To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters

“Sure to delight Bridgerton fans.” —USA TODAY The “sweet, sexy, and utterly fun” (Emily Henry, author of People We Meet on Vacation) Regency Vows series continues with a witty, charming, and joyful novel following a seasoned debutante and a rakish theater owner as they navigate a complicated marriage of convenience. Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons now and should have long settled into a suitable marriage. However, due to her father’s large debts, her only suitor is the persistent and odious owner of her father’s favorite gambling house. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. When their lives intersect at a house party, Lord Julian hatches a plan to benefit them both. With a marriage of convenience, Emily will use her society connections to promote the theater to a more respectable clientele and Julian will take her out from under the shadows of her father’s unsavory associates. But they soon realize they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theater. But when a fleeing actress, murderous kitten, and meddlesome friends enter the fray, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings. With “an arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice that rivals the best of the Regency authors” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another fresh romantic comedy that for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.

Contemporary romance in Regency fancy dress. I made it up to the “consummation” scene and then bailed. I don't enjoy soft porn. Some of the banter was cute, but I'd rather see it in 21st century form where it belongs.

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/04/to-marry-and-to-meddle-by-martha-waters.html

Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess. Unfortunately, choosing to own a rather vulgar theatre has lead to scandal. When his father orders him to sell it, he chooses to cut himself off from his family, rather than submit.
In the following years he has worked hard to make the theatre successful and now he wants it to be respectable.

When he meets Lady Emily Turner, he is impressed by her ability to retain a reputation for respectability, despite scandals in her own family.

Julian suggests a marriage of convenience and explains that her respectability is an asset that he values. Essentially, her job will great a gloss of respectability over him and his business.

Emily has spent her life bending to her mother's opinion and duty to the family. Her reward is a dowry gambled away by her father and a suitor who is blackmailing her father.
Julian's offer has to be an improvement.

Marriage to Julian gives her freedom from her family, but the cause of “respectability” means regular exposure to Society. Many of Society dislike Julian, so Emily faces spite, scorn and an uphill battle.

Emily wants to be involved with the theatre, but struggles to convince Julian.
Emily gradually starts to overcome her conditioned reticence and expresses her opinions as never before.

Each work hard to make the marriage work, as the business arrangement becomes something much more personal.

A pleasing story, with a satisfying conclusion.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.