Camp’s writing has always held my interest. Not only is her writing clever with some of the conventional tropes of the romance genre, but by in large I enjoy her romantic leads. THE COURTSHIP DANCE, the fourth book in the Matchmakers series, is no exception. Readers of the series will recognize the leads, Francesca and Sinclair, from previous books and that the two of them have a history beyond that of the close friendship they feel now.

Francesca and Sinclair’s courtship is fraught with the usual problems—misunderstandings, lack of communication, pride, etc—but Sinclair at least isn’t a fool. He’s quick to Francesca’s game and even quicker to ensure the outcome is what he wants, not what she deems proper and dutiful.

THE COURTSHIP DANCE reminded me of Jane Austen’s Emma actually, a purposeful intention of the author‘s. Camp had set the series up as a nod to Jane Austen and her classic romances.

I was at odds with the danger element of the story however. It served its purpose well enough, but it felt like a contrivance to bring about certain outcomes, instead of a genuine threat.

The rest of the book is quite enjoyable. As I said previously, Camp’s writing is clever and quick fun reads. ( )

Disappointing. I could tell what was going to happen from the previous books. I bought it simply to see the happy ending Lady Francesca Haughton so richly deserved.

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Considering the good bits of the previous novel in this series, I was disappointed. This is the novel where the matchmaker of the previous three gets her match and some of the adventure and peril is very much patched on for drama and additional venues for hot sexin'.

It's a good thing it was slim because I couldn't have borne the heroine being dense about the hero for too long. ( )

Lady Francesca Haughston has had to help the ladies/gentlemen of the ton find their husbands/wives just to make ends meet since her husband has died and left her in debt. One person that she truly wants to help is Sinclair, Duke of Rochford to make up for breaking of their engagement when she was very young. Her and Sinclair have always remained friends but deep down she is still in love with him. The chemistry between the two is off the charts! Sinclair gives in and agrees to the plan (but only because he is going to propose to her). Her late husband's friend Galen Perkins comes back and tells Francesca that he actually owns her house and if she wanted to keep it, she needs to come up with the money to pay him off. Francesca starts to sell everything she can but still can't come up with the money. Her only hope is Sinclair!

Francesca is such a strong independent woman (my favorite heroine type). She has done everything she can to get by without help of others and not showing her stress. But she also knows when things are way over her head that she needs to ask for help.

Sinclair is the dashing hero who sweeps in to help. He is everything a knight in shining armor should be. He has always loved Francesca and until she confessed why she broke off the engagement he thought there was no way that she loved him.

Galen Perkins is the slimy foe who has come back after being exiled after he killed a man. He was Francesca's late husband's gambling buddy and he supposedly has a note that says her husband signed over the house to pay a gambling debt he owed to him. Really all he wants is for her to be his mistress so when his plan is foiled by Sinclair, he decides to kidnap Francesca.

Great story, loved the interaction between all the characters. Would recommend this to anyone that enjoys the historical romance genre...:) ( )

Lady Haughton finally gets her happy ending, as she schemes to find the Duke of Rochford a wife to make up for jilting him fifteen years ago.

The best in a good series. ( )