Review

The players: The impoverished, ill-treated widow turned match-maker. The rogue, who’s flaunted society conventions and lived in France for eight years, and is now on the hunt for a wife. Neither of them are what they seem and this book is a bit Pride and Prejudiced meets Emma.

Our heroine, Belinda, judges the hero based on his outwardly appearance and rumored actions. This trait made it difficult for me to relate to her. I find characters my exact opposite hard to get along with. At the same time she was justified in her assumptions based on the hero’s past associations. The funny part is even with the hatred she finds herself attracted to him. This marks my second widow book with the enemies to lover’s trope. Belinda is another woman who’s been scorned, but over the course of the book she does get her just desserts and finds out she’s not always right about everything.

The hero Nicholas is in a fix. He’s been cut off from his cash until he marries a woman who fits his father’s requirement list. Nicholas doesn’t like to be dictated to so he seeks Belinda’s help. The problem is she won’t help him and refuses until her refusal ruins all his chances of finding anyone. Suddenly he’s got Belinda right where he wants her, helping him, and allowing him more time in her company. For some reason this tempest of woman stirs his blood and before long he’ll do anything to win her, even challenge his greatest fears. This character was so multi-faceted and easy to fall for. He’s definitely a wounded bird in need of healing.

There’s tons of growth for both of these characters, and I loved the fact there’s a villain waiting in the wings ready to dash hopes. This story took several unexpected turns, but each turn set the stakes higher and ultimately built the relationship in a believable manner. Nothing about this couple was rushed and with a slow sensual fire growing from a spark to a ravaging flames.

When the Marquess Met His Match is the first in a new series, An American Heiress in London, and I can’t wait to see what kind of tropes Guhrke will be using in the next book. So far this series doesn’t disappoint.

For readers who enjoy: Lisa Kleypas