The Pursuit of Marriage

by Victoria Alexander

Book Overview

What lengths would a young lady go to in her pursuit of the perfect match?

And how far would a gentleman go to stop her?

Cassandra Effington is one of the most delicious debutantes to ever waltz across a London ballroom. But while her identical twin sister Delia is now wed, Cassandra is still unclaimed, and everyone agrees her standards are entirely too high. So how could she possibly lose a most unseemly wager with the handsome, scandalous...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006051762X
• ISBN13: 9780060517625
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Lord Perfect and Miss Wonderful

This book was wonderful! An absolutely delicious comedy of errors. I haven't laughed so hard while reading a romance novel in quite some time. Victoria Alexander has quite a gift for storytelling, this novel was an absolute delight. Cassandra Effington has extremely high standards in her anticipated husband. Lord Berkley is precisely the sort of infamous rake she could never be attracted to. All she intends to do is refurbish his manor for his "future wife." Little does Miss Effington realize that Lord Berkley --- Reggie to his friends --- fully intends to make HER his future wife. His so-called infamy is a facade, a ruse to attract females. Reggie and Cassandra make a small wager --- she can find him a Miss Wonderful before he finds her a Lord Perfect. But all plans have their flaws, and who knows what delightful fun can ensue when THIS plan backfires! This is the first book I have read by Victoria Alexander, and I was absolutely thrilled with it. Her dialogue is witty and fresh and has a good flow --- good dialogue is incredibly rare, and Alexander has witty banter down to an art. From beginning to end, she keeps her dialogue sharp and clever, and I often laughed out loud. Her story was fun, exciting, and had a very satisfying ending reminiscent of the Doris Day film "Pillow Talk." The sexual tension was priceless and often humorous, but the novel was not an excuse to throw the two main characters in bed, which was refreshing. I can't wait to read another novel by Victoria Alexander! If her others are just as enjoyable, she may be one of my new favorites, right up there with Teresa Medeiros.

Refreshing

Victoria Alexander has another seller with this charming tale between Miss Cassandra Effington and Lord Reginald Berkley. (Cassie was first introduced in THE LADY IN QUESTION and Reggie was introduced in LOVE WITH THE PROPER HUSBAND). The Ladies for the Betterment of the Future of Britain have made it their mission to find their sons and daughters the perfect match since they seem to be sadly lacking any interest in doing so themselves. On the agenda: Cassandra Effington, the daughter of a powerful family and, who at the age of 24, is still unwed. In addition, she is also in (gasp) business! Cassie has a found a passion redecorating other people's homes for outstanding fees. Clearly, something must be done and Lady William is ready to receive any help that she can get to see her daughter wed. Up steps Lady Berkley who has a house in need of refurbishment and, more importantly, an unwed son. From the beginning Cassie and Reggie are drawn to each other and sparks fly. However, Cassie has high standards and refuses to settle for anyone less than Lord Perfect and Reggie has had his heart broken to many times to risk being hurt again. Their journey to ultimately finding each other is full of laughs. These two are a delightful pair, although I did have some trouble liking Cassie in the beginning with her prim and proper attitude. As the book went on and seeing dealing with being in love for the first time she became quite more endearing. In addition, Cassie's very overprotective brothers, Leo and Chris, are charming as is Reggie's younger sister Lucy. I hope they receive their own story somtime in the near future. Although not as great as THE LADY IN QUESTION, this book does have its merits and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a light read sure to make you laugh. ***(I have to correct another reviewer in saying that The Ladies for the Betterment of the Future of Britain first showed up in LOVE WITH THE PROPER HUSBAND and were never in THE LADY IN QUESTION. Delia and Tony met through different circumstances in which the ladies had no part of and in which you'll have to read to find out.)***

Pursuit Of Marriage

Victoria Alexander does it again! This is a wonderful, fun read. I can't wait for her next romance.

Lots of fun!

Come on now all of you who say this book is awful. I laughed and got very involved with Lord Berkley and Cassie Effington. I remember Berkley from "Love With The Proper Husband" and his personality was consisted with what I remember of him. The banter between the two leads was delightful and kept me wanting more. Ms. Alexander has written another fun and funny Regency treasure.

An infamous author with a devious mind.

It is Spring, 1821. "The Ladies Society for the Betterment of the Future of Britain" are at it again! In the last novel (titled "The Lady In Question") the ladies' attentions were on Lady Delia Effington and Viscount Tony St. Stephens. Now the ladies direct their attentions to Delia's twin sister, Cassandra. Miss Cassandra "Cassie" Effington has a talent for the refurbishment and redecoration of houses. There are no prospects of marriage in her future due, not to her business, but the fact that she dreams of Lord Perfect. Only a God could possibly meet all her expectations. However, even if Cassie was to lower her standards, she would never consider someone like Viscount Reginald "Reggie" Berkley. Cassie has no desire to tame a rogue and Reggie's reputation has become "infamous". Reggie's reputation is mainly word-of-mouth. His friends worked for almost a year to make Reggie's past sound dangerous. It was to keep ladies at bay. Instead, it only managed to keep the one lady at bay that he wishes to get closer to, Cassie. Then Reggie's mother seems to suddenly be on her death bed. As a last wish, if she cannot see Reggie wed, she would at least like to see him get prepared for marriage. Since it is easier to get forgiveness than permission, she hires Cassie to redecorate several rooms. And since she is way too ill to be out of bed, Reggie is to spend a lot of time with Cassie helping her. Cassie and Reggie begin on the wrong foot, but eventually become friends. As friends, they make a wager. Cassie would try to find Reggie his "Miss Wonderful". Reggie would try to find Cassie's "Lord Perfect". Reggie enters the bet knowing he will turn down every lady Cassie find for him and he would introduce Cassie ONLY to men he is sure she will turn down. Because he intends to be her Lord Perfect! ***** How I love those scheming mothers! This tale is as good as the first, if not more so. Author Victoria Alexander seems to be getting better with each book she writes. The characters are life-like and I found it very easy to care for them. The more I read, the more I realized that this author has a devious side. Readers cannot help but enjoy the stories that Victoria Alexander comes up with. Pick up a copy of this novel and see for yourself. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.