From the very first reunion between Lady Kay Matheson and Devlin Sharpe, the tension was palpable and the banter absolutely delightful. The way these two spar and spark had me smiling more times than I could count.

The plot simmers with unresolved emotions, past heartbreak, and a series of encounters that slowly turns up the heat, culminating in a payoff that was well worth the wait. I loved that the drama was never overwhelming, but always there beneath the surface, ready to rise and tug at my heart. I truly felt the weight of Kay and Devlin’s failed elopement and the misunderstandings that followed. This author did a fantastic job of letting that pain, and yearning, linger just enough to keep my emotions engaged.

Kay was a wonderfully complex heroine. Her devotion to her family added so much depth to her character. Every decision she made felt grounded in love, sacrifice, and strength. While Devlin frustrated me at times, I couldn’t help but root for him, too, especially as truths began to unravel and the past was finally confronted.

Forced proximity is one of my favorite romantic tropes and while it was gently used here, it was with great effect as the author nailed the tension and longing that came with it. The 1898 setting of this story felt well rendered, especially in how it highlighted the restrictive expectations placed on women of the time as well as the limitations on husbands and fathers whose wealth was expended.

This was a gorgeously written, emotionally charged second chance romance with all the slow burn intensity I could want. Perfect for readers who enjoy aching separation, smart and witty banter, and a love story that simmers until it finally, gloriously boils over.

*I didn’t read the previous books in the series and found this to stand on its own.

Kay and Devlin first fell in love 14 years ago but a rash decision led to disappointment and heartbreak. Kay felt the consequences of that fateful night for years. Devlin made a name for himself during the 14 years becoming everything that Kay wanted. When they reunited all the emotions came back to life. They have to fight for their happiness but they do achieve it.

Note that this book is more of a 2.75 star rating than 3 stars.

Honestly I was really surprised at how much I did not like this book. I usually really like Laura Lee Guhrke's books, and the other books in this series have been total hits for me. Unfortunately, this book really missed the mark for me. First, I did not think that Devlin and Kay had much chemistry at all and I truly did not care if they got together in the end or not. Second, this could have been a really great commentary on the cycle of generational emotional abuse, as Kay (and her mother) struggled to get out of the grasp of the men in their life. However, it just ended up as reading as very victim-blamey and Devlin did not even see the error in his line of thinking. And third, this book just really skated over British colonialism in Africa and it just felt icky reading this in 2025. I definitely expected better.

Such a fun fast paced book. You will be entertained from start to finish. This is one of those rare books that you can feel like you are in the time period. It's that well done. The struggles of the women and what they lived through. Then the romance that is sprinkled throughout. It had it all for me!

I felt like I was on tenterhooks this whole book. When will they each learn the truth? When will they finally succumb to their attraction? Will it all work out for them? I felt like I went flying through this book because of it.

Lady Kay is finally engaged after a scandal set society against her for over 10 years. With her father dead, her mother and younger sister are reliant on Kay making a good match to prevent their destitution. Things are chugging along as planned, until she runs into Devlin Sharpe. The man who broke her heart. The reason she was ruined. And someone, she’s annoyed to learn, she still finds heart palpitatingly attractive.

Devlin thought he had moved on from Kay. After she broke his heart over 10 years ago, he’s finally ready to marry and move on with his life. But seeing Kay, and being forced to spend time with her, is proving difficult on his convictions. And when they each learn the truth about what happened a decade ago? An explosion would had have less of an impact on their lives.

What to expect:
-Dual POV
-Historical romance
-Second chance romance
-Forced proximity
-Misunderstandings

I have so many thoughts about this story. First off, I’ll say that I really enjoyed it. The characters were rich, the story well fleshed out. I really liked Devlin; I found his approach to his feelings for Kay really charming and enjoyable to read.

Now. Some of the mehs. It’s nothing huge, but I’m SO annoyed we never learned who leaked her elopement all those years ago. I wanna know!! Kay’s fiancé, Wilson, was such an ass. Overbearing and possessive. His character can kick rocks. I also found Kay to be annoying at times. But it’s honestly because the author does such a good job portraying the trials and limitations women faced in that time. As a modern woman, I can’t countenance the way Kay thought. BUT. I know it’s historically accurate. So while I may have found it all very annoying and frankly frustrating, I understand why Kay does and says what she says. I don’t agree with it, but I understand.

I’m just happy that we got our HEA.

Also, this is the third in this interconnected standalone series. You don’t have to read them in order, but, I do highly suggest reading Lady Scandal first as it introduces us to Kay and Devlin in that story.
Big thanks to Netgalley and publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

So there wasn't anything wrong with this book, exactly. I just wasn't really feeling the chemistry between the hero and heroine until the last few chapters. The ending was satisfying, but I would have liked more romance than just the physical.

Lady Kay and Devin Sharpe tried to elope to Greta green twelve years ago. They were stopped at the last minute. Devin took off to Egypt and Lady Kay was left to shoulder the scandal. But now she is engaged to a very wealthy American. Declines back and engaged to a very young Lady Pamela. Will Lady Kay and Devin find their way back to each other?

A good story about how love can concur all! Devlin and Kay get a chance to fall in love all over again. But it doesn’t take long to find out they have always loved each other!

This story completely swept me off my feet with its blend of sharp wit and simmering tension. I truly adored the balance of heartfelt emotion and playful banter, showing two people tangled in history but daring to hope for a future together. This romance made me believe in second chances with all their messy, beautiful complications. I couldn’t get enough of it.

I normally love Laura Lee Guhrke’s books and this is the second in the series that I’ve read and it’s been difficult to pinpoint why I didn’t love it as much as I normally do. Devlin and Kay are individually wonderful characters and the author does a terrific job of developing the characters into people you’ll cheer for and remain engaged in the hope of them working out their past. Enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope but for a good story I can accept a little angst. Thankfully Kay and Devlin dealt with their misunderstanding from the past in a reasonable amount of time but there were most obstacles to overcome. This would absolutely be a 5 star read for me if there was more romance in this romance book. Once all the trials and tribulations were defeated, the book ends. Just a little togetherness would have been a better reward for all the angst.

If only. Seems to be the most prophetic words in the dictionary. How does one explain, excuse, move on from the past with these words still reverberating in their mind. It would seem that forces were converging to make the dreams of Kay and Devlin blow up in smoke. After all it’s the parents’ responsibility to protect their children, not plot against them. All for the better of the whole.
Guess that’s what the entitled wealthy are convinced is their unalienable right. So what if you’ve caused one of your daughters’ broken heart. Left her with the future of the family’s survival on her shoulders. Making it virtually impossible to have any hope of a loving marriage to a man who didn’t aim to control. A man just like her now deceased father whose estate was in shambles.
Ah, the foolishness of youth. Both are at fault for being apart. Devlin’s pride and disappointment created an inner fierce anger at the supposed deceit of the girl who was to be the love of his life. Kay never thought that anyone, much less her own parents had a hand in her broken heart. It was in Devlin’s lack of faith in their relationship.
Now several years later the two are forced to look with their eyes wide open, at the destruction of their relationship that couldn’t even manage friendship. And no one needed a friend more than Kay. Kay’s future will secure her sister’s entry into polite society. Will secure the financial future of her mother. The burning question is who will Kay have to turn to for emotional support and caring.
The key word in the book BAD LUCK BRIDE isn’t luck, it is control. Having control over your destiny and life. Laura Lee Guhrke outdoes herself in this at times heart-wrenching tale. You can’t help but fall in love with Kay and Devlin. Laura Lee Guhrke is a master storyteller, and her character creation is second to none. I never miss one of her books. And BAD LUCK BRIDE will definitely hold a place of honor on my bookshelf and get dog eared to boot. Be prepared to laugh and cry with glee when once again Laura Lee Guhrke performs her magic. Magical from start to finish, is like a good friend who entertains you with her gift of gab.

This was a cute story with a very slow burn. I loved the main characters and the tension between them was amazing. I was already a fan of this series and I recommend it to anyone. My full review will be posted on @mimigunnbooks closer to release date.

Wow Laura Lee Guhrke has always had the ability to put in some drama with a side of comedy and this novel delivers as always! I don’t even have to see a title or read the back of a book by this author to see if I’m interested because she’s an amazing writer and I’m instantly enthralled.

No one could’ve predicted that lady Kay would become a thrice jilted bride and yet her latest fiancé has just disappeared.

5th son Devlin has always been a little devilish. He met his destiny and grabbed with both hands.

Life didn’t quite work out for the love birds and now they’re both year’s wiser but no less lonely and in denial about their feelings.

I enjoyed this book immensely and was lucky enough to grab an ARC from Netgalley. If you like romance and finding yourself this is a wonderful series to read just like all her books!

Laura Lee Guhrke's Bad Luck Bride is an inspiration in the sense that we will be with the one person we are supposed to be with no matter how long it may take. This is the third book in the Scandal at the Savoy series, and can be read as a stand alone as I haven't read any of the previous books and had no issues whatsoever with other characters. I received an ARC of the story from Netgalley and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Lady Kay Matheson, wanted to elope with her beloved  when she was 18. Manipulated by her parents, she lost faith in the one man, Devlin Sharpe, who loved her unconditionally. They meet again after 14 years, with her name having been besmirched ruthlessly as having been jilted twice. Both are now engaged to others and the question remains if they will ever forgive each other's shortcomings and lack of faith in each other. A nice read!

Laura Lee Ghurke simply never misses. Bad Luck Bride is a story featuring a couple a bit older than most historical romance novels, and i really appreciated the maturity that it brought to the story. waiting 14+ years for an HEA makes it all the sweeter. i also really appreciated the inclusion of previous characters as that is my favorite way to see updates to their story lines!

I did enjoy this book and loved that we got to see previous characters from the other books in the series. It is not necessary to read the previous books before! I barely remembered them (they were really great, but I read ALOT, so do not remember them) and I didn’t feel like I needed to know the previous books because Laura Lee Guhrke did a fabulous job of weaving in their backstories. Overall it was a solid historical romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a chance to read this book before it was published!

A botched elopement, what could go wrong. 14 years in the making of a HEA. I enjoy reading about a little older couples, they have lived a life and have more to bring to their relationship. Finally saying no to letting others run your life is a sign of growth and maturity. Sometimes 1st loves never die, just go dormant for a time.

I love that Laura Lee Guhrke has continued this series. I liked both Kay and Devlin, as well as their relationship. I also loved reading about when they first fell in love fourteen years ago. I also liked that the miscommunication about what happened all those years ago was cleared up before the 50% mark on the book. I just hoped there was more. I wanted to see more of them all happy, in love, and maybe even civil. There was potential for their story to be better and more nuanced.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Lady Kay, who is desperate to make the wrongs of her past right. Even if her fiancée doesn't hold her heart. Even if her heart is telling her that walking down the aisle isn't what she wants. But for her sister and her mom, she will make it work. As long as the wrong from her past stays there and doesn't capture her interest and her heart one more time...

This was a wonderful story. It was engaging and fun and I hope there are more in the series!!

Bad Luck Bride by Laura Lee Guhrke is a swoon-worthy addition to the Scandal at the Savoy series, and I’m here for it! Set in vibrant Victorian London, this second-chance romance follows Lady Kay Matheson, the ultimate jilted heroine, whose tattered reputation and family’s financial ruin hang by a thread. Enter Devlin Sharpe, her old flame from a botched elopement 14 years ago, now back to stir up delicious angst just as Kay’s engaged to an American billionaire. The chemistry between Kay and Devlin crackles, their past misunderstandings fueling intense pining and forced confrontations. Guhrke nails the era’s vibe, weaving women’s agency into Kay’s journey. The supporting cast, like sassy Delia, adds charm, though I craved more HEA payoff—reuniting at 90% felt rushed. Still, this is a heart-tugging, trope-filled treat for fans of angsty, character-driven romance! I also could have liked more steamy scenes.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC, all opinions are my own.