BRIDE BY MISTAKE is another book from Anne Gracie's Devil Riders series. Each book in the series features a war changed soldier and the woman that brings him back to life. Gracie delivers each book with a punch making them not quite the traditional historical romance. There are times when you cry, times when you laugh, and times when you are laughing through your tears. BRIDE BY MISTAKE held every one of those qualities and more. I simply adored both characters.

Isabella and Luke were both strong in their own ways, but where Luke was hardened by the war Isabella remained somewhat naïve from being in the convent all that time. Watching their relationship grow from virtually nothing into the love that it became was a treasure that I am glad I didn't miss out on.

Isabella has a hero he saved her once eight years ago and in her heart she knows that he will return to save her once more. Isabella found herself married and hidden in a convent all on the same day, but her hero has never returned. The war is over and he has never returned for her. The only thing she was given was a letter requesting an annulment from vows taken that long ago day. That annulment will only happen over her dead body! How dare he not even come and ask her in person; how dare he not even come! What happened to the man she once knew because the man that finally comes is not the man she has dreamed of every night, every day, and every dream for the last eight long years.

During the war so many people died -- the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the soldier, and the slave. Watching his friend die before his eyes, Luke needed to save just one person, even if he had to marry her to see her safe. Assuming that his marriage to a thirteen year old girl would be annulled upon his return Luke is shocked to find that his request has been denied. Now as Lord Ripton Luke has enough responsibilities without adding the burden of a wife he can hardly remember. Expecting the docile naïve girl that he left at the convent Luke is shocked to find that his wife is headstrong, determined, and not afraid to speak her mind. Surprisingly, Luke finds himself drawn to his wife in ways he thought he would never feel again.

BRIDE BY MISTAKE is a story for every romance reader. Gracie has a way with writing that makes the pages fly by. I was involved with the story, I had to know what happened next, what was going to happen next, and if these two were ever going to get it together. Not only do we get to know the characters, but we get to watch them grow and find out just who they are or rather who they have become. The way Gracie has written them the characters become more lifelike as I connected to them on a more personal level. BRIDE BY MISTAKE was touching and endearing. It was filled with humor and had that real to life quality that Gracie's books do. BRIDE BY MISTAKE is truly a treasure for the heart.

Book Summary

At the age of thirteen, in the middle of a war, Isabella was saved from a forced marriage to a man she hated when handsome young English Lieutenant Luke Ripton married her.

Lieutenant Ripton, tall, dark, and as beautiful as an archangel. He placed her in a convent school, and left.

She waited -- like a princess in a tower dreaming of her prince -- for eight years. Now those dreams have withered and Bella is taking charge of her life...