Stranded with His Runaway Bride

by Julieanne Howells

The key to the prince and princess saying “I do”? Letting passion reign supreme! Julieanne Howells captivates in this forced-proximity romance.

She ran from their wedding…

But can’t escape their attraction!

Prince Leo’s cold upbringing ensured love was out of his reach. He doesn’t think twice about agreeing to the political union his family has always coveted. Until Princess Violetta disappears on their wedding day…

Surrendering her power to a man is unacceptable to Violetta—even if that man sets her alight with a single glance! But when Leo tracks her down and they are stranded together, he’s not the enemy she first thought… Her independence is nonnegotiable. Yet a temporary alliance could be more pleasurable than Violetta ever imagined!

From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

Genres: Harlequin Presents, Contemporary

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Julieanne Howells loves the romance of a stormy day, which is just as well because she lives in the rainy North East of England. On inclement days, if she's not writing and reading, she has a fondness for cooking. Sometimes her efforts are even edible. She compensates for her lack of domestic skills by being an expert daydreamer, always imagining ways for plucky heroines to upend the world of handsome, provoking heroes. For Julieanne, writing for Harlequin is just about the perfect job.

Reviews

[Aou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m fed up with coward Hs and pursuing hs!
2,5 stars

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely fairy tale which strains credibility but with some fabulously entertaining banter and hot love scenes. My first by this author and I’ll be looking out for more by her.

[Paula (in & out) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may pick up this later to finish but after reading the first chapter, it turned me off.

Hero was engaged to heroine's sister who was described as very beautiful while heroine as just plain. Strike 1.

Strike 2 is when we get his POV of how he took the heroine's older sister (whom he was engaged to marry) to his Grandmother's place where he wanted to have sex with her but she tricked him not to do the deed and ran away the next day and married her Bodyguard. So heroine ends being his second choice doormat because he has to marry someone from her family.

Now I know it's HP and these themes continue, but why is it always that the OW is beautiful and the heroine the ugly duckling? And then add to the fact that he would have had sex with her sister because he wanted her, had she not left him that is, and I'm over it. At least until curiosity kills the cat....

[Mattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it. I was not a fan of how hero treated the heroine during their engagement even though it was before book started. He didn't care about her and thought her ugly. He was engaged to her sister and desired her and actually took her away for an overnight stay at his grandmothers house (even if the sister did that so she could run away with her bodyguard). He didn't put any effort into talking to heroine let alone going anywhere with her like he did with her sister.

The book progresses, he sees past her looks, he likes her but he rejects her love and they don't see each other for 10 months because he backs out of going to gatherings she's going to, he has zero intention of going after her and decides he's going to marry someone else.
He has a ball that he has to invite her to, he doesn't want to see her and almost walked out of his own ball to avoid seeing her. He does talk to her but is rude, they have words, they go talk privately where she tells him that she knows he loves her and he once again tells her he doesn't want to be with her and doesn't want her love.
She then proceeds to tell him she's going to marry someone else one day and have that guy's babies and he finally gives in and tells her he loves her. Heroine then tells him they are getting married that night, she already had a cake made, papers ready and luggage packed for a honeymoon. She Planned for weeks on fighting for him and getting married that night.

Personally I hate the 10 month seperation and then that the heroine chased after the guy. He may have followed her progress at night, worked to exhaustion by day and was miserable without her, however he wasn't going after her at all and was fine letting her go.

I'm not all that into a hero who couldn't talk to his fiance longer than 5 minutes, thought her ugly, rejected her love, didn't contact her for 10 months and was planning to marry someone else (it was something he decided right before the ball started that he was going to put his feelings for heroine behind him and to marry someone else). P.

[Dannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I bought it after reading someone's review and it intrigued me sufficiently to check it out even though the review wasn't that great. Grins.
And I'm glad because yes, the writing and the style are not perfect but she spins a nice tale. The characters are endearing, there's a nice touch of humour all throughout the book. I guess four stars are perhaps a tad too much but I really enjoyed it.

Although the epilogue got me a bit confused about Seb. It looks like there was a book before? But I couldn't find one. So. A bit puzzled by that.
So after a little research, this is the second book written by this new author but the previous one (her debut novel is an all different story, maybe the next book will be about Seb? or maybe I missed something?)

[Jodi Virea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was reluctant to read this because the author is somewhat new, and I had not read her previous books. I am glad I read this book. I will definitely read her other books.

I loved Violetta. She fell in love with Leo, but still stood by her wishes to be the Grand Duchy, and not marry him, because she clearly knew that’s all he wanted to marry her for.

I loved how she was so clear eyed about that, he must have been a piece of work courting her! I love the banter between them, very amusing.

[Ana Stasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF@30%

Pathetic heroine as usual, who blushes at every little thing and melts at everything the hero does/says, while the hero hadn't even noticed her till she literally ran away. Pathetic. And she's supposed to be a queen or sth? Jeez.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Christa Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Loved this author’s writing style and can’t wait for Seb’s story!

[Miss A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost stopped reading this story because of how bratty and spoilt child like the h was. But I’m glad I didn’t. Beautiful story