Member Reviews

Murdoch is an author I have discovered this year and so far it has always been a pleasure to read her. This one did not disappoint either.

Lady Elizabeth Howards is now a widow. She has suffered in a loveless and tedious marriage and is now finally free to live her life as she sees fit, has it not been for the fruit of a night of passion with Lord Jacob Beauvale. What will happen to both when Jacob who is now engaged to be married discovers her secret?

My heart went to Elizabeth from the first few pages of the book and it was a joy to see her find someone that would love and cherish her. I was not completely taken by Jacob and the decisions he made, yet I couldn't help by finding him cute at times. Despite everything, they made such a cute and sweet couple. Murdoch always seems to write the most delightful couples. It felt as if two soulmates finally came together and claimed some happiness for themselves.

4/5
~ #fridayinaprilbookreviews

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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In many ways, this was a very uncomfortable story to read. Having read the previous books in the series, I was disappointed with this one. Elizabeth Howard entered marriage with hope in her heart, only to find that she had married a monster. Side-lined and kept on a short leash, she has very little social interaction, apart from with her husband's creditors. Which is how she comes to meet Jacob Beauvale. One cannot help but feel for Elizabeth in her predicament, and even Jacob deserves some sympathy when he finds that she is carrying his child. However, his resolution of the matter left much to be desired. The story closes on a positive note and one can only hope that those who were injured by Jacob's actions find their own happy endings. I do think the cover of this novel is beautiful, but unfortunately, I was left feeling sad and a little angry when I came to the conclusion of this novel. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

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Lady Elizabeth Howard is miserable in her marriage, so after his death she is sure she will remain a Widow forever. There is one little thing that might just change her mind. Our heroine has always had to be strong and rely solely on herself.

Lord Jacob Beauvale never envisioned collecting a debt could change his life, or cause so much confusion. He doesn't behave in an honourable way and he will upset many people.

It's very hard for our hero to find a way out of his predicament.

An unusual historical romance that is part of a very good series. You can easily read each book on it's own but you will meet the characters from previous books.

Great fun.

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Author Emily Murdoch has written a fresh , expressive, poignant storyline! As you read about Elizabeth’s life the more the pages seem to turn on there own. Her life was about to become a talk of the ‘ton’ and she had to prepare herself emotionally and physically! She was a widow and about to deliver a baby! Tongues were going to wag!

Jacob Beauvale was going to be shocked when he seen Widow Howards new figure because he definitely could count the days backwards! But, there was a major issue, he was now engaged!

What a conundrum that these two people found themselves. Could they ever be together, but how could he possibly admit that it was his child?

Read this book because the characters are strong and the unfolding of the events are jaw-dropping!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

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This series just keeps getting better and better. Elizabeth and Jacob are a wonderful couple both being pulled in different directions. Together they are keeping a secret that think won't get out, until his Fiance finds out about it. They must decide if their love is worth the scandal. Emily EK Murdoch writes so well the reader feels like they are a part of the story. This book won't disappoint.

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Will they find a way out without of this predicament...

I first need to say, do not read the blurb, it will lead you to many false expectations. Even the age of the heroine is wrong, she is two and thirty. And at no moment does the child has the hero’s eyes color as he is not even born when he discovers he is soon to be a father. Also no one saw him leave her house and she was not even a widow at this time. And he never left town, he just let her be because of her new circumstances.
Even the title is not truly right, or it would mean a sad outcome for the couple.

Well, all this said, it is a read I enjoyed, I missed the two previous books because of a too busy reading schedule, so I am happy to have found time to squeeze this one in.
It is a tale of very imperfect characters, first their meeting circumstances were quite scandalous, a woman paying her ne’er-do-well husband’s gambling debts. Then a second visit to propose a night of passion to a neglected and lonely wife.
Jacob is the usual cheerful and nice ton fop, he enjoys life and its pleasures. Yet when an offer to increase his income is brought at his door, while he was satisfied with what he had, he is seduced by the idea, even if he is not fond of the course he must follow.
Elizabeth had been deceived by her wastrel of a husband who only showed his true color once the deed was done. Since she lives in the margins of her previous life, enduring her spouse many slights while he baths in his sins.
I am not fond of cheating in romance, but Elizabeth’s husband was a horrible mean being, one night of indulgence was nothing compared to his many years of abuse.
What surprised me was she had not be married for so long, five years in her thirty-two’s, so he kind of rescued her from spinsterhood.
Jacob is an expected visitor and he offers her an expected and wonderful surprise.

From the moment they rekindle their relationship, they navigate muddy waters, as they are trapped by society’s strictures, unable to bend the rules that govern them. Why at time Jacob appears as a coward, afraid to cause a scandal but even more to loose what he hoped to gain by entering the marriage mart. But I liked their imperfections, it was what made them real, not everyone is a hero, has the strength to cross the unsaid lows ruling them. Yet when the time comes, he makes the right choice, whatever the risk.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 detailed onscreen lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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Always the Widow is another steamy regency romance by Emily Murdoch. Elizabeth and Jacob are wonderful characters, written so well. Your fingers are crossed that they reach their happily ever after which isn't so easy for them to attain, and which makes it all the more satisfying.

This is book 9 in the Never the Bride series, a wonderful series by Emily Murdoch and does not disappoint.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley and this is my honest review. I found this an enjoyable story.

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This is my first book by this author and while I understand this book is part of a series, it did well as a standalone. The tropes in this book are pregnancy, widow, one night stand.

I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. The heroine, Elizabeth is married to Elmore for five years, who isolates her and treats her terribly. He doesn't hide his infidelities and leaves her alone in their home to gamble and have illicit affairs. The hero, Jacob, comes to collect on a gambling debt and the two give in to temptation and have a one night stand. Several days later, the husband dies and Elizabeth is pregnant with everyone assuming it is her deceased husband's child. I had a hard time understanding Elizabeth and some of the actions she took in this book.

They have a long way to their happy ending with a very interesting story and a fun cast of characters. I'm interested in reading the other books in the series as the plot was definitely an interesting one.

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

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This is the story of a woman, Elizabeth, who is very attracted to a man, Jacob, who is not her husband. When her husband dies suddenly, she is free of his tyranny. Jacob, meanwhile, has gotten himself engaged in an arranged marriage that he is having a hard time getting out of. I felt that some parts of this story stretched believability in spots. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Press for my honest opinion.

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Another great addition to the series. This is definitely one of my favorites. Elizabeth and Jacob are an unlikely pair, but they work. She's a widow. He's the younger man who gave her what she wanted most in life. They have a long row to hoe, but love is a wonderful incentive. I recommend this book as well as the preceding in the series.
Although part of a series, with intertwining characters, each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Thank you Emily EK Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

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Elizabeth is a widow who recently gave birth to a son. It is thought that her deceased husband is the lads father but her lover of one night is actually the father.
Jacob ignores his intended to pursue Elizabeth. Gossip starts to fly. Will this couple overcome the odds to be together.
This is one of Emily E.K. Murdoch's best titles.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Netgalley and am voluntarily posting this review.

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I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Having seen her brother-in-law, the Earl of Lenskeyn, marry for love, Mrs Elizabeth Howard laments her own marriage. After being married for over 5 years, with no children, to the wicked Elmore, she finds happiness in the arms of one of her husband's gambling partners, and then is left widowed. Alone, but still under the thumb of her busybody mother-in-law, Elizabeth is shocked to discover she isn't in fact barren after all, and is pregnant with Jacob's child. For Jacob Beauvale, Lord Westray, he can't forget the night he spent with Elizabeth, but a codicil in his parents will means he have to marry soon, and Elizabeth isn't a suitable partner. When they reconnect after Elizabeth rejoins society, Jacob is adamant that even though he is marrying someone else, he will be in the child's life, and in Elizabeth's by extension. They both deserve happiness once and for all, but will they be able to be together?

When I read Always the Matchmaker, I had a feeling that Elizabeth's story would be the next one. She was a character who intrigued me in our first meeting, and learning more about her horrid marriage to Elmore, and getting to know her in more detail, I was overjoyed to read her story. She was so kind and caring, and had been alone for so long, that Jacob was just perfect for her. Both Elizabeth and Jacob were kindred spirits, and though the book was a very quick read, less than 200 pages, we really saw their romance play out across the pages. The whole aspect of baby Beau was perfect, as was seeing the family grow into a proper unit. Yeah, there were some unnecessary moments of angst, but all in all, a really good addition to the Never the Bride series.

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Jacob Beauvale went looking for a repayment of a debt, and instead found Elizabeth Howard, the isolated and miserable wife of a spendthrift. She's beautiful and lonely, and she succumbs to a passionate encounter with Jacob. In quick succession, Elizabeth becomes a widow and Jacob enters into a loveless, business-like engagement. When Jacob finds out Elizabeth is pregnant, he's convinced the child is his.

This is the ninth book in the Never The Bride series. It can be read alone, but I would recommend reading the previous book, Always the Matchmaker, where Elizabeth and the Howard family are introduced.

The book blurb misrepresents the plot of Always the Widow and makes it sound like Elizabeth is promiscuous and shows up years later with a child ("his return to town with a fiancée brings a shock in the shape of a small child with his grey eyes")…but this is NOT the case. Elizabeth was married for five years and was thought to be barren. Immediately after entering into an engagement, Jacob sees pregnant Elizabeth and becomes suspicious. I was expecting one thing from the book description and didn't like that it didn't match with the actual plot. I've enjoyed this book series, but this time I did not care for the characters. Jacob, in particular, was so wishy-washy. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Tropes: One Night Stand, Widow, Pregnancy

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheWidow #NetGalley

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Another fantastic story in this series which can all be read as stand-alone novels. Jacob and Elizabeth meet and spend the night together creating a son, Beau, but Jacob has to marry another or end up penniless, and his godmother will never except a widow as his life partner, they have to find a way around this for them to become a family. Sophia his intended has been jilted before and Jacob can’t do it to her again, but his love for Elizabeth and Beau wins in the end.

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A story about a widow and a younger man who try to live their love but there are some obstacles .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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