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Heirs to an Empire #3
Wedding Reunion with the Best Man
A family wedding…
…An unexpected reunion
Twelve years ago Arabella Pemberton and Burke Phillips were in a life-changing car accident. Though Burke escaped with surface wounds, successful businesswoman Bella still carries the physical and emotional scars of that night. When they're reunited at a wedding in Italy, old feelings reignite, and Bella realizes that Burke is the one person she can truly share herself with, the one person who can show her what she’s been missing…
An Heirs to an Empire novel
Heirs to an Empire trilogy
Book 1 – Scandal and the Runaway Bride
Book 2 – The Heiress’s Pregnancy Surprise
Book 3 - Wedding Reunion with the Best Man
“This was the first time I've read a book written by Donna Alward and I'm sure I'm going to read more because I've devoured The Heiress's Pregnancy Surprise in record time.”
-Goodreads
“Ms. Alward wrote a wonderful, sweet and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, revealing conversations, and other charming characters…. I highly recommend Scandal and the Runaway Bride to other readers.”
-Goodreads
…An unexpected reunion
Twelve years ago Arabella Pemberton and Burke Phillips were in a life-changing car accident. Though Burke escaped with surface wounds, successful businesswoman Bella still carries the physical and emotional scars of that night. When they're reunited at a wedding in Italy, old feelings reignite, and Bella realizes that Burke is the one person she can truly share herself with, the one person who can show her what she’s been missing…
An Heirs to an Empire novel
Heirs to an Empire trilogy
Book 1 – Scandal and the Runaway Bride
Book 2 – The Heiress’s Pregnancy Surprise
Book 3 - Wedding Reunion with the Best Man
“This was the first time I've read a book written by Donna Alward and I'm sure I'm going to read more because I've devoured The Heiress's Pregnancy Surprise in record time.”
-Goodreads
“Ms. Alward wrote a wonderful, sweet and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, revealing conversations, and other charming characters…. I highly recommend Scandal and the Runaway Bride to other readers.”
-Goodreads
- GenresRomance
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Donna Alward
284 books688 followersSince 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 5, 2021
I'd totally forgotten how much I enjoy a light romance novel. I used to devour the ones my mom bought when I was a teenager. I recently was gifted a copy of Donna Alward's book at a local author book club meeting at Dartmouth Book Exchange. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and appreciate the reminder that sometimes it's great to just let go and get swept away in a sweet romance, with a few hiccups along the way!
October 26, 2021
It's not often I'm organized enough to read a series in order, but I managed for this set. Despite reading them all, and in order, they work as standalone stories, and each has a different approach to the romance. Here it's more or less a second chance story, with the characters needing to address old traumas. Once again, the characters are pleasantly relatable despite their material comforts, and a significant complication is the publicity that comes with being rich and famous. The car accident and its lingering effects give this story a darker tone than the others, but there's also strong positive messaging - not just in the possibilities of romance, but about loving yourself and supporting others to love themselves.
April 6, 2021
Leo Buscaglia said: “To love others you must first love yourself.”
The ‘Wedding Reunion with the Best Man’ is the third book in Donna Alward’s Heirs to an Empire series. I found each of these books to be excellently written and that they did not need to be read in order. The settings in this one were described so beautifully, it transported the reader to the locations- it was like reading a book on a vacation until you looked up and realized you hadn’t gone anywhere.
The ‘Wedding Reunion with the Best Man’ is the third book in Donna Alward’s Heirs to an Empire series. I found each of these books to be excellently written and that they did not need to be read in order. The settings in this one were described so beautifully, it transported the reader to the locations- it was like reading a book on a vacation until you looked up and realized you hadn’t gone anywhere.
June 20, 2021
Their story broke my heart but both Arabella (Bella) and Burke knew how to mend it. Great story.
August 6, 2021
Good second chance story. Bella and Burke knew each other as teenagers until a tragic car accident set them on separate paths. Twelve years later, they meet again at her brother's wedding, and the unspoken teenage crushes turn to more adult feelings. But both Bella and Burke carry scars from that day long ago, scars that hold them back from living life.
Bella was badly scarred on her chest and arms by broken glass. Since then, she hides her scars under her clothes, afraid to let others see that she is less than perfect. That same fear prevents her from allowing anyone other than her family to get close to her. Even in the family business, she tends to stay in the background, allowing others to shine. Since the accident, she worked hard to avoid seeing Burke again because of guilty feelings about what happened. When her brother asks Burke to be his best man, Bella knows avoidance is no longer possible, though she tries.
Burke survived the accident with only a broken arm as a physical injury but a deep sense of guilt for not preventing it. Though he wasn't the driver, he blames himself for allowing his friend to get behind the wheel. His inability to help at the scene drove him to a career in medicine. Now his career is the center of his life, with no room for relationships. Seeing Bella again stirred up feelings he thought were long gone.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Bella and Burke. When he accidentally sees Bella's scars, Burke is heartbroken and blames himself for Bella's hiding. He makes it clear that it is the effect of the scars that bother him, not the scars themselves. Strangely enough, Bella realizes that she trusts him to be honest with her. When a medical crisis with her mother forces Bella to return to London, Burke is there every step of the way. I loved Burke's kindness and understanding and his efforts to ease Bella's worries. It is easy to see the growing connection between them. It was sweet to see Burke show Bella his favorite place in London, and I enjoyed seeing how she relaxed under his nonjudgmental attentions. At the same time, the sparks of attraction continued to grow until they could no longer resist them.
But the depth of that connection worried Burke. Bella crept past his walls, but he feels he doesn't deserve the chance for happiness that she represents. So he pushes her away with words about his unwillingness for commitments, the importance of his career, and the distance between their lives (him in London, Bella in Paris). Bella, who admitted to herself that she was falling for him, was left with a broken heart but a new determination to begin living her life. I loved seeing the new confidence in herself and the strength it gave her to come out of hiding. I loved seeing Burke's pride in her actions and his need to see her again. But when the story of the accident becomes public, Burke makes the boneheaded mistake of blaming Bella for it and walks away again. I wanted to shake him for being so selfish. I had to laugh when he realized what he'd done and went to his mom for advice. Instead of commiserating, she told him he was a coward and that "my love and support comes in the form of kicking your a**."
I loved the effect that advice had on Burke. After a long look at himself and his options, he finally went to see Bella. I laughed a little to see that he was intimidated by seeing where she worked and understanding her responsibilities. His nervousness when he finally saw her was sweet. I liked that he understood when she made him work for her forgiveness. I also liked that Bella admitted that the blame wasn't all his and that she also made her share of mistakes. But the vital part was embracing their love for each other and being willing to work to keep it strong. The epilogue was great and gave a hint of who is next in the family to fall.
Bella was badly scarred on her chest and arms by broken glass. Since then, she hides her scars under her clothes, afraid to let others see that she is less than perfect. That same fear prevents her from allowing anyone other than her family to get close to her. Even in the family business, she tends to stay in the background, allowing others to shine. Since the accident, she worked hard to avoid seeing Burke again because of guilty feelings about what happened. When her brother asks Burke to be his best man, Bella knows avoidance is no longer possible, though she tries.
Burke survived the accident with only a broken arm as a physical injury but a deep sense of guilt for not preventing it. Though he wasn't the driver, he blames himself for allowing his friend to get behind the wheel. His inability to help at the scene drove him to a career in medicine. Now his career is the center of his life, with no room for relationships. Seeing Bella again stirred up feelings he thought were long gone.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Bella and Burke. When he accidentally sees Bella's scars, Burke is heartbroken and blames himself for Bella's hiding. He makes it clear that it is the effect of the scars that bother him, not the scars themselves. Strangely enough, Bella realizes that she trusts him to be honest with her. When a medical crisis with her mother forces Bella to return to London, Burke is there every step of the way. I loved Burke's kindness and understanding and his efforts to ease Bella's worries. It is easy to see the growing connection between them. It was sweet to see Burke show Bella his favorite place in London, and I enjoyed seeing how she relaxed under his nonjudgmental attentions. At the same time, the sparks of attraction continued to grow until they could no longer resist them.
But the depth of that connection worried Burke. Bella crept past his walls, but he feels he doesn't deserve the chance for happiness that she represents. So he pushes her away with words about his unwillingness for commitments, the importance of his career, and the distance between their lives (him in London, Bella in Paris). Bella, who admitted to herself that she was falling for him, was left with a broken heart but a new determination to begin living her life. I loved seeing the new confidence in herself and the strength it gave her to come out of hiding. I loved seeing Burke's pride in her actions and his need to see her again. But when the story of the accident becomes public, Burke makes the boneheaded mistake of blaming Bella for it and walks away again. I wanted to shake him for being so selfish. I had to laugh when he realized what he'd done and went to his mom for advice. Instead of commiserating, she told him he was a coward and that "my love and support comes in the form of kicking your a**."
I loved the effect that advice had on Burke. After a long look at himself and his options, he finally went to see Bella. I laughed a little to see that he was intimidated by seeing where she worked and understanding her responsibilities. His nervousness when he finally saw her was sweet. I liked that he understood when she made him work for her forgiveness. I also liked that Bella admitted that the blame wasn't all his and that she also made her share of mistakes. But the vital part was embracing their love for each other and being willing to work to keep it strong. The epilogue was great and gave a hint of who is next in the family to fall.
April 4, 2021
As usual, Alward writes an emotional story, in amazing settings (Italy, Paris, and London,) with vivid imagery for both setting and the emotional journey of the hero and heroine, who met in their late teens. Unrequited teenage yearnings are not forgotten when the two meet again at a wedding.
The twists and turns as each character resolve their own shame, guilt, and longings from a long-ago accident, lead to a rocky reunion and a combustible relationship. As each character unravels the underpinnings of what happened in their teen years, they learn to love and value themselves, and to love each other.
A lovely story of redemption, learning to love oneself, and allowing each to believe they deserve love and a life partner.
Alward always digs deep into her character’s psyche, builds a slow-burn romantic story to a heady climax, and gives the reader the most wonderful sense of setting that one can feel the sun, smell the fruit trees and potted herbs, and shiver at the sensation of cold water or fabric on skin. Her books are not to be missed. This is Book 3 of a wonderful series. I just went back and reread books 1 and 2 and preordered book 4 (out in October.)
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing this book.
The twists and turns as each character resolve their own shame, guilt, and longings from a long-ago accident, lead to a rocky reunion and a combustible relationship. As each character unravels the underpinnings of what happened in their teen years, they learn to love and value themselves, and to love each other.
A lovely story of redemption, learning to love oneself, and allowing each to believe they deserve love and a life partner.
Alward always digs deep into her character’s psyche, builds a slow-burn romantic story to a heady climax, and gives the reader the most wonderful sense of setting that one can feel the sun, smell the fruit trees and potted herbs, and shiver at the sensation of cold water or fabric on skin. Her books are not to be missed. This is Book 3 of a wonderful series. I just went back and reread books 1 and 2 and preordered book 4 (out in October.)
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing this book.
May 24, 2021
I really liked this romantic, heartfelt story of Arabella Pemberton, who still wears scars on the inside and outside from an accident when she was seventeen. She is living but she is hiding what happened from everyone, especially herself. She is afraid to let others see her not so perfect body until Burke comes back into her life for her brother's wedding in Italy.
Bella liked Burke when she was seventeen and unbeknownst to her he liked her too. In spite of her scars he sees the true Bella and he is not sure what to do about it. Bella was lilke the butterflies that she and Burke saw at the museun. She was just emerging from her safe cocoon as a beautiful, one of a kind butterfly.
I really liked the sweet, romance between them and the stumbling blocks they had to overcome. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Bella liked Burke when she was seventeen and unbeknownst to her he liked her too. In spite of her scars he sees the true Bella and he is not sure what to do about it. Bella was lilke the butterflies that she and Burke saw at the museun. She was just emerging from her safe cocoon as a beautiful, one of a kind butterfly.
I really liked the sweet, romance between them and the stumbling blocks they had to overcome. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
April 9, 2021
When you have Italy as a background, throw in mouth watering detail about the cuisine plus so much romance chemistry . It’s no wonder I fell in love with this book. I’ll be honest and say I seldom read this genre , but I am officially hooked ! I devoured this book . It would be remiss of me to not mention the body positivity message this book sends. Beauty comes from within and scars are beautiful .
My mom always said “ Beauty is as beauty does “. This book reminded me of that. I’ll definitely be reading the others in this series .
Thanks to The Dartmouth Book Exchange. Without winning this book I wouldn’t have fallen in love with romance again .
My mom always said “ Beauty is as beauty does “. This book reminded me of that. I’ll definitely be reading the others in this series .
Thanks to The Dartmouth Book Exchange. Without winning this book I wouldn’t have fallen in love with romance again .
May 23, 2023
Why do non British authors think they can make their characters part of the British aristocracy, and then assume they've made the character believable? The only thing worse than certain errors of how an Earl/Lord would speak, was the way he spoke about being a doctor within the NHS, again a totally different health care structure to any other country, so again was full of glaring errors.
I could see the premise of a stronger career minded woman, who was just about believable.
I could see the premise of a stronger career minded woman, who was just about believable.
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April 1, 2021Categories
Women's Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Heirs to an Empire (Book #3)
Women's Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Heirs to an Empire (Book #3)
February 26, 2022
A delightful story and a fun read. I like the fact this is a series of a family.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews