Tall, bookish, and far too smart, Miss Cassandra Holwell has become known as one of the "spinster heiresses," a trio of wealthy heiresses who are all on the market to marry into the aristocracy to bring a title into their families, but who are all on the verge of being considered "on the shelf." Invited to a house party, Cassandra is determined to finally make a connection with the handsome Duke of Camberley... but it is Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry, and her family's sworn enemy, that she seems to be running into at every turn instead. Overly confident, unusually handsome, and one of the only men taller than her, Cassandra can't help but find herself intrigued with Soren and his unique outlook on the world.
Dangerously close to losing everything, Soren is desperate to marry well to save his family from ruin after years away in the Canadian wilderness trying to make it as a soldier and then again as a trader. His father was less than prudent with finances and his mother still expects the best of the best. Marrying an heiress is Soren's only option and it needs to happen fast. While their families have never gotten along, Soren has always had a soft spot for Cass, who was his friend when they were young. He's always admired her tenacity for knowledge, her kind spirit, and has secretly always thought her the most beautiful woman in the ballroom. Soren thinks they could actually be a good match, and that she could save him in more ways than one. Can he convince Cass he believes she is worth every penny of her expensive dowry... and more?
A cute and easy historical romance, A MATCH MADE IN BED by Cathy Maxwell is witty and delightful. Cassandra is an interesting heroine with modern ideas, which makes her relatable and someone you want to see succeed. Soren is a great hero--not too macho, but not a pushover by any means. Once he decides what he wants, he is determined to get it, including Cass!
While the main characters were really lovely, the side characters and side plots were somewhat distracting and seemed to pile on as the story moved forward with a lot of explaining in the end. Additionally problematic were the depictions used to describe Soren's interactions with Native Americans during his time in Canada. He wasn't in the wrong, but upper-class British society was less than forthcoming, and while it may have been a historically accurate portrayal of reactions to Native Americans, this element of the story was introduced later in the book and came across as an attempt to add yet another conflict to the book, that just didn't sit well within the rest of the plot. Overall, however, the second book in the Spinster Heiresses series is an enjoyable read. I recommend it to historical romance fans.
Once upon a time there were three young ladies, who,
despite their fortunes, had been on the marriage mart a bit
too long. They were known as βthe Spinster Heiressesββ¦
Miss Cassandra Howell is too tall, too bookish, and too
smartβbut she does have money and a father who wants a grand
title for her. Cassandra hasnβt felt a desire to marry until
she meets the sinfully handsome Duke of Camberly, who
captures her imaginationβ¦until Soren York, Earl of
Dewsberry, and her familyβs sworn enemy steps in the way.
The Holwells ruined Sorenβs family, and heβs lived on the
knifeβs edge trying to resurrect their fortunes . . . until
he considers marrying the Holwell Heiress. Not only would
her dowry give him the funds he needs, he has secretly had
an eye on the independent-minded bluestocking since they
both first realized the differences between men and women.
She likes to read; he has no patience for books. She knows
little of sex; he is a man of the world and willing to
school her. Her family destroyed his; his offer of marriage
may be her only salvation.
Now Cassandra and Soren must learn to love each other for
who they are, not what they areβand the lessons are
becoming an exercise in absolute pleasure.
No excerpt available.
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