere I can breathe.
As it turns out, the gardener's got a sanctuary on the other side of the island. It's got roses, endless air, and a view of the sparkling sea.
But most of all, it's got him—a man I didn't know I'd met once before. A man who's big and rough, but has the most tender hands I've ever known.
I ask him to help me forget. But I think this moment might be one I'll remember forever.
Could being the jilted bride be the thing that breaks me? Or will it end up giving me the greatest gift of my life—a love where I can finally breathe?
The Jilted Bride is a short, achingly sweet standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Claire Wilder. A knight in shining armor, runaway bride + virgin hero, forced proximity romance. The story is loosely connected to Claire's Redbeard Cove series and can be read at any time. There are no spoilers for that series, which starts with Here & There.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2026
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Claire Wilder
28 books461 followersUSA Today bestselling author of spicy small-town romance featuring
- Relatable women who always support each other
- Strong, sexy wounded men
- A sometimes rocky but always steamy road that always leads to a guaranteed HEA
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Where to find me:
Website: clairewilder.com
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Facebook: facebook.com/clairewilderromance
FB Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/wilderwomenreaders
Bookbub: bookbub.com/profile/claire-wilder
Amazon: amazon.com/author/clairewilder
TikTok: tiktok.com/@clairewilderbooks
Bonus Material: clairewilder.com/extras
- Relatable women who always support each other
- Strong, sexy wounded men
- A sometimes rocky but always steamy road that always leads to a guaranteed HEA
Get a free book unavailable in stores when you sign up for my newsletter: geni.us/touchingwoodfree
Where to find me:
Website: clairewilder.com
Instagram: instagram.com/clairewilderbooks
Facebook: facebook.com/clairewilderromance
FB Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/wilderwomenreaders
Bookbub: bookbub.com/profile/claire-wilder
Amazon: amazon.com/author/clairewilder
TikTok: tiktok.com/@clairewilderbooks
Bonus Material: clairewilder.com/extras
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2026
Kindle Unlimited: No
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: Claire Wilder
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 2/5 🌶
POV: First Person Perspective
Main Couple: Maggie and Clint
Trope(s): Small Town
Jilted Bride is a short, but oh so sweet read. This book is part of Claire’s Redbeard Cove Series. It is not necessary to have read the series to enjoy this book. If you want to curl up with a romance that will make your heart sing, take a chance with Maggie and Clint.
It is Maggie’s wedding day. On a little island off the coast of Redbeard Cove- this place called to her when her and her fiancé toured it.
Needing some reassurance she decides to seek him out, only to find him with the hairstylist, and not getting his hair done.
Her local pastor fiancée. Who stands to lose a lot if word gets out about his infidelity.
The gardener who witnessed her humiliation offers her a safe place to hide.
His little cottage is right out of her dreams.
Her white knight is mute and deaf, but Maggie feels closer, safer, and more attracted to him than she did her fiancé.
Maggie has been following the rules and people pleasing her whole life.
Now all she wants is to let this stranger help her forget.
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: Claire Wilder
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 2/5 🌶
POV: First Person Perspective
Main Couple: Maggie and Clint
Trope(s): Small Town
Jilted Bride is a short, but oh so sweet read. This book is part of Claire’s Redbeard Cove Series. It is not necessary to have read the series to enjoy this book. If you want to curl up with a romance that will make your heart sing, take a chance with Maggie and Clint.
It is Maggie’s wedding day. On a little island off the coast of Redbeard Cove- this place called to her when her and her fiancé toured it.
Needing some reassurance she decides to seek him out, only to find him with the hairstylist, and not getting his hair done.
Her local pastor fiancée. Who stands to lose a lot if word gets out about his infidelity.
The gardener who witnessed her humiliation offers her a safe place to hide.
His little cottage is right out of her dreams.
Her white knight is mute and deaf, but Maggie feels closer, safer, and more attracted to him than she did her fiancé.
Maggie has been following the rules and people pleasing her whole life.
Now all she wants is to let this stranger help her forget.
January 23, 2026
This book was so unexpected and touching.
Maggie is mortified to find her fiancé with another woman in a closet on their wedding day. Trapped on the tiny island she just wants to get away. She doesn’t expect the gardener to be her shining knight and help her to get away.
As a deaf mute Clint has learned to read lips and situations far better than most so when he sees what has happened to Maggie he immediately becomes her hero.
Little does Maggie know that Clint has a secret she may find extraordinarily interesting.
I was given an ARC and freely offer this review.
Maggie is mortified to find her fiancé with another woman in a closet on their wedding day. Trapped on the tiny island she just wants to get away. She doesn’t expect the gardener to be her shining knight and help her to get away.
As a deaf mute Clint has learned to read lips and situations far better than most so when he sees what has happened to Maggie he immediately becomes her hero.
Little does Maggie know that Clint has a secret she may find extraordinarily interesting.
I was given an ARC and freely offer this review.
January 23, 2026
Sweet, swoony romance.. Love Clint. He's such a sweetie.
January 23, 2026
Short and sweet - perfect for a cold winter night. And you can't help but fall for Clint.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews