This book was a miss to me. I couldn't love it, it felt super underwhelming to me.
I think a huge part of my opinion is due to me reading a regency romance with the exact same plot, just with the difference being the MMC relationship with the FMC.
Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as the other.
The writing was overly descriptive and stretched out. The amount of paragraphs solely about each character's thoughts didn't balance with the dialogues or other aspects of the story line.
I didn't have a problem with the insta love, however, I felt both of them were overly glorifying each other. Their perception of each other was syrupy sweet, it was too perfect to be convincing.
I liked the storyline, it was what made finish the book, but I expected more of the plot.
Overall, not my favorite book.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This is my second book this year reading about a man who married 3 wives. I don't find this concept all that interesting. I liked reading how all three of the wives form a friendship with each other. This was the strongest part of the story.

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an e-arc of the book. This review is based on my personal opinion and enjoyment of the book.

Just another historical romance. Fluff reading.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The best part about this book was the interesting dynamic between Erasmus’ wives. The way their friendship develops is indicative of how women can support each other.

I liked the way there is more to uncover at the end of the book and the relationships between the characters have further to go before the story ends.

Owen and Celeste’s meeting is a great start but then I think the chemistry kind of fizzles. Looking forward to the other stories to see what happens to Abigail and Pippa.

The Unexpected Wife by Jess Michaels is fantastic start to her new series, The Three Mrs. Celeste Montgomery was wed to Erasmus Montgomery, a marriage arranged by her parents, but unwanted by her. Luckily, her husband wasn’t around much during the their marriage so when our hero, Owen Gregory, arrives to break the news that her husband has been murdered, she’s more shocked to find out he was also a cad who married two other women as well and with her being the latest wife, isn’t actually wed. Owen quickly clears Celeste of suspicion and asks her to accompany him back to London to meet the other women who ‘married’ Montgomery. And that’s where the fun begins.

Celeste is an interesting character. Strong willed, she holds it together when no one would blame her for breaking down. The friendship that develops between the three ladies is unique and very fun to read. Celeste had a loveless childhood and marriage, so the reader is rooting for her to find her happily ever after. Owen is perfect for her. He appreciates her intelligence, her steady demeanor, Their chemistry is instant. And steamy hot. I love Ms. Michaels’ writing, and I expect lots of heat, but I didn’t expect a great mystery from her. But I got one in this book.

I loved The Unexpected Wife. Great characters, great story, great heat, everything I’ve come to expect from Jess Michaels. I can’t wait to read the other two books! 4.5 stars

The Unexpected Wife was an excellent start to a new historical romance series following three women who were all married to the same man.

Celeste Montgomery never wanted to marry Erasmus Montgomery, but thankfully her husband wasn't around often in their first year of marriage. When investigator Owen Gregory shows up at her home to inform her of her husband's murder, that's the least shocking news he's there to deliver. Her husband it turns out was a bigamist and Celeste was the third of his wives. Tasked with discovering if Celeste was involved in her husband's murder, Owen is surprised by his immediate attraction to her. After learning Celeste was not involved, Owen has Celeste accompany him to London in order to help him solve the crime. As the pair investigate Erasmus's death, their feelings for each other only continue to grow, endangering their lives in unexpected ways.

Celeste grew up knowing her parents never loved her and only viewed her as a way to become connected to an important family via marriage. Finding out her marriage was never valid and going to London was very freeing for Celeste as it allowed her to get away from her family and gave her time to figure out what it was she wanted out of life. I loved watching Celeste embrace her newfound freedom and how much happier she became as the book went on.

I loved Celeste and Owen's relationship. The connection between them was instantaneous and I loved how easy things were between them. He's kind and thoughtful, something Celeste has been lacking in her life. He was great about not interfering with the new freedom Celeste has and I liked that he didn't try to make her do anything she didn't want to do. Their chemistry was excellent and the few steamy scenes we got between the pair were well done. I enjoyed the pair working together on Erasmus's murder although, like Celeste, I was annoyed when Owen kept information from her. I was surprised by the resolution to the murder investigation which went in a direction I hadn't considered.

The other two wives, Abigail and Pippa, feature heavily in this book as Celeste stays with them after she arrives in London. I really liked the friendship that formed between the trio and how they didn't let what happened stop them from being friends. We also see quite a bit of the love interests for Abigail and Pippa and I'm looking forward to reading their books soon.

Overall The Unexpected Wife was an amazing start to the series and I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a new historical romance to pick up.

Romances, especially historical ones, got me through the darkest days of 2020 when I just needed a diversion. Many I've read lately haven't been connecting with me, but this one was a nice exception. The heroine is intelligent and kind, despite the many crappy people in her life, and the hero is her equal in that. The love scenes are steamy, although they sometimes seemed much more modern than 19th-century in their sensibilities (ahem). Additionally, there are several likable supporting characters I look forward to seeing in future books, especially Pippa. The mystery unravels rather fast at the end, and it feels like we are getting some new information instead of new insight on what we already knew, but all in all, it was a fast, enjoyable read.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Owen Gregory first met Celeste Montgomery when he bought news of her husband’s death but worse he was a bigamist. In London Owen and Celeste work together to find the murderer. Celeste does not like to think the first 2 wife’s who she had become friends with are involved. Secrets are been kept but Owen and Celeste want a second chance at love. A steamy romance brings our two main characters together. An entertaining story that is the first in a series.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Jess Michaels never fails to delight. I really enjoyed the story and liked the characters. Celeste and Owen are a perfect couple. I liked the added suspense element. Great job!

What if your mostly absent and pretty unpleasant husband has died, and when an investigator turns up to tell you that they suspect it was a murder, and you find out you were married to a serial bigamist, and there are two other wives, and you are all suspects in the murder investigation. Celeste Montgomery has two frankly unpleasant social climbers for parents, who forced her to marry Erasmus, who was a nasty and cruel fortune hunter.

Owen Gregory has been employed by Erasmus's brother to find out what happened. he finds a beautiful, intelligent woman, with a deep well of strength, who has been neglected and ignored most of her life. There is an immediate case of insta lust, and as Owen gets to know her, he realises Celeste could not have killed Erasmus. As they spend more time with each other and collaborate to solve the mystery, i delighted in the way their relationship developed. Owen is sensitive and supportive, and Celeste is a survivor, as she gets to know the other wives, Abigail and Phillipa, their friendship develops, and she finds a level of connection and support she has never known.

The mystery is nicely done, but the relationships in this book are what really make the story.

Can't wait for the next 2 books.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Celeste was married a year ago. She hasn't spent much time with her husband, which was fine with her, as this marriage was to someone she wouldn't have chosen. When Owen shows up on her door step to tell her that not only is her husband dead, but that he has two other wives, she doesn't know what to think.

Owen was hired to investigate Celeste's husband, but when he arrives to confront the man, he finds him dead. He has now been tasked with notifying the wives and finding the killer. After meeting Celeste, he quickly rules her out as a suspect and asks for her help solving the murder. They are soon on their way to London.

What neither of them counted on was their mutual attraction. Can they solve the murder and find their own HEA?

I really enjoyed Celeste and Owen's story. I loved watching them work together to find out who murdered Celeste's husband. I'm excited to read the next book in the series to see Pippa (wife #2) and Rhys (the bigamist's brother) find their HEA!

A wonderful start to a new series. Celeste is shocked to discover her husband has been murdered and was also a bigamist. She is wife number three and Owen is the investigator who delivers the news and finds himself attracted to her. He whisks her off to London to meet the other wives and have her assist in the investigation.

Scorching romance that does not disappoint and an intriguing mystery whose ending is surprising. I look forward to the other books in this series.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Unexpected Wife by Jess Michaels is the first book in her new series The Three Mrs. Montgomerys. To Celeste Montgomery her husbands frequent absences were perhaps the only nice thing he had done for her. When investigator Owen Gregory arrives at her door with the news that her Erasmus Montgomery has been murdered, that she’s actually the third Mrs. Montgomery and she and the other wives are the main suspects, she's not about to waste any time grieving the man and determines to help solve the murder. I enjoyed this story and the mystery and characters were intriguing but I think because of its short length things that needed a better explanation were just glossed over and time better spent on this story is used to set up the next two. I felt that a prologue would have established the scene better, perhaps explaining why Celeste ended up married to Erasmus Montgomery in the first place. Medium Steam. Publishing Date: March 9, 2021 #TheUnexpectedWife #JessMichaels #VictoryEditing #NetGalley #HistoricalRomance #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #HistoricalMystery

The Unexpected Wife by Jess Michaels
The Three Mrs. #1

Three women
One dead bigamist husband
Who killed the husband?
Was it one of the wives?
Or another?

What I liked:
* Great start to a new series that introduced the characters that will feature in at least three books in the series
* Owen: investigator, intelligent, likes puzzles, truth seeker, intuitive, fact finder, falls for Celeste quickly. Charming and lusty book boyfriend
* Celeste: bright, underestimated, often overlooked, pushed into a marriage she did not want, falls for Owen quickly. Liked her.
* That though Owen and Celeste had chemistry early they did not act upon it too quickly.
* The way the relationship developed between Owen and Celeste
* The unexpected friendship between the wives
* The other two wives: Abigail and Phillipa
* The two men that will star in the next two books: Gilmore and Leighton
* The twist(s)
* That there was a HEA for Owen and Celeste

What I didn’t like:
* Erasmus “Ras” Montgomery: cad, bigamist, user and abuser
* Celeste’s parents
* Having to wait for the next book in the series.

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen, LLC. for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

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

Jess Michaels did it again! This book was hard to put down. I loved the chemistry between Owen and Celeste, as well as the friendships that emerged from the other characters. As always the characters were very well developed and the sexual tension was palpable between detective Owen and innocent bigamist Celeste. I can't wait to read the other two books in this series. Definitely worth the 5 stars!

I like this story very much. This is the first book I read from this author and is not going to be the last one. Her writing is really good.
Although Celeste Montgomery was forced into a marriage a year ago, her husband is more often gone than home and she is living a quiet life. Until investigator Owen Gregory shows up at her home to tell her that her husband has been murdered…and he was also a bigamist, making her the third of three wives.
Owen Gregory was hired to investigate Celeste’s husband, but he never thought it would lead him here, to this beautiful woman whose life he just shattered. Once he determines she couldn’t be the murderer, he asks her to join him in London, in the hopes she can help him solve the crime.
Now they must navigate two other wives, a broken-hearted brother and a duke who keeps poking his nose in as they work to determine who killed Erasmus Montgomery. Not to mention the intense feelings and passionate desires growing between them. But will secrets long held endanger them in ways they never imagined? And will they find a way to save each other before it’s too late?
Owen is amazing. Sweet and passionate, he is every girl’s dream. Celeste has been shelter all her life, but she is smart, and generous, and brave. Together they are stronger and really work as a team, what I really enjoy. Even though he is the investigator, he listens to Celeste and respects her instincts. There are great sexy times and romantic ones.
I loved the side characters and I´ll be waiting for Pippa and Leighton story.

Celeste was forced into marriage but is content living the quiet life until Owen, an investigator shows up and informs her that her husband as been murdered and she is one of three wives. She begins to help him with his case and soon sparks are flying between them. Will the dangerous secrets be revealed? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and twists and turns. The chemistry is steamy and the story entertaining. I liked it.

I LOVED this book. It was the perfect steamy escape with the right amount of mystery. I don't often read murder or suspense but this had me on edge to find out how the mystery ended. The relationship between the wives felt real. They were brought together from unfortunate circumstances that they made the best of.

Celeste and Owen were adorable together. Both finally figuring out what they needed from life. The space Owen gave Celeste to figure things out for herself was wonderful.

I really enjoyed this story. Celeste is recently widowed, only to find she was duped by a bigamist with two other wives. Cue scandal! Owen is sent to investigate the death and their chemistry was a fantastic distraction for her.

I enjoyed the banter in this one and the fact the brides weren’t rivals, but in fact became friends. Definitely recommend.

This book sets up an interesting situation - a man married three separate women to gain access to their dowries, without them knowing about the others (and was attempting to court a fourth when he was murdered. His "wives" are discovered as part of an overall investigation and all of them could be a possible suspect in the murder.

Overall - it has the typical Jess Michaels flair for unusual situations and beautiful connections between the characters. Celeste was forced into marriage with a man she didn't love - for parental motivations that aren't 100% clear. I guess social climbing? He was the second son of an earl - but was only interested in Celeste's dowry. He subsequently all but abandoned her in a very run down house in the small village where she lived.

There were a couple of other things I found questionable - and maybe I shouldn't have - but they did throw me off. For one, I was surprised that Owen lived in a pretty sweet house with both a housekeeper, butler, and other staff. He must be one heck of an investigator! He definitely comes from an impoverished gentry situation - but still - I was impressed with how well he was doing. I also did not like the way the final drama in the book kicked off - not that I didn't expect drama between the main couple - but it there was kind of a TSTL sort of moment that just didn't work for me. <spoiler> Celeste gets really really angry at Owen for not sharing information with her and jumps with both feet into finding things out for herself without working with Owen. I get where she was coming from - but it actually didn't feel like it made sense with her character and was just dumb. I think if she had taken a moment - before losing her shit - she might have remembered he DID tell her there was another part of the investigation he wasn't ready to share with her yet and that he might have had good reason not share it. Not to mention she doesn't get nearly as upset with Abigail who ALSO didn't share this same information. Ultimately - I just felt it could have been handled a different way and been more satisfying and less manufactured. </spoiler>

I really liked it and look forward to seeing how things play out with the rest of the characters involved.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.