Three men compete for her hand—but only one holds her heart.
Amidst the glamour of the London season, Alicia Westlake must find a husband before she’s swept into a match of her mother’s making. Two of the season’s most eligible bachelors vie for her hand, but she’s more interested in character than wealth, and dreams of marrying for love.
Welcomed into the bluestocking circle, Alicia is drawn to the witty Mr Merry, who shares her love of history—but not her faith. A younger son, Christopher Merry is the black sheep of his family. Haunted by painful memories, which he struggles to suppress, he refuses to take life seriously.
Mrs Westlake’s plans for Alicia leave no room for such a man. Desperate for her daughter to marry into the nobility, she will go to any lengths to achieve a brilliant match.
Christopher must confront his past, and seek forgiveness, to become the man Alicia needs to save her from being sacrificed to her mother’s ambitions. But time is running out…
Set in London and the seaside town of Weymouth, in 1788–9, this novel by the co-author of the popular Regency History blog is rich in historical detail. A glossary is included.
Written in a traditional style, inspired by Georgette Heyer, A Perfect Match is a clean and wholesome faith-based romance, full of witty banter and understated humour.
This is the first in The Merry Romances series, but can be read as a standalone romance with its own happily ever after.
Characters in this book
Alicia
Westlake
Christopher Merry
Mrs Westlake
Viscount
Droxford
Duke of
Wessex
Joshua
Hampton
Earl of
Harting
Countess of
Harting
Lady
Castleford
(cameo)
Explore the history behind the story
Reviews of A Perfect Match
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“I give this book high marks for its historical accuracy and understated humor.”
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“The scene-setting made me think I was there.”
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“I loved the banter between the main characters.”
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“True Austen purests will like the streamlined non-melodramatic approach to romance.”
Discussion Questions
Which was your favourite scene in the novel? What did you like about it?
Which character evoked the strongest reaction, either positive or negative? Why?
Alicia hates the way her mother manipulates people. Do you think Alicia is guilty of manipulating people as well? eg persuading her mother to let her go to Mrs Montagu’s house by suggesting a worse alternative first.
Several times Alicia says something to Mr Merry that causes an abrupt negative reaction and yet the next time they meet, he acts as if it has never happened. Do you think Alicia should have confronted Mr Merry about this? What would you have done?
Mr Merry feels his mother always compares him unfavourably to his brother. What advice would you give to someone in this situation?
Joshua Hampton’s path to ruin starts with jealousy. The Duke’s son had everything he wanted, and Joshua did not feel that he deserved it. Do you have any sympathy with Joshua’s jealousy?
When faced with a life-threatening situation during the Gordon Riots, Mr Merry was so afraid that he could not move to help the Duke’s son. Have you ever been in a frightening situation? Were you crippled with fear like Mr Merry or did you react differently?
Alicia feels she cannot marry someone who does not share her beliefs. How important do you think it is for a married couple to share the same spiritual outlook on life?
Lady Harting is an ambitious mother and tries to manipulate her sons. Lord Droxford obeys his mother’s wishes for a quiet life whereas Mr Merry faces conflict head on. Which brother are you more like?
What historical fact did you find most interesting? (eg What the British Museum was like in 1789; what happened when the King first bathed in the sea in Weymouth; what Vauxhall Gardens were like).
The Merry Romances
The Merry Romances 1
The Merry Romances 2
The Merry Romances 3
The Merry Romances 4
