The Wrong Marquess

May 24, 2021
Lorret’s sparkling third Mating Habits of Scoundrels historical romance (after My Kind of Earl) finds polyphobic Elodie “Ellie” Parrish confused and intrigued by “London’s most elusive bachelor.” Ellie has had her cap set on George Nethersole since they were children, but he constantly procrastinates on committing to her. Brandon Stredwick, Marquess of Hullworth, is used to marriage-minded women contriving ridiculous ways to fling themselves at him, so when Ellie first stumbles into him at a party, then befriends his sister, Meg, he assumes she’s just the same. Brandon is determined to protect Meg, who’s been hurt by so-called friends using her to get to Brandon in the past, but soon realizes he’s misjudged the alluring Ellie. Mistaking physical attraction for sickness, Ellie prefers to avoid Brandon—but she can’t resist his offer to provide material for the book on courtship she’s coauthoring with her friends. As they spend time together, her feelings for Brandon change, but despite their intense chemistry and George’s continued neglect, Ellie struggles to let go of her long-held dream of being George’s wife. Her refusal to see George for who he is grows frustrating, but the swoon-worthy Brandon more than makes up for this shortcoming. Readers will be eager for the next installment. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc.

May 1, 2021

Miss Elodie "Ellie" Parrish has planned to marry her next-door neighbor since they were children. She's going through one last season in the hopes that he'll propose; before he can, she meets Lord Brandon Hullworth and falls in love with the wrong marquess. Orphaned at a young age, Ellie fears dying early and the deaths of those nearest to her. Brandon ascended to his title after tragedy and has taken seriously his role as a marquess. Quirky side characters occasionally distract from the central romance, though many readers will enjoy Ellie's maiden aunts and their quest for all the best recipes in London. Particularly well-handled is the book's villain, a character who is realistic rather than an over-the-top evildoer. The early portion of the story moves slowly, but the romantic payoff in the latter half will reward readers who continue. VERDICT Recommended to fans of historical romance looking for plots driven by interpersonal conflict as opposed to outside forces.--Brigid Black, Lucius Beebe Memorial Lib., Wakefield, MA

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2021
One too many marquesses for a near spinster. Ellie Parrish has known her entire life that she's destined to marry a marquess. One in particular, actually: her childhood friend George, Marquess of Nethersole. He's certain to settle down and propose any day now, she keeps telling herself, even though she's already 25. So he's the only marquess she cares to think about, even after she runs into another one accidentally. But Brandon, Marquess of Hullworth, is sure their collision is no accident. As the most eligible bachelor in London, he can't walk through a park without half a dozen women dropping their handkerchiefs or turning their ankles to get his attention. Ellie has no interest in Brandon beyond being friends with his sister, though, and by the time he finally believes that, he realizes that he might actually be interested in her. Anxious by nature, Ellie is drawn to Brandon's gentle ways and actual interest in her, and the two begin a powerful and clandestine courtship, but even their intense chemistry might not be enough to pull her away from the certainty of having the life she's always expected with the thoughtless, inconsistent George. Her ongoing indecision is a weak spot in an otherwise charming Regency. Lorret's writing sparkles, as ever, with delicious banter between Ellie and Brandon and clever writing throughout. But with their attraction so strong and George such an obvious cad, it's hard to fathom why it takes Ellie the entire book to figure out which one of her marquesses is the wrong one. Though Ellie and her friends are still working on The Marriage Habits of the Native Aristocrat, the guidebook introduced earlier in the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series, she is surprisingly na�ve about George's behavior. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable entry, with slightly purple intimate scenes heightened by Ellie's intense physical reactions to the unexpected and a cliffhanger ending setting up the fourth book in the series nicely. A witty, classic Regency romance.

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