A Matchmaker for a Marquess

Barry Aberdeen, Marquess of Tenwhestle – future Duke of Gayle – isn’t who society thinks he is, but he’ll keep that to himself. He is six and twenty and has years before he’ll be ready to marry. Little does he know; his parents have other plans for him. Now that his sister, Emilia, has married (Book #2 – A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart) their full attention has turned to Barry.

Meredith Durant’s father was the man-of-affairs and best friend to the Duke of Gayle and she was raised on the estate along with the duke’s children. She had a happy life there until she was twenty years of age and her ailing father was ‘retired’ and they were turned out. That was ten years ago, and now her father has died and she’s been supporting herself as a matchmaker for the last eight-and-a-half years.

Meredith was shocked to see Barry Aberdeen sitting in the gardens at the Royal Horticultural Society as she was there with one of her charges. She didn’t know it was him at first, but she saw a man and admired his looks – and then he started reading poetry aloud in the most mellifluous voice and she was mesmerized. Then, he turned, and it was her childhood nemesis, the brother of her best friend, the boy who had comforted her in a stable before she had to leave the estate – and he was all grown up.

Several weeks later, Barry was at their country estate for his parent’s annual two-week house party. Oddly enough, he usually enjoyed those events and was looking forward to the entertainments, fishing, riding, etc. Then, his sister finds him where he is fishing and tells him that their mother has turned her attention to his marital status. He doesn’t believe her – but then, she shows him the list of attendees – and it isn’t the usual group who is in attendance, it is almost exclusively young marriageable young ladies and their chaperones.

I love his reactions when he realizes that the reason Meredith is at the house party is that his mother has hired her to matchmake for him. He decided he’d just show them and then promptly lead Meredith on a journey of discovery, healing, growth, and love. Barry is a wonderful hero and just the man Meredith needed. Their journey was such a sweet one – and when Meredith sacrifices all for Barry’s wellbeing – it just makes your heart beat faster and faster.

This is an excellent, fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down kind of read filled with wonderful characters and two main characters that you can’t help but love. One thing I loved about the book is that there isn’t a lot of angst and turmoil – yes, there were some unpleasant memories, but they didn’t take on the angsty colorations that you often see. To me, the only thing that would have made the book better would have been the addition of an epilogue with them at some point in the future – in the experimental gardens – maybe with a baby or expecting one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A lovely, swoon-worthy read from one of historical romance’s best! Not to be missed.

I know I am slightly biased here… BUT … I love Christi Caldwell books. WHY I think that the most important thing to me is that you meet her characters in other books and find them cross mingled into her other books and series. For me you have a boy character and wonder what happened to him and bam you get his story. Important: You meet Barry, younger brother to Emilia, in A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart, and Meredith is first seen In Need of a Knight, one of Aldora’s childhood friends, who has also know Barry since he was a baby. Why should you read this book, because it is lighthearted loving and we all have things we go through. We drift apart from people, and we become a different person. Sometimes we are really not all that different from what we were. I am order reader so for me highly suggest reading her other books first that I mentioned. I would also start with the Book 1 in the series. I love this book!!!

After some dark, heavy books from Christi Caldwell she delights us with a lighthearted, feel good book. We first meet Barry, younger brother to Emilia, in A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart, where we get a glimpse of this charming mischievous rogue who defends his older sister like a true gentleman. Meredith is first seen In Need of a Knight, one of Aldora’s childhood friends, who has also know Barry since he was a baby. Inevitably life happens and Meredith moves away, eventually having to make her way in the world alone. Until a chance meeting with a handsome, charming rogue she knew as a boy, Barry. The Duchess of Gayle is determined to see her son married & settled organizes her usual summer house party with a twist. Meredith a well known Matchmaker reluctantly takes the job offered by the Duchess. As you can imagine mischief & fun ensues when Barry finds out why she is there. He makes a deal with Meredith and through their time spend together she learns to enjoy life again and together they fall in love. This was such an enjoyable read, Christi’s characters touch your heart and you root for them to get their Happy Ever After. She writes from the heart. I cannot recommend this book enough, you don’t have to have read any of her books before this could be your first but be warned you will want to read her others after this.

This is a fun loving entertaining book. I loved reading it. Barry was so fun and cute and just what Meredith needed. There were times while I was reading I caught myself smiling. I should not have started this book on a beautiful Saturday morning because I had to finish it before I did any of my chores. You will love Meredith and the wonderful Barry. I was disappointed in one thing – it ended. I did not want it to end.

Charming, engaging, delightful

Perfect choice if you want a feel-good read that eases the spirit, soothes the soul, and warms the heart. A bit of a fairy tale, that reminds one that dreams (barely even dared) just may come true. Smile, laugh, and yes, cry, with the amazing characters only this talented author can create. You won’t find a better historical romance if you want an unpredictable and lovely treat to fill a few summer hours with pure enjoyment.

Meredith Durant’s father was friend and man-of-affairs to the Duke of Gayle. She grew up along side the ducal children, Emilia and Barry. So when her father was dismissed and they were put out, she was hurt and confused to be leaving the family she had felt so close to. With the passing of her beloved father shortly thereafter, Meredith was left alone to map out her future. Feeling hurt and forgotten by the ducal family, she vowed never again to expect anything from others. With hard work, and altering her name, she built a career which secured her a reputation as London’s leading matchmaker.

Now, upon being summoned by the Duchess, and with no other option than to accept, she’s returning to that familiar estate, where she’s offered an assignment of matchmaking Barry Aberdeen, Lord Tenwhestle, to a woman of his standing, with the highest of birthrights.

Always expected to conform to societal demands by his parents, and not permitted or encouraged to pursue his true interests, Barry masked himself as a rogue. The Gayle title would always come first before their son or anything else. When Meredith comes back into his life, Barry begins to realize what is missing from both of their lives, amidst the developing feelings beginning to surface between them.

It wasn’t a dream of love between them (their relationship growing up more of friends, even brother and sister), but to see the love that evolves as their paths once again merge, is a beautiful and romantic journey, filled with desire and tenderness. As always with this writer, another page-turner packed full of unforgettable and captivating moments, with a sure-to-please ending.

I received an arc for my honest opinion, and I’m happy to do so. I absolutely loved “A Matchmaker for a Marquess”, and most definitely recommend it.

I absolutely loved and adored Barry. Such a wonderful, honorable guy. Of course I liked Meredith. I loved both the friends to more and older woman younger man angle. A sweet, beautiful story. I couldn’t put it down.

Wounded heroes with serious problems delight me. Barry is not a ravaged hero, he’s quite lovely. His biggest problem is that his parents don’t approved of his love of botany and they want him to get married…NOW. Meredith grew up with Barry, as her father was the Duke’s man-of-affairs. When her father is “retired” they move away and everything changes. I do not like to tell the story in a review. You should get to enjoy it on your own. What I do like to tell you is that these characters are so well developed. Your heart will ache for the woman Meredith becomes, and when Barry meets up with her years later you will find yourself cheering as they renew their friendship…and maybe more! Christi Caldwell has the talent to pull us into the lives of these people, and when you go there, you will end up with your own little HEA.

Miss Meredith Durant leaves the home she has known and loved when her father is ‘retired’ by the Duke of Gayle. Not just a home, but with her beloved friend, Emilia and her brother, Barry, a few years younger, they would run, play, swim and fish together as children. Her last day at their country home, Meredith cried in Barry’s arms. Caring for her father till his death, Meredith begins a career as a matchmaker, determined never to love again after being betrayed in love and losing her ‘family’. She learns to bury her spirit and joy to become a serious woman. Years later, she accidentally meets Barry, one of London’s rogues. Or is that just a persona? Not understanding why they left years before, Barry approaches his parents. His mother promises to get in touch with Meredith. At their summer house party, the Duchess of Gayle invites Meredith and secures her services to find her son and heir the perfect bride from among her titled guests. Barry is determined to break through her stern facade and return the Meredith he once knew. They make a pact, he has the early mornings for her to enjoy life and have fun and she can ply her abilities for his bride at night. The trouble is it does not take long for Barry to resurrect the true Meredith, who does the unthinkable and falls in love with him. Barry shares his love of botany with Meredith and is the only lady who has no interest in his title, but in him and his interests. `But what happens when his parents, the Duke and Duchess, find them together in a compromising situation in the gardens? A fun and enchanting story of childhood friendship and adventures interrupted by illness and distance – how one changes to survive adversity, but must be true to oneself to find life’s greatest gift, Love!

A Matchmaker for a Marquess is a captivatingly delightful read from the very first page to the end. This book is full of remarkable characters, clever dialogue, and laugh-out-loud situations. I couldn’t put it down and neither will you. Miss Caldwell knows how to keep her readers wanting more! I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.