Match Me If You Can

The School for Spinsters #3

by Michelle Willingham

After five unsuccessful seasons, Emma Bartholomew’s stepmother threatens to auction off her hand in marriage. Horrified at the idea, Emma enlists the help of the School for Spinsters to help her find a husband quickly. But she knows that no man will want to wed her after he learns the secret she’s hiding…that she’s practically blind.

Cormac Ormond, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath, is seeking a quick marriage because he desperately wants an heir. He knows he’s dying, and it doesn’t matter what sort of bride he finds, as long as she’s willing to help him.

After meeting Emma, Cormac plans to outbid every suitor…but will she marry a man whose time is running out?

The School for Spinsters
Book 1 - A Match Made in London
Book 2 - Match Me, I’m Falling
Book 3 - Match Me If You Can

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance

234 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2023

About the author

Rita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over fifty books and novellas. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her family and is working on more historical romance novels. When she's not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing the piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or interact with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma is a wallflower, people have never realised that she had really bad eyesight. Cormac is a Irish Earl with his own secret. They meet at a dinner party , at the school for spinster’s.

[iremucka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Match me If you can aka körler sağırlar birbirini ağırlar. 🌟

Kızımızın ağır derecede gözü bozuk, üvey annesi çirkinleştirir diye gözlük taktırmıyor, beyefendimizin kronik bir rahatsızlığı var, bir kaç aya öleceğini düşünüyor. Her ikisinin de tek isteği evlenip çocuk sahibi olmak 😍 Bu uğurda her şeyi yapmaya hazırlar (mı?)

Bu ikili bir baloda denk geliyorlar ve olaylar gelişiyor. Bu yazardan ilk defa okudum aslına baya bilinen bizde de kitapları basılmış biri. Ama ilk defa denk geldim. Keyifle okudum. Erkek karakterimiz standart historical dışı (standart nedir : haşmetli her dediği kanun kabul edilen bla blaaaa 😒)
Yazar olayların sonunu da gerçek bi olaya dayandırmış ki aşırı hoşuma gitti. 200 civarı sayfa sayısısıyla gayet derli toplu görevini yerine getiren bir okuma oldu.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cormac Ormond is a dying Earl from Ireland seeking an English wife to quickly marry and have his heir. The wife he picks is Emma Bartholomew, a spinster with a secret. He may have won her at a bride auction, but he will let her choose if she wants to be his wife. From the beginning of their marriage, she is suspicious Cormac is being poisoned and determined to solve the mystery of who and what is causing his illness. Mrs. Harding's School For Young Ladies doesn't play a big part in the story, but the next lady up for a match looks like it's Mrs. Harding herself. Mild open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only my 9th book by Michelle Willingham. I read 4 books in 2016, 2 in 2017, 1 in 2019 and just picked up this new series. The previous books I read of hers, at the time, I was not writing any reviews here in Goodreads and I have no notes about her writing or my opinion of her books in my personal notes either which means I don't really remember her. I must have liked her though to have download more than 1 book by her. If I don't like an author, I put them on my "Single Books Read" list and move on. I was so glad I downloaded this series. I read book 1 in one day and loved it. Book 2 was also a really great read.

I enjoyed this story. I liked Emma and Cormac's personalities. It was totally different than a lot of "ton" books which tend to run together for me sometimes. I like when they have plot twists and a little intrigue like this one had.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Discovering that her stepmother plans to host a bride auction, with Miss Emma Bartholomew being the item in question, Emma knows she needs to find an escape, and quickly. Turning to Mrs Harding's School for Spinsters, she hopes that she can find a way to entice someone to marry her, before it's too late. But she's hiding her secret, and worries that if it was discovered no one would ever want her. Luckily for Emma, Cormac Ormond, the Earl of Dunmeath, is in London to find a wife, as he needs an heir before it's too late. Gaining a reputation as a man desperate for a bride, most ladies are turning away from him, but Emma is different.

I enjoyed this one, but not as much as book 2 I think. Emma and Cormac's relationship was sweet, though not the easiest at first. Both are hiding medical issues from each other, but the issues are quickly revealed, and they are unsure on how a marriage between them would work. I quickly worked out why Cormac was becoming ill, and wondered why they never looked at getting a doctor to check Emma's sight again, but it was still enjoyable to look at the 'mystery' while in Ireland. All in all, this was a lovely ending to the series, though I do have questions on Mrs Harding and her beau.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Match Me, If You Can: Michelle Willingham
Series: (The School for Spinsters, Book 3)
Publisher: Dragonblade
Book Length: 239 pages
Release Date: August 17, 2023
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Cormac Ormond is dying and in Ireland his mother orders him to go to London as she does want  to watch him suffer and die like his father and brother! Cormac needs to obtain a wife as quickly as possible in London. Afterall all his future bride-to-be only needs to do is agree to live in Ireland, have his heir and put up with his peculiarities. Furthermore, this has to  happen like yesterday, because he is dying from a mysterious disease that there is no cure for and he has no idea how much time he has left. 

Fu, this only attacks the male line of his family as this illness caused his father to die seven years ago and his brother met his maker three years ago from this mysterious disease. So Cormac goes to The School for Spinsters and begs for their help especially since he is giving a marriage proposal ten minutes after meeting all the debutantes at all the London balls and is becoming a big joke to the ton!

Emma Bartholomew is also desperate for the school for spinsters help since her step-mother plans to do anything to get rid of her and plans to humiliate her and auction her off for a hand in marriage. It seems her father has lost all his finances and might end up in a debtors' prison.  However she fears no man will want her when they find out about her handicap that she is going blind! Something she has hidden for years, even from her family. So she also needs to find a husband as quickly as possible, the problem is she has been a wallflower and on the shelf for the past five years!

So Cormac plans to outsmart Emma’s wicked step-mother but the other issue is to buy Emma so no one else has a chance. He just prays he does not have an attack of pain, which could delay him from attending the most important night of his life. Emma has no idea about the disease or pain Cormac deals with everyday as she feels he is not trustworthy. Furthermore, Cormac breaks promises but then again Emma has not been upfront and honest about her sight issues either. Most believe Emma is just a shy wallflower who tumbles and crashes into people often. 

Shall the School for Spinsters be the answer to a woman that is nearly blind and a dying man? Will they be able to help Emma and Cormac?  However, if feelings are put into this mixture won’t both their hearts be shattered and broken? Read and find out.

Michelle Willingham has been my go to author and a long time favorite of mine for well over a decade. It does not matter if I am swept away in England, Scotland or Ireland, nor if it is about Highlanders, Knights or Vikings! I have absolutely loved each and every awe-inspiring journey I have gone on with this extraordinary author. As that is how I feel with each book that I am traveling on this incredible journey and Ms. Willingham is my tour guide. 

Obviously I can not recommend this book enough as it is a beautiful story that really touched my heart. You can read this book as a stand alone or in series order, but it is definitely a book readers do not want to miss. I have read every single book in this series which was Violet, Ashleigh and now Emma. I have enjoyed each and everyone from cover to cover and definitely recommend to read them all! 

The School For Spinsters
Book 1 - A Match Made in London
Book 2 - Match Me I’m Falling
Book 3 - Match Me IF You Can

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts and ideas are my own.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C6RB...

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/matc...

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of this series but it can function as a standalone. Mrs. Harding's success stories from the first two books make a reappearance. Also reappearing is Sir Brian, a man from the past who is determined to win the widow's heart. I also shouldn't forget Lady Persephone who is as horrible as ever.
This story is about Emma and Cormac. Emma is a hopeless wallflower who hadn't found a match in 5 seasons. Her unreasonable stepmother is resorting to extreme measures to get Emma married. Cormac has come to London from Ireland seeking a wife. He wants to marry and have an heir as soon as possible, before he falls victim to his family curse. Marriage between the two of them seems inevitable. Due to Cormac's feelings of guilt and Emma's feelings of inadequacy, the couple manages to agree to a marriage based on friendship and not love.

Cormac does not truly believe in the curse. He thinks that he has a hereditary illness, but the possibility of poisoning has also been suggested. Emma, unwilling to give up on her new husband, begins to desperately investigate. Will she find the answers she seeks? Or will she become the next victim?

I enjoyed reading this book especially the mystery, the ending of which was unexpected. Emma and Cormac deserved their happy ending. Now I'm waiting for Mrs. Harding to get her own! I'd also like a man to show Lady Persephone some manners, but that might be too much to ask.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Sierra Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

** got an arc from net galley in exchange for a review ** 4.3. i have read a LOT of historical romance novels and this one genuinely took me by surprise. emma is a spinster ( she's 23 lol ) and a wallflower. you find out early on it's because she's nearly blind and keeping it a secret from the ton. the romance was sweet, the second plot of her husbands' sickness interesting. it was short enough that i wish i could have gotten a bit more, but i think i will be reading the previous ones now.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

After five unsuccessful seasons, Emma Bartholomew’s stepmother threatens to auction off her hand in marriage. Horrified at the idea, Emma enlists the help of the School for Spinsters to help her find a husband quickly. But she knows that no man will want to wed her after he learns the secret she’s hiding…that she’s practically blind. Cormac Ormond, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath, is seeking a quick marriage because he desperately wants an heir. He knows he’s dying, and it doesn’t matter what sort of bride he finds, as long as she’s willing to help him.
Emma is the third sister to have her story & another well written story. The characters have depth & are well portrayed. I loved both Cormac & Emma both hiding medical secrets so these cause some conflict & some mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed their road to a HEA & look forward to more in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very thoughtful. Emotional. Very romantic. Mysterious in certain parts. And cozy. Carmac and Emma are so beautiful. Their story is one of remarkable strength, passion and trust. I consider this book a fast pace read. Only because I read fast, but that didn’t sway me from completing the book. The characters background story of searching to be married was one of the wonderful entertainments of the book. The other exciting entertainment is the mystery behind the illness’s that shadows Carmac and his family. The twist to the story had me guessing until the end. I thought the book was terrific. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and emotional romance

This is another wonderful book in the School for Spinsters series. The author has written a very sympathetic and believable story about a girl with very limited vision and how she tried to hide her disability. I loved the character of Emma, especially when she was met with the shudder worthy actions of her stepmother. The hero of the story, Cormac, also faced many challenges to a happily ever after and I appreciated that both of the major characters tugged at my emotions. This is an emotional and yet very engaging romantic tale.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this action-packed journey that is filled with dangerous and exciting charters, heart racing twist and emotionally thrilling turns. An edge of your seat emotionally thrilling roller coaster ride from beginning to end.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Having met Cormac in the previous books, I was curious about him and his hurry to find a bride. Early in the book, we learn that Cormac suffers from a debilitating disease whose symptoms mirror the same illnesses that killed his father and brother. He wants to marry and sire an heir before he dies and fears that his time is running out. His impatience has made him a laughingstock in the ton, as he barely waits ten minutes before proposing to the women he meets. Growing more desperate daily, he visits Mrs. Harding at the School for Spinsters and enlists her help.

Emma has been out for five unsuccessful seasons and has spent all of them as a wallflower. Now her stepmother plans to auction her off to the highest bidder. At the suggestion of the heroines of the two previous books, Emma begs the help of Mrs. Harding to help her find a husband. Her efforts are hindered by the secret she has hidden for years - she is nearly blind.

I liked Emma and Cormac. Emma's confidence is low because of her vision problems, but she doesn't let it stop her from doing her best. I liked her lessons at the school and seeing her gain some confidence. Mrs. Harding uses Cormac for Emma's lessons, as she can see they need each other. It doesn't take long for Cormac to figure out Emma's handicap; he is patient and kind as he helps her through her tasks. He continues to ask her to marry him, but her insecurities keep her from saying yes.

Cormac promises to be at her side at an upcoming ball but is taken ill and doesn't make it. When Emma's stepmother moves up the auction to that night, Emma is left without support and believes that she cannot trust Cormac to be there for her. While he rescues her in a roundabout way, she still resists marrying him. I grew frustrated with her qualms because she clearly cared for him, and he for her. I was relieved when she finally gave in.

Their return to Ireland creates some stress. His mother is furious at his return and suspicious of Emma. It takes a bit for Emma to settle into her role. She wants to become the Countess Cormac deserves, but he wants to protect her from the unhappiness she feels because of her disability. I loved that she had the confidence to stand up for herself. Cormac's health improved during their short honeymoon, but he became ill again when home. I loved Emma's belief that some outside force was causing it and her determination to find out what it was. I was surprised it took so long, as I had figured it out before Cormac left London. There were some tense moments as both of them became ill (at separate times), but it also helped them realize their feelings for each other. I loved how they finally discovered what caused Cormac's illness and how that opened up a bright future for them. I liked the epilogue and seeing how they were doing a year later.

A secondary story takes place in the book's last half. Mrs. Harding has a new student, a man this time. Sir Brian has a history with her - he has been trying to court her. But she had an abusive marriage and has no intention of marrying again. I like Sir Brian's persistence and determination. Hopefully, there will be another book in the series that will cover their story.

#netgalley

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

In this third book in the series Emma is a young woman who is a wallflower hiding a large secret from Society - the fact that she is severely visually impaired. Because of that, she cannot read, embroider, paint or do any of the things most women of her station consider de rigueur for a young woman of her station. Her stepmother has come up with a rather humiliating plan to stage an art auction that is a thin veil for what is really an auction for her hand in marriage. To save herself from this particular humiliation, Emma bargains with her father to join the School for Spinsters for a month to try to gain a better chance to steer her future and hopefully a better way to find a kind spouse.

Cormac, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath is also in a bit of a desperate search for a spouse, for a different reason. The men in his family have been dying off, and he has been suffering a terrible illness that makes him feel that he is not long for this world. As such, he needs to find a wife to hopefully get himself an heir. But he has developed an unfortunate reputation too in his search, and some of the effects of his illness make him seem less than appealing as beau, such as his forgetfulness.

Cormac finds Emma kind and appealing, even though he cannot initially remember her name. When he finds out about the auction, he offers for her, but Emma does not trust Cormac to be sincere or reliable, but in the end, her stepmother pushes forward with her auction plans and Emma has no choice. She ends up married to Cormac, and they both travel back to his home estate in Ireland, knowing they only have a short time together.

Emma and Cormac are challenged by her blindness, his wanting to protect and limit her when she wants to learn to move beyond her inability to see and do more in their lives together, and his illness, and the fear that he is being poisoned, as well as other outside factions such as his mother and her resentment of Emma as well.

This was trying to pack a lot between the issues both Emma and Cormac had into a rather sweet romance. I did not like how Cormac was stifling Emma in his desire to protect her because she was growing out of her shell and wanting to help him and grow beyond her visual limitations. But the poisoning aspect of the story and history of that was very interesting, and I am very intrigued by the secondary/background storyline developing about the owner of the School for Spinsters.

3.5 stars out of 5

[Amberreads.alot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third entry in Michelle Willingham's School for Spinsters series. It works as a standalone, though I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first two installments. Here we have FMC Emma Bartholomew facing potentially being auctioned off by her evil(?) step-mother. Emma's sight is close to blindness and she thinks that no one will want her because of this. She turns to the School for Spinsters as a last resort. MMC Cormac Ormond, Irish Earl of Dunmeath, is desperate to find someone to marry him as he believes he is dying. He has proposed to at least 10 debutantes and all have rejected him. When he encounters Emma, first at a ball and then at the school, he thinks she might be the answer to his problems. Oh, he also likes her. He also does not care about her vision.

Cormac rescues Emma from the machinations of her step-mother. She agrees to marry him, though she is aware that he is supposedly dying. From here, the story evolves into something of a lovely love story. Cormac wants Emma to experience all of the things she has wanted to experience but never has. Emma is convinced she can find a way to save Cormac from death. There is no dishonesty or miscommunication creating issues for this couple, which is unusual. The story simply tracks how they realize they are in love with each other, and how they save Cormac.

Like I said, I liked this one less than the previous two installments. It felt a little slow, despite being novella length. I also could not get past Cormac proposing to all of those other women, or the idea that so many debutantes would turn him, and the possibility of being a countess, down. While I in some ways appreciate that Emma's sight is never cured, I was also bothered by the fact that no one thought to have her see a doctor or try spectacles to see if there could be even a bit of help given. The steam here is good, and I do like that there wasn't a third-act separation to overcome.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

I really enjoyed the first books in the series and having met Emma in the previous book I was so excited to get her story. It was so easy to like Emma and so hard to have any positive feelings toward her father and stepmother. The whole auction thing was gross from the start and only made worse when it actually happened. I get that her stepmother had her reasons, but they hadn't even tried to cut back expenses or downsize before she decided to basically sell Emma to the highest bidder. Luckily Cormac entered the picture or else who knows what would have happened to Emma. I really liked Cormac, but I can see how he did not make a great impression on those he met in London. The mystery surrounding his illness was interesting and kept me guessing until the end. I could have done without the bit with his mother inadvertently being responsible - as if the woman wasn't feeling the loss of her husband and eldest son enough, now she can add some guilt on top of it. I also wasn't a huge fan of the chapters involving the school after Emma and Cormac got together - they often felt like interruptions rather than a B storyline. Back to Cormac and Emma, I loved them as a couple. He was so supportive and understanding and I don't think his interest in her was completely to do with his desperation to get married. I was glad he didn't give up on her when she was initially too insecure to accept his proposal. I also really really liked that he gave her an out before she agreed to marry him. Although it made things more difficult, I appreciated that Cormac's family was not initially accepting of Emma - it showed how much they loved him and that they would come to his defense had she not been there for the right reasons. I would have liked more information on what kind of eye condition she had - was it something close to legal blindness or a degenerative condition?

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Match Me If You Can by Michelle Willingham is the third in the School for Spinsters series. The first two spinsters had been successfully married off and made love matches. The third was not going to be as easy, but right now the goal was to keep her mother-in-law from auctioning her off. It was humiliating. Emma Bartholomew was a lovely young woman with low self-esteem. But she had a secret, one that made her pretty much unmarriageable. Her step-mother and father didn’t know, primarily because they were too self-absorbed to notice. The School For Spinsters was her last chance, but could she do as they asked? Then Cormac Ormond, the fourth Earl of Dunmeath made his appearance in her life. He wanted a wife. Any wife. He had proposed to half the young women in London. Now, here he was. He figured out her secret, but worse, blabbed it to all present. Now everyone would know. She was beside herself.

This was an interesting story, between her blindness and Cormac’s mysterious illness. She had never spent her life feeling sorry for herself but had found ways to cope. He was going to die and he knew it. He wanted an heir, hence all the proposals. It was different with her. He wanted her, heir or no. They were both engaging characters in the middle of a curious plot. The on-again-off-again nature of his illness was also curious. She would figure it out. There could be no other way forward. The solution to the mystery was very interesting and totally a historical fact. It was not a curse that had killed his grandfather, his father, and his brother. It was something that could be fixed. This was a delightful story, full of nuance and grace, complete with glimpses of the story to come. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Match Me If You Can by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MichelleWillingham #MatchMeIfYouCan

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperate to escape her stepmother’s humiliating bride auction after five unsuccessful seasons, Emma Bartholomew turns to the School for Spinsters for help. Marrying and having children is her greatest wish, yet what man would ever want her? A shy and terribly clumsy wallflower with a secret she’d managed to keep hidden so far. Her eyesight had always been bad, but now she was almost blind and no one could know…

Desperate to find a lady willing to marry him and give him an heir before his time ran out, Cormac Ormond, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath, had come to London. He was going to die and soon. Just like his father and his brother. Getting sicker by the day, he had almost given up when he came across a shy beauty. She hadn’t mocked him and send him away like the others did, but there had been something in her eyes…

The School of Spinsters forces them together. He quickly figures out she has an eyesight problem, and she can feel his pain. Convinced the other will be put off by their condition, they both desperately try to keep it hidden. When the bride auction is brought forward, Emma suddenly disappears and Cormac nearly messes up. Luckily his guardian angel steps in!

📚 This is truly a beautiful romance. They’re both so devoted to the other even though they agreed not to fall in love. The care and patience he shows her wanting her to experience everything she’s missed out on. His attention to detail. Her determination, even with her limitations, to heal him. She simply refuses to give up the man she barely met. So touching and wonderfully written! Add his eccentric Irish family, a nice dose of steam and the captivating mystery of his illness with a most unexpected twist, and this turns into a very entertaining read!
📚 Slow burn, a different kind of marriage of convenience, mystery, steamy, travel to Ireland

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of two people who need each other more than they know it themselves. Cormac Ormond is an Earl from Ireland and desperate to find a bride and commence siring an heir. His father and elder brother have already met untimely deaths and Cormac is the last of his male line to still be alive. His earnestness to find a bride in England meets with no success as, he proposes marriage to a girl not ten minutes after making her acquaintance.

Emma Bartholomew, an unsuccessful wallflower after five seasons who suffers her own demons, is set to be auctioned off by her stepmother to pay her father's debts! In Emma's attempt to buy herself sometime, she requests and is allowed to visit The School for Spinsters to find a suitable husband instead of the auction.

Both these people have secrets that they don't wish to share with anyone until they have no choice but to come clean to each other. I really liked both characters and their interaction with each other. Cormac is patient with Emma and is still attracted to her. Though he's paid for her hand in marriage via the auction and settled all her father's outstanding debts, he's still willing to let her go if she is against marrying him.

They grow to love and care very much for one another are tackle the situation with Cormac's constant illness as well as his mother's animosity towards Emma when they first meet.

A sweet read that I finished in a matter of hours and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend this book and author.

I received an ARC from Dragonblade publishers and NetGallery and I voluntarily leave my honest and fair review.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Match Me If You Can is the third book in The School for Spinsters series.

Emma Bartholomew has had five unsuccessful seasons. Emma is secretly listening to a conversation between her father and stepmother who has come up with a plan to auction her off to any man that will pay the price for an undetermined artwork with her as the bonus. It's a convoluted scheme to auction off her hand in marriage. Emma comes up with her own plan to enlist the help of the School for Spinsters to help her find a husband quickly. She is able to get her father to agree but for a very short time.

Cormac Ormond, the Irish Earl of Dunmeath has come to England to find a bride and sire a child before he dies from a mysterious illness that has claimed his older brother, father and grandfather. He is having no luck and has become known as desperate to wed.

Emma's first few days at the school are disastrous as she doesn't follow instructions and is unable to make the simplest conversation with gentlemen. Emma is hiding a secret known only to her family and tries her best not to let anyone else know.

Cormac the Earl of Dunmeath, who is also hiding a secret quickly uncovers Emma's secret and has decided that she is perfect for him. Cormac will have to work very hard to convince Emma that he is someone she can count on before the auction takes place.

This was a very enjoyable story. The characters were fun and entertaining. I had guessed why Cormac was ill but not the reason and was happy to have learned something new in regards to his illness. Looking forward to reading the whole series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The School for Spinsters has been an enjoyable series to follow so far, and this latest addition is no different. This is the third installment of the series and is just as entertaining and captivating as the previous books. Emma has had five seasons and is still unsuccessful at finding a husband. This time around, her stepmother threatens to give her hand to the highest bidder if she doesn't find a suitable match. Desperate not to have to go down that route, she turns to the School of Spinsters for help. She is also harboring a secret and fears this secret may deter anyone from marrying her.
Cormac is the Earl of Dunmeath, and he is looking for a quick marriage. He is sick and he needs an heir before it is too late. He and Emma marry after he wins her in a bridal auction, and the two begin their relationship with a beautiful friendship. As their bond grows deeper, Emma is desperate to find the cause of her new husband's illness, because she is not ready to let him go just yet.
The characters were well-crafted, with depth and personality. The story was well-written and interesting and the mystery surrounding the illness was intriguing and kept me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of the series. I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's some inconsistencies, like the main character towards the end seems to have more sight than she was originally described as having. And then the two characters create a marriage contract of things they won't do in the marriage--the female main character is adamant that she won't act as countess because she believes she can't and makes the love interest sign agreeing to that. She then changes her mind soon after they get to his estate, and when he tells her there's no need for her to do that...she's absolutely devastated and decides that the sole reason he says no is because he has no faith in her or her abilities. Not once is it ever mentioned by either character or the narrative that this was part of the contract and he's actually abiding by what she was so dead-set against doing. Instead, the only part of the contract that is ever brought up again after that signing scene was the whole ridiculous "you can't fall in love with me" part.

I also had to laugh, as the characters frequently tell the servants to "go get medicine," or go tell the doctor so and so was "poisoned." What kind of medicine? Well, apparently there was only one. They don't tell the poor servants or the doctor what symptoms are going on to help them narrow it down either. That's ok, I'm sure all poisons are the same and there's only one way to treat them....

[Mary Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Not too bad but I didn't enjoy it as much as the other ones in the series. I didn't really like Beatrice and found Cormac a bit 2 dimensional. The premise being that Cormac is desperate to get married because he thinks he knows he is dying. He is wealthy. Beatrice's step mother decides to auction her off. Beatrice thinks it's because she's loosing her sight and that Lucy wants Beatrice's father to herself. This isn't actually the full motivation but I personally can't see how Beatrice could forgive her. Beatrice goes to the spinster school to see if she can get help. They partially help her before they twig that her problem is to do with her lack of sight and then they are more effective in their efforts. I could understand that Cormac is desperate but I wasn't convinced that a peer would want an heir that could be disabled. as Beatrice's near blindness could have been heriditory. I also found it odd that we were suddenly launched into the headmistresses possible romance or sparing with a potential suitor. IMO it was a left turn from the main story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperation can lead to love.

Cormac Ormand is slowly dying. His father and brother perished from the same illness he recently started experiencing. He is in London to find a bride to give him an air before he is gone. Emma Bartholomew is at her last resort. Her stepmother is holding an auction to sell her hand in marriage to pay off Emma’s father’s debts. Cormac and Emma seek out the help of Ms. Harding at the School for Spinsters.

Michelle Willingham has a way of grabbing onto me and holding me with her wonderful characters and stories. She is one of my go-to authors. I loved this story of two people who have challenges to overcome and fall in love as they become closer to one another and help each other to be content and happy. This was a quick and pleasant read and I’d highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys women facing and conquering their fears, and men learning that a strong woman can be a wonderful partner and they can be more together. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Linda J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the series was book 2. This is a stand alone story and I hope it isn't the end of the series, as some have stated. I will explain at the end.

I did like the h and understood her reasons for refusing. I was disappointed, no-one suggested she see a doctor for her condition, since it'd been years since she had. I disliked how she forgave her step-mother for her part. Also, what did the father do. to put himself in such a state?

Thought for sure I knew who the villain was, but nope a curveball. Some suspenseful moments, twists and intrigue. Romance builds slowly - lovemaking within marriage - heat level 4 out of 5 and filled with passion.

No cheating, no cliffhanger for our couple. But, we are left wondering about the headmistress of the school. Her potential romance was left hanging. so I hope she will have her story. HEA, some romance near the end and steam. We get an epilogue about 1 year in the future.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-warming and somewhat suspenseful, this novel brings two people together who are going through their own version of hell. Despite their initial meeting and the mishaps along the way, it is evident that Cormac and Emma belong together. Being auctioned off is the final nail in Emma's coffin, so to speak, but Cormac is not willing to allow her to go through that degradation. Fortunately, they both have an ally in the School for Spinsters, but it still takes some sleuthing and mistrust on the part of all the main players to find the cause of Cormac's condition and to give Emma the acceptance she longs for. Having read about the effects of Scheele's Green, also called Schloss Green, I was interested to read how this pigment played a role in this romance. I was relieved that this novel, a copy of which I received as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, comes to a happy conclusion. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are dire...She's going blind, he thinks he's dying...

An interesting premise, to be sure. Emma's stepmother is auctioning her off, well, a painting, but she goes with the painting. She is blind/almost blind (funny, her sight comes and goes in this book), going blind. A true wallflower, she goes to the school in a desperate bid not to be auctioned off. Emma is not a strong character, but does grow throughout the book.

Cormac, an Irish earl, thinks he's dying. Either from being poisoned or from a disease passed down through the men in his family. He is on the hunt, post haste for a wife to beget an heir. He proposes to most women as soon as he meets them. He has a terrible memory and is always sick whenever Emma needs him most.

I liked Cormac and Emma together, they are truly better together and stronger together.
Some possibly shady relatives, interesting quest to find the source of Cormac's illness. I really want to read Rachel's book, though.
Recommend.
4.5

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Bartholomew has overheard her stepmother's plans for her. Now she has to think of a way out, but for someone who can't see very well that is difficult.  There is a school that has helped other wallflowers to find a match. Maybe they can help. 

Cormac Ormond , Earl of Dunmeath knows he is dying and needs to marry quickly. Nobody wants to marry such a desperate man. 

A historical romance that is full of emotion with both our characters being desperate for a normal life.  It is part of a series that is set around the school, so each book is easily read on its own.  Its fascinating when you realise what is to blame for our hero's problems.  

Very interesting reading. 

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** ARC copy in exchange for an honest review ***

This is my first by this author, and overall I liked it. I particularly liked the heroine's interest in independence and the author's exploration of a disability that didn't magically resolve itself by the end of book. One quibble: I didn't understand why we needed to jump back to the Lord Brian storyline in London a few times; it felt like that only started halfway through the book but I also didn't read the other two books in the series, so perhaps that's on me.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn to this book when I read the blurb. The idea of a blind heroine appealed to me and was the reason I wanted to read it. Emma and Cormac proved to be interesting characters. I found it interesting how Emma dealt with her blindness and what it was like to be in society. I was also intrigued by Cormac and his health issues. I must say, the what, why and where of that aspect of the story kept me on my toes. All in all I enjoyed reading 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗘 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 and would definitely read more by this author. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!