The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 1 May 2018
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 384 pages
RRP: $10.34 (ebook); $15.99 (print)
Her family are in dire straits and she has to take drastic measures to ensure her family can survive.
March Lawson has had responsibility for her siblings since she was sixteen, the last eight years. Her two sisters and her baby brother, the heir, have constantly wondered when their guardian and or their inheritance will be available to repair the family property, but more importantly, feed them all. She has had to complete many of the jobs around the Manor as there isn’t the staff to do the work. March is also very good at numbers and bookkeeping and offers her services to the local shop keepers to earn extra money to buy what they need. Her next step, signing a bank note from the Marquess, who is their new guardian, to access money in her inheritance, is a step into desperation.
Michael Cavensham, Marquess of McCalpin, the future Duke of Langham, discovers that someone has signed some bank notes on his behalf. He arrives at Lawson Place to see the circumstances and finds the family is really in dire circumstances. This is reinforced when he finds at the dinner to impress him, they have eaten the entire week’s supply of food. It is what comes next that shocks him more (sorry you will have to read what that is). He then moves the family into his family home to ensure that the girls have their season and that Bennett, the future Lord, has the tutoring he needs. Michael has a secret, he has difficulty with numbers and his brother helps him with the financial aspects of the duchy.
As March and her siblings are becoming more and more enmeshed in the family, Michael finds he is attracted more and more to March. And just as Michael asks March to marry him, and he thinks she would make the perfect Marchioness and future Duchess, her cousin makes several accusations and ruins March’s reputation. Michael struggles to deal with these accusations and he knows March isn’t like this, but the evidence points to her guilt. Naturally, there is a HEA.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this historical. What also struck me while reading was that the family were all about love and not fighting. March and her siblings were a unit. Michael, his siblings and his parents are a unit. There is love and understanding among them all. It is the peripheral character that comes in to try and destroy the heroine as he wants the money, and one of the sisters.
I started reading this book and was immediately absorbed in the story. Ms Macgregor is a new to me author and I have since bought the previous two books as I’m keen to read Emma and Clare’s stories, and any future books!
Reviewed by Heather

THE LUCK of the BRIDE is a sweet story.

In early 19th C. England, March Lawson, 17 years old, is the sole support of her three siblings, the youngest will take over the holdings. He is viscount, but only 1 when the story begins. So much falls to March.

She is frustrated over the state of her affairs. In the previous 8 years, she has done her best, but there is not enough money, not enough food, and helping to launch her two sisters into London Society. But help comes from an unusual site.

March has written Marquess McCalpin--who has the guardianship of her dowries as well as her sisters. Asa March is 15, she is legally entitled to the monies. But McCalpin needs proof.

The whole family lands in London staying with McCalpin's parents who are a duke and duchess.

With many things happening to hamper her happiness, March realizes it is only McCalpin who can truly help

Loved the things that March does to help her family. She does anything and everything possible even being dishonest with her own money. This was a great book and I really liked how she helps The Marquess of Calpin realize how she has been ignored for so long by everyone.

Luck of the Bride is the third book in the Cavensham Heiresses series by Janna MacGregor. I have not read the previous books in the series, but was able to fully enjoy the read. While I think that those that have been following the series will have a better understanding of some of the characters and relationships, this book does stand up perfectly well on its own.

March Lawson is an orphan who, for the past eight years, has struggled to raise her siblings on a meager allowance. Most women March’s age would be picking out ball gowns for the upcoming season. But March’s focus is not on finding a husband. First, she must devote her energies to just one man: the coldhearted skinflint who refuses to release her inheritance. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, is not a heartless man. When he learns that Miss Lawson has been forging his name to procure funds, he can’t bring himself to have her arrested—not when the bold-faced embezzler is so enchantingly beautiful. Instead, McCalpin agrees to visit her home to assess the situation more closely. March has no choice but to accept. But how can she manage the handsome trustee who controls her purse strings—when he tugs at her heart strings as well?

Luck of the Bride is a historical romance that takes one hardworking and intelligent woman, determined to protect her siblings and one stubborn but basically good hearted man and tosses them together. For the most part, I really liked March, her hard work and loyalty to her family was well done and admirable- and even when she did less than ethical things it was for good reason. Her self doubt is realistic and understandable- and I could completely understand where she was coming from in that respect- but some of her wishy washy moments with Michael left me less than impressed. Micheal is haunted by his difficulties with numbers, and has a hard time trusting. His brother and champion William is even less trusting, and I think the pair feed off each other and while realistic that just made me want to kick the pair. I did like how Michael really did love and want to protect March, and how determined he was to have her understand how beautiful she was. However, I have to admit that while his lack of trust was kind of understandable, it really bothered me how quickly he believed the worst of March- and how quickly she forgave him when it was time for the HEA. It just left me a little disheartened and cold rather than happy for them.

Luck of the Bride was hit and miss for me. I liked the premise and most of the characters, but little things disappointed me throughout and left me less engaged than I wanted to be. It was an entertaining read, but I think it fell short of what it could have been.

March and Michael are amazing characters, and their chemistry is scorching hot. The plot is compelling, and the pacing was enough to have me reading this in one sitting. My only issue was that the writer tended to get extremely detailed oriented. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it just seemed to add fluff to the book when we could have had more sweeping romance! Still, four stars, and I eagerly await her next book!

As an avid reader of regency and historical romances, this is the first Janna MacGregor book I have read. The story and characters kept me entranced from the start. Story has everything a reader could want, secrets, a scandal, hope, and romance. March’s attraction to the Maquess is beautiful. They are both wonderful, loving characters.

Well written. Check. Rounded out characters. Check. Interesting plot. Check. Believable character actions. Not so much. That's where it fell apart for me. When the hero acted like a complete douche and she instantly forgave him with loving sighs and kisses, I wanted to throw my kindle. Just no. Rework that ending and I'll reconsider.

*ARC via netgalley.com*

I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the thrid in the Cavensham heiressess series. Can be read as a stand-alone, though I recommend reading entire series as they are terrific. This is my favorite so far of MacGregor's books. I found the heroine to be smart, strong, and doing her best to provide for her family. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book - no spoilers.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Great read and well written. Enjoyed how the storyline flowed and how the characters interacted. Kept me going till the last page. Didn’t want it to end. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

This was the light-hearted read that I had been looking for after so many heavy reads, but there were still some questions left unanswered. A great continuation of this series, but a wonderful stand alone as well.

Struggling to raise her three younger siblings after everyone put in charge of her trust account fails her, March Lawson is at her wits' end and desperate. The latest one to oversee her financial situation is Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin. When opportunity presents a way for her to forge her way to get food on the table, she takes it.

Michael is brought to the attention of the embezzlement and quickly wants to meet the woman who has been forging his name to have access to her funds. Immediately, upon meeting March and her family, he is eager to help. The two sisters will now have a Season, the young and adorable Viscount, Bennett, will have tutoring and plenty of sweets with dinner, and March will have an ease to the burdens she bore alone for so long. Being let down before, March is always looking to bring security to her family's future. What will happen when the smitten Marquess wants to bear her burdens? Can be be trusted to see to her care or will he turn on her when more than the forgery is revealed?
The Lawson family was utterly charming. They may have been poor in wealth but exceedingly rich in love. So many scenes with Bennett tugged at the heartstrings. His reaction when the cat brought in a rabbit to a dinner party was price!ess.
March was an amazing woman full of intellect, strength and compassion. My only complaint was after Michael doubted her, I could have used a entire chapter in him groveling for forgiveness. Overall, it was a perfect, feel good story.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. I loved it

This is the third book in the series. It can be read as a stand alone. We have a bad guy or two. A mystery that can cost this couple their happiness. This story was well told and had me reading it all in one sitting. I actually cried too! But we have a great ending.

This is my first book by this author. She has issues with modern concepts and language creeping into the story, yet it was still an enjoyable read and I'll look for her other books.

I'm always sucker for the hero or heroine having to care for younger siblings. This was a solid historical romance.

March Lawson was an amazing heroine and I was impressed with her dedication to her family. She is smart, independent and resourceful. She has been the anchor for her family since her parents died and when all pleas to her trustee are ignored, March will do whatever is necessary to provide for them - even steal, from herself!

Michael Cavensham, Marrquess of McCalpin and heir to the Duke of Langham is the executor of March's trust and is shocked when he learns that someone has been using his name to withdraw funds. He summons March to London and is immediately impressed with her bravery and resourcefulness. When he learns the extent of their suffering, he immediately tries to set things to rights. But he has to be careful, because Michael has a secret that would humiliate him if anyone finds out.

I really liked March and Michael, I thought they were perfect for each other and balanced each other nicely, I was enjoying the book right up until about the 75% mark, that's when it nose-dived for me. When accusations are made, instead of standing by the woman he asked to marry him, he turns on her. Even when his family doesn't believe the accusations and tell him he is wrong, he still doesn't believe her. I was disgusted when he finally finds the real villain and goes to her - he says sorry and she says lets not dwell on the past - come to bed - WHAT??

The book started out really good and I was really enjoying it and I probably wouldn't have even minded if the author threw this twist in earlier, but it happens too late in the book for them to have a believable recovery - and he really, really, really needed to grovel - but there was no groveling at all, he had no faith in her until he found PROOF that she was not guilty and then she just forgives him and they live happily ever after. I just don't believe it.

This is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title. I don't know if I would recommend this book or not - the author's writing has definitely improved and she is a good storyteller, but I just didn't care for the way this book ended.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

MacGregor grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. March is my kind of heroine--intelligent, strong-willed, and loves fiercely. Michael is completely swoony with his loyalty to family, his willingness to help others, and his undeniably alpha-male sexuality.

MacGregor continues to astound me with each new book in this series. I was riveted from beginning to end. Recommended to all historical romance lovers! A compelling, rapturous love story you don't want to miss.

This is a charming romance, with appealing main and secondary characters and a plot that twists and turns until the happy ending. Although part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

"What would you do if your family literally had to eat what the cat drug in?" --March Lawson, eldest sister of the Lawson siblings

4.5 stars!

I absolutely love this quote because it shows just how dire the situation is for the Lawson family when we first meet them (as they really did end up eating the rabbit their cat caught) and it shows just how dedicated and loyal March was to her siblings. I LOVED her as a heroine; she was so strong and steadfast and determined and willing to do anything it took to keep her siblings safe and fed. She was an amazing heroine, probably one of my favorites to date!

This novel had so many funny and unique scenarios and dialogue, and I'm kinda mad at myself for waiting so long to read this one. The characters were all very unique and fun to be around (especially the Lawson siblings--little Bennett had some of the best lines!), so much so that I want to go back and read the previous two books. Michael was also a great hero; he was protective, courageous, and his "disability" just made him even more vulnerable and likable.

Overall, I ADORED this novel! I personally like more danger in my HR novels, but there was plenty of villains (who actually turned out not to be a terrible person) and angst and miscommunications. My ONE hangup with this novel (well, I guess TWO hangups) is that the resolution came about way too easily for me--the mystery was suddenly solved within a couple of pages--and then March forgave Michael WAY TOO SOON. She should have made him grovel for hours and beg for her forgiveness and buy her flowers and write her sonnets, especially after what he said and ultimately accused her of. Nevertheless, it was loads of sexy fun and surprising heart, so definitely give this one a read!!

I think this is my favorite book in the series so far. The author does such a good job of having you empathize with March Lawson and her family that you are willing to forgive her the things she does that are not quite legal but necessary for her families survival. You also can sympathize with Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, and his struggles and you root for the two to get together. MacGregor, to me, is one of the best authors at tugging at the readers heart strings, and had me wanting to cry at several points. I will be interested to see what comes next.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.