Three years ago, she got married to help her younger sister return home after a scandal. Now, her sister is still in the same convent she's been when Jemma had married, and Jemma's husband is killed in front of a notorious brothel.

She knows it wasn't a common mugging, but murder. She also knows who did it, she just needs help in proving it. And the only one she can turn to is the man she left behind after marrying his best friend.


This one had huge potential. Unfortunately, it didn't use it.

The characters were once again rather one-dimensional and flat, there was a jarring imbalance in "power" between the hero and heroine, and I felt absolutely not chemistry between them. Which made the supposed conflict even harder to swallow, since it all stemmed from a single kiss between two friends. For friends is what these two actually were. There was no tension, no chemistry, no passion...Just two people who were supposedly comfortable with each other, and that single drunken kiss three years ago.

Then there was the suspense. It would've definitely worked better if the mystery of the killer was kept longer and the two had to discover his identity along with the proof needed to put him away. The fact we all knew who the killer was from the start, diminished the intensity and interest of the plot itself, also slowing the pace (which was already slow to begin with) even more.

This is book three of the series. It was full of love, murder, and mystery. This is one of those books that is hard to describe but easy to get into. I would recommend it.

Murder and mystery!

What more can you want in a novel? A beautiful widow, Lady Jemma Forster, the Countess of Wolverston. A 'rogue runner', Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair, the love Jemma forsook for the sake of her family. Now Jemma needs Gabriel's help. Her husband, Gabriel's best friend was murdered. Anguish exists on both sides and as the plot plays out that emerges. All the time we wonder, can the past be healed?
When their search takes them to Jacob's Island, "If futility could be defined by a place, then it was here, in this strange maze of decrepit bridges and slopping muck, “ one can't help but be drawn irrevocably into the conditions of this place and time, as Jemma and Gabriel struggle to find answers on many different levels.
This tightly written, intricately woven novel is another jewel in Munroe's Gothic Bride series.

A NetGalley ARC

I really enjoyed this novel about a killed husband, a woman who wants justice and her former lover who has to help.

Bow Street Runners will draw me into a book every time. Gabriel is not really alpha but he never backs down. He is the rock on which Jemma relies on to hold her up and get her through the death of her husband. This is a second chance romance story that really delivers in the emotion department. Longing, staying away, wanting. It was fun watching how Gabriel and Jemma worked together and helped each other bring Phillip’s killer to justice. Great epilogue.

The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe is book Three in the Gothic Brides series. This is the story of Jemma Forster and Gabriel Sinclair. I have read the previous books but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Jemma and Gabriel once was in love but Jemma had to make the choice to marry another to help her family. Now a few years later her husband has been killed and Gabriel is the one that can help her find out what happened.
This was a nice second chance at love story.

This was a fun, exciting novella, showing the dark side of Regency London. Though this was the third book in the Gothic Brides series, I didn't feel totally lost. I'm glad it was standalone; however, it does make me want to go back and read the first two installments! Jemma just lost her husband, and she believed the wrong person was accused of being the murderer. She contacts Gabriel, with whom she shared a past. Gabriel was a Bow Street Runner, and they began to investigate. Let the excitement commence! The romance was very sweet, rather PG-13. The story was fun, so I didn't care.

I received this book for review courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Gossip and reputation drive the Ton. In order to try to save her sister’s reputation, Jemma married Philip Forster, Earl of Wolverstone. They were friends and it was a marriage of convenience. Some has murdered Philip, Jemma thinks she knows who the murderer is, and turns to Gabriel Sinclair, a friend and Bow Street Runner for help. It given the choice, Jemma and Gabriel would have married three years ago, but circumstances took that choice away. Gabriel agrees to help her and, to his chagrin, she insists upon being his partner in the investigation. There are two very pressing questions here: can they prove who murdered Philip, and can they be together.

Erica Monroe creates interesting characters. Claire and Felicity (the Mad Countess and the Determined Duchess) are her friends, and they and their husbands are here for support. Jemma and Gabriel are strong and determined in their quest, and kind and devoted in their love. The characters they deal with are sad, creepy survivors of the city’s worst parts. The villain is mean and crazy. There is mystery, drama, friendship, and forgiveness in this story. I recommend this one. I think you’ll like it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The review and opinions are my own.

Erica’s books are a joy to read! The suspense and passion in this book were awesome. I liked the fiery spirit Jemma had!

A romance that also involves solving a murder. This one was a very quick read and perfectly checked all the boxes. It was the perfect mixture of romance and solving a crime. Our hero, Gabriel
Sinclair, and heroine, Lady Jemma Forster, were meant to be together. But their friend, the Earl of Wolverston, marries Jemma. He finally makes them come together from beyond the grave in solving his murder.

It was bittersweet, and rather moving how Jemma finds out about Wolverston's knowledge about her affections for Gabriel. I loved the writing and the pace of this book. It was a perfectly quick read that one could finish in an evening.

A murder/mystery and second chance at love/life is a wonderful trope .

Principal Officer of Bow Street Gabriel Sinclair was stunned when he realised that the murdered victim outside a bawdy house in the rookeries is Philip Forster, Earl of Wolverstone, the husband of the woman he was in love with, and his friend, well, until he turned his back on the Earl. for marrying the only woman who meant the world to him.

Jemma Forster, Countess of Wolverstone married her husband for convenience. Passion might be lacking in their three-year marital relationship but they had a wonderful friendship. She vowed to bring the murderer to justice. She knows the identity of the villain. She just needs to prove it. Jemma enlisted the help of Gabriel.

Gabriel's and Jemma's concerted effort of pursuing the killer brought them closer and was reacquainted with their deep affection for each other. Their passion was re-ignited, and it's stronger than ever.

Erica Monroe wrote this really well. Plenty of emotions in play.

I voluntarily read an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. My honest review is impartial and opinions are all mine.

Enjoyed it!
This is my first book by Erica Monroe.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Gothic Brides
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Jemma is the cousin in law to Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe (second book of this series) and Jemma, Claire and Felicity became best friend and this story take place 5 years after Nicholas and Felicity’s story.
This one is a murder mystery and Jemma will get her departed husband best friend to nail the culprit and I turn clear her husband of the disgrace of the ton. In the process loosing her broken heart to the only man she ever loved and can bring her to life. Will she get the justice she needs to move of or will it be a held served justice???

I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
Did he didn’t he ?
A whodunnit with a taste of romance , a gothic edge , this book has something for everyone.
Erica writes this series with an edge to it , it’s different from your normal Regency Romance, this one has murder , mayhem, and even the possibility of a ghost hanging about .
The romance is between the widow of the murder victim and his friend. The two have always had a certain fire between them , her marriage being one of convenience to her best friend from childhood.
But now with the field clear can they make a go of it .
I love reading this series and can’t wait for more .
I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review

I voluntarily read a copy of this book through Netgalley. The death of Jemma’s husband, Phillip the Earl of Wolverston, brought Gabriel back into her life. Jemma and Phillip’s marriage had been one of friendship from years past. Jemma and Gabriel joined forces to bring Phillip’s killer to justice and in the process rekindled their old passion. The book is a good read and I would highly recommend it.

Second chances at love while proving murder, the perfect recipe for a great book. I really enjoyed Jemma and Gabriel's story. It's sad and delightful at different times. The main characters are entertaining and well written. The secondary characters can be found in their own stories which are equally as good as this one.

Lady Jemma Forster, Countess of Wolverston believes she knows her husband’s murderer and seeks the assistance of Gabriel Sinclair, a bow street runner. However, Jemma and Gabriel must overcome their attraction which began only days before her marriage, if they are to bring her husband’s murderer to justice.
It was enjoyable to see a relationship that may have started if not for Jemma’s upcoming wedding, slowly develop again into a beautiful relationship. This is a story that examines the differences in society, with some danger and violence thrown in to the mix! Both characters were well explored.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher's Description:

Scandal proves deadly in this dark, emotional Gothic Regency Romance...

Lady Jemma Forster knows all too well how ruthless gossip-mongers can be. She sacrificed her own happiness to restore her family’s reputation. Her marriage of convenience to an affluent earl meant saying goodbye to passion, and any chance at love with the dashing lawman who set her soul aflame. She leads a sedate, practical life as the Countess of Wolverston. Until her husband is murdered, and the only man who can bring his killers to justice is her former love.

Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair has spent the last three years trying to forget about smart, beautiful Lady Jemma, who broke his heart when she married his best friend. The Earl of Wolverston’s death thrusts Gabriel and Jemma back together, as they work to find his murderer. Their investigation takes them into the darkest, most dangerous parts of London, with threats coming from all sides. They’re perfect partners for solving crimes, but can they be partners in love too?

My Thoughts:
I loved this gothic regency novella. It was just the ticket on a rain filled gloomy day when I intended to watch baseball on TV which was postponed due to weather.
Reading is my first choice in entertainment and I read not just one but three ARCs of novellas on this rather gloomy day.
I enjoyed this read of second chance romance and a murder mystery,
the murder details being the only graphic part of this well told story.I
I gave this novella 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a low sensual rating of 1 of 5 flames. There are only sweet kisses and a HEA ending to this gothic tale.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book which was previously included in the anthology It Started With a Whisper as a singular title. I agreed to read and review this book in exchange for this copy but this in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

When I requested this ARC I promised to give a fair and honest review. I like books by Erica Monroe. They are descriptive and have interesting characters. In all honesty I would have liked this story to have gone a bit further but it didn't disappoint

4.5 stars

This is a second chance at love / murder mystery and it is very well done. Gabriel Sinclair, Principal Officer for Bow Street has responded to a murder outside a bawdy house in the rookeries, it seems like a simple case of robbery gone wrong and he is ready to call it done when he realizes who the victim is - Philip Forster, Earl of Wolverstone - Gabriel's one time best friend and husband of the woman Gabriel loves.

Jemma Foster, Countess of Wolverstone is sure that here brother in law David killed his brother and she needs help proving it. The only man she trusts is the last man she wants to see - Gabriel Sinclair. The man she walked away from to make her family happy and the man she loves. It has been three years since they have seen each other, but the passion is still there, stronger than ever.

Jemma and Gabriel work together to solve the mystery of who really killed Philip and why. They also slowly begin to reconnect. But when Jemma starts to get too close to the truth, will Gabriel be able to save her and have a second chance to win the woman he has always loved?

Wonderful story, lots of interesting historical facts and a really nasty villain, no steam, some violence and a HEA. Special Note: This novella was originally published in the anthology It Started With A Whisper.