Lessons in Spectacle
Series: Her Majesty's Matchmaker #2
Author: Avery Maitland
Published September 21st 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Could a match between mortal enemies heal a feud that has burned for generations? Or will tragedy be the only outcome.

“Dearest Diary, there is something magical about the Colonies… the mere mention of them is enough to send all the world into a tizzy. A banished lord has traveled across the Atlantic, and there are whispers everywhere, but I will tell only you my secrets.”

With her delicate arrangements proving to be popular with her changeable mistress, Constance Blackwood must tread carefully to be sure that she is not discovered. The Queen demands nothing more than the finest for her entertainments.

Scandal. Spectacle. Ruin.

A spy in the bedchamber’s of London’s elite, Constance must provide her royal mistress with gossip and amusement, or risk losing her own place in court and face the ruin of her family and reputation.

Thankfully, Constance is able to pull some inspiration from Shakespeare himself to bring an ancient family grudge to the forefront of court gossip. But will she be able to set right what has been put in motion? And will she be able to survive this Lesson in Spectacle?

Lord Anworth’s sons are as unruly as they are handsome, but James Anworth, the youngest of the three, has proven the most troublesome. After a chance meeting on a rainy London night, James discovers that he has fallen head over heels in love with a young woman who is also a stranger to the city. But Miss Portia Godfrey has arrived in London under a false name, and the secrets she wishes to distance herself from could leave more than a broken heart in its wake.

Simmering anger over an almost-forgotten feud between two noble families will lead a pair of star-crossed lovers across the Atlantic to New York, and will put Constance’s own life in danger as she is unwittingly pulled into their plans.

Will Constance be able to salvage this tragedy in the making?

Her Majesty’s Matchmaker is a steamy Regency Romance series featuring a determined heroine who will stop at nothing to make her own way in the world, all while navigating the sometimes dangerous world of the Royal Court.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Meddling in the love lives of others, Lady Constance Blackwood has another matchmaking scheme on her hands, but this time, there's an old feud and ancient rivalry to contend with, one to compete with the likes of Romeo and Juliet. Miss Portia Godfrey arrives in London under a cloud of mystery, with no one knowing the truth about her name or her family, and she needs to do everything she can to keep safe from the wicked Lord Anworth and his desolate sons. James Anworth has lived in New York since his father and brother, Edward, killed the late Duke of Carmichael and his heir, and were exiled from England. Now allowed to return on the whim of the Queen, Lord Anworth is adamant that he will get his hands on the duchy of Carmichael, and anyone who gets in his way - including his own son - will be dealt with. Even though she needs to stay away from James, she's drawn to him, and he to her, so when they wish to flee England, and marry, it seems like everything has turned out for them. But with a vindictive valet, and mysterious man hiding in the shadows, will they be able to achieve their happy ending.

This book was so much better than book 1. I was immediately hooked, and adored James and Portia's love story. I wish we had more communication, especially about who Portia really was, and about the marriage/wedding issue, but all in all, I loved it. There were shocks and surprised at every turn, and though I had guessed at a few things, I was still blown away. I'm hoping that Constance manages to get a happy ending, and can't wait to see her next foray in matchmaking.

Dates Read:
October 23, 2021

Rating
3 Stars