The Bride Who Got Lucky

Only read a part of it. Too much sex and no story.

This story had me laughing, crying, and turning the pages. Emma shows her strength by standing up for what she believes in and working toward a very unladylike goal although she is driven by guilt. Nick’s past has him believing that he is unlovable. My emotions were wrapped up in these two as they learned what it would take to be happy forever, learning to compromise and forgive themselves and others. There are a lot of dark places in this story, but I loved the whole package. I look forward to the next Cavensham Heiress story.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is a Book-Obsessed Chick Star Review Team selection.

I have read several other reviews for this book and I appear to be in the minority with my rating – so take that for what it is worth. I read the first book in the series and liked it much better than this one. Janna MacGregor is a new author – I believe this is her second book – and I feel she is still finding her writing legs. All-in-all, I liked the book okay.

There are things I liked about the books and things I didn’t. I’ll cover some of them below. I think the pacing was pretty good and the writing was good, but I don’t think it was as good as in the first book in the series. I think there are some odd word choices, odd phrasing and maybe some awkward transitions, but this is an ARC and I’m sure a good editor will find and help fix those before publication.

I liked the hero, Nicholas St. Mauer, Earl of Somerton and heir to Drake St. Mauer, Duke of Renton. His mother died giving him birth and his father just couldn’t get past that, so he was very aloof from Nick as he grew up. Nick was sent to school at five and was moved from school to school because he was so smart – but that kept him from forming friendships. At the age of 15, he was at Eton and his father delivered a shaming rebuke to him – in front of his schoolmates. You’ll just have to read the story to see what gosh-awful things the old reprobate said, but it certainly defined Nick’s life from that point on. That is quite a burden for an already lonely young man, so you can see why he is cold, aloof, and set revenge on his father and the boys who ridiculed him at school after his father’s rebuke. He ran pretty true to character throughout the book and it was nice to see him grow and learn that he wasn’t worthless and that he really could love. I got really upset with him at about the 80% mark and thought he had really blown it with Emma.

Unlike everyone else, I didn’t care for the heroine so much. She actually set my teeth on edge! She was written about as being full of sunshine and light and everybody loved her as soon as they met her. I don’t doubt that she had the capability to love and that she was deeply upset about the death of her friend in such a horrendous manner. However, I also think that she is like so many of the heroines I read about in historical romances. She’s portrayed as brave – but is that really the case? I see her as more totally unaware and uncaring for her safety, the safety of others and the worry and heartache she causes others. She cannot be so naïve as to think that nothing could possibly happen to a lone woman meeting a man at a pub or even traveling to another city. She surely has to know that her family will be horribly upset to find she’s gone to another city – requiring overnight stays – totally alone. Surely she understands that, aside from the hurt and worry she’s causing them – they could pay a price socially if she is caught. Evidently, none of that mattered to her. Also – while I totally support (in today’s society) her feminist stances, I don’t believe for a minute that she would have been so vocal or outspoken in that actual time period. Then, there is the matter of her bank – great idea – but – men of the aristocracy weren’t supposed to be in ‘trade’ during that period and women weren’t allowed any sort of employment. She would have been shunned and ostracized.

Lady Emma Cavensham is the daughter of a duke. Her home and family is filled with love and respect for one another. Her parents are totally in love as is her cousin and her husband. She has many, many examples of happy, loving, equal-partner marriages right in her own family. However, her friend Lena married a monstrous man who murdered her. So, from this example, Emma ignores all of the love with which she is surrounded and believes that marriage is a prison and she will never give up her freedom and marry. She is hell-bent on bringing the villain to justice but feels powerless to do that. And, in that time, I’m sure she would have been. What I didn’t understand though – her family adores her, dotes on her and they are extremely powerful – they saw her deep sorrow and would do nothing to help her get justice – I just don’t buy that. Doesn’t run true to what they are supposed to be as a family.

After her brothers and parents leave for various destinations, she sneaks off to the coast to investigate and find a first-hand witness to Lena’s murder. The trip is a full day’s travel away and requires staying overnight – but she thinks maybe she’ll stay a bit longer. She’s very close to the villains home and all alone – no maid – no chaperone – no able-bodied male for protection – so we all know that the villain will never find out – right – he’ll never cause trouble – right . . . . I’m sorry – she just seems to be one of those TSTL heroines to me. But – here comes the hero to save her.

Nick has loved her for a long time and wants to protect her – but he doesn’t want marriage because he feels she deserves better than him. Of course, they end up having to marry and they both love each other. It is nice watching them grow and learn and become better people.

Emma becomes a much more likable character after the marriage. She gives up her reckless behaviors and concentrates on her bank where she helps women get the loans that they could not get at another bank. She shows her understanding of what drives many women and makes solid judgments on who can be trusted to repay – even if there is little if any, real collateral for the loan. She provides a service that is much needed. I loved how she explained it to Nick.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”