Never Marry a Marquess

Fortune's Brides, Book 6

By: Regina Scott

Narrated by: Jannie Meisberger

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant marchioness, instant mother, forever love?

Shy Ivy Bateman has always felt more comfortable behind the scenes than front and center. She is happiest caring for her family and baking sweet treats. She certainly never expected the wealthy Marquess of Kendall to propose marriage, especially a marriage of convenience. It seems his baby daughter needs a mother, and Ivy cannot deny the attraction of the role, or the attraction she feels for the handsome marquess.

Kendall had asked Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency to find him a particular sort of lady. His heart went to the grave with his first wife. Now, all he cares about is ensuring his frail daughter doesn’t follow it. Installing Ivy Bateman as his next marchioness will not disrupt his life or make him question his love for his dead wife. But as he comes to appreciate Ivy’s sweet nature, he begins to wonder about their future. When an old enemy strikes at Miss Thorn and all her ladies, a grieving lord and a shy lady must work together to save the day. In doing so, they might just discover that love, and a good cinnamon bun, can heal all wounds.

If you like sweet, witty Regency romances, then you’ll love this triumphant finale of the Fortune’s Brides series by award-winning author Regina Scott.

Enjoy the series today. Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.

©2019 Regina Lundgren (P)2020 Regina Lundgren

Heartwarming Marriage of Convenience Regency Story

Never Marry a Marquess is an excellent edition in the Fortune’s Brides series by Regina Scott. Each book in the series starts with the mysterious Miss Meredith Thorn and her beloved cat Fortune as they place down on their luck gentlewomen in places of employment during England's Regency period.

This is the sixth book in the series where shy and sweet natured Ivy Bateman prepares to enter Society. Before she is fully out, the Marquess of Kendall unexpectedly asks Ivy to marry him, primarily to help him raise his baby daughter who is without a mother. I truly enjoyed listening to how Ivy and Kendall's marriage of convenience turned into friendship, and then everlasting love. I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to the satisfying conclusion of the subplot involving the relationship between Miss Thorn and Julian Mayes that has lasted throughout the entire series.

As with the other stories in the series, I listened to the audiobook version of this story, narrated by Jannie Meisberger. I highly recommend this story - and the entire series - to anyone who enjoys well written regency romance, without all the salacious details. I also recommend listening to this delightful series in order as each book builds on the relationships introduced in the prior book in the series.

A wonderful ending to a great series:)

First of all, I liked all the books in the series a lot, like really a lot:) And I think this one is an excellent closure to the whole series - a story of love found where and when you don't expect it, with enough intrigue to give us a moment of uncertainty (although we know everything must come to a HEA - it's a historical romance, remember?:)) and the main characters who are warm, loving people we would like to meet and befriend...:) And yes, we finally see Miss Thorn find her hapiness as well - she definitely deserved it:)

Both Ivy and Kendall are wonderful main characters. She's sweet, warm, considerate and yet strong and ready to fight for those she loves; he is loyal, protective of those who depend on him and kind of strangely disarming in his fear for his daughter's safety:) The way Ivy charmes her way to Kendall's heart is wonderfully written and there's no surprise he falls for her so quickly...
The 'danger lurking in the background' part is also well done - we know it will finally be successfully dealt with, still, there are some moments of uncertainty as to how much harm it can cause in the meantime...

Narration by Ms Meiseberger is impeccable as ususal:) The whole series shines in her interpretations: there is warmth and elegance of the ladies in her voice and there is strength and nobility of character of the gentlemen... She just brings the world of the Ton, so wonderfully described by Ms Scott, to life - in the best possible way:)

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.