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Heirs to an Empire #1
Scandal and the Runaway Bride
The tycoon's forbidden flirtation...
With the heiress!
Will Pemberton's plan was simple: find Gabi, his brother's runaway bride, and protect his famous family from the press. Until their dangerous attraction threatens a bigger scandal! Gabi's wedding might have been fake, but Will's growing feelings for the misunderstood heiress are dangerously real. Falling for Gabi risks his family and the life he's worked hard to turn around... Is it one risk he's willing to take?
With the heiress!
Will Pemberton's plan was simple: find Gabi, his brother's runaway bride, and protect his famous family from the press. Until their dangerous attraction threatens a bigger scandal! Gabi's wedding might have been fake, but Will's growing feelings for the misunderstood heiress are dangerously real. Falling for Gabi risks his family and the life he's worked hard to turn around... Is it one risk he's willing to take?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 3, 2020
10 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Donna Alward
285 books693 followersSince 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 12, 2020
Very good book that I read in one sitting. I loved the depth of the conversations between Will and Gabi, the wonderful supporting characters, and the vivid descriptions of the setting. It opens at the wedding of Will's brother Stephen and his fiancée Gabi. Except that the bride didn't show up. Determined to protect his family, Will comes up with a cover story and then takes off searching for the missing bride. He's the only one in the family who knows the truth of their engagement.
Gabi's arrangement with Stephen was purely business. Stephen's father recently died, putting him at the head of the family and business. Gabi's father is ill, and she is in charge of their family business while he recovers. Stephen makes a business proposal that includes Gabi marrying him and providing an heir. Gabi panicked on the wedding day and realized that she couldn't marry a man she didn't love, even to help her family. So she ran.
When Will catches up with Gabi, he is extremely angry with her. Not so much for what she did but because of the timing. Because he knows the truth and disapproved, he understands Gabi's feelings. I loved watching him come up with a plan that would protect both Stephen and Gabi. However, he never expected the turn his plan would take.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Gabi. Will is determined to protect the family, and Gabi feels guilty enough to go along with his plans. Will spirited her away to the family chateau in France where they planned to wait out the media frenzy. Once Will got over his anger, he respected Gabi's bravery in doing the right thing by calling off the wedding. During the time they spent together "hiding out," Will and Gabi became friends. Neither expected the growing attraction that sprung up between them. Though both of them fought their feelings, it was no use.
I ached for them both because of the obstacles that made a relationship difficult, if not impossible. The biggest was Gabi's former engagement to Stephen. Both she and Will felt that it would be disloyal to him to pursue their feelings. On Will's side, there is the gratitude he feels toward Stephen for saving him from a destructive path when he was younger. There is also the business relationship between the two families' companies. Gabi's fears about her abilities to run the family business were a motivating factor of her actions during the book. I loved how Will's support helped bolster her confidence. It also made her love him even more. When their relationship is discovered before they are ready, both Will and Gabi decide to face it head-on.
The scenes at the Pemberton estate were heartbreaking. I hurt for both Will and Gabi as they dealt with his family's attitudes. It was especially painful to witness Stephen's actions as they struck at the heart of Gabi's insecurities. I didn't blame her for what she did then and loved the strength that she showed. The ending was fantastic. Once the truth was out, I loved how Will's sisters got involved in bringing them back together in a sweetly romantic scene.
It was interesting to see the differences between Will's family and Gabi's family. There was no doubt about the love that existed, but the differences in the expression of that love were significant. I much preferred Gabi's family and their exuberance to the more reserved Pemberton's. And I ended up detesting Stephen. It will be interesting to see if and how he redeems himself.
Gabi's arrangement with Stephen was purely business. Stephen's father recently died, putting him at the head of the family and business. Gabi's father is ill, and she is in charge of their family business while he recovers. Stephen makes a business proposal that includes Gabi marrying him and providing an heir. Gabi panicked on the wedding day and realized that she couldn't marry a man she didn't love, even to help her family. So she ran.
When Will catches up with Gabi, he is extremely angry with her. Not so much for what she did but because of the timing. Because he knows the truth and disapproved, he understands Gabi's feelings. I loved watching him come up with a plan that would protect both Stephen and Gabi. However, he never expected the turn his plan would take.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Gabi. Will is determined to protect the family, and Gabi feels guilty enough to go along with his plans. Will spirited her away to the family chateau in France where they planned to wait out the media frenzy. Once Will got over his anger, he respected Gabi's bravery in doing the right thing by calling off the wedding. During the time they spent together "hiding out," Will and Gabi became friends. Neither expected the growing attraction that sprung up between them. Though both of them fought their feelings, it was no use.
I ached for them both because of the obstacles that made a relationship difficult, if not impossible. The biggest was Gabi's former engagement to Stephen. Both she and Will felt that it would be disloyal to him to pursue their feelings. On Will's side, there is the gratitude he feels toward Stephen for saving him from a destructive path when he was younger. There is also the business relationship between the two families' companies. Gabi's fears about her abilities to run the family business were a motivating factor of her actions during the book. I loved how Will's support helped bolster her confidence. It also made her love him even more. When their relationship is discovered before they are ready, both Will and Gabi decide to face it head-on.
The scenes at the Pemberton estate were heartbreaking. I hurt for both Will and Gabi as they dealt with his family's attitudes. It was especially painful to witness Stephen's actions as they struck at the heart of Gabi's insecurities. I didn't blame her for what she did then and loved the strength that she showed. The ending was fantastic. Once the truth was out, I loved how Will's sisters got involved in bringing them back together in a sweetly romantic scene.
It was interesting to see the differences between Will's family and Gabi's family. There was no doubt about the love that existed, but the differences in the expression of that love were significant. I much preferred Gabi's family and their exuberance to the more reserved Pemberton's. And I ended up detesting Stephen. It will be interesting to see if and how he redeems himself.
July 23, 2022
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Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for inviting me to read Scandal and the Runaway Bride and for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A review will be up on my blog on July 26, 2021 at 10 am CST on Honey Roselea Reads for you guys to check out!
My review on Scandal and the Runaway Bride will be accessible using this link from July 26, 2021 at 10 am CST and onward.
For now, here is a preview to what the review will look like:
❀❀❀❀
After running from the alter, William “Will” Pemberton must find Gabriella Baressi and push her to go back on the alter, back to his brother. But, unbeknownst to him, he finds that Gabi isn’t the woman he thought she was. As Gabi and Will find themselves stuck with each other, something romantic begins to bloom between each other. I gave Scandal and the Runaway Bride 3.5 stars, enjoying the growth of [ continue reading ]
September 30, 2020
This was a fun close proximity style romance, where the runaway bride has the PR brother of a big business family sent to babysit her to avoid a scandal. Little did they know that they would fall in love and cause a scandal of their own.
Though this one was fairly formulaic once you get into it, I still found the story to be really sweet. I understood the motivations of the characters, and read the book in one sitting.
Though this one was fairly formulaic once you get into it, I still found the story to be really sweet. I understood the motivations of the characters, and read the book in one sitting.
April 16, 2021
A wonderful emotional romance
Scandal and the Runaway Bride is the first in Donna Alward’s ‘Heirs to an Empire’ series. I found while reading this story that I was on quite the emotional roller coaster. There were moments that I was angry on behalf of the characters, the next I had tears in my eyes, and the next I was smiling from ear to ear. It takes a talented writer to evoke so many strong emotions in such a short story.
Scandal and the Runaway Bride is the first in Donna Alward’s ‘Heirs to an Empire’ series. I found while reading this story that I was on quite the emotional roller coaster. There were moments that I was angry on behalf of the characters, the next I had tears in my eyes, and the next I was smiling from ear to ear. It takes a talented writer to evoke so many strong emotions in such a short story.
April 25, 2021
It was as the title says, but done in a contemporary romance style. It was well written, and flowed nicely.
An easy read when engaged!
An easy read when engaged!
Read
October 2, 2020Categories
Romance, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Miniseries
Heirs to an Empire (Book #1)
Romance, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Miniseries
Heirs to an Empire (Book #1)
October 18, 2020
Scandal and the Runaway Bride by Donna Alward
Heirs to the Empire #1
Exactly what one looks for when reading a Harlequin Romance! It might be formulaic but just what one expects, and it was also a great deal of fun. The runaway bride, the reason she ran, the way the other brother doing his part to help out family and prevent scandal fell for the runaway in a way the groom-to-be couldn’t and wouldn’t and then there was a lot of family to provide support, criticism, drama and more and of course…there was the romance and kisses and a little bit more. True love in such books in not usually smooth sailing so there were also obstacles to overcome and both Will and Gabi did so by the end of the story. I am curious about who will be next up in the series and also wonder if the groom, Stephen, will ever get it together. I enjoyed this book and thought it was good fun if not terribly deep…and during a pandemic…just the right amount of escape.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Heirs to the Empire #1
Exactly what one looks for when reading a Harlequin Romance! It might be formulaic but just what one expects, and it was also a great deal of fun. The runaway bride, the reason she ran, the way the other brother doing his part to help out family and prevent scandal fell for the runaway in a way the groom-to-be couldn’t and wouldn’t and then there was a lot of family to provide support, criticism, drama and more and of course…there was the romance and kisses and a little bit more. True love in such books in not usually smooth sailing so there were also obstacles to overcome and both Will and Gabi did so by the end of the story. I am curious about who will be next up in the series and also wonder if the groom, Stephen, will ever get it together. I enjoyed this book and thought it was good fun if not terribly deep…and during a pandemic…just the right amount of escape.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
September 14, 2020
A modern fairy tale of man’s love to his family and fall for his brother’s ex-fiance. Especially love the part when Will has to live together with Gabi and he got to see the real her as a beautiful and lovable woman, who loves her family and want to do so much to make her family proud of her.
September 30, 2020
The story Scandal and the Runaway Bride is filled with compassion, emotion, major attraction and conflict by Donna Alward, book one in the Heirs to an Empire series. Gabi Baresi realized, that no matter how much it could hurt her family’s business she couldn’t marry Stephen Pemberton for convenience; she needed love. Will Pemberton’s plan was simple; find Gabi, his brother’s runaway bride, and protect his famous family from the press. Only neither Will nor Gabi expected to become attracted to each other, threatening to cause a larger scandal. As they spend time together, they realize that their feelings are real and have the potential to hurt Will’s relationship with his family. Will needs to determine if this is a risk he’s will to take and if so, how to win back Gabi.
Ms. Alward wrote a wonderful, sweet and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, revealing conversations, and other charming characters giving Gabi and Will a chance for happiness and love. I highly recommend Scandal and the Runaway Bride to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms. Alward wrote a wonderful, sweet and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, revealing conversations, and other charming characters giving Gabi and Will a chance for happiness and love. I highly recommend Scandal and the Runaway Bride to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 11, 2020
Will Pemberton is furious when he learns his brother's bride, Gabi, has run off on the day of their wedding. He is all about protecting his family's name and comes up with a quick plan of action. What he didn't see coming was his attraction to Gabi and the potential to create an even bigger scandal because of their love.
This was a cute story and it was interesting to see a hero with a rough past like Will's. He overcame so much and worked on rebuilding his reputation. But being with Gabi could mean seeing his reputation in shreds and put him at odds with his family.
What I absolutely loved were Gabi's interactions with her family. They were so loving and supportive. I enjoyed seeing how they were with each other.
Here is a line that warmed my heart: "He liked her as a person, desired her as a woman." Overall, this read made me smile. Thank you #Netgalley and #Harlequin for the ARC.
This was a cute story and it was interesting to see a hero with a rough past like Will's. He overcame so much and worked on rebuilding his reputation. But being with Gabi could mean seeing his reputation in shreds and put him at odds with his family.
What I absolutely loved were Gabi's interactions with her family. They were so loving and supportive. I enjoyed seeing how they were with each other.
Here is a line that warmed my heart: "He liked her as a person, desired her as a woman." Overall, this read made me smile. Thank you #Netgalley and #Harlequin for the ARC.
October 26, 2021
Although this series involves contemporary wealthy heirs, this story reads more like a fairy-tale, with our thrown together couple forced to hide out in a fully-staffed chateau in the French countryside. Propinquity works fast in such a setting. A charming and well-paced tale.
June 11, 2021
Loved Will and Gabi! I have a few choice descritors for Stephen, though... Great read; I enjoyed. Tough situation but Gabi and Will were up to the challenge.
August 30, 2020
This is an entertaining modern day fairy-tale. I enjoyed the exploits of Gabi and Will, from their fake marriage to the very real feelings they develop. Laughter and tears, plenty of emotion, and a feel-good romance make this a captivating read.
August 12, 2020
The love story of Gabi Baresi and Will Pemberton is a Modern day fairytale. With an aborted fake marriage, family loyalty and heartache, these two seem like they’re doomed from the start but the rocky road to their HEA is captivating and the characters enchanting. This latest book by Donna made me laugh, cry and everything in between. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
May 25, 2021
One of the Heirs to an Empire series, in which Gabi becomes a runaway bride when she decides at the last possible minute not to go through with what she knows will be a loveless marriage to a man she thinks of as a friend and possible business colleague in order to save her family's business. Will Pemberton, younger brother of the groom, is furious--until he meets the bride and is forced to squirrel her away to avoid the scandal sure to result if the public learns his brother's been left at the altar.
Over the course of the next few weeks, it becomes clear that Gabi is drawn to Will in ways she never was drawn to his brother. And he can no longer imagine living without Gabi, but how can they manage a secret affair when her father is headed into cancer surgery and his mother, brother and other relatives will never understand what they never knew about in the first place?
Over the course of the next few weeks, it becomes clear that Gabi is drawn to Will in ways she never was drawn to his brother. And he can no longer imagine living without Gabi, but how can they manage a secret affair when her father is headed into cancer surgery and his mother, brother and other relatives will never understand what they never knew about in the first place?
November 1, 2020
A very touching love story that I enjoyed very much. Donna puts so much emotion in all of her books.
December 27, 2020
I enjoyed this one and want to read the rest of the series.
April 25, 2021
“ It was the time of day for whispered secrets and hidden smiles , forbidden touches and soft sighs.”
The ebb and flow of these words written in this book , had me hooked. What can be better than the excitement of a forbidden touch and forbidden love. This book was so hard to put down ! The sincerity of love and the language and conversations the two main characters had , made me swoon. Such a fabulous love story.
On to the next book in the series ...
The ebb and flow of these words written in this book , had me hooked. What can be better than the excitement of a forbidden touch and forbidden love. This book was so hard to put down ! The sincerity of love and the language and conversations the two main characters had , made me swoon. Such a fabulous love story.
On to the next book in the series ...
February 27, 2022
Another fun read, again taking place in France, England and Italy. It was a wild ride but much fun.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews