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Lady Isabella Merriweather likes nothing more than gossip. Disguised as a maid, she spies on those who visit Hotel Hestia and reports her observations to those who benefit from it—mothers and daughters and young ladies looking to marry. If there’s a lady being scorned by a man, Isabella will give that lady ammunition. When her brother hires a matchmaker to ensure she marry soon, she knows she must choose well or lose her purpose in the chains of marriage.
Fitzhugh Duncan likes nothing more than the little maid who’s not a maid. She darts about his hotel as if he doesn’t know. But he does. And when he seeks out her brother’s help in courting her, she has no idea who he is. He’s not just Mr. Duncan, former soldier and self-made man. He’s the Hades of the hotel world, and he wants Lady Isabella as his Persephone. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a duke’s sister, and he needs every social connection to make his hotel the most revered in the land.
When an interfering matchmaker introduces Lady Prudence to a bevy of beautiful and titled men, Lady Prudence runs. And Hugh determines to catch her.
USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane traded in academic databases and scholarly journals for writing steamy Regency romcoms like the ones she’s always loved to read. Her favorite authors are Jane Austen (who else?), Toni Morrison, William Blake, Julia Quinn, and Maya Rodale.
A battle of the sexes transpires in this latest addition to the Lady Marigold's Matching Services series. Penelope much prefers to remain a spinster, but when she has a heated exchange with Sebastian, the Duke of St Cross during an archery competition, she is sent to Lady Marigold's Matchmaking services. Sebastian has no real desire to marry, but it is his duty to have an heir, so he cannot completely avoid it. When he meets Penelope, she ignites a certain desire within him, and he finds himself contemplating the possibility of marriage. Penelope agrees to marry him if he agrees to her wager and he wins. But if she wins, she will still be able to remain a spinster and live independently. As their competition heats up, so do their feelings for one another, and they both begin to contemplate the possibility of marriage. All done with humor and witty banter that made me chuckle more times than one, this book had me smiling and laughing out loud as the two challenged one another and struggled to overcome their initial reluctance to marriage.
This was an absolutely delightful addition to the series. I've enjoyed the previous books, and this one also did not disappoint! Penelope was a strong and spunky character and I very much enjoyed all her interactions with Sebastian, as she attempted to bring the prideful duke down a peg. Such a fun and entertaining read! Looking forward to the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Wolf Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Penelope’s parents want her to make a match, and soon. Off to Lady Marigold she goes. She is introduced to Sebastian, Duke of St. Cross. Oil and water. They have many interests in common, but conflicting attitudes result, not mutual enjoyment, but competition. You might say they staged their own battle of the sexes. This is a delightful story. Neither of the main characters could be called charming, but that’s what makes them perfect for each other. The story is full of fun, snarky banter, exciting competitions, a lovely romance, and a happy and heartwarming ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Lady Penelope's parents are desperate for her to be married by her twenty-fourth birthday. By then she's considered a spinster. Penelope would like nothing better than to be a spinster and live independently with her money
Her father the Earl of Wellingsby hires Lady Marigold's Matchmaking Services. Lady Whitmore is secretly Lady Marigold and has been successful in finding love matches. The arrogant Sebastian, Duke of St. Cross, has a tendency to push Penelope's buttons. It soon becomes a competition with wagers between them. He's afraid to totally commit to a permanent relationship, she soon wants nothing but. It's an emotional rollercoaster in the battle between the sexes. A clean romance with some humor.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher.
The main characters are a little too arrogant and abrasive for me at the start, but as the story goes on, you learn their histories, the reason behind why they are how they are, and you watch them grow and change and learn it's not so bad to let some competitions fade away and that sometimes there is no loser, just two happy winners.
It was amusing how Penelope and Sebastian egged each other on and how their competition turns loathing into caring. Penelope and Sebastian learn to put their pride aside. A misunderstanding will make Sebastian prove his love for Penelope,
