Historical Romance published by Zebra 27 Jun 23
Marriage is a practical thing in Regency times, based on wealth, title, status. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and if all the items on the checklist for a perfect husband are in alignment, then….
Lady Madeline Vivers has made her list of what she seeks in a perfect husband. Now it’s a matter of culling her suitors and finding her best match. It’s a bit complicated when Mr. Henry Stern, albeit very well connected but no personal title and a member of the House of Commons no less, might be the perfect fit for her – except he fails when it comes to most important criteria to her mother – a lofty title.
This is a slow-burn romance with morning rides, balls and routs, afternoon teas, musical evenings, and family dinners that bring the various couples together. In Henry’s eyes, Madeline is his perfect fit. She would make a great political hostess, and both his family and hers, except for her mother, are in agreement. But the fly in the ointment is the duke, her mother’s choice, who is also courting her. Can Henry win against the duke?
I kept waiting for some type of conflict or adventure, but frankly nothing truly extraordinary comes up. Despite this, I actually enjoyed the story as it moved to its inevitable conclusion. The secondary characters all seem to have had their own stories, and while I haven’t read many of those, I just went with the flow, treating them as an interesting supporting cast.
Grade: B
Summary:
Determined to tame the marriage market on their own terms and make advantageous love matches, three confident sisters draw up a list of qualities they expect their new beaus to meet. But as they are about to discover, people are hardly ever perfect – including one handsome politician whose ambition and glib smile masks a tender heart and the sincere desire to help improve the everyday lives of the average English citizen…
While her older sisters have sought out adventure, Lady Madeline Vivers is content to be the conventional one in the family. A respectable husband, spring and autumn in Town, a place in the country—these are Madeline’s very reasonable goals. And Mr. Harry Stern is not the man to help her reach them—no matter how much he causes her pulse to race. He is far too ambitious and determined to make his mark in Parliament. Yet, somehow he’s convinced that Madeline is just the helpmate he needs . . .
The moment Harry witnesses Madeline gently convincing a shopkeeper to hire the child who is stealing from him, he’s intrigued. If only she realized how much good they could do together, aiding their fellow countrymen and women. And the way her color deepens at his touch tells him she too feels their intense attraction. In fact, Harry has never felt so powerful an attraction either. What better reasons to use all his gifts of persuasion to convince her she belongs by his side—and in his arms . . .
No excerpt available.
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