Saturday, September 28, 2013

ARC Review: When the Marquess Met His Match

When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke
4/5 stars
Avon, 2013
363 pages
Adult Historical Romance
Scheduled to release October 29

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest (and quite early) review.

Guhrke wrote one of my favorite romances of all time, one of the few I've actually bought for my Nook (rather than waiting for a free copy to become available): And Then He Kissed Her, read pre-blog so no review. I haven't followed her writing super closely since then but decided that I'd like to check out this newest because of how pretty the woman's dress is on the cover (what a lovely color!) and because it was about rich Americans coming to London to snag British peers for husbands, which is just a fun storyline.

So our first character here is Lady Belinda Featherstone (awesome last name) who was herself a young rich American who fell head over heels for a British lord only to discover after the marriage was consummated that he only married her for her money. This disillusionment has sustained her in her widowhood, serving as a matchmaker for other young innocent Americans, to provide a happier fate for them. Meanwhile she lives a life of absolute propriety, content as the marriage broker without love for herself.

Our male lead is Nicholas, Marquess of Trubridge, a shameless rake whose reputation was spotted from a young age and has lived an indolent life unrepentantly. Until his domineering father cuts him off, forcing Nicholas to seek a mercenary marriage to restore himself to his former fortune. However he intends to be honest about his need for money and seek a bride he has at least some affection for even if love will not be the foundation.

The two are instantly at odds with Belinda particularly concerned about a young American friend and desperate to prevent other girls from falling into the same miserable marriage she had while Nicholas feels judged without understanding. Of course antagonistic sparks soon give way to friendlier passionate sparks as the two are powerless to fight their growing feelings for each other. This book had plenty of snappy banter and light moments to keep me easily engaged. I feel like it's a typical length for a romance and though I grew a bit tired of the baggage each character had, at least it is shed by the end for the HEA.

10 comments:

  1. Ooh, it sounds fun!! I have an e-arc of this and you've made me excited to read it soon! :)

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    1. Yay for getting you more excited-this was such a comfort read for me!

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  2. I will have to check this one out . I'm always looking for new romance novels to try and if you like it chances are that I will too.

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    1. I hope so-I think Guhrke is just a great writer and certainly worth trying.

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  3. Oooh, I'm always interested in which romance novels people love, so maybe I'll start with And Then He Kissed Her and move onto this one if I like the other.

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    1. I definitely loved that one more so I would certainly recommend it as your first.

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  4. I don't know how I haven't heard of this author before--I'm adding her first book to my TBR list right now! I love a good historical romance every now and then. :)

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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    1. She's published quite a few books and been recommended by Julia Quinn, which is how I first heard of her. She's definitely one to return to whenever you need a good romance.

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  5. I swear I have read a historical romance with the exact same plot before, but I am still intrigued….
    Great review!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. I've seen some with the guy falling for his matchmaker but I don't think they've had as much focus on the British/American difference...

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