Publisher's Description:

Can a woman who’s down on her luck find love with a dashing Duke-to-be? Find out in The Luck of the Bride,
the next Regency romance in the Cavensham Heiresses series from Janna MacGregor.

She’s leaving nothing up to chance. Not even love…

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?

My Thoughts:
This is book number three of The Cavensham Heiresses series.
I never read book #1 but I did read Book #2 and found it to be mediocre at best. This one, however blew me out of the water. I couldn't put it down. Having not read the first book I can't label this one as the best one of this series, but it is the best one that I have read. It was a pleasurable and heart wrenching tale from the prologue on.
I only put it aside for brief breaks for meals and other necessities.
I wanted to know what would happen next!
Struggle is the only thing March Lawson has known since the death of both of her parents. The oldest of four children the raising and care of her two sisters and baby brother have been left to her. With uncaring guardians and people in charge of their monies, how are they to survive?
Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin has never even met the Lawson family. He has virtually inherited the care of their inheritance with the death of his uncle the former Marquess.
When he learns that March has been embezzling from her inheritance he can't find it in his heart to have her arrested. Instead after seeing the state of their finances and home he brings the whole family to London to live with his family and give the young ladies a season.
Will Michael's attraction to the forger and embezzler lead to an everlasting love or will his trust in her end badly?
I gave this sometimes humorous but mostly tear jerking romance 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. Both of the main characters appeared briefly in book #2 of this series but nothing could prepare me for their well deserved Happily Ever After.
The sensual rating I would give this book is 3 of 5 flames. The intimacy is brief but has an impact on this story.
I received a complimentary Digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

March Lawson is an orphan who, for the past eight years, has struggled to raise her three siblings on a meagre allowance. Most 25 year old women March's age would be picking out ball gowns for the upcoming season. However March's focus is not on finding a husband. but she must devote her energies to just one man the cold-hearted skinflint who refuses to release her inheritance but who looks like David. 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. Michael has also been hiding a secret all his life, his problem with numbers.
I laughed, I cried & I was totally lost in the book. This is the third in the series & although it could be read on its own I’d recommend reading the first two books to fully appreciate this engrossing lovely book. For me this is the best in the series so far, the characters just spoke to me. The story flows very well & I didn’t want to put it down & I was totally engrossed. This story really pulled at my heart strings & I was in tears several times. I did find that the epilogue took place the next day a tad quick for so much to be accomplished

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I totally enjoyed reading The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor, book 3 in her Cavensham Heiresses series. I will warn that I needed the tissue box close by while reading this wonderful story. March Lawson did not deserve all the struggles or neglect that she had to deal with during the eight years since losing her parents. From the time she was seventeen, March raised her siblings on a meager, if not underfunded, allowance; this meant no debut season or searching for a husband. All of her energy was spent on the coldhearted skinflint who would not release her inheritance. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, was really not a heartless man, more likely unaware of his duties to the Lawsons. Michael is surprised to learn that the beautiful March has been forging his name to access funds from her trust. Instead of having her arrested he decides to visit her home to assess the situation more closely.

The demands on March have made her a strong and resilient woman. The love and care she gave to her siblings was evidenced in the way they handled themselves as well as how the ton received them. McCalpin was an intelligent man with a secret; he could not handle or deal with numbers. Fortunately for him his younger brother assisted him with this duty. March was the perfect match for him as she was a whiz at numbers. I loved the flirting and conversations by these two. McCalpin was attracted to March but he also respected her, which is so important in a relationship. I loved how he took over guardianship of the Lawson children and provided for them to live the life they deserved. Michael’s parents were also wonderful with assisting him in helping the Lawson girls enter London society. This couple was also helpful in bringing March and Michael together in the end. The one person I disliked immensely was the Lawson’s cousin Rupert. He was cruel to one of March’s sisters and wanted to marry the other in order to get his hands on their money. I couldn’t understand why his family did not offer help to March once her parents died.

This book was quite enjoyable and I had trouble putting it down. Ms. MacGregor wrote a wonderful story which drew me in, making me forget the world around me and did not let me go until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

March Lawson has been taking care of her two sisters and brother who is a viscount since their parents died when he was one year old. It has not been easy. Her father thought he had taken care of their future if something happened but when it did Lord Burns did not take care of their financial needs. March has worked in the house and with the sheep for eight years. Now the Marquess of McCalpin has not answered her letters asking for help. She decides to forge his signature to get money from her trust to buy food. That got his attention. Now that he takes his responsibilities his parents want to help also. The Duke is very influential and a big help in teaching her brother about the nobility. March falls in love but all is not smooth. Can her love and McCalpin's attraction to her survive the problems that come their way?

I have not read the earlier books in the series YET, but intend to, so read this one as a stand alone. Life has not bee n easy for MarchLawson, daughter of a viscount. At the age of 16, dreaming about her upcoming season, her dreams were shattered. Her mother came down with the flu, her father sent her and her younger siblings away from Lawson Court for their protection. However, shortly after her mother succumbed to the disease, so did her father. Now she is responsible for her 1-year old baby brother, and 2 sisters, ages 10 and 11. Hart Pennington, the Viscount's personal assistant and secretary, stays to help them. While their father had set up guardians and trusts, the elder guardian forgot about his responsibilities and his solicitors ignored March's letters asking for funds. By the time she had run out of savings the guardian had died to be replaced Lord McCalpin, who was already over his head in responsibilities. When she didn't hear from him she took matters into her own hands and forged his signature and seal to transfer monies from her trust to her bank account, so they wouldn't starve.

Michael Cavensham, the Marquis of McCalpin and heir to the Duke of Langham suffers from Dyscalculia, which he keeps as his dirty little secret, know only to his brother William. He thinks himself an idiot with numbers, though very accomplished in logic, literature history, languages ...etc. When William discovers the deception, March is ordered to London. When she first see him, she thinks of him as Michelangelo's David. He is ashamed that he has ignored their plight and goes to Lawson Court to see if the situation is as dire as she described. He finds that it is worse and beings them all to London to stay at his parent's home, where the duchess decides she is going to sponsor the girls for their season. The Duke and Duchess are delighted to have them in their home, but there is a snake hiding in this paradise. Michael is enchanted with March and she falls in love with him, but the villains have their own plans for March and her siblings. Will Michael be strong enough to protect March as he has promised, trust in her and not believe the lies or will he lose her as she makes her own sad plains to protect the ones she loves?

This is a beautifully written book, with appealing characters and an intriguing plot. The love between siblings and parents, is not often found in this genre. I look for forward to reading the previous 2 books and any future ones.

I read an uncorrected ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

I have never read a Janna MacGregor novel before this one and believe I will read more in the future. I enjoyed her writing style and I really liked the hero and heroine until the end anyway. I knocked off a star because the ending was a slam-bam no thank you, ma'am. There was a great deal of tension throughout this book and a few parts actually brought tears to my eyes until about the last 20% or so. I overall like the book a great deal and my reasons for my dislike at the end will not stop me from reading another of her novels. The following has some spoilers, so you have been warned... I can understand why the author went the way she did considering Michael's affliction, however, for someone who cared for the heroine so much, he was flat out cruel and horrible and did a complete about-face in the time of a short meeting. And then when proof was found and Michael raced to show her, March forgave him immediately and they were married the next day. It was ridiculous and after March was so strong she seemed more like a doormat. It just seemed like someone said the book was too long, so necessary chunks, at the end, were cut. I will try another and hope for a better conclusion. I also think the cousin's hatred (esp. toward March) was never really explained.

Summary:

March has taken care of her family- two sisters and a brother- since her parents passed. Over the years, as the money from her guardians dwindled further and further, she has had to…. get creative. Facing destitution and up against an unwanted suitor for her sister’s hand she takes matters (and her guardian’s seal) into her own hands.

Michael Cavensham has a secret. He can’t figure out numbers. If anyone ever found out, he’d disgrace his family and title. When he finds out what March has done he’s furious… until he meets her. Intriguing and completely loyal, she isn’t like anyone he’s ever known. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a wiz at math. But can he truly trust her? As outside influences try to tear them down their bond will be tested.

My thoughts:

This is the book I needed. I loved the play between March and her family, and the obvious love and loyalty between Michael and his. The strength of both of these characters was incredible. Each character is well developed and interesting, and I will be looking into the rest of the series because I am not at all ready to let these characters go. This book gave me all the things I love in a good romance: well developed characters, great dialogue, a fairly smooth plot, and a type of world building that has more to do with families and friends.

I will admit the “evil suitor” gets played a lot. I don’t even read that many historical romances and it still makes me cringe because it’s been done (and done, and done…). This one, though, was a bit different- just enough. First that he wasn’t interested in March and second because of the pain the wanted to cause her other sister and brother.

All in all, this is a five star book for me. I highly recommend it. normal star ratingnormal star ratingnormal star ratingnormal star ratingnormal star rating

On the adult content scale, there’s some language and sexual content- fairly explicit, but there is still more plot than sex. I give it a seven. mature audience.

I was lucky enough to get an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.

At sixteen years old March Lawson lost her parents to influenza. Weeks before her seventeenth birthday and her first season March has to forego all of this in order to step up and take care of her family until her brother comes of age.

Eight years later and the Lawson family is struggling. The monies have quickly run out, so March has been posing as the Marquess of McCalpin (at least in signature) in order to get funds diverted from her trust account into the spending account. When McCalpin, aka Michael Cavensham, discovers the embezzlement, his own closely guarded secrets keep him from exposing March. A secret that could easily come out if March's crimes are pursued too closely, a secret that could mean societal consequences for his family. He's willing to forgive and forget as long as she agrees to stop with the charade, and Michael agrees to take guardianship over the Lawson household.

As March and Michael start working together to bring the Lawson household up to snuff, their feelings for one another begin to grow. Not ready fully admit his feelings, he does acknowledge that March would make the perfect Marchioness, and March, always thinking of her siblings first, admits that she wants to be with Michael too for herself and no one else. That is, if March's seemingly bad luck doesn't get in the way of their happiness first.

March was a standout secondary character for me in the previous book The Bride Who Got Lucky, but I'll admit the tough times we glimpsed in that previous book were only the tip of the iceberg as far as everything March has had to deal with since the death of her parents.

This was quite the emotional roller coaster for March and, as a reader, I felt like I was right there with her through the whole thing. I felt the frustrations as no one would listen to the plight of the Lawson children, and I felt the irritation when those of higher rank, and those who have never had to worry about where money for food would come from, looked down upon her actions of taking money (from her own account mind you) in order to take care of her family. I could probably fill my whole review with my frustrations on the way people treated March and her brother and sisters. But, in that, I think is Janna MacGregor's intent. We see the struggle, which makes the reward all the sweeter in the end.

I loved the relationship between the Lawson siblings. They, if no one else, knows the sacrifices that March has made for them, and continues to make for them in order, for her sisters, to secure good marriages, and her brother, so he can grow up a Lord who knows how to run his household and the land. Just when you think the worst has happened for March another surprise comes along to throw everything off. But never does it seem like Janna MacGregor has gone too far or filled March's life with too much blight. Everything that happens seems like plausible natural progression given the events of the story.

I loved that Michael wasn't really prepared for March. She's different than all the other ladies garnering for his attention, hoping to become his Marchioness. March could honestly care less about titles, and the only reason she's preoccupied with money is because, unfortunately, there's very little that can be done without money. Although March is very good with numbers and figures and tries to barter her bookkeeping services. Which puts her directly at opposites with Michael, who secretly has a learning disability when it comes to numbers and figures. I guess, in reality, it makes them the perfect pairing. They fit into each others's weaker spots and make each other stronger for it. Even though March views herself as "less than" compared to the society ladies who don't have to work with their hands to ensure survival, Michael never lets her think those thoughts for long. Her somewhat precarious station is never a factor for him in terms of how he views her for marriage. What gets in Michael's way is what he would call his "short-comings". He's been hiding them his whole life.

I think this book has been my favorite in the series so far. I would love for March's sisters to get their own book(s), or if not (since this is the Cavensham series after all), I hope we get a little follow up info on them in subsequent books because they too have had to struggle and I'd love to see them get their happily ever afters.

It looks like youngest brother, Will Cavensham, should be next in line for a book. He didn't come across great in this one (although he had reasons), but being the opposition to Michael and March made him a bit of a standout, so I look forward to seeing how his story plays out.

The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor is the third book in a series called the Cavensham Heiresses. I picked up this book not realizing that the book was part of a series. I found the book quite interesting and did not feel any problems due to reading a book without reading the prior books.

Marsh Lawson, the oldest child of a close family, suddenly became the head of the family with her younger sisters and brother. She managed for over a half dozen years, no matter the difficulty with managing and making ends meet. Marsh has been signing documents with the name of the Marquess of McCalpin to help maintain food and proper clothing for her siblings. After all, the man was supposed to be taking care of them until her brother reached his majority and he was not doing his job and she was only taking money from her dowry.

The Marquess of McCalpin was notified that someone was taking money from the accounts, he was supposed to watch over. Michael Cavensham did not keep the accounts himself but had “men” who took care of those things. However, once apprised of the situation, he informed Marsh that any further withdrawals even from her account were unacceptable and sent her on her way, without even listening to her.

The fear, Michael felt that someone would find out his secret. The desperation, Marsh felt for her family and the fear that can with that would push her toward Michael helping them. The secret and other interesting supposed truths would cause the situation to spiral out of control. Was Marsh really the imposter some said, or was someone setting her up to hide the theft of larger amounts of money.

I enjoyed The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor. The twists of the plots were interesting as were the characters. The safety of younger siblings made the story more emotionally stirring. Michael’s secret grew in complexity in his mind. He worked so hard to keep it that he missed how his family cared for him and probably wouldn’t care.

The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor was a good read.

This book has a lot to offer. March Lawson and her family are a gutsy, heart-warming quartet. The Cavensham family is a welcoming and warming crowd who embrace the Lawsons. Michael Cavensham is, on the whole, a likable fellow, with an embarrassing secret. My only quibble is with Michael’s willingness to accuse March of crimes that he knows she is unlikely to have committed. I liked this book better up until the crisis, when I found myself disappointed in the hero.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I read the previous 2 books and reviewed on this site so I wanted to read this one as well. I'm glad I got to read March's story, I really looked forward to hearing more about her after reading the last book in the series. That being said, I was a tad disappointed. Overall the book was enjoyable and I'm glad I read it but there was a lot about this book that didn't necessarily appeal to me. Michael's character itself didn't really connect with me and I personally didn't feel a lot of tension developed between the two main characters. And at the climax of the story, I was really hurt that Michael didn't believe March after all he knew about her. The whole story line was a little sad but March's devotion to her siblings was amazing, and her brother was adorable. Overall I liked the book ok even though I couldn't connect with some pieces of it. I would still recommend giving it a try, especially as part of the series overall.

Who doesn't love a female who takes care of her family. She never let's life get her down. What a great story!

Ms. McGRegor keeps writing books that will draw the reader in. She has great
characters that have secrets, who will find their way with the love they find with each other.
March is left caring for her siblings with no funds being provided from those who have been left to care for the family and the estate. She has had enough and decides to take matters into her own hands. Michael finds out March is forging his name and decides to pay her a visit to look into the families situation to find out the reason that would cause her to sign his name.
Ms. McGRegor writes a great story showing the lengths people will go to save their family.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review

This series just continues to get better and better. The third book in the series, The Luck of the Bride, had me in tears by the end.

Since the death of her parents, March Lawson has cared for her two younger sisters and brother. Unfortunately, requests for funds have been steadily ignored in the past eight years, and March has been forced to forge a letter from the Marquess of McCalpin (Michael) to access the funds left to her by her parents for her dowry. When Michael Cavensham realises that his signature is being forged, he is determined to resolve the issue but finds himself captivated by March.
However, Michael has a secret which only his brother, William, is aware of and fears that his involvement with March, will mean that he has to reveal his secret to her and face her rejection.
The relationship between March and Michael was beautifully explored. Their chemistry leapt off the pages and whilst they disagree on several issues, the respect that they felt for each other, was evident from the start. I particularly enjoyed March’s brother Bennett and his relationship with Michael and the Cavendsham’s and I so look forward to seeing how he progresses in the next few years.
This has been my favourite book so far but they are all so wonderfully written, that if you haven’t read them, you need to do so after finishing The Luck of the Bride!

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

March Lawson has shouldered more than her share of burdens, trying to keep things going for her and her three siblings since their parents died. Unable to contact the guardian whose responsibility it was to oversee the funds of the estate, she has had to resort to desperate measures, just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. Michael Cavensham has inherited the guardianship of the Lawsons from his uncle, so, when he finds out someone has been taking money from the estate, he is determined to find who is responsible. What he finds instead is a struggling orphan family, in need of help. In addition, Michael realizes he is smitten with March Lawson and must thus reconcile his feelings with what he knows is the right thing to do.

I enjoyed reading this book. Though it is part of a series, it is a solid stand-alone book, and the author has managed well to integrate any necessary back story well. I liked March because she came across as a hard worker, realized and accepted her responsibilities and creatively managed to take care of things. However, I never did understand how Michael never go the missives March sent to his uncle about their situation. In addition, I could not understand Michael’s brother, who did everything possible to thwart Michael’s and March’s relationship. Yes, he wanted to protect Michael, but this relationship was not going to damage/hurt Michael, and, besides, Michael was old enough to live his own life. The book flowed well, but, in the last third, so much happened so fast that I wondered why the author had not spread things out a bit more throughout the book rather than cram it in to the last sections. This is a good historical romance, but one that is not as light as you might think. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

It's 1:30 in the morning, my eyes are red & my nose running. I've cried through 90% of this touching tale. I couldn't stop until I'd reached the happy ending. March & her Michael have such a long hard battle to reach happily ever after. I hate to give too much away but each is flawed & desperate in their own way & perfect for each other. It's a story of loyalty to family & friends. Of doing any & everything to keep loved ones together. Of believing the worst & fighting to believe the best in yourself is true. Do yourself a favor & get your hands on this book. Read & keep a box of tissue close at hand. I'm so happy that an arc was sent my way, I might have missed this wonderful journey otherwise.

DNF at 20%. Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy.

The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3) by Janna MacGregor This is the first book that I have read by Janna MacGregor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hated to put it down... Thanks to #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. I must say I will now have to go back and reach the first two. March and Michael(David) are a perfect match... So many twists and turns...laughs...tears...I love both families March's and Michael's ...and there is a villain we all can love to hate....loved the cat and the rabbit... and yes we get to a HEA.

The story had strong characters and an entertaining plot. It had tense moments when he accuses her of embezzling more money and their fights after that were rough to witness, but it did make for a page turner.  I do think she forgave him a bit too quickly, especially with all of the things he accused her of, but other than that, the conclusion was enjoyable. I’m glad she got a happily ever after being she was the most selfless person in the story who never thought about her wants or needs; she deserved some happiness.  I really liked the role the Duke and Duchess played in getting them back together in the end; it reminded me a lot of Grace Burrowes’ Duke and Duchess from the Windham series, but in a more subtle way.  Their story was entertaining and well developed.  The cousin was a horridly perfect antagonist and the scene at the ball was terribly dramatic and added to the overall great story line. Overall, an enjoyable historical romance with characters you come to love and an entertaining story from start to finish.

4.5 Stars!

The Luck of the Bride was an excellent read with a wonderful romance and characters that pulled me in from the start.

In the eight years since her parents died, March Lawson has dedicated herself to ensuring her three younger siblings have a good life. This is made difficult by the fact the person in charge of her family's trust, the Marquess of McCalpin, has been ignoring her requests for funds. In an act of desperation, March forges a letter posing as the Marquess in order to secure the release of funds she desperately needs to take care of her family. When March is summoned to London by the Marquess, she's sure she's been found out. Michael Cavensham is determined to find out who has been forging his signature, but never expected to fall for the woman. When scandal touches March, Michael will have to determine how far he's willing to go for the woman he loves.

March has spent the last eight years focusing all of her energy on raising her siblings that she has a tendency to neglect herself. She's completely selfless and I admired how much she was willing to sacrifice to give her siblings a good life. March is an incredibly strong woman and is quite clever when it comes to finding ways to keep everything going. She has a head for figures and earns money helping local businesses with their books.

Michael is very close to his family and is closest with his brother William. As the heir to the Duke of Langham, Michael is expected to take a place in the House of Commons, something he doesn't wish to do. Michael fills his time with the usual pursuits of a man of his station and spends most of his time managing his estates. Michael has a secret he's kept hidden since his childhood that he worries will effect his ability to carry out his duties as Duke.

March and Michael don't exactly see eye to eye when they first meet as he believes her a thief and she believes him to have neglected his duties as manager of her family's trust. Michael has a tendency to raise March's ire and the two get into some spirited conversations that were a delight to read. Slowly March and Michael begin to trust one another and start to confide in each other. The two have great chemistry and the physical scenes between them are incredibly sexy and well done. There was one aspect to their relationship that kept this book from being a full five stars for me. A series of events unfold that are meant to cause Michael to doubt March and I didn't like how easily he was swayed to distrust her. Thankfully it doesn't take too long for things to get back on track, but I was a bit frustrated by what happened.

In The Luck of the Bride we see the return of the couples from the first two books in the series. It was wonderful seeing them all again and I enjoyed the scenes where they spent time with the new main characters. Emma's friendship with March was wonderful and I enjoyed how Emma become a champion for March. March's siblings Julie, Faith, and Bennett were an absolute delight and I loved how close the siblings were. There is a plot line involving the Lawson's cousin Rupert causing scandal for March and I have to say the author does a great job making him someone you can hate.

The Luck of the Bride is my favorite book in the series thus far and I'm looking forward to the next book, The Good, the Bad, and the Duke, releasing later this year. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a new historical romance series to check out.