Third time’s a charm? For Lady Kay Matheson, it had better be. Her first engagement was a failed elopement; the second was ruined by gossip about the first. Resigned to be a disgraced spinster, no one is more surprised than Kay when an American millionaire offers for her hand. Just when she’s convinced she will finally make it down the aisle, the scoundrel who broke her heart arrives with his own fiancée.

Devlin Sharpe has finally become a success. He has wealth, connections, and a lovely bride-to-be—and he won’t let an old flame derail all his hard work. But it turns out time has not dampened his grudge toward Kay—or the desire sparking between them. And one searing kiss threatens to ruin their wedding plans and their futures, and make Kay the bad-luck bride all over again.

Titles in the Scandal at the Savoy series include: Bookship Cinderella ~ Lady Scandal ~ Bad Luck Bride ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Bad Luck Bride
Series:  Scandal at the Savoy #3
Author:  Laura Lee Guhrke
Published:  July 29, 2025
Publisher:  Forever
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Bad Luck Bride is the third title in the Scandal at the Savoy series, and finally, brings us Kay and Devlin’s story, the one that I’ve been waiting for.  About fourteen years ago, Kay and Devlin attempted to elope, their love so certain that they could weather any storm.  Unfortunately, they could not as they were stopped before vows could be spoken, and didn’t see each other again for more than a decade.

Now, Kay is engaged to an American millionaire.  It’s certainly not a love match, but they get along and really, considering the facts of her earlier botched elopement, and the financial needs of her family, especially for her younger sister’s upcoming Season… well, this was her last shot at getting off that spinster shelf, helping her family, and maybe, finding a bit of happiness if not true love.

Life might have moved along without a hitch… if Devlin hadn’t returned, and brought his own fiancée to town, who just happens to want (and snatch out from under her) the very same ballroom for their weddings.  Now, they both have to face unresolved emotions and issues between them.  Each still holds a grudge and wounded feelings over their forced separation years ago, and believes the stories they were told when there was no contact between them for so many years.  Being forced into each other’s orbits will bring memories, and awaken feelings that never truly died… and facing a future that, unless something drastically changes, will see them torn apart yet again.

I loved Kay and Devlin’s second-chance romance.  Woven throughout their story are glimpses of their youthful love, often seen through now more mature eyes.  Everything they believed was not truly as it seemed.  As their love rekindled (if it ever really was extinguished), they are facing choices and consequences.  Risking everything for the chance at happiness they were once denied is an option… if they are brave enough to take their lives back under their control, and face the fallout together.  If you love a well-written, emotional Victorian Historical Romance full of angst, anger, reconciliation, and acknowledgement of a love that was meant to be, then you’d enjoy Bad Luck Bride by Laura Lee Guhrke.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)