Customer Reviews

The Wedding Wager

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm torn on Ms. Maxwell's latest; I really liked the hero and the overall plot of the book. I love horses too, so that influenced me. However, the heroine really got on my nerves. Sometimes I liked her and could understand her actions; at other times she was a very annoying and immature snot stamping her foot and whining about her independence. I don't think she ultimately matched up in strength of character to the excellent self-made hero (something you don't often get to see in historical romance, though it's becoming more common). That said, the last section of the book is the best of it, and the heroine becomes more likeable.

If you like historical romance and you're looking for a light, mostly frothy read, then give this one a try. If you're looking for a more intense and sunstantial story with a hero and heroine who live on with you, this probably isn't the one for you.

Great, fast-paced read with strong, likeable characters. It's Cathy Maxwell at her best.

Barely making ends meet, horsewoman Mary bids over her means in order to secure a prized 'horse stud' for her estate in hopes that breeding will bring about her financial success and sticking it to neighbor and fellow horseman, Tye, makes it that much sweeter. In a desperate attempt to get the money in order to pay for the horse, Mary goes to London to find a rich husband. That doesn't sit well with Tye, sore from being out-bid and a bit suspicious, he follows her -because he wants the horse of course. Mayhem insues when, gorgeous, but socially inept, Mary storms the London social scene. Tye's there for rescue her when scandal results. Romance blooms in the shadows and maybe they figure out that the stud isn't that important anyway.

Great romance. I love fiesty females and Mary takes the cake! She causes scandals just by breathing, a real tough cookie that doesn't take it from anybody -including Tye. He's just that man to lasoe this filly in. One of my favorite Maxwells. If you liked Falling in Love Again and You and Only You, you'll like this one too.

Mary Gates is the village eccentric of Lyford Meadows in England of 1814. She dresses in men's clothing, can outswear any stable hand on her estate, and is convinced no man alive can outmatch her in picking prime horseflesh.

Tye Barlow, her equally headstrong neighbor and chief rival is a secret temptation to Mary, but she's never considered marrying him, or any man, until she runs into a terrible bind. Mary outbids Tye for a famous stud she is sure will put her faltering family finances on the road to prosperity, but the only way to pay the exorbitant fee is to marry money. Not wasting a second to implement her scheme, Mary trots off to London's aristocratic Marriage Mart, Tye hot on her heels.

At first Tye assumes he's determined to foil her scheme solely to get his hands on the prize stud. But while arguing with Mary as he twirls her around crowded London ballrooms, he soon realizes the one thing he covets more than all the pricey studs in the world is the love of maddening, enticing Mary.

The repartee between these strong, obstinate lovers is great, and the author's voice is clear, quirky and very funny. I love an independent, intelligent heroine like Mary, especially when she is matched with a hero like Tye who is clearly her equal and respects her as a worthy opponent, irregardless that she is a woman. I also love a story, which this one is in spades, where the contest of wills and sparks of anger between the protagonists incites desire--the love scenes are very hot!

Don't miss this exciting, often hilarious battle of the sexes!

Mary Gates wants this stud in her stables. The Stud is a prime piece of horseflesh up for auction in her hometown of Lyford Meadows. The entire town's male population will be in attendance to witness who places the winning bid. Mary believes this horse is just what she needs to bring her stables back to full operating glory of the past. The town views Mary's independent and willful behavior as quite eccentric, including her normal attire of donning men's breeches. And her desire to win the horse may also have something to do with her constant battles with her neighbor and rival, Tye Barlow.

Tye is just as determined to win, because it would secure his stable's future as well. And he believes he has a good shot with the amount of money he's willing to bid. In the end, Mary outbids him but he's suspicious, because he knows there's no way she could own that kind of capital. Mary's winning bid is well beyond her means, but she makes up a fictitious, wealthy fiancé, and then convinces the seller she needs a little time to make her payment. The independent Mary, who never intended to settle down, sets out for London and the marriage mart to snag herself a rich husband. Tye discovers where she's gone, and follows with the intention to foil any possibility of her paying for the horse.

Their complicated history resurfaces, as well as their desire for each other, which of course has always been there in the form of a battle of wills. Together, they may discover the real prize isn't the horse, but their love for each other.

I've read three or four novels by Maxwell, and this is my favorite so far. I enjoy romances that involve the battle of wills, which is done well here. Although, I did think Mary's obstinance over her independence did go on a little too long, but that's only a minor issue. Even though there's not much new here for a romance story, I still found it refreshing and the witty dialogue probably had a lot to do with that. Mary and Tye were both headstrong characters and well matched for each other. There's nothing heavy-duty about this story, it's a nice light, recommended read.

I adore romances that begin on the premise of the hero and heroine being childhood friends, or having known each other for a long time. I also appreciate the unusual setting of this romance occurring between two "commoners," rather than always being between two titled people of London's elite. That said, coupled with the brilliance of most of Maxwell's other works, this story had a lot of potential, but the delivery of it fell short of my expectations. Because the plot has already been summarized several times, I will just point out why this book only earned 3 stars from me --

- The heroine behaved like a shrew towards the hero for 4/5 of the book. While I appreciate feisty and independent-thinking heroines, this one was unnecessarily rude, bitter, and sometimes even downright cruel to a man far too deserving for her.

- The amount of tension in the novel between the hero and heroine (mainly caused only by the heroine herself for ridiculous plot-contrived reasons) really took away from the romance of why I even read romances to begin with.

- The plot was very predictable, there was really no "villain" or secondary characters to speak of, and I doubt I will remember much about this story after a couple weeks of reading several more romances.

All in all, this book gets 3/5 stars for me for its original storyline, background, and the fact that it was well-written. Minus 2/5 stars for the unnecessarily shrewish behavior of the heroine, and the predictability in the deliverance of the promising storyline. I would recommend it only if you merely want to pass your time -- you won't find a ground-breaking, heart-wrenching story here, but I suggest checking your local library or buying a cheap used copy.

Tye and Mary are delightful characters--very likable, feisty and well suited to each other--in this very fun and fast-paced Regency romance. The warmth, wit and lust for life characteristic of all Cathy Maxwell romances is evident here and makes this winning novel a charming read.

I enjoyed this offering by Cathy Maxwell. In this story a woman who is basically trying to save her family horse breeding ranch does what she must. She feels that all she is worth is what she is able to do to the home she knows. So one day she sets out to buy the "stud" of the areas for her horses and ends up in a bidding war with one of her neighbor. Who she shares a past with.

She ends up bidding more than she can handle and to get the rest of the money she goes to London to find a husband. What she doesn't count on is an embarrassment from her past showing up as well as her neighbor Tye. What ensues is a great romance story!

This is my 3rd Cathy Maxwell book I read and my favorite so far. She seems to write sweet love stories. They lack the sensuality of other romance novels but they make up for it with great well rounded characters. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I just loved the characters! The only thing I would have wished was different in the writing is that Maxwell used the word 'twas way too many times. I know it is a historical but it just was a bit annoying.

In 1814 the residents of Lyford Meadow, England, believe Mary Gates, daughter of a squire, is an eccentric person as she competes with men rather than doing traditional female activities. When she outbids Tye Barlow for a horse, he knows he will never forget her smile or the humiliation of saying "I pass". However, Mary does not have the cash to pay for the steed that she feels will begin rebuilding her family estate. She cuts a deal with the horse's owner buying time to go to London to find and marry a wealthy aristocrat to pay for the horse.

Tye follows Mary to London, planning to insure she fails to land a husband because he still covets the horse. However, neither one expected the glamour of the London balls would lead to a dance between them that makes both of them reconsider what they want for her. Tye and Mary agree that he is the right one.

THE WEDDING WAGER is an adorable Regency romance that never takes it self too seriously. The amusing story line is fun, as Tye is a frustrated hero who loses whenever he competes with his beloved. Mary quite contrary owns the novel, as she seems more like a modern woman displaced in time whose antics leave the audience smiling. Cathy Maxwell provides her fans with a precious story that is a sure bet for historical romance readers.

Harriet Klausner