When Alex seeks to avenge his sister's death by suicide by ruining a man, he chooses Claire to be his bride. Claire, desperate for a family of her own and looking to rid herself of the curse of broken engagements, agrees to marry Alex. Both are guilty of deceit and need to fully give of their hearts as they start to fall in love. Before it's too late. But secrets are revealed and trust is broken; can they find their way back to each other before it's too late. Will they choose forgiveness and love? A great debut novel!

**I was provided a copy on netgalley

Beautifully written story with passionate and complex characters that captured my attention with a great paced plot from beginning to end. This is a fantastic debut story by Janna MacGregor.
Our couple have endured a past life filled with heartbreak and tragedy, but it is secrets and revenge that brings them together as a couple. Although their relationship started as an act of revenge, over time it turns into attraction, trust and love. As Alex and Claire start to let down their walls and help each other to face and heal their secrets and scarred past, Claire finds out about Alex's real reason for marrying her and she leaves. Will their love, strength and family values help these two find their HEA? You will have to read to find out.
Fantastic Story, that was beautifully written, captivating, full of secrets, lies, heartache, second chances and love. Can't wait to read more by this new author! Loved it!
Received an ARC through the publisher and NetGalley and voluntarily wrote this honest review.

This is a fun romance. I loved Claire and Alex together. They begin their marriage with a curse but can it be broken. Will Claire remain a bad luck bride? This Is an easy read. I enjoyed the fun banter and how it goes. I received a copy of this from St. Martin's Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Quite the convoluted love story, but deceit, revenge and curses cannot stop true love! Claire was a sympathetic and layered character, and this book was fun to read.

I love a book that can make me cry and in this book, I did several times. The author has the ability to present some scenes with and between Claire and Alex that just wring your heart.

Overall I don't like people who are users and out for revenge but family love and pain I do. This book is a mix of both and as the story progresses you see the effects of how one affects the other. For me this book was very emotional because of Claire's fears, curse and how it affects her life and ability to love. But also for Alex who is so driven by pain as to seek a horrible revenge.

Alex well he is another story. The reader will feel his pain even as he administers him revenge and you will feel a compassion for his reasons even if you do not agree. There is much about him that the reader will not admire but it is balanced for all the ways they will learn to care for him and his ways.

Throughout this book, you will read firsthand how misunderstandings occur, how love is everlasting yet can bring great pain, but mostly you will see that there is always a chance for personal growth and forgiveness.

I give this 4 STARS for showing how fears and hate can be overcome in a manner that is life changing.

This was a good story. I liked Claire who had lots to deal with because of her "curse". I didn't like Alexander at first but you start to like him over time. Secondary characters that you aren't sure If you like or don't and a well written plot... I don't want to say anything more because even trying to formulate more is just giving away the good stuff.

*I voluntarily read a Advance Reader Copy. All thoughts are my own and honestly stated

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Alex and Claire, who become Lord and Lady Pembrooke. Alex is looking for revenge against a friend who betrayed him, and an unfortunate victim in his plot is Lady Claire. In order to keep her from being scorned by society, he marries her by the end of the week. Fortunately for him, Alex and Claire seem to be a good match. Claire comes with her own set of issues too. Her parents died tragically when she was young and its left her deeply traumatized even after all these years.
Overall I liked this book. I thought it was a nice story and I liked the characters ok. I wasn't crazy about the hero in the book, I just felt like he was kind of robotic and detached from the story. I couldn't connect with him, though towards the end he did seem a little more romantic. I liked Claire's family a lot, and to be honest I think some of my favorite characters in the book were the servants. Claire and Alex have a lot of ups and downs in their marriage but I liked that they were able to work things out and listen to each other. This was a sweet story with a romantic ending and I'd recommend it.

This book reminded me of why I love the historical romance genre. The scenery was very well written as we're the MCs. The story was exciting and at times sad, but mostly it was a wonderful read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Having one fiance die before the wedding is bad luck. Losing another 3 is definitely a curse. So, when Lady Claire accepts a proposal from Alex, the Marquess of Pembrooke on the night of her planned betrothal the fiance number 4, even she is beginning to believe in the curse.
Janna MacGregor has managed to write a delightful story of love, loss, pain and revenge. While Claire and Alex certainly don't start out as a love match, you can see the attraction from the first moment they meet.
Both have secrets that could potentially ruin their marriage and the writer dances around the issues masterfully. The reader can't help but pulling for the couple and wanting to see them get their Happily Ever After.
The epilogue sets up the perfect lead-in to book 2 of this series.

Passion, humour, drama, danger and emotion and deftly intertwined in Janna Macgregor’s highly promising debut historical romance, The Bad Luck Bride.

Alexander Hallworth, the Marquis of Pembrook, loathes with every fibre of his being the man who ruined his sister’s life and destroyed his family’s happiness: Lord Paul Barstowe. Determined to get justice for his sister’s death and to make Lord Paul pay for his nefarious deceit, Alex sets out to ruin the man he despises and he will not rest until his mortal enemy is severely punished for his crimes. However, little did Alex realise that his plan to wreak revenge upon Lord Paul was going to unexpectedly throw him in close proximity with a woman who was going to turn his life upside down and spin his world on its own axis – the Ton’s most infamous and most unlucky heiress, Lady Claire Cavensham.

All Lady Claire Cavensham has ever wanted is to have a family of her own, but unfortunately finding a suitable husband has proven to be harder than she originally thought. After the acrimonious end of three engagements, Claire had been pinning all of her hopes and dreams on Lord Paul Barstowe. Although Claire would be the first to admit that she does not love Lord Paul, she had been hoping that respect and friendship would give way to an everlasting love over time. When Lord Paul breaks their engagement off via a letter, Claire is absolutely distraught – until she finds herself rescued from yet another scandal by the Marquis of Pembrook!

With no other option open to her, Claire has got no choice but to marry Alexander. When her unlikely saviour begins to awaken feelings and emotions deep within her which she’d never thought she’d experience, Claire begins to wonder whether her luck has finally changed and she has finally found the happiness that she has been searching for for so long.

Will it be happy ever after for Claire and Alexander? Or is their marriage destined to remain a strictly convenient arrangement?

Janna Macgregor is a writer with a very bright future ahead of her. She draws her readers into her story from the very beginning and keeps them engrossed and entertained from start to finish. I really liked Claire, who I thought was intelligent, resourceful and believable. Alexander was a terrific hero who was handsome, sexy, honourable and charismatic and I thoroughly enjoyed all the other supporting characters who peopled this book and who helped to make the world Claire and Alexander lived in so much more vivid and alive.

Although there were some anachronisms used in the book that detracted from my enjoyment of the book, The Bad Luck Bride is an engaging and enjoyable debut novel and I look forward to reading more about the other Cavensham Heiresses!

This was a fun historical romance that was interesting and entertaining. Lady Claire and Alex were both great characters. This story finds Lady Claire's fourth engagement in jeopardy and the beauty about to become a social outcast. Alex, whom she barely knows, shocks her by announcing their engagement. What follows is a delightful romanced that kept me charmed. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

A Debut Historical Romance by Janna MacGregor. I experience a spectrum of emotions while reading this book. Claire and Alex are both deeply troubled characters that are dealing with their grief and suffering in completely different ways. There is harrowing adventure, revenge, overwhelming sadness, redemption, very steamy sex and a HAE. Janna's writing is intelligent, passionate and moving. Even though this novel is a first in the series, it is a perfect story that will have you captivated to the very end.

Alex is a typical man....always right and when he sees the perfect opportunity to seek revenge on his enemy he is not above using Claire to get what he wants. Only Claire is more than he expects and turns his world upside down. When he loses her by his own actions he will do whatever it takes to get her back. Claire is a troubled young lady who has lost three fiancees and is about to lose another, then Alex steps in and her world changes, but is it for better or worse?

I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone who likes to read Historical Romance. I willing to bet the next one in the Series will be even better. Janna is a refreshing new voice in Historical Romance.

Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

The Bad Luck Bride: The Cavensham Heiresses by Janna MacGregor was released on May 2, 2017. I feel that spring and summer are the perfect time for wedding romance novels. The Bad Luck Bride is the debut book of author Janna MacGregor and is a very lovely read that is not your traditional bride that is a light, fluffy story about some bride who keeps having trivial “bad luck”. Instead, Alexander the groom is set on revenge against his friend who ruin the life of his sister by taking his friend’s fiancée. Since he has the financial means to do so, and she happens to be somewhat desperate, this task isn’t a particularly hard feat to manage. What Alexander don’t realize is that it is hard to connect to his bride and build a life together when the marriage is based on deception. MacGregor does a lovely job in creating the characters with intriguing backstory’s that help to create an amazingly wonderful read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and more from this author.

I simply adored this beautiful story of true love and forgiveness! The Bad Luck Bride is a story to get lost in, with beautifully flawed characters you can attach yourself to and a well-crafted plot. I could not put this book down! Janna McGregor has such an exquisite style, a fresh narrative voice, evoking so many emotions in me and making me care for her characters. I was fully engaged in their story, it felt authentic. I also enjoyed the vivid and detailed descriptions bringing the world of Georgian England to life.

Lady Claire Cavensham is an heiress with a lot of emotional baggage. She copes with the trauma of losing her parents in terrible circumstances and has become the ton’s laughing stock since she seems to be cursed with bad luck, after several broken betrothals. Claire is an endearing character, she is genuine, down to earth and generous. But she has experienced a lot of heartache in her life and is deeply hurt by the nasty rumors members of the ton have spread about her.

Alexander Hallworth has a hidden agenda, a well thought-out revenge scheme against the man he holds responsible for his sister’s death, that involves tricking Claire into marriage. Alex isn’t a bad person, he is honorable and well regarded by his peers, but he is blinded by prejudice and sorrow. He has initially no qualms about using Claire for revenge. He didn’t expect affection in his marriage of convenience motivated by his need for retribution.

I appreciated the back-story and the slow build-up of anticipation, each page I turned was accompanied with dread at some point! Claire tries to keep her feelings for Alex under control, but she can’t resist him. He is tender, kind and protective. Alex’s character was well-developed, he is complicated, tortured and feels ashamed for deceiving Claire. I loved how she drew out such deep feelings from him. Alex and Claire are a perfect match, their chemistry was off the charts. But they were married under false pretenses. And there is a price to pay for Alex’s actions.

I absolutely loved every minute of this great emotional ride and wonderfully romantic story! I can’t wait to read Janna MacGregor’s next book! Highly recommended if you enjoy historical romance!

I really like this book but thought Alex's level of manipulation toward his friend was counter to his kindness meaning it seemed unfeasible for a person so kind to be that ruthless. I think he should have planned other things to recompense his friend. Claire seemed uncertain at times but I would have preferred she asked Alex hard questions and dialog occurred quicker. Alex took iniative in many things why not clear the air a bit sooner. It was entertaining. Thanks

Every time I read a great regency romance I feel like my "readers" palate has been cleansed. And Bad Luck Bride is exactly that, a great regency romance. In it we have a hero driven by revenge and therefore flawed, and a heroine burdened by, well bad luck and a very unfortunate case of post traumatic stress.

Everyone in the 'ton knows that Lady Claire is cursed. Engaged 3 times, with tragic circumstances constantly separating her from her destiny. An orphan, she just just a family to call her own and when Alex swoops in to save her from the potential scandal with Lord Paul, she finds herself agreeing to his proposal. However, she is smartly a bit mystified by what would motivate Alex, the Marquess of Pembrooke, to want to marry her. He doesn't need her fortune and he doesn't even know her. But Alex can be quite convincing and when the wedding goes off without tragedy she thinks she's finally beat back her bad fortune.

Lady Claire embodies all that I love in a aristocratic heroine, she's smart and passionate and I immediately fell in love with the story premise and her matching hero, Alex, the Marquess of Pembrooke. The story unfolds at the perfect pace, with feelings between the two slowly developing, making them feel genuine and well earned. But alas, Lady Claire learns that not all is as it seems and we witness confusion and heartbreak all around.

This is Janna MacGregors' debut (amazing one at that) and I am firmly a fan. Her writing is impeccable, plot line well thought out and I felt every emotion. It's a bit of a roller-coaster ride as Alex and Claire experience the rush of falling in love and forming a relationship, to being divided by deception. For me it was a quick read if only because I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't wait to see what would transpire between Alex & Claire, and the conniving Lord Paul. I'm looking forward to next book in the series " The Bride Who Got Lucky". I wholeheartedly recommend the Bad Luck Bride as a 5 star read.

Having been lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, I looked forward to reading this new author's work with interest. I was not disappointed. Loved this book. It was a bit different from the standard regency romance, with complex characters and an intriguing storyline. The stories of the very likeable main characters developed through the book and this made for an interesting and compelling read.n. An excellent reading choice for fans of this genre.

You all know I don't like writing negative reviews - and this is a debut novel which makes this doubly hard. But there are real and substantial problems here that I wanted to talk about

I really don't know where to start with this. There are four principle problems, anyone of which would derail a romance novel.

1. The hero is not heroic. He is creep. He is a vindictive, manipulative stalker and continues with this behaviour after he "loves" the heroine thus this behaviour is not properly redeemed. (NB if you think Christian Grey models acceptable behavior for a hero, you may not have as many problems with this as I did)

2. The heroine is incredibly damaged. This is not necessarily a problem, but the damage is the sort that is difficult to fix/resolve and certainly isn't really properly dealt with in this case.

3. The combination of 1 and 2 means that the relationship that you're being asked to invest in is not a healthy one - a controlling man and a woman suffering from what we would now call PTSD does not a good relationship make. It certainly made me want to scream at the heroine to run away and run away fast.

4. Too much plot. Honestly, there are so many obstacles, misunderstandings, miscommunications and the like in this that your head fairly spins. Any one of these problems would be enough to sustain a romance novel, we don't need all of them. I believe this is the author's debut, and it feels like she's thrown everything and the kitchen sink (plotwise) at the book to keep it moving, when actually, one or two of these issues would be enough to sustain a novel if there were interesting characters and proper character development.

I hate writing reviews like this, but honestly, I nearly DNF'd this - except that it annoyed me so much I hate read until the end to see exactly how the author was proposing to resolve all the stuff.

3.5 Stars Rounded

As I started off, I was thrown by the development of the hero in Alex: vengeful, determined and more than a bit controlling, he was a character that I instantly found dislikable and while I appreciated MacGregor’s attempt to bring a deeply flawed and wounded character to redemption, I had reservations. And then I met Claire: constantly thinking of herself as cursed, with yet another engagement exploding in a most unusual way: with the rather mousey and innocuous introduction, I didn’t see compelling, and worried that Alex would be one who manipulated and reframed So the whole “curse” passed me by, unless one is referring to it in terms of social position, and there, Claire is cursed with being a woman at a time when her purpose in life is to marry well, and personal choice is not an option.

So we move on and at about the 50% mark the story started to show great flashes of promise in the writing: complex ideas, a bit more character development and the backstories are slowly revealed and bring an option to find more depth in the characters than in my initial impressions. But, the continued “we’ll discuss this later” moments, combined with constant interruptions from others, all playing out against Alex’s continued manipulation of situations and Claire: lying to her, watching her to “help her” (ick) and never really listening just rubbed me wrong. Claire was equally to blame, whether the attention (when she got it) from Alex is what she wanted, or she was just so ingrained to be “married” that she was willing to convince herself that she felt love for him – I missed that connection or those moments from Alex that didn’t feel proscribed or convenient. And when Alex’s duplicity is discovered, and everything that Claire thought was solid dissolved into ash, she leaves - a completely understandable reaction and one that moved her from mouse to kitten. Of course, Alex has his epiphany and realizes he loves her beyond measure, but the damage done early on just didn’t seem to allow for this option to me. Sure, it’s fiction and meant to end in a happy ever after, love you forever moment – but with all of the twists, the deception and the bad behavior –I wasn’t convinced.

As a debut offering, it showed promise, although it decidedly left room for improvement: a few plot holes and perhaps a few too many twists and interruptions as the couple’s connection should have been more palpable and believable, with Alex’s realization that his actions and behavior are in need of adjustment did not come soon enough, and I felt as though his realizations were too little and more about his losing than realizing his behavior pushed her away, and he needed to change that before making new attempts. Story flow was uneven, starting with a bit of a bang, the back and forth and twists dragged on – where I expected development and palpable emotions I didn’t find it, and the story didn’t really bring those moments where I needed to know what came next. There is promise here, as MacGregor can write a wonderful description, and does integrate historic norms and information with flair, her conversations are solid and the secondary characters did arrive with enough intrigue to know more, all good things when looking for a new author. I’m curious about the next book in the series, finding this one promising even as it didn’t feel as fully realized as I would have hoped.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8US/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>