The Marriage Mart

I read this book many years ago when it came out the first time and have kept it as a favorite ever since. Athena is an entertaining heroine, a bookworm but no shrinking violet. You know when she crosses path with John Stone, a duke who rules the Ton, things are bound to be interesting and they are. Athena, bored by the countless parties of London's elite, finds an odd friendship in the Duke, who also finds them a bore. Tossed together by circumstance and near scandal, the two attempt to fob off the gossips with a phony engagement. Athena's grandmother is no pushover and is a very likable addition to the cast of characters. Although the age difference is indeed great between Athena and John, Athena more than holds her own. Some readers will find the Duke's overt masculinity a bit much, but I liked him as he was. Watching the usually unflappable young Athena fall in love is quite a treat. And to witness the cynical Duke succumb is also fun. It's a pleasure to read from cover to cover.