I was not expecting that plot twist.

4 Stars

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

Wow! I am still reeling from the cliffhanger ending! All I can say is this is a must read and definite favorite of the Dread Penny Society series. This book has it all, a secret marriage, romance, suspense, mystery, and a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Also included are two mysterious, engaging Penny Dreadfuls, one from Mr. King and one from Dr. Milligan.

The story begins in Victorian London, 1866 with the Mastiff and his gang committing murder and mayhem among the poorer sections of London. The Dread Penny Society will stop at nothing to protect the people from the Mastiff’s reign of terror. But, another evil is afoot which threatens to be even more destructive. Throw in some vicious resurrectionists recently employed by the Mastiff and you have one compelling story that’s hard to put down.

There’s also a tender but complicated romance between confirmed bachelor Dr. Barnabus “Baz” Milligan and Gemma Kincaid. Both have painful pasts which make trusting difficult. Baz secretly married Gemma to protect her from her vicious grave robbing family. Leaving after just six months when Baz told her he couldn’t return her love, she gave him an ultimatum that she would only return if he wrote and asked her to come back. Now three years later, she’s received his letter asking her to return. Will Baz be able to give her the love she so desperately wants or is she only needed for her knowledge of her family’s disreputable trade?

I loved Gemma and Baz. They just needed to let down their guard and trust each other. Their slow build romance with several heart wrenching moments had me hoping for them to find their way to each other. I loved Gemma’s hopeful personality, her singing, her need to help, and constant motion. Baz was also endearing once he got the courage to share his feelings.

I also enjoyed the two Penny Dreadfuls included. In The Bachelor and the Bride, a doctor is desperately trying to find a cure for his young patient left orphaned by the same disease. He turns to a Wise Woman named Granny Winter for help. Finding the cure involves danger and monsters, but Duncan is willing to do whatever it takes. Granny Winter’s beautiful ward Sorcha offers to accompany him on the journey. With romance, magic, and some scary otherworldly beings, this short tale definitely kept me turning the pages.

Bodies of Light is a curious tale about another doctor who sees mysterious lights while visiting Ireland. He becomes obsessed with discovering what’s producing the lights and goes to great lengths to prove they’re real. It’s a macabre story with a surprising ending.

The main story’s ending is absolutely riveting and will have you dying to talk to someone about it. Though technically it could be read as a standalone, it will be much more meaningful if you’ve read the previous books. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive 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. ( )

With lots of action, adventure, and twists and turns, The Bachelor and the Bride is an entertaining addition to Sarah M. Eden’s Dread Penny Society series. Barnabus and Gemma have kept their marriage secret for three years, since they were married to rescue Gemma from her notorious family. After six months, Gemma leaves when she realizes her growing love for her husband is unrequited. The story opens as she receives a letter from Barnabus and returns to his home.

I enjoyed returning to London in this tale and also revisiting some of the characters from previous stories in the series. A small problem I had with this book is that there were essentially three different story lines going on, and it got a bit confusing and jolting to be suddenly thrust into a different story line. However, the characters were colorful and interesting, and Eden’s books are always a joy to read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ( )