ARC Review: Always the Widow (Never the Bride #9) by Emily E.K. Murdoch
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Series: Never the Bride #9
Author: Emily E.K. Murdoch
Published December 31st 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
Always the widow and never again the bride—her one chance of happiness lost...
Once Elizabeth Howard was widowed, that's all anyone saw her as—but it does come with some perks. She's well-respected, of course, and no one is surprised when a dark gentleman leaves the house in the middle of the night. But that's not all he's left, and now, the thirty-four year old widow has a secret to keep for nine months.
Jacob Beauvale thought nothing of his romantic entanglement with the widow Howard last year, but his return to town with a fiancée brings a shock in the shape of a small child with his grey eyes. Gossip starts to fly, as Jacob ignores his intended to pursue a woman with a child—and Elizabeth knows the facts can never be known. He's determined to have the truth. She's sworn all along that it was her late husband's child. Knowledge is in the balance, and neither will give up their ground.
Will the truth of that night be more dangerous if known—and can Elizabeth and Jacob talk long enough to keep their hands off each other?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Having seen her brother-in-law, the Earl of Lenskeyn, marry for love, Mrs Elizabeth Howard laments her own marriage. After being married for over 5 years, with no children, to the wicked Elmore, she finds happiness in the arms of one of her husband's gambling partners, and then is left widowed. Alone, but still under the thumb of her busybody mother-in-law, Elizabeth is shocked to discover she isn't in fact barren after all, and is pregnant with Jacob's child. For Jacob Beauvale, Lord Westray, he can't forget the night he spent with Elizabeth, but a codicil in his parents will means he have to marry soon, and Elizabeth isn't a suitable partner. When they reconnect after Elizabeth rejoins society, Jacob is adamant that even though he is marrying someone else, he will be in the child's life, and in Elizabeth's by extension. They both deserve happiness once and for all, but will they be able to be together?
When I read Always the Matchmaker, I had a feeling that Elizabeth's story would be the next one. She was a character who intrigued me in our first meeting, and learning more about her horrid marriage to Elmore, and getting to know her in more detail, I was overjoyed to read her story. She was so kind and caring, and had been alone for so long, that Jacob was just perfect for her. Both Elizabeth and Jacob were kindred spirits, and though the book was a very quick read, less than 200 pages, we really saw their romance play out across the pages. The whole aspect of baby Beau was perfect, as was seeing the family grow into a proper unit. Yeah, there were some unnecessary moments of angst, but all in all, a really good addition to the Never the Bride series.
Dates Read:
December 21-22, 2020
Rating
3 Stars
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