This was a cute read and I enjoyed the characters. I only wish I paid closer attention though. I didn't know it was apart of a series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the others first.

This book. I literally just finished it. I’m shook. I should wait to write a review, but it’s already late, I just don’t want to spoil anything and duct tape on my mouth doesn’t help my fingers.

I’ve been a fan of this author since the Adam days. But people kept giving me mixed reviews about this series so I put it off for a bit. But a fan is a fan so I read the first one and loved it. Please read the first one! Then the rest of the series. If you pick this one up first you won’t have all the pent up anxiety that hits in this book. And everyone needs to experience that first hand.

Gemma comes from a gangster family and escapes by marrying Barbnabus. Love doesn’t go the way she wants and off she goes. When they reconnect, it’s not what either expected.

That sounds like a romance right? There is SO much more to this book than that simple synopsis. It’s a story within a story within a story. And for me it’s not easy reading because I need to read each word and look for the connections.

It’s surprising. Even while I’m anticipating it. There are characters that thread through the series that don’t just pop in, but play important roles. There is sweet romance. And deep friendships. All bundled up to be a typical book by Eden. This series just gives a different vibe and I’m totally here for it. Absolutely all in and with great anticipation waiting for the next one jn the series.

I can’t say anything else except that it is fantastic! There is a bachelor. There is a bride. But this book is going to take them on a wild ride!

I was lucky to get a copy through Netgalley, but the review is entirely of my own choosing. And I choose Sarah Eden every single time.

3.5 stars
Sarah Eden's writing style never disappoints. Her sentences, paragraphs and chapters all just flow beautifully and she has a fantastic grasp on whatever historical period she is writing in. Not that I'm an expert at all, but I always feel transported through time when I read her books.
This series started off strong for me but this book and The Merchant and the Rogue were not as compelling. The Penny Dreadfuls are clever, but break up the novel too much for my liking and there was less romance than I would expect from a book labeled as a romance. Baz and Gemma are likeable, but I wanted Baz's discovery of his love for Gemma to feel more passionate and more real. I just wasn't getting much chemistry from these two. I do think their situation made for unique emotional paths for the two leads.
The overarching underworld-of-London plot had some exciting reveals at the very end, but the plan Gemma and Baz hatched seemed doomed to failure from the start as they ignored some obvious actions from Gemma's resurrectionist family members. It was a bit hard to read so many pages detailing their thorough plan, when it was clear it could never work.
All that being said, this whole series is very creative and I love the premise of these books and Sarah Eden certainly knows how to immerse her readers in Victorian England.

I loved this - but I really need to start paying more attention to if a book is part of a series. when I request books through Netgalley... this is book 4 of the Dread Penny Society - and tbh some things would have made a little more sense if i'd begun at the beginning (although it looks like each installment is from the POV of a different couple - so I still had a good time even though there were references to past events).

I really enjoyed the switch between Barnabus and Gemma - the mutual pining done by this pair (who are technically already married)! Loved the concept of a do-gooding society of penny dreadful authors trying to right societies wrongs and would love to see where it goes in subsequent books - as well as seeing my favourite side characters find their own love matches.

This book focusses on the characters of Dr. Barnabus Milligan and Gemma Kincaid and their complicated relationship. Great writing and characters, a enjoyable read

Sarah Eden is a brilliant and talented writer. She has woven quite a tale in this series. The intrigue definitely continues. I was very invested in Baz and Gemma's story. I loved watching their relationship bloom. I still struggle with 3 different plotlines in alternating chapters. However, I see how the stories relate and think the idea is very clever. By the end, I was laughing out loud at Fletcher's antics. That chapter alone makes the whole book worthwhile. I look forward to the next installment in this series. I want to see everyone get their happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me and I'm getting to the point where I'm disappointed that Sarah Eden's books continue to be marketed and pushed as sweet romances when the romance is not at all centric and barely a part of the main takeaway. Her older books have such heart and a lovely, believable relationship that develops, whereas the last four books I've read from her those sweet romances are virtually nonexistent. Had this been marketed as a historical fiction with a mystery subplot, I believe my expectations, thus my enjoyment, would have been managed far better.
This is definitely a series that has to be read from book one, The Lady and the Highwayman. The overarching plot and the two "big reveals" mean that much more (one was a "hmmm, didn't see that coming" and the other an "I KNEW it" and no one was near me to say congrats on my saavy brain). I really enjoyed the last 20% of this book. I think the concept and execution of the ending was fun and gave some good answers to readers of the entire series.
As with the previous books, the main story - this time featuring "Doc" and Gemma - are peppered with two penny dreadfuls throwing the reader right into Victorian London streets. Between those and the language Sarah uses, these books are a unique reading experience.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah Eden is the fourth book in the Dread Penny Society series. I have really been enjoying this series because it’s so different! It’s fun, has great characters, and you get the added bonus of the Penny Dreadfuls spread throughout the story. While this is a solid story, l felt like something was missing, but I just couldn’t put my finger on what. I was also very surprised at the big reveal of who heads the DPS. It really made no sense to me, especially because of things that happened in the first book. That being said, I am looking forward to the next story. Can it be Stone’s please?!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5
This is a solid addition to the series. This time, the DPS featured character is Dr. Mulligan, who’s had a secret wife this whole time. Gemma, a former Resurrectionist, and Barnabus got married three years ago as a way for her to escape her criminal family. Gemma left after six months, when she realized Barnabus would never love her.
Series villain The Mastiff, meanwhile, has joined forces with Gemma’s family, and the message “The Tempest Is Coming” is popping up everywhere.
The Mr. King story is about two people on a quest who have to solve riddles and outsmart various paranormal beings along the way. Dr. Barnabus Mulligan’s story is about a doctor who gets very invested in finding the source of an unexplained phenomena.
I enjoyed this book. I do think a reader would be confused if they hadn’t read the previous books.

The Bachelor and the Bride (The Dread Penny Society #4) is getting 3 / 5 Stars from me.

I want to thank Sarah M. Eden, Shadow Mountain, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Themes, Tropes, & Warnings: Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction, Victorian Era; Doctor/Author MMC, Former Grave Robber FMC, Marriage of Convenience, Unrequited Love, Longing, Secret Society, Criminal Underworld, Harassment, Bribery, Blackmail, Kidnapping, Witness Protection, Arson, Murder, Violence.

Thoughts: I will clarify that this is the first book by Sarah M. Eden I have read, and I had no idea that The Bachelor and the Bride was apart of a series (The Dread Penny Society).

It follows Dr. Barnabus Milligan, a member of the Dread Penny Society, and his wife Gemma Kincaid, a child of the infamous grave robber family, the Kincaids. The two are brought back together, after they were married three years before when Barnabus needs her help to foil the Kincaids who have joined forced with the Mastiff, the head of London’s criminal underworld.

I won’t deny that this book had some things going for it, but the constant interruptions by the mini stories took away from the actual plot of the story on top of the fact that the book was too fast paced. I feel as though there needed to be more build up and Barnabus and Gemma needed more time to establish themselves as a true couple.

Reviewed under RosesandSundragons16 @ Amazon, Goodreads, Instagram, NetGalley, and StoryGraph.

I love the premise of the Dread Penny Society, which we are introduced to in the novel: The Lady and the Highwayman.

This is a series of stories within stories. Following a group of authors who write “Penny Dreadfuls” and have formed a secret society to help the poor and oppressed, Sarah Eden tells tales of romance and social justice, while including the actual penny dreadful stories as diverting, and enlightening, story inclusions.

And this series keeps getting better and better. I love how we get to bounce between the story that is unfolding and the Penny Dreadfuls that the novelists within the book are writing, as well as how cleverly the two parallel stories tie to together.

Gemma and Barnabus as engaging characters and you will find yourself rooting for them as their story twists and turns and makes you wonder how it will all turn out.

I recommend this book, but I’ll also say you will probably enjoy it more if you start at the beginning of the series.

I received a free digital galley of this story and am offering my honest opinion in return.

This was such a cute story!! I loved both the main characters so much and how we see their relationship develop!

Despite it being a good book, there were some difficulties in keeping it with the storyline as its part of a series and I hadn't read the previous books,

This is the fourth book in her Dread Penny Society series and while it can be read standalone, you really don’t want to miss a page of this series! This one really takes the suspense to the next level.

Dr. Barnabus Milligan has been part of the Dread Penny Society for many years, doing his best to rescue women and children from a life on the streets. Unbeknownst to his friends and colleagues, he married Gemma Kincaid three years ago to save her from her criminal family. Living together under the same roof didn’t last long, though, when Gemma realized she was in love with her new groom, but he didn’t return her feelings. She left, telling Barnabus if his feelings ever changed, to ask her to come back. Though his feelings haven’t changed, Barnabus needs her connections to figure out how to stop the crime wave rolling through the city. He asks her back and she reluctantly agrees to help. As they work on the case and get to know each other again, everything Barnabus once believed about his past, his future, and his feelings for Gemma becomes tangled the longer he’s with her. But before he can talk to her about any of it, danger finds them and the future he’s only beginning to see may be snatched away from them.

This is a fresh twist on a marriage of convenience story that will intrigue readers and keep them glued to the page. Gemma is a heroine you can root for as she tries to escape the past she was born into and navigate her future with a husband who doesn’t seem to feel anything for her beyond friendship. Gemma doesn’t let circumstances get her down, though, and her knack for finding friends and silver linings was endearing. Their journey to love is deftly intermixed with the couple’s search the The Mastiff, a criminal mastermind who is terrorizing London. Ms. Eden strikes the perfect balance of suspense and romance as the reader is immersed in the Dread Penny Society’s world of trying to make a difference for the poor and downtrodden, while staying ahead of the villain, and keeping their loved ones safe. The many layers to this series showcase Ms. Eden’s talents in writing powerful stories that draw readers in and doesn’t let them go until the final page. And the jaw-dropping ending to The Bachelor and the Bride will leave you wishing the next book was already out! Sarah Eden fans will not want to miss this one.

This book was fantastic! I think it was maybe my favorite of the series.
The main story was intriguing and the 2 side stories were entertaining as well. I don’t know how this author keeps all 3 stories going at once, but she does such a great job!
There was mystery, romance, and humor as well. Such a great book.
I don’t want to give anything away, but the ending was WOW. I can’t wait for the next book!
I have read all the books in the series and think they are better if you read them all in order but if you don’t I think you would enjoy it anyway- you will just miss a few things here and there.

A historical romance with a marriage of convenience and a headstrong, independent woman. What more can I say? It was enjoyable, as to have been expected and I'm really loving Barnabus. (#BarnBabes)

I only wish I knew it was a series before I requested it on NetGalley because I feel like perhaps there was easter eggs or call backs to the previous books. I must devour them all now!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden is book #4 in the series. A nice shakeup of what we've come to expect in the previous books in the series. I saw a couple of them coming but not the final one. Well played, Ms. Eden!

I have read all of the previous books in this series and really enjoyed them, so I was not surprised when I loved this one as well. The setting for these books is such a unique perspective, and I really adore how the vernacular speech is shown for the different characters when they talk — it gives so much depth and realism to the characters and their setting. Doc and Gemma’s story was well-rounded and nicely connected to the other Dread Penny characters, and I like how the overarching Mastiff plot is carried through the series as a central part that gains depth the farther you go in the series. I would have liked to have gotten more specific information about Gemma’s childhood and how exactly her marriage to Doc occurred, but overall I was very happy with how their story progressed.

A nice book and a quick read!
The reading was smooth, well written. Plus two really interesting main characters. I will recommend this one

I already adored the #dreadpennysociety series and this book just sealed them as a Permanent Favorite™.

On the romance side, Barnabus and Gemma are both perfect for each other--if only they can figure out how to actually TALK. Don't worry--this isn't one of those obnoxious "why don't you just tell each other" romances. They're both aware that they need to say the words "I love you," but there's a whole world of hurt and insecurity that is getting in their way. They're trying so hard to let each other know, but words are hard. 😆 And Barnabus is also kinda slow on the uptake in this particular situation.

On the mystery side, HOLY COW does this thing move! The tension, which is already decently high thanks to the events in The Merchant and the Rogue, just keeps ramping up.

The last few chapters in particular are going to keep you up, so be warned.

I was trying to finish before bed a few weeks ago and literally grabbed my husband's arm and shook him awake while I shrieked because I COULD. NOT. HANDLE. THE. PLOT TWISTS.

And then I laid in bed for the rest of the night thinking about the whole book. 😆🙃

Sarah M. Eden had such a thrilling romance book. This was my first time reading a book by Eden and I absolutely loved the Dread Penny Society.

The weaving of the author's story along with that of the Dread Penny Society’s members was so masterful and I truly enjoyed it. Barnabus and Gemma were so much fun to read and learn about how they wanted to make this a second chance at love was so good.

I think because I read this book out of order from the others I did get a few treats in not having to wait for surprises. I promise no spoilers! I do think that I was able to follow along with what happened prior to this book.

Thank you to Net galley for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️