Years previously, Roger, the Marquess of Chatton, was nearly forced to marry Fenella Fairclough. Although close friends for years, they had no desire to marry and Fenella fled. Roger did indeed marry, but that was definitely not a love match, and due to odd circumstances, his wife died.

In the prologue of this story the Arthur Shelton, the Earl of Macklin has gathered several men who have suffered loss together. He has a very odd role of a matchmaker, although he doesn't want to be viewed as such. He would rather be viewed as someone who can change things for people when he sees a need in them.

Roger wasn't the best person for most of his life, spoiled as he was. However, with his experiences, he has changed and become a better man. Fenella was my favorite in this story, however. She experienced far more than her fair share of abuse and ridicule by her father, in fact, her entire family. However, she showed remarkable strength and fortitude, proving that she was not only a capable person, but someone deserving of love and happiness.

When Roger and Fenella get a second chance, the story becomes truly heartwarming. Roger tried so very hard to honor the memory of his wife, as unhappy as he was. However, he must face the fact that he is indeed quite drawn to Fenella, and must cope with feelings of guilt and self-recrimination.

While these two are carving their path toward a warm and happy future, the story includes other memorable characters. There is, as mentioned, the Earl of Macklin, but also Roger's mother, and a couple of teen boys who, in their own ways, affect change with regard to what might happen with Roger and Fenella.

The story takes a bit of a turn when it comes to an element of mystery when Fenella's life might be in jeopardy. With the romance, characters and scenarios, this proved to be an excellent book. I really did enjoy How to Cross a Marquess, as I have the previous books in The Way to a Lord's Heart series.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

This Rebel Reviews
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be and not in a good way. In fact, it reminded me of a bad hallmark movie that couldn't decide what genre it wanted to be. This looked like it was going to be a passionate enemy to lovers' romance. It was such a big let down in that department. It was clean or fade to black romance which has nothing to do with the hero and heroine having a passion for each other which the author seemed not to understand. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice have one of the best enemies to lovers romance ever and it is a clean book. Also, they really didn't stay enemies for long and then all of a sudden they liked each other and have secretly always liked each other. Plus most of this book isn't even on the hero and heroine. It is the hero's friend who is matchmaking and the heroine's nephew who is misunderstood or the friend's charity case he picked up somewhere. The writing isn't bad but nothing special. The plot was everywhere and I mean everywhere. A lot of the events seemed to happen out of order and at 80 percent all of a sudden something happened that made no sense with what was happening in the already confusing and everywhere plot. Plus I hated the ending so much because most of it focused on setting up for the next book. Thank God I will not have to read it.
Rating: 2 stars
Content: Clean Romance
*I was given this copy for an honest review by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley. All opinions are my own* ( )

An Earl comes a calling ... surprises all around!

Arthur Shelton, Earl of Macklin, continues his advice to lost and grieving men, popping up like some demented leprechaun, in his quest. Once again he's brought together a group of men who have suffered personal tragedy to reflect on the subject of death and grief.
This time the target of his attention is Roger the Marquess of Chatton whose petulantly stubborn wife Arabella caught a chill and died after riding in the rain against all advice. Unfortunately his neighbor Fenella Fairclough has born unwarranted blame for the tragedy.
The enigmatic young Tom, wise beyond his years, accompanies Macklin. Here’s a figure to watch!
So cupid’s (aka Macklin) arrow is pointed towards Roger's neighbor Fenella.
Apart from the inanely enjoyable line oft repeated about 'sodding sheep' I found the story fairly ordinary, although I did really liked Fenella.
In fact she Tom and her nephew John get all my stars and Fenella's dogged determination in the end is magnifico.
Roger the hero, who seems a tad lack lustre, is always opening his mouth to shoot him self in the foot, giving a so so performance.
Still fans of this series will want to see where Yoda figure Macklin is heading!

A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley ( )

This wasn't the book for me, not that it was a bad book but just moved to slowly, not hot enough for me and drama was all over the place and some characters just really had no purpose. I liked Fenella she was the best part of the story for me, Roger bored me. The book doesn't deserve a two star but there would be no way I would give it more than a three and that was pushing it for me.

rcvd an ARc at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
How to Cross a Marquess by Jane Ashford s the 3rd book in her the Way to a Lords’s Heart series. It can be read as a standalone. In order to settle an old land dispute the fathers of Fenella Fairclough and Roger Berwick, Marquess of Chatton decided to arrange a marriage between the two. When Roger announces he’d rather wed a sodding sheep Fenella flees to her grandmothers in Scotland and Roger stomps off to London and makes an unfortunate marriage. Years later the two meet again and circumstances find them having to spend time together. An Older and slightly wiser widower Roger comes to realise that the sparks that fly between them may not be enmity at all. Witty banter a mystery to solve and the spice of danger will keep you intrigued till the very last page. More sweet than steamy.
Publishing Date August 27, 2019
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