Ruth Croome, a Blackamoor heiress, was supposed to get married in a gorgeous wedding gown, made from her father’s exquisite fabrics. Instead, they eloped to Gretna Green and upon returning, their carriage was beset by highwaymen and she witnessed the murder of her new husband. Now, four years later, with a child, she wants to move on with her life. A marriage of convenience will do. Ruth already had a love for the ages.
Adam Wilky is really the heir to the Wycliff barony—which he never told Ruth. Too much danger. So many secrets. When he was nearly beaten to death and sold into impressment, he thought Ruth had died, too. Ready for revenge, he finally returns and discovers Ruth alive—with a son who could only be his—and she is furious to discover he lied to her. Now it’ll take more than remembered passion if he hopes to win his reluctant wife back...
Each book in the Advertisements for Love series is STANDALONE:
* The Bittersweet Bride
* The Bashful Bride
* The Butterfly Bride
* The Bewildered Bride
“A poignant and touching romance of two souls drawn to each other despite time, pain and distance.” -Elodie N., Goodreads
“I had to read this all in one go - couldn't put down - I became emotionally involved from page one right to the end.” -Maria M., NetGalley
“MY GOODNESS WHAT A BOOK!!!! If I could give it higher than a 5 star I would. The story is, without a doubt, based on the way things really were during that time. The writing is superb!! The characters were so unbelievably strong. WELL DONE MS RILEY!!!” -Marelene S., NetGalley
“A deeply emotional, highly riveting historical romance from one of the best authors in the genre.” -Erika C., NetGalley
Be warned it is a heartbreaking tale of pain and resilience, a second chance in love and of healing.
Warning trigger : past rape
I do not know about other readers but I felt like I was living Ruth and Adam’s story through their mind, like when you think by yourself.
Not every thoughts well organized, m ...more
The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley is book four in her Advertisements for Love series. Though part of a series, this novel is a standalone, as are all the books in the series.
Ruth Croome is a beautiful Blackamoor heiress. She abandons her childhood dreams of her wedding and elopes with handsome ...more
CW: sexual assault, lynching, anxiety
Riley writes about the experiences of people of color in regency England. Too often these stories are all white, while England most definitely was not. As usual, she deals with issues of race in the time. Who will be accepted? What will life be like for a dark sk ...more
Ruth Croome, a Blackamoor heiress, & Adam Wilky eloped to Gretna Green and upon returning, their carriage was beset by highwaymen and she witnessed the murder of her new husband & she was sent to a brothel. Now, four years later, with a child, she wants to move on with her life. A marriage of conven ...more
After an elopement and brief marriage, Ruth and Adam are attacked by highwaymen, the bride and groom each thinking afterward that the other is dead. Four years later, Ruth is considering a possible marriage of convenience to another man, especially for the benefit of her young son. Adam returns afte ...more
This became an engaging read that I found it difficult to put down. I really felt for Adam and Ruth and the trials they went through. I did feel that her family ought to have believed her and should have been more supportive. The ugly face of racial prejudice is here in various forms. This isn’t a s ...more
It’s early morning and I’m without sleep. I had to finish this book! My rating is between 4.25 and 4.5.
This story at its core is about resilience, second chance and revenge! Ruth’s endured unimaginable cruelty and disregard by others and her family. For four years she was taunted and slighted by her ...more
3.5 Stars
The story opens up where Ruth and Adam have eloped. They are on their way to his family’s house but a potential danger is lurking around, forcing them to try to get to safety quickly. They never make it as both Ruth and Adam are brutally attacked.
Years later, Ruth is still struggling over h ...more
The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley is book 4 in the Advertisements for Love Series. This is the story of Adam Wilky and Ruth Croome. I haven't yet read the previous books yet so for me this was a standalone book.
Ruth and Adam had marred but instead of a big wedding they had eloped to Gretna Gree ...more
Ruth and Adam's story of young love that's destroyed by greed and betrayal is emotionally wrenching in its beauty. The sometimes melodramatic dialogue only briefly distracts from the strengths of this layered tale about the nature of personal identity and ultimate truths. Readers who are sensitive t ...more
Revenge plots + hidden identities are some of my favorite tropes, so this had my flavor of catnip written all over. It was refreshing to see such little time spent on the mechanicals & plotting of revenge, though I do wish a bit more space has been spent on rebuilding Ruth’s relationship with her fa ...more
This is a bittersweet story. Adam and Ruth are treated to horrible injustices because of their race. They however fight back. They have to fight to rebuild their love and marriage. They have to fight the physical scars as well as the emotional ones that come from the abuse they suffered. The author ...more
A great story, I couldn't put it down, had me engaged from the beginning. I enjoyed the story of Adam and Ruth. It dealt with pain, loss and healing. Learning to love and trust again after so much heartache. ...more
The Bewildered Bride is the fourth book in the Advertisements for Love series by Vanessa Riley. I have not read any of the previous books, but believe that they can all be enjoyed as stand alone reads. This book is currently scheduled for release on August 12 2019.
Ruth Croome, a Blackamoor heiress, ...more
I almost put down this book after reading the first couple of pages as I didn't like the first person POV of the heroine. But I am glad that I kept at it as this book was definitely a gem. Here is a content warning before I start my review. This book contains mention of violence and sexual assault. ...more
This is a wonderful and riveting tale of second chances. The author has a wonderful narrative style and the dual first-person POV might take a little to get used to, but it's done wonderfully and it gives great insights in both characters.
Adam and Ruth's story is full of hardship, sorrow and sufferi ...more
The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley is a gem of a book. For lovers of Historical and Regency romance, you will find yourself transported back in time to a different world. The hero and heroine, Adam and Ruth, are passionately in love, and despite racial differences, decide to marry. Then the night ...more
Ruth Croome, a Blackamoor heiress, eloped to Gretna Green with her beloved, Adam Wilky, and thought her life was perfect until they were attacked on their way home to London. Ruth witnesses her husband's murder and was brutalized before being sold to a brothel. Now four years later, Lord Wycliff sho ...more
Oh my goodness, this is regency romance like you haven't read before.
Romance between a married couple that one of them doesn't know they are married? Well, I can't give away more of the story, but tell you, this one is worth reading.
I loved it. ...more
Wow! Just Wowed by this one! Have lived this whole series, but adore this one!
Where’s my Adam? Loved how Riley showed us the feeling Ruth had after They were attacked and coming back from the years of being called a liar. Strong woman!
Loved how Adam tried to win her heart again. Truly a must read! ...more
Another great one!
I couldn't put it down. Another great story! This book fits beautifully with the rest of the series. Bravo, I say! ...more
This is a hugely difficult review to write because I am so torn. It was really fantastic to read a POC historical romance that was set in England in the 18th Century.
I really struggled with the writing style though, it felt very disjointed and didn’t flow, and I found it really difficult to get imme ...more
It's okay.
A bit choppy in parts.
Mystery over the events during the separation esp concerning the heroine.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA. ...more
Ruth is ready to move on with her life. After eloping, getting beset by highwaymen and losing her new husband, she is happy to have a marriage of convenience so that her young son will have a father. Just as she seems to have it all figured out, Adam comes into her life. Adam is a "cousin" to her la ...more
An angsty, drama-filled, closed-door Regency romance involving lies of omission, violence, sexual assault (off page), trauma, and unsupportive family. Not usually a fan of super-angsty tales, I enjoyed the unraveling of the complicated knot that keeps the hero and heroine apart. Because it's a roman ...more