Review: Devil in My Bed by Celeste Bradley

Casee‘s review of Devil in My Bed (The Runaway Brides, Book 1) by Celeste Bradley

Could a disgraceful lie

The three-year-old girl sitting on the steps of Brown’s Club for Distinguished Gentlemen insists that one of its members is her papa. Aidan de Quincy feels obligated to help the wee thing, even though she certainly isn’t his—or is she? To find answers, Aidan must first track down the lovely widow he swore to forget when their passionate affair came to a painful end. It doesn’t help that Madeleine Chandler is as sensual and enticing as ever…

lead to a heavenly reunion?

For three years, Madeleine had dreamed of seeing Aidan on her doorstep. The secret that once forced her to leave him now compels her to pretend that this sweet child is hers—a lie Aidan will surely never forgive. Yet the contented days and exquisite nights that follow are worth the heartbreak she knows must come. The truth will out—and when it does, there will be the devil to pay…

My friend ErIn was the person that first introduced me to Celeste Bradley. It’s rare occurrence for someone to recommend a book to me rather than the other way around. So I was happy to give it a shot. I read The Pretender and there was no looking back. I’ve since read everything Celeste Bradley book and always look forward to her new releases.

I wasn’t too crazy at the beginning of this book. Aidan seemed much too “weak” for my taste. He easily fell in love with Maddie and was crushed when she wouldn’t marry him. After that he turned into a hard and bitter man, a more relate-able hero. He was forced to grow up fast and that made him a far better hero than he would have been.

It’s been three years since Aidan left Madeleine. When a three year old girl is dropped off on the doorstep of Brown’s Club with a note stating that her daddy is a member, Aidan doesn’t put two and two together. When he does, he is horrified that Madeleine might have had a child that she didn’t tell him about. Not only that, but she apparently abandoned their child as well. Aidan decides he’s not about to stand for it and goes to Madeleine to demand an explanation.

Madeleine is in the process of leaving England when Aidan shows up on her doorstep. She’s always regretted that she had to send Aidan away, but it was necessary. It’s even more necessary for her to get away now. He doesn’t even give her a chance to deny that she ever mothered his child before he drags her to Brown’s and shows her the little girl. Quite suddenly Madeleine finds the answer to her prayers. She’s safe until she can catch the next ship out of London. The only problem with that is that she has to pretend to be a mother, something she is certain will hurt the little girl in the end.

Through his new jaded eyes, Aidan is now able to see how he wronged Madeleine all those years ago. He loved her for what she did for him. He never really got to know who she was. Their time at Brown’s gives him the chance to discover the true Maddie. It also gives him time to figure out how to convince Maddie to marry him. They have to marry, if not for the sake of their daughter.

The husband coming back from the dead was a bit predictable, but it did add something to the story. I also found the character of Melody (the little girl) very well written. Too often, I’ll read a book that has a three or four year old and they aren’t depicted very well. It definitely has the potential to take me out of the story. That wasn’t the case here.

I liked Devil in My Bed and I think the series has potential. It just didn’t meet my expectations.

3.75 out of 5.

This book is available from St. Martin’s Press. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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