This is a rerelease of a book first published in 2013. It is the debut novel of Ella Quinn, and this needs to be remembered when reading. The author has gained in skills since she first wrote this and fans of the author will have higher expectations. 

This was an okay read, there was a decent plot, but nothing stood out to me. The characters were a bit flat, and the subplot was introduced late to the story and added nothing to the plot. I actually skimmed over it. I know this author can do better and again I have to say it's her debut so some leeway should be given. 

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn is one of her first books. I found the novel as a reread enjoyable as I love the main character, Lady Phoebe.

Phoebe Stanhope is a woman who knows what she wants. A long time ago, she thought she found the ‘man’ she wanted, only to be disgusted by his behavior. She drives her own phaeton and has some of the best “cattle” (horses) for her own stable. Phoebe is politically astute and is good with her independence. Her family is not so sure. They are concerned that she doesn’t have a family and a husband. They want her to be happy and they believe being happy is being married.

Lord Marcus Finley was the cad from years ago, but has remade himself into a better person. He still has strong feelings for Phoebe, but needs her to give him a second chance. He has changed over the years, but is now back to help his family. He has managed to promote a positive image so far, but she doesn’t know his name yet.

Two people who should be together, but are struggling to find their way forward. Luckily Marcus gets some unexpected help from Phoebe’s family. There is also a questionable character hanging around, who might be more dangerous than anyone expects.

I read the Seduction of Lady Phoebe when it first came out and found the book okay. I knew she was a newer author. I have since read other books and found that as she has written more books, her writing skills have grown. This novel, while not my favorite, does include one of my favorite characters, Lady Phoebe. The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn is a pretty good read.

This book was just okay; I feel rather meh about the whole thing. Both main characters felt very young and immature. I hated the treatment of their first encounter in the opening pages. If it was a very big deal, as evidenced by the heroine’s reaction in the moment and over the next EIGHT YEARS, then this is something for which the hero should not have been redeemed. But if it wasn’t that big of a deal, then why in the world was the heroine upset for so long? It just makes her seem silly. Either way, this book sends some troubling messages about consent.

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn is book One in The Marriage Game Series. This is the story of Phoebe Stanhope and Marcus Finley. Marcus feel in love with Phoebe fast and hard but he was due to leave to India. So when he did approach Phoebe he wasn't himself because of that situation and he had been drinking. So their meeting didn't go good at all and Marcus of course left. So now all these years later, Marcus is back. Phoebe doesn't that he was the one that she met that faithful night. But Marcus is a changed man for the better and his family now needs him to step up to take a bigger role in the family...even marry. But there is only one women that Marcus will marry and he has to convince her that she can take a chance with him.
I read this book the first time it came out a few years ago and happy to see it get a new cover and life.

4.5 Stars - This is a wonderful historical romance that finds two people who were infatuated as youths finally getting a chance to find the HEA in one another. The hero, as a young man, was a wastrel who didn’t take the responsibilities of a gentleman seriously. He is a second son who was eventually banished for his overall lack gentlemanliness and decorum. His insult of the heroine was his final act of foolishness before heading to the West Indies.

The heroine is beautiful, intelligent, skilled in defense tactics, tenacious and, several seasons under her belt, she remains a diamond of the first water and a lady every eligible gentleman wants to marry.

When these two meet up again, 10 years later, many things have changed, especially for the hero, and watching him fight for and win his Lady love is an engrossing tale from start to finish.

I loved it and highly recommend it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marcus Finley made a mistake. Drunk and desperate not to lose her, he makes inappropriate advances to Lady Phoebe who is only sixteen or seventeen.. She in turn scorns him because of his behavior and asks him to leave. Marcus's father forces him to leave England and sail to the West Indies. Eight years later, Marcus returns as a changed man and still in love with Phoebe. He definitely has his work cut out for him to win her hand. If only Phoebe will give him a chance to win her trust. Meanwhile, an evil Lord wants revenge against Marcus and to take Lady Phoebe for himself. Gheezzz Phoebe, it took you long enough to make up your mind!!!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I've really loved other books by Ella Quinn, but I had a hard time getting through this one. The backstory rubbed me wrong, the fact that Marcus "fell in love" with Phoebe and even after learning of her (young) age he still decided to accost her at the house party. I felt the story dragged for a while and there was a lot of moving backwards. I don't feel like I connected with either character. The ending was better. I'm glad I finished it, but getting through the beginning and a bit of the middle was tough.

A story of a young attraction quickly gone awry as the hero becomes inebriated and confesses his love to the heroine. Unfortunately he gets a bloody nose for his treatment of her!
Eight years later, Lord Marcus is back from his banishment from the West Indies, after being called home due to his brother dying which makes him next in line for the Earldom. He is a changed man from the callus youth he was before and he has never forgotten Lady Phoebe Stanhope. He just hopes she does not recognize him as the youth that got the bloody nose! He still loves her and hopes to win her hand.
Phoebe at first does not recognize him and they become close as they spend time together. Unfortunately, a villain turns up that holds a grudge against Marcus and is determined to extract his revenge and he and Phoebe get caught up in the middle.
A satisfying romance, filled with a feisty heroine, sigh worthy hero, suspense, drama and wonderful characters that will take you on the journey to a happy ever after.

Lady Phoebe and Lord Marcus Finley do not exactly meet cute. At a party, the ne'er do well second son of a marquis, Marcus, decides Phoebe is for him and attempts to kiss her. She punches him, leaving his eye blackened as he leaves for exile in the West Indies Not an auspicious introduction. Eight years later, a reformed and better Marcus returns home. He still wants Lady Phoebe and will have help from various relatives and friends trying to bring them together — although he still has to let her know his true identity. Eventually the two lovers wed, but there's a truly bad man who seemingly will stop at nothing to tear them apart. This spices up the ending of the book, although it was a little jarring to move from wedded bliss to fearing for your life. Ella Quinn makes it work, and the HEA is that much sweeter for the near-death experience. Most enjoyable. The re-release of this book will help reintroduce the Marriage Game series to new readers, bringing them into the rich world Quinn creates. (Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. Opinions mine.)

Delightful Regency romp!

This amusing regency romantic romp is being released in paperback complete with, "its banished lords, thoroughly modern gun toting ladies, and the requisite villain."
I first reviewed this novel in October of 2013 as an ebook. My words then stand now.
"Subjected to the unseemly behaviour at the tender age of fifteen by Marcus Finley, Lady Phoebe resents him for eight years. As a callow drunken youth he had forced his attentions upon her. He was brought up short by a punch in the nose delivered by Phoebe's strong right arm. Phoebe had until then secretly admired him. On the eve of being banished to Jamaica, Marcus had fallen for Phoebe. He called her his Vision. In his inebriated state he frightens her off. Marcus never forgets Phoebe, and on his return to England determines to make her his wife.
The problem is that Phoebe wants nothing to do with Marcus. She bolts to London in hopes of avoiding him. Of course en route she has quite the adventure, and Marcus becomes involved.
There are some amusing lines throughout such as, 'Marcus decided to behave with Phoebe in the same way he had when he'd faced the pirates. He'd show no fear.'
The lovely Phoebe is a radical woman for her times and during her courting by Marcus we are treated to lively discussions on the education of woman, their abilities and roles, and the influence of women's rights champions like Mary Wollstonecroft."
My second reading confirmed that the 'doings' of Lady Phoebe still rates as a fun read.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley

Marcus Finlay & Phoebe Stanhope met several years ago but she wanted nothing to do with him in fact he frightened her. Now he’s back & all the happiness he desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned her heart so cold and distant is not a typical Lady.
This book was released in 2013 & is only now being released in paperback. I love the author’s work & she's a must read for me, somehow I'd missed the first couple of books in this series. A well written book with plenty of humour as well as romance. The characters are well portrayed & the pace is good. The writing in this book isn’t as accomplished as her later books so she has certainly honed her craft but it was still a lovely, captivating read & makes me want to re read the whole series again
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Lord Marcus Finley, the younger son of the Marquis of Dunwood falls head over heels in love with Lady Phoebe Stanhope at a house party given by the Countess of Worthington just days before he is being banished to the West Indies. He has a bit too much to drink and corners Phoebe, intending on declaring his love and eloping with her, but instead he takes liberties and finds himself knocked senseless by the petite lady and given a lecture on manners.

Eight years later, Marcus is still in love and has undergone a huge change, determined to be the man worthy of Phoebe’s love. Called back to England by his father, he learns his older brother and the heir is dying and has no heir. Marcus’ father wants him to marry and take up the duties of heir as soon as possible. Marcus agrees, but there is only one woman he wants – Lady Phoebe.
Phoebe is still unwed after all these years because she doesn’t trust her instincts about men ever since the debacle with Lord Marcus. She fancied him, but when he grabbed her and touched her, she was terrified and wonders how she could have been so wrong about his character. Even now she gets upset thinking about him and when she learns his sister – now her sister in law – has invited him to visit, she bolts.

On the way to London, she stays at an inn overrun by young men attending a sporting event, when one young man makes a nuisance of himself, Phoebe is defended by an unseen knight. Later in London, her knight saves her yet again. She doesn’t recognize him, but she is captivated. When they cross paths again at a ball, she dances with him and even takes a turn on the terrace with him, she thinks she may have finally found a man she can love – that is until she learns who he is.
Marcus loves Phoebe and will do whatever is necessary to win her – even let her have complete control of their courtship. Luckily for him, her family believes he is the perfect match for her and sets out to help him win her. It seems like Marcus may finally realize his dream of calling Phoebe his love, but before they can have their HEA, they will have to figure out who is trying to abduct Phoebe and stop them before he manages to succeed!

I requested this book from NetGalley based solely on Ella Quinn’s name, I didn’t read the blurb – why bother? It’s Ella Quinn, it is bound to be good and it was – BUT – if I had read the blurb, I would have realized that this is a re-issue of her first book – and after reading a few chapters, I recognized the story from many years ago, but I re-read it thinking that maybe it was revamped and honestly, if it was, I can’t tell where. It was a good story, albeit a bit wordy and you can really tell how much Ms. Quinn has grown as an author in the years following this book. This story actually has a few typos and title errors that you would NEVER find in her more recent works. That aside, if you didn’t read this in 2013, grab it now – Marcus and Phoebe are great characters and Marcus is a sigh-worthy hero. Phoebe was a bit immature and wishy-washy at first, but once she decides to trust Marcus and her feelings, she became a wonderful heroine and I loved them both. The story is interesting, the love scenes steamyish, the villain was uber creepy, the ending was exciting and the epilogue was precious.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

I really enjoyed this book by Ella Quinn. It is the first in a new series which promises to be quite entertaining. This book has minor suspense, romance and family antics.
Lady Phoebe Stanhope thought she met the perfect man when she was fifteen. Unfortunately, his drunken behavior that night shattered her illusions and now she isn't sure she can trust anyone. Now he is back and Phoebe knows that she will run into him. Can she forgive him? How will she react when they meet again? And how does the handsome stranger who seems to keep rescuing her fit into it all?
Marcus Finley has returned to England after being banished to the West Indies since his brother is dying and he is expected to take up the title. He knows that his behavior toward Lady Phoebe was awful all those years ago, but he can't stop thinking about her. Marcus knows that she is the one for him. He just needs to convince her to forgive him so they can build a life together. Meeting her in some unusual circumstances helps him feel like he has a chance, but she doesn't know who he is.
Watching these two people fight their attraction and try to figure out whether or not they have something substantial is a delight. There is also the threat of someone trying to harm Phoebe which enhances the story. Ms. Quinn answers the question of whether people can change and whether relationships should be based on who someone was or who that person is now.
I can't wait to see what happens in the other books in this series.

Thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the invitation to read and review The Seduction of Lady Phoebe prior to the re-release of Ella Quinn’s first book in her Marriage Games series. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe is well-written and character-driven as opposed to a plot-driven novel. The writing is emotional, and the dialogue is realistic for the time period. The pacing is good, keeping me engaged throughout the book.

Phoebe Standhope, the heroine of this romantic tale, is not the typical debutante of the Regency period. She’s fiercely independent and determined to wed only if she falls in love, a tradition within her family. Her attitude toward men is greatly influenced by an encounter with a drunken, young lord when she was only fifteen. It leaves her mistrustful of men, especially the brazen lord who accosted her.

I can imagine why such an encounter could color her future opinion of men. A fifteen-year-old tends to be overly dramatic, and one must also consider how sheltered she would have been during the Regency period.

Lord Marcus, the hero, is a changed man from the reckless youth who accosted Lady Phoebe and was banished to the West Indies. Now returned from his exile, he has never forgotten the wrong he’d committed, not the lady either. I could feel his remorse for his behavior and his driving need to prove he was no longer that callow youth. I loved his drive and determination to win Phoebe’s heart.

The romance between Phoebe and Marcus seems ill-fated in the beginning, but I loved how the author turns that around. I thoroughly enjoyed their courtship which does turn passionate quickly. The attraction between them is fierce and cannot be denied, even though Phoebe is bewildered by it at first. Marcus is so contrite over what happened years before, I could understand why Phoebe forgave his youthful indiscretion. I truly wanted her to give Marcus a second chance.

If you enjoy Regency romance with plenty of sensuality, and characters you’ll fall in love with, then you will love The Seduction of Lady Phoebe as much as I did. This is a re-release and I suspect it went through a great many revisions based on some of the reviews from the original edition since I didn’t find any of the issues mentioned in this updated edition. Happy reading!

3.5 stars

I realised that I'd read this book before. It seems to be a book in two halves. The first half is when Marcus is trying to woo Phoebe and change her impression of him. Here we have very little passion just a few kisses. Then the second half is full on sexual encounters. For me this disconnect didn't really work and I lost a bit of interest in the HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ella Quinn is enchanting as ever. This book was so much fun to read. I liked the twist on the plot that showed straight from the get go how fallible human nature and the heroes of our novels can be. His repentance and strives to become a better person because of our heroine even without her presence truly made him an embodiment of deep character. The only criticism I have is of the very beginning and Phoebe's response to her ordeal. I felt a bit like it was played a little to softly and childishlyjust in her emotions at the time. Granted she was young, but her emotions were a bit stilted, the only other comment I have was about our heroes work for the home office. Personally I would have liked to see this embellished upon. If he was still employed by the home office or had shown himself to right even further wrongs by determination to prevent instances such as the one he caused phoebe by working with them he would show himself to be truly swoon worthy, that and I think phoebe would also have been suitably impressed by his work. Especially if it hadn't been just carelessly mentioned as if someone risking themselves as he had done was common place, which it most certainly was not. Other than those two notes I found this book to be wonderful and I eagerly await the next from this talented author.

This is a rerelease from 2013, and the second time I’ve read it. It’s still a light, fluffy read - like the marshmallow of books - but it left me wanting something more. Maybe it was too frothy? I think I wanted more angst, believe it or not. That said, I’m still enjoying The Marriage Game series and will happily continue to read them.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a thoroughly engaging story from start to finish. I enjoyed these characters and watching them navigate their way past old hurts to find a love they didn't know was possible was very entertaining, although a bit tedious at times.

I mean, I get it Marcus was a horrid reprobate when he was younger, and yes, he acted out of turn with Phoebe when she was only sixteen, but to carry such a deep-seated hatred years later? Even after he proved he wasn't the man he used to be? So much of this novel could have been cleared up earlier if she had only let go of the past sooner. For Pete's sakes, other men had kissed her between that moment and the moment they were finally reunited and she didn't flee from them.

Also, I would have liked to have seen more from the "villain". Perhaps a bigger insight into their backstory to explain why he was so fixated on her. It is touched on a bit here and there, but the level of obsession he had for her is definitely something I would like to know more about. What was it about her exactly? I could understand him wanting her for her money, but he pursued her even after she was married, risking everything to get her. And part of that I am sure had to do with the fact that he also carried a deep-seated hatred for Marcus, but again, I don't feel as though we scratched the surface on them.

Despite those things, however, this was still one of those books that drew you in and kept you entertained throughout. Phoebe and her sisters were formidable, having been trained unlike most women of their ilk in self-defense. Watching them interact with their husbands, and their families rounded them out, giving them depth and personality all their own. I definitely think fans of historical romances will enjoy this, and I will read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I dnf this book. Not sure why, but found myself skimming and in a hurry to finish. Maybe if I had read the other books in the series it would have kept me interested.

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe by Ella Quinn 4 stars

This is the first entry in the Marriage Game series published in 2013 in ebook form, now to be available as a paperback for the first time.

I am a Worthington series fan and was lucky enough to read "The Marquis She's Been Waiting For" in September. That book is the 10th book in the Marriage Game series and it is a treat to read the book that started it all. Lord Marcus Finlay is a 20 year old disgrace and at the beginning of the book he is being sent to the West Indies. He is totally in love with Lady Phoebe Stanhope, but he doesn't know that she is only fifteen since she seems mature. A drunken pass results in a bruised face for Lord Marcus and a bad experience for Lady Phoebe. He leaves England still hopelessly in love with Lady Phoebe.

Many years later, Lord Marcus is called back to England because his older brother is dying and he is now the presumptive heir. He needs to marry and because Lady Phoebe is still unmarried he wants her. The rest of the book is Lord Marcus courting Phoebe and showing her that he has matured and is willing to be a good partner. Lady Phoebe has to forgive and be brave enough to take the leap into the unknown. We also get an over the top villain that receives his karmic fate.

I enjoyed this book and will seek out the rest of the series in due time.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.