The Sport of Matchmaking - Review

The Sport of Matchmaking (Clavering Chronicles, # 3)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: May 17, 2022

268 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: YouTube Audiobook

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--For once, he has met a lady less inclined to marry than he is. How unfortunate that she is the only bride he will consider.

George Clavering is much too young to think about getting married. Yes, his older brother—and even his younger sister—have managed to tie the knot, but he has plenty more years of play and sporting events ahead of him before he need consider such a thing. Even matchmaking becomes a sport when gentlemen bet on the Season’s successes or failures in the club. He will not give them an opportunity to bet on him. Furthermore, why settle down when there are young women like Lady Alice who liven the sport of matchmaking with friendly wagers?

Lady Alice St. Clair is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr, and as she is independently wealthy and may do as she pleases, she has no reason to wed. She certainly has no intention of doing so. If the marriage mart offers nothing more than the unattractive boors who have presented themselves at her door for the past five seasons, it should hardly surprise her parents she cannot be persuaded to the altar. True, George Clavering has a full head of dark hair and a smile that is as mischievous as it is attractive, but no lady of character would change her mind for one above-average specimen of the male race.

For both, what began as a friendly bet between two bored guests at a ball turned into an earnest desire to help their protégés find happiness. And if some deeper feelings should stir in George to win Alice’s heart, then he has no choice but to dampen them. After all, Lady Alice has sworn she will not marry, and George has applauded her decision. For him to try to weaken her resolve now would be…unsportsmanlike.

Alice is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr. She has determined that she will not marry. She isn't interested in the slightest, even though many men have proposed. None of them have captured her attention or interest, and she doesn't believe most are genuinely interested in her at all. They all want her position and wealth. She is independently wealthy, but the moment she marries, her money will go to her husband. And she has no wish to be dominated over or directed by a husband. She doesn't dance when at balls, assemblies, or parties because doing so sends the message that she's interested or on the market. She stumbles into an alcove that happens to be occupied by George Clavering at a ball one night, and the two spend the time together in pleasant conversation.

George is also against the idea of marriage. It isn't that he never plans to marry, but he sees himself as being too young. He is enjoying life as it is right now, mostly hanging out with his friends. And he doesn't want that to end. The idea of getting married feels stifling to him. But when Lady Alice suggests his friend and another young lady would make a great match, he wagers with her that they will not. The wager puts George and Lady Alice in a situation where they "meet" to converse more frequently. I appreciated that neither party tried to sabotage the other, even though Lady Alice might have done a little to move the couple towards each other.

The same night George and Alice make their wager, George is somewhat tricked into wagering whether Lady Alice will marry this season or not. George feels guilty about making this last wager, but he quickly forgets about it as it wasn't a big deal to him at the moment. It doesn't take long for George to realize that he enjoys Lady Alice's company, and Lady Alice enjoys his. However, it does take a while for her to realize that she might accept George should he intend to ask her. But there's a problem. George knows that she doesn't intend to marry, and if he asks her to marry him, then he becomes just like all the other men who have disregarded her thoughts in favor of their own.

I felt like some of the conflict of The Sport of Matchmaking could have easily been avoided, but I didn't dwell on that too long or let it ruin my enjoyment of the story. And of course, I loved the happily ever after these two ended up with. I imagine the series is over, but I wouldn't mind getting books from George's friends eventually. I'll have to look and see if Jennie Goutet's other books might include them. The Sport of Matchmaking gets 4 Stars. Stevie Zimmerman does a wonderful job narrating, as always. Have you read (or listened to) The Sport of Matchmaking? What did you think? Let me know!