Review: The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3) by Janna MacGregor
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 1, 2018)
From Goodreads.com: March Lawson has never had much luck, and in a desperate move to save her family, she's been posing as the Marquess of McCalpin. But when she's summoned to a meeting with the Marquess himself, March expects jail time…not to be bewitched by dark hair and sapphire eyes.
Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin and heir to the Duke of Langham, finds himself drawn to March despite the judgments from his peers. He isn't sure he can trust March, especially since Michael has a secret that could ruin him and his family.
But society conspires to keep March and Michael apart, and when March is accused of not being who she says she is, will Michael toss her aside or fight for the woman he's come to love?
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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5
This is another one of those novels that completely stands on its own. In fact, I have not read any of the prior novels in this series, and was able to understand and enjoy this one without issue.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story. The author started off strong, and introduced us to some complex and interesting characters. March is a woman who doesn't shy away from hard work, or making the tough decisions. Even the fact that she forges Michael's name isn't enough to make the reader dislike her especially considering that her pleas for her guardian to turn over money to keep her little brother's estate afloat (as well as care for even the most basic of the families needs) have gone unanswered. She had no other option, and because she is having the money released from her dowry, she's not even technically stealing money from Michael or his family. I also enjoyed the way that Michael was flawed, but managed to still perform the duties required of the eldest son of a Duke. Once he saw the dire need of March's family with his own eyes, he was more than willing to help them.
Where the story lost some of its shine for me was both with the actions of some of the secondary characters, as well as some later actions and reactions of Michael himself. I don't want to give too much away and spoil it for other potential readers, so forgive me if I'm a little vague. To begin with, there is a cousin to March's family who is a right little git. He does everything he can think of to ruin March and her family in the hopes that he can take over the estate until her brother comes of age. It comes across as too over the top, and if that wasn't enough there are some other elements that are a direct result of this that cause even Michael to turn from March and believe the worst of her. Granted, it is understandable to an extent considering their past, HOWEVER, considering all they had shared between their first meeting and when these events took place, it really seemed a bit extreme and out of place.
Overall, I do believe fans of historical romances that aren't entirely light and fluffy will enjoy this one. I would read more from this author.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story. The author started off strong, and introduced us to some complex and interesting characters. March is a woman who doesn't shy away from hard work, or making the tough decisions. Even the fact that she forges Michael's name isn't enough to make the reader dislike her especially considering that her pleas for her guardian to turn over money to keep her little brother's estate afloat (as well as care for even the most basic of the families needs) have gone unanswered. She had no other option, and because she is having the money released from her dowry, she's not even technically stealing money from Michael or his family. I also enjoyed the way that Michael was flawed, but managed to still perform the duties required of the eldest son of a Duke. Once he saw the dire need of March's family with his own eyes, he was more than willing to help them.
Where the story lost some of its shine for me was both with the actions of some of the secondary characters, as well as some later actions and reactions of Michael himself. I don't want to give too much away and spoil it for other potential readers, so forgive me if I'm a little vague. To begin with, there is a cousin to March's family who is a right little git. He does everything he can think of to ruin March and her family in the hopes that he can take over the estate until her brother comes of age. It comes across as too over the top, and if that wasn't enough there are some other elements that are a direct result of this that cause even Michael to turn from March and believe the worst of her. Granted, it is understandable to an extent considering their past, HOWEVER, considering all they had shared between their first meeting and when these events took place, it really seemed a bit extreme and out of place.
Overall, I do believe fans of historical romances that aren't entirely light and fluffy will enjoy this one. I would read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
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