In The Wrong Bride by Catharina Maura, Raven Du Pont has kept her feelings for Ares Windsor hidden for years. She hasn’t really had a choice considering 
he’s her older sister Hannah’s fiancé. Her complicated past with Ares has Raven reeling when just days before the wedding, Hannah flakes and calls things off. The problem? The Windsor’s matriarch, Grandma Anne, arranged the marriage and is still expecting it to happen, one way or another. Even if that means that Raven is the one who must step in to marry Ares. It should be a dream come true, right? She’s wanted to be more than a friend to him forever, but she would never hurt her sister that way. So, when Raven walks down the aisle to Ares, she realizes things are going to quickly become even more complex between them.
‘I’ve loved him for as long as I can remember, yet even though I’m married to him, my sister is still standing between us.’
Ares has always felt a bond with Raven. She’s one of his favorite people on the planet but he’s never truly let himself entertain the thought of having more than friendship with her. When his grandmother pushes them together to keep the deal between the Windsors and Du Ponts on track, Ares knows it’s his duty as the eldest Windsor sibling to follow through. He just never dreamed that he and Raven would fit so perfectly as a couple. Or that the affection he’s had for her might have actually been the beginning of a love deep enough to scare him. Ares knows they have a fight on their hands to make things work–and a whole lot of people trying to tear them down. But he’s not going to give up until he and Raven prove to everyone they’re meant to be.
“Sometimes, love isn’t enough. Especially when that’s all you’ve got holding you together as the world tries to rip you apart.”
An arranged marriage gone all topsy turvy and an undeniable connection that couldn’t be contained, THE WRONG BRIDE was an angsty, dramatic slow-burn romance that held me spellbound.
‘We were never meant to be together. We were never meant to be so perfect together.’
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A friends-to-lovers romance that had the sweeping emotions I’ve come to expect from Catharina Maura, THE WRONG BRIDE might have been over the top, but the drama worked *perfectly* for Ares and Raven’s complicated relationship. Their arranged marriage was broken years before their vows were ever said when Ares fell for Raven’s sister, Hannah. Without giving away too many specifics, I have to say that Hannah ranks right up there with my least favorite characters. Ever. From the first time she appeared in a scene it sent my hackles up and I could just tell she was nothing but trouble. And she ended up being a constant thorn in Ares and Raven’s sides in one way or another for far too long.
Maura did a wonderful job of finding a balance for Raven and Ares between being smitten and also aware that the confusion that came from being thrown together so suddenly would take time and communication to overcome. It was a struggle. But it felt like Ares and Raven had each other’s backs. They basically took turns having meltdowns (lol) so they could shore each other up. And of course, the other Windsor siblings got into the melee at times although thankfully they were an understanding bunch who were very supportive of Ares and Raven both.
QOTD: Has there been an antagonist that you disliked from the first moment you “met” them on the page?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: January 14th, 2025 (First published October 15th, 2022) | by Bloom Books | The Windsors #1
She’s his fiancée’s younger sister. He’s the man she’s always loved.
When her sister doesn’t show up on her wedding day, Raven has no choice but to take her place — but marriage to Ares Windsor is nothing short of torture.
The elusive billionaire media mogul is the man she’s always loved… yet he’s only ever had eyes for her sister.
Married to him at last, Raven is determined to win him over.
After all, everything is fair in love and war.
And this?
This is war.
bn100
yes
Debra S.
Thanks for the review.