Well written book with lovable and three-dimensional characters. However, the romantic plot was so often relegated to the sidelines that the intensity level was affected. The story revolves around the main characters’ personal agendas and obsessions – Pembroke’s revenge, Claire’s curse and a painful childhood event - and its implications in their relationship. It’s interesting to watch how well-planted rumors can sully one’s reputation.
I liked the setting descriptions and the secondary characters too; and I thought the characters’ outlooks were quite credible historically: for example, in the heroine’s opinion, the hero “had every right to expect a pure and virtuous bride”, which seems much more accurate than some 19th-century liberated heroines that sometimes appear in historical fiction.
I also enjoyed the way two strangers get to know each other in a convenience marriage and how they, both grieving, find comfort in each other.

DNF at 12%. I've been reading this for 20 days and that's all the more of the book I've gotten read. I just wasn't able to connect with the characters or get into the book. It was an interesting premise, and the writing was decent but I didn't feel like the hero's motives really made sense and the "curse" just seemed silly to me. I might give the author another try if the next book seems interesting.

Many twists and turns with the plot, which keeps it interesting.

I really enjoyed this book and hope to read from the author in the future.

3.5 stars. I have mixed feelings on this one. There were definitely parts that I liked, but Claire started getting on my nerves a bit. For someone who was supposed to be "so strong", she whimpered a lot. The villain was pretty tepid also. Strong writing though.

I do have to say that I prefer these books to not have the leads be wishy-washy. I love him - no I don't...do I stay - do I go...jeesh!

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

A very promising beginning, but ultimately, the story and the characters fell flat. I absolutely adored the high drama at first: a soap opera-ish start with Alex determined to avenge his ruined sister baby destroying Lord Paul, the almost fiancee of Lady Claire, who wants to marry just to be relieved of being called a curse with so many failed engagements. But after all that, I couldn't figure out why Claire would so readily agree to marry Alex, even when her relatives were saying to her, oh good riddance to Paul, but hey no need to rush into marriage with Alex.

Alex, with his drinking and anger issues, was no prize, but wishy washy Claire wasn't all that either. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I think this author has a promising style and way with words; I just couldn't fall in love with her characters.

This is a delightful first novel by Janna MacGregor, and I will be looking forward to the next entry in the series. Lady Claire is thought to be cursed after a string of broken engagements, but Lord Alex is plotting revenge and needs her in his scheme. What starts as basically a marriage of convenience turns into much more as they work through multiple misunderstandings to true love and passion. Good character development throughout makes this a very enjoyable read.

This is a DNF for me. Not bad, but nothing new either. I was sucked in by a great beginning, but then the momentum slowed to a crawl. Too much repetitive introspection. I'm just not engaged enough to keep going, not with Mount TBR beckoning.

DNF. Just wasn't my thing. Thanks to the Publisher for the review copy.

DNF@71%

I'll be honest when a hero drinks himself to stupor after some spat with the heroine and then has to be reminded by a friend that he should fight for her , I tend to lose my interest. If he can't make that decision on his own then there's no point in reading the book.

Also, the back and forth emotion of this book was just too much. One minute everything is fine and dandy and the next someone is storming off in fury.

I feel bad giving this a low rating seeing as this is a debut book for the author and that I did enjoy it for the first 71% , I just can't overlook the drinking part. Maybe I will eventually finish it at a later time.

Janna MacGregor has created a gut-wrenching tale in this, her first book. Her writing is excellently done and the story is pretty true to the time period.

IF you like sweet, funny, light-hearted stories, then this book probably isn't for you. I wouldn't necessarily call the book 'dark' (as in no rape or torture, etc.), but it is certainly very, very somber. The characters are all deeply flawed and tortured individuals. While there is a lovely HEA, we took a really torturous route to get to that happy ending.

What did I really love -- the epilogue - I'm a huge fan of epilogues and think ALL romances should have them.

What didn't I like -- well, the whole book was just so somber. I understand that the characters were deeply troubled and tortured individuals - but - I would have liked to see a few rays of sunshine somewhere in there.

I was a little intrigued by Lord Paul -- I can't decide if he is a good guy or a bad guy. I am betting that there will be a a book in his future so we can all find out more about him. I'd like to see him become a good guy and have his own HEA.

I will definitely look for the next book by this author and will hope that she's found her balance in writing somber and lightness. I did enjoy this story and you might also -- just know that it is filled with gut-wrenching sorrow and pain and that some really, really bad decisions are made because of that.

"I requested and received this 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."

Alex is bent on revenge. He believes that a man who was once one of his best friends has ruined his sister. The feeling of ruin led his sister to take her own life. Alex will never forgive Lord Paul.
A part of his plan for vengeance, is to take Paul's fiancee away and marry her himself.
The young woman, Lady Claire, is considered by society to be cursed. Her first fiancee died, her second fiancee had an accident and lost his leg, her third fiancee was found in the bed of a married woman and had to escape the country, and finally Lord Paul is her fourth. He is a gambler who has lost everything he owns and he has brought down the vengeance of Alex.
As well as her recent bad luck with possible husbands, Claire carries burdens from her past. Her parents were both killed in an accident and she has carried the emotional pain for many years.
Alex is rather a jerk, he is not the least bit trusting of anyone. He uses every opportunity to check up on what Claire says and does. He is dishonest about very important things and seems to have no qualms about his dishonesty.
Claire is hard to follow. She is up, she is down, she is ambivalent. Several times, I hoped that she would come to a conclusion and stay with it. The story kept telling me how strong she was, and she had courage, but she seemed unable to stick with any decision.
I liked both of them, but at times for me the angst carried on for much too long. I wanted their feelings for one another to finally work for them. And I wanted more honesty from each of them.
The creation and descriptions of all the characters are good. Claire, Alex and the secondary characters all held my interest. Everyone contributes to the action. And there were secondary characters who were interesting.
There was well written action and interesting events. But, at times there was too much.
I hope to read the next book in the series, and I believe that book will be a little more organized and easy to follow.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

There are a lot of ups and downs in this book that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. They were fun, yet serious. A great storybook ending. Must read!

The Bad Luck Bride is Janna MacGregor's debut novel. I hate giving low reviews to new authors, especially when the writing is very good, but in this case the characterization really didn't work for me. This was a situation where I couldn't connect with such flawed characters and didn't enjoy the journey. Now, for those who read many of my reviews, you'll probably note that most of my favorite novels are usually of the lighter variety. I am one of those naive people who still goes through life in rose-colored glasses and in most situations (there are a few exceptions), it is what I like to read also.

Despite the gorgeous, airy cover, this book is not at all light in content. This came as a surprise to me so I'd like to warn others. Both characters have deeply buried demons, which come to the fore throughout the novel to put strain on the characters' marriage. The book opens with a tremendously gothic scene where the "hero", Alex, Marquess of Pembrooke, is threatening the life of another man as a result of his sister's death. The book then jumps forward in time to show Lady Claire's life falling apart yet again as another fiance breaks off their engagement and she goes into full panic in the face of a thunderstorm. The reasons why the characters behave the way they do in each of these situations are slowly revealed as you read the novel, and they are darker and more depressing than I could have anticipated (again "rose-colored glasses").

Lady Claire was at first a sympathetic character. She was vulnerable and had her fair share of secrets, but she showed grace and resilience despite her constant string of "bad luck." However, as the novel progressed, she became more erratic and the swing from happiness to despair made it hard for me to understand her emotionally. Granted, some of the things she became angry about made complete sense, but there were other times, I didn't understand why she acted the way she did because it only made things harder for everyone.

Unlike my feelings for Lady Claire, I never had any respect for Alex. I have to hand it to MacGregor though, in a time where most "brooding" characters written are usually just softies who like to growl a bit, MacGregor truly created a man with demons to fight and who is not a golden-hearted saint underneath all of his anger. He is an angry, controlling man to his core, and is hell-bent on revenge regardless of the costs. Some of the decisions he makes to manipulate a situation in his favor with complete disregard for the effect his choices will have on others made my skin crawl. I kept thinking that if a man behaved this way in our time, I would be labeling him as an emotionally abusive husband. He had anger issues, he was manipulative, and he was constantly pulling Claire away from other people so she would be entirely dependent upon him. He also spied on her and justified his actions as "helping" her. Ick. Needless to say, despite his gorgeous exterior, Alex's soul was a dark, mangled mess. He is eventually redeemed, so if you enjoy darker books, you will like this one. However, if you like heroes who start out as good men, this isn't the book for you.

Now, characters aside, I have to say that MacGregor's writing style is distinctive and very good. She writes interesting, complex sentences and does an excellent job describing a scene. I also felt like she had more historical details than most new authors I've seen of late. Granted, I am not historical expert and I am an American so I don't always pick up on the anachronistic/American phrases, but I do read a lot of historical romance, and this one "felt" more authentic.

Overall, I couldn't give this a high rating because I really disliked the characters, particularly the hero. If I hadn't been reading this for an ARC, I probably wouldn't have finished it. However, I think MacGregor has a strong voice and a good grasp of historical detail. Therefore, if she can create characters who are a little more stable and consistent in emotion and action, I feel like I would enjoy her books. Even though this one didn't work for me, I will try her again if it looks like she writes a lighter book. Gothic/damaged hero readers, you'll love this. Rose-colored glasses wearers, give this one a pass. 2.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a chance to read and review.

Here is the link to my review on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1951469326?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor is a fascinating historical. Immediately readers are drawn deep into the tale. It lured me further by pure curiosity. The suspense of one charcater's plan...and what will actually come of it got me excited. The Bad Luck Bride is about one man getting back at another by using his enemy's fiancé. But little will both the bride and husband to be know that real love will play into the equation. I found it hilarious, enticing, and ful, of drama. Th action was never disappointing. Janna MacGregor has a flare for writinga romance that beckons and captivates readers whole. My heart was with the charcaters as their troubles unfolded. Society has a way of drawing the characters out...and pulling them closer than they thought they would ever be. Revenge is not to be toyed with...emotions ran strong within the book. I was highly entertained. Both Alexander and Claire are characters that readers like myself will always remember. Overall, I highly recommend this well-written plot to all.

Even though this cover is about as historically inaccurate as most historical romance covers, something about it caught my attention. That, combined with the fact this book is by a debut author, and the start of a new series, had me intrigued.
The Bad Luck Bride starts off with an interesting scene, with the hero fighting a duel. It immediately drew me in.
However, the chapters following this were a little confusing, with both hero and heroine seeming to have conflicting interests, and with the introduction of an array of characters I couldn’t quite get straight in my mind.
There is a good book in here, but I found it to be a little messy. I wasn’t sure what was going on, and was confused by why the characters acted the way they did. The author clearly has some talent, but an editor should have worked a little harder to shave away the unnecessary side characters and conversations and drawn out the focus of the plot.
I was also pretty annoyed by the blatant Americanisms that started immediately and didn’t end – it’s AUTUMN, not “the fall”, and it is completely reasonable to expect authors and editors to know this. Also, “snuck” is not just a hideous word that is out of place in the Regency setting, but there is nothing British about it. The made-up Pembrooke was also distractingly similar to the real Pembroke.
I think that author Janna MacGregor is going to develop nicely as an author, but this book isn’t quite where I wanted it to be.

I really loved this story. Looking forward to read The bride got lucky.
It's a must read book. ♡♡♡♡♡ rating

If you like historical, regency romances you will love this book. Initially a story of manipulation that turns into a love match. Alex hell bent on revenge is determined to marry Claire who at the start of the novel is engaged to be married to the man Alex blames for his sister’s death. But Claire has a history of her own and has been promised many times already, each time falling through for one reason or another leading to the ton declaring her cursed. Can she turn her luck around with Alex and will his revenge ease his burdens or make them worse? The back story for these two is quite fascinating and the dialogue and interplay between them is well written. Together with the lovely ancillary characters this has everything you would want from a regency romance. I really enjoyed it and will seek out the next one “The Bride who got lucky” when published in November 2017.

Just an ok read, very wordy if you know what I mean. New author for me, will give other books a chance if the seem interesting.. I just couldn't get into THSES characters.