The Bachelor and the Bride is already the 4th amazing book in this series by Sarah M. Eden. (Which kinda means it was a very much anticipated and auto-request read)

As all books in this series we actually get 3 books in one (2 dread penny novels extra mixed in which in this slight way reflect = are inspired by the "real life")

Barnabus (Baz) is a Bachelor (or so everyone thinks...), who like every Dreadful fights his own battles and struggles. His speciality is safing women and children.

Gemma is a real gem indeed and for me was kinda the safing grace for this book because if not for her extremely hopeful and cheerful nature it would have felt a bit too dark...

Again, this book has a very open ending leaving lot's to the following books...

Generally this book was slightly darker and sadder again than the prequels and discouraging (I'm just one for very happy books).

Main Characters: Clear Backgroundstory, Locigal Actions
Side Charactes: Funny, Adorable, Clear Backgroundstory, Reoccuring (constant character) (though you could have let Fletcher and Elisabeth marry by now come on everyone else could...)
Writing Style: Very good
Content: Clean, just kissing
Violence: Medium, non graphic descriptions but lots of mentions of Resurrections and quite specific in that trade...
Would recommend: Yes, absolutely but read the prequels first.


By the way I'm freaggging excited for Moirjin and X's (you know who if you read this book) story

And also soo excited to finally hear something about Stone's lovelife...


***Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely Book I will have to start with the first book in this series.. and the adventure the couple took on it was a exciting book for sure

Review posted via Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4643155248
A bit confusing.
London in the 1800s, Dr.Barnabus has his schedule full between being a doctor and being a part of a secret society. Dr.Barnabus works with The Dread Penny Society, to save women in desperate need from the streets. Three years before this story takes place, The Doctor married a young woman, Gemma, to rescue her from her family. Gemma quickly comes to realize that her affections for the Doctor are not returned and flees. At the present time in the novel, Barnabus calls Gemma home when he needs her help to create the appearance of a happy couple. Upon her return, Gemma is once again heartbroken when she learns of Barnabus's true intentions, nevertheless, she agrees to help. As the two work together they learn they could be a perfect fit for each other.
Personally, this was not my favorite book. I liked the characters and plot but it was very confusing. I never really understood what the Dread Penny Society really did. Barnabus is also called Baz, it was puzzling and did not make sense. This was not a good fit for me but I would give the author another try for sure.

Okay, so this was just so good! And I need the next book right now! The Bachelor and the Bride is the fourth book in Sarah M Eden’s Penny Dreadfuls Series! I was super excited for this book and it did not disappoint. This was such a fun book especially because it had a marriage of convenience! I love these kinds of stories, and the romance was so sweet.
Dr. Barnabas Milligan was the bachelor of the group, content to be by himself but little was it known to his friends that he had a wife. It was so interesting to read about him. He had so many layers hidden behind his walls and facade. I loved him from the beginning. He cared greatly for those who were hurting. He wanted to help create a better world especially for the women who were forced into jobs. However, he was also scared of losing those he loved so he closed himself off. Baz will have to learn how to let Gemma in and allow her to bring light into his life.
Gemma Kincaid married Baz to save herself from her family. But she lost her heart along the way. Gemma was used to the shadows, to be ignored, but she couldn’t handle that from Baz. Oh, I loved Gemma. She was so full of life and joy. She had not had an easy life but she strived to look to the light. It was lovely to read about her and get to know her. She had to learn to open her heart back to Baz. Gemma had to learn to trust that Baz was different from those who had left her and led her astray.
Gemma and Baz were a fun couple. I just really enjoyed reading about them falling in love and connecting again. I liked their easy banter and how they made each other better. I also liked how the romance didn’t feel rushed but fit with the story.
The plot was also very engaging, and there were a lot of surprises and twists. I didn’t know what was going to happen and it was very exciting to read. It was a bit hard when the penny dreadfuls interrupted the main story, but it was not that bad. I also liked seeing the other characters and I am excited to see whose story Eden is going to write next. I have some theories but I really don’t know. :)
I would totally recommend The Bachelor and the Bride! It was a wonderful book! It is a clean historical romance. However, there is some violence and mentions of brothels because of the time period and where the characters are in London. The Bachelor and the Bride is part of a series, and it is best read in order.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

This was definitely a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ and I’m pretty bummed. I didn’t realize how heavy the mystery would play into the plot, or that I probably should have read the previous books. I had to DNF.

Yet again Sarah Eden did not miss the mark with The Bachelor and the Bride. You will go wrong with one of her tales!

I loved this book!!!! Another great addition in this fun world of Penny Dreadful authors and those who love them. Great surprises and reveals. The characters are so real and easy to cheer for. I love this series.

"The Bachelor and the Bride" was a good addition to the Dread Penny Society series.

I'm a big fan of Sarah M. Eden's, but I much prefer her Regency series to her Victorian one. The Dread Penny Society is still very well written, but I'm less attached to the characters and less interested in the working class people of London in the 1860s. I also generally don't like mysteries, and have to admit I was sometimes a bit lost in what was going on in this series with The Mastiff and his clan as I didn't remember the previous books in the series well. One needs to read them all to understand what's going on.

In "The Bachelor and the Bride", we follow Barnabus 'Baz" Milligan and his secret wife, Gemma, that he married to save her from her family (although I'm not sure how he did that - how did marrying her saved her? Why couldn't she just escape from her family?). Their relationship was sweet, but it wasn't the main focus of the story, contrary to what the cover might make us believe. It was nice to see them amongst the CALL society and Baz's friends.

I didn't really enjoy the penny dreadful novels included in the previous books in the series, but for this one, I have to say that I liked them more. I especially enjoyed the medical mystery - it fitted well with Doc's personality to have written it, and I was looking forward to the resolution of that penny dreadful. Unfortunately, that mystery wasn't solved...

As for the bigger mystery in the series, it's not getting close to getting solved. The whole whole fraud/child labour/forced prostitution/arson/blackmail/forgeries/extortion stuff is still going on in London because of the Mastiff, although we hear less about it than in "The Merchant and the Rogue". Here, we learn about the "restrictionist" trade (i.e. those taking bodies out of cemeteries to sell them), which was very interesting - and creepy. It gets a lot creepier towards the end of the book - for sensible souls, I wouldn't advise reading the last two chapters right before going to sleep!...

The cover of the book is gorgeous but definitely not in the tones that the novel inspires - I'd rather see it in dark grey tones!

I'm kinda curious what's going to happen in the next instalments but I hope the mystery will soon be solved.

I really liked the main story between Barnabus/Baz and Gemma.

Until now, everyone has thought that Dr. Milligan is a bachelor, but he's actually been married to Gemma Kincaid. They married in secret on account of her being related to the Kincaid family who are resurrectionists.

As Baz and Gemma work together with the rest of the DPS members to get themselves and others to safety, their relationship progresses from their 3-year estrangement to friendship and eventually more.

The last chapter was a revelation and I'm looking forward to what that means in the next book.

I still think the little DPS stories would be better served as bonus content instead of in the middle of the main story. I skipped them, since I find them to be very distracting interruptions.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

I always look forward to another mysterious Victorian tale by Sarah Eden! The Bachelor and The Bride was an interesting twist to this series. The danger seems to lurk around every corner and the criminal mastermind the Dread Penny’s have been chasing is becoming more bold and crafty which makes for an unpredictable story. The romance in this story was a bit unusual and I have to say that I wanted a bit more. Our hero and heroine share a past and the love story was more of a coming to awareness of love, rather than a falling in love. That said the relationship was tender and sweet and worth the slower paced steps it took to come to fruition. The end was intense and shocking! No really, you really cannot predict the end! Some major things were revealed and a nail biting plan was enacted! No spoilers! The next book is going to be epic I’m sure! This series is so fun and unique and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I don't know where to begin. This book was everything I hoped for and also everything I didn't know I needed in this series. It is a perfect fit, with wonderful twists and turns, leaving the reader on the edge of the seat. I didn't want to put it down, however, I also did not want it to end. I would have to force myself to put the book down so that I didn't finish it too quickly and so that I could absorb all its goodness.

Barnabus Milligan is the DPS's resident doctor and bachelor, at least that's what everyone else thinks. It is not until the Mastiff's current works that requires him to tell the others that he actually is married and that his wife doesn't live with him. Gemma Kincaid married Barnabus three years ago to escape her family. She knew their marriage was not out of love, but hoped that something resembling it would eventually happen. After months of trying, she left, waiting for the day when he calls her back. When that day comes, Gemma is excited for what that means until she discovers what her despicable family has been up to. Gemma feels trapped, desperate to escape them again and keep Barnabus and her friends safe. Barnabus is desperate for Gemma to stay with him, and to understand his own feelings.

I cannot wait for more in this series! It feels like this and the previous books have been fantastic, but the best it yet to come!

Oh. My. Word. I will read anything Sarah Eden writes. I wasn't sure about Baz and Gemma at first, I thought they would be fools who took forever hemming and hawing about their relationship, but Eden is better than that, and has proved it yet again. This was so exciting!! So much came together in this fourth installment of the Dread Penny Society. And that ending!! One bombshell followed by another. Chills, I got chills. My jaw is still on the ground needing to be picked up. Can I have book 5 immediately please?! The only thing is, in my opinion, a reader really needs to start the series from the beginning, but it's hardly a chore. Okay, I'll stop signing praises over this book now. I received an ARC copy from the publisher via netgalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden
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I. Am. Speechless. Literally no words. Let me try and formulate something after finishing this book.
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I read the first book in this series and didn’t think it could get any better. With each book that came out I was proved wrong. This is already such a unique idea and somehow Sarah M Eden just keeps topping her previous book. I love the mystery that she weaves through the books and draws me back with the need to know more. This book was so good! My jaw was literally on the floor by the end, and I need to know what comes next. All I have to say about this series is that it just goes to show how brilliant of a story weaver Sarah M. Eden is!
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My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Clean romance, ends on a cliffhanger

It is 1866 and Barnabus, a doctor, writer of penny dreadfuls and member of a secret society aptly name the Penny Dreadful Society is trying to help the poor and exploited of London. Gemma, Barnabus’s secret wife-in-name-only is from a family of grave robbers, the Kincaids, and has been in hiding for the past three years. Barnabus, Gemma and all of London are being terrorized by the sinister criminal overlord, the Mastiff and his cronies, the Kincaids and the Kincaids want Gemma back.

Barnabus is closed down emotionally because of his painful past. It makes sense that he doesn’t recognize his love for Gemma. But it is beautiful to watch him come to that realization.

Gemma is such an appealing character: a strong and clever woman. In fact she is described as “sharp as shards and brave as arrows.” She is deeply in love with Barnabus and is willing to sacrifice herself for him. The Mastiff and the grave robbing Kincaids are out there and they are sinister. She’ll need that bravery and intelligence.

For those who’ve been reading the series it is a delight to finally learn the identity of both the head of the secret society and of the Mastiff. There are other mysteries being revealed as well. This is a satisfying and gripping novel and addition to the series.

It is a tale of suspense and love. You can feel the sense of foreboding, the race against time, throughout the novel. It just doesn’t seem like there can be a positive resolution. And as a entertaining added bonus there are stories within the story-written as if they were penny dreadfuls. This clever plot device mirrors and expands on the main story and is just plain fun and an interesting read.

The library has the rest of the series and they are quite popular. I look forward to recommending this recent entry.

This has been a good series. I have enjoyed it. I like Eden's writing. This one ended with an ending that was a little hard for me to swallow. I just couldn't believe it and that took away some of the enjoyment for me with this one. SPOILERS( The whole book they talk about how these men unbury the dead and in the end the whole point is for them to get away with faking there death. Wouldn't they have banked on the fact that these guys would dig them up? I keep expecting to see the police come out and finally get the grave robbers..... but what you get instead makes no sense to me....If the bad guys have known all along what is the point..) ENDED.
This one just left me scratching my head. I still am not a fan of the 2 other smaller books in the middle of the book either. I ended up skipping over them and then going back and only reading one. They just don't hold my interest. I love Eden's characters and all the feelings she puts into her stories.
So fun romance between these two but the mystery and all it's parts are getting unbelievable and too complex.

Oh my goodness gracious! If you haven't had the chance to read any of the Dread Penny Society books, I suggest you start now because this one tops them all. There are so many spoilers and reveals that I can't share because it would ruin it for you but man this one is soo good. Sarah Eden has me sitting on the edge of my seat wanting to read faster but at the same time wanting it go by slow so I can savor it better. Dr. Barnabus Milligan is such a good-hearted guy- I mean all of the Dread Penny Society men are and Gemma is such a plucky, happy girl that you want them to figure things out to find their happily ever after. But there is soo much in their way- danger both of the heart and a physical nature. I can't say anymore otherwise I worry I will spoil it. I recommend making sure you have the time to read it all because I guarantee you won't want to set it down!

What a phenomenal book!
This book is absolutely fantastic! Three years ago, Barnabus married Gemma to get her away from her father and the family business of resurrectionists (grave robbers). But just months into the marriage Gemma left when Barnabus told her he didn’t love her and didn’t see that changing. Now he has reached out to her and asked her to return. She assumes he has changed his mind, something she had been hoping for. Instead, the request is for her help in the efforts of the Dread Penny Society who are working against the Mastiff’s gang who have recruited the resurrectionists to help in their activities. With Barnabus and Gemma both struggling with horrible pasts and the present threats can anything change? Woven within this story are two other Penny Dreadfuls (short stories) and I found myself reading one of them, thoroughly engaged to the point I would forget they weren’t the main story. So much fun. Although this book is part of a series it could be read as a standalone although I’m sure you’ll be wanting to read the other books as well. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden is a great historical fiction that has it all: romance, mystery, suspense, and is the fourth book in the enjoyable The Dread Penny Society series.

I have now read all four books in this series, and I am still really enjoying them. Each one continues with an overarching theme, while spotlighting one of the members of the secret society.

This book continues at the same time/location of London during the year of 1866. The Mastiff and his underground crime network continue to escape justice and create mayhem at every turn. This book focusses on the characters of Dr. Barnabus Milligan and Gemma Kincaid and their complicated relationship. We get to see more of the backstory and also the conflicting and unbalanced emotions that are surrounding them. Brought together again to help right some of the wrongs that have come up, they both work together…and also maybe get a chance to work on their own feelings and their relationship as well.

The Penny Dreadful snippets that are sprinkled throughout add a bit of complexity to the overall novel, and I continue to enjoy those and the unique quality that they add to this series.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I love Ms. Eden…such talent.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.