Review: A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Great Banter, Fun Couple

It’s been two years since journalist Agatha Watson left New York for her own safety—despite writing under a pen name, the disgruntled “victims” of her articles detailing the seedier side of New York life seem to know who she is and want her dead. Zayne Beckett also left New York two years ago, to travel to California and marry. They meet by coincidence in Colorado, and Agatha makes it her responsibility to persuade Zayne to return to his family.

Agatha is an excellent character. She’s strong-minded, competent (at writing. Less competent at other things…), intelligent and witty. There’s just the small matter of her getting in trouble a lot—the kind of trouble that leaves her with people wanting her dead. Zayne, in his infinite male wisdom, decides Agatha needs a husband to protect her and keep her in order. Well, it’s not difficult to work out what’s going to happen. It’s particularly amusing to read as various females (including Zayne's precocious eight-year-old niece) attempt to show Zayne the error of his thinking, at the same time as he is trying to keep Agatha safe (which is harder than it sounds).

A Match of Wits is the fourth book in The Ladies of Distinction series, and while it can be read as a standalone novel, it would be best to read A Talent for Trouble first, as this introduces Agatha and Zayne, and A Match of Wits does reference some events out of A Talent for Trouble . This is my favourite in the series so far—while all the books have an element of banter, A Match of Wits takes that witty dialogue one step further, to great effect.

I think readers who enjoy Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox, Becky Wade and Mellissa Tagg will enjoy Jen Turano’s books. Recommended for fans of historical fiction with a touch of comedy.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.