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cakt1991's review
3.0
A Bride by Morning is the third book in Katrina Kendrick’s Private Arrangements series. It can be read as a standalone, although I’d also recommend the first two books in the series. And personally, this one was the weakest of them all for me, although at least some of that was due to personal preference.
I continue to love the interweaving of Victorian politics into the backdrop of the narrative, this time highlighting the tense relations between Britain and Russia throughout the 19th century. While I take issue with other aspects of the male lead’s character, I did like how this played into his backstory.
And with all the intrigue, and it being a shorter book at 272 pages, it was readable, and while it was a tad more subdued in places than prior books, it was still fast-paced, keeping me intrigued in spite of my other grievances.
Which brings me to the characters. Gabriel is my least favorite type of male lead, in the sense that all his trauma and baggage has made him self-loathing. I can empathize to a point, and these experiences are compassionately rendered, but I just did not find them particularly endearing. Lydia also did not win me over, but while Gabriel at least has a theoretically interesting arc, I can’t say the same for her. Lydia resolves to remain cold to him, but she also gives in a tad too easily, meaning the tension wasn’t really present and them getting together didn’t really feel earned. And while external forces do play a role in testing them, without a compelling romantic arc, I had no real reason to root for them to be together.
While I found this book underwhelming in terms of the core romance, I did like some of what brought to the series. And if a more “tortured” hero is your thing, perhaps it would work better for you.
webbsusa's review against another edition
5.0
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.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
kariniwonderland's review against another edition
3.0
Regency romance is (almost) always an entertaining read. This one is no exception, but the story was a bit darker than ones I usually read. Ideal for (historical) romance lovers who enjoy their books slow burn, spicy, and full of angst.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
amberreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
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,
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,
iniziaconunlibro's review against another edition
4.0
Lydia e Gabriel sono cresciuti insieme e erano (almeno per quanto ne sapeva Lydia) follemente innamorati. Gabriel parte per entrare nel Servizio Estero, ma chiede a Lydia di aspettarlo fino al suo ritorno, in risposta lei promette di attenderlo e di respingere tutti i corteggiatori. Molti lunghi anni dopo, quando Gabriel torna, è un uomo freddo e distante che non vuole avere nulla a che fare con lei. A 27 anni, Lydia si rassegna al suo destino di donna non sposata, finché non coglie delle crepe nella facciata di Gabriel e sospetta che ci sia di più di quanto appare, sia nella vita personale che professionale di Gabriel.
Ho apprezzato particolarmente come l'autore ha gestito le interazioni iniziali tra Gabriel e Lydia, con quell'attrazione e cura combinata dall'infanzia e una forte dose di freddo ritrovato dalla vita che li ha separati. In particolare ho apprezzato Lydia. Sebbene non abbia vissuto neanche lontanamente quello che ha passato Gabriel, non è un personaggio statico, la giovane ingenua appena cresciuta. Aveva la sua armatura e i suoi demoni e una rabbia giustificata. Eroi tormentati come Gabriel sono comuni nel genere Romance, ma Lydia è sicuramente diversa dalle altre protagoniste che ho letto.
Trigger Warnings: violenza, omicidio e PTSD. Ho pensato che questi temi fossero gestiti molto bene e conferissero grande umanità ai personaggi. Personalmente ho apprezzato molto il modo in cui sono stati gestiti questi temi, trovandoli un bel cambiamento rispetto ai romanzi storici romantici + spionaggio che ho letto in precedenza.
Ho apprezzato particolarmente come l'autore ha gestito le interazioni iniziali tra Gabriel e Lydia, con quell'attrazione e cura combinata dall'infanzia e una forte dose di freddo ritrovato dalla vita che li ha separati. In particolare ho apprezzato Lydia. Sebbene non abbia vissuto neanche lontanamente quello che ha passato Gabriel, non è un personaggio statico, la giovane ingenua appena cresciuta. Aveva la sua armatura e i suoi demoni e una rabbia giustificata. Eroi tormentati come Gabriel sono comuni nel genere Romance, ma Lydia è sicuramente diversa dalle altre protagoniste che ho letto.
Trigger Warnings: violenza, omicidio e PTSD. Ho pensato che questi temi fossero gestiti molto bene e conferissero grande umanità ai personaggi. Personalmente ho apprezzato molto il modo in cui sono stati gestiti questi temi, trovandoli un bel cambiamento rispetto ai romanzi storici romantici + spionaggio che ho letto in precedenza.
pemberley_7's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
deanie88's review against another edition
2.0
This one had potential but falls short in some areas. I didn’t mind the melodrama between Lydia and Gabriel; everything between them was very serious etc, but what bothered me was that I didn’t feel much of a connection between them. They were childhood friends but we barely get to “see” them actually interact in any meaningful way. On top of that, it’s your pretty standard historical novel and then suddenly we’re throwing around words like “cunny” and “quim”, which is cute for the vocabulary enthusiasts (I might be among that number) but all of the hyper sexual talk seems to come out of nowhere.
The spy stuff also didn’t make much sense to me. I don’t think it makes any sense for Gabriel to marry Lydia because it just puts her in more danger, and taking her to one of his known family properties to lie low also makes no sense. I was starting to get the feeling that Gabriel was being betrayed by one of his own, but really, they basically told the bad guys exactly where to find them without any betrayal being necessary. The pacing was weird, too.
I liked Callahan. I assume his book is imminent, and I’d read that one.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing access. Opinions are definitely my own.
The spy stuff also didn’t make much sense to me. I don’t think it makes any sense for Gabriel to marry Lydia because it just puts her in more danger, and taking her to one of his known family properties to lie low also makes no sense. I was starting to get the feeling that Gabriel was being betrayed by one of his own, but really, they basically told the bad guys exactly where to find them without any betrayal being necessary. The pacing was weird, too.
I liked Callahan. I assume his book is imminent, and I’d read that one.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing access. Opinions are definitely my own.