To Make a Match

A Scandal in London Novel

By: Liana LeFey

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A perfect matchmaking plan has gone perfectly awry….

Lady Victoria Lennox longs for romance and marriage. But such dreams may come to nothing when her sharp-spoken older sister, Amelia, sends away every potential suitor. Desperate to hear wedding bells, Victoria hatches a scheme, a scandal that will ensure a husband for Amelia and clear Victoria's path to the altar. However, Victoria makes her first mistake when she ropes the devilishly charming Lord Julius Cavendish into her plot…and her second when she surrenders to his passionate kisses.

Julius feigns interest in Amelia, yet he yearns for petite, spirited Victoria. Meanwhile, his friend Lord Withington agrees to act as Victoria's decoy suitor, distracting Amelia from the very real courtship happening under her nose. But when Withington sees how tender and protective Amelia is beneath her frosty facade, he is immediately smitten. All four soon find themselves publicly attached…to the wrong person. Now, making the right match means untangling a web of secret desires and risking everything for love.

©2013 Liana LeFey (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Exceptional...

Totally believable characters. Well thought out and executed. Amelia is a real bitch. And the justification for her actions, reprehensible. She deserved nothing less than pure and unadulterated misery.
Though, I'll never understand the thought processes of another, I question the sanity of the individual who doesn't confront the one they love. Especially with accusations brought from another.

I'm really not sure

Setting: England, 1740. I'm not sure what that era is called as I don't usually read books set before the Regency. They were already wearing panniers in 1740? Weren't they still wearing them during the American Revolution? I hate panniers.
Type: Romance.
The synopsis is incorrect, so don't expect exactly what it says, but that's the publisher's fault. The plot is close enough to it that it gives you an idea of what it's about and you won't be disappointed by the difference.
I guess this is supposed to be comic, and maybe it is in the situation and the events that occur because of that situation. The dialog isn't as quick-witted as I like, but there is dialog to move the plot along. According to a reviewer on Goodreads, it was like Taming of the Shrew, though from what I remember of that, the plot would have been from Amelia's point of view. It doesn't really matter because it doesn't end up being that at all.
I do like the characters, even the "evil" sister. I did find it amusing how Victoria tries to back-pedal on her harsh description of Amelia. Then Julius tries to soften the reputation of his friend, Lord "Withy" Withington, whom he has roped into the scheme he cooked up to get close to Victoria. Sorry 'bout the mixed metaphors there.
Justine Eyre did a creditable narration, keeping the characters' voices distinct enough to know who was saying what to whom. This was extremely important, because the point of view kept popping between characters.
I guess one of the reasons I'm hesitant to even review this book is that I don't know much about the manners and customs of the Haute Ton in that era. I would probably find it better if I knew what behavior was expected. I guess I would recommend this book to those who enjoy that era, though honestly, except in certain ways, it could be set in almost any era.

An absolutely wonderful book!!

I am amazed at the Amazon ratings for this book. Since there were no audible reviews I decided to chance getting the book. Now I wonder if they read the same book as I did. The plot does sound silly initially but the logic makes more sense later on. I never found it complicated to follow. It was a short book but there was never a dull moment and the passionate scenes were certainly erotic though not bold. If you like historical romance, this book is a must!

Interesting story with plenty of plot twists

This was a fairly interesting story, though I felt the characters could have been a bit more developed. I didn’t feel like I got to know them very well through all the antics that ensued.
The plot is loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew, and becomes quite complicated. I grew a bit tired of all the plot twists, and didn’t find myself caring all that much about any of the characters. The only one who I really had any sympathy for was Lord Withington, who was drawn into Victoria’s scheme against his better judgement and ended up getting deeper and deeper entrenched.
I have read other stories by this author and, though this isn’t one of my favorites of hers, it is still a worthwhile read.

The narration was well done and added depth to the story.

Loved this book..

Any additional comments?

I have to agree with Cam's review about Amazon's reviews on this book. If the Amazon reviewers had listened to this book it would have been 4 and 5 stars all the way around. It was a wonderful story and Justine Eyre did a fantastic job, as usual.
The love story between Julius and Victoria was terrific, in there not being all kinds of angst and misunderstandings that kept them apart for half the book, like so many other romances do. I absolutely loved Withy. He was one incredible friend. And even though Amelia was a b*tch from the beginning I just knew there had to be a reason why. A great story and I just hated when it ended.

Its probably just me.

Would you try another book from Liana LeFey and/or Justine Eyre?

Yes.

Has To Make a Match turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

How could the performance have been better?

Maybe.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from To Make a Match?

I would have the heroine's character be more developed and so she wouldn't seem so flighty when the hero steps in for the big scheme.

Any additional comments?

Otherwise, the concept is wonderful ... Taming of the Shew and 10 Things I hate about You were great storylines.