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Never the Bride #9
Always the Widow
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?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
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?
This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2020
187 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Emily E.K. Murdoch
149 books282 followersEmily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 21, 2020
Jacob Beauvale went looking for a repayment of a debt, and instead found Elizabeth Howard, the isolated and miserable wife of a spendthrift. She's beautiful and lonely, and she succumbs to a passionate encounter with Jacob. In quick succession, Elizabeth becomes a widow and Jacob enters into a loveless, business-like engagement. When Jacob finds out Elizabeth is pregnant, he's convinced the child is his.
This is the ninth book in the Never The Bride series. It can be read alone, but I would recommend reading the previous book, Always the Matchmaker, where Elizabeth and the Howard family are introduced.
The book blurb misrepresents the plot of Always the Widow and makes it sound like Elizabeth is promiscuous and shows up years later with a child ("his return to town with a fiancée brings a shock in the shape of a small child with his grey eyes")…but this is NOT the case. Elizabeth was married for five years and was thought to be barren. Immediately after entering into an engagement, Jacob sees pregnant Elizabeth and becomes suspicious. I was expecting one thing from the book description and didn't like that it didn't match with the actual plot. I've enjoyed this book series, but this time I did not care for the characters. Jacob, in particular, was so wishy-washy. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
Tropes: One Night Stand, Widow, Pregnancy
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheWidow #NetGalley
This is the ninth book in the Never The Bride series. It can be read alone, but I would recommend reading the previous book, Always the Matchmaker, where Elizabeth and the Howard family are introduced.
The book blurb misrepresents the plot of Always the Widow and makes it sound like Elizabeth is promiscuous and shows up years later with a child ("his return to town with a fiancée brings a shock in the shape of a small child with his grey eyes")…but this is NOT the case. Elizabeth was married for five years and was thought to be barren. Immediately after entering into an engagement, Jacob sees pregnant Elizabeth and becomes suspicious. I was expecting one thing from the book description and didn't like that it didn't match with the actual plot. I've enjoyed this book series, but this time I did not care for the characters. Jacob, in particular, was so wishy-washy. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
Tropes: One Night Stand, Widow, Pregnancy
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AlwaystheWidow #NetGalley
February 8, 2021
Elizabeth Howard was enamored of her husband and had high hopes for a happy marriage with him, hopes that were quickly dashed by his boorish manner and controlling ways. When a gentleman comes pounding on her door demanding repayment of a debt, Elizabeth is unsurprised, but contrary to her usual routine of simply paying the man off in jewels and never seeing him again, this one returns. Her scandalous night with him introduces her to a world of pleasure she never imagined, but she can’t continue to be unfaithful, even if her husband is. Only, a week later her husband dies, and Elizabeth is left clinging to hopes for freedom in widowhood and thrilled to finally have a child.
Jacob Beauvale, Earl of Westray, wasn’t happy to receive Elizabeth’s note warning him away from her, but he followed his godmother’s wishes and engaged himself to a respectable debutante. No sooner has he proposed than he sees a pregnant Elizabeth and suspects her to be carrying his child. Though it stirs gossip, Jacob can’t seem to stay away, spending time with Elizabeth all throughout her pregnancy and doing only the bare minimum with his betrothed. Though the truth is obvious between them, Elizabeth knows a widow with a child is no proper bride for an eligible young lord and it will take a great deal of communication to set things right.
This book started out with some promise but sadly devolved rapidly. The blurb is very misleading as the child is born near the end of the book and Jacob knows it is his almost the whole time, though it doesn’t look like him, which salvages some of Elizabeth’s reputation. I found it to be a struggle to root for either of these characters. They were both inconstant and made terrible decisions without thinking things through. Jacob was incredibly immature, even for his fairly young age, and his back-and-forth inconsistency was very frustrating. Elizabeth was also inconsistent in both her actions and her dialogues with Jacob and she harped on about how she had to maintain propriety now that she was a widow when the opposite should’ve been true. I kept waiting for one of them to grow a spine and although Jacob finally did, it was too little too late for me to like him.
Although it can be argued that much of Jacob’s poor decision making could be chalked up to his godmother’s machinations, it is still on him for not standing up to her. There were also quite a few errors with titles and forms of address that frustrated me. Regardless of these issues, my biggest problem here was Elizabeth’s utter obsession with her child. I’m not a mother so I can’t relate to this, but I do find myself under immense pressure to have children and not at all ready to do so, so when it was implied that the heroine had been broken before she had her child, it didn’t sit well with me and I came close to throwing this down. Sure, this was probably meant specifically for the heroine and not women as a whole, but it was very off-putting for me.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this with these particular tropes employed together, so the uniqueness is undeniable. For me, however, the rollercoaster of inconstancy between these main characters killed any romance. These two connected over their child, the fact that Jacob thought Elizabeth was pretty, and her lack of experience receiving attention from men. There was never any real establishment of depth to their connection.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jacob Beauvale, Earl of Westray, wasn’t happy to receive Elizabeth’s note warning him away from her, but he followed his godmother’s wishes and engaged himself to a respectable debutante. No sooner has he proposed than he sees a pregnant Elizabeth and suspects her to be carrying his child. Though it stirs gossip, Jacob can’t seem to stay away, spending time with Elizabeth all throughout her pregnancy and doing only the bare minimum with his betrothed. Though the truth is obvious between them, Elizabeth knows a widow with a child is no proper bride for an eligible young lord and it will take a great deal of communication to set things right.
This book started out with some promise but sadly devolved rapidly. The blurb is very misleading as the child is born near the end of the book and Jacob knows it is his almost the whole time, though it doesn’t look like him, which salvages some of Elizabeth’s reputation. I found it to be a struggle to root for either of these characters. They were both inconstant and made terrible decisions without thinking things through. Jacob was incredibly immature, even for his fairly young age, and his back-and-forth inconsistency was very frustrating. Elizabeth was also inconsistent in both her actions and her dialogues with Jacob and she harped on about how she had to maintain propriety now that she was a widow when the opposite should’ve been true. I kept waiting for one of them to grow a spine and although Jacob finally did, it was too little too late for me to like him.
Although it can be argued that much of Jacob’s poor decision making could be chalked up to his godmother’s machinations, it is still on him for not standing up to her. There were also quite a few errors with titles and forms of address that frustrated me. Regardless of these issues, my biggest problem here was Elizabeth’s utter obsession with her child. I’m not a mother so I can’t relate to this, but I do find myself under immense pressure to have children and not at all ready to do so, so when it was implied that the heroine had been broken before she had her child, it didn’t sit well with me and I came close to throwing this down. Sure, this was probably meant specifically for the heroine and not women as a whole, but it was very off-putting for me.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this with these particular tropes employed together, so the uniqueness is undeniable. For me, however, the rollercoaster of inconstancy between these main characters killed any romance. These two connected over their child, the fact that Jacob thought Elizabeth was pretty, and her lack of experience receiving attention from men. There was never any real establishment of depth to their connection.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 29, 2020
Always the Widow
Never the Bride Series #9
Emily E.K. Murdoch
https://www.facebook.com/theemilyekmu...
Release Date 12/31/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
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?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they find a way out without of this predicament...
I first need to say, do not read the blurb, it will lead you to many false expectations. Even the age of the heroine is wrong, she is two and thirty. And at no moment does the child has the hero’s eyes color as he is not even born when he discovers he is soon to be a father. Also no one saw him leave her house and she was not even a widow at this time. And he never left town, he just let her be because of her new circumstances.
Even the title is not truly right, or it would mean a sad outcome for the couple.
Well, all this said, it is a read I enjoyed, I missed the two previous books because of a too busy reading schedule, so I am happy to have found time to squeeze this one in.
It is a tale of very imperfect characters, first their meeting circumstances were quite scandalous, a woman paying her ne’er-do-well husband’s gambling debts. Then a second visit to propose a night of passion to a neglected and lonely wife.
Jacob is the usual cheerful and nice ton fop, he enjoys life and its pleasures. Yet when an offer to increase his income is brought at his door, while he was satisfied with what he had, he is seduced by the idea, even if he is not fond of the course he must follow.
Elizabeth had been deceived by her wastrel of a husband who only showed his true color once the deed was done. Since she lives in the margins of her previous life, enduring her spouse many slights while he baths in his sins.
I am not fond of cheating in romance, but Elizabeth’s husband was a horrible mean being, one night of indulgence was nothing compared to his many years of abuse.
What surprised me was she had not be married for so long, five years in her thirty-two’s, so he kind of rescued her from spinsterhood.
Jacob is an expected visitor and he offers her an expected and wonderful surprise.
From the moment they rekindle their relationship, they navigate muddy waters, as they are trapped by society’s strictures, unable to bend the rules that govern them. Why at time Jacob appears as a coward, afraid to cause a scandal but even more to loose what he hoped to gain by entering the marriage mart. But I liked their imperfections, it was what made them real, not everyone is a hero, has the strength to cross the unsaid lows ruling them. Yet when the time comes, he makes the right choice, whatever the risk.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 detailed onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Never the Bride Series #9
Emily E.K. Murdoch
https://www.facebook.com/theemilyekmu...
Release Date 12/31/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
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?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they find a way out without of this predicament...
I first need to say, do not read the blurb, it will lead you to many false expectations. Even the age of the heroine is wrong, she is two and thirty. And at no moment does the child has the hero’s eyes color as he is not even born when he discovers he is soon to be a father. Also no one saw him leave her house and she was not even a widow at this time. And he never left town, he just let her be because of her new circumstances.
Even the title is not truly right, or it would mean a sad outcome for the couple.
Well, all this said, it is a read I enjoyed, I missed the two previous books because of a too busy reading schedule, so I am happy to have found time to squeeze this one in.
It is a tale of very imperfect characters, first their meeting circumstances were quite scandalous, a woman paying her ne’er-do-well husband’s gambling debts. Then a second visit to propose a night of passion to a neglected and lonely wife.
Jacob is the usual cheerful and nice ton fop, he enjoys life and its pleasures. Yet when an offer to increase his income is brought at his door, while he was satisfied with what he had, he is seduced by the idea, even if he is not fond of the course he must follow.
Elizabeth had been deceived by her wastrel of a husband who only showed his true color once the deed was done. Since she lives in the margins of her previous life, enduring her spouse many slights while he baths in his sins.
I am not fond of cheating in romance, but Elizabeth’s husband was a horrible mean being, one night of indulgence was nothing compared to his many years of abuse.
What surprised me was she had not be married for so long, five years in her thirty-two’s, so he kind of rescued her from spinsterhood.
Jacob is an expected visitor and he offers her an expected and wonderful surprise.
From the moment they rekindle their relationship, they navigate muddy waters, as they are trapped by society’s strictures, unable to bend the rules that govern them. Why at time Jacob appears as a coward, afraid to cause a scandal but even more to loose what he hoped to gain by entering the marriage mart. But I liked their imperfections, it was what made them real, not everyone is a hero, has the strength to cross the unsaid lows ruling them. Yet when the time comes, he makes the right choice, whatever the risk.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 detailed onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
January 22, 2021
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.
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.
December 31, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Another great book in this series.
Passion, romance and chemistry in buckets full.
Jacob and Elizabeth are great together, as they search their hearts and uncover the secrets held in the past, ones that will allow them to finally explore their love .
It has a few tense moments, steamy scenes and a wonderful storyline that will keep you hooked.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Another great book in this series.
Passion, romance and chemistry in buckets full.
Jacob and Elizabeth are great together, as they search their hearts and uncover the secrets held in the past, ones that will allow them to finally explore their love .
It has a few tense moments, steamy scenes and a wonderful storyline that will keep you hooked.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
April 5, 2021
The plot devices used here are unique and not often seen in conjunction, giving it a promising start.
Read full review in the 2021 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 26, 2020
I dived into this book without knowing anything about this author or other books from the series (I believe this one is somewhere near the number 10) so I had absolutely no expectations.
I am a huge fan of historical romances and I read them often. The cover of this one is beautiful and it is what first attracted me to this book. When I read the blurb, it peaked my interest even more as it promised quite a unique plot.
However, I am sad to report I overall did not enjoy this book. The plot was almost non-existent. The heroine was very bland and passive, and so was the hero. This quote, "You are behaving like a petulant child," describes him well. He indeed acts as if he is too immature and young to step up and own up to his actions (which he should as he is the one who messed up everything on several occasions and did absolutely nothing to correct his actions).
I do not wish to spoil the contents of this book, but it is otherwise difficult to explain some of the reasons this book did not agree with me.
So, SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD, BE WARNED!
** spoilers **
In Chapter Three, the hero visits our heroine's home for the second time. The first time, he is there to .... conduct business, and they interact briefly, and so he comes a knockin' some days later, because "I can see you are desperate for a loving touch, Elizabeth," he says to the heroine he does not even know very well and has barely spoken to before. But.... HE KNOWS. He can, I don't know, see it in her eyes, that she desires a man. And because she is beautiful (and this seems to be the only reason he is interested), he wants to help her with that.
This scene would have worked out way better if the initial meeting of our lovebirds suggested any kind of a spark, if the reader could feel there is something brewing between the two of them. But if left me completely flabbergasted when he declared that she must surely desire a man's loving touch, to which she replied "Ladies do not simply offer themselves to gentlemen who turn up in the middle of the night!" EXACTLY. And let us not forget, she was MARRIED at the time of this exchange.
And his response? "I know, but I want you, Elizabeth."
No connection had been established, they had not bantered, talked, chatted, discussed or interacted beyond a few polite sentences before this, and now the author wants me to believe that this is okay? That just because a man desires a woman, and "sees that she wants to be touched", that he can just walk up to her (in the middle of the night, and let us not forget, she is a married woman!) and tell her he wants to bed her? So, you see, this was my first issue that left me with quite a sour taste in my mouth.
I cannot say more about what further issues I had later on in the book as the spoilers would be too revealing.
I will say this - the way our hero handled ANYTHING was very immature, completely horrible and extremely innapropriatelly. If I were Elizabeth, I would have steered clear from him.
Also, the title is misleading. Always the widow? I am not a native English speaker, which I am sure you can tell, but - correct me if I am wrong - it suggests she is always the widow. So she cannot be a partner, a wife, because she will eventually become a widow (again)? So (all) her husband(s) will eventually die, leaving her a widow?
But... She is not always a widow. She is .... BRIEFLY A WIDOW. Is she not?
Also, the way servants behaved toward the mistress of the house was horrible, and it is hard for me to understand, how this is possible, if the is the boss and the person who gives them their paychecks. It was especially weird to me since the servants must have been aware of what a horrible man she was married to, and how awfully he treated her. They felt absolutely no pity and concern for her, *and on top of that* talked back, sneered at her and acted like she was the lowly distant cousin visiting from the countryside...?
Furthermore, Elizabeth and Justin were gallivating all around the town (so everyone could see them) mere months after her husband's death, and *they thought no one would notice*?? I expected that events would be at least slightly historically believable and accurate. I don't need a 100% true facts, but give me at least some sense of believability. This was not that. I had issues with many scenes in the book but due to spoilers I will not mention more.
I have received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of historical romances and I read them often. The cover of this one is beautiful and it is what first attracted me to this book. When I read the blurb, it peaked my interest even more as it promised quite a unique plot.
However, I am sad to report I overall did not enjoy this book. The plot was almost non-existent. The heroine was very bland and passive, and so was the hero. This quote, "You are behaving like a petulant child," describes him well. He indeed acts as if he is too immature and young to step up and own up to his actions (which he should as he is the one who messed up everything on several occasions and did absolutely nothing to correct his actions).
I do not wish to spoil the contents of this book, but it is otherwise difficult to explain some of the reasons this book did not agree with me.
So, SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD, BE WARNED!
** spoilers **
In Chapter Three, the hero visits our heroine's home for the second time. The first time, he is there to .... conduct business, and they interact briefly, and so he comes a knockin' some days later, because "I can see you are desperate for a loving touch, Elizabeth," he says to the heroine he does not even know very well and has barely spoken to before. But.... HE KNOWS. He can, I don't know, see it in her eyes, that she desires a man. And because she is beautiful (and this seems to be the only reason he is interested), he wants to help her with that.
This scene would have worked out way better if the initial meeting of our lovebirds suggested any kind of a spark, if the reader could feel there is something brewing between the two of them. But if left me completely flabbergasted when he declared that she must surely desire a man's loving touch, to which she replied "Ladies do not simply offer themselves to gentlemen who turn up in the middle of the night!" EXACTLY. And let us not forget, she was MARRIED at the time of this exchange.
And his response? "I know, but I want you, Elizabeth."
No connection had been established, they had not bantered, talked, chatted, discussed or interacted beyond a few polite sentences before this, and now the author wants me to believe that this is okay? That just because a man desires a woman, and "sees that she wants to be touched", that he can just walk up to her (in the middle of the night, and let us not forget, she is a married woman!) and tell her he wants to bed her? So, you see, this was my first issue that left me with quite a sour taste in my mouth.
I cannot say more about what further issues I had later on in the book as the spoilers would be too revealing.
I will say this - the way our hero handled ANYTHING was very immature, completely horrible and extremely innapropriatelly. If I were Elizabeth, I would have steered clear from him.
Also, the title is misleading. Always the widow? I am not a native English speaker, which I am sure you can tell, but - correct me if I am wrong - it suggests she is always the widow. So she cannot be a partner, a wife, because she will eventually become a widow (again)? So (all) her husband(s) will eventually die, leaving her a widow?
But... She is not always a widow. She is .... BRIEFLY A WIDOW. Is she not?
Also, the way servants behaved toward the mistress of the house was horrible, and it is hard for me to understand, how this is possible, if the is the boss and the person who gives them their paychecks. It was especially weird to me since the servants must have been aware of what a horrible man she was married to, and how awfully he treated her. They felt absolutely no pity and concern for her, *and on top of that* talked back, sneered at her and acted like she was the lowly distant cousin visiting from the countryside...?
Furthermore, Elizabeth and Justin were gallivating all around the town (so everyone could see them) mere months after her husband's death, and *they thought no one would notice*?? I expected that events would be at least slightly historically believable and accurate. I don't need a 100% true facts, but give me at least some sense of believability. This was not that. I had issues with many scenes in the book but due to spoilers I will not mention more.
I have received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2021
I wish this one was better ...
Main thing; the blurb does not adequately describe the book ...
H does not chase after woman with a child; he is actually part of her life during her pregnancy as well
H and h seemed bland to me ... the premise was really good and I so wish the story would have been just as good ...
H seemed rather childish and impulsive ...
Really didn't enjoy this one ...
Main thing; the blurb does not adequately describe the book ...
H does not chase after woman with a child; he is actually part of her life during her pregnancy as well
H and h seemed bland to me ... the premise was really good and I so wish the story would have been just as good ...
H seemed rather childish and impulsive ...
Really didn't enjoy this one ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2022
Sweet story about a widow, Elizabeth, and Jacob her short time lover. Elizabeth was lonely in her marriage and unhappy and finally found some happiness with Jacob. But he left her pregnant. Now she is raising the child as her late husband's but Jacob wants to know the truth.
I was a bit sad for Elizabeth. Jacob didn't give her a chance and he should have stuck by her instead of looking for another woman. Glad it ended happily but not sure I would forgive.
I was a bit sad for Elizabeth. Jacob didn't give her a chance and he should have stuck by her instead of looking for another woman. Glad it ended happily but not sure I would forgive.
July 11, 2021
This was good. I enjoyed it. The hero disappointed me for a hot minute, but he redeemed himself for me.
February 1, 2024
Not so keen on the beginning, although I loved the ending. 3☆
January 11, 2021
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
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I loved this one.
The chemistry and tension between Jacob and Elizabeth was so powerful, and very much delicious.
I liked the conflict of every step Jacob went through to arrive at the point in which he knew his love is stronger than any other thing in his life.
At the beginning, i thought he was a coward, but then i kind of understood where he came from, the things he had to have in mind while treading the way with Sophia.
I really liked the prose, the author was really with her words, i just loved it.
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I loved this one.
The chemistry and tension between Jacob and Elizabeth was so powerful, and very much delicious.
I liked the conflict of every step Jacob went through to arrive at the point in which he knew his love is stronger than any other thing in his life.
At the beginning, i thought he was a coward, but then i kind of understood where he came from, the things he had to have in mind while treading the way with Sophia.
I really liked the prose, the author was really with her words, i just loved it.
January 4, 2021
Title: Always the Widow
Author: Emily Murdoch
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!
Overview: Elizabeth Howard is married to the worst of men, Elmore Howard. He locks her away from Society, emotionally abuses her, and cheats on her weekly. Well, he is also a gambler, a bad one at that, and ends up owing £50 to the hero of this story, Jacob Beauvale.
Jacob storms to Elmore’s house to demand payment, but find’s Elmore’s hot wife instead. She gives him a necklace as payment for her husband’s debt and sends him on his way. He returns a few days later offering to sleep with her as he assumes her husband does not show her any true intimacy.
To summarize, they sleep together and she ends up pregnant (she thought she was barren as her husband was not able to get her with child, so they do not take any precautions). Of course, by the time Jacob learns that she is pregnant, he has (literally) just proposed to another woman. In the middle of this, her husband overdoses on opium and she is free, but pregnant.
This was my first novel by this author, so I went into this book with an open mind. I thought the plot had promise (although why the title as she was only a widow once, and for approximately a year?), but was disappointed in how it was developed. It felt like it was written like a soap opera with too many story lines, dumb reasons why the hero and heroine could not be together, and at times found myself shaking my head at what was or was not happening.
Also, I enjoy Regency romances for the love story, the steam, and the trip back in time. I did not understand how the hero and heroine came to be in love, it felt fake honestly. The sex scenes were blah (they kissed, then she was naked and coming, and then he was gone?!). The story was set in Bath mostly which was okay, but it was not my cup of tea with little of the Regency feel to it.
Lastly, the writing style was not what I prefer. It felt like dialogue was sparse with too much description or internal character thought. Some of the conversations were hard to follow as it felt like there were gaps in the conversation. The whole work felt more like a draft than a final novel.
This story had a promising plot, but I found it unnecessarily overly complicated and the chemistry between our leads underwhelming. I do not recommend this book.
Rating: 2-stars (for the plot)
I received a free advance reader copy of this story in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author: Emily Murdoch
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!
Overview: Elizabeth Howard is married to the worst of men, Elmore Howard. He locks her away from Society, emotionally abuses her, and cheats on her weekly. Well, he is also a gambler, a bad one at that, and ends up owing £50 to the hero of this story, Jacob Beauvale.
Jacob storms to Elmore’s house to demand payment, but find’s Elmore’s hot wife instead. She gives him a necklace as payment for her husband’s debt and sends him on his way. He returns a few days later offering to sleep with her as he assumes her husband does not show her any true intimacy.
To summarize, they sleep together and she ends up pregnant (she thought she was barren as her husband was not able to get her with child, so they do not take any precautions). Of course, by the time Jacob learns that she is pregnant, he has (literally) just proposed to another woman. In the middle of this, her husband overdoses on opium and she is free, but pregnant.
This was my first novel by this author, so I went into this book with an open mind. I thought the plot had promise (although why the title as she was only a widow once, and for approximately a year?), but was disappointed in how it was developed. It felt like it was written like a soap opera with too many story lines, dumb reasons why the hero and heroine could not be together, and at times found myself shaking my head at what was or was not happening.
Also, I enjoy Regency romances for the love story, the steam, and the trip back in time. I did not understand how the hero and heroine came to be in love, it felt fake honestly. The sex scenes were blah (they kissed, then she was naked and coming, and then he was gone?!). The story was set in Bath mostly which was okay, but it was not my cup of tea with little of the Regency feel to it.
Lastly, the writing style was not what I prefer. It felt like dialogue was sparse with too much description or internal character thought. Some of the conversations were hard to follow as it felt like there were gaps in the conversation. The whole work felt more like a draft than a final novel.
This story had a promising plot, but I found it unnecessarily overly complicated and the chemistry between our leads underwhelming. I do not recommend this book.
Rating: 2-stars (for the plot)
I received a free advance reader copy of this story in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2021
Always the Widow, Book 9 of the Never the Bride series, was about Elizabeth "Lizzy" Howard, widow of Lord Elmore Howard, younger brother of the Earl of Lenskeyn, and Lord Jacob Westray, Lord Beauvale, godson to Lady Romeril.
Elizabeth had been married to Elmore for five miserable years, during which time he was cruel to her in every way, and also she had never been able to conceive a child. Elmore had no secrets from Elizabeth, not his gambling debts nor his extramarital affairs. In fact, he relished in rubbing her nose in all of his debaucheries. When a knock came at the door one morning, she answered to find Jacob demanding to be shown to her husband. When he did not find him there, Elizabeth deduced that he was trying to collect on a gambling debt, which she took care of. Not long later, Jacob returned and propositioned her, which she accepted. Telling him she was barren, they did not take precautions to prevent her from becoming pregnant. They were only together for one night, but it was enough for a baby to have been created.
After his night with Elizabeth, Jacob returned home and learned that, not long before his parents died when he was a child, they had a codicil added to their will that, if he did not marry someone that was approved of by Lady Romeril, he would lose his current inheritance to a distant cousin, but if she approved of his choice of a wife, his inheritance would increase exponentially...a position in which Lady Romeril relished, for she enjoyed nothing more than being able to control people's lives.
Five months later, mere moments after he somehow became engaged to another woman, Jacob learned that Elizabeth was pregnant...and he realized he was the father.
Side Note: I have to say there were some characters in this story that absolutely pissed me off. The first was Lady Romeril and how she tried to control Jacob's life. The other was the Dowager Countess Lenskeyn and how she tried to control Elizabeth's life.
This book had so much angst and drama it was unbelievable. The pain that both Elizabeth and Jacob had to endure was heartbreaking, but there were those in their lives that did everything they could to keep them apart, including Jacob's betrothed. But then, Jacob didn't have much of a backbone either when it came to standing up for what he wanted.
The book was good...but not five-star good. If it had included even a smidge more humor and other positive emotions to lighten the mood of the story, it might have earned more than a two-star rating. But since it did not, it gets no higher praise.
Elizabeth had been married to Elmore for five miserable years, during which time he was cruel to her in every way, and also she had never been able to conceive a child. Elmore had no secrets from Elizabeth, not his gambling debts nor his extramarital affairs. In fact, he relished in rubbing her nose in all of his debaucheries. When a knock came at the door one morning, she answered to find Jacob demanding to be shown to her husband. When he did not find him there, Elizabeth deduced that he was trying to collect on a gambling debt, which she took care of. Not long later, Jacob returned and propositioned her, which she accepted. Telling him she was barren, they did not take precautions to prevent her from becoming pregnant. They were only together for one night, but it was enough for a baby to have been created.
After his night with Elizabeth, Jacob returned home and learned that, not long before his parents died when he was a child, they had a codicil added to their will that, if he did not marry someone that was approved of by Lady Romeril, he would lose his current inheritance to a distant cousin, but if she approved of his choice of a wife, his inheritance would increase exponentially...a position in which Lady Romeril relished, for she enjoyed nothing more than being able to control people's lives.
Five months later, mere moments after he somehow became engaged to another woman, Jacob learned that Elizabeth was pregnant...and he realized he was the father.
Side Note: I have to say there were some characters in this story that absolutely pissed me off. The first was Lady Romeril and how she tried to control Jacob's life. The other was the Dowager Countess Lenskeyn and how she tried to control Elizabeth's life.
This book had so much angst and drama it was unbelievable. The pain that both Elizabeth and Jacob had to endure was heartbreaking, but there were those in their lives that did everything they could to keep them apart, including Jacob's betrothed. But then, Jacob didn't have much of a backbone either when it came to standing up for what he wanted.
The book was good...but not five-star good. If it had included even a smidge more humor and other positive emotions to lighten the mood of the story, it might have earned more than a two-star rating. But since it did not, it gets no higher praise.
December 31, 2020
OMG I loved this book soooo much!
The first thing I have to say though, is that the blurb is quite different from the actual book.
Elizabeth Howard is married to an abuser husband who keeps her isolated from society. When Jacob Beauvale comes looking for her husband about a gambling debt, the attraction between them is strong and immediate. But a couple of weeks later, her husband suddenly dies, leaving her a widow.
After the best night of his life, Jacob received a letter from Elizabeth asking him to let her go as she is a married lady. At the same time, he learns from his godmother that in order to inherit a fortune he has to marry a lady of her choosing, so he accepts his faith and got engage.
But as days go by, Elizabeth realizes she is expecting Jacob’s child. When he learns the truth he can´t stay away from her. Gossip starts to fly as Jacob ignores his intended to pursue a woman with child. She has to pretend for the rest of the family and the ton that it’s her late husband's child.
But as Elizabeth and Jacob spend time together, they are going to discover that in order to do “the right thing” they need to give up their love. Is Jacob going to be able to marry someone else and be apart from his love and his child?
This is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order. I read all the books in the series, and liked most of them, but this one touched my heart in a special place.
This author writes stories that are controversial in an amazing way. The heroes and the heroines are quite different from most HR books. They have flaws and are weak and do all the wrong things. But you love them all the same because, at least in my case, you can see yourself in them. They are SO human that you feel like reaching for them for advice, or just for a cup of tea.
These two are great together. There are kisses, steamy sex, great chemistry and sweet moments. Elizabeth is a beautiful person and Jacob loves her to no end and cherish her. There’s a scene when the baby comes that absolutely broke my heart for its perfection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first thing I have to say though, is that the blurb is quite different from the actual book.
Elizabeth Howard is married to an abuser husband who keeps her isolated from society. When Jacob Beauvale comes looking for her husband about a gambling debt, the attraction between them is strong and immediate. But a couple of weeks later, her husband suddenly dies, leaving her a widow.
After the best night of his life, Jacob received a letter from Elizabeth asking him to let her go as she is a married lady. At the same time, he learns from his godmother that in order to inherit a fortune he has to marry a lady of her choosing, so he accepts his faith and got engage.
But as days go by, Elizabeth realizes she is expecting Jacob’s child. When he learns the truth he can´t stay away from her. Gossip starts to fly as Jacob ignores his intended to pursue a woman with child. She has to pretend for the rest of the family and the ton that it’s her late husband's child.
But as Elizabeth and Jacob spend time together, they are going to discover that in order to do “the right thing” they need to give up their love. Is Jacob going to be able to marry someone else and be apart from his love and his child?
This is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order. I read all the books in the series, and liked most of them, but this one touched my heart in a special place.
This author writes stories that are controversial in an amazing way. The heroes and the heroines are quite different from most HR books. They have flaws and are weak and do all the wrong things. But you love them all the same because, at least in my case, you can see yourself in them. They are SO human that you feel like reaching for them for advice, or just for a cup of tea.
These two are great together. There are kisses, steamy sex, great chemistry and sweet moments. Elizabeth is a beautiful person and Jacob loves her to no end and cherish her. There’s a scene when the baby comes that absolutely broke my heart for its perfection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 20, 2020
Always the Widow by Emily EK Murdoch is the newest entry into the popular Never the Bride series. This story features Elizabeth Howard who is sister-in-law-to the newly married Albermarle, Earl of Lenskeyne. She had been married to his brother, Elmore, who had not been the good man the earl was, although that was a well-kept secret. She had handed the last of the family jewels to the new countess, the former Theodosia Ashbrooke, and prayed she never had them appraised, as they were paste. She had sold or given the real jewels away to many men as they came to her door to settle Elmore's gambling debts. The last necklace had gone to Jacob Beauvale, Lord Westray, who had fallen in lust with her immediately, despite the fact she was married. She was now carrying his child, but that was her secret. To the world the child would belong to Elmore Howard, her now deceased husband.
Jacob discovered she was carrying his child moments after he had proposed to Sophia Worsley. He did not love her; she did not love him. He needed to marry to satisfy the codicil in his father's will. She needed to marry someone. He would work. In the following months he came to realize that he loved Elizabeth, and later, their child. It was fun watching him twitch his way through his engagement, never strong enough to break it. His reasoning was flawed and he knew it and yet he persisted.
Elizabeth was happy just to be ride of Elmore and to have the child she had always wanted. She had no designs on Jacob, at first, but as her persisted... This is a unique and wonderful plot contained some exquisite writing. The characters are good, if hampered by the expectations of society. It was fun to read. It was fun to watch Jacob squirm. Every time I read one of this series, I declare it to be the best one yet. This truly is the best one yet!
I was invited to read a free ARC of Always the Widow by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #alwaysthewidow
Jacob discovered she was carrying his child moments after he had proposed to Sophia Worsley. He did not love her; she did not love him. He needed to marry to satisfy the codicil in his father's will. She needed to marry someone. He would work. In the following months he came to realize that he loved Elizabeth, and later, their child. It was fun watching him twitch his way through his engagement, never strong enough to break it. His reasoning was flawed and he knew it and yet he persisted.
Elizabeth was happy just to be ride of Elmore and to have the child she had always wanted. She had no designs on Jacob, at first, but as her persisted... This is a unique and wonderful plot contained some exquisite writing. The characters are good, if hampered by the expectations of society. It was fun to read. It was fun to watch Jacob squirm. Every time I read one of this series, I declare it to be the best one yet. This truly is the best one yet!
I was invited to read a free ARC of Always the Widow by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #alwaysthewidow
July 11, 2022
Jacob & Elizabeth. After losing in a card game, he goes to the Howard house to collect his debt. Elizabeth answers and pays her husbands debt with her family jewelry. She knows her husband is cruel and has learned to live with it. Jacob is attracted to her and comes back the next night to sleep with her. Her husband hasn't shown her passion and she decides to sleep with him. It is a passionate evening which she tells him should never happen again out of fear that her husband will find out. 5 days later her husband is dead and a month or so later she finds out their liaison resulted in a baby (she thought she was barren after 5 years of "trying" with her husband). Jacob's godmother tells him that he needs to marry someone that she approves of to gain access to his full inheritance. If she doesn't approve, he loses everything. He moves ahead with his engagement with Miss Worsley. Theirs isn't at all a love match and it was a super awkward proposal (like no feelings). Right after the proposal she sees Elizabeth and tells him the gossip that she is preggo. He does the math and figures out the baby is his. While moving forward with the engagement (because he feels he has to), he gets close to Elizabeth and their son, Beau. They want to be a family but he has to get out of his engagement first. Miss Worsley knows about Elizabeth and knows Beau is his son and threatens to ruin them all if he didn't move forward with the wedding (she had been jilted previously). He breaks it off with Elizabeth, not wanting to ruin them and also wanting access to his inheritance which he planned to use to provide for their son. At the wedding, last minute he decides he can't marry Miss Worsley and chooses Elizabeth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2021
Long betrothal
Elizabeth is finally a widow! I am still not sure how anyone could like her whoring, gambling deceased husband! He was horrible Lord Howard including calling g her barren? Jacob came to recoup a gambling debt as he along with other men he owed reneged on the debt! Elizabeth is beautiful and she paid the debt? Not sure if the jewelry was paste or real that Jacob received? This is one of the strangest of this series! Some many things don't make sense! Jacob learned of the pregnancy minutes after proposing to Miss Sophia! But it took several months to even get it in his head she was all wrong for him? She even said at the proposal that they would be married and that was that! I would have told her she was never really asked!!!
The wedding took a whole year to plan and Jacob knew no details? He was always running off to be with Elizabeth and the introduction said gray eyes? But the story says blue? Then Sophia basically blackmail Jacob and the spineless worm lets her?? Then Elizabeth loves him and this the reason for 4 stars after suffering so little love in her life and her husband was openly cavorting with his mistresses could have taken a stand sooner! Then Jacob days away gets from his wedding takes to his bed like a maiden Aunt??? Really!??? This his godmother gave him something to think about!!?? What about the woman you say you love and your child??
Just when I gave up on Jacob he does something to redeem himself!!?? A little anyways he should grovel until the end of his days for this HEA!!
Sophia needs her own story always engaged never a wife the determined harridan!!!!
Elizabeth is finally a widow! I am still not sure how anyone could like her whoring, gambling deceased husband! He was horrible Lord Howard including calling g her barren? Jacob came to recoup a gambling debt as he along with other men he owed reneged on the debt! Elizabeth is beautiful and she paid the debt? Not sure if the jewelry was paste or real that Jacob received? This is one of the strangest of this series! Some many things don't make sense! Jacob learned of the pregnancy minutes after proposing to Miss Sophia! But it took several months to even get it in his head she was all wrong for him? She even said at the proposal that they would be married and that was that! I would have told her she was never really asked!!!
The wedding took a whole year to plan and Jacob knew no details? He was always running off to be with Elizabeth and the introduction said gray eyes? But the story says blue? Then Sophia basically blackmail Jacob and the spineless worm lets her?? Then Elizabeth loves him and this the reason for 4 stars after suffering so little love in her life and her husband was openly cavorting with his mistresses could have taken a stand sooner! Then Jacob days away gets from his wedding takes to his bed like a maiden Aunt??? Really!??? This his godmother gave him something to think about!!?? What about the woman you say you love and your child??
Just when I gave up on Jacob he does something to redeem himself!!?? A little anyways he should grovel until the end of his days for this HEA!!
Sophia needs her own story always engaged never a wife the determined harridan!!!!
March 5, 2022
Emotional 9th book in a wonderful historical romance series.
Elizabeth, the title character, was introduced in the previous book in this series, Always the Matchmaker. I was intrigued by her actions and demeanour in that book and was so glad to read her story. It is an emotional tale with lots of ups and downs but I found it very appealing. Please note that the book blurb does a poor and inaccurate summary of the basics of this book but I was not disappointed by what I actually read. What happens when Elizabeth meets, in her home, one of the creditors of her poor excuse for a husband and said creditor Jacob notices more about her and her situation than anyone else ever has? I found some aspects of Jacob’s character perplexing - how could he come to the right conclusion about Elizabeth’s marriage and then in essence cheat her in the repayment of the debt? This and others of his actions, however, led to a story that pulled at my heartstrings. I so wanted Elizabeth to get her happily ever after ending. Would it ever happen and if so who would it encompass? For readers concerned about triggers, this book hints at some very serious storylines but does not go into detail. I love how the author makes you feel for her characters, even if you question their actions. I enjoyed this book even when I was shaking my head at the characters. Personally, I hope that this series never ends.
Elizabeth, the title character, was introduced in the previous book in this series, Always the Matchmaker. I was intrigued by her actions and demeanour in that book and was so glad to read her story. It is an emotional tale with lots of ups and downs but I found it very appealing. Please note that the book blurb does a poor and inaccurate summary of the basics of this book but I was not disappointed by what I actually read. What happens when Elizabeth meets, in her home, one of the creditors of her poor excuse for a husband and said creditor Jacob notices more about her and her situation than anyone else ever has? I found some aspects of Jacob’s character perplexing - how could he come to the right conclusion about Elizabeth’s marriage and then in essence cheat her in the repayment of the debt? This and others of his actions, however, led to a story that pulled at my heartstrings. I so wanted Elizabeth to get her happily ever after ending. Would it ever happen and if so who would it encompass? For readers concerned about triggers, this book hints at some very serious storylines but does not go into detail. I love how the author makes you feel for her characters, even if you question their actions. I enjoyed this book even when I was shaking my head at the characters. Personally, I hope that this series never ends.
January 16, 2025
Elizabeth is married to a rake, a gambler a cheat, a bully, and as the younger son the Apple of his mother's eye, according to her ha can do no wrong, and the fact that after five years Elizabeth is childless, is because Elizabeth is barren.
When yet another man comes to her door demanding she pay her husband's gambling debts, and then is kind to her, Elizabeth can't help but grab some joy for herself. But just as soon as she realises there are consequences from her snatched moment of joy, Elizabeth is told she's now widowed. To the world her baby is a present from her late husband.
Jain meets Elizabeth when he goes to collect a gambling debt, and when he realised how she's living, separated from everyone else accepts her offer of an afternoons liaison. Now he's told by his godmother that is he marries someone she approved of his income would quadruple, so he courts a lady suggested by her. The evening he proposes to her he finds out Elizabeth is pregnant. But now he's trapped in an unwanted engagement.
Quite enjoyed this, particularly meeting characters we know from previous books in the series.
Only niggle is the insistence that Elizabeth s baby is heir to the earldom. This would only be the case of her brothers older brother has no son to inherit which at the time it's first said is unknown.
Again she tells people she's pregnant before she's have realistically know is within two werks.
When yet another man comes to her door demanding she pay her husband's gambling debts, and then is kind to her, Elizabeth can't help but grab some joy for herself. But just as soon as she realises there are consequences from her snatched moment of joy, Elizabeth is told she's now widowed. To the world her baby is a present from her late husband.
Jain meets Elizabeth when he goes to collect a gambling debt, and when he realised how she's living, separated from everyone else accepts her offer of an afternoons liaison. Now he's told by his godmother that is he marries someone she approved of his income would quadruple, so he courts a lady suggested by her. The evening he proposes to her he finds out Elizabeth is pregnant. But now he's trapped in an unwanted engagement.
Quite enjoyed this, particularly meeting characters we know from previous books in the series.
Only niggle is the insistence that Elizabeth s baby is heir to the earldom. This would only be the case of her brothers older brother has no son to inherit which at the time it's first said is unknown.
Again she tells people she's pregnant before she's have realistically know is within two werks.
February 4, 2021
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as to how this would play out when one of the characters is already engaged and is not quick to break it off. But, in a slower burn than some of the previous in the series, the couple finally finds each other.
Sophia was a lovely evil villain but I think the surprise was lady Romeril- she was scary ans intimidating to Elizabeth even though she truly cared for her in the end. I liked that this was as much of a family love story as it was the romance- her mother in law scared her, but ultimately surprised her by loving her even when she cheated on her soon to be dead, philandering husband. There’s a little tension regarding the legitimacy issue of the child, but she shockingly isn’t cruel, she’s just a mother who only ever saw the best in her sone and not his flaws.
I was very unhappy that he dithered so much with his issues over breaking his engagement, but this is a romance- no tension equals boring. Even though I really like this series, this was not one of my favorites.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as to how this would play out when one of the characters is already engaged and is not quick to break it off. But, in a slower burn than some of the previous in the series, the couple finally finds each other.
Sophia was a lovely evil villain but I think the surprise was lady Romeril- she was scary ans intimidating to Elizabeth even though she truly cared for her in the end. I liked that this was as much of a family love story as it was the romance- her mother in law scared her, but ultimately surprised her by loving her even when she cheated on her soon to be dead, philandering husband. There’s a little tension regarding the legitimacy issue of the child, but she shockingly isn’t cruel, she’s just a mother who only ever saw the best in her sone and not his flaws.
I was very unhappy that he dithered so much with his issues over breaking his engagement, but this is a romance- no tension equals boring. Even though I really like this series, this was not one of my favorites.
December 30, 2020
In many ways, this was a very uncomfortable story to read. Having read the previous books in the series, I was disappointed with this one. Elizabeth Howard entered marriage with hope in her heart, only to find that she had married a monster. Side-lined and kept on a short leash, she has very little social interaction, apart from with her husband's creditors. Which is how she comes to meet Jacob Beauvale. One cannot help but feel for Elizabeth in her predicament, and even Jacob deserves some sympathy when he finds that she is carrying his child. However, his resolution of the matter left much to be desired. The story closes on a positive note and one can only hope that those who were injured by Jacob's actions find their own happy endings. I do think the cover of this novel is beautiful, but unfortunately, I was left feeling sad and a little angry when I came to the conclusion of this novel. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
December 30, 2020
Murdoch is an author I have discovered this year and so far it has always been a pleasure to read her. This one did not disappoint either.
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Lady Elizabeth Howards is now a widow. She has suffered in a loveless and tedious marriage and is now finally free to live her life as she sees fit, has it not been for the fruit of a night of passion with Lord Jacob Beauvale. What will happen to both when Jacob who is now engaged to be married discovers her secret?
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My heart went to Elizabeth from the first few pages of the book and it was a joy to see her find someone that would love and cherish her. I was not completely taken by Jacob and the decisions he made, yet I couldn't help by finding him cute at times. Despite everything, they made such a cute and sweet couple. Murdoch always seems to write the most delightful couples. It felt as if two soulmates finally came together and claimed some happiness for themselves.
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4/5
~ #fridayinaprilbookreviews
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I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Lady Elizabeth Howards is now a widow. She has suffered in a loveless and tedious marriage and is now finally free to live her life as she sees fit, has it not been for the fruit of a night of passion with Lord Jacob Beauvale. What will happen to both when Jacob who is now engaged to be married discovers her secret?
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My heart went to Elizabeth from the first few pages of the book and it was a joy to see her find someone that would love and cherish her. I was not completely taken by Jacob and the decisions he made, yet I couldn't help by finding him cute at times. Despite everything, they made such a cute and sweet couple. Murdoch always seems to write the most delightful couples. It felt as if two soulmates finally came together and claimed some happiness for themselves.
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4/5
~ #fridayinaprilbookreviews
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I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 5, 2021
Strength
I have a few questions about the plot. Jacob was a Lord but what was he Lord over, it doesn't tell if he has an estate. So where does his yearly income come from if he originally had 4,000 a year and 12,000 extra if his godmother approves of his bride. If she doesn't approve then he gets nothing. Now any fool could not buy into that situation. His godmother raised him and was his guardian until he came of age. But according to the will which he obviously hadn't read or consulted his Lawyers over she was still his guardian when he was 25 years old. If that was true then if she was 80 and he was 50 would she still be his guardian and have to approve any marriage? Since I have read over 500 Regency novels I find that rather odd and it simply doesn't ring true. I think an author should do a little research and at least get closer than this. Better luck with future endeavors.
I have a few questions about the plot. Jacob was a Lord but what was he Lord over, it doesn't tell if he has an estate. So where does his yearly income come from if he originally had 4,000 a year and 12,000 extra if his godmother approves of his bride. If she doesn't approve then he gets nothing. Now any fool could not buy into that situation. His godmother raised him and was his guardian until he came of age. But according to the will which he obviously hadn't read or consulted his Lawyers over she was still his guardian when he was 25 years old. If that was true then if she was 80 and he was 50 would she still be his guardian and have to approve any marriage? Since I have read over 500 Regency novels I find that rather odd and it simply doesn't ring true. I think an author should do a little research and at least get closer than this. Better luck with future endeavors.
April 28, 2025
Will Elizabeth find happiness the second time around?
Elizabeth Howard was married to Albie’s brother and had a miserable time of it despite all appearances. Her husband was dreadful and when he dies in an opium den she feels free for the first time in years.
Jacob Beauvale visits the house expecting to collect on a debt owed to him by her husband only to find himself in Elizabeth’s arms.
Months later he discovers that she is widowed and pregnant. In addition he has been informed that he can only inherit a substantial amount of money if he marries a woman that his godmother (Lady Romeril) approves of. If she doesn’t not only does he not get the extra money he will loose the rest of the income not entailed.
He therefore becomes engaged to the lady of his godmother’s choosing.
Elizabeth gives birth to a boy which is presumed to be her husband’s.
Eventually things work themselves out.
Elizabeth Howard was married to Albie’s brother and had a miserable time of it despite all appearances. Her husband was dreadful and when he dies in an opium den she feels free for the first time in years.
Jacob Beauvale visits the house expecting to collect on a debt owed to him by her husband only to find himself in Elizabeth’s arms.
Months later he discovers that she is widowed and pregnant. In addition he has been informed that he can only inherit a substantial amount of money if he marries a woman that his godmother (Lady Romeril) approves of. If she doesn’t not only does he not get the extra money he will loose the rest of the income not entailed.
He therefore becomes engaged to the lady of his godmother’s choosing.
Elizabeth gives birth to a boy which is presumed to be her husband’s.
Eventually things work themselves out.
January 1, 2021
Elizabeth Howard, at the age of thirty-two, found herself a widow, and because she had no children, thought herself barren. Her marriage was horrendous; but the thought of having children had saved her. However, now she felt that she would never remarry and have children. In her mind, all she could think was that she would always be a widow. What horrible feelings, however she was strong and decided that she could handle her life by herself. But then her husband left her with gambling debts and Lord Jacob Beauvale decided to collect the monies owed himself. Little did he know that this act would not only change his life, but that of Elizabeth’s too. Nine months later a wonderful surprise came to be, and she was bound to keep her secret; claiming the child is the son of her late husband. Now the gossip starts, and a reading adventure begins as this problem is sorted out.
July 14, 2021
A historical romance set in England during the 1800's that is fairly melodramatic in style. The hero (Jacob) is 25 and the heroine (Elizabeth) is 34 and a widow. They have a one night stand not long before her horrible husband's death, which naturally results in a pregnancy. Meanwhile, Jacob has had to get engaged to secure his inheritance. Later the same day he discovers he's (possibly) going to be a father. There's plenty of internal narration and pining for each other - even though the H/h had barely a few hours of interaction in the first place. I'm not sure why they had such a deep connection and in-depth character development was lacking.
This book was an okay, uncomplicated read that was easy to put down. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion. It's part of an ongoing series, but I had no problem reading it as a stand alone.
This book was an okay, uncomplicated read that was easy to put down. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion. It's part of an ongoing series, but I had no problem reading it as a stand alone.
January 4, 2021
This is my second Emily EK Murdoch book from this series.
Always the Widow fell a bit short of how I loved the last book (Theodosia and Abermarle).
This one is about Elizabeth Howard, Abermarle Earl of Lenskeyn’s sister-in-law, who’s husband Elmore had just died. The marriage wasn’t a happy one and she had felt trapped for 5 years.
The night before her husband dies she receives a visit from Jacob, Lord Westray because her husband Elmore owes him money.
After this night it all changes for Elizabeth.
It was a bit dramatic and took long for the one thing standing in their way of happiness to be handled.
I received this ebook arc from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Always the Widow fell a bit short of how I loved the last book (Theodosia and Abermarle).
This one is about Elizabeth Howard, Abermarle Earl of Lenskeyn’s sister-in-law, who’s husband Elmore had just died. The marriage wasn’t a happy one and she had felt trapped for 5 years.
The night before her husband dies she receives a visit from Jacob, Lord Westray because her husband Elmore owes him money.
After this night it all changes for Elizabeth.
It was a bit dramatic and took long for the one thing standing in their way of happiness to be handled.
I received this ebook arc from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2021
Jacob Beauvale thought nothing of his romantic entanglement he unexpectedly had while he was collecting on a debt by her husband. She offers him jewels and he gets more than he bargained for in a night of passion. But when he finds out the widow is pregnant there’s a good chance the child is his. But what to do he’s engaged and she’s quite happy as a widow, but neither can forget their one night of passion. A captivation story of a young woman who’s had a horrible marriage, who only wanted a family now finds herself expecting a baby and new hope and a new man in her life who’s convinced the child is his and he decides he wants the mother too. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story
February 11, 2021
A second chance at real love and an unexpected encounter that will end in love.. What more can you ask for?
In this next story in this amazing series, Elizabeth had been married to with a terrible man and she endured it all. That is until her encounter with Jacob, Lord Westray, who had come to collect money for funds her husband owed him. But that one encounter was to be memorable and have a lasing effect.
When her husband dies soon after and leaves her a widow, she finds she is with child. She knows it is Jacob's from that one night. Everyone things it is her late husband's but then Jacob finds out.
A whirlwind of romance and desire that seems will never come to fruition But a determined man who hopefully make the right choice could bring them together forever!
In this next story in this amazing series, Elizabeth had been married to with a terrible man and she endured it all. That is until her encounter with Jacob, Lord Westray, who had come to collect money for funds her husband owed him. But that one encounter was to be memorable and have a lasing effect.
When her husband dies soon after and leaves her a widow, she finds she is with child. She knows it is Jacob's from that one night. Everyone things it is her late husband's but then Jacob finds out.
A whirlwind of romance and desire that seems will never come to fruition But a determined man who hopefully make the right choice could bring them together forever!
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