My Darling Bride

This was one heck of a ride! Emmaline Darling, a book lover bouncing back from a messy breakup, ends up in a desert motel seeking peace. Out of the blue, she takes off in football star Graham Harlan's flashy Lamborghini to escape her ex. Graham, dealing with the aftermath of a near-death experience on the football field, tracks her down and drops the bomb – let's get hitched for a family inheritance. Madden-Mills weaves a story that's not just your typical romance. It's packed with laughs, sizzling chemistry, and emotional punches. Emmaline and Graham's fake relationship? It's anything but fake as it blossoms into something real. The book dives deep into family, love, and personal growth, giving us a rollercoaster of feelings. This show more isn't just a read; it's an experience that'll have you hooked and rooting for these characters. show less

A wonderfully, darling story
5 stars

There’s something about Ilsa Madden-Mills’ writing that pulls me in and makes me obsessed from the very first page. Her stories just speak to me and I adore her every book. This particular story isn’t connected to any other story or series but Tuck and Francesca from Princess and the Player are name checked and Jasper, a hilarious side character from that book, also pops up in this one. So while it might become a book in the Strangers in Love series, the book stands completely alone and is complete with its own happily ever after.

We start with Graham - an American football player who, while winning the Super Bowl, has something of an incident when he, well, dies out on the pitch. Thankfully still show more alive (I don’t want anyone to think this is a ghost book!), Graham understandably is having something of an existential crisis after such a trauma. Which is where he meets Emmy - also having something of a crisis - out in Arizona, despite both hailing from New York. Their meet cute is hilarious but little do they know it’s only the beginning of their adventure.

At first, Graham is something of an enigma to both the reader and Emmy. He’s quite a stoic, enigmatic type of character - liking to keep himself and his walls firmly in place. Once we find out why - it’s completely understandable - and it’s nice to see him slowly start to thaw and soften the more time he spends with Emmy and in her world. He’s definitely a nice, kind and caring guy but I can’t help but also like his growly, grumpy, protective side. And he buys her a bookstore. That right there could be the only sentence in the book and I would have given it 5 stars. It’s the dream!

Emmy isn’t having the best time in her life when she first meets Graham and sure, she makes some questionable choices, but I couldn’t help but like her immensely from the get go. She has a lot going on but she’s still a sweet, kind and likeable character. She’s also no pushover and knows her worth - which I obviously admire. Like Graham, she had walls in place to protect herself, although hers come tumbling down pretty shortly when she spends time with Graham. She was determined to stay aloof but ultimately honest with herself and her feelings. I just loved her.

Graham and Emmy have fantastic chemistry and there’s definitely a spark between them - even when he’s pretending to be her honey bunny prison boyfriend. That spark fair combusts on several occasions and I revelled in it. Delicious! But apart from connecting on a sexual level - our couple also have a connection on a deeper level. They just fit together and, even while fighting it in the beginning (and a little in the middle and end, too), they are perfect for each other and is exactly what the other needs.

Normally secondary characters are just a nice addition for me but I really did love and enjoy all the supporting cast in this book. They never stole the show but I did love Brody, Cas, Andrew, Babs - and best of all Jane and Jasper. I need, need, need these two to get their own book. I’m already far too excited!

I adored this book and I’m actually a little bereft now that it’s done. This book has everything I could want from a romance - complex, likeable characters, deep connections, sweet romance with a good dose of banter, humour and fun. Definitely 5 stars. show less

Emmy and Graham’s story is one that is has you laughing one second to crying the next and you will love it. When Graham suffers a major injury during his Super Bowl game he sees his life flash before his eyes and when he wakes up there’s this desire to find the things he saw especially the beautiful girl who brought him peace. Emmy has found herself in a quite the predicament while running away from her ex and when her path collides with Graham’s nether one of them will be the same. I adored Graham because he may have his own flaws but he is such an incredible guy willing do whatever he can for his family and when Emmy comes in his life like a hurricane you know she will be one of those he comes to care for, but they have a long show more road ahead. Emmy has been the caretaker for her siblings as long as she can remember and she is incredibly kind where I would probably carry resentment, but she works hard and does what she has to. I instantly loved the banter between these two because it was chaotic and hilarious all at once. The insecurities they both carried from their past still haunted them both, but will they be able to help each other heal to find their happy ever afters? An incredibly fun and emotional read I devoured. show less