Member Reviews
March's family is destitute and in an attempt to provide for them, March forges the signature of Michael Cavensham in order to access her own dowry to provide for her siblings. However it isn't long before her forgery is found out and March is confronted by the man himself. When March and Michael meet, sparks fly instantly. But Michael is harbouring a secret and there are forces around them conspiring to keep them apart.
I feel like most of this novel was fluff with Michael and March's relationship. I didn't really like Michael's character so the lack of action bored me. I was also able to figure out the whole mystery behind this book.
When March is accused of being someone she is not, the plot picks up instantly and I was unable to stop reading. It was from this point onwards that I was drawn to this book and I needed to finish it and have a happy ending ASAP.
This was a fairly okay read but I was unable to conjure up any kind of feeling for Michael which spoiled this book for me
Since March Lawson's parents died eight years ago, she has struggled to raise her siblings on a meager allowance. Their previous guardian neglected the family to the point of almost starvation. They have a new guardian, the Marquess of McAlpin, and he has not responded to her requests for more funds.
March has had to take matters into her own hands and remove money from her own trust by forging the Marquess's name. When McCalpin finds about the bold embezzling, he confronts March and finds out about the family's situation.
McCalpin insists on bringing the family to London and giving March's sisters the Season March missed. Slowly, McCalpin falls for March. When additional monies are embezzled, the culprit makes it look like it was March that did it. Can McCalpin trust his fiancee or will March go to America to make a fresh start?
This book was quite the emotional roller coaster. How March and her siblings survived with the neglect of their guardians was amazing. March was a strong young woman to support her family. McCalpin is sort of a tortured hero because of his disability with numbers. He is so ashamed that he does not want to fully trust March. The characters in this book, from March and McCalpin to their families were great. This was a book with a great supporting cast.
I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!
March Lawson unexpectedly becomes the guardian for her three younger siblings. She is strong and courageous putting aside all thoughts of ever making a match to the side. How can she possibly think of herself when she needs to ensure her siblings are taken care of. Becoming destitute she takes matters into her own hands and when her cries for help go unanswered she makes a drastic decision. What a little forgery when the basic needs of her siblings will be met. Things seem to be looking up and then she meets Michael and nothing will ever be the same again.
Complicated secrets, sweet romance, and interesting characters make for a great book. Had just enough to distinguish it from other historical romances while still delivering what I expected from one. Great read.
This was an excellent romance. The familial love was so strong and made my heart happy. I have found that a good romance has to have romantic and familial love to be truely dynamic, and MacGregor succeeded in this novel.
While the wrap up could have been a bit better incorporated, I adored this novel and whole-heartedly recommend it.
*4.5 Stars*
This was my first book from MacGregor and it will not be my last! In fact, I'm eager to get the first 2 books in this series. The story was well crafted, the characters well developed, and the emotions evoked...well, I'll just say I'm very impressed with MacGregor.
***
MacGregor spun a compelling tale with well developed characters and delivered suspense, romance, and all the feels! My only complaint is that the resolution was too neat.
Highlights
*Characters/Character Development
The main characters, March and Michael, were so engaging. Both considered themselves lacking in ways when they were both incredibly strong, tenacious, and intelligent. A perfect match. *wink* They'd both endured - especially March, having to grow up way too early and learn to manage in sometimes creative ways.
Besides March and Michael, I got to meet March's sisters, Faith and Julia, and her brother, Bennett, who was just delightful, as well as Michael's parents and siblings, William and Emma. MacGregor delivered a secondary cast that gave depth to our main characters and made the story that much more entertaining.
*Plot
The reason behind March and Michael meeting was almost comical despite its seriousness. I enjoyed how MacGregor had it all play out with Michael and his family taking on March and her siblings - the care with which they dealt with them and even the matchmaking on the part of Michael's mother and sister. The way MacGregor worked through March and Michael's vulnerabilities - how they did it together - was heartwarming.
*Romance
The romance blossomed so naturally between March and Michael - it was almost effortless and neither knew what hit them. They complemented each other so well and it was sweet to watch them fall.
Again, I truly enjoyed my introduction to MacGregor's work and I've already picked up the first in this series so I can continue getting acquainted with her and the Cavensham heiresses.
I had already read and enjoyed the first two from the Cavensham Heiresses series and so knew I was in for a good read. However, the author surpassed my expectations with this one and it has become my favourite from the series so far. I really loved the main female character March. She is feisty and independent, she has had to be strong, raising her family all by herself since the death of her parents. The Marquess of McCalpin inherits responsibility for the family’s trust funds but has his own difficulties to deal with meaning he does not initially pay the family the attention they need. Penniless with no funds coming in and everyone ignoring them March resorts to drastic measures which in turn throw her and McCalpin together. The banter between them is electric and the fact that McCalpin has his own secrets and vulnerability gives an added dimension to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish and can’t wait for the next one.
Book & Chocolate Pairing: The Luck of the Bride and Kohler Cranberry Terrapin
When I first saw a box of Kohler Cranberry Terrapin, I thought of Forest Gump’s famous quote, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." And boy, he was right on target with the Cranberry Terrapin that has a generous selection of all four Terrapin flavors: eight each of Original Buttery, Cranberry, Blackstrap, and Java. When you open a box, you just don’t know which one you will get!
With its four chocolate flavors, the Kohler Craberry Terrapin was the logical pairing with Janna MacGregor’s “The Luck of the Bride,” thanks to the four Lawson siblings - March, Faith, Julia and Bennett, who are very different from each other and lovable on their own right.
Orphaned while very young, Bennett who was only a toddler became the Viscount Lawson and his oldest sister March who was only 17 that time became head of household by default. For 8 years the Lawsons lived in poverty because the appointed guardian for the family and the Lawson estate was negligent of his duties.
Now at almost 25, March heard that their old guardian had passed away and that a new trustee has been assigned. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin now held the family’s purse strings. March was determined that the new trustee would hear her plea to give them more money to run the estate. She would not take no for an answer. But there is one problem. McCalpin was not an old crone. He was actually very young and very handsome. And March had found herself hoping that she would not be an old maid after all. There is just one question – was the attraction mutual?
A fun and easy read, with lots of banter that can make you laugh or at least smile, “The Luck of the Bride” is a great summer read. Whether its at the beach, in a cabana or even your front porch, March Lawson and Michael Cavensham’s love story is filled with optimism, something we all need right now with all the news about people committing suicide.
“The Luck of the Bride” might be classified as romance but it is also about family, familial love, loyalty and duty.
Now, as you prepare for your Book Club meeting, remember that the Kohler Cranberry Terrapin showcases cranberries and white chocolate with its signature smoky caramel. Cranberry and white chocolate are delicate flavors and this piece is crafted so that those flavors balance well and are not overpowered by the smokiness of the caramel.
With that in mind, consider serving with a stout beer that will bring out that buttery goodness. If selecting a wine pairing, opt for a zinfandel or another variety that won't overpower those delicate flavors. Spirits can be a nice pairing addition, too. A classic bourbon complements the smoky caramel perfectly.
I recently read The Luck of the Bride as part of the Extreme Book Nerd Challenge, a book with an animal in it. Can I just say that March is my hero. She's the kind of lady who jumps right in and makes a situation the best it can be no matter the price. Her sheep were a highlight and I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, and interesting, romance.
I really enjoy Ms. MacGregor's stories and this story did not disappoint. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, has a secret that could ruin him if it ever came to light. His brother, William, is there to support him in everything he needs and will do anything to protect his brother. When William finds evidence of money missing comes to light, Michael demands the young woman, Miss March Lawson, attend him immediately. March has never seen such a handsome man and Michael has never dealt with a high-spirited woman like March before. Their attraction is often offset by events out of their control and when a cousin of March's comes to London to ruin her, Michael doesn't know what to believe anymore. Will he learn to trust March or is he destined to live his life alone?
I've read the other two books in the series and those characters make an appearance in this book as well. While this story doesn't have a lot of action, there are such heartfelt emotions throughout the story that I didn't miss a lot of intrigue in the plot. I can't wait to see what Ms. MacGregor has in store for March's sisters, Faith and Julia. Recommended.
Thank you for letting me read another book by one of my favorite authors. I just loved March and Mccalpin together I also loved see characters from previous stories appear. I could not put this book down.
Review of “The Luck Of The Bride” by Janna MacGregor (Cavensham Heiresses #3)
Thanks to St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
4 Stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
Well! I went into this book with a bit of trepidation because I did not really enjoy the 2nd book in the series (my first read by the author; I have yet to read #1 in the series).
Comparatively, this was actually rather enjoyable, with secondary characters that I liked, namely the heroine’s younger brother. I found his banter with the hero quite adorable and charming, to say the least.
I really liked the heroine as well. Given the time period and the circumstances she was faced with, I really do believe I may have resorted to the same actions as her? One never knows what one is truly capable of until you’re forced into the same drastic situation, mind you.
I WAS drawn to the hero as well, until that last relapse in his good judgment where his trust and belief so EASILY went flying out the window/door what-say-you. Way too easily, yes.
But that is the only glaring negative point for me. The other issues, I simply won’t mention because they don’t really take away too much from the reader being able to enjoy the story overall. But that’s just my opinion :-)
So yes, this one gets a solid 4 from me!
The Luck of the Bride is a wonderful feel-good story with very believable characters. Their trials and struggles seemed real and the resolution was perfect. I really enjoyed it. I didn't realize this was part of a series - I look forward to reading the rest of the Cavensham Brides series. I'm now a huge fan of this author.
Oh my goodness I loved the characters in this book. They were so real. They weren't dingy females and heirs who are too stupid to function. These people were human. The hero, Michael, was flawed in a way that left him scarred emotionally and afraid for anyone to find out. He had a loving family with happy parents and siblings who supported him. They were kind people who cared for those around them. They kept the less fortunate around them protected.
March, the heroine, was an amazing young lady. She was smart and true to those she loved with a fierce loyalty.
The Luck of the Bride had such wonderful characters that I actually cried while reading it. I read a lot... like all the time. This isthe first book in a long time which actually made me feel for the H/h and their families and to really dislike others.
Joann Maggio rated it it was amazing
The Luck of the Bride⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Janna MacGregor
Upon the death of her parents, March Lawson finds herself the head of her family at a young age. She unflinchingly assumes her responsibilities and pushes on. She resorts to embezzlement after she has repeatedly asked for help from the caretaker of their finances.
She has been forging the signature of the Marquess of McCalpin to take money from her own inheritance.
When she is called into London to meet McCalpin her whole life changes. Michael Cavensham is a handsome brute that holds his own secrets.
This story holds several serious and lighthearted mysteries. As a read I could not put this story down with the twists and turns that were unraveling. Hats off to Ms MacGregor another great story.
by Joann Maggio for Book Obsessed Chicks
Very cute story. I read it quickly over a Saturday afternoon. I will definitely be looking for more books by Janna MacGregor.
Family, perseverance, and a case of mistaken identity are the themes of MacGdelightfullyghtfulyl feminist forward historical series, The Caversham Heiresses. In her third installment, MacGregor introduces us to a take-charge young heiress who is forced to commit fraud in order to secure her sibling’s well being after their parents’ deaths. Bold and bittersweet, MacGregor uses dry humor and striking narrative to draw attention to the inequalities of this era and the ease in which women and children were able to fall through the cracks after the death of parents and or guardians. A wealth of lively secondary characters offer plenty of humor and advice as a gentle romance slowly erupts between our hero and heroine. March’s brother steals the show on multiple occasions, showing wonderful wit and insight for one so young. Enchanting overall though readers may find the hero disappointing at times with his lack of forethought, condescending manner, and constant reminders of the heroine’s from grace.
When March Lawson’s repeated requests for money from her inheritance are left unanswered, she takes matters into her own hands and forges the trusty’s signature on the account. Left in charge of her brother and sisters at the age of sixteen, she has shouldered all the weight of their upbringing and the estate by herself. When her duplicity is discovered, she is summoned to London to answer for her crime. Michael Cavensham, the Marquess of McCalpin, is shocked and enchanted by this woman who not only forged his signature but doesn’t appear all that sorry to have done so. In fact, she blames him for the whole situation. As Micheal works to win March and her siblings’ favor, not everyone is happy with the new romance and when secrets from March and Micheal’s pasts are brought into the public eye, Micheal must decide if pride or love will win the day.
Grade: B-
this book was so much fun - I loved all the characters, the dialog and the plot. I look forward to reading many more books by this author
The Luck of the bride was a breath of fresh air. I needed a historical romance and my first book from Janna MacGregor did not disappoint. I felt a few places were rushed and at times thought the characters could have been developed slightly more. However, I am excited to read more of this author’s books!
This was March and Michael’s story. March has taken care of her family for so long while their guardian ignored them. She has been forging her guardian’s signature to have funds for them to live on. He finds out. He demands she come to see him. He brings her family to London. They have an instant attraction. Their relationship is not easy. There is an evil relative and an unexpected twist. The book kept me on the edge of my seat.