The Unwanted Marriage by Catharina Maura

Description

When Isabella Hart, the queen of emotional romance books, gets into a scandal that could kill her career, her publisher offers her a way out: she must marry Gabriel Sinclair, the mysterious tech mogul whose wealth and power can fix her reputation in a flash. Gabriel, who is known for being hard to get along with in business as well as being hard to find, accepts, but only if their relationship is strictly business-related and lasts for twelve months with no love ties. This is the premise of The Unwanted Marriage, a story that dives deep into the intricacies of relationships.

There is a lot of tension between Isabella and Gabriel as soon as she steps into his glass-walled penthouse. She comes with her usual optimism and is determined to show that she can handle the harsh scrutiny of high society. He meets her with polite words and a hard stare, aware that getting emotionally involved is a bad idea. As they sign the prenup and pose for pictures on the red carpet, the press calls it the most unlikely marriage of the year, a fairy-tale wedding that will end in disaster because the two people come from totally different backgrounds. Their journey is a reflection of The Unwanted Marriage, showcasing the challenges they face and the growth that comes from adversity.

But Isabella and Gabriel find unforeseen weaknesses beneath the champagne flutes and shiny magazine covers. Late-night planning meetings in his boardroom show the grief that made Gabriel a lonely person: the death of his sister and the betrayal of trust by people he used to call friends. Isabella tells him about her own anxieties, like how she never matched her family’s standards and the remorse that led to her disgrace. She is moved by his cautious honesty. In a moment of unguarded closeness, she puts her hand on the glass of his office window while he stands on the other side. They don’t perceive one other as famous people, but as hurt souls looking for forgiveness. This emotional journey encapsulates the essence of The Unwanted Marriage, proving that love can emerge from the most unlikely circumstances and offering hope for a new beginning.

Their contract says they have to make public appearances, from fancy celebrity parties in New York to private getaways at Gabriel’s Scottish estate. Each event is meant to improve their image. But the walls come down when things aren’t planned. Isabella reads Gabriel parts of her unpublished work when they dance alone in a moonlit garden, and he responds in a way that makes her feel vulnerable. Every furtive glance, every accidental brush of fingertips, and every confession muttered in the dark makes the ink on their contract shake.

Things get complicated when an ex-fiancée comes back and tells Gabriel he has to keep promises he thought were long gone. A publisher who feels deceived threatens to stop promoting Isabella’s book unless she offers a new bestseller in three weeks. Isabella writes her most intimate book yet, putting her real-life marriage into the pages. She is torn between her professional duty and her growing love. Gabriel learns that he can’t get through this without Isabella’s steadfast support when the board votes against him and wants to kick him out of his own firm.

Isabella’s manuscript is revealed at a high-profile banquet in a heart-pounding ending. Gabriel hears their narrative in her words as he listens from the crowd. He hears every secret, every desire, and every moment he believed was private. He stands up and walks the stage when the crowd cheers. He doesn’t provide a separation from the contract; instead, he sweeps Isabella into his arms. They tear up their marriage contract at dawn and make whispered pledges to each other about a future based on trust.

Catharina Maura’s best story so far is “The Unwanted Marriage.” It tells the story of a journey from obligation to devotion, showing that love can shatter any contract and heal even the most guarded heart.

About the Author

Catharina Maura is a contemporary romance author celebrated for her emotionally rich storytelling and complex characters. With a background in literature and a passion for crafting love stories that celebrate resilience and authenticity, Maura lives in San Francisco with her family and two rescue cats.

Product Details

• Title: The Unwanted Marriage
• Author: Catharina Maura
• ISBN‑13: 9781955981055
• Publisher: Ever After Press
• Published: March 10, 2025
• Pages: 384
• Binding: Paperpack