The Pursuit of Marriage [Mass Market Paperback]

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.)***

I have read a few books by Ms. Alexander this past year, including "When We Meet Again"(good), "The Marriage Bargain" (excellent), "The Husband List" (not bad) and "The Lady in Question" (pretty good).

All of her books are entertaining, lively and contain great dialogue and banter. I never purchase her books for sexy love scenes or wildly adventurous hero's and heroines. Rather...I buy them as I know I'll always get a novel that contains a solid plot line, interesting and charismatic lead characters and a worthy ending. I really like the way this author writes and I can always count on a fun read. The Effington family seems to be her main scenario as I think all the books I have read so far have revolved around someone in this family line. Fortunately, all the females in this family are spunky, bright and intelligent and the men equally appealing.

Although I would not consider this one of my favorite books of all time, it was interesting reading about Cassie since I had just finished The Lady in Question - which was about Delia - the other twin.

I got a kick out of this story and how Cassie and Reggie meet - tell one another boldly that they are not right for the other - yet...cannot get away for the irresistible attraction they feel for one another. The story develops as Reggie and Cassie bet that they can find the correct mate for the other - Lord Perfect for Cassie and Miss Wonderful for Reggie. The story takes twists and turns as they seek out the right mate for each other, yet secretly believe they have found that in each other. I liked that all the side characters - Reggie's best friend Marcus, Cassie's sister and brothers and both of their mothers are all involved on the side in bringing these two together yet...they don't know it. I liked the twist in that Reggie was always falling in love with the gals (instead of being the usual sexy and moody male lead who loves and leaves them all) yet...they never returned his feelings as he declared himself too soon. He was the Casanova of his time. He reformed himself for Cassie and it was a delight to see him develop as a person and realize that real love is deeper and more true than he has ever experienced before. Cassie in turn gets off her lofty perch looking for the perfect man and realizes the ones with some slight flaws and odd quirks can simply be the most interesting and appealing in the end. Perfection is not all it's cut out to be. Reggie is perfection without being perfect she finds out.

IIt's hard not to smile at the Ladies Society for The Betterment of The Future of Great Britian - a batch of mothers and grandmothers desperate for their young sons and daughters to get hitched instead of staying single too long. They want children and they will make sure it happens!!! So far...they made three love matches happen and hope Cassie and Reggie will be number four! Stand by to see if it works!

Oh..the fun never ends when it involves an Effington gal. Pick this one up...you are bound to enjoy the beginning, middle and ending of this story. Happy reading!!

Truly for the most part I loved their story - I found Cassie ammusing and truly she did not come off nearly as stubborn as she could have about Reggie and his infamous past - he truly won her over in bits and pieces by being his ever charming self. I like Reggie - I am still a bit confused as to why he seemed to have a little bit of an inferior complex about his ability to find a quality woman of the ton. Too bad both Cassie and Reggie muddied the waters with their stupid bargain because neither of them needed ole Miss Wonderful and Mr Perfect - indeed Miss Wonderful almost caused the whole love affair between Cassie and Reggie to come crashing down. This was a delightful read, lots of fun dialog and a good mix of some of the other characters we came to enjoy in the previous books. The only downer to the book I felt was the ending - too much pariferal stuff with Bellingham and Drummand and not enough focus on Reggie and Cassie - we could have at least had one more truly romantic scene between them in the newly remodled harem room. all in all a good story for Cassie!