ARC Review: Always the Rival (Never the Bride #7) by Emily E.K. Murdoch
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Series: Never the Bride #7
Author: Emily E.K. Murdoch
Published October 29th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
Always the rival and never the bride—and this time, it's her own fault...
What had Miss Priscilla Seton been thinking? She had always assumed that Charles would stay the same forever, but bowing to familial wishes he is now engaged—and Priscilla is determined to sabotage the match. She has known him for all her twenty years, and he is hers.
But Charles Audley, Duke of Orrinshire, is facing pressures of his own. His marriage arranged for him, there's not a single day that goes by without him regretting Priscilla.
Of course, he could never say anything. His family honor is at stake, and he would never betray them—but letting off a little steam?
He's determined to have his cake and eat it. She's ready to rival any woman that comes into his life. Seduction isn't the problem—it's the pressure of family and commitment that threatens to destroy everything.
Is it possible for Priscilla to rival not just the perfect woman for Charles, but also his family?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Always the Rival sees a young lady realise her jealousy over her best friend's marriage not only be because their relationship will change, but because she is in love with Charles, Duke of Orrinshire. For Charles, he's not excited about the wedding, but all Orrinshire's before him had arranged marriages, and his mother is imploring him to marry the rich heiress, Miss Frances Lloyd. They've never really spoken, but the marriage is in a couple of months, and he's honour bound to see it through. While at the wedding of close friends, Priscilla discovers her own feelings for Charles, and plots to be a rival in his affections, and hopefully make him see her not as the young girl he's been friends with for years, but as someone who he desires, and wants to be with. Can Charles overcome his familial pressures to be with the woman he now knows he loves, or will he bow to tradition?
I have really liked the previous three books in this series, and while I was self isolating, and off work, this instalment became available to review, and I spent an entire morning reading it. Both Priscilla and Charles were enjoyable characters - we've previously met Charles in Always the Bluestocking - and their own histories, and shared experiences helped to cement their romance in my mind. Being neighbours, the two of them, and Charles' younger sister, Mary, were always together, and were inseparable, even more so after Mary's early death, while the two were grieving. I think because their friendship was so important to them both, they had never really considered their feelings towards the other, until the pressures began, and it seemed it might be too late. Both recognised their love for the other during the book, and the moments of revelation were a joy to read, especially when Charles realised he was in love with Priscilla, and not Frances. I found the inevitable moments of angst a little repetitive, and could've been avoided, but the conclusion was heartwarming, and all in all, another fabulous instalment of a wonderful series.
Dates Read:
October 17, 2020
Rating
3 Stars
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