A sweet and delightful read. I love the main characters, Tom and Cassie. They both have firmly set goals in mind for the ball, but their plans get derailed by the other. The matchmaking mamas are quite the characters. I didn't realize this was a second book in this series as this story stood on its own. Now that I have finished it, I will definitely track down the rest in the series. This story is well written with everything you need for a good read. Likeable characters, misunderstandings, humor, romance and the angst that leads up to a long awaited kiss. An easy afternoon read. 3 1/2 stars.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed this sweet and clean regency era romance. This author had great character development!

Set in Regency England, An Unwitting Alliance is the second book in Anneka R. Walker’s Matchmaking Mamas series. Although it can stand alone, the first book gives a little more of the backstory, which would probably enhance enjoyment of this book. The characters are delightful and such fun! I especially liked Tom Harwood. He was so endearing with his teasing and the nicknames he gave everyone. Cassie was engaging, also, with her battle against liking and marrying Tom. Their banter was witty and humorous. While I never doubted a happy ending was in store, there were enough twists and turns that it kept the story entertaining and interesting. I’m looking forward to more books in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

On how I adored being back in the matchmaking mamma world!
Tom and Cassie’s story was delightful. Starting from the meet cute alone this story had me hooked.
We have two individuals who are not thrilled to find out their marriage has been arranged. Eventually they team up to help one another get out of this mess. Little do they realize the more time they spend together the harder it will be to let go.
*Arranged marriage
*Enemies to lovers
*Memorable meet cute
*He falls first
*The pranks
*The nicknames
*The first kiss
*All the wittiness and humor
This is the second to the series but can be read as a standalone.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh this book was just a fabulous follow up to book one! I was riveted from the first dance! You don’t need to read the first one to enjoy this one… but it was helpful! Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC, all options are my own!

What an enjoyable book to read. It took me several chapters before I realized this was the 2nd book in a series. I have previously read the first book and enjoyed that one, but I guess it has been long enough, that I didn't recognize the characters right away. That being said, this is a stand-alone novel, although reading the first book in the series wouldn't hurt at all.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the main and secondary characters, although I do think that a lot of their problems could have been solved by some simple communication. It didn't feel like Tom tried very hard to explain himself to Cassandra.
I"m looking forward to reading the next story in the Matchmaking Mamas series.

*spoiler alert*
Another fun, romantic story with the Matchmaking Mamas doing what they do best! I love the storyline of learning to love but also having a choice in the matter. The chemistry between Tom and Cassie was so fun and I loved how it evolved from arguing and teasing to flirting and love. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, hopefully Miles’ story?!

This one’s a winner !
I so enjoyed reading this book. Tom attends a ball out of obligation . Cassie attends planning to be engaged to Mr Gibbons by the end of the night. Little do they know that they will meet and that it will change their lives.

Tom and Cassandra meet at the ball . Their meet up doesn’t go so well and Cassandra is glad to know she will never see Tom again. And Tom ? Tom feels bad he didn’t act the gentleman.

Cassandra and Tom are soon promised in marriage . What ? Where did that come from ? Neither is happy to have their families arrange their engagement and agree to try to end the engagement.

I laughed out loud when Cassandra tells the cook to add extra spices because Tom can’t taste spice well.

I loved all of the cats, family , friends who come running to help Tom in figuring out if he is ready for love.

I will read this one again !

Thank you to Netgalley for a download on exchange for an unbiased review.

I adored their first meeting and loved the way Anneka Walker developed their back stories.

I loved Tom from the beginning, all sides of him. Though Cassie drove me a little crazy, I ended up loving her too.

I loved how she balanced out Tom, I loved her growth and how she helped him grow.

There was a time or two when I felt like their interactions were talking in circles, but they always left me smiling and entertained.

There were one or two plot devices I wasn’t so sure about when they popped up, but was impressed with where she went with them. I ended up loving most of them and adored the authors writing and how she wove the story together.

Fabulous novel!! I laughed out loud at in a lot of parts. There was a lot of humor and other emotions in this book. It was written well with good pacing, good conflict and good/ happy outcomes. HEA that is clean, well written and has personable characters. What more could you want.?

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review. These opinions are my own.

An Unwitting Alliance is a sweet, clean regency romance that will grab your attention from the very beginning and keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and instantly fell in love with Tom’s and Cassandra’s characters.

I really enjoyed this story. Anneka Walker has become one to watch (with anticipation!) for me. I enjoyed the humor, the family dynamics, and the characters.

But I did have a few snags:
I didn't enjoy the constant bemoaning of their arranged marriage - "a forced union could never be a positive one." What utter nonsense. Once their feelings changed, I was especially impatient with the constant insistence that Cassie needed to be released from something she -wanted- just so she could -choose- it herself. In my opinion it was immature and arbitrary. Aaaaand the attitude felt out of place - a lot of marriages were arranged. If you happened to get one that was everything you could have hoped for and more, I'd think you'd have been praising God for your good fortune.

Toward the end the story felt dragged on - unnecessary hurt feelings, misunderstandings, trying to give each other what they wanted but it sends the wrong message, ugh.

And I personally, am not crazy about the tight knit group of friends / family that descends like a swarm of locusts on the latest couple at the end of the book. It's a formula that Sarah Eden has employed a lot and Kristi Hunter did as well and I'm just not into it. Maybe because I never had it? I don't know but it rubs me the wrong way every time.

Anyway, don't let my criticisms deter you. They were only regarding the last 5-10% of the book - the rest was great! I'd recommend it, read it again, and will eagerly be anticipating more by this author.

Welcome back, matchmaking mommas. These matchmaking mommas have out done themselves by setting up a betrothal for Tom and Cassandra. Tom in his defiance, tries to go and meet his betrothed with the hope of breaking it off. What he doesn't expect is a love match.

With their forced proximity, Tom and Cassandra seek to fight against their parents' decision for them to wed, however, the more they fight the more they get a long and then Tom just wants Cassandra to be happy,

This was a lovely story about the coming together of these two people. It also addresses issues and allows for Tom's group of friends to be featured and of course they all must save the day.

Anneka Walker has written a lovely story full of laughter, tension, and romance. Tom and Cassandra are delightful characters and this is a wonderful story,, The meddling of the mothers is taken to new heights with the betrothal being arranged rather than having them come together naturally, The matchmaking mommas are clever and are really outsmarting their stubborn offspring.

I received a eARC from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Beware of Matching Mamas! I'm loving this series and love this book more than the first one!! The author had me hook, line and sinker at the disastrous first meeting between Tom and Cassandra (Cassie).

Tom (aka Teasing Tom), like all The Rebels, doesn't want to be married, so when his parents tell him they've arranged a marriage for him, he travels to the home of his betrothed to talk her into breaking the agreement. Their parents made this agreement when they were mere children, they can't possibly think Tom and Cassie will go through with it!! What a shock when he discovers his betrothed is the beautiful young lady from the ball with whom he had the unfortunate incident!! What follows is two people falling in love while trying to get out of an arranged marriage that neither wants.

Tom is such a sweetheart and Cassie is determined, headstrong, tenacious...in other words--she's stubborn. But Tom still manages to win her heart.

What I loved:
* Enemies to lovers (it's my favorite trope)
* Cassie's letter to Tom (hilarious)
* So many siblings (all Cassie's)
* The nicknames Tom gives the siblings
* The basket of kitties (who doesn't love kittens?)
* Dual POV
* The Rebels
* The letters from the Matchmaking Mamas

This may well be my favorite book by Anneka Walker. It's sweet, touching, full of lively banter and hilarious moments, and it had me rooting for Tom and Cassie to come to the realization they would be wonderful together. I love the friendship between the Rebels and how they're always there for each other. The side story of little Alan touched my heart and I loved how the author used it to help heal Tom's heartache caused by his younger brother's death.

This is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Matchmaking Mamas are at it again! Anneka Walker delivers a great addition to this series. Each story gets better and better. 
My favorite things:
* Meet-Cute
* Dual POV
* The basket full of kittens
* Slow burn romance
* The Rescue
This story had me captivated from the meet-cute in the beginning. The growth that Tom and Cassandra showed through the book was written so well. So much healing happened throughout the chapters. And the chemistry was so strong. No wonder Tom falls first. Anneka Walker is officially an auto-buy author for me.

This story has a fun premise and enjoyable characters. With a historical, clean, romance you know what the ending is going to be so it's all about the journey. The journey to the end on this one is definitely a fun one to read.

I loved this book! Once again, the Matchmaking Mamas have set up the perfect match. I loved the whole ‘it’ll never happen’ idea going on. We all know what happens when that comes out! Great story!

This was a great addition to the Matchmaking Mamas. There is a betrothal contract between Cassandra and Tom and they want out. This regency era, enemies to lovers, reverse grumpy/sunshine is a fun read.

Cassandra Vail and Tom Harwood, you two are absolutely adorable!!!! That is all!!!

Ok, just kidding! That's not all. But seriously, these two are really adorable! Especially with Tom and his friends trying to avoid the Matchmaking Mamas (and so far failing miserably, even though they think they're winning)! And I love how those Matchmaking Mamas subtly give advice and then when the friends think they're safe, BAM! The Mamas come out and show how they manipulated situations or moments! They're they BEST!!!!

Back to Cassandra and Tom...

Their first meeting, oh my word! Hilarious and the reason behind it even better! Hahaha! Poor Tom. But definitely poor Cassandra. When it comes out, there's hurt behind it. But Tom is such a gentleman that he truly cares about how Cassandra misunderstood some things that he tries to fix it.

How they come back together was absolutely darling! Makes me love Tom and his mom so much more! Be still my heart! This one is a gentleman, a romantic and an amazing friend at heart!!! Cassandra, darling, I'm sorry to say this but you don't stand a chance! Good luck!!!

I loved the connection of these characters with their families, and each other's family. Cassandra has a big family with several siblings. They're fun and busy and full of life. But I loved reading the scenes with them and how the author wrote Cassandra and Tom interacting with them and showing the friendships there.

And Cassandra and Tom themselves, they're trying so hard to help each other and be friends that they miss the chemistry that is building between them. I thought it was so cute. Tom is just adorable. Cassandra is more reserved when it comes to her feelings. They'll have to work fast to figure it out because there are some twists and turns for them. But they're all worth it because of what they learn!

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Anneka Walker does it again! With a smashing meet cute and some wonderful justice for the unfortunate, we are weaved a tale that will keep you on the balls of your feet bouncing, while waiting for more in this series.

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, so a series that is based on matchmaking that these characters (mostly) don't want is right up my ally. The main characters are engaged, contracts signed without their knowledge or approval. And they want out. They both want out. But when they realize who their intended is, there is more that stands in the way of a happily ever after.

She disdains him. He is already half in love. After a chance meeting at a prior ball, believing her to be someone else, he is intrigued by her. But in his efforts to help his friend, he accidently ends up dancing with the wrong woman. Who is she? No one seems to know. And then he sees her again, this time as his fiancé.

The main characters ultimately want the same goal, freedom to choose. They both have walls they need to break down, and slowly they work on their trust of the other person. While helping one another, they are increasingly pulled to each other. They have to decide if they crash into one another, or keep fighting for what they believe is freedom.

Anneka is such a master at allowing tender moments to reside by the silly and laughable. That is a quality I admire and something to aspire for.