Book 2 in the Meryton Matchmakers series. [Book 1: Lottie Pursues Bill: 4-stars], [Matchmaker’s Guide: Meryton Matchmaker’s Confidential Client Questionnaire: 3-stars]
“A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.” Emo Philips
Modernization has reached the Meryton Matchmaking business. Lizzy is not happy with that notion. She likes to do things the old fashion way. They had taken on a financial backer [Lady Catherine] and she bailed on them and wanted them to buy her out. It took the whole book to work out a solution that wouldn’t sink their boat and force them to close. It was a tough fight.
Lizzy was just beginning to warm up to Darcy… much like an iceberg does due to global warming. Large chunks of her anger and disdain had started to thaw a bit. Then the business with Jane and Bingley, then Wickham’s lies and the deep freeze was back on.
What I liked:
I really liked the page time with Mary and our dear Colonel. Oh, my, the chemistry was off the chart. It was spine tingling. I am surprised there wasn’t a meltdown on my device. Whew! It was clean but steamy. No worries, Mary was not about to jeopardize her principles. I just love them together. The religious influence was not offensive… it was vague, but delved into what motivated Mary.
What I didn’t like:
For one… we didn’t have enough of Mary and our dear Colonel. The story followed canon with Darcy’s interfering with Jane and Bingley and Lizzy finding out about it and blasting Darcy. Add to the mix, the lies from Wickham [slime-bag], Darcy giving her an impulsive proposal, and she… blasting him out of the sky in a blaze of flames. The next day he gave her the letter to explain his dealings with Wickham. Poor Darcy, he was so tongue tied where she was concerned.
So, we are left with a cliff hanger. Will Jane and Bingley get back together? What does Lizzy think of Darcy’s letter regarding his dealings with Wickham? What about Mary and the Colonel? There were hints about Kitty and someone… and I really like that connection. The book ended with a two-chapter excerpt for the next book. That title deals with Lydia and Wickham… oh, goodness. I cannot imagine those two together. There is a whole lot to be pulled together. This next book should be chuck full of stuff to wrap up and settle.