This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. It was fun, sweet and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was an enjoyable book, but since I hadn't read the previous books it seemed like I missed out on a lot of action, plus it was a bit hard to keep up with who everyone was. In spite of that, it was a pleasant book.

While her older sisters have sought out adventure, Lady Madeline Vivers is content to be the conventional one in the family. A respectable husband, spring and autumn in Town, a place in the country these are Madeline’s very reasonable goals. And Mr. Harry Stern is not the man to help her reach them no matter how much he causes her pulse to race. Her mother is pushing Madeline to marry a peer but Harry is a plain mister.
This is the second book in the spin off from The Worthingtons & as there are many siblings & spouses I feel that The Worthington books should be read in order to fully appreciate this book. This book also runs in the same time frame as the previous book. This is another lovely romance with very little angst. I loved both Harry & Madeline who fall for each other but he thinks he’s not worthy of her as he's an MP no a peer. She wants to please her mother but as much as she tries she feels nothing for the aristocrats who pursue her. They are both caring, loving people & Harry soon ticks all the boxes on Madeline’s list. An endearing story, which I thoroughly enjoyed an added bonus is the author’s attention to detail & her historical correctness.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This was a pretty good read by one of my favorite authors. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. Even though the book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. Ms Quinn has written a leisurely tale of a woman seeking a mate with a list that should meet her requirements.
Lady Madeline Vivers wants to marry for love. Her mother wants a title for her daughter and keeps harping about it . (that woman got on my nerves)
When Madeline meets Mr. Harry Stern who is a member of Parliament, she is fascinated by him. He seems to be a honest person and is looking for a wife who can be a helpmate in his political career.
Harry is smitten with Madeline but their stations in life make it impossible for him to be accepted.
But when a man is in a difficult position he gets advice from his friends on how to court the woman. When fate takes a hand in two people who were meant to be and it's called love. Of course, a happy ever after is the key!
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

The Husband List is a charming regency romance.


Usually, most books in Regency romance series can be read as standalone because often the stories and characters tend not to be too interconnected. But that was not the case for this book. I haven’t read any other books in this series, which was a big mistake. I found that I was utterly lost and overwhelmed with what was going and I had no idea who anyone was. It felt like I was jumping into the middle of multiple stories, and I just couldn’t catch up with what was happening. Now, I feel like those readers who have read the previous books in the series will enjoy its latest installment. They will love catching up with these characters from previous books and the ever-expanding world that Ella has created.

This isn’t a poorly written-book. I found myself enjoying the banter that was happening between characters, especially Madeline and Harry. It’s full of regency drama, which I always love. We get to attend balls, walk through parks, and just enjoy the London season. The romance is sweet and has a wonderful slow-burn feel to it. I loved Madeline and Harry, and it was delightful watching these two characters start forming a romantic relationship slowly.

dnf 5% I thought the was a second book in a series, turns out it is the ninth in a larger series and runs concurrently with the previous book. As I have not read any of the others I was completely lost. There were so many character names and references to previous books that I could barely follow who they actual main characters were. It didn't help that I found neither Madeline or Harry interesting enough to keep my attention. The last Ella Quinn book I read (different series) I stopped reading at 34%, so clearly her writing style just doesn't work for me.

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I really, really tried to get into it, but it didn't work. I forced myself to finish it because I didn't want to dnf an ARC. It started to pick up when I reached 75%
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
THINGS I LIKED
1. The ending
2. The MCs, I loved that they were doing good jobs, helping those who needed it.
3. I loved their big families and their antics
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. Harry didn't declare his intent to marry Madeline soon enough. They were just going around a circle. It was annoying!
2. I was very confused by the Vivers/Carpenter family, I didn't understand how they became a unit. I'd have preferred a family tree
3. I hate reading books that are not clear about the ages of the MCs. I don't know either of Madeline or Harry's age, and it was really annoying.
4. The side characters except from the family members were 'blergh'. They didn't make any impression on me and I didn't like them.
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
This book would have been better if it was a 'I like you, you know it and I'm going to marry you' from the very beginning of the book

I really like Ella Quinn's romance novels, and this one was no exception! I quite enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

He's eligible, but not highly eligible...

Harry is in town to look for a wife (which is made known right away). He's an MP, of good ton but not expected to be titled or to inherit. Harry is immediately smitten with the beautiful Madeline, a friend of the family. Madeline has her own thoughts on who she wants to marry.

I liked that both Harry and Madeline are really a good match for each other.
Harry was pretty sweet (not a rake, always a plus and less chance of an STD).
There is a lot of spice and naughtiness between Harry and Madeline.
Recommend.

⭐⭐⭐✨
Clever, kind, and always ready to help Lady Madeline Vivers, sister to the Earl of Worthington, is ready for her season. Together with the twins, she’s made a list of qualities their future husbands should possess. Love and a willingness to marry the entire family are the most important ones. But she also wants to please her mother and marry a peer.

Talented barrister and newly elected MP, Harry Stern is a perfect gentleman. Except, he has no title.
He’s handsome and caring. He makes a nice living and is heir to a baronetcy. His grandfather was the Duke of Bristol and his sister is the Marchioness of Merton. Yet somehow, for some people, it’s simply not enough.

Madeline and Harry share their extended - through marriage, longtime family friendships and family ties - family and that’s how they’re introduced. Immediately comfortable and attracted to each other, their conversation is easy and a bond is quickly formed. All seems to be going exceedingly well until Harry’s old university chums, all peers of the realm, come to claim Madeline’s attention...

Will Harry measure up and overcome her mother’s prejudice? And is Madeline ready to give her heart to a politician?

📚 This was the first book of the Worthingtons I read and, yes, the family is extended, but I didn’t get lost in the who’s who of it all. I liked the strong sense of family and their social engagement a lot! The romance was sweet with some “naughty” fading to black. He’s attentive and considerate. She’s a lady with a good head on her shoulders.
I would have liked the story to move at a faster pace. It’s a lot of the same: rides, balls and talking. The second half of the book had a little more life to it, and is quite entertaining. The side story about all the people they help is very nice and well-written! But, all in all, the book left me feeling vanilla: familiar, light and sweet.
📚 Friends to lovers, slow burn, fade to black, he falls first

Thank you Ella Quinn, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Harry Stern, the brother of Lady Merton (Dorothea “Dotty” from Book 2) is a well-respected lawyer and newly elected MP, he has come to London to find a wife. When he sees Madeline convincing a shop owner to hire a street urchin who was caught stealing, he knows he has met the woman he is looking for; a helpmate. He sets out to win her hand and hopefully, her heart.
In anticipation of joining the marriage mart, Lady Madeline Vivers and her sisters composed a list of attributes that suitors would have to have to be considered as possible husbands for them. Now armed with that list, Madeline starts her season in hopes of finding more than just a husband, she is hoping for a love match. She meets Harry Stern, a newly minted MP, and sparks fly and he meets the list’s criteria but unfortunately, Harry is not titled, which her mother is insisting on. She tries to put her feelings for Harry aside and find someone who not only makes her heart race but someone who will make her mother happy. But the heart wants what the heart wants, will Madeline follow her heart or will she make a match to please her mother?

As usual, this was a well-written, historically accurate story with likable characters. Madeline and Harry are clearly meant to be, but theirs is a very slow-burning romance and their love story takes the scenic route to HEA, which does make the story seem to move a bit slowly. This is the ninth book in the Worthington Series and the second book in the Worthington Brides series, with the story running concurrently with the previous book and featuring cameos and references to practically every character from the previous eight books. I would recommend this title to people who have read previous books and are familiar with the characters, as this is not a book that can be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

It was live at first sight for Harry Stern. But for Madelaine Vivers it was not that simple. Harry was a good man and she liked him a lot, but he didn't have a title. To her it didn't matter, but it did ti her mother and Madeline was trying to please her mother. So she would keep her options open.
But Harry is determined. He knows Madeline is the only woman for him. So he will do whatever he can to stay by her side and let her see that they are right for each other.
Madeline cannot deny Harry fills all her requirements in her husband list. The more time she spends with him, she comes to realize he is the man for her.
I thought this story very basic. It may be because it is written to coincide with the previous book. It is just told from a different perspective. It is different but yet familiar.
I felt Harrys attraction for Madeline but I really didn't feel hers for him.
It was a good book but not great.
3 1/2 stars rounded up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Unlike her sisters who have sought adventure in their lives, Lady Madeline Vivers is content to live a conventional life with a respectable husband. Mr Harry Stern would not fit into the list that she has regarding the qualities of husband. However, her list does not factor in her attraction to Harry. Yet Harry believes that they would make a wonderful match, particularly with his determination to make a mark in Parliament, in his role as MP.
A fairly straightforward storyline but I must admit that I would have liked a bit more of something – spice, angst, suspense, to take it to the next level. The list was interest, but it then made for a staid romance. Whilst this is meant to be a stand-alone story, some of the characters from previous stories did tend to crowd the story, giving less airplay to Harry and Madeline. Overall, an enjoyable romance with some good conversations between the two main characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let me start by giving you my personal and passionate opinion!
I loved reading The Husband List just as much as all the other books where the Worthington family members and their extended family appear. It’s just great to disappear in a story where everyone is rooting for your happiness what ever it looks like.
Therefore, if you decide to read The Husband list, I recommend you to read it understanding the protagonist, Madeline Vivers. The flow and rhythm of the book goes along with the protagonist’s personality. Madeline is this calm, emotional matured, wise and kind human being that wants to please and make sure that everyone who surrounds her is comfortable and in peace, making her story feel slow, sort of like the interlude to a more passionate and exciting story for the next character who is Alice Carpenter.
Take also in consideration that this story is happening at the same moment Eleanor’s story is happening so the first part it’s like reading The Marriage List from another point of view which also helps you understand part of Alice story.
Every book is different because of its characters. Some books in these series will seem more interesting and passionate to some readers and this doesn’t depend on the author along, it also depends of the personality of the reader. To write the story different is to betray the character itself, in this case Madeline. She is her story.
In my case, I can’t wait to read the story of Alice Carpenter, Theo Vivers and Mary Carpenter,, Charles (Earl of Stanwood) and specially little Elizabeth’s (Madeline niece).
Thanks netgalley and the publishers to allow me the treat to read this book!

The Worthingtons-Carpenter series continues. This is Madeline story of finding a husband according to the list her and her sisters created. Harry meets most of the requirements but for her mother’s wish that he have a title.
Harry is a newly elected MP and was advised to take a wife. His family and friends offer him guidance on how to woo Madeline, but the challenge is to win not only his Lady’s heart but her mother and family.
The book has a cast of a thousand, just kidding but there are so many characters it is difficult to keep everyone straight. Plus there is a dual storyline from the previous book. I have read some of the books and still felt lost in parts. I my opinion very typical HEA story, seemed to drag on a bit too long. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheHusbandList

I love this author’s attention to detail and she is one of the very few authors who actually writes a period-correct story. I also loved the characters in this story and I liked that there wasn’t a lot of angsty navel-gazing going on. This story runs concurrent with the eighth book in the series, and if you haven’t read that one, you might wonder why the dangers to Eleanor aren’t given more page time in this book. The reason, of course, is that Eleanor’s story has already been told. I have read all of the books in this series, but if you haven’t, it is my opinion that you’ll have a hard time keeping all of the supporting characters straight. Those characters appear in this book with little explanation of who they are. However, to me, what is really missing – and probably confusing if you haven’t read the previous books – is how the family came to be a family in the first place – with cousins, and others who come together and become ‘sisters’ or brothers and are referred to as such. For me, I loved catching up with those previous characters and seeing where they currently are in their lives, but I do honestly think it would be a bit confusing for someone who hasn’t read any of the previous books.

Lady Madeline Vivers is participating in her first season and she has a specific list of criteria for finding a husband. Madeline and her sisters have composed that list by observing the traits of their brothers and brothers-in-law. There are many traits and characteristics on that list and none of them are outrageous and several eligible men could meet those criteria. However, the most important thing on the list is love – he must love her and she must love him. Madeline’s mother has an additional requirement though. The man must be a peer and the higher ranking the better. Madeline's mother has a candidate she is actively promoting, the Duke of Salforth. For Madeline, he meets many of her criteria, but does he love her and could she love him? There certainly aren’t any tingles when he touches her. Now, Mr. Harry Stern – he causes tingles, but he is only a Mr. and not a peer.

Harry Stern is a highly respected and successful lawyer who has spent all of his time in Bristol since finishing school. However, he’s recently been elected as a Member of Parliament for his district and is in London to take up that new role. He knows he’ll need to find a wife to be successful in his MP role, but he isn’t in a hurry – until he meets Madeline Vivers. Harry is intelligent, resourceful, steadfast, patient, caring, and kind, but he is not a peer – nor will he ever be. He is well connected as the grandson and nephew of a duke, but if Madeline requires a peer, it cannot be him. She doesn’t strike him as someone who cares about that, but will her mother have enough influence over her to convince Madeline to choose the duke?

I enjoyed the story but would have appreciated fewer interactions with previous characters and more time with Harry and Madeline. I honestly didn’t get Madeline’s preoccupation with what her mother wanted. Her mother had caused untold amounts of trouble for other members of the family, and Madeline was a strong enough personality to stand up to her mother, so I didn’t get the constant ‘trying’ to make herself care for the duke when she knew she didn’t.

I can recommend this book to you if you have read and enjoyed previous books in the series. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, I’d suggest reading at least a few of the earlier ones to ‘get’ the family dynamic before you try any of these later books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

it was not the usual standard of writing for this author and the characters felt a bit whiny.

the chemistry between them or the intensity wasn’t strong enough to make me want to root for them or support them. there were many side characters that the book would have done well enough without too.

Harry, despite the fact that he is a Member of Parliament, is not the man Madeline's mother wants her to marry. He' s not "one of us" and mom wants a member of the gentry for her daughter, But Madeline wants Harry and this is their story. It's a tale heavy on details of their courtship and low (very low) on steam. I struggled quite a bit with keeping everyone straight-characters from Quinn's other books are all throughout this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A serviceable entry into the genre,

A tale about courtship with two subplots that hint at their own respective novels. Three ladies have a list of requirements that their would be husbands should meet, with the most important necessity, love. It is also about family, love and support, with two ‘fairy godmother imps’ working behind the scenes.

With so many characters in the book, because it involves two big main families, it is easy to get lost in who is who, specially when it is months between reading the books in the series. Unless one does a binge read. Perhaps a chart at the start of the book will help. That being said, this might make for a good tv series?

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

I found this book so very irritating. This is book nine in the author’s series. The characters from past books are mentioned and enter into scenes with no background. It’s as if the author just assumes that readers have memorized all her characters and remembers the plots of their books. I think I’ve read some of the past books, but I read a lot of romances so I can’t keep them straight. I think it is the responsibility of the author or editor to provide a family tree or list of characters to keep straight who is married to whom and how people are related to each other. There is something rather arrogant about the author assuming readers can keep around a dozen characters from past books straight in their minds. There are step-families that are referred to as if they are blood relatives. Who can keep them straight? I realize it is tedious for readers who love a series and just read them all one after another, but if you read the books when they come out, it’s impossible to remember the details of past romances and relationships.

Add in that the romance between the two main characters follows a rather tedious path. The author includes lots of daily details. It’s as if we’re reading a daily diary of what a character eats, dresses in, and does with a bit of internal dialogue thrown in.

It was dull and aggravating. I only finished it because I’d received a free ARC and felt a responsibility to the publisher. But I was exasperated the entire time. If I’d picked this up from the library, I wouldn’t have finished it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.