The Marriage List

The Marriage List
by Dorothy McFalls

Edition: 2009 ebook

Synopsis: Compelled by his family to marry, Viscount Radford Evers makes a list of his requirements for a wife. Humble tenant May Sheffers meets none of these, so why does his heart beat madly at the sight of her?

Viscount Radford Evers was injured at Waterloo when his horse fell on him, leaving his leg crippled. The novel begins with him in Bath to take the waters. He is not in the best of moods, frustrated by the pity his injury brings him and his leg's slowness to heal. Enter Miss May Sheffers, a young woman attempting to care for her elderly aunt to the best of her ability. She rents one of Radford's properties, and approaches the viscount to convince him not to evict them. Her parents had gone traveling many years previous, and with no word from them, her uncle presumes them dead, and now May cannot access the family funds to continue paying the rent.

She has none of the qualities that Radford had put on his recent list for a suitable wife, but attraction develops anyway. Even though Radford has already found a young lady who does in fact possess all the qualities he thinks he wants.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The heroine was an intelligent young woman, with her own flaws to deal with. She was not afraid to call Radford out on his behavior when he becomes too much of a grouch. May's best friend, Iona, was as loyal as they can come. Aunt Winnie was an absolute dear. May's competition for the viscount's affections is Iona's sister, who was quite the selfish young lady. The 'villian', I suppose is the right term, of the novel was easy to dislike.

I will definitely keep this one on my Kindle bookshelf to re-read, and I will happily read more by this author.