Tag: #TheWorthingtons

The Marriage List by Ella Quinn

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Marriage List (The Worthingtons)The Marriage List by Ella Quinn

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Worthingtons, #8

Release Date: December 27, 2022

Lady Eleanor Carpenter is returning home from a visit with her elder sister Charlotte when she spies some children on the side of the road. She has her coachman stop and learns that in addition to the children is their mother, who is barely clinging to life. Eleanor immediately takes charge and gets the woman and her children in the carriage and learns that they are victims of what became known as the Cinderloo Uprising. Eleanor is appalled and vows to help, bringing the woman back to Worthington Place and helping her start a new life and unknowingly making an enemy along the way. She wants to do more for the victims of Cinderloo and begins to look into it, wondering if she will be able to accomplish anything while she is in London. Because Eleanor along with her twin sister Lady Alice and their step-sister Lady Madeline Vivers are finally ready to make their come-outs and will be in London for the season. And in preparation for the suitors that they will surely have, the girls make a list of traits that any potential husband must have, and just like that the “Marriage List” was born.

John, the Marquis of Montagu needs a wife and he also has a list of traits his future Marchioness must have, such as being demure, not interested in causes, politics, or charities, who won’t tell him what to do, and will be happy to stay home and read novels – basically the complete opposite of his mother and twin sister. But that was before he saw Eleanor and her sisters riding in the park. He wonders how he can garner an introduction when his mother mentions attending Lady Bellamny’s Young Ladies soiree and that the young lady he saw in the park will most likely be there – he immediately offers to pick his mother up at the end. Later, he is surprised and pleased to learn that the object of his attention is Worthington’s sister-in-law and they are introduced. After meeting Eleanor, John’s list alters and it soon becomes clear that Eleanor is the only woman he wants to wed, but it remains to be seen if John meets all of Eleanor’s requirements… Let the courting commence!

This was a well-written, well-researched story with likable characters, but sadly it was a bit dull and slow-moving. I was excited by the beginning and expected that drama to be central to the story, but it really wasn’t – this was a very slow-burning romance with way too many characters (complete with backstories) that left readers struggling to stay on point with the hero and heroine. If I could make a suggestion to the author, it would be to start each book with a cast of characters with a brief history of who they are and their role and maybe even the title of the book they “starred in”, rather than including it in the story – especially when you are dealing with upwards of twenty additional people – it made this book wordy and drawn out. I also felt like this book had so many missed opportunities, such as; the relationship between John and his sister or the Cinderloo Uprising. In the end, this was a very vanilla story with a lot of characters, a touch of drama, a bit of steam towards the end, hints at romances for the other two sisters, Great Danes, heroes who learn to grovel, and finally a HEA complete with a two-part epilogue. So, while I found it a bit slow-moving and wordy, I am happy I read it and am looking forward to Alice & Madeline’s stories. This is the eighth book in the series, but it felt like the first book in a spin-off series and could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I’ll Always Love You by Ella Quinn

On By TracyIn Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

I'll Always Love You (The Worthingtons, #5.5)I’ll Always Love You by Ella Quinn
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Worthingtons, #5.5

Release Date: November 27, 2018

This was a sweet little addition to the Worthington series, featuring Louisa’s sister by marriage Lady Lucinda Hughlot and Gerald, Earl Elliot.

Lucinda is finally getting her London season thanks to Louisa and Rothwell being able to convince the dowager duchess that she must sponsor her – the dowager has not been in town since her husband’s death and has avoided returning due to the scandals her late husband caused. She informs Lucinda that she has spoken to her dear friend the Marchioness of Quorndon and they have decided that her son the Marquess and Lucinda will be a perfect match. Lucinda is dismayed, she wanted to choose her own husband and dreamt of a love match. But she agrees to meet the Marquess to keep the peace.

Gerald has not had much success in his quest for a bride, he seems to only notice a woman once she has become attached to another man. Far from heartbroken, he decides that this is the season that he will find the perfect woman. While visiting his club he sees Quorndon and learns that he will probably be married soon to Lucinda, as his mother believes they will be a good match, their conversation is overheard by Rothwell, who immediately asks Gerald to watch out for his sister. Gerald agrees thinking that it will give him a chance to meet potential brides.

When Lucinda meets Gerald, she is smitten, he is perfect for her! But she has promised to meet Quorndon and hopes that he inspires the same level of interest. He does not and now Lucinda has to find a way out of this arrangement. As luck would have it she meets the perfect woman for Quorndon in the form of Miss. Arabella Marlowe – who is just as interested in him as he is in her. She suggests an outing and invites Gerald along. It is clear that Arabella and Quorndon are a perfect match, but Gerald does seem to see that Lucinda is his perfect mate as well.

As the weeks pass and they spend more time together, she knows that she is in love with him, but has no idea what his feelings are or how to find out, but when her mother informs her that she will be announcing her betrothal to Quarndon in a week, she will have to gather up all her courage and ask him or lose the one man she may not be able to live without.

Even when their true feelings are revealed, they will still have to overcome their mother’s disapproval before they can have their HEA.

I thought this was a very sweet story and I loved Lucinda and Gerald – but I will admit that I thought Gerald was dumber than a box of rocks more than once and more than a little dense. He was perfectly charming and I enjoyed his interactions with Lucinda, but it was like he refused to see what was right in front of him – this was not your typical hero denial – he really came across as obtuse and a little slow on the uptake. However, he manages to pull his head out of his butt and realize that Lucinda is the woman he has always wanted before it is too late. I got a kick out of his mother and how well she played him 🙂 This was well written, fast paced, easy to read story with a little bit of steam at the end and not a whole lot of drama. I really enjoyed the book and would be happy to recommend, it is part of the Worthington series, but it could be read as a stand alone with no problems at all.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*