The Bachelor and the Bride by Sarah M. Eden

 

 

 

 

London, 1866

Dr. Barnabus Milligan 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 for her new husband was unrequited. To protect her heart, 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 leader of London's criminal network, Gemma and Barnabus realize they might make a better match than either of them suspected. Perhaps the marriage that had 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 ever closer to the hopeful lovers and the entire Dread Penny Society itself.

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About The Author

 Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a Bachelor's degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

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My Review

 This read is part of a series, however, this is the first that I have read, but it won’t be the last, and I really wasn’t lost, the author did a wonderful job of bringing me up to date!
This is a sweet love story, Barnabus/Gemma, will this marriage of convenience turn into love? Gemma left three years ago because she wanted more, now she is being asked to return, can she help, will she bring the danger of her notorious Kincaid family to the doorstep?
A story set in 1860’s London, and we are with the kind hearted folks, the Dread Penny Society, who what to help those who are being trafficked, and we are with them!
We are also gifted with some of the dreadful societies books, they rather mirror some of their lives.
You will be page turning for answers, and be aware, there are big reveals and some answers at the end of this book, and then, well, you will need the next installment! Yes, there are answers and surprises!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not. required to give a positive review.