A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell

Blurb:  Miss Cassandra Howell is too tall, too bookish, and too smart—but she does have money and a father who wants a grand title for her. Cassandra hasn’t felt a desire to marry until she meets the sinfully handsome Duke of Camberly, who captures her imagination . . . until Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry and her family’s sworn enemy, steps in the way.

The Holwells ruined Soren’s family, and he’s lived on the knife’s edge trying to resurrect their fortunes . . . until he considers marrying the Holwell Heiress. Not only would her dowry give him the funds he needs, he has secretly had an eye on the independent-minded bluestocking since they both first realized the differences between men and women. She likes to read; he has no patience for books. She knows little of sex; he is a man of the world and willing to school her. Her family destroyed his; his offer of marriage may be her only salvation.

Now Cassandra and Soren must learn to love each other for who they are, not what they are—and the lessons are becoming an exercise in absolute pleasure.

Review:  Prior to reading A Match Made in Bed I had never read a book by Cathy Maxwell, nor heard of her.  I love regency romances though and I was more than excited to open myself up to a new author. The first thing I liked about Cathy Maxwell’s A Match Made in Bed is that the font was large (not overly large, but not the super small font I've been seeing lately).  Is that weird?  Oh god, this is the oldest thing I've ever said. It’s not like I have particularly bad eye sight—I mean, I do but it doesn’t affect my reading—I just really liked how easy it was to keep my place.  Now, on to the rest of the things I enjoyed (there were many!)

I adore spinster tales.  Maybe it’s the ‘finding love when you’ve given up’ thing, I don’t know, but they’re some of my favorite stories. Pair a spinster plotline with a heroine who loves to read and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind and I reach peak enjoyment.  Not that Cassandra is as outspoken as some of the other women I’ve read about in my book travels—she’s actually quite down the middle, constantly struggling to toe the line between what she believes and what society expects—but she’s refreshingly bold and doesn’t pretend to be someone she isn’t. 

Soren won my heart through the simple act of being amazing with children.  I’m a nanny though and have spent my life around children, so that’s what is most attractive to me in a man.  Soren isn’t the type of hero who is going to swoop in and kidnap his bride in the middle of a night but he was fabulous all the same.  He was kind, understanding, strong, and sneaky with the way he pursues Cassandra. 

I loved the speed with which the book progressed.  It was quick without feeling unrealistic and without sacrificing the character development.  The Romeo and Juliet plot is fantastic but there’s enough original content to keep you wondering what will happen next.  The only thing that frustrated me was that I could have read another four books solely focused on this adorable couple.  Any regency fan will enjoy this novel filled with colorful characters, witty banter, and ludicrous family members.  I cannot wait for the next book focusing on the handsome, but moral-stunted Duke of Camberly.

A Match Made in Bed comes out April 17th.  You can preorder it here.