Always the Second Choice

Never the Bride #12

by Emily E.K. Murdoch

Always the second choice and never the bride—even at her own wedding...

Olivia Lymington never liked her sister, but twins are always supposed to be close. Now Isabella is engaged to the charming and handsome Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, and Olivia is forced to act as chaperone until the big day. That’s why, when Isabella goes missing, the entire Lymington family considers it Olivia's responsibility to find her wayward twin.

Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, is tired of waiting for Isabella to become his bride, and now she’s gone, he’s outraged. He’ll track her down if it’s the last thing he’ll do—and make her marry him. But the journey is throwing up some unexpected surprises; namely, the delectable identical twin sister of his missing bride.

It's out of the shadows and into the spotlight for Olivia but she's hardly eager to accept the attentions of a Duke she knows will have to marry her sister. He's determined to fight his desire. She's not convinced that he really understands she is not Isabella. It's a war of wills and is it possible for the two of them to win—or for disaster to fall on them both.

Can Olivia accept that she is no longer second choice, or will Colin's appreciation for the second Lymington twin be his own undoing?

This full-length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency Romance

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2021

About the author

Emily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.

Emily Murdoch is a medieval 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. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.

You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com

Reviews

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just never know what mischief twins can get up to, but in this case, one goes missing from her bridegroom! Runaway bride or has something happened?

It seem Olivia was always second choice to her twin Isabella. Of course that makes sense since she was born second, but will it never end? When Isabella disappears from her wedding with Colin, Duke of Linwick, he and Olivia set out to find her.

But what happens when these two become attracted? Can they have a happy ending?

This is a fun series that always keeps me smiling!

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice
Never the Bride Series #12
Emily E K Murdoch
https://www.facebook.com/theemilyekmu...
Release Date 04/02/2021
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

Always the second choice and never the bride - even at her own wedding…

Olivia Lymington never liked her sister, but twins are always supposed to be close. Now Isabella is engaged to the charming and handsome Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, and Olivia is forced to act as chaperone until the big day. That’s why, when Isabella goes missing, the entire Lymington family considers it Olivia's responsibility to find her wayward twin.

Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, is tired of waiting for Isabella to become his bride, and now she’s gone, he’s outraged. He’ll track her down if it’s the last thing he’ll do – and make her marry him. But the journey is throwing up some unexpected surprises; namely, the delectable identical twin sister of his missing bride.

It's out of the shadows and into the spotlight for Olivia but she's hardly eager to accept the attentions of a Duke she knows will have to marry her sister. He's determined to fight his desire. She's not convinced that he really understands she is not Isabella. It's a war of wills and is it possible for the two of them to win - or for disaster to fall on them both.

Can Olivia accept that she is no longer second choice, or will Colin's appreciation for the second Lymington twin be his own undoing?

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Is he right to chase after the twin who ran away ...

I like the author’s series but sadly this one did not truly work for me.
Colin is kind and sweet, too sweet for his rank, or he would have already been eaten by the wild beasts inhabiting the ton.
He might no be an English Duke, he is so prim and proper, I am curious how he found himself in such a predicament.
Olivia is quite the maker of her own predicament, she let people walk on her and assume about herself and never put truly a real fight. So it is no wonder, everyone took a shine to the twin who voiced more loudly than the other her wishes and wants.
In which world a Duke will engage in a trip without his valet and a maid who could have acted as chaperone for the single woman accompanying him.
And also a Duke who let innkeepers decide his rooms arranged for him...
In which world parents act carelessly like Olivia’s....
3 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Download this book and enjoy a summer read with a dashing hero and feisty heroine!

Read full review in the 2021 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story wasn't bad, but I don't understand how the heroine was allowed to travel across the country unchaperoned.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin Vaugh is the Duke of Larnwick.He is due to marry Isabella Lymington, but she has run away after postponed their wedding dates two times before. Olivia Lymington is her twin sister, And she will do anything to help Colin.

First we do not know how they look and worst they do not have any personality. All the dialogues and scenes seems from others books that I have read before.

Olivia is the docile and the ugly one-how could you be ugly and your TWIN sister be beautiful its a mystery to me. She always has been the second choice and we know for all the book because she repeat this every page. This character has no spine or fight for what she wants. She is not smart and nothing stands out.

Colin is worst, the male protagonist does not know what he wants The man cannot decide who he wants to marry or where to live. In a moment the man is charming, the next he is stone. What did he saw in Isabella?
And how on earth her parents let her travel ALONE with a man?? And every little manager or waiter in this book is putting their business in the fake couple.

And could have a worse ending? Only Olivia ask forgiveness to her sister, she discovers that her so not dumb sis has been married for two years!!!!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Lymington never liked her sister, but twins are always supposed to be close. Now Isabella is engaged to the charming and handsome Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, and Olivia is forced to act as chaperone until the big day. That’s why, when Isabella goes missing, the entire Lymington family considers it Olivia's responsibility to find her wayward twin. Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, is tired of waiting for Isabella to become his bride, and now she’s gone, he’s outraged. He’ll track her down if it’s the last thing he’ll do – and make her marry him. But the journey is throwing up some unexpected surprises; namely, the delectable identical twin sister of his missing bride.
The twelfth book in the series & it could easily be read on its own but as with most books in the series it does have a connection to others. A well written fun, entertaining read. I always love stories involving identical twins, as you just know there will be shenanigans & misunderstandings. I loved how Olivia came into her own & is no longer the afterthought. I also really liked Colin but I’m not sure I would have chased after someone who’d humiliated me, that aside this was an engrossing enjoyable read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lighthearted romance, although I did have quite a problem identifying with the characters. Surely, after two years of dithering, the Duke of Larnwick would have come to his senses and ditched Isabella? And after all Isabella had done to hurt Olivia, why would Olivia still be willing to support her sister? Even more surprising is why Olivia would go with Colin from one end of the country to the other to find her sister, risking her own reputation? Nevertheless, the attraction between Olivia and Colin is tangible and they find they have more in common with each other than he ever had with her twin. Colin discovers that there is no way that the two sisters could be mistaken for one another. I enjoyed the romance that developed between the main characters and was glad that they found their peace. I have been impressed with the book covers in this series as they have all been pretty and romantic. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

As always in this series, this book never fails to deliver, so enjoyable and entertaining to read, there isn’t a bad one in the collection.

Emily is a brilliant writer and I can’t wait to read more.
Never the Bride series introduced me to her writing and I’ve loved every book.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. A quick read. 4☆

[Mary Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A bi of road trip story. Olivia is fed up with her identical twin. Isabella been putting off her marriage to Colin, the duke with all sorts of excuses. Olivia likes Colin a lot. Isabella has also been very picky and strange for the last couple of years. When Isabella runs off to Brighton, Colin demands Olivia comes with him to find her and pretends to be Isabella when necessary. Olivia being the younger twin has always resented the fact that Isabella had a ball to launch her debut and got to choose all their dresses etc. Eventually Colin susses that he's been pining over the wrong woman.

This seems to be the end of a series. I've read read stories 1, 6 and 10.5 but as they are all standalone stories sodidn't give me an advantage. The epilogue brings back some of the earlier heros and heroines to round it all.
Good mostly clean fun.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Side Note: I am SO glad this is the final book in this series, although I was not much looking forward to reading it. From the very beginning of the series, the Lymington family were prominent characters in most of the books. While Olivia was always portrayed as the more genteel member of the family, her sister, Isabella, and her parents were not so lucky. They always came across as very petulant people who believed they were better than everyone else...including Olivia. With that said, I'll get right to the review.
Always the Second Choice, Book 12 of the Never the Bride series, was about Miss Olivia "Livvy" Lymington, twin sister to Miss Isabella Lymington (betrothed to the Duke of Larnwick), and His Grace Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick.
Olivia, the younger, more mature and responsible, of the twin sisters (depending on which book one is reading. Another had her parents saying she was the eldest, most of the others said she was the youngest, but who can tell? Not the author, that's for certain!), had once been close with Bella, but that had been when they were children. However, the past few years, they had started to gradually grow apart, especially since she had become engaged to the Duke. Isabella had always been so spoiled and used to getting her own way.
After having postponed the wedding at least six times in the over two years they had been engaged, Bella finally made it to the wedding day, only to want to postpone it yet again due to a bad hair day. After arguing with her for quite a while, Livvy finally, after salvaging the hair issue, convinced her to go through with the wedding. However, Bella disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a short note saying she couldn't go through with it, Livvy was determined to find her sister and bring her back (although the blurb stated that "the entire Lymington family considers it Olivia's responsibility to find her wayward twin", it was actually Livvy's suggestion to do so...NOT the family's. Her father even suggested HE should go with her when the Duke said that HE would. The parents were actually, in all honesty, concerned for Livvy's health and safety). Bella, a selfish, self-centered, spoiled, and entitled brat expected everyone to bow down to her, even though she was only a tradesman's heiress daughter. Being engaged to a duke only made that worse. No two people could have been less alike than the twins.
Colin, who was not in love with Bella and had professed that several times to his friends in other books in the series, was definitely, but unrealistically, upset that she had jilted him at the altar after having postponed for so many times in the past.
The odd, and detestable, thing that happened after Bella disappeared was that, since frantic to appease the Duke, Livvy's parents offered her up as a replacement for Bella. Thankfully, Colin refused the offer. However, the only reason he was adamant in finding Bella was a matter of honor...and avoiding a scandal. He had no true feelings for her whatsoever.
Side Note: There was definitely some secret that the family knew that they hadn't told Colin. Almost as if one of the twins perhaps had a past broken relationship that they didn't want to share with the world. Livvy even had a thought that her family didn't need "another scandal, on top of the one they had already experienced". So, somewhere in the past, there had been another scandal, but no one was talking about it, especially not to Colin.
As Colin and Livvy traveled by carriage to Brighton, where Livvy suspected Bella to be headed, Colin had difficulty separating Bella and Livvy, being as they were identical twins. Although it was infrequent, when Colin spoke to Livvy, he did so with the idea he was actually talking to Bella. When she corrected him, repeatedly, to let him know they were not the same in anything other than appearance, it surprised him. Livvy pointed out to him that they were very different people with different likes, dislikes, and even intellect. The more time he spent in the company of Livvy, the more Colin began questioning himself and his decisions of the past several years.
Colin was an arrogant arse, to say the least. Any time Livvy corrected him on her identity, or told him how it felt to be confused or compared with her twin, he became angry at being spoken to in such a way for "he was a Duke for god's sake! No one spoke to him in that manner! No one treated him in such a way!" This was a repeated refrain of his throughout the book.
There were quite a lot of twists and turns in this story. Some of them were good, while others were questionable. The emotions were all over the place. Angst, drama, passion, betrayal, anger, hurt, shock, animosity...if there is an emotion not here, name it and you'll find it in this story. While well-written, it had to be one of the better books of the entire series, even if the characters were sometimes lunkheads who needed to dig their brains out of the sandpit and wisen up.
What a great way to conclude a horrible series. If only all of the books of the Never the Bride collection were as good as this one, then maybe they would have been as enjoyable. However, this book was definitely worthy of a five-star rating...after a few of the characters get a "Gibbs" slap t the back of the head for being lunkheads. Who would have thought the horrible Lymington family would end up being one of the better books? Definitely not me.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin/Larnwick & Olivia (Isabella). The author redeemed herself after that catastrophe that was book 11. Isabella is the older sister and always in the forefront between her and her twin sister Olivia. Isabella had the dedicated come out ball and Isabella was the one to become engaged to the Duke of Larnwick (he's from Scotland). Isabella has been pushing their wedding date back over and over and now we are 2 years later and the wedding day has come. While getting ready, she decides to delay the wedding again but instead runs away leaving a note saying she couldn't marry him and not to try and follow her. Colin gets pissed and decides to find her with the help of her twin sister, who knows how her sister thinks and where she would go. They are heading towards Brighton and for the most part aren't really talking to each other. When they did start talking Olivia got pissed because she's tired of everyone, now including Colin, believing she is the exact same as her sister (same temperament, hobbies, etc). Along the way at various stops (inns on the road, hotel in Brighton, inn on way to Bath, etc.) he starts realizing that he didn't really know Isabella and that he had a lot more in common with Olivia (Olivia has known this for years and liked him all during her sister's engagement). They were also recognized and she had to pretend to be her sister Isabella so people believe the wedding had happened and there wouldn't be a scandal of them being seen alone together. They also kept getting put in 1 room by the inn keepers (they are newlyweds). They share a kiss and then have a public kiss (to throw off a town gossip). He's definitely having the feels for her and she has them for him too. He wants her badly and she wants him. They have an awkward convo of "I don't want to pressure you but I really want you but it has to be your decision, oh and I can prevent a baby". They sleep together and the next morning, despite not having regrets personally, felt like they should have regrets and agree to forget it ever happened (even though they don't want to forget). Back on the mission to find her sister...they find her at their family home in Bath and she isn't alone. Prior to going to London, Olivia met and got engaged to this guy Harold who jilted her and ran away with Isabella. They were found and told to never see each other again. Well...seems they loved each other and they had married 2 years prior. When they went to London, she got engaged to Colin (taking her off the market) and she kept pushing the wedding date (probably because she was already married) until she turned 21 at which time she would gain access to her 30K dowry. Having access gave her and her husband the funds to live on and they were in love with each other. After finding out that she had been married, Colin accuses Olivia of knowing about the ruse and going on the trip with him to lure him into loving her so she could marry a duke since her sister couldn't. He has a convo with his friend (book 9 - the guy that sleeps with the married chick that wanted a night of passion since her husband was a loser, got her preggo, but was engaged to another chick, but loved now widowed chick). He realizes that the feels they had for each other were genuine and that he wanted to marry her. They marry and move to live in Scotland.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice is part of an interconnected series about ladies who didn't think they would ever find true love for various reasons. I have read some of the other books, and familiarity with the characters from other books helps but certainly isn't required. Jacob Beauvale from Always a Widow plays a small but significant part here.

In this one, Miss Olivia Lymington is in love with her twin sister Isabella's fiance, Colin, the Duke of Larnwick. Isabella seems less than enthusiastic about the wedding and has postponed the big day several times. On the morning of the latest wedding date, Isabella goes missing. Olivia thinks she knows where Isabella might have gone, and Colin and Olivia set out to travel together to get her back.

What I liked: This is entertaining, nicely written, and held my attention enough to finish it in a day. I liked Olivia and Colin's conversations about being the overlooked twin and the second choice. I guessed both surprise plot twists beforehand but it was more like "well done, nicely foreshadowed" than "oh no, so predictable". Most romance is rather predictable if we're being honest here, and we are.

What I didn't like as much: The decisions of the characters could have been better motivated. Isabella hasn't treated Colin well for the entire two years of their engagement but he's still determined to marry her, even after it is entirely clear that this is not what Isabella wants, after Colin starts to realize it's not what he wants either, and after he has done several things with Olivia that could totally decimate Olivia's reputation. They spend a couple of nights together at inns and are seen publicly by acquaintances and gossips who think she is his wife. I was expecting a scandal to erupt at any minute, because a newlywed duke wouldn't be something you forget, and eventually someone would find out that he didn't get married for real. But this plot thread was left hanging and we never find out how they explained their eventual society wedding later to the people who thought he was already married to somebody else.

It is mostly well edited but there's one passage in their eventual reunion scene in which Olivia gets sad because Colin returns to formality of address and calls her Miss Lymington. Only he didn't, in the previous line he called her Olivia. (And technically Isabella is the older twin so it's Isabella who would be Miss Lymington, not Olivia.) I read a free digital review copy from Netgalley, and the actual published book might be different.

I'm leaving a voluntary review.

[Tarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice is book twelve in the Never the Bride series. It can be read as a stand alone, though many characters from prior books are mentioned, but not integral to the plot.

This series is easy, quick reading. The HR equivalent of a beach read.

Tropes: twins, impersonation, forced proximity, road trip

Isabella is the older twin, the one who every falls all over to impress, even though she's sharp tongued and uncaring. Isabella has been engaged to the Duke of Larnwick, Colin Vaughn, for two years. She keeps postponing the nuptials for ridiculous reasons.

Olivia is the younger twin. She's been made to feel second choice her whole life, living in her sister's shadow. Her sister was honored with the come-out ball, her sister picks their clothes, her sister gets the Duke.

The story begins as Isabella leaves a cryptic note and skips out on her wedding day. Now, reader, suspend your disbelief, because the unwed younger twin and the jilted Duke go off on a road trip to find Isabella and get her hitched to cinnamon roll Colin. Road trip. Alone. Well, you can imagine what happens. I love this trope! The usual happens (only one room at the inn), and Colin realizes he should have first picked the "second choice" after getting to know the lovely person Olivia is.

The characters are not very deep, and that's okay, sometimes you just need uncomplicated characters and story.

Colin is a Scot, but he comes across as a proper English gent. We don't ever get to know much about Colin, he seems a bit of a pushover. Why would he put up with his wedding being postponed for two years? Why would he still want to marry the girl who jilted him several times, the woman he says he has no feelings for and doesn't even really like?

Olivia was a better fleshed out character who is learning to straighten her backbone and use her voice for what she wants instead of fading into her sister's shadow.

Isabella's story was actually super interesting, and I'd love to know how she pulled off her "twist."

The ending was abrupt. I would have liked to have seen Colin grovel a lot more.

Good story with some unique twists, one one page steamy scene that was not very long or detailed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and freely given.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice by Emily E K Murdoch
Rating: 2-stars
Summary: Twin sisters are in love with each other’s fiancée. The “evil” twin, Isabella, steals her sister’s fiancée and marries him, only to end up engaged to a Duke who her sister falls in love with. Isabella runs away the day of her wedding, after having already put it off numerous times (a 2+ year engagement), and her sister, Olivia, runs off to find her along with her furious fiancée, the Duke of Larnwick.
Overall opinion: This was not my cup of tea. The premise was so-so for the tropes I typically enjoy, but having found several great authors on Netgalley, I tried this book. There was nothing wrong with the writing as far as grammar, etc. but the storyline just did not do it for me. We are expected to believe Olivia is in love with Colin (Larnwick) based on her interactions with him over the past two years while her sister was engaged to him. During their journey to locate Isabella, somewhere Colin discovers he actually loves Olivia. I have no idea where this supposedly happens, it just magically happens and we are expected to follow along I suppose. It is also quite odd how everyone talks about how the sisters are identical, where the parents even try to convince Colin to marry Olivia when Isabella is discovered to have run away. Most of the time you see Colin nursing his bruised ego and trying to remember that he is with Olivia, not Isabella. Then, magically, he loves Olivia until they actually find Isabella and he feels like he has been fooled since Isabella has been married for nearly two years and how did she not know her twin sister was married? Then he comes groveling back. I feel that this could have been a 3 to 4 star read had the author shown us how Olivia and Colin fell in love. This just felt like a random week of traipsing across the countryside and everything neatly falling into place without informing the reader of how. I would not recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice by Emily EK Murdoch is the newest entry in her Never the Bride... series. This is an endearing series although sometimes a little "out there." This time it revolves around twins, Isabella and Olivia Lymington. Today is supposed to be Isabella's wedding day, but when she goes to retrieve her earbobs, she never comes back. The engagement has lasted two years, and the wedding postponed numerous times. But, this is too much. The groom is beyond angry. Her parents don't want to miss having a duke in the family. Olivia is anxious for it to be over so she can begin living out from the shadow of her moments older, more beautiful sister. Her mother suggests he just marry Olivia. They look the same. She is outraged. She has loved the duke for a while now, but she will not be second choice. That had happened once before and it would never happen again. After reading the note, Olivia thinks she knows where to find her sister so she and the duke take off together to search (would never happen). It doesn't take long for Larnwick to discover the difference between sisters and how much more appealing this one is. One thing leads to another... but he is a man of honor. He must marry his betrothed no matter how he feels about her sister.

This is a contrived but satisfying romance, which appears to grow slowly but in reality it is only 4-5 days. Larnwick is amazed at his stupidity, not seeing what was right before him. Olivia was amazed at her stupidity for agreeing to come on this journey at all. Everywhere people recognized her as Isabella. Could she never be herself? The journey was a good one. The differences between the two contrived, and for a good reason. The pacing and setting were good. This really is a delightful series and this is a wonderful addition.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Always the Second Choice by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #alwaysthesecondchoice

[Luc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia and Isabella are Twins with Isabella being the oldest and the most pampered and privileged according to their parents' odd concept of justice. Twins could not be more different behavior-wise even if they share the same beauty physically. Isabella is callous, self-centered, does not care about anyone but herself, and values objects and titles above anything else in the true British Style.
Olivia is caring, listens to others is not self-centered. and can have a discussion without always having said discussion revolving around herself. Her parents treat her as the spare whereas Isabella is treated as the heir. Isabella has been betrothed to the Duke for the last 2 years and has always found a way to delay the wedding. Calin, the Duke, is either brain dead or completely full of himself so that he does not realize that something is amiss. On the day of the wedding, Isabella runs away leaving a pitiful note. Let others deal with it. That is her way.
The author writes an accurate portrait of British high society in the 1800s and takes the reader on an adventure across part of England with Calin, the Duke, and Olivia, the second choice twin, who have undertaken the mission of searching and retrieving Isabella so that she may complete her duty and marry the Duke. The adventure is full of twists and turns where the reader learns the true feelings of Olivia as well as those of the pompous Duke who initiated this trip with the simple goal of marrying his promised bride and saving his pride. I found that some small parts of the book were unnecessary making it seem like the author was at a loss for new developments. Happily, that does not happen often but it costs 1 Star in my rating.

[Wendy W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always the Second Choice
By Emily E K Murdoch

This was a quick, easy light regency romance book.

Always the Second Choice is the twelfth book in Emily E.K. Murdoch's Never the Bride series.

Olivia Lyminton is from a wealthy, but not titled family, she lives with her parents and sisters. Her twin sister, Isabella is engaged to the charming and handsome Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, and Olivia is forced to act as chaperone until the big day. However, on the morning before their marriage, Isabella disappears.

Olivia knows her twin sister better than anyone, so she decides to travel with Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick, to find her sister so they can marry.

Olivia is anxious to get out of her sister's shadow and lead her own life, and the Duke is angry about being stood up by Olivia’s sister, Isabella.

I found the characters to be likable, however their motivations were unconvincing. I wasn’t convinced that Olivia had a great reason to leave her home and travel with a single man across the country. Also, I wasn’t convinced as to why the Duke would travel to find Isabella after she humiliated him by leaving on the day of their marriage.

However, the banter between the characters and the journey was fun. They both showed us a very human side to their characters, and I once I got over their motivations to take the journey, I was entertained along the way.

I would recommend this book for lovers of Regency Romance, and anyone up for a light enjoyable read.

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First she tried to elope with her sister Olivia’s betrothed. Shortly after that, Isabella became betrothed to the Duke of Larnwick. She has delayed the wedding for one reason after another for nearly two years. At last the wedding day has come, and Isabella suddenly disappears. Colin, the Duke, is furious (finally). He wants to find her, and her insists that Olivia help him.

Olivia and Isabella are twins. Isabella is a bit older and has always been the favored sister. Olivia has had enough of being the second choice. Olivia has liked and been attracted to Colin. He looks at her like everyone else does, second sister, second choice. As she and Colin search for Isabella, they get to know each other. It turns out Isabella has a secret, a big one, and Colin accuses Olivia of being involved in her scheme. Can she convince him that she did not know what Olivia was doing? Will she even try? Will somebody smack Colin in the back of his head so that he realizes Olivia is not a second choice, but the best one, so that they can have their happily ever after?

This story was lighthearted with a few serious spots, the kind that make the happily ever after sweeter. Colin was annoying at first, but Olivia brought him around. I have really enjoyed this series. The stories were always fun and entertaining, never disappointing.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last in series?

Colin aka Duke of Larnwick has been engaged to an identical twin for more than 2 years! Finally the day of the wedding Isabella disappears and Olivia is left with a note and no explanation! She has inkling of where she might be but to tell her parents and Colin?? Umm not!! Colin is angry very angry after drifting thru a 2 plus year engagement and never questioning the delay after delays now Isabella has disappeared!!!
Colin is determined to go after her with Olivia who is thought to be interchangeable with her twin??? What!! How awful to not be considered your own person with your own thoughts and mind! Each person is unique but Olivia is barely noticed very strange and not how identical twins are normally treated even by their parents!!!!
Olivia hates it and informs Colin (who should know this) she is NOT HER SISTER!
Colin is determined to wed her when he finds her!! What an absolute ass! He takes Olivia innocence and is still determined to marry Isabella even calls her name in public which sucked!!! Yes there is a charade but Dear or your Grace why insist on that when you know it hurt her??
I blame Colin more than anyone no way he loved Isabella when he allowed her to postpone the wedding for foolish reasons for years!!! The end is shocking and confusing that is the reason for 5 stars! I believe this is the grand finale!! Definitely a page turner!!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be entertaining and well written. I am a lover of some good angst thrown into a story when it makes sense, which this did....for a while.

Olivia was a character that I sympathized with from the beginning. She plays second fiddle to her twin sister Isabella in every possibly way-including not getting the guy she has fallen for...Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick.

Colin was a man who didn't seem to know what he wanted, he just went with the flow of what was expected. He is taken with Olivia the more he spends time with her, and his conflicting emotions and comparisons helped to add to the tension of will they or won't they? And how are these two going to come together?

The aspects of Olivia's character that were more difficult to swallow was her references to herself as the second choice. I would have liked Olivia to have had more of an arc in growing a backbone in regards to her confidence.

I also felt uncomfortable with the intimacy between Colin and Olivia before bigger issues were resolved (I am trying not to spoil anything by remaining vague on this point).

The over use of the "just one bed" trope was actually quite fun and comical in it's absurdity.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and would enjoy reading more of E.K. Murdoch's books!

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Olivia Lymington loves her twin sister,  but doesn't like her very much at the moment. Just over two years ago her sister seemed to change and it can't be just because she became engaged to a Duke.  After years of always being seen as "the other twin" Olivia has hopes that after her sister's wedding she will become someone in her own right.  Until her sister once again , upsets everyone. 

Colin Vaughan,  Duke of Larnwick left his beloved Scotland over two years ago to find a bride in London. That was the easy part,  getting her to finally marry him seems more difficult.  Her final blow to his pride will have long lasting consequences and chase across the country.  

This is very much an emotional rollercoaster coaster, especially for our heroine.  Our hero has to keep a strong grip on his temper.  Scandal is going to be unavoidable. 

We have great characters in this exciting historical romance. You will have met some of them in previous books in the series, but each book can be read on it's own.  

Really good fun. 

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick’s bride has gone missing. Olivia Lymington has been her sister Isabella’s chaperone until she marries. Colin is tired of waiting to wed Isabella she has put off the wedding far too long, now this she’s disappeared! Colin and Olivia hurry off to find his wayward bride, but he finds himself attracted to Olivia. Poor Olivia has always been the second to her sister in everything, oh how she can she help her feeling for Colin. Her sister is spoiled and unreasonable and now she’s run away she can’t she keep treating Colin this way. What will Colin do when he finds out she knew her sisters plans. A fun story as the bride runs away on her wedding day, the groom and her twin in pursuit of her. His book has a few twist and turns to bring the reader a great story to enjoy as Colin and Olivia fall in love on their adventurous journey. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent story.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Olivia finally be someone’s proper choice rather than second best?

We have seen Isabella Lymington at various events in the previous books, and she has come across as a dreadful character. She is engaged to Colin Vaughan, Duke of Larnwick and has been a vocal snob about what is her due as the future duchess.

On the very day of her wedding she disappears leaving a note for her twin sister.

Together Olivia and Colin travel first to Brighton and then to Bath in pursuit of Isabella.

Gradually Colin realises he actually loves Olivia - he had never actually loved Isabella and was not troubled by the constant delays to the marriage put in place by Isabella.

We discover the real reason for Isabella’s reluctance to marry Colin.

Olivia has been put in second place not just by society but also her family.

Colin finally sees her as her own person and THAT is who he has fallen for.

[Lizzeth Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the plot with the sister jilting the hero and he and the heroine go on journey to bring her back to marry him. Isabella was so unlikable and kind of annoying. She to me couldn’t redeem herself at the end, she was selfish who only thought of herself and she was not a good sister at all. The hero was a little distasteful at the beginning of the book. He was clearly upset and obsessed on having Isabella as a bride. I saw better little hope of him and the heroine. Olivia of course was infatuated with Colin the hero but he was not for her bc of the sister. One thing I love was how Olivia spoke up for herself. She was strong and prideful and stood her ground. I wish the author had made Isabella a little miserable, she got away with stealing her sister’s ex fiancé without being apologetic and kind of fucked up. Olivia in finding out the truth about her sister, forgive her way to easily 🙄 I wish she had more backbone and slap a bitch lol overall it was great, page turner

[DD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting end to the series.

Colin Duke of Larnwick has sited for over two years to marry Isabella, she postponed the wedding so many times he almost can't remember why he proposes to her, and she's become a nightmare in the interim. So when she disappears on the morning of the wedding Colin isn't sure if he's relieved or furious.
Olivia, Isabella s twin can't understand why her sister would abandon a man like colin, but when her parents suggest Colin marry her father than look for Isabella, despite her admiration for colin, she's also furious at being second best to her twin again.

Great to see all the characters from earlier books again. Maybe this isn't the end of the series, but a starting point for a new series featuring the next generation?

[Cari Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin, the Duke of Larnwick has decided to marry Isabella Lymington, eventually. After putting of the wedding for a couple of years the day has come for his wedding only to fin his bride missing. With his pride hurt he goes on a hunt for his delinquent bride. On the journey with him is his bride-to-be's twin sister Olivia. While together they discover more about each other and what exactly they want.

This was a quick sweet read. If your looking for an entertaining light read, you have found a good one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looks like they saved the best story for last with this story of a twin who is trying to avoid marrying a duke and her twin falling in love with him. Olivia knows that she is always the second choice but when it comes to letting her selfish sister deny the man she loves for the sixth time, she is determined to ensure he gets his first choice. But does he still want it - or does he truly love Olivia?

Well, we all know the answer to that question but it’s fun getting there anyway. A great conclusion to a fun series..

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed like it was going to be so cute! And I really did find it enjoyable for the most part. 

There were just a few things about this story that made it unrealistic for me--and, therefore, took me out of the story. But I was able to kind of get out of those situations and enjoy this story for what it was. 

It was a quick, easy read that served to entertain and gave me an afternoon of romance. The main characters were enjoyable and not annoying and I enjoyed their journey to their happy-ever-after. 

All-in-all a great escape, but not sure I'll take up the rest of the series.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all what a beautifull book cover . A story about a twin young woman who always comes second to her older twin sister even in the love . A Duke with one more time delayed to get married and return to Scotland , A run away bride and her sister and soon to be husband traveling to find her . A really sweet love story .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.