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Matched Pairs
Betrothed from Birth
It was decided from their infancy that Tris Enders would wed Juliet Branscombe. Yet, growing up on adjoining estates in Derbyshire made that the last thing that either wanted, especially after Tris had found the girl of his dreams in London and the handsome Lord Canfield moved into a nearby estate. Tris and Juliet each believed that if the other became engaged to someone else, then Juliet's mother, the formidable Madge Branscombe, would finally have to put her daughter's dreams above her own and allow them to marry whomever they chose. Misunderstandings abound when Tris and Juliet "help" each other with the objects of their affections, leading to disastrous results.
It was decided from their infancy that Tris Enders would wed Juliet Branscombe. Yet, growing up on adjoining estates in Derbyshire made that the last thing that either wanted, especially after Tris had found the girl of his dreams in London and the handsome Lord Canfield moved into a nearby estate. Tris and Juliet each believed that if the other became engaged to someone else, then Juliet's mother, the formidable Madge Branscombe, would finally have to put her daughter's dreams above her own and allow them to marry whomever they chose. Misunderstandings abound when Tris and Juliet "help" each other with the objects of their affections, leading to disastrous results.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
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59 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Mansfield
59 books61 followersElizabeth Mansfield is the author of numerous regency romances. She is an intelligent and thoughtful writer, a hidden gem whose novels deserve to be more widely read and enjoyed.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 19, 2017
3 1/2
Sweet, clean and a good in between books, tale. Misunderstandings were a bit over the top. Talk to each other people! That said, of the two couples, no three! I believe at least two really were "well-matched", the other couple was far too childish to really be ready for marriage.
I do like that this author seems to understand human nature fairly well. And characters keep their personality while growing throughout.
Sweet, clean and a good in between books, tale. Misunderstandings were a bit over the top. Talk to each other people! That said, of the two couples, no three! I believe at least two really were "well-matched", the other couple was far too childish to really be ready for marriage.
I do like that this author seems to understand human nature fairly well. And characters keep their personality while growing throughout.
December 14, 2015
Matched Pairs reads as if plotted by committee. It's full of dead ends and new beginnings, such that when you reach the actual end of the book you can only wonder why it took so long to get there.
November 16, 2017
Such fun!
A charming confection of miscommunication, wrong assumptions, and interfering parents, but true love wins in the end. Julie's character evolves and matures beautifully in the course of the novel.
A charming confection of miscommunication, wrong assumptions, and interfering parents, but true love wins in the end. Julie's character evolves and matures beautifully in the course of the novel.
November 4, 2025
The FMC has a childhood friend trying to match her up with a new lord in the neighbourhood, and two mothers and the new lord trying to match her up with the childhood friend. It was an amusing plot bunny but there was more that could have been done with it.
December 25, 2025
Cute story! Will read again in the future!
August 27, 2015
It's a lot of silliness, but good enough for a lighthearted romp. Bunch of misunderstandings back and forth.
Don't go looking for realism... the mothers have been so overbearing and controlling the last 20 years (that the two kids dread to tell them they have absolutely no wish to be married), they miraculously turn out to be loving mothers with the best of intentions.
There are two main pairs. One male really is a selfish cad, the other is a libertine (not a complete rake, but he has "a few affairs of the heart", as he says). With a gypsy warning throw in, it's pleasant enough to sit through.
Don't go looking for realism... the mothers have been so overbearing and controlling the last 20 years (that the two kids dread to tell them they have absolutely no wish to be married), they miraculously turn out to be loving mothers with the best of intentions.
There are two main pairs. One male really is a selfish cad, the other is a libertine (not a complete rake, but he has "a few affairs of the heart", as he says). With a gypsy warning throw in, it's pleasant enough to sit through.
November 4, 2016
As the three stars indicated, I liked it. Good for a light read. I was happy to see Juliet grow up, and grow up in a way that is believable and subtle. That Tristan was actually jealous, and that they didn't dismiss it as brotherly affection was what I loved in this story the most. The way the author handled it was more natural, realistic and quite different from other regency romances.
As was in The Fifth Kiss, the author marries off in-laws (or would-be ones, in this case). I really wonder if that could've been legal.
As was in The Fifth Kiss, the author marries off in-laws (or would-be ones, in this case). I really wonder if that could've been legal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2016
Sweet, Delightful and Heyerisk
Two meddling Mothers have been pushing for a marriage between Tristam and Juliet while the two squabble and feel total indifference like brother and sister. In London Tristam meets his match, while Juliet has a waltz with the newly arrived Lord Canfield. Due to Juliet's shyness, Tristam's ignorance and the continued intrusive actions of the Mothers, misunderstandings and mayhem occurs. Good thing that this is a Regency Romance with a HEA.
Two meddling Mothers have been pushing for a marriage between Tristam and Juliet while the two squabble and feel total indifference like brother and sister. In London Tristam meets his match, while Juliet has a waltz with the newly arrived Lord Canfield. Due to Juliet's shyness, Tristam's ignorance and the continued intrusive actions of the Mothers, misunderstandings and mayhem occurs. Good thing that this is a Regency Romance with a HEA.
April 19, 2015
This is not my favorite Elizabeth Mansfield read. The two main characters, Tris and Juliet, are too immature and wish-washy to make me care about their future. Many of the situations seemed implausible and the supporting characters weren't very likeable.
August 9, 2016
This was more what I was looking for from Elizabeth Mansfield.
February 4, 2017
3.5 stars. I like these old-style regency romances.
January 24, 2017
3.5 I love old-school regencies.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews