I haven't read such a delightful and heart-breaking historical romance book in a very long time. Every page in the story of The Luck of the Bride drew me deeper into the lives of March, Michael, and their families. I shamelessly admit tears flowed freely while reading this book because the situations between March's life and Michael's were so endearing and painful that I couldn't help but have felt what they were feeling. The author did a brilliant job in bringing these two main characters to life!
The Luck of the Bride tells the tale of a young March, who at the age of seventeen was left to take care of her three siblings after their parents died in influenza. What a sad time back in those days when illnesses such as influenza took lives so easily! March had no choice but to raise her siblings as if she was their parents. Scratch that - probably not a lot of young teenagers this day and era would take up the household mantle of both mother and father to raise their young siblings. But March did and although through much hardship and heartache, she raised her siblings brilliantly. Her love for them was the brightest thing in her life and she would have done anything for her brother and sisters.
Along comes the Marquess, Lord Michael McCalpin, who in his own right, was a Duke in training. He was raised to be the next Duke of Langham and desired by many young ladies of the realm who were fascinated by his good looks and his immense wealth and title. But the Marquess had a terrible secret that he kept from everyone except his brother and it was this secret that kept him at arms length from everyone - especially the ladies.
Enter March, who was desperate to keep her family from destitution since her family's wealth had been kept from her and her siblings when their parents died. Without any money that rightfully belonged to them, March did everything she could to keep them at their family estate and not starve. When opportunity rose for her to "take back" her own inheritance, she did exactly that, except not really thinking about the heavy consequences which might occur. Well, circumstances got in the way which turned out that the Marquess was supposed to have been March's siblings' benefactors. However, Michael had no idea that a mix-up of catastrophic efforts brought March to do the unthinkable in order to save her siblings' lives. And that's where the fun part of the story began.
What I really loved about this story was the true friendship that developed between March and Michael. They both had secrets and while March had to be forefront with hers, Michael still kept his for fear of shame and disloyalty within his family and the ton. Nobility back then really screwed everyone up where if any shame befell upon the nobles, you were shunned for a very long time. However, as March and Michael's friendship grew, so did their respect for each other and a deep love. Michael came to admire March's strong will to protect her family and estate as well as an old family friend who helped raise the Lawson children. Michael helped March see her worth in both beauty and intelligence while March led Michael to believe that his terrible secret wasn't necessary and he could overcome it.
As with any well-written historical romance, The Luck of the Bride is filled with flowery prose and beautiful descriptions. The dialogue between the characters - major and minor - were delightful to read and imagine what noble life must have been back in that era. The author wrote each detail very vividly and extravagantly and made me feel like I was back in the era.
The Luck of the Bride will probably bring you to tears too - the struggle that March faced along with the hardships and desperation will have you instantly root for her. But also with Michael who was brave and kind and was facing a terrible secret he had to keep from everyone. This book is incredibly well written and kept me up till early morning desperate to finish it and find out the fates of March, Michael, and March's siblings.
The story is full of triumph and overcoming one's shortcomings and self doubt. But through love and self worth, one can indeed grow to become stronger and braver in the face of diversity.

Thank you for the ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful story.

This started out to be a good story, we have the death of a father, and
Mother, Viscount, and Viscountess. Their oldest daughter is 16 years old, and takes on the care of her two younger sisters, and her one year old brother. It was good up until the Author totally re writes History for liberal purposes. There are two servants left, the house keeper, and a man called Hart. He was good to them, however, every time she really needed him, he would be gone for days at the time! Guess where he was, with his homosexual lover! If you want to write contemporary, then please do! Do not distort History to this degree, it is an insult to our intelligence. When she was desperate for money, he did not help her, however, after his death, and she is about to marry, he leaves her fifty thousand pounds? This reaches way out of the way, of what would have truly happened! The Courts would have removed from her care her young brother, and her two sisters.

Despite all the twists and turns of the plot, this book never rang true for me. I like a strong, feisty heroine, not one who is so consumed by self-doubt that she cuts people off who are trying to help her so that she can continue to feel badly for herself. I like a hero who is proud and honorable, not one who doubts his beloved hours after his marriage proposal. I felt that this book was bogged down in noble titles and lineages as it was getting started, and yet seemed to ignore many other historical realities such as chaperones and how long it actually takes to make a dress. Honestly, I don't mind if all the historical accuracy gets swept under a rug if I love the characters and story, and I don't mind hating the characters if the story is worth telling, but if I hate the characters, the story is bogged down with inaccuracies, and the romance seems forced....then I'm not really sure why I finished the book. I hate to write a bad review, because this is obviously the product of a lot of work, and is the third in a beloved series so the author has proved her mettle. It just really didn't work for me.

*I was given an ARC copy in NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This books is part of a series but it really works as a standalone. The author is new to me but I like the way she structured the story and how it unfolds.
Both lead characters are well rounded, with their own strengths and weaknesses. March 's love and utter loyalty to her family is breathtaking, and McCalpin's need to hide certain parts of himself and protect others is also overwhelming and beautiful in its own way.
The secondary characters are good, especially her little brother and his brother as well, adding an interesting layer to the story.
I liked how the conflict was developed and resolved, it wasn't over the top and it felt real and logical within the narrative.
As a final note, it was refreshing to read about a ducal family that was actually a loving, kind and caring family.

I look forward to continue reading novels from this author!

Three and a half
I don’t read a lot of historical romance but when I do I prefer a more action packed story which unfortunately this is not . It is however a book that works as a standalone even though it is apparently part of a series.
I will give a different (for me) type of review here as I’m still a little undecided about exactly how much I enjoyed this story.
Things I didn’t really like include so many words and terms thrown in to make this feel of it’s time. Yes I know everyday parlance has changed but honestly if felt like the author tried too hard. I do get why March felt Michael was perfect as he’s apparently gorgeous, intelligent and charming. I just couldn’t believe in his feelings towards her as apart from him finding her beautiful and loyal to her family what else was there to like/love ? Plus nothing really happened very much in the first half apart from shopping and balls.
So what did I like and why did I keep reading ? I adored Bennett, the little brother who struggles valiantly to be a grown up. The interactions with him are frequently hilarious and oh so touching. The villain is just pants I’m afraid with revelations that tear apart the little family and it did feel a little like a pantomime. Yet still I read because by then I was intrigued as to just how the author could swing everything around. I’m still perplexed as to why the guardian thing fell to Michael and not his father but really enjoyed the scenes with the duke and his wife. As everything hurtled to its conclusion I’m afraid any sympathy I had for Michael completely disappeared and I wanted him to just man up. Yet there was a moment when Michael finally picked up the pace ( hint read a book !) and I found that I could emotionally connect with March, Michael and the feelings they shared.
So my review isn’t particularly a glowing one but perhaps I’m not the perfect target. I did enjoy it but alas for this reader it lacked the pace and action that I look for.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This is a new to me author, and now I understand there are other books in the series. I’ll have to go back and get the others now! This does work well as a stand-alone book though.

I really enjoyed how March is a strong woman, determined to take care of her family after her parents die from influenza. She will do whatever it takes to make sure her siblings get the lives they deserve, including sacrificing her own happiness.

This review is based on a galley copy from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I very much enjoyed this book I feel like I must read it again. March’s wonderful world was shattered with the death of her parents. She carries on and raises her family. Michael takes over guardianship of her family once he is made aware of his deplorable situation. The have a very passionate start but others try to drive them apart. A very beautiful read.

I loved how March sacrifice a lot for the family and to keep them together...

This was a well-written, entertaining book. March Lawson has done what is required to take care of her siblings, but now she has been caught placing orders in Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin's name and he has called her to London for a meeting. They are drawn to each other, but can they trust each other? I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author. I would recommend this book and this author to others.

When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure that I'd like it. It felt like the author was trying too hard to use different words for things-like she used a thesaurus. But it didn't take me long to get hooked on this book.
March is 17 when her parents die during an influenza outbreak. Instead of preparing for her first season, she is taking over running the household and raising her two sisters and a 1 year old brother. Life is not easy for March. She goes from being well off to not having any money for food or the other necessities. She is desperate. None of the men, who have been tasked with overseeing the estate, have been forthcoming with disbursing funds. The money is there, they just can't get it. To feed her family , March does something desperate to get the money.
Michael Cavensham is the Marquess of McCalpin. When he is appointed to oversee March's family's estate, following the death of the man who was previously in charge, he is confused. He doesn't even know March and her family. But Michael has bigger issues. He has a secret that has filled him with shame since he was a small child and he had spent his life guarding it. When he doesn't respond to March's pleas for money to be released, March dues what she feels she has to do.
Shortly afterwards, what March has done is discovered. She is brought before Michael. She had hopes that the meeting is in regards to a letter that she previously wrote, asking for her funds from her trust fund to be released. When she first sees Michael, she is struck byhow much he reminds her of Michaelangelo's David. But the meeting is not about her letter, her act of desperation had been disovered.
The story continues with Michael going to March's estate to see their situation first hand. March's family winds up begin brought to London and sponsored by Michael's family. The sisters have their season, their brother is being groomed for his future role as Viscount and things are even looking up for March until a visit from their bitter, vile cousin. Their world comes crashing down around them.
Can March find out the truth? Can Michael keep her safe?
Overall, it's a pretty good book. There are other books in the series. I will be reading the rest of them.

I really liked March and Micheals story. They were so easy to love. March bring the determined older sister was relatable and I am happy that she found love in the story. She really deserved, she was so worried about everyone else, making her love story all the more deserving.

The Luck of the Bride is a sweet historical romance with memorable characters and a story that tugs at the heart. From parent to bookkeeper to lady farmer to embezzler, March Lawson is my favorite kind of heroine, smart, strong, and loyal. The leading hero, Michael might be a little swoon worthy too. March suffers from the worst of luck but like a true champion rises against whatever life throws her way. When her parents died, she took on the responsibility of raising her three siblings even though she a teenager herself. Running her family's estate, she manages the books and shears the sheep. A violent storm tears up the roof and empties the coffers causing March to take up a life of crime, embezzling from her own trust. The Marquess of McCalpin, Michael learns of the theft and opens his heart when March's family circumstances become painfully clear. Taking guardianship and introducing the family to society, Michael brings the Lawsons into his life. The more time spent together the more obvious it is that March and Michael cannot fight their feelings. Like any good love story, there is always a villain in the wings threatening their HEA but love prevails in a breathtaking HEA. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

This book had me in tears several times. Imagine being 16 and trying to keep family and farm together. I felt for Marsh as she struggled under such a burden. At a time in history when women were to be a decoration, Marsh iwas out sheering and maintaining the sheep. To be part of the nobility did not help this family. This story was really a family saga of strength and perseverance. The romance was so full of ups and downs. I liked this book! From farm to ballroom it kept me engrossed.

This is a wonderfully written story about adversity,love, trust and self acceptance. March is a beautiful character, she loves her siblings and does what she must in order to make ends meet. Michael is a kind ,caring man but is afraid someone will find out about his secret so he has some trust issues. My favorite character is March’s brother Bennett, his a 9 year old Viscount who is trying hard to be the head of the family. I highly recommend this book.

Absolutely loved the concept of this story. At first i didnt think i was going to enjoy it but it turned out to be one of the sweetest romances i’ve Read in a long time.

This us one of my favorite stories EVER. March is such an incredible girl turned woman. We need more heroines like here. Michael is strong and confident...but with a flaw he is so embarrassed about. No spoiler here, but they go through a great deal to find their HEA. I look forward to more stories about the
Lawson family, and Michael's brother.

March Lawson has lost both her parents to influenza. At seventeen years of age, she's now responsible for the care of two younger sisters and an infant brother. Parts of this book are very good. I admired March's willingness to do whatever it took to provide for her family, including "embezzling" money from her own dowry account. She forgoes a London season for eight years because feeding her siblings and keeping a roof over their heads is more important than dancing at fancy balls.

Our hero, Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, is a decent fellow. For most of the novel, he's sympathetic to March's plight and takes her and her siblings to his London home where his mother, a duchess no less, acts as the fairy godmother to the Lawson females. My appreciation for Michael disappeared when he chose to doubt the character of the woman he'd asked to marry him. If you love me and you believe in me, then when rumors begin spreading about the legitimacy of my birth and me committing a crime, you ought to have my back. Don't doubt me while I'm battling a scandal. The fact that he let doubt seep into his mind made me kick him off the knight-in-shining-armor pedestal. Nevertheless, the story ends well. Yes, there is a happy ending, but the journey to that ending could have been a bit smoother and riddled with fewer hurdles.

So much going on in this book. The characters and the storyline brought out so many different emotions in me, I was ready to jump in the book! Highly recommend.

The Luck of the Bride⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Janna MacGregor

Very enjoyable tale set in 1813 Victorian England. While book 3 in a series it does truly stand alone. The heroine March Lawson was left raising her siblings after the loss of both parents.. Sadly times become tough when people set up to take care of the family fail and no monies are released to support the estate leading March to make some hard decisions to continue to take care of her family.

Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin has inherited responsibility of the estate.....but he's dealing with his own "money" issues. While I don't know Royals or embezzlers I found the book very real. The dialogue entertaining. Secondary characters were important and didn't clutter or slow down the story.. The book made me laugh and I shed a few tears. A win for me.......and Janna

I liked the characters a lot in this story and would like to read more in the series. I guess being from this time period I don't understand some of the male characters seem so enlightened and empathetic, yet feel that March was an embezzler of her own money. Yes, having a ducal seal made and forging a signature is wrong, but everything done for the right reasons seemed understandable until it wasn't...it was a decent read though. Thank you for the freebie!