831 Marriage Lane

Cherry Falls #32

by Lucy Darling

She’s my wife.

Did I trick her into marrying me? Yes.

What choice did I have? If she’d known who I truly was she never would have given me a chance.

But when you find a woman as rare as Gabriella, you don’t let her go. You bind her to you in every way possible.

Getting her locked down was step one. Sweeping her off her feet is what happens now, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives together. Maybe I didn’t go about claiming her the way I should have, but I can make up for all of it. I’ll do anything to keep my new wife. The only woman to ever bring me to my knees.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Marriage, Short Stories, Adult

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2021

Reviews

[Dul · Rating 2 out of 5]

The instant love trope can work when done well but this wasn’t it. Everything happened way too fast and felt completely unrealistic.

The hero tricks the heroine into marriage while she’s drunk which is already a red flag. Then we’re supposed to believe she just goes along with it because of attraction? The lack of communication and actual relationship building made their connection feel hollow and unconvincing.

Not the worst I’ve read but definitely not one I’d recommend. There are much better marriage of convenience stories out there.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Raffaella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uber short novella, it was a pity it wasn’t more developed but since it’s a bad case of insta love it was very difficult to add some angsty twist and make it longer.
The hero is - or should be- a merciless divorce lawyer without a heart, and wants to prevent his younger brother from marrying his childhood sweetheart.
This cruel intention ends exactly the time he sees the heroine and nothing seems to make sense anymore.
He gets her drunk and marries her after basically two hours they met.
Not normal, straight borderline I should say.
She’s basically lusting for him so it’s quite easy for him to seduce her and to persuade her to stay married.
Little ow drama, ow is one of the hero’s client who is deranged and after stalking the hero tries to murder him.
But it basically lasts two pages and the heroine already trusts the hero, so no harm done.
The author has got potential but the characters are not explained and their behavior is barely believable.
- the hero change of heart is unexpected and unexplained.
- the heroine’s I love you is too sudden, they hardly know each other.
But both characters are pleasant and politically correct with no difficulty between their relationship. So a cute and sweet story.
- the cover doesn’t fit, who’s pregnant here??? Not the heroine, at least until after her marriage.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"831 Marriage Ln." is the is the story of Gabriella and Kenton.

The hero is a cynical divorce lawyer with mommy issues. He is skeptical when his brother marries his childhood love- only to instantly fall for the heroine- the said love's sister. They get drunk, he marries her, she resists him and his courtship, some jealousy and OW drama follow some hot lovemaking, and the book ends in a bred HEA.

Safe
4/5

[Ꭿຖᥲ·♡ ྀི · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✯

°Virgin heroine
°Non manwhore hero
°Switching POVs
°Insta love/lust
°Possessive obsessed OTT alpha hero
°OW drama (not from an ex)
°No cheating
°No separation
°Pushing away from the heroine
°No intimate scenes with OP
°Epilogue: 5 years later married with 2 kids and another on the way

[Hijinx Abound]

This book did not work for me. I have read many woke up married but in 95% both parties were drunk and are now like WTF happened. When you make one person very intentionally sober, there better be some historical pining or past of some kind or a fated mates situation. These two have just met and he is there to ruin her best friend’s life.
It felt really manipulative and icky.

[Chalice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple: Kenton and Gabriella

Romance genre: insta-love
Series: Cherry Falls
Length: 83 pages

Plot: Kenton is in town to attend his brother's wedding, and truthfully, he would be happy to stop it. He's a well-known divorce lawyer who doesn't believe in love - that is, until he sees Gabriella. He is taken by her from the moment he sees her. He knows, though, from conversations with her, that she isn't fond of the brother that nobody has met yet, and so he doesn't tell her who he is. He gets her a little tipsy and convinces her to marry him that night. But he'll have to convince her to stay married to him when she wakes up in the morning and finds out what he's done.

Commentary: Kenton was a jerk who was taken down by love - how satisfying! Gabriella - well, I don't know quite what to say. I'd like to think that even if I was really drunk that I wouldn't all of a sudden agree to marry someone I just met. But who knows? Then there was the financial problem subplot, the creepy guy hitting on her and messing with the bank, Kenton's stalker - there was a lot going on for a short book! I liked it - that is, I liked the main relationship, but it wasn't my favorite Lucy Darling ever (that honor goes to the very first one I ever read, Meant to Love).

Next book in the series: 907 for Keeps Way

[Sarah Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.

Overall: 3.25-stars

Hero: Kenton
Heroine: Gabriella

I don't know why 831 Marriage Lane didn't click with me. I think it's a mix of not being in the mood for the insta-love romance, being tired, and the writing style. Typically, I love Darling's books; they're an instant-read for me. Yet, this time around, the writing and pace of the novel weren't geling with me.

I did enjoy the Hero's characterization. I appreciated how aware he was about his Alpha-hole (lite) routine – he consciously knew it wasn't the way to endear the Heroine towards him. But, he became obvious pretty quickly both the Hero and Heroine were into it 😂.

831 Marriage Lane made me curious about the Hero's brother's book and Amethyst's book (the Heroine's friend).

Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama (kinda)
– Hero's client (he's a divorce attorney) is famous, and the gossip rags postulate they're secretly together (which causes problems with the Heroine). In reality, the OW ends up stalking the Hero, and he gets a restraining order.
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation


Possible Triggers: Yes
• Sexual harassment
• Gun violence


Ending: HEA with Epilogue

[dahlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the sweet story of Kenton, who is Glory's brother in law :-)

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Los personajes y la relación están muy poco desarrollados. La historia es muy superficial y aburrida.

[Kellyythoralabatalla · Rating 2 out of 5]

por qué aparece embarazada si solo se embaraza en el epílogo? ni idea, pero me gustó más el otro.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

Kenton is a prominent divorce attorney who has come to town to protect his brother Lennon who is in love with Willow a woman he met as a young girl and pretend married. Kenton is worried she is going to rob him blind, like their mother did to their father. He has a very jaded view on love and marriage. When he arrives he sees Gabriella and is instantly in love. He steps in to save her from a jerk, this leads to chatting and drinks. Then more drinks until she wakes up in his hotel room. Married!! Sadly Kenton has no good reference on how to deal with a lady love and says the wrong thing several times. Gabriella is pissed and tells him she does not want to be married to him and leaves. He decides to give her space and returns to his home to work on a big case. They stay in touch and he seems sincere and Gabriella does have feelings for him. They have shared oral sexy times and he has come inside her without full penetration. So there is good chance for a pregnancy. He returns for Lennon & Willows wedding and before he can get to Gabriella she sees online that there is speculation that he is dating his latest client. She’s very confused, why is he with her if he is dating another woman. He explains the woman is a client but has turned stalker and he has a restraining order for her, he loves Gabriella and no one else. The other woman does not handle it well and pulls a gun on them, Kenton tries to talk her down, just before she shots him Gabriella’s friend Glory tackles her and security and the police take her away. Epilogue five years later with kids and a vow renewal wedding ceremony, since she did not get a wedding the first time around.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Kenton mets Gabriella when his brother, Lennon 209 Wedding Ln is having a charity event on her farmland. Kenton comes to Cherry Falls to talk his brother out of getting married, signing everything he owns over to his soon to be wife and signing a prenup. As soon as Kenton sees Gabriella talking to another man he helps her, he overhears the man talking to her about her families loan and he know he needs to get to the bottom of it. Kenton and Gabriella grab a few drinks and soon he is thinking about how he can make her his before she realizes who he is. Gabriella knows about Lennon's brother, but what she doesn't realize is she is talking to him. When Gabriella wakes the next morning she realizes someone is in bed with her when she starts to move around she realizes it's the man from the night before. Before she realizes it he is telling her they are married and she sees prof on her ring finger. Gabriella tells Kenton they need to get a divorce, but he tells her breakfast will soon be to their room. Kenton tells Gabriella they are staying married, she is his wife. When she tries to walk out of their room he grabs her so she doesn't leave. They begin kissing and soon he is pleasuring her. Kenton doesn't want to claim her just yet, he wants to wait until she admits she's his. When Gabriella realizes what time it is she tells him she needs to get to work, but he tells her it's taken care of. Kenton hired workers to take care of her family farm, and at the farm she takes care of the horses. He tells her they need to head back to the city but she tells him he can go and she'll get on with her life. Gabriella tells him while he at court if he could file the paperwork for them an annulment, but he tells her their not getting that either. When her phone goes off she tells him it's her sister and needs to answer it. He lets her go to answer and assures her sister she knows about the workers at their family farm. Kenton tells her she needs to eat her breakfast and she does not because he asks her but because she's hungry. Gabriella finishes eating them Kenton tells her she can leave as long as she leaves on her wedding ring. Gabriella heads over to Willow's to get ready for her wedding to Lennon, she is the maid of honor. After the girls try on their dresses their husbands come to find them, Gabriella heads to take off her dress and Kenton comes and finds her. He takes her into the bathroom and pleasures her. Kenton talks to Lennon and he finds out his brother is already married, he can't figure out how it happened. Kenton tells Lennon that Gabriella doesn't want her friends to know yet so to keep it quiet. While everyone gets ready for Lennon and Willow's wedding Gabriella realizes she could have done some digging on Kenton but when she does she doesn't like what she finds. She starts to get worried when she doesn't hear from Kenton the whole day. Kenton has to file a restraining order against his last client, she has been stalking him. When Kenton arrives for the wedding he finds Lennon, they head to the bridal suite and find the girls. When Gabriella comes out he sees she is upset, when he grabs for her she tells him to stop. She wears her ring but he goes without his. Kenton tells her he needed to get it resized, then he tells her he loves her. He leans in and kisses her but then someone else calls his name, it's the woman who he filed the restraining order on. She asks him if he's cheating on her, Kenton grabs Gabriella and pulls her behind him. The woman is screaming at Kenton tells him she loves him, but Gabriella tells her she maybe in love with her husband but her husband loves her. Gabriella tells Kenton she loves him just before the gun fires. Security rushes in and grabs the woman who fired the gun, Gabriella tells him she could have lost him. Someone came ou behind the woman and shoved her making the gun fall. Kenton asks Gabriella to tell him again, so she tells him she loves him. When Lennon and Willow come and asks what's going on Gabriella tells them they're married. Kenton tells everyone Gabriella will fill them in later, he needs a moment alone with his wife. Gabriella finds out that Kenton bought the bank in Cherry Falls and has renamed it after Gabriella's family. Kenton tells her he's moving to Cherry Falls to be with his wife and he's leaving his law firm. Kenton and Gabriella dance away on the dance floor, soon he is trying to figure out how to get his wife to leave. When Gabriella tells him she wants him to teach their kids how to dance, he lifts her up and carries her out of the reception. Gabriella tells him she maybe already knocked up even though he hasn't taken her all the way. Then she asks him why he hasn't, he tells her that he waited for her to not be drunk, she tells him he's a liar he wanted to wait for her to tell him he loves him. When they get into their suite he strips her of her clothes, she tells him she loves him. Kenton puts Gabriella on the bed, and pleasures her. When Gabriella is about to come he sinks deep inside of her, he explodes himself. Kenton tells her he loves her and Gabriella tells him she loves him too. Kenton tells her she's going to kill him and she tells him she'll be one rich woman but she's not done with him. He tells her she'll never be done with him. Gabriella walked into Kenton life and flipped it right side up. For the first time Kenton can see what he wants in life, he wants a family, a wife all of it. He was alway scared to admit it, Gabriella was his from the moment their eyes met. She made him a real man. About five years later, Kenton and Gabriella are about to renew their wedding vows. Both of their families have become extremely close over the years, with Kenton help Gabriella family farm has turned into a ranch. Gabriella's parents offered them land to build their forever home on, they had it build before their child was born. Lucas their son, then a daughter Silva. Willow's officiating the ceremony, Kenton took Gabriella's name. When they are done, Kenton carries her off and tells everyone the bar is open. He tells her he wants to have another baby, she tells him that she has some bad new for him. He asks her what the bad news is she tells him he can't get her pregnant, she already is. Kenton tells her she has no idea the life she's giving him, nothing compares to what she's given him. She tells him this is us, together we have all this. Kenton is all the air Gabriella needs.

[alaynasvanity · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Weak, dumbass heroine.

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 swoony steamy stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this one, but is there a Lucy darling book I’ve read that I don’t love? *wracking my brain to think of one* nope, can’t think of one. Her writing is always on point, tight, flows smoothly, with interesting characters and emotional connection and plenty of steam!

This one was fun, with a jaded, hard-nosed divorce lawyer who falls fast for his soulmate. She’s sweet to his salty, light to his darkness, innocence to his experience.

I also loved that he wasn’t a manwhore.

Totally safe. No mention of hero’s past, except that he’s been celibate for a long time. Heroine is a virgin, belongs only to the hero. No cheating or abuse of any kind whatsoever. No OM drama, very brief OW Drama (from a woman who wants hero. Her feelings aren’t reciprocated.) HEA with epilogue.

[Liz [reads books] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, a lot of stuff was going on in this book. It was really just way out there. 3½ stars

[Laterial · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Fun and I enjoyed this continuation of the story. I loved Willow and Lennon bit Kenton stole the story for me.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m finding that Cherry Falls series is lackluster. I feel like there hasn’t been a good one since Willow and Lennon. This one had potential, but idk….

⭐️=barely finished it, not likely to read author again-don’t read.

⭐️⭐️=meh, wasn’t great, also didn’t hate it. Will afford author grace (maybe).

⭐️⭐️⭐️=I liked it, it entertained me, I’ll continue to support this author and would recommend their work.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=loved it, everyone should read it, I’ll likely reread this book again. I can’t wait to inhale every book this author has gifted us with!!!g

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=I have an obsession with this story, and reread it often. I have hero worship for this author and read all their stories.

[Rmqbookqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Read!

Kenton & Gabriella captured my heart and didn’t give it back even when the story was finished! I loved the grump Kenton was and how his life got turned upside down when he laid eyes on Gabriella for the first time. Their souls knew they were each other’s one and only, and their journey to their happily ever after was so entertaining. This was such a great book and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again!

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenton always believed he would never marry or wanted to be in a relationship. He didn't trust the intention of women after seeing his mother and father's marriage and divorce. So when his brother seems to be on his way to be married he comes to town talk to his brother about taking precautions. While looking for his brother, Keaton spots Gabriella and sees his future. Now he just has to get her to marry and fall in love with him in that order.

[Lina Baigorria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Q decir...??? Me gusta, me gusta q los cínicos e idiotas se choquen contra paredes...!!!👏👏👏👏 Obvio no me gusta q no sigan los hilos d personajes e historias, aunque sea libro aparte hay mucho de la historia de Lennon y Willow y q no concuerde con parte d los personajes me molesta....pero es muy linda y tierna la historia... Otra la portada d mujer embarazada no viene ni al caso...pero bue...🤷🏻‍♀️jajaj

[Bridget Keeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️Kenton & Gabriella❤️❤️❤️

This is a love at first sight story. It just takes a hot mess of a minute for Kent & Gabriella to catch up. It's obvious these two are made for each other & that helps to get through the rest of this sexually explicit story. I have mixed feelings about this book. Lots of foul language & needs more story & less sex. This is my first book by this author, so maybe it's her writing style. Too much of it was not for me.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a Kenton fan!

I really liked this story. It was entertaining and enjoyable. Some of the side characters really cracked me up and made me interested in their stories. Kenton did a complete 180 once he saw Gabriella. He was determined to claim her whether she was ok with it or not. Kenton was also super sneaky. I liked him so much. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriella & Kenton

I loved Lennon and Willow’s story so when I realized this was Lennon’s brother I was here for it!!! Kenton is a divorce story who doesn’t believe in marriage and the happily ever after until he sees Gabriella. On glance at the fair and he was hit hard with the love bug. A super cute quick read with just the right amount of heat!!

[Dorothy Holness · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 ⭐️s

This was a good read. Kenton the money make didn’t want the headache of dealing with a serious relationship. He was against his brother’s quick engagement because he thought his fiancé was after his money. But while he is meeting his brother and his fiancé he finds something unexpected love.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reformed Jerk

Kenton is so anti marriage he became top divorce attorney but one look at Gabriella changes everything. He knows she is the woman he has been waiting his whole life for so he marries her the day they meet, now he has to make her fall in love with him in this sweet read.

[Ana Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great instalove story!!!!

I love a great insta-love story and Kenton and Gabriella’s tale delivers. This is the bookend story to Willow and Lennon’s story earlier in the series. When those boys fall - they fall hard and quick. Loved everything about this story and I especially loved the sweet epilogue that gives us a peek into the future.

[Karla Riendeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage Lane

Loved it! Now I have to read the whole series. There are so many authors that I love contributing to this series, and some I’m not yet familiar with. I love Lucy Darling and I totally enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the fun plot. No real angst (which is perfect for me), just alot of sweet romantic stuff!💖💖💖

[K B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird reading the previous one by LD in this series then this one, swear the first had Kenton as younger and like a 10 yr age gap between character but now Lennon is younger and they were both “kids” when they married each other. Just distracted from the whole book as did the really late mention of Gabriella’s last name and then him changing his to it…meh

[Bruna :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I absolutely adore Lucy Darling's stories! 4.75 ⭐️

This is the story of Kenton and Gabriella and I absolutely adored how the mcs learned how to love and how the tables had flipped for all the bad he gave his brother. The fmc really made him swallow his words!

So freaking cute and with awesome found family! So worth it

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenton and Gabriella

This one was better than Lennon and Willow's story. Sweet and heartwarming, this is the tale of a cynical and successful divorce lawyer that is on his way to prevent his little brother's wedding only to fall and immediately marry Gabriella. Highly recommended