At birth, Lady Tabitha Kerr was promised to Viscount Oldfield to try and mend a generations-old family rivalry. But despite her father’s desire for peace, she dreams of a love match. Ideally, with someone not a lecherous old man who stares down the chests of women even younger than her.

Mr. Hudson Frampton is Viscount Oldfield’s man of business. After she runs away, he is tasked with finding Tabitha and bringing her back, to drag her kicking and screaming up the aisle if he must. He’s not supposed to fall in love with her, but he can’t help himself; after all, this is a Regency romance we’re talking about.

So Tabitha and Hudson make a deal; she gets to have a week of freedom, and he gets to take her back “willingly” when it’s over. But as Tabitha and Hudson spend time together, they fall in love, and going back seems harder and harder. Still, with Tabitha’s father dying, she must.

There isn’t much more to tell; after all, Chasing the Bride is a short read at 197 pages. We see Tabitha and Hudson enjoying a week of freedom and falling in love. Hudson comes from humble beginnings, and there isn’t a title waiting for him to offer her, so he doesn’t want to ruin her. Tabitha feels that after the scandal of her running away at her wedding, all of this other stuff doesn’t matter. Hudson turns out to be an intelligent guy, more than capable of taking care of himself. Tabitha turns out to be surprisingly thoughtful about the reasons behind her marriage. I love that despite the hopelessness of her circumstances she does actually take action and make her own decisions.

Of course, there is love at the end. It’s a cute little story!

What more do you need from a book?

Another winner in the series! Lady Tabitha is the dutiful daughter trying to please her beloved father’s dying wish. A promise made before she was born to marry her father’s friend who was 3x her age. A horrible man with too many vices to list. His man of business, Hudson feels badly for the poor women. He also has feelings for her, but there is no way anything can come of it. She is promised to his employer and he must do as ordered to keep his employment. And as the wedding approaches the bride runs away and Hudson is ordered to bring her back.
There is so much to this story even though it’s a short read, I just kept turning the pages! Well done Erica! Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #ChasingtheBride #LordsinLove

Lady Tabitha Kerr has never had a Season because she's been promised at birth to her father's friend, Viscount Oldfield, but she doesn't want to marry the lecherous man who's older than her father. She wants to make her own decisions. However, her father's health takes a turn for the worst, and Tabitha being the dutiful daughter, agrees to marry the lord until she can't go through with it and jilts him at the altar.

Mr. Hudson Frampton is Viscount Oldfield's man of business. Over the years, he has made a lot of money for the viscount as well as himself, but he thoroughly dislikes the lord's lecherous and spendthrift ways. He's been secretly in love with Tabitha for years, although he knows she'll never be his. When Hudson is tasked with finding and returning the runaway bride, he never expects the lady even to give him a second glance.

I really liked Hudson. He was an honorable man who wanted nothing but the best for Tabitha, even if that meant watching her marry another. I felt so bad for Tabitha, especially because her father used her as a pawn and didn't listen to what she wanted. There's a lot packed into this novella, and it was wonderful to watch Tabitha, and Hudson realize they could be happy together if only her father would consent. These stories about the village of Marrywell have been a delight to read.

3.6 stars, solid, cute, scratched the itch!
This was adorable! There was nothing revolutionary or mind blowing about the piece, but it's a 200 page regency era one-off romance, so it scratched the itch and gave me a delightful afternoon giggling and kicking my feet while the bridgerton & Emma 2020 soundtracks played in the background, (which is exactly what I wanted from it) <3

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

Another visit to the quaint village of Marrywell. It's May Day and maybe the last chance for fun for poor Tabitha. Marrywell is known as the matchmaking town, their fairs and dances have matched many couples over the years. Tabitha knows that once she marries her father's best friend that she's out of luck, hope, and the chance for love. Lord Oldfield sounds horrible in both looks and personality.. His man of business, Hudson, is young, handsome but has no title. He's to trail along with Tabitha to the festival to make sure she doesn't run off. These two are so good together that right from the start you know there's going to be a lovely HEA. An enjoyable read and the characters were well thought out and likeable.

#netgalley #ChasingtheBride #LordsinLove #historicalromance #romancy #EricaRidley #

This is a short, entertaining read that I finished in one setting. Tabitha is part of the aristocracy, who has been betrothed to her father’s best friend her entire life. He is old and unpleasant and she prefers the company of his man of business, Mr. Frampton. I liked this historical romance fine. It just seems a little rushed and I feel like this was a good enough story that it could have been longer.

Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Chasing the Bride by Erica Ridley

Absolutely a fantastic book! Love, anger, fear, and happiness all combine into a perfect story and Erica Ridley delivers that into this book. Just such an excellent read, swoon worthy!

I just reviewed Chasing the Bride by Erica Ridley. #ChasingtheBride #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book/292825/review]

This is a super cute and swoony romance.. I liked it very much.. It is sweet and charming, with lovely characters. Definitely a relaxing read after stressful day.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
-This story is a good example of why I hate dying wish. All's well that ends well but it took a while to get there.
-Classic Ridley book, fun at every turn even if sometimes it's sad at the same time: "Have you left for M. yet?" the viscount slurred. Obviously not! LOL. But the sure sign it WAS a Ridley book was the whole scene about a stolen kiss. It is hilarious and Hudson doesn't help Tabitha's case.
-I loved the way Hudson saw marriage between him and his would-be wife; just the fact that he was aiming for success by sunset told a lot. I loved how he responded to Mrs. Snowfeather's dares. Such fun, it's liberating.
-I loved how Tabitha reacted when she was not under her father; such simple things and yet, everything was fascinating. Fun to be with, daring.
-I think there's a bit of miscalculation in Tabitha's coming out. Chapter 14 tells us it's been 8 years but in a previous chapter, she was only 22.
-A bit of repetitions concerning the fact that Tabitha was doomed to marry Viscount Oldfield since even before her birth. Five or six times at around 80% and it doesn't stop there.
-We saw a glimpse of Vachon and the Duke of Southbury in Marrywell! They are both in the next and last book of the series.

I like this series and enjoyed it a lot, I also loved seing other characters from more recent books in the series as well.

Betrothed to Viscount Oldfield in the womb, Lady Tabitha Kerr, only child to the Marquess of Brigsby, spend her life being dutiful, prim and proper, and mostly ignored awaiting the dreaded wedding day. The only man to ever truly see her was Frampton. Attentive with the looks of a handsome highwayman.
She’s a vessel, a pawn in a long-time family feud, but it’s her father’s dying wish, so she must oblige. Or does she? What if she made a run for it? Frampton would find her, but could she get a taste of happiness and maybe even love?

Man of business and jack-of-all-trades, Mr Hudson Frampton has had his eyes on his employer’s fiancée for almost a decade guarding and assisting her. Respected and feared, she’s the only person cocky enough to tease him and stir his dreams. But a commoner and a Lady? Impossible!
He’s not really surprised when she disappears from the church, and easily tracks her down. What to do? Take her straight home as the viscount ordered? Or allow her a few days of freedom and possibly put his own heart on the line?

📚 Fast-paced, witty and captivating, I read this book in one sitting. Just couldn’t put it down!
Both bound by duty, kept apart by class, and desperate for a taste of the forbidden. The touching way - he’s been pining for her for so long - in which he brings her to bloom and supports her, is at odds with his stern and effective demeanour. No simpering miss or wallflower, she pricks and prods and teases until he’s utterly defenceless. The chemistry between these two! Wonderful! And funny, sweet and incredibly romantic! This series never lets me down! Highly recommended!
📚 Runaway bride/bodyguard, forbidden romance, steamy, open door, one bed, fake marriage

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

This was a short one by Ms. Ridley and I definitely wish it was longer. I would have loved to go into more detail about Tabitha and Hudson taking for each other. Having said that, I still like this one a lot. The plot kept me engaged. Their forbidden love was believable.

I hated the viscount. Old, creep, pervert. I wish there was an inclusion in the epilogue to say what became of him but oh well.

I definitely recommend this if you want a quick, light read.

Girl is betrothed since birth to an old lecher by a misguided father. Guy is lecher's man of business and hopelessly in love with her.

Hudson and Lady Tabitha fake it until they make it after she runs away from the altar, and he tracks her down. Instead of bringing her back to her terrible finance, they decide to pretend to be a married couple and have a fun flirty week to themselves. Tabitha is trying to seduce Hudson and he's trying as hard as he can not to let her.

A Fast-paced, quick (3 hour), feel-good read perfect for a rainy weekend. I got swept away and couldn't put it down. I'll be reading more of this series!

Chasing the Bride is a quick and fun read. There is plenty of heart, suspense, and conflict - but not to the point that it is sappy or overwrought. This is open door romance is spicy in the right parts, author deftly inserts humor, and all is well that ends well in the well written historical romance.

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. The opinions are mine alone.

Tabitha had been promised in marriage from birth to her fathers “friend” who has a reputation as a gambling womaniser, but in fulfilling her fathers wishes she will be solving a generation old feud, wanting to please her sick father she feels it her duty to go through with the marriage but runs away at the last minute. Hudson is send by his employer to bring her back so the wedding can go through, but Hudson has loved Tabitha for years and agrees to let Tabitha have a last week of freedom in Merrywell, pretending to still be searching for her. As Hudson shares her room throughout that week feelings are expressed on both sides and love, friendship and companionship abound, although it is difficult for them to go back and face her dying father and the viscount, Tabitha insists on doing her duty.. Once back at the wedding Hudson stops the wedding to confess his love for Tabitha.
I really enjoyed this addition to this series and enjoyed reading Tabitha’s story.

3.5 stars
this historical novel with an impossible love between lady Tabitha (already betrothed to another man) and a non-noble Hudson is a pleasant read. Personally in the first part of the novel I was much more on Tabitha's side, while after her escape and the week spent with Hudson I re-evaluated Hudson a lot. I was disappointed by Tabitha's attitude, flat and submissive, without even trying to change her fate throughout the book. Tabitha's father was terrible.

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the Lords in Love series. Tabitha has been betrothed to her father’s viscount friend since before she was born and with her father on his deathbed, the wedding shall be held in short order. Tabitha has no interest in marrying to lecherous old man, but feels that it is her role as dutiful daughter to comply. She spends some of her last few days of freedom at the Marrywell Matchmaking Festival, but her betrothed has assigned his man of business to watch over her. Hudson has worked for the old viscount for years and has been unwisely pining for Tabitha despite being at a much lower social standing. While he is competent at his assigned tasks, he is dreading the day when Tabitha must submit to marriage to the viscount. When she’s spending time with Hudson, Tabitha realizes true joy and companionship, making her dread her looming marriage even more. She ultimately runs from her wedding day, hoping to forestall her fate for just a little while longer. Hudson eventually catches up to her and she convinces him to spend a week with her before she has to meet her doom again, even though his job is to bring her back to his employer. This book was a lot of fun to read with our two people easily falling in love, but kept apart due to their external circumstances.

When I say I devoured this book. Y'all.

We've seen glimpses of Lady Tabitha in the previous books in this series and I was very intrigued to learn more about her, her betrothal, and it would all work out!

We have: runaway bride, one bed, fake marriage, bodyguard.
Ridley amazed me with the chemistry these two developed in just a few joking lines🐘, and how (mostly) pure Tabitha and Hudson spend time together and bond and think of one another.

I was curious (not anxious, because in Erica we trust!) how they would get their HEA because it seemed impossible without someone dying. I loved it. Of course I did, it's Erica Ridley!

"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 doesn’t want to be a pawn— or a consolation prize. She 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!
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."
Tabitha is meant for Hudson but she doesn't know it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily..

Where to start, there is so much I could say about this book. But after starting this review a couple of times I feel you the reading is best finding all the little secrets and details for yourself. Lady Tabitha was betrothed before she was even born. Her father the Marquess best friend saved his life in battle and set up the marriage if the baby was a girl. Due to already having a man in the waiting she was denied a coming out party and ball. She has never been courted or allowed to dance or even been kissed. Not that she wants her betrothed to kiss her ugh! He is older than her father, nasty, evil man. She fears him and wants nothing to do with him. All he wants is her money. But she loves her father and has spent her whole life trying to win his approval. He is slowly dying and his last wish is for her to marry the nasty Viscount Oldfield saying it will end an old rift between families. Mr. Hudson Frampton has had a very rough life. He is Oldfields man of business. He had made a life for himself in which he is now very wealthy. He is a big burly man most are afraid of. Tabitha thinks of him as Oldfield go to person. He is always doing what the Viscount tells him. But he is also very Handsome in a way. Hudson keeps his feeling well hidden,but he has been smitten by Tabitha since the first time he saw her. He cannot understand any father wanting sure a person around their daughter let alone marry them! Tabitha has always been a dutiful daughter trying to gain her father's love. She loves reading and playing the piano like a pro. The day of her wedding to Oldfield she is over come with what her life will be and runs away, she just cannot do it. Of course, Oldfield sends Hudson to find her little does he know what can happen in the town of Merrywell. The fair is over and the town is quite just what she needs till He turns up. Can she convince him to let her have just a little time to herself. Oh, with her sass and smiles she wins him over. He knows in his heart this is going to be a disaster for him. Seven days in her company with no one else around. Oh, my let the fun began and it does. As they spend time together and learn more about what the other is really like they draw close together. Is there a happy ending for them? How can go against her father's dying wish? How can a servant be with a peer? So many questions and you need to get a copy and get started to get the answers. All the books in this series can be read as standalone but so much better read in order. This is a steamy story for those who like to know. Erica once again gives us a story full of life, sorrow, growing, passion, and love. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my long and honest opinion.