A Match Made in Bed

A Spinster Heiresses Novel

By: Cathy Maxwell

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

Once upon a time there were three young ladies who, despite their fortunes, had been on the marriage mart a bit too long. They were known as “the Spinster Heiresses” . . .

Miss Cassandra Holwell is too tall, too bookish, and too smart—but she does have money and a father who wants a grand title for her. Cassandra hasn’t felt a desire to marry until she meets the sinfully handsome Duke of Camberly, who captures her imagination . . . until Soren York, Earl of Dewsberry and her family’s sworn enemy, steps in the way.

The Holwells ruined Soren’s family, and he’s lived on the knife’s edge trying to resurrect their fortunes . . . until he considers marrying the Holwell Heiress. Not only would her dowry give him the funds he needs, he has secretly had an eye on the independent-minded bluestocking since they both first realized the differences between men and women.

She likes to read; he has no patience for books. She knows little of sex; he is a man of the world and willing to school her. Her family destroyed his; his offer of marriage may be her only salvation.

Now Cassandra and Soren must learn to love each other for who they are, not what they are—and the lessons are becoming an exercise in absolute pleasure.

5 Stars for Narrator and 4 Stars for the Story

I don't know if I've listened to anything written by Cathy Maxwell before but I'm a huge fan of Mary Jane Wells.

Another listener gave a low rating saying it was difficult to get through the first 10 minutes. There was a huge cast of characters setting up the story at that point and it does get better. I pretty much had it figured out on my own towards the end.

I really liked Soren but found Cassandra a bit stuffy until she saw his true colors. I felt the ending was rushed, like there could have been more. Life doesn't always give us what we want and sometimes we have to endure changes whether good or bad.

There is a small amount of sex after the wedding and the time following, but it's rather bland. Nothing sizzling and raunchy.
It all works out in the end, it's a happily ever after!

Life is Not a Fairytale even in a Romance Novel

I thought it was a good story overall. The characters were fleshed out with their own hangups and past. I thought it was more realistic and complex which is similar to real life so for that reason, it was kind of refreshing. You still get a happy ending but the characters have to struggle a little bit and figure out if their love is strong enough to endure the rough times. Unlike another reviewer, I don't think the heroine was second choice or sacrificed everything for him. They both had to grow to love each other as they both weren't instantly in love on first meetings. They both had different expectations for what they wanted in life originally but they did find love together, something deeper with a stronger foundation. The ending was a little rushed but overall good. I wish there was an epilogue. Mary Jane Wells is always good, although I did not like the voice she does for the Duke. I look forward to reading the last of the series.

Sad story

This book made me sad. The heroine gave up everything that was important to her to become a man’s second choice. Granted, he was handsome and titled, but in the end she was not special to him. I wish I had not read it.

Where’s the spice?

I was disappointed that the steamy scenes were less than steamy. Mary Jane Wells’s narration is brilliant as always and the story is good but the spice is pretty lack luster.

The perfect romance

This is one of those sweet fluffy romances that also has strong, well-developed characters and a happy ending. Mary Jane Wells, one of my favorite narrators, found and presented the light-hearted humor without making it seem silly or mawkish.