At her birth, Lady Tabitha was chosen to marry Viscount Oldfield, but now that it is time for the two to wed, she hates the old man. The Viscount’s man, Hudson, is tasked with keeping tabs on Tabitha, so when she climbs out the window prior to her wedding, he follows. The two spend time wandering the country side sharing a room at the country inns and falling in love.

This book felt long, which is an odd thing to say about a 200 page novella. I feel like the book could have started with her leaving at the wedding rather than having to spend 100 pages leading up to that scene. I did like Tabitha and Hudson, but i grew weary of the constant, “i love you, but we cant because ____.” I get that it was trying to build the tension, but it didn’t work for me. It took me 5 days to read 200 ebook pages, which is a clear indicator I didn’t love this one, but it was a cute enough short read.

Thank you to NetGalley and WebMotion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chasing the Bride by Erica Ridley is the story of Hudson Frampton chasing after his employer’s runaway bride, Lady Tabitha.

To be honest, I think I would have been a runaway bride if I had been put in a similar situation. Who would honestly want to be betrothed at birth to a man older than her father? I admire Lady Tabitha for taking her future into her own hands.

Hudson is a very honorable man of business, but it was nice to see that Lady Tabitha was able to reason with him. Lady Tabitha’s father isn’t quite as reasonable, at least in the beginning , so Ridley shows us the contrast between how generations thought of women.

I enjoyed Hudson and Lady Tabitha’s story. Fair warning, though, if you generally read steamy historical romances as I do, there’s nothing but kissing until 75% of the way through the book. I won’t lie; I was starting to experience bangxiety. I’m excited to read the final book in the series which is also the only MM book in the Lords in Love.

I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley. The opinions expressed above are my own.

I don't usually enjoy the trope where one of the main characters starts the book committed to another, but I like Erica Ridley and I liked earlier glimpses of Tabitha, so I thought I would make an exception here. I am glad I did. This is a good read about an unlikely couple both torn by their desire and love for the other and their senses of duty and honor.

Tabitha is a beautiful young woman promised to a reprobate friend of her father in infancy. She is apparently the "vessel" needed to settle some sort of feud between Tabitha's family and the family of her fiance. Desperate for her dying father's love and approval, Tabitha does not protest the speeding up on her marriage to her lecherous and deeply indebted betrothed. But at the last minute she bolts.

Hudson Frampton is the fiance's man of business, the only reason the Viscount still has any funds at all. Hudson has long wanted Tabitha but he knows his loyalty must be to his boss. He chases Tabitha down, only to be convinced to allow her one last week of freedom. They of course spend that week falling in love but they ultimately return to London - and her wedding.

The wedding obviously does not happen and Tabitha and Hudson get their HEA. But I lost a bit of respect for Tabitha in HOW the wedding ended up not happening. She should have been braver after having spent a week realizing just what she was giving up through her marriage. Hudson is lovely - smart and strong and willing to sacrifice it all for Tabitha. Tabitha remains a little spineless to the end, still seeking her father's love and approval despite his willingness to give her to a man all of society despises. Still enjoyable.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This was just lovely. True love and a bit of feminine wiles chasing away the mean and the dirty, the cutest couple that I just wanted to have beat the odds made this a super read. This cheered me up, made me smile and warmed up my heart. Romance is out there.

This is probably my favorite book in the series (so far) - just slightly edging out Defying the Earl (which makes sense since the stories overlap somewhat). I wanted to get more of Tabitha's story after meeting her in Defying and was so excited to see that Emily Ridley came through for me! I knew she was had a pretty awful guy for a fiancé and wanted to know how exactly that came about and how she was going to get out of it. This story was funny and sweet and romantic. It's definitely the perfect book if you are looking for a little escape. The only thing I would have changed was that I would have had Tabitha stop the wedding rather than Hudson. Of course it's super romantic that he did, but I thought it would have been a nice message to Hudson that she was willing to give up a lot in order to be with him. Luckily her father came around and realized what a stubborn fool he was being. And the only thing I would have liked to have seen more of was Tabitha with Matilda - partly because it is always nice to see female friendships and because I was trying to figure out where some of her appearances in Defying fell within this story.

Lords in Love, Book #6. Although this is part of a series I do believe it can be read as a standalone. Uh Oh, Tabitha is promised to the Viscount but she jilts him. The Viscount’s man, Hudson, chases after the would-be bride but ends up wanting her for himself. This can’t end well, can it? But then again this is a romance novel!

Hudson is ‘big and strong and intense’ and he’s very capable and efficient. He has yearned for her, finds her plump and curvy body to be luscious, and is an amusing companion. Their banter is quite witty at times. Tabitha feels a great sense of duty and understands that her situation is that shared by many young women. It is the way of the world. She wants to honor the betrothal her father arranged but she cannot, in the end, stomach the thought of being married to a man 30 years her senior, a disgusting whoring lecher of an old man. But as her father is dying and this marriage is his last wish, she’ll do it. But she’ll submit *after* escaping for one week of freedom from duty before the dreaded marriage. She is enjoying the freedom and self-determination she’s never had in her life. And Hudson is her greatest desire.

Because this was a sweet engaging book I was able to read it in two days of reading sessions. There are some naughty parts toward the end but they are not too graphic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I think you’ll like it.

Tabitha has long been promised to a friend of her father but she wishes for freedom and love.
Hudson is the secretary/businessman to her fiancé but he cannot get her out of his mind.
Hudson loves Tabitha and will do anything to make her happy including letting her marry his employer.
Tabitha loves her father and wants to do her duty by marrying the aristocrat of his choice but she begins to fall in love with Hudson.
Class differences, old feuds, betrothal promises, and runaway brides add to the fun and banter in this tale of two people caught up in difficult circumstances.
An enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Chasing the Bride is the sixth installment in the Lords in Love series, albeit only the second I’ve read and the first by Erica Ridley. I admit to having lost a little faith in the series for a bit, having been turned off by the premise of a prior installment (and not being reassured upon trying it), and not being convinced to try again by any of the books until now. But I continue to be a sucker for a working-class hero, and I needed a book to fill the “Left at the Altar” square for Ripped Bodice Bingo, so I felt optimistic about this one.
And I really liked it. Tabitha is easy to like and root for in her desire for a love match, even if she’s bound to her father’s promise to marry her to Viscount Oldfield. I really liked following her as she experienced life for the first time. She’s a great balance of being aware of dutiful and rebellious, and I love how she goes from reluctantly going along with her marriage, with the intent to have fun, to fully committing to following her heart.
And Hudson is everything I hoped for. He has a complicated stake in this situation, as he works for Viscount Oldfield, but I love how his resolve to be professional dissolves as he gets to know her. He also proves that he can be a stable husband for Tabitha on several occasions, including a pivotal moment with her father.
This is a delightful read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance, especially if you enjoy cross-class romances with working-class heroes.

Chasing the Bride. This story was very entertaining. I really enjoyed the very sweet and charming moments between Tabitha and Hudson, while they spent moments at the Mayfair. Hudson is ever the gentleman in this story. I think that’s why he is my favorite character. Tabitha is a smart woman who desperately worked to be the master of her being. The story Isa quick story. For the readers who love romantic stories you will enjoy this one. The romance stands out mostly in the book, which was a sweet delight. The passion that Tabitha and Hudson start consumes the story with heated kisses and passionate affairs. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

what bothered me most was the lack of depth the story and characters had. their thoughts were just "im so attracted to them but I can't bc x y z" on repeat. also, their dynamic felt more like best buddies than potential love interests until 60% of the book, they were just vibing giggling and throwing flowers around. I gave it 2 stars just because the smut is really well written

also, if I have to read the word "barouche" ever again I might throw up

Promised since birth to a man older than her father, Tabitha is not happy to obey her dying father’s command to honor the betrothal. Hudson, her betrothed’s right hand man, is tasked to escort Tabitha around town and to make sure she shows up to the church for the wedding. When Tabitha bolts from the church, Hudson follows her. Spending time together they realize how much they really mean to each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley and WebMotion for my honest review.

I was looking forward to Tabitha’s story, and this didn’t disappoint. Tabitha was promised to Lord Oldfield, a man as old as her father and one who has a great interest in drinking, carousing and gambling, since before she was born. She is a dutiful daughter who wants to please her father, but marrying Oldfield would be an extreme sacrifice that would make her miserable for the rest of her life. Oldfield’s man of business, Mr. Hudson Frampton, is another story. He is young, kind, handsome and respectful. Oldfield arranges to marry Tabitha sooner than expected, so she does the only thing she can, she runs and then thinks that she has a week to live freely and happily. Hudson is sent to find and return her, but they both start to learn that sometimes there are more important things in life than just following orders.

Tabitha has been promised by her dying father to the ancient Viscount Oldfield. Hudson, the Viscount's man of affairs is attracted to her. He is tasked with going with her to the Marrywell Matchmaking festival to watch over her. As they spend time together, their attraction to each other
grows stronger. Tabitha knows that it is her duty to marry the Viscount, so after the festival, she goes home to wed. On her wedding day, she leaves the Viscount at the alter and runs back to Marrywell. Hudson follows her to take her back, but she asks for one week of freedom before she has to marry the old Viscount.
There was great chemistry between Hudson and Tabitha. This is a truly captivating 5-star read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and these are my opinions.

Chasing the Bride, Is a great quick read. Hudson is very frank with Tabitha. I like how he doesn't tell her what to do or how to do it. He gives her the facts and lets her decide. Unlike the other men in her life. I was disappointed with her father and actually a little disgusted. Everything works out in the end and a happily ever after for all.

I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed these story's based around to town of Marrywell. This one is no exception. It's a quick novella read and is sweet and charming, with likeable character's, I read it in one session. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Erica never disappoints and this is no exception.
Tabitha wants to make her father happy by marrying his old friend Lord Oldfield but he is no more than a libertine and only after her money.
She runs from her marriage ceremony only to be chased Hudson Frampton the lords man of business who for years has adored Tabitha from afar.
I will leave the rest to your imagination

Chasing the Bride is the newest installment of Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke's Lords in Love series. The the books in the series take place in or adjacent to the annual matchmaking festival in Marrywell. I love how all the books build upon the world of Marrywell and we get the more in depth stories regarding interactions with side characters from previous books.

Tabitha has known since birth that she is betrothed to her father's friend, the Viscount Oldfield. Their marriage is supposed to mend a decades long rivalry between the families. Unfortunately, he's a lecherous old cad who is only interested in Tabitha's inheritance after her father passes. Her father is dying and Tabitha only wants to make him happy. Oldfield's man of business, Hudson Frampton, is tasked with making sure that Tabitha makes it to the matchmaking festival and ultimately to the wedding. During her week of freedom, Tabitha is able to be herself and enjoy spending time with Hudson. I loved the runaway bride aspect of this book! Hudson fought his feelings for so long before finally giving into them. Erica Ridley is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I can't wait to read her backlog.

Tropes included: runaway bride, class difference, forced proximity, fake relationship, small town, only one bed, bodyguard, country festival

Thank you to NetGalley, Erica Ridley, and Webmotion for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

👰🏻‍♀️ Such a joyful, fun book with lots of humour (despite the looming marriage to the horrible Viscount).

💕 It’s already in the blurb so hopefully not a spoiler, but so much chemistry between Lady Tabitha and Mr Frampton, that you can’t help but root for them. Tabitha is such an adorable character, and the delight she takes in simple pleasures is such a joy to read.

🥰 This is such a cute little heartwarming story, loved it!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry but this just fell flat for me. The heroine irritated me beyond belief. She was prepared to marry a horrible old man simply because her father wanted her to. The man who loved her should have found someone else who was prepared to be brave.

It’s well written and there are some interesting scenes but it just didn’t work for me. I am obviously an exception judging from the 4/5 star reviews.

Tabitha wants to make her father proud and marry the man he's chosen for her. She's just having a hard time following through with the wedding. She ends up getting an extra week free of matrimony only to be caught by her husband-to-be right hand man. Tabitha returns home....does she get married? Read it find out!