Review: How to Marry a Marquis, Julia Quinn

Elizabeth Hotchkiss and her orphaned, poor, but noble family are in desperate need of a savior.  Elizabeth acts as a companion to Lady Danbury, but that doesn’t pay enough for her to send her little brother, a viscount, to Eton like generations of his forebears have gone, nor even for their sustenance.  Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Elizabeth decides to somehow marry a rich man.  Unknowingly, she is already falling in love with one, as Lady Danbury’s new estate manager, Elizabeth’s tutor in the ways of flirtation, is actually a marquis.

This is one of Quinn’s earlier books and it shows in the more stereotypical set-up, but it’s still a lot of fun.  Elizabeth’s struggle, determination, and frustration all feel genuine.  As for James, the marquis, he probably should have revealed his true identity to Elizabeth long before, but his secrecy is almost part of the fun.  I liked both characters and I didn’t even mind Elizabeth’s younger brothers and sisters.  Moreover, I just found out that a couple of these characters are in another of Quinn’s novels so I’m looking forward to seeking that out.

Overall, not much to say!  Fun, enjoyable, light read.  Not a lot of substance but delightful anyway.  This may be my shortest review ever.

Available from Amazon and Amazon UK.