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The Bride #1
The Bride Lib/E
Ellie
So here’s the deal. I’m sixteen and I’m getting married. Super weird, I know.
My dad is a cattle rancher in Montana. Or he was, until he died suddenly, leaving me an orphan (which is still a thing). I’m sixteen months away from being a legal adult, so I have two choices.
Foster home, or married. To Jake Talley. The foreman of the ranch and my best friend.
It’s legal. It solves all my problems. Except now I’m living with Riverbend’s hottest cowboy - my husband (in name only of course) - and I’m still in high school. Trust me, no one wants to date Weird Married Ellie.
But it’s cool. All we have to do is wait it out until I'm eighteen and we'll get a divorce. Then Jake and I will go back to being normal. We’ve got this.
Right?
Jake
I’m twenty-six, and I never saw this coming. Married. To a kid I’ve known her whole life. But there was no way in hell I was going to let her live at a foster home, instead of at the ranch where she belongs.
Sure we’re married but it’s not real. Just a piece of paper. My girlfriend is furious but I know I’m doing the right thing - for Ellie. For sixteen months, it’s me and her against the world - until the divorce.
No big deal.
Or is it?
So here’s the deal. I’m sixteen and I’m getting married. Super weird, I know.
My dad is a cattle rancher in Montana. Or he was, until he died suddenly, leaving me an orphan (which is still a thing). I’m sixteen months away from being a legal adult, so I have two choices.
Foster home, or married. To Jake Talley. The foreman of the ranch and my best friend.
It’s legal. It solves all my problems. Except now I’m living with Riverbend’s hottest cowboy - my husband (in name only of course) - and I’m still in high school. Trust me, no one wants to date Weird Married Ellie.
But it’s cool. All we have to do is wait it out until I'm eighteen and we'll get a divorce. Then Jake and I will go back to being normal. We’ve got this.
Right?
Jake
I’m twenty-six, and I never saw this coming. Married. To a kid I’ve known her whole life. But there was no way in hell I was going to let her live at a foster home, instead of at the ranch where she belongs.
Sure we’re married but it’s not real. Just a piece of paper. My girlfriend is furious but I know I’m doing the right thing - for Ellie. For sixteen months, it’s me and her against the world - until the divorce.
No big deal.
Or is it?
Audio CD
First published April 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
October 6, 2017
Solid 4 Stars
This review will act as a review for books 1-4.
In short, I LOVED this series.
I adore the "marriage of convenience" shtick and I am also totally down with the underage female/age discrepancy trope as well.
I know, know, call me a pervert and rake me over the coals. Cause I care about this much.
Which is to say...not at all, fuckers.
This thing also had some super decent angst and I sucked that shit up like a dry sponge.
Jake was just dreamy.
Like another dreamboat Jake I know and love...
Le swoon.
Anyway, I loved how this thing progressed, although I did get a little frustrated with both Jake and Ellie on occasion.
But, no matter.
This is definitely going on my re-read shelf.
This review will act as a review for books 1-4.
In short, I LOVED this series.
I adore the "marriage of convenience" shtick and I am also totally down with the underage female/age discrepancy trope as well.
I know, know, call me a pervert and rake me over the coals. Cause I care about this much.
Which is to say...not at all, fuckers.
This thing also had some super decent angst and I sucked that shit up like a dry sponge.
Jake was just dreamy.
Like another dreamboat Jake I know and love...
Le swoon.
Anyway, I loved how this thing progressed, although I did get a little frustrated with both Jake and Ellie on occasion.
But, no matter.
This is definitely going on my re-read shelf.
September 15, 2017
4 stars!
First off I have to say, when my friend Geri recommended this series to me I thought that woman was crazy. A novella series about a 16 year old bride? Everything in it's marketing, from the cover to the description sounded like a taboo sex novel along the lines of Alexa Riley (not that there's anything wrong with Alexa Riley and books like theirs, it just ain't my thing). Honestly, I think the marketing for this book is all wrong, but that's just me. I never would have picked this up without a recommendation.
But I took a chance anyway, because well, TRUST and all that fun stuff. And I am so glad I did! To clarify, this is NOT a taboo sex driven novel, but really a story of a young girl who has lost everything, and the family friend who did what it took to keep her from going into foster care and to remain in her family home until she turned 18 in a little over a year.
I gotta say, I loved Ellie. The author did a good thing and didn't have her acting her age, like an annoying teenager as younger heroines are so often portrayed. Ellie was dealt the hard hands in life early on, and we see how that makes her transition into early adulthood and no longer being that carefree teen. Jake was a bit harder to read, I definitely want to get to know him better in the other books. He takes care of Ellie, he loves her as a sister. But the progression of that into something more is a bit of a mystery to me.
I cannot wait to read the other books, this is a poignant story about dealing with loss and the evolution of love. KU readers rejoice, it appears this series is currently on KU!
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First off I have to say, when my friend Geri recommended this series to me I thought that woman was crazy. A novella series about a 16 year old bride? Everything in it's marketing, from the cover to the description sounded like a taboo sex novel along the lines of Alexa Riley (not that there's anything wrong with Alexa Riley and books like theirs, it just ain't my thing). Honestly, I think the marketing for this book is all wrong, but that's just me. I never would have picked this up without a recommendation.
But I took a chance anyway, because well, TRUST and all that fun stuff. And I am so glad I did! To clarify, this is NOT a taboo sex driven novel, but really a story of a young girl who has lost everything, and the family friend who did what it took to keep her from going into foster care and to remain in her family home until she turned 18 in a little over a year.
I gotta say, I loved Ellie. The author did a good thing and didn't have her acting her age, like an annoying teenager as younger heroines are so often portrayed. Ellie was dealt the hard hands in life early on, and we see how that makes her transition into early adulthood and no longer being that carefree teen. Jake was a bit harder to read, I definitely want to get to know him better in the other books. He takes care of Ellie, he loves her as a sister. But the progression of that into something more is a bit of a mystery to me.
I cannot wait to read the other books, this is a poignant story about dealing with loss and the evolution of love. KU readers rejoice, it appears this series is currently on KU!
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April 26, 2022
This book took me by total surprise! I’m impressed.
Review at the end of the series 3 more books to go.♥️
Review at the end of the series 3 more books to go.♥️
Want to read
November 9, 2017
OH A COWBOY! READ SAMPLE, LIKE HER VOICE!
Book 1 of 4 novellas.
Purchase: | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Ellie
So here’s the deal. I’m sixteen and I’m getting married. Super weird, I know.
My dad is a cattle rancher in Montana. Or he was, until he died suddenly, leaving me an orphan (which is still a thing). I’m sixteen months away from being a legal adult, so I have two choices.
Foster home, or married. To Jake Talley. The foreman of the ranch and my best friend.
It’s legal. It solves all my problems. Except now I’m living with Riverbend’s hottest cowboy - my husband (in name only of course) - and I’m still in high school. Trust me, no one wants to date Weird Married Ellie.
But it’s cool. All we have to do is wait it out until I'm eighteen and we'll get a divorce. Then Jake and I will go back to being normal. We’ve got this.
Right?
Jake
I’m twenty-six, and I never saw this coming. Married. To a kid I’ve known her whole life. But there was no way in hell I was going to let her live at a foster home, instead of at the ranch where she belongs.
Sure we’re married but it’s not real. Just a piece of paper. My girlfriend is furious but I know I’m doing the right thing - for Ellie. For sixteen months, it’s me and her against the world - until the divorce.
No big deal.
Or is it?
Books in The Bride series should be read in order:
Book 1: The Bride
Book 2: The Wife
Book 3: The Lover
Book 4: The Baby
February 17, 2023
I admit it. I judged this book by the cover. I don’t like sweet little hallmark-ish stories. I should have trusted Isabella when she told me how good this series was.
Ellie (16) lives on a working cattle ranch in Montana. She has just lost her father, who didn’t leave a will. Jake (26) is the foreman of the ranch. Jake and Ellie marry so she isn’t forced into foster care, but it’s in name only. When she turns 18, they plan to get a divorce. Jake has a girlfriend.
There is so much to this sweet little story. A quick read at only 151 pages, and when it ends you’ll want immediately download book two.
#penisgate (but no sex in this story)
Ellie (16) lives on a working cattle ranch in Montana. She has just lost her father, who didn’t leave a will. Jake (26) is the foreman of the ranch. Jake and Ellie marry so she isn’t forced into foster care, but it’s in name only. When she turns 18, they plan to get a divorce. Jake has a girlfriend.
There is so much to this sweet little story. A quick read at only 151 pages, and when it ends you’ll want immediately download book two.
#penisgate (but no sex in this story)
March 10, 2022
NOT SAFE.
I don't know how to feel about it. I feel BETRAYED. I saw safety reviews saying there's no cheating. But he came close. You see, call me prude or narrow minded or whatever you want, I DONOT condone CHEATING. Physical AND EMOTIONAL. YES. Not even emotional or mental cheating. And IT IS A BIG DEAL. Because if you even THINK about doing it with some other person then you're halfway there. I know I know in this book he wasn't in love with h YET, and they were just married for convenience. They had mutual agreement to have separate lives. But it IS A MARRIAGE. I dont care how fake, how papers-only or how contractual, it is LEGAL, right? And if you even date someone else after signing legal documents, it is CHEATING, by law as well. There has to be some RESPECT to the other person. He went on a date with his "girlfriend" after marriage, (but once you're married, it's Not girlfriend, it's an affair or a mistress) and even was thinking about having drunk sex because she was sexy when drunk and now she was in their living room, with his 17 year old bride upstairs, and he was HARD for his girlfriend.
Nope. No the fuck not.
And after that was time jumping forward every month and it was never mentioned if he was still seeing his girlfriend on Sundays or bringing her to the bunk house for sex or not. It wasn't mentioned at all. Like I dont believe someone who was being eager to get laid the other night went 3 months after than without sex. It was another annoying plot hole.
But then suddenly he has feelings for Ellie. He "likes" her more than Janet now. And he feels guilty about it. Okay when did that happen now? The story is moving so fast I was having problem catching up. Okay the book is only 180 pages but you see you can still write a decent story in 180 pages without having serious plot holes or jumping times.
And somewhere in the middle, they were talking about cow and bull sex and Ellie asked him if he was missing sex and she was okay with him going out to seek relief. And then later he went to town to do something with the cattle. And he came back but didn't look at Ellie. What? Suspicious. Did he do it in town? Did he go seek relief so he was guilty and didn't look at Ellie after coming back? What was that? Guess what?! HE DID! HE HAD NON STOP SEX WITH A GIRL HE PICKED AT A BAR! AND HE WASN'T GUILTY ABOUT IT. HE SAID HE NEEDED THAT BECAUSE HE WAS A GUY!
THAT'S IT I M DONE.
And in every other sentence the author had to put everything into "sexist" and "not sexist" catagory. And she had to do this with the characters bringing out everything that they think as to be if it sounds sexist or not. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!! Like who does that? That's not how normal people think!! Nobody gives two shits about what their words would mean in the social justice sense! And definitely not have to weigh their every words if it sounds sexist or not. And it goes on and on throughout the book. It's like the author doesn't want to piss off social justice warriors and had to bring it up that she is aware how sexist that sounds and she has no intention to offend anyone. wtf?!! A disclaimer at the beginning would suffice, Miss Doyle. You don't have to shove it down our throats every single fucking page!! And NOT when you make a CHEATING asshole character who is not even sorry about cheating on his VIRGIN wife, who he had all the boys in her school scared off to not come near her, with a random woman "nonstop" for 3 days and justifying it because he was a dude. DONOT justify yourself Miss Doyle. A guy DOESNOT go screwing a random woman "nonstop" for 3 days leaving his virgin wife alone in a ranch (didn't he swear to be there for her? To protect her because she sometimes forgot to close the door? How was she safe for 3 days when you were screwing some random woman in a town 4 hours afar?) No he Doesnot. Dont tell me how she gave him permission and was okay with it. NO! You still DON'T! That's because you have enough RESPECT for the marriage bond to NOT go around screwing others even if you have the so called "permission". I have known plenty of guys who can go with NOT thinking with their dicks like some sex deprived pervert to not even manage for 16 months. There ARE plenty of men who can adjust a little for that. There ARE plenty of men who have that sense of RESPECT to honor a marriage. So don't even go there.
I really wanted to flip my phone why i picked this horrible book.
I don't know how to feel about it. I feel BETRAYED. I saw safety reviews saying there's no cheating. But he came close. You see, call me prude or narrow minded or whatever you want, I DONOT condone CHEATING. Physical AND EMOTIONAL. YES. Not even emotional or mental cheating. And IT IS A BIG DEAL. Because if you even THINK about doing it with some other person then you're halfway there. I know I know in this book he wasn't in love with h YET, and they were just married for convenience. They had mutual agreement to have separate lives. But it IS A MARRIAGE. I dont care how fake, how papers-only or how contractual, it is LEGAL, right? And if you even date someone else after signing legal documents, it is CHEATING, by law as well. There has to be some RESPECT to the other person. He went on a date with his "girlfriend" after marriage, (but once you're married, it's Not girlfriend, it's an affair or a mistress) and even was thinking about having drunk sex because she was sexy when drunk and now she was in their living room, with his 17 year old bride upstairs, and he was HARD for his girlfriend.
Nope. No the fuck not.
And after that was time jumping forward every month and it was never mentioned if he was still seeing his girlfriend on Sundays or bringing her to the bunk house for sex or not. It wasn't mentioned at all. Like I dont believe someone who was being eager to get laid the other night went 3 months after than without sex. It was another annoying plot hole.
But then suddenly he has feelings for Ellie. He "likes" her more than Janet now. And he feels guilty about it. Okay when did that happen now? The story is moving so fast I was having problem catching up. Okay the book is only 180 pages but you see you can still write a decent story in 180 pages without having serious plot holes or jumping times.
And somewhere in the middle, they were talking about cow and bull sex and Ellie asked him if he was missing sex and she was okay with him going out to seek relief. And then later he went to town to do something with the cattle. And he came back but didn't look at Ellie. What? Suspicious. Did he do it in town? Did he go seek relief so he was guilty and didn't look at Ellie after coming back? What was that? Guess what?! HE DID! HE HAD NON STOP SEX WITH A GIRL HE PICKED AT A BAR! AND HE WASN'T GUILTY ABOUT IT. HE SAID HE NEEDED THAT BECAUSE HE WAS A GUY!
THAT'S IT I M DONE.
And in every other sentence the author had to put everything into "sexist" and "not sexist" catagory. And she had to do this with the characters bringing out everything that they think as to be if it sounds sexist or not. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!! Like who does that? That's not how normal people think!! Nobody gives two shits about what their words would mean in the social justice sense! And definitely not have to weigh their every words if it sounds sexist or not. And it goes on and on throughout the book. It's like the author doesn't want to piss off social justice warriors and had to bring it up that she is aware how sexist that sounds and she has no intention to offend anyone. wtf?!! A disclaimer at the beginning would suffice, Miss Doyle. You don't have to shove it down our throats every single fucking page!! And NOT when you make a CHEATING asshole character who is not even sorry about cheating on his VIRGIN wife, who he had all the boys in her school scared off to not come near her, with a random woman "nonstop" for 3 days and justifying it because he was a dude. DONOT justify yourself Miss Doyle. A guy DOESNOT go screwing a random woman "nonstop" for 3 days leaving his virgin wife alone in a ranch (didn't he swear to be there for her? To protect her because she sometimes forgot to close the door? How was she safe for 3 days when you were screwing some random woman in a town 4 hours afar?) No he Doesnot. Dont tell me how she gave him permission and was okay with it. NO! You still DON'T! That's because you have enough RESPECT for the marriage bond to NOT go around screwing others even if you have the so called "permission". I have known plenty of guys who can go with NOT thinking with their dicks like some sex deprived pervert to not even manage for 16 months. There ARE plenty of men who can adjust a little for that. There ARE plenty of men who have that sense of RESPECT to honor a marriage. So don't even go there.
I really wanted to flip my phone why i picked this horrible book.
January 20, 2018
3.5 ★'s
♦ Note: this series is made up of five novellas or something similar to chapters books. They are all under two hundred pages so they go really quick!
This story starts off with Ellie losing her father. Since her mother has already passed away, that leaves Ellie in a bit of a bind because she's only sixteen.
Enter Jake. He's been working on Ellie's family's ranch for years and they are close. He's willing to help Ellie out by marrying her so she doesn't have to go into foster care. But...it's a marriage of convenience only as Jake has a girlfriend and Ellie is just too young.
And Ellie's okay with it since she really didn't want to go to foster care. However, she's a young woman and wants to experience things and it's a little hard to not fantasize about some of those things with your hot husband.
Jake won't cross that line no matter how much he wants to. He's no choir boy though and it is a struggle. I really enjoyed seeing his wall crumble if only a little.
There are some hard moments with Jake having a girlfriend...and then even harder moments when he doesn't.
There's also some drama with the weather that leads to some intense feelings. One can only hope it helps move things along.
♦ Note: this series is made up of five novellas or something similar to chapters books. They are all under two hundred pages so they go really quick!
This story starts off with Ellie losing her father. Since her mother has already passed away, that leaves Ellie in a bit of a bind because she's only sixteen.
Enter Jake. He's been working on Ellie's family's ranch for years and they are close. He's willing to help Ellie out by marrying her so she doesn't have to go into foster care. But...it's a marriage of convenience only as Jake has a girlfriend and Ellie is just too young.
And Ellie's okay with it since she really didn't want to go to foster care. However, she's a young woman and wants to experience things and it's a little hard to not fantasize about some of those things with your hot husband.
Jake won't cross that line no matter how much he wants to. He's no choir boy though and it is a struggle. I really enjoyed seeing his wall crumble if only a little.
There are some hard moments with Jake having a girlfriend...and then even harder moments when he doesn't.
There's also some drama with the weather that leads to some intense feelings. One can only hope it helps move things along.
September 10, 2017
This was such a pleasant surprise! I'm a huge fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope in romance that one-clicking this was an easy decision. But sometimes, books don't meet your expectations so even though you like the trope, you still end up disliking it.
Not this book though. From the get go, I fell in love with Ellie. The older-than-her-age heroine who was orphaned at almost 17 years old and has to marry her father's foreman to keep the ranch in her family until she turns 18. This book and the two that follows it deals with the ups and downs of their married life.
It's a quick, easy and often funny read. I liked the breaking down of the fourth wall in both the heroine and hero's POV. These two characters aren't perfect. They both have terrible flaws but they're also self-aware which made me sympathize more with what they're going through.
This whole series is on Kindle Unlimited and totally worth the monthly subscription price. If you're on KU, I highly recommend you check this one out.
Not this book though. From the get go, I fell in love with Ellie. The older-than-her-age heroine who was orphaned at almost 17 years old and has to marry her father's foreman to keep the ranch in her family until she turns 18. This book and the two that follows it deals with the ups and downs of their married life.
It's a quick, easy and often funny read. I liked the breaking down of the fourth wall in both the heroine and hero's POV. These two characters aren't perfect. They both have terrible flaws but they're also self-aware which made me sympathize more with what they're going through.
This whole series is on Kindle Unlimited and totally worth the monthly subscription price. If you're on KU, I highly recommend you check this one out.
September 14, 2017
4.5 Stars
The Bride was recommended to me and I one-clicked it because of the summary. She’s 16 and she needs to get married since she’s an orphan and doesn’t want to go into foster care.
Before you think this book is kink, it’s NOT. And that’s what I was in the mood for.
I liked that there are books in the series and I like that each book will progress the relationship. Sometimes you want to break up your reading. I love all kinds of books and short books in a series are my cuppa too.
I was really surprised on how much I enjoyed this book because it’s an another author I’ve never tried and the cover is kind of ugly (sorry), but the writing flowed nicely and I love how informal the writing was.
It’s written in dual POV and I enjoyed both characters a lot.
Even though Ellie is 16, she doesn’t act like your typical teenager. She understands she has to run her family’s cattle ranch or it gets foreclosed by the bank. I liked that she isn’t materialist and doesn’t act like the regular teenager. She’s smart, resilient and maybe a little naïve (only because of her age and her lack of experience.
Jake is the family worker. He’s been on the ranch for many years and he’s like the older brother to Ellie. He’s ten years older than her and he wants Ellie to stay in town and live in her home, so he marries her. The plan is to divorce by the time she is 18.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that there is a lot of character buildup. There’s no insta-lust or super steam to take away from the story. It’s a light and cute book to read in-between the hard and dramatic ones.
I’m so glad I took a chance on this series and I will be moving forward.
The Bride was recommended to me and I one-clicked it because of the summary. She’s 16 and she needs to get married since she’s an orphan and doesn’t want to go into foster care.
Before you think this book is kink, it’s NOT. And that’s what I was in the mood for.
I liked that there are books in the series and I like that each book will progress the relationship. Sometimes you want to break up your reading. I love all kinds of books and short books in a series are my cuppa too.
I was really surprised on how much I enjoyed this book because it’s an another author I’ve never tried and the cover is kind of ugly (sorry), but the writing flowed nicely and I love how informal the writing was.
It’s written in dual POV and I enjoyed both characters a lot.
Even though Ellie is 16, she doesn’t act like your typical teenager. She understands she has to run her family’s cattle ranch or it gets foreclosed by the bank. I liked that she isn’t materialist and doesn’t act like the regular teenager. She’s smart, resilient and maybe a little naïve (only because of her age and her lack of experience.
Jake is the family worker. He’s been on the ranch for many years and he’s like the older brother to Ellie. He’s ten years older than her and he wants Ellie to stay in town and live in her home, so he marries her. The plan is to divorce by the time she is 18.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that there is a lot of character buildup. There’s no insta-lust or super steam to take away from the story. It’s a light and cute book to read in-between the hard and dramatic ones.
I’m so glad I took a chance on this series and I will be moving forward.
March 9, 2017
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED this book!!! If you like Kristen Ashley - you'll love this book. It's the first in a series with cliffhanger endings but they come out fast - so don't worry. You want this one, trust me!
March 27, 2019
Nope
I liked the story itself but think it could have been much better. I realize the marriage wasn't real yet, but it doesn't matter because this was supposed to be a romance book. Romances shouldn't have outside the relationship sex in them at all no matter the circumstances. Jake was both with Janet and some chick in Missoula whose name he didn't quite remember. For 3 days! That is disgusting. And the author even said on FB in response to someone's question that neither of them had sex with anyone else after they got married. He did with two different women, so the author flat out lied. I never would have read this book if I knew he was going to be with OW in the book's timeframe. Warnings should be put on books like this. At the very least, authors shouldn't lie about it when asked. How are we supposed to make informed decisions about what we read if there aren't warnings, triggers, or anything like that? I would have totally avoided it and it would have saved me time and sadness and it would have meant I didn't give the book a bad rating since I wouldn't have read it.
To the author: Don't lie when asked questions about your books and please put warnings in the descriptions or the front of the books.
I liked the story itself but think it could have been much better. I realize the marriage wasn't real yet, but it doesn't matter because this was supposed to be a romance book. Romances shouldn't have outside the relationship sex in them at all no matter the circumstances. Jake was both with Janet and some chick in Missoula whose name he didn't quite remember. For 3 days! That is disgusting. And the author even said on FB in response to someone's question that neither of them had sex with anyone else after they got married. He did with two different women, so the author flat out lied. I never would have read this book if I knew he was going to be with OW in the book's timeframe. Warnings should be put on books like this. At the very least, authors shouldn't lie about it when asked. How are we supposed to make informed decisions about what we read if there aren't warnings, triggers, or anything like that? I would have totally avoided it and it would have saved me time and sadness and it would have meant I didn't give the book a bad rating since I wouldn't have read it.
To the author: Don't lie when asked questions about your books and please put warnings in the descriptions or the front of the books.
February 24, 2023
It was a lovely book!!
Great characters,.
It’s worth the reading.
Great characters,.
It’s worth the reading.
November 3, 2023
This book was way less angsty than I was expecting from the reviews claiming “cheating”. IMO the only way to squint your eyes and call anything in the book “cheating”’is to willfully ignore any and all context or tone. The characters in this book are like brother and sister. When the book starts neither are even remotely interested in the other. The h isn’t even sexually available to the H (26) since she a minor (16). He has a long term gf at the time. They get married as a business arrangement only so that he can basically be her guardian til she’s 18. The plan all along is to divorce once she’s legally of age. To call his having a gf or his trip into town to blow off steam (suggested by the h) “cheating” is a reach at best. They START to develop feelings AFTER these 2 very minor plot points. The h and H have one kiss in this book at the end. Months after the hero was with anyone else.
So I guess sure technically cheating because they are technically married, but that is definitely ignoring the spirit of the story. This book is not angsty. In fact it was kinda dull, besides the fun OW drama with the gf at the beginning. We’ll see what the next installment brings.
So I guess sure technically cheating because they are technically married, but that is definitely ignoring the spirit of the story. This book is not angsty. In fact it was kinda dull, besides the fun OW drama with the gf at the beginning. We’ll see what the next installment brings.
January 24, 2019
I really enjoyed The Bride by S. Doyle. I loved what Jake did for Ellie and although it was definitely an awkward situation they made the best of it. While I'm not a big fan of novellas because I find them rushed, I didn't feel that way with this book and I'm already reading The Wife.
avoid
January 3, 2023Big cheater H. Avoid.
He left his wife/heroine at home so he could fuck a random female for 3 days straight. Also had a girlfriend.🙄
SamS has all the safety spoilers.
- apparently the author lied about this book on fb? When people asked her on social media if the MCs sleeps with ot after marriage, the author said the H doesn’t sleep with ow after marriage, that’s a lie.
Self note avoid this author.
He left his wife/heroine at home so he could fuck a random female for 3 days straight. Also had a girlfriend.🙄
SamS has all the safety spoilers.
- apparently the author lied about this book on fb? When people asked her on social media if the MCs sleeps with ot after marriage, the author said the H doesn’t sleep with ow after marriage, that’s a lie.
Self note avoid this author.
April 29, 2017
I don't know why I liked this story so much. Don't ask me to explain. I bought this on whim because it has the first blurb with an underaged female lead that didn't make me icky. But I'm glad I did.
Just be warned, this is a slow burn romance. There is no sex in this story. Which I was okay with because, dude she is only 17.
Just be warned, this is a slow burn romance. There is no sex in this story. Which I was okay with because, dude she is only 17.
March 30, 2017
This book blew my mind. Even before I'd started it, I was skeptical because of the age disparity of the characters. I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy a romance in which the female character was "jail bait". Even then I was expecting something less on the romance side, and more on the erotica side when it came to style of writing, but I can tell you all my assumptions were wrong.
I love how surprised I was by this book. And the fact that it is split into three parts is maddening just because it ended in a spot that left me, and will leave you wanting more. And it's impossible not to love Ellie and Jake. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being in both their heads. Ellie in particular is young, but she's wise and smart ass. I loved her quick, dry wit. I loved how Jake was not just Ellie's husband to protect her monetary assets, but also really cared for her mental and physical well being.
While neither Ellie nor Jake even thought of each other as anything other than siblings, you almost can't tell when that familial/friendly care and concern begins to turn into something else. I don't know if I want them to hurry up and get together or if I am still worried about the dynamic change that seems to be coming. Regardless I think S. Doyle is a genius and totally cruel, because I need more of this story asap! I will also say I am so glad I gave this book a chance because I now have another author to fan-girl all over.
I love how surprised I was by this book. And the fact that it is split into three parts is maddening just because it ended in a spot that left me, and will leave you wanting more. And it's impossible not to love Ellie and Jake. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being in both their heads. Ellie in particular is young, but she's wise and smart ass. I loved her quick, dry wit. I loved how Jake was not just Ellie's husband to protect her monetary assets, but also really cared for her mental and physical well being.
While neither Ellie nor Jake even thought of each other as anything other than siblings, you almost can't tell when that familial/friendly care and concern begins to turn into something else. I don't know if I want them to hurry up and get together or if I am still worried about the dynamic change that seems to be coming. Regardless I think S. Doyle is a genius and totally cruel, because I need more of this story asap! I will also say I am so glad I gave this book a chance because I now have another author to fan-girl all over.
January 14, 2018
Book-1 = 3.6
Book-2 = 3.2
Book-3= dnf
****************Meh**********************
Book-2 = 3.2
Book-3= dnf
****************Meh**********************
January 16, 2022
This first story (in this 4 part series of Jake and Ellie's story) was a nice little background on Ellie and Jake's situation. This story explained how they came to be married to keep young orphaned Ellie out of the social system, as well as helping to keep her property until she reached adulthood. I enjoyed the emotions this situation created between Jake and his girlfriend (aka wannabe fiance). Not a lot of drama happened in this story, but this was a great set up to get to the angsty good stuff in the next story.
January 11, 2022
*4.5 ⭐stars!
I really loved the pace of this delicious slow-burn story, as I found the progress of their relationship didn't drag. It was sweet and lushly romantic! Throughout the series, a great writing style has been used, which is why I didn't even realize it when I finished this first book.
I really loved the pace of this delicious slow-burn story, as I found the progress of their relationship didn't drag. It was sweet and lushly romantic! Throughout the series, a great writing style has been used, which is why I didn't even realize it when I finished this first book.
April 22, 2017
*Spoiler Free Series Review*
(3.5 Stars Book One - 4 Stars Books 2 & 3)
‘We were Ellie and Jake, Jake and Ellie.’
S Doyle is a new to us author, and the synopsis for this trilogy immediately sucked us in! It sounded angsty, gripping and we were told from readers who had read the first book it had a Kristen Ashley ‘feel’ about it, so we couldn’t wait to dive in! We’ll be honest and say we didn’t get the KA vibe at all, with neither the story nor the writing bearing any resemblance to the KA books we’ve read, however each reader feels a story differently.
This coming of age drama was laden with drama and angst. Boy did these two make life difficult for themselves as they adapted to living together. At first, we struggled to get into the story, however we soon found our groove and needed to know how this was all going to play out.
The trilogy is told in dual POV’s with Ellie’s side of the story was told more in the way of a memoir and so it read as a naïve, hormonal, confused 16 year old, so the immaturity of her voice was to be expected. We loved that Ellie remained strong, sticking to her guns about her worth, with Jake’s pov bringing a balance to the story.
‘What if I married Ellie thinking I could save her, but instead ruined her life because people though she was the type of girl who could be seduced?’
This is one angst ridden ride. The kind that makes you want to throw your hands up in frustration whilst at the same time flipping to the next page to see what happens. Jake and Ellie’s relationship is a whirlwind of emotions that’s for sure. An entertaining read tracing the trials and tribulations of a friends to lover’s romance..... Click here for full review at TBB
THE BRIDE TRILOGY is available to purchase below:
The Bride Book One
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Wife Book Two
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Lover Book Three
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Come visit and follow us at:
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January 19, 2022
4 Stars
Ellie & Jake's Story - Not a Standalone - 4 Part Series
Platonic Marriage of Convenience
Taboo Age-Gap
Good start to the series. It turned out to be less angsty than I expected but in this case, it was actually for the better. I was worried the hero was going to be a major jerk. Now, normally I love asshole-y heroes, but only when they're paired with a strong heroine, and some reviewers made Ellie look like a lost puppy, constantly rejected by Jake. That isn't what I got in book 1. Jake is not a jerk, on the contrary! And Ellie is no weakling. Phew.
So far, Jake has been nothing but super caring towards Ellie. I loved that! There hasn't been anything inappropriate between them , but very gradually you see how feelings start to blur. It's subtle, which makes it more believable and not icky at all, especially with Jake. Ellie is more obvious--nothing cringy--but that's due to her age. That's the other thing I found believable...Ellie acts her age. In other books with teenage heroines, they act like they're 16 going on 30. Yes, at times I think Ellie is immature but that's understandable. She's still likable. Right now I'm 100% rooting for these two. I easily connected to them and I'm completely invested. I hope book 2 doesn't disappoint. Fingers crossed.
Thanks to Nikki ღ Navareus for the rec! Go check out her review, and Val Shameless Handmaiden's.
Ellie & Jake's Story - Not a Standalone - 4 Part Series
Platonic Marriage of Convenience
Taboo Age-Gap
Good start to the series. It turned out to be less angsty than I expected but in this case, it was actually for the better. I was worried the hero was going to be a major jerk. Now, normally I love asshole-y heroes, but only when they're paired with a strong heroine, and some reviewers made Ellie look like a lost puppy, constantly rejected by Jake. That isn't what I got in book 1. Jake is not a jerk, on the contrary! And Ellie is no weakling. Phew.
So far, Jake has been nothing but super caring towards Ellie. I loved that! There hasn't been anything inappropriate between them , but very gradually you see how feelings start to blur. It's subtle, which makes it more believable and not icky at all, especially with Jake. Ellie is more obvious--nothing cringy--but that's due to her age. That's the other thing I found believable...Ellie acts her age. In other books with teenage heroines, they act like they're 16 going on 30. Yes, at times I think Ellie is immature but that's understandable. She's still likable. Right now I'm 100% rooting for these two. I easily connected to them and I'm completely invested. I hope book 2 doesn't disappoint. Fingers crossed.
Thanks to Nikki ღ Navareus for the rec! Go check out her review, and Val Shameless Handmaiden's.
October 1, 2021
This was actually a really nice and sweet story.
I wasn't expecting to like the book that much mainly because I was worried about the heroine being immature in the story. I mean don't get me wrong, she was- but, it was in a way that really worked for the book. I actually found myself enjoying her chatty sort of narration and commentary (however it was kind of awkward and weird at times).
The whole situation was actually really nice, it was a lot more wholesome than I thought it would be- and not really what I was expecting it to be like. Overall it was a really short and sweet story- with some cute characters. I really enjoyed the dual POV situation, although it was a bit OTT at times.
I guess the main reason that I didn't love the book was mainly that it focused more on the general lives of the characters, as opposed to the straight-up romance. I did appreciate it in the sense that we now have a really strong understanding of the situation and characters, however, at times it did feel slightly boring and awkward- but that was mainly due to my preferences.
But yeah, overall it was a pretty good book, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading about the development of the romance- and to see where the story goes.
I wasn't expecting to like the book that much mainly because I was worried about the heroine being immature in the story. I mean don't get me wrong, she was- but, it was in a way that really worked for the book. I actually found myself enjoying her chatty sort of narration and commentary (however it was kind of awkward and weird at times).
The whole situation was actually really nice, it was a lot more wholesome than I thought it would be- and not really what I was expecting it to be like. Overall it was a really short and sweet story- with some cute characters. I really enjoyed the dual POV situation, although it was a bit OTT at times.
I guess the main reason that I didn't love the book was mainly that it focused more on the general lives of the characters, as opposed to the straight-up romance. I did appreciate it in the sense that we now have a really strong understanding of the situation and characters, however, at times it did feel slightly boring and awkward- but that was mainly due to my preferences.
But yeah, overall it was a pretty good book, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading about the development of the romance- and to see where the story goes.
not-interested
September 14, 2017Not what I was expecting. I know the female mc is a 16 years old... but I'm too old to deal with immaturity. It's hard enough when I start reading a book and the main female characters acts childish, why read one when I already know she IS immature. No, thanks
Besides I read a couple of complains about writing style.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Besides I read a couple of complains about writing style.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 27, 2017
3.25-3.5 RATING- I was disappointed to come to the final page of this story and discover this was not a stand-alone, not a duet, but a trilogy! Not very happy about that.
June 13, 2023
Very quick read.
Not at all raunchy. Just two people trying to cope with grief and navigating a platonic marriage.
Not at all raunchy. Just two people trying to cope with grief and navigating a platonic marriage.
March 5, 2018
This novella had all the feelings I need in a book.... It was sweet, funny and intense... I liked Ellie and Jake... I'm diving to the next one right away...
April 22, 2017
*Spoiler Free Series Review*
(3.5 Stars Book One - 4 Stars Books 2 & 3)
‘We were Ellie and Jake, Jake and Ellie.’
S Doyle is a new to us author, and the synopsis for this trilogy immediately sucked us in! It sounded angsty, gripping and we were told from readers who had read the first book it had a Kristen Ashley ‘feel’ about it, so we couldn’t wait to dive in! We’ll be honest and say we didn’t get the KA vibe at all, with neither the story nor the writing bearing any resemblance to the KA books we’ve read, however each reader feels a story differently.
This coming of age drama was laden with drama and angst. Boy did these two make life difficult for themselves as they adapted to living together. At first, we struggled to get into the story, however we soon found our groove and needed to know how this was all going to play out.
Because of Ellie’s age, we will disclose that there is no underage sex in this story, in fact, Jake shows a tremendous amount of restraint with the hormonally awakening Ellie, respecting her age and their platonic predicament implicitly and Ellie wanting to give herself over to love, settling for nothing less.
The trilogy is told in dual POV’s with Ellie’s side of the story was told more in the way of a memoir and so it read as a naïve, hormonal, confused 16 year old, so the immaturity of her voice was to be expected. We loved that Ellie remained strong, sticking to her guns about her worth, with Jake’s pov bringing a balance to the story.
“Jake. I deserve to be loved as much as I love you.”
At nearly 17, Ellie Mason, is left an orphan and a multimillion dollar cattle ranch in Montana, after her father’s death. With no legal guardian, the only option available for Ellie is to go into Foster care. However, this option doesn’t suit Jake Talley, the family cattle hand who lives in the bunkhouse on their ranch, was right hand man to Ellie’s dad and really, the only ‘family’ Ellie now has. Jake decides the best solution and to avoid the foster system, even if it is for sixteen months, is to marry Ellie, divorcing when she turns 18. There’s a 10 year gap between the pair and Jake looks upon Ellie as a little girl, he hasn’t yet noticed to maturing woman before him. So, he can do this for sixteen months can’t he? Stay in a platonic marriage to keep the ranch and Ellie’s dad’s legacy. Except, Ellie is blossoming before his eyes and Jake wants to make sure Elllie’s virtue remains intact so as not to draw town gossip to their relationship.
‘What if I married Ellie thinking I could save her, but instead ruined her life because people though she was the type of girl who could be seduced?’
The story takes us from Ellie being the bride, the wife, the lover as is evident from the titles and in that process we see the growth of Ellie’s character as she comes into her own from young innocence to womanhood.
“You are the most important person in my life. I’m the most important person in yours. I don’t want you to end up hating me."
This is one angst ridden ride. The kind that makes you want to throw your hands up in frustration whilst at the same time flipping to the next page to see what happens. Jake and Ellie’s relationship is a whirlwind of emotions that’s for sure. An entertaining read tracing the trials and tribulations of a friends to lover’s romance.
THE BRIDE TRILOGY is available to purchase below:
The Bride Book One
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Wife Book Two
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Lover Book Three
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Come visit and follow us at:
✲ TotallybookedBlog
✲ TB on Facebook
✲ TB on Twitter
✲ TB on Pinterest
October 9, 2017
First read of this author for me, this is the first book in a series. Ellie lives on a ranch with her father her mother died when Ellie was a small child. But then her father dies leaving 16 year old Ellie alone in the world. Faced with being fostered out as she's a minor and having to live miles away from the ranch, Jake her late fathers foreman steps up to the plate and offers to marry Ellie. The marriage is to be one of convenience until Ellie's 18th birthday, when they would be able to divorce. Jake's girlfriend of 2 years is furious.
It was obvious right from the start where this story was heading, but apart from what I felt was the predictability, I wasn't totally keen on a 26 year old man marrying a girl aged 16. I also didn't like how the author made Jake's girlfriend Janet a grade A bitch in an attempt to justify Jake's treatment of her. When quite frankly she had every right to be totally pissed off after going out with Jake for 2 years. To be sidelined for him marrying a teenager. As to the two main characters Jake was okay he didn't make much of an impact on me, Ellie though veered between behaving like a teenager which of course she was, but my favourite aspect of her character was how she told it like it was. Although their marriage was one of convenience, it felt off to me when initially Jake would go out on dates with his girlfriend. Ellie had to ask him not to bring his girlfriend back to the house for sex! That definitely had the yuck factor.
Overall this was okay, I'm hoping the next book will be a bit better.
It was obvious right from the start where this story was heading, but apart from what I felt was the predictability, I wasn't totally keen on a 26 year old man marrying a girl aged 16. I also didn't like how the author made Jake's girlfriend Janet a grade A bitch in an attempt to justify Jake's treatment of her. When quite frankly she had every right to be totally pissed off after going out with Jake for 2 years. To be sidelined for him marrying a teenager. As to the two main characters Jake was okay he didn't make much of an impact on me, Ellie though veered between behaving like a teenager which of course she was, but my favourite aspect of her character was how she told it like it was. Although their marriage was one of convenience, it felt off to me when initially Jake would go out on dates with his girlfriend. Ellie had to ask him not to bring his girlfriend back to the house for sex! That definitely had the yuck factor.
Overall this was okay, I'm hoping the next book will be a bit better.
December 30, 2024
5 “God, I love cowboys!” Stars!!! (more accurately probably 4 stars but this rating is definitely influenced by the series as a whole which I've read in less than a day lol)
Quick Run Down:
Ellie's father dies when she is 16 years old. Given that her mother had already passed away when she was 9, she's now an orphan and at risk for being placed within a foster family by the state. To prevent this from happening, her father's attorney, Mr. Howard, along with a young cowhand, Jake, that's been working on her father's ranch for the last 6 years, suggest that Ellie and Jake get married (in name only of course) so Ellie can remain in her home and continue going to school. Ellie agrees with the understanding that her and Jake will get a divorce as soon as she turns 18, but how long can a young girl on the brink of womanhood live and work alongside a very attractive young man that's always ready and willing to come to her rescue as her own personal hero, before feelings start to form and a crush is born?
This was the first installment of the series and if you're looking for a lot of action, you're NOT going to find it here. In fact, barely anything happens between the MC's in this one other than a kiss at the very end.
Now, I can't help but feel the need to defend this book and all the claims of cheating. Anyone that knows me on here or has been following anything I ever have to say about my reading preferences for any period of time, knows that cheating is an absolute NO for me. For the most part, it's something I don't tolerate at all in my romances. BUT you really have to consider the story. The MC's at the beginning of this one choose to get married out of necessity because it's the only thing that's going to keep the FMC from having to move away and into a foster home since she's now an orphan. She's SIXTEEN years old!
And he's 26! I mean, I don't understand what some of y'all were expecting. Was he supposed to already fall for her at that age? Jump her bones? Or just become celibate because he married a girl that's still basically a child out of goodwill??
When him and Ellie first get married, Jake does have a girlfriend, Janet, and they try to stay together, but Janet makes it weird and starts to get irrationally jealous of Ellie so they break it off. He's a man and, yes, he does have sexual desires, so he goes on a trip out of town where he meets a random chick that he has a sex fest with for 3 days. It's not like we get front row seats to the event. We just know it happens. And Ellie just assumes that he had been with someone while away. She also tries to start a sexual relationship with a guy her own age, but he turns her down. So it's not like there was any kind of betrayal going on which is what makes cheating awful and devastating to a love story, both fictional and in reality. I can't see how anyone could realistically hold this against Jake. And if you do?
What I really liked about this (and the series in general as a whole) is how effectively the author moved time along so more things could happen and so the characters had time to grow and develop alongst side one another.
What I didn't like? The lack of editing!
I mean there were soooo many missing words and this actually carried through the entire series, unfortunately.
Bottom Line?
I think it was a good start to a sweet series!
***Initial Thoughts After 3rd Book:***
This series has had me in a chokehold since I started it. Is it an epic, literary masterpiece? No. Did I still love every single frickin’ second of it? Yes! I’m looking forward to my in depth review of the entire thing this evening. But I made myself promise to clean the house once I finished the third book, so I can’t make a liar of myself and do it right now like I want to 🤷♀️🤦♀️🤣
Quick Run Down:
Ellie's father dies when she is 16 years old. Given that her mother had already passed away when she was 9, she's now an orphan and at risk for being placed within a foster family by the state. To prevent this from happening, her father's attorney, Mr. Howard, along with a young cowhand, Jake, that's been working on her father's ranch for the last 6 years, suggest that Ellie and Jake get married (in name only of course) so Ellie can remain in her home and continue going to school. Ellie agrees with the understanding that her and Jake will get a divorce as soon as she turns 18, but how long can a young girl on the brink of womanhood live and work alongside a very attractive young man that's always ready and willing to come to her rescue as her own personal hero, before feelings start to form and a crush is born?
This was the first installment of the series and if you're looking for a lot of action, you're NOT going to find it here. In fact, barely anything happens between the MC's in this one other than a kiss at the very end.
Now, I can't help but feel the need to defend this book and all the claims of cheating. Anyone that knows me on here or has been following anything I ever have to say about my reading preferences for any period of time, knows that cheating is an absolute NO for me. For the most part, it's something I don't tolerate at all in my romances. BUT you really have to consider the story. The MC's at the beginning of this one choose to get married out of necessity because it's the only thing that's going to keep the FMC from having to move away and into a foster home since she's now an orphan. She's SIXTEEN years old!
And he's 26! I mean, I don't understand what some of y'all were expecting. Was he supposed to already fall for her at that age? Jump her bones? Or just become celibate because he married a girl that's still basically a child out of goodwill??
When him and Ellie first get married, Jake does have a girlfriend, Janet, and they try to stay together, but Janet makes it weird and starts to get irrationally jealous of Ellie so they break it off. He's a man and, yes, he does have sexual desires, so he goes on a trip out of town where he meets a random chick that he has a sex fest with for 3 days. It's not like we get front row seats to the event. We just know it happens. And Ellie just assumes that he had been with someone while away. She also tries to start a sexual relationship with a guy her own age, but he turns her down. So it's not like there was any kind of betrayal going on which is what makes cheating awful and devastating to a love story, both fictional and in reality. I can't see how anyone could realistically hold this against Jake. And if you do?
What I really liked about this (and the series in general as a whole) is how effectively the author moved time along so more things could happen and so the characters had time to grow and develop alongst side one another.
What I didn't like? The lack of editing!
I mean there were soooo many missing words and this actually carried through the entire series, unfortunately.
Bottom Line?
I think it was a good start to a sweet series!
***Initial Thoughts After 3rd Book:***
This series has had me in a chokehold since I started it. Is it an epic, literary masterpiece? No. Did I still love every single frickin’ second of it? Yes! I’m looking forward to my in depth review of the entire thing this evening. But I made myself promise to clean the house once I finished the third book, so I can’t make a liar of myself and do it right now like I want to 🤷♀️🤦♀️🤣
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