Joan Smith: Cousin Cecilia

Matchmaking was a talent of Cecilia Cummings, and she was happy to assist her cousins to bring their suitors to the sticking point. But Lord Wickham had led the gentlemen astray, and she would have to charm him in order to win this battle. Unaccountably, thoughts of Wickham and her own unmarried state intruded on Cousin Cecilia’s mind…

Cecilia is an unmarried whiz kid at matching up others. She travels from house to house marrying off the seemingly unmarriageable. In this way, Cecilia is styled a bit after the Grand Sophy sans monkey.

Her cousins are fairly silly provincials whose choices in husbands, in Cecilia’s eyes, leave something to be desired. But she promises results, and is determined to get both suitors to their knees. The only problem is an interfering Lord Wickham, who all the local gentleman are apeing. Lord Wickham has been disappointed by a previous romance and sworn off marriage and all females. When he learns matchmaking is a foot, he can’t wait to throw a spoke in the wheel.

That is until he meets the beautiful charmer Cecilia.

There are some really funny moments in this book that compensate for some other slower plods. I think I just wasn’t totally feeling the matchmaker story line. Maybe if her eccentricity had been a bit more explained, like the Grand Sophy, it would have been believable enough for me not to be raising brows over a young girl running around pairing people off.

In some respects, Cecilia reminded me of a mass market Reg heroine. She is determined, spirited, and terribly lovable but in a way that isn’t necessarily in step with propriety. Lord Wickham is the rake in need of reforming who is likeable, despite his flaws.

The humor comes in with a H/h determined to best each other. The escalation of schemes is funny and charming, and a little romantic.

I will definitely reread if ever I am low on books.

5 Stars 4.25 out of 6 This traditional Reg Rom is funny and features a spunky heroine