Stevie‘s review of It Takes Two to Tangle (The Matchmaker Trilogy, Book 1) by Theresa Romain
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 03 Sep 13

Just when I was starting to despair of finding a newly-published Regency or Victorian romance (as opposed to all the wonderful re-releases that have come out recently) that don’t make me at least a bit cross with the author on some point or other, along comes one that kept me immersed in the story throughout, rather than being jerked out with a sudden “well, that would never have happened, because…” or “I’m sure that word wasn’t around in that context back then.” Not only that, but It Takes Two to Tangle is the first in a new trilogy, so I’ll get to spend more time in this world at some point in the future.

Henry has returned from the wars after losing the use of his right arm at Quatre Bras, but he is determined to re-enter Society and resume painting. He feels ill at ease in the former as ‘the only broken-winged blackbird in the flock’ (he has a lovely turn of phrase too) and inadequate at the latter: succeeding only at making a mess of his canvas, his sister-in-law’s favourite carpet, and a side-table that none of the family particularly like. Nevertheless, his sister-in-law and his brother are determined to help him find a wife, and insist on his presence at a ball, where he meets the beautiful (and highly-popular) young widow, Lady Caroline, along with her cousin and companion, Frances, also a widow.

The three get along fabulously, and after calling on Lady Caroline the next day (amongst a large crowd of her other admirers), Henry is delighted to receive a letter, which he assumes from its seal to have been sent by the Lady herself. Annoyed with himself at making a bit of a pigs-ear of writing back, Henry summons Frances to help him, figuring that she would know best how to please her cousin, and is completely oblivious to the possibility that Frances might be interested in him too.

Frances is, of course, the letter’s author. Embarrassed to find Henry more interested in Caroline, and thus ashamed to admit her own involvement, she nonetheless offers to help him learn to write with his left hand, something she is well equipped to do, since she favoured her left until being forced to switch to right-handedness in the schoolroom. In doing so, the pair grow closer, although Henry still thinks he is destined to marry Caroline. He finds Frances a great ally, however, as well as one of the few people he can talk to about his time as a soldier – her late husband having also been one, though of much lesser rank (Frances having run off with the son of an innkeeper).

At last, of course, everyone’s secrets are revealed, and Henry finds himself challenging a particularly obnoxious admirer of Caroline’s to a duel in order to defend Frances’ honour. The resolution to that plot twist and its repercussions for all involved had me smiling, as did the fact that Henry’s childhood best friend was a baronet called Bart (a baronet of my father’s acquaintance used to regularly sigh, “there’s just no money in barting these days,” so I find that piece of sly humour particularly fun).

I really want Bart to get his own book, but I also want to see more of Caroline, as well as revisiting Henry and Frances, and Jem and Emily (Henry’s brother and sister-in-law), so I’ll definitely be looking out for more of this series. Recommended for anyone who likes wordplay and well-drawn minor characters, as well as plots that hinge around mistaken identities.

Grade: B

Summary:

Wooing the Wrong Woman…

Henry Middlebrook is back from fighting Napoleon, ready to re-enter London society where he left it. Wounded and battle weary, he decides that the right wife is all he needs. Selecting the most desirable lady in the ton, Henry turns to her best friend and companion to help him with his suit…

Is a Terrible Mistake…

Young and beautiful, war widow Frances Whittier is no stranger to social intrigue. She finds Henry Middlebrook courageous and manly, unlike the foppish aristocrats she is used to, and is inspired to exercise her considerable wit on his behalf. But she may be too clever for her own good, and Frances discovers that she has set in motion a complicated train of events that’s only going to break her own heart…

Read an excerpt.