Mr. Gabriel Carr is a successful London businessman with a dozen ventures under his control. He’s absurdly handsome, a fact of which he’s well aware and quite proud, but he’s nearing thirty and it’s time to marry and start a family. Gabriel doesn’t want a woman who will only care for his face and fortune, so he devises a List of traits he wants in a wife. She must be restrained, dignified, reasonably attractive, and capable of managing a household. Oh, and she must be of the merchant class so she can’t hold her birthright over his head, though he’s cousin to a baronet and considered a gentleman by the ton.

Lady Nola Grenvale is the amiable sister of an earl, and a happy spinster at that. She has found her calling assisting war widows in small business ventures, where they can be self-supporting. Now she is on the hunt for an empty warehouse in which to start a Widow’s Bazaar of stalls, where several hundred widows might offer their wares for sale. Nola has found the perfect building. Unfortunately, it belongs to Mr. Gabriel Carr, who has no interest in helping her with this venture.

Nola isn’t about to take “no” for an answer. She descends on Gabriel’s house, where she attempts to convince him of the project’s merits. Gabriel is rather put off that this slender redhead doesn’t even seem to notice his looks and fine physique. In truth, Nola is more than attracted to Gabriel, but refuses to let his looks distract her. Their battle of wills is complicated by the machinations of Gabriel’s daffy mother, who dearly wants to see her son married; Nola’s managing aunts, who are two elderly Countesses; and Gabriel’s friends and acquaintances, who believe the List is idiotic and he’s missing a treasure right under his nose.

Through a series of events, Nola and her two aunts end up ensconced in the Carr home while Gabriel is laid up with an injured knee. Since nobody in the house is willing to take on the job of helping him with his business correspondence, Nola offers, and the door is opened for Gabriel and Nola to finally get to know one another.

Conversations rule the day in this story, and they often take place at a lightning clip. Alert reader will no doubt find themselves laughing out loud at some of the dialogue. Gabriel’s best friend, the indolently charming Duke of St. Fell, skewers Gabriel’s ego at just the right times. Gabriel’s mother, Nola’s aunts, her brother the Earl, the maids, even a fat dog named Fig and a chef who sculpts confections into battle scenes all provide comic relief at times.

But at the heart of the story is the burgeoning romance between Nola and Gabriel. He’s a hero who has forever had women swooning at his feet because of his looks, yet finds Nola entirely unimpressed by them. She’s quite intrigued by his business acumen, though, and Gabriel finds himself irritated, unsettled, and fascinated. Nola knows she isn’t the woman for Gabriel – especially once his List comes to light – and is therefore free to speak plainly and honestly to him – which she does, with a vengeance. Neither expects the strong bond that builds between them, as neither has had anyone look beneath the surface before.

It’s quite a testament to the author’s skill that she kept me reading past the third chapter, because initially, Gabriel is almost overwhelmingly narcissistic. Of course, no woman has ever been interested in him for anything more than his looks and money, so by now it’s a habit for him to dwell on his physical attributes. Nola is the perfect foil. When she informs Gabriel she’s not in the least interested in marrying him, but she would like his warehouse, Gabriel is brought to his knees in fine fashion.

Readers should bear in mind that fast-paced farce is not everyone’s cup of tea, and some may find lightning-quick dialogue to be exhausting. And I have a minor quibble with the couple on the cover. Either the man has found a new place to store his socks, or he’s very happy to see the lady. No pun intended, but what’s up with that?

Nonnie St. George has a fine career ahead of her if this debut novel is a true sample of her talent. Her next book will feature the intriguing St. Fell, and I can’t wait to see what she does with his story. If you like witty, breezy romance with lots of sass and sparkle, don’t miss The Ideal Bride. It’s an ideal way to spend an afternoon.

--Cathy Sova