My Darling Bride

The Darlings

By: Ilsa Madden-Mills

Narrated by: Sebastian York, Savannah Peachwood

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In a sizzling romance that sparkles with wit and depth, two wounded souls meet by chance in the desert and agree to get married, and their lives will never be the same.

On a normal day, Emmaline Darling isn’t a car thief. She’s just a simple girl who runs a bookstore and adores cats. But when she’s stranded in the desert and needs to get away from her dangerous ex-boyfriend, she picks her only option: swiping the keys to a famous football player’s Lamborghini and speeding away.

Football star Graham Harlan is in chaos. First he took a hit on the field that left him with a near-death experience, and now he’s promised his brother he’ll get married to secure the family inheritance. Trouble is he isn’t even seeing anyone.

Then a mystery woman steals his car. With his usual stubbornness, he tracks her all the way to Manhattan and gives her an ultimatum: marry me or I’ll press charges.

Her choice is obvious, only neither of them expect the sparks that ignite between them.

As the end of their arrangement looms, will Graham take a chance on love or let his darling walk away forever?

©2023 Ilsa Madden-Mills (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Truly the stuff of which Hallmark Move Channel rom-coms are made…a fun listening experience from start to finish. Superbly narrated by the professional team of Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood…especially and unreservedly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review

“This lighthearted story delivers emotional depth without getting too angsty. Add in snappy dialogue and laugh out loud moments, and romance fans will be well pleased.”—Publishers Weekly

“My Darling Bride by Ilsa Madden-Mills is a captivating romance that breathes fresh life into familiar tropes. The story follows Emmaline Darling, an unconventional car thief who swipes a Lamborghini from football star Graham Harlan while escaping her dangerous ex-boyfriend in the desert. Madden-Mills skillfully combines elements like fake marriage and unlikely couples, infusing them with originality and engagement.”—Lost in Bookland

What a lovely story

I enjoyed every minute of this book. It made my day. Loved the family dynamics. The friendly banter among the siblings. Of course Sebastian York my man!!!! Love your voice. Savannah you do it for me girl. I love listening to you play all the roles. You are the bomb!!!!

I totally enjoyed this book

Thank you so much for writing this book. I hope to read many more of your books and will recommand to friends.

The Hero Needed to Get a Clue Earlier

My Darling Bride is a marriage of convenience, opposites attracts, football romance. Their meet cute is when the heroine steals his Lamborghini to flee from her abusive ex after being accosted by a random stranger at a seedy hotel in Arizona. The hero needs a wife to get an inheritance for himself and his brother who is gay. Their grandmother was homophobic and made a condition that at one of the brothers had to be married to a woman by the time they were thirty. The hero and the heroine marry, she falls first, he’s a jackass to her until she has a health scare that makes him see the error of his ways. Then they have their HEA. The best part is the side characters, the cute, and as this is a read and listen, Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood!

Great Story

I am a huge fan of Madden-Mills and this was a great listen. I loved their meet cue, how he played along with her to protect her, how he didn’t have her arrested for stealing his car. It was nice to see them both work to open their hearts to one another after both going through major heartbreaks. Both not knowing that they were destined for each other; he dreamed of her being his saving grace before he had ever met her. In the end coming together to make their marriage real and not fake as they had initially started.

Lastly, I will listen to any book that Sebastian York is narrating. Love your voice Sebastian ❤️.

Loved it!

Two of my favorite narrators and a crazy- sad- spicy- sweet story...yes please!!! (Tbh, I bought this based on the strength of the narrators & the author alone, and I was not disappointed.)

Great story. Loved it. Heartfelt!

Wish the ending would have given more insight to their future. But still loved the book.

The way she started loving him

I like the whole story .understanding him and how he loved his brother and finally the love of his life life

Fun listen

✨Thoughts✨
This was a solid romcom. It managed to discuss serious themes while keeping an uplifting mood. The main characters had good chemistry. The steamy scenes were a delight to listen.

The narration was great. Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood are always brilliant.

Overall, this was a fast-paced story that I recommend to those who enjoy sports romance and marriage of convenience.

Enjoyed it

This marriage of convenience story was an easy listen. I enjoyed the storyline and characters. Good narration by Savannah Peachwood and SebYo. I hope the author will follow this with Jane and Jasper’s story.

Sweet and witty

This author delivers another enjoyable book with her wit and humor, as well as delivering heat. It’s always more interesting when side characters are well developed, it expands the story into a full tapestry resembling real life. Ms. Mills delivers a full range of emotions as always. Narration was very good.