The Bachelor and the Bride

GIVEAWAY

EDEN SARAH M.

THE BACHELOR AND THE BRIDE

London, 1886

Dr. Barnabus Millian has always felt called to help people, whether that means setting a broken bone or rescuing the impoverished women of London from their desperate lives on the streets as part of his work with the Dread Penny Society.

Three years ago, he helped rescue Gemma Kincaid by secretly marrying her to protect her from her family of notorious grave robbers.

But six months after Gemma and Barnabus exchanged vows, she realized her love of her new husband was unrequited. To protect her hearts, she left, telling Barnabus to contact her if his feelings for her ever grew beyond a sense of duty.

When Barnabus sends a letter to Gemma inviting her to return home, she hopes to find a true connection between them. But unfortunately, he only wants her help to foil the Kincaids, who have been terrorizing the boroughs of London, eager to gain both money and power.

Heartbroken, Gemma agrees to help, but she warns Barnabus that she will not stay for long and once she goes, he'll never see her again.

Yet as the couple follows the clues that seem to connect the Kincaids to the Mastiff, the lead of London's criminal network, Gemma and Baranbus realize they might make a better match than either of them suspected. Perhaps the marriage that hand once saved Gemma's life might now save Barnabus -- and his lonely heart.

But before the once-confirmed bachelor can properly court his secret bride, they'll need to evade the dangerous forces that are drawing ver closer to the hopeful lovers and the entire Dread Penny Society itself.

My Review:

Da Da Da Da Dummmmmm. Cue the tension-building background music, put your phone on mute, lock yourself in a room where no one can reach you (filled with the necessary reading supplies, of course...chocolate, tissues, chocolate, defibrillator, more chocolate, etc.) and be prepared to be swept away by this mesmerizing fourth instalment to the Dread Penny Society series.

I tried to make the journey last but I woke up at 5:30 a.m. on release day and started listening to my newly downloaded audible edition and then I was pretty much useless until I reached the end.

GASP!!!! THAT ENDING!!!! (THUD)

So, I went into this read thinking it was the last book in the series and I was pretty gloomy about that. Still, I tried to savour every second but my anxiety ramped up as the story progressed and then I was in a frenzy close to the end because how on earth was the author possibly going to wrap things up?! 

So -- the GOOD NEWS -- is that 'The Bachelor and the Bride' is actually not the last book in the series. (Everyone join me in a frantic bibliophile happy dance!) But -- the BAD NEWS -- is that 'The Bachelor and the Bride' ends abruptly after some rapid-fire shocking revelations AND a dastardly cliffhanger! (hence the need for the defibrillator.)

Sob! I have no idea when the next book will come out or even what it's called but I'm guessing we'll have to wait an entire year. Heaving sob!

Other random bits I should include in this review:

* Definitely don't read this book as your introduction to the Dread Penny Society series. If at all possible, read the books in order, or at least read the first book. That will give you a greater understanding of the Society and how it works as well as an introduction to key characters. Plus, there's a continuous part of the suspense plot that builds with each book...and then explodes in an unsuspecting reader's face in this one! (Still in shock!)

* I love the marriage of convenience trope!!!! And it's written to perfection here. With Gemma wearing her heart on her sleeve and Barbnabus too much of a dunderhead to realize he even has a heart! Such lovely emotional tension and I love how Eden took it in an unpredictable way. Just when I thought I figured out how the romance arc was going to play out, she surprised me. So much fun!

* As with all the other Dread Penny books, we get two actual Penny Dreadfuls interspersed into the story. One is so reminiscent of the darker fairy tales I grew up with (Irish) and I loved it. Not fiercely eerie, but definitely not Disney-fied. And the other Penny Dreadful is also suitably somber in the form of an ominous cautionary tale. The tone of both suited the dire straits of the 'real life' suspense plot Gemma and Barnabus are living.

* Though there's danger afoot, and an odious villain...well a multitude of them...to thwart...our Dread Penny heroes and heroines still have time to banter and josh and the author gives us some enticing glimpses into the lives of characters who starred in previous books. 

All in all a wonderfully satisfying continuation to the series, if rather hair-raising, jaw-dropping towards the end. Now, can somebody please tell me when the fifth book comes out...and please tell me it's Stone's story!

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, #6 Stay current with a series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy. Winner's choice. Or, if you haven't started the series and would prefer a copy of the first book, The Lady and the Highwayman, you could choose that book instead.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Bachelor and the Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 17 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.