After a love spell led a large percentage of his friends to the church, Gervais, lord Huntley, decides to escape the same fate and went to Italy to experience "la dolce vita". Arriving at his widow's aunt house, he meets her goddaughter, lady Caroline and he's enchanted by her... Caro not so much...

Caro has to escape Italy when a dangerous suitor becomes so persistent that he's a potential danger. Once again she's obligated to leave her life because of a man and she's so desperate to escape without being hurt again even if the insufderable nephew of her godmother has to go with her. The trip is long, the enemy doesn't give up, so they end up getting married..

This is my first Ella Quinn book and I really enjoyed it.. It was fastpaced and we got to see the main couple slowly developing and understanding their feelings for each other. The heroine was abused in the past and really liked the way Huntley handled it and cared for Caro.

In the meantime, there's a secondary love story for Horatia (Huntley's aunt/Caro's godmother, I think she was the MPV of the book and was like Cinderella's godmother but instead of sending Caro to the ball, she sent her to a road trip through the Alps to happiness and in between she snatched an Earl for herself.
I couldn't understand if the villain was stupid or crazy, but I liked that the author showed us that there was a person who really loved.

Please note that in the book the consume a lot of chocolate and onions...

I received a free copy from Netgalley and these are my honest opinions...

This book was a great historical romance and even though is has London as its base story most of the story is in travels from Italy through the Alps. I truly enjoyed the description and history of their travels along the way. Now for the storyline I loved the characters and how they pulled together and how there was two different storylines that run along side each other but are also independent. The romance is great and I enjoyed the care and attention despite the stereotype of the H.

This was a fun addition to the series. It’s more of a 3.5 star read.. Even though the first three books of the series should be read in order, since this one takes place away from England, it can be read out of order. The only connection to the other books was a little at the beginning and a little at the end. Nothing that is confusing or that takes away from the story.

Huntley is a picture perfect husband. Caro was a bit annoying for a while. Her refusal to fully communicate with her husband dragged on for a bit too long. I am glad that this is a romance and that they do eventually get to a HEA.

Thank you to the publisher and Ella Quinn for the copy via Netgalley. I hope you are planning on bringing back all of the books in the series as some are harder to find.

Desiring Lady Caro is rerelease of the fourth book in The Marriage Game series by Ella Quinn, originally published in 2014. I did not originally read this book when it first released, so I am not sure if it has gone through any editing changes for this release. This fast paced, marriage of convenience, road trip/on the run romance is full of entertainment, intrigue, sensuality, a "mustache twirling villain", with a secondary love story that keeps this novel clipping along to its conclusion. I was along for the ride every step of the way! Quinn's writing is charming, both romances where sweetly angsty and delightfully steamy, and the character's romance and plotting where perfectly balanced to keep the tension outside of the relationship at a high.

Lady Caro has escaped to the refuge of her godmother in Venice, haunted by a tragedy from her past (Content Note for Rape, which Lady Caro does think about a lot and effects the way she sees the value of herself as a wife). Thinking this will be the perfect place to fade into the background, she instead finds herself the desire of any and all marriageable aged men. Gervais, an earl, is determined to never get married, but Lady Caro is more alluring than he could have ever imagined, so he enters into a hasty marriage of convenience after forming a lie to save her from a lecherous marquis. Lady Horatia, Caro's godmother, also finds her own romance in this action filled road trip, with Captain John.

I love a good road trip romance, the forced proximity, the only one bed and then to add the tension of escape really helps to beautifully heighten the overall plotting the drive of the novel. I love that the majority of this novel is focused on this road trip, and I love that we have two love stories in action. Lady Caro and Gervais who have entered into a marriage of convenience and are very draw to the other and slowly come to realize that they want to have a true marriage. Then on the other side we have Lady Horatia and Captain John who are trying to case a distraction and another trail for the marquis to pursue, and these two have a repartee that sparks with tension and chemistry. I really love that we had these two love stories to bounce back in forth between and drive the plot forward. I love that Quinn gave time and growth to both couples, I love that Quinn explores both of these romantic relationships physically, and I enjoyed the third point of view of the villain as well. I love the this road trip romance takes place throughout the Italian Countryside which is a fun change from the typical English setting.

If you love romance, intrigue, sparkling chemistry and delicious sensuality, Desiring Lady Caro is the book for you. I definitely recommend this romance, especially if you love historical romance from the early 2000s, the plotting is and story feel perfectly complementary to historicals of that time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC to review.

Those of you who follow me know that I am a hard sell on the insta-love trope. I have even more issues with what I consider insta-sexual tension having to turn into a love match trope. It takes memorable characters to get past my hangups. Sadly, Caro and Gervais were not the couple that was going to win me over. I didn't like their character development, and I found Gervais annoying. That is my issue, so if this is a trope you enjoy, give Desiring Lady Caro a try. I give it 2/5 stars.

Caro left England to escape unscrupulous fortune hunters, but her godmother’s home in Venice isn’t the haven she needs. The Earl of Huntley helps her escape an overzealous suitor. As they trek across the Continent, a marriage of convenience may be the only way to save her.

Beneath the surface of this light-hearted romp, there are undercurrents of Caro’s tragic past. Overall, though, it’s a heartwarming romance with an adventurous story and characters you can’t help rooting for.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

In book 4 of her Marriage Mart series, Ella Quinn introduces Lady Caroline, living with her godmother, Lady Horatia, in self-imposed exile in Venice and the Earl of Huntley, on a European escape from the marriage minded mothers of England. Caroline is being pursued by di Venier, an Italian marchese.

Huntley comes to Caroline's rescue with the results that we romance fans expect.

Huntley is a good guy, whose even temper and restraint help Caroline to heal from her traumas. Di Venier is a classic baddy (except for how much he adores his son.) He practically twirls his mustaches as he plots to capture Caroline for his own. (Although its not entirely clear why he is so obsessed with her.)

My favorite character, though, is Lady Horatia. Her supporting cast affair with Jack could be a book of its own.

Enjoy the ride across Europe (with lots of chocolate)!

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

This is my kind of story, female lead that is running from a past and a bad man, and the man she falls in love is a man offers comfort.
The story is a good historical romance story, well set and it also has a good rhythm in the development of the romance between the main characters.

One of the best things about this book was the setting. I looked at a map to follow where the characters were traveling which added to the enjoyment of the book. There was a point about 1/3 through were I was not really into the story, but I stuck with it and enjoyed the rest of it. There was definitely a happily ever after for all the characters.

Lady Caroline do not want to marry and Gervaise Earl of Huntley is running from rabid ton mother hunting for a decent candidate for their daughters
They agree to take one agreement and fall in love
She has a painful episode in her past
Nice sweet bodice ripper romance.
Cover not matches the book
Side trope enjoyable
3 stars.
Well done
Thanks NetGalley for the arc

Lady Caro has lived in Italy for five years after being traumatized in England. Gervais, Earl of Huntley, is in Italy to visit his aunt and meets Caro. When an Italian marchese becomes obsessed with Caro, Gervais whisked her away on a long journey from Italy to France. In the meantime, his aunt, her godmama, is on her own adventure. Seduced by a captain now an Earl, with the enticement of marriage, she resists marriage thinking she is barren. Each gentleman must prove their ladies perception of their self worth for marriage is wrong. A long book with a pace a little slower than I usually like. Nice plot with connecting romance stories.
Heat level 4
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Avoiding marriage.

Huntley only wants to sample women and avoid marriage. Until he meets Lady Caro in Italy and then he wants to bed her immediately and frequently. Caro is trying to avoid marriage and men. She has secrets in her past. I did like that there was travel involved.
You so know marriage is in both their futures.

3.5

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Five years ago a heartbroken Lady Caroline “Caro” Martindale agreed to a betrothal arranged by her father but later realized that she could not go through with the marriage. She met with her fiance and was brutally accosted and raped by the man. Traumatized and shamed, she told her mother of the incident and begged to leave London, her mother agreed and she was sent to stay with her godmother, the widowed Lady Horatia Laughton in Italy. Now Caro has settled into life with Horatia and has no plans to marry or return to England. But the arrival of Horatia’s nephew, Gervais, Earl of Huntley and heir to the Marquis of Huntingdon, turns Caro’s life upside down.

With the marriage of several of his friends, Gervais has decided to escape London and embark on his long overdue Grand Tour, with a stop to visit his Aunt Horatia in Venice. Gervais is stunned by Caro’s beauty and his instant attraction to her, but Caro is an innocent and therefore off limits unless he wants to succumb to the bonds of matrimony, which he doesn’t. Not to mention, Caro has made it quite clear that she is not interested in him or any man. Unfortunately for her, the Marchese di Venier has decided that she will be his and refuses to take no for an answer. His persistence causes Horatia to tell him that Caro and Gervais are betrothed and that they are leaving Venice. A lie that ultimately sees them married. But will that be enough to keep them safe from the Marchese’s obsession?

This story is a re-release of a book I read back in 2014, I can honestly say that I did not notice any difference between that edition and this one. I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, there are many things I like and on the other, there are things that bothered me. I loved that the book was set abroad and that there is a secondary romance, but I did not care for Gervais’ single-minded desire to bed Caro, nor the fact that he touched her while she was semi-conscious. I found Caro to be a believable survivor of violence and was happy that she was able to move beyond the pain of her attack and have a loving relationship. And aside from the overwhelming lust that Gervais had for her, I did believe he cared for her and had her best intentions at heart. Overall this was a well-written, emotional story of healing, second chances, and love. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Gervais and Caroline had an adventure that was quite delightful to follow. Caroline has a past that has left her weary of men in general and when Gervais goes to visit his aunt, he finds caroline trying to rebuff a very determined suitor. He suggests they get married while they had fled from the powerful villainous suitor. What follows is an adventure and romance worth reading. Great read!

This is a book was originally published in 2014 but is being redistributed on August 23, 2022.
This book contains a lot of adventure, romance and travel.
Lady Caroline and Earl Gervais make quite the pair. I am a sucker for an Ice Queen heroine whose heart gets melted by the hero and it's done so well here. Caroline's defenses are up the moment she meets Gervais but her actions do not deter him from trying to win her affections. She has good reasons for doing so which a later revealed. I just love when a hero is gone for the heroine the second he meets her. Gervais is awestruck by Caroline from the moment they met and he was willing to put in the work to gain her trust and heart. The characters here are truly wonderful and made the story so romantic and entertaining.
The villain posed a good threat to the heroine and thus propelled the story forward.
This story is fast paced, romantic, full of adventure and set in Venice/Paris.
Would recommend for readers who love the hero fall first trope, marriage of convenience, ice queen heroine, stories set in Italy/France, stalker villain, and adventure romance.

I quite liked this book! It was a great historical romance, with lovely characters. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Two romances for one in this book and the Aunt and Niece have a romance. I loved the character's involved including the secondary character's of Gervais's valet and Caro's dresser. What an exciting adventure across Venice and Austria to Nancy, France with beautiful locations and great food descriptions and a villain chasing them all the way, Full of excitement and intrigue a recommended story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gervais Huntley want to avoid the mousetrap his friens fell "the mariage, so he went on a Tour. He finally arrived in Venice where live his aunt Honoria. She had a companion, lady Caroline, 22 years old, who live with her since 5 years. She seems not to appreciate men, specially a venetian marquis who seems determined to put her in his bed.
I didn't appreciate this part, but the circumstances put Huntley and Caroline to fled from Venice to Nancy in France. I really enjoyed this part with the travel and the culinary discoveries. That part was really interesting.

IF EVERY MAN COULD BE LIKE GERVAIS!!!! Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn is book 4 in The Marriage Game series and though in a series this book can be read as a standalone. What I really liked about this book was how understanding Gervais was with Lady Caroline and that this was two love stories in one book. How he took care of Caro, protected her and give her favorite deserts… so romantic. He was my ideal man… perfect in every way. Ella has a true talent for writing such wonderful stories and she never disappoints in her book. This slow burn and regency book was a true delight to read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I found this book to be easy to read, original, had the real feel of the regency era, vivid descriptions, wonderful characters. What a gift Ella has!! This story has a Lady that was raped, a Earl that is on tour of the Continent, meeting one’s aunt in Venice, a lady that is afraid of men and living with her Godmother, an evil Venetian marquis that thinks he can have what ever he wants including Caroline, having to run from their home, traveling across the Continent via carriage, lies that would protect them, a wonderful and caring Godmother and aunt, being chased, eating in common rooms, being told that she was barren, a serious illness, misunderstanding and not sure how the other’s feel. I am highly recommending this book as it was a great read and as I said just a true delight to read.

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

Two romances for the price of one - I like.

In a bid to escape the marriage market in England, Gervais, Earl of Huntley retreats to his widowed aunt Horatia's home in Venice. There, he meets her god-daughter, Lady Caroline, who seems immune to his charms. Traumatised by a dark past, Caro has sworn off men. But in Venice, she encounters yet another entitled marquis, Antonio di Venier, who refuses to take no for an answer. In an attempt to avoid the evil marquis, Gervais and Caro are thrown together in an adventure of a lifetime where Gervais realizes that maybe marriage isn't all that bad after all, and Caro finally learns to trust again.

I'm not sure which love story I liked better - Gervais and Caro's or John and Horatia's - though, to be fair, both have their own pros and not-so-pros. Gervais and Caro had a slow progression to their love story - from prickly strangers to reluctant co-travellers, to friends and then lovers. But the fact that a significant portion of that duration was spent with Caro unconscious in a sick-bed and Gervais caring for her, is a much-abused story-arc in historical romances. On the other hand, Horatia literally fell into John's waiting arms and subsequently into lust-at-first-sight. Their chemistry was as incendiary as setting a match to a kindling; just that I am not a fan of insta-love.

The author weaves an engaging adventure across Venice and Austria to Nancy, France with beautiful locations and droolworthy food descriptions - by the end of the book, I was hankering for a chocolate torte myself. The writing is compelling and both romances meld seamlessly.

Overall, book 4 of 'The Marriage Mart' series is (a passionate love story)×2. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.