This is the third book in The Widow Rules series and can be read as a standalone. The series features three women who married a scammer and cheat of a first husband. When he dies, they are left financially ruined.

I really enjoy the way Janna MacGregor writes her characters and this book was no exception. Julian is the perfect grumpy hero and Beth is a heroine with a spine who takes matters into her own hands. Beth’s brother is a character you love to hate and I’m really glad Beth didn’t stand for his nonsense!

I recommend you give this is an entertaining road-trip style second chance romance a try.

I've enjoyed MacGregor's previous installments in the Widow Rules series, but How to Best a Marquess fell hopelessly flat for me. It was so easy to put down, it actually took me months to finish it -- and I'm generally a read-it-in-one-sitting kind of gal.

Beth's search for her lost dowry takes her on a road trip with her first love, Julian, the impoverished Marquess of Grayson. Their mutual attraction during Beth's first season was kiboshed by her idiot brother, so there are a lot of unresolved feelings between these two when they decide to collaborate for road trip shenanigans. Despite the fact that the book's structure should have made for a nicely paced plot, the emotional quagmire these two adorable idiots slosh around in slowed everything to a crawl. The ending was also far too tidy, and verged on deus-ex-machina territory.

2.5 stars.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of How to Best a Marquess by Janna MacGregor.

The two main characters in this novel were very likable. Even though Julian Raleah, Marquess of Grayson had let Beth Howell down, it was understandable why he’d walked away from her years before. Julian helps Beth when she comes to him and supports her in her endeavors to find the truth regarding what Meri did with her dowry. There were numerous heartwarming scenes where they were vulnerable toward each other. They both wanted the best for each other and were willing to sacrifice themselves for the other. This was a lovely story with two characters that deserved to find happiness together.

Book 3 in the series about the women wronged by Meriwether. This is Beth’s story and it takes you on a tour of England as she searches for what happened with her dowry. There were moments that felt a little drawn out and Beth seemed wishy-washy on what she wanted from Julian at times but the HOE ending does happen in the end. It was a nice conclusion to the overall series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

While a satisfying ending to this trilogy, it was not my favorite. Not because of the writing or the story, it’s personal preference of what I like. I do not like stories of broke and struggling aristocracy and I don’t like journeys where anything bad that can happen does. This book has both.

I did love the characters of Julian and Beth. I especially loved Julian’s right hand man, Cillian. Would love to see him get a story.

Overall, I enjoyed this trilogy and was happy to see everyone get their HEA.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first read from this author. I wish I would’ve had time to read the previous books in this series as it had a very interesting premise of all the heroines being connected because they were duped into marrying a bigamist and are now dealing with the fallout from that. Really enjoyed this book but will probably reread once I read the other books.

Back when Miss Blythe “Beth” Elizabeth Howell was young she only had eyes for Julian Raleah, the Marquess of Grayson. Beth thought everything was going to be perfect especially when Julian proposed to her and told her that the following day, he would call on her brother to ask for her hand in marriage. When her brother refused Julian, Beth gave up on that and married another instead. That was many years ago, Beth has lost that lovestruck feeling of her youth and in its place is a hardened reserved woman missing so many things in life especially the one thing that was most important to her, her long lost dowry. Beth decides to ask Julian for his help in finding what happened to it. Beth wants to know if her dead husband took it and gambled it away or maybe it might be hidden? Julian will do anything even give up his desire and dream of restoring his fortune, for Beth. Also, can Beth give up her thoughts and decision not to marry? As Beth and Julian get closer to the discovery of the missing dowry unfathomable secrets and their love for each will finally come to light but not without turmoil that could destroy them both.
What a glorious end to a wonderful series that definitely had me absolutely awestruck! Okay, it did take me awhile to read this book and even get into it in the beginning. Though, once I got to the middle of the story, it really took flight and truly enchanted me! I wanted to know the mystery of the missing dowry too. Even though the romance between the main leads seemed like such an impossibility. Beth did kind of annoy me with her high-handed way and treatment of Julian. Beth couldn’t even see how much devotion and love that Julian had for her that at times I wanted to hit her over the head or shake her because his love for her was true. Of course, she was willing to throw that away too. Julian might have been poor yet also had his loving honorable heart which made him absolutely perfect, well at least in my head. That he would be totally worth the risk. Ms. Janna Macgregor has written a fantastic second chance story which I really do hope there will be more to come even though it feels like the end but maybe then she can tell the children’s stories or more stories of the servants, most especially Cillian because he needs a happily ever after too? I do know that I can’t wait to read more from her though and eagerly await her next grand adventurous romance story!

I am usually a sucker for a good second-chance romance, but sadly, I just couldn't get into this one, no matter how hard I tried. In fact, after having to put it down and come back to it numerous times, I almost gave up on it entirely, but I was hoping that it would redeem itself in the end.

Beth was a very hard character to like. I mean, I get it - your first husband was an absolute jerk, and your brother is a scoundrel who would see you married off for his own benefit a second time, but I really needed her to have more of a backbone than she did. She had income from working, and no, it wasn't a fortune; she was not as destitute as she made herself believe. She was also very hot and cold with Grayson (coming on to him, kissing him, and propositioning him one minute, then getting mad when he spoke of feelings and wanting to marry in the future). Even after he explains that it would not be fair to his future wife to have an affair with her and then see her again in the future, and she agrees, she still tempts him to kiss her and more.

At one point, she and Gayson are held at gunpoint and robbed of everything (including most of their clothing and their shoes), yet when they get to town, and Grayson mentions calling for the magistrate to prosecute the ruffian, Beth talks him out of it? Because sometimes people go through hard times? I'm sorry, what? He pointed a loaded gun at you and robbed you, and your solution is to let him go?

I also found myself not really caring about either of them as a couple because, honestly? They brought most of their troubles on themselves for not just opening their mouths and telling the other what was on their mind. For example, Grayson explains what happened in the past to Beth, and then pours his heart out to her. She simply tells him that she needs time so he leaves her to her thoughts. Which of course, are about him and how much she loves him. But even knowing that, she keeps throwing up the past and using that as an excuse. Or saying she doesn't want to lose his friendship. It became tiresome very quickly, and sadly this theme just kept repeating itself throughout the entirety of the book. Sadly, by the time their happily ever after does come around, I didn't care if they ended up together or not.

That was another thing about this novel, the way these two just took themselves off across the country, staying in the same rooms at inns without a thought or care for their reputations. For someone who needed investors in order to make his dreams a reality, Grayson certainly didn't seem to consider what they might think about him being with an unmarried woman (especially considering her scandalous reputation of being the third wife of a trigamist), unchaperoned. Especially when there were people who saw them together twice, who would certainly talk about what they had seen. It was like they just didn't care how their actions would be perceived.

The third and final nail in this story, for me anyway, was the way that at the end of the book all three wives just seem to forgive their first husband for all of the hell he put them through in a way that just seemed too extravagant (and I don't care how he supposedly made up for his wrongdoings monetarily). While I would read more from this author in the future, I am glad this particular series is over.

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

I likedthis book a lot more than the 2nd in the series. and I enjoyed seeingmore of the other characters I think -- I will try to read the first one now.

I enjoyed Beth and Julian's story. After her not so legal marriage to a no-good bigamist husband, ends with his death, she is left financially destitute, living with her brother who means to marry her off for his own financial gains to an old man more than 50 years her senior. To avoid this fate Beth needs to find her dowry that her husband Meri either hid or squandered. To do this she begs the help of former fiancée, Julian, Marquess Of . They embark on a journey of discovery that leads to more than a missing dowry.
This was an excellent romance with a suspenseful plot as we go along with Beth & Julian following the bread crumb clues left by Beth's deceased husband Meri. Delightful dialogue, and likeable characters make this a totally entertaining satisfying romance that flows along smoothly at a quick pace. You won't be disappointed for picking this one up!
5 stars, and recommend highly!! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

I've been enjoying this series from Janna MacGregor and was so excited to get an ARC of the final book in the trilogy! While book one is still my favorite in the series, How to Best a Marquess was still delightful. While book two had a little baggage for me (he's just so mean to her), Beth and Julian didn't have that problem. They have so many problems from their past, but you can tell from the beginning how much they genuinely like each other. They run into all sorts of trouble on the road but get through it together. I also loved the introduction of a certain rakish Duke. I really hope we get a book about him in the future! My one issue was mostly a personal one. The ending features a grand declaration of rather epic proportions, which is not something I'm a fan of. It worked for the characters but always feels icky to me.

Ooooh, I did enjoyed How to Best a Marquess by Janna McGregor. It was a fun and easy read. It’s about Beth Howell and Julian Raleah and it’s the third book about the three women Meri married.

Está bueno para pasar el rato, una lectura ligera.

While you CAN read this as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order because the characters are all very connected! All three follow the three widows of Lord Meriwether Vareck. Not only did he illegally marry three women, but he seems to have gambled away their dowries. Not only was Beth Howell’s the most substantial of the three women, but if she doesn’t find the funds, her brother will sell her in marriage to a man 50 years her senior.

The love interest in this one is the best of the three, in my opinion, AND they get to go on an adventure searching for lost dowries!

Some highlights:
💖 second chance romance (not usually my favorite but I loved this one!)
💖 forced proximity (just one bed!!)

Lowlight
💖 third act breakup came so late and I just wanted to shove their faces together and make them kiss and get over themselves. (Which is my reaction to like 90% of third act breakups so take that as you will.)

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my review copy! All thoughts are my own.

I love How to Best a Marquess! This was an excellent addition to this final installment of the Widow Rules series. Since the beginning of the first book, I was hoping that Beth and Grayson would pair up!
Beth is the third widow of Meriweather, a no-good, bigamous scoundrel. Her equally no-good brother negotiates for Beth to marry her, which has now left her ruined by society and only two friends, Meri's other widows. Now they are married! Beth needs to take her own future in her hands. She needs to find out where her dowry went, protect herself from her scoundrel of a brother, and she needs Gray's help with it. Gray is pretty down-on-his-luck, the lords who preceded him sapping the estate. He has been working on designing a great invention, which takes all his time and energy. He's always felt a spark with Beth, and so he cannot say no to helping her. I love when the hero and heroine go on a road trip! Hijinks prevail!
Beth and Gray are so good together-- I loved their chemistry! Janna MacGregor does such a good job with putting their emotions, their moods down on paper. I loved it!
To fully understand everything in How to Best a Marquess, I think it's best to read the first couple of books in this series, which are also great! I highly recommend this book and this whole series. It is wonderful!!!

Beth Howell and Julian Raleah, Marquess of Grayson, were madly in love and ready to marry until Beth's brother refused Julian and threatened to brand him a golddigger if he continued to pursue his sister. Grayson thinks he's doing the honorable thing and saving everyone's reputation by cutting all ties with Beth. Until it's years later and Beth's reputation (and heart) are destroyed by a sham marriage that leaves her as the third wife/widow to Meri, a wastrel who leaves her with nothing after just a few days of marriage. Beth is determined to find out what her husband did to the fortune that was her dowry and asks Julian to help her hunt it down by following what little they know about Meri's whereabouts before his death. It's a road trip full of revelations tender moments, some fun action, and, of course, great romance.
Both Beth and Julian are sure of themselves and determined but make feelings and doing what their heart desires the topic and they both freeze with uncertainty. It's relatable and, frankly, a little bit adorable. They have a loving and supporting relationship even when both are still determined that being together would be an awful mistake. Little do they realize what's ahead of them will be everything that's right.
Every single book in this series has been even better than the last, with MacGregor adding little tidbits about how happy the previous couples are to show the reluctant heroine of this one that marriage can totally be worth it. So this is mainly why I'm recommending that you read the previous books before this one. Still, you're good to go with the knowledge that a despicable man married 3 different women for no discernible reason other than because he could get away with it.
I loved how the hypocrisy of the Ton gets continuously called out for shunning Beth as the third wife while they're all gambling and doing worse things than getting tricked into a sham marriage by an odious brother. There's also talk about bridging the class divide between the ever-poorer members of the Ton who refuse to work and the burgeoning upper-working class. They're not something that gets too much attention in romance and I liked that little bit of reality.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for the delightful read!

How to Best a Marquess is the 3rd book in the Widow Rules series. I have followed this series since book one, and while this was an enjoyable, mindless read, it was my least favorite of the 3. Like other readers, I found the main character Beth to be a bit much at times. Her character was very forceful at times, which I don't mind to some degree, but it was a lot for the storyline, coupled with Julian, a Marquis who Beth has known most of her adult life. All in all, this was an enjoyable read, but not the epic finale of an otherwise fun series I was hoping for.
Thank you to the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review and opinions.

Highly entertaining, emotionally thrilling, sweetly sexy and action-packed romantic adventure filled with desire, the struggle for true love and passion. Was a edge of your seat exciting journey from beginning to end and so hard to put down.

I really adore this author & her historical romances! This one was so fun and cute! I adored Beth and Grayson. I’m so glad they were given a second chance to be together! Beth learns that her husband wasn’t really her husband as he had married two other ladies! So now she’s in need of funds and plans a trip to search for her lost dowry. Beth goes to Grayson for help. These two have a past, they courted but when Grayson offered for Beth, her brother refused since Grayson didn’t have funds. These two still have chemistry which is sizzling as they travel around looking for clues to Beth’s money. Beth doesn’t want a marriage agin but Grayson does! I really enjoyed the adventures they went through and all the steaminess between them as they got to their HEA! I can’t wait for what’s next from this author!

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

What a perfect conclusion to this saga of three women married to the same cad Meri, who wanted only their dowries. The journey of Beth Howell and Julian Raleah tugged at my heart strings and had me pulling for them the whole story. It seemed impossible for them to get a happily ever after and you think they don't, and then they miraculously do! I loved it!! This story was such an emotional journey of second chance and where'd the money go. I do hope we visit with these couples in the future as they've become friends.

Beth Howell is in an impossible situation. Her dowry is gone, her brother, St. John is gambling and raising race horses with what little funds are left in the family. Now he's trying to force Beth to marry again, to a 78 year old Marquess who wants an heir. In exchange Beth will be taken care of, and St. John will have the money for his stable and carousing. She refuses this time. She wants her independence. She makes a deal with her one time hoped for fiance, Julian Raleah, Marquess of Grayson. Julian's title is lacking funds to manufacture the he's invented steam engines he's created. He needs investors. He should just marry an heiress but his heart still belongs to Beth. Her brother refused Julian's request for her hand 8 years ago calling him a fortune hunter. He blackmailed Julian to get him to walk away. Now Beth is proposing if they find her dowry that Meri absconded with, she'll split it 50-50 with him.

The journey following Meri's footsteps his last months of his life gives them many adventures and they spend lots of time together. These two star-crossed-lovers find the old emotions come roaring back. The search for her dowry is fruitless. When they get to the end of their journey they have hard decisions to make. Janna MacGregor gave us the perfect ending!

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