Vivienne Lorret does it again with Ellie and Brandon’s love story. It was a wonderful continuation of the series. I found the characters to be full of life and build up to HEA was great to see. Ellie was so full of fear of living that she felt stuck for some time. Brandon was helpful in allowing her to have a perspective shift. I truly enjoyed their story.

Having read the first two in this series, I simply adore Lorret’s ‘scoundrels’ and find that the women they ultimately choose to marry (and have fallen in love with) are equal in intelligence, bravado and boldness to the men. Now, in this book we have Elodie’s story: the last unmarried girl on English soil, her friends Winnie and Jane are married, and Pru is still “on the continent” after a scandal sent her offshore. It’s now up to Ellie to publish the tracts on ‘what to look out for’ for the debutantes, so they don’t fall afoul of the various rules and reputation killers in society. We do see Ellie, Winnie and Jane in snippets, as the women are fast friends, but we are able to delve deeper into Ellie’s issues. Orphaned young, she’s been raised by her two recipe-hoarding and ever-sweet aunts yet has never really gotten over her phobias or fears about death, losing those she is close to, or unintentionally falling afoul of the ton – and ending up like Pru. It’s unlikely to happen though, as she’s got an ‘agreement’ with George, the Marquess of Nethersole, and all she is waiting for is to make things formal. But, at twenty-five, she’s fearing a life of spinsterhood as George sows his oats and finds repeated reasons to clash with the Marquess of Hullworth. Having known George since childhood, Ellie is rather blind to his faults: he takes her for granted, he makes jokes about her and at her expense, and is generally unaware of (or cares little for) her needs.

Brandon, Marquess of Hullworth is a taciturn, handsome, sharp tongued and ill-tempered young man who uses his reputation as ‘unsavory and churlish company’ to keep people at arms’ length. He’s been hurt before, has little use for letting anyone else in to do it again, and he won’t stand for it. He’s also, however, kind and observant – and has seen how George ill-treats Ellie, and while he won’t admit to being interested in her as a woman, he isn’t comfortable with her being abused (if only dismissively) at anyone’s hands. There’s a ton of concrete wall surrounding Brandon, and it will take time and plenty of patience to unearth the real man beneath the walls. And, while Ellie is quite sweet and has befriended his sister Meg, he’s unwilling to allow the chance that Meg will be hurt by someone he doesn’t know and trusts even less.

We do get to see how Ellie’s innate sweetness and goodness, if often wrongly applied does bring Brandon around and softens him to her charms. And she’s truly too afraid to take a chance on loving another person lest she lose them (again), and here is where her aunts could have helped a bit more and helped her to determine what choices she is making that may not be the best. It took a bit to find the footing between these two and see Ellie and Brandon as a viable couple –both had to open, grow and share – and they do. Fortunately, after Pru’s antics and Ellie’s easy willingness to forgive her quickly may come into play in the next book – as Brandon is protective of those he trusts – and he doesn’t trust many people. If you like (or appreciate) the earlier books in the series, this one brings us closer to a conclusion and to meet the up until now displaced and disgraced Pru. I like the series and Lorret is one of the finest creators of snappy dialogue and conversations that move the story forward while dealing with the present moment and finding a way to heal the past.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review firat appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aXy /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A woman with anxiety, and the one man who can talk her thru her fears. While I'm not really for amale savior, I do appreciate the way Brandon helped ellie find ways to conquer her anxieties as opposed to the moocking she was recieving.

*3.5 stars*

The Wrong Marquess is a fun enemies-to-lovers historical romance from the talented Vivienne Lorret.

I read a lot of historical romance, and it can be hard to keep my attention, but I'm a total sucker for the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. I mean, give me a icy, apprehensive male MC who has been burned in the past and I'm putty.

I really enjoyed how the opening of the book set us up with the female MC falling for the wrong male MC in a childhood flashback. It set the stage for why Elodie ever cared for George, her neighbor, and made her situation more understandable. I wouldn't have liked it if the story was a love-triangle, but it was more just a very slow realization that George was never going to be the man she wanted him to be. I really liked the gradual build-up between Elodie and Brandon, and how Brandon only had eyes for her, once he realized her true character.

I also really liked the whole cast of secondary players in this story. Elodie's aunts were fun, recipe-hungry support systems with Elodie's best interests in mind, and Brandon's sister seemed like she could have her own off-shoot story next. Just a really pleasant reading experience, all around. My only real complaint is that Elodie made some incredibly stupid choices near the end of the story, and it took her far too long to realize that George is an idiot and scoundrel (love using that word) of the highest order.

Take note that this book can completely be read as a stand-alone, which is great for those wanting to jump right in. I'm excited to add the previous books to my TBR list, and I'm already ready for the next in the series.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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I loved this book! It's the third book in the series by Vivienne Lorret and by far my favorite...although they are all good.

Elodie and Brandon are great characters. From the moment they meet, Brandon is convinced Elodie is trying to trap him and Ellie can't believe how arrogant he is...she's definitely in love with someone else...right? The problem is that "someone else" has clearly been taking advantage of Ellie and as she continues to cross paths with Brandon (and vice versa) she starts to see Brandon differently and the same goes for Brandon. Unfortunately for him, Brandon's going to have to do some convincing to get Ellie to truly realize they are right for each other no matter how long she's thought herself in love with someone else.

If you're looking for a great series...pick this one up. The characters are all likeable and well developed. If anything, you could pick this one up as a stand alone and while you might miss a bit of the backstory regarding the book Ellie is writing with her friends, that is only one tiny bit of the story so you wouldn't truly be missing much at all.

So, this isn't a bad historical. We have a woman who feels she is in her last season, and the elusive bachelor hero. She has her sights set on someone else, and he has to win her over. It's a fun book, and I enjoyed my time with it well enough. It just didn't do anything to wow me.

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

I  really enjoyed this one! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I'll never say no to a book with it. This wasn't an exception, and I love the way this executed the enemies to lovers bond.

I think my main problem with this has to be our main character, Elodie. She was too scared for my tastes. Seriously, she was scared of bridges, arches, horses, boats, and heights. Any one of those would've been fine on its own, but together it was just too much. It didn't help that she only got over these fears when the love interest, Brandon, was introduced

Other than that, I really liked this. Elodie and Brandon were cute together, and even though I liked him more than her, I enjoyed their interactions. The side characters were all super fun, and I'd love spin offs for some of them. I'd definitely recommend this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Vivienne Lorret for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Elodie Parrish pines and waits for the boy next door who is sowing his oats. Ellie turns twenty-five -and becoming a spinster. While she is waiting during the current ton Season, she keeps running into (literally and figuratively) the elusive Lord Hullworth. He thinks all her running into him is a ploy. They don't trust each other, and they sure don't trust their rapid heartbeats.

Overall, it was fine. I tended to like Lord Hullworth/Hero more than the Heroine/Ellie Parrish. There was nothing new for the Romance Genre in this Historical Romance, but this series has been decent. I miss the humor and banter of the previous series Misadventures in Matchmaking; this was the series that hooked me to Vivienne Lorret.

I received an ARC from Avon and Netgalley for my honest opinion.

Well on her way to being considered on the shelf, Elodie Parrish is getting tired of waiting for her childhood neighbor to propose. She’s hopeful he’ll finally settle down after this last season of sowing his wild oats, but his behavior is less than convincing. Ellie also keeps running into the infuriatingly arrogant Lord Hullworth who is convinced she wants to trap him into marriage.

Brandon, the Marquess of Hullworth, was never supposed to inherit the title and never wanted to, but tragic events mean he now has tittering ladies and their desperate mothers dogging his every move. He’s been toyed with before and has no intention of ever letting that happen again; he’d rather avoid marriage altogether. But when he meets Ellie, her easy blushes and forthright opinions have him reevaluating. She’s different from the rest and Brandon could conceive of a future with her, if only she didn’t fancy herself in love with another man.

Ellie only meant for her friendship with Brandon to be a source of information for her book on the marriage habits of aristocrats but her reaction to his nearness is unlike anything she could’ve imagined. The more time she spends with Brandon, the more she realizes she may not have understood what love was until she met him.

I should start by saying I’m not a big fan of this pseudo-love triangle trope, especially when the heroine is utterly clueless. I wound up being charmed by this story, but Brandon definitely carried it off and I merely tolerated Ellie. She had finally grown on me near the final third with all the great progress she was making and the development she showed, only for her to drastically regress and lower herself immensely in my estimation. She gave George entirely too much credit and leeway and I, like Brandon, became utterly sick of her constantly making excuses for him and refusing to put him in his place. When she finally did send George packing, it wasn’t quite as satisfying as I’d hoped, and I think it could’ve been more elaborate and convincing. Ellie’s phobias were simultaneously relatable anxieties and frustrating ridiculousness. I loved Brandon’s support of her working through them and his efforts to build her up, I just wish she had been quicker to give him the same courtesy and stand up for what they had together, rather than reverting to her usual cowardice. She kept agonizing over how she was unsure of Brandon's feelings for her even though he told her quite a lot and way very open about his intentions so this wound up being a bit repetitive for me after a while and made me want to knock some sense into Ellie. Her wishy-washy behavior was frustrating in this sense, and I felt that Brandon gave and risked so much more than she did. I enjoyed this story, but it would have been more satisfying and really pushed it into amazing territory if she fought a bit more for him. Yes, she worked on her phobias for him too, but mostly for herself, and at the first sign of trouble she was quick to run and hide. Much of the time I was left feeling like Brandon wasn’t getting enough credit for how good of a man he was, and she didn’t really deserve him. I enjoyed her efforts to make it up in the end, but I wanted more and a grander declaration and instead the conclusion felt rather anticlimactic. Her relationship with Prue was also rather fraught and I think Ellie was a little quick to forgive, though this was understandable given her changing feelings I suppose. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and it did engross me so I’ll look forward to the next installment in the series.

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

Even though they had never been formally introduced, there wasn’t a woman in society who didn’t know of London’s most elusive bachelor, the Marquess of Hullworth.

When their friend Prudence gets outcast to the country because of a labeled scandalous moment with a man she'll only identify as Lord F., Winnie, Jane, and Ellie decide to write a book to warn other debutantes of the dangers of men. With Winnie and Jane married, it's up to Ellie to take over writing the marriage habits of the native aristocrat, but Ellie hopes to very soon have her own wedding to look forward too. As neighbors, Ellie and George grew-up together and with them both orphans, at age seven, George promises to marry her so they both can have a family. However, at age twenty-five, Ellie is still waiting for George to sow his wild oats.

But surely, considering the parasol came from London’s most elusive bachelor— a man who was neither interested in marriage nor willing to trust his sister’s newfound friend— it meant nothing at all.

The Wrong Marquess was a story that started off with very common elements that readers enjoy in the Regency sub-genre, began to highlight the skill Lorret has with chemistry and dialogue between her leads, and gave a latter second half that left me frustrated with the heroine. Ellie was a character that grew up with her two loving aunts but had several fears and phobias because of losing her parents so young; she feared death around every corner. This explained why she found comfort in the steady presence of George in her life and latter it's revealed that she knew she didn't fully love George, because how can a woman love a man-child, but that was what made him safe. Still, the whole plot hinged on Ellie wanting to marry George and just waiting for him to propose, instead of diving at the more mature Marquess of Hullworth. There just wasn't enough there for me to support a full novel, I got a little bored and restless for Ellie to wise up.

She was his. The only problem was, she didn’t know it yet. But Brandon was willing to do whatever it took to have her fall in love with him.

Our wrong marquess Brandon comes on the scene in all his odious and grumpy glory. He's had a lifetime of marriage minded misses contriving to be his wife and had his heart broken over a woman who refused him when he was younger because she wanted to marry up, so he has instant distrust of Ellie. His distrust attitude went on a bit long, again, not enough to support it for so long for me, but when he decides that he wants/loves Ellie, around the half-way point, Brandon gives us a pretty sweet hero. He gives Ellie gifts that show how much he pays attention to her wants and needs and knows that he has to gently ease his way into her heart.

“This is all your fault. Every time I’m near you, I feel like I’m coming apart at the seams.”
“I’ll hold you together,” he rasped, even as he tugged her spencer from her shoulder.

I thought the beginning was slow and especially in the latter second half, you'll want to take Ellie aside and give her a shake. Lorret wrote George so obviously uncaring and man-child, that it's no competition between him and Brandon, unless you're dragging things out for page count. The only plot is really the attraction between Brandon and Ellie and Ellie eventually getting over her revealed fear to truly love someone. This simpler plot can work and, like I said, Lorret has skill with chemistry but this easily could have been a novella.

“Well, for starters. No more calling me sweetheart and no more mentions of inevitability.”
He nodded, but in the back of his mind he was already planning an I told you so on their tenth anniversary.

In terms of connecting to the series, we get a few appearances by prior series heroines, Winnie and Jane, and finally a look and reveal regarding shunned Prudence. There was also an epilogue giving a Devil in Winter vibe between Prudence and a Lord Savage that more than peaked my interest. If you read a lot of Regency romance, you'll like some elements here, but the overall effect left it feeling uninspired to me. The hero has some heartfelt and sweet moments but when the heroine declares her love around eighty percent, I couldn't help feeling it should and could have happened around forty percent.

I really enjoy Lorret's books. This series in particular is great because I'm a sucker for bluestocking/educated heroines. I think the way she introduces Elodie and George in the first chapter makes the reader question whether he is the hero because many books have the trope of the neighbor boy next door. I really liked Elodie's relationship with Brandon's sister as well. The dialogue seemed very genuine and I loved how unimpressed with Brandon she was when they met. Great book!

The Mating Habits of Scoundrels is officially my new favorite series. We’ve read Winn & Jane’s stories (if you haven’t- you should). Now it is Ellie’s turn to write her portion of their guide for young ladies looking for good husbands, The Marriage Habits of the Native Aristocrat. She is certain she’ll marriage her childhood next door neighbor, George… someday. When they’ll get married isn’t set yet, but she knows it’s coming. When she runs, actually collides, with Lord Hullworth, her worst fears start coming true. While he may not be the man she’s set her cap for, he may try everything in his power to change her mind.

Ellie’s story was phenomenal! Usually historical romance books just from lust to love pretty quickly, but Ellie’s is different. Sure there is lust and attraction at first sight(ish) but how their love happens is SO WELL DONE.

Vivienne Lorret is quickly becoming a go-to author for my historical romance fixes! I really enjoyed this one in one sitting because I couldn't make myself put it down!

Brandon was such a wonderful hero! His thoughtfulness caused all the swoons and I loved what a romantic he was. I'm assuming that book 4 will be Prue's book - I liked the snippets of what was going on with her to kind of set the stage for the next.

Definitely looking forward to more from Lorret!

I've read a bunch of Regency romances lately and this was one of the weaker books I've picked up. Brandon just seemed to go from 0-100 so fast. I would consider this a secondary purchase for public libraries.

From the beginning, this one had me.

If you're looking for a pseudo slow burn, with a minimal third act breakup, I couldn't recommend this one more. The cuteness factor was absolutely a 10, and I loved the way Brandon warmed up to Ellie. I could definitely see the growth he went through and how he opened up as he fell in love, but I did feel like I missed that with Ellie. We're in both of their heads, so the chapters can somewhat mirror each other, but Ellie was just a little bit too naive for me.

This was a super fun and sweet historical romance. There were no problematic aspects, which I find very common in this genre, so it was nice to not see any.

*** CAPTIVATING ***
Loved, loved, loved it. Ellie's character is one I will not forget anytime soon. It amazed me how open and honest she was despite whatever propriety dictated. Her relationship with George was so different than with Brandon. Brandon was 100 percent male and ever the gentleman. At the beginning one would not guess that to be so. But later he is tender, understanding, thoughtful, gentle and just amazing. It surprised me that Ellie was incredible naive in area of relationships, romance and marriage. It was beyond me that she could not comprehend the feelings and emotions that sparked to life when around Brandon. It was like she never had girlfriends who spoke of these things. I mean she was a complete blank slate. She reminded me of child in the body of a woman who was alien to the feelings of attraction, desire, passion and love. It was amusing though how Brandon adored her simple childlike view of what attraction and desire was. Ellie had a fear of death after her father died and was buried. That turned into fear of 99 percent of things people in life face without a thought. It was emotional the Ellie from the beginning of the book to the end of the book and how the changes took place. A hopeful read and I highly recommend it.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Page-turner
Romantic
Steamy
Unpredictable

This is my first book by author Vivienne Lorre and while I loved the premise there were a couple things regarding the story I could have lived without. I loved Brandon, Marquess of Hullworth - he was perfect. Give me a strong male MC who has been scorned by a love in the past and now believes everyone wants some of him. I love that set up. These characters are the ones who make stories fun, who usually are soft on the inside and just waiting for that special someone to sweep them off their feet. Brandon was the epitome of “good guy, been hurt, now slightly jaded” and I loved everything about him. I also appreciate the way Brandon dotes on his younger sister as he guides her through her first season.

On the other hand - I did not care much for the heroine, Elodie “Ellie” Parrish. Her inner ramblings were a bit OTT for me and I found myself skipping and skimming through them. Even though I was all the way “Team Brandon” and wanted HIM to get his HEA - I was not sure Ellie deserved the man. Although I understand Ellie was traumatized by her fathers death (shown in chapter one when Ellie was seven years old), I would think that by the “ripe age” of 27 Ellie would have grown as a woman and learned to deal with her obsession over death. However, not only does she incessantly worry about her demise via ludicrous methods she develops another unhealthy problem - codependency. Yes, Ellie is 100% codependent on her childhood friend, would be husband, George. Although it was never explored in the story I have to believe that George is 100% aware of Ellie’s problem and exploits it to his advantage to keep Ellie on the proverbial hook.


So who is George? George also known as Marquess of Nethersole, he is the childhood friend of Ellie and he is a scoundrel of epic proportions. Ellie is blinded by her love for George. There were a couple moments in the story where I was sure that in addition to Ellie being a simpering, spineless female, that she also lacked an actual brain. George and Ellie have an understanding of sorts that they will wed, in the future, after George has sown his wild oats. So, because Ellie is a naive maiden who thinks George hung the moon, she devotes all of her time to preparing for her life as George’s wife. Ellie sits on the sidelines of her life season after season discouraging any would be suitors and patiently waiting for the day George will finally propose. She worries that if he waits much longer she will be a spinster - yet she continues to wait. And wait. All while dealing with George treating her as an afterthought, not showing for planned outings, not honoring requested dances, not taking any of Ellie’s many phobias seriously, only showing her brief attention when it benefits him, and being quite rude in his comments to Ellie. Yet, George shows Ellie just enough attention and constantly alludes to their future as husband and wife, that he successfully leads Ellie on for over 15-years.

So we have Ellie who loves George. George who loves himself. Brandon who believes all the marriageable women are trying to trap him into a marriage. Ellie who gets all hot and tingly whenever she is around Brandon. Ellie who finds out those tingles turn into an aching need when Brandon kisses her. Brandon who likes to make Ellie tingle and whimper and decides that George is not good enough for Ellie. Brandon who intends to woo and court Ellie, even if he has to do it a little slower than he likes. George who comes around Ellie just often enough to remind her of their supposed future. Brandon who slowly but surely brings Ellie out of the constant fear of dying and shows her the magic of living.

The romance between Brandon & Ellie was a perfect slow burn. I loved it!! Then when the author brings these two together—hang on tight because they are explosive together. Perfection.

I truly loved Brandon & Ellie’s romance, I wanted more of them together at the end. I could have gladly done without George. Overall though the story kept me reading all through the night instead of sleeping for work the next day. I plan on going back and reading books one and two of this series. Although this is a series It’s perfectly able to be read as a standalone.

If you enjoy historical romances you will definitely enjoy this book. I warn you though be prepared to want send George packing while enjoying Brandon & Ellie learning to trust love.

I really enjoyed this series and loved this one a lot. We get the lady just waiting for the man to make the move when someone she thought and knows will never go for her, after getting to know her and once he figures out she is not after him this is just a cute chemistry on the side. She has always loved the neighbor next door but he is just using her as a backup. The girls are still working on their book, which is a cute little side story. We get the side characters from the previous books.

Enjoy this series.

4 stars
3.5 steam