This book was so good, I literally could not put it down. Lydia and Gabriel were best friends growing up and before Gabriel left to work as a diplomat he made Lydia a promise to wait for him. Flash forward 10 years and while Lydia did wait for him Gabriel's 10 years serving abroad as a spy has changed him to the point that he no longer feels like he can marry Lydia.. Because of Gabriel's spy work and unfinished business from his last assignment before returning home Lydia's life is threatened. What follows is a great marriage of convenience story between childhood friends. Because of Gabriel's time working as a spy you really do believe why there is something keeping these childhood friends apart from each other. Even once they are married I wasn't 100% sure that things would end up happily for the couple because of the real problems holding the characters back. My one complaint would be that I felt like the story wrapped up too quickly. I personally would have liked to see Gabriel grovel a bit more to Lydia. It felt like the threat was resolved a little quick and then the lack of groveling kept this book from being 4 stars. I rate this book 3.5 stars.

A Bride by Morning is the third book in the Private Arrangements Series, and my first read from author Katrina Kendrick. The story begins in 1863 London and then jumps ahead 10 years following the lives of the two main characters, Lydia and Gabriel. Childhood friends who have an eye to marriage, Gabriel asks Lydia to promise to wait for him as he goes off for his first year with the Foreign Office as a diplomat. Lydia dutifully writes and waits for Gabriel who eventually stops replying to her letters, then returns to London seven years later after the death of his father and his older brother to become the Earl Montgomery, only to ignore and rebuff Lydia for the next three. She is now 27 years old and a spinster having waited for Gabriel for so long. The story picks up in earnest as they are forced together through certain circumstances. Gabriel, we learn, was a spy/assassin. He is clearly suffering from PTSD (never called that, of course, given the time period). As Lydia seeks to thaw Gabriel, who is much changed from when she knew him, Gabriel seeks to keep his defensive walls in place. Without spoiling the story, what follows is a marriage of convenience for these two while Gabriel tries to shield Lydia from a Russian Syndicate’s threat. The story follows their relationship as well as the intrigue surrounding the thriller subplot.

While I don’t generally enjoy stories with this kind of intrigue, I did appreciate the originality of using the historical details of the English-Russian conflicts of the time period. It was a fresh setting that made the story more interesting. I didn’t find the subplot terribly complex, but it did add some tension to the main love story. I found Lydia the most interesting character as she tries to navigate her hurt feelings at Gabriel’s rejection and her own dashed hopes, but she isn’t very fully developed. Aside from pining for Gabriel and being a companion to her aunt, she doesn’t get many details to develop her character. Gabriel’s character was even more flat. There was a repeated reference to the “ice running through his veins” that didn’t really go anywhere except of course to the obvious “thawing” required for an HEA. We didn’t learn much about how he coped beyond seeking out violence, nor did his betrayal of Lydia get much attention. I felt that the relationship didn’t develop as fully as I would’ve liked and there was a lot of repetition about how both MCs were feeling which remained fairly static. In addition, Gabriel is said to have certain sexual predilections that he must hide from Lydia, but again, I didn’t find the details very convincing; he was mostly vanilla from start to finish in his dealings with Lydia despite his own opinion that he was a “beast”. This is an open-door romance, and the scenes had some steam, but the chemistry just wasn’t there.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to those who’ve enjoyed the series. The book, however, can be read as a standalone. This book didn’t work completely for me, but it might work for other readers (I prefer more complexity, development, and nuance). If you enjoy a bit of intrigue with your romance, a second chance/enemies-to-lovers story, a straight-forward plot, and clear writing, this may be a good book for you.

I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

"A Bride by Morning" by Katrina Kendrick is a captivating historical romance that transported me to a bygone era of elegance, passion, and the allure of forbidden love. This novel is a delightful blend of romance, intrigue, and the complexities of societal expectations.

Kendrick's writing style captures the essence of the time period, immersing readers in a world of grand estates, secret desires, and the challenges of love that defies conventions. The characters in the novel are beautifully developed, each with their own motivations and struggles that contribute to the depth of the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a passionate exploration of love that blossoms in the most unexpected of circumstances. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward finding love is both heartfelt and engaging.

"A Bride by Morning" successfully balances the romantic tension with the emotional depth of the characters' personal growth. The exploration of themes like love, sacrifice, and the power of following one's heart adds richness to the story.

In conclusion, "A Bride by Morning" is a captivating and beautifully written historical romance that captures the essence of love and longing in a bygone era. If you're seeking a novel that combines elegance, passion, and a love story that will leave a lasting impression, this book is a must-read that will transport you to a world of love and adventure.

Regency romance is (almost) always an entertaining read. This one is no exception, but the story was a bit darker than ones I usually read. Ideal for (historical) romance lovers who enjoy their books slow burn, spicy, and full of angst.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great read you could tell that that the author truly just that the characters in the book speak to her and let them do what they felt was right for them. This fact just lets the story flow easily, as my first historical read I would recommend this for any first timer to the genre.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was a new author to me, and the book sounded interesting. This is a historical romantic fiction. Childhood friends with the promise of more. Heroine who waits for the hero (making her a spinster at the ripe old age of 27!) while he secretly becomes a spy/assassin and decides to push her away for her own good because now he doesn't feel worthy of her love.

Gabriel does eventually marry Lydia to keep her safe (after she sees him in "spy mode.') He repeatedly tells her it is not a "real" marriage. There was a lot of push and pull, a lot of lust and total angst over denying their feelings. Add into the mix bad guys trying to kill them all during their "honeymoon."

Honestly, I wish there was more backstory into the relationship of Lydia and Gabriel with proof that the couple truly had a connection/loved each other not just a passing comment. I know Gabriel is a broken man with a lot of demons, but he made the relationship quite toxic. There were some sweet moments, and a little more steam (actually a lot more, plus language) than I was comfortable with.

If the couple would only verbalize all their angsty inner dialogue with each other, they could have quickened the pace to the happily ever after.

3 stars

In this friends to lovers to enemies(?) To lovers Lydia Cecil and Gabriel St Clair grew up together after both of Lydia's parents die and she goes to live with an aunt. They have an agreement, but Gabriel joins the diplomatic service and *must* go - but not before having Lydia promise to wait for him. What follows is a story of intrigue, assassinations, and a Russian plot as the back drop of their love story.

While that kept the plot moving forward, I wish there was more effort on the part of Gabriel to win her back. It seemed as though she browbeat him into accepting her love and I did not get as satisfying of a grovel scene as I would have liked.

Overall, I enjoyed the book; it was a quick fun read. I have not read any of the author's previous books, but it was not necessary to read this one.

I was able to read this book through Netgalley in exchange for my review.

I was keen to try out a new author, but unfortunately, this one did not impress. There was a lot of repetition about the MMC being a "broken man" to the point that it sounded like a broken record. There were a lot of inconsistencies in the two main leads. He completely abandoned her for seven years because of his traumatic experiences whilst doing his bit for his country abroad. He claimed to only have wanted her all these years yet kept away because he was a tainted man. But what about the mindless random sex with others? She on the other hand was determined not to show him any weakness one moment before turning into a puddle in his presence the next.

A Bride by Morning is a Late Victorian era second chance romance. Persuasion is my all time fave, so I love this trope. It also helped that one of the side characters was named Wentworth :)

The FMC Lydia was very likable, she was practical and reserved without being meek or timid. The characters are a little older; Lydia was 27 and had been resigned to a life of spinsterhood, and MMC Gabriel had just returned to the country after several years away. The pacing in the story moved quickly. Without giving away spoilers, there are several suspenseful moments related to why he left the country and hadn't married Lydia when they were younger. It wrapped up really quickly, almost surprisingly quickly, at the end.

I picked this up without realizing it was #3 in a series- I was able to jump right in, but now I really want to go back and read the book about Nick Thorne after the name/reputation was mentioned in A Bride by Morning. I'm also hoping the author will write the story of Montgomery's clever cousin Caroline, there were hints about about her marriage starting as a love match but changing.

Lydia and Gabriel grew up together, and when he left England for the diplomatic service, he asked her to wait. Unfortunately, life is cruel, and when he eventually returns, he is changed beyond recognition and refuses to acknowledge the woman who kept her promise. Gabriel and Lydia's life experiences have changed them. His work has damaged his mental health, and his abandonment of Lydia in a Victorian society that prized a good reputation above everything forced her into life as a companion to her aunt at the fringes of society. Lydia's discovery gives their love a chance, but the risks to both are high in a world of deceit, espionage and secrets. The characterisation is detailed, the romance and passion well-written, and the darker aspects of life give the story conflict, danger and poignancy. I like this immersive, intriguing tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Gabriel St. Clair, the Earl of Montgomery, has known Miss Lydia Cecil since their childhood. Yet when he left her to begin his career as a diplomat, he asked her to wait. And for ten years, Lydia did as he asked until he returned and refused to see her again. However, Gabriel would rather Lydia hate him than learn that he's spent the last ten years as a British spy but as his enemies return to London, he must do all he can to save her life. Together as husband and wife, they must learn to trust each other again, if they are to have any future together.
This is an author that has now made it to my favourite list. I thoroughly enjoyed the intensity between the couple as they navigate life as a married couple whilst facing the threat of death. Lydia is a calming force for Gabriel who struggles with the person he has become. Whilst I found his struggles well detailed and explained, I did feel that his internal dialogue was repeated a bit too often. However, I could appreciate that this was a man traumatised by his experiences, hence why Lydia was such a great balance to his emotions.
Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating : 4.5 stars

It was my first book in historical romance genre and I loved it.

- Lydia was my favorite character throughout the book. She is strong and fierce in a moment and sweet in another, which I liked the most. Gabriel seemed okay. But the side characters seemed off.
- Their chemistry was the thing that hooked me from the first, since I love emotional ones.
- The combination of romance and thriller is one of my favorite.
- Story was fast paced and of perfect length. No unnecessary stuff.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a free e-copy of the book.

I'm finally sitting down the day I finished a book to type up my review. But I'm still breaking one of my rules about reviewing my oldest books first. Oh well.

Other than ol' dude leaning in a bit too forcefully on the cover, I wouldn't have had any inclination that this book intended to get steamy. And while I'm not a prude, I also have a fairly low tolerance for physical scenes. At least my preference lies towards clean romance than descriptive. A Bride by Morning had some weird terminology for certain parts of the body that sometimes happens in romance books. Overall these scenes left me curling my nose up more than anything else.

As a matter of fact, I felt like the language used throughout this book was extreme. The word shattered was used 15 times. I mean maybe 15 isn't much, but I feel like that's one of those words that should be used sparingly so that it has an impact when it is. And that's just an example. All of the descriptors throughout this book were complete extremes, mostly related to emotional experiences. I guess to increase the drama that the reader might feel, but ultimately, it left me feeling like it was unrealistic, overly dramatized, and poorly executed.

I did feel bad for Lydia. She was in love, and Gabriel asked her to wait for him. And she did, but then he stopped responding to her letters. And when he did return, he didn't acknowledge her as more than a passing acquaintance and certainly didn't seek to fulfill his intentions to marry her. Ten years went by. That's a long time to be pining for someone. I felt like everything was explained in a way to make Gabriel's reasons make sense. When it comes down to it, something about the story just felt off, and the word I keep thinking the most is "over-dramatized."

I didn't highlight any quotes to share with you.

I will say that this was a fast and easy read, which is a point in favor. But yeah, this book just wasn't for me. Originally, I thought I might give this 3 Stars, but after really typing up my review, I'm landing on 2.5 Stars for A Bride by Morning? Have you read this book? What did you think? Let me know!

“It was a simple fact of her life: the sun rose, the stars shifted, and she loved Gabriel St Clair.”

🌟: 4.5/5

This book was absolutely everything I wanted it to be! It was fast-paced, and the love story had me hooked immediately, and I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

When Gabriel and Lydia were young, he asked her to wait for him while he left on a diplomatic assignment, because when he returned he intended to court her. After a while, he stopped returning her letters, and ten years later, the two are virtually strangers. Lydia, now deemed a spinster, has settled into a life of watching from the sidelines with her aunt, but when she witnesses Gabriel sneaking around gathering information during a party, she’s thrown into a deadly game of espionage and intrigue. One thing is clear, however; Gabriel’s past is a lot more complicated than she thought.

This book had everything I love, especially in a historical romance. There was childhood friends (to strangers) to lovers, a second chance love story, a tortured hero and a strong-willed woman who can match his wits at every turn, heck even marriage of convenience! I was so invested in Gabriel and Lydia from the start. There was so much angst and pining from both sides, which combined with the danger looming from Gabriel’s past, made for an action-packed and suspenseful read.

Lydia was absolutely a stand-out character to me. She’s deemed a wallflower and an ice queen by society, but she was SO fierce. I loved watching her protect herself and as the truth of Gabriel’s abandonment comes to light, I loved how steadfast she was as an anchor for him to help process his trauma.

Overall this book was wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of historical romance.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

This is my first Katrina Kendrick historical romance, and I know that Lydia and Gabriel show up in the first book (I think) of this series, but I just had to start with this one because 1) i got an ARC and 2) I desperately wanted to read one of her HRs. Elizabeth May is one of my favourite authors and when I heard she was releasing her Katrina Kendrick books with new covers, I was so excited because I forgot to buy the old cover versions (which I believe were with a different publisher?).

I also find that I don't read a lot of Historical Romance in general, but I LOVED this. I'm very excited to read His Scandalous Lessons and Tempting the Scoundrel because I loved this one so much.

If you are looking for a Historical Romance that is like a mix of slow burn plus characters that make you scream into a pillow, look no further than A Bride By Morning!!

I am normally a huge fan of regency romance novels however this one I wasn’t a huge fan of. It was an okay read but I felt at times there wasn’t a a lot of chemistry between Gabriel and Lydia in the build up of certain parts of the book and the overall spy theme didn’t really excite me when reading.

I may give the rest of the books in the series a go to see whether I’m put off by the writing style or it’s just that one book.

Gabriel and Lydia were childhood friends. When Gabriel leaves to join the diplomatic service he asks Lydia to wait for him and she does. Except, he never comes back to take her as his wife. Lydia's heart is shattered and having been cold to all potential suitors she is now effectively a spinster. Gabriel would much rather Lydia hate him than learn the truth, that he has actually spent the past 10 years as a spy for the British government. With his enemies closing in he can't risk anyone getting close to him. Unfortunately for him, Lydia witnesses him gathering intelligence and ends up right in the middle of this dangerous game. In order to keep her safe Gabriel has to marry her. He tries to keep her at arm's length but their past seems to creep up on the both of them. As the newlyweds match wits it becomes increasingly obvious that their feelings have not gone away over the years.

REVIEW- A BRIDE BY MORNING BY KATRINA KENDRICK
A very cute and chemistry filled Romance. I loved this book, the storyline, and the amazing characters. I liked that there was no miscommunication, and it was not slow paced. I understood Gabriel's trauma and how he dealt with it, I just wished he had been easier with Lydia. I wanted more of Lydia, though.
Nevertheless, this book was worth it, and I can't wait to read another book by the author

I loved this. It was interesting, intriguing, and such an inspiring read. I can't wait to read what the author comes out with next.

This is a delicious friends-to-enemies-to-lovers historical romance with the sprinkle of darkness I need to really find it compelling. Lydia and Gabriel were childhood best friends and would-be sweethearts. When Gabriel has to leave for the Continent, he makes her promise to wait for him… but then he stops replying to her letters, and when he returns he lets her know she isn’t welcome in his home anymore. Having waited years for him, she must now watch him flirt all the other young ladies.

Historical romance can be a bit hit or miss for me, so I was delighted to discover one of the things that will make it a hit is an international crime ring, a spying subplot and two dead bodies by the 30% mark (with more to follow). I really enjoyed the dynamic between Lydia and Gabriel. They’ve got history, but that also means they know a version of each other than doesn’t exist anymore—their experiences have changed them. Because of this there’s plenty of friction, but also a lot of reasons to fight to make it work.

The spicy scenes, of which there were plenty, weren’t to my personal taste (it fell into the spot where I got fed up of reading synonyms for various body parts) however I think they’d work for people who like a good middle ground of explicit smut without any kink.