Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend (The Mischief & Matchmaking Series, 1)
London, 1857. Beth has one season to acquire a wealthy husband, or she and her beloved mother will be homeless. Gwen is in her fourth season with no husband in sight yet; as the daughter of a wealthy earl, she doesn’t need to marry. Shy Beth and brash Gwen meet at a ball and immediately hit it off – and come up with a cunning plan: they’ll pair up Beth’s mother and Gwen’s father, and then all four of them can live happily ever after. Unfortunately, their parents apparently can’t stand each other… while Gwen and Beth are all too fond of each other. The season is rapidly drawing to a close when a handsome yet dull viscount shows up with his eyes on Beth… who only has eyes for Gwen….
This is one fun novel. The characters are charming, and their motivations are solidly based in the Victorian time period. Oh, there are a few wobbles in the Victoriana – for instance, the color magenta wasn’t invented until 1859 – but the historical detail is for the most part handled deftly. A delightful novel, full of zest and verve, and I look forward to Alban’s next book.
