Always the Bridesmaid By Emily E K Murdoch

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2020 has been a year of discovery for me. I made it my mission to discover some new writers and Emily E.K. Murdoch was one I recently discovered. 

Book Description

Miss Tabitha Chesworth is walking down the aisle for the third time, but never as the bride. Frustrated with being passed over, there's nothing that a well-born lady can do about it. But at four and twenty, she's starting to worry that this is her lot in life - until a fiery encounter with the Duke of Axwick.

Richard St Maur, sixteenth in his line, has sworn an oath never to marry. He's seen the damage of the male Axwick line, and he won't bring another gambler or drunkard into the world. Of course, that doesn't mean he can't have a little fun and there's no one he'd like to play with more than Miss Tabitha Chesworth. He's determined to have her. She's determined to hold out until a ring is on her finger. Sparks fly as this repeat bridesmaid takes on one of the most determined men of the ton.

Whose offer will eventually be accepted? Will the Duke of Axwick find his way into Tabitha's bed - or her heart?

About Emily E.K. Murdock

Emily Murdoch is a 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.

You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on Facebook, and read her blog.

My Thoughts

This was the first in a series. The author was new to me but I enjoyed her writing.  I found this book to be a rather quick read for me. 

Our heroine Tabitha wants to be married but seems to find herself always a bridesmaid. She is smart, witty, and knows what she wants. 

The hero in this story is a Duke. He has made it clear that marriage is something he never wants. He is slightly arrogant but I think it has more to do with him being afraid of his family past so he comes off rougher than he is. 

When the two meet there is an instant connection and their banter was fun to read. I felt the chemistry between. 

I admit I would have loved to have had the characters fleshed out a bit more. I don't feel I got to really know them or discover who they truly were. What truly shaped them. I also felt Tabitha forgave Robert a bit too quickly. I would have loved to see him work to win her after how he treated her. 

Overall I a fun read and a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.