The Bad Luck Bride

by Janna MacGregor Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Overview

From an emerging new voice comes The Bad Luck Bride, a Regency romance that begins with a cursed bride and a plot for revenge. Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he gets vengeance on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece needs to fall into place for Alex to succeed: he needs to convince the man's fiancee, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead. Lady Claire's "curse" has left her one step away from social ruin: her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth one is headed the same way. Before anyone can learn of her latest scandal, she's caught in an awkward situation with Alex who then shocks everyone by announcing their engagement. Forced into marriage, Alex and Claire find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other. But as the two of them grow closer, will the truth of their union shatter their fragile feelings or is love strong enough to survive?

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

03/20/2017
Debut author MacGregor brings England’s Regency era to life in this sparkling launch for the Cavensham Heiresses romance series. Lady Claire, the daughter of a duke, was orphaned at a young age when a carriage accident claimed the lives of her parents. When her fourth attempt at an engagement, this time with unlikable Lord Paul, ends in disaster like the previous three, London’s gossips compound her survivor’s guilt by declaring her cursed. She’s saved from the worst of them by the timely intervention of Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, one of Lord Paul’s childhood friends. The pair seems to get on well, despite their inauspicious beginning, but they are both struggling with secrets: Alex’s thirst for revenge against Paul, who mistreated his sister, and Claire’s nightmares of her parents’ deaths. This charming tale features a refreshing array of happy families, solid relationships, and candid portrayals of realistic reactions to adverse events. The lack of trust and communication between the principal characters sometimes feels contrived, but the book’s promise of a delicious story is well realized, building anticipation for future installments. Agent: Pam Ahearn, Ahearn Agency. (May)

From the Publisher

"With its beautifully defined, exceptionally appealing protagonists, intriguing secondary characters, and graceful writing deftly leavened with wry wit, this classic romantic story line becomes something marvelously fresh and new, thus making MacGregor’s stellar debut a must-read for any fan of Regency historicals." —Booklist (Starred Review)

"An enjoyably complex treat. Winningly, there's plenty of sizzle between the newlyweds in multiple passionate scenes, their efforts to build a meaningful partnership outside the bedroom make this a mature addition to any Regency shelf. An impressive debut." —Kirkus Reviews

"Debut author MacGregor brings England’s Regency era to life in this sparkling launch for the Cavensham Heiresses romance series. This charming tale features a refreshing array of happy families, solid relationships…The book’s promise of a delicious story is well realized, building anticipation for future installments." —Publishers Weekly

"Newcomer MacGregor delivers a well-paced, powerfully plotted debut where love and revenge vie for center stage. Here is a romance that reminds readers that love is complicated, healing and captivating. MacGregor’s characters are carefully drawn, their emotions realistic and their passions palpable. Watch for MacGregor to make her mark on the genre." —RT Book Reviews

"The Bad Luck Bride is a deftly woven Regency romance, interspersed with plots and plans and passion. Ms. MacGregor is now at the top of my automatic buy list." — Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick!)

"A delightful debut! Janna MacGregor bewitched me with her captivating characters and a romance that sizzles off the page. I'm already a huge fan!” — New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James

"The Bad Luck Bride is a stroke of good luck for readers—the intricate plot, arresting characters, and rich emotional resonance will leave you swooning." —New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries

"Readers, rejoice! We have a new writer to celebrate. Janna MacGregor writes with intelligence and heart. The Bad Luck Bride is a full-bodied Romance about what it truly means to love, to forgive, and to heal. Plus, it introduces us to characters we will enjoy as they grow and develop. Smart, smart Romance." —New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell

"Janna MacGregor's The Bad Luck Bride is a seductive tale filled with suspense and unforgettable characters. A must-buy for historical romance readers."—USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Hawkins

"A diamond-bright debut, with a passionate heroine and worthy hero to root for." — Maggie Robinson, author of The Unsuitable Secretary

"This novel ranks high with seasoned romance authors and I am ecstatic to read what is to come in this series." — Lindsey Grey

"Janna MacGregor has a flare for writing a romance that beckons and captivates readers." — Urban Book Reviews

"A fun and entertaining read." — Write-Escape Reviews

"Bad Luck Bride is full of love, strength, hope and resilience. A well written and exciting read that I could not put down." — Working Mommy Journal

"Compelling and flawed characters, an easy, flowing writing style, and an interesting, complex storyline make The Bad Luck Bride a deep and entertaining romance read." — Okie Dreams book reviews

Kirkus Reviews

2017-03-07
Fifth time's the charm.The Lady Claire Curse has left Claire Cavensham, an otherwise very marriageable young woman, 24 and on the verge of spinsterhood. After her fourth fiance breaks their engagement, her tattered reputation is barely saved when Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, offers for her hand even though they barely know each other. Surprisingly, they find that their marriage of convenience is a better match than either had anticipated, leading two unhappy nobles to begin to hope they might have a happy ending after all. Though Claire's lifetime of grief over being the only survivor of an accident that killed her parents seems as though it may interrupt their happiness, the real danger to their marriage is the secret Alex is keeping. He didn't propose to Claire to save her—he proposed as part of a larger plan to ruin her previous fiance. And the passion between them, strong as it is, may not survive that revelation. MacGregor's debut, and the first in the planned Cavensham Heiresses series, is an enjoyably complex treat. Though Alex's characterization is somewhat uneven, the obstacles of the plot lead to an ultimately satisfying resolution. Winningly, although there's plenty of sizzle between the newlyweds in multiple passionate scenes, their efforts to build a meaningful partnership outside the bedroom make this a mature addition to any Regency shelf. An impressive debut.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171141455
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	09/15/2017
Series:	The Cavensham Heiresses , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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