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 )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

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!

Philippa Holds Court - Review

Philippa Holds Court (Clavering Chronicles, # 2)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: March 1, 2021 by KDP Select

232 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: YouTube Audiobook

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--She’s capable of many things—including driving him mad.

At the start of their London Season, Philippa Clavering discovers her friend, Susan, is being pursued by the wrong gentleman and decides to turn Susan’s head to a worthier suitor. Not one to shrink from what she views as her duty and gift, Philippa sets in motion plans to bring about the happy ending her friend deserves. What she does not expect is to have Susan’s older brother watching—and criticizing—her every move.

After a respectable number of years on the town, Jack Blythefield is at last contemplating the idea of settling down. What he seeks is a compliant wife to provide him an heir or two and make his home comfortable, while he spends his evenings at the club where a man can get some peace. What he does not need is a termagant who sets his life on end with madcap schemes, which invariably involve his unwilling assistance.

However, when the reputation of Jack’s family is threatened, Philippa is the one he turns to. And as her most determined suitor grows assured of his conquest, Jack must decide if a comfortable and docile wife is truly what he seeks, or if he should throw down the gauntlet of his heart before Philippa closes court. Philippa Holds Court is the second in the Clavering Chronicles series, after A Fall from Grace, and it is a clean & wholesome Regency romance, written in the traditional style.

Philippa was a side character from A Fall from Grace. It is not her turn to debut into society. Miranda is handling most of her social calendar, and it seems like she is pushing Philippa towards people who will better her own status or her husband's political agendas. Philippa seeks to be in control of her own destiny, or at the very least, she hopes her brothers will step up and help her to get out from under Miranda's thumb. One of the bright spots for Philippa is a friend she's come to be close to. Her friend is meek and I was a little disappointed to see Philippa criticize her friend's intelligence, but I suppose not everyone is on the same intellectual level, and not acknowledging this doesn't make it untrue. Thankfully, she never said anything to her friend about this which would have been inexcusable. As a matter of fact, Philippa does everything she can to help Susan come out of her reserved shell.

Jack is Susan's brother. At first, he is completely annoyed by Philippa. She seems to be turning up everywhere, and she's infiltrated his house to the point where he can't even use his home as a sanctuary. But he learns that Philippa has an interest in politics, and she's very good at reading people and hosting.

I don't remember Philippa Holds Court as being too filled with drama. The biggest thing I remember is Miranda directing Philippa toward a man that Philippa refuses to entertain, she seeks refuge in Lucius's home and her relationship with Selena grows. Jack is seeking a wife but in the wrong place. He's searching for who he thinks he should need by his side to help him politically, but the woman he's interested in doesn't have the guts he needs to stand by his side.

Philippa Holds Court is even better than A Fall from Grace in my opinion. I liked the overall characters and their paths a little bit better. I felt so bad for Philippa being bandied about as a tool for her sister. And I enjoyed the journey. Stevie Zimmerman does a great job as she did before. I've added her to my favorite audiobook narrators. Philippa Holds Court gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Philippa Holds Court? What did you think? Let me know!

A Fall from Grace - Review

A Fall from Grace (Clavering Chronicles, # 1)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: April 7, 2020

244 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.

Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?

Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other for his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace.

When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?

Nearly 3 months have passed since I finished this book. I've been utterly terrible about writing book reviews this year, and I'm sure you guys are tired of me saying this nearly every review. Unfortunately, I don't remember a ton of the details when it comes to this book. Here's what I do remember.

Selena's family has fallen out of the good graces of the ton. Her family is no longer wealthy enough to be part of higher society. She has gone to live with her aunt, I believe, to work as a companion. I can't remember if she was only to be a companion to her elderly aunt or also working as a governess/companion to her aunt's charge/ward. And, of course, I can't remember the girl's name. Regardless, she is nearly wanton. She throws herself at Sir Lucius Clavering every chance she gets, but he isn't the only one. Selena is run almost ragged trying to balance both tasks set before her. And her aunt holds her responsible for what her charge does even when Selena is at her aunt's side helping her. How she can be in two places at once is beyond me, but it seems to be expected of her.

Also living with them is the new duke/earl (sheesh, I can't remember). He inherited when Selena's uncle passed away. He's a man who lives above his means and gambles away whatever funds he has left. And if he's not careful, what happened to Selena's family is going to happen to his also.

Debutantes and their mothers have been trying to lock Sir Lucius into a marriage for years. He hasn't been interested, but Selena shows herself to be different from all those who are trying to ensnare him. She doesn't seem to want anything from him beyond friendship, and even that is not something she's actively pursuing, given the difference in their social standings now. But he can't help but be pulled towards her.

The side characters were rich and came off the page. Lucius's sister Miranda with her snobbery, Philippa with her easygoing and sincere nature, George who still needed to grow up a bit. I would say I look forward to their stories, but I've already listened to them and have reviews to come for them as well.

Overall, A Fall from Grace was such an enjoyable listen. I wanted to smack Lucius in the head a few times. I felt so bad for Selena having to face her old life and society in their brutality. Plus Selena's aunt had unattainable expectations of her. But of course, I loved their happy ending. I really enjoy the narrator, Stevie Zimmerman. A Fall from Grace gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Fall from Grace by Jennie Goutet? What did you think? Let me know!