I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the next book in the Advertisements for love series. I have to say I was not in love with this. Adam is a guy who just likes to tell lies and he marries Ruth. After they are attacked on the road they each believe each other is dead until they meet 4 years later. Adam continues to tell lies. I just never liked him at all. I guess the story was okay but just coulnd’t get over the how much i didn’t like the characters.

In brief: damaged characters who found their way back to each other and made themselves whole

I enjoyed this book - it was the first I have read by this author, so adjusting to her writing style took me a little bit of time to sort through, but once I did, it moved pretty quickly. The gist of the plot is that the two MCs (Adam and Ruth) elope and are attacked on their way back --- each believes the other to be dead. Instead, Adam is sold into imprisonment while Ruth finds herself with child. Adam finally returns to avenge his bride, and he discovers that not only is his wife still alive, he is also a father. There are some interesting twists and turns along the way, but in the end, love prevails. I would consider this to be more sweet than steamy (and I tend to like them on the steamier end); and at times, the story felt a little disjointed, but overall, it was a good read. The historical facts were pretty spot on, so those who are sticklers for that will appreciate that aspect.

As a note, I haven't read the previous books in the series, but it worked fine as a standalone.

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 Adam Wilky. The couple is brutally attacked and each believes the other is dead. Adam is sold into impressment with the Navy but vows to return and avenge his wife. Adam returns under his real name, which he had never revealed to Ruth. They develop a friendship that could progress to the great passion they had before, if Ruth can be convinced to overlook Adam’s deception.

There are interesting plot twists throughout, but the story lost my attention briefly at times. Nevertheless, The Bewildered Bride is a very interesting multicultural romance. The author not only tackles the subject of interracial relationships, she delves even deeper and broaches the highly sensitive subject of racial passing. Riley has done her research and presents an accurately detailed historical depiction. I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to lovers of romance, especially historical romance. I have already purchased and plan to read the previous books in the series.

My thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

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 Green. But then they were set upon and Ruth became a widower...or so she thought. In addition she found herself with child. When she returned home it was under the whispers of her story that didn't settle in with the town. Knowing that she would never love another but she would have to go on somehow without him and with the rumors that swirl around her. Adam was set upon but not killed but he was sold into imprisonment. Now he finds that Ruth didn't die and there is a child. Ruth to is shocked by the turn of event with her feelings torn...but can they get back to their happy ending with danger so near to them?
Enjoyed their story!

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 nightmare begins as their lives are sidetracked by a shocking act of violence and treachery. What I most enjoyed about the book was the fact that the hero and heroine aren't instantly granted their fairytale. They have to fight through pain and tragedy and separation in order to find their way back to each other. Riley manages to infuse so many tender touches throughout the novel and I truly felt as if I was in the heads of Ruth and Adam as they love, grieve, rage and rejoice. A great read by a talented storyteller.

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 her loss. Her family doesn’t believe she ever married anyone as she didn’t send word when she got eloped. They believe she was sleeping around and she became pregnant. She is really treated horrible by her family. Ruth is deadest on proving that her deceased husband is not a figure of her imagination.

She embarks on a journey with her sister and discovers that Adam has “family” and little does she know, she never really knew her husband. Wycliff/Adam is shocked to see Ruth again. He must pretend to be someone else in order to protect her. He kept many secrets and they almost cost him their lives.

This story is definitely a mix bag for me. I truly enjoyed reading about people of color during a time when their stories are not emphasized. Ruth and Wycliff experience so many traumas to get to their HEA. The beginning of the story lured me in with the brutal description of their separation. The author really stayed inside each character’s head so it was a lot of pain to absorb right away.

Once Ruth meets Wycliff/Adam things start to turn for her. She is a bit shocked that she finds another man outside of her “deceased” husband attractive. Wycliff still believe it is dangerous and he won’t reveal his identity yet. However, seeing that Ruth has suffered and is very scared of the outside world, it fuels him to hurry to seek vengeance on those who hurt them.

The mystery element is the best part of the story. From the beginning of the story, I wanted to understand what was truly happening. The author unfolded everything gradually. The romantic tone is muted against the mystery backdrop. The author writes in a strange way as if the characters are telling the readers what is occurring and not letting them see the events unfold. I think this makes it hard for me to stay in the flow of the story.

As they discover their love for one another, drama picks up as the bad guys are still around. Wycliff is not the man he used to be and handles this situation very well. I was happy for Ruth and Wycliff.

~ Samantha

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 after years of impressment to find Ruth alive, but the danger around them and secrets between them begin to mount in The Bewildered Bride by author Vanessa Riley.

I appreciate authors who can amaze me in little ways. It doesn't necessarily have to be big, blaring plot twists, but remarkable turns of phrase and gripping imagery can go a long way. This author's style keeps me on my toes.

Now, I'll admit the unpredictable rhythm in parts of this novel made the emotional flow a bit difficult to follow at times, so I couldn't always make heads or tails of the characters. But the hero and heroine are interesting people who work well together for this story. Their romantic chemistry and physical relationship are prominent and intense but nothing R-rated.

I particularly empathized with some of Ruth's frustrations over personal injustices and relished a moment leading to the climax where she truly stands up. However, I had to suspend my disbelief to go along with one of the major plot points that doesn't quite add up.

Although I've not read any of the other novels in this series yet, this book stands alone just fine, and I couldn't resist it—not with that divinely grape, stunning book cover. And I "flew" through the entire read in a day. Quite a rare occurrence for me and novels of this length.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

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 smooth passage for Adam and Ruth’s relationship, they both experienced traumatic times. There is also the matter of Adam’s revenge on his enemies and his missing sister, which doesn’t come without its dangers. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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 convenience will do. Ruth already had a love for the ages.
Adam Wilky is really the heir to the Wycliff barony, which he kept from Ruth. When he was nearly beaten to death and impressed, he thought Ruth had died, too. Ready for revenge, he finally returns and discovers Ruth alive & with his son and she is furious to discover he lied to her.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst previous characters make appearances it can still be read on its own. I found the opening of this book to be quite harrowing but it did set the scene for the rest of the book & explained the reasons Ruth had changed so much. Each time I read one of the author’s books it does take me a little while to get used to her writing style, which isn't the easiest. The flow of the book was also a bit haphazard. However strong characters saved it for me as did the storyline & I definitely wanted to read to see how this couple reached their HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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 does a wonderful job of telling this tale of love, loss and redemption. You will love the characters and root for them every step of the way to their joyful end.

Overall: 3.5 stars for a unique storyline and setting and the complex, traumatized hero & heroine who sooo much deserved their second chance.

CONTENT WARNING: physical assault, rape, forced labour, and mental health issues caused by the former.

We meet the hero and heroine while they are being made to leave an Inn they spent their Honeymoon at after eloping. Soon afterwards both go through life-changing events that make both of them believe the other one had been murdered.

Fast forward 4 years, the once high spirited and life-embracing heroine is now a single-mom and suffering mental, physical, societidal, and emotional consequences including what, I guess, we would now call symptoms of PTSD. Our hero had spend the past years on a Navy ship enduring forced labour. Finally back on dry land and plotting his revenge under a new name, he recognizes the wife he thought dead still being alive. He seeks her out to protect her and win her over again - as he's not identifying himself for her own safety. He's pretending to be a relative of the hero she thinks dead. With the plot thickening towards the end of the book, and both discovering how much they care for each other, there's a lot of actual English history reflected on the pages that I don't come across too often in other historical romances. Learning about Mulattos and Blackamoors during the Regency times, rape charges, debtors' prison, etc. I found this very intriguing aspects of the book. Having read the previous book in the series, I come to love the storylines and historical circumstances covered by the author, that often other authors do not cover.

Overall, this book took a bit of time for me to get into. I sometimes found the flow and storyline a bit off, with the switch between 1st POV for the heroine and 3rd POV for the hero difficult at the beginning. The plot and suspense sped up towards the end though, and I was intrigued how both could overcome their complex past and current feelings. It was shocking and frustrating that basically neither main character had anyone supporting them or even believing them. In case of the heroine, her own mother and sister kept putting her through hell as they simply believed lies and not the truth their traumatised daughter/ sister had endured.

The book can be read as a stand-alone but I'd recommend to check out the other books of the series too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read the book before publication. This review is based on my own opinions.

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, 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.

The Bewildered Bride is a book that takes an honest look at the racism in England's past, and adds so much emotion, corruption, and danger that there is rarely a page that did not have me wondering who would make the next misstep. Ruth has been through hell, and no one seems to believe her. So she deals with the remarks and just strives to make the best life for her son. Adam is finally making things right after the betrayal of family and thinking Ruth dead for four years. The journey of them finding their way together again, despite the danger and deceptions is harrowing but extremely well written. I have to say that I really enjoyed the realism of the family dynamics and especially the final confrontation. I thought the sensitive subjects in the story (rape, abuse) were very well handled and I liked the support and hope that it offers readers through its handling.

The Bewildered Bride is an emotional ride, well worth the read.

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. As I read through the story, it gets intense and binds you in the suspense. The characters are really well written. Ruth and Adam are in no ways perfect as characters but their romance is absolutely perfect. The horrors that both of them go through made my heart bleed. It is a well written story that completely draws you into the struggles that Adam and Ruth go through in re-acquainting themselves with each other after four years of tragic and horrific separation. The only thing I didn't like about this book is how the author kept going from a first person POV for heroine to a third person POV for the hero. I wish she would have stuck to just one style as it sometimes made my head spin. But having said that, I have to say that in no way does it take away from this intense and beautiful love story.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

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 skinned woman married to a light skinned man? Which neighborhoods are lived in? Blackamoors were free and ran successful businesses and interacted with others. I really appreciate reading a full representation of the time.

The latest from Vanessa Riley's Advertisements for Love series, begins with one of the most harrowing scenes that I've read in a long time, especially from an historical romance. Adam/Wycliff and Ruth are attacked a few days after their Gretna Green marriage, both beaten almost to death. It is brutal to be in the head of the victims.

Then we are moved 4 years ahead, where Ruth is existing at her parent's home. Readers of Riley's The Bashful Bride, will recognize the Croome family. No one has believed Ruth's story, and don't hesitate to tell her so. The cruelty is breathtaking. They don't believe she was married or that her husband is dead. They believe her child is from either an "indiscretion" or from the brothel in which her father found her. No one believes her and the former wild child has folded into herself for her own protection. She also suffered an injury affecting her eye sight, leaving her more vulnerable and only increasing the anxiety that she has. Only Wycliff/Adam is not dead, he was pressed into the Navy by his evil relatives. He thought Ruth was dead. Now he has inherited the title and learned Ruth is alive. He wants her back, while still plotting revenge on those who attacked them.

That's a lot. Ruth's family is just not sympathetic, so the reader is definitely on Ruth's side. The passage of time and physical changes of both main characters, leave it plausible that Ruth doesn't know Wycliff is Adam. And most of the story hinges on Wycliff trying to get Ruth to fall in love with him, and Ruth not knowing he is her husband. Wycliff's revenge is methodical and financial, not crazed vigilante. All of these things make sense, but for me, the narrative came to a snail's pace at time. I didn't lose interest, but it took most of the book to get to the reveal. On the other hand, the reveal happens organically, in a way that makes sense, when puzzle pieces fall into place for Ruth. And we do get to HEA, with several loose ends wrapped up.

What Riley has done especially well is deal with issues of being believed. Ruth has struggled with this from the time of the attack. The people around her - her parents, her sister, her mother's friends - believe nothing she has said. She was attacked, beaten, raped and found in a brothel. Why do people only believe the worst of her, instead of believing she was a victim? How many woman have asked this very question? Ruth needs Wycliff to first believe her. Only after that can she move on and really open herself up to life with her husband again. This is beautifully handled. I really felt Ruth's emotions deeply. Believe women.

This is a closed door romance. On the page, the connection is an emotional one. POV moves back and forth between the main characters, and between both first and third person narrative. I did not find it problematic or distracting. Even though it is book #4, like the rest of the series, it is a standalone. Even with recurring characters, one does not need to know their story whatsoever.

I'm giving this one 4 stars. I received an e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Godddd !!! My brain is going to burst with the headache .. I chose the book because of its cover and of the beautiful story it promised .. it was the most confusing book I have ever read .. the writing was so difficult to understand .. they all talked in puzzles and confusing phrases ..the story line was too dull.. i donno but i think the words and the characters were not strong enough.. I honestly tried but failed miserably.. sorry this book was not for me ...

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 family and their friends. Ruth believed her husband was dead and he in turn believed she was dead as well. When they married Ruth did not know his real name or his true title. This is how things get confusing and Ruth feels betrayed.

The sensitive issues of rape, abandonment and cruelty were handled quite well. Lord Wiley is my kind of guy. There’s not much I didn’t enjoy. I learned about Blackamoors. I actually googled to find more information.

Again, this is a book I enjoyed and would highly recommend.

Thank you to Entangled: Amara for the advanced eARC.

Vanessa Riley writes diverse romances set in Regency and early Victorian England. As she says on her website:

Yes, Black People existed in the Regency.

In London there were over 10,000-20,000 that lived in London during the time of Jane Austen. The number has been estimated to be as high as 30,000 across England, Scotland, and Ireland. So with less than 28 dukes during that time period, who are you more likely to run into, a duke, or a person of color who found love?

Content warnings: rape, physical violence, racism

Ruth Croome Wilkey is a single mother and the daughter of a wealthy merchant specializing in fabrics. The Croome family is black. Ruth eloped to Scotland with her husband, Adam Wilkey, who passed for white. After a few days of wedded bliss, Ruth insists they return to London so she can assure her family she is well. Along the way, they are attacked and each assumes the other was murdered. Adam was sold to the Navy and Ruth was sold to a whorehouse.

Four years later, Ruth is back home with her family and her young son. Her diminishing vision and trauma from the attack have made her reluctant to venture out of the house. On top of that, no one believes her. They think she ran off with a man, was abandoned and ended up in a whorehouse. Her family and friends think Adam Wilkey is a fiction. She has no proof of the marriage because her husband took the record of the wedding out of the registry and tore it in half. Half went into Ruth’s trunk and half was mailed to his father. Tired of living in her parent’s house and living with the knowledge that no one believes her, Ruth has advertised for a husband and is on her way to becoming engaged to a barrister. Unexpectedly, the trunk she took with her on her elopement is returned with half the wedding record. Ruth decides to venture to her father in law’s house to see if he has the other half of the record. When she arrives, there is a man with a whip evicting the former tenants. That man is her long lost husband, but because she doesn’t recognize him, he claims to be her husband’s cousin.

I think Ruth is a great character. She is struggling to overcome trauma and make a life for herself and her son. She has survived almost four years of even her family thinking she is at best crazy and at worst a liar. She is down, but not out. She deserves a partner so much better than Adam, who never seems to learn the right lesson. In this case, I think the right lesson was, don’t lie to your partner about what’s happening and who you are. Adam lies to, or withholds the truth from Ruth repeatedly. When they eloped, he didn’t tell her who he really was or about his enemies. She was making decisions with out crucial information. When he returns and she doesn’t recognize him, he lies more. His lie doesn’t keep her safe, but is does inflict emotional damage. Adam insists to himself and others that he has grown and changes, that he is wiser, but mostly he seems to double down on his previous mistakes.

My issue may well not be your issue. I enjoyed Bewildered Bride enough that if secrets/secret identities don’t bother you, you should give this a read. I liked it enough that I’m interested in reading more of Vanessa Riley’s books.

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 shows up on her parent's doorstep claiming to be Adam's cousin. Against her better judgment, Ruth feels attracted to Wycliff and struggles with feelings of guilt for betraying Adam's memory. Secrets surround Wycliff and Ruth is in for the shock of her life the more time she spends with him.

This was a difficult story to read, but Ms. Riley handles sensitive part of the book with great care. Ruth's eyesight was always poor, but a severe blow to the head during the attack has left her almost blind, not to mention, fearful of even going outside. I was rooting for Ruth to overcome her fears although some parts of the book dragged on too long for me. I get that Ruth is struggling, but I didn't want to be reminded of it in almost every chapter. I also thought her mother was cruel in the way she responded to Ruth once she came home. Wycliff's character tries to be everything that Adam was not and I did like the clever way he ruined his enemies. All in all, this was a compelling story, but I'm not sure I'm ready to read anymore deep and emotional stories from Ms. Riley.

The Bewildered Bride is the story of Adam and Ruth, married five days, attacked and both thought the other was dead. It is a story of revenge and redemption. I loved the story, the dialogue was a little confusing at times but a strong 4 1/2 stars.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. 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. The love remained through death, extreme fear, injuries that were horrible! And yet through all these trials, justice comes through in the end and all that could be righted is! WELL DONE MS RILEY!!! If all your books are this amazing I can see my library will be adding a new collection. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!!