In this next instalment of Janna MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiresses series we find the Duke-to-be, the Marquess of McCalpin, Michael Cavensham find more than what he bargained for when he meets the woman who he has been entrusted to guard and protect. The woman who has been embezzling money from her and her sibling’s trust funds by forging McCalpin’s signature and seal. But is March Lawson a greedy criminal whose only goal is money, or is she a woman whose fate has pushed her to do whatever is necessary in order to raise her three siblings?

March Lawson has been spending the last eight years tying to make ends meet and not only feed her two sisters and underage Viscount brother, but make sure that they are safe from their evil cousin who also happens to be the next in line to the viscountency. The only thing that she has of any value are the pair of earrings left to her from her mother. She has one more year until she is eligible to use her trust fund, so she does the only thing that she can  think of, forge the signature of their guardian, the Marquess of McCalpin and embezzle money. She lives with constant fear of being discovered and losing everything and knows that that can happen at any moment. 

Michael Cavensham has a big secret that only his younger brother William is aware of, his inability to understand and compute numbers. Ever since he was a child he has found it impossible to do sums. Considering that he is the heir to the Duke of Langham and in control of many estates, he is terrified that his secret will be discovered. So when the discrepancies in the books are discovered he calls March Lawson to explain herself. Of course he never thought that there would be such an intense attraction between him and the beautiful embezzler who also happens to be a mathematical genius. 

Another beautiful addition to this great series about this warm, loving and loyal family. I absolutely adore the Duke and Duchess of Langham not  only for their immense kindness but also for their loyalty to their children and the love they have for one another. Can’t wait for the next novel!!

I'm not a reader that reads historical romance often, but I've seen this author and her books pop up frequently and thought I'd try one. I've very glad I did. Her writing is such that you are transported to that time and place. It just feels right.
I loved her characters. March is a woman trying to hold her family together after the death of their parents, with absolutely no help from anyone. Those who are legally in charge of the siblings and their money and estate have seemingly abandoned them. March goes to extreme and maybe not totally legal means to secure the safety of her siblings.
When Michael, the Marquess of McCalpin discovers that March has been forging his name to secure funds for her family, he must step up to figure out what is going on and to take care of the them. An attraction develops between the two, but trouble is headed March's way. Can they filter out the lies and develop a love with what is left?

The story concept was a good one. The hero/heroine were smitten and knew it from the start. Complications occur and are unnecessarily drawn out and sort of confusing about the paperwork.  I would recommend this story because i admire the heroine and her character so much.

I loved this romance from beginning to end! March has cared for her siblings alone for eight years - all their money is tied up in trusts from their parents' deaths and they seem to have been forgotten and ignored by all who were supposed to help them. In desperation, she begins forging signatures on money requests to access her trust to help the family. When the Marquess of McCalpin (Michael) finds out, he sets out to determine who this embezzler is.

Michael has secrets of his own, namely that he can't do math. His brother is his right hand always helping him. He is always afraid of this secret coming out. March is the opposite - she is quite good with numbers. They are a match made in heaven.

I love the relationship between the siblings and their situation is heartbreaking. The story of their luck finally changing and the romance of Michael and March is well written and keeps you enthralled. I had a hard time putting this book down. I look forward to more books by this author.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

~3.5 stars~ 

This was a fun yet heart-melting story. I felt sad for March from the start. She’d been down on her luck for the longest and even though it shouldn’t have been like this, her family was about to hit rock bottom. The fact that her family stayed afloat for so long was a statement of how smart she was. 
I liked all characters portrayals as they were all defined and complex. I especially liked March’s younger brother, Bennett. His innocence added that dash of humor at the most interesting of times. March and Michael were great as a couple (at least through most of the book and I’ll get to that later.) She was sweet-natured and compassionate, always worrying about her siblings and how she was going to provide for them. Michael was charming and unassuming. It was easy to see why March fell for him. 

I dislike storylines that use unpremeditated secrets as another challenge to overcome. In this case, March and Michael had already made promises to each other but the moment such secret came to light, all promises were forgotten and even more drama was added. In addition, Michael’s attitude got me confused as I didn’t understand what exactly he was waiting for to correct his wrongdoings. 

In short, it was a good story that will have you tearing up as much as inducing a laugh, and if you don’t mind an excessive amount of purple prose then you will definitely enjoy this book.

March Lawson was just shy of her seventeenth birthday when her life took a radical turn. With her parents dead of influenza, instead of preparing for her debut in society, March found herself responsible for her younger sisters, Julia, ten, and Faith, eleven, and for her one-year-old brother, Bennett, the new viscount. Knowing that her father has left substantial trusts for all his children, March never imagines that finances will be a problem. But when the men left in charge of the trusts ignore her letters asking for help, March is pressed to meet the basic needs of her small family. Eight years later, Faith and Julia having reached the age to make their debuts and the lordly young viscount in need of male influence and tutoring, March is desperate. She resorts to forgery in order to access her own funds to care for her home and family. When the marquess in charge of the Lawson funds summons her to London, March is certain that her sins have found her out.

Michael Cavensham, Marquess of McCalpin, has his own problems. He feels woefully incompetent to deal with all the matters that fall to him as the heir of the Duke of Langham. Only the expertise of his large staff and the assistance and loyalty of his younger brother allow him to do so and protect the secret he has guarded for most of his life. When his bookkeeper informs him of the suspicious withdrawals from the Lawson trust and the marquess acknowledges that his signature has been forged, he realizes how little he knows about the Lawsons and decides to investigate, beginning with a summons to March.

March doesn’t expect to be rendered breathless by the handsome marquess. Michael does not expect to be charmed by the lovely March. Neither does he expect to find the conditions he uncovers at the Lawson estate. Despite the attraction that sparks, these two are not predisposed to trust one another. Michael believes that March is dishonest, and she believes him indifferent to his responsibilities. But as their knowledge of each other grows, their relationship changes. Just as it seems unexpected happiness lies in the future of all concerned, multiple plots threaten the couple. Michael is given evidence that causes him to doubt March and always there is the fear that his dreadful secret will be exposed.

The Luck of the Bride is the third book in MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiresses series. The protagonists are both interesting characters who are refreshingly different from the usual hero and heroine. Young as she is, March shows admirable strength in functioning as the head of her household and providing the love her young siblings need. Michael is likable and sympathetic, and his problem is one that I don’t recall encountering in historical romance before, although I have some experience with it in real life. The secondary characters are mostly appealing, especially March’s siblings and Michael’s parents. Fans of the earlier books in the series will be pleased to see Michael’s cousin Claire and her husband, the Marquess of Pembrook (The Bad Luck Bride) and his sister Emma (also a good friend to March) and her husband, the Earl of Somerton (The Bride Who Got Lucky) play minor roles.

There is much to like in this book, and I did enjoy it. However, Michael’s lack of trust in March disturbed me, and her quick forgiveness of his doubts bothered me even more. I’m not a vengeful reader who demands her pound of grovel from every erring hero, but I needed more here. Even a sweet HEA did not make up for the lack. My disappointment was not enough to spoil the book for me, but it did prevent my classifying it as a keeper. Regardless, I remain eager to see what MacGregor does in the fourth book, The Good, the Bad, and the Duke, scheduled for release in early December. I do recommend the series, and if you like a credibly strong heroine and endearing secondary characters and have a higher tolerance than I for distrustful heroes, The Luck of the Bride may prove to be your favorite.

3.5 Stars at The Romance Dish

March Lawson, as the eldest of four, is responsible for her siblings' welfare after the death of their parents. When her family's guardian takes no notice of her, she struggles to make ends meet by doing farm work on her own. The new guardian is no different, so she starts forging his signature to make withdrawals from her trust fund to pay for repairs in the home and other needs. The Marquess of McCalpin, once he learns that he is the family's new guardian, soon is alerted to the embezzlement. He is drawn to March, and feels sorry for the sad state of affairs left by her prior guardian. While he seeks to make amends, he also gets to know her, and she gets to know him as well.

March is a very sympathetic character, struggling for eight years to help her two younger sisters and younger brother survive and still maintain some kind of dignity as befits the family's rank. She foregoes any thought of herself, and the number of troubles that she goes through over the course of the novel are borne for the sake of her siblings. Michael is hardly a distant man, but his own difficulty with numbers and math made him wary of looking into the Lawson family's situation. It's to his credit that he stepped up, and it's obvious from the start to everyone that he and March would suit each other very well. Their interactions from the start are fun to read about, because even when they're not friends yet there is an unmistakable connection.

The Lawson siblings band together and support each other emotionally, which is also wonderful to see. As much as March sacrifices for their comfort, they would be just as willing to sacrifice for her. Michael has similar relationships with his siblings, and I love seeing that side of people. Even when Michael's brother is skeptical about March and her embezzling, it's done out of love and concern for Michael's welfare and less because he simply wants to humiliate March. Her cousin is there for that function, actually.

This is a great Regency romance, with everything neatly tied together at the end of the novel. I really enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to more books from this author.

March Lawson was the head of the family since her parents died. It seemed that everyone had forgotten them. They had no money to buy food, or wood and coal or even clothes. They didn't have any real workers to help them with the sheep. She had been doing this for eight years and never thought she would see the end of their poverty. She took care of the sheep and the family with Harts help. She had a Trust as each of them did. So she embezzled some money from her trust. and the Marquess of McCalpin came to find out what was going on. They had him stay to dinner and used several weeks of dinners for them. The cat had killed a rabbit and the young Lord told the marquess they would have it the next night. They came to London and stayed with McCalpin's parents. 
I felt so bad for those poor children and March. She really did her best.
In a few places, it got a little teary for me. The characters were wonderful and made you cry. The plot was complicated but it led to an amazing read. I had trouble of putting the tale down. It kept my attention. The author did a great job on this book. She was insightful.

The Luck of the Bride is the third book in the series, however, it can be read as a standalone. 

What I liked:

The first 50% of the book. 

Bennett - my favorite character was the 9yr old brother of the heroine. He’s funny and charming. I imagine him walking around in shoes too large for him as he begins to grow into the man he will become. I hope if Janna continues the series, she gives us a story about Bennet and does him justice. He was by far my favorite character. 

March - wow. She was thrown into raising her siblings when she wasn’t much more than a child herself. Her resourcefulness and dedication to her family and land is admirable. 

What I didn’t like:

The last 50% of the book. The drama with her cousin was a bit much and then Michael not standing by her just because he didn’t bother to read a book or speak about his challenges with numbers took it over the top. 

The flow of the story. I felt like we would start to get into the characters heads or get into a scene and then suddenly the chapter ended and it was the next day. It became jarring for me. 

Overall, it was an ok read for me. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for providing the arc. This in no way affects my review of this book

Could improve but overall enjoyable 
For most of this book I enjoyed reading it.  At times it got a bit flowery and over the top in its descriptions and the ending seemed a little too contrived to wrap all the threads.  Also Bennett's behavior seemed a little advanced/mature for his young age.  I haven't met any 9 year olds that exhibit adult-like maturity.

I have voluntarily posted a review consisting of my honest opinions. I received this product for free from Netgalley.

Janna MacGregor has written a lovely story of loss, love and redemption. March Lawson is placed in an untenable situation when her parents die suddenly, and she must raise her sisters and infant brother. For eight years she does so, even though their guardian pays little attention to them and stops sending funds. When she finally resorts to embezzling funds from her inheritance to find the necessary funds to put food on the table for her family, a red flag goes up and her life changes for the better. The Lawsons are swept into London and the younger sisters have their "Season", meeting potential mates and dancing the nights away. March falls in love with their guardian, Michael Cavensham, as much as she tries not to. But an unsavory uncle brings to light some information that can ruin March and her sisters' chances for happy lives and marriages. A beautifully written romance!

Filled to over flowing with heartwarming characters we settle in for a feel good novel of a certain Happily Ever After.  That is, as long as the H & h prove that they are not their own worst enemy.  But there is an enemy, cousin Rupert is villain enough for them and causes a rift that may tear them apart.

This is a heartwarming story that will give the reader feel-good vibes. I enjoyed it but I did think that the impact of scandal in the 19th century was given little credence. I do recommend it for the delightful story and characters

This is a captivating story of love, loyalty, betrayal, family and power. Michael is a caring, charming and noble man, but he's not great with his duties. March is a strong, determined, loyal and loving, yet insecure woman. Left to raise her 3 siblings on her own at 16, she has struggled to provide the basic necessities they need. When desperation hits, she resorts to embezzling from her own dowry to get the money they need, because repeated requests by her have been ignored. When they latest person responsible for her brothers estate finds out about the embezzlement, he vows to put her behind bars. Until he finds out exactly how they are living. But betrayal and resentment by a cousin lays ruin to all that she has done for her family. The storyline is engrossing and entertaining, and the characters are either lovable or disgusting. I found that I could not put the book down once I had started it. This is a must add for your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

I really enjoyed "The Luck of the Bride".  March is a smart, independent, capable heroine - doing whatever it takes to take care of her family when those who should have abandoned them.  Michael, a marquess, has his own secret/issue.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable story - I especially liked the interactions March's younger brother.

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

MacGregor makes her novels the kind of story that is only told in historical romances and I wouldn't have it any other way.

March Lawson has struggled to raise her siblings on a meager allowance. March's focus is not on finding a husband. Instead it’s on just one man: the coldhearted man who refuses to release her inheritance.
When Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin learns that Miss Lawson has been forging his name to procure monies, he agrees to visit her home to assess the situation. March has no choice but to accept his visit
Who will prevail in this match of wits?  A well written and interesting read.

This is Book 3 in a series, but this is a standalone. I have not read any of the other books.

When she was 17 years old and about to be introduced to society, March Lawson instead suffers the loss of both of her parents and has the responsibility of raising her 3 younger siblings. The guardians that were set in place by her parents have disappeared and there is no way to access their funds until March starts forging the Marquee of McCalpin's signature to access her funds (which should have legally been released to her). March is a strong heroine who will defend those she loves at any cost.

Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin is furious when he finds out someone is embezzling funds from an account he is trustee over. Until he meets March and understands the reasons she does what she does. 

What I didn't like so much: I liked a lot of the secondary characters, but I felt like several were built up and then forgotten. I wish the cousin, Rupert Lawson, had just been left out of the story because I found him mostly annoying. I usually review clean romances, and this was definitely steamier than I was anticipating.

Content: Steamy. Not clean. They are together before getting married and you are right there with them hearing all the details. 
Source: NetGalley review copy (opinion is 100% my own)

This is my first read from Janna MacGregor. It’s the third in her Cavensham Heiresses series but it holds up easily as a standalone. It has an engaging premise and the writing is good. Despite a few–ok, one–thing that bothered me, I enjoyed it overall.

March’s parents died when she was just 17, leaving her to care for her three younger siblings. Her parents were of the nobility and there was plenty of money to keep them comfortable, but the man responsible for dispersing that money failed at the job. For years, she had to scrape and scratch to make ends meet. By the time she hit her 25th birthday, she was due her inheritance. But the latest trustee for the funds has been essentially ignoring her. In desperation, she begins forging his name to disburse funds from her own account to pay for necessities.

It does not take long for Michael, the Marquess of McCalpin, to become aware of the forgeries. At first, he does not realize who has been faking his name, but at least the whole thing puts March and her siblings on his radar. At first, he is very skeptical of her stories about their poverty, but once he sees it first hand, his honor forces him to take responsibility for the group.

Michael is a good guy. He wants to do what he feels is right. But remember how I said earlier there was something that bugged me? Michael can be very autocratic and dismissive at times. He showed this at the very beginning when he sent March away without any money despite her pleas that they had no food… and he basically called her a liar for demanding her own money. When he took control of her family without consulting her. And much later, when he puts his pride before his heart and nearly destroys her.

Michael has a problem with math. That’s his big secret. And it makes him insecure from time to time. He is very smart, but believes his issues with math would make him a laughing stock. Of course, March is brilliant with numbers and their conflict all centers around money. But when Michael can put aside his self doubt and his concern about being made a fool of, he is a solid hero. He does provide for March and her family. He takes them in as his own. He gives them the life they should’ve had, so big props to him for that.

The attraction between March and Michael happens pretty quickly. She constantly thinks of him as Michelangelo’s David. But she has her own self-doubts, namely about her figure and the rough life she has lived in the past eight years, running the house and sheering the sheep. But he is crazy about her and she is crazy about him so it doesn’t take terribly long for all of that attraction to bubble to the surface. I liked March and her pragmatism. I liked how she put her family first and was willing to do whatever it took to help them (even if she martyred herself every now and then.) It made it easy to root for her happy ending.

It’s a pretty straightforward story, that goes the way you would expect. But I did enjoy the journey. It was easy reading and the author did a good job establishing secondary characters that felt distinct and interesting. I would read from her again.

Rating: B

A charming regency romance. The characters in this book were charming. March and her family were sweet and loyal to one another. My favourite was their little brother, Bennett, who was adorable and funny.
Grace was quite an interesting character. She was fiercely protective and determined to look after her family even if it meant breaking the law. 
I admired her for her courage and 'honesty.' She didn't take anything that didn't rightfully belong to her. The romance between March and Michael was delightful to read. I loved how kind Michael was to March and her siblings although he wasn't a compete pushover which was shown in his reaction to charges against March near the end of the story.
A great read, Very entertaining and a nice addition to the series.

Reading the title I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the story it was not what I expecting. it told the tale of a young woman putting her life on hold to take care of her siblings.  Went met with trouble she always told the truth and that loyalty helps her to be the person she could be proud of.



** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**