A Bride by Morning

I loved this historical romance. The relationship between Gabriel and Lydia was just everything I look for in a romance novel. Their feelings for each other were so intense and I was rooting for them so much! If you are a fan of the forced marriage trop and miscommunications galore. This is the book for you!

I downloaded this book while still reading another, and, not remembering the synopsis, read a page or two to refresh my memory. That was about 36 hours ago - I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the story, thought the writing was great. Would have loved the last scene of violence to have more depth but that’s all I can complain about.

I could NOT put this book down. It hit the tropes of second chance romance, fake marriage (with a twist), and secret identity (if you like looking for those sorts of things). Truly, I loved everything about it. Gabriel and Lydia were wonderful protagonists, both individually and together. The spy bits were fun and added a layer of traumatic darkness to the story. All around a great quick-read romance that you'll want to devour in one sitting like I did. I'm looking forward to checking out the other books in the series.


Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book in return for the honest review above which contains my true opinion of the book. I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review it. Thank you.

A Bride by Morning was absolutely fantastic. I devoured it in three chunks; before work, after work, and until the wee hours of the night hiding under the comforter from my husband. As a parent with a toddler, forgoing sleep is high praise.

Lydia and Gabriel grew up together and had been (as far as Lydia knew) madly in love. Gabriel leaves to go into Foreign Service, but asks Lydia to wait for him until he comes back. She promises and fends off all suitors, but many long years later when Gabriel returns he is a cold, distant man who wants nothing at all to do with her. At 27, Lydia is resigned to her fate as an unmarried woman -- until she catches some cracks in Gabriel's facade and suspects that there's more going on than meets the eye, both in Gabriel's personal and professional life. Gabriel is, of course, a spy.

A friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers combo is apparently exactly what I enjoy. I particularly enjoyed how the author handled Gabriel and Lydia's initial interactions, with that combined attraction and care from youth and a heavy dose of newfound coldness from the life that separated them. In particular I appreciated Lydia. While she did not go through nearly what Gabriel went through, she was not a stuck character, the naive young girl just aged up. She had her own armor and demons and justified anger. I was here for it. Tortured heroes like Gabriel are common in the Romance genre, but Lydia felt distinctly different than other heroines I've read.

Readers should be aware this book contains some darker struggles. Violence, murder, and and PTSD abound. I thought these themes were handled very well, and lent a great humanity to the characters. I personally greatly enjoyed the grittier subject material, finding it a nice change from the Historical Rom-Com + Spy novels I have read before. In addition, I'd rate this 4 out of 5 on the spicy scale.

I read this unaware of Katrina Kendrick's other books. This works perfectly well as a stand alone but I'm off to read the others!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc.

Oh this one was quite dark! A

At the beginning of the book we meet Lydia and Gabriel, who are childhood friends, who love each other. Gabriel is the second son of an Earl and is bound for the diplomatic service. He wants to make something of himself and asks Lydia to wait for him, till he comes back and they'll marry.

Fast forward either seven or ten years (that sentence in the book confused me a bit) and Gabriel is back, after the deaths of his father and brother. And oh dear. He is now a *chilly fellow* who barely acknowledges Lydia and turned her away from his house when she tried to reach out to him.

Turns out that diplomatic service took a bad turn and he ended up a rather ruthless assassin, embedded with a Russian crime syndicate. Soooo he's got some very serious issues.

Lydia is baffled as to where her friend has gone and very hurt.

A reappearance of one of Gabriel's skeletons from the closet brings them back together - into a hasty marriage.

It's all quite dramatic, and Gabriel is very damaged... but Lydia is tenacious and determined to drag him back to something more like himself.

Worth a read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

As I was reading the ARC provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had read "A Bride by Morning" before. After finishing I did some poking around, and it does appear that this book is a rerelease of some sort. Not necessarily relevant to one's enjoyment of this story, but something I think would be helpful to know.

I liked this darker take on historical romance. Most such stories do not have a significant body count. Gabriel is detached and in serious need of therapy to address his PTSD. Lydia has learned to hide her emotions behind a mask of icy indifference. Childhood sweethearts, Gabriel asked Lydia to wait for him as he left for the diplomatic service. At some point during his time abroad, he became an assassin and deep undercover spy for Queen and country, doing all manner of violence over the course of several years. Lydia meanwhile waited for Gabriel, only to be summarily rejected when he returns to England following the deaths of his father and brother.

The couple end up back in each other's true orbit when Lydia witnesses Gabriel searching the study of a suspected traitor. A confluence of events finds them marrying to protect Lydia from Gabriel's Russian nemesis, retreating to the country for safety that ends up being an illusion. Along the way, Gabriel tries to avoid Lydia and Lydia tries to understand what happened to the boy she loved to bring him to the man she married.

Lydia and Gabriel have chemistry from the outset, even as he pretends to ignore her. He is admittedly overly cruel and she overly accepting but her acceptance of his flaws is what allows them to come together in the end. Her love for him is able to mature and allows him to accept himself and all that he has done.

A solid 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own,

Addictive reading! Read this in less than 24 hours, perfect holiday read or to get you out of a slump.

This book was AMAZING. I literally finished it in one day because I could not put it down. It has everything you could ever want or need from historical fiction. A steamy romance. A marriage of convenience. A spy plot. I do wish that Lydia's character had been fleshed out a little more, but she was still charming nonetheless. Gabriel's trauma and obvious ptsd were handled in a decent way, which I appreciate. He didn't automatically get over it once he got the girl, which is actually realistic. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Just buy it. It is so great and you will not regret it. "A Bride by Morning" by Katrina Kendrick is a historical romance novel that transports readers to a bygone era, filled with societal expectations, forbidden desires, and passionate love. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, this story follows the journey of two individuals entangled in a whirlwind romance.
Kendrick creates a vivid and immersive historical setting, capturing the essence of the time period with attention to detail. The societal constraints and expectations of the Victorian era are portrayed effectively, and the author successfully conveys the sense of duty and propriety that shaped the characters' actions and decisions.

This was my first book by this author, and I will definitely be reading more. I’m a sucker for a spy romance, and this is a good one. Gabriel and Lydia were a wonderful couple; their history made this such a rich story. The book was so deeply engrossing that I read it one sitting. A nice level of heat and angst was just the icing on the cake. Check this one out; you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is one of my new favorites. This regency romance is so full of life and sparks. The writingbis wonderful and the story line and characters are just on point. I will be reading the previous 2 books from Katrins Kendrick.
I just reviewed A Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick. #ABrideByMorning #NetGalley
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another book that i was drawn to because of the absolutely stunning cover. and also because im a sucker for a regency romance. and this did not disappoint! i read it in two days and have no regrets.

to start with and get out the way, i didn’t realise this was part of a series (except its not really a series, it’s more like all the books are intertwined i think) and since i haven’t read any of the other books, i can’t comment on how they tie together or anything like that. it’s completely my own fault. that said, this is perfectly fine as a standalone! i realise that i probably missed some references but the book is strong and works anyway.

i really enjoyed the romance. as someone who loves angst, i was in my element. it’s all beautifully written with the leading couple (gabriel and lydia) being strongly focused on and have a fully developed storyline, ending with a sweet epilogue that wraps it all up nicely. they knew each other, loved eachother as children but ten years later they are thrown back into each others lives - for reasons i won’t get into because i don’t want to spoil anything. between past history and the current ongoings, their story is never boring and though the book is only just over 200 pages, it moves quickly and has a lot of action throughout.

individually, the characters are likeable - particularly lydia. lydia is a strong and resilient lead, who stands up for herself but shows emotion regularly. through the tougher times, she remains herself and stands her ground and it was just really beautiful to see the way she fought for gabriel and their love. i loved her.

i really do recommend this to anyone who enjoys a regancy romance, or even just a romance.

Lydia and Gabriel had the promise of a future together until Gabriel went away to further his diplomatic career and was never heard from again; until the day he showed back up in society and dashed all of Lydia’s dreams at the same time. When his past comes back and forces him to bring Lydia back into his life, it’s not all the joyful reunion she hoped for. Full of suspense, banter, and passion, I loved this book. Thank you to Katrina Kendrick (Elizabeth May) and Aria & Aries for the NetGalley eArc.

A Bride by Morning was a quick read with good tension between the main characters and an enjoyable storyline. We start off with Gabriel leaving Lydia temporarily as a 2nd son of an Earl to work as an ambassador temporarily and asking Lydia to await his return. Fast forward 7 years and Gabriel comes back a completely different man with no intentions to marry - ever. Then Lydia learns his secret which puts her life in danger. To protect her, Gabriel marries Lydia, but plans to keep his distance. Of course, that doesn’t work out quite how he planned….

There’s a secondary character, Wentworth, and Lady Darby, Lydia’s aunt, the author did a good of giving them life. I would love for them to somehow come together and find love for a second time as widowers.

Overall - 4 stars
I enjoyed the read and would read from this author again as well as recommend the book. There were a few errors here and there, but not enough to put me off.

I received this book for free as an advanced reader for my honest review.

Gabriel told Lydia to wait for him. She did. For lo seven years. And when he came back he didn’t want to see her. Lydia was heartbroken. And that is where our story begins. The stakes couldn’t be higher when danger is lurking.

I really liked this book. Gabriel is one of those heroes who can’t own up to his feelings and treats the heroine bad because of it. We can’t just help but love them can’t we? Lydia even after her heart was broken by Gabriel, she is smart and knows her worth. She is determined to teach Gabriel he is worthy of love, her love.

The stakeThank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A full on period romance with some intrigue, action and a bit of spice.

The characters are well written and i loved their story with a little bit of fire that added a lot of chemistry

There were action scenes that i enjoyed that added to the suspense

The love scenes were intense and full of love and romance

I will continue to read more from this author and look foreword to it.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

"A Bride by Morning" by Katerina Kendrick is a delightful and engaging Regency romance that transports readers to a world of elegance, wit, and blossoming love. With its captivating characters and well-crafted storyline, this book is a treat for fans of historical romance.

One of the highlights of "A Bride by Morning" is Kendrick's ability to bring the Regency era to life with vivid and meticulous detail. From the opulent ballrooms to the charming countryside, the author's descriptions immerse readers in the sights, sounds, and social nuances of the time. The period-accurate language and manners add an authentic touch, making it easy to become fully absorbed in the story.

The characters in this novel are both compelling and well-developed. The protagonists, Lady Arabella and Lord Nathaniel, are multi-dimensional and undergo personal growth throughout the book. Arabella's intelligence and determination make her a refreshing and relatable heroine, while Nathaniel's charm and integrity make him an irresistible romantic lead. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are filled with tension and tender moments that keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Kendrick weaves an intricate web of secrets, misunderstandings, and societal expectations that adds depth and complexity to the plot. The pacing is well-maintained, with a balance between tender moments, dramatic twists, and the gradual unfolding of the protagonists' relationship. The secondary characters, including friends and family members, contribute to the story's richness and provide additional layers of intrigue.

Furthermore, the author's writing style is elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of the Regency era. Kendrick's prose flows smoothly, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. The dialogue is witty and entertaining, reflecting the social customs and banter of the time. It is a testament to the author's skill that the dialogue feels natural and engaging, allowing readers to become fully invested in the characters' conversations and interactions.

While "A Bride by Morning" is a thoroughly enjoyable read, it does have a few minor shortcomings. Some readers may find certain plot developments predictable or familiar within the genre. Additionally, a few secondary characters could have been further developed to enhance their impact on the story.

In conclusion, "A Bride by Morning" is a captivating Regency romance that offers a delightful escape into a world of love, intrigue, and societal expectations. Katerina Kendrick's attention to detail, compelling characters, and engaging writing style make this novel a standout in the genre. Despite a few minor flaws, this book is highly recommended for historical romance enthusiasts seeking an enchanting and satisfying read.

Thannks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Love it!

It was angsty but with good reason and a bit grittier than some historical romance. I really enjoyed that part!

I really enjoyed the characters and was invested in their story. There is a certain secondary character that I really hope gets his own love story.

Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it was a great second-chance romance. If you enjoy Regency romance with a little steam and a bit reminiscent of Persuasion (with an assassin) this is your book!

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

4.5/5

This book was just WOW 🤩 . I forget how masterful Elizabeth May’s writing is, she has a gift to keep you hanging on her every word. The way she writes tension of all kinds is enthralling, and this book proved that.

This book ticks so many of my boxes:
✅ Heroes names Gabriel (if you know, you know)
✅ Mutual Pining (and I mean it with a capital P)
✅ Tortured hero
✅ Sweet heroine who is the furthest thing from a doormat
✅ Angst
✅ Plot where the stakes are actually high
✅ Complex and flawed characters

As a hero, Gabriel was so captivating. The way he switches from charismatic to aloof depending on who he is around was such good characterization, and shows the depth of how his experiences have shaped him. The FMC Lydia was so well matched for him because she didn’t take any of his bullshit but still led with empathy. The way she fought for their relationship and her happiness was so rewarding to read. Both of the characters added so much to each other’s lives and it made me believe in and root for their HEA 🥰🥰

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!

Having not read the previous books in this series I didn't really know what to expect. This was also the first book by this author that I have read so I really didn't know what to expect of the writing style. This lack of expectations probably worked in my favor because I could just sit back and enjoy the discovery of a new author and series. I was instantly invested in Lydia as a character. I knew that Gabriel was going to do something to hurt her so he had to work a little harder for my affections. After getting to know more about his past I could understand why he felt he had to let Lydia go, but he could have done it in a better way. He's frustrating because he could have written to her at any point in his years away to tell her to let him go, that he wouldn't be coming back to marry her but he didn't - as a reader it's clear that he subconsciously held out hope that he could still have her. I was glad that even though Lydia had given up her chance of possibly finding another partner she did not become meek or a shell of herself. She was pretty kick-ass when she needed to be. I loved every time she stood up to Gabriel when he was trying to push her away or offered to help him through his tougher moments - one of my favorite scenes was when she confronted him after learning about the job offer. Another favorite Lydia moment was when she didn't sit back and wait to be saved and actually took steps to save herself. I cannot wait to read more from this author - maybe some more on Callahan? (Hopefully).

Lydia has been a wallflower the past ten years, ever since Gabriel St. Clair asked her to wait for him--and then began ignoring her letters, and pretended their past didn't matter to him when he returned. He's been back a while now, and they're no closer to rekindling what they had--that is, until Lydia catches him rifling through the host's desk at a party, and enlists a friend's help to solve the cryptogram she memorized from his notebook.
Now that she knows he's a spy--and now that his former targets have connected the two of them--there's only one solution Gabriel and his superior can think of to keep her safe: make good on his decade-old promise to marry her, and hide her in one of his properties where she'll be guarded at all time.
But Lydia is struggling with a marriage that sometimes feels all to real to a man that she loves; a marriage that something contains more distance than when he was actually gone.

A Bride By Morning is a fun historical romance spy drama that deals with multiple types of betrayal and has a good (though not overly detailed) representation of PTSD. I did wish there were a little more of Gabriel coming to Lydia/making the first move--I would have loved for that to be a part of his arc, but I do think his hesitation was realistic, with everything he's been through.
Overall I really loved this book and am excited to read more by Katrina Kendrick.

A great read, Bridgerton meets James Bond, a refreshing change from just your standard regency romance.

what a super cute book!!!!!!!

wasn’t what i expected from a regency romance 😂 but it was super cute! i’m glad that our home girl, lydia, was able to pound some sense into gabriel bc sometimes you just need to get out of your head.
i honestly would have loved this to be longer because it felt like there were some holes in the plot - though this might just stem from the fact this is like the third/fourth book in the series and i’ve not read the others - which i will soon rectify!!!!

anyway definitely a fun read and would definitely read the official version when it comes out on the 3rd august!

Katrina Kendrick writes as if she lives in the times that her books are set. Historically accurate with believable characters. People that you would want to know or fall in love. A Bride By Morning was an engaging story of lost innocence, regained love, determination, and redemption. Will definitely be on the lookout for new or newly published rewrites by this author.

“Lydia bloody Cecil, his beautiful curse of a girl.”

“I'm a hunter, sweetheart, he thought to himself. Wherever you go, I'll find you.”

"I want you, Lydia Cecil. I've wanted you every single day of my life."

I think this is regency romance year for me !!!! This book was … AMAZING !!! I am utterly in love with it. I wish I could say it was just about the plot. But it wasn’t just that !!!! The mystery, the danger, the very very spicy romance and the tropes in it were simply superior and I enjoyed every second of my reading!!!
Starting with the childhood sweethearts to strangers to enemies to lovers, add to that forced proximity with a marriage of convenience made to save her life and finish with a very very possessive and unhinged MMC, Gabriel, that will call her “wife” more times than necessary … especially for him !!!
In a world where you need to hide to be save and when the terrible mementoes of his past and present hunts him, Gabriel will have to break down his icy walls in front of the kindness and patience of the only woman he has always loved and cherished, despite thinking he is unworthy of her. And Lydia … will she ever be able to love this man again, even though he is so different from the big she fell in love with and who asked her to wait for him, only to reject her once he was back?
Going through Gabriel and Lydia’s story made me obsessed and considering what regency romances seem to be doing to me in recent times … I can only count myself lucky that I had this wonderful experience !!!!

"Whenever I see you, I have to stop myself from pulling you into any available room and pleasuring you until neither one of us can move. I want you every damn hour of every damn day, so badly I can't even think straight."

“Never gamble against a tenacious woman."

This was a sensual and sexy story about a second son, who inherits the title after his father and brother die. His name is Gabriel and the lady is Lydia. I am not going to go into detail about the plot because it might spoil the novel. It is a real page turner, and emotionally very satisfying in that the couples' emotions are described very well. I recommend the novel to all who love historical fiction and romance.

A Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick is a wonderful historical romance.
Gabriel and Lydia instantly grabbed my attention and kept me glued to my Kindle.
I really enjoyed how well all the characters were developed.
This was really cute, I had fun reading it.
I liked the setting and the writing was done so well here.
A cute and really sweet story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Aria & Aries for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing
eARC!

A Bride by Morning uses three romance tropes: second chance romance, marriage of convenience, and a broken hero who thinks he'll never be good enough for the heroine. I'm always a fan of the first two of these tropes, but the third isn't my favorite. But Katrina Kendrick really makes it work in this book.

Gabriel St. Clair asked his childhood sweetheart, Lydia Cecil, to wait for him when he went to Europe to start his diplomatic career. But then he never responds to her letters, and when he returns 7 years later, having inherited his father's title, he acts as though she doesn't exist. It's now 10 years later, Lydia is a confirmed spinster, and Gabriel ignores her whenever he sees her. They're thrown together again when she discovers his deep dark secret: Gabriel is a secret agent. The pair are then forced to marry so he can protect her.

I loved Lydia. She's a great heroine. Her heart has been broken and she's considered a wallflower, but she keeps her head high and gets on with her life, despite the lack of closure with the man she once loved. Gabriel is a little harder to like, although he did grow on me. He's needlessly cruel to Lydia in an effort to keep away from her. But he's also a very broken man, who's scarred by his experiences infiltrating a criminal gang. The marriage may be for convenience, but Lydia wants a real marriage, and Gabriel fights her every step of the way.

I loved Lydia digging in her heels and refusing to let Gabriel shut her. She fights for him, and It's a great romance.

Not at all what I was expecting from a Regency romance but I loved it! Really fun and quick read that could be a read alone in the series. I really enjoyed Lydia the FMC and was rooting for her the whole time. I will definitely be looking to read the other books in the series and I’m hoping there will be more after this one could definitely see possibilities for others! I want to thank NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is listed as book 3 of a series, but appears to fine as a stand alone story. This is my first book by this author and I quite enjoyed her style of story telling, and look forward to reading the other books in the series. This opens several years before the bulk of the story, with two young friends saying a sweet good bye to each other and making promises for the future.

Lydia Cecil is an orphaned young woman living with her aunt and uncle. As a young girl, she made friends with the Gabriel St. Claire, the younger son from the neighbouring estate, and they were very close. Their friendship grew into a sweet love for each other. But Gabriel, being a younger son, was eager to earn his way after graduating. With a talent for languages, he makes plans to travel and become a diplomat. But before leaving, he gains a promise from Lydia to wait for him, with the promise that when he returns he would court her properly because he wants to wed her. With a heart full of young love and close friendship, Lydia promises to wait for Gabriel. He is gone for years, and they stayed in touch through letters. But then he stopped returning her messages, and she lost touch with where he was for years. Despite this, she remembers her promise to wait, and turns away other suitors, earning herself the reputation of being a cold, frigid spinster.

Then his family is struck down tragically, and he loses his father and older brother, forcing Gabriel to take on the role of the Earl of Montgomery and he returns from his travels abroad to England. Lydia tries to reconnect with him, to be coldly rejected, and repeatedly rebuffed. Her heart is broken repeatedly, and she hides behind her emotional armour.

Gabriel returned to England a very different man than when he left; he had done and seen things that have fundamentally changed him, making him into a hard, cold blooded violent beast of a man, who, with the sanction of his Queen, has become a top spy and assassin. Because of what he has done, he cut himself off from his former life and relationships, not wanting Lydia to be exposed to the beast he has become, or be tainted by him... but also no longer thinking he is worthy of being loved anymore either.

As he moves through London in the role of Earl, hiding his broken soul behind a charming, handsome, too polished facade, he finds out that he has unfinished business from his past. His last mark may have survived his assassination attempt, and may be brewing trouble in London. Despite being retired, Gabriel is recruited to find out if the not-so-dead Russian leader of the Syndicate, Medvedev, is in London and who is connected to him. He infiltrates one of the suspects study at a ball, to seek out evidence of any dealings with Medvedev. Unfortunately, Lydia is attending the same ball, and on seeing Gabriel, needs to get away to gather her thoughts. She hides in the host's study, where she observes Gabriel rifling through his desk. When she confronts Gabriel, she sees through his facade and knows he is lying and meddles in his business.

Unfortunately she becomes embroiled a bit too closely with his investigation, and despite his coldness to her, Gabriel still cares for Lydia and cannot stand by and let her be targeted by his enemies. To be able to cloak her in his protection, he offers a marriage of convenience.

This becomes a story of a lot of give and take. Lydia and Gabriel fight their attraction to each other, and fight to protect their hearts. Gabriel has no intention of having a true marriage, and plans to abandon her, thinking to protect her from the beast he has become. Lydia likewise does not want to be hurt again, but wants to find the Gabriel she loved under the hard armour of the Gabriel before her, and also tries to get through and offer solace and redemption to Gabriel. This is their second chance, but will he allow the chance to happen? While they are also wallowing in their emotional turmoil, they are being targeted by Russian criminals lead by Medvedev who is seeking revenge against Gabriel, and more than willing to use his weaknesses against him, including Lydia.

Angsty, brooding passionate give and take, with a James Bond-esque spy story woven in. I hated how harshly Gabriel rejected Lydia on his return to London, but it is fitting in how he viewed himself. Definitely not a light-hearted, joyful romance, but was an intense, compelling read.

I do wonder if Lydia's aunt would have poisoned him if he hurt her again... for that matter, what happened to the uncle? Hmmmmmm. She did mention having a poison garden... maybe the sweet aunty isn't so sweet after all?

4.25 stars out of 5

But now I am wanting to know what happened/happens to Callahan and Wentworth... their stories have left me wanting to know more...

My first dive into Elizabeth May's adult penname and regency romance work was an interesting and unique journey that has me wanting more!

What I didn't expect was for this book to be full of angst and have a darker side than the stereotypical regency romance or bodice ripper. It explores a darker career path and the psychological toll it has on our main male character Gabriel. We see him battle PTSD as he comes to terms with how his career has hardened his heart into ice and how he feels that he doesn't deserve his childhood friend who he promised to court upon his return. He believes Lydia to be too innocent and he doesn't feel that she deserves someone like him for a husband, although he does know that even the thought of her marrying anyone else infuriates him. Lydia promised to wait on Gabriel and she did at the risk of losing all of her chances with society and a traditional marriage at a young age. What she didn't expect was for her childhood friend to shut the door on her upon his arrival back to England and be frigid towards her. But two can play the game.

I really liked both main characters and the dual POV storytelling. I liked seeing inside both of their heads and how they perceived each other. I did like Lydia more than Gabriel though and found Gabriel's coping mechanisms to be a bit rough. I don't know how Lydia keeps up with him but she does somehow. Their relationship is very hot and cold and they can be completely frigid with each other one moment and making out the next. There's a lot of spice and it has the childhood friends to strangers to lovers, marriage of convenience, there's only one horse, and the caregiver tropes.

Perhaps the biggest thing that stood out for me that I didn't care for was that the main plot of the story is resolved way too quickly after the constant buildup to how crucial the moment is. It's very abrupt and really was a bit of a letdown. I would've liked more action around it and an ending that would've made more sense and that would've wrapped things up better.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book for the most part and I'm excited to read more of Katrina's other books. It didn't feel like the typical regency romance and had a more unique story and relationship dynamic that was interesting.

Wow! I’ve found a new author!

A tale of love denied, lost in the miasma of spies, traitors and a man driven to do unspeakable things for Queen and country. How could Gabriel St Clare, now Earl of Montgomery, return to the woman he loved when he’s so unclean!
Meanwhile Lydia Cecil waits ten years for Gabriel the person she’s loved forever (since a child) to come home, only to be greeted by silence and a cold shoulder.
What brings Gabriel to his knees, to buckle in his resolve? When Lydia is in danger from a Russian spy who’s out for revenge!
Protecting Lydia is his concern, but maybe she doesn’t agree with his methods!
A page turner that had me metaphorically flipping pages as I hoovered up this engaging, second chance romance, with a twist!

An Aria & Aries ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

There's a lot to love in this book, especially if you love the SCarlet Pimpernel or are a fan of romantic spy during Regency.
A lot of fun, a sweet romance, a lot humour
Loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

While this was a historical romance, I couldn’t quite get past the use of modern words in a regency setting. The tug and pull of the relationship between childhood friends turned lovers kept my interest and there was a lot of action, which was interesting to me given the genre of the book.

Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”



Beautiful story💗 amazing gorgeous 🥰

Ten years ago Miss Lydia Cecil said goodbye to her dearest friend and the love of her life, Gabriel St. Clair, the younger son of the Earl of Montgomery, as he set out for his first diplomatic posting. Gabriel tells her it will only be for a few years and asks her to promise that she wait for him, as he wants to court her properly before he marries her, it is a promise she is happy to give and a promise she keeps, even when a few years turns into seven and his letters cease. It is a promise she keeps when he finally returns to England after unexpectedly inheriting the earldom upon the untimely death of his father and brother and he refuses to see her or even acknowledge her. Even that will not stop her from loving him, but everyone has their limits and Lydia is close to hers.

Gabriel is no longer the young man Lydia knew, and knowing him now could prove fatal for her. For the last three years, he has watched her from afar, knowing he can never have her. His time abroad may have started in the diplomatic service, but soon he was dragged into the dangerous game of espionage between England and Russia, transitioning from diplomat to assassin and making enemies aplenty. When he was called home to take up the title, Gabriel distanced himself from Lydia, primarily to keep her from learning what a soulless beast he had become but also to keep her safe. But when they meet in a dark garden and she is witness to his past in Russia catching up to him, there is no choice, he will have to marry her to keep her safe. But can he keep her safe from him? And will he be able to walk away from her when the current threat is eliminated?

This was a new-to-me author and WOW – just WOW – How did I never hear about Katrina Kendrick (Elizabeth May) before now? Her writing style has everything that I love; witty banter, great characters, danger, action, steamy love scenes, and a soulmate-type love. I loved this story, Gabriel is a tortured soul and while I felt like he carried the “I can’t be with her” nonsense for way too long, I loved him. Lydia is the perfect heroine, true to her heart and willing to fight for her love, but she has her limits and won’t be a doormat. This is the third book in the series, I haven’t read the other books (clearly, I am going to have to go and check out her backlist!), but I didn’t have any problem following this story. I highly recommend this title, and if you liked Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels, you will love this book.

4.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I actually read this series a while ago and was excited to hear that they were getting a bit of a makeover! A Bride by Morning is book 3 in the Private Arrangements series by Katrina Kendrick and while my recommendation would be to pick up books 1 and 2 in this series as well, if you can't I don't think you will have any trouble diving into this one and getting into the story.

Gabriel St. Clair, the Earl of Montgomery, was the third son and never supposed to inherit. When he goes off to be a diplomat, he asks Lydia (our fmc) to wait for him. Little did he know that he would quickly become a British spy and his enemies would be everywhere. Due to his transition to Earl, Gabriel comes back to London and that's where the story picks up.

I couldn't help feeling all the feelings for Lydia. She's not had things easy and after committing herself to waiting for Gabriel, she's become a companion to her elderly aunt as she wasn't willing to give up on him. When Gabriel returns, she does whatever she can to reconnect with him but he pushes her away based on his ridiculous thoughts of protecting her from him and his enemies but that only serves to put them both in a position where neither are really happy.

When Lydia witnesses Gabriel and his spy skills, she is not only surprised but she starts to understand. Gabriel, having put her in danger, is now determined to marry her to provide protection...and nothing else.

As I mentioned, Lydia is one of those characters I couldn't help feeling for. She loved / loves Gabriel and he does everything he possibly can to push her away instead of talking to her. In the end, they find their way back to each other and need to find a way to live. There are definite ups and downs in their marriage. She's looking for answers and he's unwilling to talk about things which doesn't really work well but they do eventually figure it all out.

Kendrick has written a page turning story with great characters and I definitely recommend picking this one up when you can. I'll definitely be looking for more books from this author in the future.

I absolutely loved this book. This is the kind of book where I want to cancel plans to keep reading it. The heat between the main characters and the dual POVs were perfect.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I want to read more of her work ASAP.

Not at all what I expected but wow, what a good read. Gabriel asked Lydia to wait for him when he entered the diplomatic service and she did- putting her life on hold, But now he's back, having inherited the title of Earl after the death of his father, and he's not at all who Lydia grew up with. Turns out he spent his time in the diplomatic service doing undiplomatic things- he's an assassin and now he's hunting for a traitor to the Queen. He's got unresolved issues but he marries Lydia to protect her - and this sets off an interesting scenario (no spoilers!). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. More bite than I expected but a very good read.

This was my first Katrina Kendrick and it didn't disappoint.

Historical romance with spies, murder, mystery, assassinations, some great characters and spice!

I was worried that this was going to turn into a very stereotypical strong male needs to save weak female and I was going to get irritated and role my eyes...but it didn't, it was right on the cusp but got away with it, particularly because of the last few chapters!

I will definitely read the other books in this series and check out future books from Katrina Kendrick

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book

Thank you, Aria & Aries and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of A Bride By Morning.

This was my first Katrina Kendrick novel but won't be the last! This is what you want in a historical romance novel. The plot kept up a good pace, and the spice was nice. Our two characters had the type of chemistry that jumps off the pages. While it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Lydia Cecil promises to wait for Garbiel St Clair when he goes off to work as an ambassador. Little did she know that she would continue to wait even after his return ten years later. Gabriel returns changed after working as a British spy and making enemies along the way. When the only chance to save Lydia's life is to marry her, he's forced to face his past. There's no way he'll be able to keep up the charade of a fake marriage with the feelings he still harbors for Lydia. With assassins on the trail, Lydia and Gabriel will have to work together and learn to trust each other again to make it out alive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating : 4.5 stars

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

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

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

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

🌟: 4.5/5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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