Very good. Great plot twists, kept guessing until the end. Wonderful supporting characters notably Edie, Duchess of Margrave and the Duke of Landsdowne.

Lady Belinda Featherstone, former American heiress, widowed, now matchmaker for others

Nicholas, Marquess of Trubridge, has had his allowance cut off, his father wants to choice his bride. Nick has other ideas..... ( )

I had only ever read a short story by this author, and although well written, the "hero" wasn't really much of a prize and even at the very end I wasn't convinced he even actually loved the heroine! So it entirely missed the mark for a romance imo. This one didn't have either of those problems. The hero really grew on me and seemed deeply in love with the heroine. And I so enjoy when characters are inspired by their love interest to grow as a person. I found this book charming, and look forward to the others in the series. ( )

I'd not read any of Guhrke's novels before, but when I saw three of them at the library, I figured they were worth a shot. I am glad I checked them out because this first one was really good. I loved the OTP; they made sense, their chemistry was apparent, and they grew together as a couple should. There wasn't some overarching plot to keep them apart even though the hero's father overshadows his life. They were honest with each other, which was refreshing. I am definitely going to read the other two novels I have. ( )

When the Marquess Met His Match
4 Stars

After his father cuts him off from his trust fund, Nicholas Stirling, Marquess of Trubridge, is forced to curtail his rakish ways and find a bride with a large dowry. Enter Lady Belinda Featherstone, matchmaker to the haut ton, who has gained a reputation for pairing wealthy American heiresses with penniless peers. Naturally, Nicholas is eager for her services, but Belinda is having none of it. Now if only she can ignore the undeniable attraction between them.

When the Marquess Met His Match has all the right elements for a wonderful love/hate romance - a rakish yet sincere hero, a sympathetic and relatable heroine, excellent chemistry and witty banter.

Although Nicholas is presented as a notorious womanizer and rake determined to marry for money, there is nothing sly or underhanded about his intentions. On the contrary, he is scrupulously honest and direct, which makes him a very appealing hero despite the circumstances.

Some readers may be turned off by Belinda's initial prejudice and hostility toward Nicholas. However, once the reasons for her actions are revealed, it is impossible not to empathize with her feelings even if she is mistaken about his true nature. Moreover, her desire to protect her clients and her willingness to admit when she is in the wrong make her all the more admirable.

Nicholas and Belinda's interactions make for entertaining reading as they exchange verbal volleys and battle for supremacy while trying, in vain, to ignore the sparks that fly every time they get together.

If there is one small problem with the plot, it is the unsatisfying resolution of Nicholas's conflict with is overbearing father. Guhrke builds toward an exciting confrontation, which ultimately falls rather flat.

That said, the story is well-written and set in an interesting period - Victorian London at a time when social mores were changing slowly but surely. The set up for the next book is very tantalizing and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. ( )

I enjoyed this book all the way up till about 84% then I started to lose a bit of interest. There were a few scenes that were repetitive and personally had they just had the one.. it would have kept the pace nicely. It was a good book, though and I look forward to reading the next in the series. This is the first time I have read this author. ( )