Cover Image: Chasing the Bride

Chasing the Bride

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Member Reviews

Another entertaining and well plotted historical romance. Erida Ridley knows how to write entertaining and well plotted stories
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 6 of the Lords in Love series, written by Erica Ridley. In this one, our lovers are not looking to make a match at the Marrywell matrimonial fair. Instead, our heroine, Lady Tabitha Kerr, rather ironically finds peace and solace there. She is not looking for her ideal love match, you see, because she is already promised in wedlock to a peer. The match was made before she was even born, by her father, the marquess, to an old friend, the Viscount Oldfield. Apparently they had become fast friends during war, when Oldfield saved the Marquess's life, but prior to that, their families were on opposite sides of some kind of rift. Her father had hopes that the union of his daughter to his old friend would heal the old wounds, and as he is terminally ill, that he would see them wed before he died.

Unfortunately, Lady Tabitha despises Oldfield, who is a disgusting old roue more interested in carousing, drinking, gambling, and rogering whores and ogling the other debs bosoms that courting his own fiancee. What he is interested in however is manipulating his friend, and getting his hands on Tabetha's inheritance especially as he has run through his own wealth like it was water. But Tabitha is loyal and obedient to her father, and no matter how much she may not wish to, she has resolved to marry Oldfield because of her loyalty.... but not quite until she absolutely has to...

While Tabitha runs off to find some peace, and fun before having to sacrifice herself to her fiancee and a life of misery, Oldfield sets his man of business, his personal hound, talented investor and factotum Hudson Frampton after her, to keep her in line and ensure she returns to wed Oldfield. However, Frampton has been suppressing his attraction and admiration of the Lady Tabitha for years, and now that they are forced to be in intimately close quarters for days at a time, he falls deeply in love with her, despite knowing that he cannot have her. Likewise Tabitha learns that Hudson is more than just Oldfield's yes man, and they enjoy their stolen time together, knowing what they really want is out of reach for them.

But can Lady Tabitha give up her freedom and the possibility of the love she found with Hudson to be a martyr to her father's wishes? Or can she and Hudson turn away from her declared fate to seek out a future of hope and love together?

I quite enjoyed this story because of the stolen time that Hudson and Tabitha enjoyed together when she did the runaway bride routine. Their growing closeness was very sweet with lots of yearning desire, fighting temptation, and unrequited love. I was likewise disgusted by the complete cluelessness of her father though - he was supposed to be so close to Oldfield, but is either unknowing of his reprehensible behaviour and his disrespectful treatment of the daughter he is supposed to love, or willfully ignorant, and willing to sacrifice his daughter to a likely miserable future? His only child??? I love my parents, but that does not mean I am willing to face decades of misery and probably disease/dismemberment/dementia/death related to syphilis for them. As for Hudson - what is with his loyalty to his employer? He obviously built his own wealth, and doesn't really like or respect Oldfield - why could he not have found a position with another peer considering his talents? Why did he not inform the Marquess of Oldfield's finances and behaviours and how he plans on misusing Tabitha and her inheritance?

Otherwise, I did enjoy the story telling and the runaway bride theme of the story, as well as the hints of the adjacent storylines from the other books in the series.

3.75 stars out of 5

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Book six in the Lords in Love series. Lady Tabitha Kerr and Mr. Hudson Frampton's story of a love because of class that should not happen. I enjoyed reading this well written story. Another great story in this series. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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This is a romantic and exciting story. Tabitha is a sweet, obedient daughter who will unwillingly marry the man her father betrothed her to before she was born, even though he disgusts him. Hudson is the grooms man of business and guard dog, and who gets sent to retrieve Tabitha when she runs from her wedding. A fun, romantic and sweet week follows his discovery of her. Tabitha then has to decide if duty or love is more important. It has a very enjoyable storyline the I got completely immersed in.

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4.5 stars

I love a hero who can handle his business. Hudson is that kind of hero. He’s loyal, caring and not afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s also completely in love and falling harder with every encounters. Tabitha is a dutiful daughter, even to her own detriment. Thankfully, Hudson is there for her every step of the way and a HEA rules the day.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Lady Tabitha has been promised to Viscount Oldfield since she was born. The two families have been enemies for years and their marriage should heal old wounds. However, Tabitha does not want to marry the much older Viscount. When Tabitha runs away Mr Frampton who is the Viscount's man of business is sent to find her and bring her back.

This was another great addition to the Lords in Love series which I have been loving reading. I loved the romance between Tabitha and Hudson. I enjoyed seeing them spend time in Merrywell. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am sad that this series is coming to an end.

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This was a quick and fun read.
Going in, I had my doubts reading the first few pages but the pace increased as I swiped the pages. Had to finish it in one sitting.
This was a well written book with interesting characters,

Overall, an enjoyable book.

Note: Received an ARC in exchange of honest review.
In spite of being a part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

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This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I enjoy the series set in Marrywell and the festival! This book was hard for me to read because what father would force his daughter to marry a man his age, who he knows frequents whorehouses!??

Then, Tabitha was so set on making her father proud even when repelled by her intended. Hudson kept following his employer's orders and hunting Tabitha down.

Finally at the very end Tabitha and Hudson woke up to go against the society norms and got their HEA!

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Chasing the Bride
By Erica Ridley

Family responsibilities are the absolute pits, especially when you’re promised from birth to marry a man older than your father and meaner than a bear!

Erica Ridley brings us back to the festivities with Chasing the Bride, the sixth instalment in the Lords in Love duet series with Darcy Burke.

This series revolves around the Marrywell May Day marriage festival- and weeklong festivities were single people mingle in the hopes of meeting their match!

Too bad for lady Tabitha Kerr, that she doesn’t even get to attempt to make a match at the marriage festival! At least she has a reprieve from her first marriage to crusty Viscount Oldfield in a weeklong holiday to Marrywell to enjoy the festivities… the only stipulation is that she must bring Oldfields man of business, Mr. Hudson Frampton as her chaperoned/bodyguard.

Tabatha and Hudson seem find a rapport as they enjoy the entertainments together- Tabatha even starts wondering what it would be like if she was Mary Hudson instead of Oldfield.

Needless to say, there may be a switch up in this coupling!

I loved watching Tabitha fight against what she feels to be her family duty for her father and her wishes for her own future. Her through freedom and independence. She finds her own strength to go for what she wants.

As for Hudson, a man came from nothing, he also needs to fight against his own duty and responsibility towards Oldfield.

It’s so rewarding to see two characters find themselves with the help of each other and fight for love worth having!

The whole Lords in Love series has been a lot of fun, and this book up there with my favourites!

Thanks to author Erica Ridley and WebMotion for my review copy.

#LordsInLove #ChasingTheBride #EricaRidley

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Erica Ridley always delivers with a well plotted story with wonderfully drawn characters and a more diverse than usual for the genre cast of characters. This was a quick but cute read

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What a lovely book. It fits in well the authors other books. I absolutely adored this man of business, who couldn’t take his eyes of his employers fiancé. Although I personally thought he should have left his employer way earlier and really court the heroine. But where would be the drama in that. Kinda loved and hated that her dad got redeemed in the end. He was painted a villain for most of the book. All in all a lovely book with a few niggles.

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Erica Ridley books are delightful, quick reads. This story has romance and well developed characters. Don't miss this one.

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What a quick and entertaining read featuring a runaway bride and the man sent to find her.

Lady Tabitha is set to marry an old man to settle a long family feud. Our hero, Hudson, is in the old man’s employ and secretly pines for Lady Tabitha. Ahh, forbidden love!

This was an entertaining romance with a grumpy, strong hero and forbidden love trope. The heroine is sweet, if a bit naïve, but I do like that she took the initiative to run away. The interactions between Tabitha and Hudson are excellent leading up to their romance.

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I would like to thank netgalley and WebMotion for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable.

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I always look forward to a new Erica Ridley book. They’re fun, they’re fast-paced, they’re witty and charming and always have the best banter between the main characters. CHASING THE BRIDE was no exception, containing all of the elements that I look forward to in Ridley’s books, and delivering yet another swoony romance and HEA. I absolutely loved the main characters, and I really liked how unexpected Hudson was. He wasn’t the typical lord of stories like this, instead he was the hired help of a viscount. The same viscount that’s supposed to marry the woman that he ends up falling for. As always, this delivered a short and sweet romance that can be devoured in a day. 4 stars, and I look forward to the next one.

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Another great book from Erica Ridley. I’ve read other books by this author this one was just as good as those. I really enjoyed the story and the characters were well thought out.

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Another book from Erica Ridley that I absolutely loved!
Lady Tabitha Kerr was promised at birth to be the Viscount Oldfield’s bride. Their families had warred for generations, and this union will heal the longstanding rift. But Tabitha dreams of a love match, and failing that, at least one night of true love. Even if she has to run away to find it! As Viscount Oldfield’s trusted man of business, Mr. Hudson Frampton is his lordship’s right-hand man, attack dog, and fixer. When a nervous bride jilts the viscount at the altar, Hudson is to find and return her to his employer posthaste. He is not supposed to fall in love. Or kiss his employer’s bride. Or say yes when Tabitha makes an indecent proposal that will ruin them both…
OMG THESE TWO! I almost devoured this book in one sitting. The story is romantic, deeply emotional, with steamy moments and adorable witty dialogs. I laughed, sighed and suffered for them. Tabitha made me love her and feel frustrated at the same time. I need her to stand up for herself but I understood why she couldn’t. Hudson is my new book boyfriend. So strong and sexy! It was beautiful to be able to see their love journey! So good. I highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Having a crummy week? Get yourself an Erica Ridley book! Seriously, it's always just the right amount of escapism. I liked the characters and the class conflict, and really could only wish that this one was a little longer and a little spicier. Looking forward to the next in the series!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a temporary digital ARC to review. Views are my own.

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Lady Tabitha is the only child of a marquess, who is dying of a wasting disease. She has been betrothed since birth to one of her father's war-time friend, Lord Oldfield. Her father's dying wish is to see the two married. Tabitha, however, cannot stomach marrying the older, clearly decrepit man.
Hudson is Lord Oldfield's secretary/man of business, an orphan raised in poverty but whose business acumen has earned Oldfield and himself a lot of money. When Tabitha runs away when she's to marry Oldfield, he is sent to find her. Hudson has secretly been attracted to Tabitha for years, and he easily finds her. Tabitha convinces him to delay bringing her back to Oldfield for a week, and to keep an eye on her and pretend to be her husband while she's in hiding, girding herself to go back for an unwanted marriage. Poignant moments ahead, and lots of water wading and picnics!
Chasing the Bride is a sweet read, but in Erica Ridley standards I thought one of the less interesting books of her's. In some places, I felt forced to keep reading. I like the premise, I like the story. I hated reading the Oldfield parts and did not understand-- although the reader is told how-- this creepy, icky man was marrying a younger woman, and had also waited to marry for this long. It was frustrating that Tabitha's father was set on this, it just made no sense how he was supposed to be this great man but was so caught up with this lecher. I know they served in the military together ! It just was a weak reason and I was so grossed out with Oldfield it took a lot of enjoyment away. There was a lot of dialogue between Hudson and Tabitha, and a lot of it was not too interesting. There I also didn't understand the chemistry, but that may have been because I was so repulsed by this creepy guy marrying this vivacious, loyal young woman. I know I'm throwing a lot of my own impressions into this review, but once I was turned off by everyone around Tabitha (and to Hudson for a lot of the book, because he worked for Oldfield), it really just made me less into this book.
I love Erica Ridley books! This one was just a miss for me but others may like more! There's lots of fun tropes-- one bed at the inn, love from afar, jilting and falling in love with someone close to the jilted.

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4 1/2*STARS*
Lady Tabitha Kerr, a dutiful daughter, must marry Viscount Orfield at her father's insistence. Mr. Hudson Frampton is the viscount's man of business. In love with Tabitha, he considers himself her protector. He follows her to the Merrywell matchmaking festival. It's the beginning of their bond. Running away from her wedding back to Merrywell, Hudson shows up. The magic is there for a hopeful new beginning. Thinking of Tabitha married to the vile viscount is most distressing. Will love overcome duty and the matter of class? Thank goodness for happy endings. Heat level 3.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

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