Matchmaking Schemes and Misadventures in Bath

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance

SERIES: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh #4 (Note each book is standalone and can be read out of order)

THE PREMISE: Margaret Hapgood travels to Bath with her mother and uncle – not for her own amusement and romantic adventures – but because she is charged with managing her uncle and ensuring that he makes a wealthy match. Margaret has her hands full with curbing her uncle’s expensive habits, creating opportunities for him to win over his lady love’s disapproving family, managing her own unexpected suitors, and navigating a friendship with a beautiful but often conniving new friend…

WHAT I LOVED:

• With the Hapgoods Again: I am so happy to be reunited with the dear Hapgood family! For those of you who are not yet acquainted, the Hapgoods are an almost impoverished gentry family of four independently-minded daughters, a blustery and unsophisticated squire who must be careful to not become agitated, and an often indisposed and indolent mother living in Somerset. And with the new setting of Bath, new friends and acquaintances, and a frank and blunt heroine who is often occupied with being the only adult in the room, the stage is set for adventure and misadventure in this latest installment of the Hapgoods of Bramleigh.

• Margaret: What a splendid heroine; I love that she isn’t looking for romance and has such practical and forthright nature. I found her earnestness in all things, her naivete, and her determination to do what is right to be completely endearing. I loved her interactions with each character in this story and how she handles herself through all the drama, little dangers, and conundrums she encounters.

• A New Frenemy: With her eagerness to be admired and her manipulative tendencies, Charmaine Blakely put me in mind of Isabella Thorpe from Northanger Abbey. Not the sort of person you want for a friend, for sure, and yet Margaret is a true and loyal friend to her. However, unlike Catherine Morland, Margaret would often stand up to Charmaine and put her in her place when need be. #GoMargaret!

• An Unavailable Hero: Daishell Waite is an injured soldier who has long been betrothed to his cousin, Charmaine Blakely. And after returning from the Peninsula War, he is starting to question his future with Charmaine. While he finds Miss Hapgood’s frankness and unaffected conversations enjoyable, he isn’t free to do anything about it. I loved Daishell and all the quiet moments he spent enjoying Margaret’s company.

• Heyeresque!: This whirlwind adventure that is filled with imaginative and impossible marriage schemes, entertaining calamities, skillful repartee, and well-defined characters often felt reminiscent of a Georgette Heyer novel. The pacing, balance, and clever twists and turns Ms. Dudley employes captured the comedic brilliance Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances so perfectly! Brava, Ms. Dudley!

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• My only wish would be for a family tree or personae dramatis to be included at beginning of the novel.

CONCLUSION:

Matchless Margaret is a captivating Regency Romance by Christina Dudley that matches romantic ambitions with unexpected attachments, meddlesome family members with wayward relations, and comedic mishaps with exhilarating twists. I most highly recommend!

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Meet The Hapgoods!

Book 1 : The Naturalist

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Book 2: A Very Plain Young Man

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Book 3: School for Love

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