What do you think?
Rate this book
Castles and Courtship
The Rules of Matchmaking
Jane Richards is not interested in marriage at the moment, nor is she particularly concerned about it. The Season is an opportunity to be out and about, to engage with others, and to experience all that life, and London, have to offer. A house party to a castle in the Cotswolds isn't exactly what she had intended, but her curiosity gets the better of her, and she accepts. When she notices a gentleman who would be utterly perfect for one of her oldest friends, she determines she must intervene to make the match between them, but it will require help.
Simon Appleby isn't sure why he agreed to a house party in the Cotswolds, but it is better than enduring excessive events in London, all engineered to force romantic connections among Society. But even he must admit that his friend has found his perfect match among the party guests, and is going to ruin his chances if left to his own devices. Simon finds himself colluding with the amusing, if willful, Jane Richards to throw their friends together at every possible opportunity, finding more entertainment in interfering than he could ever have imagined. And more surprises than he had counted on.
Simon Appleby isn't sure why he agreed to a house party in the Cotswolds, but it is better than enduring excessive events in London, all engineered to force romantic connections among Society. But even he must admit that his friend has found his perfect match among the party guests, and is going to ruin his chances if left to his own devices. Simon finds himself colluding with the amusing, if willful, Jane Richards to throw their friends together at every possible opportunity, finding more entertainment in interfering than he could ever have imagined. And more surprises than he had counted on.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
594 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Connolly
91 books1,254 followersI was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
September 5, 2024
Positively lovely…
I had my suspicions about certain things, but was still surprised in the end. The romance and match makings were sweet and incredible and the kissing truly sizzling. Loved it.
I had my suspicions about certain things, but was still surprised in the end. The romance and match makings were sweet and incredible and the kissing truly sizzling. Loved it.
August 7, 2023
Just lovely:} This was such a sweet story. These two and there determination never too love was doomed from the start. The Aunts are just so fun. I love the way Rebecca gives you all the romantic moments! There first kiss was so good. Rebecca always wins my swoony award:}
January 19, 2024
Honestly almost nothing happened in this book but witty banter and I called the twist, but it was so stinking cute!! Just really great dialogue and our main characters were delightful. A weird book to give five stars to, but it was like comfort food at its best.
October 4, 2023
What a ride!
Often, matchmaking stories are not my favorite. This one took a little time for Simon and Jane to have interaction, but as soon as I hit chapter 13, It took off like a horse at the race. What a delightful, witty, swoony read! I could not help but smile and laugh throughout. Two thumbs WAY up.
Often, matchmaking stories are not my favorite. This one took a little time for Simon and Jane to have interaction, but as soon as I hit chapter 13, It took off like a horse at the race. What a delightful, witty, swoony read! I could not help but smile and laugh throughout. Two thumbs WAY up.
December 14, 2023
I loved the beginning of this so much--it had me laughing out loud at various points. Jane and Simon are new acquaintances who join forces to matchmake when they notice two friends who are romantically attracted but insuperably awkward. Jane and Simon also each have elderly aunts who speak their mind and filter *absolutely nothing*.
I loved the comedy of this section, and it was also refreshingly free of angst, ogling, or lovesickness (apart from that of the hapless friends, of course). I have to say, though, that once Jane and Simon start to be aware of their own feelings for each other, all the aforesaid angst, ogling, and lovesickness kicked in and I was a little bit impatient with it. Somehow I expected them to come to an understanding with more subtlety, given their dry-witted and pragmatic personalities. I suspect this is more a me issue than anything--most readers of this genre will no doubt eat this up, but I seem to have become more half-hearted in my enjoyment of Regency romances. Ah well. For the utterly sparkling beginning, how can I do less than give it four stars?
I loved the comedy of this section, and it was also refreshingly free of angst, ogling, or lovesickness (apart from that of the hapless friends, of course). I have to say, though, that once Jane and Simon start to be aware of their own feelings for each other, all the aforesaid angst, ogling, and lovesickness kicked in and I was a little bit impatient with it. Somehow I expected them to come to an understanding with more subtlety, given their dry-witted and pragmatic personalities. I suspect this is more a me issue than anything--most readers of this genre will no doubt eat this up, but I seem to have become more half-hearted in my enjoyment of Regency romances. Ah well. For the utterly sparkling beginning, how can I do less than give it four stars?
pass
December 2, 2023to slow, passing on this one
August 2, 2023
Matchmaking at its best!
What a fun book! Rebecca Connolly knows how to write matchmaking books! I loved the banter, the scheming, and the ending is the best!
We meet Jane in a previous book, and I had to reread it so I could remember her character. She is strong, and caring. Simon is a new character, but is also caring and a good friend. The Aunts are the best!
Now to reread Mischief and Mayhem to enjoy Taft again!
What a fun book! Rebecca Connolly knows how to write matchmaking books! I loved the banter, the scheming, and the ending is the best!
We meet Jane in a previous book, and I had to reread it so I could remember her character. She is strong, and caring. Simon is a new character, but is also caring and a good friend. The Aunts are the best!
Now to reread Mischief and Mayhem to enjoy Taft again!
September 7, 2023
The lives of the characters in this book seemed rather frivolous and empty and the romance develops rather too quickly, but I could forgive both those things because the first seemed realistic and helped to explain the second and ultimately the characters of Jane, Simon, George, Beatrice and especially Louise and Anne-Marie are charming and the plot is really cute.
October 20, 2023
Good cotton candy fluff. Really enjoyed this regency book, my only gripe is how FAST everything moved. However, the banter was excellent and the characters were cute
July 22, 2023
Ok this was cute. Matchmakers fall in love, fun house party antics, super nosy great aunts, awkward friends, banter we love Rebecca Connolly for, all the feels. Clean romance. I was kinda mad because I missed this book's release and didn't know I needed to read it. But! I discovered it via a Facebook post and here we are.
July 21, 2023
This was not my favorite. I did love the frank discussions of feelings—I’m there for that every single time! But there was so much internal monologuing that seemed to eat up the the majority of the book, and it made it go so slow and feel boring. As I was nearing the end, I was so hopeful there wouldn’t be a weird plot twist and that this story would be refreshingly different, but there was….. riiiiight at the end…. It was so fast, weird and was explained away on a page with a smile and true love. I’m usually there for that every time too, but this book felt short in the ways that mattered and long in the ways that didn’t.
August 4, 2023
boring
Some of Rebecca's books are great others just a bunch of emotions spewing out the whole time. This was one of the latter.
I got so bored with all the repetative emotions that I skipped regularly just to the dialog.
The plot was... Well IDK what the plot really was, supposedly matchmaking, but all I got was the H and h emotions about each other the whole time.
There just was no substance too the story.
Didn't really add to the series. Only thing in common was a castle.
Some of Rebecca's books are great others just a bunch of emotions spewing out the whole time. This was one of the latter.
I got so bored with all the repetative emotions that I skipped regularly just to the dialog.
The plot was... Well IDK what the plot really was, supposedly matchmaking, but all I got was the H and h emotions about each other the whole time.
There just was no substance too the story.
Didn't really add to the series. Only thing in common was a castle.
July 28, 2023
All the interactions between Jane and Simon were great, but it was a tedious read due to the long internal monologues.
October 4, 2023
After a stressful, long day, have you ever longed for the book equivalent of an actually well done hallmark movie?
Low stakes, incredibly entertaining story, such lovable characters, a smile etched onto your face the entire time, while your heart fills with all this wholesomeness your experiencing? Did you wish the feel good epilogue of your last book would be 100 pages longer?
That’s exactly how this book will make you feel.
The perfect fluffy, clean feel good story.
You will immediately fall in love with both our characters who’s feelings are portrayed in such a clear and genuine way, that you feel like you yourself are falling in love.
I think this might have been the most realistic and well written: we fell in love within a week, I have ever read.
I usually dislike a rushed timeline and doubt the change of heart most characters usually have within an instance.
Here I could feel it happen, like I was relieving the first time I fell in love.
So well done.
The honesty in which these two characters communicated, how openly they reflected their own emotions and the poetic ways they described them.
It was so simple and so perfect!
There’s not a lot of “plot”, as they don’t really seem to do a lot at this house party, but the development of the relationship made it more than fun to read.
A true refreshment after an angsty book!
Low stakes, incredibly entertaining story, such lovable characters, a smile etched onto your face the entire time, while your heart fills with all this wholesomeness your experiencing? Did you wish the feel good epilogue of your last book would be 100 pages longer?
That’s exactly how this book will make you feel.
The perfect fluffy, clean feel good story.
You will immediately fall in love with both our characters who’s feelings are portrayed in such a clear and genuine way, that you feel like you yourself are falling in love.
I think this might have been the most realistic and well written: we fell in love within a week, I have ever read.
I usually dislike a rushed timeline and doubt the change of heart most characters usually have within an instance.
Here I could feel it happen, like I was relieving the first time I fell in love.
So well done.
The honesty in which these two characters communicated, how openly they reflected their own emotions and the poetic ways they described them.
It was so simple and so perfect!
There’s not a lot of “plot”, as they don’t really seem to do a lot at this house party, but the development of the relationship made it more than fun to read.
A true refreshment after an angsty book!
February 28, 2024
4..25/5 ⭐️
This was so ridiculously sweet and cute, I read the entire book in a day.
The banter was so witty and funny, and I enjoyed how there was no playing around with feelings or a series of misunderstandings that caused the couple to become estranged. Simon and Janet knew their own minds and didn't mince words or feelings, and I appreciated that about this book.
The romantic scenes were very sweet and clean and left you giggling.
The ONLY complaint that I have about this book is that the ending and their declarations felt just a little rushed, but it's not unlike how much historical romance novels go.
If you're looking for just a cute, feel-good read, then this is your book!
This was so ridiculously sweet and cute, I read the entire book in a day.
The banter was so witty and funny, and I enjoyed how there was no playing around with feelings or a series of misunderstandings that caused the couple to become estranged. Simon and Janet knew their own minds and didn't mince words or feelings, and I appreciated that about this book.
The romantic scenes were very sweet and clean and left you giggling.
The ONLY complaint that I have about this book is that the ending and their declarations felt just a little rushed, but it's not unlike how much historical romance novels go.
If you're looking for just a cute, feel-good read, then this is your book!
April 16, 2025
I really liked the twist at the end. But I also think it was somewhat cruel-but it was still fun.
Sweet and swoony moments. I just felt like it took forever to get there.
Sweet and swoony moments. I just felt like it took forever to get there.
December 22, 2023
Meddling done at its finest
February 17, 2025
Soooo booring, tooo much overthinking
dnf
July 1, 2024Too slow for my liking, I’m more invested in their friends love story. The fact that the men call each other “man” in a “buddy”/“mate” way when the book is set in the 1800’s just brings me out of the story.
August 17, 2023
I liked it starting almost to the end, like 3/4 through…I almost didn’t finish it, but I’m one to have a hard time stopping something I start- it was a lot of describing- maybe it was my mood, but lots of descriptions and thinking through things, but how that was written was pretty spot on at times, how a courting couple might be thinking though a courtship. I really liked the twist at the end, that was fun. There’s quite a few swear words in this one, that also took some stars off for me.
July 25, 2023
The first half of this book was hard for me to get through. The second half was definitely better, but it also felt a little rushed and I feel like maybe too much time was focused on their thoughts and feelings rather than them actually speaking. I liked their friends. The aunts could be funny as the book went on, but I didn’t like them in the beginning.
February 29, 2024
Well written with charming characters and some very witty dialogue. The MCs just got a little too mushy and annoyingly introspective in the second half. I believe this may be a matter of personal taste, and I just wasn’t in the right reading mood for it.
August 31, 2023
plot lacking
Although nicely written, the plot held no real significance. I kept ready despite so much inner dialogue of the characters. Reading what others are thinking is boring!
Although nicely written, the plot held no real significance. I kept ready despite so much inner dialogue of the characters. Reading what others are thinking is boring!
June 1, 2024
The writing of this engaging story flowed smartly and smoothly. The author has an excellent poetic grasp of the intricacies of infatuation and soaring hopes and dreams. She also understands conniving great aunts who like to meddle in their favorite nieces and nephews lives.
I thought this book was hilarious and filled with devious, loving old ladies.
Jane Richards is staying with her elderly Aunt, Anne-Marie, who wants Jane to attend a house party with her. Jane loves her aunt and agrees to go but gives her fair warning she will not tolerate any sort of matchmaking or trickery.
Simon Appleby is staying with his elderly Aunt, Louisa, who goads and manipulates him into attending a house party. He agrees on the condition that she not try any matchmaking on him for he is not interested in marrying. She agrees and off they go.
When they arrive at the castle where the house party is held, Simon finds his best friend Ellis is also a guest. Ellis is soon captivated by a lovely young lady named Beatrice Wyant but the two of them are unable to talk to each other and just stand quietly fidgeting. Simon has noticed the young lady's friend is as worried as he. They strike up a conversation about their two friends and Jane convinces Simon they must help their friends.
Let the games begin! Jane and Simon usher their friends together and arrange for them to be partners and help them with suggestions.
Simon has a difficult time understanding his suddenly smiling friend who is offended by nothing and no one. Ellis confides to his friend that he is in love, much to the astonishment of Simon.
Jane is delighted that her friend Beatrice is smitten with Ellis and encourages her.
This was a truly delightful story filled with amusements galore.
This is the first book I've read by this author but I will definitely be reading more.
I thought this book was hilarious and filled with devious, loving old ladies.
Jane Richards is staying with her elderly Aunt, Anne-Marie, who wants Jane to attend a house party with her. Jane loves her aunt and agrees to go but gives her fair warning she will not tolerate any sort of matchmaking or trickery.
Simon Appleby is staying with his elderly Aunt, Louisa, who goads and manipulates him into attending a house party. He agrees on the condition that she not try any matchmaking on him for he is not interested in marrying. She agrees and off they go.
When they arrive at the castle where the house party is held, Simon finds his best friend Ellis is also a guest. Ellis is soon captivated by a lovely young lady named Beatrice Wyant but the two of them are unable to talk to each other and just stand quietly fidgeting. Simon has noticed the young lady's friend is as worried as he. They strike up a conversation about their two friends and Jane convinces Simon they must help their friends.
Let the games begin! Jane and Simon usher their friends together and arrange for them to be partners and help them with suggestions.
Simon has a difficult time understanding his suddenly smiling friend who is offended by nothing and no one. Ellis confides to his friend that he is in love, much to the astonishment of Simon.
Jane is delighted that her friend Beatrice is smitten with Ellis and encourages her.
This was a truly delightful story filled with amusements galore.
This is the first book I've read by this author but I will definitely be reading more.
July 18, 2023
To be honest this is closer to a 3.5 star read for me, but beggars can't be choosers and boy have I been struggling to find engaging reads this year.
Jane has no inclination to marry as she feels content with her present lot in life. Simon also doesn't plan on marrying soon but his reasons are more cynical in nature. They both find themselves at a house party due to manoeuvrings from formidable aunts and strike up a friendship over their desire to match their two friends together.
This was a classic tale of two halves. The first half of this book was really strong and funny and amusing and all the positive things I could say about it. I laughed out loud a whole bunch in the first few chapters alone and found myself highlighting favourite lines (something I very rarely do). Both Jane and Simon have a bit of a cutting sense of humour but their musings on the state of life and their interactions with their aunts were so fun to read. Their first few meetings were also really well done. Connolly laid a great foundation for both Jane and Simon to challenge each other on what they really want out of life.
I did say this was a tale of two halves. The first half was great in laying the groundwork with the two main characters and their budding friendship. I was really excited to see how things would progress. And they did, but very rapidly. As soon as both Jane and Simon felt an inkling of deeper interest they truly dove straight into. This isn't actually a bad thing per se, but it felt like the pacing was lost in the second half of the book and that took me out of the story in moments and gave the story a slightly rushed feeling.
But I did really like this, so I feel happy with the 4 stars.
Jane has no inclination to marry as she feels content with her present lot in life. Simon also doesn't plan on marrying soon but his reasons are more cynical in nature. They both find themselves at a house party due to manoeuvrings from formidable aunts and strike up a friendship over their desire to match their two friends together.
This was a classic tale of two halves. The first half of this book was really strong and funny and amusing and all the positive things I could say about it. I laughed out loud a whole bunch in the first few chapters alone and found myself highlighting favourite lines (something I very rarely do). Both Jane and Simon have a bit of a cutting sense of humour but their musings on the state of life and their interactions with their aunts were so fun to read. Their first few meetings were also really well done. Connolly laid a great foundation for both Jane and Simon to challenge each other on what they really want out of life.
I did say this was a tale of two halves. The first half was great in laying the groundwork with the two main characters and their budding friendship. I was really excited to see how things would progress. And they did, but very rapidly. As soon as both Jane and Simon felt an inkling of deeper interest they truly dove straight into. This isn't actually a bad thing per se, but it felt like the pacing was lost in the second half of the book and that took me out of the story in moments and gave the story a slightly rushed feeling.
But I did really like this, so I feel happy with the 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2023
Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE period pieces, BUT my goodness, they’re always so cheesy!
This book was no exception. It was grumpy sunshine, forced proximity and matchmaking schemes wrapped up in a pretty, little rushed bow. It was so predictable with the two main characters Jane and Simon being not interested in love being forced to spend a lot of time together “for the sake of their friends’ match”.
The book surrounds a week long party at a castle in the Cotswolds where eligible bachelor and bachelorettes attend with one of their relatives. It is clear the Lady of the estate is looking for an eligible woman to make an amiable match for her son, but the book barely focuses on that match. Instead, it has clear inspiration from Jane Austin novels and Bridgerton novels and follows Jane and Simon’s schemes to match make their friends without them knowing.
Likes: great Aunt Louise and great Aunt Anne Marie were hilarious.
Dislikes: the pace was so rushed at the end
It clearly has large inspiration from famous work
The last 30 pages were very rushed to have a resolution, but it was still very predictable.
This book was no exception. It was grumpy sunshine, forced proximity and matchmaking schemes wrapped up in a pretty, little rushed bow. It was so predictable with the two main characters Jane and Simon being not interested in love being forced to spend a lot of time together “for the sake of their friends’ match”.
The book surrounds a week long party at a castle in the Cotswolds where eligible bachelor and bachelorettes attend with one of their relatives. It is clear the Lady of the estate is looking for an eligible woman to make an amiable match for her son, but the book barely focuses on that match. Instead, it has clear inspiration from Jane Austin novels and Bridgerton novels and follows Jane and Simon’s schemes to match make their friends without them knowing.
Likes: great Aunt Louise and great Aunt Anne Marie were hilarious.
Dislikes: the pace was so rushed at the end
It clearly has large inspiration from famous work
The last 30 pages were very rushed to have a resolution, but it was still very predictable.
August 4, 2023
Most of the books of this series is are authored by some of my favorite RR authors, but not all of them have stood out very much. This was the first one that I found really entertaining. Even though the plot is not particularly remarkable, the way it is executed is delightful. The wit and the humor are well done, and the two elderly aunts who speak whatever they want are a riot. The MC are quite fun to watch, especially as their relationship grows. They do not seem to realize it themselves, but the reader can appreciate the ironic humor in their own actions reflecting what they rued in their friends' interactions at the beginning. It was also refreshing to find no mean relatives or grasping wannabes throwing unnecessary hindrances or misunderstandings in the way of the budding romances.
I suspected how it was going to end, and was contented to find that it did so, although I found the farce to bring it about somewhat over-the-top. I am not terribly fond of matchmaking stories in general, but this one was a lot of fun and had me laughing out quite a bit.
I suspected how it was going to end, and was contented to find that it did so, although I found the farce to bring it about somewhat over-the-top. I am not terribly fond of matchmaking stories in general, but this one was a lot of fun and had me laughing out quite a bit.
August 14, 2023
This book was ok - and it did have a good storyline and good characters, but it was overly wordy... Sometimes the thoughts that were zinging around in the main characters heads when in a situation, just went on and on, and seemed so repetitive. They would ask themselves question after question... It was that way whether they were trying to help their friends match up, or they themselves were starting to have feelings for each other. They seemed to worry about every little thing... It was just a bit too much, and made the story drag on for too long. I started skimming through those parts - and that is something I almost never do...
The romance was clean - with fairly dramatic kissing.
A few mild bad words - which I'm always surprised at in this author's books. In my opinion they are just not needed...they don't add depth to the situation. They just emphasize that someone is ticked off.
There are some humorous moments, and fun dialog.
Overall, this book seems out of place in this series, other than the setting is a castle.
The ending is surprising, and fun.
The romance was clean - with fairly dramatic kissing.
A few mild bad words - which I'm always surprised at in this author's books. In my opinion they are just not needed...they don't add depth to the situation. They just emphasize that someone is ticked off.
There are some humorous moments, and fun dialog.
Overall, this book seems out of place in this series, other than the setting is a castle.
The ending is surprising, and fun.
November 25, 2023
DNF at 78%.
This was...interesting. I enjoyed the premise of the book, I really wanted it to be entertaining. But it just fell flat for me.
Didn't like:
Most of the story was written in dialogue. I have no idea what the grounds look like, what the bedchambers look like, the layout of the castle, or what people wore.
The characters were not individuals. The aunts were all the same. The men were all the same. And the women were all the same.
The only distinctive characteristic was that Jane, the main girl, giggled uncontrollably when it was extremely inappropriate.
When the main couple finally decide they like each other, the book turns into a "steamy" clean novel. Like it's clean, but the sexual tension is so high it's hard to notice anything else. Ew.
Liked:
The story concept is hilarious. A man who claims there's no such thing as love is blindsided by love.
The main couple communicates very well and doesn't have petty fights. There is cute teasing but not as much banter as I like.
I DNF'd after a strange kissing scene that was the cherry on top off lots of "clean, steamy" moments.
This was...interesting. I enjoyed the premise of the book, I really wanted it to be entertaining. But it just fell flat for me.
Didn't like:
Most of the story was written in dialogue. I have no idea what the grounds look like, what the bedchambers look like, the layout of the castle, or what people wore.
The characters were not individuals. The aunts were all the same. The men were all the same. And the women were all the same.
The only distinctive characteristic was that Jane, the main girl, giggled uncontrollably when it was extremely inappropriate.
When the main couple finally decide they like each other, the book turns into a "steamy" clean novel. Like it's clean, but the sexual tension is so high it's hard to notice anything else. Ew.
Liked:
The story concept is hilarious. A man who claims there's no such thing as love is blindsided by love.
The main couple communicates very well and doesn't have petty fights. There is cute teasing but not as much banter as I like.
I DNF'd after a strange kissing scene that was the cherry on top off lots of "clean, steamy" moments.
November 5, 2023
There were so many great parts of this book - the dialogue is generally hilarious, which is one of my favorite things.
However, there were two scenes that were obviously inspired by the 1995 and 2005 adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, and two thematic elements that hearkened back to the original P&P storyline itself. This really threw me off.
Also, out of the 21 chapters (including the epilogue) I could do very nicely without chapters 19 and 20. I can't decide which of the following happened...
1. The author got to this point of the book and ran out of things to write, so drew random plot twists out of a hat.
2. These were the first chapters written, then the author went back to the beginning; however, as can happen when digging a tunnel from opposite ends, the middle didn't align.
That being said, I would read this book again - it was an easy, entertaining read. I would just skip from the middle of chapter 18 to the epilogue.
However, there were two scenes that were obviously inspired by the 1995 and 2005 adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, and two thematic elements that hearkened back to the original P&P storyline itself. This really threw me off.
Also, out of the 21 chapters (including the epilogue) I could do very nicely without chapters 19 and 20. I can't decide which of the following happened...
1. The author got to this point of the book and ran out of things to write, so drew random plot twists out of a hat.
2. These were the first chapters written, then the author went back to the beginning; however, as can happen when digging a tunnel from opposite ends, the middle didn't align.
That being said, I would read this book again - it was an easy, entertaining read. I would just skip from the middle of chapter 18 to the epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews