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 “the Spinster Heiresses” . . .Miss Cassandra Holwell is too tall, too bookish, and too smart—but she does have money and a father who wants a grand title for her. Cassandra hasn’t felt a desire to marry until she meets the sinfully handsome Duke of Camberly, … handsome Duke of Camberly, who captures her imagination . . . until Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry and her family’s sworn enemy, steps in the way.
The Holwells ruined Soren’s family, and he’s lived on the knife’s 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 are—and the lessons are becoming an exercise in absolute pleasure.
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When this book starts Cassandra Holwell, one of the Spinster Heiresses, is still intent on marrying the Duke of Camberly, but Soren York, the Earl of Dewberry has other ideas and with the help of the Duke and his grandmother, he sets out to win his heiress.
Cass has known Soren for years, they grew up together in Cornwall and their families are well known enemies. She has her own reasons for avoiding Soren, she knows he needs money, but she is not going to be the one who gives it to him! When he finally corners her and they talk, she begins to rethink her reasons for avoiding him, she likes Soren, but she can’t marry him, her father would never allow it and she is still sure the duke is “the one”. But later when she catches the duke in a compromising situation, she radically revises her opinion of him and isn’t sure what she will do. But fate has decided for her, when while trying to evade other houseguests on the way back to her room, she enters Soren’s room and is caught with a very naked Soren. He proposes and her father has a fit, threatening to disown her. She tells Soren she can’t decide now and runs after her father.
Her father tells her she did the right thing by refusing Soren, she is ruined, but her family will not desert her, she can go back to Cornwall and live a quiet life of a spinster. Cass is not happy with this option, she wants to stay in London and hopes to never return to Cornwall. So when she learns that Soren is fighting a duel to preserve her honor, she decides he is the lesser of two evils and agrees to marry him, much to her father’s disgust.
They marry and she is sure she has made the right choice, she begins to envision her future and the fruition of all her dreams coming true. But the road to HEA seems impassable for them when some startling truths are revealed and the detour leads them to Cornwall.
I really liked this book, but there were a few things that just didn’t sit right with me, I couldn’t believe that her father was the only one with a copy of her grandfather’s will and I think Soren should have been upfront with her about his first marriage before he married her. I did enjoy seeing Cass transform from pampered princess to a true helpmate, I also commiserated with her feelings about his first wife and I didn’t feel like Soren did anything to dispel her insecurities – (But, Ms. Maxwell’s author note at the end made me feel a lot better and is the reason I decided on a four star rating vs a three star rating). I loved Soren, he was an almost perfect hero and I love how he treated Cass, his patience, understanding and positive attitude were a refreshing change from the typical HR hero. I loved that these two actually TALKED! I am not sure how I feel about Camberly, I liked him in the first book, but thought he was a bit of twit in this one and I feel sorry for Willa! I also felt like the ending of this story was just a little too quick and tied up a bit too neatly. But the book was well written, flowed nicely, had a lot of twists and turns, steamy love scenes, some shocking secrets and a villain that got off way to easy.
This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I am happy to recommend the book and am very interested in finding out if Ms. Maxwell can change my opinion of Camberly yet again.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher*
My second read by Cathy Maxwell, and I do loved this one too, it seems I’m reading this story backwards, but it is no problems, even if some of the characters are recurrent from one book to another.
I do love how the author deals with the protagonists feelings, they do not shy away their angst, resentment nor sadness, they are not perfect but once they accept to talk they are rather frank, even if it is to say things the other would not like or to discuss about matters they may hide.
Cassandra has always felt like an outsider, she is too tall, too smart, why she had tried to please her family even when she sensed it will not gain anything. Why she cherished her childhood friendship with Soren, the one she should hate because of a family’s feud. Until he hurt her then left. So when ten years have gone by, she is first stone wrapped to avoid him at all cost, after all, he is her family’s nemesis. Plus he is only interested in her dowry.
Soren York, The Earl Of Dewsberry, has only his tittle as a remembrance of what his family was, but now that he has a goal, he will try his best to reach him, and for it, he needs Cassandra Holwell, the woman who seems to avoid him whenever possible. Once he has set his sight on her, he won’t give up, even after each rejection, he stands for her.
I do loved them both, Cassandra has a lot coming to her, she will have to rethink everything she has known, by so she will grew up a lot. While Soren is rather resilient, he makes things do and follows the road life appears to want for him even if he bents it at most he can.
It was good to see them, once they were able to sort out their past issues, taking their life in hands, discussing the pros and cons of what they will do.
« “We’ll have differences, Cass. That is the way of things, but as long as I can reach for you and you reach for me, there is nothing we can’t weather together.” »
Yes, the vilain of the story did not get his right reward, but it is also how life is, and who knows what the future has in stock for him.
They will band together to built a new destiny for themselves. Soren will do anything to protect those he loves, he went back to England to give his son his birthrights and also made up things with Cassandra, he knows what he wants but he is also able to listen, he learned the hard way that being deaf can cause a great deal of pain. As for Cassandra, once her world turned upside down, she will have to learn to trust again.
« “Why not? We could use great ideas. This will be a new life for both of us. We are both feeling our way.” “This is not what I expected my marriage to be,” she confessed. “Life rarely meets our expectations. But sometimes, when we are lucky, we discover things are better than we could have imagined.” »
Now I will have to read the first book in this series.
If you want me to consider buying these books, you should include the prices.
*** 3.5 Star Rating ***
We were introduced to Cassandra in the first book of the series, If Ever I Should Love You, Three unimaginably rich wallflower heiresses (Leonie, Cassandra, and Willa) just can’t seem to find a match, but they do find a great friendship with each other. In order to relieve the monotony of standing about a ballroom, they create a contest – each interaction with the Duke of Camberly gets them points. Different types of interactions gain different amount of points. The first book in the series is wonderful and deals with alcohol addiction. The author handles that very well and I admire her for tackling it – especially when it isn’t the hero who is addicted. To me, this book isn’t her best work and doesn’t measure up to that first book. I’m pretty solid on my 3.5 rating – my quandary has been whether to round up to 4 or down to 3. If I rounded up to 4, it would only be because I liked Soren so well – even though I did have a few issues with him. I usually avoid the trope where the hero was previously married and loved his spouse. That is great in the real world, but I’d like the fairy tale in my romance books. I didn’t realize that trope was in this book. I always feel like the heroine misses out on being first, her children never have a chance to be first, etc. Another thing that bothers me is that the villain really doesn’t get any punishment – he gets away with everything. I absolutely dislike that in a book – as I said, I want the fairy tale. So, drop the villain down a mine shaft, have him fall off a cliff, make him walk the plank – whatever – just make him pay! Too many authors give the villains a slap on the wrist – or less.
Cassandra Holwell enjoys their little game of points, but actually, she really wants to win the heart of the newly minted Duke of Camberly because he is “the one”. So, why does Soren York keep popping up at every ball where she gets a chance to make points with Camberly. Why won’t he get out of her way! Then, totally by accident, she is ruined and Soren is fighting a duel for her honor. After a confrontation with her father she and Soren marry and the rollercoaster ride begins.
The book begins at a house party at the country estate of the Duke of Camberly – “Soren York, Lord Dewsberry, was determined to marry the Holwell Heiress. He needed her money. Desperately.” “The problem was, Miss Cassandra Holwell appeared equally tenacious in avoiding him.” While it appears that his sole interest is the money, it really isn’t. He’s been fond of Cassandra since they were children growing up in Cornwall. Their families are also longstanding enemies. There is no way they can marry, her father would never allow it.
After they marry, she realizes that she could come to care for Soren and that they could have a happy life together – in London – not Cornwall. Then, they are dealt some really hard blows and it would have been so easy for Soren to just give up or the resent her – but he doesn’t. He is so very patient with her and – can you believe it – they actually talk openly and honestly with each other. In his case, some of it comes a bit later than it should, but at least it does come. Cassandra had a log of angst about Mary, Soren’s first wife, and I totally sympathized with her about that. Their road to their HEA is a difficult one, but their love is real and complete.
I thought the end was a little too neat and too quick. Rather than his Canadian business helping them, I would have preferred that the villain is forced to help – he could fall down a mine shaft and when they were recovering the body, they could discover gold or something. I’d also like that lawyer they talked to in London to fall in a hole as well. Just because one old lawyer has died doesn’t mean there would be no records or documents. Somebody would still have them.
We learn more about the Duke of Camberly in this book and I’m not sure that is a good thing. I liked him okay in the first book, but this one makes me think he’s a real twit. So, it might be fun to see if our intrepid author can redeem him and really make him into a hero in the next book. Time will tell!
The book is well written and I would recommend it – I just had some issues with a few things. My friend and I had a discussion about the rating and she felt what was said in the Author’s Notes would move the rating to a 4. I didn’t necessarily agree with that because the Author’s Notes aren’t part of the story and may not even be read by many readers. Had the author written those things into the story, then maybe I would have ended up giving it a 5-star rating.
At any rate – I am going to round up to a 4 because I really liked Soren and Cassandra. I hope you will read it and enjoy it.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Dramatic Twists and Turns Balanced With Fun and Humor
I enjoyed the audio version of this book. The characters and dialogue were funny, especially near the beginning when Soren and Cassandra get reacquainted. Not all of their situations were funny, however. There were challenges involving a lot of emotional turmoil. I liked the way Soren and Cassandra faced them together with maturity and not dramatics.
Sometimes you miss what is right before your eyes. Cassandra and Soren almost did.
Very cute
Cathy Maxwell never disappoints. I am looking forward to the next book in this series
Cathy Maxwell is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all of her books and anxiously await any new ones.
A Huge Dynamite 5 Stars for Cathy Maxwell’s A Match Made in Bed the latest in her Spinster Heiresses’ series! Truly a magnificent, deeply passionate read that will leave you breathless for more! We first meet Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry at a country party where he’s hoping to capture the hand of the beautiful Cassandra (Cass) Holwell; however, he knows the feat ahead of him is slim as his family and the Holwell’s have had a long, drawn-out hatred for one another. His grandfather and father gambled away the family’s fortune and Soren has spent many of his years in the wilds of Canada starting up businesses in hopes of rebuilding the family fortune and bringing honor back to the name. However, he’s a long way off to pay the debts his family owes and he risks losing the family Castle. So, he must marry an heiress and he has his sights set on his long-lost childhood friend, Cassandra Holwell.
He meets Cassandra at the country party and she wants nothing to do with him, for she holds a deep childhood hurt he caused years earlier before he set off to Canada. Now, he’s back and trying to capture her; but she has her sights set on the Duke of Camberly. That is, until later in the night after the party when Cassandra goes to the small library when the Duke of Camberly and Lady Bainhurst came into the room and began engaging in intimate acts, Cassandra was so shocked, she didn’t quite know what to do. Soon, she hears voices coming down the hall, she sneaks out of the room and goes down the hall in hopes of finding her room, she quickly escapes into what she believes is her room only to learn she is in Dewsberry’s room. The men approaching are Lady Bainhurst’s husband and he’s heading right toward Dewsberry’s room insisting he saw them go in there; however, she knows they are in the library. So, he rudely opens the door and Dewsberry, dress in nothing, answers the door and does his best to protect Cassandra; however, he knows their fate is now sealed. Bainhurst at first accuses Dewsberry of being with his wife, only to learn that it’s Cassandra who is in his room. Soon, the noise and chaos in the halls awaken the other guests, including Cassandra’s father who is shocked that she’s in Dewsberry’s room.
Now, what would Cassandra and Dewsberry, would they be forced to marry? If so, would they learn to love one another? Could they love one another? Would Dewsberry put his family name to rights? This is such an amazing tale, full many twists and turns and new characters arise as the tale progresses. The themes are of course love and friendship, but also trust and forgiveness reign deep throughout this tale as Cassandra and Dewsberry learn to trust one another and forgive the past as well as themselves and their family. Maxwell’s writing is impeccable, a truly gifted story-teller! I really, highly recommend this tale if you love a good, deep, passionate story with a lot of surprises and amazing twists!
Witty and entertaining—I loved the characters and the plot twists!
I have read the first two books in this series. Each of the three Spinster Heiresses is intrigued by the “new” duke in town. Since I haven’t read the third book, I don’t know if any of them end up with the new duke. In this book, the spinster in question has quite the vulgar father who insists on a great title for the prospective husband. There is a lovely sub-plot that you get hints of as you read, but isn’t totally revealed until near the end. The hero is a childhood friend of the spinster, but her family also ruined his in the past. Despite this, he needs her fortune and he is quite fond of her too. She is quite adamant about not marrying him or even getting to know him as an adult, but he is respected and gets help in obtaining invitations to the same places that she is going to as well as being seated next to her. I enjoyed this very much and am looking forward to the final book.
I was shocked, this is first time I have ever disliked a Cathy Maxwell book! I will continue to ¡
A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell is book Two in the Spinster Heiresses series. This is the story of Cassandra Howell and Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry. I haven’t yet read the previous book so for me this was easily a standalone book.
Soren is need of a wife with money and thinks that Cass would make a good fit for his needs. Cass has been on the marriage mart for a few years and he fells the marriage would work toward her needs too.
Although their is a family history of upset it doesn’t sway Soren thoughts of making Cass his wife.
Cass thinks she has feeling for the Duke of Camberly and is frustrated when Soren keeps popping up at the same functions as the Duke.
Cass doesn’t get her ending with the Duke but she does start to have real feeling for Soren and so does he.
Enjoyed their story!