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A Maypole in Mayfair #2

A Wish Upon a Marquess

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How does a socially inept bluestocking find love?

One ruined chemistry set
A marquess in need of a scientific mind
Three meddling friends and, of course
One wish upon a maypole

Miss Camilla Fairbanks' romance starts with a bang. Literally. The explosion is heard by everyone in the Marquess of Ashburn's country estate. But Camilla isn't searching for love when she arrives at Ashburn's manor. She needs a husband, though that's not high on her wish list either. Her greatest wish is actually to replace her formerly burned chemistry set.

But fate seems to have other plans. Or at least, her friend Sarah does... It's Sarah who convinces Camilla to help her brother Ash with his new experiments in brewing. The poor man doesn't know the first thing about brewing beer, and he knows even less about the chemistry behind it. All he does know is he's inherited the blasted title, and he means to see through his deceased brother's plans, whether he's fit for the role or not.

In exchange for Camilla's help, Ash offers her lessons on speaking to members of the opposite sex. Considering she's run off every other suitor with her talk of science and books, it seems like a fair trade. It would be...if feelings didn't get involved.


Camilla has never been more confused. Why, now, of all times did she have to succumb to the nonsensical state that is love? And how does she begin to explain her feelings? Will her attempt be as explosive as his brewing practices?

One thing is for certain, when it comes to science and love…chemistry is in the air.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 25, 2021

269 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Dallen

209 books1,018 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,082 reviews131 followers
May 7, 2021
After reading the first book in this series and being totally charmed, I was excited to see what adventures the second of the friends, Camilla, would get into!

She was truly intelligent, loved science and every time she opened her mouth, what came out was beyond the understanding of most people. Her mother advised her not to use "big words." It would never gain her a husband! But then she met her friend, Sarah's brother, Ash!

Ash was determined to honor his deceased brother, by brewing ale, that would help their tenants who would grow the hops and ingredients. Unfortunately he was having a hard time interpreting his notes and then Camilla walked into the room with his sister. She was beautiful and also was going to be able to help him!

A match made in scientific heaven? Oh yes there is definately a slowly building explosion...of the heart that is! Delightful!
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,513 reviews30 followers
May 11, 2021
Its in your heart not your head

Camilla is very analytical and super intelligent! She applies logic to everything! So it seems fake to nod politely and smile but she's beautiful but chemistry and equations come out of her mouth not banal pleasantries! Ash is trying to live up to his brothers legacy and live like he wanted even down his choice of wife? Not sure how Malcolm died but its like a gaping wound and you don't know how to be your own person with the weight of responsibility!
Camilla and Ash aren't just salt but a complex chemistry equation that equals love! But love isn't logical will Camilla figure it out before too late?
Profile Image for Kat Tolle.
639 reviews13 followers
May 9, 2021
ANOTHER SWEET AND CHARMING STORY!!! A Wish Upon a Marquess by Maggie Dallen and Katherine Ann Madison is book 2 in A Maypole in Mayfair Book series and what a wonderful series this is. I can’t wait to read book 3. What I love about this book is it’s that it is so original. Both authors truly have a gift for writing and never disappoint. I just get so excited when a new release is coming out. This story has a loving brother, a wish on a maypole, good friends, a genius debutant, trying to live up to a brother, death, grief, an explosion, wanting to make ale, making a wish come true and falling in love. I am highly recommending this book and also book 1, A Wish Upon A Duke. They are both just wonderful to read!

**This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,237 reviews66 followers
April 30, 2021
4.5 Stars
Miss Camilla Fairbanks' romance starts with a bang. Literally. The explosion is heard by everyone in the Marquis of Ashburn's country estate. But Camilla isn't searching for love when she arrives at Ashburn's manor. She needs a husband, though that's not high on her wish list either. Her greatest wish is actually to replace her formerly burned chemistry set. Sarah convinces Camilla to help her brother Ash with his new experiments in brewing. The poor man doesn't know the first thing about brewing beer, and he knows even less about the chemistry behind it. All he does know is he's inherited the title, and he means to see through his deceased brother's plans, whether he's fit for the role or not. In exchange for Camilla's help, Ash offers her lessons on speaking to members of the opposite sex. Considering she's run off every other suitor with her talk of science and books, it seems like a fair trade.
This is the second book in the series & is as delightful as the first. Ash & Camilla are perfect for each other. They are attracted to each other from their meeting when Ash is covered in beer. I thoroughly enjoyed their road to a HEA, which was full of humour & some drama. I loved both Ash & Camilla, he was determined to be a clone of his brother until Camilla finally convinced him to be himself. Camilla is outspoken & totally engrossed in chemistry. Another well written engrossing read which I read in a sitting
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
May 8, 2021
This is the sweetest, cutest, adorable romances I have ever read. Camilla is a scientist; an exceptional genius. However, her lack of social and emotional knowledge has left her wanting. When she meets her dearest friend Sarah's brother Ash, he saw her for who she was and accepted her. They got along like the daisy needs the sun to bloom. Ash made Camilla bloom. Because of Camilla's lack of knowledge about emotions she and Ash kept crossing swords. It was amusing. A delightful read.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,574 reviews88 followers
May 2, 2021
From the opening sentence of this novel, I found myself laughing out loud and my enjoyment of this book just kept increasing as I read further. We met the charming Marquess of Ashburn in the first book of this series and he endeared himself to me then, but as he struggles to follow in his near perfect brother's footsteps, he finds himself under a terrible burden of responsibility. It takes the unconventional Camilla, with all her rules, to not only give him the assistance he desperately needs, but to help him realise that he can still honour his brother by being himself. Camilla has been bound by numerous rules, but it is only when her wish for a new chemistry set is realised that she knows she has finally come home. Although the story is full of wit and humour, it is also a warm-hearted love story and comes to a delightful conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Melanie.
584 reviews
May 7, 2021
I loved Ash and Camilla!

What a sweet and engaging romance! Scientifically minded and often misunderstood Camilla manages to find the most understanding and engaging man, in Ash, who makes her feel good and right, just the way she is. One epic misunderstanding threatens their budding relationship. Will a bit of chemistry and help from friends and family get these two together for good?

Looking forward to Sarah’s story!
Profile Image for Reva Parks.
1,771 reviews15 followers
May 5, 2021
Read this delightful, charming book to find out how Camilla not only got her Maypole May Day wish for a chemistry set so large it had to be shipped in a crate! She also became partner in a new distillery and found a husband more perfect than her ideal who was already married to a lady chemist! Lots of fun and lots of angst as Camilla experiences the irrational tortures of love for her good friend Sarah's brother, the Marquess of Ashburn! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kim Power.
Author 5 books12 followers
May 3, 2021
Short but very sweet

A lovely story of the misfit who finds her match—brewing beer! Camilla and Ash are a delightful couple and the hiccups along the way help them understand themselves as well as each other. Dallen’s dialogue is terrific and clever, and the chemistry analogies Camilla comes up with are not only apt, but illuminating. Dallen writes well. And her books are professionally edited. That is, you won’t find yourself interrupted by typos, inappropriate word use, poor punctuation and grammar.
Profile Image for fia.
156 reviews
June 4, 2023
this started off so well and then went straight to hell so swiftly it was a bit astonishing. to begin with, how can you forget to give the hero a NAME? i have read over a hundred historical romance novels (novellas like this one included) and that had never happened before. a first time for everything so on and so forth.

like okay. the guy is the marquess of ashburn, so they call him ash. it would be less ridiculous if not for the fact that that was certainly not what he was called nearly all his life, because as a second son he only inherited the title a year before the story starts, when his elder brother died (we never even learn how that happened either btw). we are told nearly all mentions of the hero's brother bring with them at least a pang of grief, which is understandable, but even considering he is doing an effort to fill his sibling's shoes i can't for the life of me understand the choice of taking on what was presumably his dead brother's nickname? it makes absolutely zero sense to me. moving on.

ash and camilla are INFURIATING. i am starting to think the writers have trouble coming up with conflict that won't have you wishing to tear your hair out. everything is going swimmingly until ash gets drunk for no particular reason and is very nasty to camilla due to his own insecurities. then they proceed to be idiots about it 2/3 of the story instead of having one (1) straightforward conversation. at the end he gifts her a chemistry set (science is her passion) and all is well again. i guess.

i wanted to like this so badly because the characters had incredible potential but this was executed in the worst way possible. the only saving grace was the quality of the writing, but other than that i am very disappointed with nearly every decision taken here. rant over.
Profile Image for Heather.
54 reviews
May 5, 2021
Here we pick up with another of the friends from the finishing school. Camilla, the oh-so-practical and scientific friend is visiting Sarah (who, if you read the first, you'll remember as the one who facilitated Aubrey's visits with Drew) and her brother. Though she starts off trying to hide her intelligence because of her mother's warning (which gives her an adorably silly line that makes Sarah's brother Ash wonder if she might be a little developmentally challenged), she soon lets her genius unfurl in all her glory, teaching Ash a thing or two about science, brewing, being yourself, and doing the best you can with what you're given. Ash is struggling to live up to the expectations of his title, which should have been their elder brother's, not his, and he's trying extremely hard to be his brother, not himself. Camilla helps him learn that being himself is more than good enough, and Ash helps her learn that it's not a bad thing to be brilliant, and that a man can love an intelligent woman for her brain, not in spite of it. Adorable story, and I love how Sarah still fit perfectly into the story where she wasn't left out, and you get a wonderful set up to her own story that will be upcoming.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,138 reviews13 followers
May 5, 2021
From the moment the beer blows up, this one is heartwarming and funny. Camilla and Ash get along well from the beginning, but before long, beer is not the only thing brewing, and things get complicated. Neither of them knows how to handle the feelings they are beginning to have. Love and other emotions are not logical, and therefore are not part of Camilla’s expertise. Ash can’t get hold of his feelings because he is too busy trying to live the life his brother wanted. Maybe they should step away from the rules and guilt and get their own ducks in a row. Drama, humor, HEA, and it all started with a BOOM. Great read. I recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Lori Quick.
301 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2021
A Wish Upon a Marquess by Maggie Dallen and Katherine Ann Madison is book two in the A Maypole in Mayfair series. It was such a delight to read. The authors make a great writing team. They certainly have chemistry. If you need a happy read for a few hours, this one is for you.

in this story we have devoted siblings, grief, a scientific young lady, rules to be broken and new ones to be created, friends, a chemistry set and a HEA just to name a few. I definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Mrs Caroline Trevor.
443 reviews10 followers
May 11, 2021
Great

I found this a really good book. Camilla is a strong character. She is extremely clever and is fond of chemistry. At her friends Sarah's country home she assists Lord Ashburn with his Brewery enterprise and finds a lovely partnership with him.
3,546 reviews14 followers
May 4, 2021
A Wish Upon A Marquess is a fantastic historical romance by Katherine Ann Madison/Maggie Dallen. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. This is also appropriate for any age. This tale starts off with a Boom! Camilla is happy to escape her disapproving mother to visit her friend. Ash knew his sister was expecting company, it was just bad luck she arrived when she did. Ash and Camilla's story is packed with drama, humor (who can help from laughing over exploding beer kegs) and spice. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Katherine Ann Maddison/Maggie Dallen in the future. A Wish Upon A Marquess is book 2 of the A Maypole in Mayfair Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.3k reviews8 followers
June 14, 2021
The second book in the a Maypole in Mayfair series, this is Miss Camilla Fairbanks and Ash the Marquess of Ashburn's story that had me laughing as I read somethings. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laura.
339 reviews16 followers
October 27, 2021
This was a lovely novella with enjoyable characters. I always like reading about smart heroines - particularly when their heroes don't try to squash their bluestocking traits out of them.

I received a free copy from the author. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,718 reviews23 followers
April 12, 2021
If you want a fun, sweet & romantic read that will leave you feeling happy & smiling - well, this is for you. Camilla Fairbanks is an intelligent & beautiful lady who has seen her third season without a match. Why? Well, as soon as she answers a gentleman's question, her intelligence takes over & their eyes glaze over & they leave. Camilla is going to the Ashburn country estate to visit with her friend Sarah. Sarah's brother is the Marquess of Ashburn & Camilla know Sarah will be having parties, etc. & she needs to find a husband - not that she wants one, but she can't fail her parents but what she really wants is a chemistry set to replace her set that was ruined. When she arrives at Ashburn, Sarah greats her & then there is an explosion.

The Marquess of Ashburn "Ash" is newly titled. He was the second son & his older brother died & now Ash is trying to find his legs under the new responsibilities & attempting to finish projects his brother had started - one being the implementation of a brewery; the problem is that Ash doesn't drink ale, nor does he know the first thing about brewing beer. While attempting more experiments a barrel of fermenting beer explodes, drenching him and the drawing room that has become a makeshift brewer's room. Sarah runs in to the room after hearing the explosion & after finding her brother is well, she introduced Camilla to Ash.

Sarah is set on having Camilla help Ash with the scientific parts of brewing the beer & Ash accepts her help. The fun they have experimenting, building a friendship, both being attracted to the other but not saying anything was so entertaining & full of humor. Does Ash succeed in perfecting the beer, can he teach Camilla how to act in social situations without scaring off the person with her intelligence, can Camilla convince Ash that he is not his brother & that he needs to be himself. I highly recommend this book the series. I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jenni.
247 reviews6 followers
May 21, 2023
This was a good little short story. The conflict is a misunderstanding/unspoken words... one of my least favorite tropes but it was still a sweet story and I really liked the characters.

This is Camilla's story and if you remember from the series prologue, she made a wish on the maypole for a chemistry set. When she is invited to her friend Sarah's family country estate, she meets Sarah's brother, Lord Ashburn (a Marquess).

Ash is trying to fill his late brother's shoes by doing everything as Malcolm would have done. From getting the brewery up and running, to choosing a bride. Camilla is a smart cookie, and knows how to help with the chemistry side of things so Ash enlists her help with the brewery. But spending time together brings them closer and Ash is smitten while Camilla is trying to figure out her emotions. She also tries to encourage Ash to make his own way instead of doing everything as Malcolm would. But when Ash wants to choose a bride from Malcolm's detailed list of potential brides, Camilla is struggling because even after being out for three seasons, she is not on the list. Her untapped emotions are feeling hurt and a bit jealous knowing she could never be a match for him. But Ash appreciates everything about Camilla, even though he fumbles his words miserably, insulting her accidentally, hurting Camilla even more. But when Lord Terrance shows an interest in Camilla, Ash realizes he needs to fight for what he wants, not what Malcolm would want.

I loved Camilla in this. She's a brainiac spouting long, technical words and Ash finds it endearing even though Camilla's mother instructed her to follow specific rules. Rules like not boring men with her smart mind, never correcting a gentleman, etc. Basically, she's not supposed to be herself. Ash tells Camilla to abandon all her mother's rules during her stay. Love it!

I give this 3.5 stars, rounded to 4. This is a sweet novella, no steam, kisses only. I'm looking forward to the next two stories!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,537 reviews48 followers
January 16, 2022
One ruined chemistry set
A marquess in need of a scientific mind
Three meddling friends and, of course
One wish upon a maypole
Miss Camilla Fairbanks' romance starts with a bang. Literally. The explosion is heard by everyone in the Marquess of Ashburn's country estate. But Camilla isn't searching for love when she arrives at Ashburn's manor. She needs a husband, though that's not high on her wish list either. Her greatest wish is actually to replace her formerly burned chemistry set.
But fate seems to have other plans. Or at least, her friend Sarah does... It's Sarah who convinces Camilla to help her brother Ash with his new experiments in brewing. The poor man doesn't know the first thing about brewing beer, and he knows even less about the chemistry behind it. All he does know is he's inherited the blasted title, and he means to see through his deceased brother's plans, whether he's fit for the role or not.
In exchange for Camilla's help, Ash offers her lessons on speaking to members of the opposite sex. Considering she's run off every other suitor with her talk of science and books, it seems like a fair trade. It would be...if feelings didn't get involved.
Camilla has never been more confused. Why, now, of all times did she have to succumb to the nonsensical state that is love? And how does she begin to explain her feelings? Will her attempt be as explosive as his brewing practices?
One thing is for certain, when it comes to science and love...chemistry is in the air.
Camilla and Ash have chemistry and love beyond that makes it possible.
Maggie Dallen is another name for Tammy Andresen or Katherine Ann Madison.
I borrowed this book through Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Deb Rohla.
79 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2021
This is Camilla & Ash's story and book 2 in the Maypole in Mayfair series.
Camilla Fairbanks and three of her friends are studenst at a finishing school for girls that need a little extra polish. They decide to sneak out and make a wish at the Maypole. Their wishes are all unique. Definitely not what you'd think debutants would wish for.
Camilla is a bluestocking chemist who begins her story with a bang. Her good friend Sarah and classmate, convinces Camilla to help her brother Ash with his brewing experiments.
Ash inherits not only a marquisate but a brewing business that his brother started to build up their finances. He's determined to get it going even tho he's clueless how to go about it. What he really needs, is someone with a scientific mind to help him get the business going. His sister Sarah knows just the person to help him.
Ash and Camilla make a bargain. He'll teach her how to talk to men so she can find the right man and she will help him find the right formula for brewing the beer.
Will Camilla's wish come true? Will Ash get his brothers business up and running?
This is a wonderful story. Definitely some "chemistry" going on in this story.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Imfullybooked2.
134 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2022
Sweetest love story

This Regency Romance is such a sweet, lovely, heartwarming, adorable read and more. Camilla is such an admirable female from a time where intelligent women were not recognized nor encouraged to show how knowledgeable they are.  Ash is an open minded, big hearted, caring, intelligent and humble guy. They are an amazing match. But many factors almost kept them from creating their love story, one is fear, another is lack of confidence, insecurity, and unsure about the topic of Love. Because of all these factors it made their story so intriguing and fun. There are so many adorable scenes where they both acted jealous. Thinking the other is into the person they were with at a gathering. So they started acting differently but yet still very supportive of each other. 

The grand gesture at the end was the sweetest and swoonies scene. It was a well thought-out gesture that sealed the deal or did it 🤔! This one has such a lovely ending….leaves you all giddy inside. 

Profile Image for Martha B..
836 reviews11 followers
September 19, 2022
Love is certainly messier than logic.

On any given occasion, Miss Camilla Fairbanks is probably the smartest person in the room. Sadly, men are not normally enamored of intelligence. Which why Camilla is so surprised by Lord Ashburn's positive reactions to her comments.

Lord Ashburn is just trying to live up to his brother's expectations, and failing miserably. Since anything would be an improvement, why not listen to the beautiful woman who's visiting his sister.

A Wish Upon as Marquess is a very sweet romance featuring likable and engaging characters, witty and expressive dialogue and an engrossing story. All in all, Maggie Dallen has penned a winner, which also features a very happy ending.

Content 411: This book is clean. It is free of swearing and sex.
255 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2021
This one starts off with a bang literally. Camilla is visiting Sarah and her brother the Marquess of Ashburn, Ash who is trying to bring his brother's dream to life but knows nothing of science but Camilla is more the adapt she did after all wish for a chemistry set on a maypole. Camilla might be great at science but her quirky personality has any potential husband running. But the more time spent with Ash the more she realizes there might be some who might see her and her intelligence as a good thing and not something to suppress. I loved Camilla's awkwardness and Ash's proposal! Sweet heartwarming read with a HEA.

Voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Lisa Pohlman.
206 reviews10 followers
July 14, 2021
Loved this book. Its a short book/novella but it was still a sweet well written book. This is book 2 of the A Maypole in Mayfair series. You don't need to read the first but you should. It all ties together as the whole series is about 4 friends who make a wish around a Maypole. This one is about Camilla Fairbanks and the Marquess of Ashburn. Camilla's wish is for a chemistry set. Ash thinks he needs to brew beer...and do everything else on his brother's "list". Will these two realize what they really need isn't what they started out wanting/needing. Funny, happy, sweet romance.

I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Roslyn Stillman.
553 reviews14 followers
April 24, 2021
This is the second book in the series and it was just as wonderful as the first. I loved the fact that these women are special in their own way. Camilla was so special with her love of science but as it always happens, her mother wanted her to pretend she was a quite boring young lady. But when she meets Ash she finds someone who loves her for who she is and allows her intelligence to shine. This is a sweet story with humour and romance. A perfect short story to make you feel good. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.
120 reviews
September 25, 2022
This novella was just too full of inconsistencies. A gorgeous woman with a very large dowry is never going to lack for suitors no matter how awkward she is. The main argument between the hero and heroine felt super contrived, as if they were deliberately trying to misunderstand each other to the fullest.

This was just way too short and so things that might have been interesting were never fleshed out. Why was Ashburn so insistent on being exactly like his brother? Why didn't he know how to do anything? I highly doubt the spare would receive zero training on expectations.
Profile Image for Shelly.
411 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2021
Camilla’s story is one near and dear to my heart. She is achingly intelligent- so much so that her mother’s rule is to not use big words. Luckily, Ash needs someone intelligent to help him carry out his brother’s legacy. This story tugged at my heartstrings! I really enjoyed their love story and look forward to the next book. I love how the friend’s stories are intertwined!

** I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. **
Profile Image for Sheri Bolinger.
455 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2022
Amazing!

This book was absolutely amazing! I fell in love with Ash from the first moment we met him, covered in foam!!! Camilla was so sweet you couldn't help but adore her and deeply feel her concerns about her "faults". Ash and Camilla, while different, complemented each other perfectly. They just needed to see that themselves. If you have a fee hours, this is a great heartwarming book that you can't help but love. Read it!! It's great ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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