This novel was a nice read introducing another member of the Worthington family. This time, 3 ladies are making their come outs, but only one will find true love, though it does not begin that way. Eleanor has received a well rounded education and has an interest in protecting others, especially when she learns about the mines. She tries to discover more information to have safer working conditions and better wages for those who work them. She wants a husband who will let her pursue her passions and not control her, like the other members of her family. Eleanor is immediately attracted to John, the Marquis of Montagu, who checks off many items on her "list". John also feels a strong pull to Eleanor. He thinks he wants a docile wife and Eleanor is anything but that. As they spend time together John begins to change his mind about what he wants for a wife. A nice read about the two of them falling in love, but I wish there was more about the mines story line, with more interaction from the villain.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having not read any of the previous novels about this family, I found this book very difficult to get into. The overwhelming majority of the book is conversations between characters that I had no attachment to or real awareness of, which led to mostly confusion and a bit of boredom. But the main problem of the book is the distinct lack of conflict which results in most of the novel being a bit dull...

From the beginning John and Eleanor are set up as perfect for each other, they just each have different expectations of marriage. But this does not make for any heat between them, any real interest on either side except in a very shallow way. They just have constant conversations that Eleanor constantly thinks are boring, which as a reader, I cannot disagree with. They are boring! The fact that it takes so long for anything even remotely romantic to occur just speaks to how talky this book is without any sort of action to break up the monotony.

The secondary plot about mining is also so shoehorned in without any actual threat to the main couple that it feels like an afterthought. Nothing compelling comes from this, the villain is so inept and mustache twirling that you forget he is there for ages of the book. There's just not much substance here.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

S She’s got a list of qualities in a man needed for a good marriage. He’s got ideas of what makes a good wife. They don’t exactly jibe. Especially his - one of the things he’s looking for is a docile somewhat dim wife. But then they meet. As they get to know one another John’s preconceptions begin to bite the dust. After all, he’s interested in a Worthington and we all know how smart and forward thinking they are. Will these ‘marriage lists’ hold up?

Although touted as the first in a new spinoff series featuring the Worthington's I think it would be a bit hard to place all the characters if you had not read the previous books. I’d read one or two of the Worthington’s saga but even i had trouble placing the characters.

Eleanor, and John, are really ahead of their times. For instance, Eleanor is interested in creating a model mine after her eyes are opened to the real and cruel conditions of miners of that time. John is also concerned about the mining conditions though is looking at the legislation side of things.

It is quite a fun twist that John begins his courtship with some of the ‘qualities’ he had on his list; Eleanor worries that he is a bit dim!

Overall, this is a fun addition to the Worthington’s oeuvre (but only if you’ve read others in the series).

Ok so. I have read a couple of Ella Quinn's books before and I do find her style doesn't really flow for me. This was a new story for a new generation of Worthingtons - and focuses on Eleanor and John, Lord Montagu. Neither character really came off the page for me - Eleanor is very worthy, and has a long list of attributes she'd like in a husband. John starts of mostly just not wanting someone like his rather overpowering sister and mother. For reasons that aren't wholly clear, he's been avoiding London for some time (it never really comes out as a plot point) and he doesn't know anything about society (which I just did not find believeable).

In the first ball scene, it feels as though there is an editing error. The characters go to the ball and you read a scene where they waltz, all lovely... and then the next chapter starts back at the same place and they waltz again etc etc. Initially I thought it was a device to show the ball from each of their perspectives, but I don't think so as you get both perspectives in both chapters, and frankly not an awful lot happens?!

There's a slightly random cardboard cut out evil character thrown in there for some narrative tension, which again felt sort of jammed in there.

Looks like Eleanor's sister might have an interesting story coming up.

I've read and enjoyed many Ella Quinn books, and was happy to receive her latest. The Marriage List is very Ella Quinn-esque, a little excitement, conflict and doubt between the protagonists, but it was entertaining enough to keep me reading. I think I would have liked a little more conflict between the two, but it was a fun read regardless!
I have read enough EQ to know who the characters are, but it would have been better for me to know earlier Worthington books to keep track of all the characters/couples. I did appreciate cameos from books, it is fun to have a universe of characters go from series to series.
The dialogue isn't as great as in others, and the story was a teensy bit formulaic. But I was entertained so while The Marriage List wasn't my favorite, it was definitely worth the read and a good addition for the loyal Ella Quinn readers.
There does appear to be a chapter that is meant to be after another chapter-- the Almack's ball chapters. In the ARC I received Eleanor and John's waltz is before the chapter where John is getting ready for the night at Almack's. That was a bit confusing!
I do think Eleanor's sisters books may be next and those look intriguing! There was just enough set-up for those that I really appreciated and am excited to read about next.
I received The Marriage List as an ARC for my honest opinion. It was entertaining enough for me to keep at the book, but felt like a filler book for continuing on the Worthington series and setting up for the two other sisters. I would say if you're an Ella Quinn reader already you'll like the new addition, if you are new to EQ start elsewhere to fully appreciate!

Lady Eleanor has a list of of qualities that she expects her potential husband should have. The Marquis of Montagu just wants someone quiet and docile and that's definitely NOT Lady Eleanor.

Yet they fall in love in true Ella Quinn style- with lots of fun, romance and witty banter.
Love both main characters and it was good too see the Worthingtons too! An excellent historical rom-com.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.