The Bad Luck Bride

By: Janna MacGregor

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From an emerging new voice comes The Bad Luck Bride, a regency romance that begins with a cursed bride and a plot for revenge.

Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he gets vengeance on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece needs to fall into place for Alex to succeed: he needs to convince the man's fiancée, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead.

Lady Claire's "curse" has left her one step away from social ruin: her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth one is headed the same way. Before anyone can learn of her latest scandal, she's caught in an awkward situation with Alex who then shocks everyone by announcing their engagement.

Forced into marriage, Alex and Claire find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other. But as the two of them grow closer, will the truth of their union shatter their fragile feelings or is love strong enough to survive?

©2017 JLWR, LLC. (P)2017 Recorded Books

Twisted around revenge very emotional

The author gives you a unique story of revenge, a curse and those who draw it out along for the fun of it, with those who want her hand for their own reasons. It takes a little while to understand what the curse is and why she feels she is cursed. The author plays off one man against another one wanting her money and the other wanting revenge for a wrong he feels has been done to his family. There are a few surprises along the way along with a few major twists that makes some look like fools. There is a lot of misunderstanding along with a little confusion, some suspense and a few thrills that makes the story interesting.

I loved this narrators accent she really adds to the audio making it believable. Her character voices are great from her dashing males to her very sassy ladies. She brings true emotion to the story as she spins a tale of revenge, anger, deceit, lies giving it true feeling. You could hear the anger, sorrow, sadness, fear, excitement, smiles, laughter in her voice. I always knew who was talking and what their feelings were. There are no background noise, no volume changes, no repeating of wording, it was a very clean and clear audio, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. I really liked her deep male voices and how she portrayed them. Her female voices were wonderful even the mean women with their nosey noses in everything were done just right. She really bought the danger alive for me making me hold my breath. There were times she made me feel sad for one or another. I am not sure if I had read it I would have had such strong feelings. I thought her performance was wonderful and can’t wait to listen to more of her work.

The story was a little long with a little more filler than I like. I thought some could have been left out making it a more interesting read. However, I did enjoy it and all the mystery along with the twists and turns that came with it. When Alexander finally saw the truth my heart broke for him. Claire I did feel sorry up to a point, and she was very likable but at times I thought she acted much younger that what she was. I liked how she took charge and truly trying to make the marriage work. I felt both their pains, trials and sorrow. The author does keep it interesting and for the most part I enjoyed it. For me this wasn’t a page turner but it was worth my time. The characters are interesting, I loved the mystery, how things turned around putting egg on a few faces. I loved the surprises and the defeat, some were very heart breaking. The ending is good leaving you with a smile.

This book challenged me to finish it.

I stuck it out to the end but it was so over long the effort to do that was difficult. I very seldom review books and feel I must read it entirely in order to do this properly. The narration enabled me to do this. Rosalyn Landor is by far the very best narrator I have heard reading audio books. However, even she could not save it.

Main Characters' motivations were insipid.

The book was well written. Claire's ultimate secret was silly and Alex was wishy-washy and way too mushy. The story did have just enough charm to keep me listening to the end.

Great story

Excellent storytelling. Great narration. Romantic, sexy, sweet, sad...highly recommend. Top characters from the main two...to all the supporting cast. Wish the last two in the series were performed by Ms Landor. The new narrator makes them unreadable. Too bad.

slow slow slow but also okay

like other readers it is all too slow lander great as usual. if it is part of your escape subscription and you have time to kill why not

Plot good , but characters were frustrating

This historical romance is set in England during either the Regency period . It’s the first in a series revolving around a family of very strong aristocratic women with Scott’s background.

The first heroine is Lady Claire Cavensham. She is the sole survivor of terrible carriage accident where both of her parents drowned when she was a child. This sets us up to be immediately sympathetic towards her, especially since she suffers from debilitating ptsd every time there’s a thunderstorm or she has to go on a bridge that goes over water.
The problem is she is just so MEAN to the people who are trying to help her now as an adult. She decides she is “cursed” when every time she gets engaged, something bad happens to her fiancé. They either die or get injured. She feels it must be her bad luck left over from the carriage accident. ( as she is suffering survivors guilt but doesn’t realize it).

Then we have Alex, the Marquess of Pembrooke. He decides he must be Claire’s 5th fiancé, BECAUSE she’s currently engaged to his enemy in order to complete his plans for revenge for the suicide of his pregnant sister. Are you confused yet?

It’s a will they-won’t they-can they ever get their acts together kind of story. If you can stand the frustration, it does wrap up nicely. But I was screaming at the characters to just go soak their heads.for being so stupid. So take your blood pressure meds!

A Chance at Love

A wonderful book with a fantastic narrator. Lady Claire believes she is cursed since the deaths of her parents and 3 broken engagements. Her engagement to Lord Paul will be announced at the Ball.

Alexander, Marquess of Pembrooke is out for revenge to Lord Paul for the part in his sisters suicide. He has ruined him financially and know wants his fiancé. He makes Lord Paul send a note to Lady Claire saying he is reneging. Alex did not
realize that Lord Paul would send the note at the ball. When Lady Claire receives the note, Alex will do everything in his
power to make her his.

But when Claire finds out everything he had done to marry her she does not know if she can even trust him. A wonderful book with some sad details that will help these two to finally open their hearts.

A beautiful ending.

Bad Luck Bride

Bad Luck or just so much and timing? Poor Lady Claire betrothed 3times with various bad results! Now on number 4 with Earl Paul! He has gambling problems! Alexander Pembrook has plans of revenge, believing Paul is the reason his sister commuted suicide! His plan is to take Lady Claire. He doesn't realize that he will fall hard for her! Loved this book. I'm a sucker for romance. And I love Rosalyn Landor. She is a terrific narrator!

"So Boring"

Don't waste your time, I had to forward most of the audio.. it was so slowwww.. the story sounded to be great but I wanted to slap Alex and Claire.. Alex should just leave her . to much begging.. Incredible she makes him beg...

Needed a good editor

This book was way too long telling the story. Could have been cut by a third to tell the same story. Not worth the credit