Although Janna McGregor writes with clear passion, I was somewhat disappointed in this addition to the Cavensham Heiresses series. I thought Emma was a bold character, but I never quite believed in her ability to start a “women’s bank” with just an idea and having read a few books. Her guilt driven obsession to avenge her friend Lena was another questionable plot line, and the villain Aulton almost darker than dark.

This is a fair and honest review in return for my being allowed to read this ARC. What a WONDERFUL story!! There is so much going on in so many lives. The characters could not be any better and the story will warm your heart and bring on tears. You MUST read this book.

Nick and Emma are friends, and both have decided that love and marriage aren’t in their futures. Nick’s issues stem from his father, a cold and mean-spirited man who did all in his power to keep him bowed and insecure despite his destiny to be a Duke. Emma is guilty over the loss of her best friend Lena at the hands of her abusive husband: she’s determined to see women provided with their own ability to provide for themselves and make choices that are broader than marriage or hidden spinsterhood. But, the attraction that keeps these two dancing around one another, despite their clinging to their fears and prejudices against love is something that, despite their best intentions, will not be denied.

From the prologue where we get Nick’s backstory, his personality and retreat into someone who is rather removed and scornful, all while being little boy lost is rather intriguing: unfortunately he never really did grow from that as completely as Emma did, and their interactions often suffered from this imbalance. Emma, for her part did have some intriguing moments and a solid backstory that gave her intentions some purpose, but that too felt shuffled to the background as the author worked to put the couple’s relationship forward. So much richness here for exploration that went largely untapped: the subjugated role for women in the time, property rather than people of their own right, society’s scorn and dismissal of women who wish to follow their own path and challenge that status quo, and even Emma’s rather ham-handed attempts to ‘save’ yet another woman that lands her in the middle of the wagging tongues.

MacGregor again uses some complex issues to fuel the backstory, but these issues have again been relegated to background as the growing affection between Nick and Emma is created, lacking that emotional feel from characters that show a pattern of growth that would bring them together organically. Pacing is again uneven, and prose moves from some fabulous dialogue between Emma and Nick to flowery and almost painfully forced sexy moments where neither character truly presented a conviction to the reader that would show them together. While I was excited to see a more feminist character in Emma, and an understandably closed off Nick coming to see that his childhood belief in love as a curse was wrong, neither grew into their potential, and the unevenness between the strides and changes Emma made were starkly contrasted to the stalled growth of Nick. Yes, this is the author’s second book, and while I saw some improvement in style and development from the first, there are still points where character, intention and issues could be more fully flushed out, providing emotional connection to the couple that readers couldn’t deny. I’ve read the first two in this series now, and am curious to see MacGregor’s progression and growth in her next book.

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-9qG/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I have read several other reviews for this book and I appear to be in the minority with my rating – so take that for what it is worth. I read the first book in the series and liked it much better than this one. Janna MacGregor is a new author – I believe this is her second book – and I feel she is still finding her writing legs. All-in-all, I liked the book okay.

There are things I liked about the books and things I didn’t. I’ll cover some of them below. I think the pacing was pretty good and the writing was good, but I don’t think it was as good as in the first book in the series. I think there are some odd word choices, odd phrasing and maybe some awkward transitions, but this is an ARC and I’m sure a good editor will find and help fix those before publication.

I liked the hero, Nicholas St. Mauer, Earl of Somerton and heir to Drake St. Mauer, Duke of Renton. His mother died giving him birth and his father just couldn’t get past that, so he was very aloof from Nick as he grew up. Nick was sent to school at five and was moved from school to school because he was so smart – but that kept him from forming friendships. At the age of 15, he was at Eton and his father delivered a shaming rebuke to him – in front of his schoolmates. You’ll just have to read the story to see what gosh-awful things the old reprobate said, but it certainly defined Nick’s life from that point on. That is quite a burden for an already lonely young man, so you can see why he is cold, aloof, and set revenge on his father and the boys who ridiculed him at school after his father’s rebuke. He ran pretty true to character throughout the book and it was nice to see him grow and learn that he wasn’t worthless and that he really could love. I got really upset with him at about the 80% mark and thought he had really blown it with Emma.

Unlike everyone else, I didn’t care for the heroine so much. She actually set my teeth on edge! She was written about as being full of sunshine and light and everybody loved her as soon as they met her. I don’t doubt that she had the capability to love and that she was deeply upset about the death of her friend in such a horrendous manner. However, I also think that she is like so many of the heroines I read about in historical romances. She’s portrayed as brave – but is that really the case? I see her as more totally unaware and uncaring for her safety, the safety of others and the worry and heartache she causes others. She cannot be so naïve as to think that nothing could possibly happen to a lone woman meeting a man at a pub or even traveling to another city. She surely has to know that her family will be horribly upset to find she’s gone to another city – requiring overnight stays – totally alone. Surely she understands that, aside from the hurt and worry she’s causing them – they could pay a price socially if she is caught. Evidently, none of that mattered to her. Also – while I totally support (in today’s society) her feminist stances, I don’t believe for a minute that she would have been so vocal or outspoken in that actual time period. Then, there is the matter of her bank – great idea – but – men of the aristocracy weren’t supposed to be in ‘trade’ during that period and women weren’t allowed any sort of employment. She would have been shunned and ostracized.

Lady Emma Cavensham is the daughter of a duke. Her home and family is filled with love and respect for one another. Her parents are totally in love as is her cousin and her husband. She has many, many examples of happy, loving, equal-partner marriages right in her own family. However, her friend Lena married a monstrous man who murdered her. So, from this example, Emma ignores all of the love with which she is surrounded and believes that marriage is a prison and she will never give up her freedom and marry. She is hell-bent on bringing the villain to justice but feels powerless to do that. And, in that time, I’m sure she would have been. What I didn’t understand though – her family adores her, dotes on her and they are extremely powerful – they saw her deep sorrow and would do nothing to help her get justice – I just don’t buy that. Doesn’t run true to what they are supposed to be as a family.

After her brothers and parents leave for various destinations, she sneaks off to the coast to investigate and find a first-hand witness to Lena’s murder. The trip is a full day’s travel away and requires staying overnight – but she thinks maybe she’ll stay a bit longer. She’s very close to the villains home and all alone – no maid – no chaperone – no able-bodied male for protection – so we all know that the villain will never find out - right – he’ll never cause trouble - right . . . . I’m sorry – she just seems to be one of those TSTL heroines to me. But – here comes the hero to save her.

Nick has loved her for a long time and wants to protect her – but he doesn’t want marriage because he feels she deserves better than him. Of course, they end up having to marry and they both love each other. It is nice watching them grow and learn and become better people.

Emma becomes a much more likable character after the marriage. She gives up her reckless behaviors and concentrates on her bank where she helps women get the loans that they could not get at another bank. She shows her understanding of what drives many women and makes solid judgments on who can be trusted to repay – even if there is little if any, real collateral for the loan. She provides a service that is much needed. I loved how she explained it to Nick.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

This is an emotionally charged and wonderfully written story. Nick doesn't know how to love, but he has always felt protective toward his best friend's sister-in-law. He is honor and duty-bound to keep her out of trouble and when rewarded with a kiss, it sparks a desire he won't allow himself to act upon. Emma is an independent woman in a world where it's frowned upon. She'd rather stay a spinster than be forced into a marriage without love.

Racked with guilt for not being able to save the life of her best friend, she's bound and determined to seek justice for her. Endangering her own life and risking compromise, she collects evidence, finds witnesses, and even uses subterfuge to leave town in her pursuit. Nick follows her to save her from overstepping and possibly causing harm to herself. He believes her, but he won't let her risk her reputation.

When caught in comprising situation, Nick is willing to do what's right, but she doesn't want to be forced into a loveless marriage--neither one will reveal their feelings for each other. Still, they are married, and Nick supports her independence and helps her set up a business to help women. But they each have secrets not shared with one another and it threatens to divide their marriage. They must learn to open their hearts fully, divulge the deepest hurts hidden, and trust each other for the marriage to work. Will the passion they have for each other break through barriers and lead to forgiveness?

This slow-burn romance is full of twists, a bit of mystery, and love. The best kind of happily ever after!

Prepare yourself because the beginning of this story is to make you cry.
********

Nicholas St. Mauer receives in Eton the visit of his father, the duke of Renton.
Renton had never visited his son. In fact, Nicholas had been sent away from home since he was five years old. Her mother had died in childbirth and Nick and her father's relationship was zero.
Nicholas was extremely intelligent, especially for Mathematics, and had several instructors who marveled at his gift.

Being the good friend he was, Nicholas tried to help a friend, Lord Paul Bartstowe, about a gambling debt. Renton's reaction was the worst possible (it's heartbreaking) and since then, father and son have never seen each other again.

The years go by and Nicholas makes his own fortune.
He has as best friend and partner the Marquis of Pembrooke, Alex Hallworth.

Alex had married Claire (book # 1) the former suitor of his greatest enemy, Paul Bartstowe.
Claire's cousin, Lady Emma Cavensham, was duke's daughter, and had a predilection for reading literature not so appropriate for a lady. And she could do crazy things to get such books.
It was an adventure like that she and Nicholas meet when she tried to sneak out of a ball to meet a man who would sell her a rare first-edition book. Nicholas intercepts her carriage and takes her back home. The next day, he gives her the book she wanted from his private library. As a thank-you, she kisses him. This kiss was in the memory of both...

But the years go by and they continue only as acquaintances.
Both were godfathers to the twin kids of Claire and Alex, so they always met at family gatherings. But they had two more things in common: they liked to read and did not want to get married.

Nicholas had as his goal of life a wealth greater than that of his father, who had been writing systematically for Nicholas for months, but all letters were burned unread. Marriage was not in his plans.

Emma had advanced thoughts about how women should have certain rights, such as borrowing money from the bank and managing their own money. And there were still facts that her best friend, Lena Eaton, had married Earl of Aulton, and when she was close to giving birth, she had died mysteriously. Emma was sure Aulton was beating his wife and he had murdered her.
It was a matter of principle for Emma to get proof that Aulton was a murderer, and put him in jail.

Emma's family even agreed with her progressive thinking, but to accuse Aulton of murder, they didn't.
But Emma was determined to do that.
She had the complicity of Daphne, Alex's sister, to travel to Portsmouth behind the indictment.

Nicholas knows of Emma's journey and takes on the responsibility of preventing her from doing another irresponsible act.
But this time, Emma had reached the limit of putting herself in danger, and would need the help of all the family's men to reach her goal.

A very interesting plot, with a female main character full of advanced ideas.
Although there is a romance in the story, other themes brought by the author are highlighted in the narrative.
Emma was blessed with a family that supported and loved her, so I think some of her actions might have been better thought out.
4,5 stars

4.5 stars
Nicholas St. Mauer, the Earl of Somerton is the of the cold-hearted Duke of Renton, he doesn’t involve himself in society nor open his own heart to anyone. However he’s driven by honour & ever since he & Lady Emma Cavensham shared a kiss he feels obliged to keep a watchful eye on her. Emma can’t deny the appeal of the earl’s attention, and occasional affection, but she has no need for a man. There are worse fates than spinsterhood, as Emma knows too well. She still mourns the loss of her dear friend Lena, and is determined to prove Lena’s husband Aulton responsible for her death before he lures another innocent woman into a brutal marriage. Emma journeys to Portsmouth, Nick follows & a compromising moment upends all their plans.
The second book in the series & whilst it could well be read as a stand alone novel I’d definitely recommend reading the first in the series & I so look forward to the rest of the series too. Another well written engrossing book. Nick & Emma are both strong characters who want to abide by their principles & at times both are very blinkered & unwilling to stray from the path they’ve chosen. I wanted to shake them both at times but their eyes were gradually opened. The pace was good & I wanted to reach the end hoping that Aulton would get his just desserts. There was plenty of humour, some spice & also some tear jerking moments, in fact everything you need in a good romance. I found a couple of things implausible but it’s fiction so I could live with them as overall the book was so good.

There is so much that goes on between the pages of the covers here. Strong characters and sometimes unbelievable story lines takes you from scene to scene. There is strong passion in our heroine, she loves deeply and recklessly. She is strong willed and hard headed in her resolve to bring her friends murderer to justice. There is so much emotion in The Bride Who Got Lucky that I am compelled to wait out the rest of the series.

Lady Emma Cavensham is a very fun character with the high jinks that she gets up to, but completely impossible to believe for her time. I found that there were a lot of plot points that would never occur during the period in which the story takes place, which threw me off a bit. I also occasionally found Emma to be very frustrating in her single mindedness on how to solve certain problems, for as intelligent and creative as she is written that trait seems to turn on and off. However, I loved Emma and Nick together and the relationship between the two is very kind and loving, and made the story worth reading.

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bride Who Got Lucky was an absolutely charming romance featuring a strong-willed heroine, a noble hero and a quest for justice.

Nicholas St. Mauer, at the behest of his friend Lord Pembrooke, keeps an eye on Lady Emma Cavensham who has a tendency to get herself into unfortunate situations despite her innocent intentions. While Emma admires the reclusive Earl's efforts, she doesn't need a man to look after her and simply wishes to go about her business in her own way. However, while seeking to avenge the death of her best friend Lena, Emma is caught in a compromising position and the Earl may be the only one who can help her.

Emma is firm in her belief that women should have a better place in society and sets out with the goal of helping women have more choice in their lives. I admired her goal of opening a bank for women and enjoyed watching her work towards her goal. Emma feels a lot of grief over the fact she couldn't help her best friend escape her marriage and I understand why she would be so stubborn about righting the wrong of her death. Her anger over Lena's death also gives weight to Emma's fear of marriage and helped me understand why she felt the way she did.

Nick was cut off by his father after a misunderstanding in his youth and has dedicated his life to becoming a successful businessman with the goal of surpassing his father's wealth. This confrontation with his father also reinforced Nick's beliefs about cutting those who wronged him out of his life. Nick became an incredibly reserved individual and he avoids closeness with anyone in order to avoid ever being hurt again.

At the start of the story, we see the onset of Emma and Nick's friendship that builds naturally over the course of the book. Nick is intrigued by Emma's spirit from their first meeting and Emma sees in Nick a kindred spirit willing to fight for what they believe at all costs. Their friendship was one of my favorite aspects of their relationship as romance couples don't always start off with that foundation. From the start Emma and Nick have great chemistry and an attraction that's obvious to anyone but them. When things progress the physical aspects are very steamy and incredibly well done.

Overall, The Bride Who Got Lucky was a very past-paced read that improves upon the first book in the series and I can't wait for the third book in the series, The Luck of the Bride, to release next year.

Take an Earl who wants nothing to do with attachments and a Lady who is outspoken and wants to live her life doing what she wants without being told by a husband what to do....and what do you get? A very strong attraction with danger and self learning. Great story showing two people coming together and learning to give and take and let go of their past.

Nicholas St. Mauer, the Earl of Somerton has worked very hard to make his own fortune. The ton might look down on him for going into trade, but it means everything to him to succeed.
Lady Emma Cavensham is desperately sad over the death of her best friend. She blames herself for not protecting her. She is determined never to marry and lose control over her life.
Both our hero and heroine have very strong ideas on what they expect from themselves and their lives. Unfortunately for our heroine women of her time don't always get a choice.
This is quite an emotional story where you will be totally drawn in to the characters lives. I expect there will be other stories to follow because the secondary characters we met are well worth hearing more from.
A thoroughly entertaining read.

The Bride who got lucky was great!! I loved The Bad Luck bride but this one is by far my favorite!! Janna Mac Gregor is a Great Historical Romance Writer!!!

Such a wonderful historical romp. Enjoyed it. Good solid writing.

Mixed Feelings 3.5*.
I have mixed feelings about this book, some parts I thought were good, whilst others were so outside of what society would expect in the early C18th that I felt uncomfortable, and I therefore didn’t enjoy it. To me it was just not believable that an unmarried man who was not related to a woman would have travelled to a distant town to rescue (return her to her family) a woman staying unaccompanied in an inn. He would have chased around Town to find her brother or have taken an older woman with him to act as chaperone. She was compromised as soon as they spent any time alone with each other, let alone the actual shenanigans that went on. Sorry this story was not for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I read a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the second book in the authors series The Cavensham Heiresses. I think it can be read on its own as I have the first book in my TBR pile but have not read it yet. Over all I did enjoy reading this book despite the heroine having a few TSTL moments and the punishment for sneaking out to purchase a book not in keeping with the supposedly loving relationship she has with her parents, plus question why the hero was sent to intercept her. The sizzle level was medium high. I loved that the heroine Emma plans to create a bank for women. Many of the issues raised in the story are ones that women are still dealing with in the present day. I also really enjoyed how the hero Nick and the heroine Emma talk to each other and try and work through their disagreements with each other. I would recommend this book and plan on reading the other books I have in my TBR pile by the author Janna MacGregor.

Nickolas Armand Drake St. Mauer Somerton, The Earl of Somerton , he was rejected as a child by his father. His mother died in childbirth. Lady Emma Eliza Juliana Cavensham is the Duke of Langham's only daughter she is always getting into scrapes and her best friend was murdered.
A lovely tale of two people trying to come together and having a heck of time doing it. There is so much going on in this story. The characters are well rounded, warm, and they support each other, you can tell that they love each other. This is a complex plot but it is so well written. There is humor, I did a little bit of laughing. The banter between them and her family is sweet and funny. I thought this was a great book, I read it straight thru, it was that mesmerizing.

Publisher's Description:

He would do anything to protect her. Even marry her…
The son of a cold-hearted duke, Nicholas St. Mauer isn’t one to involve himself in society…or open his own heart to anyone. But driven by honor, the reclusive Earl of Somerton feels obliged to keep a watchful eye on Lady Emma Cavensham. She possesses a penchant for passions unbecoming a woman that finds Nick in constant peril of losing his well-structured solitude. She even dared kiss Nick once—an utterly unladylike, and delightful, lapse…

Emma can’t deny the appeal of the earl’s attention, and occasional affection, but she has no need for a man. There are worse fates than spinsterhood, as Emma knows too well. She still mourns the loss of her dear friend Lena, and is determined to prove Lena’s husband responsible for her death before he lures another innocent woman into a brutal marriage. But as Emma pursues her prey, a compromising moment upends all her plans. Now, with gossip swirling and her reputation in tatters, Nick may be the only man brave enough to join in Emma’s cause. . .and fight for her heart.

My Thoughts:

This is my first time reading anything by this particular author. I discovered this is the second book in this series, but I have not read the first book.

This book wasn't what I expected. It started out very intriguing but somewhere along the way it bogged down and I found it difficult to complete it. I did finish it, but I put it aside for a number of weeks before I picked it up again. I did, however skim back over what I had read before to refresh my memory.

At the start of the book Nicholas St. Mauer is a young man who excels at school in a number of ways. He is however the son of an uncaring Duke who at the slightest indiscretion decides he no longer wants anything to do with his son.

Then we jump ahead fourteen years to Emma who has troubles of her own. They are loosely connected by a man who had befriended Nicholas on that faithful day when his father pretty much disowned him. You never really know what brought these two together and about six chapters in I lost interest.
I started the book in early September and finally finished it mid October.
I may have found the book more compelling had I read the first book in the series and became familiar with characters that were secondary in this book.

I feel this book should not be read as a standalone title. I think you probably need to have read the first book to get the maximum enjoyment out of this one.


I gave this book 3.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development. The characters were on the most part well developed but I found them to be weak. The sensual rating is also low, 2.0 of 5.0 flames. I found the intimacy between the hero and heroine unbelievable and not as well written as some other parts book this book.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the opportunity to read The Bride Who Got Lucky by Janna MacGregor. It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a novel by Ms. MacGregor, and now I remember why I used to read all of her books. I must read the first book in this series.

The Bride Who Got Lucky is an emotionally-charged romance. The love story is enthralling and drew me in from the start. In fact, I read this in an evening, so the pacing is excellent. The writing is smooth and flowing, the characters are well developed, and the plot is good. My one issue with this book is that the heroine’s actions are a bit too forward thinking. A regency woman would not have been. Nonetheless, her actions did make this an intriguing read. The premise does deal with circumstances faced by women of this age where “the rule of thumb” applied.

Emma’s character is interesting. Her motives are genuine and compassionate. Her determination for justice is honorable. As I mentioned, while some of her actions were too modern, they are an integral aspect of the story and made it a great book.

Nick is the kind of hero I love. He’s damaged, edgy, tormented and determined to keep his heart firmly under lock and key. He’s a man of principle and almost allows it to destroy the one he loves the most. I loved his desire to protect Emma regardless of his great need to protect his heart.

The tender romance between this couple was truly lovely, and I really wanted them to find their happy ending. The chemistry between them grabbed me and kept me vested from the start. While I love a great love scene, there were aspects of the ones in this book that were not to my tastes, other may disagree, but were certainly well written.

If you enjoy a regency with plenty of deep emotion and a book that deals with real life situations women faced in that period of history, then you will love The Bride Who Got Lucky. It has an absolutely fantastic ending. Happy reading!

I loved this book. I had read a previous book in this series (The Bad Luck Bride) by Jenna and enjoyed it but I thought this was even better and took the author's writing to another level. Nick and Emma are totally different in their personalities, probably stemming from the type of family upbringing they have experienced. Emma has always been protected by her family and surrounded by love, even when her lively personality has led to trouble. Nick on the other hand was cast out by his father at a young age and has had to make his own way in the world. I particularly enjoyed the coming together (sometimes clashing) of their life beliefs and the effect they have on each other. The other characters are well written and add colour to the story. The electricity between them is undeniable but I liked the fact that Nick does not rush anything. This book is more than just an historical regency romance and I thought the themes of domestic violence towards women, female independence and respect in that era was handled really well and made for a lovely and fitting ending. It was simply perfect. Can't wait for the next one thank you Jenna keep em coming.