The Bachelor and the Bride

About the Book: 

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.

My Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐//5

If you are looking for a historical romance with mystery, intrigue, danger, plot twists, and villains, purchase t-h-i-s book. Sarah M. Eden does it again with her marvelous, masterful story telling of the Dread Penny Society. She not only has this amazing story about the members trying to thwart the Mastiff, a criminal mastermind, his network, and a family of nasty resurrectionists, but she also tells Barnabus Milligan’s story of his unusual marriage. But, wait, there’s more! There are not one, but two penny dreadful stories included and told throughout the book as well.

This is the fourth book in this series and I wasn’t sure if I would love this as much as the others. Well, I should not have even given it a thought because Ms. Eden has certainly outdone the others and has a cliff hanger that left me shouting, “Nooo! What happens next?!” I can’t recommend this amazing book enough and the rest in the series.

This is my favorite quote that is the motto of the Dread Penny Society. “For the poor and infirm, the hopeless and the voiceless, we do not relent.” I can’t wait to read the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.