To Spark a Match by Jen Turano

To Spark a Match
by Jen Turano

ISBN-13: 9780764240218
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: November 14, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--but that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.

When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.


My Review:
To Spark a Match is a romantic comedy set in 1888 in New York. It's the second book in the series, but it works as a standalone. This is my favorite series by this author. Adelaide isn't that interested in fashion and society, so she's allowed her well-meaning mother to dress her in unflattering dresses. Gideon feels he owes her for a mishap that nearly causes her social ruin, so he gets his fashionable female friend to correctly dress her and both use their influence to return her to society's favor. Woven into this is Adelaide's love of spy novels merging with Gideon actually being an independent spy/undercover detective. She's thrilled to be living a spy novel as she helps Gideon with his current case, but he's worried for her safety.

The characters got into funny situations, adding light-hearted comedy to the events. Some of it was Adelaide's tendency to get into awkward situations, but mostly it was her unconventional way of dealing with unexpected situations. The main characters were kind, engaging people. Gideon and Adelaide got to know and care about each other as they spent time together. Their attraction was based on admiration of each other's character, looks, and how they enjoyed the same types of things. Some details about the time period and setting were woven into the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this humorous novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.