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The Marriage Game #6
A Kiss for Lady Mary
Ella Quinn’s bachelors do as they like and take what they want. But when the objects of their desire are bold, beautiful women, the rules of the game always seem to change…
Handsome, charming, and heir to a powerful Viscount, Christopher “Kit” Featherton is everything a woman could want—except interested in marriage. So when he hears that someone on his estate near the Scottish border is claiming to be his wife, Kit sets off to investigate.
Since her parents’ death, Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin, a fortune-hunting fool after her inheritance. Refusing to settle for anything less than love, Mary escapes to the isolated estate of rakish bachelor, Kit Featherton. Knowing he prefers Court to the country, she believes she will be safe. But when Kit unexpectedly returns, her pretend marriage begins to feel seductively real…
Handsome, charming, and heir to a powerful Viscount, Christopher “Kit” Featherton is everything a woman could want—except interested in marriage. So when he hears that someone on his estate near the Scottish border is claiming to be his wife, Kit sets off to investigate.
Since her parents’ death, Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin, a fortune-hunting fool after her inheritance. Refusing to settle for anything less than love, Mary escapes to the isolated estate of rakish bachelor, Kit Featherton. Knowing he prefers Court to the country, she believes she will be safe. But when Kit unexpectedly returns, her pretend marriage begins to feel seductively real…
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2015
213 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Ella Quinn
53 books2,538 followersUSA 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 over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a Great Dane named Lilibet. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on 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.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~ Instagram ~ BookBub
She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a Great Dane named Lilibet. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on 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.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~ Instagram ~ BookBub
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 10, 2025
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mary is in hiding from her cousin who wants to marry her and steal her large dowry. It will still be a year before Mary can turn old enough to control her future and after a slim escape from the cousin, a new plan besides just town hopping is needed. Her wily grandmother convinces her to hide out at a remote town living in a house pretending to be the owner's wife. When Christopher "Kit" Featherton gets word that his "wife" is occupying a remote estate of his, he decides to pay a little visit.
I thought this started off incredibly slow, it takes a while for our couple to get together, and unfortunately, the slow pace persisted throughout the rest of the book. This is very much a "true" regency; Mary and Kit are a product of their times. Mary likes to go on walks and wander around bemoaning having to hide away from her cousin and missing another season in London to find a husband before she reaches the abominable age of twenty-five. Kit is a perfect gentleman who dances with every lady asked of him at balls and uses a quizzing glass in a non-ironical way. Years ago they had met each other and developed a fondness but as their grandmothers connive to set them up, the bulk of their story is Kit trying to get Mary to want to marry him for real without doing anything so she doesn't feel pressured and Mary thinking there could be no way Kit would want to marry her and silently begging him to kiss her. Our couple is not falling in love but working to be married, it felt forced in a long meandering way and lacked anticipation and excitement.
This is sixth in the series and past couples make long extended appearances, I haven't read any of the previous books but others who have would probably enjoy revisiting them and their growing families. Two side romances are also included in the story, Mary's aunt Eunice and the town rector and a woman they meet in Edinburgh named Morna and Simon. The aunt's romance starts rather abruptly and ends the same way but they managed to have more going on in their couple pages of relationship than Mary and Kit did with a whole book dedicated to them. I don't know if Morna and Simon were featured in previous books but their story, which lasted for a couple chapters, felt like it came out of nowhere (seriously who were these people?) and felt very out of place in the book. Their story seemed interesting, star crossed lovers, lies, deceit, hidden marriage, and years of heartbreak but ended up mostly glossed over; they needed their own novella.
As I mentioned, this is true regency, down to the character's speech and mannerisms. Some opendoor with the first sex scene between Mary and Kit being their wedding night and her not knowing how they fit together. Everything in the story is very easy and gentle and I found myself missing some adventure. The writing is technically sound and if you want a slower moving, wanders off target occasionally, clean, and regency time period story this would fit the bill. For me, however, this felt like drinking watered down scotch, it's didn’t cut it.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mary is in hiding from her cousin who wants to marry her and steal her large dowry. It will still be a year before Mary can turn old enough to control her future and after a slim escape from the cousin, a new plan besides just town hopping is needed. Her wily grandmother convinces her to hide out at a remote town living in a house pretending to be the owner's wife. When Christopher "Kit" Featherton gets word that his "wife" is occupying a remote estate of his, he decides to pay a little visit.
I thought this started off incredibly slow, it takes a while for our couple to get together, and unfortunately, the slow pace persisted throughout the rest of the book. This is very much a "true" regency; Mary and Kit are a product of their times. Mary likes to go on walks and wander around bemoaning having to hide away from her cousin and missing another season in London to find a husband before she reaches the abominable age of twenty-five. Kit is a perfect gentleman who dances with every lady asked of him at balls and uses a quizzing glass in a non-ironical way. Years ago they had met each other and developed a fondness but as their grandmothers connive to set them up, the bulk of their story is Kit trying to get Mary to want to marry him for real without doing anything so she doesn't feel pressured and Mary thinking there could be no way Kit would want to marry her and silently begging him to kiss her. Our couple is not falling in love but working to be married, it felt forced in a long meandering way and lacked anticipation and excitement.
This is sixth in the series and past couples make long extended appearances, I haven't read any of the previous books but others who have would probably enjoy revisiting them and their growing families. Two side romances are also included in the story, Mary's aunt Eunice and the town rector and a woman they meet in Edinburgh named Morna and Simon. The aunt's romance starts rather abruptly and ends the same way but they managed to have more going on in their couple pages of relationship than Mary and Kit did with a whole book dedicated to them. I don't know if Morna and Simon were featured in previous books but their story, which lasted for a couple chapters, felt like it came out of nowhere (seriously who were these people?) and felt very out of place in the book. Their story seemed interesting, star crossed lovers, lies, deceit, hidden marriage, and years of heartbreak but ended up mostly glossed over; they needed their own novella.
As I mentioned, this is true regency, down to the character's speech and mannerisms. Some opendoor with the first sex scene between Mary and Kit being their wedding night and her not knowing how they fit together. Everything in the story is very easy and gentle and I found myself missing some adventure. The writing is technically sound and if you want a slower moving, wanders off target occasionally, clean, and regency time period story this would fit the bill. For me, however, this felt like drinking watered down scotch, it's didn’t cut it.
February 5, 2017
This book was full-stop bad. It was sloppy, badly plotted, badly written, and needed an editor to slash at least two plots from it. I don't know why I'm finished except for a perverse stubbornness? My problems, or some of them, are as follows:
1. This is a misunderstanding plot. A misunderstanding plot that goes on for, like, 3/4 of the damn book. And it's a DUMB misunderstanding plot. Basically: she wants him to kiss her and because he doesn't and doesn't tell her she's pretty assumes he isn't interested; he desperately WANTS to kiss her but is afraid she'll think he's a cad. So, instead of just ASKING a question or answering honestly if one is asked, they both act like idiots for 200+ pages. SO FRUSTRATING.
2. There is not only ONE subplot romance, there are two. And the second one is sprung on you at about the 2/3 mark with characters you've not met who get pages and pages of plot despite having no real tie-in to the main couple. And even still both are totally half baked, and one is so ridiculously over-the-top and cliche I wonder why the author didn't give it it's own book, or a novella.
3. The setup is ludicrously anachronistic. Just, no way. No way a proper ton young lady pretends to be a man's wife living in his HOUSE and 1) doesn't get caught when the man in question is extremely popular and famous in town; and 2) keeps her reputation intact. It was just baffling. Even more baffling that so many "chaperone" figures coerced her into doing it.
4. The writing tries so HARD to be period appropriate that it FEELS anachronistic. And so many "a couple of" phrasings that felt even more so.
5. The sex in this book is painfully awkward and kind of weird and...ugh. "This is my member." "What's it do?" "It has a couple of purposes." Jesus Christ.
6. SO MANY DROPPED PLOTS. We spend the entire book having Mary chased by her cousin, only to have him disappear for a hundred pages, not have any real chance of stopping her marriage, and be
put to pasture as it were in a matter of paragraphs. WHAT WAS THE POINT.
7. This book has too many characters from previous books in the series. Granted, I've not read the previous books. But I should be able to read this is a stand alone without being confused about who is what to whom.
In short, I'm an idiot. I should rate MYSELF one star for finishing this when I guessed early on what a mess this was going to be.
1. This is a misunderstanding plot. A misunderstanding plot that goes on for, like, 3/4 of the damn book. And it's a DUMB misunderstanding plot. Basically: she wants him to kiss her and because he doesn't and doesn't tell her she's pretty assumes he isn't interested; he desperately WANTS to kiss her but is afraid she'll think he's a cad. So, instead of just ASKING a question or answering honestly if one is asked, they both act like idiots for 200+ pages. SO FRUSTRATING.
2. There is not only ONE subplot romance, there are two. And the second one is sprung on you at about the 2/3 mark with characters you've not met who get pages and pages of plot despite having no real tie-in to the main couple. And even still both are totally half baked, and one is so ridiculously over-the-top and cliche I wonder why the author didn't give it it's own book, or a novella.
3. The setup is ludicrously anachronistic. Just, no way. No way a proper ton young lady pretends to be a man's wife living in his HOUSE and 1) doesn't get caught when the man in question is extremely popular and famous in town; and 2) keeps her reputation intact. It was just baffling. Even more baffling that so many "chaperone" figures coerced her into doing it.
4. The writing tries so HARD to be period appropriate that it FEELS anachronistic. And so many "a couple of" phrasings that felt even more so.
5. The sex in this book is painfully awkward and kind of weird and...ugh. "This is my member." "What's it do?" "It has a couple of purposes." Jesus Christ.
6. SO MANY DROPPED PLOTS. We spend the entire book having Mary chased by her cousin, only to have him disappear for a hundred pages, not have any real chance of stopping her marriage, and be
put to pasture as it were in a matter of paragraphs. WHAT WAS THE POINT.
7. This book has too many characters from previous books in the series. Granted, I've not read the previous books. But I should be able to read this is a stand alone without being confused about who is what to whom.
In short, I'm an idiot. I should rate MYSELF one star for finishing this when I guessed early on what a mess this was going to be.
May 26, 2015
Mary Tolliver has been hiding from an unscrupulous cousin who wants to marry her for her dowry. All Mary wants is to marry for love and if she can't have that, she would rather be alone. If she can stay hidden for a year, until she reaches her majority, she will be free to live as she sees fit. After a close call with her cousin, Mary's unconventional grandmother devises a plan for Mary to live on an estate as the absent owner's imaginary wife.
Bachelor Kit Featherton runs from the idea of marriage but when he discovers that an impostor is parading around his estate as his wife he rushes to the long untended estate to find his "wife" taking care of all he should have been. When he finds Lady Mary is much more than the poser he thought, he mindset changes and he begins to see a future with this woman. Lady Mary, however is holding out for love or nothing at all and if Kit Featherton thinks that his roguish good looks will sway her, he is very wrong.
With a little help from Mary's and Kit's grandmothers and their matchmaking scheme, the chase is on to see if Mary indeed will become the wife in fact or will she take on a season she never had and find another suitor.
A Kiss For Lady Mary by Ella Quin is the sixth installment of The Marriage Game series and it is a delightful read. There are more than a few times that I would have quite enjoyed smacking both Kit and Mary in the head and yelled "snap out of it". This hard-headed pair has such a time admitting what they have is the real thing that it's frustrating to sit back and watch and not be able to intervene. I adore Kit's sense of honor and his protective stance when it came to Mary and her awful cousin and I do admire Mary's aptitude and intelligence. A Kiss For Lady Mary is a well calculated chase that is a charm to read.
Bachelor Kit Featherton runs from the idea of marriage but when he discovers that an impostor is parading around his estate as his wife he rushes to the long untended estate to find his "wife" taking care of all he should have been. When he finds Lady Mary is much more than the poser he thought, he mindset changes and he begins to see a future with this woman. Lady Mary, however is holding out for love or nothing at all and if Kit Featherton thinks that his roguish good looks will sway her, he is very wrong.
With a little help from Mary's and Kit's grandmothers and their matchmaking scheme, the chase is on to see if Mary indeed will become the wife in fact or will she take on a season she never had and find another suitor.
A Kiss For Lady Mary by Ella Quin is the sixth installment of The Marriage Game series and it is a delightful read. There are more than a few times that I would have quite enjoyed smacking both Kit and Mary in the head and yelled "snap out of it". This hard-headed pair has such a time admitting what they have is the real thing that it's frustrating to sit back and watch and not be able to intervene. I adore Kit's sense of honor and his protective stance when it came to Mary and her awful cousin and I do admire Mary's aptitude and intelligence. A Kiss For Lady Mary is a well calculated chase that is a charm to read.
June 14, 2022
enjoyable, but….
I love a good regency and this was very well written. However, there were a couple things that prevented this from being a 5 star read for me.
1) way too many characters. Groups of friends and their spouses and their kids. They just kept flooding into the story, and it was like mental whiplash trying to keep a track of all of them.
And that’s not even to mention several subplots that came into the story such as the aunts romance or another weird subplot that was stashed into the story 75% in— a lady who married a man years ago and didn’t know she was married to him so she was married off to an old man, but still sees the original man she married and sleeps with him—presumably believing she’s committing adultery—and even has two children by him, then the OG man she loves leaves and she’s left raising his two children and being married to the old man. Until he dies and then the OG returns. This subplot had nothing whatsoever to do with the main couple or did anything to move the story forward. It was just shoved in there and it was annoying.
2) throughout the story it’s emphasized that the hero is proper, he’s never wooed a woman, doesn’t chase skirts, is the soul of self-control and discretion. And yet he still has skanks he’s managed to find to relieve his balls into. Also, nothing is mentioned if he was faithful to the heroine after meeting her and they were separated for 2 years. It was completely unnecessary—and discordant—to write the hero having slimed around with std-traps. For that alone I dropped 3 stars since my enjoyment of this story plummeted after it was disclosed.
Hero’s past is mentioned, although no explicit details are given. It’s just stated he’s had mistresses and he’s been discreet. Nothing is mentioned if he’s been faithful to heroine after meeting her. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to the hero. Heroine is being chased by her cousin with intentions to compromise her so he can get his hands on her fortune. No abuse. HEA with epilogue a few months out and pregnant.
I love a good regency and this was very well written. However, there were a couple things that prevented this from being a 5 star read for me.
1) way too many characters. Groups of friends and their spouses and their kids. They just kept flooding into the story, and it was like mental whiplash trying to keep a track of all of them.
And that’s not even to mention several subplots that came into the story such as the aunts romance or another weird subplot that was stashed into the story 75% in— a lady who married a man years ago and didn’t know she was married to him so she was married off to an old man, but still sees the original man she married and sleeps with him—presumably believing she’s committing adultery—and even has two children by him, then the OG man she loves leaves and she’s left raising his two children and being married to the old man. Until he dies and then the OG returns. This subplot had nothing whatsoever to do with the main couple or did anything to move the story forward. It was just shoved in there and it was annoying.
2) throughout the story it’s emphasized that the hero is proper, he’s never wooed a woman, doesn’t chase skirts, is the soul of self-control and discretion. And yet he still has skanks he’s managed to find to relieve his balls into. Also, nothing is mentioned if he was faithful to the heroine after meeting her and they were separated for 2 years. It was completely unnecessary—and discordant—to write the hero having slimed around with std-traps. For that alone I dropped 3 stars since my enjoyment of this story plummeted after it was disclosed.
Hero’s past is mentioned, although no explicit details are given. It’s just stated he’s had mistresses and he’s been discreet. Nothing is mentioned if he’s been faithful to heroine after meeting her. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to the hero. Heroine is being chased by her cousin with intentions to compromise her so he can get his hands on her fortune. No abuse. HEA with epilogue a few months out and pregnant.
January 20, 2016
Ella Quinn entertains once again with very lovable characters. Outside the two main characters, Lady Mary and Kit, I particularly enjoyed the Dowagers Viscountess Featherton and Duchess of Bridgewater. Both were grandmothers to the hero and heroine of the story. They were elder women with sharp minds who had perfected their match making skills. They sharpened them further in setting up Lady Mary and Kit to fall in love. The story setting was quite humorous and more so since both Lady Mary and Kit didn’t know they were set up.
Lady Mary was being hounded by her cousin who wanted to compromise her to force her hand. She had barely escaped his earlier efforts to trap her. Therefore under the tutelage of her grandmother, the Duchess of Bridgewater, she was removed along with her aunt, Lady Eunice, to a remote place, somewhere Gawain Tolliver wouldn’t find her. If she could just stay out of his way until she gained five and twenty, she would be able to keep her inheritance and her independence. Lady Mary could not comprehend why Uncle Hector had insisted she marry his son, Gawain. She only knew she didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
I really liked the scene where Mary talks with her grandmother and aunt about the wild scheme that has been concocted for her protection. From this point forward, the reader feels the humor in the whole set up. I also felt the determination and slightly insane sounding grandmother convincing Mary to impersonate the wife of the owner of Rose Hill. Mary goes along with the charade, however reluctantly, as it would protect her from Gawain. Was she ready for Bedlam as her grandmother seemed to be?
She doesn’t plan to fall in love with Rose Hill. It was very run down, since the steward was old and been sick for some time. She acted as its mistress becoming very much a part of the estate, village and people who lived from the bounty of the land. She used her intelligence to at least leave the property better than she left it. Mary felt very bad with this impersonation, but it didn’t affect the way she treated those around her. In the impersonating, she also gained admiration and respect from the servants within Rose Hill and even the village close by. She knew her time was growing short in seclusion. She had to go back to London. But her worst nightmare showed up, arriving in the form of the Honorable Mr. Christopher (Kit) Featherton. This was simply delicious!
Kit had seen the numbers of profitability of Rose Hill increase. This intrigued him, but then he was told a woman impersonating his wife was living there. He decided to rid his property of her personally. It’s quite humorous as he nears his property, he is recognized and given the cold shoulder. By the time he reaches the property he wonders what he will find. When he sees the repair and condition of the property looking very nice, he is more intrigued who this woman is.
This is the delightful part – she is the beauty he saw at a ball several years back and hadn’t gotten her out of his head. Mary, of course, remembers him. She had named him Mr. Perfect. He always danced with wall flowers doing the pretty and all the Season’s mamas were hoping him to be their son-in-law. She had hoped he would dance with her. He did not even look her way. And now the man stood before her. Could she survive the embarrassment?
Ms. Quinn has set the stage, or should I say the grandmothers had? After all, it was their plan the two should marry. Ms. Quinn told the story in her amusing way, getting many chortles from me as both Mary and Kit get more desperate. Mary wants him. Kits wants her. The grandmothers want them. But what’s the problem? The problem is simply Kit is too perfect, too much the gentleman. Would he ever kiss his intended without actually being betrothed? Not from Kit. It would never happen. Mary is afraid to show him anything about her feelings if she doesn’t know how he feels. After all, she is every bit the lady. What will it take to break this dilemma?
Loved the story, its plot and how slang current to the times is used in dialog. I highly recommend Regency reads from Ella Quinn.
Lady Mary was being hounded by her cousin who wanted to compromise her to force her hand. She had barely escaped his earlier efforts to trap her. Therefore under the tutelage of her grandmother, the Duchess of Bridgewater, she was removed along with her aunt, Lady Eunice, to a remote place, somewhere Gawain Tolliver wouldn’t find her. If she could just stay out of his way until she gained five and twenty, she would be able to keep her inheritance and her independence. Lady Mary could not comprehend why Uncle Hector had insisted she marry his son, Gawain. She only knew she didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
I really liked the scene where Mary talks with her grandmother and aunt about the wild scheme that has been concocted for her protection. From this point forward, the reader feels the humor in the whole set up. I also felt the determination and slightly insane sounding grandmother convincing Mary to impersonate the wife of the owner of Rose Hill. Mary goes along with the charade, however reluctantly, as it would protect her from Gawain. Was she ready for Bedlam as her grandmother seemed to be?
She doesn’t plan to fall in love with Rose Hill. It was very run down, since the steward was old and been sick for some time. She acted as its mistress becoming very much a part of the estate, village and people who lived from the bounty of the land. She used her intelligence to at least leave the property better than she left it. Mary felt very bad with this impersonation, but it didn’t affect the way she treated those around her. In the impersonating, she also gained admiration and respect from the servants within Rose Hill and even the village close by. She knew her time was growing short in seclusion. She had to go back to London. But her worst nightmare showed up, arriving in the form of the Honorable Mr. Christopher (Kit) Featherton. This was simply delicious!
Kit had seen the numbers of profitability of Rose Hill increase. This intrigued him, but then he was told a woman impersonating his wife was living there. He decided to rid his property of her personally. It’s quite humorous as he nears his property, he is recognized and given the cold shoulder. By the time he reaches the property he wonders what he will find. When he sees the repair and condition of the property looking very nice, he is more intrigued who this woman is.
This is the delightful part – she is the beauty he saw at a ball several years back and hadn’t gotten her out of his head. Mary, of course, remembers him. She had named him Mr. Perfect. He always danced with wall flowers doing the pretty and all the Season’s mamas were hoping him to be their son-in-law. She had hoped he would dance with her. He did not even look her way. And now the man stood before her. Could she survive the embarrassment?
Ms. Quinn has set the stage, or should I say the grandmothers had? After all, it was their plan the two should marry. Ms. Quinn told the story in her amusing way, getting many chortles from me as both Mary and Kit get more desperate. Mary wants him. Kits wants her. The grandmothers want them. But what’s the problem? The problem is simply Kit is too perfect, too much the gentleman. Would he ever kiss his intended without actually being betrothed? Not from Kit. It would never happen. Mary is afraid to show him anything about her feelings if she doesn’t know how he feels. After all, she is every bit the lady. What will it take to break this dilemma?
Loved the story, its plot and how slang current to the times is used in dialog. I highly recommend Regency reads from Ella Quinn.
November 29, 2025
Such a comforting read!!! I loved every word of it!
This book was a love story made through other love stories. Kit and Mary were adorable! Their points of view and narratives were so relatable and fun. There were two fools in love, and I found the way their romance and courting had its ups and downs very endearing. While focusing on Kit and Mary, many different pairs. Eunice and Brian. Simon and Morna. It was like a big mosaic of different second-chance romances, all interlaced to create this poignant and magnificent story.
THE FACT THAT THE PRIEST HAD THE BEST GAME IS HILARIOUS THO...ALSO WAS THE VENUS BATH INSPIRED BY THE BATH FOUND IN THE VATICAN????
Tags:
Historical Romance⚔️🏰🐲
Second chance romance🔁💏🏽🥰
Virgin FMC ♍🌮💦
Slow burn 🕯🪔 🧯
Simp MMC🙌😻
Possessive MMCs💞 💓 💗
Miscommunication😵💫⚠️
Angst😐😑😬
Learning intimacy💁👌😍
Mitual pinning ❤️🩹💔
Weapon use 🗡 ⚔️🔫
Stalking🪓 🔪🏴
Abuse ☠️😥 😓
Travel 🗺️🧭🌍
Spicy 🤤😳 🥵
HEA🔔🤵🏼👰🏼
This book was a love story made through other love stories. Kit and Mary were adorable! Their points of view and narratives were so relatable and fun. There were two fools in love, and I found the way their romance and courting had its ups and downs very endearing. While focusing on Kit and Mary, many different pairs. Eunice and Brian. Simon and Morna. It was like a big mosaic of different second-chance romances, all interlaced to create this poignant and magnificent story.
Tags:
Historical Romance⚔️🏰🐲
Second chance romance🔁💏🏽🥰
Virgin FMC ♍🌮💦
Slow burn 🕯🪔 🧯
Simp MMC🙌😻
Possessive MMCs💞 💓 💗
Miscommunication😵💫⚠️
Angst😐😑😬
Learning intimacy💁👌😍
Mitual pinning ❤️🩹💔
Weapon use 🗡 ⚔️🔫
Stalking🪓 🔪🏴
Abuse ☠️😥 😓
Travel 🗺️🧭🌍
Spicy 🤤😳 🥵
HEA🔔🤵🏼👰🏼
May 13, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
"Ella Quinn’s bachelors do as they like and take what they want. But when the objects of their desire are bold, beautiful women, the rules of the game always seem to change…"
A Kiss for Lady Mary is book Book #7 of The Marriage Game Series by Ella Quinn.. Each book tells a story of men who have "sowed" their wild oats and are at the age where it's time to settle down. Not that they think they are ready but... What makes this series stand out from others of the same ilk, aside from the strong writing.. is the uniqueness of each book. Where the basic style of the writer doesn't change the way the stories are told does. These are not carbon copy heroes and heroines, nope these are individuals, with their own foibles and flaws.
The Marriage game tells the story of Christopher "Kit" Featherton and Lady Mary Tolliver two perfectly nice people. Seriously, nice people.. smack em in the face cuz they are just too nice, people.. One would think such a book would be boring, in someone else's hands they probably would be. But their very niceness is what drives the tension between the two of them.. seriously. It made me laugh on a regular basis.
But just because these two perfectly nice people are trying to figure out a romance, it doesn't mean that the world around them is equally nice..
It seems that Lady Mary has something of a stalker. Since the death of her parents, her cousin has decided that he deserves her inheritance.. so he is going to marry her. No matter what. Compromise, kidnap, pick a reprehensible means and he has tried it. This has caused Mary no end of trouble and has put her life on hold.
Kit Featherton is the man all the matrons go to when their daughters need someone to stand up with. No wallflowers exist around him, he is always ready to set a girl's mind at ease. But he's never really had to actually court a woman of his desire. He has one.. just isn't sure how, well even to find her right now.
Now Kit and Mary would be perfectly happy to find each other but both are so dang proper that things always seem to get muddled.. Never Fear! The matchmaking grandmas are here! And boy do they have a plan.. to match Kit and Mary, to solve Mary's stalker problem and to get Kit to enjoy his estate that he never really goes to...
Now for the fun part! LOL..
Watching Kit and Mary muddle through a courtship. Kit wants Mary, he has for a few years. Only he wants to court her properly, even if she is pretty much compromised and has to marry him. Mary wants to be courted, to be swept off her feet.. They want the same thing, they really do but neither is going to do a darn thing about it!
This was a solid, fun book! I don't think it's the best in the series but it holds it's place. We see several of the previous characters from The Marriage Game Series and everyone has an opinion. I had to laugh, This could actually happen, two people perfect for each other and yet neither ready to take the first step, make the first move..
The only thing I didn't like? There were too many secondary couples, not the gang from the series, new individuals, that had relationship conflicts. It seems like Ms. Quinn didn't trust her H/H to drive this book. I liked the other stories but would have preferred that they had their own as opposed to being a part of this book.
And the stalker resolution was rather anti climactic.. No, not gonna tell just voicing my thoughts.
Like I said, a good solid book.. for me it manages to slip into that four star category..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Kiss for Lady Mary, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2015
"Ella Quinn’s bachelors do as they like and take what they want. But when the objects of their desire are bold, beautiful women, the rules of the game always seem to change…"
A Kiss for Lady Mary is book Book #7 of The Marriage Game Series by Ella Quinn.. Each book tells a story of men who have "sowed" their wild oats and are at the age where it's time to settle down. Not that they think they are ready but... What makes this series stand out from others of the same ilk, aside from the strong writing.. is the uniqueness of each book. Where the basic style of the writer doesn't change the way the stories are told does. These are not carbon copy heroes and heroines, nope these are individuals, with their own foibles and flaws.
The Marriage game tells the story of Christopher "Kit" Featherton and Lady Mary Tolliver two perfectly nice people. Seriously, nice people.. smack em in the face cuz they are just too nice, people.. One would think such a book would be boring, in someone else's hands they probably would be. But their very niceness is what drives the tension between the two of them.. seriously. It made me laugh on a regular basis.
But just because these two perfectly nice people are trying to figure out a romance, it doesn't mean that the world around them is equally nice..
It seems that Lady Mary has something of a stalker. Since the death of her parents, her cousin has decided that he deserves her inheritance.. so he is going to marry her. No matter what. Compromise, kidnap, pick a reprehensible means and he has tried it. This has caused Mary no end of trouble and has put her life on hold.
Kit Featherton is the man all the matrons go to when their daughters need someone to stand up with. No wallflowers exist around him, he is always ready to set a girl's mind at ease. But he's never really had to actually court a woman of his desire. He has one.. just isn't sure how, well even to find her right now.
Now Kit and Mary would be perfectly happy to find each other but both are so dang proper that things always seem to get muddled.. Never Fear! The matchmaking grandmas are here! And boy do they have a plan.. to match Kit and Mary, to solve Mary's stalker problem and to get Kit to enjoy his estate that he never really goes to...
Now for the fun part! LOL..
Watching Kit and Mary muddle through a courtship. Kit wants Mary, he has for a few years. Only he wants to court her properly, even if she is pretty much compromised and has to marry him. Mary wants to be courted, to be swept off her feet.. They want the same thing, they really do but neither is going to do a darn thing about it!
This was a solid, fun book! I don't think it's the best in the series but it holds it's place. We see several of the previous characters from The Marriage Game Series and everyone has an opinion. I had to laugh, This could actually happen, two people perfect for each other and yet neither ready to take the first step, make the first move..
The only thing I didn't like? There were too many secondary couples, not the gang from the series, new individuals, that had relationship conflicts. It seems like Ms. Quinn didn't trust her H/H to drive this book. I liked the other stories but would have preferred that they had their own as opposed to being a part of this book.
And the stalker resolution was rather anti climactic.. No, not gonna tell just voicing my thoughts.
Like I said, a good solid book.. for me it manages to slip into that four star category..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Kiss for Lady Mary, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2015
May 28, 2015
ARC REVIEW
The Marriage Game book 6 by Ella Quinn, A Kiss for Lady Mary is a good read. This is my second for the series and while the other characters are present and active in this story their own personal stories play no part in this one; for the exception of those wonderful meddling grandmas. They claim to have made the matches for all their children and most of their grandchildren, now it is Christopher "Kit" Featherton and Mary Tolliver's turn. One of the things I liked about this book is the fact that it is the sixth book into the series and I didn't feel lost. You get a feel for who the characters are and the method behind their madness or in this case of Kit and Mary their reservedness. I also enjoyed Mary and Kit, it was a nice change of pace from the domineering alpha male. Kit was a proper and reserved gentleman dubbed Mr. Perfect who has a knack for drawing out the wallflowers. Mary, of course, is a strong minded woman who will not settle for anything less than love but is so shy from her lack of exposure to the opposite sex she has no idea what to do.
Kit is picky, and very proper, he once saw a beautiful girl out in her first season but too shy to ask for an introduction and a dance. Kit has never been able to get this woman out of his head even three years later. Now as his family is pressuring him to marry he has finally decided to track down the elusive Lady Mary and properly court her. Lady Mary thoroughly enjoyed her first season but was cut short due to the death of her father. For the last three years Mary has been hiding from her cousin Gawain who has been pushing her to marry him and will stop at nothing to have her and her money. Mary's Grandmother hatches a plan to protect Mary until she is old enough to get her trust out of her Uncle's name.
For the last year Mary has lived with her Aunt Eunice in a house way out of the way and implying that she is the estranged wife of the landowner. With Gawain getting more persistent and Kit and Mary finally ready to meet again the Grandmothers do their thing. Kit finds out someone is living on one of his properties acting as his wife, angry he rushes up their only to find the one woman he has never been able to forget. Mary is embarrassed, scared and so honest she tells him everything. Kit quickly forgets his anger and starts trying to figure out how to woo her and marry her. Mary doesn't want to be trapped into marriage she wants another season and her own chance to find love.
So while Mary and Kit try and figure things out Aunt Eunice falls in love, friends from the past books come to visit to help work out a way to avoid scandal and give everyone what they want. The solution a season in Edinburgh. Kit knows he wants Mary he just has to convince her but they are so hesitant around each other they are sending mixed signals, but all the friends agree Kit needs a little competition to get the nerve to act on his feelings. Also while in Edinburgh ( I swear it's like a freakin' historical soap opera. Woman! you gave me heart palpitations with all this.) a lost love returns and claims the children he could not previously claim. The sub-plots are so enticing and enjoyable it makes up for the fact that the Gawain ending plot is short. I read through this quick and easy and I loved it, I really need to read the others I have missed.
The Marriage Game book 6 by Ella Quinn, A Kiss for Lady Mary is a good read. This is my second for the series and while the other characters are present and active in this story their own personal stories play no part in this one; for the exception of those wonderful meddling grandmas. They claim to have made the matches for all their children and most of their grandchildren, now it is Christopher "Kit" Featherton and Mary Tolliver's turn. One of the things I liked about this book is the fact that it is the sixth book into the series and I didn't feel lost. You get a feel for who the characters are and the method behind their madness or in this case of Kit and Mary their reservedness. I also enjoyed Mary and Kit, it was a nice change of pace from the domineering alpha male. Kit was a proper and reserved gentleman dubbed Mr. Perfect who has a knack for drawing out the wallflowers. Mary, of course, is a strong minded woman who will not settle for anything less than love but is so shy from her lack of exposure to the opposite sex she has no idea what to do.
Kit is picky, and very proper, he once saw a beautiful girl out in her first season but too shy to ask for an introduction and a dance. Kit has never been able to get this woman out of his head even three years later. Now as his family is pressuring him to marry he has finally decided to track down the elusive Lady Mary and properly court her. Lady Mary thoroughly enjoyed her first season but was cut short due to the death of her father. For the last three years Mary has been hiding from her cousin Gawain who has been pushing her to marry him and will stop at nothing to have her and her money. Mary's Grandmother hatches a plan to protect Mary until she is old enough to get her trust out of her Uncle's name.
For the last year Mary has lived with her Aunt Eunice in a house way out of the way and implying that she is the estranged wife of the landowner. With Gawain getting more persistent and Kit and Mary finally ready to meet again the Grandmothers do their thing. Kit finds out someone is living on one of his properties acting as his wife, angry he rushes up their only to find the one woman he has never been able to forget. Mary is embarrassed, scared and so honest she tells him everything. Kit quickly forgets his anger and starts trying to figure out how to woo her and marry her. Mary doesn't want to be trapped into marriage she wants another season and her own chance to find love.
So while Mary and Kit try and figure things out Aunt Eunice falls in love, friends from the past books come to visit to help work out a way to avoid scandal and give everyone what they want. The solution a season in Edinburgh. Kit knows he wants Mary he just has to convince her but they are so hesitant around each other they are sending mixed signals, but all the friends agree Kit needs a little competition to get the nerve to act on his feelings. Also while in Edinburgh ( I swear it's like a freakin' historical soap opera. Woman! you gave me heart palpitations with all this.) a lost love returns and claims the children he could not previously claim. The sub-plots are so enticing and enjoyable it makes up for the fact that the Gawain ending plot is short. I read through this quick and easy and I loved it, I really need to read the others I have missed.
June 23, 2015
Brilliant! It was a wonderful visit with old friends, eccentric dowagers, and matchmaking taken to crazy lengths.
Lady Mary Tolliver is being harassed and hunted her lecherous and disgusting cousin for her inheritance. She is trying to avoid him until she reaches her majority and has control of her inheritance and life. This avoiding has caused her to move form family estate to family estate.
Mr. Christopher “Kit” Featherton, heir to Viscount Featherton is looking for Lady Mary. She is the only woman to grab and hold his interest and he is looking for a wife. Unfortunately, he is not able to find her.
They meet under strained circumstances created by their eccentric grandmothers who want to see their families united through marriage. Kit is livid in the beginning until he realizes what he wants has been essentially placed in his lap. The ensuing journey is wonderful; the misunderstandings lead to a deeper love and appreciation of each other. Mary thrives in the situation and Kit comes to realize not only is she charming, beautiful and filled with grace, she is a tremendous steward for his property. He just needs to get past himself and start letting her know he sees HER not just her accomplishments and skills.
The secondary characters make this charming adventure fun. We have met many of them in previous books and they continue to endear themselves to us. The Dowagers Featherton and Bridewater and lady Jersey are hilarious as well as meaningfully manipulative for reasons of love and HEA’s. We have Kit’s friends and their wives also throwing in their assistance to bring about the HEA. The cousin, while disgusting adds his own sort of charm in throwing Mary and Kit into a partnership to avoid him. The sad part for me was the neglect on Mary’s Uncles part in favor of his academic passion, but he redeems himself in my eyes and through that redemption karma comes around and Mary is there to see it!
I am a fan of Ms. Quinn’s work and she does not disappoint. While this is part of a series and many characters make return appearances, you would be able to read this and it would prompt you to want to read the rest of the series. The banter and humor are contagious and you will find yourself smiling and giggling along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Lady Mary Tolliver is being harassed and hunted her lecherous and disgusting cousin for her inheritance. She is trying to avoid him until she reaches her majority and has control of her inheritance and life. This avoiding has caused her to move form family estate to family estate.
Mr. Christopher “Kit” Featherton, heir to Viscount Featherton is looking for Lady Mary. She is the only woman to grab and hold his interest and he is looking for a wife. Unfortunately, he is not able to find her.
They meet under strained circumstances created by their eccentric grandmothers who want to see their families united through marriage. Kit is livid in the beginning until he realizes what he wants has been essentially placed in his lap. The ensuing journey is wonderful; the misunderstandings lead to a deeper love and appreciation of each other. Mary thrives in the situation and Kit comes to realize not only is she charming, beautiful and filled with grace, she is a tremendous steward for his property. He just needs to get past himself and start letting her know he sees HER not just her accomplishments and skills.
The secondary characters make this charming adventure fun. We have met many of them in previous books and they continue to endear themselves to us. The Dowagers Featherton and Bridewater and lady Jersey are hilarious as well as meaningfully manipulative for reasons of love and HEA’s. We have Kit’s friends and their wives also throwing in their assistance to bring about the HEA. The cousin, while disgusting adds his own sort of charm in throwing Mary and Kit into a partnership to avoid him. The sad part for me was the neglect on Mary’s Uncles part in favor of his academic passion, but he redeems himself in my eyes and through that redemption karma comes around and Mary is there to see it!
I am a fan of Ms. Quinn’s work and she does not disappoint. While this is part of a series and many characters make return appearances, you would be able to read this and it would prompt you to want to read the rest of the series. The banter and humor are contagious and you will find yourself smiling and giggling along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2015
I loved this book it was a great story! in hiding Mary to save her from her cousin's schemes the two elderly ladies got together and devised a plan !! Mary could pretend she was married and hide on the country estate of her grandmother's friend just til she becomes of age! easy right? Seemed to be until he heard there was an imposter posing as his wife and living in his house! Naturally he has to go throw this imposter out and see what had been going on! When he arrives the sparks fly!! I was given an arc copy of this book by netgalley in exchange for an honest review! I loved it!!
December 12, 2015
I have been reading the series and with all the books I have found them to be a great, easy, lovely escape! Ella Quinn books are for the very romantic person who loves books. There is no H/H hurt or really fighting...just a good read. I would highly recommend it to someone who loves a soft easy romance book!
May 6, 2025
Yeah, this was straight up bad. I finished it purely out of spite.
The premise sounded so cute and interesting, but the execution was not it. We start with the idea that Mary’s cousin wants to marry her (fucking weird, but it was the 1800s so maybe that was a thing??). But she doesn’t want to marry him so her grama says to go stay at this house for a year. The house she stays at belongs to this future viscount, who just happens to be the man she liked from her first season and who also liked her. From here it was a shit show.
Mary was absolutely insufferable. She had basically zero redeeming qualities, and I have no idea why Kit liked her at all. She kept getting mad when Kit complimented the work she did at the house she was staying at - like I’m sorry but you didn’t want a man who was only with you because you were pretty, but as soon as a man complimented something you did you got pissed at him?? Makes no fucking sense at all. Then she wanted him to say she was pretty, because she was convinced that if he had feelings for her he would tell her this. I can’t explain how fucking annoying she was.
Kit was the only semi good thing about this. He was trying SO HARD to woo Mary, and she was just being a fucking idiot. He was so respectful and kind and just an overall good guy. Mary did not deserve him at all.
Then we have all the 1000 side characters. I know this is book 6 in the series, so maybe I am the wrong judge of this since I know a lot of them were probably from previous books, but I did not care about anything they had to say. Every time the POV changed from Kit and Mary I got annoyed. I don’t care what is happening to the gramas. I don’t care that the aunt and her husband bought a house. I DONT CARE.
Even the smut was bad. The clit was referred to as the “tender nubbin”. I- I- I have no words to describe how much this made me want to throw myself off a bridge.
The premise sounded so cute and interesting, but the execution was not it. We start with the idea that Mary’s cousin wants to marry her (fucking weird, but it was the 1800s so maybe that was a thing??). But she doesn’t want to marry him so her grama says to go stay at this house for a year. The house she stays at belongs to this future viscount, who just happens to be the man she liked from her first season and who also liked her. From here it was a shit show.
Mary was absolutely insufferable. She had basically zero redeeming qualities, and I have no idea why Kit liked her at all. She kept getting mad when Kit complimented the work she did at the house she was staying at - like I’m sorry but you didn’t want a man who was only with you because you were pretty, but as soon as a man complimented something you did you got pissed at him?? Makes no fucking sense at all. Then she wanted him to say she was pretty, because she was convinced that if he had feelings for her he would tell her this. I can’t explain how fucking annoying she was.
Kit was the only semi good thing about this. He was trying SO HARD to woo Mary, and she was just being a fucking idiot. He was so respectful and kind and just an overall good guy. Mary did not deserve him at all.
Then we have all the 1000 side characters. I know this is book 6 in the series, so maybe I am the wrong judge of this since I know a lot of them were probably from previous books, but I did not care about anything they had to say. Every time the POV changed from Kit and Mary I got annoyed. I don’t care what is happening to the gramas. I don’t care that the aunt and her husband bought a house. I DONT CARE.
Even the smut was bad. The clit was referred to as the “tender nubbin”. I- I- I have no words to describe how much this made me want to throw myself off a bridge.
August 5, 2025
most non-plot to be ever plotted
May 26, 2015
Lucinda, Dowager Viscountess Featherton and her lifelong friend, Constance, Dowager Duchess of Bridgewater are two delightfully scheming grandmothers set on pairing their grandchildren up with one another. Lucinda’s grandson, Christopher (Kit) is heir to Viscount Featherton and Constance’s granddaughter, Lady Mary Tolliver is a lovely young woman waiting to reach the age of 25 when she can receive her inheritance from her deceased parents.
Kit is an extremely well-mannered and handsome gentleman whom hostesses love to invite to soirees. He has the capability of being introduced to shy young debutantes, ask them to dance and put them at ease thus giving them the confidence they need. Kit has finally realized that all of his friends are getting married and starting families and he has decided to follow suit. Having met the lovely Lady Mary in the past, he is hoping to seek her out as he would like to pursue her for his bride.
Lady Mary has not had an easy time waiting for her inheritance. Her cousin Gawain Tolliver has done everything in his power to try and get the chance to compromise her so she will have to marry him and give him access to her inheritance. He has made her life miserable as she is always having to hide out from him. Her grandmother came up with the idea to secret her away to Rose Hill, property of Kit Featheron, where she could pose as Lady Mary Featherton. She has been quite successful at this for some time now and with the help of her widowed aunt living with her, she has always made vast improvements to the home, grounds and the accounts as well.
Imagine Kit’s surprise when he goes looking for Mary and finds her posing as his wife. How perfect this is because he truly does want to marry her. But now, he must pay court to her properly and win her love. A true gentleman to a fault, Mary is not convinced he really loves her because he has not kissed her.
Can they open up to one another and find true love?
This was a clever novel. I admit having a hard time keeping up with all of the names of the characters and there were a lot of them! However, the story is a bit different from many others which offers a refreshing change.
Kit is an extremely well-mannered and handsome gentleman whom hostesses love to invite to soirees. He has the capability of being introduced to shy young debutantes, ask them to dance and put them at ease thus giving them the confidence they need. Kit has finally realized that all of his friends are getting married and starting families and he has decided to follow suit. Having met the lovely Lady Mary in the past, he is hoping to seek her out as he would like to pursue her for his bride.
Lady Mary has not had an easy time waiting for her inheritance. Her cousin Gawain Tolliver has done everything in his power to try and get the chance to compromise her so she will have to marry him and give him access to her inheritance. He has made her life miserable as she is always having to hide out from him. Her grandmother came up with the idea to secret her away to Rose Hill, property of Kit Featheron, where she could pose as Lady Mary Featherton. She has been quite successful at this for some time now and with the help of her widowed aunt living with her, she has always made vast improvements to the home, grounds and the accounts as well.
Imagine Kit’s surprise when he goes looking for Mary and finds her posing as his wife. How perfect this is because he truly does want to marry her. But now, he must pay court to her properly and win her love. A true gentleman to a fault, Mary is not convinced he really loves her because he has not kissed her.
Can they open up to one another and find true love?
This was a clever novel. I admit having a hard time keeping up with all of the names of the characters and there were a lot of them! However, the story is a bit different from many others which offers a refreshing change.
May 24, 2015
Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin ever since her parents had passed away. Knowing that he was only after her money, she is determined to stay out of his parson's trap. Having been nearly caught once again, Mary gives into her family's scheme to keep her save. She doesn't know if she can pull of being mistress of an estate where everyone thinks she is married to the owner.
When Christopher "Kit" Featherton finds out that someone is impersonating a wife he doesn't have, he is determined to set the woman in her place. Finding the one woman who he has ever contemplated marrying in his home, he decides to see how things progress.
Can't they convince everyone that they really are married? What happens when Kit decides that he wants a marriage in truth?
Those of you that have read my other reviews of books by Ella Quinn, know that I have a love/hate relationship with her writing. I generally enjoy the stories, but something about her writing just turns me off. I didn't get that with this book. I got a little frustrated with the characters at times (seriously, just kiss each other!!!), but that happens with most love stories you read.
I did thoroughly love the two matchmakers in this story!! I love that they concocted this idea to bring their two family members together. I also felt like I got a 3 for 1 with this story as there were two side romances along the way.
I look forward to Quinn's next book in the series, which comes out in July.
Thanks go out to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
When Christopher "Kit" Featherton finds out that someone is impersonating a wife he doesn't have, he is determined to set the woman in her place. Finding the one woman who he has ever contemplated marrying in his home, he decides to see how things progress.
Can't they convince everyone that they really are married? What happens when Kit decides that he wants a marriage in truth?
Those of you that have read my other reviews of books by Ella Quinn, know that I have a love/hate relationship with her writing. I generally enjoy the stories, but something about her writing just turns me off. I didn't get that with this book. I got a little frustrated with the characters at times (seriously, just kiss each other!!!), but that happens with most love stories you read.
I did thoroughly love the two matchmakers in this story!! I love that they concocted this idea to bring their two family members together. I also felt like I got a 3 for 1 with this story as there were two side romances along the way.
I look forward to Quinn's next book in the series, which comes out in July.
Thanks go out to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
April 28, 2015
I received this book from NetGallery for an honest review.
During Lady Mary's first season, she spied Kit, the ton's Mr. Perfect. He, in turn, noticed her. However neither did anything about their mutual attraction. Years later she is on the run from her cousin who wants to kidnap her for her inheritance. Kit has continued to be Mr. Perfect, a bit straightlaced afraid of causing a scandal.
Now the grandmothers go into action. Unbeknownst to Mary and Kit they arrange for a scandalous situation. They sent Mary to Kits property but she only knows they are getting her away from her cousin's clutches and not at Kit's neglected property. Soon Kit notices this property is suddenly very successful, necessitating a visit.
From then on it's a matter of not creating a scandal but is it? Will their mutual attraction win out? Will Gawain find her? One of the nice things about a book in a series is you get to catch up on characters from past books. Just about all of the prior characters make an appearance. This book had a budding romance that grew, mettling relatives, and a villain. It had all the markings of a "I can't put it down" book, however, I was a little disappointed. The expected action falls flat. The villain appears throughout the book searching for Lady Mary, however, he doesn't catch up to them until all is said and done. That being said, this is a nice read and if this is your type of genre, by all means read it.
During Lady Mary's first season, she spied Kit, the ton's Mr. Perfect. He, in turn, noticed her. However neither did anything about their mutual attraction. Years later she is on the run from her cousin who wants to kidnap her for her inheritance. Kit has continued to be Mr. Perfect, a bit straightlaced afraid of causing a scandal.
Now the grandmothers go into action. Unbeknownst to Mary and Kit they arrange for a scandalous situation. They sent Mary to Kits property but she only knows they are getting her away from her cousin's clutches and not at Kit's neglected property. Soon Kit notices this property is suddenly very successful, necessitating a visit.
From then on it's a matter of not creating a scandal but is it? Will their mutual attraction win out? Will Gawain find her? One of the nice things about a book in a series is you get to catch up on characters from past books. Just about all of the prior characters make an appearance. This book had a budding romance that grew, mettling relatives, and a villain. It had all the markings of a "I can't put it down" book, however, I was a little disappointed. The expected action falls flat. The villain appears throughout the book searching for Lady Mary, however, he doesn't catch up to them until all is said and done. That being said, this is a nice read and if this is your type of genre, by all means read it.
March 11, 2015
*Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I found out there was another book in the Ella Quinn's Marriage Game series I was excited to get my hands on it. I love the previous books in the series that I have read and knew this one would be great also. I was not disappointed. The great thing about this book is that it is no simple romance. There are lots of moving parts and characters that it hard to figure out what will happen next.
Lady Mary is being chased by her cousin who hopes to force her into marriage. His only reason for wanting to marry her is that she has money and he feels as though he does not have enough. Lady Mary does not plan to go down without a fight though. She wants a season and to be able to find love.
Kit Featheron has finally decided that he is ready to settle down but the one women who caught his eye in the past has not been seen in town. With some help from their grandmothers Kit and Lady Mary find themselves together and again only this time everybody thinks Lady Mary is already Kit's wife.
How will they get out of the predicament that that has been forced on them? Will Lady Mary be able to have a season and fall in love and can Kit convince her they only man for her is him?
When I found out there was another book in the Ella Quinn's Marriage Game series I was excited to get my hands on it. I love the previous books in the series that I have read and knew this one would be great also. I was not disappointed. The great thing about this book is that it is no simple romance. There are lots of moving parts and characters that it hard to figure out what will happen next.
Lady Mary is being chased by her cousin who hopes to force her into marriage. His only reason for wanting to marry her is that she has money and he feels as though he does not have enough. Lady Mary does not plan to go down without a fight though. She wants a season and to be able to find love.
Kit Featheron has finally decided that he is ready to settle down but the one women who caught his eye in the past has not been seen in town. With some help from their grandmothers Kit and Lady Mary find themselves together and again only this time everybody thinks Lady Mary is already Kit's wife.
How will they get out of the predicament that that has been forced on them? Will Lady Mary be able to have a season and fall in love and can Kit convince her they only man for her is him?
March 24, 2015
*Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I wanted to like this book. The premise sounded fun: A lady being stalked by her dreadful cousin and a conspiracy by some devious grandmother matchmakers. And the first few chapters were fun. Lady Mary must escape her cousin and pretends to be the wife of Mr. Perfect/Featherton at a house he hasn't visited in years. The staff and tenants adore her. And then her "husband" shows up.
This should have been exciting, but it was dull. The secondary characters were more interesting than the main duo. The H/h don't even kiss until the last quarter of the novel (which is related to the title), but it made me question just how much chemistry they actually had. It seemed like the author was telling us that they liked each other instead of showing us.
Near the end of the novel, there are some secondary characters who show up--Simon and his long-lost bride. This was a great premise! Why didn't the author write this novel? I only finished the novel to see what would happen to these minor characters.
The ending of this novel wasn't even satisfying. The villain wasn't that scary and nor did he really get a reckoning.
I wanted to like this book. The premise sounded fun: A lady being stalked by her dreadful cousin and a conspiracy by some devious grandmother matchmakers. And the first few chapters were fun. Lady Mary must escape her cousin and pretends to be the wife of Mr. Perfect/Featherton at a house he hasn't visited in years. The staff and tenants adore her. And then her "husband" shows up.
This should have been exciting, but it was dull. The secondary characters were more interesting than the main duo. The H/h don't even kiss until the last quarter of the novel (which is related to the title), but it made me question just how much chemistry they actually had. It seemed like the author was telling us that they liked each other instead of showing us.
Near the end of the novel, there are some secondary characters who show up--Simon and his long-lost bride. This was a great premise! Why didn't the author write this novel? I only finished the novel to see what would happen to these minor characters.
The ending of this novel wasn't even satisfying. The villain wasn't that scary and nor did he really get a reckoning.
May 10, 2015
A Kiss for Lady Mary by Ella Quinn is a fun historical romance. The plot has the two main characters being set up by their grandmothers. Lady Mary and Viscount Kit are both reserved people. Mary’s cousin is a horrible man trying to trap her into marriage. Mary’s Grandmother helps her find place after place to hide, but she is not safe for long. Extreme measures are called and that’s when things get interesting.
Viscount Kit’s nickname is Mr. Perfect. He hears his wife is rusticating at one of his homes. The issue – he has no wife. What are the Grandmothers up to?
Lady Mary and Viscount Kit are both reserved people, which made the story even more interesting. I do have to admit that I gnashed my teeth a couple of times, as Mary and Kit were SO CLUELESS with each other. I understand this book is part of a series and I will be looking for more books by Ella Quinn. I enjoyed reading A Kiss for Lady Mary.
Viscount Kit’s nickname is Mr. Perfect. He hears his wife is rusticating at one of his homes. The issue – he has no wife. What are the Grandmothers up to?
Lady Mary and Viscount Kit are both reserved people, which made the story even more interesting. I do have to admit that I gnashed my teeth a couple of times, as Mary and Kit were SO CLUELESS with each other. I understand this book is part of a series and I will be looking for more books by Ella Quinn. I enjoyed reading A Kiss for Lady Mary.
April 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Kit is almost too much of a gentleman that his true love may get away. Mary is a sweet yet strong woman attempting to stay in control of her future despite a cousin trying to get to her money. Together, Kit and Mary read each other's action in the wrong way and might miss out on their happy ending. Asking others for advice helps Mary open up her mind and she finally sees the good in Kit's actions. The secondary characters are fun as they plan, meddle, and interact with each other.
June 11, 2015
It started quite interesting, but then ended up being so slow. The book is well written, so if you don't mind a slow pace give it a try. For more romance reviews, check out my website:https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com
April 6, 2019
Wonderful!
Love these families and all their plots! Another lovely story from a very talented author! Our and Mary are both too shy to step out and find love, but their Grandmammas step in! Such fun! Also liked the other families mixed into the plot! Good read!
Love these families and all their plots! Another lovely story from a very talented author! Our and Mary are both too shy to step out and find love, but their Grandmammas step in! Such fun! Also liked the other families mixed into the plot! Good read!
May 27, 2022
another brilliant story
This is another brilliantly written story that is a great addition to the series. All the characters in this steamy in the end story are amazingly portrayed, and have some intriguing obstacles to overcome.
This is another brilliantly written story that is a great addition to the series. All the characters in this steamy in the end story are amazingly portrayed, and have some intriguing obstacles to overcome.
June 26, 2023
Heroine: Mary Tolliver, 23-24. Sister of Earl of Barham.
Hero: Christopher Featherton, about 30. Nickname: Kit. Heir to Viscount Featherton.
Date: 1816-1817
How they meet: Mary and Kit me off-page. They last saw each other two years ago during the Season and Mary was disappointed that Kit had not shown interest in her.
What happens: Mary is being relentlessly pursued by a cousin who seeks to compromise her so he can marry her for her money. Her grandmother and aunt come up with a plan for her to go to an estate in the north with an absentee owner. The people at the estate will be told that she is the owner’s new wife. She hesitantly agrees to the trip out of fear of her cousin who has already made a failed abduction attempt. What she doesn’t know is that the owner (Kit) is someone she already knows and that her grandmother and his are conspiring to bring them together as a couple.
Verdict: I liked the set up for the story and I also appreciated that this wasn’t a typical rogue hero or bold heroine. I liked that the hero valued the heroine for her abilities and recognized her for them, but did not like that she didn’t find his compliments on her abilities to be flattering. Unfortunately their reserved natures led to a courtship that stagnated WAY TOO LONG without even small amounts of progress. It wasn’t until about three-quarters of the way through the book, that there was real progress in the relationship! I hoped that the delay would pay off in some grand gesture and exceptionally good intimate scene, but it really didn’t. Another disappointment: the story’s villain never successfully contributed much drama to the story, he was just lurking as a threat in the background most of the time. There was actually way more action and interesting dynamics in one of the secondary romances, which didn’t even start until two-thirds of the way through the book. That story really should have been its own separate novel as it didn’t contribute at all to the main storyline and was a fairly complex situation. Overall, the plot moved along at a frustratingly slow pace and the different threads of the main storyline and secondary storylines could have been woven together much better. This technically could be read as a standalone, but couples from earlier books in the series play a pretty big role in this one and catching up with them results in some of the most satisfying parts of the novel. It might be a little confusing not knowing who they are.
Steam-level: some steam and moderately explicit
Rating: 3 stars
Hero: Christopher Featherton, about 30. Nickname: Kit. Heir to Viscount Featherton.
Date: 1816-1817
How they meet: Mary and Kit me off-page. They last saw each other two years ago during the Season and Mary was disappointed that Kit had not shown interest in her.
What happens: Mary is being relentlessly pursued by a cousin who seeks to compromise her so he can marry her for her money. Her grandmother and aunt come up with a plan for her to go to an estate in the north with an absentee owner. The people at the estate will be told that she is the owner’s new wife. She hesitantly agrees to the trip out of fear of her cousin who has already made a failed abduction attempt. What she doesn’t know is that the owner (Kit) is someone she already knows and that her grandmother and his are conspiring to bring them together as a couple.
Verdict: I liked the set up for the story and I also appreciated that this wasn’t a typical rogue hero or bold heroine. I liked that the hero valued the heroine for her abilities and recognized her for them, but did not like that she didn’t find his compliments on her abilities to be flattering. Unfortunately their reserved natures led to a courtship that stagnated WAY TOO LONG without even small amounts of progress. It wasn’t until about three-quarters of the way through the book, that there was real progress in the relationship! I hoped that the delay would pay off in some grand gesture and exceptionally good intimate scene, but it really didn’t. Another disappointment: the story’s villain never successfully contributed much drama to the story, he was just lurking as a threat in the background most of the time. There was actually way more action and interesting dynamics in one of the secondary romances, which didn’t even start until two-thirds of the way through the book. That story really should have been its own separate novel as it didn’t contribute at all to the main storyline and was a fairly complex situation. Overall, the plot moved along at a frustratingly slow pace and the different threads of the main storyline and secondary storylines could have been woven together much better. This technically could be read as a standalone, but couples from earlier books in the series play a pretty big role in this one and catching up with them results in some of the most satisfying parts of the novel. It might be a little confusing not knowing who they are.
Steam-level: some steam and moderately explicit
Rating: 3 stars
October 29, 2015
I was wasting my time . Really, I couldnt help not to finish it
December 5, 2015
Good plot. I loved that Mary was such a strong character.
September 6, 2021
A kiss for lady Mary
I couldn’t put this book down. The characters grab you and don’t let go. Great read for when you don’t want to have to think about what you are reading!
I couldn’t put this book down. The characters grab you and don’t let go. Great read for when you don’t want to have to think about what you are reading!
May 15, 2021
I received this book from Net Galley, in exchange for my honest review.
I've only recently discovered Ella Quinn, and the last book I read I enjoyed, unfortunately this one was long and tedious, it was at such a slow pace. It does pick up though, but by then your bored.
Lady Mary seems to be in a rather large pickle to say the least her cousin keeps trying to kidnap her in order to wed her, since her dowry is rather large. Even though she does contact her brother it seems nothing can be done. Then her Grandmother, and her aunt and her grandmother's friend come up with a plan. Send her in to hiding for a year at an estate of a "family friend" to say the least. She runs the estate which is in a dire state, and allows it to flourish. The steward unfortunately in ill-health allows her to take over the reins to a certain extent if not the entire extent.
Kit, Mr. Featherton who inherited the estate from his aunt had never visited, and wondered how wonderful the estate was flourishing without his attention. As he is summoned by his father, who then tells him a woman has been at his estate, and parading around as his wife. In Lady Mary's defense she never said she was, but the village people just assumed along with the servants.
Kit, furious goes to his estate and then realizes she's who he's been looking for all along. wanted to marry her, but she wanted to marry for love like her parents. Courting her which basically is where the boredom starts- Kit obviously is the MOST BORING man in history, nor does he want steal a kiss until they are married it seems or at least engaged! I understand all of this, but if the author had not wasted so much time on Kit's disastrous ways of courtship the book actually had potential
Finally grandmothers write to Kit and Mary's friends to join them for reinforcements - and after a short while they make their way the Edinburgh - now this is where the book picks up speed, and we meet lady theo, and then learn about her brother Lord Simon and it finally gets interesting.
Of course they are wed at the end. and all is good, it's just I really wanted to liked this book and it had so much potential, unfortunately the first half just turned me off. Especially with Mr. Perfect being that perfect! No wonder ladies love rogues and rakes once they are re-formed.
I've only recently discovered Ella Quinn, and the last book I read I enjoyed, unfortunately this one was long and tedious, it was at such a slow pace. It does pick up though, but by then your bored.
Lady Mary seems to be in a rather large pickle to say the least her cousin keeps trying to kidnap her in order to wed her, since her dowry is rather large. Even though she does contact her brother it seems nothing can be done. Then her Grandmother, and her aunt and her grandmother's friend come up with a plan. Send her in to hiding for a year at an estate of a "family friend" to say the least. She runs the estate which is in a dire state, and allows it to flourish. The steward unfortunately in ill-health allows her to take over the reins to a certain extent if not the entire extent.
Kit, Mr. Featherton who inherited the estate from his aunt had never visited, and wondered how wonderful the estate was flourishing without his attention. As he is summoned by his father, who then tells him a woman has been at his estate, and parading around as his wife. In Lady Mary's defense she never said she was, but the village people just assumed along with the servants.
Kit, furious goes to his estate and then realizes she's who he's been looking for all along. wanted to marry her, but she wanted to marry for love like her parents. Courting her which basically is where the boredom starts- Kit obviously is the MOST BORING man in history, nor does he want steal a kiss until they are married it seems or at least engaged! I understand all of this, but if the author had not wasted so much time on Kit's disastrous ways of courtship the book actually had potential
Finally grandmothers write to Kit and Mary's friends to join them for reinforcements - and after a short while they make their way the Edinburgh - now this is where the book picks up speed, and we meet lady theo, and then learn about her brother Lord Simon and it finally gets interesting.
Of course they are wed at the end. and all is good, it's just I really wanted to liked this book and it had so much potential, unfortunately the first half just turned me off. Especially with Mr. Perfect being that perfect! No wonder ladies love rogues and rakes once they are re-formed.
July 6, 2025
Brilliant! It was a wonderful visit with old friends, eccentric dowagers, and matchmaking taken to crazy lengths.
Lady Mary Tolliver is being harassed and hunted her lecherous and disgusting cousin for her inheritance. She is trying to avoid him until she reaches her majority and has control of her inheritance and life. This avoiding has caused her to move form family estate to family estate.
Mr. Christopher “Kit” Featherton, heir to Viscount Featherton is looking for Lady Mary. She is the only woman to grab and hold his interest and he is looking for a wife. Unfortunately, he is not able to find her.
They meet under strained circumstances created by their eccentric grandmothers who want to see their families united through marriage. Kit is livid in the beginning until he realizes what he wants has been essentially placed in his lap. The ensuing journey is wonderful; the misunderstandings lead to a deeper love and appreciation of each other. Mary thrives in the situation and Kit comes to realize not only is she charming, beautiful and filled with grace, she is a tremendous steward for his property. He just needs to get past himself and start letting her know he sees HER not just her accomplishments and skills.
The secondary characters make this charming adventure fun. We have met many of them in previous books and they continue to endear themselves to us. The Dowagers Featherton and Bridewater and lady Jersey are hilarious as well as meaningfully manipulative for reasons of love and HEA’s. We have Kit’s friends and their wives also throwing in their assistance to bring about the HEA. The cousin, while disgusting adds his own sort of charm in throwing Mary and Kit into a partnership to avoid him. The sad part for me was the neglect on Mary’s Uncles part in favor of his academic passion, but he redeems himself in my eyes and through that redemption karma comes around and Mary is there to see it!
I am a fan of Ms. Quinn’s work and she does not disappoint. While this is part of a series and many characters make return appearances, you would be able to read this and it would prompt you to want to read the rest of the series. The banter and humor are contagious and you will find yourself smiling and giggling along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Lady Mary Tolliver is being harassed and hunted her lecherous and disgusting cousin for her inheritance. She is trying to avoid him until she reaches her majority and has control of her inheritance and life. This avoiding has caused her to move form family estate to family estate.
Mr. Christopher “Kit” Featherton, heir to Viscount Featherton is looking for Lady Mary. She is the only woman to grab and hold his interest and he is looking for a wife. Unfortunately, he is not able to find her.
They meet under strained circumstances created by their eccentric grandmothers who want to see their families united through marriage. Kit is livid in the beginning until he realizes what he wants has been essentially placed in his lap. The ensuing journey is wonderful; the misunderstandings lead to a deeper love and appreciation of each other. Mary thrives in the situation and Kit comes to realize not only is she charming, beautiful and filled with grace, she is a tremendous steward for his property. He just needs to get past himself and start letting her know he sees HER not just her accomplishments and skills.
The secondary characters make this charming adventure fun. We have met many of them in previous books and they continue to endear themselves to us. The Dowagers Featherton and Bridewater and lady Jersey are hilarious as well as meaningfully manipulative for reasons of love and HEA’s. We have Kit’s friends and their wives also throwing in their assistance to bring about the HEA. The cousin, while disgusting adds his own sort of charm in throwing Mary and Kit into a partnership to avoid him. The sad part for me was the neglect on Mary’s Uncles part in favor of his academic passion, but he redeems himself in my eyes and through that redemption karma comes around and Mary is there to see it!
I am a fan of Ms. Quinn’s work and she does not disappoint. While this is part of a series and many characters make return appearances, you would be able to read this and it would prompt you to want to read the rest of the series. The banter and humor are contagious and you will find yourself smiling and giggling along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 20, 2023
I found this book discounted on Amazon; this is my honest review
TRIGGER ALERT: Kidnapping attempts
-I really liked how Kit and Mary met. There are some scenes that are completely funny. But sometimes, Mary acted or thought like an idiot. Kit was everything a gentleman should be but Mary didn't appreciate that.
-Aunt Eunice is a hoot. Sally Athey was a great spy and "traitor". Gawain Tolliver is the villain but he's also full of mysteries.
-I thought Earl Barham was not great at being an older brother; he never protected Mary as he should have.
-They drank a lot of tea. I'm guessing it's a British thing.
-Mary's father had really great ideas for protecting his people. Here is just one of them: It had been the practice of her father’s to combine produce from the local farms, marketing it as a whole. There was much less chance of anyone being undercut that way."
-I've never heard a man's eyes being compared to a horse's. LOL. Someone must love horses.
-A few other romances are also happening in the book: Brian & Eunice. Simon & Morna.
-Finally someone (Caro) is smart at 50% and sees the problem "“You seem to not understand one another.”
-I wasn't sure what was going on with Lady Theo but found it quite insulting for Kit that she made a list of suitable gentlemen for Mary.
-Too many repeats. In less than 40%, at least 5x we hear that Mary needs a kiss from Kit (and it doesn't stop there; it was really annoying). Also, while complaining, she never explained this to Kit. Everything Kit did had Mary stiffened for some reason and at 52% I was really tired of that.
-How can a couple not wait for their wedding night when it's only in a week or two? There is no reason for this. Many cheesy moments too.
-Editing needs another pass, just like any other Quinn book: Missing words (for -the- time). No hyphen needed (to-day). Reversed words (color blue/blue color). When the author forgets some item is already elsewhere (Kit gave his handkerchief to Mary, but gave it again in the next paragraph). "Marcus left, leaving her and Kit alone again" - Marcus was never there. Lord & Lady Simon - it should be Mr. & Mrs. Cavendish. Titus says “What about your children?” - instead of our. Wrong tense in verbs (forgot/forgotten).
TRIGGER ALERT: Kidnapping attempts
-I really liked how Kit and Mary met. There are some scenes that are completely funny. But sometimes, Mary acted or thought like an idiot. Kit was everything a gentleman should be but Mary didn't appreciate that.
-Aunt Eunice is a hoot. Sally Athey was a great spy and "traitor". Gawain Tolliver is the villain but he's also full of mysteries.
-I thought Earl Barham was not great at being an older brother; he never protected Mary as he should have.
-They drank a lot of tea. I'm guessing it's a British thing.
-Mary's father had really great ideas for protecting his people. Here is just one of them: It had been the practice of her father’s to combine produce from the local farms, marketing it as a whole. There was much less chance of anyone being undercut that way."
-I've never heard a man's eyes being compared to a horse's. LOL. Someone must love horses.
-A few other romances are also happening in the book: Brian & Eunice. Simon & Morna.
-Finally someone (Caro) is smart at 50% and sees the problem "“You seem to not understand one another.”
-I wasn't sure what was going on with Lady Theo but found it quite insulting for Kit that she made a list of suitable gentlemen for Mary.
-Too many repeats. In less than 40%, at least 5x we hear that Mary needs a kiss from Kit (and it doesn't stop there; it was really annoying). Also, while complaining, she never explained this to Kit. Everything Kit did had Mary stiffened for some reason and at 52% I was really tired of that.
-How can a couple not wait for their wedding night when it's only in a week or two? There is no reason for this. Many cheesy moments too.
-Editing needs another pass, just like any other Quinn book: Missing words (for -the- time). No hyphen needed (to-day). Reversed words (color blue/blue color). When the author forgets some item is already elsewhere (Kit gave his handkerchief to Mary, but gave it again in the next paragraph). "Marcus left, leaving her and Kit alone again" - Marcus was never there. Lord & Lady Simon - it should be Mr. & Mrs. Cavendish. Titus says “What about your children?” - instead of our. Wrong tense in verbs (forgot/forgotten).
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