In Want of a Wife (#02 in Licensed To Meddle - Luella Linley Series)

In Want of a Wife has everything you need for an excellent read - faith, fun, romance, and a meddling mother. It was great to reconnect with old friends from the previous book in the Luella Linley License to Meddle series, and although it might be fine as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the series in order. I especially loved the way the author wove deep issues of self-image and identity in between the far-fetched, light-hearted plot of pretend engagements and speeding fine protests. Well done again, Meredith Resce. I'll certainly be lining up for the next in the series, and I strongly suggest you do to.

This is the second Luella Linley mystery, and it's just as good as the first. They are amusing Australian rom-coms in which the real-life romance echoes the book Luella Linley is writing . . . or is it the other way around? Either way, it's a unique twist on both contemporary and Regency romance, and different to any other author-as-character novels I've read. \\n\\nIn Want of a Wife is also Christian fiction. Chloe has been a Christian for years, but Michael is a newer Christian, with all the baggage that brings. He also has a lot of unforgiveness to deal with, having grown up in council housing as the son of a single mother who only ever revealed he was the product of an affair with a married man. \\n\\nChristian fiction with a fake relationship can be hard to do well, because the basis of the fake relationship is one or both halves of the couple lying about their relationship. I thought In Want of a Wife handled this particularly well. But you'll have to read it to see if you agree with me. \\n\\nOverall, In Want of a Wife is a fun and funny Australian rom-com, and my only concern is that we might not see more of Luella Linley once she's married off all three children. Recommended. \\n\\nThanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

I love a good family saga which involves different generations. And this one certainly doesn't disappoint! Thank you to Meredith for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. \\nIt is the story of Chloe, ED nurse with a speeding ticket, and Michael, newly appointed partner in a law firm with strong family values, and how Chloe's mother Louise, author Luella Linley, uses her talents to meddle (with the very best intention of course!) to bring the two young people together. However Louise/Luella is outsmarted at her own game when Chloe and Michael fall for each other, and decide on their own plan to outwit Louise. But Michael has hidden secrets which take some unravelling. Chloe's father Russell steps in as mentor and father figure to Michael and it is this relationship in the story that really brings it all together. \\nI love how Luella's Regency novel is intertwined with the story and somehow reflects the twists in Louise's own family happenings. \\nForgiveness, family relationships and witty conversations are the highlight for me. A very intriguing and enjoyable read.

After her stunning debut recruiting a husband for daughter number one, the intrepid Louise Brooker, aka Luella Linley, Regency Romance author, has her meddle stick out and waving again, hoping to invoke a magical fairytale ending for daughter number two. However, Chloe's independent streak offers stubborn resistance to her mother's meddling intentions - until she meets the handsome target, Michael Sullivan. \\n\\nDuring their first date, Chloe deftly unravels Michael's deepest, darkest secrets and swiftly entangles herself in a ruse designed to appease Michael's boss, escape an unjust speeding ticket, and teach her meddling mother a lesson. But Chloe and Michael's faux relationship traverses a craggy, creviced landscape and the two adventurers slip and fall - out of favour and for each other, and into an avalanche of crises. Will either, or both, dare to grasp outstretched hands offering friendship and forgiveness to survive?\\n\\nAs much as I enjoyed the way Luella insinuated herself into the developing romance in Book 1 of this series, there's a definite pizzaz in the pace at which Book 2 moves beyond Mother's 'managed' introduction to focus on the way Chloe and Michael handle - and mishandle - their situations and relationship. This makes it refreshingly different and delightfully unpredictable, leaving readers to wonder how a HEA could possibly eventuate. \\n\\nBut then, that's the endearing magic of a good romantic tale, isn't it?