The Marigold Chain

by Stella Riley

"SHE WAS THE MOST AMAZING PRIZE.....

Rather than pass another night in her dissolute brother's household, Chloe Ashton accepted the stranger who had won her at cards. But marriage to the charming Alex Deveril had more than its share of problems. Caught up in a dangerous political intrigue, still suffering from rejected love, Alex had little time to spare his unknown bride.

But Chloe was no demure miss to sit meekly at home over her embroidery. Stung by her husband's indifference, she determined to make her own fortune -- and regain her lost independence. All in all, it was anything but a marriage of convenience.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Audiobook, 17th Century, Fiction

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Stella Riley lives in Kent, England. She enjoys theatre, travel and playing the harpsichord.
Her award-winning 7 book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times!) is available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
She is also the author of 6 books set in the 17th century: The Marigold Chain, A Splendid Defiance, The Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, The King's Falcon and Lords of Misrule.
All titles are available from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
Rockliffe Book 6 - Cadenza - is the 2019 Readers' Favourite gold medallist for Historical Romance and also the 2021 Book Excellence Awards winner in the Romance category.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marigold Chain was my very first book by Stella Riley and I loved it from beginning to end, consequently it has a special place in my heart and on my keeper shelf. After my first reading, more than two years ago, its characters, both main and secondary, remain with me as clearly as if I’d just put the book down. I couldn’t have been happier when I heard a whisper that the supremely talented Alex Wyndham was to record it and waited with much anticipation for its release. And, oh my but it was well worth the wait.

Set during Restoration England, The Marigold Chain follows eight months in the lives of Alex Deveril and Chloe Hervaux – a man and woman thrown together by unusual and unorthodox circumstances. The real events unfolding around their seemingly ordinary lives adding to the thrill of this wonderfully rich story, in which our couple become well and truly embroiled. The fabulous cast of historical figures are so cleverly interwoven with fictitious characters that it is difficult to know for sure who lived and who is a figment of the author’s fertile imagination.

One night, Alex Deveril is out on a drinking spree to end all drinking sprees, having been rejected by the woman he believes he loves. Alex is outrageous and unconventional at the best of times but, this time, he outdoes even himself. Whilst involved in a card party at the home of Chloe’s step-brother, she is offered as the stake in a game gone too far, when her odious brother runs out of funds to pay his debts. Never one to turn down a challenge, Alex accepts and wins. To be fair to Chloe, she does try to refuse, but her step-brother (no blood relative) is vile and has become a nuisance with his unwanted, and some might say, incestuous advances towards her, and she is desperate to leave his house and her life of drudgery behind. Still drunk beyond reason, Alex convinces Chloe to leave with him in the dead of night and insists on rousing a clergyman, even going as far as shimmying up a drainpipe in order to persuade him into marrying them. Drunk or not, Alex knows what is right and the wedding takes place. While Alex sleeps off his excesses, Chloe has a long night of contemplation and faces up to the realisation that she may have taken unfair advantage of Alex in her haste to escape her brother. She should have refused his drunken proposal, no matter how gorgeous he is or how enticing the prospect of being his wife might be. After discussing the matter, they decide that eventually they will pursue an annulment, although neither is in a hurry to be free, each for reasons of their own. So, for the time being, their marriage-in-name-only, will remain just that.

The year is 1666 and the country is still struggling and in debt after years of civil war followed by a horrendous loss of life as a result of the plague. Now, to add to her problems, England is at war with the Dutch, and France is about to join in. Alex has recently returned from soldering after fifteen years of fighting, both as man and boy, to discover that his birth right has been stolen during his absence. Always fiercely loyal to the crown, like his father before him, Alex cannot dispel the unfairness of it and, as a result, has become an embittered and acerbic young man. And yet, he retains the respect and affection of his peers who fought with him and know his loyalty and friendship are worth having. Alex’s inner group of friends who remember him as he used to be – charming, witty and reckless – are generally willing to overlook his biting tongue and tolerate his much-changed demeanour. For his part, Alex does his best to push his friends away, but they refuse to abandon him, although there are moments when they wonder why. Then his occasional flashes of breath-taking charm, ever ready wit and obvious intelligence, remind them that the Alex they knew still exists. Chloe is no different to his friends; she was besotted with Alex from the moment she met him, and still is. However, an inner awareness tells her that her feelings must be kept hidden, not only to avoid his derision, but also because a strong sense of justice tells her that Alex must never feel trapped into staying married to her.

Chloe’s character and person are beautifully drawn – a compelling young woman with an understated beauty and gentle innocence. However, she is no pushover and knows how to run and care for a household on a limited budget, after suffering under her step-brother’s roof as an unpaid housekeeper. Alex may not realise it, but he has met his match… and his love. Chloe tolerates his moods, but only up to a point, and then quietly but firmly puts him in his place. She often risks his displeasure and bad humour by intervening in his plans – for his own good – such as when she realises he is about to embark on something he will later regret. Often, her intervention is done with the collusion of his friends, all of whom have fallen under her guileless spell and also realise, fairly soon after the marriage, that Chloe could be Alex’s salvation.

Their relationship develops through various phases; first as strangers, continuing onto friendship and confidantes, and finally, to the inevitable and, in true Stella Riley fashion, love which grows slowly and sweetly. At first, Alex accepts his wife’s company as just another person around him to be tolerated and often ignored, until without him realising it, she becomes necessary to him. He nicknames her Marigold from the beginning and, at one point, on her first visit to court with him, he presents her with a pretty necklace, The Marigold Chain. Alex has obviously chosen it with care, although he is very blasé about the giving of it to her. Its colour (matching her hair) and simplistic, understated beauty is Chloe to a tee and she cherishes it. I love the classy and unusual titles this author chooses for her books, but of all of them, The Marigold Chain is my favourite, given the special significance of this particular title.

While Alex is well aware of his own flaws he is unrepentant. Highly intelligent and a man of unequivocal integrity, his previously proven military prowess has earned him the trust and respect of Prince Rupert, cousin to King Charles II and Commander of the Naval Fleet. Together with his friend Giles Beckwith, Alex is contracted into covertly searching for a possible traitor in their midst. There is no actual proof that a traitor exists, just a few unexplained ‘accidents’ which have cost the English Navy, ships and lives. The ensuing events are fast moving, exciting, and exactly what an adrenalin junkie like Alex Deveril needs to shake him out of the doldrums.

Stella Riley covers so much in this story; a snapshot of warfare, death and injury on board his Majesty’s ships during wartime; the Great Fire of London, where we see the cramped wooden buildings in their narrow lanes, the fire eating its way relentlessly through London and the despair of her inhabitants as they fight fruitlessly to save their homes, and then the final devastating toppling of St. Paul’s cathedral. The licentious, gluttonous, fashion obsessed court of the womanising, but shrewd and enigmatic, Charles II, and the despair of his Queen as he flaunts his mistresses are all brought vibrantly to life by this talented author, whose love and knowledge of her subject is obvious. We are not overwhelmed with extraneous historical detail but rather Ms. Riley sets out the facts clearly and precisely and in a way that makes the reader/listener desirous to learn more and filling in the gaps with intelligent probabilities and a delicious romance to boot.

Alex Wyndham has quite a job on his hands as he handles, with great aplomb, the sarcastic, cynical, Alex Deveril. It would be all too easy to dislike this young man but personally I loved his complex character. Alex Wyndham captures him to perfection, showing along the way, with his intuitive interpretation of the author’s writing, that here is a decent and honourable young man who has had a raw deal and only needs that certain someone in his life to redeem him. Alex’s reckless disregard for his own safety sees him hurtling towards his own ruin and his friends, understanding the reasons, do their best to mitigate his behaviour. Alex Wyndham, consummate actor that he is, has to deal with all of this – an Alex Deveril who does not suffer fools gladly and thinks he neither wants nor needs anyone, but who then undergoes a lightbulb moment of such epic proportions that he is left reeling from the shock and how to deal with it. A lesser actor could not have pulled off the transformation so effectively and believably - Mr. Wyndham’s tone of voice undergoes a subtle change so seamless that we are aware we are still listening to Alex Deveril, an angry young man for the most part of the story, who has, on the turn of a sixpence, suddenly found himself again after a very long time in the wilderness. Immediately we know that Alex Deveril’s feelings have undergone a colossal change simply by Alex Wyndham’s alteration in inflection while still retaining the recognisable ‘voice’ he has adopted for Alex Deveril. I was so taken by Alex Wyndham’s performance that I listened to this same part a few times just to enjoy his expertise.

There are a couple of places where he has to deal with Stella Riley at her emotional best – real tear jerkers – I promise – but no spoilers. All I’ll say is that listeners will not be disappointed by Stella Riley’s words and Alex Wyndham’s interpretation of them – but have your tissues ready. Oh…and he sings in a couple of places AND quotes poetry – I could go on and on – just sit back and enjoy.

Before reading The Marigold Chain, I’m ashamed to say I knew little about The English Civil War and the Restoration. It was a war which split families apart and ravaged our country for the best part of ten years, and saw an anointed King beheaded. How could I not have been interested? However, this has all changed now because I have become totally immersed in Stella Riley’s world of Cavaliers and Roundheads. I strongly recommend the uninitiated to listen to The Marigold Chain and A Splendid Defiance and to read her Roundheads & Cavaliers series, beginning with The Black Madonna which, by the way, is stupendous.

Superbly researched history, compelling and intriguing characters (fictitious and historical), a fast paced and exciting mystery all coupled with a bone melting romance - what’s not to love in THE MARIGOLD CHAIN. And let’s not forget the exceptionally talented, Alex Wyndham, who adds that extra spark of brilliance. Highly recommended.

Note: since originally writing this review some years ago, Stella Riley has had the majority of her Roundheads and Cavaliers series recorded by Alex Wyndham so if you’re an audio book lover I recommend you listen to them because they’re all tremendous.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a copy of this book in the early 1980s and remember it was one of my “go-to” reads. But it disappeared from my collection several years ago – I don’t know if I lent it to someone and didn't get it back, or inadvertently donated it to a local charity shop – but I’ve been looking to get another copy ever since. It’s been out of print, along with Stella Riley’s other titles, and second hand copies are few and far between and ridiculously expensive – so I was doing a happy dance when I discovered that this title had finally been reissued in e-book form.

The action is set in London in 1666. Charles II has been restored to the throne, London has survived the Plague but there is more tragedy to come, and amongst all this, we meet the dashing Alexander Deveril and his friends, and Chloe Herveaux, a young woman of anglo-French descent who resides with her wastrel brother.

Alex Deveril, while in the midst of an almighty bender following rejection by the woman he (thinks he) loves, is on a winning streak at the gambling tables and when his opponent runs out of money, he puts up his sister's hand in marriage as the stake. Of course, Alex wins, and, still magnificently drunk insists they get married right away.

Next morning, they agree to seek an annulment. Chloe continues to reside with Alex and forms firm friendships with his friends and with his "old retainer", Matt.

The characterisation in this book is superb. Alex is splendidly witty, charming and clever, but he has a tongue that can wound at twenty paces, and frequently uses it to that effect. In anger, he pushes people away, making hurtful comments as though he wants to see just how far he can push his friends before they admit he’s worthless and give up on him for good. But at other times, he knows exactly the right thing to say in order to ease a difficult situation or alleviate someone’s grief. He’s a fascinating contradiction and in the hands of a less-skilled writer, he could have been easy to dislike; but Ms Riley keeps to the right side of the fine line and balances Alex’s sometimes cruel side with his sense of goodness and honour. He’s gorgeous, well-read, a consummate swordsman and horseman and, bereft of employment somewhat dangerous as in order to alleviate the boredom of inaction, he embroils himself in all sorts of high-jinks and pranks.

The author writes the relationships between Alex and his friends, Giles Beckwith and Daniel Fawsley very well indeed and in fact all the secondary characters are very well fleshed-out.

Chloe is clearly Alex’s ideal partner. She is able to match him when it comes to their verbal sparring, although she doesn’t have the same propensity to cruelty when things don’t go her way. I love the scene at the ridiculously over-the-top banquet when they are so in tune with each other; and later, following a tragedy, the way they can be quietly supportive of each other. The romance unfolds beautifully and while it is the main focus of the story, it is woven in with the other elements; Alex’s search for the traitor who is aiding the Dutch in their war against the English; the Great Fire of London; the tragic death of a dear friend.

Several historical figures feature in the story, most notably Charles II, to whom Alex and Chloe have to apply for the solution to a particularly pressing problem. Even though his appearances in the novel are brief, he’s painted as more than just the “Merry Monarch”; he’s clearly very shrewd and has an excellent sense of humour – and despite the fact that he did actually flaunt his mistresses before his wife, he’s a difficult character to dislike. Prince Rupert is shown to be an exceptional military mind who inspires great loyalty in those – like Alex – who follow him; and there are appearances by other well-known figures of the court such as Lady Castlemaine and James, Duke of York (later James II) and other significant figures such as Samuel Pepys and Christopher Wren.

Some historical novels set in London don’t really make much use of it as a location, but in The Marigold Chain, the author uses her clearly extensive knowledge of the City as it was in Restoration times. Her descriptions of the narrow streets, lined with crammed-in buildings, of the bridges and the river are very evocative, and her locations are very precisely detailed. Her eye for historical detail is faultless and while there is a fair amount of detail about the war with the Dutch and a number of Naval actions, we’re never bogged down in a history lesson at the expense of the story. The scenes that deal with the Great Fire are fast-moving and exciting, and those that deal with its aftermath don't shy away from just how devastating it was, and the profound effect it had on the City.

I really don’t know why Stella Riley’s books haven’t become “classics” in the genre, because her writing is so good. As far as I know, she only published a handful of titles, including A Splendid Defiance, which is set during the English Civil War and Black Madonna. I really hope that the re-emergence of The Marigold Chain means that her other novels will appear shortly, too – and if we’re incredibly lucky, perhaps she will even write some more novels.

The Kindle edition is priced at £3.08 in the UK – a small price to pay for such a great read!


Review revised 16 June 2012

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from 2018

Straight 'A's at AudioGals.

The Marigold Chain is one of Stella Riley’s earliest published works, and, as it’s a long-time favourite of mine, I’ve been waiting not-at-all patiently for it to make an appearance in audiobook format. I first read it in the mid-1980s and loved it; for me, it ticks all the boxes. A brilliant, gorgeous, sharp-tongued hero enters into a marriage of convenience with a practical, quick-witted heroine who doesn’t take any of his crap; set that against the backdrop of the politics and intrigue-laden Restoration court of Charles II, and you’ve got another winner from a writer who really knows how to put the historical into historical romance while at the same time creating a tender, sensual love story. With the exceptionally talented Alex Wyndham once more at the microphone, there’s no question The Marigold Chain is a fabulous audio experience – so just sink into your favourite chair, lock the door, take the phone off the hook and let the world look after itself for a few hours while you get stuck in!

Alex Deveril has been a soldier for his entire adult life. When aged just fifteen, he fought alongside his father for the Royalist cause, and after the defeat of Charles II’s forces and his subsequent exile, Alex made his living as a mercenary, fighting in various European wars. With the restoration of the monarchy, Alex had expected his family’s home and lands to be returned to him, but thanks to the machinations of his father’s younger brother – a man who didn’t decide which way to jump until the outcome was certain – Alex has been left with nothing but a dingy house in Southwark and an arsenal of skills he is unable to use now that Europe is enjoying a period of (relative) peace.

With nothing to occupy him and no means of earning a living, Alex has become increasingly bitter and immeasurably bored, his days filled with reckless exploits and hard drinking. When the woman he (thinks he) loves tells him she is marrying another – very wealthy – man, Alex heads immediately for the bottle and starts the process of getting very, very drunk. While in this state, he visits the house of James Ashton, where the brandy is free-flowing (and dreadful) and there is deep play to be had. Sinking deeper and deeper into his cups, Alex finds he can’t lose at whatever game of chance he plays – and when Ashton, desperate to win back the money he has lost, stakes his sister – and her dowry of eight-hundred-pounds – Alex is drunk enough to accept without a qualm.

Learning she has been staked in a dice game, Chloe Herveaux – Ashton’s half-French half-sister – doesn’t even raise an eyebrow. And when Alex wins, she calmly agrees to leave her brother’s household that very night – she has no wish to remain there any longer and risk the same thing happening again. She, Alex and a couple of his drinking buddies leave the house, upon which Alex promptly insists on finding a parson so that he and Chloe can be married. Chloe, who had intended to stay with friends while she works out what to do next, is horrified and tries to talk Alex out of it, but he won’t hear any argument and the deed is done.

Waking with a hangover of Biblical proportions the next morning, Alex is vaguely surprised to discover he’s slept on the floor and that a young woman is sitting there with him, offering him a tisane for his thumping headache. He’s completely unprepared for the discovery that the two of them are married, but listens closely when his new wife suggests they seek an annulment. Alex points out that it may take some time, but as neither of them is in a hurry, they agree to remain married in name only until the legal formalities can be finalised.

The story unfolds over several months, during which Chloe becomes part of Alex’s household, his friendship group, and his life in a subtle and unobtrusive way. She builds relationships with Alex’s manservant, Matt, and with his close friends, Giles Beckwith and Daniel Fawsley, although Alex himself remains aloof and somewhat enigmatic. These friendships are all wonderfully drawn; Ms. Riley always excels at writing close male friendships, and I loved the way that Chloe is so thoroughly accepted and drawn into their circle. At the same time, Alex begins to realise that the young woman he has married is lovely, intelligent, determined and compassionate; he starts to value her advice and to actively seek it, her no-nonsense approach earning his respect and – ultimately – friendship.

Theirs is a slow-burn love story that builds slowly but surely in a very subtle way. From friendship, Alex and Chloe develop a camaraderie born of like-minds, shared interests and a shared sense of humour, until neither can imagine their lives without the other in it – but how can one of them hold the other in a marriage it seems they don’t want?

Alex is one of those heroes who, in the hands of a lesser author, could have been easy to dislike, but fortunately, while he’s definitely difficult, Ms. Riley makes him into a compelling and attractive character. He’s fiercely intelligent, handsome, and – when he wants to be – extremely charming; but he’s also, to paraphrase Chloe, got a tongue that could start a small war, and is prone to using it to say hurtful things in a deliberate attempt to push people away. Yet he also knows how to say exactly the right thing in a difficult situation and is loyal and honourable to a fault. And clever, pragmatic Chloe is perfect for him. She gives as good as she gets in verbal exchanges and doesn’t hesitate to call him out on his bad behaviour. She’s supportive and insightful, saving Alex from himself on more than one occasion, and the chemistry between them, while it builds gradually, is undeniable.

Now here I am, faced with the prospect of finding something new to say about narrator Alex Wyndham. Anyone familiar with his work will already know that he’s an exceptionally talented vocal actor whose performances are always highly accomplished and most enjoyable, and that his ability to get into the heads of the characters and accurately convey their motivations and emotions is absolutely first-rate. He’s superb when it comes to conveying his namesake’s acerbic wit and blistering put-downs; wonderful at getting across Alex’s rarely-seen vulnerability in a most memorable scene near the end in which he manages to put his foot firmly in his mouth; and just as good at giving Chloe a no-nonsense, down-to-earth air while also letting us hear the truth of her feelings for her unpredictable husband. The secondary cast – Matt (a bluff northerner), Giles and Danny are all clearly differentiated and easy to tell apart, and Mr. Wyndham’s portrayal of His Majesty, King Charles II – who makes a few cameo appearances – is a nicely judged balance of gravitas and humour.

Superbly written and expertly narrated, The Marigold Chain is an utter delight from start to finish. Needless to say, it’s highly recommended.

[Tiziana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 3.5 rounded to 4 as historical fiction.
Only 3 stars ( or 2.5 rounded to 3 ) as romance.

__THE PLOT__ England 1666.
-->Chloe is a girl of about 20 who lives with her stepbrother, an aristocrat who spends all his money on gambling, alcohol and women.
One evening, having run out of money, he gambles his stepsister: if he loses, she will become the property of his opponent.
-->Alex, 30, was a Royalist soldier in the English Civil War.
He is very handsome and always ready with a joke and has friends who really care of him, but he has a bad temper and a disappointment in love leads him to alcohol and senseless actions.
--> One morning Alex wakes up after an incredible hangover and discovers that he is married to an innocent 20-year-old girl, Chloe.
They immediately decide to proceed with the request for annulment, meanwhile England goes to war with Holland...

***
The book is divided into 3 parts, of which I really liked the first part, cheerful and lively, it made imagine a romance full of funny scenes.

The second part, the central and broader one, was to me very disappointing.
Any romance there, no connection between Alex and Chloe, the 2 main characters of the story.
They are married but he continues his life as if she didn't exist and she goes about her life thinking about him from time to time.
When the author finally gives us a beautiful escape scene together, with a bit of action, a kiss happens.
It's half way through the book and it's easy to think that a little chills and emotion will finally arrive...Instead: nothing romantic again, at least until the 3rd phase (which begins more or less 75% of the way through the novel).
The historical part is well developed but didn't involve me.
There is a betrayal situation that the protagonists are supposed to discover, but I didn't find it so intriguing.
BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM TO ME WAS :

___THE HERO ___ So handsome, but an ass !
I only fell in love with the male protagonist at the end, in the last 25% of the book while in the entire previous 75% I couldn't stand him!
He was beautiful and charming in his laughter and ironic jokes, but very irascible and deeply selfish because he only thought about his disappointments and dissatisfaction and vented his bad mood in the bottle and on his friends, while they, his friends, always tried to get him out of trouble and acted always very careful to avoid to provoke him, so as not to make him angry.
HOW CAN YOU LIKE A MAN LIKE THAT?
...Of course we stupid women always love those wild and dangerous (and this makes me angry!) while the sensitive and polite men are trampled upon (but usually those ones are ugly... instead here in the fiction the good, sensitive man in love was also a beautiful one...but unfortunately the scoundrel always wins)

My dislike for this character, who should have been the hero of the story, not only didn't allow me to enjoy reading the book, but it ultimately left me with a sense of hunger for something that only began at the end of the book. Yes, the real romance only started at the end of the book... and so I feel dissatisfied.
In the third part the character suddenly loses his bad ways and like a true hero works for the good of the city that is going up in flames.
We are in the middle of the second major fire in London (September 1666) and this time all the scenes described by the author fully involved me, making me feel as if I was really on the scene, there in that city, in that historical moment.
In the third part Alex feelings for Chloe change too...few chapters..the happy ending..but I feel dissatisfied..I want more!... but unfortunately I was at the END OF THE NOVEL!
I don't know if I explained myself well: imagine eating a cake and you feel that it's not as good as you would like, finally you start to like the last slice... but it's the last slice and you're left with that unsatisfied craving which is irritating!

_ CONCLUDING __ I've only read one other novel by Stella Riley ( A Splendid Defiance) and I was thrilled with it .
It doesn't matter if the love story burns slowly, that's fine too, but in this novel the hero was difficult to love from the beginning, and above all there was too little of the two main characters together.
It would have been nice to have more emotions throughout the story: more intense looks, a shiver on the skin during a casual touch... more interest on Alex's part towards Cloe, not just at the end, instead the whole love story was flat and one-way for too long.

Even though it wasn't what I expected, this doesn't discourage me and I will definitely read more of Stella Riley's novels, because I think she's really good and I appreciate her writing style.
My review shouldn't discourage you either, because I gave my opinion based on my personal taste.
Remember though: very slow-burn romance and pages dedicated to history, therefore not suitable for those looking for hot scenes and only frivolous novels.

NOTE: I'm Italian, sorry for my bad English. I wrote back to the review 3 times because I couldn't coherently express all these conflicting feelings... and I ran out of grammar :-( please, forgive me

[Joanna Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This was a buddy read with Jultri and Sam. Thanks ladies! Great historical detail, compelling characters, but the romance was very slo-mo and ultimately underwhelming. I did enjoy the story but wouldn’t pick it up for romance aspect.

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second Stella Riley, and while I loved the Black Madonna (my first) in the end, the beginning was so heavily historical with so many characters I am not sure I could have done it without the buddy read.


For this, I decided to change course and use a narrator and read along or just listen. I also buddy read this one, but fell in love with Alex (according to my buddies, maybe this is unusual) immediately. I was also engaged in the book immediately. In fact, the way the storyline and romance was paced I absolutely adored...until about 75%. Then I got a little impatient. We did get to know and see so many nuances in the characters it ultimately didn't matter, but I was left feeling this was heavily historical fiction (and great at that) with a side of romance.


The more accessible nature of this novel, however, left me appreciating Riley's gorgeous writing, and her subtlety in building characters. The romance is, indeed, built in moments and precious few at that, but the characters are all so lovely it doesn't matter. This all reinforces that while I believe Riley is a complete force-such a strong storyteller- I have to be ready to read her and for the pacing to be heavily grounded in real life and not fantastical romance.


Despite all this, the romance is built in moments and through characters which I love, with the heaviest bits backloaded. the last 6% holding the majority of it, and the last 15% nearly all of it.


In the end, I haven't discussed that I adored Alex and Chloë and the secondary characters as well or why. Alex is an impertinent, self-aware, difficult jackass. Of course, this means I love him. He also has a sense of responsibility, isn't a hedonist, and is ultimately kind-hearted and moral. In Chloë, he met a woman who was witty yet innocent, demanding yet forgiving, and who also did not rest or give in to indulgent self-wallowing. She realizes her love for Alex is unrequited and likely to remain so in one of my favorite parts of the book, and rather than wallow, she accepts it and moves on ultimately, this strength and matter-of-fact manner make her a lovely, smart, and grounded match for Alex. Throw in her unassuming manner and she's just a delight.

The narration is excellent, and I'll gladly pick up another Wyndham... Or Riley/Wyndham... Because it's a great combination.

[Jultri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. I find myself curiously uninspired, as I sit down to write my review for this book, which I think says something about the book itself. As a historical fiction, it is well written and well researched, which I have come to expect from this author. As a historical romance, it certainly disappoints. The romance was very slow to develop, and any hint of any romantic feelings was one-sided for about 2/3 of the book. For the first half of the book, they barely interacted even though they shared a house as husband and wife, albeit in name only. The heroine claimed to be in love with the hero from their first stolen kiss as strangers, however it was more a case of a young and sheltered girl being infatuated with an experienced and enigmatic man. Alex had a serious case of the sulks in the first 1/3 of the book, behaving like a boy who didn't get his lollipop. When he finally started to man up and get over his self-pity and infantile behaviour, the story got a bit more interesting although it's more courtesy of the secondary characters, his friends, who provided the emotional intensity of the book. Chloe was a nice enough girl, but lacked a bit of personality. I was frustrated by their passionless interactions for the vast majority of the book and the poor insight into Alex's mind, so that when he realised his love for Chloe, this realisation just seemed to come from nowhere because there were no hints given along the way. As a result, his supposed epiphany just appeared quite unconvincing to me.

Thank you to Sam and Joanna for buddy-reading this with me, making this a more enjoyable experience.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1666, the setting Oxford. The monarchy has been restored, and the English Civil Wars have come to an end. Alexander Deveril, long-time soldier and Cavalier, dispossessed of his ancestral home by a scheming cousin while off fighting for his king, finds that his lady love intends to wed another, more affluent man. In a state of drunken rage, he wins the hand of half-French Chloe Herveaux in a card game with her brother, and the two find themselves unexpectedly married. Determined to eventually annul the marriage, they nevertheless remain together and head to London, where Chloe dabbles in becoming a shipping merchant and Alex becomes caught up in an assignment to track down the traitor and spy sabotaging England's naval campaigns against the Dutch. Their growing attachment to each other plays out against the backdrop of dramatic historical events, culminating in the Great Fire of London...

Originally published in 1983, and recently revised and rereleased, The Marigold Chain is the fifth novel I have read from British author Stella Riley, and the second, after A Splendid Defiance , that was more historical adventure with romance, than romance novel per se. I didn't love it quite as much as A Splendid Defiance , but I did find it very enjoyable. Alex is a mercurial character, sometimes appealing, sometimes obnoxious, and Riley captures him in all his ambiguous glory. Chloe is also an interesting character, falling in love with her husband almost from the start, but remaining interested in her widening circle of friends, and in her own activities. Perhaps one of the reasons their story didn't speak to me as strongly as that of Justin and Abigail, in A Splendid Defiance , is that there is very little of Alex's perspective, until the very end of the book. I suspect that this was done to build tension, as Chloe's feelings are disclosed to the reader early on, but it left me with the feeling that there was something missing here. Apparently Riley's story here owes much to Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles , but being unfamiliar with those books, I cannot comment, save to say that perhaps I should track them down. As for this, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or historical romance.

[Dangermousie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond and Philippa had a baby with Georgette Heyer's Friday's Child and that baby was set in Restoration England (does that sentence even make any sense? It does to me).

Seriously, this book is perfect. The gorgeous, enigmatic, quote-loving hero who keeps everyone at a distance and the pragmatic, smart, fierce heroine remind me of Lymond and Philippa (not as good as the originals, of course, but then who is) and the whole 'newly married couple adjust to each other while husband's coterie of friends adjusts to them as well, while being hilarious' reminds me of Friday's Child.

Alex, our hero, is ridiculously drunk when he wins the hand of Chloe at cards. She is not drunk in the least, but sees it as her best option, and agrees to get married. She tries hard not to fall for her charming, remote, ridiculously smart husband, while he doesn't even realize how the tough, clever, steady Chloe is getting to him. There are spies, the great fire of 16667 and other awesome things, but let's face it - it's all about the perfection of two truly intelligent and charismatic people working it out.

I leave you with this:

"If you don't mind," said Lady Sarah freezingly, "some of us are trying to listen."
"Good for you," said Alex. "It would be a shame to miss poetry like this:
O Woe, thrice Woe!
The battle's roar is done.
And all is lost beneath the setting sun.
The fated sky grows dim, the angels weep
And pinching Shakespeare's words is pretty cheap," finished Alex, folding his arms. "Are we in for spot-the-quotation time?"

Or this: "Well, are you lost in admiration of my loquacity or debating whether or not to fly the coop?"
"Neither," she returned shortly. "If you really want to know, I was thinking a tongue like yours could start a small war."

What I'd really love to quote is Alex's confession to Chloe, but why spoil all the best parts? Read the book for yourself!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS


As usual, Stella Riley spins an exciting story, and Alex Wyndham brings it to life with luscious vigor. Although, I didn't find that the romance in this one was up to her usual standards. I'm not quite sure what was missing, but I didn't connect with the characters. The writing was stellar. The historical aspect was quite interesting, I think I just wanted a little more from the hero.

This was an audiobook. Alex Wyndham was exceptional as usual.

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I pick up a book by Stella Riley, I anticipate reading an engrossing, well-written story with diverse, in-depth characters, witty dialogue and a meticulously researched historical setting. The Marigold Chain definitely fulfilled all my expectations.

I admire Ms. Riley for creating such a flawed and fascinating hero. Alex is unpredictable, provoking, intolerant and not even his friends are immune to his acerbic tongue.

“You can chew on my failings till you choke – but not here. I don’t want sympathy, brotherly love or nauseating bloody morality…”

It would have been so easy to dislike Alex but Ms. Riley skilfully balances his negative qualities with positive ones. He is attractive, intelligent, charming, witty, brave, loyal, and a superb swordsman and horseman, with an appealing habit of quoting classical poetry. It’s impossible not to fall under his spell just as Chloe does.

I also appreciated how much past events have contributed to his current state of mind. Soldiering has been his life since the age of fifteen when, together with his father, he fought for the Royalist cause at the Battle of Worcester. Following the Royalist defeat, Alex was forced into exile and, during those years, he made his living as a mercenary. Following the restoration of Charles II, a much-hardened Alex returned to England, only to discover that his devious cousin, Simon, had deprived him of his birth-right. Even the King lacked the power to restore what was rightfully his, leaving Alex a very angry and bitter man. No longer able to ply the only trade he knows, boredom soon set in and Alex has become increasingly unpredictable, indulging in ludicrous and often dangerous wagers and bouts of heavy drinking. Matters have only deteriorated further when he discovers that the woman he believes himself to be in love with is nothing more than a conniving, ‘selfish little bitch’.

Half-French, practical, intelligent and kind, Chloe is such a delightful heroine. Since her father died, she has been living with her step-brother James, a loathsome man, who treats Chloe as an unpaid housekeeper and spends all the money on drinking, gambling and whores. Recently, she has had to bolt her bedroom door at night for fear of his lecherous advances. When James stakes Chloe in the card game, she sees it as a chance to get away from her odious stepbrother and the drudgery of her life.

She may be naive in many ways but Chloe is no wilting lily and I admire the way she is more than a match for Alex and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

“It’s a pity everybody tiptoes round your feelings. It gives you the idea you can do what you like.”

Her tendency to interfere in Alex’s life is always done with the best of intentions such as when she cleverly schemes to secure a reconciliation between Alex and his friend Giles. Despite being sensible and practical, Chloe has no defence against Alex’s charm and magnetism. She is hopelessly in love with him but has no illusions that he could ever offer her anything but friendship. I think it is a sign of the depth of her love for him that she could never trap Alex in a marriage he did not want.

…though she knew he did not love her and almost certainly never would, she also knew that her heart was given irrevocably–and that he must never know it.

I enjoyed seeing Chloe not only capture the affection of Alex’s friends but also his old retainer Matthew.

Alex’s epiphany creeps up on him very slowly. At first, he treats Chloe in the same manner as everyone else around him, but then there are moments when he does something quite unexpected like laughing himself silly over the disaster in the kitchen; giving her the marigold chain [Marigold is his pet name for her) which he has obviously chosen with great care; knowing exactly what to say to comfort a distraught Chloe when tragedy affects their lives. When he finally realises that he is head over heals in love with her, he reflects on all the mistakes he has made over the past eight months – all of them waiting now, like snares to trap him – and fears that it might be too late. I admit that it was satisfying to see Alex completely out of his depth when it comes to telling Chloe that he loves her.

The plot to discover and identify the traitor within the Naval service allows Alex to break out of the state of boredom he has fallen into. Now we see a man who is focused, cunning and brave, whose expert swordsmanship is put to good use.

The story is laced with Ms. Riley’s trademark humour such as the marvellous description of the food laid out for the Grand Banquet…

Sirloins of beef lay flanked by cheeses and jellies; the hams jostled the syllabubs and the lobsters lay cheek by jowl with strawberries and quails; roasted geese looked down on oysters and custards and a suckling pig, its mouth full of apple, glared balefully at a panoplied peacock…

and the hilarious Masque, complete with a jocular commentary from Alex.

All the secondary characters are so well drawn – Alex’s faithful manservant, Matthew Lewis; his long-suffering but loyal friends, Giles Beckwith and Daniel Fawsley; his scheming cousin, Simon Deveril; the malicious, self-absorbed Lady Sarah Courtney. Ms. Riley also effortlessly weaves a number of real personages into the story, including a perceptive Charles II and his wife Catherine of Braganza, Prince Rupert and Samuel Pepys, who all add depth to the rich tapestry of the story.

I always find myself totally immersed in Ms. Riley’s books whatever the historical setting, whether it is the Georgian era, the English Civil War or the Restoration period, as in The Marigold Chain . She brings everything vividly to life with her evocative writing and immaculate research.

MY VERDICT: Another superb book from Ms. Riley which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Kate Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't do much for me. Too much political history (battles, etc.) for what I was expecting, but I like straight-up historical fiction usually, so I don't think it was the non-romance stuff that put me off.

Really, for me, it was the hero. I was warned about him (wherever I found this book mentioned said something about the hero being an asshole, but maybe it was okay b/c he was an asshole to everyone, not just the heroine), but he was still too much.

I just didn't think he had the redeeming characteristics others seemed to see in him. I guess he's really good looking, and that's why the heroine thinks it's okay that he sexually assaults her (don't worry, it wasn't REAL assault b/c she ended up enjoying it so much she agreed to marry him b/c of it). I guess he's really fun to hang out with, even though he seems to spend most of his time not just being crabby with his friends but being really, truly vicious with them, poking at areas he knows are sore spots and starting fights with them whenever he's in a bad mood. I guess it's okay that he calls his girlfriend a whore when she breaks up with him, because it turns out that she IS promiscuous, although he is as well.

I don't know. I like it when authors take chances with their characters, but this chance really didn't work out, for me.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the story. Alex and Chloë were not my favorite characters; I never really connected with them. Giles on the other hand would be a hero I’d love to see a book written for. 5 stars for Alex Wyndham’s narration which is no surprise. 😉😈

[Lisazj1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I have so far loved all of Stella Riley's romances. She pens an amazing historical world and wonderful characters, along with great writing and exciting, enjoyable plots. Add the narration of the divine Alex Wyndham and that's a guaranteed audiobook win. While I did enjoy this one, at least once it got past the halfway or so mark, I did not love it.

I have to say this was mostly due to the MCs, Alex & Chloe. I got absolutely no chemistry from them, until Alex pulled his head out of his ass and stopped being such an unrelenting jerk. And then it was a lot of hidden longings, misunderstandings and miscommunication. But after it did pick up, it was still a good story with a well deserved happy ending.

My favorite reader Alex Wyndham was, as always, a pure pleasure to isten to.

[Zubee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very difficult book to grade, but overall I think 3.5 stars.

First of all, what I really liked. Most importantly, the hero and heroine and the chemistry between Alex and Chloe, which was amazing. He was brilliantly done, and I really admired Ms Riley for having the guts to create such a very flawed man, and for sticking to her guns in keeping him true to his character right to the very end. Though underneath it all, unfailingly loyal, Alex could be arrogant, ignorant, hurtful, spiteful and really unkind, but what he always was, was utterly believable. The same goes for Chloe, who was a perfect match for him. She was feisty, she was sometimes naïve, she was often misguided, but her heart was true and her motives always pure - Alex quite rightly believed he didn't deserve her - and yet he totally did.

The research in this book shone through, and the ambiance of the court of St James in Restoration London was also brilliantly evoked - the intrigues, the gossip, the scandal and the money-grabbing, as well as the tension caused by the inevitable looking back at who did what in the years of the civil war. I must say, I did think that King Charles was treated just a little too sympathetically, but that is a complete personal bias, and compared to Ms Riley, I know almost nothing of this period.

I also loved most of the secondary characters, particularly Nasty Simon, poor besotted Giles (I do hope he gets his own story), and the intrigue part of the plot concerning Simon I also really enjoyed. The description of the denouement, with Albermarle cowering in a chair was absolutely brilliant.

So what wasn't I so sure of? Well, the sheer volume of research I think, was rather off-putting. I felt that there were times when the details of the war with Holland got in the way of an excellently ripping yarn (both the romance and the spy-master aspects), and I did find myself skipping over some parts, particularly the various skirmishes between the two navies which took place off-stage. I know they were important context, but for me, they were simply too much. It was the same at the end of the book, when the Great Fire intruded on Alex's determination to declare himself to Chloe. I have read Pepys's account of this, so I know it was really true to the history, and I know that some context was needed, that it was a horrific event and indeed, it was like every other event in this book, brilliantly evoked - but as I said, it got in the way, and I wanted less. To me, this book simply felt too long, and I'd have preferred the stripped-back version - though I would say that this would be to the detriment of a book that tells a little-told history, so that's a very personal preference!

But don't let me put you off. This really is an excellent book, a satisfying romance with lots of derring do. And it certainly won't be the last of ms Riley's books I'll be reading.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well-researched and intelligent romance set in the reign of Charles II (1660-1685). The hero is a brilliant but bitter man who wins the heroine in a dice game (but she, being present, agrees as she considers him a better bargain than the cousin who wagered her). The heroine is the only person who can match the hero in wit and repartee; their arguments range from delightful screwball to considerably more dark and cutting remarks.

The hero does resemble Frances Crawford of Lymond in many aspects. The author, if I understand it correctly, did this on purpose, and as a lover of Dorothy Dunnett I think it is an excellent homage. Also, it is a much, much easier read than Dunnett. If you liked this book, try the Lymond Chronicles, and if you liked Lymond and want something that focuses on the romance aspects, try this.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story. But there are a few things I could not get past. I never really understood all of Chloe’s reasoning and actions. Some of it made sense to me and some of it completely did not, especially at the end. Then there was the fire. Other than the fact that it was an actual historical event, how in the world does it contribute to the plot other than just delaying the ending? Why was it given so much page time?

All in all, it was ok. Not my favorite.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed...

[Shira Glassman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marigold Chain by Stella Riley is joining my short list of fiction with incredibly misleading blurbs that do a "hmmmm" job of actually selling the book. It's not that it's wrong, but at its heart, this thing is a romantic comedy. A romantic comedy with a heart of gold, full of spying and political intrigue, and the kind of soft spot for found family that tugs at my soul.

I definitely don't get comedy from the blurb, but it's the madcap elements of this--for example, the heroine tossed in the snow after locking two friends in a room together to force them to fix their argument, which works--that earned my smiles as much as the actual story did.

Not that it's a silly book. The main characters are a man, his accidental wife he married as a prank while drunk off his face, and all of his dearest male friends, and since this is a spying-and-politics-and-war book and men die in spying and politics and wars, not all of them make it out alive. I can't remember the last time I read a book where I believed in the true friendship of the male characters as much as this one other than in-community queer stories, so the poignancy of this kind of loss made the book a richer place for me as a reader instead of feeling like throwaway tragedy.

Honestly, though. Like, I can't think of a book that isn't one of those super duper queer ensemble cast pieces like Chameleon Moon or Viral Airwaves or Poison Kiss that has quite the same feel between a man, his male friends, and his wife -- who is included in the friendship with the male friends, and interacts with them as a real friend -- that this one did.

I really enjoyed the complex machinations of the plot. Political intrigue is stressful to read, so having it superimposed on a frothy era like the English Restoration, an amusing jackass character like the hero (he's impulsive and unafraid and it takes him to some strange places), and some outright funny circumstances made the violent or suspenseful moments less tense for me as an anxious reader.

The romantic plot puts the hero and heroine in a situation where they're married but living platonically because of the goofy circumstances surrounding the marriage. However, if they do hook up, it won't be as easy to legally get out of the marriage, and neither one is conscious that their growing feelings are being reciprocated. This gets resolved in a hilarious, unexpected way, and I commend the author for her creativity.

Also, guess who gets to be a character in this? Charles Freaking Stuart the Second!!!! All of his scenes were terrific. I want to read ten more books like this one, plotty but mostly comic, where he gets to strut around and be horny and fatherly and super tall.

This is not a book that gives friendships between women a whole lot of space, but because Chloe gets to be a whole person in her platonic friendships with her husband's crew, I didn't really mind all that much. I will note that the most important female character besides Chloe is her husband's disgusting ex-girlfriend, and she can hold her own against Lady Sarah pretty well (and so can he.) It's satisfying to watch her stand up for herself, sometimes by pretending nothing gross was said. You don't always have to answer anon hate.

Chloe's maid had a Jewish name and since we were let back into the country a few years before this I wondered if that was intentional. I hope it was!

I was tickled by the wording in this scene, specifically the "one particularly nasty habit had been delivered" part.

"And that is the least of our worries. Birds have some nasty habits."

The words had barely left his mouth when there was a loud splat from somewhere near at hand and turning, they say that one particular nasty habit had been delivered on the table in front of Lady Sarah who was staring at it with picturesque revulsion.

By the way, one warning and one quibble: the hero, since he's impulsive and somewhat inappropriate, foils a mild assault of the forced-kiss variety by shoving the man aside, yelling at him, and then kissing the woman himself. This is highly offensive, and the author dials it back by having her be super into it. We only find out later that this was Chloe and she really liked him and that's the reason she immediately agreed to the "get me out of this hellhole" instant marriage, not just a need to escape her family, but that doesn't make his actions right.

However, it takes up such a short space of the book and his behavior toward her over the course of the next year is so respectful even though he has every opportunity to commit more serious violence on her completely within the law, that I found it easy to look past as "a flaw but not one that kept me from enjoying the book." However, if this is not you, I wanted you to know so you can make your own reading decisions.

Also note that I wanted to fire the book's depiction of a speech impediment into the sun. Never ever write out your disabled character's speech impediments. Not only is it ablist and offensive, but it's hard to read. Luckily, he's not on that many pages so this is another thing that I could just put on my eyeroll shelf and move on. It did a lot of things right, enough for me to review it and recommend it "with reservations" (which is what my four-star ratings mean), but I have to mention things like this.

[Zel Polev · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but I couldn't. It was a bit infuriating because I just expected more and it was pretty boring. I'm just mad that I spent time on this and it wasn't worth it.

The most infuriating part of this book is the romance. It was just too much trouble for little payoff. I didn't understand Chloe's last annulment plan. It was just too tedious and the story could have wrapped up ages ago if those two just got it together. It was just infuriating because they seem hellbent on misunderstanding each other. Chloe was more of a culprit in this. I think I finally gave up on the book when Alex told her he lover her in a deadpan manner and Chloe just took it in a way that allowed her to be a martyr. She could go run off with her feelings and think that Alex didn't really mean it. Lady, he just told you. She just heard but didn't really listen.

Of course, this problem is just a symptom of the bigger problem that is they didn't really have a romance. They hardly spent time with each other. Alex was away a lot because of the treason intrigue. Suddenly, they just fell for each other. I'm all for subtle writing but this was really subtle. I feel like the author didn't really write the characters with depth. It was just all surface.

The story was really scattered with the betrayal intrigue, Chloe's investing, and the storyline about Alex's friends. I just found it hard to get into the story with it lacking focus.

The story revolves around Chloe and Alex. They got married after Alex got drunk and insisted on it. Chloe went along and they started their married but unconsummated life together. Alex married after his lover married for money. Chloe married to get away from her stepbrother because her situation was getting worse as the days went along. They agreed to annul the marriage.

Alex was tasked with the mission of keeping an eye out for a traitor. The traitor was Alex's cousin. The cousin was caught after incriminating evidence surfaced. The mission took away Alex for long stretches of time.

Meanwhile, Chloe was in love with him. She spent a lot of time in court. There is this one time occurrence of her passing information and helping out. Other than that, it wasn't really relevant.

They finally get together when Alex had a full night of sleep and was coherent. They consummated their marriage. Chloe revealed that their marriage was annulled and they had not been married for days now. Alex finally proposed to Chloe the proper way and she accepted. They went to the king to get married later on.

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex is such a complex hero. I love how smart and courageous he is and at the same time marvel at his power and distance from the mere mortals. He lives under his own rules and he is the master of himself.
Easy to fall in love with but very hard to love.
Cloe is even stronger, never down, nothing takes her from her path and so very honorable.
She falls for the unattainable Alex, they end up married after a night of licor and gambling (her step brother literally gambled her) but she means nothing to him. So much that he wakes up seeking an annulment and does not consummates their union.
The story happens while they wait for the annulment, passing through London’s big fire of 1666 and the search for traitors of the realm. The romance burns slowly but feels much more real because of it.
The side characters are wonderful: the loyal Matt, the infatuated and all so honorable Giles and the sweet Daniel.
Another great read by Stella Riley made even better by the voice of Alex Wyndham.

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were four young friends. They fought through Europe together, they had fun together. They were like every other (spirited) young adults, only they were teenagers during the English Civil War, and when the Restoration came, came also the time for growing up. And came the time when their paths split. It was an amazing story about men's friendship. Who they were? They were youngs of their time. They were (legendary) Cavaliers. Let's look at them, especially at Alex who was the most Cavalier-ish:

He never said what he meant - she had always known that. So what then did he mean?

'I’m restless and moody and difficult'

Each act performed with an apparent carelessness that hid the marks of true grace that had prompted them; and each of them leading her to this one day when circumstances conspired to show her the final, fundamental truth. That though the lacerating intelligence was a fact, so too was the unguessed - the river of delight that ran beneath it. She had glimpsed what lay beyond the inner door he kept so firmly shut and the elements of his identity had been revealed to her.

I couldn't have lived with Alex, but he was the product of his time. And his analysis was fascinating.

To me, the book was about those young men. The love story was just one of the events that changed them. Although I admit it had its own moments. There was also an action, fistfighting and swords, ship battles, and a spy to disclosure. My rating degraded, mostly, because of the mentioned battles. It was probably well written, I just wasn't (this time) interested in them at all. Also, I wasn't much interested in the spy-mystery. Of course, I see that all those events had an impact on characters, so they were important. Nonetheless, I skipped a few paragraphs.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars for this excellent story set in London during 1666.
So many plot points done so well--including (but not limited to) bride won during a dice game(!), marriage of inconvenience, hero with an attitude, bright heroine who copes, treason, the plague, the great fire, viperous mistress, loyal friends, sea battles, and court intrigue.

I loved our heroine Chloe, who was making the best of her marriage. She was bright, stood-up for herself when necessary, had a life of her own and made friends easily. Alex was harder to warm up to. He was often cold or indifferent, almost always sarcastic, reckless, and often drank too much. He rarely let on what he was thinking, but he was obviously intelligent and bored. He had been a soldier and was struggling with peacetime inactivity.

The secondary characters are nicely drawn--especially Alex's small circle of friends and his loyal side-kick. Giles (Alex's long-time friend) just about broke my heart.
The mistress was a bit of a cliche, as was the villain, but neither was one-dimentional.

The writer did a wonderful job of presenting the Restoration court and the major historical players, as well as giving just enough background on the politics of the transition of power from the Cromwell Protectorate to the monarchy of King Charles II.

Note: I got a real good chuckle, and a dose of deja vu, while reading the banquet scene. Readers familiar with Dorothy Dunnett's 'Checkmate' will recognize certain similarities.

Now I'm off to track down all of her English Civil War books...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens with an encounter between Chloe, her young charge, and a group of cavaliers who put me in mind of the three musketeers, what with their plumed hats, their banter, sword-play, daring horsemanship and, later on, their drunken escapades, one of which is to have far-reaching consequences.

We’re given the history which binds this group together, although friendships are to be sorely tested, and not everyone survives. It’s a moving scene when this happens, and the gentle wisdom of Alex’s words as he comforts Chloe one of those moments which show another side to him.

It took a while for the mercurial Alex to grow on me, but eventually he did. If ever a character needed to change, it was him. But I like that he did finally acknowledge his faults, and see what his behaviour might have cost him. The path to setting things right was a difficult one, beset as it was by misunderstandings (although I found Chloe’s reasoning a bit convoluted sometimes). Not only this but Alex’s duties, and the press of events, contrived at keeping Alex and Chloe apart. Theirs was certainly a hard-won resolution.

History features strongly in this one. We meet King Charles II and Prince Rupert, and witness the ravages and terror of the Great Fire of 1666. I was personally less interested in naval battles and tactics, but all combined it gave a very realistic sense of the period in which it was set.

Another superb offering by Ms Riley.

[TinaNoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightning Review:

- Felt more Historical Fiction that Historical Romance -- although interestingly the romance is very much the center of the story

- Takes place during The Restoration, a period very much not explored in Hist-Rom

- Reckless, Brilliant, Angsty, hero Alex starts out kind of an asshole -- not in a Romance Novel Hero asshole way, just as a general asshole. But then he gets complex and has layers and you start thinking about him and you start to like him. Good, deep characterization with him.

- Heroine Chloe is a bit of a Mary-Sue. But she's not sickly sweet with it, so you also kinda like her. But I ended up liking Alex more than Chloe

- I actually was digging best friend Giles and for a long time lamented that he wasn't he hero. Wonder if he gets a book?

- Lots of current event-y stuff happening around them. History stuff. Important stuff.

- Also some Spy Stuff happens. There is actually a really cool sub-plot where they need to find a traitor and Alex goes totally bad ass in a great fight scene in the end.

- This author does supporting characters and friendships very well. I have noticed this over the three books of hers that I read. These people act and are portrayed like they are real friends who like each other even when they are arguing and fighting and pouting at each other.

Good book!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my copies of the out of print Marigold Chain by Stella Riley has long since crumbled away due to over-reading, I was overjoyed when I saw Ms Riley would be re-releasing it (and others from her back list) on kindle. I re-read the Marigold Chain this week and thoroughly enjoyed it all over again.

Set around the time of the great fire of London, the Marigold Chain tells the story of clever, determined and loyal Chloe, who is gambled away by her dissolute stepbrother. The man who wins her is Alex Deveril, a wild and brilliant cavalier on the rebound from his first love, who marries her out of hand in a drunken fit of devilment. In the cold light of morning, the two agree an annulment must be sought... but will they find out they are perfectly suited before it's too late?

The characters are compelling, the historical detail evocative and the subtle romance between the two utterly entrancing.

One for fans of Dorothy Dunnett (Alex and Chloe will remind you of Lymond and Philippa).

Hoping that A Splendid Defiance and The Black Madonna will be released soon. The Parfait Knight and The Mesalliance are both available (yeay!).

[Justyna Małgorzata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got a very mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, we've got a plot set in an interesting period of Britain's history (it made me google the info to learn about those times - and fashion, too!), with a variety of characters and unusual romance. On the other, there is HIM. The hero. Alex. I cannot quite decide if he's just a d*ck or if he's suffering from a kind of personality disorder (borderline? sociopath?). I mean for all I read, I couldn't force myself to like him, I found him tolerable at best. And I simply don't believe he would change after they finally got together. It just... doesn't happen like that. Chloe was more likeable, but it was a bit annoying that everyone was so besotted with her - from Alex's friends to the king himself. Speaking of friends, Giles would really be a better lover and husband material. Composed, clever, loyal, with a lot of common sense, charming manners, sense of humour...As it went, I'm really sad for him. Ugh. Not fair. Overall, the story gets a 3* only from me.

[Marsha Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marigold Chain by Stella Riley was recommended to me by a friend. The first book I have read by Riley but it certainly won't be my last. The story is set in the mid 1600's England and written splendidly by the author as to draw the reader in from page one. I was so engrossed in the tale that I read the book in one day.

The story line flowed seamlessly with well fleshed out characters. The main male character Alex Deveril is a man with flaws but nothing that can't be overcome with the love and understanding of the main female character, Chloe Herveaux. Their first meeting is not an auspicious occasion and there are many obstacles to a happy ending but they get there in the end. I especially liked how the author wrote about the court of King Charles II and how the king himself is portrayed.

A page turner of a book and one I highly recommend.

[Fiona Ellwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another re-read, I had the paperback edition then discovered it had been published on Kindle. I wanted to see if it had been revised as the other Stella Riley novels had.

I enjoyed it, it is nice to read something easy and familiar, and I do like the characters, even though they are obviously copies of Francis and Philippa (Lymond Chronicles). I'm waiting for "The King's Falcon" to come out later in the year, and I don't suppose that Stlla Riley is going to go back to this book, but I do wonder what happened to Giles after he went to the Caribbean with Simon. Even though I read across the genres, I'm still a sucker for a happy ending (particularly if the male protagonist is like Alex!)