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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Thank you for the ARC via NetGalley

First of all this was different than what I was expecting but was still a good read. When I requested this book I had no idea it was part of a series. I will need to go back and read the other books in the series to catch up on what I missed. That being said you can 100% read this as a stand alone novel, I had no problem understanding what was happening because the author recapped things thoroughly.

This was a great mix of mystery along with Baz and Gemma's story. I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

I normally like my romance novels with a little more steam. This is a very chaste romance with brief kisses and embraces but I still enjoyed the story as a whole and would recommend to anyone looking for a good mystery with a sweet love story mixed in.

This was a great story! What twists and turns this group of writers and do-gooders lives take! This book is focused around the Doc and his unknown wife prior to this book. Gemma is from a family of resurrectionists and left the family business. Things with the Mastiff have elevated and now they need to find a way to stop the evil.
This was so hard to put down. And the ending, Oh So Good!! I can't wait for the next one!

I recieved an arc of this book from Netgalley. It was incredible. So many twists and turns with just the right amount leading up to it so that you are intrigued but you dont actually know. I can't wait for more.

I totally loved this book. I loved the growing relationship between Barnabus and Gemma. Everything was woven together very nicely. Highly recommend reading this.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the ARC and for bringing great stories like this one.

I received this book from NetGalley. Sarah M. Eden does it again with the Bachelor and the Bride. The Dread Penny Society is getting closer to finding the Mastiff, and the danger has also gotten closer. This book follows Dr. Milligan and his previously unknown wife as they fight against the Mastiff, help the less fortunate, and fall in love. I loved this book. The plot was fast paced, and filled with mystery and romance. And as always I loved the Penny Stories that are told throughout the books.

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.

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.

I have read all of Sarah M. Eden's Penny Dreadful series, and I think this one is my favorite yet!! There was surprise after surprise in this book, and I could not put it down!

I've noticed some other reviews mention that this book was confusing for them- I did not feel that way at all. I've read all the books prior to this in the series, and I highly recommend you start with those. This book builds upon people and events from those books and is not meant to be read as a standalone.

Barnabus and Gemma are so likeable, but are not without flaws. Their flaws stem from broken childhoods, and Sarah M. Eden did such a wonderful job illustrating how trauma from childhood can have a lasting impact on people. Watching the pair navigate a loving relationship that has never been modeled for them had me cheering them on from start to finish. The love story was sweet, hard fought, and so satisfying.

The best part of this book for me was the last page though. We finally find out a key bit of information, and I was so happy with it.

Highly recommend this series and book to readers who love sweet romances, fun mysteries, or period pieces. It checked so many boxes for me! Loved, loved, loved!

the cover of this book immediately caught my attention, then after reading the premise i was even more intrigued! i mean, marriage of convenience? unrequited love? forced proximity? pining? it had the ingredients for an ideal romance. and it succeeded... in the romance department. but this, despite being promoted as a romance book, is heavily plot-driven.

i started this book a) not knowing it was part of a series, b) having never read any of the other books in this series. so it didn’t take me long to realise the plot of this book has clearly been running throughout the previous four books. so i was kinda lost at times, ngl. but i did manage to wade through my disorientation and enjoy the plot on a basic level, but i wasn’t invested since i had never read the previous books so had no knowledge of the history leading up to this book.

the relationship between Gemma and Barnabas, however, i was throughly invested in!

Gemma was delightfully charming. she had an endearing air of mischief about her which instantly drew me in and i fell for her right away. she was incredibly easy to root for. while Baz was difficult to get a handle on at first but i grew to be quite fond of him, with his flustered nature combating his confident intelligence.

then Baz’s feelings for Gemma felt really authentic— it was soft and gradual, blossoming from a really tender affection he’s always had for her. the passing touches, the brief embraces, their hands clasped and the way they’d look at one another had my heart in a chokehold, ngl. it was wonderful.

as a romance, this was four stars. but like i said, this was so plot heavy it was would distract from the romance.

while the writing style felt so authentic, as in, if someone told me this was published in the 19th century, id very much believe them. but it wasn’t suffocating or stifling like some Victorian classics can be. if anything, it was vey Conan-Doyle-esque. i just adored it, honestly. the research and attention to detail was impeccable, it was so vivid i could picture the places thoroughly in my mind (some places still thriving today in London) and i loved it so much! so the writing style and romance is what worked for me.

i found the Mr King and Baz’s story excerpts a bit distracting and they definitely took me out of the romance between the MCs. but i eventually became somewhat invested in the tale Mr. King wrote— i liked Duncan and Sorcha, and i assume it was the parallel Gemma and Baz. i liked the story on a surface level but nothing much beyond a casual enjoyment.

while Barnabas’ Dread Penny writings i will admit i would briefly skim bcos they held no interest to me. i was desperately wanting get back to Gemma and Barnabas bcos i was so intrigued by them and their dynamic. i appreciated the attention to detail... but i just wasn’t a fan. i think it was too much on top of Duncan and Sorcha’s story. i think one or the other alongside Gemma and Barnabas’ story was enough. but not both.

and at times, there was a lot of info-dumping i found to be overwhelming. i think this could have been rectified with flashbacks or just more insight into Gemma and Baz from three years ago when they first married. especially bcos at times i didn’t know why they wanted to be together? relied too much on assumptions and telling rather than showing the depth and background.

i just think the book just wasn’t too sure about what it wanted to be? it was doing far too much at once that i struggled to truly stay invested. i am very intrigued by this author though and would love to check out more of her work!!

thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great installment in this series. Kept me on my toes and loved getting to know Barnabus bettee. Would highly recommend

Oh. My. GOODNESS!!! This is hands down my favorite DPS book yet, I loved the romance, the suspense, and just everything! Sarah M. Eden does it again, I don’t know how she does it but she keeps getting better and better!

The Bachelor and the Bride

I’ll admit I’ve read a lot of Sarah Eden books, but not any of the Penny Dreadfuls, until now. This was my first and since it’s the 4th in the series I was a little lost for a bit, thinking “what have I got myself into?” However as I continued on I became more interested in the story and what was going on. Sarah has a talent for making anything interesting, though I would recommend reading them in order as they do build upon each other.

That said, there was a sweet love story between the two main characters. They both grew up with very difficult childhood situations, so were a little stunted in their expressions of love and affection. The author did a great job of building their relationship, making you want to cheer them on.

The main story however, revolves around the Dread Penny Society and the Charitable Authors League of London and their efforts to help the poor and downtrodden escape their desperate situations, many of which were caused by “The Mastiff” a big crime boss. In this story he was aided by resurrectionists or gravediggers. So there are some gritty scenes and situations, though tastefully handled.

This book also has a big reveal as they find out who “The Mastiff” really is and also the mystery of who the head of The DPS is discovered.

There were lots of twists and turns, mysteries, tense escape scenes, etc. if this is your jam you’ll be on the edge of your seat turning pages to see what happens.

Sarah Eden does it again! The Penny Dreadfuls that feature throughout add a brilliant touch of uniqueness and mystery to these novels.

You might want to throttle Dr Milligan at times, and hug him at others. His soft heart allows him to feel for others and do anything in his power to save him. But it doesn't communicate well with his brain, which is adamant that he cannot love anyone romantically.

With unexpected twists and turns, this one will have you hooked. And with the big reveal you might end up wondering if you missed clues in the previous Penny Dreadful books, so be ready to reread those once you finish!

I loved this book! It is book 4 in Sarah Eden's Penny Dreadful Series! It's my favorite in the series so far. I loved that this was a marriage of convenience! Barnabus and Gemma were so perfect! I was really impressed how Sarah Eden put this story together! At the end of the book I just sat there in amazement!! We learn some things towards the end that were literally jaw dropping to me!! I can't wait for the next book in this series. I do, however, think that these books could do without the short stories inside the main storyline.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley as well as a physical ARC from Proper Romance Publishing. All of my thoughts are my own. Thanks again to Netgalley for my eARC and Proper Romance Publishing for my physical copy! This book comes out on September 6th. I will be posting another review on my Instagram when it gets closer to the release date. ❤️

This book picked up right where the third book ended. Immediately tension are high as our group of Dread Penny are trying to figure out what the Mastiff. It’s nonstop from there.

Barnabus and Gemma were great main characters. Both coming from a rough childhood, giving them something to build off. Despite their force marriage, Gemma grows to love Barnabus. This being a Sarah M. Eden book, Barnabus is a lovable idiot, and this sets up the the main couples problem for the story.

I love that we were able to see more of the society and their family. I love that everything is coming together in anticipation of the last book. 👏🏽👏🏽

This book has the same set up as the other three books which made reading it easy. The Penny dreadful stories were great, but a little frustrating at times. They happened when I really didn’t want them too.

I’m looking forward to the next book!

Thanks for NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for giving me the chance to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! This is such a fun series. I loved this book. It is always amazing to me how Sarah M. Eden can write three stories within the book and I can follow each one. I love how the Penny Dreadful stories parallel the actual story. A very interesting way to write a book. Barnabus and Gemma are both delightful characters that have heavy histories. The twists and turns in this book are incredible! I did not see the the end of this one coming at all. I am so excited for the next book. Definitely recommend!

Sarah Eden returns to The Dread Penny Society with "The Bachelor and the Bride", the fourth installment of her thoroughly charming series. Using her unique three-stories-in-one format, Eden pens three tales with different writing styles; one bears the title of the actual story, and the romance is mirrored there.

This one features Dr. Barnabus Milligan and his independent wife Gemma. As she hides from her unscrupulous resurrectionist family, who have teamed up with the elusive Mastiff. Fellow Dread Penny Society members are wonderful secondary characters, along with a few savvy street children.

I greatly enjoyed all three stories. Mr. King's tale spotlights whimsical Scottish folklore, with crafty spirits and attempts to defeat them. "Bodies of Light" has an unexpected macabre twist that is quite pleasing. The most surprises, however, are in the main story. Without giving spoilers, the story arc has taken a new direction.

Sarah Eden is a favorite author of mine, and her writings never fail to disappoint. Her prose is crisp, imagery is vivid, and characters are well-developed. Moreover, this book is clean with few grammatical errors. This is not a stand-alone novel; the series is better understood if the installments are read in order. As I have absolutely loved this series so far, this is fine by me. I am quite interested to see how the paths of future stories play out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this entertaining work.

*Received a copy for review.*
This installment finds the Dread Penny Society still looking for the Mastiff and trying to protect the people who need it. Doc is married unbeknownst to the rest of the members. His words fe returns to help the team learn more about the resurrectionists and what they are up to.

It was a good addition to this series.

Overall impression: The masterful Sarah M. Eden has done it again! "The Bachelor and the Bride" kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. Then the ending left me speechless.

This book is the fourth in the Dread Penny Society series. I would recommend that readers read the first three in the series before reading this one since the over-arching storyline moves forward and is advanced in each book. That being said, I think this one is my favorite. I love a good second chance at love storyline and that is what we get in this book.

I also love the "Penny Dreadfuls" included in each book. This one features dreadfuls written by "Mr. King" and Dr. Mulligan. I love how Mr. King's book mirrors the love story of Gemma and Baz. Dr. Mulligan's story is symbolic of his passion in life and helped me understand him a bit better. Both of the stories enhanced the character development of the book and helped me understand the main characters better. There was also a twist in one of them that I didn't see coming. In fact, it distracted me so much that the ending completely blindsided me. The next book should feature a show down of epic proportions. My only complaint about the book is how long I will need to wait until the next one.

I can't get enough of this series from Sarah Eden, and everyone I share them with says the same! All of these characters and their mission have my heart. The Bachelor and the Bride will keep you in suspense, and the ending doesn't disappoint! As always the penny dreadfuls woven throughout are such a fun addition. Thank you for another amazing tale!

First off, thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, Shadow Mountain and two NetGalley for allowing to read this digital ARC of The Bachelor and the Bride.

The cover alone caught my attention (reminding me of Bridgerton LOL). I enjoyed this book even though I had not read the previous three books in this series. The plot was well paced and the characters were well developed. It was completely captivating from start to finish with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises! I highly recommend this fun read

So sweet and witty! I have been loving historical romances and this was excellent! Just what I needed to refresh my slump. 10/10 would recommend!!! Perhaps a bit dry at times, but it was definitely unique and just so amusing.

5 stars

I've now read 3 of the 4 book series and I think it's getting even better.

Baz is a doctor and a member of the Dread Penny Society. In victorian times penny dreadfuls circulated and were read by all members of socirty. The group as well as being authors help impoverished and tyrannised people.. Unknown to the others Barnabus is actually married to Gemma. It has to be kept a secret as her family are resurectionists and are looking to recruit her back into the work. She loved Baz but left him as he wouldn't commit to loving her.

Interspered in the main story are two penny dreadfuls, one writting by Baz and one by Mr King who we've met in previous books.

The society are desperate to stop The Mastiff but then realise he isn't the brains behind the operation. It was a big surprise at the end when we find out whois the malevolent influence.

I highling recommend this book and this series.

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

First, this was my favorite one in the series so far. Gemma and Barnabus have been married for a few years... Not that anyone knew he was married! Gemma longs for love and feeling like "absence makes the heart grow fonder" took herself off until Barnabus could love her and want her back. Of course, he (really, the DPS) needs her back to impart some of her knowledge from prior to the marriage. Thus begins their journey ...

I really enjoyed the penny dreadfuls that are mixed in with the book. I didn't feel like they interrupted the flow of the story like I had with some of the others in the series. I also really felt for the characters. It most definitely was a favorite because of the twists and turns! (Why did I picture the great Sarah Eden cackling with glee because of my angst when I was finished?!) I guessed one part but did not see that other coming. (How did I not see that?!) Fans are not going to want to miss this installment!!

"Life is often a struggle. There’s something beautiful about having someone who is willing to walk with you through it.”

So this is a marriage of convenience if sorts where Dr. Barnabus saves Gemma and helps her get away from her family of notorious criminals by marrying her. Unfortunately they keep this marriage a secret and no one knows that they're married and live separately for three years, untill a serious situation arises and Barnabus has to write to Gemma to return back to his estate because she's the only person who could know something about the situation. While I could connect with Gemma because she was just a ray of sunshine as everyone around her called her, I couldn't connect much with Barnabus. I mean he was strong and kind but his lack of emotions towards Gemma in the beginning put me off and I didn't quite buy his declaration of love in the end. I feel like he should've grovelled a bit more for keeping Gemma with him. Overall, the romance was okay. It was slow and the plot was interesting but I felt that it wasn't leading anywhere. The twist at 73% came out of nowhere and the ending was abrupt. So many questions were left unsaid but I guess they will be answered in the next book of the series. Still, I wasn't a very big fan of the ending tbh.

Thank you Netgalley & Shadow Mountain for providing me the ARC

It took me a bit to get into this one but once I got hooked, I was hooked! I enjoyed these two a lot and their chemistry and friendship. I wish there was a flashback included about why she had to marry him exactly and the events leading up to it. Was a bit ominous. Overall the pacing was great and the tension phenomenal. I think I missed a book before this so I will have to read that one too. Cannot wait for the next one!! The reveal was great.

Holy. Crap! I just finished this book and I am dying. Although I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of the three. However, I did enjoy Baz and Gemma's relationship and their rise above difficult times.

I wasn't a huge fan of the resurrectionist aspect of this book, but I understand the need for it. I love how this story is progressing. Sarah is such a great writer! I really enjoy everything she writes but this series is one of my favorites. The writing just really resonates with me for some reason.

I'm desperately looking forward to the next one!

Another great addition to the Dread Penny Society Series!

When I first started this novel, I was a little worried about how Barnabus and Gemma's relationship would play out, but it was all for naught. I ended up getting really invested in these two. I liked how they had a mixture of the slowburn trope with a dash of idiots to lovers. It was really sweet seeing their relationship develop.

I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the past few books, again! I really love this series's cast of characters!

The one thing that I did not love about this installment was the two Penny Novels. I've found that with each installment, I lose interest in them. I think this may be how they were placed. It seems like every penny novel chapter was placed after a cliffhanger chapter in the main plotline. I really do love the idea of their inclusion, but this time, I ended up skimming more than I typically do to get back to the main plot. (However, I did like how the last penny novel chapter inclusion tied in to the book).

All in all, The Bachelor and the Bride is an exciting adventure that thickens the overarching plot of the series. And I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the eARC! I really appreciate it!

THE BACHELOR AND THE BRIDE by SARAH M EDEN is an historical romance novel that takes place in London in 1866. I enjoyed the story and the characters, especially Gemma Milligan and Dr Barbnabus Milligan with their unusual marriage relationship, and the members of the Dread Penny Society with their help to the underdogs in London’s society and their determination to find and destroy the Mastiff and his criminal activity, together with the “resurrectionists”, who are members of Gemma’s family that Barnabus saved her from.
The plot is good, full of intrigue and exciting. I had a problem with the two penny dreadful stories running through the novel and cutting into the flow.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is my favorite so far of the Dread Penny Society series. It is about Dr. Barnabus (Baz) Milligan, who is a practicing physician and also a writer of Penny Dreadfuls. He also saves women and children around London in the Victorian era 1830s. Over 3 years ago, he married Gemma to save her from her law-breaking family. After 6 months she leaves him and goes into hiding because he would not tell her he loves her. Through a series of events, they are reunited. In the middle of all of this, the Mastiff is growing stronger, braver, and more deadly in his dealings with the people of London who cross him. Will this bring Baz and Gemma together or tear them apart even more? This book was suspenseful, romantic, and scary at times. The Penny Dreadful stories dispersed throughout the book were very good and entertaining. New villains arise and the entire Dread Penny Society is threatened. New things were revealed and other people's lives were made more clear. Very entertaining and although there is romance in the story, it would definitely appeal to those who like mystery and suspense. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Another exciting installment in the series!

Sarah Eden has a gift for creating a large cast of characters that all have unique personalities, quirks, and intriguing storylines. No storyline ever feels repeated and no character copied and pasted into another story. I don't know how she does it!

This story begins with Dr. Barnabus Milligan announcing to his friends that their longtime bachelor friend has actually been married for years - and to the daughter of a notorious grave robber!

His wife has left that life behind, but she has also left behind Barnabus when she discovers that her new husband does not love her - and likely never will. She tells him to let her know that ever changes.

When she finally receives word from him after three years of separation, she is ecstatic that distance really has made his heart grow fonder... or does he merely need her help with a troubling case?

This installment ended on a bit of a cliff hanger and I'm excited to see where the series will go from here!

i got totally into this book. So many twists and turns that I stayed up to finish it! I had to know how it was going to end! Look forward to many more i. this series.

My least favorite of the series. Doc and Gemma didn't grab my interest as a couple, and overall the plot felt repetitive and tired. There is a plot twist toward the end involving their need to escape danger that I felt was wholly unrealistic and illogical. I'm very tired of the Mastiff, and at least there was (finally) some movement in that plot line. Some of the quirks of the Dreadfuls who were happily paired off in previous books are getting on my nerves.

As usual the book seemed well researched. I found myself looking forward to the chapters from the Penny Dreadfuls and dreading the return to the actual plot of the book. Not sure whether I will read future installments.

A thoroughly wonderful romance that is perfect for any adult collection. I was completely invested in it from start to finish, and can see it circulating well!

So many twists and turns in this novel! I have loved this series but this installment may be my new favorite! I was engaged in the story so much so that I stayed up to finish it! I had to know how it was going to end!

- Series best enjoyed when read in order!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This one was super fun! I am enjoying this series quite a bit, and this one is just perfect! Barnabus is reserved but sweet and very steady. Gemma is sunshine and personality. They make such a great pair!

I enjoyed the premise of the book too, as Resurrection Men are from such a strange time in history. Very well played. There were twists that I knew would happen, but also several that caught me by surprise! The best part was finally learning who the Dread Master was—this person was one of my guesses, but it still surprised me a bit! :)

Very well done!

Rated PG-13
—some violence (none graphic)
—no gore
—mildly intense situations
—clean romance
—little to no language

I received this ebook free from NetGalley. My opinions are voluntary and my own.

I always enjoy Sarah Eden’s writing, and this latest in the Dread Penny Society did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment; each volume focuses on a different set of characters, but because they’re all linked you get to catch up with favorites from earlier books each time. This time it is Barnabus and Gemma’s story, and their history adds some emotional weight to this book.

You will get a lot more out of this if you have read at least some of the previous books in the series, particularly for the broader plot about the DPS and their enemies in London. On this front, there’s a very nice twist at the end of this story.

I went on a historical romance kick recently, so I was definitely intrigued by this book. Coming into this series mid-way was a little disconcerting at times and confusing at first, but eventually, I warmed to the romance at the centre of the novel. I feel as though I may have liked it more had I read any of the rest of the books in the series! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

Holy smokes! This book was just amazing. I am a huge Sarah M Eden fan and this book did not disappoint. Her writing style is just above and beyond and is so easy to read. This series has been so intriguing and I have looked forward to each book. The love story between Gemma and Doc was so sweet, and I loved their relationship.
This book is definitely a nail-biter and will keep you on edge, from the very first chapter up until the very last page! That twist at the end, AHHH!! I seriously don’t want to have to wait for the next one (and this one hasn’t even released yet 😂). The DPS will never give up, no matter how hard times get. I won’t give any spoilers, but be prepared to not want to put this one down!!!
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love the previous three books in this series, and this fourth installment did not disappoint! Doc Milligan was such a private character before this book, and I just ate up the details of his private life and history. And Gemma is a fantastic addition to the crew.

There are two major twists/reveals in this novel. The first one, I have suspected since book three and found it satisfying that my instincts were confirmed. The second is the reveal of the Dread Master and I was WAY off!! Super fun reveal at the end.

The included penny dreadfuls in this book were also entertaining. Elizabeth’s is pretty straightforward but lovely in its sentiments. Barnabus’s caught me off guard at the end, a great mini twist there! In all, I really enjoy this series and was not disappointed by book four. Really hoping for a Stone story for book five…

Barnabus Milligan has been known as “The Bachelor” in the Penny Dreadful Society, but unbeknownst to them he is already married. And because of the threat of the Mastiff in London, he needs to contact and help from his wife, Gemma Kincaid, a daughter of the dreaded Resurrectionist. And with them reuniting once again comes complicated feelings and emotions with each other. And unfortunately, complicated threats to the Penny Dreadful Society.

This is the fourth book of the Series. I was so thrilled to read this book because the story is about marriage-of-convenience, second chance romance plus mystery. Who could’ve asked for more, right?

Anyways, here are the things I like about this book. I love how Gemma and Barnabus’s characters grew as the story progressed. The author did well in capturing their emotions and how much life and circumstances lead them to where they are now. I enjoyed the historical tidbits about life in the streets of London, both good and bad, it made me see things from a different perspective. I especially like the mystery and suspense of the villains and that plot twist about the Dread Master, that was a fun one to read!

Unfortunately, there are a few things I missed in the story. Although, I appreciate how the author wrote the penny dreadful stories to be in line with the personalities of the “authors”, I feel like there’s a bit of a disconnect between the penny dreadful stories with the main plot compared to the previous books in the series. And the elaborate plan was a miss because there’s an obvious loophole, “her family is desperate”, so they will do what they can to get what they want.

Nevertheless, I truly did enjoy this book and I’m looking forward to the next book. I am curious to know a few unanswered questions in this book.

Overall I’ll give this book a 3.75. I would recommend this book to those who love clean historical mystery, marriage-of-convenience, and second chance romance.

Got this from Netgalley, courtesy of Shadow Mountain Publishing (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

I have really enjoyed the Dread Penny Society books, so I was excited to read about Dr. Milligan's story and to see how the Society is coming along in their fight against the criminal mastermind we know as the Mastiff.

I thought that the marriage of convenience played into the story really well. I also appreciated how much of the bigger story was uncovered - it was a good balance between Baz and Gemma's relationship and the Society's battle with the criminals of London.

I will admit that I didn't care for Dr. Milligan's penny dreadful story. It just didn't interest me., but I acknowledge that it fit his character well. Mr. King's story was more entertaining for me.

I learned a lot about resurrectionists, something I really didn't know much about before. It was an interesting twist in the story.

The book left on a major cliffhanger, so I'm curious to see what unfolds next. I'm hoping it will feature Stone as the main character, he really intrigues me!

I recommend this one to anyone who loves historical mysteries, clean romance, and a cast of fun characters!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Sarah M. Eden for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

This is the 4th book in this series and I have to say I really enjoyed it. My favorite of the series is the first one (I just absolutely love Fletcher!) but this one is definitely #2. So much was packed into it, and the surprise villian? I was like, WHAT? I did not see that coming at all, I am usually really good at picking up the hints and clues in books but that one completely surprised me. I tip my hat to you Sarah, I am not surprised often. And we finally get to find out who the Dread Master is! Which by the way, now I am VERY much looking forward to THAT story.

Baz makes such a cute hero, I have to say I wasn't too excited to read his story, But I really liked him and his relationship with Gemma. And poor Gemma, what a life she lived. I do wish we got to see a little bit more of both of theirs lives before and how they met and were married, Like a prologue would have been great. Their history wasn't super clear, but overall it didn't detract from the book. It just kind of jumped into the story and I was expected to care for their relationship without really knowing much about it, but overall I still was able to get invested pretty quickly.

I like how many questions were answered yet at the same time I now have a whole new host of questions. And I am very excited for the next one, I hope I don't have to wait too long, ha! One thing I liked about this book, was I felt the penny dreadful stories were shorter in this one, which I appreciate because they aren't my favorite part of this series. At the end of day, I loved this book. I would completely recommend it to my friends. Can't wait for the next one.

I received a copy from Netgalley for my review, but my opinions are completely my own.

“For so long I have feared what the world held. But I have faced it again and have discovered I am equal to it.”

Gemma and Barnabas married three years ago in a desperate attempt to save Gemma from her family. But after half a year of loving Barnabas and realizing that he doesn't love her back, she left.

Now she’s back. This time, Barnabas needs her help but that’s the only thing that changed. Distances doesn't seem to have made his heart grow fonder and her family is still lurking in the shadows. Literally. They are resurrectionists (Victorian term for grave-diggers) and the most notorious one’s in the city.

This fourth installment of the ‘Dread Penny Society,’ series, is once again filled to the brim with mystery, intrigue and elusive enemies. It was heavily plot driven and took me a while to get into and while the first half felt slow and at times confusing, the second half had me riveted.

Sarah M Eden’s characters have the familiar warmth of old friends almost from the first moment they step on the page. This book was no exception. Her incredible research lends a gritty kind of realism to her stories that brings everything to live in a way unique to her work. Eden doesn’t romanticize life; Characters that appeared in earlier books, still struggle with the long term effects of their escapades, but sometimes I could have stood for a tad more ‘romancing’ ;)

Gemma and Barnabus had a real connection—you felt their shared history and how comfortable they were with each other, which is awesome; I look for a strong friendship in any good romance, but I felt they missed a romantic spark and would have been perfectly suited to just being “good friends”. (Though Gemma would fins that sentiment terrible offensive🙃)

Having read only some of the earlier books, I at times felt like I was missing information that would have helped me immerse myself into the story and ask more plot-oriented questions rather than being distracted by, 'how is this character related to these people?'or, 'I feel like I should know this but...?”
So if you haven’t read any of the books in this series, I recommend you pick up an earlier one first. But if you have, this is an addition you won't want to miss. The ending blew me away, and I’m excited about what the next one will reveal.

Continuing the series of the Dread Penny Society, The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden focuses the story this time on confirmed bachelor Dr. Barnabas Milligan. As The Pennys continue their battle against the mysterious and dangerous Mastiff, Dr. Milligan is forced to send a letter to the one person he thought to never see again, his wife, Gemma Kincaid.

Three years prior, Barnabas or Baz as his wife Gemma affectionately calls him, rescued Gemma from her dangerous family of resurrectionists (a Victorian term for grave robbers). Gemma left Baz when she realized he'd only married her to save her from her family.

But with the threat of the Mastiff looming and evidence that the Kincaids are involved, Baz sends a letter to Gemma inviting her to return home. She hopes that Baz has finally come to his senses and realizes that he loves her but she finds he only wants her help to foil the Kincaids, who have been terrorizing London..

Now with all of London under threat, the Penny's network is tasked with doing what has proved impossible: discover the identify of the Mastiff and put a stop to his dirty dealings.

I have been reading this series from the beginning and this latest installment did not disappoint. Eden is meticulous in her historical research and is adept at bringing her captivating characters to life. While some of the mysterious reveals I was able to call, the final one took me by complete surprise and I await anxiously for the next in the series.

Note: I received a complementary copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

A fun addition to Sarah Eden's Dread Penny Society series. Some memorable characters from previous books in the series play small-large parts in this book, but this can easily be read as a stand alone. Once the plot thickened it was fun to see how the Bachelor and the Bride attempt to get out of the snares of The Mastiff and Gemma's corrupt family. And there are a couple big reveals at the end.

Thanks Shadow Mountain Publishing and #NetGalley for the ARC for review.

This has been such a fun series that I recommend you read in order. The secret society of Penny dreadful authors also help the community is saving street urchins and other unfortunates. Many bad guys have tried to beat them but The Mastiff always weaseled out.

These books are unique in the Penny dreadful stories you read along always coincide with the main story. I LOVED King’s dreadful with the Scottish mythology. That was so interesting, I could read more!! I felt like Barnabus’ started off interesting but it never went anywhere.

I enjoy marriage of convenience and seeing Gemma and Baz trying to connect was great. The ending was wild, some of it I felt like there was a huge detail they should’ve known but EXCITING revelations at the end!!

If you like the past books, mystery and intrigue then this book is for you! This book releases this fall and I received an e-arc from Net Galley and the publisher. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

I have loved every book in this series and this one was another amazing read! I already need to read the next book! This book has so many crazy turns and I couldn't put it down. If you have not read this series then do it now. You will not be disappointed.

The Dread Penny Society (a group made up of Penny dreadful writers who continually work to help the poor and infirm) must stop the Mastiff before it is too late. But as the DPS learn more, they realize how little they actually know.

Sarah Eden always does a fantastic job of bringing you into the story and immersing the reader into these incredible stories filled with adventure. She not only writes an incredible main story but she then threads in two penny dreadfuls that are also beautifully written. If you haven't read a book by Sarah Eden, then you are truly missing out.

#netgalley #thebachelorandthebride

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This is the 4th book of a series but I only read this book. After reading the book, I feel like you can read this as a standalone but you have a better idea of the whole story if you read the previous books. There were clearly several characters from past books who played a significant part in this book and it would be interesting to know their stories. Overall, this was a really interesting, mysterious, and a bit of a scary book.
Spoilers ahead:***********
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<spoiler> First thing since I just finished the book: DANG THAT REVEAL ON WHO THE TEMPTEST WAS AND WHO THE DREAD MASTER WAS!!!??? I have to admit, I didn't see that coming at all. It's pretty cool that the main villain and main hero are both women. I'm especially pleased that Moirin is the Dread Master. I really could not see that coming at all until I read the last sentence and as shocked. Moirin is so cool. I haven't read the previous books so Idk if Stone's girlfriend is mentioned or if Moirin has a lover or anything but I kinda ship those 2. I barely figured our Serena was bad until Doc said that her voice was familiar when they were in the graveyard. She is one manipulative person, I tell you. Very clever, and very evil.
One thing I'm confused about is so do the dreadfuls know who the Mastiff was? Cuz the impression I got was that they didn't know who he was and he was totally mysterious but then somehow they all recognize him when they see him and I'm like so they know his appearance? So they already know something about him? They just don't know his real name?
Also, I think my favorite character was Fletcher lol. I think I need to read his book.
Throughout the book, the urgency and danger in present in the story is always there. I was pretty worried in the scenes where Gemma's family appear.
I have to admit, I skipped past all the penny dreadful story entries. Idk, I read the first one and didn't like it that much so I just skipped the rest because I wanted to go back to the main story and felt that these mini side stories were distracting.
Last thing in this disorganized mess of my thoughts, I think the dragging of the romance and pacing of the first half could be improved. The relationship between Doc and Gemma really dragged on the first like 60% of the book and the annoying part was they both already loved each other or at the very least, felt fond of each other and liked each other so the angst of 'does he love her' dragging on was a bit of a put off. And then, again the pacing was a bit weird when they do get together because suddenly, Gemma and Doc are just too affectionate and lovey dovey when just chapters before, it was more subtle? Basically, romance in first half: too long and dragged out; romance in last half: too rushed. </spoiler> *****************8
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Final thoughts: a really interesting and intriguing book about a mystery and secret society.

I don't even know what to say about this book. I've read each in the series but I feel like I need to reread each one back to back to fully grasp everything that happened in this one. Gah! Talk about plot twist. I actually gasped at one key point and had to go back and read it again. Yes, I read it right the first time. I also think I would love to listen to this as an audiobook. A good narrator would add far more in terms of accents etc. that I can't do in my brain.
I know that some people have a hard time with the Penny Dreadfuls that are intermixed into the main plot. I kinda like them though. It is a good reminder of what this group of people do.
I confess that this isn't my usual chosen genre but I love Ms. Eden's books and once I started on this series I felt the need to continue on. I must know that good will triumph over evil in the end. The continued battle with evil is not resolved in the series so far. In that sense, each book is a cliffhanger. Only the romance aspects are resolved in each book. This book was high drama with surprising plot twists. But start with book 1. They need to be read in order.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Oh my freak!!!! I feel like each novel from the Dread Penny Society series are all so different and yet so similar. They all include the members of the DPS who find love and save others from the terrors of the Mastiff. I was NOT expecting that ending though. It took me completely by surprise and now I’m dying to read the next one.

I can’t even believe it. The storyline for this one was pretty different and one that took a bit of brain effort to follow. The ending made everything worth it. This was one of my favorites in the series. That’s for sure.

Favorite parts:
The wedding scene. Fletcher was hilarious!
Everything about the ending, if you couldn’t tell.
Baz’s declaration. 😍

Reading the novel was a joy and I was taken aback by its sheer complexity. I wasn't really expecting to be enamored by it because it sounded a bit cliché at first but then once you started the lines, it just went on and smoothly prepares you for the finale. But, of course, the end will just make you want to read the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hello! I really enjoy Sarah M. Eden's writing. It is fun, descriptive, engaging and consistent. This series, of which Bachelor.and the Bride is now a part, definitely does not disappoint in its story of Barnabas and Gemma. To see how Barnabas begins to realize dormant feelings for Gemma, translating into a real romance, was super fun to experience and so sweet. I liked Gemma, but Barnabas was the one to watch and one to follow, it seems, in terms of an evolution of a hero and partner. Sarah M. Eden does a fabulous job of building clearly to a crescendo, and the reader does not even realize the climb until just about there. I always feel like I am literally walking alongside her characters and, that I am interacting with them in real time. I have always been fascinated by penny dreadfuls, and this series gets better and better. I might suggest that all the penny dreadful installments be contained at the end of the book or even at the outset, altogether. That way, I can focus on all of these at once...and focus on the hero-heroine story all at once. But otherwise, this book is stellar. I was furnished.an ARC by NetGalley, and this is my honest review. Thank you!! :)

The bachelor and the Bride, by Sarah M. Eden, is a classic historical romance with a twist of mystery solving.
I really enjoyed this one! It was well-written, cute, romantic, and had just enough mystery solving to keep things really interesting.
I would easily recommend to all historical romance readers.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Soooo good. As always. Hold on to your hat because this is one Penny Dreadful Society story you're going to adore!

The Bachelor and the Bride was very well written. A most interesting story line! I’ve never read a story like it before! Loved the details of London life and how the characters played out. It kept me entertained the whole way through even though at about 80 percent into it I figured the story was over and it would just be dragged out to the finish. NO! That was not the case! It kept going to the last page and kept my full attention! Loved it! Great job Sarah Eden!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

I think I love Sarah M. Eden books because she has such interesting characters with so many layers, depth and grittiness, and you get to see the inner workings of the minds of both the hero and heroines. There is no heat or steam excitement, but I love the characters for the interesting workings of their minds.

The story of the Dread Penny Society and their challenges to help the unfortunates in Victorian Society continue. The Mastiff is continuing to terrorize Victorian London, and the DPS is trying to figure out how to foil him, and help his victims. Dr. Barnabus Milligan is one of their members. He was born of a woman who ended up working in a brothel, and his father unknown. He was tossed onto the streets by the abbess as a young child, but managed to overcome his upbringing to become a doctor, with his goal being to help as many woman and children as possible escape the life that his mother was forced to lead. His doctoring funds the many safe houses he runs.

Gemma Kinkaid is one woman he helped three years previously. She is from a family of famed and dreaded resurrectionists, and forced to the trade by them. To help her escape, Barnabus married her 3 years prior. But she left not long after, because she loved him, but he did not love her in return. She vowed that she would return to live with him as his wife only if he requested her to. He kept their marriage a secret from his friends, the other members of DPS. However, their recent activities involve the resurrection of dead bodies related to the Mastiff, and they need more information. So Barnabus contacts Gemma, and she returns, mistaking the message as his request for her to return to him.

Despite her disappointment, she does care for Barnabus and wants to help him. Her family turns out to be involved with the Mastiff, and it also turns out they are looking for Gemma as well, to help them as business is too good and too much for the Kinkaids remaining in the trade. They are just as relentless as the Mastiff in trying to get their hands on Gemma, and she does not want Barnabus or any of her new friends in the DPS to be hurt by them in their search for her.

This was a fascinating read about the continued adventures of the DPS, and pushes forward the story of the criminal actions of the Mastiff. The added element of resurrection/body snatching was quite interesting. The stories of other members of the DPS, told in preceding books in the series, are carried forward as well, and there is quite a twist (well, two) and cliffhanger in the end. This is not a story with a traditional HEA. But, while I usually don't like cliffhangers, this was done well, with a good resolution to the story of Barnabus and Gemma - the cliffhanger is more the story of the criminal dealings the DPS is fighting against.

Also, there is the added elements of the little Penny Dreadful stories intermixed in the novel as well. I quite enjoyed the gothic paranormal story by Barnabus, and the more mythic fairy tale styled one by "Mr. King".

Sometimes it got a bit heavy and dragged a bit, but overall, I quite enjoyed the story of Dr. Milligan and his erstwhile wife, Gemma, as well as the rest of the DPS.

4.75 stars out of 5.

Three years ago, Dr Barnabus Milligan helped rescue Gemma Kincaid by marrying her in secret to protect her from her resurrectionists family intent on keeping her working in the trade.

But when Gemma realized her love for Barnabus was unrequited she left him, telling him to contact her if his feelings ever changed. When Gemma finally receives a letter from Barnabus, she learns that he only wants her help to foil the Kincaids. Gemma agrees, but she warns him that she won’t stay.

This is the 4th Dread Penny Society book. I read the first one but I think you need to read the series to enjoy the overarching mystery. I’m indifferent to the mini story mixed in with the main plot. I end up skimming them.

The DPS aspect was interesting and that part is progressing nicely, but the romance was a miss for me. I figured out who the Dread Master might be, because I had been wondering how that character could be involved and I think fans of the series will be intrigued.

But it was never explained why the Kincaids needed Gemma. What exactly was her skill in body snatching? Her uncle even says she’s only as good as the shovel in her hands. That’s not exactly a specialized skill, so why do they need her to steal bodies?

This is both a second chance/marriage of convenience romance, and for that to work I think you need a slow burn with some chemistry, and I felt that was missing. Their history was a vague info dump and we never saw why Gemma wanted to be with Baz and he never showed much interest in her before suddenly saying he decided he loved her after all. We don’t even know why marriage was the only way to save Gemma.

I didn’t understand why Baz didn’t try with Gemma when he had her or why he wouldn’t put in the effort when she first came back. I wanted Baz to put in real work to earn her trust after all of Gemma‘s attempts and her subsequent hopelessness, but we never see that from
him.

I’ve enjoyed the three previous books in the Penny Dreadful Society series. The Bachelor and the Bride is fun and entertaining but the story seemed to be more about advancing the series narrative rather than concentrating on the main characters. The arc of the Penny Dreadful series is intriguing and this book had a pivotal reveal plus some additional information about characters (mostly bad people) from previous books. For that information alone, and if you enjoy the series, you must read this book.
London 1850’s.. The two main characters are Dr. Barnabus “Doc” “Baz” Milligan and his heretofore unknown wife, Gemma née Kincaid…(the infamous resurrection family. Three years ago Baz married Gemma so that she could escape her criminal family but she left Baz when she said that she loved him and to contact her if and when he could say that he loved her. As crimes against ordinary Londoners escalate, the PDS needs Gemma help to find out who is directing the terror and intimidation and what’s the motivation.

This is another fun addition to Sarah M. Eden's Dread Penny Society collection. I admit I struggle with characters who speak in a... I think she says is a Southern London dialect, so it takes me a little time to warm to them - but as I get into it, I find them fun and engaging. Anyway - if you want an entertaining read, you can never go wrong with Eden and this book holds true to that.

After finishing this book, all I can say is that my mind is blown. Straight up blown. How does Sarah Eden do it?!

This book seemed to have it all, just like the rest of the books in the Dread Penny Society series - action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, daring rescues, secret hideaways, awesome penny dreadfuls, the sweetest love story, and plot twists you didn't even see coming. And let me just tell you friends. That ending especially was mind blowing. I can already tell book 5 is going to be epic.

Barnabus and Gemma were the cutest (I think I say that about every couple I read about, but this time it's really true, I promise). They are the sort of couple you just want to cheer for, the ones you immediately want to give their happy ending to. Gemma and Barnabus aren't your typical couple, given that they had already been married for three and a half years when the book started. BUT they'd been separated for three years after Gemma left, believing that Barnabus didn't lover her, six months into their marriage. I loved watching Barnabus realize he actually did love Gemma and fight for her and their marriage.

Technically this could be read as a stand alone, but I suggest you read them in order. Several things will make a whole lot more sense if you do.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the early copy!

HOLY CRAP WAS THIS BOOK GOOD. 🤯

The shortest way to describe this book is that things escalate SO quickly but in the best way possible.

I've loved all of the books in the Dread Penny Society series (I think it may be Sarah Eden's best series yet which is saying a lot because her other series are incredible), but this book is one of the best so far. There were a few plot twists I absolutely did not see coming and I'm definitely still freaking out over it. 😂

I started this book wanting to learn more about the identity of the Dread Master and how the Dread Penny Society was ever going to take down the Mastiff and his complex web of organized crime. So questions were answered and some weren't, but I was very surprised by the answers I did get from this book.

"The Bachelor and the Bride" is the fourth book in the Dread Penny Society series. This series is about a group of Penny Dreadful Authors (short stories written for the working class during the Victorian era) who have formed a secret society devoted to improving the lives of the working class in London, usually by fighting against the most hardened criminals in the city.

If you love action, mystery, organized crime, vigilante secret societies trying to makes the streets of London safer, all while still being a romance novel, this book is for you.

Nothing but good things to say about this book. It's definitely worth investing the time to read the entire series. You won't be disappointed.

I’m a big Sarah M. Eden fan but the Dread Penny Society Series just hasn’t gripped me the way the rest of her books do, so I came into reading this one with lower expectations. Much to my surprise, The Bachelor and the Bride hooked me almost from the start and is easily my favorite of this series (and makes me look forward to book 5).

In this book, we’re focused on Dr. Barnabus Milligan (aka Baz) and Gemma, the woman he secretly married years ago to help her escape the nefarious family business. Out of all the MCs in this series, I think these two are my favorite. Baz is such a good-hearted man and Gemma is a happy, strong heroine that you can’t help but root for them to succeed in their marriage.

This series has an overarching mystery to it and four books in, it feels like we’re actually making some progress. We get a couple significant reveals toward the end of this one and I’m excited to see where this goes from here.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.

First sentence: London was no place for the faint of heart. Fortunately for Barnabus Milligan, he'd stopped listening to that organ long ago.

Premise/plot: The Bachelor and the Bride is the fourth book in the Dread Penny Society series by Sarah M. Eden. Each book in the series features characters who are also authors of penny dreadfuls. Readers are treated to two penny dreadfuls in addition to the actual romance/story. This formula also proves true for this latest novel. The two penny dreadful serials we are following are "The Bachelor and the Bride" by Mr. King and "Bodies of Light" by Dr. Barnabus Milligan. (The two serials could not be more different!)

So throughout the series--previous three books--the Dread Penny Society have been on the case--or on the chase, if you prefer, to bringing down (unmasking) the Mastiff who has been terrorizing parts of London. In particular the weakest, most vulnerable communities of London. Each novel--four now--has been working towards this goal...the mystery element of his identity and his ultimate goal have been slow to reveal. (As has the identity of the Dread Penny Master, by the way). But the "big" reveal in this fourth book, is, well, I will never be the one to spoil a novel before it's even released. But let's just say that there is more than one villain in London.

The heroine of The Bachelor and The Bride is Gemma Kincaid, a woman with a shady family history. She's incredibly ashamed of her family--with good reason--and wants NOTHING at all to do with their evil schemes and fortunes. The man who rescued her is Dr. Barnabus Milligan; and that rescue involved saying I do. But though "rescued" in one sense, Gemma is still very lost...and her husband is in part to blame.

My thoughts: If I had the time, I would love to read the series back to back. All four novels over the course of a month, let's say, I think my overall reaction would change. It is just plain hard to wait a year for each book and then be able to jump straight back into the action and remember WHO all the characters are and their relationships to one another. Each novel features a new romance--which is always a bonus. But still there is an interconnected story that progresses with each book.

I definitely enjoyed the serial "The Bachelor and the Bride" by "Mr." King. I don't always love, love, love these penny dreadfuls that are bonus stories essentially. Sometimes I do.

I would say that the pace was so-so and the story was just okay for me....until I reached a certain part in the story where the intensity was cranked up. THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS, oh my!!!!! It's like the climaxes of all four books come together in this one novel...and without warning...we've got the mystery finally beginning to pay off. Not that there is resolution...there is absolutely NO RESOLUTION. It ends on a big cliff hanger.

REVIEW: This is the fourth book of a mystery series but I only read this one. You can read this as a standalone because at the end is a mystery, but in this case I think it would be better to read the previous ones.
I liked the book, the author writes really nice, and I liked the connections between the characters. The relationship Baz-Gemma was very good, fake marriage, complicated childhood, and helping each other, a good mix.
I didn´t like to much the stories in between, didn´t get why are there either, I mean yes, they write stories, but why? Maybe I need to read the other books to understand this part. But the principal story I liked it.
I enjoyed the book and that´s always a good sign.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

---------------

RESEÑA: Este es el cuarto libro de una serie de misterios, pero yo solo he leído este. Se pueden leer por separado al ser de misterio, pero en este caso creo que hubiera sido mejor haber leído los anteriores.
Me ha gustado el libro, y la escritora escribe muy bien. Me gustó las conexiones entre los personajes. La relación entre Baz-Gemma es muy buena, falso matrimonio, complicada infancia y ayudarse el uno al otro, buen combo.
No he pillado mucho las historias entremedio, sí, entiendo que escriben historias, pero no tengo claro por qué, a lo mejor se necesita leer los libros anteriores para entender esa parte. Pero la historia principal me ha gustado.
He disfrutado el libro y eso siempre es buena señal.
Gracias a Netgalley y a la editorial por dejarme leerlo a cambio de una honesta reseña.

There is nothing better than a good period romance novel. I didn’t even know that this was part of a series and that the first book has been in my TBR for months. If I am ever in the mood for a period romance (which honestly when am I not) I know exactly what book series to read.

A really beautiful historic read that'll capture your heart and something a bit different from the norm. This novel has plenty of layers and kept me interested throughout. There's a few points within the book that didn't just quite gel for me however I am looking to reading more books from this author!

Wow! Where do I begin? What an exhilarating reading experience! Sarah M. Eden continues to showcase her talent for writing suspenseful, romantic tales.

This is the fourth book in the Dread Penny Society series. The Dread Penny Society comprises of ordinary individuals who protect the vulnerable from being exploited or harmed. They are also penny dreadful authors. If you are new to this series, then, I strongly suggest reading them in order. You have a treat in store for you! The unique thing about this series is that you get three stories in one book! Seriously, you get the main story and two bonus short stories in the form of penny dreadfuls, written by the characters. These penny dreadfuls are brimming with gothic atmosphere.

For those of us familiar with this series and invested in the philanthropic efforts of DPS, this book adds another layer of depth to the series. In addition to mystery, action, adventure, there is also a tender marriage of convenience/second chance romance. Fyi, second chance romance is totally my jam. And who doesn’t love a good marriage of convenience? So, this is a win-win for all!

The Bachelor and the Bride features the penny dreadful author and doctor, Barnabus Milligan, and his estranged wife, Gemma. Gemma Milligan, formerly Gemma Kincaid, is the daughter of a notorious resurrection man. They are a family of violent criminals. Three and a half years ago, Baz, as Gemma affectionately calls him, married Gemma to help her escape her violent family. However, Gemma left Baz six months into their marriage, fearing Baz can’t love her. Now, after three years, Gemma returns to offer assistance to DPS in neutralizing the threat posed by her family and the ruthless Mastiff. While fighting evil, Gemma and Baz get a chance to work on their relationship, and maybe fall in love?

I can’t wait for the next one. These books are so immersing, so entertaining! The wild ending was fitting, too.

I’m grateful to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy.

#thebachelorandthebride #netgalley

This was a great story to read. I loved the storyline and the characters, definitely recommend this book!

The Bachelor and the Bride is book four in Sarah M. Eden’s Dread Penny Society Series.
It has mystery, action, intrigue and a fantastic marriage of convenience/second chance romance trope!

I loved this addition to the DPS series! I had a lot of questions from previous books answered and yet I have so many more I need answered! I loved seeing more of the inner workings of both the DPS and the crime boss they’re fighting, The Tempest. I was constantly on the edge of my seat anxious to see what was going to happen next and how everything was going to work out.

I loved Baz and Gemma! I loved seeing them overcome their insecurities and learn to trust each other completely. I loved see them become partners and realize just how much better they are together than apart. I loved seeing them learn from each other and reassure each other. And I loved seeing them make sacrifices to prove to the other how much they love them. Baz and Gemma are just great! They fit together so well, it just took them forever to realize it! I really enjoyed this sweet, slow burn romance!

I refuse to spoil this fantastic book for anyone, but I will say this is one that should not be missed! If you’ve read and enjoyed the first three DPS books you absolutely MUST read the Bachelor and the Bride! I myself I am anxiously waiting for the fifth and final book!

I am always amazed by Sarah Eden's ability to weave together stories of mystery and intrigue. I feel like this was a twist on a second-chance romance, where Barnabus and Gemma had already been married for three years, but separated for most of it. When they are reunited through a bit of a miscommunication, they end up working together to try to stop the Mastiff and those who work for him. This book is filled with danger and intrigue - again, I'm always amazed at how Sarah Eden can plot some of the mysteries. She is also creative in how her characters solve problems.
Read this book. You won't be disappointed. It has romance, mystery, danger, and several big revelations within the Dread Penny universe.
This is a book in a series. It could be considered standalone, but you would definitely enjoy it more if you've read the other books first.

I enjoyed this book a lot, which surprised me because I thought it started out slow. Eden really amped up the intensity as the book progressed, which I loved. The romance between the two main characters was nice, but personally I think the romance took a backseat to the plot. Again, for me, that was great. This is a really fun series with Eden's own installments of Penny Dreadfuls inserted into the the book. These side stories parallel the characters, which is fun. I'm really looking forward to the next one in the series, because it isn't over yet.

London is getting more dangerous. The Mastiff is sowing fear all through the city. People are killed and then their bodies go missing. Dr. Barnabus Milligan and the Dread Penny Society need help understanding why resurrectionists would steal the bodies. Dr. Milligan calls in some help. The wife no one knew he had.

Gemma is a gem! She’s tough, funny, and vulnerable. I loved seeing her and Baz rebuild their relationship. The resurrectionist aspect was equally unnerving and intriguing.

I love the penny dreadfuls woven into the tale. Mr. King’s really are the best!

This book should be read as part of the series, in order. It has a satisfying conclusion, but builds more conflict and suspense for the rest of the series.

I don’t love these as much as Sarah Eden’s regencys, but the mystery pulls me in every time!

This is my first book by Sarah, clearly I didn't realise this was the FOURTH book in a series 🤦‍♀️
(I will be reading books 1-3 asap)

I'm sure I've missed alot with the workings and the members of DPS, which most likely would have helped me with the plot of TBATB but I didn't struggle or feel lost starting with the 4th book.

I loved Baz and Gemma, watching them grow as individuals and a couple was so beautiful, especially Baz.

The DPS have my full attention, it's like an early day Kingsmen and I love it.
I really enjoyed how the pieces of the puzzle all fit together, I didn't see that ending coming!!

The two other stories/books that popped up through TBATB, were interesting, I'm not sure the reason behind them, (one being TDPS books), they may be better suited to read after your finish the main story.

POSSIBLE SPOILER

Also I'm not sure why Baz, Gemma and the DPS didn't plan that the Kincaid family, being resurrectionist, would do their job, for the main event.
END.

Special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review

Great story, great romance, great mystery. Love the addition of the penny dreadfuls. This is my first book in the series but I now want to go back and read the others. Must suspend disbelief a lot, but it’s still enjoyable in all the ways.

For the poor and infirm,
the hopeless and voiceless,
we do not relent.
We do not forget.
We are the Dread Penny Society."
If you have read the previous installments you will be familiar with this creed and the group.
Fantastical twisting story that kept my brain trying to keep up with all that was happening. Very much enjoyed this installment with a delicious cliffhanger!

I received an eVersion for no compensation or expectation. All opinions are mine alone.

If you are looking for a historical romance with mystery, intrigue, danger, plot twists, and villains, purchase t-h-i-s book. Sarah M. Eden does it again with her marvelous, masterful story telling of the Dread Penny Society. She not only has this amazing story about the members trying to thwart the Mastiff, a criminal mastermind, his network, and a family of nasty resurrectionists, but she also tells Baranbus Milligan’s story of his unusual marriage. But, wait, there’s more! There are not one, but two penny dreadful stories included throughout the book as well.

This is the fourth book in this series and I wasn’t sure if I would love this as much as the others. Well, I should not have even given it a thought because Ms. Eden has certainly outdone the others and has a cliff hanger that left me shouting, “Nooo! What happens next?!” I can’t recommend this amazing book enough and the rest in the series.

This is my favorite quote that is the motto of the Dread Penny Society. “For the poor and infirm, the hopeless and the voiceless, we do not relent.” I can’t wait to read the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The ending of this book gave me the chills! Wonderfully written which is no surprise from Sarah Eden. I have really enjoyed how different this series is with the penny dreadful tales woven into the main story. Gemma and Baz have a beautiful story of overcoming their past and motivating them to make a difference in the world around them. So many questions answered in this book I’ve had since the first novel in the series and I can’t wait for the next!

I adore Brogan, but this may be my favorite book in the series because I absolutely loved Gemma. She is so sweet and strong and funny. The space given to the penny dreadfuls didn't seem to be as much as with the previous books, which I was glad for. I enjoy the little penny dreadful stories woven throughout, but it was nice getting more stories from the MCs.

I will admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Barnubus's penny dreadful story. It didn't hold my interest and I found myself skimming it. But, the rest of the book was amazing.

And the ending? Oh my goodness...I about DIED! I was squealing and I am even more excited for the next book in the series!

Gemma Kincaid is a fun, charming, and smiling lady. People find her very engaging. She and Baz were married three years ago, to protect her from her family. They were resurrectionists and needed extra hands because business was good. This was a very tense time in London, there was a lot of evil.

Dr. Barnabus Milligan was a Doctor of Medicine and tried to help the impoverished women and children in London. His own mother was forced into a Brothel. He also wrote Penny Dreadfuls and belonged to the DPS. They took care of the people on the streets also but more as a group. Baz had told Gemma he felt he could never love but she loved him, and this is when she left for so long. She did not want to get hurt anymore, nor did she want to cause him grief.

She had agreed to help him with the present problem and then she would leave and not return ever.
There were a lot of things going on, the Mastiff was scaring people and the tempest was coming, what was that? The love situation between Baz and Gemma, the fires, and the dead bodies being dug up. The writing is wonderful and so well researched. It is also exciting and keeps your interest.
I am going to have to read the previous novels, so I understand better.

I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I am always so excited to get the next book by Sarah Eden. It's always the first one I go for when on my Kindle! These Dread Penny Society books are so sweet, light, clean, and always a fun adventure. This is #4 in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In this one we get to know Dr. Barnabus Milligan, a physician that heals bodies as well as rescues those in need. He had married a young Gemma Kincaid to help rescue her, but theirs was a marriage of convenience only, even though Gemma had hoped for more. When she didn't receive the kind of love she had hoped, she went off on her own to make her own way in the world. When a letter requesting her return comes, she is hopeful this is when things will turn around for her and and her husband. Unfortunately, he just needed her help with a dangerous family in the neighborhood. There's a whole lot of back and forth with emotions between these two as well as the mystery that needs to be solved. While it got frustrating watching the couple missing what was obvious to the reader, it was still enjoyable and I will for sure anxiously await the next installment!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This series is a must read for me. Well, this author is a must read for me. The characters are what makes this book one of the best of the series. All of my favorite characters are back and/or in some way mentioned. Gemma is adorable and easily likeable. There are descriptions of her that fully illustrate her in my mind. She was a joy. The author leaves no stone unturned. The plot is brilliant with so many twists and turns and reveals, my jaw was agape when I finished. Each book in this series becomes my new favorite.

This was the most intense of the series so far! Lots of twists and secrets revealed-the ending was very eventful. I enjoyed the characters, but I do wish Baz would have made his realization a bit sooner because poor Gemma has been through a lot. Overall it was a great story! I would recommend to read the series in order and recommend to fans of historical fiction.

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden is unlike any book I’ve ever read before. It is a mystery, a thriller and has a slow burn marriage of convenience romance all woven into one fantastic story that had me hooked! The mystery, the intrigue, the suspense! Wow, just wow!

The Dread Penny Society is a secret organization that helps the less fortunate in Victorian London. They help, rescue and try to fight off the criminal organizations in the city. They are also a group of authors that write Penny Dreadfuls; short stories written for the working class. These stories are between chapters throughout this book and I really enjoyed the story written by Mr. King. The Mastiff is the evil mastermind who works with resurrectionists (grave diggers) in this story.

3 1/2 years ago, Dr. Barnabus Milligan secretly married Gemma Kincaid to get her away from her horrible family. Not feeling like Baz(Barnabus)loved her, she leaves 6 months into their marriage of convenience to protect her broken heart. She comes back 3 years later. Can Baz and Gemma ever find happiness and love in each other, and can they and The Dread Penny Society discover how to stop the villains who are terrorizing London…

This is book 4 in The Dread Penny Society Series. This book worked well as a stand alone but I can only imagine how amazing it would be having read the 3 previous books and knowing the other character’s stories. I’m now very intrigued to read them!

This book will transport you to Victorian London! If you’d like to read a book full of mystery, suspense, amazing characters, friendships, a marriage of convenience, a sweet slow burn love story, plot twists and turns, and a shocking revelation that will make you gasp out loud, this book is for you!

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an arc copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

✨Releases September 6th✨

Content warning: loss of parent, traumatic childhood, mild violence, fires, death.

Oh! My! Heavens!!!!!! I couldn't put this book down until I finished reading it last night! I had about 15 pages left and my eyes were getting heavy but I told them they'd just have to toughen up because I absolutely had to finish reading the book before I fell asleep.

And that cliffhanger!!! Wowsers! Worth every minute of reading and sleep lost! My only sadness is that now that I've devoured this book (before it released) I have to wait another stretch of time until the next book is announced and released! Hahaha! But honestly, totally worth it!

I've loved all the books in this series so far, but this one, it's definitely my favorite! I've loved Doc's character (Dr. Barnabus Milligan) from the previous books and was so excited when the author announced this book was his story. All of the characters are great and I love that we get to see a lot about them throughout all of the books. That's one of my favorite aspects about series. It allows so much for character growth and development.

Doc is the confirmed bachelor in his friend's eyes. But imagine their surprise when, nope, just kidding, he's married and not a bachelor and they had no clue!!! Say What?! I loved how it developed and played out in the book. It's not a typical marriage and he and Gemma have a lot to figure out. She's sweet and spunky and not afraid to be her. She's such a fun character. Her and Moirin together are a hoot! Actually her and any of Doc's friends together are a hoot! The humor and wit of the characters adds such a fun dynamic to this series. It is after all a Victorian Mystery/Thriller so it gets suspenseful and having that comedic relief is perfect. Plus, this author is just funny! I love her sense of humor and it shines through these characters!

This is definitely a series you must read in order. And a lot of things that have been culminating from the beginning are laid out in this one! There are twists and turns coming your way. I caught one of them and was so proud of myself when it was revealed. I was like, "YESSSSS!!!!" Ok, more excited and proud of myself that I caught onto to it, not what it was. Holy Cow! It's a doozy! Hold onto your shorts cause it's gonna knock you over! And the ending...duh, duh, duuuuhhhh!!! My jaw dropped and I was like, duh! I should have seen that coming! But I didn't! It was awesome!!! Well played Sarah M. Eden. Well played! *smirks*

Amidst the main plot, we also get to enjoy two Penny Dreadful stories, written by the characters in the story. Oh and are they delicious! Full of ghosts and the fantastical and fairies and such! I was finishing the book last night in the dark right before I went to sleep. My household was all tucked up in their beds and sleeping and here I am reading the ending of this book and the ending to the two Penny Dreadfuls. I was kind of scaring myself, even though they're not scary. (I'm a whimp when it comes to scary things)! I kept telling myself it was all in my head! Hahaha!

There is a tender love story throughout the book as well that I enjoyed. And a couple other hinted at possibilities for books and couples. Hmmmm. Now I'm formulating all kinds of ideas in my head as to how it could work. Yep. I definitely need the next book!

I better stop rambling because I don't want to spoil anything. If you've been following the series, seriously clear your schedule because you're going to want to do nothing but read this book the moment it comes out. If you haven't read any books in the series, do so now so that you're ready for this book!

Content: Clean. There are moments of peril and suspense. The book talks about resurrectionists (grave robbers), arson, murder and other similar topics. But they are all done very mildly and not graphically. I'd let my teenagers read/listen to it. The romance between the married couple is clean. They on share a couple kisses and nothing further.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I have very much enjoyed this series from Book 1. I love the mystery and the additonal penny dreadfuls incorporated in the book. The mystery was intricate and kept me hooked and guessing the whole time. Twists to keep you on your toes. By the end I was just like "what!?" and "what the what!? Crazy!" I can hardly wait for the next one!! Color me very impressed. I appreciated the mild reminders to jog the readers memory about what's happened in the previous stories. I loved the feel of the history and time period worked into the book. This is one of the things I appreciate about reading historical. The premise to their love story I found unique and fresh. Sarah Eden did so great in getting this reader to empathize and relate to the the emotions and thoughts of the H and h. The love story was sweet, endearing and gentle. I also enjoyed the funny and lighthearted moments.

A doctor and an ex-criminal, a marriage of convenience, and their reunion. Dr. Baranbus Milligan is dedicated to his work and is part of the Dread Penny Society, where he not only writes penny dreadfuls but helps those less fortunate. Baranabus has kept a secret, he is a renown bachelor...except he really isn’t. Baranabus has been married, for 3 and 1/2 years to be precise. He rescued Gemma Kincaid from her criminal family and married her to protect her from them. Her family is notorious grave robbers who are intent on keeping her in the family business. but their unconventional relationship is at odds since Gemma has fallen in love with Baranabus but he can’t offer her love, he can offer her friendship, care, a home, but he just doesn’t feel love and can’t be the man she wants. Gemma confesses to him a few months into their marriage that she loves him but growing up in a family that didn’t have love she won’t stand for it anymore and that she’ll come back when he is in love with her. It’s been three years since she left. When Baranabus and the Dread Penny Society have a new case, he realizes he’ll need Gemma’s help especially if her family might be involved, so he writes to her asking her to come home... except she thinks he is finally ready to open his heart rather than the fact that he only wants her help. Gemma makes a new promise, she’ll leave permanently after helping him with his case, she’ll be gone from his life and set him free... except the more time Baranabus spends with her solving this case the more he is beginning to realize that he’s made a horrible mistake and that he’ll have to find a way to convince Gemma of his sincere feelings, or else he’ll lose her forever. This was such a fun read and I loved the relationship between Gemma and Baranabus. They were absolutely sweet and the mystery was a fun one to read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

*Thanks Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, Shadow Mountain for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Wow! I thought the last book got crazy, but this one cranked up the stakes even higher! The story delves into the Victorian era practice of “resurrecting” dead bodies by stealing them from cemeteries and selling them to medical schools so students could practice on cadavers. Also, BIG secrets are revealed in this book. Brace yourself!

On a lighter note, Gemma is an absolute gem, and it was fun to see a new side of Doc Milligan, or Baz as Gemma calls him.

Just like the earlier books in the series, this novel contains two Penny Dreadfuls that are woven into the main storyline. This time around they are The Bachelor and the Bride by Mr. King and Bodies of Light by Dr. Barnabus Milligan, physician.

This is the fourth installment of the Dread Penny Society series. Although each story centers on a different member of the DPS, the books work together to tell an overarching story and should be read in order.

Wow.
I loved Baz and Gemma…. How is it that Sarah M Eden knows how to pull my heart strings so effortlessly. My heart hurt watching Gemma totally in love with Baz, but feeling nothing in return.
And …
That last page. Oh boy. I’ll be reading the next book for sure!!

The Dread Penny Society is back for their fourth romp through the seedy streets of Victorian London. This book focuses on Dr. Barnabas Milligan, whom everyone thought was a bachelor. But we meet his secret wife, Gemma. In this novel, we get to learn about the disturbing grave-digging practices that the criminal ring the DPS keeps fighting are using to terrorize the lower classes of London society.

This addition to the series contains all the mystery, suspense, and fun that the previous introduced us to. I enjoyed learning more about the mysterious Dr. Milligan and watching the DPS in their fight against a complicated criminal underground. The ending of this novel is pretty far-fetched. I suspect that for most readers this will be largely drowned out by the reveals the previous novels have left us waiting for.

As always, we get some extra penny dreadful stories written by DPS members. I particularly enjoyed the story that shares the title of this book. I thought it was super cute and a lovely echo of Barnabas and Gemma’s story.

I really wanted to like this book--it had lots of possibilities, but there were too many problems. The idea of a gang of criminals that terrorize a city is all to0 realistic for our time. I liked the idea that there was a secret society to find the leadership and stop the crime . But then the story lost me when they confronted the leader and rather than try to use what they knew to stop her, they simply smuggled the people who knew who she was out of the city so they would be protected. So the crime went on, and the "bad guys" essentially won. I received this as an ARC and was not influenced in my opinion.

Ramona Thompson

I think one is my favorite so far. I loved both Barnabus and Gemma. Dr Mulligan wants to help anyone he can and Gemma is someone he has helped. Gemma wants him to live her and not just be his pity wife. Dr Mulligan is so busy saving people he can’t see what he really wants. I love how these books do the storyline of the dread penny society but also the stories of the characters are writing. The mystery is getting intense in these books. I can’t wait to see where it leads next.

Okay - so to be completely honest, this series has not been my favorite out of all Sarah Eden's work, ONLY because I felt like it focused more on the Dread Penny Society and didn't have very much romance in them. Still great books!! I just got a little lost in the action/mystery and penny dreadfuls, and I just wanted more romance mixed in to connect me to the characters..

BUT!

BUT! THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!
Definitely the best of the series IMO!! This story is perfectly paced and really well balanced! There is so much amazing mystery and adventure and suspense, but also sweet pining and budding romance happening along the way!! Intricately interwoven into the plot! And its soo sweet!! *sighhh. And I was on the edge of my seat SO MUCH! and I was HERE FOR IT!

I LOVED Barnabus and Gemma! They were amazing characters and I looooved their marriage of convenience situation!

This book has a fantastic beginning that hooked me right away and kept me hooked the whole time, right up to the INSANE SURPRISING TWISTY AWESOME ENDING!
I was on the edge of my seat so much with all the action and suspense in this one, hoping things would work out, and cheering for Barnabus and Gemma!

If you're a fan of this series, you're gonna love this!!! SO MUCH HAPPENS AND WE FIND THINGS OUT! And if you've been on the fence Iike I was, read it!! It's soo good! So worth the read!

I really liked this book. Set in London during the late 1800’s, we are introduced to the seedier side of life. Gemma, the heroine escaped her life with a family of resurrectionists ( a type of grave robber). She marries a physician named Barnabus who only married her in name only. She falls in love with him and leaves when he tells her he only felt sorry for her and could never love her. We find these details as the story unfolds. It starts with her return to her residence with Barnabus with whom she has not resided for 3 long years. The story also has a couple stories within the story itself. I enjoyed the twists and turns and surprise ending.
If you like historical novels, you probably would enjoy this. I received an ARC through NetGalley. But it did not affect my honest review.

Barnabus married Gemma to help her family out, but it was in secret. Gemma, however, is in love with him and leaves because that love is not returned. He sends for her later because her help is needed to stop a crime network. She is heartbroken to find he is not in love with her, but agrees to help.

This book is one of a series, but the only one I have read. It was slow in the beginning for me, but it picked up. There was a lot going on, but I enjoyed the story between Barnabus and Gemma. The author had me rooting for them. I didn’t care for the Penny Society element, but probably because I had not read the previous books.

If you like this series, you will enjoy the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wonderful new installment of the Dread Penny novels. Full of twists and turns, love, mystery, betrayal, etc. Lots of elements and situations that took a turn down an ally you didn't know existed. Great novel!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Absolutely brilliant, as usual for Sarah M. Eden! I love the book within a book and how it enhances the story. I loved Baz and Gemma. I thought they were delightful, and their relationship was beautiful. Definitely ordering a hard copy!

Beautiful and edgy. Sarah has written this series beautifully and as this was the fourth book I knew I would thoroughly enjoy the stories within it's pages. Not many authors can creat a cohesive book that contains three separate stories in it's pages but Sarah succeeds beyond all others who have attempted this feat. And of course she had the last work which will leave you wanting more as we are left hanging on the cusp of something much bigger than we ever could have expected. Suspenseful writing is tough but four books into this series I NEVER would have guess what was coming, even with all the clues that looking back should have been clear as day.

Three stories in one book:
1)The Bachelor and the Bride (Penny Dreadful)
2)The story you expected
3)Bodies of Light (Penny Dreadful)

The story you expected, is about a Victorian era doctor in London who has a small practice, writes Penny Dreadful stories for extra income, and helps the poor and needy as a member of a secret organization of Penny Dreadful authors. The group has a secret leader, the Dread Master, a secure headquarters, and several members maintain safe houses.

Three years ago, to protect and help a woman escape, Doctor Barnabus Milligan married Gemma Kincaid, an unwilling member of a murderous criminal family, famous city-wide as resurrectionists (body-snatchers and killers).

Gemma loved the doctor, but refused to live with him until he loved her in return--which he claimed he never could. So she worked just above starvation and moved often (still afraid of her far-reaching family) until the doctor changed his mind. Then she received a message to come home to him...sort-of.

Penny Dreadful Stories: Printed as weekly serial parts (sections) in newspapers, etc., or as short (cheap pulp paper 8-16 page) booklets--usually sensational/dramatic, romance, paranormal, or detective/criminal in nature, for a penny--so the poorer classes (in the UK) could afford to read them too.

The Bachelor and the Bride (Penny Dreadful):
A fanciful tale of a doctor (Duncan) who goes in search of a cure for a young patient's extended illness and--in desperation--visits an old wise woman. She sends him on a quest through lands of fairies and monsters with Sorcha; a young woman left orphaned by monsters years ago.

Bodies of Light (Penny Dreadful):
An eerie story of a doctor on his way to attend a patient who sees mysterious lights in the marsh at night. While trying to save a dying patient, he sees a similar light, and vows he will find the secret and source of the lights before he dies. This is a cautionary tale (beware); a story type still popular, but not always as blunt as this.

It was confusing to have the "dreadful" stories wedged into the main story, which I don't have a separate name for. It was imaginative and somewhat entertaining, but distracting.

Over all, I enjoyed the book, but I would not purposely read another like it. I found too much repetition in all three stories; probably because they were broken up into so many pieces.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the preview of this e-copy proof; the review is voluntary.

3/5 Stars

#TheBachelorandtheBride #NetGalley
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#SarahMEden #SarahMEdenAuth
#VictorianHistoricalRomanceBooks
#VictorianHistoricalRomance
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This is my first in the Dread Penny Society Series, and I loved it! I actually wish I read the others first, but I'll be adding them to my TBR pronto.

A marriage of convenience story, Dr. Barnabus saves Gemma from her family through marriage.

I absolutely loved Gemma, and while I was less enthused by Barnabus for much of the story, he was still a great character (one who definitely deserved to grovel a little more than he did).

It was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading the others.

#TheBachelorandtheBride #NetGalley

This fourth installment, of the Penny Dreadful Series, was a page turner for sure. Barnabas Milligan, finds himself, in the middle of a plot, that the Mastiff has stirred up. His friends are surprised, when Barnabas, reveals, that he is married and his wife's name is Gemma. Gemma has her secrets as well. When Gemma's family is trying to get her to join in their life of crime, Gemma refuses and her life is in danger. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

This series is one of my favorites! I loved learning more about Doc and his background and his relationship with Gemma was so sweet. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and the ending was a complete surprise in multiple ways!

The Dread Penny Society series by Sarah M. Eden maintains and excels each previous book. Getting to look into the lives of Gemma and Baz was at times heart wrenching. The author captures the unspeakable desperation of Victorian London, and yet inspires hope in the reader. The surprises in ending of 'The Bachelor and the Bride' won't leave me. I am anxiously awaiting more! I highly recommend this entire series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

*I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Based on the end of this book, there will be another, which makes me quite happy. I’ve enjoyed this series, reading the stories of each set of protagonists and the challenges they faced set within the overarching story of the criminal mastermind terrorizing London. I must confess that I was surprised by the identities of two opposing characters—I had no suspicions of either of them—and am looking forward to the continuation of the story.

With previous books, I’ve had guesses about which member of the DPS would be the focus of the next book. This time, my best guess is Stone. Or perhaps things will get shaken up a bit and the next book will follow Móirín.

Of the four books so far, this one was possibly my least favorite—but that’s not to say I didn’t like it. I can’t recall how old Gemma and Barnabas are, but I believe I pieced together that she’s 21-23 and he’s 25-27. I just didn’t feel as drawn to them as I had to some of the other characters. Their story felt somewhat awkward, but I suppose that was kind of the point. Aside from that, I had more difficulty picturing them outside of the book, if that makes sense. Still, I enjoyed the writing, the story, and the characters. I will gladly continue the series.

Note: Nothing bad.

I loved every suspenseful minute of this book. I loved both the bachelor and his bride, Their story was delightful as were the interspersed penny dreadful stories.

The bigger story that has been happening throughout this series, really came to life in this one. And one of the biggest questions I have had was answered marvelously. I can't say more or it would spoil everything.

Back to the Bachelor, Doc is fabulously written and a good soul, the bride, Gemma just wants to be loved. She is spunky and resourceful and fits right in with the dread penny society members. The chemistry is palpable and the tension in the story never stops.

This book takes the stakes previously set and raises them with a twist I didn't see coming even though the clues were there. Sarah M Eden has created a masterpiece that refuses to be put down. I loved every second with the final secrets revealing themselves at the very end. I am truly hoping for more from the Dread Penny Society. I would give more than five stars if they were available.

I received an early copy through netgalley and this is my honest review.

The Dread Penny Society series continues with the fourth installment. The DPS is a collection of serial story authors who help the poor in London. They try to and provide safe houses and jobs to women and street children so they don’t end up in undesirable situations. This adventure focuses on Dr. Barnabus Milligan. Three years earlier he married Gemma Kincaid to rescue her from her family. He enjoyed their compatibility but told her he would never love her so she left. Now the DPS can use her knowledge of grave digging, which is her family business, so he contacts her. She happily returns and together they try to puzzle out who is the powerful leader of the criminal world in London. This has been the over arching storyline through out the series.

Things I liked: First I love Sarah Eden’s writing. She brings characters to life, they use accents for and colloquial slang. Second, this is an exciting adventure and progress is made toward getting to the villain. Third, I like learning new things of the time period, especially for lower classes. And lastly, the ending was a jaw dropping cliff hanger.

But on the other hand I am ready for this series to be finished. There are a lot of characters now to keep up with from the previous books. Some have progressed to marriage but you don’t get a lot of details or catching up with anyone. I enjoyed the serial stories in the first few books and while these ones are good I now skip those chapters and go back and read them when I finish because they interrupt the flow of the story. I’m sure they are fun to write but for example I don’t enjoy reading fantasy stories but if the serial story is a fantasy I feel compelled to read it even though it isn’t something I would choose to on my own.

I will read the next adventure and will continue to watch for Eden’s other romances. As always this author and publisher produce clean books suitable for any romance reader. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for a review.

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M Eden is part of the dread penny society series and best enjoyed read in order.

This particular story reunites 2 characters in a second chance for love. Second chance love and marriage of convenience are both favorite tropes, so it was fun to see them combined. I’ve always liked the Dr and enjoyed getting to know him and his backstory in this book.

This book provides romance, mystery, and the fight for those overlooked in society. I really enjoyed the twists and surprises at the end of the book. It definitely made me anticipate the next novel in this series. If you enjoy other Sarah M Eden books, I think you will enjoy this one as well.

Available September 6th!

OH. MY. WORD! Best book ever!

I say this a lot about many of the books I read, but I really, really enjoyed The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden. From page one, I was hooked and did not want to put this book down. I have loved every book in this totally unique series, but The Bachelor and the Bride is my favorite to date. I loved the awesome way Eden utilizes the marriage-of-convenience and unrequited-love tropes. It felt fresh and unique to this story. As with her other stories in this series, the suspense in The Bachelor and the Bride is perfect. In fact, by the end I was totally holding my breath while I furiously turned pages. I just had to know how things would work out. And the ending…oh my goodness, it’s the best. All the cool reveals, the cliffhanger, it’s enough to make a reader cry out (which I did and scared my kid, hehehe)! I cannot wait for book five so I can see where Eden will take us, readers, next.

Life is hard. In some cases, gruesomely hard. We humans don’t get to pick how we come into this world or who our families are. But we do, ultimately, get to decide if we allow hardship to turn us to the dark side, or towards what is good and right. There is a brilliant moment when Gemma considers this topic — how hard her life is. She comes to a brilliant conclusion: “…Being slowed by the difficulties of life but not stopped by them. There was shocking clarity in that. Not being loved by the man she adored, having her family hunting her, needing to wait to make good her escape…it all slowed her. But she didn’t mean to let it stop her” (loc. 4171). I love this clarity. Yes, life is hard. Yes, it can kick the pants off you. If you let it, it can get you so down you give up. But we don’t have to let the difficulties of our lives win. We get to choose every single day how we allow things to affect us. We can choose to see the slow-down of hardship as a blessing and not a curse. In the slow-down we can process, we can find a good friend and confide in her, we can make choices. We can choose NOT to give up on life and the goodness that is available as long as we are willing to do the work of finding those good things. We can choose to fight. We can choose to love and forgive and try again. We don’t have to let hardships take us out. I really love this message and feel it is more relevant today than ever before.

The Bachelor and the Bride is a seriously outstanding story. I so want to read this book again and again, and I truly look forward to the next installment. If you are a fan of fantastically written Historical Suspense, then purchase a copy of this book immediately. You won’t regret you did.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Eden has outdone herself this time, building on the foundation of previous books in the series to bring us more feels, more thrills, and a jaw-dropping conclusion that will leave you screaming for more. And much as I love, love, love the early books, I was not expecting that "HELL YES WHAT NEXT" reaction to this one. But even before the final act escalated and nearly gave me a heart attack or two, this was already my new favorite because Gemma and Barnabus? Perfection. The way they love and support each other is a thing of beauty, especially because they've been through so much and have so many obstacles, and I loved where their story went (and is still going). It will be a hard year, waiting for the next entry, but you'd better believe I'll put the time to good use and reread all of the books for clues I missed the first time around.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The suspense and urgency of the Dread Penny Society series continue to grow in the fourth book, The Bachelor and the Bride. The characters in this book are complex and colorful, particularly the Bride, and it is always enjoyable to visit old friends from previous books in the series. Eden skillfully adds in chapters from the authors of the Dread Penny Society, telling two other stories of different styles within the larger framework of the novel. The conclusion of this book wraps up the immediate problems while introducing more than one unexpected twist in the continuing story of the Mastiff versus the Dread Penny Society, leaving the reader eager for the next (and final?) book in this series.

Wow, what a wild ride of a story!!

The beginning of this story felt like a bit of a slow start, but it slowly developed into a whirlwind of twists and turns that kept me turning page after page. I really enjoyed getting to know Doc (Barnabas/Baz) and meeting Gemma throughout this story. I loved seeing how they fit in with the DPS gang as a whole and seeing them work on their relationship with each other. They had a marriage of convenience years ago in order to help Gemma escape a volatile situation. After time apart from one another, the two reunite just as the DPS’s world is getting flooded with threats and danger lurking around every corner.

I can’t say much about this plot with spoilers so I will just say that if you enjoy the DPS characters and this fictional world, the last 15% of this book ups the ante (which is saying something considering the tension that escalated throughout the entire book) and everything you thought you knew is turned on it’s head.

All I can say is wow, I can’t wait to see what Sarah Eden does next!

Many thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this story, all thoughts are my own.

This book was a breath of fresh air in that we have two main characters who grew up in the rougher parts of London and have found their way to one another through necessity. Married three years and some months ago, Baz saved Gemma from her nefarious, grave-digging Kincaid clan. Gemma has always longed for Baz's love, but it was not something he felt he could give Gemma, and so the two are parted for three years before Baz seeks Gemma's expertise to help him and his Dread Penny Society (DPS) comrades undermine and capture "The Mastiff".

I love a good second chance for a marriage in trouble, but this one fell a little short in that the action and activities of the DPS and its secondary characters seemed to take over the bulk of the story. There were also chapters of penny serials that didn't add to the story, in my opinion. Now, I should have prefaced this opinion with the fact that I have not read the previous books in this series, and I felt a little lost at times.

What I did like about the book was the author's attention to historical detail: grave robbers, penny serials, and the lives of everyday people in late 19th century London. Quite a bit of the diction-mainly appearing in Gemma's speech-also seemed authentic and caused her character to feel more well-rounded and dynamic.

I would not recommend reading this book as a standalone if you want to understand the secondary character's motivations and the villainous plot line that seems to thread throughout these books. This book does end on a cliffhanger and big reveal that threatens the DPS and anyone affiliated with them. So, if you are already a fan, you will most definitely want to read this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced eARC of this book thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheBachelorandtheBride #NetGalley

Wow. WOW! I couldn’t put this one down, and I’ll be thinking about all those twists and turns for a long time! This is definitely my favorite of the series so far! Barnabas (Baz) and Gemma were so sweet, even if I wanted to shake some sense into Baz at times. :) Gemma’s history made her addition to the story so interesting and intense! The Penny Dreadfuls added some fun foreshadowing, although not always in the way I was expecting. So much is revealed in this book, and it makes me so anxious for the next installment! Well done, Sarah Eden! So good!

4.5 Stars!

I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I have rarely been as dramatically and repeatedly shocked as I was with this book. When I started it, I had very high expectations, expectations that it seemed, at first, this book would not meet. I was not a huge fan of the writing style at first, as it struck me as a bit different from the other books, a fusion of that style and one or two London dialects. I also came upon a few passages I found slightly repetitive. But, the style quickly grew on me, and before too long, I fell in love with it. And the slight repetition was a small matter compared to the brilliance of the rest of this book.

This is, simply put, one of the most brilliantly plotted books I have ever read. From intensely involved and detailed plans to dark and complicated character pasts, from interweaving storylines from the previous books to jaw-dropping twists and turns within twists and turns that always kept me hooked, the plotting of this book is sheer genius and a very impressive balance of a multitude of details and characters. The romance I loved from the previous books was back with a new unique love story that developed beautifully and more characters for me to get to know and fall in love with alongside the ones who had already won my heart in the previous books.

The ending was a pretty sudden escalation, which was both very exciting and a bit jarring (kind of felt like a gear shift almost) but all of it ended up making sense, and I certainly didn’t see it coming. And as mentioned before, the author certainly covered and balanced a lot in this book, which was impressive and enjoyable, even when, at times, she seems to be almost spreading herself too thin. In that way, this book was different from the others before it. The best way I can describe it is ‘epic,' and I can't wait to see the saga continue.

This book and this series are absolutely stellar, and I cannot wait to read more. I cannot recommend this series highly enough! Thank you, Sarah M. Eden!

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed "The Bachelor & The Bride". It was a plot-driven romp through Victorian England, exploring the city' underbelly of street gangs and resurrectionists. While this is the 4th book in the series, it did work as a stand-alone. The extra context would have been nice, but it certainly wasn't necessary!

If you like:
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- mystery and intrigue
- historic settings

then this might be the book for you! I'm certainly looking forward to reading the other 3 books in the series.

This book is by far my favorite of the Dread Penny Society series! Although it felt very slow at the beginning, the fast-paced, intriguing ending more than made up for the time spent getting into the story. The relationship between Baz and Gemma was genuine and heart-felt--talk about a slow burn. I am excited to see what happens in the next book.

3.5 stars! (Some possible spoilers) The Bachelor and the Bride was a solid effort from author Sarah Eden. I was intrigued by the blurb and enjoyed many aspects of the story. I enjoyed getting to know Baz and Gemma! I loved Gemma's fiery spirit! I was a little frustrated by their relationship. Eden always does a good job explaining things and providing details, sometimes over explaining when it's not needed. But Baz's change of heart was weird to me. He decided he missed her after he said their marriage wasn't a love match? That's it? I enjoyed the twists of the plot, especially the revelations at the end--wow!! But there were times in the story where things slowed down and I got a bit bored. I still find the stories within the story a bit odd and don't feel they are needed. They are a fine addition, but sometimes I just wanted to continue with the main plot!

What an adventure this story was! I'd only read the first in this series, so I was unsure if I would be confused during this one. But I was able to follow everything pretty well, and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists in this story. The whole resurrectionists thing was a little creepy for my taste (and I could've done without the doctor's penny dreadful) but the ending made up for that.

THAT ENDING. I LOVED IT. (There's a little bit of a plot hole, but the twists completely distracted me from that!) And I'm definitely looking forward to the next!

I do recommend a reader at least read the first in the series before this one, but if you want mystery with very clean romance woven in, look no further.

*I received a copy of the novel free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

London, 1866

Barnabus Milligan secretly married Gemma Kincaid to save her from her family of notorious grave robbers, The Kincaids. Gemma comes to the realization that her love for her husband is unrequited on his side, so she does what only she thinks she can, she leaves to protect her heart.

Three years later, Barnabus sends a letter to Gemma asking for her help with her family, who are causing a lot of problems in London. She comes but she also warns her husband she will not stay for long.

I will admit that I haven’t read any of the other Dread Penny books but I was able to read this book easily as a stand-alone. I was completely swayed to read this book because of the book cover color! I just was so drawn to the color of this cover and I figured this is by Sarah M. Eden, so I’m not sure why I haven’t read the other books in this series…

The Bachelor and The Bride moved at a great pace, I loved the setting and even though it’s not specifically written, you can feel the atmospheric vibe throughout the book. All of the characters treat each other like family, and this may this story so much more enduring. The ending was kind of unexpected but it was twisty and enough for me to consider reading the next book in the series, and while I wait consider going back to read the first three!

My gratitude to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are my own.

With lots of action, adventure, and twists and turns, The Bachelor and the Bride is an entertaining addition to Sarah M. Eden’s Dread Penny Society series. Barnabus and Gemma have kept their marriage secret for three years, since they were married to rescue Gemma from her notorious family. After six months, Gemma leaves when she realizes her growing love for her husband is unrequited. The story opens as she receives a letter from Barnabus and returns to his home.

I enjoyed returning to London in this tale and also revisiting some of the characters from previous stories in the series. A small problem I had with this book is that there were essentially three different story lines going on, and it got a bit confusing and jolting to be suddenly thrust into a different story line. However, the characters were colorful and interesting, and Eden’s books are always a joy to read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is perfect for Bridgerton fans, but it's got a slower pace. It's very plot=driven and I would have loved to see a more well-developed character arc.

Sarah Eden continues the mystery in this new Dread Penny Society book. There are questions answered, but several new questions arise. I already cannot wait for the next book in the series. It's hard to pick a favorite Sarah Eden series because they are all wonderful, but if I had to pick, it would be the Dread Penny Society series. Not only do we get a full length novel, but two penny dreadfuls woven into the books! That makes the stories all the more fun and exciting. If you love mystery and intrigue with the added bonus of comedy and romance, these books are absolutely perfect. It's also great that with each story we get to know the members of the DPS a little bit better and we get to meet new characters. I also love the covers of these books. They are really unique and different.

Ladies and gents... I am shell shocked cause Sarah M. Eden just dropped a bomb of a book.

I don't know what else to say, I am contemplating sitting in a corner, looking out into nothing, and pretending I knew it all along. I mean geeezzzzz! It was right there the whole time but yet it wasn't. I just keep going back and forth on the little bits of clues and processing the whole sound of *mind blown* gifs sounding off in my head.

As a reader, my recommendation is to read the series in order. These characters are willing to shine. This is book 4 and I have loved each of them.

Doc and Gemma! They're adorable like little kittens but are fierce like hungry tigers.

Seriously a top read for me this year! If I say more I will probably spoil the book but this is so well done.

Still reeling a little bit from the epic twist the end of this book took but this is a spoiler free review so I’m going to move on from that and try to formulate thoughts about the rest of the story.
I’ll admit that Barnabas “Doc” wasn’t a character that super intrigued me when he made appearances in the previous books but as we got to know him more in this one I found him to be deserving of the title “hero” (even if he was a bit dunderheaded in matters of the heart). The way he used the pain and trauma he’d witnessed and endured as fuel for a passion to save as many others from a similar fate was beyond admirable. Especially since he did it without worries for his own safety or expecting anything in return.
Gemma was a bit rough around the edges but had a heart of gold which was something of a miracle considering her family and how she was raised.
The two of them were sweet together and definitely complemented each other well-I do wish, though, that we’d had just a bit more romantic tension throughout. There was still romance though and I loved watching them finally be on the same page.
The ongoing hunt for the criminal mastermind the Mastiff, the continued puzzling out of what the coming Tempest was, and the new threat from Gemma’s family all made for some intriguing events to keep you fully invested in the story. And I’m not overstating the ending guys-it’s truly masterfully surprising!

Well, well, well. The DPS (The Dread Penny Society) is back and better than ever! I didn't even bother reading the synopsis of this book because I've been so invested in this series. I think it was the way to go because my jaw was dropping after chapter one!

The suspense was PERFECT! It held my attention from start to finish and I happily procrastinated everything I should have been doing with this sleep stealing read! The romance was an amazing second chance/friends to more/marriage of convenience (yes, it has it all-this is Sarah M Eden, you know!). I again, loved the dual timeline-esque story with the inserted penny dreadful novella as with the previous books in this series. If you're looking for a perfect welcome to fall read, I highly suggest THIS ONE!

One word: resurrectionists.

Creepy and perfectly spooky for a fall read. There is mild violence in this book, and darker tones, but nothing I wouldn't let my teen read.

I hesitate to share much more because this book has BIG SPOILERS in it that are mind blowingly awesome! If you have enjoyed any of the previous books in this series you are sure to enjoy this one! If you haven't read this series I highly recommend going back and reading from the beginning.

My mind is officially blown. Well done, Sarah M Eden...well done!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

You have likely already twigged that The Mastiff and his lot will be up to their old tricks for sure and for certain and that there will be a sweet love story for one of our Heros and you would be right. What you may not be expecting is that this wonderful book has more twists than a Hitchcock Movie and more turns than the Indy 500. I have been a fan of the DPS since book one but I think this is my favorite to date!  It is a suspense thriller and romantic love story all in one great read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Pulidhing for an advanced copy of this WONDEFUL book!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4594170213

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. It has great Sherlock Holmes vibes combined with romance and in-world documents. The penny dreadful portion is wonderful and entertaining.

The romantic relationship is unique from its starting point, and overcoming their obstacles is truly challenging. I loved both of them. And their friends are supportive and interesting. The addition of the gravediggers—resurrectionists—and the mystery of the coming Tempest kept me intrigued. The plot wove together in a wonderful way. And I loved the reveal at the end.

Anyone who likes Sherlock mysteries, Victorian settings, stories with in-world documents, street urchins, mastermind criminals, intrigue, and romance will love this story.

This is the fourth book in the series, but it's the first I've read and picked up everything just fine. And now, I get to go back and read the other three. All around a win.

I hope you love this book as much as I did. It's a proper romance and anyone can read it. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

The Bachelor and the Bride is highly recommended.

Oh boy. What do you say about a book that left you absolutely BUZZING! I won't give any sort of spoilers, because that just would not be fair, but the ending of the book had my jaw on the floor.

Sarah M. Eden has created something truly special with this series. The addition of the penny dreadfuls interweaved in the main story make you anticipate the rest of the book as you see ties from one chapter to the next. But the intricate design of the people in the series just makes it worth it all.

Baz and Gemma are a great pair. I love how he is able to let his more polished self down with her. She is able to find comfort and peace in him. I enjoy watching love come on so slowly sometimes that it surprises someone. I think that love can definitely do that. I have seen that before.

I have read each of these books in the series. Most of Sarah's books you can read individually and let it be. But this is not one of those series in my opinion. The three books before you could possibly get away with that, but not this one. I would suggest this series gets read in order. And I would add this: Hold on to your seats. The ride gets more intense as you go.

The story is captivating and intriguing!
I really loved Gemma, she's so sweet and loveable. She has humor and is also a mix between vulnerable and strong.
I really liked the development of her relationship with Barnabus. There could have a little more spark but still it was great to read about it.
The two novels in the middle felt a little out of place, to be honest. It slowed down the pace of the book a bit.
I had a little trouble getting through the beginning of the story but the second half made it up. A really strong ending and some plottwists held me captive :)
I also did like the descriptive style of writing!
It wasn't my favourite book of the author, but I still enjoyed it!

HOLY COW! I'll get to my real review soon, but WOW!!! I need the next book in the series to come out ASAP because I don't think I can handle waiting!! I NEED TO KNOW what happens next!!!!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I of course jumped at the chance to read an ARC of this book. While normally the characters are what I enjoy best about pretty much any book, the plot sort of stole the show in this one. That's not a criticism of the characters--I liked Doc and Gemma and felt like they were well-developed, with believable motivations and very interesting backstories--but rather an indication that there a LOT going on in the plot, with twists and turns and danger that kept me guessing what was going to happen next! By the time you reach the last quarter of the book, you should definitely make sure you have time to just read straight through to the end because it's pretty much impossible to put it down at that point! There are some BIG twists, and maybe other readers saw them all coming but for me, there were a couple of jaw-dropping moments because I DIDN'T expect something to turn out the way that it did, and when I initially finished, I just had no words beyond "WOW!" So, yeah, the plot blew my mind a few times, the characters were great, and the setting was fantastic. Sarah Eden does such a fabulous job weaving details into the story and making Victorian England come alive. I seriously can't wait for the next book in this series!

5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#BookRevew: THE BACHELOR AND THE BRIDE by Sarah M. Eden

I have only read book three. Though I felt like I missed out on some good stories, I didn’t have a problem understanding the whole thing. I have been waiting for this book to come out and The Bachelor and the Bride didn’t disappoint. I like this better than the previous one. I think this series is best read in order.

The clean romance was sweet but the underlying mystery and danger created the momentum of the story. It was fast paced enough. The resurrectionists element was scary and bone chilling for me. I just can’t imagine people doing that for a living. The underworld in general during those times sounded like a place you wanted to avoid.

The second half of the book was more engaging and things got more interesting. There’s a lot of twists and surprises. I like how the dreadfuls look out for each other. The book also gave us two stories written by the dreadfuls. I always wondered who the Dread Master was. Fletcher was the voice and the face of the master but the revelation was shocking. I need book five asap!

Rating: 4 stars
Series: The Dread Penny Society Book 4
Pub date: 06 Sep 2022

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Something I love about this series is that while each book has a sweet love story woven throughout, there’s elements of danger and mystery and hope mixed together. The Penny Dreadful stories included are also a testament to the writing genius of Sarah M. Eden. The main story and the two Penny Dreadfuls have their own unique voice, individual to her characters. Though wildly different they also all relate to each other! I will admit to staying up WAY too late to finish this book. It’s THAT good. So much that we’ve been waiting for happens, more answers are found, but more questions left me wanting more immediately! I may just have to go back and binge the series again to see if I can piece together more clues.

If you enjoy found family, suspense, riddles, marriage of convenience, and folklore, you’ll love The Bachelor and the Bride!

The Bachelor and the Bride is a fun regency hybrid book - a blend between mystery and romance. I was a little surprised to discover the focus on the mystery since I definitely got a strong "romance" vibe from the blurb, but it was entertaining on both fronts.

This book was just amazing! Loveable characters, plot twists and the BEST ending!

Barnabus married Gemma to save her from her family, but she refused to stay in a marriage without reciprocated love. Knowing her past had been controlled by evil her evil family, he refused to do anything that would take away Gemma's voice. He wanted her to have a future of her own choosing. So much of this love story was just so sweet and charming, but the undercurrent of mystery and danger keep the story moving forward.

As with the entire series, Fletcher Walker is the acting head of the Dread Penny Society, and is the voice of the Dread Master. At the end of this book, you just might have an inkling as to who the Dread Master really is! But I refuse to share spoilers!

I have loved this entire series! Now I'm eagerly anticipating the next one

"They were finding their way. They were finding reason to hope. They were finding love."

London, 1866

Gemma and Barnabus have been married for the past three years and haven't seen each other in almost as long. After wandering and hiding from her criminal family, Gemma receives a letter from Barnabus, asking her to return home. Unfortunately, Barnabus only wants Gemma's help—not her heart—and the intrigue that follows them could find them both heartbroken . . . or killed.

Of all Sarah Eden's books, the Dread Penny Society series hasn't been my favorite. That being said, I always find myself coming back for more, and I always find myself enjoying the books as I read them. This latest installment in the series was absolutely my favorite.

There were so many twists and turns and bumps and excitement that I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to keep reading as long as humanly possible so I could find out how everyone was going to get out of this massive tangle that seems to be getting more and more tangled the further we go on.

I loved Gemma and Baz. I loved their romance and their interactions. Baz is incredibly sweet, and he and Gemma together were darling.

Fletcher is fantastic, as always.

I'm not a huge fan of the penny dreadfuls that come in between the overarching story, but I must say, I am impressed with how well the Sarah adopts the mien and writing style of another—it's so neat.

What a ride this book is. I cannot wait until the next book comes out. I can't believe we will have to wait so long until we can see things be resolved. I'm hoping the series will come to a close with the next book, simply because I don't think I can handle being left on tenterhooks one more time. I thoroughly recommend the Dread Penny Society series—especially this last one.

Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary ebook! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great addition to the Dread Penny series. Set in London during the Victorian era there was plenty of mystery, mayhem, and murder without being too graphic. A secret society who rescues the less unfortunate. “For the poor and infirm, the hopeless and the voiceless, we do not relent. We do not forget. We are the Dread Penny Society. And on top of that, several of the characters are authors of the Penny dreadfuls and we get two of those stories mixed in with the main story. It wasn’t too hard to keep the stories separate. They were a lot of twists and gripping parts but I did struggle with a couple things. However the ending was epic and now I need the next one.

The Bachelor and the Bride is another thrilling adventure in the historical romance series The Dread Penny Society. I love the format switching between the penny dreadful stories and the exciting romance between Gemma and Barnabus. Both the serialized stories and the main plot are captivating and will engage the readers from the first to he last page. Highly recommended.

You do not want to miss the next installment in Sarah M Eden's Dread Penny Society series! I highly recommend picking this book up on a day you don't have any other obligations - it is full of twists and turns and dilemmas and keeps you turning pages. This novel gives you three stories in one book - two Penny Dreadful serial novellas interwoven into the main narrative, both of which are complete with supernatural elements and tie-ins to the main action. I loved Eden's generous sprinkling of Victorian cant phrases from various areas of London and nearby countries. The forward movement in the overarching plot for the series was a large part of this book, but Eden's trademark character development (of new and old faces) shines as always. I am on pins and needles for the next book in the series!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I was so happy to know that Doc was actually married. And what a great twist to it all! Will keep you guessing what is coming next and the ending was definitely not what I expected!!!! Another absolutely wonderful book by Sarah Eden.

Dude. I've seen so so many posts about The Bachelor and the Bride. Every single person talks about how it's amazing, mind blowing, etc. Well, let me just add my voice into that camp.
Each book in Sarah M Eden's series gets better and better. But the twists and turns in this story makes me suspicious that book # 5 could be any better than The Bachelor and the Bride. But I'm a long time SME fan and I don't actually doubt her abilities. (It just sounds like it 🤣😉)

So, read the whole series. In order. I think I'm going to go back and reread it, now that I know more. Kind of like rewatching The Sixth Sense. You just gotta know if it all makes sense. 😅

Available September 6. Preorder it. Don't deprive yourself of this installment any longer than you need to.

Thank you, Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far The Bachelor and the Bride, this book was similar to the others this story was entertaining and it continued to build momentum and the ending chapters were so great, this is probably my favorite book of the series and I really hope to read more.

Barnabus and Gemma entered a secret marriage of convenience three and a half years earlier to save her from her murderous, resurrectionist family - then she left six months later when she, having fallen in love with him, gave up on him ever loving her. But as the Mastiff's terrorisation of London worsens, to the point where he's having bodies 'resurrected' as an additional horror, the DPS needs an expert on resurrection men, and Barnabus asks Gemma to return. At first, she thinks he's learned to love her after all, but she soon learns that he wanted her help in fighting the Mastiff and agrees to help for a few weeks before leaving again. Meanwhile, though, the Mastiff's depredations continue, and now signs are being left warning that 'The Tempest is Coming'. Worse, Gemma's family need her back as the trade expands, and they'll go to any lengths to find her and either take or kill her. Can the DPS work out who or what the Tempest is, while trying to keep Gemma and others safe? And amidst all this, can Barnabus work out his true feelings towards Gemma before she dies or disappears again?

Romance, mystery, a secret society and instalments of penny dreadfuls - it's an amazing combination, at least with an author like this who has the skill to weave it all together so that they add to rather than detract from each other. I enjoyed watching Gemma and Barnabus gradually grow closer as they spent more time together, and I particularly loved the unique 'wedding ceremony'. Note that in terms of the romance, this is a standalone story, but the mystery the DPS is trying to solve continues through the series, so it's best read as part of the series (though still enjoyable on its own). All in all, a unique series with interesting characters, a massive problem to solve together, secrets, romance, and bonus stories interleaved through. This is a great addition to the series and I look forward to the next book. Highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

A second chance romance set in the streets of London in 1866. For fans of murder mysteries, period romance, and rags to riches. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat, so be careful with your swooning. Scores of likable characters can be found and misdirects abound.

I enjoyed the main storyline immensely. There are two side stories scattered throughout the chapters. And though I appreciate the morals and purpose of the side plots, I feel they make the overall story a little clunky. But if that's really my only complaint, I think that speaks favorably about the book :) I was never quite sure where we were going and how it would all wrap up. I am very pleased with the ending twist and eagerly await the next story!

Each time I think I find my favorite book of this series Sarah blows me away with the next. That was definitely the case here my friends. The Bachelor and the Bride was fantastic! That ending… 🤯 soooo good you all. Didn’t see it coming and that thrilled me. This is Doc’s & Gemma’s second chance at love. Their backstory, chemistry, and putting the others ones needs first was lovely.
No worries though, friends, you will see plenty from our fellow DPS writers. Fletcher makes plenty of appearances. I fact I know we all love.
This story was sweet, entertaining, exciting, and had me antsy to find out if they’ll finally catch up with the Mastiff.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely superb writing, an ending you can't not love and anticipation climbing to new heights with every page. A cliff hanger I adored and a story for the ages.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Bachelor and the Bride is the fourth installment in Sarah M. Eden’s Dread Penny Society series. While some elements, like the romance, stand alone, I feel it’s a series best read in order to get the fuller context of the cast of characters and the overarching plot elements.
As a romance, I found this one pretty solid. I enjoyed the setup with Barnabus wanting to offer financial support for Gemma by marrying her, but Gemma being broken-hearted because she has feelings for him he does not return. It’s hard not to feel for Gemma and the situation she’s in, and I also found her pretty likable in her own right, as she’s both sweet and relatively confident in herself, in spite of what she’s been through. It took a bit to warm up to Barnabus, but he’s coming from the right place, and his love for Gemma grows gradually throughout the story.
Like the previous books, you get interstitial bits of “penny dreadful” stories. The “Mr. King” contribution sharing a name with the book’s title is a fun one, and I liked the subtle parallels with Barnabus and Gemma’s story. The one “written” by Barnabus himself was a bit more of a miss for me, although the presentation feels realistic for something his character would write.
I found myself feeling very mixed on the external plot. I enjoyed how it connected to Gemma’s past overall, with her family being the major villains who Barnabus once saved her from, who he now needs her help to bring down. But trying to follow it amid the other things going on sort of killed the momentum at times for me. And the ending (which took a while to get to) felt a bit unbelievable, even taking into account how much easier it was to disappear and be declared dead in the 19th century.
While I didn’t like this as much as the previous book, it is very much in line with the somewhat up-and-down nature of the series thus far for me. It does seem to be well-received by others, so I’d take that into account before making a decision.

Wow! I am still reeling from the cliffhanger ending! All I can say is this is a must read and definite favorite of the Dread Penny Society series. This book has it all, a secret marriage, romance, suspense, mystery, and a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Also included are two mysterious, engaging Penny Dreadfuls, one from Mr. King and one from Dr. Milligan.

The story begins in Victorian London, 1866 with the Mastiff and his gang committing murder and mayhem among the poorer sections of London. The Dread Penny Society will stop at nothing to protect the people from the Mastiff’s reign of terror. But, another evil is afoot which threatens to be even more destructive. Throw in some vicious resurrectionists recently employed by the Mastiff and you have one compelling story that’s hard to put down.

There’s also a tender but complicated romance between confirmed bachelor Dr. Barnabus “Baz” Milligan and Gemma Kincaid. Both have painful pasts which make trusting difficult. Baz secretly married Gemma to protect her from her vicious grave robbing family. Leaving after just six months when Baz told her he couldn’t return her love, she gave him an ultimatum that she would only return if he wrote and asked her to come back. Now three years later, she’s received his letter asking her to return. Will Baz be able to give her the love she so desperately wants or is she only needed for her knowledge of her family’s disreputable trade?

I loved Gemma and Baz. They just needed to let down their guard and trust each other. Their slow build romance with several heart wrenching moments had me hoping for them to find their way to each other. I loved Gemma’s hopeful personality, her singing, her need to help, and constant motion. Baz was also endearing once he got the courage to share his feelings.

I also enjoyed the two Penny Dreadfuls included. In The Bachelor and the Bride, a doctor is desperately trying to find a cure for his young patient left orphaned by the same disease. He turns to a Wise Woman named Granny Winter for help. Finding the cure involves danger and monsters, but Duncan is willing to do whatever it takes. Granny Winter’s beautiful ward Sorcha offers to accompany him on the journey. With romance, magic, and some scary otherworldly beings, this short tale definitely kept me turning the pages.

Bodies of Light is a curious tale about another doctor who sees mysterious lights while visiting Ireland. He becomes obsessed with discovering what’s producing the lights and goes to great lengths to prove they’re real. It’s a macabre story with a surprising ending.

The main story’s ending is absolutely riveting and will have you dying to talk to someone about it. Though technically it could be read as a standalone, it will be much more meaningful if you’ve read the previous books. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

The Bachelor and the Bride is Sarah M. Eden’s fourth book in Dread Penny Society series. In my opinion, these get successively better! There is an underlying story that connects all of them, so while each book focuses on a different character, I’ve enjoyed the full story unfolding a little more with each book. This one left me absolutely coming out of my chair and ready for more. The intensity of the mystery builds while the unrequited love balances it so sweetly. Gemma is an immediately likeable character and seems a great match for Baz. I really enjoyed digging a little more into his backstory and finding out how him and Gemma came to be a pair. The slow simmer of their romance is just perfect and comes about organically. It isn’t rushed or forced and blends in nicely with all the other happenings around them. The two short stories contained within are so creative and fit this tale so well. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say much more. I will say, I have rarely been so ready for the next installment as I am for this one! Wow. I did NOT see that ending coming and now I cannot wait to see where it goes!!! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

I really enjoyed this story of Barnabus and Gemma. The characters were interesting, and there was plenty of action as well as mystery. I have no read the previous books, and plan on doing so now. 5 stars

The Bachelor and The Bride by Sarah M. Eden 🧡
I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness, this book was such an adventure! If you’ve loved the Dread Penny Society series this far, then be ready for the best installment yet. My favorite parts:
🧡Marriage of convenience, yet also a second chance romance
🧡Intriguing historical aspects like resurrection men and Victorian era medical practices
🧡The most complex and riveting mystery I’ve read in so long
🧡Plot twist upon plot twist, nothing could have prepared me for the ending in particular
🧡Despite all of this, there is still the sweetest happily ever after for the two main characters who I loved so much!
Go preorder your copy of The Bachelor and The Bride for its release on September 6th!

My goodness! The suspense in this story was heart-stopping! The is hands down the most entertaining of the Dread Penny Society, and my favorite. And that ending?! I don’t know how many books are left in the series, but it feels like all of the books are leading up to the next one -boom!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sarah M Eden for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Bachelor and the Bride coming out September 6, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Set in 1866 London, Dr. Barnabus Milligan works hard to help impoverished women. He works with the Dread Penny Society. Three years ago, he helped rescue Gemma Kincaid by marrying her in secret in order to protect her from her grave robbers family. Soon after they’re married, Gemma realizes he doesn’t love her like she loves him. So she leaves him. Barnabus sends a letter to Gemma to get her to return home. She wants a true connection, but he only wants her help to foil the Kincaids. Can they work on their differences and find connection at last?

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I think there was a lot going on. I enjoyed the book within a book aspect of the story with Barnabus being a writer. I really enjoy Victorian era novels. I think sometimes the characters’ motivations weren’t always clear. I was a little confused by them at times. Gemma’s family dynamic was interesting. The end felt slightly chaotic, but I enjoyed most of the story.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Victorian Era romances!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Yet another fabulous outing for the Dread Penny Society with angst and romance and ..... HOLY CRAP.
Do NOT under ANY circumstances read this series out of order.
Go ahead and skip over the inserted dreadfuls the first time through ... and then go back and re-read them as their own stories ... which I wish would actually happen. I would LOVE each one individually published on their own ...
But DO NOT read this series out of order.
There's one left and I already know that I'm going to have to read it in one sitting uninterrupted by anything trivial like life.
Good lord what an end reveal!!!
(I had my suspicions/hopes ... but never thought I would actually be right!)

Wow. That’s all I had to say when I finished reading this book. I honestly hate to say much about it, because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. This is Doc’s story, and it has so many things that surprised me, including the ending of his penny dreadful! I’m already looking forward to rereading it, and I can’t wait for the next book, which I think will be the last. I’m kind of hoping for two others though, as there are two characters who I feel like deserve their own stories!

The Bachelor and the Bride transports the reader into 19th century London and all the history and mystery that comes with it. After three years of wandering and working the streets of London on her own, Gemma receives a letter from her husband imploring her to come home. After giving him a condition that he shouldn’t reach put to her unless he’s ready to love her, Gemma is thrilled that Baz is finally ready to return her feelings, but life and love isn’t that simple.

Without realizing it, I was dropped into the middle of a series. The Bachelor and the Bride is the fourth book in Sarah Eden’s Dread Penny Society series which I didn’t realize until I finished reading and prepared to write my review. That being said, it did pretty well on its own. In the beginning, I felt like there were a ton of characters to be introduced to and understand their relationships to one another, but it makes a lot more sense once I realized that these characters would be known to previous readers.

Most of the descriptions I read focus on the romance aspect of this story, and I feel like that was only a tiny part of the overall story. I don’t know if I would consider that the main genre, and it almost seems a bit misleading to do so. The romantic tension between Baz and Gemma is there, but it’s weak and gets wrapped up pretty quickly and easily.

The rest of the story is pretty intriguing. There’s murders and graverobbing, and the good guys trying to defeat the bad guys, and it’s enjoyable to watch it all play out. There are even some stories within stories that while at first I thought were a little much, were actually interesting and drew me in. I still want an answer to the mystery the Doctor was trying to solve.

All in all, this story gave me a chance to branch out of my usual genres and dive into an interesting world. I wish I knew it was a series because I likely would have wanted to read the others first but now that I’ve read this, I doubt I’d want to go back since I know who is with whom and where we are as far as criminal activity goes.

Set in 1866 London, The Bachelor and the Bride is the fourth in the clever, bright, twisty, suspenseful and beautifully orchestrated series, one which would be a shame to miss. Sarah Eden's ingenious writing elevates a five star read to a rock solid five star wonder in my books. Laden with wit and dripping with atmosphere, the story fully hooked me from the get go. The historical details about the working class London and the Penny Dreadful chapters could not be more captivating. My supper was later than usual as this book took easy precedence!

Secretive Dr. Barnabas Milligan is known to be a bachelor, uninterested in love, and is always desperate to help others out of difficult situations. He has a task for feisty, intelligent and pretty Gemma of the notorious Kincaid clan. Only problem is, she hopes for more. Turns out he is not a bachelor after all. Resurrectionists, crime rings and secret societies abound in this thrillery book so full of cunning it's not possible to throw a brick without hitting it. The quick pace and excitement really kept me on edge and longing for more. I got absolutely lost in it.

Historical Fiction readers, especially those who crave layers of red herrings and snippets of clean romance sprinkled throughout should prioritize this book and series. Pure delight and well worth reading. I really like that the author weaves in an air of mystery without the need to explain every single thing to the reader as others do. Can't wait to see what Sarah Eden has in store next! The possibilities are pleasantly swirling in my brain.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this extraordinary book and introducing me to a favourite series.

read if you love:
📜penny dreadfuls
📜marriage of convenience
📜second chances
📜found family
📜victorian romance
📜mystery
📜hidden identities
📜slow burn

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐆𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

don’t sleep on this series, guys! if you haven’t started, now is the time. i have thoroughly enjoyed the first three installments of the dread penny society series, but sarah m. eden knocked it out of the park with the bachelor and the bride.

this book starts off like the others, focusing on a new couple and chapters interlaced with entertaining penny dreadfuls. the mastiff is still active, but now he’s teaming up with a fearful family of resurrectionists — the kincaid’s. enter gemma kincaid aka gemma milligan, wife of dr. barnabus milligan. wait, doc has a wife?!although they have been married for three years, they’ve been living apart due to doc’s inability to fall in love and none of the members of DPS knew. what started as a marriage of convenience to save gemma from her villainous family quickly becomes a real marriage. with gemma back, baz is forced to recognize his feelings for what they truly are — love. swoon!! i loved that these two finally found a family with each other. they were willing to do anything for each other and it simply melted my heart.

but the best part of this story were the revelations at the end leaving so many questions. “the tempest is coming.” the dread master — what!?!?! and omg can moirin and parkington just get together already?! please tell me i’m not the only one shipping these two!! i know this book just came out, but i cannot wait for the next one!!

thank you to shadow mountain publishing and netgalley for an advanced copy. my thoughts are my own.

The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M Eden

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

This series just keeps getting better with every successive story!! I loved returning to the London streets with the DPS and their many friends. We finally get to read Doc’s story and what a fantastic one it is! The man the DPS has long thought would never let himself be snared by marriage is, in actuality, married. This plot line provided plenty of snarky comments and witty banter from everyone. Gemma is a delightful character with no small amount of courage and strength. And her heart shines through in everything she does…..including quietly loving Doc until he realizes his own heart is held by her. The interaction of Doc and Gemma with the rest of the DPS was such fun to read. They are all truly good friends with a willingness to fight however long and hard to protect each other. The Dread Penny stories were also really interesting and well tied to the main story. But, y’all, the ending of this book is EVERYTHING!!! I refuse to spoil it but you better have this series and especially this book on your TBR. The ending will have you both crowing in victory at the things revealed and groaning with the realization that it created SO MANY more questions. So, get yourself a copy and come join the rest of us Sarah Eden fans in our impatient anticipation of the rest of the series.

I received this complimentary E-ARC from Sarah via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am so very pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Best one yet! I say that each time, but Ms Eden out does herself with each new story. They just keep getting better and better. Doc is a mystery-but in this book you discover more about the man and why he is the way he is. Gemma is truly a gem. Her life hasn’t been easy in the slightest but she has come through with a smile and a kind word. The two discover that being together just might be the best decision either of them have ever made.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Before starting this book I knew it had a cliffhanger, so thankfully I was prepared. Wow! What a cliffhanger. The next book cannot come soon enough. This is such an interesting series. I love the DPS. The characters are so good and trying their best to help the vulnerable. It was great getting to know Doc or Barnabas or Baz depending on who was talking to him. He was more interesting than I expected. I loved Gemma. She was so good and just wanted to be loved and wanted. This series always deals with some pretty hard historical truths and this one was no exception. There were a few revelations made and more pieces for the final puzzle. I can't wait to see it finished. I enjoyed Mr. King's penny dreadful. It was full of whimsy. Sadly, I wasn't a fan of Doc's book. It was interesting sometimes, but just not for me.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up.
I've really enjoyed the precious books in the Dread Penny Society series so I was quite looking forward to this one. I didn't get quite the thrill and excitement out of Book 4 like I was hoping for until the last 20% or so. Gemma is a darling. She's spunky, sweet, determined, and just wants to be a good person. Doc is so mellow that at times he felt pretty boring to me. Some of the conversations were repetitive or redundant and I ended up skimming parts. The romance was also lacking. BUT the last 20% of this gets wild. I loved all the stuff with the coffins. And we get Big reveals at the end that we've been waiting all series for. Overall, not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.

The Mastiff has control of the lower ends of London. Kidnappings, murders and arson to those who don't follow his rules. Dr. Barnabus Milligan belongs to the Dread Penny Society, a group of authors who write penny dreadfuls. Only that's not their true purpose. Saving individuals who need help especially escaping the clutches of the Mastiff and give hope and charity to those in need. Barnabus did a selfless act by marrying Gemma Kincaid to save her from her family who work in resurrection. She left him three years ago, but came back when her asks her to return. Was it for the reason she wants? Two penny dreadfuls run parallel within the story of the complexities of outsmarting the Mastiff. Only the Tempest is coming promising a bloody bath. Ingenious plans, betrayal and unexpected surprises follow the DPS with the Dread Master as their only hope. Something different for an engaging read. Some descriptive violence. Kissing only.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Another great instalment in this series! The danger became even higher, with dark events bound to happen in the next book. There were big shake-ups, twists I definitely did not see coming, and identity reveals of big players in the series. One event at the end of the book needs to have better explanations in the next story though...

Barnabus and Gemma's story was more plot-driven than character-focused compared to the previous three books due to the nature of the events that unfolded, but their backstories (both their childhoods and history together) and personal growth were worked into the story really well. I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how well they fit into the group of the Dreadfuls and their loved ones. This entire group of characters is wonderful. I really liked seeing the previous couples and other supporting characters pop up throughout the book. Stone is a favourite of mine, and I am definitely looking forward to Móirín and Parkington's story - I'm assuming their book is next!

Watching characters grow & evolve to the point where they realize their true feelings is one of my favourite things in romance books. Baz took some extra time to figure out how he felt about Gemma, and it sure was sweet once he did! Those two were really cute together and complimented each other's strengths. It will be interesting to see how they factor into the next story as everything continues to boil over in the streets of London!

Get ready to be engulfed into a world of mystery, suspense and a sweet second chance romance that will have you holding your breath until the end!

This author has a writing style that I absolutely am enchanted with and her imagination holds no bounds.. The Dreaded Penny Society was a brilliant creation and inserting Penny Dreadful stories within the story, is most unusual but so entertaining!!

Do not miss this latest installment in this creative series that will leave you only wanting more!