Always the bridesmaid and never the bride – but not if the Duke of Axwick has anything to do with it… fiery encounter with the Duke of Axwick.
Richard St Maur, sixteenth in his line, has sworn an oath never to marry. He’s seen the damage of the male Axwick line, and he won’t bring another gambler or drunkard into the world. Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t have a little fun and there’s no one he’d like to play with more than Miss Tabitha Chesworth. He’s determined to have her. She’s determined to hold out until a ring is on her finger. Sparks fly as this repeat bridesmaid takes on one of the most determined men of the ton.
Whose offer will eventually be accepted? Will the Duke of Axwick find his way into Tabitha’s bed – or her heart?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Never the Bride Series
Always the Bridesmaid
Always the Chaperone
Always the Courtesan
Always the Best Friend
Always the Wallflower
Always the Bluestocking
more
Always the Bridesmaid by Emily Murdoch is the first in a new series. Tabitha Chesworth has just been a bridesmaid for the third time and is sick of people quoting to her, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” At the reception she meets Richard, St. Maur, Duke of Axwicke. He has vowed never to marry because it has become obvious to him that there is a fatal flaw running through the men in his line: they are drunks and gamblers, one and all, and he means to be the last of his line. Since he has spent his sister’s dowry to repay his dead brother’s gambling notes, she will never marry and bear children either, not that she was likely to at her advanced age of nearly 30. He does, however, see Tabitha at the wedding and is immediately smitten, vowing to make her his, just not his wife. She is as attracted to him, but vows not to give in too him, to wait for her husband.
I have never read Emily Murdoch before and this was a lovely novel, different than most. The bridesmaid angle is new as is how assertive Tabitha became when push came to shove. Richard was a strong man, though misinformed; he meant well. He was honorable: he paid off all the debts of his father and his brother. He told Tabitha how he felt in the very beginning. Tabitha was a strong woman; firm in her beliefs and the way she led her life. The characters were good. Kudos to the author. This was a terrific book, with a good story and good characters. I applaud this initial Dragonblade offering of Emily Murdoch. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Always the Bridesmaid from Dragonblade in exchange for a fair review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.
dirty shit crap
This was the first in a series. The author was new to me but I enjoyed her writing. I found this book to be a rather quick read for me.
Our heroine Tabitha wants to be married but seems to find herself always a bridesmaid. She is smart, witty, and knows what she wants.
The hero in this story is a Duke. He has made it clear that marriage is something he never wants. He is slightly arrogant but I think it has more to do with him being afraid of his family past so he comes off rougher than he is.
When the two meet there is an instant connection and their banter was fun to read. I felt the chemistry between.
I admit I would have loved to have had the characters fleshed out a bit more. I don’t feel I got to really know them or discover who they truly were. What truly shaped them. I also felt Tabitha forgave Robert a bit too quickly. I would have loved to see him work to win her after how he treated her.
Overall I a fun read and a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Slow starting. Just didn’t hold my attention.