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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best in the series!!, January 23, 2009
Okay, so saying that this is the best in the series isn't actually saying much for me, because I did not love the other books in the series. They were pleasant enough, but also very ordinary. The leading ladies in those stories were not as intriguing or likeable as Francesca and the men were nowhere near as magnetic as Rochford. In fact, I found myself skimming through the main storylines while slowly savoring every mention of these supporting characters. I can't say why, but I just loved the strained interactions between the two and the hint of something deep and tragic that happened between them in the past. They stole the show. I actually read the second and third books mainly to find out more about them. So of course, I could not wait for The Courtship Dance to be released.
For those of you who feel the same way about them in the previous novels, let me assure you---the finale will be well worth the wait! I was afraid I had too high hopes for this book and tried to convince myself that it would be difficult for Camp to write an entire novel centered on these two characters without messing it up in some way. It was a relief when I read this that I was not disappointed.
Though we only saw glimpses of their characters in the previous books, their personalities that developed in this book were exactly as I had imagined and hoped. They are both very proud and honorable people, but in a respectable and not irritating sense. I never got annoyed with them as I often do with lead characters with strong personalities, but instead fell even more in love with them. I love how they knew each other so well and had so much history together, so their "grownup-up" relationship had much more depth and substance compared to the whirlwind type romances that are often written. This made the ending much more sweet and satisfying. The main conflict also does not focus on some Big Misunderstanding (not the way I see it, anyway), which was refreshing. Generally, the storyline is rather predictable, but in a good, comfortable and entertaining way (I find most romances to be like this though).
I'm not good at summarizing plot lines and don't want to accidentally give out any spoilers, so I will just leave it at that. I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Second chance love in satisfying series' finale, February 7, 2009
It is time for the matchmaker to find love of her own in this satisfying finish to Camp's "Matchmaker" series. For readers of the series, there was never any doubt that Lady Francesca Haughston, society darling and matchmaker extraordinaire, would end up in the arms of Sinclair Lisle, Duke of Rochford. The chemistry has been there from the series' start, but something in their past prevented them from acting upon it. It was eventually revealed in the last book that Francesca and Sinclair had been secretly engaged 15 years before, but Francesca broke it off when she found Sinclair in a compromising position with another woman, and she would not listen his claims of innocence. Francesca married on the rebound - it was a disaster - and is now widowed; Sinclair never married; and neither has been truly happy since. As it turns out, it was all a terrible mistake, for Francesca discovered just weeks ago that Sinclair had been set up and was completely innocent. Francesca is now determined to rectify the great wrong she did to Sinclair. She believes he swore off marriage after her rejection, so she sets out to find him a suitable young bride. Sinclair plays along with her scheme, feigning interest in the parade of candidates...but in his heart, it is the matchmaker he's hoping to win.
This is a sweet and satisfying end to a charming series. It is clear to the reader early on that Sinclair wants Francesca - and only Francesca - for his wife. She, however, is clueless. It is alternatingly funny and moving to see her jealous dislike of the prospective brides and her struggle to come to grips with her own feelings. There are many good tear-filled moments as Francesca fears that all is lost or mourns what might have been. Sinclair shows he is the absolutely great guy that I have long suspected - generous, brave, steadfast, kind, fiercely protective...and of course passionate.
I DO feel there were a few things missing from the story, such as the impending ball at which Sinclair was to announce his engagement...but which never materialized. Also, in the previous book, Sinclair's sister Callie suspects there are feelings between her brother and her dear friend Francesca ...yet oddly Callie is in this story for only a page or two and seems to have forgotten all about it. And Francesca is a bit more subdued in this book than previously. Overall, though, this is a good read and a fitting and happy culmination of Francesca's matchmaking days. 3 ½ - 4 stars
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally the long awaited courtship!, January 28, 2009
It has been a long wait for the story of Francesca and Sinclair, after bits and pieces of their interaction and hinted back-history had been dropped throughout the earlier books in the series.
I quite liked the first book "The Bridal Quest"...I think that it really gave this series a strong start, but like some of the other reviewers, I have to concur that the subsequent two books were only okay for me, and I was far far FAR more enthralled by Francesca and the duke, though they were only secondary characters. If anything, the earlier books were great in building up the anticipation leading up to the final telling of their story, which does not disappoint, in my humble opinion.
Definitely worth the wait (though I'm glad I don't have to wait any longer!)
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