Kaye's Reviews > The Marriage List

(3.5 Stars) Ella Quinn brings romance #8 as part of The Worthington Series which is also the start of a spinoff series called Worthington Brides. If you aren’t familiar with the series it focuses on a large family like the Bridgerton’s with various sisters finding romance. There are a lot of names which can be daunting if you are reading as a stand alone. In that case focus on the two main characters without trying to keep track of the side characters other than their supportive interactions.

Lady Eleanor Carpenter is coming out in society along with her twin sister. They are hoping for love matches and together make a list of the desirable qualifications for their future spouses. John, the Marquis of Montagu has decided to marry this year. He also has made a list of what would be pleasing in a spouse. Of course they meet and John is instantly taken with Eleanor. But she is the opposite of most requirements of his list.

Usually in historical romances an eligible peer is fawned having their choice girls. But in a change John has to jump through the hoops to be able to get an introduction to Eleanor, a sponsor at Almack's is needed to allow them to dance. He purposely goes out riding in the mornings to run into her. It is fun to see his urgency in getting the one he wants before she can be distracted by someone else. Even the marriage contract isn’t skewed in his favor.

I like the basic romance and the characters. I wasn’t clear on why John was so unaware of his duties and responsibilities as Marquis other than his being off in the country. His house is understaffed and he is unaware of what is required for politics in the House of Lords. There is a side story about mining and horrible conditions but it is part only at the beginning and end. There is some heat between the two once they are betrothed but it read more clinical than passionate. I always appreciate the research and notes the author adds at the end of the books of things for the time period or changes she makes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.