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The Accidental Abduction Mass Market Paperback – September 2, 2014

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (September 2, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425265560
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425265567
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 0.88 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

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Darcie Wilde
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Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
91 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2014
    An enjoyable book. If only life was like that.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2015
    This was fun. The plot twists made it enjoyable and the characters fun to follow.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014
    Entertaining but not top notch
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014
    Cute story.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2014
    Very thin plot. This was porno with a very poor and idiotic story line. If you like porno you should like this book otherwise don't bother.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2014
    i love the characters and the plot
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2014
    Darcie Wilde's sophomore romance, The Accidental Abduction takes readers on a wild ride. There were some ups and downs in the pacing, and a few errors in the customs and proprieties of the day, but this was still an enjoyable read. It is about two characters that marry quickly and then find out that perhaps they don't know that much about each other. What results is a story about family, love and duty. Readers will find the love story a little disjointed but very enjoyable!

    Darcie Wilde's latest book, The Accidental Abduction is of course a historical romance. Being a history major, once upon a time, I tend to be a stickler when it comes to the book reflecting the research into the times and the customs of the day. Wilde did good in some areas, but suffered in others. When a couple wanted to get married in a hurry, whether it was because of pregnancy or they just didn't want to wait for their banns to be posted, they would often escape across the border into Scotland to be married. Wilde did a good job of describing the situation with Leannah's sister, Ginny and her need for going to Gretna Green. I liked the references to the practices of the day and thought Wilde was on track with that. However, she did use some language in this book that was not common in the day and there were other minor references to things I felt were out of place. Like I said, I'm a stickler and this sort of thing may not bother many readers.

    Leannah and Harry meet very unexpectedly when Leannah picks up a drunk Harry while she is trying to save her sister from marrying the wrong man. It was obvious that these two characters were attracted from the first moment, however their romance becomes quite a whirlwind. The beginning of the book starts out a bit slow and is hard to warm up to, but after the main characters meet, they beat a frantic pace to the altar. I found that bit disconcerting, though I realize that hasty marriages happen even today. It made the pacing seem a bit disjointed. It just didn't read smoothly.

    One of the things I did like about the story was the fact that everyone seemed so determined to under mind this marriage, yet they were unsuccessful. This is a story about two characters who have to learn about each other after the fact. It was a good concept and had a lot of potential. I liked that Wilde uses everything from family discord to villains to try to drive them apart and yet they survive. The couple was actually quite likable. I thought Leannah was self-sacrificing and Harry was devoted and willing to stand by her. Though the story does have it's problems it was still a good read and I think readers may be willing to overlook some of the issues because the characters are compelling.

    Beyond the Book:

    Marriage practices back in the day were very interesting and it's remarkable how many marriages took place in Gretna Green, Scotland. Take some time to do your own research into the topic and you'll be surprised at some of the other unique marriage rituals you might find.

    Bottom Line:

    I liked this book, despite the fact that it was a bit out of kilter. The pacing was off and there were a few discrepancies, but I loved the main couple and their story isn't unlike one that might happen today. Finding out your new husband can snore the roof off the house is the least of this couples worries. Wilde hasn't hit her stride yet, but she's headed in the right direction!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2014
    Just a few pages in and I was already enthralled by hero, Harry Raybourn and laughing at his escapades in love and his humorous way of trying figuring out the female race. In response to his oh so careful courtship of a wisp of a girl, he is shot down for being too ordinary. Ordinary is exactly what Harry was going for- especially after what happened in Calais.

    Harry isn't dashing, he doesn't have blue aristocratic blood running through his veins, but he does have a zest for a spirited woman and the romp they have together. After a night of mourning the loss of his delicate beauty, Agnes Featherhead er that is Featherington, he steps out of his club and right into an adventure. His attempt to save a damsel that he thought was in distress only earns him an accidental abduction by a Boudicca and her chariot.

    Leannah Wakefield is doing all she can for her family. Her father's weakness and need to speculate away all their money and anyone else's has left them near destitute and pariahs in society. Leannah is now a year widowed after a five year marriage and she has tried to cobble the family finances together long enough for her sister to make a good match and her brother to come of age, but they won't last a few more weeks let alone years before Jeremy comes of age. There is nothing for, but that she accept the hand of a man that gives her the shivers. On that thought, she discovers that Genevieve didn't give up on the attachment to Mr. Dickenson, but has run off. Leannah races out to rescue her sister and will put her carriage horses through the paces to do it. Somehow, along the way, she has acquired an unwelcome passenger. Is he a drunk or just crazy?

    Harry soon learns that Leannah is out to stop her sister from a disastrous runaway marriage. Leannah's spirited driving, determination and beauty work powerfully on him. He can see that his aid during her time of need and something about him has attracted her to him too. Not long after a successful if unorthodox completion of the adventure, it is Harry and Leannah that say their vows in a roadside inn.

    The passionate moments of coming together are the easy part now they must face their families, Leannah's Morehouse family reputation and Society. Oh, and some behind the scenes scheming. If they cannot rely on and trust in each other and what they have together, all the things against them will break them apart before they have the chance to express any growing, honest feelings for each other.

    As one can see by the description, this one was off to the races from the beginning in some ways. They came together quickly and passionately, but then the rest of the book was spent delving into their pasts, their characters and their romance's development. Harry and Leannah take the starring roles of course and this is there story, but there is a huge cast of characters flitting through this one and tantalizing mysterious references to a dark moment for Harry and a seedy past for Leannah's family. Slowly this is all teased out. There are also side jaunts for the villains to make their moves.

    I only had one niggle and it is probably a personal preference more than anything. I was not half pleased with all the page time devoted to both of them fantasizing. In general, I don't mind reading about a character fantasizing about what they will do or say with the other character, but I get bored when it carries on- and on. For the most part, this stuff ended about the time they got married so its not a huge portion of the book.

    This book is also loosely connected to another book, Lord of the Rakes, by the author though I found no evidence that they are considered a series. Because of the connection, I would suggest that they be treated like a series anyway. Lord of the Rakes features a romance between two friends of Harry's and his sister Fionna. Also, Harry, Fi and there family group with acquaintances were introduced in the other book.

    A word about the romance and the characters- its very spicy and these passionate people are honest in their need and unapologetic about the raw need. Things began fast, but in this case the author was able to carry the 'love (or lust) at first sight' plotting and it worked because of what came afterward. They aren't sweet or refined. Leannah and Harry are mannered people, but neither come from highborn backgrounds. Refreshingly, Harry's family is wealthy from trade and he still works. Leannah's family are untitled country gentry though her father's speculative habits have lost them even that. They have a tough uphill battle to prove they belong together and prove that Leannah isn't her father. I enjoyed the together against the world feel they had though it was sad to see when doubt reared its ugly head. It was realistic for it to do so and added that needed challenge to keep things from going stale.

    In the end, I was pleased with the result of this story. I enjoy the author's writing. She uses humor, lusty bedroom scenes, gritty intrigue and colorful characters to tell a good story. If Ms. Wilde is listening, I would love Nathaniel Penrose and Meredith Langley to get a story too. I would recommend this to those that enjoy moderate spice and intrigue in their Historical Romances.

    My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Regency Belle
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Storyline But.....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2017
    I have recently discovered this author's back catalogue and liked the synopsis of this book. Being a lover of Regency romances and interesting storylines I bought it happily.

    The writing is stylish with attractive characters and no glaring vocabulary errors or "americanisms". The book started well and then began to get more and more mundane.

    The marriage of Leannah and Harry is unconventional and based on a chance meeting during her sister's failed elopement. They take advantage of a special license and end up married to each other. So far so good - but there is a problem. The heroine is the daughter of a well-known fraudster and money swindler.

    Her father's reputation is dreadful and Leannah faces the accusation of embroiling Harry in an elaborate swindle. Can they overcome these accusations? They are clearly besotted with each, both inside and outside the bedroom, but will their attraction to each other be enough to overcome society gossip and the concerns of their family and friends?

    A good storyline but slightly plodding at times.
  • philip gosling
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on November 29, 2014
    It was fun to read,