The Marriage List by Ella Quinn ( The Worthington Brides) | Book Review ~ Excerpt ~ $20 Gift Card
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
The Marriage List by Ella Quinn Series: The Worthington Brides
Published by Zebra Books on December 27, 2022
Genres: Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Romance
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 320
By popular demand, USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn returns Regency England’s beloved extended family, The Worthingtons, for the first in a sparkling new spin-off series! Determined to tame the marriage market on their own terms and make advantageous love matches, three confident sisters draw up a list of qualities they expect their new beaus to meet. But as they are about to discover, people are hardly ever perfect and the road to love is far more thrilling and interesting than they could ever have imagined…
As part of a large, rambunctious family, Lady Eleanor Carpenter has gained some knowledge of what makes a successful marriage. She’s even compiled a list of essential qualifications in a potential husband. John, the Marquis of Montagu, seems of good character (check), with money enough to support a family (check). But what of the many other requirements on her list?
Montagu, meanwhile, believes the key to a comfortable life lies in marrying someone quiet and docile. Yet the one lady who captivates him could hardly be more different to what he envisioned. Lady Eleanor is as opinionated as she is lovely, determined to improve working conditions for coal miners, even at risk to her own safety.
From evenings at Almack’s to carriage rides in Hyde Park, this Season will contain many pleasures—and a few surprises that compel both John and Eleanor to rethink their expectations. For one thing is certain: love will not be defined by any list . . .
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Excerpt from The Marriage List
Elizabeth jumped off the sofa. “Zeus, Posy, come. It’s time to play.”
Madeline rose and shook out her skirts. “We know who those Danes belong to.”
Eleanor laughed. “I suppose it is only fair. We had Duke and Daisy.”
“And we will have our own dogs,” Alice added. “That reminds me. We should make a list of what we want in our husbands.”
Eleanor shot a smile at her twin. That was exactly what she had been thinking.
“What an excellent idea.” Madeline went to the desk and drew out a piece of cut foolscap while Alice and Eleanor took chairs from the round cherry table and moved them to the writing desk as Madeline dipped a pen in the standish. “I think he should be intelligent.”
“Yes.” Eleanor wouldn’t want a dim husband, but there was something even more important. “He should be kind.”
“Oh, indeed.” Alice nodded. “I agree.”
“I as well.” Madeline wrote down the first two qualities. “He must like animals.”
“House animals,” Alice insisted. “Most men like horses and hunting dogs.”
“And children.” Having been raised in a family where the children were never confined to the nursery, Eleanor believed allowing young children around was important.
“Like children more than just the getting of them,” Madeline wrote.
“Make us laugh,” Alice added. “It is not good enough that he has a sense of humor. Most people do to some extent, but the gentlemen we wed must be able to make us laugh.”
“And think that we are funny as well.” Eleanor was glad her twin thought of doing this.
“He must be interested in the plight of the poor and unfortunate,” Madeline added. “Ever since Dotty and Grace started the charities, the rest of our sisters and their husbands have added to them. I wish to do the same, and my husband must support me.”
“I agree,” Alice said.
“I do as well.” That was another good idea. Eleanor would not be happy with a man who did not care about others.
“Good-looking?” Madeline asked scrunching up her face.
Eleanor leaned back in her chair. “Well, I do not want to cringe when I gaze upon him. But his character is more important. Think of Byron and how handsome he is said to be, and he is a complete cad.”
Madeline nodded. “I shall write ‘passable-looking.’”
“That will do,” Alice agreed.
“He must allow me to be myself. I will not have anyone trying to control me.” Eleanor could not think of a worse fate.
“Indeed,” Alice and Madeline said at the same time, then laughed.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for The Marriage List
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My thoughts on The Marriage List
The Marriage List is the first book I have read by Ella Quinn, but it won’t be the last.
The setup was a bit slow for me, perhaps because I have not read other books about the Worthington family. They were, however, an absolute joy to get to know.
I enjoy historical romance with strong female characters and this book is full of them. They are vivacious, caring, and independent. The male characters from the youngest tot to the elder generation are engaging. I loved the humor that shines through as well as the familial love. That isn’t always the case during this time period.
The information about mining horrors and reformation was educational and fit within the storyline. It’s always nice to learn new bits of history while being entertained.
John and Eleanor were an engaging couple, even if I did want to shake them a time or two. They made a delightful pairing in this tale.
The pacing is excellent, never lagging or skipping. While I knew the book would have a happy ending, the path the author took to reach it was quite enjoyable. There was a bit of mystery and danger to keep the reader on their toes.
I can’t wait to go back and read the earlier books about the Worthington family and will be watching for the next in this series. I highly recommend The Marriage List to all lovers of regency romance.
I received a digital ARC of the book for the tour, but I did purchase a personal copy. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Ella Quinn
USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side (political science professor and lawyer). Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually, her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.
She is married to her wonderful husband of almost forty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, a Great Dane named Lilibet, and a cat named Winnie. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England, and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and lived on a sailboat for three years. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe.
She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. She expects to be back on the boat soon.
Ella loves when readers connect with her.
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Purchase The Marriage List online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Amazon – Canada
Amazon – France
Amazon – Germany
Amazon – United Kingdom
If your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links, please send me a note. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Ella Quinn will award a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for The Marriage List
Full Tour Schedule:
January 16: Novels Alive –
January 16: Sandra’s Book Club – spotlight
January 23: Maggie Blackbird
January 23: The Faerie Review
January 30: Gina Rae Mitchell
January 30: Bayou Book Junkie
February 6: Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm
February 6: Harlie’s Books
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It sounds like a bit of a Bridgerton vibe. I like the sound of this series and hope you enjoy the previous ones, Gina.
Thanks for stopping by, Carla. It definitely has a Bridgeton feel to it, but I loved it.
This looks like a great read.
Great review, thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Rita. Glad you stopped by today.
I am a longtime fan of Ella Quinn and all her books.
I’m a fan now!
Thanks for hosting!
Happy Monday! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on The Marriage List, this sounds like a wonderful book and series and I am looking forward to reading all of the stories myself.
Same to you, Bea! Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate it.