Cover Image: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

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Jackson and Kit are now heading down the aisle, until she doesn't show up at the church. Set in Victorian England, a good series and second book in the list, although could be read alone. Liked the first one better but did enjoy this one too. Would recommend.

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This book takes place in London in 1885. If you like Christian Historical Fiction reads, then you will enjoy this one. It is filled with mystery, adventure, drama and faith. The story has you going in one direction then twist and takes you on another adventure. When Kit and Detective Jackson prepare to marry and Kit thinks she has the perfect wedding gift for him. Kit starts on a hunt to find out just who is responsible for his brother's murder. Jackson wants the past left in the past. Will this break the engagement? Will Jackson be able to solve who murdered Kit's mother?
I recommend this book if you like a mystery read that will have you turning the pages and wanting to know what is going to happen. If you like not being able to put down a book, read this one. The relationship between the two is what keeps you reading and you will be wondering how does the 2 mysteries tie in together? *If you want a little background to these two, read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane first, but you don't have to...... just might want to.... :-)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

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Once again, Michelle Griep has outdone herself. The Bride of Blackfriars Lane is a wonderful continuation of Kit and Jackson’s story…such a fun read filled with adventure, romance, intrigue and some comedic moments.
As their wedding day approaches, the couple are faced with challenges, including solving cold cases that are brought to light. The characters are so well written that you can feel Kit’s spunky nature, and Jackson’s loyalty…as well as their shared stubbornness ( which makes for some fun moments). As they continue to grow together, they learn that they not only need to share everything with each other, but, to rely on God for everything. Get ready for a fun read filled with action and adventure.
You may wish to read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane first, however, this book would also work as a stand alone.
I receive an advanced copy of this through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion and I was not required to post a review of any kind.

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"If there's one thing I've learned in marriage it's this… pride preserves yerself, humility preserves yer relationship."

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane (2022, Barbour) by Michelle Griep is second in the Blackfriars Lane series. A standalone romantic mystery set in 1885 London, this story tells what happens after the happily ever after in book one.

Rating: 4.5

The plot: This sequel has Kit and Jackson dealing with anxieties related to their upcoming marriage, Jackson introducing Kit to his father and brother, and the two of them working on another case. If you haven't read the first book, I'd say skip this review and check out The Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

Is it clean/chaste? Yes! There is one mention of an anticipated wedding night's "happily-ever-aftering."

Other content issues: The language in this book includes a sprinkling of some old-fashioned swear words and phrases. Examples include: "What the deuce?", "Thunder and turf!","Dash it!", "What the blazes…", and others. It doesn't upset me, but I don't really love seeing these in Christian fiction.

The hero: Detective Jackson Forge is on another case. His fiance Kit is helping him with his investigative work, but in an unofficial capacity only.

The heroine: Kit Turner loves Jackson, but she has concerns about the possibility of needing to leave Blackfriars Lane if Jackson's work takes him elsewhere in the future. There would be no possibility of a compromise. On top of that, "Coming and going on her own terms was her lifeblood." Kit is not sure she's willing to change her life at that level, even though she loves Jackson.

Christian elements:

*Ms. Griep has great Biblically sound doctrine throughout her books.

*Love the following: "You have placed voices of caution in my life, restraint that I ignored. Grant me the wisdom to consider differing views……" Amen!

*One practice that I disagree with is in the following quote: "Jackson lifted a prayer as the draped corpse passed. Whatever poor soul had expired, hopefully he was now at peace. . ." (There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that such a prayer is effective. From GotQuestions.org, I found the following: "Roman Catholic theology. . . allows for prayers both to the dead and on behalf of them. But even Catholic authorities admit that there is no explicit authorization for prayers on behalf of the dead in the sixty-six books of canonical Scripture. Instead, they appeal to the Apocrypha (2 Maccabees 12:45), church tradition, the decree of the Council of Trent, etc., to defend the practice.")

What I liked:

I'm always a bit wary when I see sequels with the same main characters as the previous book, because it means that there will probably be conflict between the hero and the heroine in the second book. And there certainly was conflict, but it was plausible as well as well done!

What I didn’t like: In general, the only thing in Ms. Griep's books that I don't like are the aforementioned substitute swears.

The bottom line: Impressively, this book played out strongly in both the suspense/mystery and romance genres. Ms. Griep is one of my favorite authors, and I'd actually recommend any of her books. But if you like stories with law enforcement types, try The Noble Guardian, or any of the others in Ms. Griep's Bow Street series.

My apologies to Ms. Griep and NetGalley for being so SLOW to review this advance reader copy!

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This plot was composed of many elements and very atmospheric. The action kept me glued to the pages!
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I am a fan of Michelle Griep and am always excited when a new book of hers comes my way. I really enjoyed The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, so when I saw the sequel become available I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. While this was a good story, I feel that it was not this author's greatest work. In hindsight, I feel as though I've had enough of Kit and Jackson's story and upon reading this extension of their love story it felt a little too drawn out for my taste. Kit's attitude and actions began feeling exaggerated and less relatable. That being said, I did enjoy the setting and atmosphere of this novel. It was moody and filled with twists and turns. I remain a big fan of this author and plan to read her future works.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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When I read the first book, I loved it. I couldn’t read it fast enough. I was laughing all throughout it and loved every minute of it. This one… meh.

The story was okay but I was mainly disappointed in the romance. I know they were getting married but, still, I felt like a lot of the romance could have either been cut or kept behind close doors. Maybe that’s just me? I enjoy romance, but this kind of grossed me out. Nothing inappropriate though.

Still, the characters were great and loveable. That’s a main thing to me for whether or not I’m going to like the book. Jackson and Kit were still the same characters I fell in love with in the first book but they did frustrate me on several occasions. Overall, I enjoyed it but couldn’t see myself rereading.

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We pick up where The Thief of Blackfriars Lane left off--Kit and Jackson are engaged to be married. She has her dress, he has the ring and everyone is excitedly waiting at the church for the wedding to take place...except Kit doesn't show up. Where is she? What could have kept her from her wedding?

I was excited to learn there was another Blackfriars Lane book and it did not disappoint. First there's the romance--Kit and Jackson have to repair their relationship and learn to really trust each other. I love the chemistry between them and the banter is the best!! Then, there's the mystery or should I say mysteries. This book had me hooked trying to figure out who was behind everything. I heard there might be more books with Kit and Jackson and if it's true, I can't wait to read them.

I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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The Bride of Blackfriars Lane is a well written historical romance. A great plot with well crafted characters. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my book. I definitely recommend this one.

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Michelle Griep is such an amazing writer. She is able to pull a reader into the story and feel like they are right there beside the characters. His vivid descriptions easily allow you to see every part of the story, even the little details. She wastes no time in getting to the exciting parts either. Here I am thinking the first few chapters will be Jackson and Kit in their blissful relationship, but nope. The adventure and mystery begins in the first chapter and I love that! No time for slow starts here. And while you could probably read this as a standalone, take my advice and don’t. Read book one first and then read this.

Griep has a perfect balance of romance, mystery, dialogue, action and emotions weaved throughout the pages of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane. Be prepared to sit for awhile and just read, because once you start, you are not going to want to put it down. Michelle Griep is an auto read author for me, and I encourage you to add her to your list!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I loved this one more than the first one in the series. I love Kit. She's a spunky Victorian girl who doesn't fit the mode and I love her for it. I will admit it took me to the middle of this book to finally warm up to Jackson. But Kit and Jackson make a great team. This book though not at much as the first book has aspects of Oliver Twist in. This one and the first book in the series is perfect for fans of Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

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The Bride of Blackfriars Lane
by Michelle Griep
Pub Date 01 Sep 2022 | Archive Date 30 Sep 2022
Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane through Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction and Netgalley:


Jackson Forge is a street detective who can not wait to marry Kit the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down.


Kit Turner is excited to marry the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past.

As Kit digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.



I give The Bride of Blackfriars Lane five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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I’m glad to see the story continue with Kit and Jackson in this adventure. I remember Kit from the previous book and how street smart she is. Who would of thought that we would be witness the marriage between the feisty Kit and Detective Jackson. But not all is easy going as these two seem to find trouble. At the start of the book we can get a feel of how the story will go. Kit never backs down and her determination could cause problems for her and Jackson.

Kit and Jackson are gearing up for their big day, but Kit has a surprise in store that she thinks will be a great wedding present. I’m not sure she was thinking clearly when she set out that morning of her wedding , but if you know Kit nothing will stop her. I did like meeting Jackson’s brother and finding out what happened to him. Kit has such a big heart for him that she wants to find justice for him. The excitement grows as Kit finds herself in a little bit of a predicament. The author does a very good job of letting readers feel Kit’s fear as she tries to remove herself from danger.

Because of Kit’s actions she may have lost the man she loves. On her wedding day she goes off to solve a case which to some seem irresponsible. How will Jackson feel when he finds out why Kit didn’t show up for their wedding? Kit’s father doesn’t hold anything back as he confronts her and points out that her pride may cause her to lose Jackson. I think I heard Kit gasp at those words. Has there been a time when you let pride interfere with doing what was right?

The story delivers a few surprises that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. What Kit finds while she is trapped in a building will cause an avalanche of hurt and answers that have long been hidden. I loved how the author shows how important communication is in any relationship as Kit and Jackson try to get past their argument. The theme of trust and forgiveness is shown in the story by characters who must decide if they will swallow their pride and allow their hears to be softened.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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The Bride of Blackfriars Lane is a historical romance novel written by Michelle Griep. It is the second Blackfriars Lane book but can be read as a standalone book.

Summary: Jackson Ford and Kit Turner make quite a crime-fighting team. She’s a former con artist, and he’s a police officer. When on a case, they are tough to beat. But in their personal lives, stubbornness and secrets might be their undoing.

Can they learn to trust each other, or will they go their separate ways?

My Thoughts: I didn’t love this one. To be honest, the characters just didn’t seem all that likeable. I found it hard to care what happened to them, and it took the joy out of the read.

The storyline was interesting, but overall, this book was a bit underwhelming for me.

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing for providing me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Thank you.

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4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a continuation of Kit’s and Jackson’s story, so I highly recommend reading “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” first. Kit and Jackson continue investigating cases together while also dealing with trust issues in their relationship, can they overcome these issues and build a life together? This book had the perfect blend of mystery, intrigue, and sweet historical romance. Highly recommend!

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I did not finish this book. I am sorry. I got excited when I started my netgalley account this past year and should not have clicked request on so many. . Especially one that is the second in a series that I haven’t read. I got very overwhelmed and I won’t make this mistake again. Sorry again! I hope this doesn’t hinder me for the future with netgalley.

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I adore this book. The writer has done an excellent job with the creativity of the main characters. Kit and Jackson are a fabulous tag team couple in the fighting crime world. This book has exciting action and intriguing mystery. I was entertained during the reading of the book.

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Hi! I am so grateful to NetGalley for having provided me with an ARC of the Bride of Blackfriars Lane. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Michelle Griep and her books... her stories, characters, settings, plots and writing style. While I enjoyed the Thief of Blackfriars Lane a tad more than that of the Bride of Blackfriars Lane, it is so comforting to see returning characters. The Bride of Blackfriars Lane is a terrific sequel, and I always feel as though I have stepped back in time and am in lock-step with the hero and heroine. Kit and Jackson are brilliantly-created. Michelle Griep has an awesome talent, and to be able to draw the reader in with such a romance of attracted opposites is fantastic. I enjoyed the romance and mystery juxtaposed with this historical time-travel. Definitely recommend!!

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It was so fun to return to Blackfriars Lane with Kit and Jackson! I was so excited when Michelle Griep announced there was to be a second book for these two. I loved them in the first one and really enjoyed watching them work side by side. I always enjoy having a second book with characters that I've become connected to.

Kit and Jackson have some exciting news...they're getting married! But, of course it is not going to be all sunshine and daisies. They still have a few things to learn about each other and about building a good strong relationship. There are plenty of ups and downs in the book and in their relationship. There were a few moments that I just wanted to take them and say "wake up and just talk!" But if I did that we'd miss all the fun and mystery and suspense that ensued.

Lots of unknowns in regards to new cases and an old case that detective Jackson needs to figure out before anyone else gets hurts, especially Kit. All he wants is to protect her. All she wants is to protect him.

I loved the banter and quick wits of these two. I enjoyed the additional insight into their extended family members and how it all wove together to create this great story. My mind was thinking quickly, trying to solve the case along with Jackson and Kit and trying to think of how certain scenarios would pan out.

Content: Clean. Some murder, mystery, suspense, whodunnit, sweet romance, Christian fiction and talk of God.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

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I have been waiting rather impatiently for more on Kit and Jackson.

This book did not disappoint! There were some moments I almost had a fit. Overall it was exactly what I was wanting in a book. Really trying not to divulge spoilers! I really hope there will be more adventures on the way with Kit and Jackson. I am hoping there might be another.

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