REVIEW: A Bride to Redeem Him by Charlotte Hawkes

In A Bride to Redeem Him by Charlotte Hawkes, Alex Vardy is determined to save Rainbow House, but she needs Louis Delaroche’s help if she’s going to have a winning chance. However, the only way they’ll have any hope of getting what she wants is for her to marry him. Will Alex be willing to do whatever it takes to save Rainbow House or will she walk away from her chance at happy ever after?

”I asked why you really wanted to help me suddenly. You chose to deflect in your usual manner.”
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?” His grin widened.
“With you? No. I don’t think I can afford to.”
“I like that,” he mused, taking another swig of his coffee. She might want something from him but she wasn’t about to pander to him. He was all too accustomed to people pandering to his wishes. Not least in the bedroom. “That why I think you’d be the perfect marriage choice.”

Ms. Hawkes always provides an entertaining read, but this story is the best I’ve read by her yet due to the way it starts and just keeps getting better and better from the moment the hero and heroine meet. Really, there was so much to enjoy about this story including the powerful chemistry between the main characters; the main characters back stories that made me sympathize with the pair, as they’ve both suffered losses and have never really dealt with their pain; the dialogue was intense and compelling, as the pair do everything they can to save Rainbow House – a charity-run place that helps families deal with loved ones suffering from illness; and the fast-paced plot had me hoping for the best for these two because they face some tough obstacles to be together.

As for the main characters, they were fantastic due to their back stories because the losses they’ve suffered drive them every day to help people. Moreover, I could understand why the heroine holds such guilt over her losses while the hero has hidden his pain behind his Lothario reputation and building his career as a world-renowned surgeon. Yet, in saying that, they’re both resilient, courageous and I liked that they took a chance on each other because no way could they allow Rainbow House to be shut down, especially when it does so much good for families.

”Are you ever more impressed with anything other than your own brilliance?”
“Aren’t you impressed by my…brilliance?” He quirked an eyebrow.
Something rolled and flipped low in her belly. “I’m more astounded by your indefatigable arrogance.”

With the heroine, she’s driven in her pursuit of saving a place that’s special to her family and I could understand her reasons because she’s hoping it’ll bring her closer to the only family she has left. Will she get what she wants and be able to finally heal, so she no longer feels like a failure? While the hero, he has his own family issues, which made me sympathize with him because he’s been lied to for many years after what happened to someone he lost. I also liked how determined the hero was to win the heroine over since she’s easy to talk to and someone that has been through tough times like him. Really, the loss of a loved one is devastating and no-one understands that better than Alex.

Talking isn’t some kind of foreplay, you know.”
“I know exactly what foreplay is,” he rumbled. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

Overall, Ms. Hawkes has delivered a fantastic read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was heady and convincing; the romance delightful because of the hero’s determination to make the heroine realize that there’s something more between them than a fake relationship; and the ending had me really enjoying how these two make things right between them after things go awry in their relationship. The hero’s words are precious and I’m glad he came to the realization he did about the heroine. How could he not want a future with her after everything they’ve been through together to keep his mother’s legacy alive? I would recommend A Bride to Redeem Him by Charlotte Hawkes, if you enjoy the fake relationship trope, the marriage of convenience trope, or books by authors Scarlet Wilson, Robin Gianna, Karin Baine and Fiona McArthur.
 

Book Info:

Publication: April 17th, 2018 | Harlequin Medical |

Redeeming his reputation…with a diamond ring!

Louis Delaroche is world–renowned for his surgical skills – as well as his seduction skills! He’s happy to let his Lothario reputation precede him…until it threatens to cut him off from his family’s charity foundation. Now Louis has only one choice if he is to redeem himself – get married! Warm–hearted anaesthetist Alex Vardy is the perfect bride. But soon their fake kisses for the cameras start to feel sensationally real!