When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure that I'd like it. It felt like the author was trying too hard to use different words for things-like she used a thesaurus. But it didn't take me long to get hooked on this book.
March is 17 when her parents die during an influenza outbreak. Instead of preparing for her first season, she is taking over running the household and raising her two sisters and a 1 year old brother. Life is not easy for March. She goes from being well off to not having any money for food or the other necessities. She is desperate. None of the men, who have been tasked with overseeing the estate, have been forthcoming with disbursing funds. The money is there, they just can't get it. To feed her family , March does something desperate to get the money.
Michael Cavensham is the Marquess of McCalpin. When he is appointed to oversee March's family's estate, following the death of the man who was previously in charge, he is confused. He doesn't even know March and her family. But Michael has bigger issues. He has a secret that has filled him with shame since he was a small child and he had spent his life guarding it. When he doesn't respond to March's pleas for money to be released, March dues what she feels she has to do.
Shortly afterwards, what March has done is discovered. She is brought before Michael. She had hopes that the meeting is in regards to a letter that she previously wrote, asking for her funds from her trust fund to be released. When she first sees Michael, she is struck byhow much he reminds her of Michaelangelo's David. But the meeting is not about her letter, her act of desperation had been disovered.
The story continues with Michael going to March's estate to see their situation first hand. March's family winds up begin brought to London and sponsored by Michael's family. The sisters have their season, their brother is being groomed for his future role as Viscount and things are even looking up for March until a visit from their bitter, vile cousin. Their world comes crashing down around them.
Can March find out the truth? Can Michael keep her safe?
Overall, it's a pretty good book. There are other books in the series. I will be reading the rest of them.

I really liked March and Micheals story. They were so easy to love. March bring the determined older sister was relatable and I am happy that she found love in the story. She really deserved, she was so worried about everyone else, making her love story all the more deserving.

The Luck of the Bride is a sweet historical romance with memorable characters and a story that tugs at the heart. From parent to bookkeeper to lady farmer to embezzler, March Lawson is my favorite kind of heroine, smart, strong, and loyal. The leading hero, Michael might be a little swoon worthy too. March suffers from the worst of luck but like a true champion rises against whatever life throws her way. When her parents died, she took on the responsibility of raising her three siblings even though she a teenager herself. Running her family's estate, she manages the books and shears the sheep. A violent storm tears up the roof and empties the coffers causing March to take up a life of crime, embezzling from her own trust. The Marquess of McCalpin, Michael learns of the theft and opens his heart when March's family circumstances become painfully clear. Taking guardianship and introducing the family to society, Michael brings the Lawsons into his life. The more time spent together the more obvious it is that March and Michael cannot fight their feelings. Like any good love story, there is always a villain in the wings threatening their HEA but love prevails in a breathtaking HEA. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Oh my! Oh my! Janna MacGregor, a new to me author, has hit my must-read author list with a bang. The Luck of the Bride, the 3rd in the Cavensham Heiresses series, (the 1st I’ve read) is chock full of emotion.
A hero with a secret. A heroine responsible for her siblings from a young age, who will do anything to protect them; even breaking the law and sacrificing her own happiness. A villain that I wanted to step in and clobber (and who got off way to easy in my honest opinion). These are just parts of this riveting story.
There’s so much I could put on paper about Ms. MacGregor’s fabulous read but alas, I don’t want to give any spoiler’s away. I will, however, give a word of warning – have plenty of hankies on hand; especially when Michael’s secret gets out. Be still my heart! Now, off to read more from this amazing author!!

This book had me in tears several times. Imagine being 16 and trying to keep family and farm together. I felt for Marsh as she struggled under such a burden. At a time in history when women were to be a decoration, Marsh iwas out sheering and maintaining the sheep. To be part of the nobility did not help this family. This story was really a family saga of strength and perseverance. The romance was so full of ups and downs. I liked this book! From farm to ballroom it kept me engrossed.

This is a wonderfully written story about adversity,love, trust and self acceptance. March is a beautiful character, she loves her siblings and does what she must in order to make ends meet. Michael is a kind ,caring man but is afraid someone will find out about his secret so he has some trust issues. My favorite character is March’s brother Bennett, his a 9 year old Viscount who is trying hard to be the head of the family. I highly recommend this book.

Absolutely loved the concept of this story. At first i didnt think i was going to enjoy it but it turned out to be one of the sweetest romances i’ve Read in a long time.

This us one of my favorite stories EVER. March is such an incredible girl turned woman. We need more heroines like here. Michael is strong and confident...but with a flaw he is so embarrassed about. No spoiler here, but they go through a great deal to find their HEA. I look forward to more stories about the
Lawson family, and Michael's brother.

March Lawson has lost both her parents to influenza. At seventeen years of age, she's now responsible for the care of two younger sisters and an infant brother. Parts of this book are very good. I admired March's willingness to do whatever it took to provide for her family, including "embezzling" money from her own dowry account. She forgoes a London season for eight years because feeding her siblings and keeping a roof over their heads is more important than dancing at fancy balls.

Our hero, Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, is a decent fellow. For most of the novel, he's sympathetic to March's plight and takes her and her siblings to his London home where his mother, a duchess no less, acts as the fairy godmother to the Lawson females. My appreciation for Michael disappeared when he chose to doubt the character of the woman he'd asked to marry him. If you love me and you believe in me, then when rumors begin spreading about the legitimacy of my birth and me committing a crime, you ought to have my back. Don't doubt me while I'm battling a scandal. The fact that he let doubt seep into his mind made me kick him off the knight-in-shining-armor pedestal. Nevertheless, the story ends well. Yes, there is a happy ending, but the journey to that ending could have been a bit smoother and riddled with fewer hurdles.

So much going on in this book. The characters and the storyline brought out so many different emotions in me, I was ready to jump in the book! Highly recommend.

The Luck of the Bride⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Janna MacGregor

Very enjoyable tale set in 1813 Victorian England. While book 3 in a series it does truly stand alone. The heroine March Lawson was left raising her siblings after the loss of both parents.. Sadly times become tough when people set up to take care of the family fail and no monies are released to support the estate leading March to make some hard decisions to continue to take care of her family.

Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin has inherited responsibility of the estate.....but he's dealing with his own "money" issues. While I don't know Royals or embezzlers I found the book very real. The dialogue entertaining. Secondary characters were important and didn't clutter or slow down the story.. The book made me laugh and I shed a few tears. A win for me.......and Janna

I liked the characters a lot in this story and would like to read more in the series. I guess being from this time period I don't understand some of the male characters seem so enlightened and empathetic, yet feel that March was an embezzler of her own money. Yes, having a ducal seal made and forging a signature is wrong, but everything done for the right reasons seemed understandable until it wasn't...it was a decent read though. Thank you for the freebie!

Very sweet and emotional read with fully realized three-dimensional characters. The hero has a surprising limitation that humanizes him more than your typical male lead in a historical romance. There are moments that bring the reader close to tears for the couple as they struggle to surpass multiple obstacles and learn to trust one another throughout the story. Highly Recommended.

This is my first book by this author. I didn't read the other titles in the series, so I can safely say this works as a stand-alone.

March Lawson has been taking care of her siblings ever since their parents died. Unable to contact their guardian to release funds that are needed to run her little brother's estate and put food on their table, she is driven to desperate means to access the dowry that cannot be released to her without her guardian's approval...
Unbeknown to him, Michael Cavensham has inherited the guardianship of the Lawson siblings from his uncle. When he is alerted that he has apparently approved of payment to the eldest Lawson, he is determined to find the embezzler, stunned to find a starving family in dire need of help...

At first, I really enjoyed this book. I really liked that both hero and heroine were unusual and complex: March, working hard on a farm while raising her three siblings after their parents' death, was a wonderfully strong heroine who I could respect even though her desperation makes her steal someone's identity to get to the funding she needs to buy food for her family (don't worry, she doesn't steal the money, she "just" uses someone else's signature to access her dowry because her legal guardian is not reacting to any of her pleas for help). Surprisingly, this didn't make me dislike her, because her circumstances and what drives her to this action are explained very well. I liked that she was actually tall, physically strong, and capable of caring for her siblings all on her own. I found her independent and strong without being annoying, and liked that after everything she has been through she was still able to trust Michael enough to let him help her.
Michael too, was a nice character. I liked how he managed to work around his problem (view spoiler), and how he learned to trust March enough to tell her about it.

But, unfortunately, there were some things that kept me from enjoying this book.

First: I never really understood how Michael inherited the financial responsibility to the Lawsons and how March's letters to his (diseased) uncle and predecessor weren't forwarded to him. At some point I stopped questioning things and just went with it.
Second: I found the evil cousin and all his many plots to make the Lawson family miserable a bit too much. I thought the plot had enough drama without any of his machinations.
Third: Michael's brother. While I liked Michael, and found his sister and parents wonderful, the brother's attempts to keep March and Michael apart were, again, just too much. I get that he was trying to protect Michael against anyone taking advantage of him, but I don't like how he went about this.

And then there were the last 20%. I really liked the first half of the book. I really did. I loved how Michael and March slowly started to trust one another, and when they finally opened up to each other and got engaged at around 70%, I was more than happy! But the reminder of the book I found too crammed with people getting between them, lying, and manipulating them into a separation. For all his protestations of loving March, Michael was sure quick to believe the absolute worst of her there for a while. It made it hard to believe their hasty reconciliation in my opinion. But that's on me, because I really really REALLY don't like this sort of forced drama. Also, their marriage in the epilogue place exactly one day after their reconciliation. Even for the first son of a Duke, that would have required a special license, just saying.

Anyway. If you're looking for a romance novel that is not quite as light and fluffy as your average historical romance, this might be the book for you! Don't let my grumpiness dissuade you from it!

While this book was not without it’s flaws, it was a satisfying read. The author really capatured the emotional journey of the two main characters. I could feel the angst each felt before they achieved their happily ever after—a few tears may have been shed! The heroine might have forgiven a little too quickly for my taste, but it was believable in the context of the story. was my first read from this particular author but will not be my last—I will now look to find her backlist and read away.

Get the Kleenex ready. I had several good cries while reading The Luck of the Bride. Michael has a secret that he hides from everyone but his brother. It blinds him to the truth that is right in front of him.
March is so caring, it shows in everything that she does. The closeness that she shares with her siblings made this an even better book.

The Luck of the Bride⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Janna MacGregor

Upon the death of her parents, March Lawson finds herself the head of her family at a young age. She unflinchingly assumes her responsibilities and pushes on. She resorts to embezzlement after she has repeatedly asked for help from the caretaker of their finances.

She has been forging the signature of the Marquess of McCalpin to take money from her own inheritance.
When she is called into London to meet McCalpin her whole life changes. Michael Cavensham is a handsome brute that holds his own secrets.

This story holds several serious and lighthearted mysteries. As a read I could not put this story down with the twists and turns that were unraveling. Hats off to Ms MacGregor another great story.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

The beginning was engrossing and I really felt along with the heroine and her siblings. The facts behind her 'stealing' made me sympathetic to her situation.

There were times I had to plod past something that I thought was uncharacteristic of the time period and gentle behavior. The H kisses the h while she is being treated for an injury by another person. What?! She is frequently described as lush/luscious even though the family are short on food and she works hard on the farm. No mention is made of preparing the girls for the Season except for clothing--wouldn't they need lessons on deportment and dancing after being stuck in the country without tutors?

If you can suspend disbelief, this story is full of heart and can be enjoyed.

By: Janna McGregor

Length: 384 pages

Acquired: NetGalley

Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback’s

Language: English

Setting: An 1813 Victorian romance in Leyton and London, England.



The Story:

March Lawson was a 17-year-old girl who became the guardian and head of her estate after her parents passing. She had a 1, 9, 10-year sibling to care for. Normally a viscount’s daughter would prepare her gowns and ready herself for her introduction to society. In one night March Lawson went from a child and turned into an adult to properly care for her siblings. After 8 long years of writing letters to the Lord that was suppose to care for her March learned how to care for her farm, raise her siblings, and make sure that their estate is in pristine condition for her youngest sibling to take over when he becomes of age. As March and her siblings grew, the eyes of her wicked cousin threaten to take over her estate, their trust funds, and the title that rightfully belongs to her youngest brother. In order to protect them March does something she never thought she could do, she writes fraudulent checks and embezzles money from her own dowry until she can figure out how to ward off her cousin and properly care for her siblings. Until the trustee’s she’s pretending to figure it out and sends her a letter to explain himself. Where he falls irrevocably enchanted with this tall, broad, strong, and intelligent woman.



Michael or formally known as McCalpin of Marquees has never held the idea of woman as more than just a trapper. Being the heir of a wealthy family there are many expectations of him to fulfill. However, at a young age, he learns that he’s different from his siblings. Doing his best to cover the truth Michael works hard on hiding his secret and becoming the best Marquees and heir to the duchy he can possibly be. Michael has never known of poverty or thought much of it. He prefers to live out his position as the heir of a duke and enjoy the ride until he becomes Duke of Langham. That is until he hears wind of Lawson’s family missing funds. He calls the head of the Lawson family to visit him in London to explain the missing funds that he as their fund's trustee did not sign for. Little does he know Michael would meet the only woman he’s ever met that will test him, challenge him, and captivate him in every single sense. But surely their love couldn’t work, right? He’s an heir and she’s a viscount’s daughter though she neither dresses or acts the part. Will they find love? and will it be worth it?



The Review:
I absolutely adored this book. I loved how March a tall, broad, farming girl who is still an honorable daughter of a viscount shapes herself to put the needs of her family before her own. She works hard and excels with numbers and often finds comfort in bookkeeping. What would normally take a person two days March could finish it in a few hours. March is loyal, kind, patient, and never places herself first until she keeps her promise. Her promise to make sure her sisters are introduced into society and marry off to a wealthy man so that she can raise her youngest brother and heir to their estate so that he too can live a beautiful life. A life that she know’s she may not be welcomed in. At the age of 25 viscount’s daughters are to be wed. With the stress of her family’s estate, their farm, and her siblings future March hasn’t had the time to think of anyone else other than them. She holds no regret or hatred towards her siblings she pours nothing but pure love towards them to ensure their lives are cared for. Here comes Michael a lovely man that any woman would adore is absolutely captivated by March. He’s never met a woman that loved him for him. He’s used to women seeking out his title or his wealth as an attraction. But not March, her blind loyalty and respect cause her to fall in love with her David. However, love never comes easy there are always people that will try to intervene. Which will happen to March and Michael will they overcome it? or will it tear them apart forever?

Let's focus on the supporting characters! I HAVE NOT LOVED SO MUCH SUPPORTING CHARACTERS AS I DO IN THIS NOVEL! High society English noblemen and woman are often described as uptight, selfish, solely focus on their reputation. They won’t help a soul other than the people that could help build them in their high society. It’s a real treat to see the opposite happen in this book. These beautiful and handsome Cavensham family took in March and her family. Helped care for them to ensure that they would be taken cared of and to alleviate the stress that’s been placed on March as a child. They are as loyal as March is with her family. And I LOVE HOW THE LAWSON SIBLINGS ARE PORTRAYED! Julia even as she’s older her worries and concerns for her sister never changed “Who would care for March?” Faith her kind, loyal, and intellect carries her also support March no matter the cause. And precious Bennett though he is just 9 year’s old he cares deeply for all of his siblings and as the heir takes the responsibility as the man of the house to care for each of them. Even when March was sent away to their home in Leyton, Bennett sweet Bennett told Michael to care for his sisters and that he would go to his eldest to care for her.

Some of my favorite quotes from this novel:

“Nonsense, March,” Emma commanded. “My brother will for it. Tell me, when is your next ball?” - Emma

“With all due respect, my lord, I’m the only man she can rely on now.” - Bennett

“She scoffed her denial and fought to get her traitorous body under control.” - March



I couldn’t add the beautiful love quotes just yet, it’ll surely spoil the novel.



Rate: 5/5

I requested to read this book off Net Galley this afternoon and it's been a delightful read this evening. Though it's the third book in the series, it's a standalone that sheds light on the resilience of a young maiden named March Lawson. When her parents die and she's unable to hear from her guardian, she takes the role of providing and protecting her three siblings and one of them is embezzling by forging David's signature to gain access to funds in her trust.
It's a well told story with characters some robust and lively and each contributing to the plot as the story develops. David and March's romance blossoms as the story goes and though it pained me that she was often the one frowned upon and suspected, I found their love quite interesting.
This was definitely great company this evening. It's given historical romance or shall I term it regency romance quite a refreshing appeal.