Rating: 4 out of 5.

If you like historical fiction romances, you need to get this book now. It’s the second book in The Matchmakers book series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

This book is a delightful read. The banter between the two MCs, Adelaide and Gideon, is absolutely wonderful and reminds of the whip smart, fast talking dialogue in Kathryn Hepburn movies likes Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Their conversations jumped off the page and had me smiling and chuckling the entire book. It’s the best kind of flirting that happens at the beginning of a new relationship that gives you that “I’ve got a new partner” glow.

Adelaide is smart, tenacious and knows her own self. This, of course, makes her an outcast amongst the ton. She’s happy to remain a spinster and left to her own devices, but her mother and Gideon (who owes her a debt) have other ideas. Cue the makeover montage ala My Fair Lady, Clueless, The Princess Diaries, etc. Adelaide is “remade” and after much effort by Gideon and his friend Camilla, is reintroduced to society and is an instant hit, garnering dozens of invites and suiters galore. I loved that Adelaide stayed true to herself, and despite all of her changes on the outside, she was the same smart, tenacious, confidant Adelaide on the inside.

The storyline driving the book is Gideon’s investigation into a criminal enterprise, which Adelaide helps him with, much to his chagrin. This was the mechanism of Adelaide and Gideon getting together and was fun to read, but the best part is the couple’s burgeoning relationship.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Austen Prose PR and the author. All opinions are my own.