WHEN A NIGHTMARE BECOMES A DREAM COME TRUE…JILTED by one future duke, Lila has no choice but to wed another. She will marry the man, escape from her father’s clutches and free her sister as well. Her groom is simply the means to an end, that is, until he becomes so much more.FORCED to honor his dead brother’s debts, Vincent Saint-Pierre, the Duke of Pemberth, travels to Lord Quimbly’s estate to … Quimbly’s estate to shackle himself to the Earl’s oldest daughter. Taking a wife is the last thing he wants or needs, and yet, his unlikely bride threatens to capture his heart.
GOODNESS and pleasure sow seeds of affection, but weeds of the past threaten to strangle the newlywed’s love. Can Vincent and Lila avoid deadly thorns, or will their love be poisoned before joy can blossom?
Originally published in the 2019 anthology, Once Upon a Christmas Wedding, Hell’s Wedding Bells is loosely tied to RITA nominated Book 3, Hell’s Belle, of the Devilish Debutante’s Series.
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I loved how Lila and Vincent came together to make the best of a marriage that neither of them initially wanted. There is sweetness, tension, intrigue, and a dash of sorrow. There were some questions unanswered at the end, but they weren’t enough to spoil my enjoyment.
Strangers to soul mates. Lots of passion. Lily and Vincent were well suited. An enjoyable regency novella by Annabelle Anders.
Starring Vincent Sebastian Lucifer Saint-Pierre, Duke of Pemberth and Lila Catharine Breton.
I love the “married sight unseen” trope. The getting to know you part is always so delicious… and Lila and Vincent kept things yummy. Even though the premise of this story is a little dark, there were a lot of scenes that made me smile. Vincent is wonderfully moody and broody. Lila is a beautiful ray of sunshine. These two had instant chemistry and the sensual level of this story was all-the-feels hot.
This is my second time reading this story. I read it as part of the Once Upon a Christmas Wedding Anthology. I actually liked it better on its own. I also love the new epilogue… a little more uplifting than the original. AND I love that it now feels like it’s part of the Devilish Debutantes series. So happy that we got to see the former Debutantes again… and now they are embracing Lila into the fold. Totally making me want to re-read this awesome series again.
I love Annabelle Anders’ writing style and I enjoy every second I spend in her world. She’s on my “All Time Fave Authors” list.
My Star rating: 4 1/2 stars
Book was great. Loved the characters. Gave me the feels and aaaaaaalmost made me cry in some parts. Will re-read this story again.
Lady Lila Breton is the eldest daughter of the atrocious Earl of Quimbly. (If you read Hell’s Belle you may remember her as the former fiancé of the Earl of Blakely and that her father was up to no good. But this is a stand alone book.) Because of the broken betrothal she is viewed as ruined and so the earl schemes to marry her to an unknown duke. Her main concern is protecting her mother and sister from her father. She hopes that whoever she is to marry he turns out to be a good man who will help her in this endeavor.
Hard working Vincent Saint-Pierre is now the Duke of Pemberth since his brother has died. The “Norse god like” duke seems to be left with a ton of debt, a dilapidated residence, and a sight unseen fiancé. Upon meeting each other they marry immediately and leave for his far NE England home.
Even though she comes from privilege, Lila has had a rough life in regards to having to deal with her father. She needed Vincent to take her away and give her the happiness she deserved. He needed her to help with his life now that he’s had to become the duke. It is refreshing to see how their relationship grows and how they deal with the treachery and problems that arise.
This is another great holiday book from Annabelle Anders that can be read in one evening. I enjoyed the addition of the new epilogue in this version. I was given an ARC of Hell’s Wedding Bells and chose to leave my review.
Another great short read by an author who knows how to draw you into the story with humour, suspense and romance. The characters, as usual, were both very likeable. You can’t go wrong with this book. There was a few sex scene but this reviewer, as usual, skipped them. I received this as an ARC and was very happy to review.
Hell’s Wedding Bells by Annabelle Anders
I adored this story. I especially liked the heroine, Lady Lila Breton. She overcomes an abusive situation and makes the best of situations thrust upon her. I thought her determination to win her husband over was admirable and very wise. Vincent is at first a mystery – silent and brooding. “He was huge. Not just tall and certainly not fat. He was just..huge. Thick blond hair curled atop his head, hanging practically into his eyes and onto his neck. He looked as though he hadn’t been shaved in a week. He looked like no duke Lila had ever known. And yet, there was no mistaking his noble birth. It clung to him, despite his worn clothing and rough exterior. Something in the cool blue of his eyes and his chiseled features.” I thought that this story was very well thought out with twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming.
After being jilted by the man she was betrothed to for most of her life, Lady Lila is forced by her father, the Earl of Quimbly, into a hasty marriage with another. Though terrified of the uncertain future, Lila sees the opportunity to escape her cruel father and perhaps enable herself to rescue her younger sister as well. It’s a good plan until her new husband quickly becomes much more than a mere means to an end.
Vincent Saint-Pierre, the new Duke of Pembreth, is still reeling from his elder brother’s death and unhappy with his need to honor the debts he left behind. Unwillingly, he ventures to the home of the Earl of Quimbly and marries his eldest daughter. Soon the wife he didn’t want proves to be everything he needs, but just as affection begins to grow between them, truths emerging from the past threaten their burgeoning happiness.
This was a quick read that I missed in the original anthology and I really enjoyed it. Lila and Vincent grew together in the loveliest way and the fast pace and bit of drama really held my attention.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the story of Lila and Vincent and how they are coerced into marrying by her wicked father. Neither are very happy about it but both are determined to make it work and it doesn’t hurt that there’s instant mutual attraction:) Soon their hearts are connected and they work together to save the Dukedom from going to ruins. There are many twists and turns to this story, some which made me gasp. It truly is a story of love and hope and how anything is possible if you really wish it.
I loved this story and definitely recommend it! The newly added epilogue was wonderful as well!! I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.