In Want of a Wife

Luella Linley: License to Meddle #2

by Meredith Resce

The temptation to match-make is too much to resist. Louise has one success already under her belt having introduced her other daughter, Megan, to her new husband. Now, this handsome, successful lawyer has just admitted he isn’t married. Single and in possession of a large fortune, Michael Sullivan must be in want of a wife. Louise’s second daughter, Chloe, would be just the right sort of woman for him.
There is no way Chloe will let her mother organize a blind date for her like she’d done for her sister. Chloe has her principles—and she has a ridiculous, unjust speeding ticket. The person she needs is a lawyer to help argue her case in court. Is it dishonest, when her mother’s lawyer calls and asks her on a date, to agree with ulterior motives?
Michael Sullivan has ulterior motives of his own. This all expenses paid trip to the sunny Gold Coast is merely a case of one person helping the other out—isn’t it? Everyone else might think they’re a couple, but it’s just about winning a court case—isn’t it?
Can Regency romance author, Luella Linley (AKA Louise Brooker) hit the target two times in a row? Meddling in her adult children’s lives is almost as much fun as creating fiction characters, except her children have minds of their own, and don’t always cooperate.

Genres: Contemporary

284 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2021

About the author

South Australian Author, Meredith Resce, has been writing since 1991, and has had books in the Australian market since 1997. She is an Australian best selling Christian fiction writer.

Following the Australian success of her “Heart of Green Valley” series, an English Publisher has taken the first three books in this series, and has released them to the British and American markets.

Apart from writing, Meredith also takes the opportunity to speak to groups on issues relevant to relationships and emotional and spiritual growth.

Meredith has also been co-writer and co-producer in the 2007 feature film production, “Twin Rivers”.

With her husband, Nick, Meredith has worked in Christian ministry since 1983.

Meredith and Nick have one daughter and two sons.

Reviews

[Jenny Glazebrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story! Combining laugh out loud moments with equally moving and heart-wrenching moments, this is everything I want in a novel. There are some great twists and intricate plotting. I love the clever way regency romance is woven into modern day times through the character, author Luella Linley. The Brooker family are a delight. The relationship between Louise and Russell is warm and authentic and the connection they have with their children and those connected with their children, is a great example of genuine love, care and respect. Chloe’s independent streak is so very believable and her moments of revelation and growth are cleverly handled by the author. These flawed but delightful characters took me on an enjoyable journey, challenged my own thinking, and became my friends. I love the Aussie flavour of the Luella Linley novels and can’t wait to see how Luella (Louise) manages to meddle in the lives of her characters and family in book 3.

[Jemimah “Stories and Scribes” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meddling mum, false engagement and love follows.

While this is my first read for the Author, I really did enjoy In Want of a Wife.

Michael and Chloe found what worked for them in terms of the arrangement that was proposed by Michael. Secrets and cover ups always bound to spill especially with a woman who believes in equality sited in the company of people who seem to project a single mindedness as regards the role of a woman.

I loved how Meredith tackled the ever experienced tension between working women and home managers and how being judgmental has never served either camp any good.

While Michael feel betrayed by the women he loves , he is even more shocked by the discovery of his father who was closer than he could have ever expected.

I enjoyed reading this book and i will recommend this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luella Linley strikes again as she meddles again and plays match maker for her other daughter Chloe. I loved this book as it combines two of my favourite genres (period drama and modern-day romance) and made me continue to want to find out how the story ends because I am a sucker for a fairy-tale ending! The twists and the turns of the story kept me enthralled as it took unexpected turns, unveiled hidden emotions and explored different economic statuses which helped to add depth and new perspectives to the story. To top it all off it is set in a Adelaide! With the promise of a third book I wonder what Luella will get up to next time?

[Meredith Resce]

It's finished, and will be available to purchase next Wednesday. Pre-order is open on most platforms. I hope you enjoy it.

This is my second title in the Luella Linley - License to Meddle series, and the fun continues. I have enjoyed writing and editing it, and so far, reader reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. I hope you get an opportunity to join in Luella Linley's crazy romantic adventures sorting out her daughters' love lives.
Book Three will be coming late May, early June 2021

[Sally Poyzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a day off from work and this was the perfect book to relax to. It's a light hearted, fun and satisfying story that's easy to read. The message of forgiveness is great. My favourite line is: "This one-word affirmation fest could go on forever." Lol!

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book of the License to Meddle series maintained pace, likeable characters and the plot was enhanced by an unexpected twist. Initially the premise seemed flimsy; what boss of a 21st century workforce would insist all employees exude happily, faithfully marriages with home-stay wives breeding and raising prolific children? The cringe-worthy 'team-building' exercise at a Gold Coast staff retreat raises the dramatic impetus to a climax, with raw emotions well expressed.

Resce again weaves two plots; the present day reflects work-in-progress regency romances as Luella Linley snuggles to tie up loose ends. Fellow authors enjoy the disconnect jarring of a mobile phone that jolts author Louise from italic manuscript back into the present.

Like Book 1, the heroes are weighed down by deep-rooted baggage which is painful to unpack, unravel and resolve. (The pace was better maintained here than in thee first book, where there was some faster page-turning through will he?-won't he?-c'mon, we know you want to! The female characters are strong, opinionated but with high, honest principles.

This light, readable novel is enjoyable especially for the interplay of characters through witty dialogue.

[Chrissy Garwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in this series was great, and then I spotted book 2 in my to-be-read pile and it seemed the perfect choice for a holiday afternoon. I should have been writing the final few chapters of my own story, but my characters weren't playing nicely. So it was a delight to find that the fictional author Luella Linley was having similar problems with the Regency Romance story that was woven into the contemporary love story. I set the timer for thirty minutes, and then I lost all track of time. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw things at the characters for the terrible pickle they found themselves in, and I kept turning pages until I came to the happy-ever-after that had seemed so impossible just a few chapters earlier.
Highly recommended, especially if you like realistic characters, tricky situations, and drama.
The only disappointment is that I have to wait for Book 3 to be released...
Definitely going to watch for the pre-order on this one.

[PhyllisRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mom matchmaker meets fake fiancé mash up is hilarious in parts as the regency romance author mom sometimes mixes her real life with her writing. I had many laugh out loud moments reading through some of her antics. I am not Australian and really do not know what a chook is, but I know a good story when I read one and this one is really exceptional.

Meredith Resce has a real knack for writing about very deep, hard topics within a humorous storyline. This novel’s male PC deals with the financial responsibility of a gambling, emotionally troubled mom while the female PC is an independent nurse who fails to understand anyone wanting to deal with home management, be a mother of 3 with 1 on the way or have a husband that speaks for her. The premise also begs to ask-do you stand by your own convictions to uphold Christian moral behavior or are you living under someone else’s demands? The answer may be that you must decide to act on your own convictions believing that they are best for you. Bottom line, this story is packed with a lot that is good and I am glad that I got to enjoy it.

I received this book from the publisher/author free of charge with no expectation of a positive review.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really am enjoying this cute series! I’m really looking forward to book 3!

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Jane Austen once told us, a single man in possession of a fortune must be in want of a wife.

Regency romance author Luella Linley (aka Louise Brooker) agrees, and decides lawyer Michael Sullivan should marry her daughter, Chloe. Unfortunately, fact checking isn’t Louise’s strong point as an author: while Michael Sullivan is single and a lawyer with a reputable firm, he is not in possession of a fortune. Far from it: he’s only one step up from living on ramen noodles as he tries to pay off his mother’s debts and persuade her to stop buying junk they don’t need and can’t afford off infomercials.

Chloe is not interested in being set up by her mother. But she does have a little legal problem she’d like sorted out–a speeding fine she doesn’t think she should have to pay. (I do sympathise: I’ve also been caught “speeding” in a brand new school zone. Fortunately, I was going under the regular limit so my fine was $30 and no demerit points … not the $800 and seven points Chloe suffers.)

So Louise “kindly” arranges a meeting between Chloe and Michael in the hopes that romance will result. It does, but not the kind of romance she wants. Chloe needs a lawyer to help her fight her speeding fine. Michael needs a fiance to take to the firm’s staff retreat on the Gold Coast. The two agree to a fake relationship to get Chloe’s mother and Michael’s boss of their backs.

This is the second Luella Linley mystery, and it’s just as good as the first. They are amusing Australian rom-coms in which the real-life romance echoes the book Luella Linley is writing … or is it the other way around? Either way, it’s a unique twist on both contemporary and Regency romance, and different to any other author-as-character novels I’ve read.

In Want of a Wife is also Christian fiction. Chloe has been a Christian for years, but Michael is a newer Christian, with all the baggage that brings. He also has a lot of unforgiveness to deal with, having grown up in council housing as the son of a single mother who only ever revealed he was the product of an affair with a married man.

Christian fiction with a fake relationship can be hard to do well, because the basis of the fake relationship is one or both halves of the couple lying about their relationship. I thought In Want of a Wife handled this particularly well. But you’ll have to read it to see if you agree with me.

Overall, In Want of a Wife is a fun and funny Australian rom-com, and my only concern is that we might not see more of Luella Linley once she’s married off all three children. Recommended.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

[Kaye Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good family saga which involves different generations. And this one certainly doesn’t disappoint! Thank you to Meredith for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
It is the story of Chloe, ED nurse with a speeding ticket, and Michael, newly appointed partner in a law firm with strong family values, and how Chloe’s mother Louise, author Luella Linley, uses her talents to meddle (with the very best intention of course!) to bring the two young people together. However Louise/Luella is outsmarted at her own game when Chloe and Michael fall for each other, and decide on their own plan to outwit Louise. But Michael has hidden secrets which take some unravelling. Chloe’s father Russell steps in as mentor and father figure to Michael and it is this relationship in the story that really brings it all together.
I love how Luella’s Regency novel is intertwined with the story and somehow reflects the twists in Louise’s own family happenings.
Forgiveness, family relationships and witty conversations are the highlight for me. A very intriguing and enjoyable read.

[Mazzy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightfully entertaining Contemporary Rom Com (dappled with Regency Romance highlights) from Meredith Resce. Recommended reading for romance aficionados.

After her stunning debut recruiting a husband for daughter number one, the intrepid Louise Brooker, aka Luella Linley, Regency Romance author, has her meddle stick out and waving again, hoping to invoke a magical fairytale ending for daughter number two. However, Chloe's independent streak offers stubborn resistance to her mother's meddling intentions - until she meets the handsome target, Michael Sullivan.

During their first date, Chloe deftly unravels Michael's deepest, darkest secrets and swiftly entangles herself in a ruse designed to appease Michael's boss, escape an unjust speeding ticket, and teach her meddling mother a lesson. But Chloe and Michael's faux relationship traverses a craggy, creviced landscape and the two adventurers slip and fall - out of favour and for each other, and into an avalanche of crises. Will either, or both, dare to grasp outstretched hands offering friendship and forgiveness to survive?

As much as I enjoyed the way Luella insinuated herself into the developing romance in Book 1 of this series, there's a definite pizzaz in the pace at which Book 2 moves beyond Mother's 'managed' introduction to focus on the way Chloe and Michael handle - and mishandle - their situations and relationship. This makes it refreshingly different and delightfully unpredictable, leaving readers to wonder how a HEA could possibly eventuate.

But then, that's the endearing magic of a good romantic tale, isn't it?

My thanks to the author for providing an electronic copy of her novel without obligation. This review is given freely and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Want of a Wife by Meredith Resce (book 2 of the Luella Linley series), Louise Brooker, aka regency romance author Luella Linley is once again meddling in her children's lives. In this case, she attempts to set up a date between her youngest daughter, Chloe (a ED surgical nurse) and a young lawyer, Michael Sullivan. Neither are looking for a relationship, certainly not marriage – Chloe because she values her independence and Michael because of his (and his mother's) financial situation. But Chloe needs a lawyer to fight her speeding fine & Michael needs a temporary fiancé to keep in good standing with his boss. As with Arranged Backup, what starts as a liaison of convenience deepens but sizable obstacles stand in the way of a developing relationship, not least own personal issues.

Once again Meredith Resce weaves comic situations, smouldering romance with Louise's snippets of regency romance and plot problems with deep issues of prejudice, hypocrisy, mental illness and addiction. It seems Louise Brokker has the luck of the Irish in her matchmaking attempts between her adult children and complete strangers, but the humour, dialogue, characters and the real world problems made this book an entertaining and gripping read. I powered through this book and am looking forward to the next one, soon to be released.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! It had more story than I expected from the back cover, and I enjoyed it all. I loved the Australian setting, the way the characters fell in love, and how it all worked out in the end.

This was my first read by this author and I plan to keep an eye out for more books by her.

I received a free copy, but the opinions are my own.

[Jessica Grewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meredith has done it again! I loved the integration of a book within a book. It lead to some laugh out loud moments! The characters were well developed. The main female character was for equality for women but it's no too pushy or political. Hard subjects are mentioned as well. However, my jaw hit the floor at one point in the book! This is a must read!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable tale split across the (seemingly) distant world of Regency romance and gritty reality of contemporary Australia.
The author has managed to weave together another challenging set of "oh no they didn't" scenarios, this time the characters battling strong prejudices and, yes, a lot of pride.
I'd love to have lunch with the Brookers some time.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed book one and this one was even better. The topics of forgiveness, control, feminism and family, and more made for a fascinating read.

[Wendy Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has it’s moments when you really want to knock the Maine characters head together, but that just give it a real life quality.
The DAD!! Oh how I love him!! I would have loved to have had a daddy like him! He gets 10 stars!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read fun, romance - clean but not sickly clean if that makes sense. A good balance.
Deals with forgiveness issues
Likeable characters
Nice to read an Adelaide based novel bonus star
looking forward to book 3....

[Joni Truex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Love these books! So fun - with interesting plots and wonderful characters. This is the second in the series and I would recommend the entire series! Wonder if there will be any more?!

[Maggie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier in my life I read many of Resce’s series of books and loved them.When I saw a recent book from her I grabbed it.
I found the writing style was quite different but I was engrossed from the start and admired the skilful development of the characters abilities as they faced varying , sometimes very difficult changes in their lives.
A delightful read.

[John Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable Australian Romance.

[Jenny Litster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series but I Loved this book even more! Another page turner with Australian humour and I highly recommend it.

[Kate Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite of the 3.