A QUEEN'S MATCH

Three noblewomen pursue their desired marriages—and contend with family pressures, fake courting, and blackmail—in this follow-up to A Queen’s Game (2024).

Queen Victoria persists in arranging advantageous marriages for her descendants. May of Teck, seeking an escape from her abusive father, strategically pursues Eddy, Victoria’s grandson and heir, although she’s aware of her growing feelings for George, his younger brother. However, Eddy loves Hélène, a French princess whose family has lived in exile since the revolution. Despite gaining Victoria’s approval to marry Eddy, Hélène calls off the engagement, lying about the true reason: She’s being blackmailed by May, who’s discovered her shocking secret. Meanwhile, Alix of Hesse hopes to marry Nicholas despite his Romanov parents’ disapproval. To remain near Alix without suspicion and try to retrieve the letter May is using as blackmail, Nicholas and Hélène use a pretend courtship as a cover. Their deception leads Eddy, who’s feeling abandoned by Hélène, to agree to marry May. May, whose circumstances often make her sympathetic, struggles with the consequences of her decisions. McGee vividly portrays the characters’ motivations and milieu, including the heartbreaking impact of real historical events. The storylines, which unfold through multiple points of view, are easy to follow. New fans will find this work offers ample context and clarity, making it an accessible entry point for the series. The characters present white.

Rich character development and clear plotlines make for a strong sequel.