Publishers Weekly
05/24/2021
Lorret’s sparkling third Mating Habits of Scoundrels historical romance (after My Kind of Earl) finds polyphobic Elodie “Ellie” Parrish confused and intrigued by “London’s most elusive bachelor.” Ellie has had her cap set on George Nethersole since they were children, but he constantly procrastinates on committing to her. Brandon Stredwick, Marquess of Hullworth, is used to marriage-minded women contriving ridiculous ways to fling themselves at him, so when Ellie first stumbles into him at a party, then befriends his sister, Meg, he assumes she’s just the same. Brandon is determined to protect Meg, who’s been hurt by so-called friends using her to get to Brandon in the past, but soon realizes he’s misjudged the alluring Ellie. Mistaking physical attraction for sickness, Ellie prefers to avoid Brandon—but she can’t resist his offer to provide material for the book on courtship she’s coauthoring with her friends. As they spend time together, her feelings for Brandon change, but despite their intense chemistry and George’s continued neglect, Ellie struggles to let go of her long-held dream of being George’s wife. Her refusal to see George for who he is grows frustrating, but the swoon-worthy Brandon more than makes up for this shortcoming. Readers will be eager for the next installment. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (July)
From the Publisher
"I love Viv’s humor and analogies. I spent a good deal of my time smiling as I read the story . . . it was a lovely confection." — Lorraine Heath, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
"Sparkling... Readers will be eager for the next installment." — Publishers Weekly
"Lorret’s writing sparkles, as ever, with delicious banter between Ellie and Brandon and clever writing throughout... A witty, classic Regency romance." — Kirkus Reviews
"Lorret debuts her new the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series with a whimsically winning Regency-set historical that deftly plays with popular romantic tropes such as the runaway bride with great success. Readers who crave love stories generously dusted with plenty of fairytale charm, flirty wit, and fun sensuality will find this hits their reading spot." — Booklist on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
"Asher and Winn are endearingly complex characters with wit and chemistry to spare. Romance readers will be delighted." — Publishers Weekly on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
“Lorret does execute a historical romance well, and readers will look forward to learning more about Winn’s friends Jane and Ellie in future installments. A solid Regency romance and promising start to a new series.” — Kirkus Reviews on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
"A rollicking Regency road trip with plenty of heat. Fans of Lorret will devour; new readers will want more." — Library Journal (starred review) on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
“a sexy page-turner... you can’t help but root for these two stubborn, persistent characters to fall for each other... the novel draws you in and leaves a satisfied smile on your face.” — Entertainment Weekly
“This is the author you’ve been waiting for!” — New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan
Lorraine Heath
"I love Viv’s humor and analogies. I spent a good deal of my time smiling as I read the story . . . it was a lovely confection."
Booklist on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
"Lorret debuts her new the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series with a whimsically winning Regency-set historical that deftly plays with popular romantic tropes such as the runaway bride with great success. Readers who crave love stories generously dusted with plenty of fairytale charm, flirty wit, and fun sensuality will find this hits their reading spot."
New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan
This is the author you’ve been waiting for!
Entertainment Weekly
a sexy page-turner... you can’t help but root for these two stubborn, persistent characters to fall for each other... the novel draws you in and leaves a satisfied smile on your face.
null Booklist on Lord Holt Takes a Bride
"Lorret debuts her new the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series with a whimsically winning Regency-set historical that deftly plays with popular romantic tropes such as the runaway bride with great success. Readers who crave love stories generously dusted with plenty of fairytale charm, flirty wit, and fun sensuality will find this hits their reading spot."
Kirkus Reviews
2021-06-29
One too many marquesses for a near spinster.
Ellie Parrish has known her entire life that she’s destined to marry a marquess. One in particular, actually: her childhood friend George, Marquess of Nethersole. He’s certain to settle down and propose any day now, she keeps telling herself, even though she’s already 25. So he’s the only marquess she cares to think about, even after she runs into another one accidentally. But Brandon, Marquess of Hullworth, is sure their collision is no accident. As the most eligible bachelor in London, he can’t walk through a park without half a dozen women dropping their handkerchiefs or turning their ankles to get his attention. Ellie has no interest in Brandon beyond being friends with his sister, though, and by the time he finally believes that, he realizes that he might actually be interested in her. Anxious by nature, Ellie is drawn to Brandon’s gentle ways and actual interest in her, and the two begin a powerful and clandestine courtship, but even their intense chemistry might not be enough to pull her away from the certainty of having the life she’s always expected with the thoughtless, inconsistent George. Her ongoing indecision is a weak spot in an otherwise charming Regency. Lorret’s writing sparkles, as ever, with delicious banter between Ellie and Brandon and clever writing throughout. But with their attraction so strong and George such an obvious cad, it's hard to fathom why it takes Ellie the entire book to figure out which one of her marquesses is the wrong one. Though Ellie and her friends are still working on The Marriage Habits of the Native Aristocrat, the guidebook introduced earlier in the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series, she is surprisingly naïve about George’s behavior. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable entry, with slightly purple intimate scenes heightened by Ellie’s intense physical reactions to the unexpected and a cliffhanger ending setting up the fourth book in the series nicely.
A witty, classic Regency romance.
