The Marriage List

The Worthington Brides, Book 1

By: Ella Quinn

Narrated by: Cat Gould

Regency England's beloved extended family, The Worthingtons, returns in the first in a sparkling new spin-off series from Ella Quinn, as three sisters embark on their first Season, each determined to find her perfect match . . .

As part of a large, rambunctious family, Lady Eleanor Carpenter has gained some knowledge of what makes a successful marriage. She's even compiled a list of essential qualifications in a potential husband. John, the Marquis of Montagu, seems of good character (check), with money enough to support a family (check). But what of the many other requirements on her list?

Montagu, meanwhile, believes the key to a comfortable life lies in marrying someone quiet and docile. Yet the one lady who captivates him could hardly be more different to what he envisioned. Lady Eleanor is as opinionated as she is lovely, determined to improve working conditions for coal miners, even at risk to her own safety.

From evenings at Almack's to carriage rides in Hyde Park, this Season will contain many pleasures—and a few surprises that compel both John and Eleanor to rethink their expectations. For one thing is certain: love will not be defined by any list . . .

Contains mature themes.

©2023 Ella Quinn (P)2022 Tantor

Worthingtons- Elenor, Madeline, and Alice

All relatives are on-hand for the Season of the 3 girls- Twins- Elenore and Alice, and Madeline. The girls make a list of for husbands, and set out to try their suitors- with Morning Mayham. Moring Mayham includes a family breakfast with all the Worthingtons and extended family- Louisa, Charlotte, Dotty, their husbands and their first born. Love all the update of all past relations and other Ella Quinn's books. The book takes you into the Worthington House of Grace and Matt. The 3 girls start by riding and soon find themselves with suitors. The books focuses on Elenore and Lord John Montague. It goes through a typical London Season and ends with a happy ending. There is some danger with a mine, but that could have been move through the story.

Good story

Nice pacing and lots of characters to keep track of. Not too much superfluous sexual detail

Worthingtons

Love getting to visit the family. Excited about the “triplets” stories. Looking forward to many more family love stories.

Did not finish!

Dull dull dull… this was my first and last Ella Quinn book - yikes it was booooring. Not improved by the breathy, cutsey, overly prudish narration by Cat Gould.

Inane & Chatterish for First 9 Chapters

Love the family & followups. Loved the previous series on the elder children starting with Mathew & Grace. But for some reason this book contains little "heat" or cohesive actions that move the story forward.

It should have had a better story setup explaining the family itself & the closeknit connections. Even having listened to all of the previous series, conversations in this book became confusing & disconnected from the story & relationships. It starts off with Eleanor helping a tragic family, strangers, while on the way somewhere (somewhat simplistic in both the help given & the nefarious "setup" later for a villain); but then goes into one after another of the most inane conversations for chapter after chapter that did not seem natural or relevant. What ought to have happened in two sentences becomes the equivalent of three pages of multiple characters chatting casually about pleasantries while on horses, in dining rooms, or at an event. It felt frustrating to this reader, much like overly flowery descriptions can detract from a story. IOW, the background/setup/foreshadowing appears bigger than the main story in this book. And none of the conversations felt warm, whether between family members or between romantic interests.

I plan to finish it, but find that after the first 8 chapters, I need a break from the lukewarm pleasantries of this roundabout story that currently lacks action & romance for this illustrious love-match family. I will update this review as I finish more. I owe this talented author that much.

Finished, but tediously. It was like a daily log of happenings, not a story. Boring.