Customer Reviews

The Marriage Wager (Matchmakers)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first installment in a trilogy that centers on the efforts of the beautiful but impoverished Lady Haughston, I devoured (there is no other word for it) "The Marriage Wager" in one sitting. True, as a previous reviewer has pointed out, the plot is a much used one with very little variation, but when a book is well written, and is peopled with characters that are charming and engaging, and that one quickly takes to heart, well there's nothing to it but to heartily recognise the novel as a stellar read and to recommend to other readers of like mind.

Widowed and impoverished, the beautiful Lady Haughston has managed to make ends meet over the years by discreetly helping parents at their wit's end find suitable matches for their sons and daughters. But when the Duke of Rochford playfully wagers that there are some cases that even she cannot aid successfully, Lady Haughston finds herself accepting the wager to marry off Miss Constance Woodley. A poor relation and well past the first blush of youth, Constance has resigned herself to playing chaperone for her two grasping cousins. Which is why she both bewildered and flattered when she suddenly finds herself being befriended by the fashionable Lady Haughston. Why is Lady Haughston taking such pains to help her spruce up her wardrobe and introduce her to all sorts of people? Soon, however Constance finds herself enjoying all the many entertainments and treats that a London season has to offer, and even the friendship the wonderfully charming Lord Dominic Leighton. And even though Constance knows that nothing can come of this delightful friendship and that she should not loose her heart to Dominic, she soon finds herself doing exactly that...

While I hate having to classify "The Marriage Wager" as a nice, old fashioned read, that's exactly what it is. I know that storyline is a really oft used one, and that the characters seem all of a stock type, but truth to tell I'm rather tired of heroes that smoulder and shout, and of heroines with more hair than wit. Constance is exactly the kind of heroine I'm partial to, and the situation she finds herself in is exactly one that is probable and possible. I also liked that Dominic matched her personality in style and character -- these two really were a well matched pair. Another thing I liked was that Constance did stand up to her unfeeling aunt rather early on in the book, and that the authour allowed for Constance to realise quite early on that she was the object of a wager. By allowing for these plot developments, the author gives Constance a backbone -- she may be a poor relation, but she's no cringing violet. And while it's true that the ending is a tad melodramatic, I enjoyed it nevertheless. So, in spite of the reviews here and elsewhere damning "The Marriage Wager" as a boring and tepid read, I'd recommend it to romance readers who are tired of all that angst and heavy breathing and who don't mind reading a well written and charming romance novel that has an oft used storyline.

Lady Francesca makes a wager with the Duke of Rochford that she get take any wallflower and get her engaged by end of the season. Rochford picks Constance Woodley who is almost the Cinderella of the story. Her father has died and she had to live with her aunt and uncle and terrible two daughters. Constance finds herself attracted to Lady Francesca brother Lord Dominic Leighton. Great story - finished in a day. Enjoy!

If you enjoy this genre, I would also suggest; Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello and How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins, The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale.

This was a very fun book to read. I recently had a tooth pulled and this book kept my mind away from my mouth. It was actually kind of nice not to read about sex within the first 100 pages. I am intrigued by Lady Francesca and the Duke. Could it be a one-that-got-away love? Can't wait for the next installment.

The Marriage Wager is the first in Candace Camp's Matchmaker Series and I wish I could give it a higher rating, but I just cannot bring myself to. As others have remarked there was nothing really unusual or innovative about this book, but it would have been an enjoyable and sweet read if it hadn't been for one hugely annoying thing that I could *not* get over: we never hear Dominic's thoughts. Every historical romance I have ever read is written in third person narrative and the writer takes us back and forth between the hero and the heroine's POV (sometimes adding that of secondary characters). Though I kept on waiting for that to happen here, it NEVER did and it was extremely disconcerting. I don't know if this is how Camp normally writes her novels, but if it is I don't think I will continue reading her books.

The book had such potential because although the story is not very original, Camp is a talented writer and I found her characters interesting. I liked Constance since I always love it when the heroine is something other than the beautiful belle of the ball society girl and is a wallflower, shy, "on the shelf," or whatever. I especially liked the secondary characters of Sir Lucien, Lady Calandra (the heroine of The Wedding Challenge, Book 3), Francesca (the matchmaker in the series), and the Duke of Rochford (Calandra's brother and Francesca's love interest in The Courtship Dance, Book 4).

Unfortunately, at the end of the book I still didn't really have any sense of Dominic, because not only do we not ever have his perspective, but we don't even read that many exchanges or very much dialogue between him and Constance. Since we never know his thoughts, it makes the whole story of them falling in love seem contrived and hard to believe - they barely know each other. What goes through his mind when he's trying to figure out why he kissed Constance that first time without knowing her? What does he think about Constance? What attracts him to her? When did he start to love her? When does he decide that he wants to marry her? But nothing, zip, nada - *so frustrating*! Aside from a couple of passages where we see things from Francesca's perspective, it is all told from Constance's POV (and sometimes quite repetitively so) and we are never really able to get a handle on Dominic ... which is kind of essential since he is the hero of the book!!!

OTHER BOOKS IN MATCHMAKER SERIES:

Francesca, Lady Haughston is the matchmaker in Camp's series, which is kicked off by The Marriage Wager, featuring Miss Constance Woodley and Dominic, Viscount Leighton (Francesca's brother). It's followed by Book 2 in the series, The Bridal Quest, which tells of the romance between Gideon, Earl of Radbourne and Lady Irene Wyngate. The Wedding Challenge is Book 3 in the series and features Lady Calandra (the Duke's younger sister) and the Earl of Bromwell. And the series ends with The Courtship Dance, which tells the long-awaited story of Francesca and Sinclair, the Duke of Rochford.

In London widow Lady Francesca Haughton insists that she can insure that any young lady will be engaged by the end of the season. Her pal Lord Sinclair bets her she cannot, but he insists that he chooses the chit. Confident to the point of arrogant cockiness Francesca accepts his wager and terms.

Sinclair picks spinster Constance "the Nobody" Woodley, who lives with her uncle ever since her father died. Her season is simple; she will chaperone her spoiled cousins while they have seasons. Thus when Francesca takes an interest in her with the desire to sponsor her, Constance cannot fathom why this elegant lady would want to be seen with a Nobody. However, although expecting a price to pay, Constance decides not to worry as she enjoys the galas she suddenly attends as a participant. When she meets Lord Dominic Leighton, she falls in love, but knows her sponsor's brother is as out of her league as Francesca is.

The first Matchmaker tale is an amusing amiable Regency romance that readers will enjoy although the story line is somewhat typical of the sub-genre except perhaps for Francesca willing to wager against men. The lead couple is a Cinderella-Prince Charming match-up that will enthrall fans with its improbable yet realistic courtship (no mice or fairy godmothers of course) as the Nobody and the rake fall in love. Candace Camp's fans know she is a sure bet to provide an entertaining historical.

Harriet Klausner

I read this book in two to three days. When they are good, I do that. I didn't want to put it down.

"The Marriage Wager" is the first book I have read by Candace Camp. I would have to say not only was she a thrilling read, but one of great humor as well. She made the main characters come to life and made their lives most exciting. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I couldn't put it down because of the need to see how it was to end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance, and characters who filter through the "ton". Two thumbs up in my opnion.

This is book one of four! It is entertaining and a great beginning to the series! Candace Camp is a delightful author!

Candace Camp has written a witty fairy tale about a matrimonial bet between the impoverished high-born Lady Francesca Haughston and the enigmatic Duke of Rochford. The Duke bets Lady Francesca a sapphire bracelet against a horrid visit with his odious Aunt Odelia that she cannot get a girl of his choice engaged before the end of the Season.

To Lady Francesca's surprise, the Duke chooses a lady's companion, Constance Woodley, to receive the Cinderella treatment. The orphaned Constance, living meagerly and miserably at the beck-and-call of her awful relations, soon finds out that she is the object of a wager. But she gamely goes forward with Francesca's schemes, and quickly attracts the attentions of the notorious rake, Viscount Dominic Leighton (who just happens to be Francesca's brother.)

Some of the best fun in the novel are the scenes after Constance goes from drab to fab, and begins to anger her overbearing aunt and jealous unmarried cousin. I also liked the sexual tension between the fiesty Constance and the handsome Dominic. Although none of Camp's romances are overtly steamy, the sexual allusions come often, and there is a nice sexy pay-off at the end of this satisfying story. There is also the suggestion that something may be brewing between Francesca and that tall Duke.

The second and third installments in this delightful series have already been released (see my reviews of The Bridal Quest and The Wedding Challenge (Matchmakers). Then the topper -- the story of Lady Francesca and her mysterious Duke -- will be released either late this fall or early next year. I can't wait.

I really enjoyed this read. It has all of the sweetness that you find in most of Candace Camp's books. I can't wait for the other two books in this new trilogy are released. I don't even know what the name of those books are but the way this book ends makes me want to read about the Duke and the widow VERY badly. Their story already makes me what to cry! Very sad, very sad...I have every confidence that Mrs. Camp will be able to do justice to their story. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!