This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, in exchange for this ARC. Well written book with lots of greed, intrigue and love. Does it really get better than this?

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Making of a Marquess is the second title in the Society of Single Ladies series, but works very easily as a standalone book. A member of the Society, Dorothea Rowland has been asked by Angela, the founder of the society and owner of a London bank, to investigate the financial situation of Louis, the presumed heir to the title Earl of Brocklebank. After the original heir Benedict fled 7 years prior following a deal between the two over a woman, Benedict has not been seen and is about to be declared dead in favor of his cousin assuming the title.

Dorothea and the rest of the house party are shocked when a man claiming to be Ben reappears just as he is about to be formally declared dead. She immediately recognizes Ben as the young man who had quietly courted her prior to falling for Honoria, the subject of the ill-fated duel that led to his disappearance. Deciding to help Ben establish his claim, Dorothea finds the man he has become to be even more attractive to the young man she had fell for all those years ago.

Ben has built a life for himself in Boston that he finds fulfilling and has stayed away from England until forced to return to prevent his cousin from completely ruining the estate and the people that depend on it for their livelihood. Torn between his duty to the title and his desire to return to his life in America, Ben decides to find a wife who can give him children and run the estate while he spends large amounts of time in Boston. He isn't counting on Dorothea or the woman she has grown into. Clearly his perfect match, will he be able to live long enough to realize that he has everything he didn't know he wanted within reach? A nice romance and mystery will keep readers entertained until the end; I look forward to the next Society for Single Ladies title.

Benedict Thrope, Lord Brocklebank, heir to the mighty Marquess of Belstead. In a dumb duel over a woman that they both wanted. His cousin had fallen in love with Honoria as had Ben. When he fired after his cousin, he had been told that he might die. His best friend, Lord Henry Evington, Rushed him to the harbor and put him on the first ship leaving. It was illegal to duel in England. It had been seven years since he left and his parents were dead and his cousin was having him declared dead but he had been destroying the estate.
Lady Dorthea Rowland had been his parents choice for his wife. But he had fallen for Honoria so he abandoned their beginning courting. Seven years later she is confident and trying very hard not to be in love with Ben. She is a thirty-year-old spinster. But she is good at Math and has a good head on her shoulders.
This was a mystery but it is so good. It kept my attention. I also enjoyed the twists to the story. It was entertaining,
fun, and well written. The characters are engrossing, nicely developed, and appear to be lifelike. It is worth the read. I was interested in the way and how many things he had to do to prove he was the Marquess.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The idea of the Society of Singles Ladies is a great concept for books. This story is very nice and sweet and good for someone looking for not too much angst. There is a little mystery which was pretty good. However, I felt that the story was repetitive. It could have been half the length and still been good. If you want a nice story about a great “spinster” and a man who made himself instead of relying on his title, then this is the story for you.

Barbara’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Society for Single Ladies #2
Publication Date: 3/31/20
Number of Pages: 279

Benedict (Ben) Thorpe, heir to the Marquess of Belstead, had a rebellious childhood. With disinterested parents who spent little time with him, he longed for their care and respect – especially his father’s. Ben knew he had to marry and since he’d never seen anyone who particularly appealed to him, he went along with his parent’s choice – until Lady Honoria Colt made her debut. Ben was immediately enthralled – he immediately dropped the betrothal negotiations with the other girl and pursued Honoria. Unfortunately, his cousin, Louis also wanted her. When hot heads prevailed, Ben fled England vowing never to return.

Dorothea Rowland is proud and honored to have become a member of The Society for Single Ladies. The society was formed by London’s wealthiest woman, Angela Childers, in order to solve crimes. At thirty, Dorothea is firmly on the shelf, and happy with her life. After her almost betrothal to Benedict Thorpe, she’d not quite taken the ton by storm and had settled into spinsterhood. She was thrilled with an assignment from the society – to investigate the new claimant to the Marquessate of Belstead. He’s having the last heir, Ben, declared legally dead so he can assume the title.

At the urging of his best friend, Lord Henry (Hal) Evington, Ben returns to England to prove he is alive and to stop his cousin from assuming the title. It isn’t that he wants the title or even to be back in England, but his cousin Louis has decimated the formerly beautiful and rich estate. The tenants are suffering and Ben can’t let that continue.

Ben immediately recognizes Dorothea – and she recognized him. What ensues are attempts at murder, betrayals, an unexpected villain, and a romance. Ben and Dorothea have to solve a mystery and claim the title for Ben, and as they work together, they grow to respect and care for each other.

This is a nicely told tale – the plot is a good one, the writing is good – but, I just couldn’t get into the story and found myself skimming over sections of it. I think the characters just didn’t grab me by the heart – and I’m not sure why. I would suggest you read the story and decide for yourself whether the characters bring you joy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let me go girl fan: 'OMG!! That was such a good book! I lived the characters!! I felt like I was there, at every party, ball dinner and murder!! Love, action, jealousy, envy, anguish,...everything was in this book, but in a good way!!!' End fan girl.
I truly enjoyed reading thos story. After I was done, I actually started reading it again, that is how good it was. While it did get a little slow and you definitely had to read every word, it was a solid, good book. The characters were so dimensional, it was like when I started reading, a miniature director in my brain said 'Action!' and a little movie started. The bad girls were so deliously mean and gossipy. The hero, boy was he smooth. I can say that he was equal parts believable and dreamy. The villains were also dreamy, but since they were villains we aren't supposed to like them. I could go on and on, but I don't want to raise you expectations. I want you, the reader, to experience it as I did, a jewel hidden in book covers.
I can't help but admire an author who has such command over the English language. She was able to convey her thoughts without being verbose. The story line and side plots were intertwined and led to a satisfying conclusion. The grammar and spelling were correct. I was not able to detect any place where I had to stop and try to decode what the author was alluding to. I highly recommend this story and would suggest buying it. I am going to look for other books by this author to see if this Carrie's over to all of her work. **5 STARS**

I truly enjoyed this story. Ben is a bit wild and ends up escaping to America! Upon his return 7 years later, he faces his cousin who is bankrupting his estate and a lovely woman he was supposed to have married...Dorothea. The story has many twists and turns. Love, jealousy, revenge, murder! The secondary characters are very interesting. I hope Hal has his HEA one day! Even Honoria, as selfish and wicked as she could be, deserves some happiness. Enjoy!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I've read a few of this authors work before and was so pleased to be able to read this

Loved this !! Couldn't put down
loved the characters and the story

highly recommend this author

Will their past history doom a possible future together ...

Oh my!
What a fabulous read it was.
This story is the epitome of what I love to find in a book, clever characters, strong without being too much, resilient, a dash of sleuthing, some actions without overdoing it, the right dose of steam ...
I loved this book even more than the previous one, the heroine is just perfect, with her flaws and insecurities, she was able to draw a future for herself and when things move, she adapts herself to the situation.
Dorothea has loved and lost, have been overlooked for shinier, showier ladies, then discarded because she was not pretty enough. I admired her because she could have become bitter and resentful. Instead she gave a purpose to her life.
So when the man, she loved and left her, comes back from the dead, when she could have lashed to his hurtful actions, she is content and willing to help him regain his rank. But cautious she must be, as her heart is still a fluttering thing, easily swayed.
Benedict was an arrogant man and it was life’s lessons that taught him to regard it under a different radar. For long, he just wanted what was seen as the most beautiful item, what shone the most. Unable to see beauty could be a hidden gem. When his temper cost him his place among the English ton, he did not understand the full length of this life’s lesson until he reiterated it in his second chance life.
Now, older, wiser, he thinks he has everything mapped out.
Until he crosses road with the one woman he cowardly abandoned without the courage of a word to explain himself.
And this same woman is now everything he would want for himself, as beauty is a fickle thing and Dorothea has grown in a gorgeous woman, determined, making her own decisions.

I loved Mrs Lynne Connolly didn’t let the past define her characters, both when they meet again are very different from their younger self, why anger found no room between them. There might have lingering hurt, but it is easily left behind when the future is threatened. Dorothea is very rational, she examines her every feelings and refuses to go blind. She tells and asks. She stands and does not cower. Benedict knows he must make amends for the pain he selfishly even if unknowingly inflicted her. And the more he gets to know her, the more he sees the error of his past, even if he needed to grew up to become the man he is now.

Mrs Lynne Connolly offers with Benedict and Dorothea’s story a full of layers tale with action, suspense, friendship and love.
A big 5 stars for a tale forgiveness and going forward.

I was granted an advance ecopy by the publisher Kensington, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

The Making of a Marquess by Lynne Connolly
The Society for Single Ladies #2

Goodreads info:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48140749-the-making-of-a-marquess

This is the second book in the Society for Single Ladies series. I haven't read the first. I would make a guess that you should read the first, as I was left with no idea about exactly what the society for single ladies was, or how our heroine ended up a part of it, or what exactly her role was to be there. So perhaps that is explained in the first one, but I haven't read it so I have no idea. I wouldn't recommend this as a standalone for that reason.

Benedict and Dorothea are betrothed but Benedict is young and passionate and finds he just doesn't care. He makes a bunch of rash, dangerous mistakes with his friends and family and breaks off the engagement. He's left with a huge mess that changes his life in drastic ways.

The story picks up about 7 years later. Dorothea and Benedict are at the same country house party. Dorothea has her duties for the society of single ladies, which is to find who the real heir is. Benedict is trying to get his life back together.

I didn't like this book for a number of reasons. The beginning wasn't bad, even though I don't usually love the second chance romance trope. But it was a little silly how quickly they jumped into a relationship with each other with their history. But, okay, I can get past that. But I felt like as the book went on, I didn't know Dorothea at all. Benedict you get to know a bit, but I was left with Dorothea just being such a flat character. I didn't really understand how or why she got into the society of single ladies or what her real purpose was there, what her family life had been like, basically any history on her at all.

The end of the book just got absurd and basically turned into a classic game of Clue. Who dunnit? There were multiple house guests that wasted page time with nonsense and conversations that weren't needed. There's crimes being committed and everyone has a guess who does it, yet none of the guests seem to care enough to leave the house party. It was just strange. So many unlikable characters. In some ways it was a little boring, even though there was a lot going on. It just wasn't stuff I cared about.

It was fairly steamy with a few scenes that were pretty detailed but I just didn't feel the pull between the characters that much to appreciate it, unfortunately.

Safety warning: suicide/death

Loved this book so much!! Anything Lynne Connolly writes instantly becomes my favorite. She gives me a "Book Hangover" every time!

4.5 stars rounded up

Dorothea Rowland is attending a country house party to investigate the financial viability of the marquesate's potential heir, in the absence of the son of the late marquess, who is presumed dead. When said lost son arrives from America, Dorothea instantly recognizes him. After all, one doesn't forget their almost-fiance. What does surprise her is her body's perceptive and inconvenient reaction to him.

Benedict Thorpe, the true Marquess of Belstead, had hoped never to return to England, but when he learns of the suffering caused by his cousin Louis' wasteful spending and immoral ways, Ben knows he must return to save the estate and the people who rely on it. However, he fully intends to establish a suitable manager and return to America as soon as possible, only his growing infatuation with Dorothea rather complicates things, as does the series of suspicious and dangerous accidents plaguing him. When Ben and Dorothea are discovered in a compromising position, they soon find themselves engaged. Though Dorothea isn't at all sure she'll go through with the ceremony, she and Ben make an excellent team and both become increasingly determined to protect each other from whoever is out to destroy their future.

I really enjoyed this book. There was a nice second chance/redemption element here with Ben showing lots of growth and Dorothea was a lovely sensible heroine to read. I liked these two together and the mystery element added much to the feel of the book. I think this series is shaping up nicely and I'm eager to read more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a difficult time getting through this novel. Although well written, it left a lot to be desired. Characters lacked personality and the story moved at a snail pace. Just not what I was expecting.

A charming romance and mystery, the hero and heroine were a perfect match in both temperament and character. The story has all the hallmarks of a fine romance, too, but with sufficient twists and character development to make their story fresh. Our heroine, Dorothea, is sent by Society for Single Ladies (SSL) to a house party to investigate the disappearance and possible demise of the heir to a marquisette. She had once been engaged to the lost heir but, through betrayal and deceit he was forced to flee England for America. Enter our hero, Benedict Thorpe just in time to save his inheritance and those dependent on the estate -- if he can prove he is in fact the lost heir. Wiser and more mature than when he left, Ben spent his time in America building his fortune as a merchant (oh, the horror!) and facing the kind of sorrow that makes a good man mature into a very find man, indeed. He quickly recognizes to beauty inside and out of his former betrothed and the two join forces to try to prove he is the lost heir and to figure out who is trying to kill him. Dorothea and Ben are two of the most likable star-crossed lovers I’ve met in a long time. Ms. Connolly has drawn them well -- showing both their depth and passion. She does an equally fine job on the supporting cast, revealing the complexities behind even the presumed villains while making them so easy and enjoyable to despise. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and even stayed up way, way past my bedtime reading. **Please note: I was provided a copy of the book to review but my assessment is genuine and unbiased.**

A really fun mystery read! I'm not generally into this genre, but it was lush and absolutely gorgeous.

Benedict Thorpe never planned on staying away for 7 years after a duel with his cousin, but when he receives a dire letter from his friend that the estate was in trouble, he comes back to England to claim his title and estate once again. Unfortunately, it's not that simple because his cousin Louis has enjoyed the perks of being the marquess without actually holding the title. Now an investigation is needed to see who is actually entitled to the estate and Dorothea Rowland is part of it. Dorothea has loved Ben for years and tries to shield her heart from anymore heartache, but sometimes, the heart does what the heart wants. Can these two find their way back to each other or will a sinister mystery kill Ben before she can declare her love?

I enjoyed this book, but I found the some parts dragged a bit. There was a good mystery running through the book and that kept me turning the pages. I liked Ben. He was someone who had learned from his mistakes and showed remarkable restraint while the investigation into who actually was the marquess continued. There is a lot of sex in this book--too much and I skipped over those pages. I get their attraction without every detail of their sex life revealed. All in all, this was good read.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

A slow burn at first but built up to be pretty, uh, spicy 3.5 rounded up

My first introduction to this author was when I read the first book in this series last year... as I was completely obsessed I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on this one to see what the Society of Single Ladies got up to this time. And naturally I was not disappointed....

Dorothea is our single lady this time around a 30 year old spinster on a secret mission for Angela Childers the bank owner/head of the SSL. Seven years ago the heir to a marquess went missing after a duel with his cousin over a woman. Nobody knows if he still loves and his cousin is poised to take the title. The problem is said cousin has done sone financial damage to the estate and owes a whole lot of money to more than one bank. Before he can get his title the question of what happened to the missing man and if maybe his cousin did something to him comes into question. Dorothea is working with an agent of the crown to see if they can figure out the truth. During a house party hosted by Louis the potential marquess in anticipation of him receiving the title at long last is the perfect time to investigate. And coincidentally the perfect time for the long lost man to decide to return home...

Benedict hadn’t exactly planned yo leave home and never return it just sort of happened. The events after that fateful night where he dueled with his cousin had him boarding a ship. It took him to Boston a whole world away where he started over and made a life for himself where nobody knew who he was or anything about his family. He was co tent to stay away never returning to the life he left behind until he learns that his vodka has squandered the family’s money and has been wrecking havoc on the estate. Reluctantly he decides to return home only for his very identity to be questioned.

Dorothea is shocked to see Ben again, they have a history and she has a job to do. She has no intentions of letting the past get in the way of her life. She is an independent single woman no longer a starry eyed girl dreaming of marriage and family. She is happy she has a purpose and it has nothing to do with this man. Until of course it does and things change. Ben doesn’t want to stay in England but he does have the idea that maybe if he had a wife she could run the estate while he goes back to his business in Boston. And who would be a better candidate than Dorothea?

Of course nothing is every easy and danger is lurking around the corners of Cressbrook House. Two dangerous accidents and one fatality later this dispute over the title seems to be far more trouble than its worth. And the consequences of digging into the past just seem to add to the trouble. Who is behind all of this? What do they stand to gain? And where has all the money been going? And who will win the title once and for all?

Somehow I didn’t see it coming... so many obvious things and misdirection. I do love a good mystery. But isn’t it always the ones you don’t expect?

I was soooo very excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. If I’m honest it might have dragged a tiny bit. It was rather different than the first but it was full of romance, mystery and danger. I liked Dorothea and Ben and could appreciate the fact that they found each other again when they were a little older and wiser. Though I do wonder if maybe in the future Angela might be the one to find herself married? I live in anticipation of finding out what comes next.

An investigation for the Society of Single Ladies sends Dorothea to a marquessate to investigate the heir apparent who is borrowing more and more money from her friend’s bank. A decade ago a dual between cousins sent Ben, the rightful heir, to the US. He has left the estate in his cousin’s hands but recently he has been warned that the estate is being drained by his cousin. It is time for Ben to return. Will Ben appreciate Single Lady Dorothea or see her as the rest of socially does: dismissed as a spinster?

Part mystery, part romance this second book in the Society of Single Ladies is a delight. The plot is original with many twists. Dorothea and Ben are interesting and sympathetic characters. I would recommend this book to my patrons, as either a standalone or as part of the series.