The Husband Criteria

In a time when women had very little power over their own lives, the “three Graces” are determined to go into their season looking for specific characteristics of the men they marry. In the midst of the ton, and other requirements of Victorian England, Cynthia finds just such a man. The Husband Criteria, by Catherine Kullman, delivered an entertaining story.

Be warned, the reader does need a program of who’s who, which the author provides. It can still get confusing, but doesn’t detract from the cute story. Kullman also uses some archaic vocabulary which fit perfectly into the story. I was reading on my kindle app & used the dictionary several times. After reading a heavy book, this was a good change of pace.

If you love classic style historical romance, but sometimes wish there was just a tiny sprinkle of spice on top of all that courtesy and formality, The Husband Criteria by Catherine Kullmann will be a delightful read. We follow three friends deemed "The Three Graces" during a season in London during which two experience the ton for the first time and a third makes her match during her second experience with that famous Marriage Mart. The wit and humor that you expect of this genre (think Georgette Heyer) is here, as are a few phrases and details I hadn't come across in years of reading historical romance. I laughed, I learned, I cheered when the happily ever after came within sight. Five stars.

The inclusion of the character list at the start is helpful, but I wish I resisted the urge to constantly check it during the first 20-30% of the story. While the large cast seems confusing at first, the characters are developed in time and it's not hard to keep track of them.

One wonderful detail that I don't think counts as a spoiler: there's no third act breakup. I was preparing myself for disappointment when I got to 80%, but while there are disappointments for The Three Graces, there is no breakup, thank goodness.

As for the aforementioned sprinkle of spice, it comes in the final scene, which is the wedding night of the main couple. They are young and inexperienced. It's short, sweet, and not explicit. This was a charming read, all around.

Catherine Kullmann is one of my favorite historical romance authors. As in her other books, the narrative has well-developed characters and detailed descriptions of the settings and the fashions of the day. Kullmann does research to insure the authenticity of the historical elements, but she incorporates them in a skillful manner that enhances rather than interrupts the flow of the story. I often felt like I was in the rooms the characters inhabit.

The “The Husband Criteria '' follows three debutants entering the infamous “marriage mart” that readers of Regency romances know well. The so-called husband criteria develops out of a discussion these friends have about the most essential characteristics that they desire in a mate. Chloe Loring (first seen in “A Suggestion of Scandal”) and Ann Overton are in their first season. Cynthia Glazebrook is embarking on her second season. We learn about what each young woman desires but the main action focuses on Cynthia.

Cynthia's first meeting with the main male character, Lord Marfield, is not a “meet cute” scene. It demonstrates that Cynthia speaks her mind. Lord Marfield is not charmed, but as the story unfolds he comes to appreciate her directness. I enjoyed how Kullman shows their physical attraction. At the same time they get to know each other in family settings, not just in the ballrooms.

There are not any real villains, except for the cruelties of the “ton.” Ann and Chloe have some disappointments and I hope Kullman gives us stories about them in future books. I never felt like the characters in the book are perfect people but for the most part the main characters and their families are kind and supportive.

There is a long list of characters at the beginning of the book that I start to read. But after the first few pages in the Kindle edition I decided to just plunge in and enjoy the story. I got confused a few times about whose brother someone was, but by reading along it became clear.

I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Husband Criteria

Fans of Jane Austin will thoroughly enjoy this story of three young women going through a London Regency era debutante season looking for very particular traits in future husbands. Austin’s book Pride and Prejudice is referenced in this book. As they negotiate the charms and pitfalls of the many social activities available to them, they come to the unsurprising conclusion that candor is one of the most important qualities in a suitor. What happens as a result of this candor is a delightful event.

This seems like the beginning of a series that readers will love.

I really enjoyed this classic styled historical romance. We follow three young ladies starting with their presentation to the Queen and on to their first season as debutantes in the marriage market, the non-stop rounds of balls, parties, and soirees attended every season by London's aristocrats.
Each girl has different expectations for their season but all would love to find a true love match. They develop a list of criteria their gentleman callers must meet in order to be acceptable as "husband material".
This is an utterly charming, delightful look into the lives of the beau monde and the "season", designed to produce good matches for the young ladies of the ton. This did not include love, the matches were mostly made based on status, amount of wealth, land etc. that one was bringing to the marriage. One did not marry down, always looking to make a match that would lift one above one's present status and rise above.
If you like reading novels rich in historical detail, a lovely storyline and truly likeable characters, then this one is for you. I loved it, now I must go back and read the first in this series, only because this one was so good, but it definitely works as a stand-alone. I highly recommend and give 5 stars.
Thank you to Books Go Social and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

Decision by list!

Refreshing Regency tale exploring the thoughts and feelings of three young women who are making their Presentation to the aging Queen Charlotte.
The three are fast friends, have supportive families, and enhance each other with their looks. So much so that the Ton have taken to calling them the ‘Three Graces.’
When younger they had made a list, their criteria for husbands. What to look for, how the gentleman treated them. In general they were looking to get behind the facile surface to a truer knowing. Very difficult! The list contained “not the obvious things like birth and wealth, but whether he was kind, a good listener, generous or mean-spirited, or a fortune-hunter. [The girls] said the artificiality of the Season [made] it difficult to assess a fellow’s character and to weed out those who might ignore or mistreat their wives.”
The Husband Criteria mainly follows Cynthia Glazebrook. She meets a man, Lord Rafe Marfield who might stand the test. Unfortunately, because her grandfather was a nabob, the patronesses of Almack’s have refused her a voucher. Her friends Chloe and Ann returned theirs, no explanation given.
That of course is not the end of the drama.
Cynthia is attracted to Rafe, heir to the Earl of Benton. Even so can she trust him enough to give up her independence?
Ann Overton is a very gifted musician. Her battles are around being able to play her music and not have it become second place to maintaining a home. She is delighted when she’s invited to join a musicians’ working group, but in the end that betrays her.
Chloe Loring has feelings for tutor Thomas Musgrave. Unfortunately his interests appear to be engaged elsewhere.
A charming tale of supportive friendship and young women taking as much control as they can in learning about potential partners.
Of course the ton learn of the ladies’ list and more than one lady enquires about it.
Enjoyable read if you can keep in mind the various moving parts.

A BokksGoSocial ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this arc.

I agree that there are a lot of characters in this book and at first I felt a bit overwhelmed by them.

The reason behind Chloe, Ann, and Cynthia being worried about what a man might really be like outside of social engagements among the beau monde is mainly, I believe, due to Chloe’s parents. I read the blurbs for the other books and her parent’s marriage was acrimonious. The three young women have discussed marriage and hit upon the idea of listing the characteristics of what type of man they’re looking for. Looks and money are a factor as no one wants to be married to someone who physically repulses them and who wants to live in poverty but the most important things they’re looking for are compatibility, kindness, someone who listens to them, and respects them.

Cynthia’s first meeting with Marfield (or Rafe as she finally learns his Christian name after they are tentatively edging into a relationship) is at Gunter’s (the book makes good use of the standard “Season” events and places). Something makes her maintain eye contact with him instead of dropping her eyes with maidenly blushes which makes him decide to saunter over. When he is asked a question to which he replies a bit dismissively (he honestly didn’t have an answer to it), Cynthia springs to her friend’s defense and firmly puts him in his place. Intrigued he later asks her to dance at a ball and the two find themselves beautifully matched while waltzing. As this is her second Season, Cynthia knows the rules and doesn’t seek to snag his attention unlike other debs in the hunt for his (future) title. She also doesn’t simper nor bat her eyes at him. Rafe finds this refreshing, thinks Cynthia is unique among women, and begins to seek her out. But with the ton watching, how can they truly get to know each other and be sure they’ll match for life?

There are many things I enjoyed about the book. We get Cynthia’s brother’s and Rafe’s PsOV on how the men see the Season. At first Rafe isn’t looking for a bride but after his father indicates that he wants Rafe to take over a family property, Rafe begins to change his mind thinking that having a wife would help that. Neither his parent’s nor Cynthia’s met during a Season so they don’t have first hand knowledge of trying to court and be courted in public. Cynthia advises another deb to try and develop topics for conversation as her brother has told her that when a deb says little beyond “yes” or “no” it appears to others that she thinks him a dull fellow. There’s also the intimidation of approaching a young woman across a dance floor.

Cynthia and Rafe actually talk. At first he’s surprised by her frankness and honesty but soon finds he looks forward to hearing what she has to say. They astonish their parents by stating they want to spend time together before entering into any agreement and that either one should be able to back out. This shows readers how hampering the rules of Polite Society were. The darker sides of the London events are shown by how Cynthia’s mother’s request for vouchers to Almacks is capriciously denied while those for Chloe and Ann are approved. The three are determined to stick together and various family members of them all send theirs back after a discussion of how this could affect the young women’s popularity and invitations. Newspaper gossip threatens reputations as well but once Rafe and Cynthia are sure (to the delight of their parents) Rafe’s mother has the perfect polite revenge for the Patronesses.

There is no plot other than the Season and how marriage and prospects affect the lives of the ton. What is shown is how people navigated this important Social event, how reputations needed to be protected, how eyes were watching everything to sniff out intentions and tittle-tattle, and how important finding your feet and having friends were to enjoying the balls, routs, drives in the Park, and musicales. The Rules were paramount and flouted at risk. I didn’t feel, despite the discussions the debs have about women being able to support themselves or Cynthia and her brother have about social order, that these are twenty-first century people dressed in period costume. This felt like a refreshing return to the type of historical books that pay attention to detail and being authentic. I enjoyed it so much that I’m looking into acquiring and reading the first two books. B

A charming Regency novel following cousins Cynthia, Chloe, and Ann across the Season, Catherine Kullmann has created a unique romance novel. Cynthia, Chloe, and Ann must navigate the London Season, the judgment of Society, and the marriage market. However, any future husbands must meet and pass their “husband criteria” -- officially or not. Kullmann’s characters are lively, engaging, and charming, and the supporting cast are equally well-developed despite their lack of page time. This novel is a whimsical, fun, easy-to-read page-turner, and the characters flit from page to page, bringing their charm and daily schedule to the reader. Kullmann’s prose and characters are engaging and immersive, with strong personalities of their own and quick wits to spar with Society’s best. Her settings, while not central to the story, reflect their inhabitants’ values and character, thriving in the cultured climate of London. Cynthia, Chloe, and Ann’s friendship has clearly survived a handful of social scandals and will weather the Social storm once again, as they are all willing to place their unity above social norms and privileges. Nicknamed the Three Graces, the three cousins and their families share strong bonds and familial ties, which, in addition to their Husband Criteria, help them emerge from the London Season.

Writing down your criteria for apurchase is a good thing. We wrote down our criteria for moving house, or when we bought household items. But husband criteria is something different. However, at this time, marriage was more about family status, politics, wealth or land than it is now - usually. But not always of course, as the adverts in the Times of India can testify.
So criteria made sense then, even if not always strictly adhered to!
Nice book.

I do enjoy looking back at a time when manners mattered. 3 gal pals dream of life as an adult. Finally that time has arrived. There are balls to attend and copious amount of rules to remember. And to find a match? I liked the story. Just happy I didn't live in those times. I don't think I would have been good about finding my match with so many rules in place. A good escape read.