by Laura Lee Guhrke
Series: An American Heiress in London #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
What happens when a carefree, disreputable, stone-broke bachelor is forced to find a wife in a hurry? He hires a matchmaker, of course. What happens when the matchmaker doesn’t want to help him? Well, that’s when the fun begins…
Nicholas Stirling, Marquess of Trubridge, loves his life just as it is: dissolute, scandalous, and deuced good fun. His father, the Duke of Landsdowne is not amused, and when he cuts off Nicholas’ trust fund, the fun-loving marquess is forced to find an alternate source of income—in other words, he has to marry an heiress. Every new-money American heiress knows Lady Belinda Featherstone is the key to social acceptance. Once a new-money nobody herself, Belinda discovered first-hand how heartbreaking the game of love and matrimony could be after a reprobate British earl married her for her money. Now a respectable widow, Belinda has become England’s most successful matchmaker, guiding young American heiresses through the hazards of the London season and helping them to find husbands worthy of them. To her mind, the Marquess of Trubridge is nothing but a fortune-hunting scoundrel and she has no intention of allowing him to charm his way into any American girl’s heart, including her own
When the Marquess Met His Match is set in Regency London filled with wonderful, feisty, and flawed characters. This is the first in a new series called, An American Heiress in London. From almost the beginning I knew what was going to unfold, but the journey to get there was delicious. I laughed, shouted and swooned as I devoured this in a single afternoon. Mini review: wicked, delicious and romantic.
Nicholas Stirling, Marquess of Trubridge a notorious rake, with a disreputable past is broke thanks to his father and in need of a wife; a wealthy wife. Lady Belinda Featherstone is known as a matchmaker to new money American’s looking for a match for their daughters. Having been the victim of marrying a nobleman who only cared for her trust fund, she is determined to protect her young wards. Belinda is determined to protect the young ladies of the ton from the scoundrel, but can she protect her own heart from him.
Can I just say I love flawed, opinionated, feisty female characters? Lady Belinda Featherstone is positively delightful, and above reproach with the ton despite being an American from Ohio. I adored this straight-laced romantic. Nicholas Stirling, the Marquess of Trubridge is equally flawed and desperately misunderstood. Did I mention he is yummy? I love a good rake in need of saving who is more than initially meets the eye. The chemistry between them was wicked, and I loved the banter and dance that ensued. Guhrke did an exceptional job of peeling back their layers, exposing their secrets and flaws as she made me fall in love with them. She gave us a dreadful villain to loathe and other colorful characters who added to the tale. I am hoping we get a particular young man’s story next.
When the Marquess Met His Match was wonderfully entertaining, and the trope a familiar one, but the author really made this her own. From the pacing to the slow building romance filled with sexual tension, and wicked banter I was completely immersed in the tale. Despite knowing from the onset how this tale would end, Guhrke filled it with tension and had me flipping the pages at a maddening pace. I love when a book captures me like this, and is a high I often chase. I connected with the characters, got caught up in their adventures and laughed as they tangoed. Despite the physical attraction the author allowed the romance to develop slowly as the characters revealed their inner selves, making it feel genuine. The steamy love scenes were beautifully done and curled my toes. Not since Sabrina Jeffries have I been this excited by a new series and cannot wait to read the next book!
Fans of historical regency romance, with fleshed, out feisty characters are sure to enjoy When the Marquess Met His Match. How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days is the next book in the series and is expected to release in April 2014. I for one cannot wait.
Four and half cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
aurian
Question: does this marquess have any redeeming qualities so we can love him properly? or does he just want to marry for the convenience of it so he can keep being a rogue? Does he have a worthy goal or hobby?
kimbacaffeinate
Sometimes the ton gets it wrong and the rumors and scandals are not the whole story…and this rogue is desperately misunderstood.
Lark
This sounds delightful! I’ve only read one book by Laura Lee Guhrke so far, but I enjoyed it. I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one.
kimbacaffeinate
I hadn’t read any of her books before, but this was fun!
Lauren
I’m also a huge fan of flawed, feisty, opinionated heroines! Lady Belinda sounds awesome! I’m glad this author had you turning the pages quickly, despite knowing what was going to happen. Sounds like an awesome read! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lauren, this was such a fun read!
Book Savvy Babe
Glad you really liked this one, it’s at the top of my TBR/for-review list 🙂 (I’m sooo behind…) Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it. 😉
Silvia
As I see it, flawed, opinionated, feisty female characters are what make an historical regency romance an even more passionate read!
I SO love this genre and indeed, this book sounds great!
kimbacaffeinate
I love it too, and yes those type of women make the genre passionate.
blodeuedd
Sounds fun 😀 I want to try her books
Candace
So many words you used for this caught my attention. Rake, feisty and opinionated, sexual tension and banter. Yep, sounds like a total win!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, those are all such good words 🙂
Dani
Great review! sounds like a good book to read. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was such a fun read Dani 🙂
farrahsayyed
Sounds awesome! I love me a Regency rake 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too 🙂
Vilia
This sounds like lots of fun. I haven’t read any of Guhrke’s books before but I love adding books to my TBR pile.
kimbacaffeinate
This author is new to me as well Vilia 🙂
Vilia
I just read it and loved it. Your taste is impeccable as always 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet! I am so glad you loved it 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Lady Belinda sounds pretty awesome. Love connecting with characters, even flawed ones.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too especially when their flaws make them overly opinionated and very wrong.
Pamela D
This book sounds like great fun! I love regency romances, and the twist of having American ladies in it is fantastic.
kimbacaffeinate
I liked the American girl twist too.
Megan
Lady Belinda sounds like an awesome character!
kimbacaffeinate
She was a hoot, and I loved watching her discover how wrong she is 🙂
Felicia S. (
Oh good! We are considering this one for bookclub in either Jan or Feb 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo enjoy, and you will have fun dishing about these characters 🙂
Nancy S Goodman
Great review! I loved the book and I’m also excited for this series! Tweeted and shared
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Nancy, I love getting excited about a new series.
Wattle
Oh this sounds like a fun read. I don’t dive into romance very often but I think I’ll have to check this one out, feisty female characters are always welcome in my world 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo the side stories, are delightful in this as well. I hope you try it Wattle 🙂
kindlemom1
Believe it or not Regency London is a fav of my even though I never seem to be able to squeeze historicals in like I use to. This sounds like a great read though!
kimbacaffeinate
I gave them up for a while, but love weaving them in once or twice a month, and they are truly fun 🙂
Sam
I love opinionated and feisty female characters too. Belinda and Nicholas sounds like a lot of fun, as does their relationship. I’m glad you enjoyed this Kimba! I’ll have to keep this in mind for a rainy weekend. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful and perfect for a Sunday afternoon escape 🙂