Their Runaway Bride (Bridgewater Series Book 1)

I gave this book 5 cups of steaming java. Well written from beginning to end, gave enough sufficient details of the characters and their attractions were strong from a distance until she runs into the men's room and gains protection from them by marriage to escape from an arranged marriage through her father's business. There are hints of other men lime Robert and Andrew for the next few books, I can only imagine the book series to be of good stories with strong attractions between characters. Only thing I wish is that there were little more to the ending of this story with Ann and her husbands, especially after her first taste of having a device to train her in preparation for both her husbands.

When Ann runs away from her father to escape an arranged marriage, she finds herself in the cabin of two very handsome and one very naked soldier. Willing to do almost anything to escape this marriage she agrees to marry them. What she doesn’t expect is to be so thoroughly entranced by the sensual world or by the pleasure of having two husbands. —- This is a very erotic romance novella. Most of the plot is exactly what’s in the blurb. And there isn’t a lot of set up or cording before you get straight to the main event. That being said it’s a very steamy and fun novella. The sex is hot. And is on the edge of BDSM. There’s some pretty decent consent considering this is a historical romance. But it’s not totally perfect which is why the loss of a star. There’s some great lampshade hanging. It’s Insta lust not Insta love which I appreciate. Honestly if you’re looking for some pretty good historical romance sex this is for you. Four stars.

Their Runaway Bride is a prequel to Vanessa Vale’s Bridgewater series. In it, Ms. Vale penned an intriguing character-driven romance mixed in a bit of suspense that chronicles the polyamorous relationship between Ann, Andrew, and Robert. Originally, I read this book back in June of 2020, January 2022 and January 2024. It continues to have aa lasting impression on me that I knew I would re-read it and I just did. With each re-read it feels as though I am visiting old friends. I enjoy Ms. Vale’s writing style. I appreci her multi-dimensional lead characters and her introduction to band of brothers as secondary characters. These men will reappear as primary characters in their own stories. Together this band of brothers help to provide a backstory for her protagonists along with the explanation of the customs of Mohamir. Ms. Vale does a remarkable job with building her settings and links it to that time period wherein women were seen as chattel and objects to acquiesce to their controlling fathers. I admire Ms. Vale’s skill with literary devices such as dialog, multiple POV, and descriptive language.

Rating: 3.5 Stars THEIR RUNAWAY BRIDE was a short and sexy introduction into the "Bridgewater" series. I had no illusions going into this tale that I would it would be a deep or heavy read, but I was looking for something different and this definitely fit that bill. I'm not typically a fan of "menage" romances either, mainly because I generally love one of the men more than the other(s). I'm also the jealous sort so I have a really hard time with the concept of sharing... However, this was a fun little story that I enjoyed for the most part, even if I had to suspend belief more often than not. And although I usually love an alpha male, I'm not a fan of the whole spanking (or threat of it) outside of the bedroom that this author seems to like to incorporate into her books. So while I found Robert and Andrew and their dominant ways okay, Ann on the other hand I really liked. She just felt much more real to me and genuine in her thoughts and feelings. And though she readily submits to these men, their entire relationship occurs within two days and she never admits to loving them although I'm sure given time she will. In the end I just felt like Ann was stuck between a rock and a hard place and I'm honestly not sure given a better option if she'd have actually chosen the life she did. And even if the language did feel a bit modern if you take it for what it is - a lusty little erotic romance - it was an entertaining enough read. The two men for the next installment in the series are introduced here too, and I'll probably read their story sometime soon and see how it goes. Kindle Locations: The story itself ended at 80% and location 759 of 950.

I enjoyed the book series but found the stories too short. Needed more depth. Looking forward to the next story.

This is the first book in the series and it was a quick read. The storyline moves quickly and the characters have great chemistry and are sexy together. The secondary characters are funny and you want to learn more about them.

What an excellent beginning to a series. I loved how Robert and Andrew (hot and sexy) straight from the beginning took care of Ann. Ann's father was so typical of the time era. I truly loved the intro to some of the other gang and can't wait to read. This was interesting, informing, funny, yet caring. Recommended for mature audiences.

While fleeing from an unwanted marriage, Anne encounters two military officers returning home from overseas service. These are the men she had been attracted to earlier in the voyage, & they offer her a marriage as well; one with much more appeal than the other marriage her father had planned. Find out what she encounters with the choice she makes, & what her father’s reaction is when told of her actions. This is the first book of a delightful series, full of love, danger, & a great deal of physical joy between a woman & the 2 men who recognized the 1 woman who was made to hold their hearts secure.