Always the Best Friend – Never the Bride, Book 4

Lady Harriet "Harry" Stanhope and Lord Montague "Monty" Devonshire have been best friends since childhood. Although Harry has been secretly in love with Monty for some time, he has been clueless about how she is the perfect woman for him. After learning Monty must marry before his 26th birthday to inherit his family’s title and estate, Harry reluctantly agrees to assist him in finding a bride. However, Monty keeps finding reasons none of the available young ladies are right for him. His indecision prompts Harry to make a bold and scandalous move, resulting in Monty realizing she is truly his heart's desire. The two best friends and their close-knit circle enact a foolproof plan to outsmart the haughty gossipmongers to ensure honor is restored and love wins the game.

"Always the Best Friend" is a Victorian romantic comedy about how friends become lovers and all the shenanigans a flip in the script may cause. Readers will fall in love with and cheer on Harriet and Monty as the two of them follow the predictable romantic path to become lovers while maintaining their friendship. The secondary characters embellish the story with humor and treachery while providing the perfect backdrop to the best friend's developing relationship. The culture of Victorian England’s aristocratic society throws a few stumbling blocks in the way of their unconventional transition. This sweet tale has dashes of levity, sprinkles of self-discovery, elements of anguish, and a flourish of passion stirred together with some juicy scandal and nibbles of outrageousness. Ms. Murdoch delivers a delicious little tale with all the ingredients readers will savor to the very last bite! 

Tonya Mathenia